ALL IN THE FAMILY ( a tale of 2 changing tables )

A long - long time ago ( when the earth was green ) 

There was the prettiest bedroom set that you've ever seen....................

But that really was a long time ago - ( I'm trying to remember back to the exact year but I'm thinking maybe 43 years ago - this bedroom set belonged to my nephew John and then his sister - my niece, Joie.

This is the only pic I have of the before - that my daughter sent me from her Dad's.

Lindsay says - Do you think this set would work for Evan, Mom?

Mom says - No - not at all - it's far too feminine Lindsay 

Lindsay says - Well Dad's going to put it on the curbside - why don't you take it - fix it up and sell it?

Mom says - I have too many things - I'm drowning - I can't take it.

But you know - this piece has memories of the sweetest little girl - and I couldn't - I just couldn't let it be put out in the trash.

and so I told them I'd take it ......................

It's a high end piece - the company is no longer in business because people have just stopped spending that type of money on furniture - so not only is it sturdy and still in incredible shape - it's now irreplaceable as well.

In the meantime I found this on line that I would redo for Evan.

Fast forward a little and the bedroom set arrived at my door - in perfect condition EXCEPT it had been left outside in the pouring rain - one on top of the other and the tops had become very damaged.

 John sanded the tops down and in no time at all THEY CAME OUT LIKE THIS !!!

That's what quality furniture will get you :)

I've never had such an effortless ( well this was completely effortless for me because John did the sanding )

result from sanding down the top of a dresser !

And a thought was born....................if I stained the top dark

And painted it grey - using ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT ™ - Graphite and Pure White mixed to make a custom color - which is just a little deeper than Paris Grey actually ) and spray painted the gold handles in pewter -  then maybe - just maybe it wouldn't look too feminine at all !

And that's how Evan - before he's even made his entry into the world - ended up with 2 changing tables.

We ( in our infinite wisdom ) have decided that this one will go upstairs in his room - and the second one I found will stay downstairs so that Ashley doesn't have to run up and down all day.

( I changed my kids diaper's on my bed - their crib - the couch - the floor - the bathroom counter - wherever there was a flat surface - I never even thought to have a special designated place to do such a thing - but that was then and this is now I suppose - oh the hardships I endured LOL !!! )

Sadly there's no room for the desk in his room .....................but at the end of the day the dresser has stayed in the family - and that kind of makes it priceless in my eyes :)

Have a wonderful day everyone !

Hugs,

Me - Lolli - AKA

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KEEPING IT SIMPLE

BEFORE & AFTER PAINTED ARMOIRE

I couldn't budge this even 2 inches to get a decent photo................but here she is finished
( shadows and all )
My Son and SIL brought it in - I painted it exactly where they put it - and they took it back
( and brought 2 more pieces to be done while they were at it )

The family I painted these pieces for wanted to refresh their daughters former bedrooms - so that the grandchildren could sleep in the same rooms when visiting - with the same furniture as their Mom's had - just updated a little !

I distressed all of the molding to make it look like an old country armoire

and now on to the dresser and end table :)

Life is usually crazy busy around here - but between trying to get ahead with house reno's and outdoor work and furniture - well -  these last few weeks have been a little more so - sorry for posting and running but here's me signing off rather abruptly because I have a line I have to cross

SOURCE

and it feels about a million miles away :)
Have a wonderful day everyone !
Much love,


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A home for a Rocking Horse ( vintage rocking horse makeover )

There's a rocking horse who's on his own
by the downsatairs landing he sits all alone

He's chipped and nicked and feeling sad
Remembering all the fun he once had

He wonders why no one looks his way
He wonders why little boys never stay

It's hard for a rocking horse, you know
For try as they may, they just never grow

They end up in thrift stores and sometimes much worse
That's just the fate of the Rocking Horse curse

When all it would take from finish to start
Is to look very closely for the Rocking Horse heart

They all have one buried deep in their wood
And they'd show them to you if only they could

But if you look closely - sometimes late at night
You'll hear it - and see it - oh what a delight

And they dream of a time ( or that's what they say )
When a child hopped on them and galloped away

Galloping, rocking, and being held tight
By someone who loved them with all of their might

So next time you see one  ( and if he's alone )
Run as fast as you can, pick him up, take him home

Clean him and brush him even paint if you can
And present him with flourish to your own little man........................

Cuz when all's said and done & push comes to shove
They only need paint..............................
                                             And a whole lot of love.

To Evan
( your presence is more anticipated than words can express )
Love,  Lolli & Pop
xoxo

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Pure White and Graphite to customize the Grey ( roughly half & half )
and Emperor's Silk for the Red trim..................
My soon to be Grandson inspired the words
And even though his tail has not been stapled on yet...................we can say he's done, right
The " funnest " piece of furniture I've ever painted !
So much so that I'm on the lookout for another one as I post this :)

Have a wonderful day everyone !
Much love
Me,
Lolli
AKA



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NO MINIMALIST HERE                                              I GOTTA CREATE
IVY & ELEPHANTS                                              THE 36TH AVENUE
DIY SHOWOFF                                                            I SHOULD BE MOPPING THE FLOOR

A home for a Rocking Horse ( vintage rocking horse makeover )

There's a rocking horse who's on his own
by the downsatairs landing he sits all alone

He's chipped and nicked and feeling sad
Remembering all the fun he once had

He wonders why no one looks his way
He wonders why little boys never stay

It's hard for a rocking horse, you know
For try as they may, they just never grow

They end up in thrift stores and sometimes much worse
That's just the fate of the Rocking Horse curse

When all it would take from finish to start
Is to look very closely for the Rocking Horse heart

They all have one buried deep in their wood
And they'd show them to you if only they could

But if you look closely - sometimes late at night
You'll hear it - and see it - oh what a delight

And they dream of a time ( or that's what they say )
When a child hopped on them and galloped away

Galloping, rocking, and being held tight
By someone who loved them with all of their might

So next time you see one  ( and if he's alone )
Run as fast as you can, pick him up, take him home

Clean him and brush him even paint if you can
And present him with flourish to your own little man........................

Cuz when all's said and done & push comes to shove
They only need paint..............................
                                             And a whole lot of love.

To Evan
( your presence is more anticipated than words can express )
Love,  Lolli & Pop
xoxo

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Pure White and Graphite to customize the Grey ( roughly half & half )
and Emperor's Silk for the Red trim..................
My soon to be Grandson inspired the words
And even though his tail has not been stapled on yet...................we can say he's done, right
The " funnest " piece of furniture I've ever painted !
So much so that I'm on the lookout for another one as I post this :)

Have a wonderful day everyone !
Much love
Me,
Lolli
AKA



LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
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THE SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE                                  FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE
TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS                           MY TURN FOR US
MY ROMANTIC HOME                                              MISS MUSTARD SEED
THE SHABBY NEST                                                    CLASSY CLUTTER
LIFE ON LAKESHORE DRIVE                                   IT'S OVERFLOWING
DWELLINGS - THE HEART OF YOUR HOME         THE ALTERED PAST
BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                            COASTAL CHARM
SAND & SISAL                                                     CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT
AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY                                      KATHE WITH AN E
HOMESTORIES A TO Z                                               FLUSTER BUSTER
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE                                       KNICK OF TIME
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON                    FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
NO MINIMALIST HERE                                              I GOTTA CREATE
IVY & ELEPHANTS                                              THE 36TH AVENUE
DIY SHOWOFF                                                            I SHOULD BE MOPPING THE FLOOR
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I painted my DIY Faux Fireplace

Good morning everyone !

It was 28 degrees in Montreal yesterday ( 82 degrees in " American " ) with a beautiful breeze.
I was in shorts and a t-shirt and my favorite footwear - flip flops.
It's simply glorious to be outside working on cleaning up the yard :)

But before I went out there I gave the mantel in my bedroom a quick dry-brushing of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - in pure white.
(It was that or carry it downstairs and through the house and into the back yard.
I seriously considered putting it in our outdoor " dining " area - but I didn't have the energy it would require )

I wanted to lighten it up though if it was staying in the bedroom - you know, just because it's summertime and the livin' is easy )

John says - Are you going to paint it seasonally?
Suzan says - Maybe .................

I hung a magazine basket and wrote our names on each section

John says - Oh good I can keep my kindle in there
Suzan says - Nope, no room
John says - So why didn't you just write Suzan & Suzan?
Suzan says - Because that would just look selfish.

I mean if you're going to be selfish - it's best not to look it to the outside world, right?

They're a perfect place to keep a few books I plan on reading.  ( some for the first time - some again )

 I'm liking it so much better than the grey I originally painted it in

Doesn't it look a little more " summery " now?

That art work on the mantel?  I bought that at the Louvre about 5 years ago..........it's a print of a famous sculpture................I bought it so I'd look sophisticated.
Don't ask me who the sculptor is - I have no idea - because I'm not sophisticated.
But I actually saw it in person :)

UPDATE - Su from  Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow pointed out the following ( because she IS sophisticated)

"The figures are Cupid and Psyche, and it's in the Louvre. It's the Kiss by Antonio Canova."
I feel just a tiny bit more worldly now LOL - not that I'll remember this information tomorrow.
Thanks so much Su !


I'll be working in the yard if anyone's looking for me today.
In my shorts..............and flip flops

DIY FAUX FIREPLACE TUTORIAL FOR DUMMIES ( AND I MEAN FOR DUMMIES ) HERE
DIY FAUX MARBLE MANTEL HERE

Have a great one,
Much love,
Me


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