~ Vintage Blue Bottles - White Mantel

These blue bottles were mostly found during a few different antique hunting adventures. I think I originally got them with the intention of creating some altered art bottles, and then to adding them the shop. None have left the house so far.

Most of them have some kind of embossed writing on them so you can tell what they were used for when they were new. And it can be any number of things.

Each time I have gone to make something out of them, I just wasn't in the mood to cover up one bit of the beautiful blue color. So all of them are as I found them, just a little cleaner.

I just wanted to bring a few springs of summer in the house, and was longing for the color that just happens to be in the blue bottles. So they were adorned in a very simple way.

Projects are moving right along. Someday I'll have the discipline to finish one thing before starting 10 other things. Really? I'm not betting on that though.

See Y'All Soon~
Donna

~ Ranch Style House Remodel, Before & After

This house was very lucky to have a new owner who could see
all the really good things that were possible for it.

And obviously, so very talented people who did the work!

Could anyone "save" this house?
It sure needed some love, vision and a whole lot of work.

There are several contractors in our area who specialize in renovations and remodeling. One of these sometimes tackles ranch style homes. They are often found in older established neighborhoods with magnificent trees and no stairs to climb. but short on curb appeal after a half century of living. 

At the time, this particular contractor used to do smaller jobs on homes that were probably about 1600 to 2000 sq. feet. It's a real challenge and one that was handled smashingly well here!

This is the after shot. I think there was quite a bit of space added to the backside as well as this fabulous revamp to the front. There are so many great features to love about living in a ranch style house. And I often hear people wondering if they can improve the facade. This one certainly says yes!

~ See Y'All Soon ~

~ French Chair, Chalk Paint Distressed and...

and then painted again.

In the quest of simplification, I've added a new option to the old, whatever you touch you must put it where it belongs, or give it away. The new option is if you are going to keep it, then do whatever refinishing it needs for you to keep it. Now! I have a large stash of things that I'm so sure I will redo. Now when I find something or move it around, if it is waiting for some work, I am trying to get it done. Wish me luck. :)


I still love these simple French style chairs. They have been here for many years, and have been utilized in different rooms. One is actually at Sweet Daughter's house right now. No memory of doing so, but I must have taken it over there.

I was intending to give you a nice little tutorial for achieving the look. Although I did it the mostly the same way I have for years, there are a few things including the choice of paints that were influenced by others. You can see a really good tutorial at Miss Mustard Seed's blog in her sidebar to give you a similar, or better finish. Look in her sidebar for the blue chair tutorial.

My chair went through this:

1. Painted very blue, Provence chalk paint with Turquoise added.
2. Painted dry brush to medium dry brush with ASCP Paris Grey mixed Provence.
3. Rubbed with a damp cloth.
4. Dry brushed with Old White chalk paint and some light waxing.
5. Sanded to distress

(The pictures show it without a final waxing, with the dark or clear that you would probably choose for longer wear.)

When that was all done....
it was too much shabby for me.
Now it is painted with Old White.
Yes, after all that work, I painted over it.

It's only paint!

See Y'all Soon~

 ................................................................................
Click on any of the pictures below to shop  art from The Decorated House 

~ Summer Mantel in White & Silver ~ The Decorated House

I think our homes change as we grow, explore, learn and become re-freshed day by day. It is not a bad sign to me if you like to change things. Maybe you are a little different today than you were a year ago, a week ago, or even yesterday. If it gets to be a daily thing, it might be too much for those who live with you though. We all have had spouses tripping over chairs in the middle of the night simply because they were in a different place today than they were yesterday.

For Spring I wanted some pretty color and old silver.

~ A Vintage Style, Child's Chair Makeover ~ Painted Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint

Sometimes my to-do list has so many little projects that get put off so I can get a big one done. But those little projects sure add up and they begin to accumulate. Does this happen to you?

So this week, it was time to do just one little paint makeover. And this was it, a small, child size wood rocker. (I'm noting that I used chalk paint because the colors can look different when you see them on different sites. This Old White, which is a lovely aged white.)

I designed it after some simple, vintage chairs, and Sweet Husband and I made it for our daughter when she was about 2 or so. Over the years she and I have gone through all her childhood things and donated most of her stuffed animals, books and furniture. When she was in her teens or getting ready to go to college it seemed like a good idea. I'm glad we saved a few things.

The chair had been stained originally, then painted black about 15 years ago. I started painting with blue paint for it to peek through after distressing. I didn't like the technique for this particular application. Instead the simple, Old White looked perfect.

During the holidays, there are lots of ways to use the chair for a display space. But right now, this was the simple solution for a picture. A small stack of antique books from the mid 1800's tied up with a bit of vintage lace and antique Mary medal.

Now if you are giggling to yourself about how long a few old books and lace would last this close to the ground in your house with small children or a dog, I understand. I realized it after I took the picture that Cody Pup could have a ball if this was left as you see it.

See Y'All Soon~
Donna
..................
Lots of fun with paint & furniture here:

Miss Mustard Seed, Furniture Friday

&

My Romantic Home, Show & Tell Friday

~ The Bell Jar - Cloche Party

There are some gifts that are so special they become treasures.
And they may not cost a single penny.

Sweet Husband has found two nests that I love so much.
One I still cannot find. But I'm thankful for this one.

And yes, everything you see in the nest,
except the blue eggs,
the bird brought in for her
own construction plans.
Old white paper, black plastic, string, moss
and what looks like cotton for the eggs!
No idea where she got that lovely
fluffy white goodness from.

It was huge!
Whatever little bird created it, wanted a mansion it appears.
Funny that is was so large,
and yet the little middle that was made
to hold the eggs,
was quite small.

This was all she really needed.
The Heart of the Nest.
Makes me think, how about you?

See Y'All Soon~
Donna
.................................

Lots of Lovely cloches
at
Marty at A Stroll Through Life
for a Summer Cloche Party

&
Beautiful Whites
at
Faded Charm, White Wednesday

~ Santos - Cage Doll On A Quiet Street - Grace

2011 ~ We were considering a quick trip to Sanford last weekend, but just didn't get around to it. Then as I was moving things around in the living room, and dusting this lovely Santos, I was happy that I had decided to get her. She still makes me smile......

Many things had changed the last time we were there, and the real downturn in the economy had not fully hit yet. If we could just take a moment to do whatever business we can with the small "mom & pop" stores in our own home towns, instead of laces like Walmart, we could make a huge difference. I know many people are trying to do just that.

...................................

Jan 2009:
The air was so fresh and brisk as we walked along the street where we've been many times before. Those who visit this little blog have seen pictures of the old buildings and how wonderful it was to have the street brought back to a new life with antique shops, places to eat and the farmer's market on Saturday when we usually go. A couple of years ago we saw an ad on TV about the shops that had opened trying to be a part of the antique & tourists market like their sister city Mt. Dora, with Renninger's.

On this day it was obvious that Sanford must be struggling. Many of the shops were closed, and the street was pretty empty. We had made the quick trip up there to find a Santos. She has eluded me, even though she has been in my grasp a couple of times. The first time I looked and yearned, but kept myself from spending. When I decided maybe I would go ahead a buy her, she was gone. Then on the next trip, there were two to choose from. One had a prettier face, the other had beautiful wings. I left empty handed again, unable to decide.

But the trip this Saturday, was to bring her home. That is if there was one in the shop-art gallery. It's a wonderful place where they have art showings, display folk art and have artists' studios that they rent. As we walked towards the shop, in the window, there was one, only one. She had the beautiful wings, and I couldn't remember what the other one looked like. I thought about it. I walked through the artists' rooms, looked at the art, and then came back around and said...she's mine. As you can see she sometimes gets dressed up just a tiny bit, too.

It was sad to see the row of shops slowly closing down. Business has been so bad and most cannot wait for it to get better, whenever that might be. We ate lunch at a new restaurant which had only been open for 3 months and we were the only ones there in the afternoon. The food was excellent. I hope they can weather the stormy times and be successful. It's hard to find such good food with big food chains squeezing out the little mom & pop places.

This Santos is a celebration symbol. Life is good, even in days like these. I am fully aware almost every minute to be thankful. My family is all healthy, kind and wonderful, there is lots of sunshine and puppy kisses. Really perfection, as I am learning to stop and bath in the Grace.

..........................

After I posted this, several people asked if I knew where they could purchase a Santos/Cage Doll. At the time, I knew of very few places. Since then they have become more available online. This site has mine as well many others. All beautiful from the pictures. (This is a "free advertisement" without any benefit to me. ) http://www.santoscagedoll.com/

This shop tells you up front that they are reproductions. You might wish to be very careful since I have seen the exact same ones being sold at much higher prices as "antiques" which they are not.

.....................

See Y'All Soon~
Donna

~ Silver Leaf Top on White Coffee Table Makeover - Chalk Paint & Silver Leaf

A few years ago I fell in love with a black table with an églomisé top. I was smitten and almost purchased it. By now I know if I overspend on something it may not be worth it. So I'm happy that I waited on the buying the expensive one.

Right now I am painting

~ Crowns In Art & Decorating?

There are times when you just get tired of seeing some things used over and over again. But then again, some things stand the test of time, for a very long time. Go back hundreds of years and you will see many crowns in art. Usually to depict royalty of some sort. That's what makes it all the more appealing to me today to use crowns. There is no such thing as "royalty" in the sense that anyone is born at a higher rank than you are. Some people just think they are.

I love the combination of elements in this art using an antique ledger page from the 1840's, vintage crown image, and beautiful handwriting of French script from the 1840's to 1850's. I also have some larger ledger pages which look and feel very much like an old parchment. Art printed it is so beautiful because it does look quite old. I'm thinking a crown might look very lovely on it as well.

It's been busy around here with paint brushes flying. Next up for me is a small coffee table with sliver leaf top and some chalk paint white love.

See Y'All Soon ~
Donna

~ White & Cream

White and cream, colors that dance so harmoniously and beautifully together.
Especially with the wonderful aged patina of the cream.

Removing things from the top of the black chest before painting it.
But taking a moment to appreciate them first.
A very large, vintage rosary.

See Y'All Soon~
Donna

~ The Entry - Just Simple & White

Old gilt mirror was looking a little tired. In addition to a little touch up with Treasure Gold, the inset on the frame was painted a blue green. First lime green, then French blue, then an antique varnish/glaze. Still looks old, nothing newly painted.

The plaster artichoke came from out on the porch back inside again. It was painted with some umbered green first to settle in the crevices, then dry brushed in Old White chalk paint. That type of paint helped to maintain the look of the plaster and allows it to be cleaned up but still chalky looking.

As shown previously the fabulous vellum book that was a gift/giveaway on Willow Decor by 3 Fine Grains. Stunningly beautiful to see and hold. The walls have been painted with a few layers of paint and glazes. The golden yellow which replaced the off whites is gone, now replaced with ... off whites and taupes, again. Much the same as several years ago I suspect.

After finding the little heart stones at the beach, it took over a year to find a shadow box that would work and that I actually liked. This one was perfect.

The ex-voto heart, my three shells and an antique key make the perfect house blessing.

Although this table changes more than anything in the house, a few pictures were snapped before the things moved around. I love the white on the wrought iron table. It's a fun and different look from before.

A small entry, and just some very simple things. And lots of white .... again.(Before)

See Y'All Soon~
Have A Wonderful Day

~ Rust Love .... Faux Real

Rust hasn't always been embraced for its beauty. But you might love rusty old things. Rust is just such a beautiful thing, except when it appears some place where it's truly not wanted. You might have had your own adventures with navel jelly and sanding and painting to get a perfect finish on a metal piece or two. I have as well. But in the last few years, I've fallen more and more in love with the simple yet complex beauty of rust.

After

The wrought iron table in the entry was last painted black, and it was a lovely verdigris green previous to that. I'm trying to remember back 20 years or so wondering if it was white when I first found it. It was a garden piece way back then. But as I was searching for an iron table that wasn't way too expensive for the entry, I realized it was perfect for the entry area. And it's been there ever since.

This time I painted it an aged white, and did a little distressing (sanding) and faux rust with paint. I was not looking for a very distressed, totally chipping look. I painted it from my stash of white paints and not the chalk paint at first, but did touch it up with the "old white" Sloan chalk paint after painting the plant stand with that one.

After

The "plant stand" was really, really rusty. Quite a bit too much for bringing indoors. It has been outside acquiring its patina for a very long time, probably about 10 years. What got me started with using it in a more rusty state was another iron table that is on the front deck. It was in such bad shape of totally peeling, chipping and rusting, that it was set aside to go in the garbage when we could figure out how to get it there. Then suddenly, you know how those things hit you, I realized it could be saved for its next incarnation. That table was slightly dry brushed with white paint with its purpose to be very, very old looking. It worked! And it led to this planter coming in the house and having a new life of its own.

This time I wanted it to look older and more aged. So when I dry brushed the chalk paint on it, it was with a light hand so that the rust would show in the spots I wanted. In order to keep it from becoming too white, it was a little slower process. Just so you can stand back, take a look and then decide if you want more white or less rust or if you might be done.

To create the faux rust look, you will notice that rust has many layers of colors and it is not really just one color. It ranges from a very dark, almost black, brown to shades of burnt sienna. So all you really need is a dark brown, and the burnt sienna with a beige or light brown to make a few different colors.

For the planter I used the chalk paint (old white) because it had the exact look of old paint that I want. You can of course use any white paint of your choosing.

See Y'All Soon~
Donna