Christmas Window Box

Window boxes are always popular and lovely at Christmas time. So when I found one with the box already on it, painted white, with a mirror in it at the thrift store, I knew it was a definite buy.

I added foam blocks to the box and then lots of faux greenery from a thrifted weath.

It is important to add plenty of greenery to the box to make it look really full. I add the real touch greenery near the front, and the more faux greenery as filler and in the back.

I added pinecones from the same wreath and faux branches that were also on the wreath.

The final touch was a jute and velvet "bow" or tie in the middle. I thought about adding gold balls or berries or fairy lights, but I tend to like a more simple, less is more look. 

The simple pine branches make this a piece that will look great all winter long. It will be for sale at my next pop-up shop.

Antique Ice Skate Wreath

If you have followed me for awhile, you know that one of my thrifting tips is to make a second trip around the thrift store. And, I sure am glad I did just that yesterday because on my second trip I spied these antique ice skate blades that I missed the first time.

I knew I wanted to use them in an old frame wreath and decided an oval wreath would be perfect for the skate blades. I happened to have one that was already painted red--perfect for the holidays.

You can see in the photo above that the original owner had marked the blades in pencil with his name and an L and an R. I love remnants of the past like that. 

I set the blades on the frame and hot glued them in place. I used hot glue because it isn't permanent and can be removed. I would hate to ruin an antique with glue. It however, does not hold well in freezing temps. I did wrap jute around the top of the blades and secured the jute to the back of the frame with a staple gun. 

I added some real touch, faux greenery to the side. 

It got a spot of hot glue too, and then was tied on with jute. I like taking strands of jute and other ribbon and tying it tightly to make an organic "bow" I tied three, gold, jingle bells onto the jute strands too.

This antique skate wreath looks fantastic on a door, but would also work great in a seasonal gallery wall. I am so happy I made that second trip around my local thrift store!

Antique Pedestal Table Makeover

Meeting new people and making connections has always been one of my favorite parts of selling my curated goods. A recent, new customer reached out after shopping the POP-UP SHOP and asked if I would ever be interested in furniture or items that are leftover after her moving organization business is finished with a client. I said if the price is right, "Yes please!!"

I picked up the first batch of items this week, including this antique, regency style, drum, pedestal table.

The top was loose and spun around, but thankfully that was a simple fix that included tightening a couple bolts. Unfortunately, the top veneer was chipped and damaged beyond restoration, so I chose to paint it after sanding it.

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I removed the hardware (keep hardware in a baggie) and painted the tabletop with Fusion Mineral Paint using the color of Bayberry. You can buy it HERE.

After the paint dried, I lightly sanded the edges and stained over the paint and the pedestal base. A clear coat and reattaching the hardware finished this sweet, antique table.

This table has two drawers and then the ring hardware on the two sides that don't have drawers. This style table is beautiful in a foyer or makes a great side table with a sitting chair nearby. O styled it with recently curated Christmas finds that will be for sale in my Holiday Home POP-UP SHOP.

Traditional reds and greens are always a classic. This needlepoint, tasseled pillow was a fun find. Faux poinsettias in a brass pot add a great color burst.

Here's a tip--draping a beaded garland across the artwork and down onto the table visually ties the seating area together.  It helps to draw the eye from the wall down to the table vignette. 

While I don't love painting over wood, sometimes it is necessary. Leaving the beautiful wood pedestal helps the piece show-off it's age and pedigree.

Boo, Easy & Fun Spooky Kitchen Decor

I fully believe that we should have fun with our decor, be playful and not take it too seriously. So, a couple wood, drawing figures from the thrift store have made their way into my kitchen decor this past year.

This smaller one is magnetic and hangs out on my kitchen cupboard hardware.

And this larger one hangs out on the counter by my vintage spice rack. I decide to give these two figures a makeover for Halloween. I started with very simple supplies that I had on hand.

I simply put the white muslin over each figure to make sure I was cutting the fabric long enough and then I rounded the corners, drew on a face with a sharpie, and tied the necks with black and white kitchen twine.

Ten minutes later I had a couple cute ghosts in my kitchen!

Now let's take bets to see how long until the hubby notices!

Remember to find the kid inside and have a little fun with your home styling!

Newly Sourced Items for a Cozy Home

My next POP-UP SHOP is October 18th and 19th and I am calling it "Cozy Home". 

As I shared recently, coziness is in the eye of the beholder. But, I look for certain items to create a cozy, personal space: warm colors, textures, organic elements, layers, and vintage, unique items. Here are some recently sourced, cozy home, decor items for my pop-up shop.

I wouldn't use ALL of these items together like this in the home, it is a bit too much and cluttered. But, I would put several of these items together. Also, some of these curated items still need upcycling and fixing. Keep reading to see the details.

This vintage art piece is really just a picture from a book. I found it loose in the basement of a thrift store and the owner gave it to me. Putting it in a fantastic, antique frame elevates it. The warm colors are perfect for fall. The bottles will both have bottle lights and the wood trough holds faux grapes that I will use in holiday arrangements.

