furniture {reincarnated}

Gold Leaf Embellished Party Dishes : Children's Art Project

2012-02-06T07:22:00.002-05:00

Being in charge of the class art project for the school auction is a BIG job! Not only was I challenged with coming up with the project, I was then to execute it.

I started by asking myself a few questions:

1. what kind of art can two year olds do

2. what kind of art can two year olds do that other moms would want

3. what kind of art can two year olds do that other moms would want and pay big bucks for

Two year olds can scribble, beautifully. I have a million scribbles hanging on the fridge, in the office, on my vanity. The challenge here was to make this scribble stand out.

I have been seeing a lot of "confetti" and gold in the tabletop world. Everyone from Kate Spade to AnnieGlass uses gold, and it is all fabulous. I used these as my inspiration:

"messy" gold leaf

scribble?

fingerprints?

I decided on a Gold Leaf Party Ware set - dessert plates, punch bowl and cups, and a divided dish for snacks or dips. Confetti to me instantly shouted "FINGERPRINTS!" and like the Kate Spade "bow" plates, I thought I could have the children scribble and I would gold leaf it.

This was my mock up design...

By combining inspiration from both Kate Spade and Annieglass, our TTH Young Discoveries class created a fabulous Gold Leaf Embellished Partyware Set.

Complete with :

8 dessert plates

1 large punch bowl w. ladle

8 punch cups

divided dish

This set is sure to add life to any party. Although it was created by our children, it is sophisticated enough to party with the grown-ups. It is whimsical and fun while also being elegant and glamourous.

Each piece is partially, if not completely, hand painted by the children in our class, with only a little guidance. The dots are all little finger prints and the scribbles were drawn on paper and traced onto the plates and gold leafed; this activity was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

food safe and hand washable.

Who wouldn't want this exciting, handmade, gold embellished set of party dishes?! Only time will tell...

Scribble Plates

punch bowl and cups

divided dish

sample of scribble turned gold leaf

all the little masterpieces

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you found this inspiring!

Do you want a party ware set of your child's art?? Let's talk!

How to Build a Child's Picnic Table

2012-01-30T17:47:00.001-05:00

It's official. I have spring fever. It's only January.

Jeff and I spent the weekend building and finishing this sweet little picnic table and it has me longing for pretty spring days. I already have a few on order to be given as gifts for mothers day, birthdays, and just because, which makes me think I am not the only one around with "the bug". These would also be great gifts for the grandparents!

We made this one especially for the Bid for Our Kids Auction at First Presbyterian Preschool where Grace Anne goes to school a couple of days a week. It is such a precious little school filled with wonderful people so we were pleased to build it as our family contribution.

The scale is perfect for children - overall dimensions are 35-1/2" W x 33" D x 20" H.

Since this is not only to raise funds for the school but to promote this little "business" I have, I finished it in the ever-popular Tuscan finish, also seen Here.

See! Perfect fit!

I would be honored to build one for you but if you are the DIY-type, take a peek at my how-to drawings below. If you take it on, I would love to see photos of your finished product!

I got my directions here

Thanks for stopping by!

Furniture {Reincarnated} : reupholstered armchair

2012-01-21T16:53:00.000-05:00

Why is it that now that I have (long) graduated from college, I suddenly L-O-V-E learning new things??? And now that I am not being graded, I do A+ work?!? (wink)

This past "semester" I continued my upholstery education. Needless to say, I enjoyed every bit of it.

It was a musty old arm chair with dingy plaid upholstery and a wobbly leg. It has a classic shape though and it is always fun to keep things in the family. Here it was before I got my hands on it:

Mid-makeover...

And here she is standing proud and full of new life!

Thanks to Elizabeth for trusting me with a family heirloom!

before

after

detailed step-by-step of how to reupholster a chair to come!

Furniture {reincarnated} : Butler's Table

2012-01-15T17:22:00.000-05:00

Another fun project was the {reincarnation} of this great piece. As I'm sure you have noticed, everything from bar carts to butlers tables have been front and center of the party scene recently. Some of my favorites are these from Society Social :

and Jonathan Adler.

In keeping with the style of this clients dining room, we went with a more rustic look.

BEFORE

AFTER

Guestroom {Reincarnated} : Baby Thomas' Nursery

2012-01-08T13:34:00.002-05:00

Hello friends! HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Life has been wonderfully busy but I am back with some exciting new projects!

A dear friend of mine had a baby and I had the pleasure of helping her design her nursery. I sent her some style boards to get us thinking in a direction:

Although we didn't know whether they would be having a girl or a boy, Alice has always been more of a "blue person" (rather than pink frilly) anyway so decided regardless of the sex, we wanted to go with greens, yellows and blues. Below are our inspiration fabrics.

rug

We had the bedding made and it turned out beautiful! We refinished an arched shelf, a demilune table, and a mirror, and we also reupholstered a window valence (here are the befores...).

Here is the room when it was all said and done. I think they were all very happy with it :)

AFTER!!

Welcome to the world baby Thomas! We are all overjoyed to have you join us!

Furniture {reincarnated} : Geometric Hall Table

2011-08-03T11:55:00.000-04:00

All in favor of ridding the world of marble laminate, say I! Helping in that mission, we {reincarnated} this hall table with a much more stylish geometric fabric.

HELP!

marble before

AFTER!

corner detail

fabric detail

This piece still has a voice and makes a statement, but now it is a much more agreeable one.... agreed???

furniture {reincarnated} : Upholstered Headboard with Nailhead Trim

2011-07-29T14:09:00.000-04:00

The same fab friend that allowed me to {reincarnate} her coffee table also trusted me with creating her grown-up headboard! This was a fun challenge and I happily took it on.

