BLUE, TURQUOISE, AQUA, TEAL

 

There's been a lot of blue going around this house lately.

 

George's beach collection candles

I know it has to do with the season and the warm weather but it also has to do with

something I got recently. Annie Sloan's New Book "Color Recipes for painted furniture".

The night I got it I sat in bed reading the new book as George fell off to sleep,

snoring before I got finished the introduction. I am not a good reader before bed,

but I did managed to get 30 minutes in before falling into dream land.

Only an hour later I woke up again to realize I had been dreaming

about painting all sorts of things in all sorts of colors, especially blue.

There was something about the book that got my mind working on a different level.

So let me suggest if you are looking for a kick in the rear, and jolt of ideas, or simply

want to see Annie's farmhouse in northern France pick up the book.

 

my second hand rocking horse with a new color

 

 

 

I recently finished this 1920's antique dresser in colors inspired by our spring bedding.

 

 Remember inspiration comes from unexpected places, sites, and sounds.

 

NO MORE PLAIN PINE CHEST - another applique

I have offered how to use copper 

wall plaques as appliques, plastic 

garden fence, metal mirror frame, and now I'm suggesting

you stop walking by those ornate metal napkin holders you see in the

thrift store and try using them on 

your next project. Or at least buy 

them and stash them until you can 

use them.

READ MORE >>

MAGAZINE QUIET TIME TURNS INTO - chandelier lamps

 

It can happen to you ...

 

 

This is the kind of thing that can happen in the blink of an eye!

It happens to the best of us even when we take precautions.

 

 

You're sitting quietly one morning reading a magazine and you turn the page and gaze upon a photo

that starts the wheels turning in your head and before you know it the kitchen island is covered with 

your next project and in my case it was a collection of lamps.

I went mad with the idea to finally making new ones with all the parts after looking at 1 pretty picture.

You all know the scene and nice clean kitchen turns into bedlam all because you decided to take a

 moment for yourself.

 

 

Ornate lamps at the second hand stores around here are not that cheap so I'm not sure why

I am constantly trying to save them when I only work with them a couple times a year.

Storing them takes a great deal of room but I do enjoy when I can rebuild beautiful new ones.

 

I took apart each lamp washing the glass bits in the sink as I went.

The metal parts were all taken outside to get sprayed white.

 

 

By the end of the day I was out of white spray paint and I had several glass cuts to my hands.

 I also ran out of my lamp shade trim but not before finishing these 2 chandelier lamps.

I will have more coming soon but I have more wiring to do and some trim to find.

 

These 2 are not completely identical, but a close second.

One is taller and the shade is slightly wider than the other.

 

All the crystals are glass and the bases are marble.

They are 100% recycled from other lamps.

 

 

 

 

 

A DESK WITH A BEFORE & AFTER - chocolate tuxedo desk

 

This is a quick look at a desk project I did. Very simple ye a complete transformation.

READ MORE >>

HOW TO PAINT BAR STOOLS - farmhouse white kitchen decor

A good bar stool is hard to find!
If you have some chairs you love
but they just need an update with
paint I hope the steps I took might help you to redo yours. All the information in this article can
be used on regular dining chairs
as well.

READ MORE >>

COCO DRESSER AND PAINTING HARDWARE - chest on chest dresser

I sure didn't like this whole dresser painted white once I stood back, it was like a giant Michelin Man my bedroom.

READ MORE >>

CURBSIDE to COATRACK - shabby chic hall tree

I was inspired by a photograph I found on Pinterest of an ornate hall tree and wanted to try to make something similar. I love to create furniture pieces from my stash of unique wood bits I find in all manner of places. If you want to follow I can share some of the things I used to create it.

READ MORE >>

GET STARTED ON YOUR DIY PROJECT

 

Don't wait until this happens .......

 

 

I recently saw this french provincial table on the road side in horrible condition,

I was gutted! It was long past the point of salvaging, 3 legs completely rotten, and so much

 filth and damage to the rest of the table.

 

Starting a DIY project your self is really easy, the first step is to get up and go start.

Yes it is that simple and you know it. It doesn't have to big or elaborate but it has to be
something you have wanted to try.

My good friend Jen over at Jentiques recently wrote about procrastination when it came to her project
 list. But I'll tell you she does get up and get start more often than not and the results make her, her
 family, and her customers very happy.

 

 

My first furniture work shop was enlightening when one of the ladies told me that she
just wanted permission, permission to paint furniture.

It came as some what of a shock to me but I suppose I also understood. I am sure once upon a time I
 went through those feelings but the rewards of all my DIY accomplishments have hidden away any
 insecurities I might have originally gone through.

My main goal to writing this blog is to get you up and get you started on your own projects,
and some of you have report back to me that you are starting, and I thank you for letting me know.

 

 

I'm happy to report my next DIY project has started ...

 

  

 

 

NOW GET STARTED ON YOUR PROJECT!!

 



 

UPCYCLING DESIGN CHALLENGE - hall tree

 

 

Last week I worked on my top secret entry for the local

 

 

In honour of Earth Day, the Township of Langley and the Langley Arts Council are hosting an

  Upcycling Design Challenge. Langley residents are invited to submit an original and creative

piece made from found or recovered materials. 'Upcycling’ involves taking waste material that would

 otherwise end up in our landfills and turning it into something more valuable. The Upcycling Design

 Challenge aims to remind people that, with a little creativity, what was old can be new again—

perhaps even better than it once was!

This is my entry ......

 

 

This *Curbside to Coatrack* creation includes over 9 different pieces

from various discarded furniture items.

 

 

Can you tell me what items you can see?

Let's have some fun and I want to

see how far out of the box I have you guys really thinking.

Leave your guess' in the comments below, send me an email, or even

write me over on the facebook page.

 

Click each photo below for a larger view.

 

 

  

 

 

 

The answers can be found here:

http://4theloveofwood.blogspot.ca/2013/04/the-cheque-is-in-mail-bedroom-hanger.html

 

 

ENJOYING PINTEREST - oak bedside drawers

Looking through Pinterest for inspiration and seeing my own photos pop up is a blast,

but I think I enjoy reading the comments added to my pictures even more.

It helps me focus on what extra information folks might be looking for.

This image of our bedside nightstands is a big hit over at Pinterest.

One comment added to the photo reads ...

"I would love to do that with a nightstand I have,

but it would have to have some really strong support; it is heavy!

Also, I think it would be too tall to use comfortably."

I've just finished 2 similar bedside drawers this past week and I'll tell you they are both very heavy.

The legs used to raise them up are secured with glue and screws and if your install is thought

out and executed well there would be no issue.

Here is a link to an article I wrote with some photos of a leg install:

http://4theloveofwood.blogspot.ca/2012/03/part-i-leg-up-adding-legs-to-furniture.html

Remember I use vintage pieces to build with

so typically made of hardwood these legs have been around for years already and are still going strong.

The particular legs I used for my bedside drawers were taken from elaborate dining chairs,

I personally like to have my bedsides surfaces higher than my mattress.

 The legs below are shorter and are both different lengths,

so there are options as to how tall you lift your nightstands.

Here is another link to an article and photos of where these legs can be salvaged from:

http://4theloveofwood.blogspot.ca/2013/03/where-do-u-get-ur-legs-nightstand.html

INSTAGRAM @4_the_love_of_wood

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