Rack Up Some Plates

I have a few passions in my life - my God, my family, my kids at school, my vintage finds.  Repurposing and refinishing furniture is a stress-reliever for me.  It's been good to be back painting this week after a month of craziness at school!

A few weeks ago I found this plate rack in an antique mall.  Sad, I know!

Someone had made a pathetic attempt to spray paint it.  But it was cheap!

I decided I did NOT want to try to paint the slats with a brush, so I opted for spray paint and give it three good coats of ivory.

The rest of it got two coats of ASCP Emperor's Silk.

I was worried that when I distressed it that the old spray paint would show. But to my surprise, it distressed down to the wood!

This will make a perfect home for holiday plates!

Bring 'em on!

Invited to these parties:

Grain Sack Upholstery

I still remember the first time I saw a chair that had been reupholstered using vintage grain sacks.  It took my breath away.  It embodied everything I love about casual living and repurposing vintage goods.  And the stripes were blue!  You know I love blue!!

Last summer I was at a flea market and ran across this bench.

You may be surprised to know that it was not the stained, country rose upholstery that attracted me!  

It was those legs, and the wide bench pleading for stripes!

So I started by painting the base in ASCP Old White.

I distressed and added a coat of clear wax and dark wax.

At the same flea market where I found the bench, I also found a stash of grain sacks.  Yes, the heavens opened, light shown through the clouds, and the angels sang "Eureka!"

It only took a few inches more than half of a sack to cover this so I've still got a large piece that can be used on a smaller bench or chair seat.

Yep, it still takes my breath away!

A Great Place to Shop

This weekend I went to visit my grandson, and I don't go anywhere without checking out the local antique shops and flea markets!  So I prowled around The Vineyard Antique Mall in Colleyville, TX.  It's a nice large mall with a variety of antiques and collectibles.

Now, I need to back up and tell you a story.  A few years ago my daughter went off to play college volleyball.  She found herself teammates with a precious girl named Ali.  She and Ali became the best of friends and today live close and are enjoying raising their babies together.  Anyway, Ali and her mom decided to start refinishing furniture and open a booth at an antique mall.  You guessed it!  They're new booth is at The Vineyard!  

So today I thought I'd show you some of the amazing pieces in Ali's booth!

Look at this awesome table!

She's painted the top in a muted harlequin pattern.

I love this little cabinet!  Oh, the possibilities!

Now you know that turquoise is my favorite, right?

Look at the gold gilding she put on the edges!

This beauty is painted gray on the outside...

And dark gray on the inside!

What an interesting bookcase!

This dresser won't last long!

Don't you love the herringbone?

So if you're ever in the Dallas-Ft.Worth metroplex, you might want to check out Ali's booth, Refuge Interiors.

Ali's got lots of eye candy!

And just in case you're wondering, I was not paid to talk about Ali's booth.  Just love the girl and her work and want to share both!