I had recently found a king headboard at a deal that I could not pass up. Despite the faux-bois-esque fabric and purple-ish cording, I knew that in time, either someone would need it or I would revamp it and use it myself. Not two weeks after I found it, it had a future home (and a gorgeous one at that)!

before

I un-upholstered it (very labor intensive) in preparation for re-upholstering. I stripped it down to the frame, replaced the rubber (padding) and worked my way out from there. For the final touch, we added a nailhead trim detail.

bare bones

The fabric she chose was a beautiful textured natural color that played off the inspiration pillow very well. The nailheads have a 'French Natural' finish.

nailheads

corner seam

The simple bedding she chose works perfectly and it all came together very nicely, don't you think!?

Since I took up so much time yesterday, I kept this short-and-sweet! I hope you have a wonderful weekend doing whatever it is that makes you giddy!

How to Build and Upholster an Ottoman

2011-07-28T14:22:00.009-04:00

I finally got to bring my finished ottoman home from school and it is exactly what this space (and Jeff's feet) needed! Check out this (very looong, yet informative) step-by-step guide to building and upholstering an ottoman.

I tried to take clear photos for my DIYers out there but if nothing else, they can show you that it's totally do-able! Please contact me if you get going and have questions, or if you want a custom one made to fit your space.

1. Build -or buy- a frame.

It can be whatever size you want - square, long/bench, large, tiny, whatever.

All you need is 4 sides and 2 bottom stringers-to support the feet.

We used 2x6's for the sides and 2x4's for the stringers. The pieces are simply nailed together.

2. Drill Holes for Legs.

Drill a hole in each corner of the bottom of the frame.

frame - upside down

3. Insert Screws.

They just pop into the drilled hole, from the inside of the frame. These have teeth on the underside and once the foot is screwed in, it digs into the wood to lock it in place.

4. Stretch Webbing.

Start in the center and, using a webbing stretcher tool, tack webbing down and fold over ends. Add additional webbing strips until 4" apart, interweaving.

5. Add Foundation.

This is typically burlap or a strong fabric and acts as support.

Fold in the corners and make it neat. Staple top around edges.

foundation

6. Make "Crown" with cotton.

Based on how rounded or flat you want the top to be, pile cotton on top of the foundation.

cotton crown

7. Layer Rubber.

Put the rubber (foam) on top of the crown. We used a 3" thick rubber.

*Notes* : STD rubber comes in 2"/4"/6" thicknesses.

Make rubber 1" thicker for squishing down.

40-45 lb is STD firmness for cushions (35 lb is really soft and 50 lb is a brick).

Avg height of ottoman is 22".

Add 1/2" overhang on all 4 sides.

crown

cotton between foundation and rubber

8. Layer Dacron.

Wrap the ottoman in dacron or cheesecloth to shape it. Staple it down 1" below where the border will start. Put smooth side out. Cut excess from around and staple down all lumps.

9. Choose a center for your fabric.

It is up to you as to what you want to be the center. Sometimes it's obvious as to what it should be, but other times, it's just a matter of opinion.

10. Measure and cut fabric.

This is the scary part! Once you have decided on your center, measure outward, adding 2" below border all the way around.

11. Staple down fabric.

Working from the center outward on each side, staple the fabric to the frame. Staple in center, then at each corner. Smooth down fabric and staple between, smoothing slack toward the corner. Cut away excess fabric from inside corner pleat. Remember, pleats are on the front - meaning, it should look smooth from the front and the opening of the corner pleat faces the side.

*Note* : Be sure to have frame marked as front, back, and sides.

12. Cut Border Fabric.

You should have already determined the height of your border. For the cut piece, add 1" to the top, 2" to the bottom, and 3" to each side (so if I have a 4" border and each side is 35" wide, I cut each piece 7" x 41"). Clear as mud???

To make it more difficult, patterns require matching. Here, I cut the fabric so that the pattern would seemingly continue on from the top down to the border.

13. Sew Welt cord.

This is a whole other post in itself. But, basically, cut fabric on a bias (45 degree angle) at 1-7/8" wide strips and sew around 5/32" cord.

14. Attach Welt Cord.

Staple the Welt cord all the way around, with the seam downward.

15. Attach Border Fabric.

Fold the top of each piece under 1". Flip it up and staple the backside of the fabric, just under the welt cord. Fold in the ends of the front and back and staple down.

16. Wrap corners.

For the sides, rather than folding the sides in, wrap them around the front and back and staple down.

It should be looking like this when you flip the fabric down.

17. Attach Tack Strip.

Staple the cardboard tack strip all the way around the ottoman, pushed snugly under the welt cord.

18. Add Dacron.

Cut and staple the dacron around each side and under the bottom of the frame. The thickness is up to you.

19. Fold Corners.

Wrap each corner tightly and neatly. Staple at the bottom of the frame.

20. Staple Fabric to Bottom of Frame.

21. Add Bottom Welt Cord.

Wrap the welt cord around the base of the ottoman and staple.

upside down

22. Attach Dust cover.

Using the same technique as the foundation, fold the edges of the dust cover under and staple down neatly.

23. Attach final tack strip.

This helps secure all edges.

24. Screw on legs.

and VOILA!!

From this...

To this...!

As you can see, this takes a lot of work but it is also very rewarding. Don't you just love seeing something reach its potential!

Thanks for reading. Happy Thursday!

Furniture {reincarnated} : Rustic Coffee Table

2011-07-18T09:28:00.001-04:00

From shabby to rustic (yes, honey, they are different ;)

This client has a fun and eclectic sense of style. Everything she does turns out fabulous. The space we are working with encompasses many design styles yet remains very balanced. The room itself is very charming and traditional, but with a vintage twist. The furniture is a mix of clean lined bookshelves and tiered iron side tables. Although each element has its own personality, they all speak to one another beautifully.

inspiration piece - we didn't want to copy, but we like the overall feel of this:

This is the rug that the client owns, followed by a fabulous lamp (from Scotts) that is part of a pair for the same room. These two served as a guide for our color palette.

before:

after!

