REVEAL - Middle Bedroom in Winter - Part 2

Before I show you the rest of the middle bedroom in winter, let me back up and tell you the chest  of drawer saga.

After dragging my feet for a few months during my bedroom re-do, I finally got around to painting the pseudo-French-style chest of drawers. (It is one I got for free two summers ago.)

It was painted green, which is why I put painting it on hold. Though it did not clash too badly, it was pretty beat up. 

The hardware was nice, and the lines were good, even if the carvings were a bit...shall we say...eclectic? 

Why I started painting this week: 
Saturday morning, I was cleaning house. I got hungry, and decided to scramble an egg and have a cup of hot tea. I sat down to eat, and turned on the TV. In a few minutes, the screen went black, and SMOKE CAME OUT. Apparently, the life of a flat screen TV is about 6-7 years. Mine was 6 years old, but has seen lots of use.

Long story short, I ordered a new TV from Walmart, which is due on Friday. Meanwhile, I have been watching the little set in the middle bedroom (a Christmas present from Hannah). I have been sleeping here for a while. I figured it was a perfect time to mix up some homemade plaster paint and get cracking on the chest!

I painted on two coats of a creamy white plaster paint I mixed from some Walmart flat paint and plaster of paris.  It covered pretty well with two coats, and dried quickly. 

My MOST favorite thing about the plaster paint is that it is tres cheap. My LEAST favorite thing about the plaster paint is that it is HARD to sand. Hence, there's only light distressing on this piece for now...it might get more later.

One drawer was falling apart. It might be able to be glued, but since it is constructed like a shelf, I thought I might try to find some baskets to fit inside. I just stuck some from Dollar tree in for the time being...but you get the idea.

Now for Part Two, picking up where we ended in Part One of my bedroom reveal:

Continuing to the left, there is a doorway into the front hallway. 

The French chair was free, as was the little trunk. I added 2x4 legs to make it a table.

The door opens into the room, and is open much of the time. I purchased the trellis over 10 years ago at an end of summer sale - it was under $3, if I remember correctly.

Next, we get to the freshly painted chest!

Just past it is a small table I was planning to use as a bedside table, but it was too large for the space. It fits the small tv nicely. It was a curbside find decades ago. Above it is a vintage cuckoo clock I recently painted white.

On the floor, there is a ceramic or chalk ware topiary I found last year at a thrift store and painted.

To the left of that is a bird cage on my seven table. It has a metal charger, sprayed white, to cover the industrial number.

Here is a closer look of the ceramic bird candle holder with a beeswax candle inside the bird cage. 

Above the bird cage is a corner shelf, painted with ASCP Old White, and more birds.

Just to the left is a door into what was the master bedroom, and will be an art room. And, we're back to the bedside table.

Styling the chest of drawers was sort of fun...there are only two items on this wall that were purchased at retail; A bird candle holder from Dollar Tree - I painted it white, and the trellis which was on clearance 10 years ago. 

A collection of odd thrift store mirrors, with silver coming off in places spans the top of the chest. I painted them various shades of white and distressed them.

The green plate was a gift. The tiny bird house and green iron candlestick are both thrift store purchases, as are the vintage books.

The lantern was my porch light when I moved into this house; it stopped working. When I took it down to put a new one, the wires were spooky-bare! 

I thought it had a certain charm, so I stuck it away in a box. 

I am glad I finally have a place to use it 11 years later! 

Sweet side note: February 14 is my 11 year anniversary in this house. <3 font="">

This middle bedroom has been painted several times; first it was yellow, then pink, later tobacco green and now light greige. 

It still had the original 1945 wallpaper when I moved in! 

1945 wallpaper is kinda cool, but definitely not something I wanted to keep.

Since I painted or recovered practically every item in this room, plus the walls, it took longer than any other past redo of this room has taken. I still have a few little things to do...baskets for the chest, painting a different headboard, etc. But for now, I'm happy, and those changes can come whenever!

I'm enjoying the lighter palette in here, and look forward to styling it for various seasons.

