Country Cottage Beach Dresser

 Before:

After:

I was quite pleased by how this little one came out.  When I went to pick this dresser up, I noticed some vintage remnants of her original color and became quickly fond of the light blue and cream combo.  I searched around my paint options and while none of them actually was the true color, I began doing a little kindergarten paint mixing to try and match the color as best as possible.  While not often functioning, keyholes are a favorite feature of mine in a dresser.  I also loved the simple trim around the bottom 2 drawers that adds a dainty extra touch to her face.

Industrial Entry: McKendry Manor

Step 1: build the pipe frame

Step 2: Pick out wood and attach

A whole new world has been awakened.  My boss wrote me about 3 months ago and prompted an opportunity to build a new entry table for them.  He sent a few ideas from Restoration Hardware.  You can imagine the lust I possess over some of their pieces of furniture.  I think I laughed and verbally commented "I only wish I had the tools and space to build pieces like that."  I paused for a moment and thought, ' BUT MAYBE.'  And what if our boundaries were expanded and supported in such a manner that we could respond with motivation in the challenge.  This wasn't your common challenge, this lit a fire within me, ideas swimming, face fit with giddy grin.  I could barely focus on all the to-do's already on my plate, but this, THIS I wanted to think upon, I wanted to dream, I wanted to create, to build, to form.
I found a few ideas and we sketched out a plan together to better fit what he was wanting.  Then started the research.  I made a few trips to ol' Home Depot to 'play with pipes.' Measuring, adjusting, resketching.  Then, I found myself a new piping friend.  I got some old pluming pipes, a box full of components and took them home to fit the puzzle together.  I considered myself a strong "Jane of all trades," but these pipes dominated me.  My perfectionistic side wanted to screw them together in such a way that the threads would be hidden, which is nearly impossible especially without some serious wrenches and clamps.
Then, I headed out to a dear friend's family 'lumberyard' which is just simply a cozy haven of heaven.  Smell of fresh lumber, and piles upon piles of possibility.  You'd think I was a cooped up kid on a playground.  I picked out my slabs, was assisted using some Capital S, Serious tools to plane and join.  Loaded up and shipped back home.  Went through a handful of options for the coloring, wanting it to be perfect; test strip upon test strip.  Finally came up with a combo of steeped black tea, and a vinegar/steel wool combination.
Many measurements and clamping later, I attached the wood and began to work on rusting the legs and attaching the caster wheels.  I waited around for a new clear wax to seal it off and was squealing over the change in really smoothing out the confines of the wood.  I inevitably always find favorite little pockets of unique quirks abnormalities in every piece.  This one had a particular knot that I am sincerely fond of.  In cutting this piece of wood, my original measurements would have cut it either down the middle (trouble) or off completely.  I saw no other choice than to just extend my measurements to include that little seedling of a branch.  The coloring on it is such an array of warmth and intricate detail. I'm in love with the imperfections.

What a sweet labor of love. What a joy to create. To make something from nothing. I'm so accustomed to fixing the already broken and discarded.  This was a whole new testimony to designing with care and vision.  So many lessons seemed to awaited discovery for me in this and what a delight to see fruit from mine own simple two hands and feeble eager mind.

Chic Cottage Bedside Table

Before:

After:

Finished this sweet little bedside table just last week.  I am ever so fond of her details. I tried my hand at using some crackle but had been warned to use sporadically rather than covering her whole surface so as to give her a sincere worn look.  Anthropologie little knobs and boisterous curvy little legs I cant get enough of.  She must be a separated twin of an ancient vanity in her structural bodice.  I found her at a friend's house as they were packing up years of her grandmother's saved and stored treasures.  Amidst the big 3 piece, ornate, and I'm sure wickedly valuable, I had my little eye on her and knew some soft greys and whites would do her good.

Visit the shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/111270823/chic-cottage-grey-bedside-table?ref=af_shop_favitem

Reclaimed Re"loved" Wooden Entry Table

Oh man, its been awhile since I built a piece from scrap...and here she is. You can see some of the progression.  I bucked up and dumpster dove not once but twice to find the perfect pieces for a unique entry table.  I actually went back to get more because I decided, as often happens, that if I like it I will want one for myself.  I typically forget how much math and time goes into these projects.  But using power tools and figuring out ways to piece it together (weathered, warped and all) is always a task of delight.  There were 2 final products; one residing in the Denver Counseling & Coaching and the other behind my couch!  My favorite is seeing which piece of wood strike different people.  If you happened upon my porch (professional workspace) I'd have asked you which you favored.  Each has such individual character and quirks!

Grandpa's Grizzly Bear found his way to Steamboat

Finished a little mountain bear for the Steamboat cabin. grrrr.

Chic Cedar Chest

I happened along this trunk from a sweet guy moving west. He mentioned that his great-grandfather built it for his dad years ago.  Apparently he built one for each of his children.  She wasn't in the best of shape and I nearly begged the guy to hang on to her for family heirloom's sake.  But without too much convincing she became mine.  I was hoping to maintain some of the rustic elements to her and beat it up a teeny bit more (always with love). I love the copper edging and appreciate that you can efficiently store your winter woolies in there right under a spot to kick your feet up and relax all cozy on your couch.

Mister Matt got Married

little miss maddie has turned 1!

So happy for this grinning groom! We headed up to Steamboat Springs last weekend to celebrate Labor Day with all sorts of soiree-like festivities.  What a lovely weekend for lovely nuptuals. It was a sweet weekend to spend with old family-new family, old friends-new friends and all just up the road from me.  I am always quite thrilled to have people up to my neck of the woods and get to enjoy the splendor of the fall mountains.  The air is getting a new little crispness to it and it couldn't make me more jolly!