Thursday, June 30, 2011

Good News and Bad News - Chair Update

If you remember I've recently picked up two sets of chairs found on Craigslist.  So the good news is that my chairs are back and look like new.

I've actually had the first pair done for a while.  They looked like this when I picked them up. 



They were free :)




I wanted to brighten the mood in the living room, so I went with this green geometric chenille fabric. I found it online at www.fabricguru.com and it was only $6 a yard.



They were completely redone and they turned out sleek and comfy.

Then I found another pair. Structurally they were in good shape. I didn't like the attached pillow back style but I liked the size and shape (and the fact that there were two of them- who knew it was so hard to find pairs of chairs) I paid $40 for the pair.


The upholsterer attached the back, gave them new foam and cut down on the buttons.


This is a close up of the fabric.

I love the splayed legs from behind.

They're in the sunroom where I seem to be doing a very golden beige color scheme.


I'm really happy with the way all the chairs turned out. Like I've said before, I think the older chairs are so much better in quality and they have such interesting shapes. I got to choose the fabric and I paid a lot less for them by finding old chairs and having them reupholstered than I would have if bought new chairs in a big retail chain.

The bad news is I'm out of places to put chairs. My chair collecting days appear to be over. :(

Thursday, June 23, 2011

If You Search For It, It Will Come


I've been stalking Craigslist for a couple months now looking for a crystal chandelier. I do a search in the morning while I drink my coffee. I might check in again midday and then at least one more time before I go to bed. 

Last week one showed up. It had a bad picture and the description said something like,  crystal chandelier. pretty good condition, missing one lightbulb.



When I went to pick it up the woman seemed shocked that I wanted it.  I admit it didn't look very good, I don't think it had ever been cleaned.  Needless to say, it was covered in dust and grime. It's marked made in Italy and has a nice aged look about it.

So I spent a little time cleaning it up.


It took the place of this DIY makeover chandelier I had in the sunroom.   


Every sunroom/garden needs a little bling right?


What did I pay for this vintage crystal beauty you ask?  $25!


Do you think it's too  much?




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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Garden Party Wedding

Eight years ago today Matt and I got married. I wanted to elope, but Matt is used to huge Italian weddings and so we compromised. We had a small wedding and reception.


The colors were pink and green. 
My niece and nephew were the ring bearer and flower girl.
They're in high school now.

The National Cathedral is across the street from the church where we were married.
I thought it would make a nice backdrop for our pictures

The police didn't think it was such a good idea, since I didn't get permission first.

My bridesmaids were all in various states of pregnancy.
My friend on the left had a 2 week old. In the middle 5 months pregnant. 
In the back, due any minute - having contractions throughout the entire weekend.

I told them they could wear anything they wanted as long as it was pink. 
 My other niece followed me around all day sitting on my train. It was so cute.

The reception was at the Tregaron estate is in Washington DC. 
It was once owned by Ms. Post and has several beautiful gardens.  


We were having a mini monsoon eight years ago, so the event didn't unfold quite like I had planned.  Due to forecast of rain,
cocktails in the garden and dinner on the terrace was moved indoors. 
It was beautiful and relaxed and fun none-the-less. 

The pink and green candy bar with polaroid camera and guest book were a huge hit!

The girls danced


The guys enjoyed cigars - like scene right out of the Sopranos

And the bride and groom moved to Monkey Grass Hill
where they worked on their house with all the money they saved 
from having a small garden party reception.


(Sorry for the quality of the pictures. I don't have a scanner, so I was taking pictures of pictures.) 

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Friday, June 10, 2011

Scratching that itch

I've been itching for a treasure hunt lately. 
I haven't been to an estate sale or flea market in quite some time.  

I was so excited about an estate sale in my neighborhood this week that I showed up early to get a good place in line. I was about 24 hours too early. (It actually starts today.)

So to scratch that itch I went full force thrift store shopping yesterday.  

I found a new shop and I think some unique treasures like this huge vintage tole sconce.
It needs to be rewired if I want to use it as a light. 
Or, I could just put candles in it.  I'm not sure where it will go, but it was just too unique to pass up.


I love the crown detail.

I also have been looking for a round table for this corner. 
I didn't care what it looked like because I will use a table cloth on it.
This one is the perfect size and was just $15.  
 It provides hidden storage for the piles of newspapers that accumulate.

This darling vintage tole lamp was only $5. I think I'll clean it up, get a cute little shade and and do something with the paint so I can use it in the kitchen. 


My sister in law just gave me the jadeite gravy boat. I saw this bowl for $12 and thought even if I don't get a complete collection going this would be nice to use for salad and dressing this summer.


Greek key curtain panel (just one).
It was $3 and I thought I can do something with the fabric - right?....

 A "couch protector "
It's true, my dog is not completely trained to stay off the furniture. He likes to sneak up on it when no one is looking. I thought this table cloth had the right colors and was really a beautiful.

The shop owner said the embroidery is all hand done. 
It was $10 and I can think of a multitude of uses for it.



Effortlessly/strategically draped on the love seat it will add a splash of color and 
keep the dog hairs off my lovely neutral linen.


Finally I got a 30 inch glass table top for $15. I've wanted to use my sheaf of wheat table as a coffee table but it was just too small. With the bigger glass top I think it works perfectly. 






Aaahhhhh! I feel so much better now. I don't even know if I need to go to that estate sale today. 

Have a great weekend!
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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Artist?

Drew has always loved creative projects. He has always said he wants to be an artist. But I can ALWAYS pick his "works" out of the group because honestly, they are the worst. In the words of his teacher, "scribble scrabble". 


I was so happy last week when he brought home something that I could appreciate. 
I actually DO love this one.  It's the Koi pond at school.

So the next day we ran out to Michael's to buy a frame and matting. 


When the framer gave me the price to cut a custom mat I whispered, "this is for a kindergarten painting". 
He came up with a fantastic solution. 
Just float the picture on the uncut mat. 

I love it! 
And it now has a place of prominence over the mantel in our kitchen. 
As his talent improves I can easily change the art and will always have the right size mat on hand.