Word for the Day:

2 Chronicles 8:16

Thus was accomplished all the work of Solomon from the day the foundation of the house of the Lordwas laid until it was finished. So the house of the Lord was completed.

Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com	Revival Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
http://cityfarmhouse.com/	Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Show Me What Ya Got
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/	Penny Pinching Party
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://staceyembracingchange.com/	Creative Inspirations
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.commonground-do.com/	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/	Party Junk
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday

Thrifty Life Thursday #6

Every single thing in the photo above was from a thrift store.

In fact, I could count on both hands the items that were purchased new at "regular" stores in my middle bedroom.

New items include:

Sheets from Walmart, a coverlet on sale at Stein Mart, a dust ruffle on sale and with a coupon from Bed Bath & Beyond, 2 lamp shades from Walmart, 2 curtains - one from Target(ish) and one from Walmart, a tiny picture frame from the dollar aisle at Michael's.

Items from real stores, purchased at least 5 years ago:

One lamp base from Walmart, 2 iron tables from Ross were about $12 each, one tall skinny bird house from Hobby Lobby was 50 percent off, an iron piece - 50 percent off at Hobby Lobby, a small green cross from Dollar tree. 

If you have not seen the reveal, part one is HERE. Part two will be posted on Friday or Saturday.

Now for features from Thrifty Life Thursday #5:

Donna from Distressed Donna Down Home must have supernatural junk radar! She finds so many cool things while out on the hunt with her friend Olive...reading her posts always make me antsy to get to the nearest thrift store, just in case there is a treasure waiting for me! I'll take a nice rusty iron urn to go, please. :)

Joy from A Vintage Green shared a unique post in which she refurbished a mini grain elevator to honor her dad, who worked in one. She asked him to write about it, so there is a sweet family twist to go with a very cool mini grain elevator decor for her outside.

One of my favorite bloggers ever, Audrey from Timeless Treasures, is back with a very clever re-purpose! She took a vintage magazine rack, painted it, and used it to store her vintage metal dust pan and whisk brooms! It's function AND beauty all in one. And Audrey is one of the sweetest, most humble women - who just so happens to have a great eye for cool stuff...I wish we lived closer.

THRIFTY LIFE THURSDAY #5

Gathering Guidelines:

This is a gathering for people who enjoy hunting for treasures that have

 lived a former life elsewhere. Please share your pre-owned treasures only. 

Types of Posts to Share:

• Home decor, furniture, collectibles, garden items and even wearables are welcome. Please, no food items, new pieces from "real" stores, or crafts, unless made with upcycled thrifty finds.

• Hand-me-downs and curbside finds are welcome, as are items found in thrift stores, garage sales, antique shops, flea markets and other interesting places.
• Treasures may be listed as you found them, or with your updates, tweaks, and re-purposes; befores and afters are both welcome.

• Items need not be "vintage" but must be pre-owned.

• Posts including Etsy and other shop links are welcome! For visitor enjoyment, please link to your blog post, not directly to your Etsy shop. 

Etiquette:

• Though it is not a requirement, I'd love it if you would follow Revisionary Life some way - via Blogger, Pinterest or Facebook or subscribe via email. Links are located in my sidebar on the right.

• Please link back to Revisionary Life. 
• Please visit at least one other party friend.

• I'd love for you to comment and introduce yourself if we've never met before. :) Otherwise, don't feel obligated to leave a comment. 

Features:

• Featured items must meet the criteria above. 
• I will try to email you and let you know if you were featured!

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Thank you for visiting and looking or linking. :) 

REVEAL - Middle Bedroom in Winter - Part 1

This small middle bedroom project began in July, 2013. I mistakenly imagined it would take a couple of weekends to paint the walls, a few pieces of furniture, and decorate it with my vintage thrift store finds. 

Well...it is February, 2014, and I can finally say it is as finished as any room in my home ever is. (I change things often.)

Below is the view from the front hallway doorway. 

After channeling Goldilocks for a few weeks, I decided a double bed fit this space much better than a queen. 
In the photo above, the only new purchases were the iron piece above the headboard ( a 50 percent off purchase at Hobby Lobby several years ago), two white lamp shades from Walmart for less than $10 each, the white cotton coverlet and dust ruffle, and a new set of white sheets. 

