The Little Table That Could

feliz año nuevo -       bonne année   -  

     عام سعيد  -  nЗ новым годам  -   pace e salute  -   head uut aastat  -   šťastný nový rok  -nგილოცავთ ახალ წელს  - kali chronia  - bònn ané  - nav varsh ki subhkamna  -  gleðilegt nýtt ár  -  ath bhliain faoi mhaise  -  akemashite omedetô  - sala we ya nû pîroz be  -   laimingų Naujųjų Metų  -  umyaka omucha omuhle  - szczęśliwego nowego roku  -  feliz ano novo  -  bliadhna mhath ur - sanad wanagsan  -  unyaka omusha omuhle -  สวัสดีปีใหม่byddyn newydd dda

рећна н

ова годин 

...and others. 

With the daunting task of extending my dining room wall and building a plate rack for the plate collection over, I can move on to other things that have been pending.

Wood accent table in the middle.

A couple of months ago on one of my junking finds, I bought this little accent table. It was stained a dark cherry and grungy. What I like is that it has a display top with a glass. I can do a number of things with it. My daughter-in-law, who is a very creative school teacher, cut out some paper snowflakes which I thought of using under the glass. I also thought of a french script fabric under it. How about a photo collage of my family? I can do all that as the mood strikes me. Right now I opted for a pathwork look. Using leftover scraps, I used them to create a fabric display under the glass. I think this little table can take it!

Folded over edgea and ironed for smooth edge.

Cutting fabric to size of glass.

Sanding after stripping and cleaning.

I assembled the fabric to create the look I wanted and cut the fabric strips to size. I then folded the borders and ironed them down to create a crease. I used a glue stick to keeps ends down and ironed everything again. Using leftover wallpaper to form a template, I then glued it to the fabric.

Pathwork insert after cutting to size. 

Adding stripper according to instructions on can and making sure to wear gloves.

Outlining template from leftover wallpaper.

I wanted to keep the table stripped to a natural wood in order to match it up to  the french bergère chair and the cocktail table.

Pre paste wax and buffing.

I used the patchwork border on this wall hanging a couple of months ago.

        

Double sided curtains from which some of the remnants were taken.

                I kept it a little chippy and with a little paste wax and buffing, they'll make a good pair, rather trio!

The little table and the chair will be getting a little white wash burnish on raised edges, like the Crate and Barrel cocktail table. Stay tuned  (umm, connected).

This is the little table that can do a lot!

I can't wait to see what else I can come up with to put under the glass! Have any ideas?


I wish everyone a truly healthy, blessed and prosperous year. Remember, all things are possible if you Believe!

Dreaming of A White Thrift Christmas....With A Little Color!

It seems my post on this topic has disappeared. That's the second time that happens to me. Is it me or the blog host? I've looked it up on blogger help and it seems to have happened to others. One can't get it back though. It seems such a waste after all those photos I took.

I'll try it again! So there!

Through the years I've had the opportunity to shop at many thrift stores. It happens that my favorite is only blocks from my house and I drop in there often. White lace and whiteware are especially appealing to me. Winter white, chalk white, old white, bone white, cloudy white, snow white, whatever the shade of white, it always appeals. White is considered peaceful, pure, clean, innocent and with the promise of new beginnings. I have compiled a photo diary of some of my favorite finds and would like to share them.

My favorite is the antique eyelet bed cover I bought at a Paris, France "brocante" ten years ago. It was a little pricey but I took it home.
I had seen a beautiful lace bed cover in one of my design books and always wanted one like it. Not too long ago I found one at the charity thrift store. It was half price! All of two dollars ($2.)! I took it home. I took home the sofa throw next to it for a dollar ($1.) What a bargain!

The tin fleur-de-lis mirror was not in great shape. It was a yucky yellowish looking thing. However, yes, I took it home.

A little Annie Sloan chalk Paint, gold gild with a tad of blue overlay and Ta Da, Cinderella! I never pass up a good bargain that can be transformed. See "The Gold Rush Holiday",  here.
The candlesticks were black but I had paint left over so......I took them home.

When I saw these plates I got a feeling of melancholy. They reminded me of some my Mom had many years ago. They have a little color but I took them home.

And so on with all my white lovelies. Some have a little color but if they fit the bill, why, I'll take it home of course!

I had been looking for large sized coffee mugs, well here they are!

Victorian inspired tree ornament.

Lace bed cover

Vases, plates, cups, creamers, sugar bowls. All were found for a bargain.