To achieve this look, I prepped and then painted the entire piece solid brown. Since rustic was the goal, I used a brush rather than a roller. This left strokes and added texture. Then I followed that with dry brush strokes of a natural color on the base. To finish, I went back and added touches of blue-gray to tie it in with the rug.

These simple brush strokes altered the look of this piece entirely. It has nice storage and a large surface area for display and practical use.

She loved it and it could not have coordinated better with the pieces she already owns. Thanks for looking! Happy Monday :)

Furniture {reincarnated} : Swedish Side Table

2011-07-15T10:53:00.003-04:00

We painted a pretty little side table to coordinate with this swedish chest of drawers:

Didn't want it to be matchy-matchy so we used the same colors and just changed the technique a bit.

before:

after!

We added detail to the curves on the apron and legs with a darker neutral shade.

The top is finished with a variety of shades to add depth and interest.

A perfect pair :)

Conceptual {reincarnation} : Upholstered Parsons Table

2011-06-30T16:59:00.000-04:00

I have had quite a few inquiries about the upholstered console table and it has gotten me thinking about all the different ways this little guy can be designed. This is one design, done in many fabrics. I plan to build and upholster a similar version to this sometime in the near future.

For these designs, I chose a solid textured base fabric with patterned accents (think sofa with accent pillows...) All of them have nailhead trim detail and dimensional contoured pattern applied to the outer legs.

Enjoy!

I hope everyone has a very safe and HAPPY 4th of July!

Furniture {reincarnated} : Outdoor Etagere

2011-06-27T15:06:00.000-04:00

This little piece is perfect on a porch outside to display pretty little terra-cotta pots (and serve as a side table during happy hour :)

A neighbor asked me to {reincarnate} this for her and although I hesitated to remove the Auburn orange and blue finish it was rockin', I did so anyway. See how this little piece came back to life.

inspiration - her porch pillows

I removed ALL of the old chipped paint, primed, and painted. I had found some drawer liners that matched her decor and I adhered them to the shelves. Finally, I put a few coats of schellac and veneer on top to make it weather-resistant.

Hooray for pretty corner fillers!

Furniture {reincarnated} : Textured Glaze Side Table

2011-06-13T14:19:00.002-04:00

This started out as more of an experiment than anything and ended with a piece I am proud to display! The original finish on our little table was in baaaad shape but, luckily, the construction was still solid.

This was my inspiration piece:

Practice finish swatches:

This is what I had to work with....

While the color variations do give it depth and interest, it isn't exactly the look we had in mind ;)

help!

Here goes nothing...

Finished Product!!

The piece we started with had clearly been very loved. I do have to say that I think this is a more sophisticated look, wouldn't you agree?!

Check back shortly as this will be part of my "finishing school" series of posts coming soon!

Thanks for visiting! I hope someone has made you smile today :)

Made ya look : Coloring Furniture from the Inside Out

2011-05-19T13:32:00.003-04:00

Peek-a-boo! Coloring furniture's hidden places makes me happy!

Todays Eye-Catching Trend (and my new obsession) is color peeping through windows, from inside cubbies, or as a surprise when a drawer is opened. I have used it quite a bit lately and am seeing others use it more and more as well. The color can be painted or wall-papered, solid or patterned, modern or shabby.

the lennoxx

live well interiors

a soft place

furniture {reincarnated}

mary makes dinner

free people blog

centsational girl

good househeeping

shannon fricke

sugar pie farmhouse

the kitchen and bath people

veranda

perch

Traditional Home May 2011

look at the color peeping though the pleat on the corner.... and the adorable little buttons!

noted for my upholstery class :)

my sweet friend and mom-to-be, E!

Give it a try on an old or inexpensive piece. It will instantly update and refresh just about anything!

Furniture {reincarnated} : Tuscan Cedar Chest

2011-05-05T16:08:00.001-04:00

With it's earthy colors, layered paint, and sun-baked look, I refer to this finish as Tuscan.

To get the look, I stripped away the old old finish and applied a new Old World finish. The paint was chipping and the veneer beneath was severely damaged. The inside however was in perfect condition and smelled fabulous --- who doesn't LOVE the smell of cedar?!

after

before

chipped paint

damaged veneer

more damaged veneer

beautiful inside

slowly but surely

repaired holes from veneer

primed and ready

After I primed the entire outside, I sanded and distressed it in a few areas. I then painted a creamy white base coat. Then I tried something new..... I used a wood stain, just as I have on bare wood, to create depth. The stain settled in the beautiful carved details as well as any areas that I had sanded down to the wood. I wiped it down and Voila!

This is making me long for Italy! Here are a few fabulous Tuscan spaces where this little piece could live comfortably (who couldn't??)

Finish inspiration....

old world finish

i love cypress trees all in a row

I had to laugh..... as I was searching "Tuscan spaces", MY design for Ballard Designs Tuscan Corner Media appeared!! I had forgotten about this little guy but it made me smile to think about that experience :) Believe it or not, it was quite a challenge to make him work with the existing side shelves!

Ballard Designs Tuscan Corner Media

Have a fantastic weekend and don't forget about Mommy!! ;)

Furniture {reincarnated} : Upholstered Console Table

2011-04-28T22:05:00.005-04:00

Lately, I have been wandering around my house with my trusty staple gun upholstering anything and everything I can get my hands on. Although I have done my fair share of DIY upholstery projects in the past, I am finally taking a real class and LOVING it! A natural problem solver, I feel like each upholstery assignment is one big 3-D puzzle --- and I can't get enough!

So, remember the post I did about the upholstered mirror? I know the style wasn't for everyone but the concept of fabric-wrapping items that are not typically soft intrigued me. I took that inspiration and used it for my latest project.

I had a dream client. The kind that comes in and says "HELP! I have this old thing that I don't know what to do with and you can do anything you want with it"..... me: "Really???..... anything????" (my voice getting higher and higher with each inquiry).

I knew immediately that with its simple lines, this table was the perfect guinea pig --- I was going to upholster a console table. I wanted a clean simple fabric with a youthful yet stylish look (and NO stripes to keep straight!). I liked the idea of a textured fabric and while I think this would look absolutely fab-u-lous in a crisp linen or a hot bold print, I went with a fabric that had a neutral background and white flower pattern applied. Not too funky, but enough to fit the unique technique. Check out the transformation.

before and after ~

Do you have something you need upholstered?! I am a soon to be PRO and would L-O-V-E to help!

:)

Furniture {reincarnated} : Swedish Chest of Drawers

2011-04-17T15:31:00.004-04:00

Swedish painted furniture is the latest and greatest in home decor. This {reincarnation} is all about creating the perfect finish for a chest of drawers. It will go in a little girls room but will be able to move around the house comfortably and serve as anything from a dresser to a buffet.

Chest in progress

These two fabulous finds served as our inspiration for the finish of the piece. Notice the darker shade coming through in areas that would naturally be distressed over time. The hardware is perfect and luckily our original chest of drawers already has some very similar.

In the Mix

Don't you just adore the subtle hint of color peeping through the windows? Me too. So, we took notes and used this touch in our final design.

Perch - New Orleans

Decisions, decisions.

Paint colors

Original chest of drawers:

While it had a dated look, the paint was very detailed had been very well done. I (kinda) hated to but I got out the sander.

Then the primer and base coat.

How cool is this?! Each drawer is marked with Roman numerals and has a coordinating marking on the face framing. Makes me wonder about the history of this piece.

I then rubbed candle wax along all of the edges on the entire piece; around the drawers, all of the corners, as well as in certain places on the top and face. Then, painted the white top coat over it. Paint will not stick to the places where the wax is rubbed. I did a few coats of the white and once it dried, I took a flat edge and scratched the paint off where the wax was applied. This revealed the base color beneath rather than the wood. This creates a subtle depth and gives it that aged look.

I painted the inside a dusty French blue (from the pink pattern) to bring in a touch of color and charm.

I purchased some beautiful Japanese paper to use as drawer liners. The proceeds went to benefit Japan :) The paper makes me smile and it adds a nice finished feel to the piece. I thought it would be a nice surprise.

We put the original hardware back on and did some final distressing and sanding. Do you think she will like it?!!

Before and After:

Thanks for stopping by! As always, please feel free to comment or contact me!

Furniture {reincarnated} : Nesting Tables by Eddie Ross

2011-03-23T12:52:00.001-04:00

Oh, Eddie Ross. He is fabulous. He inspires me and makes me happy. While I am working on my next {reincarnation}, check out the one he did to re-vamp these tired tables. I remember seeing this one in The Nest magazine last year and it is so creative, fresh and beautiful.

He simply painted them white and then used a wood grain tool to create an interesting faux bois top in a contrasting blue color. You will definitely see this technique on one of my pieces soon!

Wood grain tools are VERY simple to use. Curious? click here : wood grain tool in use

Fabulous!

http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/before_after/

Furniture {reincarnated} : Lingerie Chest - Oh la la!

2011-03-19T13:58:00.007-04:00

This pretty little chest is the perfect size for delicate little things. It has been in the Lloyd family for many years and it is in great shape. All she needs is a new finish and she will fit perfectly in our bedroom.

Before, she had a yellow-based cream finish with golden accents and a hand-painted floral motif. After, she has a chalky grey-blue finish with brown undertones and painted hardware.

Drawer face before and after

before and after

Final product!

Do you have a piece you would like to have {reincarnated}? Let's talk!

Furniture {reincarnated} : Color Block Storage Solution

2011-02-16T09:19:00.003-05:00

This whimsical piece brings excitement and organization into any space. Notes to family, shelf labels, or a game of tic-tac-toe make the use of chalkboard paint a unique and functional element. With storage cubbies of all sizes and custom painted doors to hide little messes, everything (finally!) has it's place.

The color block style is a classic and everlasting look. Inspired by Mondrain's "Composition with Red Blue Yellow," this shelf shares the asymmetrical lines, strong contrasting colors, minimalist feel, and perfect balance (but rather than the flat primary colors, we brought in more electric colors).

The shelf started in great shape but needed a little something to make it more youthful as well as tie it in with a brightly colored little girl's room.

before

I cut the doors to size. Thanks to my friend Martha (Stewart), I did not have to buy gallons of chalkboard paint that would go to waste -- she has the perfect recipe for custom colored chalkboard paint and you can make as much or as little as you need!

It works!!

Added the painted white knobs to the doors.

and voila!

Here are some other inspiring color blocks for your viewing pleasure :) This style can be found everywhere from shoes to accessories to outfits to furniture to home decor.

runningwithheels.com

Apartment Therapy

The Company Store

weheartit.com

Furniture {reincarnated} : M's Big Girl Desk

2011-02-04T10:48:00.001-05:00

I have had the honor of working with the most adorable (and smartest) 6-year-old girl EVER! We are creating the perfect "big girl room". She has so much personality and she knows just what she wants. We have both learned a lot; I have taught her the basics of painting and she reminded me that art isn't always about creating masterpieces but it's about having FUN (thanks Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)!