All the existing furniture was painted white. The two iron tables are barely big enough for a lamp, a clock and a drink, but I had them, and they fit. The lidded stool holds some vitamins and OTC meds, and other items I like to keep handy - nail clippers, lotion, etc. 

I played with "soft focus" above. Does the bed look even more cozy now? 

Much of what I used in this room is stuff I already had, and most of it was purchased at thrift stores, including the two dark green velvet Ralph Lauren pillow shams. The beautiful velvet patchwork throw was a gift from my friend Karen.

Here is the bedside table on the wall side of the bed:

I made the padded head board from a foot board I found by a dumpster, and covered with a new drop cloth. I don't love it, but I learned a lot, and plan to do another for the front bedroom. I will change out this head board before too long...I have a wooden one in the garage.

I had bought one of these lamps new at Walmart about 10 years ago, and found a mate at a thrift store a few years back. I have recently updated them with layers of greige and white paints.

Below is a detail of a wall shelf below the antique family portrait. The vintage books were a gift from a friend who visited England decades ago - Les Trois Mousquetaires - The Three Muskateers - written in French. 

Sitting on top of the books is an antique bronzed baby shoe found at a garage sale years ago. I love to keep it in close proximity to the painting, even though the little shoes in the painting have laces instead of buttons. 

WHO would get rid of a shoe like this? I think it cost a dollar.

The only window in the room has a new curtain - one panel of natural linen, and one sheer white panel. 

The linen curtain was originally from Target, but I bought it at a salvage store that gets new things from department stores for even cheaper. There was only one linen panel...but it only cost $14. The white sheer panel cost about $5 at Walmart.

This is my winter decor for the room, which is a mix of whites and mid-range to dark greens. 

I wanted to use some of my garden-ish things for this room, as well as bird and bee items. I may switch to lighter and more aqua things for summer...

The view above is of the foot of the bed, and the small closet (a la 1945 home), the door of which does not completely close due to a doorknob malfunction that is beyond my understanding, and not big enough an irritant to get me to hire someone to fix it. Besides, I like the old original door knobs and plates. and would hate to replace them.

The bookcase is one I purchased decades ago at a garage sale for 5 or 10 dollars - it lived for many years in my boys bedrooms. It has been painted many times and used in a variety of spaces as needed - it is a very flexible piece. 

Here are some close-ups of the vignettes on the shelves:

Top shelf: The lovely print is an old family piece, the cross is from Dollar Tree and everything else was purchased at thrift stores - the topiary was FREE from a thrift store because it was in a broken pot.

First shelf:

Thrift store items except for the vintage spectacles from a family member and the smaller frame from the dollar section at Michael's. Even the greenery balls are recent thrift store purchases. 

My sweet children...

The pedestal bowl above was empty until I found the greenery balls at a thrift store last week.

The middle shelf:

EVERYTHING is from a thrift store. I couldn't get a good photo of the bottom shelf, but it's not that amazing anyway.

Continuing around the room, you'll recognize a vignette you've seen before - a gallery wall, rustic chest and French chair. Everything on the gallery wall was purchased at a thrift store - much of it was painted white. 



This wall is between the left door to the front hallway, and the closet door on the right. 

The chair and chest were freebies. I do plan to make a cover for the seat cushion at some point - probably drop cloth. Extra bed linens live inside the chest, and a vintage suit case below it holds antique lace and linens.

In the vignette above, only the tall skinny bird house was purchased retail years ago. Every thing else was...you guessed it...thrift store or garage sale. 

I will continue with part 2 next time...with the painted chest of drawers - finally!

Word for the Day:
Psalm 4:4

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com	Revival Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/	Inspire Me Tuesday
http://cityfarmhouse.com/	Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Show Me What Ya Got
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com	Cottage Style Party
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/	Penny Pinching Party
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://staceyembracingchange.com/	Creative Inspirations
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/	Thursday Open House Party
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.commonground-do.com/	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/	Party Junk
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday