Some Interesting Finds

When interviewing Laurie Moulton from house of lolo for a story in House of Fifty mag, I was completely taken with some of the funky vintage finds in the boutique. Found at a local antique mall, Monticello, I decided to stop by this week to see what treasures I could uncover.

The first lighting finds were not as unique as Laurie's discoveries, but available at great prices.

And then...

...I came across these somewhat odd but very unique beauties. Can you just imagine what these shades would look like covered with fabric? A DIY project just begging me to take the pair home. I didn't. I may regret it.

It's hard to see the potential of this pair of very large lanterns, but someone could make them shine I'm certain.

This wheat lamp caught my eye as well, but I was thrown by the fusty shade. Looking at the picture now however, I see the lamp could be pretty fabulous with a tall large drum shade. 

And these...

Wow.

Can't you just imagine them hanging above a long kitchen island, perhaps in a beach house against a lot of white?

Green industrial happiness.

Ornate charm for a girls bedroom...

...and this pair of candle sconces would look great, somewhere. I just don't know where.

With kids in tow, to get them involved I challenged them to find one item they'd love to take home if they could. Max had fun typing on a vintage typewriter, marveling at the fact people ACTUALLY wrote entire novels on these things. While, of course, Isabella found a fashion find. A vintage Louis Vuitton bag in excellent condition, and therefore at a price that prevented it from coming home with us.

But...which of these finds would you have taken home with you?

Warm Weather Wishes

Monday was a gorgeous day...bright sunny skies with temps hitting nearly 60. The light had that different quality that comes with the arrival of spring, and it simply made me feel happy. It's a time of year when I simply can't wait to start living outdoors, and here are some favorite outdoor rooms I know any of us would enjoy spending time in!

Country Sweetness via Country Living

Enjoying Friends & Good Food via Apartment Therapy

Light a Fire via Twin Companies

Pour a Glass of Lemonade Via Midwest Living

Terrace Living via Elle Decor

Ultimate Outdoor Chic at Suzanne Kesler's home via Architectural Digest

Down Home & Comfy via Better Homes & Gardens

And finally, Bohemian Chic via Domino Magazine

Which one would you choose to be yours? I'd take any of them...

"Don't Yuck On My Yum"

While fixing dinner last night, catching up with my husband on this and that, he responded to an experience I was relaying by saying, "It's like something I read today, don't yuck on my yum." Wow, I like that. Where did you hear it? So he sent me the link.

It is just one of 43 points in a post by J.D. Roth, written in celebration of his 43 years.

This I Believe: 43 Lessons from 43 Years

19. Don’t yuck someone else’s yum. Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean it’s bad. Pursue your passions, and let others pursue theirs. If you don’t like something, fine. There’s no need to make a big deal about it. (Note: This is a tough one for me to actually practice in daily life.)

The other 42 points are a really good read as well, but this one just struck a cord with me. We all have different opinions and thank goodness we do...it'd be terribly boring if we all thought the same. But there's a way to have differences while respecting another's yum!

Alexandra Angle Interior Design

And just because this is a blog and you expect pictures, here's a fav I came across recently! It's today's yum, for me.

Can't Find The Perfect Lamp? Use A Vase!

I came across this design on Pinterest last week, and when clicking over to see the resource I was taken to Houzz, where someone suggested this lamp might have been made from a 1940's vase. What a fantastic idea, if you can't find just the right lamp, how about looking for a vase and put your DIY skills to work! (Or find a great lamp shop to work with like Naomi's here in Portland.)

Design by Emily Ruddo

A designer to be featured in the upcoming issue of House of Fifty did just such a project. When a pair of fantastically (expensive) vintage Italian lamps were spied on 1stdibs, perfect for a project but not the budget, the look was replicated on a budget by finding look-alike vases.

Cassity from Remodelaholic turned a glass vase she had on hand into a lamp when her search for a "glass bottle" lamp came up empty. The result is not only great but she makes it look easy!

{vase before}

{the supplies}

 {vase after...a lamp}

And all types of vases can work, ones with larger openings. I found a helpful tutorial at Southern Living showing how to turn these type of vases into lamps.

"Following the instructions on the box of plaster of Paris, mix enough to fill about one-fourth the depth of your pot. The plaster dries quickly, so be ready to pour immediately after mixing. Center the pipe, socket side up, (yes, that would be smart!) inside the pot."

How about that? I never knew...

I want to try this project! Have you?

The Best Looking Little Coffee House!

I dare you to show me a cuter looking coffee house!

This ultra adorable coffee shop is located on the Oregon Coast...

...and of course we had to cruise through to pick up a hot cup and snacks for the drive home.

It was all I could do to restrain myself from asking for a tour! With Schoolhouse Electric lighting, subway tile and classic painted cabinetry with oil rubbed bronze hardware, this is no typical drive-through coffee shop.

And no wonder, it was built by a favorite coastal builder, Jon Oksenholt, looking quite similar to some of the beach homes he has built!

I adore this type of architecture and all that it conjures up...

time spent relaxing at the beach with friends and family.

Spring Arrives...With Snow. Seriously?!?

Yesterday evening...

...early this morning.

                               So much for a lovely spring day lunch on the patio...maybe next week. 

A "Good To Know" Tip!

Have you ever looked and looked for a specific item on Craigslist, finally finding it - only to discover, upon arriving to pick it up, that it's been living with a smoker (or two) for years and years?

Well that is what happened to some friends of mine. This past weekend my family enjoyed spending time at their beach house, where I spied this vintage console that was the result of a patient search on Craigslist. And yes, it had been living with a smoker.

When I mentioned how much I loved the piece, I was asked if the room still smelled. What? No. That is when I learned about the tip.

If an item smells of smoke, put coffee grounds in the drawers to "eat up" the smell.
It may take a little while, but it will work!

Well, how about that. Did you know this little tidbit of information? 

If not, next time you are in a similar situation, don't pass on that perfect piece you've finally discovered, simple reach for the coffee grounds. 

More Painting & Working With What I Have Happiness

At the end of last week I wrapped up the table reno project and quickly snapped a few photos before heading off for a little R&R at the beach. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with how it turned out!

I decided to paint the table when its veneer surface began to look less than pretty, first gathering supplies and tackling the most unpleasant part of any furniture makeover in my opinion - sanding.

I know a lot of people have been talking paints that don't require sanding, priming and multiple sessions of sanding, but this is a method I've been using for awhile and I stand behind it! The pieces I've redone have stood up fantastically to wear and tear and use, so taking the time to do all these steps seems worth it to me.

Steps: Sand, wipe down with tack cloth, prime, lightly sand, wipe again with tack cloth, prime again, sand and wipe down again, paint, lightly sand, wipe down with tack cloth a final time to apply a final coat of paint. 

If I have any "secret weapons" they are Sherwin-Williams ProClassic paint, which handles wear similar to an oil based paint, formulated specifically to use when painting furniture, and adding in a bit of X-I-M Latex X-Tender. This gives you a tad more working time with the paint, with both products designed to minimize the appearance of brushstrokes on the finished surface.

before

after

The table is painted with SW Gray Area, the same color I used when painting the kitchen island.

The result? A lighter, fresher look that is right at home in the space.

Oops, the table didn't quite get put back in place centered under the (diy) Bamboo Light Fixture. And yes, those are faux flowers. Judge me if you will, but living in this gray Pacific NW, you have no idea how happy this bit of foliage makes me during the long gloomy days of winter. 

I'm so happy this project is complete, with the kitchen nook looking much happier than it did a couple weeks ago, and for only about $35 in supplies. I'm liking my approach for the year, which is to work with what I already have!