This planter surely had to go home with me!

My favorite cereal bowl was cents on the dollar.

Love white pitchers and bowls.

These  Christmas plates, although with color, are lovely enough for my plate collection.

Re-done mirror, candleholders and plates which I took home.

The thrift store vintage Santas all were taken home too!

" The first of all single colors is white......."   - Leonardo Di Vinci

The Gold Rush Holiday

Not too long ago I posted pictures of some vintage thrift store finds. Among them was a large pedestal tray I wanted to give to a collector.  Well, it turns out they collect silver and pewter, not gold leaf. I kept it for myself knowing the holidays were coming and I'd certainly come up with a use for it. At the same time I had bought a set of five black candle holders I knew I couldn't pass up. 

Vintage gold leaf plate stand and black candle holders. Part of my "Junking" finds.

A couple of years ago in one of my thrift store quests, I saw a mirror with a tin raised fleur-de-lis motif. I immediately knew it was coming home with me. Don't show me anything vintage french 'cause I'll find a way to get it!  It definitely needed some TLC. I had been using it like it was for awhile though and knew that "someday", it would get more love.

Mirror and wall, before.

 I also posted a blog on my "red" finds for the holidays. I knew something was going to come out of this mix. Gold and red and holidays?! I put it all together and it spells "Gold Rush Holiday". I had some fun doing it too!

Dollar store trimmings.

 To create a simple and thrifty centerpiece, I used gold and red trinkets from the dollar store. I just arranged them on the gold leaf plate and voila!, instant holiday centerpiece.

These Holiday plates found on sale at Homegoods, are a welcome addition to my plate collection

Love the butterfly....

The mirror was another story. I wanted to gold leaf that also. First I painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in "Old White".

Gold leaf  kit from a craft store.

Gold leafing the borders.

   Then I gold leafed the edges and motif. The burnishing solution I used came with the kit and used for distressing.

I needed sunglasses after gold leafing the mirror!

 It was too gold looking so I white washed with ASCP in "Old White". I added a little blue to outline the motif.

The gold was toned down a bit.

 I painted the candle holders first in gold, then used ASCP over it. After sanding, I then used paste wax over it.

I decided to paint over the candlesticks in Annie Sloan Old White, then sand them down for aged look.

Before sanding and wax.

 My wall, plate rack and door are complete! Yes, the door was given a "french touch" with painted panel borders.

No fancy decorating for me.......I switched up some blue plates for some with a little red. The crocheted red tablecloth is a vintage family heirloom from an aunt. The chandelier got a new look with crystal beads.

A little tree, natural greens and sparkling lights and I'm done with this nook! Onward Rudolph, there's more to do!

Enjoy your shopping!



Check out "Without Further Ado.....the Reveal!", for post on the plate rack, extended wall and door. It's been my biggest project so far and I'm still tying up the loose ends. Not a problem.

Seeing Red! Thrifty Holiday Decor

Thrift inspired centerpiece. Gold leaf centerpiece from charity thrift store.

Trimmings from the dollar store, to be used inside gold centerpiece platter.  Platter was a

vintage Salvation Army find.

The holidays are upon us and many of us are getting ready with our favorite holiday decorations. As much as I love the silvers and golds and greens, red somehow brings out the traditional holiday spirit.

I'm easy to please,  a simple little strawberry on  a vintage tin brings a smile to my face.

Carbonated water bottle from a discount store, was used to store "coquito  eggnog," as gift. Red antique toile from Paris, France.

Dollar store wine glasses. A steal!

Salvation Army vase.  A great find!

When I see red home decor items I just gravitate towards them.  One doesn't have to blow one's budget when decorating for the holidays. I like the less is more approach and red gives a great visual impact. Small touches of it also brighten up a neutral setting. Many a dollar store find has been brought home to fill up a small color niche. Like the red wine glasses at 99 cents each. How about the red vase  from my favorite charity store. The red carbonated water bottle was a whole $1.49, and it had water in it! The decorated holiday trimmings were $1.00 each at the dollar store. Red toile fabric I bought at a flea market in Paris 10 years ago will work itself in there somehow. It's an antique curtain panel and has holes in it. I cut snippets of it periodically when crafting. What else, oh the red gingham I found on sale at JoAnn's Fabrics which matches the lampshades on my pole lamps.  I'll use it to re-cover the mini chandelier shades.

I have my work cut out for me so let me go shake a leg! Wow, I haven't heard that expression in years! Not around here anyway...

........have a great day everyone!!!