Saturday, November 27, 2010

Tis the Season!

I had to get out for a bit. After just having a baby on November 8th, I needed a little change of pace to distract me from the tedious routine of caring for a newborn. I decided to visit my sister Alana and help her decorate her dining room for Christmas. Her dining room is very familiar to me as I painted her dining room table, chairs and buffet over a year ago. She was on vacation with her hubby, so it was a surprise. In fact, it was her hubby's idea to surprise her with this "make-over"...isn't that romantic? Gotta love a thoughtful man. He even paid me for it!

Here's the before pictures of her dining room set:



They inherited the table and chairs from a great aunt. The buffet was found on a curbside and of course Alana rescued it. She too is a thrifty girl at heart. After a fresh coat of white paint and new fabric seat covers...here's how the table and chairs turned out:



And after our afternoon of decorating...in between all the feedings, diaper changes, burping and snuggling that sweet baby boy of mine...here's the dining room all decked out for Christmas!




Love hanging ornaments from a great light fixture.



Alana picked up two old windows from a garage sale and put them to good use in her dining room. As all those pretty Christmas cards come in, they will be added to the window panes for decoration.


Hope you are enjoying this special season as we take time to remember and celebrate our Savior's birth. Consider these words from Luke 2:10-11: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Just as the promised Savior came all those years ago...I look forward in great anticipation as I know he is coming again...but this time he will come as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." There is much to celebrate...take heart and keep your eyes lifted to the heavens!

Merry Christmas.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Perfectly Pink and Rainy Day Blues!




I found this little beauty on Craigslist. She was in pretty sad shape and required my hubby's help (that great guy I mentioned from River Valley Woodcraft) to get her back in order. I love that man! After he got her put back together...I went to work...sanding, priming and painting. I decided that she needed to be the perfect shade of pink, which in my book is "Rosily" by Sherwin Williams. She's a tried and true vintage beauty. In one of the drawers we found the date, "May 5th 1931" penciled in. Most likely this was done by the original owner. I love finding those little details. Now all she needs is that perfect girl to come along who loves the softest shade of pink and decides that she must take her home. This vanity/dressing table is for sale at Romancing the Home for $150.00.


These dressers were also a Craigslist find. I think they are the perfect pair and of great quality. A very soft blue/grey was chosen for the paint color. I love how they turned out and I hope you do too. These are also for sale at Romancing the Home. The pair can be purchased for $325.00 or you can buy one for $175.00.

Come join us this Thursday, October 21st for Ladies Night Out:
Wine Tasting, Appetizers and Shopping!
Store will be open till 9 pm
Romancing the Home
707 Second Street
Webster City, IA 50595

Sunday, August 1, 2010

My take on furniture from days gone by'.

Welcome to my world......"Mimi's Vintage Charm"...... is what I'm calling it. I have become a collector of vintage furniture. I love the charm and character that these great pieces can bring to a home. They offer a timeless beauty and simple wisdom from days gone by'. Usually they are found in unexpected places.....a little table here, a dresser there or a long forgotten chair from the attic. I accept the furniture in any disposition whether it may need major repairs (I know a great guy at http://www.rivervalleywoodcraft.com), a fresh coat of paint, or simply lining the drawers with paper and polishing the hardware.

Come September, my vintage finds will be featured at:
Romancing the Home
707 Second Street
Webster City, Iowa 50595

Take a look at my first project that is already there. Here are the before pictures: a neglected table and set of four chairs in desperate need of a make-over. These items were found at a garage sale. They are the beautiful and classic Queen Anne style, but in need of some updating. I just couldn't pass them up.



After some fresh paint and new seat covers....here's the finished project! (I will work on my photography skills....but hopefully you get the idea)



Amazing what a little paint can do, don't you think? (Well, it's a little more involved than that...I forgot to mention lots and lots of sanding...but the end result is worth it) This table and set of four chairs is a great little collection to start with. As mentioned before, it's for sale at Romancing the Home in Webster City. The price is $275.00. Perhaps it's just right for your home...go check it out! I have some other projects in the works that I am very excited about. Stay Tuned!