Fabulous Finds

Wow, I've been busy!  Spring brings so much with it.  I can't believe that I've been meaning to post for so long now, but due to my schedule/ energy level,  I am just now getting around to sharing some of my latest goodies with you.

The house we have been in the last year has been great.  Lots of space and lots of room for improvement.  We originally used the room off the main living area (we think originally was a sun room) for the girls toys and my sewing projects.  It's about 15' x 21' and had a door off to the back yard.  The toys have only played with sporadically, and mixing sewing pins with crawling babies hasn't proven to be a good idea.  So, true to the Pendleton itch, we decided to move some things around and to re-purpose this room to be second living area and to move the girls toys into the bedroom off the new den.  A pair of French doors separate the living room and den allowing the girls to have more room and more importantly the ability to close the door on a messy toy room.

I wanted to put a twist on this new area as far as color and style. I found a few fabulous pieces that I had to share.  I can't reiterate enough the benefit of looking in uncommon places for uncommon objects.

Perfectly orange.  My new color scheme blossomed when I brought this little lamp home.  Clean, traditional lines in a color that screams mod against my sailors coat blue.  Delish!

Okay, my favorite weekly estate sale gem.  Not sure if it is acrylic or Lucite, but with only minor scratches on the top surface (which can be buffed out), for $30 this was a steal. (please pay no attention to the unfinished floors below)

My final find.  A brass three sphere lamp with metallic grass cloth shade.  For $35 you couldn't get that at Target, thank you very much. I LOVE this lamp.  It gives such a warm glow and couldn't be more perfect for this traditionally modern space.  

As this project continues, I'll continue to fill you in.  It's amazing the memories I have of my childhood home regarding the colors and textures of it's interior.  It's true what they say, styles and fashions make their way back into style every 20-30 years and this time, it's gonna be fabulous!  

Collections

When we first moved into our new house a few months back, we made an entire list of things that we/I wanted to change.  Some of the things on the list were easier than others to take care of, and to be frank, charted on the hideous scale, moving them to the top of the list.  Popcorn ceilings, dark beams, and 80's wallpaper made it to the front of the line of things I had to get taken care of before baby #2 showed up, and that was soon!

 All this to say, there are things still to be done and haven't been marked off the continuing, ever growing list.  For example, the cultured marble counter tops in both bathrooms.  They are practically in good condition, and I would be fine with keeping them around a while, they are just a bit hard to look at.  In our master bath, the cream background is tolerable, it's the pea green swirls that are a bit disgusting.  I mean, really, when was that a good look?  I guess I can just be thankful that it isn't brown.  The times I've seen this combo, I always think about how it looks like something (quite disgusting, and you know what I mean) has been smeared across peoples counter tops or tubs.  YUK!!

My guest bath, however, boasts a cheery crayola "yellow green" color.  For those of you have seen some of my work from the past, you know that deep down, I absolutely love this color in any hue.  I probably wouldn't select it for my bathroom counters, but, I have to say, it isn't hard for me to embrace.....for the time being, anyways!

So, what to do with my "yellow green"/ pale chartreuse counters?  Here's what I did.  I painted the cabinets a fresh white and changed out the antique brass hardware with chrome to match the faucet.  Next, to make a statement, which I love to do, I painted the walls black.  Yes, black.  The bathroom isn't big, but has good lighting, so in that sense, it works.  Following along with the silver tones from the hardware, I painted a few silver stripes around the room.  None of them are the same width or distance apart from one another and I like the inconsistency created by the effect.  

Several months ago, knowing I was going to go bold, and go black, I scrambled my foggy, pregnant brain, and thought of what I could display on this dark background.  This is the bathroom that guests use, and when our daughter/s decide it's time to use the "big girl" potty, they will too (sooner than later, Lord willing).  To balance the chaos from the stripes, I decided to collect a random assortment of silver plated trays and serving pieces.  I shopped in antique malls, garage sales, estate sales, and dug around Canton to find a wide assortment of pieces.  It didn't matter to me what the label on the back said or that most of the pieces were anywhere from slightly to heavily tarnished.  I paid a mere $3 to $8 per piece, which I don't think is a lot.  I arranged them very intentionally, creating a very bright, dimensional, classy, feature wall. The silver pieces take away from the unconventionally toned counters, brighten the black walls and bring your focus on the uniquely detailed work etched onto each one.  

Creating collections of the things you love, and displaying them in an intentional way can make a huge statement.  You don't have to spend a lot of money to create the look.  Dishes, silver, mirrors, candle sconces, record album covers, etc. are all things that would be easy and fun to use.  Be creative and make it reflect your personality.  As in life, embrace what you can't change, and focus on the good.  Soon enough, neither you or others will notice the hideous counters.

