Furniture Refinishing Projects

Project #1: Several years ago my mom bought this old birdcage/display but nothing was done to refinish it and it sat in the garage rusting for a couple years. Last spring I took it out, totally sanded it down by hand, and added a rust preventing base paint to keep it from rusting more until I decided what to paint it. I always thought it would be cool redone and a few months ago I finally brought it over to the house and painted it. It’s now in my future office room being used to display some of my library.

Before and after sanding. That was a rough job scouring off all that rust!

I finally repainted it a pewter color and it looks fabulous!

Project #2: I bought this little folding table at a thrift store in the sale bin for $6. It was horribly ugly but it was a cute style and sturdy. I knew it could be repainted and with a little elbow grease look great!

Someone did a crap job spray painting this table. It was gaudy gold painted over bright yellow. It wasn’t primed so it was peeling off showing yellow all over. Blech!

I lightly sanded the table, spray primed it, and used leftover Benjamin Moore Navajo White paint. I then added a clear protective top coat to keep it from being damaged.

Voila!

Have a bright day!
Chelsea

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Decorators Showcase House 2013

Several weeks ago the ASO Decorators Showcase House kicked off its annual tour. I usually go every year and get such inspiration from all the designers who participate. Here are some of my favorite rooms.

 

Isn’t this stained glass window gorgeous!

Love the mixture of styles and fabric textures on the chairs in this sitting room.

This bedroom is probably my favorite room of them all. Such a soothing soft palette. And it’s painted Revere Pewter, the same color as my house:) I have good taste!

I love lucite furniture mixed with soft colors like these creams and greys. It looks so sophisticated and feminine mixed with these soft textiles.

Hand painted birds and trees cover the walls in the bedroom.

Dream master closet.

Scalamandre fabric in this soft pinky coral looks gorgeous with the wall color, Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter.

I love the upholstery on these dining chairs. Simple linen but with tacks and tape on the trim work.

Chinoiserie blue and white.

Hand painted wallpaper on the rear staircase. Stunning!

I need to start collecting coffee table books. I found lots to add to my list!

There was so much gorgeous artwork at the house.

These rainbow finches are so pretty! They look painted!

What was your favorite room at the Showcase House this year?

This makes me even more excited about adding to my house. What inspired you?

Have a bright day,

Chelsea aka bright girl.

Have a bright day!

Chelsea aka bright girl

A Day at Shaker Village: Mt. Pleasant, Kentucky

 

Part II of my road trip through the South.

On the second day of our road trip Maman, Jane, and I spent a day at Shaker Village in Mount Pleasant, Kentucky. It was amazing and I already want to go back. Such an interesting historic site, so relaxing, and so much to do and see. Can you imagine spending Thanksgiving here?! There are tons of nature paths to hike and bike, farm to table events, riverboat rides, visits with the farm animals, and so much more. Fair warning I took lots of pictures. Here is how we spent our day!

Our first sight of the morning. So relaxing.

    

Kitty came to visit us first thing on our walk to breakfast! We dubbed him “Moonpie” He followed us home the night before.

 

 

 

Beautiful architecture and gardens at the Central Dwelling.

 

 

Beautiful view

 

Trustee’s Office for breakfast

 

 

    

Beautiful double staircases. Jane thought they were just lovely.

 

 

Love this picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jane felt right at home in this historic village.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is where we stayed!

 

We noticed on our drive through Kentucky that all the barns and outbuildings are painted black, instead of the traditional red. Curiosity drove me to find out why and here’s the answer: it keeps the inside hot in order to cure tobacco. We also saw lots of tobacco growing just about everywhere, including front yards of houses. Mystery solved!

Hi there pretty bird!

 

Love all those stacked stone walls.

Waiting for our official tour to start. Meeting house music and tour!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at all those pegs!

Hello Maman!

The Central Dwelling House is just across the street.

 

Crossing the street to the Dwelling House

 

 

 

Amazing architecture

 

 

Trustee’s dining room

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Golden State Gal likes this!

Someone is playing Hide & Seek with me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making our way to the attic floor. Beautiful staircase.

Every space is put to use by the Shakers.

 

 

 

Keeping time in the dining hall.

 

 

 

 

 

Jane left her mark in the school room.

I spy…

 

It’s “Moonpie!”

 

Heading into the Craft Store, we spied two adorable kitties.

Jane found some kitties of her own. Just the right size!

Shaker boxes abound in every size imaginable.

 

 

 

Jane is bidding farewell to our Shaker Dwelling House. We had a great time and hope to be back soon! For now, onward to Franklin, Tennessee! Come back soon to see where we visited!

For more information about Shaker Village head here.

Have a bright day!

Bright Girl