A Lesson Learned (or when NOT to paint a table aqua)

Some of you may remember a post from a few Wednesdays ago when I had a really lovely day. I found a cute French-ish chair for $4 in a thrift store that feeds and ministers to homeless people. Later, I went to a women's event at my church and won a painting of a chair.  


The reason I even bring that up is because the first time I was at that little thrift store, I bought a table. They don't accept debit cards there. Debit is how I roll most of the time. I had stopped in while running an errand, and had a $5 bill in my pocket. I purchased a couple of small items, and said, "I like that little table, and I'd get it, but the only cash I have now is this $5." The man sold it to me for the balance of my change, commenting that he'd rather buy a gallon of milk to feed homeless than miss the sale. It was sturdy and a cute shape, but the top was in a sad state. Still, it had potential and it was a bargain. I decided I'd paint it some day.

Well, someday turned out to be yesterday. On Friday, I'd purchased a pale aqua spray paint (Krylon's Catalina Mist) at Lowe's so I could add some cuteness to the little table. (I bought some other items too, but that's another post!) 


Saturday is my big housework day, so I got up early and began cleaning. About lunch time, I made it outside to tackle some spray painting projects. I did remember to take a few before photos! 

I began painting, and got a good first coat on the base of the table. It was a warm and breezy day, so the paint dried quickly. It was time to turn the little table over and put a coat on the underside. Much to my surprise, I saw a mark that made me cringe. 

Well, needless to say, I was shocked! I knew Heywood Wakefield made those funky, clean-lined mid- century modern pieces of blonde wood, but I had no idea they made bent wood or rattan furniture! And I'd just completely de-valued a piece that is apparently fairly rare and probably worth at least a couple hundred dollars. Ouch. Note one to self: Before painting anything, inspect it properly for marks. Note two to self: Visit that little thrift store more often.


SO, now what? Forget painting the rest of the table and go get some paint stripper? It might destroy the rattan bindings, which were still tight and in good shape. I was totally out of my league. I had dinner plans, and I had to get a shower and make a trip to the store before 6 o'clock, so I snapped some photos and called it a day. After all, why miss an opportunity to publicly humiliate myself in front of a few followers (well, potentially the world!) What a great way to celebrate my one month milestone today! Woo hoo!


When I got home, I Googled Heywood Wakefield and discovered they were making wicker and rattan furniture since 1826 - well before the mid-century modern pieces I was familiar with. Follow this link for more information. My table was most likely made before 1920. 


I tried Googling more things like "what to do if you painted a Heywood Wakefield table." I love Google, but this time, I didn't get much information. I looked at some of the new posts on the amazing blogs I follow on Google Reader then went to bed.


When I got back to it today I decided to just go with it. I shared some love with the table top via my palm sander and some paste wax. It cleaned up nicely. 

I think the painted base with the natural top looks charming - like something you'd find in a Florida beach house. 

So, I pulled out some old books and a rose painting, mixed them with a new modern white glass vase, and voila!

What did I learn from this experience? Look more closely at every piece I find before I paint it - not while painting it! That said, I like the way this table looks in her new Catalina Mist outfit. I realize it may upset some purists; one of the pages I saw on Google read that a piece had been "violated by three layers of paint." 


I may have significantly devalued this little table in the eyes of the world, but to me, she looks pretty cute. 


Word for the Day:


I Peter 3:3-4


³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.


Until next time,


Revi

Linking with:

http://www.thenester.com/ - It doesn't have to be perfect...

After Photos - the Miracle of White

Today, I realized again for the thousandth time just how much of a miracle a fresh coat of paint is. Few other changes have so much impact, especially for the amount of effort and expense required. And when that paint happens to be white...

White is associated with cleanliness, purity, holiness and simplicity. It can be basic and complex at the same time. White is lovely and restful. If you use a variety of whites - cool and warm, dark and light - and a variety of textures - shiny, matte, rough, chippy, weathered, soft, smooth, translucent - an all-white environment will never be boring! 

