One man's junk...

... is definitely this gal's treasure!! I scored this perfect cottage lamp in early April and the baker's rack on Saturday...

Just look at this sweet, chippy reading lamp that was sitting in front of someones house with a FREE sign attached to it!

And here's the white baker's rack with the FREE sign still attached! Again, just sitting at the end of someones driveway (and now temporarily plunked down in my backyard).

This is the coolest lamp. The light and shade extend out for reading and then swivel back in when not in use. Now the shiny gold has to go... it will probably be painted creamy white to match the lamp... And the pleated shade has a cracked plastic underlayer, so eventually it will need to be replaced, but for now it's just perfect as it is...

Just look at this old, scuffed up base. I couldn't faux paint a perfect worn finish like that if I tried!

I thought this baker's rack could work nicely as a trellis for either the cardinal climber or scarlet runner beans or moonflower vine that I'm going to (attempt to) grow... And maybe some plants on top of the shelves?

Now can you believe that my husband tried to talk me out of BOTH pieces? (Why is he always in the car with me when I spot this stuff??) There was actually a FREE rocker next to the lamp but he said "No way!" when I tried to talk him into helping me load that into the van, too! Sometimes he just can't see the beauty in "one man's junk" that I do! But I have to admit, he balances me out, and that's a good thing because we certainly did not need, or have room for, another rocking chair in the house!

P.S. We had our first hummingbird on Sunday. This is the earliest I've ever seen one. I'm so glad I had already put out the feeders!

Donna

To paint or not to paint... that was the question....

Welcome to anyone who hasn't seen this older post!

This is what our fireplace looks like now, several years after the 'makeover.'

This is what it looked like right after the 'makeover.'

And this is what it looked like right before the makeover!

I absolutely love the look of brick walls and fireplaces that have been painted white. My husband? Not so much! So we compromised on the idea of building a cover for our brick fireplace that I could paint white, and I think he did the most fantastic job! I love the way it turned out!




















He basically measured and cut a single sheet of birch plywood to cover the front of the fireplace, even cutting a hole for the flue knob.


















To make things really simple, we purchased decorative trim that was just the right width to cover both sides of the fireplace, and also used decorative trim under the mantel and around the hearth. We then applied some trim to cover the corners, wood puttied all the holes, and painted everything white. I have two king size ruffled pillow shams laying across the brick hearth until we eventually finish that part. Since we only burn candles in the fireplace, the material on the hearth isn't a problem and I've actually grown to like the way they look!



















And to cover the hole for the flue knob, I found the sweetest watercolor painting at a yard sale a few years ago - it's a tiny little masterpiece that's just the perfect size!

Yes, I couldn't be happier with our fireplace makeover, and hubby couldn't be happier that the brick fireplace is perfect intact underneath!

Donna