The HumbleNest of Mrs. V

Saturday, March 9, 2013

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:

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Simple Autumn Mantel

Changing out our mantel decor happens about as often as I clean out our vacuum cleaner container.

I like to keep my family guessing what I did on any given day.

In fact, I opened up a booth recently at an 'Antique' Mall and immediately built and installed a mantel upon taking 'ownership'. I will definitely share that soon -- as it was a really fun project to work on.

This year, our Fall / Halloween / Thanksgiving, and yes even Christmas decorating will be based on

what we already own. Which, admittedly, can be a bit tough for me -- so try to hold me to it okay?

This is our Faux Fall, Familiar Favorites Mantel.

I first added a thin burlap 'scarf' to the mantel for warmth. It is just a burlap remnant from some leftover yardage. It measures 7" x 114" (including the frayed gathered ends) -- took minutes to create and

I use it throughout the year when I want to soften a combination of materials or add texture and warmth.

I topped the scarf with a framed ornate metal wall hanging that came with the burlap backing.

I bought it years ago at a local decorator's sample sale.

It has a crack in the wood frame - that is hardly noticeable.

Next I included a few sprigs of dancing orchids to one of my favorite glass & metal hurricanes.

Nestled in a ceramic cat figurine that was my Mother in law's and the Chalk Paint Planter I made-over

a few month back -- it just added a burlap wrapped pot of preserved mustard seed yellow yarrow stems.

Candlelight is a must, and the glow comes from a ceramic luminary trio

that also adds the perfect touch of color.

Finally a white ceramic pitcher filled with pheasant feathers helps to visually balance the right side with a tall, thin hurricane filled with small gourds, preserved leaves and a bit of reindeer moss.

Quick, simple and on on hand. Let's see if my husband and son notice it ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by --

Hope you are having a fabulous time decorating for fall!

Linking Up With :::

• Centsational Girl's Autumn Mantel Party
• Common Ground Vintage Inspired Party
• 52 Mantels
• Shabby Nest's Frugal Friday
• Southern Lovely's Show & Share