White allows our eyes to focus on shape, light and shadow. We can see an object without distractions. White reveals details that would ordinarily go unnoticed, yet it can be very forgiving. White slipcovers can be bleached relentlessly. White tile can be scrubbed mercilessly. 

If you look at my previous post, you'll see just how much beauty you can add by spraying or brushing on a coat or two of white paint. The items are made more attractive, more valuable and are more cohesive as a collection than they were before. 

See the bird above? It was chipped brown realistic-ish paint. Now, it's pristine with a couple of coats of Rustoleum gloss white spray paint. The same goes for the little vintage shiny gold 1950's picture frame behind it. 

This little tool box was fine covered in brown stain, but becomes instantly more charming in white. The same goes for the little footed wooden bowl in at the top of the page.

Remember the dark forest green thing that may have been a mirror? It has a new incarnation as a chalkboard with a few coats of Rustoleum Chalk Board Paint and a white frame. 

The lamp pictured here was a project from a previous post that you may recognize. It was formerly a tacky brass thing. Cassie from Primitive & Proper said, "SO much cuter! i think i would have passed that lamp up before!" after it was sprayed white and got a new shade.

A new coat of paint in any color is a refreshing change, but in my humble opinion, white is like a little miracle in a can. 


Word of the Day:


Revelation 7:9

[ The Great Multitude in White Robes ] 


After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.


May we all meet each other there on that day!


-Revi

Before Photos - Little Thrift Store Finds

Thrift store shopping has been a favorite activity since childhood. My mom took us with her on occasion, and though I don't remember LOVING it then, I knew it was an option, and that cool things could be found. 


SO, in college, my friend Vivian and I went to Goodwill shopping for clothing to wear to a Halloween party. (This was in the early 1980's when the preppy look was hotter than usual.) Well, way back when, we found amazing button down shirts, wool sweaters and all sorts of preppy items for pennies! Needless to say, we were hooked. 


We also found items to decorate our apartment - an upholstered armchair I recovered several times, a dark brown ceramic Ginger Jar lamp, some vintage Mexican pottery and other items.


One lovely spring Saturday morning, we went to a thrift store on our bikes, with our backpacks. We ended up finding an amazing stash of vintage linen dresses and pointy-toed pumps! Vivian bought brown alligator ones, and I purchased black and white spectator pumps with spike heels. We were thrilled! We stuffed our backpacks full and rode home happy girls!


The next day, Sunday, we decided to get all gussied up and go to church. Vivian wore a tan linen suit, with a brown alligator belt and pumps. I wore a white suit with a black patent belt and the black & white spectator pumps. We felt so glamorous! 


Well, if you've ever been to an Episcopal church, you know you stand when you sing, sit when you listen and kneel when you pray. There are lovely little kneeling benches you lower - sometimes they're padded and covered with handmade needlepoint, but I am getting distracted here. 


Anyway, here we were, feeling a little like movie stars in our fabulous attire, and all of a sudden while praying, I opened my eyes and noticed the fellow in front of me. He was kneeling and I had a lovely view of the bottom of his shoes. PANIC!  I nudged Vivian and quietly whispered to her, "Our SHOES!" She knew I was referring to the giant red permanent marker written on the soles of our fabulous shoes "$1.00."  We must have looked pretty funny trying to kneel and not show the soles our our shoes!


OK, back to 2011. The photo above shows a pair of chubby ceramic birds - don't ask me what kind. I wish I knew my birds better! These were .50c each last week. The little wooden footed bowl was .87c

The wooden box and vintage mid-century metal picture frame were $1.91 and .57c respectively.

This wooden cup holder was $1.00, and the duck was another gift I got from Vivian when she moved to NYC years ago. It has water stains now, so I'm going to paint it. I think the cup holder might make a nice necklace and bracelet organizer. I love beaded necklaces...

I think this must have been a mirror or it held a sign or something. There's a slot for something to slide into from the top. It's painted a dark forest green. I like the shape, and think it would be a great chalkboard!


Next time, I'll show the AFTER photos.


Word for the Day - (about Jesus - the Transfiguration)


Luke 9:29

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

May today's changes be blessings for you!

