What I did on my “Snow Day”

We received a foot of snow last night, which meant a snow day for me, yippee!

Back in November I picked up a large ottoman for $40. Once I removed the fabric, I found that It was in pretty rough shape. It needed some reinforcement on the legs, which I did, and then there it sat in my living room.  I had the most difficult time finding a fabric that I wanted to use. 

I was lucky enough to come upon a great deal for almost 28 metres of fabric from a young man that did an internship at Tonic Living. I got all of this for $100! I worked out what it would have cost me retail and it is $679!

 

I am sure all of you Tonic Living fans recognize many of these. Turns out, not one of them were what I wanted for the ottoman; too busy, not the right shade etc. Today when I went to the basement to reset the modem, I happened to look in my sons closet, and there it was…the fabric I wanted.  It’s a duvet cover that he doesn’t like, so I didn’t feel bad about cutting it up to use. It’s perfect, the right shade of grey/blue and textured.

Before

After

It’s perfect! Oh Happy Day! I replaced the foam, added two layers of batting and sewed down the sides of the fabric before stapling it on.

I finally got around to hanging my curtains too. I bought Ikea drapes and rods, but wasn’t too keen on any of their finials. I had a package of mercury glass drawer knobs, which worked perfectly as I wanted something small.

I replaced the light switch and changed all of the electrical outlets. I used a couple of ceramic plates and this little fish plate that I adore, to hang on the wall between the drapes.

They were hung using picture hangers and lots of hot glue, worked like a charm.

I need more snow days.

Vintage La Barge brass and glass table

Finding great vintage pieces always gives me a thrill. This La Barge coffee table is no exception.

I played around with the idea of cleaning the brass, but after two attempts at home made recipes, I gave up. I realized that it would take more effort than I am willing to put into it, so the patina stays :)  I did give it a good cleaning with warm soapy water, and it made a difference.

Are the hoof feet charming and unique or just creepy? I can’t decide.

When I picked it up, the lady that was selling it realized that she had priced it way lower than she could have got, but was good enough to honour her listed price; otherwise I would have been one ticked off woman.

The glass table top is in pristine condition, which considering that it’s probably from the 60’s is pretty good. The family obviously took good care of it.

And did you notice my carpet? Its the same one, I just got the genius idea to flip it over. Ok, so maybe not genius, but it’s subtler this way and cheaper than buying a new carpet.

I looked around online and found the sale price from $500 to $2400. Mine is for sale and I wonder what this market will handle. I have a couple of designers (one of them works with THE Sarah Richardson) that I have been selling items to this past year, so it will definitely get passed by them first.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Don’t forget to set your clocks back tonight before you go to bed.

Updated faux bamboo barrel chair

The weather cooperated with me today, despite some rain earlier today. I completed one of the three chairs that I picked up this weekend.



I hand painted the primer on because I’m still too chicken to put an oil based paint in my hvlp sprayer. I did however use the sprayer for the white final finish. Talk about making life easier.

I bought the fabric from Tonic Living a while ago, but didn’t use it as planned.  I went to Canadian Tire and bought a foam camping mat that measure 2” x 24” x 72”, plenty for several chair seats and a bargain at $21. I used the existing seat bottom which was only nailed in. At one point these chairs had cane seats.

There was still a small gap between the covered seat base and the rim of the chair, so I made some trim out of the same fabric. Once I had the seat covered with foam, batting and fabric, I simply stapled the trim onto that.

It covered the gap perfectly and is a nice and snug fit.

I am learning not to be afraid of my spray gun and for the next two chairs I will use it, for sure! What a time saver and the finish is amazing.

I love Labour Day! I hope you are enjoying yours.

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Tiffany blue, black and white bedroom

When my daughter became 13 last month, I asked her if she would like me to redecorate her bedroom. Sure she said, with a tiny wee bit of enthusiasm; she doesn’t excite easily :)

I will forewarn you that this is a long post with lots of pictures.

I searched for a day bed for a while, then remembered that she had a daybed before and it kind of reminded me of a crib, so nix that idea.  While searching Craigslist I found this king size headboard; hey, that will work. I dashed off to another city to pick it up for $50. I absolutely love the shape. The colour, not so much but I had plans.