We started with her desk. She got a new computer for Christmas and needs a workspace for homework and such. Her desk was given to her by her great-grandmother and has a lot of history. It has sweet lines and a whole lot of hot pink nail polish spots (not only is she an artiste but a beautician as well!). Overall it was in fair condition. Some of the wood veneer has started to chip away along the bottom edges and it needs a new coat of paint. Here it is before:

After a bit of sanding, we are ready to go. I began with wood filler to fix the damaged side. From there, I wiped on a thin brown coat for the base and got lighter with each following coat. We used a very very light blue to coordinate with the turquoise in her new bedding. The top coat is white but it is more of a wash than a solid coat.

After the painting was complete, she and I headed to Anthropologie so she could choose her own knobs. I think she chose very well! We opted for 6 different, yet coordinating, knobs.

Remember the damaged side? Good as new!

While the rest of her room will be a bit more PB Teen-esque, this piece is meant to grow with her. She loves blue (turquoise to be exact) and will probably always love it. For the rest of the furniture, we will bring in brighter shades of pink, lime, and aqua in whimsical and funky ways.

Ok, I am off to take some better pics for you of the final product. Stay tuned!

I'm no web designer, but......

2011-01-31T11:14:00.001-05:00

Take a moment to peek at the website I designed for Tryst Showroom! They are a wonderful little company and I have been fortunate enough to be a part of their team from the get-go. They came to me on day 1 and said they needed help designing a logo. From there, we designed business cards, the showroom interior, christmas cards, order forms, and now a WEBSITE! It has been a fabulous experience. Let me know if you need help as well!

www. trystshowroom.com

final logo

branding: image board

showroom layout

christmas card

logo for window

order form (not a template: made from scratch!)

business cards

front window

back window

guest jewelry line

business cards on display

front window

website homepage

Conceptual {reincarnations}: 20 ways to re-vamp a chest of drawers

2011-01-25T14:48:00.002-05:00

I am pretty much constantly thinking of ways to re-vamp existing pieces. I saw this dresser at Ikea and thought "that is such an amazingly boring, perfectly clean slate with which to work!" All the function is there and the potential is limitless. Literally, you could do absolutely ANYTHING with this piece! My mind went racing. In order to get a hold of myself, I was forced to get everything out of my head. These were the first 20 to hit the paper. Hope you find them inspiring.

Furniture {reincarnated} : Diamond in the rough

2010-12-30T15:42:00.013-05:00

This elegant little writing desk with hand-painted purple and blue diamonds had been stuck in the tween stage far too long. She has pretty French legs, adequate storage and a detachable hutch. Take a look at her transition into adulthood.

LOTS of sanding to do! We used an electric hand sander starting with low grit sandpaper (60) and moving up to high grit (150).

Ok, got most of the paint off and created a nice smooth surface. Our finish will be able to cover what is left of the diamond pattern.

We used our darkest color as the base. This is a greenish-black water-based paint. We thinned it down to about half paint and half water and applied it with a rag, following the grain of the wood. Be sure to get in all of the crevices with a small paintbrush or q-tip.

Then we applied our darkest of the 2 blues. We did not use as much water this time so it has a high opacity. We want the greenish-black to show through in only a few places, including grooves and joints.

Our top coat is such a light shade of our blue that it looked white when first applied. We watered it down and applied a thin coat all over. Then, we used it to highlight raised edges and corners.

This is a close up of the finish. It is a grayish blue with green undertones. By painting the crevices dark and highlighting the edges, it creates depth and interest.

Acrylic knobs are added for that touch of glam.

Voila!

Furniture {reincarnated} : twin beds gone shabby

2010-12-01T20:08:00.000-05:00

I love basements and attics; they almost always have something to offer a do-it-yourselfer! Jeff and I were rummaging through his parents' basement and found his dad's old twin beds. They were a (once very stylish) 70's green with turned finials and great lines. We decided to take the two headboards and make a daybed for Grace Anne's nursery. Later down the road, we will snag the footboards too and have a twin bed set for her "big girl room".

The first and most obvious thing that needed to be done was to put on a fresh coat of paint. We chose a white (pot of cream, to be exact) that matches the fabric on her crib bedding as well as the other nursery furniture. Then, we found this wonderful source for shabby chic furniture appliques where we purchased pretty little details to apply to each side.

Here they are in their original state..... Loads of potential!

And here they are after some paint, appliques, and LOVE!

When it was all said and done, this project cost us approx. $38.00.... can't beat that!

Furniture {reincarnated}: Grace Anne's Throne (high chair)

2010-11-09T07:23:00.009-05:00

This precious little high chair was one that my mother sat in growing up. While very charming, she was the perfect candidate for a makeover; sentimental value, good lines, classic feel, sturdy, working mechanisms, but could use a touch of "now". She was beautiful before and we could have easily kept her in her original state, but now she sits a little more comfortably at our table.

I cannot take credit for this reincarnation however. This was the work of my mom. With a few (perfect) brush strokes and a stumble upon the (perfect) cushion, she created the PERFECT throne for our princess to adorn while visiting.

Before.

After!

The paint really brings out the details in the legs and it coordinates so well with the adorable fabric.

Don't you just LOVE the birds!? Tweet Tweet!

PERFECT fit!!

Twin Sleeper Swing: Dream Come True!

2010-11-07T11:35:00.002-05:00

Ok, so remember the post this summer about twin sleeper swings??? Check out the new addition to my parents' back porch! Fabulous. It is from a place in Charleston, SC - Vintage Porch Swings.
So Dreamy.