-Revi

Vintage Cool Metal Love

For years now, I've been picking up little metal pieces here and there - picture frames, silver plate trays, wire baskets, a pewter pitcher, etc, etc, etc. The thing is, I really like them rustic and tarnished. Back in the 1980's, I used to polish - brass, copper, silver, etc. It was a mess. But, occasionally, I'd find some old piece, and I couldn't bring myself to polish it. I just think tarnish adds to the charm of a piece. Occasionally, I'll buff a piece a little to bring out the details, but that's about as far as it goes. 


In the photo above is a silver plate lamp - not an old piece, but I found it with a broken globe. I knew I'd find something in my jaunts that would work, and sure enough the crackled glass globe is lovely, and I paid a dollar for it. The two frames hold photos of my parents. Aren't they cuties? The little box was purchased in an after Christmas sale a few years back - I think it's supposed to hold a little gift and hang on a Christmas tree. 

In the photo above, there's a pewter pitcher I bought at a garage sale for $2. I use it regularly. Next to it is a wire basket I think is supposed to hold a wine bottle. Note to self: buy a bottle of wine. In front is a wood box with a grayish color with metal trim on the corners.

Above is a wire basket I've had for years - I can't remember how much I paid for it, but it was cheap. I'm a frugalista, so I know it was not more than a couple of bucks. I've used it for magazines and other things, but I plan to put it on a shelf in my future studio (Mason's room) with spools of string and thread in it. It will look nice and be functional. The old drawer is something I purchased at a friend's shop, along with two old croquet balls. I think I paid $5 for the lot. Next to the box is an old rubber stamp holder. I've been trying to think of a way to use it that would be functional and still show the form. Do you have any ideas?

 In this photo is a silver plate tray I picked up last week for .25c, another very tarnished silver plate bowl, a box from India (via Tuesday Morning) that I found for $3 in a thrift store. I love lidded boxes and baskets! There's a very old perfume bottle with crackled glass and a pump-type lid. It was from a family member. The silver plate frame holds another photo of my mom, and next to it is a little orphaned silver plate cream pitcher.

Above, the old wire chicken-egg basket is perched on a galvanized tin vase I picked up for .50c a few months back. (It's upside down.) In front is a wire planter with two clay pots I purchased last week for $1. In the same thrift store, I found the pewter candlestick, made by Wilton of Columbia, PA for $1. I love the English look of it. 

This photo shows a selection of my folk art metal pieces - the hammered tin lantern was .50c in a thrift store a few years back, and the candlestick was a gift from my friend Vivian when she moved to New York years ago. (I got LOTS of cool things from her then! I like having them, since I don't have her nearby anymore.) This adorable frame was purchased on a trip to Santa Fe years ago. Inside is someone else's relative - she was in another frame I purchased for a few cents, so I adopted her. I'll never understand how people can just toss out photos. It always makes me a little sad to see them still in frames at thrift stores. (Lord, save us all from ending up there!) I included a little bowl of old keys - another thing I collect and use in my art projects sometimes. Behind all these items is a little hammered aluminum plate - it's really thick. I've used it as a coaster or as a place to toss keys or pocket change. 


I love a little metal in the mix in most any room. It gives a texture and patina you can't get in any other material.It looks great in mono-chromatic rooms or as a resting place in highly colorful ones. Mix metals for an eclectic vibe, or keep it to one color for a more traditional one.  It's functional, durable and practically indestructible - the perfect choice for a lived-in home!


Word for the Day:


Proverbs 3:13-14


¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
   those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
   and yields better returns than gold. 

Hannah's House - Before Photos of Thrift Store Finds

Tomorrow, I'll drive to Lubbock to see my daughter and to take her another batch of furniture and decorative items for her new house! Thankfully, we share a similar aesthetic, so I can shop for things I think she will like, and most of the time, she does.


Hannah's house is a 1940's wood frame cottage with red shutters and a porch swing. She and her roommates have recently moved to this unfurnished house from a furnished apartment, so we've been "shopping" for a few months now. (This is what began my blogging!)


