Sunday, December 23, 2012

Gezebel, the side table

Gezebel was the youngest of four children to a couple of hard-working parents.  Pulling 100+ hour weeks between the two of them, she sometimes got lost in the cracks. 

 
Perhaps that is why, the summer after high school graduation, she ran away with carnival folk.  Apparently she became smitten with the operator for the Twister and she joined their entourage.  Formerly known as Victoria, she wore her new name Gezebel, like a badge.



Years later, reunited with her family, she shows some wear and tear from those crazy days.  But because of it, she has a better understanding of self.  And if it takes falling in love with a carnie, well, so be it.


This was another excuse to use Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.  I ordered the Ironstone which is her truest white.  And boy did I get the chippy finish that this paint is known for.  I have used her paint in the past with this piece, but the chippy-ness was not to be found.  Well, it make up for it in spades with Gezebel.




To me, I think every home needs to have a chippy piece like Gezebel.  If not for the pure character of the piece, perhaps for the reminder that we all can grow from being a little footloose and fancy-free.  She can be found at Robin's Egg in Milford, NH.

Have a splendid day,

Debbie





Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Super Simple Holiday Card Display


I love to display our Christmas cards.  We especially enjoy looking at the picture cards throughout the month of December.  But gathering them in a pile, or putting them in a basket, or on one of those card trees that let's you display a max of 8 cards, well, none of that would do for me.

Seriously, the way I display our cards is super simple.  Yet I found it surprising that friends noted it was a good idea.  So I thought I would share just in case it never crossed your mind.

Clothespins.  They are more useful than you can imagine.

And twine.

Clothespins and twine.


 
That's it.  We have the perfect little spot to display cards in the wall opening between our living room and kitchen.  And it's great because we can display them back-to-back. But I've displayed cards on the twine using clothespins right down the staircase banister.  You can just do it on a blank wall.  How about in front of your picture window?  Over doors?

Holiday cards are a great way to decorate for the season.  And it just takes some clothespins and twine.



Have a Merry day,


Debbie





Saturday, December 15, 2012

Meet Maggie, the hutch

 Meet Margaret.

Margaret grew up in a strict home where expectations were high.  She attended parochial school, was at the top of her class, and found a sense of balance by performing community service. 


While attending Smith College, she began to figure out who she was and started to break free from the constraints of her past.  Maggie (as she now prefers to be called), is a woman of the world, traveling near and far using her Environmental Science and Policy degree to make important changes that will be felt by generations to come.



Maggie has to be one of my favorite transformations to date. But I can't take the credit for the color scheme. If you haven't purchased Ana White's The Handbuilt Home, you're missing out.  It contains fabulous, easy to build plans for furniture in your home.  Any hoo, there is one plan for a hutch that was built for Ana's book by the husband and wife team from The Handmade Home blog.  The finish they used on this hutch has been on my mind and I just had to find a piece in which to recreate it's awesomeness.


I pulled the paneling off the back and replaced it with different width planks, stained in varying degrees.  I used my homemade version of chalk paint in this fantastic color that just pops. 



Love how the white pops against the other colors.






You can meet Maggie at Robin's Egg where she will be for sale tomorrow.

Have a fabulous day,


Debbie