3/14/13

Teeny, Tiny

Our kitchen is small with zero counter space. I really wanted a small island to add extra counter space but knowing that our kitchen is so small, I knew that the island could not be very large. I also had a huge cutting board that I couldn't use because it took up too much space and it was cumbersome to get out. Our cutting board is pretty special to use because his dad made it after his accident that left him legally blind. While cleaning up the house the other day, I had an epiphany moment when I had noticed his grandmother's sewing machine table was the same size as our cutting board. I was off to find a sewing machine table that I could paint and add hooks. I had obtained and planned all of this while I was at home alone, so glad Chris liked my idea.
Before/After



I am still not finished with this but this is a start. I wiped the cabinet down to clear off any dust and debris. Then I got out a can of paint we had left over from when we painted the walls of our house (our kitchen is teal-- the other rooms are the same gray) and I dry brushed paint on with a thin layer. That is it, it took me maybe 20 minutes and only $10 to get exactly what I wanted! 

3/12/13

Old & Busted

Have you ever been to a thirft store and found a wooden piece but it is worn out, the bones are good but the finish is not? Don't over look it because the finish is scratched...use some Old English and about 5 minutes you can go from old and busted to new hotness.

Chris and I were looking for two bar stools...and I found these at our cleaning shop..and best of all they were FREE...however the seats were scratched and just not up to par. I brought them home(in my Civic Coupe...Chris was proud) spent about 5 minutes and now we have two new bar stools. Luckily I had some light Old English on hand. $0 spent that is my type of deal! 

2/26/13

Swag...I have it.

I have swag...no, no not that swag...I am an utter dork when it comes to my coolness level but I have gotten a new swag lamp from a local yard sale group on facebook. I thought it was beautiful and the seller boasted that is was from the 40's or the 50's still no one took a nibble even at only $20. I thought about that lamp for a few hours. I kept talking about it. I even looked on eBay for similar ones just to see how affordable they are...which come to find out my darling little swag lamp was listed for $90-$120. I told Chris of my findings and he told me to get it! I commented and the seller agreed to meet with me the following day. I paid for my purchase and took my baby home even though I had no clue where it was going to live.

I had always said the small section, which I refer to as a hall, outside of our room and bathroom needed a light fixture but there was no wiring for one and it is really expensive to have it done. But there was a switch  there that has previously been used for the furnace(we live in an older home) that no longer operated anything. My dear, sweet husband went out and bought an electrical outlet/switch combo and changed out the old switch. It took him several tries but he finally managed to get it working. and I am sooooo happy that it is working.



Now I have a light fixture that is in the same era of our home! Love it. To top it off its in the shape of a tulip! If I would have bought this piece today it would have been so expensive because of all the metal and thick glass. I love items from the past because they were made to last and not made to be replaced.