DIY Beverage Cart --- or How to invite a Changing Table to a Party.

Forecast calls for Cool Breezes with a Good Chance for Cocktails by the Fire!

With a beverage cart your 'party' can go anywhere! 

If you want your guest to congregate on the patio, or perhaps by the fire . . . 

just roll your beverage cart out and fill it up with every thing a well-stocked party needs!

Our beverage cart wasn't always such a party girl.   I found my stable, reliable friend in a garage sale. 

She was once a hard-working Jenny Lind changing table; 

that is until she got her invitation to PARTY!

I gave her a pair of party shoes {a.k.a. casters} and

dressed her from head to toe in Annie Sloan's Duck Egg Blue. 

Accented her with Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Versailles 

. . . simply by dry brushing and adding a swirly graphic on her top.  

Gave her a wax and a buff (kind of like a trip to the spa ;)

Now, she was feeling pretty, but also needed a little BLiNG . . . it IS a Party after all!

A little touch of Gilding Wax in King . . . 

. . . was all she needed to feel like a QUEEN!

I applied the gilding wax using a tiny paint brush, and boy does that stuff shine!  

Gorgeous!

Now she was dressed for the Party . . .

. . . so it was time to Accessorize with all our Cocktail Party Essentials.

I love how our martini glasses mimic her spindles. 

She was once sequestered to the nursery . . . now she is dressed and ready to join the party!

Thank you for joining me for her debutante party!  

This beauty is available at my 'shop' in the Vineyards Antique Mall and is ready to Party with You!

What's that?  Okay . . . one last curtain call ;)

Here is where Me and my Party Cart are Partying this week! :::

Miss Mustard Seed                                               Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Night Special

Elizabeth & Co.                                                    Savvy Southern Style
Under the Table & Dreaming                                 I Heart Naptime
Nifty Thrifty Sunday                                              Cowgirl Up
French Country Cottage                                        The Shabby Nest
My Romantic Home                                              Mod Vintage Life
Between Naps on the Porch                                  Homemaker on a Dime
Not Just a Housewife                                            The DIY Dreamer
Southern Lovely                                                    Fine Craft Guild
Uncommon Slice of Suburia                                   Home Stories from AtoZ
From My Front Porch to Yours                             Stone Gable
Jennifer Rizzo                                                        Common Ground
Redoux Interiors                                                    The Charm of Home                                             
Say Not Sweet Anne                                             Fox Hollow Cottage
Too Much Time on My Hands                               Tater Tots & Jello  
Pieced Pastimes                                                     Finding Silver Pennies
Three Mango Seeds                                              The Tablescaper
The Rustic Pig                                                        Alderberry Hill
Uncommon Designs                                               Shades of Amber
Married Filing Jointly                                              Salt Tree Social
If it ain't Baroque                                                    Homemaker on a Dime
A Stroll through Life                                               Lil' Luna
X0X0Rebecca                                                       Blue Egg Brown Nest
House of Hepworths

I'm BAaaacccCK . . . Changing Table to Kitchen Hutch

Let me start my offering my sincere apologies for being absent from the blog world for far too long!
I am SO Glad to Be Back and Giddy to Share a Thousand-and-One projects with you!  Many seasonal decorating ideas will probably have to wait until their next season -- but the furniture makeovers will be shared away!

I opened a booth in a local antique mall at the end of last September and had a blast thrifting for treasures to fill it with . . . and of course learning A LOT along the way . . . as you will hear more about later.

I revamped this baby changing table into a stylish kitchen hutch last October . . .

. . . here is a side by side BEFORE {blah yellowish 'wood'} and AFTER {yum coolness}:

I bought 'her' from a local family who no longer needed her . . . and while I didn't 'need' her either, I knew she could be more than just nursery furniture and could provide fabulous kitchen storage for a hip young couple (again not me -- it is just who I imagined would fall in love with her -- ever do that?).

I replaced her flimsy hutch backing with bead-board that I had cut to size at Lowe's.

She was painted with multiple coats of Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint goodness in Old Ocher and French Linen.  I applied a combination of clear and dark wax to the French Linen (hutch back & 'counter tops'), 

and just used clear wax on the Old Ocher.

The interiors were painted in Duck Egg Blue for a bit of happy!

All the hardware was purchased at Pottery Barn {yay coupons!} . . . 

I love the 'ice box latch' for the cabinet door -- coolness!

I hand-wrote the labels for the 'bin' drawer pulls, and included additional labels 

for the new {hip} owners to change out as needed.

I was really happy with how she turned out . . . but I hope to stick to real wood furniture going forward.