Conceptual {reincarnation} : Papas Dining Chairs

2010-09-22T11:03:00.011-04:00

Papa G left behind some wonderful furniture. One of the things I have been wanting to reincarnate most is his set of dining chairs. They have a Scandinavian/Sweedish look defined by the straight/gentle curving lines, simple design, little ornamentation, and splayed (concave) back legs. They are solid and I think we can easily bring them back to life. Here they are:

I have been seeing a lot of upholstered dining chairs, many with nailheads. Everyone, including Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, and Horchow, has their own variation.

We start with inspiration:

Followed by sketches:

The main things we can do to bring them "into the now" are:
1. lower the back
2. upholster all the way around the seat and back
3. add nailheads
4. add some padding to puff it up
5. refinish the legs

What a fun project (to be tackled at a later date)! Thanks Papa G!

Furniture {reincarnated} : Mimi's Dining Chairs

2010-08-22T15:19:00.001-04:00

One of the easiest DIY projects is the recovering of upholstered dining chairs..... or so I thought! A few years ago, I found this great set of 6 in my Uncle's attic. They once belonged to Mimi (Dad's mom) and from the looks of the upholstery, had been very loved. I snagged them since the wood was a great match for my dining table, which had recently been purchased at an estate sale. Somehow or another, I managed to live with them in their loved state until I "grew up" and got married. Jeff and I decided it was time to do something about them so we took this on as our first project together.

We started at Forsyth Fabrics, a wonderful source here in ATL. We went back and forth more times than Jeff would like to admit I'm sure. We actually got this fabric on sale and it is perfect!

Now, recovering the seat of the chairs was just like any other dining chair (click for how-to video). You simply unscrew, wrap like a present, staple, then screw back on. Easy enough. It was the back that was the kicker. Since it is double sided, there is no easy way to hide the fabric edges. Honestly, I cannot even remember how we managed to make it happen, but it involved a ton of staples and wood glue. It was definitely a marital bonding experience!

Maybe one day we will actually refinish the wood... are you ready for that one, Honey?

Before and after.

DIY Headboards of all Flavors

2010-08-09T15:23:00.000-04:00

There is bound to be a headboard below to suit your taste (and your budget)! Read on to find Contoured Upholstered, Faux Painted, Tufted Upholstered, Reclaimed Mantle, Wallpaper Headboard, Painted Linen, Framed Upholstered, Reclaimed Door, DIY Kits and even Chalkboard headboards, as well as how-tos for each! Yummy!

Contoured - how to

Faux Painted - how to

Tufted - how to

Mantle - how to

Marthas Wallpaper Headboard - how to

Marthas Linen Look - how to

Framed Upholstered
Wrap a piece of plywood with fabric and trim with decorative molding from the home improvement store

Reclaimed Door
via Martha Stewart - paint or distress the door as desired. Add decorative molding to one side (the "up" side) and secure to wall.

Horchow Upholstered Headboard Kit

Chalkboard
Interesting concept, but the grade-school classroom feel (and smell) may not make for the most pleasant sleeping quarters for your guests. How-to is fairly obvious..... You could always paint the frame or do a swatch of colored chalkboard paint on the wall instead.

Inspiration : Outhouse Doors!

2010-08-03T16:01:00.008-04:00

Since reclaimed outhouse doors that are readily available (I saw a stack at Scott's on my last visit) often have a much smaller footprint than standard doors, the options are endless. From bench (seat or back), to floating shelf (L-bracket supports), to coat rack (add hooks or knobs), to tall chair back, to step stool (add feet), to serving tray (add handles), to table top, to outdoor art, this versatile little number can add humor and personality to just about anything around the house. What will you do with yours? ;)

Upholstered..... Mirror???

2010-08-03T14:16:00.000-04:00

That's Right! Designer (recycled) upholstery company Squint Limited proves that anything can be upholstered. While it may not suit everyone's style, it is definitely an inspiring concept.... fabulous colors too!

Squint Ltd. is known for using fabulous vintage fabrics to create eclectic, whimsical, stylish, and interesting pieces.

The fabrics used are woven English damasks and shot silver and gold satins with Swarovski rose crystal and pearl detailing. Trimmings are 18th and 19th century from France with woven silver and gold thread. The accessories range includes mirrors and lighting wrapped with Japanese ceremonial Kimono silks which have been embroidered and appliquéd and finished with turn of the century lavender glass beads.

Furniture {reincarnated} : Filigree Armoire

2010-07-18T10:33:00.007-04:00

As an industrial designer and new mom, I am constantly looking for projects that will serve as my creative outlet in the time between diapering and nursing. My latest endeavor is an ambitious one...I am taking an armoire from dusty to dazzling (and blogging about it). Follow me as we refurbish an old classic into a fresh new attention grabber! I have never taken on a project of this complexity so wish me luck!

The inspiration: Anthropologie's Bird Cut Armoire. They no longer sell it online (which brings a tear to my eye, as I have been drooling over it for years). This piece retails for $1898...
I love the elegant lines of the bonnet top and the delicacy of the infill panels. It has so much personality! The inside of the panels are lined with fabric which adds another layer of dimension and softness to the piece. Further, the varying tones in the finish add even more depth. Perfection!

SO, I have done my homework and come across this lovely little piece to work with... for only $150!!The lines are very similar to that of our inspiration piece and (of course) it is solid wood. Our to-do list is long but I am confident that with the right tools and some elbow grease, we will create a fabulous piece of furniture!

To get started, I searched through pages and pages of lace patterns, and quilting panto patterns, and filigree patterns to find my inspiration for the infill panels. I started sketching and ended up with this:

It is modern and feminine and intricate, while remaining fun and whimsical. So, once I created my vector file in Illustrator (above), I sent it to the CNC machine to do a test cut. Lookin' good!! There are few little tweaks to be made to the design in order to eliminate some stress points but other than that, we are all set to go!

We went to Home Depot and picked our paint colors. We chose Behr "Pebbled Courtyard" as the base/primer and "Pot of Cream" as the top coat.
After removing the doors and the hardware, we painted our base coat. It is amazing how much this one step transformed the look of the piece. While we are painting, our infill panels are being cut.

I am SO excited!!! Here is a sample of what the (pre-painted) doors look like.... Just as I had envisioned! Next we will knock down the rough edges with sand paper, prime and paint.

Slowly but surely! Painting the inside edge of all of those swirls and curls was quite a job! Jeff was a major help in this effort and without him it would have taken me until next month to get that done. Anyway, I think it looks great! We have many more little finishing touches to make before we are totally done but it is so much fun to see it coming together!

The fabric behind the filigree helps keep it from looking messy. Here it is just sandwiched in the closed door and will have a much cleaner look when it is all said and done. You get the idea :)

Final Product! Here she is in all her glory! Grace Anne LOVES it.... and it is almost big enough to house all of her books and stuffed animals.

We simply finished the edge of the fabric and tacked it around the inside of the panels. Very nice touch! We have a sheet of wainscoating for the backing and may attach it later. For now, I like the open feel.

Before and After.

Thanks for looking. What do you think?! Feel free to share your comments below :)

Furniture {reincarnated} : Barnwood Bar

2010-06-30T13:11:00.009-04:00

If you haven't ever ventured to Scotts's Antique Market here in Atlanta, I highly recommend it. I have found many things around my house there as well as come across some fantastic little "projects". One of the projects I found was a Barnwood Bar. The windows were all cracked and it was diiiiirrrrrty. It is very solid and VERY heavy. I grabbed it for $75 and LOVE it.

First, I chipped out the windows (carefully :) and decided it still needed a little something. I ran over to Home Depot and bought some chicken wire to try instead of glass. I cut it to size and with my trusty little staple gun, attached it to the inside of the door. Turned out nicely, huh?! This piece currently lives in our dining room but could also make a cool guest bathroom storage tower (minus the Maker's Mark of course).

Furniture Trends 2010/2011; We are on to Something

2010-06-28T16:04:00.021-04:00

As a furniture designer, it is important that I keep up with the trends while keeping in mind classic design. I am happy to report that almost every one of my sources agrees that refurbished and recycled furniture (referred to in our world as "reincarnated") is all the rage for 2010/2011 and will not be going out of style any time soon! Even Pantone is {reincarnating} their colors, stating that their

"Foundation colors are rediscovered and revised in Deconstructing/Reconstructing. We need to dismantle to understand how to give a second life."

Pantone is on the cusp of the design world and is known to be the world-renowned authority on color, which inspires all areas of design. By them reevaluating many of their colors, one can assume that this will possibly be a trend in many markets. In my opinion, this is because consumers are becoming more eco-friendly and are trying to do their part to recycle. While Pantone does not necessarily have a product to recycle, they recognize the movement to reexamine what is offered and alter for the better. In almost every industry (interior design, furniture design, exhibit design, fashion design), the word "green" is used in abundance. Almost all major manufacturers have at least one line that claims to be environmentally friendly, although most have not yet figured out how to make it as cost effective as the "other" stuff.

{Reincarnating} furniture, or any other product that is revised and made new again, is a wonderful way for us to create custom pieces that have a history while also getting "new", trendy pieces that suit our own personal style. Whether you are motivated by mother nature or the sentimental value of an ugly old piece, recycling and reusing is no longer a thing for extremists. Just about anything can be {reincarnated} and often what makes a piece so interesting is its unique combination of styles. For example, mixing today's color trends with your grandmother's old bentwood rocking chair brings together style and emotion that cannot be purchased online.

If you think it cannot be saved, consider this: how would it look if it were repainted or refinished? Think about using a bright color that you may not have thought of immediately. Would new hardware simply re-vamp the piece? What about adding hardware to an odd place where is was not before? How about adding appliques? Are there other materials that could be incorporated to make it more interesting? Could it be re-upholstered, even if it is not currently upholstered at all?
If what you have is a solid piece and you cannot figure out what it needs, don't just toss it; find someone who can give it a little TLC and make it shine again.

Among the eco-friendly and recycling trends are:
*Bright/bold colors on furniture - Just about any bold color will make the cut. I love coral, pumpkin, and hot pink. I am always a sucker for the cool blues as well.
*Neutrals - gray being the hot neutral shade on walls and accent pillows/throws
*Modularity or multi-purpose furniture - This goes along with efficiency, a word related to "green"
*Bohemian
*Wing chairs, or other classic styles with a pop of color or bold pattern
*Painted and distressed wood made to look old - give the impression of recycled or {reincarnated}
*Comfortable & casual - In this economy, people are getting cozy in their own homes and creating more "livable" spaces, think slipcovers and soft slouchy pillows. Curvy lines too.
*Metallics - The new "mirrored" finish (although I am still a fan of the mirrored effect, I am aware of it's movement toward the door)
*Smaller footprint - Think thinner tv's lead to thinner entertainment centers. Consumers are also downsizing and are leaning toward smaller pieces in general
*Outdoor living - We are learning to appreciate our world and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. We are also trying to use every bit of our space
*Nailheads - they are on everything from chairs, to ottomans, to headboards, to side tables
*Chalkboard Paint - while nearing the end of it's time as a wall paint choice, still popular on accessories and in quirky applications
*Lacquer paint - the brighter and glossier, the better! especially on accent pieces
*Architectural elements as art - they add a timeless and classic element to any space
*Do-it-yourself - people are pinching pennies and taking on new projects around the house
*Benches - at the end of beds, as coffee tables, almost everywhere
*For the super trendy, neons are big. Pantone has introduced 566 new colors for winter 2010/2011 in the solid, neon, and metallics categories.