Here's how it looks....please excuse the smudges on the mirror. :)

The Frame Game

If you are at all like me, once you have a child (or get a dog) you begin to take a TON of pictures.  Each one is always cuter than the last and is quite deserving to be showcased beautifully in your home.  For me, I like the idea of having annual photos taken, not only my girls, but also our family.  These days are precious, and I never want to forget the details of my baby's hands, noses and smiles from all periods of their childhood.

Whether you choose to have your pictures taken professionally, or you happen to capture that priceless picture on your personal camera, the process of getting to the point you can hang it on your wall can get super pricey.  

Even with the sales that the "big box" frame shop/craft stores offer periodically, I still can't justify coughing up the cash with as many photos I've deemed worthy.  And as I've stated before,  I've got "thrift" running through my bones and consider it a challenge to get the job done and at a fraction of the price.  

If you go into the "big box" frame shops, you can choose from their ready made frames or select from a vast array of custom options.  The ready made frames come in a number of styles and sizes for most standard sized photos.  The custom options typically cost more due to the fact that the frame itself is constructed on site after the shop orders the frame material of your choice.  A lot of times, you end up having to purchase more material than you actually need and it can take 3-6 weeks to process your order.  

There are several different glass, matte, backing and hanging options, all ranging in price and quality.  Typically, you get what you pay for, but at the same time, take into consideration what it is you are framing.  ie. how valuable/replaceable is it?  

My favorite "plan B" tends to be a bit more time consuming, but saves a ton of cash.  I love the look of creating collages of art by mixing pictures, dishes, mirrors, iron work, and yes, even my husbands pheasants.   

To be as un "cookie cutter" as possible, once again, I comb through garage sales, estate sales, antique and consignment shops for old frames.  You really have to look beyond the artwork and take a close look at the frame itself.  Carry a list of the pictures you are seeking frames for as well as their dimensions.  I prefer to have large mattes on my art.  When planning the arangements of certain pictures, I suggest using the same matte color, and a neutral one at that.  To me, the art should be the focus and a brightly colored matte can greatly change the look of the piece and could possibly be distracting.  

If I am looking to frame a 8x10 picture, I will look for at least a 16x20 frame.  If the frame has glass, that's all the better because it saves you $$ when you go to the compilation stage.  Most good wooden frames can run $30-$200+ depending on the size, which to me is too much.  I have found awesome, interesting frames for under $10.  With a sheet of glass ($8 +/-), a matte ($5 +/-), backing ($6+/-) and a hanger ($1), you can potentially have a colaborated piece for $30 total.  Now that's a deal!!!  And if you're really lucky, they will even assemble it for you.

Here are a few examples of some of my thrifty frames and finished products.  

Memories should be preserved in any way, shape or form. Make them timeless, it's well worth the investment.  Happy frame hunting!

Outside of the Box

Ever since I can remember, I have loved a bargain!   Not just at the grocery store, but on everything.  I particularly love a steal of a deal on things for the home.  I'm a bit obsessed, I confess, but it has proven to be a healthy hobby that has paid off in the end.

I can remember my mother allowing me to play with her sewing machine and i would stitch pieces of scrap fabric together, learning how to adjust the spacing of the stitches and tension.  And who knew that all the refrigerator boxes I turned into playhouses, would plant such deep seeds and a passion for creating unique comfortable homes.

It's probably like any other addiction or obsession, I get a wave of butterflies when I come upon an antique shop or an estate sale.  It's in these places you can find the best treasures at great prices.  Sometimes, with a little elbow grease or coat of paint an old piece can have a new shine.  I have watched the shows on television where people suffer from hoarding or soak their entire life savings on Mickey Mouse trinkets, but this is different.

Working with wholesale vendors in my design business has also led me to believe that paying full retail is never ideal.  I always look for a plan "B" way to establish the same concept.  My husband also is keen with being "economic", making our money stretch as far as we can, with little splurges here and there.

My latest endeavor is to find old upholstery pieces that have good bones and are worth revitalizing.  I have found that estate sales have the best deals on these sort of things.  From my experience, most companies that conduct the sales have a mailing list that you can join and receive notices of upcoming events.  If you can wait it out, the last day of the sales, most things are marked down even further, making the bargain all the better.

Recently, I picked up these two beauties.

TOO "beige", for heavens sake!  In great condition, this oval cane back arm chair just needs a bit of attention to the frame and new upholstery.

This sad case for a low wing back, again, has good bones and just needs some cosmetic work, to say the least. As i work on these two beauties, I'll post their progress, good or bad! 

To sum it up, to save some hard earned dinero, look in places that may be outside the box.  You will defiantly be surprised when you see quality pieces at bargain prices.  And besides, it's an adventure to find unique, and sometimes, one of a kind of treasures that will make your home unique.  I'm not one for "cookie cutter", and if you know me, you know that the thought of it puts a funny taste in my mouth.

Have fun on your treasure hunt!