Hutch Makeover - before and HALF - ter

Good morning everyone !

The bottom half of the hutch is complete ( the top half is still in the van - soooo heavy - we've had one failed attempt at bringing it in - will try again today )

This piece didn't have the serpentine drawers that I love so much or the curved crown on top for that matter
( Like this piece actually )

But it has good " bones "
I chose not to distress this piece but rather outline all of the grooves in black for some contrast

using my sharpie  ( which have become just as important as my brushes )

I also spray painted the handles a crisp black

The reason I chose to outline it in black will become a little more apparent once I can get that  top piece out of the van - think I'll invite my Son over for dinner tonight LOL

Here's the before
For some reason, lately, I've been cursed with Tannin stains on a lot of pieces I do - this was no exception to the rule - many many layers of Shellac had to be applied between coats of white.....................

I can't wait to finish this piece

Oh and 2 of these are waiting to be installed in the kitchen - over the island - so I think I'd better make him a nice dessert too
( he's my official light installer )

Have a great day one and all ♥
Hugs,

I'll be at these parties !
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ADDING MARBLE TOUCHES TO A KITCHEN ( AFFORDABLY )

Good morning everyone :)

Thought I'd share a brainstorm I came up with last week ( because what's a brainstorm if you just allow it
to rage through your brain all alone? )

So far the marble TILE countertops are holding up - I'm praying they do for a year or so until I can install a proper marble slab countertop
This solution cost roughly 300 dollars - a 10th of the price of a slab.

But since changing a counter top is a pretty big job - there are other ways to incorporate a little marble into
a kitchen...................
Such as this round slab ( which is perfect for cheeses - or breads )
It was the top part of a small table I picked up on Craig's list for 50.00 - these are something I see on a weekly basis - check it out - a great cheap way to incorporate a touch of marble in the Kitchen
( Better yet - look for a coffee table - and incorporate the larger slab onto an island top )
Here's my former small table top turned kitchen slab ( it's quite large and perfect to roll out dough on )

You can add a dome to it for a little extra something-something

A marble mortar and pestle can be picked up very cheaply - I paid 12.99 for this one on sale a couple of years ago

Suzan says - Oh I didn't know we had baguette left !
Suzan says - Can I borrow it for a minute?
John says - WTH????
Suzan says - I just need it for a photo
John says - Leave me alone, will ya?  I'm making a sandwich
( a little verbal struggle ensued right after these words - hope you appreciate the next photo )

John yells - WHY'D YOU CUT IT THAT WAY???????????????
John yells - I'm so tired of this blog business, I can't tell you
Suzan says - Puh-lease - there's plenty left in tact for a sandwich
Suzan says - Why do you make such a big deal out of everything?
John says - BECAUSE. EVERY. SINGLE. THING. I. TRY. TO. DO. ENDS.UP.ON.YOUR.BLOG.
Suzan says - You're famous - everyone loves you - stop already !

It's not easy folks - ok - I ordered one of these also ( Amazon - for 12.99 )

But the next idea?
I so ♥ this !

When we laid our kitchen counter tiles - I bought marble thresholds to use as the backsplash - you know, that piece of marble you place between a bathroom floor and regular floor? ( and I thought THAT was genius ) If you scroll back to the 2nd photo you can see what I mean :)
They cost a little under 30.00 dollars I believe, from Home Depot

I had one left over

I also had a shelf that I had placed under the window - but it wasn't the right dimensions - looked like a lost soul actually
(The shelf was picked up at Home Depot for under 10.00 - it was natural but jointed pine so I painted it white)

I installed it by placing the screws right into the window frame

Then I simply placed the " threshold " on top of the shelf ( the weight of the marble prevents it from moving )
You could do this with brackets - you don't necessarily need a shelf ..............

I stood on the counter - spread eagled taking the next pic - John walked in -
Never mind - not repeating what he said
But I think I saw movement from my neighbor's window ( which is directly in front of mine )
Suzan says - OMG - I think the neighbors saw me standing on the counter taking photos
( as I jump off the counter with a thud - actually hurting my foot )
John says - CAN YOU STOP THIS???????????? CAN YOU PLEASE JUST STOP THIS?
John says - AND CAN YOU GET DRESSED TODAY?
( I wasn't naked - but I WAS in my nightgown - you don't need to know what time it was )
Suzan says - I needed to get a certain angle and -
John interrupts - They have small children you know - this isn't right
Suzan says - You make it sound dirty - I'm just taking photos of my marble shelf

I thiink they may start plastering photos of ME all over the neighborhood - warning kids to stay away.

But look how pretty the marble shelf looks lol

I had to stop at this point - and wash the sink - it's not easy blogging you know.
( this post is going to kill me )  but I want to show you how the marble just rests on the ( too small ) shelf

And that, my friends, is how you do marble on the cheap !

( and have a place to keep flowers or herbs in the summer )
AND THE GREATEST PART OF THIS 2 MINUTE PROJECT IS.......................
It's perfect for renters - simply take it down with you when you move ( a little spackle will take care of screw holes ) an instant touch of glam for your kitchen ( or any window for that matter ) that doesn't break the bank!
I own this house - and it'll be going with me when I move as well :)
Total for this was under 40.00

Ok - that was one exhausting post - going to take a nap now - I'm in my nightgown after all.

Have a great Monday - add some marble to your kitchen or something :)

( give to me your marble - take from me my lace ♥♪ )

Hugs,

SHARING AT THESE PARTIES !
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