BEFORE & AFTER

Let's face it. I'm addicted to transformations and nothing satisfies that craving like a quick fix of before and after photos. It's the first page I turn to in a magazine. I devour every detail and scrutinize every change. So it is no wonder I kept a few of my very own B & A's. Although there are many, I have selected just a few that are featured in my bedroom to this day.

This cabinet nicely filled the space between two doors of my bedroom. The shelves are perfect for folded clothing and also provide storage for bins of socks and such. The color, however, was a bit dismal for my taste.

So I applied what is called a seven layer peel. The "peeled paint look" is achieved by applying a substance tinted to the desired color and then removing parts by lifting the substance with paper towels. This process is repeated with different colors to resemble layers of paint that have chipped away to reveal the color beneath each coat. It is quite time consuming but rewarding if you have the patience. (Normally not my strong suit but I can overcome for the right goal.)

I bought this screen sight unseen. A friend insisted I needed it and convinced me she should grab it before it disappeared. I was a bit surprised when I saw what I had purchased over the phone but I rallied and came up with a finish that worked for me.

I painted the entire piece a rather brilliant yellow and then added several washes in varying shades of yellow and peach. Although it has remained this color for several years, I doubt I will part with it in the move. I see another makeover in this little treasure.

I cannot remember how this chair entered my life but I could not wait to give it a facelift. Although the fabric was in good condition, it was "not me." But it is comfy and the the potential was there.

I started by doing an eggshell crackle on the legs and wood base. Then came the fun part of selecting the upholstery fabrics. Yes, as in plural. There are a total of four fabrics on the chair: a toile, a stripe, a solid, and a check. Having an upholsterer who is happy to follow directions no matter how convoluted is the key to success. The stripe and the solid are both used for piping and the back is finished in the green and cream stripe.

Then we have the low bench I purchased from a neighbor when they moved years ago. What is it about that brown? The cabinet shown earlier was not from the same sale but does look like it met the same fate. I guess I saw this piece and knew it too needed rescuing.

I opted to try a few finishes on this piece

including decoupage and stenciling. Although
it is low to the floor it works very well under the

double windows and is another keeper that will

most likely see a reincarnation at some point.



Although I quote "Leave the details to God"

I couldn't resist adding a few of my own.

That's it for now but rest assured, I have stumbled upon

a few more pictures that will be ripe for the next post.

The Big Discovery

The process of getting my house ready to market continues. I attacked the basement with renewed vigor today pushing aside cobwebs and reaching into the darkest and most remote corners. I poked into places that I have not looked into in 20 years. I made thousands of decisions in a matter of hours. Is this trash? Will it sell at a yard sale? Is there a spark of potential left in this? What is the shelf life of windshield washer fluid? How long does a 2x4 have to be to warrant saving it for a later project? Then there was the debate over flyswatters. How many do I need? (Never mind that I haven't used one in years) As soon as I throw it out there will arrive a pesky fly to drive me crazy. But do I need one for each hand?



It all gets a little overwhelming. BREAK TIME! Call a friend, laugh a little, have a beer and then get back at it. Today there was a bonus for my fortitude. I climbed onto a stool to scope out the top shelves of the dark and dirty storage lockers. I motivate myself to do this by envisioning myself opening a cigar box full of $100 bills. Come on. It happens sometimes. I found a stash years ago behind a partition in this very basement. There was an unopened bottle of Rum, a wrapped cigar, and an unloaded handgun. None of this was of much use to me but it was some one's treasure and it was hidden.



But today I found a strip of the vinyl flooring...the very one I spoke of in my first blog entry. At the risk of it being anticlimactic, I show it to you now.

This is the pattern I so had my heart set on for that first kitchen. Can you believe I still have a piece of it 30 years later?

Do you think I have a little problem parting with the things I love?

PRIVATE SPACES

What we sleep in can say a lot about how we feel about our personal space. No, I'm not talking about pajamas, or t-shirts or au naturale. I mean the bed we choose to sleep in and how we accessorize that bedroom.



Although I'm not big into fashion or makeup and I am definately not a helpless damsel, I am a girlie girl when it comes to decorating the bedroom.

My dad occupied this room for a short time while he helped me with some of the early rennovations. Then it became my bedroom.

I selected the smallest room in this house for my bedroom because of the lovely bay window and window seat. It was romantic and so were the delicate peach roses that wrapped the room. I even wallpapered the ceiling with a coordinating minature check. (Not without a huge struggle and lots of help from my sister-in-law, Therese. It is a wonder she still speaks to me.)

I HAVE NOT SINCE AND WILL NEVER AGAIN WALLPAPER A CEILING.

The iron bed was painted white and covered with a homespun blue and brown quilt and shams. Yes, I made it myself with fabrics I selected on a trip to San Francisco. All women of that day were proficient with a needle and thread.

White fluffy poufs framed the bay window and a heart shaped boudoir chair completed the romantic look.

This look lasted until water beds became vogue. Well, maybe I was a bit behind the trend as I bought mine from someone who was "over it." A queen size waterbed required a larger room that resulted in a move across the hall.

The roses bit the dust and gave way to the new "media" room.

At the time, this meant a TV, a futon, and a movie poster.