furniture

Chalk Paint Shabby Chic Dresser Makeover

/ Jodi / 50 Comments

dresser-after-chalk-paint-and-wax-in-room-1

I am having a lot of fun creating a special room in our house for our new granddaughter.

How fun it is to be able to create a “girly” room in one of the bedrooms previously occupied by one of our sons.

I hope to show you more as we finish; but for now, I’m excited to show you what I did with this beat up old little dresser we have had hanging around forever that has served many purposes through the years.

dresser-before-1

It is a little funny that I’ve taken something beat up and transformed it into another “beat up” look.  (The guys just don’t get it at all that I PURPOSELY rubbed and chipped off the paint!!)  But I’m loving this “Shabby Chic” look achieved with White (Magnolia) Chalk Paint, sand paper, and some Clear and Antique Wax.

I had planned on painting it white, but then saw a friend show on Facebook how she transformed a piece with Chalk Paint and decided that is exactly what I wanted to do.  Considering I had this little dresser already, supplies cost about $15.  I only used half of the container of paint and just a small amount of each of the jars of wax, so plenty more for other projects.  Other than the paint and wax, all that is needed is a paint brush and some fine sand paper.

dresser-after-chalk-paint-and-wax-1
I watched this series of brief Youtube tutorials while doing this, and it only took a few hours to complete.

Looking forward to sharing more as we progress… like how I turned bumper pads from a gorgeous bedding set I acquired into window valances (because bumper pads are now a “no-no” in cribs) — but I couldn’t pass up using the gorgeous pink and green paisley luciousness!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

Pallet Love in the Dining Room

/ Jodi / 68 Comments

palet wine rack

My daughter-in-law, Colleen, and I are slightly obsessed with things you can make out of pallets.  I look at sites, pin things to Pinterest, oogle and swoon, but don’t seem to get around to ever doing anything about it.

So how surprised and excited was I when my son, Jake, and Colleen presented me with this beautiful handmade pallet wine rack for my birthday?!

I found a cozy little corner of the dining room to hang it and just love it.

wine rack corner

And if that wasn’t enough, I got a text from Jake the other day asking if I would like this pallet table he made for Colleen’s cookie exchange party (remember that amazing post?!).

Uh – let me think about it…..    YES!!!

palet table

So I found a home for it in another corner of the dining room.  I love that it gives me more room to display some fun collectibles and special antiques.

dining room

Our dining room is one of my favorite rooms.  (Charlie doesn’t mind hanging out there too when I’m nearby.)

Many a holiday meal have been eaten here. Countless party games have been played around this table.  Innumerable stories shared, gifts opened, wine drank, laughter echoed.

There are actually very few things we have purchased ourselves in this room, but many things that we have been gifted with, that are handmade, that have been passed down, and that are very special to me.

This cow creamer has a long history in hubby’s family with many happy and humorous memories.  (and I know my boys will never forget the year I filled it with questions on pieces of paper for “conversation starters” at the Thanksgiving table – I’ll never live that one down!)

creamer

Colleen knew just how to “butter me up” with this knife and butter dish!

butter knife

And I was so honored to receive this family heirloom cutter this past Christmas when I mentioned to Aunt Gwen that I would adore having something from my paternal Grandmother’s home.

antique cutter

 

antique tools

A very prized possession is this handmade heirloom Noah’s Ark set passed down to me from my sweet cousin, Joyce, and my dear Oh Rob.

china closet

It sits atop the most beautiful “china closet” that was an old beat up, painted, book case hubby resurrected from a run-down barn that we had refinished and filled with hand-me-down Pfaltzgraff stoneware – also from Joyce and Rob – and full of happy memories.

Noahs ark

And as if they haven’t shared and given us enough, they continue to give and grow our collection, with this new pair of deer in honor of hubby’s big buck this year.

deer

And in memory of our sweet Mikey last year.

Mikey

Another miniature Noah’s Ark set was made by Great Uncle Carl and sits on a “dry sink” made by him too!  (The only thing missing is one of the sheep, which Charlie enjoyed during his early days in his new home with us.)

small noahs ark

Two different antique sewing machines sit in corners of this room,

sewing mackine

and a very cherished treasure box sits on the trundle of one.

treasure box

My BFF, Jill, gifted me with this beautiful memory box for my birthday this year.

treasure box open

We have shared so many memories in this home for the past 15 years, as well as our home before this one.

And I know we will cherish many more in the years to come – no matter where the brick and mortar takes us.

treasure box contents

Because, as you can see, my home is not filled with extravagant, expensive, fancy furniture and decorations, but it is overflowing with cherished gifts and wonderful memories.

The thing I love most about this room – and my entire home – is the people I share it with.

Cherish the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi