Blue Mood

I promised to share with you some of my adopted pieces once I had worked magic on them.  This desk is a curb side find from my son.  The top was the plastic laminate finish found on many pieces of furniture of this era. The finish was in sad shape and it looked like it had lots of history.

I painted it with Annie Sloan Aubusson Blue chalk paint.  Aubusson Blue is a beautiful deep gray blue that has so much depth.  I have talked about chalk paint on my blog before so I won't go into detail except to say it requires no sanding or priming. I finished it with a hand rubbed clear wax finish.  I applied three coats of wax to the top and then just buffed with an old T shirt.  I was amazed by the depth of the shine.  Check out how the objects on the desk are reflected in the top.   There is lots of information on the internet about Annie Sloan chalk paint if you want to know more about chalk paint.    Or,  if you are interested I can share more of my thoughts and experience with chalk paint with you here.

I painted the original brass hardware with Annie Sloan Old White paint and then distressed them a little so some metal show through. 

The white hardware makes a lovely contrast to the dark blue paint.

It did have little wooden knobs on the top drawers but I changed them out for white ceramic knobs and I think it looks much better.

Certainly no reason to be in a Blue Mood if you look this good.

I am going to join the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Party over at Shades Of Amber.  Why don't you pop over and check out all the great pieces painted with Annie Sloan paint.  Those girls have some great inspiration pieces.

Adoption

As you all have probably noticed I haven't spent much time blogging lately.  My life has been so busy something has to receive less time and attention.  I decided to open a second antique booth in another small town close to Kansas City.  Keeping two booths stocked and pretty is very time consuming and I also have to find things to add to my booths.  One thing I have found while doing this is I love to adopt and restore orphan furniture. My youngest son has been aiding and abetting me in my quest by picking up curb side finds.  So I am not the only one responsible for all the adoptees on the front porch.

Since the only place I have store all this bounty is my front porch it now looks like a used furniture store.  With some pieces half finished and the rest waiting for my attention.

Really, they all do have potential for being beautiful, useful pieces that someone is going to love.  At least that is what I have been telling my hubby.  I thought he would he glad I am now adopting furniture instead of dogs.  At least you don't have to feed them or take them to vet.

I know it's hard to see the beauty in this piece.  But remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Before it became furniture storage my front porch used to be decorated for every season.

 Spring saw her decked out in lime green.

On the 4th of July she shined.

In fall the oranges and golds glowed in the autum sunshine.

Some days I wonder if I am sane cluttering up my front porch  So I will be back soon to share some of my finished pieces with you and we can decide together. 

Spring

Usually spring in the midwest is a shy little miss and arrives so softly one is awed by the first daffy and soon an eager tulip bursts into bloom.  Then the dogwood and lilacs will open and spring unfolds day by day.  After a mild, short winter this spring blew in to  town with gusto and made her presence known.  Flowers that usually don't bloom until late April or early May have already opened.  It seems as though every spring flower jumped up to to sing in harmony spring is here, spring is here.

With 80 degree days in March I have to wonder what summer will bring.  But for now I am just going to enjoy the beauty the Lord has sent and enjoy every blossom.  Have a Happy Easter and remember that Jesus died for us and rose again.

Thanks

Thanks to all you, my friends, who have dropped by to leave such nice comments through the years even when I haven't been the most timely of bloggers.  I appreciate each and everyone of you and have enjoyed spending time with you and sharing your day to day life.  Stella

Backless or Not?

I picked up this little end table to fix up and take to the shop.  When I found it I thought I would have my hubby close it in witha a beadboard back. But decided it was kind of cute and had an open look without the back.  Also thought you could put larger books or boxes on it and not be limited by the back.

I brightened it up with a couple of coats of Ducks Egg Blue and a white wash over that.

The sides are nice and curvy which I thought would make it appealing.

Put a cute little design on the top.  Alas! it is still sitting in the shop.  My questions is would you buy a table without a back.  Does it appeal to you or would you rather have it closed in?

How Did This Happen?

How did this happen?  Christmas decorations are still sitting in the hall waiting to be put away.

Valentine's Day has come and gone.  But the memory lingers on all over the house.

And the bunnies are waiting in the wings for their grand entrance.

And I could swear it's only been a week.  Anyone else feel this way?

Sunshine On My Sholder

We had the most beautiful sunrise this morning and it brought to mind the song "Sunshine on My Shoulder Makes Me Happy".  So I thought I would share it with you.  Happy Friday to all of you.