The first purchase was 2 tablecloths from World Market. The oblong tablecloths that fit very long tables make great curtains by simply sewing a simple casing for a rod. Hannah's curtains dictated the color scheme for the living room and dining room. They're a lovely rich chartreuse green with an over sized floral print in rich red, deep hot pink, deep teal, dusty turquoise, cream and brown.

Here are a few decorative Items I found for the living room and dining room:

See the cool bubbled glass in the turquoise vase? I was tempted to keep this one for myself!

I found two matching lamps, similar to the ones in this post. She has two adorable patterned drum shades from World Market for them. They sit on a dresser turned sideboard she painted white and antiqued. We'll see about painting them - they might look good in oil rubbed bronze.

Her bedroom is painted a with Walmart flat wall paint in Earthy Mushroom Taupe. It's a lovely deep warm grey-taupe. Her bedding and furniture is all whites and creams.  She's trying to decide whether to use metallics with the whites or add a color - like turquoise. We'll shop for curtains tomorrow, and that should settle the point. Meanwhile she pinned a photo she liked on Pinterest from purlbee.com:

Aren't they wonderful? Do you recognize them? It's just embroidery hoops with fabric stretched in them! So adorably graphic, aren't they! So, I found these today for 25c each. Some are round and some are oval.

I'm not sure if these would go in the living room or the bedroom, but they can go somewhere!


When I visited the first of August, she had about half the wall above her bed (where the headboard will be) paved in empty frames after being inspired by Anthropologie.  Since then I have been shopping for interestingly shaped frames and small mirrors to complete her wall. Once again, the curtains will be the deciding factor whether they're a mix of white and metals, or color is incorporated.


Here are some frames I'm taking for her to use. These are early to mid 20th century brass frames. (BRASS is back, people!):

These are ugly little frames now, but they have nice details that will be cute painted.

These can be used as they are now - 

they're creamy white and gold leaf.

These were a splurge at $4.95 for the pair - they had "art" in them, and they're wood, not plastic. I bought them at a mission thrift store, so it was for a worthy cause! The little porcelain cameo box is a bit of a stretch, but Hannah may like it...the color is a lovely soft, dusty turquoise, and it was only $1.17.

This piece is a little wall shelf that was given to me by our favorite aunt June. It will be nice to have something of hers in Hannah's house. 

Now that you've seen the before photos, we'll have to be sure and send you some after photos! 


Word for the day:


Matthew 7:9-11


⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!


Blessings this Labor Day weekend!


-Revi

Gray is Grey - one of my favorite places to visit...

Many cities have those quaint little shopping areas tucked away in the middle of a neighborhood just waiting to be discovered. Some are now considered inner city locations. Back in the day, most families had one car, the wife stayed home and the husband drove it to work. These little shopping centers provided the daily necessities in a very convenient location - a beauty salon, barber shop, dry cleaner or grocer.


Today, we're more likely to find a coffee house, a bakery or a specialty shop of some sort. Gray is Gray is just such a place.




As I drove through a neighborhood near my church and saw a little gray building with a sign that read "Gray is Grey," I was intrigued.Some very interesting beehive type baskets graced the window, and decided I had to check this place out! Unfortunately, I was on my way to work. Later when my daughter was home for a weekend, I told her we had a new place to check out. When we got there she said, "This doesn't look like an Amarillo store..." 


I purchased the hand in my "little black vignette" that day. The owners are a lovely young couple - he creates iron furniture pieces in addition to running the store.

Gray is Grey offers items you won't find anywhere else in our city. 
Their offerings are more sophisticated than mainstream. Some items are vintage or reclaimed. 

Others are handmade by local artists and craftspeople.
You'll find rough textures, rustic charm, and lots of patina. 

You'll also find slick, shiny, highly refined objects and original art that changes seasonally.

What you won't find at Gray is Grey is color. True to it's name, Gray is Grey is a color-free zone. You might find a little color in a natural leather chair, or as a visual punctuation in a piece of original artwork, but that's about it. 


