What I Rescued This Weekend, Monday

This is another one of the times I'm showing the "after" photo first, because the "before" photo is pretty icky. This little chair is a good example of Eastlake furniture that I had mentioned last week. Victorian, but more linear. Originally, I'm sure this little chair was part of a set that was most likely mahogany or walnut, probably with a dark velvet upholstery.

At some point it had been painted gold, 70's or 80's I imagine, because it was very chippy. I love the square inset that has carved bees, one on each side. I just did a creamy-white wash over it, so some of the gold still shows through.

This is a child's bedroom dressing screen. It is really old and had been covered with multiple layers of wallpaper, but then badly discolored due to water damage. It had probably been in someone's basement or cellar.

I stripped off the wallpaper and then found I really liked the patina of the wood with it's aged look. It was pretty rough and uneven so I gave the panels a little dry-brushed cream paint to even it all out.

My helper is in the background on the table.



Before shot, showing the gold paint. The upholstery is a new heavy linen,

good quality. I would have done a natural linen, but this will stay, for now.

You can see the details easier of flowers and bees.

And then, this is the scary screen.

After shot, so you didn't forget.

I think they turned out pretty sweet, and I didn't have to put a

tremendous amount of effort into them.
Here are some other items I found. Some old white dishes...

and does anyone know what these little rose paper thingies are?

They are embossed heavy cardboard. I assume they are some sort of pad,

maybe a paper hot pad or pad for an iron? I'm not sure.

Sweet, but I don't know how practical that would be.

Let me know if you know.

I love this little set of white camillia prints with a gold metallic frame,

very 40's. A little purse that has lost it's chain and a button,

but has a "tuxedo" design to it.

And a huge cutwork tablecloth with napkins trimmed in taupe.

I'm trying to keep on the lookout for fall things.

Darker colors. These little decoupaged trays, one in flowers and one in fruit,

are so cozy looking, maybe with a little after dinner sherry or appertif.

This is a little Belgian tapestry, only about 12 inches square.

And a petite print.

Sorry that my bigger finds are all in a dirty garage, but that's where I have to work on things, and it's just easier to leave them there to photograph.

I guess all of us junkers have a spot like that.

We like to call it the "staging area".

My husband had his car in the garage for the first time in a couple of years

and he was just so so happy, but then I found a few bigger pieces

that I had to paint, so now he's outside again.

I do have a goal to get things organized and out,

so maybe he can be back in by winter.

Ahem... OK, maybe sooner.

Be sure and say Hi to Polly over at Sassafras Stuff

and check out all her finds from this last week.

Debra

What's A Girl to Do...?

...when she has some really pretty plates, that are mismatched orphans? I love old dishes of all kinds and I have random bits and pieces of sets. I love any kind of transferware, especially brown and green. When I find a plate that catches my eye, I usually buy it, then not know what to do with it.
I found these two Austrian gold rimmed plates several years ago and they have been in a drawer of my china cabinet. They are just so sweet and feminine.
I have wanted to try this little, and I do mean "little", project for a long time and just never got around to it until last week when I saw a couple of other blog posts showing their beautiful plate pedestals. So I dug around to find some glass candlesticks that I had and voila! Look what I have!

This little salad plate pattern is called "Coronet".

Something plain now can take center stage, or center "table".

I'm sure that many of you have created these,

but there are a few of us late bloomers out there that either didn't have the time

or the motivation to try it.

And if you don't have any fabulous cakes, cupcakes or desserts,

why not try something else just as sweet, with no calories.

I have found a wonderful blog that I'm sure many of you know about,

French-Kissed. Jermaine was my motivation to get busy on these.

Her blog and photos are beautiful, and you can get lost for a few minutes

in her lovely home and French-Kissed philosophy.

Her entry of July 10 highlights her masterpieces. She is a real inspiration.

I used E6000 adhesive to bond the plate and candlestick.

Many of you craft gals are very familiar with this brand.

Have a fun and creative weekend.

Debra

My Sister's House and a Recent Graduation

This is a week or so late, but I wanted to share with you some photos of my sister's kitchen. She had been wanting to lighten it up for a little while. She wanted something with a gold tint to it, but in these photos the walls look mostly beige. You know how paint is, it changes with the daylight. She found a great black floral print in Waverly and let that be her starting point.

A baker's rack is her focal point for decor,

and she has some fun things for every season.

This cute little wire rack is above an antique buffet that my mom had while we were growing up. It sat behind her long jaquard sofa and seperated the Living Room from the Dining Room. I'm not sure why I didn't get a shot of it. It has Queen Anne legs and is very sweet, not to mention functional. It's black now, but has been several colors over the years.

In this picture you can see the touch of gold in the paint color.

Becky has this wonderful bombe chest in her entry that I love.

Since this is a "family" post I wanted to share pictures from my nephew Nathan's recent High School graduation. You met his younger brother, Spencer, at Spring Creek Tea Room for lunch a while back. Nate is a talented young photographer, (Hmm...lessons??) who was co-editor and Art Director of his school newspaper and Art Director of his yearbook,

both of which received national honors. Not only is he talented, and handsome,

but he's also super-smart.

He won the Presidential Scholarship for Drury University, here in Springfield.

His girlfriend, Sarah, will be attending Kansas City Art Institute,

so I imagine momma will have to agree to some road trips.

Here we all are at "Millie's", which is a great little downtown place,

celebrating after Nate's graduation.
Becky's husband Tom is setting behind my mom, Sarah and her mom,

our family friend Retta, My hubby and I, and Chris and Alyson.

My proud sister and her boy!

Becky's husband Tom was there, but he was taking pictures

and didn't make it for any of the outside shots.

For holidays we beg Tom to make his mean smoked tri-tips roast, and awesome

"Faux-garitas", virgin margaritas. yum.


Thanks for letting me share a few shots of my family life...and brag just a little.

Sure do love 'em!
Debra