The beauty of trends is the ability to mix and personalize them to create a unique style to fit your individual personality. They are meant to be played with - so go have some fun!

furniture {incarnated}: MY Ballard Designs

2010-06-17T13:31:00.001-04:00

In my past life, I designed furniture, accessories, lighting, wall art, rugs, and miscellaneous home furnishings for Ballard Designs. It was a wonderful experience and there I found my passion for furniture design. I learned about mass production, and construction, and finishes, and out-sourcing, and other random tidbits of knowledge that have proved themselves useful over the past few years. My favorite and most successful design was for an office collection called the Bourdonnais Collection. It was featured on the cover of the catalog and the collection still continues to grow. It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and similar designs can now be found everywhere from Wal-Mart to High End Retailers.

Below is a quick sample of the CAD drawings I did for the desk. For each project I worked on, I would start with sketches and end up with a set of CADs (construction drawings) to send to the factory, often overseas. Once the factory completed the sample, they would ship it back to Ballard for approval. We would make any last changes and then the mass-production would begin. Getting this produced was definitely a team effort and everyone played such important roles. Each step in the process from seeing the sample for the first time to seeing the final product displayed in the catalog was so exciting!

Here are just a few of my other designs:

Wesley Media Collection

Westport Bath Mirror

Marais Console

Verona Office Armoire

Lucerne Mirror

La Mans Dining Collection (dining chairs and barstools)

Birdie Coir Welcome Mat

Stroller {reincarnated}: Flintstone Car!

2010-06-07T16:30:00.003-04:00

So this is not exactly the same as my furniture {reincarnations} but we are still taking one object and transforming it into another, so I think it is blog-worthy! Our fabulous neighborhood, Virginia Highlands, has a family parade every year on the weekend of Summerfest (http://www.vahi.org/summerfest.html). This year the theme was TV/Movies and our little family of 3 decided to be Fred, Wilma, and Pebbles FLINTSTONE! Jeff and I had a great time turning one of our strollers into a masterpiece! And on top of that, Grace Anne (a.k.a. Pebbles) won FIRST PLACE in the costume contest!! Yabba-Dabba-Do!

Inspiration.....

Before.....
During construction.....

Final product!.....

It is a combo of swimmy noodles, painted foam shields from toys r us (wheels), felt, wooden dowels, many zip ties, and of course duct tape.

furniture inspiration: twin sleeper swing

2010-06-02T10:22:00.004-04:00

Grace Anne has shown me that very little can calm a persons mood like the gentle swaying of a swing. She also proves that some of the best naps can be taken in a swing.... indoor or out. Seeing her snoozing so peacefully in her swing inspired me to want a grown-up sleeper swing. Growing up on the water in Mobile, I have always had an affinity for hammocks and outdoor naps, but the swing I want will be a tad more substantial and sophisticated. It will not only be a place to display gorgeous pillows of all shapes and sizes and colors and textures, but it will be the perfect place to steal an afternoon catnap. Below are the swings of my dreams.

One day I will have a big fabulous porch and will take you through, step-by-step, how to create your very own. Until then.....

http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/installation/swinging-daybed/

http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Hanging_Bed_in_Sunroom_0508.aspx

UPDATE!! Along with the twin sleeper swing are these wonderful little hammocks found on Etsy.com. They are handmade (which we LOVE) and perfect for baby!

UPDATE AGAIN!!! Be sure to check out the post about my moms new twin sleeper swing!

furniture {incarnated} : Mirrored Sawhorse Desk

2010-05-12T11:54:00.008-04:00

I'll admit it, I have expensive taste (ask Jeff, I have no doubt he would agree...). I am always running across gorgeous pieces of furniture only to turn over the price tag and sigh. That said, I also seem to constantly be looking at these fabulous finds and thinking to myself "I could create that, and for a fraction of the cost!" Below is one of my favorite pieces on my (very long) "to-make" list, along with an explanation of how I could do it more cost effectively.

Williams-Sonoma Home Mason Glass Top Desk: approx $2000 retail

From my experience designing furniture, this is no more than a couple of laminated 2x4s with a glass top. For my version, I would laminate the 2x4s (legs) with with a mirrored laminate...... ok, I would solicit my friends in the shop to laminate it for me with Abet Laminati 2705 (pictured above). This is from the Silver Collection and will probably run a few hundred dollars per sheet (we will only need one sheet). Combine that with an Ikea glass top for $40 and this piece would be exactly like the one in my dreams (with an extra touch of detail in the laminate) while spending only a minimal amount!

I did a 3D model of the piece to get my proportions correct and create a cut-list. This way, when I have the wood cut, I know the exact lengths I need. My overall dimensions are 27-1/2"D x 51-1/8"W x 30-1/4"H.

I am actually going to build this, but I am taking my sweet time trying to decide on finishes. I am considering using this as an opportunity to learn the finishing techniques in my previous post. This would give it a much more rustic feel rather than the crisp, modern look of the mirrored laminate. I am also thinking about the function of it. While this is very sleek and clean, unless I put bins on the cross beam, there is not a single place for me to hide my mess..... hmmm. I may create some type of storage top. Think American Girl Molly's flip up desk top, only better! Do you follow me???

Fabulous Finishes

2010-05-03T15:20:00.012-04:00

To my ever-growing "to-learn" list, I have recently added faux finishing. One of the easiest ways to {reincarnate} a piece of furniture is to give it a fabulous new coat. Bring it back to life and make it stand out in a room with only a few simple brush strokes! Some of my favorite pieces of furniture have fabulous faux finishes, similar to these (courtesy of Tritter Feefer):