I must be honest and confess -  I'm a bit of a split-personality when it comes to color. I LOVE color. I also love the absence of color. Bright saturated color is cheerful, energizing and happy. Grays and naturals are peaceful, restful and calm. I like both - it just depends. As my dear friend Cathy put it, "It all depends a lot on everything." I don't know if I could ever live in a color-free home, but I love having certain rooms that are predominately white or neutral, like bedrooms, bathrooms or hallways and I love an all white kitchen. 


It makes me happy to be able to drive just a few blocks away and partake in a visual feast. The menu is a little different every time I visit. Kudos, Cole and Brittani Campbell! I'm already looking forward to my next visit.


You can find Gray is Gray at http://www.grayisgrey.com/ and on Facebook 
They have lots more lovely photos and contact information there.


Word of the Day:


Proverbs 16:31
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

All the best,
-Revi

... and a Little Black Vignette

About 20 years ago, we purchased this Shaker style sofa table from a man in Houston who made furniture. He used poplar, which is a hardwood that is most typically painted. He chose to oil  this table, as it might have been finished traditionally, instead of using polyurethane.He constructed it with dowels instead of nails or screws. This particular poplar was a yellowish color, which worked well with our golden oak furniture pieces. I think we paid $80 for the table. A little later we purchased an 8-feet long dining room table, which I still use. 

After years without re-oiling the wood, the surface became dry and the top acquired a rust stain from an enameled bread box that sat on it for a while. Eventually, I painted the table with Rustoleum oil-based gloss black paint. I love Rustoleum oil paint! My woodwork is painted in gloss white, and I plan to paint my front door in the gloss black soon. My dining room hutch is painted antique white. I have chairs and a bench painted "farm implement red" This paint wears so well it will last for a lifetime.

The glossy finish didn't work for this table, though. I left it alone for a while, but eventually decided to distress it. Recently, I got my palm sander out, and did just that. I concentrated on the edges, hoping to highlight the simple lines of the table, and reveal the dowel joints. I wiped the table down with Minwax Gel Stain. I like it much better now. It took about a half hour to change the look of this table to something I like! I should have done it months ago.

I plan to use this table in my living room, where my color scheme will be a wide variety of greens and black. Tonight, I pulled some of my favorite black items to stage the table and to present a counterpoint to my last post - a little white vignette. 

In the top photo, there is a piece of black metal art that reminds me of an old ceiling tile. I don't know the origin of the piece, but I found it in a used furniture store and paid $11 for it last year. Below the metal piece, there is a little silhouette I bought in a thrift store for .50c. It had a rust colored frame, which I painted black. 


Items on the table include a hand I purchased earlier this year for $12 from one of my favorite shops - Gray is Grey. I think it may be a glove form. 


Next to the hand are three framed black and white family photos. The small one was .50c in a thrift store. The larger two were gifts from my daughter, Hannah - in the center photo. To the right of Hannah's photo is a new purchase from Goodwill last week - a wire house. It cost $2. Next to my son Ethan's photo is a lamp purchased for $1.91 at a thrift store. It is wearing a borrowed shade from my bedroom - one I found at Walmart for $10. The lamp is resting on a stack of three vintage books. 


In the top two photos, you'll see a black wicker chair. I purchased it at the store where I found the metal art, and paid $10 for it. It was a very chippy white. It still chips off paint, so I occasionally pull it outside and touch up the black paint. 


After years of having lots of warm, beautiful colors in my home, I'm ready for something different. I'm still using the colors I love, but instead of mixing them all up in a room, I'm having a green room, a red room, a white room, a brown room, etc. Most rooms will have some black in them. Black helps ground a space, and its timeless. 


Next, I'll show you what I'm taking to Hannah's house this weekend!


Word of the Day:


Isaiah 44:3-5


3For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
   and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
   and my blessing on your descendants.
⁴ They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
   like poplar trees by flowing streams.
⁵ Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’;
   others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
   and will take the name Israel.


May your Wednesday be AMAZINGLY blessed!
-Revi