Spring Sprucing the Mantel

We were expecting big things with the snow storm that hit us this week. Luckily, where I live it just turned out to be a day of wet, slushy snow that didn't stick around for too long, and we kept our electricity.

 

Still, it was enough to keep me shut inside all day. 

 

So I thumbed my nose at the weather and decided to do some spring-sprucing.

 

I started with the fireplace mantel, since it still had Valentine's Day decor on it.

 

 

 

 

For the spring change-out I decided I wanted a simple, fresh, clean look.  (You know I can never leave anything alone, so we'll see what gets changed as the season progresses!)

 

I started by adding an old architectural element for some added texture.

 

 

 

 

The topiaries stayed up, and I brought out some old postcards and spring critters.

 

My happy rabbit:

 

 

 

 

And who is that peeking around the bunny?

 

 

 

An old chalkware lamb.  I had originally picked him up intending to sell him at Mr. P's, but I couldn't let him go!

 

 

 

 

Finally, some tulips in one of the vases from my vintage white pottery collection.

 

 

 

 

And spring has begun springing ...

 

 

 

 

At least on the mantel!

Sharing at:

French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Elizabeth & Co.: Be Inspired
No Minimalist Here: Open House
My Romantic Home: Show & Tell Friday
French Country Cottage: Spring Fling

 

 

Moving Day

Hope you all had a good weekend, and that your week is off to a good start!

 

I moved into my new space for Mr. P's Emporium today.  And I don't mind telling you, I'm exhausted! 

 

I stayed up until 2 a.m. last night working on a piece I wanted to put in the new booth.  Then I got up at 6:3o a.m. to do the finishing touches.  I wouldn't have finished it at all if a friend hadn't come over yesterday and helped me for a few hours in the afternoon.

 

But of course I didn't get a photo!  I'll get one of it when I finish merchandising tomorrow and take photos to show you the new space.

 

In the meantime I wanted to show you the cute card my friend made me as part of the Mr. P's Emporium branding package.  I'll be using it as a hang tag, and for notes to put in my Etsy orders when I send them.

 

                                                           Front                                                            Back

 

It features the famous Mr. P! 

 

 

 

I--of course--think Mr. P is just adorable and love him in the top hat and bow tie.

 

Looking at that little face just makes me smile!

 

Hope you have lots of smiles in the week ahead!

 

A Frenchie Makeover

Let me just say this Frenchie desk was a pain in the derriere to redo! 

 

It took me way too long, and since I got carried away and spent too much for it in the first place at the auction, between that and the time and materials spent, I won't end up making any money on it.

 

But I do love it.

 

Here's the before.

 

 

First it needed a major cleaning because it was absolutely filthy.  Then when I sanded down the chipped areas, I found that it had been painted twice before.  Under the green paint was a bright blue-green.

 

For ease of painting, I took the hutch off the desk. I painted the outside of the entire piece in Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Paris Gray. It took three coats to cover the green. 

Inside the cabinet and the drawers I used ASCP in Old White. 

 

I tried distressing the piece, but neither the green or the shade of blue below the green looked good with the Paris Gray. I couldn't get to the wood using the wet sponge technique, and I didn't want to have to sand deeply since I was doing this in my dining room.

 

 

So I used glaze in the crevices to give it an aged look.

 

 

I painted the hardware in Old White, then wiped it off so the brass shows through.

 

 

I finished it with wax, then the doors went back on the hutch, the hutch went back on the desk, and voila, it was finally done!

From this ...

 

 

 

 

To this ...

Oo la la!

Sharing at: 
Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday
French Country Cottage: Featured Nest Friday
Elizabeth & Co: Be Inspired
Redoux: Link Party
Thrifty Decor Chick: March Before & After
The Farmhouse Porch: The Scoop
Le Chateau des Fleurs: Link Party




 

 

 

 

Brightening the Day with Spring Colors

Yesterday was a cold, rainy day here in Northern Virginia.

 

And my mood went along with the day.

 

I've been working my patooti off painting furniture, so I took a break to go file the necessary paperwork to move into the new space for Mr. P's Emporium.  I had called to get all the information, and downloaded the forms, so off I went.

 

I had to go to two different places. In the rain.  And the cold. 

 

Did I mention it was very windy? 

 

And my umbrella broke?

 

So after going to the Manassas Courthouse, I trek through the wind and the rain to City Hall, only to be told I have to come back because apparently the person who signs one of the certificates is only in on Wednesdays. 

 

Seriously?? They couldn't have told me that on the phone???

 

Grrrrrr...

I really needed something to brighten my day.

Some pretty spring colors were just the thing.

A designer friend of mine sent me the new Vintage Moxie colors from Sherman Williams.  She thought the colors would perfect for some of my furniture.

 

I think she's right.

Benjamin Moore has some fresh new colors out as well:

 

 

The Coastal colors makes me think of spring and summer breezes.

 

The Pantone Institute put together this selection for the season called Sojourn.

 

Country Living

 

 

The mossy green and the lavender just say spring to me.

 

I love how colors can change your mood and pick up your spirits. Just looking at these beautiful hues calmed me, and brightened my outlook.

 

I'm dreaming of spring when the colors will be all around us!

 

 

How about you?