 

I had to do some McGyvering to get it to attach to the bed frame so that it didn’t rest on the wall and smoosh (that’s a word, right?) the curtains. The headboard is about 3 inches wider than the length of her single bed, so I attached some 2 x 4’s to the frame legs and drilled into the 2 x 4’s to attach it to the bed frame. Just in case you decide to do this, be forewarned.

Then I priced out damask wall paper and at $40 a roll, that was out of the question. I created a stencil and went to work. It took some time and some patience :)

Next up were the stripes. I measured to have 3 of each colour, coming out at 16” each.

I picked up a small vanity from Kijiji. It will do for now and serves as a night stand.  I’m thinking down the line I would like to get a long and narrow parsons table. MY BF had the little chair already and I sprayed it with silver and covered the seat with a tshirt that I got at the GW.



Rather than have a bazillion pillows/cushions on her bed, that I knew would only end up on the floor, I opted for one large bolster. I bought this table runner at Home Sense. I stuffed it and tied the ends in ribbon.



Let me show you a little piece of her room before



Let me take you on a tour of her newly decorated room



Headboard painted in Tiffany blue. Bolster created out of a table runner.



Matelasse bedspread and pillow shams from the thrift store, picked up over time.


I removed the ugly sliding closet doors and hung up the drapes that I made, using swing arms. Ribbon from the dollar store was added to the edges using iron on tape. The memo board was a couple of dollars from the thrift store and the butterfly art was made for her a while ago.



The mirror has lived in every room of my house in grey, but now it looks pretty in blue. I moved the swing arm lamp from the back wall and added ribbon to the shade.

This little Ikea table also received a quick update by adding ribbon.


 
 

Here is a close up of the damask pattern I stencilled on.


I can’t wait for her to see how the room has come together. The last things to do are paint her book case and return it to her room , paint her chandelier or get a new fixture, and make a floor cloth.


Please weigh in on your thoughts for the floor cloth. I was thinking of doing this zebra pattern.



Black and white may be a little too busy for this space so what do you think of doing it in the Tiffany blue?  Or should I do something totally different?
Cost breakdown:
funky 70’s headboard - $50
Vanity - $25
quart of black paint - $17
Ribbon - $5
Spray paint - $12
tshirt to cover chair - $2.50
Total: $110.50
Everything else I already had.

I just loved doing this room. Growing up, my shared bedroom was quite utilitarian, so it’s nice to make one that is pretty.

Update: Here is the completed floor cloth.  I don’t know why I doubted myself, it turned out wonderfully.  You can read about the process here



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A big thank you goes out to Kate at The Besties for featuring this project. Thanks Kate!

New (to me) kitchen table

I found this set on Kijiji the other day and picked it up tonight after work.
It is an older set but in great condition, from the Martha Stewart line. I like the backs of the chairs.
It also came with a table and hutch, but I don’t have any use for it, so it will go back on Kijiji.
Here is the ad

The thing is, it’s not quite my style.  I adore country chic or whatever you want to call it, but only in small doses for my own home.  Therefore, I’ve come up with a plan, ha ha, of course I can’t leave anything alone.
The entire set was only $200.  Steal!
My plan is to paint it and upholster the backs of the chairs, but leaving the design exposed. The table top and seats will get a darker stain. 
Here is my inspiration

What do you think, painted, or leave it white and darken the table top and chairs pads?

Looking forward to spring

While searching Kijiji I came across this outdoor dining set for $99.00. I practically ran to pick it up :)  It’s a little rusted but it will get a fresh coat of black when the spring finally reaches us. The owners originally purchased it at Restoration Hardware, many years ago.
Did I mention how envious I am of those who have their spring flowers poking up?  Well, I am.
Last year I had my patio restoned and this year I am going to be focusing on creating an oasis there.  I have big plans.  I will be making some large planter boxes which will get some nice evergreens. I’m going to plant ivy to try to cover up my fence. This is a new venture for me as I don’t know much about plants, but I’ll learn.
Here’s a reminder of how it looked after I had new patio stones laid.
I stopped off at the fabric store today and found some great outdoor fabric to recover this set and make some cushions for the new table and chair set. There was a sale on!  $6.00 / meter (or $5.50 / yard)! 

I will start making the cushion covers as soon as the snow melts, which at this rate could be June :)