Vintage Finds.

I mentioned on Monday that we spent an afternoon on the weekend hunting down some sweet finds at the antique stores. It's one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon and I'm lucky that Steph enjoys it too. We picked up a perfect little piano bench for our entry makeover and spotted a few more fun things as well!

This little jumbo elephant stole my heart. He needs a home in a baby nursery stat! Call me crazy but I've been seeing them in baby nurseries everywhere! I like the rattan but he could be spraypainted any color you like.

See what I mean!

Source: flickr.com via Jane on Pinterest

I've seen this one before and I still love it. It would look so gorgeous in a large porch or entry. Note.. it's doesn't have the flower detail like the one on the left. Thank goodness.

This little chair would be cute with a new coat of paint and seat.

I love large glass bottles. If it were a softer green for a light blue, it would have come home with me. Most defnitely.

We loved this vintage tin hockey game. We looked it up and discovered it dates back to the 30s. I like that it's in rough shape. It could be hung on the wall in a little boy's bedroom. Or big boy's room too!

I love the look of a painted scroll mirror. I was on the hunt for a while and couldn't seem to find one. This day, I found two! Lately, I am loving gold but the finish on these was a little too Liberace for me. 

I would definitely paint them like one of these beauties.

Source: betterafter.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

Source: makingitlovely.com via Jane on Pinterest

It's been a bit of a busy week, with report cards due. I'm out to a workshop for the next couple of days. I hope to at least get the front entry primed sometime soon. My sweet friends Emily and Grant are getting married today in Las Vegas and I get to watch it live online! Tonight is dedicated to them and a glass of wine. I can't wait! So excited to see them!

Have a wonderful day everyone! Looks like the first snowstorm of the season is brewing here, in the maritimes. We'll see!

Entry Makeover ~ Part One.

A couple of winters ago, on a stormy day, I decided to try my hand at wallpapering. Yes, I had wallpaper
in my home already but I couldn't take the credit for hanging it. (Thanks Stephane and Aunt Marilyn!) This time, I wanted to do it on my own.

Unfortunately two things went wrong:

#1 I had no idea how to wallpaper and it showed.
#2 I never liked the pattern of the paper from day one. I got it from a $5 bin and couldn't pass up the deal. Lesson learned!

As a result, my tiny little front entryway, which could be oh so cute, became what I saw as the blemish of the main floor. Here are a couple of shots of the little room. I did the wainscoting all by myself, I might add. toot toot! :)

Well, long story short, I decided this was the weekend to start a little makeover in that room. Luckily, I had a couple of helpers. 

Off came the wallpaper. An annoying job yet somehow therapeutic once you get going!

Up went a coat rack, minus the hooks, with whatever pieces Steph could drum up in the basement. 

A little Saturday shopping excursion to the antique shops proved fruitful. We picked up a little piano bench which will fit perfectly. Plus, the lid lifts up for hat and mitten storage. Bonus!

It's a start! Next up is priming, painting and the fun part- styling! Oh... and speaking of shopping excursions, we found some fun finds. I'll be back later in the week to share the goodness.

Apparently I'm Avant-Garde?

A while ago, I snagged these beauties at a vintage shop. It was love at first sight. Well not really.. I thought about them for a few days then went back and made them mine.

Well. apparently my suspicion of they coolness has been confirmed. While perusing Style at Home's recent issue "100 Best Designer Secrets", I discovered the IDENTICAL bird on page 22, reminding us not to forget about vintage items.

I'm smiling because I saw them first:)

$1 Light Fixture

The other day I showed you this fun find from the rainy day shopping trip. It's actually a vintage heater scored for just a buck.

Here it is, rewired as a light fixture and hanging in all all $7 (including light kit) glory! It found a home in a small hallway in Steph's home. I love the rustic industral feel of it. It really suits the space!

I think it needs an Edison light bulb or at least a clear one. What do you think? Not bad for a $1?

Rainy Day Shopping

There is nothing I love more on a rainy day than a trip to a vintage, antique or used furniture store. Especially when there are some goodies. I'll admit, on more than one occasion I've felt I was wasting my time. But usually, I find some rare gem that I find a home for.
Some things aren't lucky enough to come home with me but receive a knowing smile. The smile that says.. I see your beauty. Don't worry. Someone will come for you very soon:)
A trip out yesterday proved somewhat fruitful. I picked up some crystal coasters and plates for storing jewellery. I was inspired by Beau Lifestyle's beautiful display. (If you haven't checked out her blog yet you really must.)

images via beau lifestyle

I forgot to take a picture of my coasters but I also got some crystal dishes
that will hold bracelets and necklaces.

Some pretty plates were purchased to be hung on the wall.

The "tumor". What better than a good conversation piece? 

I don't really know what it is but cool all the same!

And my favorite. A vintage heater to be converted to a light fixture.... for a buck!

Here are some other pieces (the ones that got the smile):

Cute chairs that would be amazing with new upholstery and a coat of glossy paint.

A set of versatile white china trimmed in gold. $40 for the complete set.

More adorable chairs. $50 for the pair. I loved the shape but they were actually kinda mini.

Never underestimate the power of a paintbrush. This dresser has gorgeous lines. 

I envision it a soft pink in a little girl's room since it's not very tall.  A bit like Eleanor's.

I'm digging bamboo pieces lately painted a fun bright color. If I had room in my bathroom, this piece would be mine, painted a fun color and filled with soft white towels!

I dabbled in painting over the winter and discovered I don't have much talent.

If I did this would be the perfect easel.. ah well:)

Beautiful and huge. Someone should really buy this one.

Love the base. Crying for a new shade!

I'm on the hunt for vintage glassware for my bar cart. 

I found a great selection but none that called out to me. (ignore the cheesy commemorative plates!)

I was super bummed that my favorite shop for good bargains, BC Antiques closed up shop early. I had spotted a vintage crystal ice bucket that I've been thinking about since my last visit. Maybe I'll head back over the weekend!

Unsure.

I got to work and painted my new thrifted coffee table for the living room. I contemplated going yellow, blue or even green but of course I ended up with my trusty white! But now I'm unsure. I thought white was always right?
I was really happy with how it turned out until I put it back in the room. When placed against the cream rug, it just doesn't feel right. Maybe I just need to live with it a bit and I'll see.

Before:

After:

It is still a bit tacky, so I'll wait a couple of days before I put anything on it, just to be safe.

So looking forward to the long weekend! How about you?

March Break Finds.

One of my goals during the March Break was to seek out some good finds at the local antique and used furniture stores. I didn't have much luck on my first trip out. Then, on the weekend I hit up Coulson's (my favorite) and had a little success!

I scored this great coffee table for $10. Although I love my diy upholstered ottoman, it drives me crazy that I can't set my glass of vino or cup of coffee on it. And, every time Beaufort walks by it, a trail of fur appears on the sides. Besides, I love to switch things up, so it just may make an appearance again.

The table is a good size for the space and I'm enamoured with it's sleek curvy legs. Can't wait to see it with a coat of glossy white paint!
Call me crazy, but I couldn't walk away from this one. For $5 I had to take this little metal cart home. I think it was used to hold a record player. I'm thinking it will make a great bar cart in the dining room or in my office to hold supplies.

Wouldn't it be fun painted a sunny yellow? Or should I just leave it and shine it up a bit?

How cute is Beaufort? He just loves the sun on his face:)

Back to work today! Have a great Monday:)