She sold rather quickly in my shop {yay, income producing hobbies!} 

and is making a hip-young couple very happy in her new home!

Thank YOU so much for stopping in -- I will be sharing more soon (I promise)!

Click on the links to see all the fun blogs I am sharing with today:

• Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday       Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Night Special
• Elizabeth & Co.                                                    Savvy Southern Style
• Someday Crafts                                                    {Primp}
• French Country Cottage                                        The Shabby Nest
• My Romantic Home                                              The Better Half
• Between Naps on the Porch                                  Thrifty Decor Chick
• Not Just a Housewife                                            DIY by Design
• Southern Lovely                                                    Fine Craft Guild 
• Cedar Hill Ranch                                                   Uncommon Slice of Suburia
• From My Front Porch to Yours                             Stone Gable 
• The Thrifty Groove                                                Common Ground
• Redoux Interiors                                                    The Charm of Home
• Jennifer Rizzo                                                         Chic on a Shoestring
• The Shabby Nest                                                   Fox Hollow Cottage
• Too Much Time on My Hands                               Tater Tots & Jello     
• Pieced Pastimes                                                     Finding Silver Pennies
• Three Mango Seeds                                               Shades of Amber

Welcome Summer with a Seaside Garden Centerpiece {Tutorial}

Though inland far we be,

Our souls have sight of that immortal sea

Which brought us hither.

~William Wordsworth, Intimations of Immortality

Side Note ::: My father enjoyed reading Wordsworth's poetry.  I now have what I always thought was 'his copy' of Wordsworth Complete Poems :/ turns out he was borrowing the book while he was dating my mom, because it has 'property of _________ University' stamped on the inside.  I guess he was trying to impress mom with 'his' poetry!    

Let's gather in the garden and imagine the salty air and ocean breeze, with the sound of seagulls in the distance.  Tonight I will share with you an easy to recreate Seaside Garden Centerpiece.  Soon I will share the table we will be dining at.

I envision our dinner on the patio of a garden home set in The Hamptons.  Table is a large, rustic farmhouse table, with benches and cozy chairs (to linger in as the sun disappears) . . . I don't ask for much do I? 

I am using my imaginaaaaaaation of what the setting for our dinner will be like.

Won't you join me?  You'll also have to use your . . . Imaginaaaaaaation (a la Spongebob Squarepants Idiot Box Episode -- most moms & grandmas know this episode).

Source

I typically imagine the centerpiece for a table before I even plan what I'm going to cook (yes, I am the sister who likes to set a cute table).  

After all, the centerpiece is the crown of your table.  

And this table's CROWN will be a repurposed iron planter.

So let's gather our materials to make our latest crown . . . 

1.  Variety Pack of Moss ($5.99 at Hobby Lobby, use 40% coupon)
2.  [Coronado] Stone Planter and plants (keep reading for choosing plants)
3.  Assortment of shells in a variety of colors (if possible, otherwise -- use what you have)
About 1 1/2 to 2 cups of sand.
4.  Candles a must on ever table I set -- because everyone looks better by candlelight.
Please please use unscented when choosing candles for a table.
5.  Small ornaments (I keep some non-Christmas-y ornaments unpacked to use throughout the year)
6.  [Stiletto] Glass Pedestals -- to raise the candles up & away from the plant & moss.
and the most important piece to pull it all together . . .
an iron garden [Charles Street] Planter

Now, before I potted my plants, I wanted to make sure the stone planter I envisioned fit inside the iron planter . . . and it did, perfectly.

I imagined airy or wispy plants, or even tropical plants, will be appropriate to mix and mingle with shells.  

I approach my container gardens just as I do my door buckets -- I'm looking for a little Spiller (to tumble out the sides), the height of Thriller (to catch the wind and gather attention), and a bit of Filler (to fill in the gaps in between).  

1.  Filler = Palace Purple Coral Bells (love the hint of purple with the green & gray)
2.  Thriller = Autumn Fern
3.  Spiller = Goldilocks Creeping Jenny

Before you add your soil.  Line the stone planter with a coffee filter to stop soil from falling through the drainage hole.

Source ::: This Old House

It works like a dream!

Next, come the seaside details . . . play around with it until your happy.  I don't want our guests to look up from their takeout dinner amazing meal and see dirt . . . so I am adding some sea shells.

A large starfish, assorted shells and PB Mini Glass Buoys

Next we get mossy -- softening the hard surfaces of the stone, metal and glass.

First place your glass pedestals.  You want them to be on a solid surface.  

Second, rip open your variety bag of moss, and simply start placing it on top of the metal and the base of the glass.  I used about 1/2 of the bag and I probably used too much.  The purpose of the moss is not to cover the base, just soften it.

Almost done . . . 

Grab a couple of cups of sand -- and add a little to each of the two Glass Pedestals . . . 

. . .  add your candles (the pillar candle is from Michael's and it came with the twine 'bow'.), add a few small shells, starfish or ornaments if you have them handy.   Add larger, more ornate shells to the base.

Ta Da!  A new CROWN for  your table! 

I move the 'crown' to the server, while I set the table :)

The lighting is better here on this overcast day . . . so I think you can see the detail a bit better.

Of course . . . we all look better by candlelight . . . and I must admit . . . I love the textures of the moss and the sand paired with the metal and the glass.

I hope this tutorial inspires or encourages you to seek out an unusual centerpiece CROWN for your table as we welcome summer.

A few additional notes about the items used . . . 

The Charles Street Planter can serve many purposes.  I use one to house my kitchen canisters during many months of the year . . . 

Charles Street Planter with Belle Meade Canisters

. . . the Charles Street Planter also flips over to be used as a riser for a buffet during entertaining . . . 

Charles Street Planter, Riverstone Tapas Server, Tuscan Goblets & Gramercy Beverage Server.

. . . just pop out the removable tray and place on top of the flipped planter.  Of course you can dress-up and personalize the removable tray with a piece of linen or fun party napkins . . . and many other uses (besides being your table's CROWN or your patio's planter).

The Gramercy Beverage Server is also versatile.  This ceramic server can be used for both hot or cold beverages and comes with a cast iron stand as I used here . . . 

From Four Sisters Brunch with a Pig

. . . When not used for entertaining, it becomes an adorable cookie jar . . . 

. . . just by turning it around.  You can even write on it with a Sharpie or dry erase marker.  I prefer to use a sharpie -- and all you need is a squirt of Windex to remove it!

And these beautiful pieces are both on sale this month, along with many many many others.  Including the Stiletto Glass Pedestals I used within the Iron Planter.  

So to avoid being selfish, I wanted to be sure to share these deals and amazing sale with you!  If an item sells out, that you had your heart set on, please contact me -- I might just be able to track it down for you!

A HUGE Thank You for Stopping In and following along -- or skipping to the end (I understand you're busy ;).  Hope you have a wonderful day -- and don't forget to stop back in to see how the Seaside Garden Table turns out!

  

Linking Up With :::

•  Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday

•  Uncommon Designs Uncommonly Yours

•  Homemaker on a Dime Market your Biz

•  Mom on Timeout's Taking Timeout Thursday

•  Lil' Luna Link Party

•  Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Night Special

•  Between Naps on the Porch's Tablescape Thursday

•  Happy Hour Friday at Happy Hour Projects

•  Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday

•  Six Sisters Strut Your Stuff Saturday

•  At the Picket Fence's Inspiration Friday

•  I Gotta Create's Wildly Original Roundup

•  Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime

•  Dare to Share at Pam's Party Planning

•  A Vision to Remember Check me Out Saturday

•  Be Different Act Normal's Show and Tell Saturday

•  Summer Fun Party at Alderberry Hill

•  Rustic Crafts Link Party

•  Tatortots & Jello Weekend Wrap Party

•  Polka Dot Pretties Craft Create & Inspire

•  Restyled Sundays at Stylish Once Again

•  Positively Splendid Saturday Seven Party

•  Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things

•  Cherished Treasures Sunday Blog Love

•  Get Schooled Saturday at Too Much Time on My Hands

•  Serenity You's Serenity Saturday

•  Tickled Pink at 504Main

•  Sunday's Best at My 1929 Charmer

•  Homemaker on a Dime Creative Party Hop

•  Alderberry Hill's Make the Scene Monday

•  Sweet Anne Designs Sweet Sharing Monday

•  Debbie Doo's Newbie Party

•  Southern Lovely Show & Share

•  Inspired by Charm Random Link Up Party :)

Chalk Paint Planter & Flower Tower Topiary!

At my local grocers this morning I saw them unpacking their shipment of fresh cut flowers -- so I snagged a few (sad) Alstroemeria Bunches to give my home a little Monday Happy ☼!

UPDATE ::: Flowers opening up nicely -- even Happier Tuesday :)

I decided to add them to a terracotta planter that got a makeover this past weekend . . .

Corner of Mantel with Fresh Flowers = Monday Happy ☼

Here is the Santorini Planter (it's official name) playing happily in our Den at Christmas . . .

I add small Santa hats randomly to prints, pictures and characters in our house (I use Simply Tacky to tack them on). 
Our Maribel Tabletop Clock counts down the time to Santa's arrival. Here the Santorini Planter with Innsbrook ornaments, berries & juniper sprigs.)