The old wood wheel base will get a crate on it. The pom-pom pillow is just right for a chair to add a bit of color for fall or winter. The bird?? IDK. but I liked it and got a few of them. I washed the the wool rug and love the green in it.

The large, vintage pastel art with autumn trees reflecting in the water, needs a frame. The fall birch tree painting is an acrylic that I painted. The frame and matte for it came from the thrift store. The pastoral cow farm print is so warm and the burnt orange candlestick adds height and rich color to a space. The leather 8mm camera case may get flowers in it.

The cozy blanket is so warm and cozy and washed up beautifully. The unique bench or stool will get refinished and recovered. I loved its unique shape. An olive green basket holds small pumpkins.

The wool pillows not only introduce lovely fall colors, they are 100% wool, a fantastic organic element in home decor.

I absolutely so enjoy sourcing and curating goods for my shop and I am always so happy when I can help my friends and customers create cozy personal home spaces that they love.

Thrift Store Sofa Table Makeover

It seems harder and harder to find good, solid, used furniture pieces to makeover. So, when I do spy one at a good price, I most often buy it. Such was the case with this solid wood sofa table at the thrift store. (This was quite the cart load as I spied and bought a card rack for a friend who makes and sells cards.)

You can maybe see in the above photo that it had a dark line down the middle where it looks like something sat that got too hot.  I decided to sand the top down to the raw wood and paint the legs.

I did give the legs a rough sanding before painting the legs a sage green color. These tables are great pieces behind couches or sofas (thus the name) to hold lamps, books, and other decor items. 

The skinny width means the table doesn't get in the way. These tables also work great in entryways for a spot to drop off keys and mail.

I finished the table with two coats of MinWax Polyacrylic in a matte finish. 

I like the straight lines on this table. It is a piece that works in so many spots in the home and I am glad I was able to save it from the thrift store. 

Autumn Entryway

With the cool, rainy weather we have had this week, I have definitely been in the mood to add some simple autumnal touches to our home. Today, I fallified the entryway to create a cozy and inviting space.

Keep reading to learn about the details.

A fall painting that I painted replaced the flower painting that has been sitting here since spring. A thrifted, velour pumpkin, and a flannel shirt in fall colors add cozy textures.

A faux orange flower stem was added to the antique gold growler jug that sits in the other corner of the entryway shelf. 

An antique, water damaged photo that looks spooky to me was added, along with a vintage needlepoint piece on browns and oranges. The old, brass school sits next tot he baskets and photo.

My statue head that usually has a mossy brain is now sporting a fall floral skull. I thrifted the velvet tapestry last year. I love the colors in it and the warm texture it incorporates into the space. The yellow or gold thrifted pillow is also velvet. Textures and different materials keep a space from looking too flat and really help to make it feel cozy.

My goal for my entryway is to not only provide a practical space for guests, a place to sit to put on shoes and somewhere to hang coats, but to also welcome guests into my home with a cozy, warm feeling. Oh, and the seasonal decor that I am not currently using gets stored in the gold, metal suitcase that sits under the bench.

Fall Decor Upcycled from the Thrift Store

 OOPS, I did it again, I bought a thrift store wreath, deconstructed it, and upcycled it into fresh, fall decor!

I am sharing TWO projects I made for fall with thrift store finds. First off, let me tell you deconstructing these wreaths is messy business. If you can work outside, do. I sat down in the middle of my family room floor and did it. At lest the wood floor was easy to sweep. 

The first project I created was with this hammered copper pot. I think it is a hot cocoa pot missing its lid. But, I love copper for fall ad thought of a few different ways to use it. I decided for now to use it as a container for a fall centerpiece or arrangement.

I used the yellow and faded pink flowers, some sticks, and the straw from the wreath. 

Using both natural and faux elements gives the arrangement a more realistic look. I also used the fuzzy, stringy, vine things and a just a few of the burgundy eucalyptus leaves (I threw most of the eucalyptus leaves away--they were tired and dated). I did put a floral foam block in the copper pot to hold the stems.

A long, velvet ribbon tied to the handle finishes this piece.

This centerpiece is smaller so it looks great on a shelf, entry table, coffee table, or breakfast table.

For the next project, I completely cleaned up the wreath and added thrifted, fall stems.

I also used some of the yellow flowers that were originally on the wreath. TIP: cut apart bouquets to mix up fake flower bundles.

I put stems together , with more on the bottom half, wiring them with floral wire as I went.

I then hot glued some jute or rope around the middle of the bundle to hide the wire. 

I wired the stems onto the wreath and then made a "bow" with strands of velvet ribbon and jute twisted onto the fall florals and wreath with the wire.

The wreath is cleaner, neater, and fresher!

It is perfect for hanging on a door or a porch chair or on a hook in an entryway!

Keep your eyes open at the thrift store for wreaths and other fall foliage that yo can repurpose and upcycle into something new to you!