I love the profile of this planter -- just not so jazzed about the burnt red color for spring or summer.  Luckily the planter was an incredible steal of $12.96 earlier this month -- so I thought I would snag one and paint it.

 

I started by giving it 2 quick coats of chalk paint (Annie Sloan's Old White -- giving it rather an eggshell appearance), letting it dry . . .

. . . then adding a coat of clear wax . . . waiting a wee bit . . . then I distressed slightly, letting some of the red show through.

I then added a touch of dark wax . . . waited a bit and then buffed it with a soft cloth.  So Easy!  I really, really like the smooth finish and touch of shine, yet it still was a bit roughed up . . . Rustic Elegance if you will . . . perfect (for me anyway :).

The alstroemeria flowers -- which were flat as a pancake this morning -- are starting to fluff up thanks to trimming their stems and giving them a good long drink while the wet floral foam soaked in the sink.

I inserted a foil plant wrapper  (left over from Christmas poinsettias -- I guess I am a bit frugal :)inside the newly painted planter . . .

. . . trimmed the floral foam to fit snuggly inside, and then start adding the flowers to their new home.

I already had a place in mind for the floral arrangement to go, so I knew I needed to go big.  This one corner of the mantel in our den is within my line of sight anytime I am in our kitchen -- and it needed a little happy ☼. 

I decided to make a tall fresh flower topiary with the alstroemerias (which are now less sad thanks to fresh air and water).  I striped the leaves off the bottom 3/4 of the stems to make the topiary.

After I inserted 1 bunch of the trimmed flowers into the wet foam, I tied them together with a bit of green raffia, and added wet moss to the top (to hold moisture in -- and to hid the foam).

I snipped a few groupings of flowers and poked each into the wet foam -- until I had a nice covering.

It gives the corner of the mantel a bit of happy and it will easily last a week if I water it regularly.

I always seem to need something tall for this spot -- the ceiling is high and it is such a narrow space it is awkward to accessorize.

I am uber pleased with this mini-makeover.  I really like the change a little dab of paint, wax and sandpaper were able to achieve.  I can't wait to tackle some of the bigger chalkpaint projects I have lined up . . .

indoor shot . . . looks a bit dark . . .

. . . outdoor shot . . . more true to the color of the finish color of the planter.

. . . but for now, I am tickled with my Monday Happy!

I even had a few stems of flowers left to include in an Italian Ruffle Container on the books in the den . . . :)  Hmmm . . . I should change this spot up more often, don't you think?

Thanks for stopping by!  I apologize in advance for the poor quality of these photos.  Someone keeps eyeing me whenever I walk outside . . .

. . . and my lighting isn't the best indoors on overcast days.    Psst . . . our mourning dove couple are the proud parents of two babies (that are growing fast!).

See what I mean!

I am linking up with :::

• Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorphosis Monday

• Craft-O-Maniac Monday Link Party

• Sumo's Sweet Stuff's Market Yourself Monday

• Sweet Anne's Sweet Sharing Monday

• C.R.A.F.T's Making Monday Marvelous

• Nifty Thrifty Things Sunday

• I Heart Naptime's Sundae Scoop

• Debbiedoo's Newbie Party

• Skip to my Lou's Made by You Monday

• DIY Showoff Project Parade

• Tip Junkie's Homemade Projects

• Romance on a Dime's Tuesday Blog Hop

• Jillify It - Party

• A Bowl Full of Lemons - One Project at a Time

• Today's Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On Tuesdays

• Vintage Wanne Bee - Talent Tuesday

• Topsy Turvy Tuesdays

• Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya Got

• Uncommon - Uncommonly Yours Link Party

• Oopsey Daisy's Wednesday Wowsers

• Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

• Fine Art Guild - Party!

• Its Overflowing with Creativity Party

• No Minimalist Here - Open House Party

• Domestically Speaking Power of Paint Party

• Common Ground Vintage Inspiration

• Simple Home Life Simple Creations Party

• Fridays at Redoux Interiors

• Creative Things Thursday at Vintage Farmhouse

• My RePurposed Life Catch as Catch Can

• Classy Clutter Spotlight Saturday

• Funky Junk's Saturaday Night Special Junk to Jewels

• Too Much Time's Get Schooled Saturday

 

AND . . . I can't believe I ALMost Forgot!  We Have a Winner of the French Wire Carousel Caddy Giveaway!  Congratulations to Theresa J!  Woo Hoo!  So tickled for her :)  Thank you to all of you who entered and shared how you would use the caddy!