Friday, July 16, 2021

Have you ever come across something that just grabbed at you, and you know you had to have it?

Like maybe an old forgotten rocking chair quietly sitting, waiting for someone to see it’s potential… and appreciate it’s simple beauty?

It was partially hidden among some other old chairs. A press back rocker.

With the back top detailed in open carvings of floral scrolls.

It was dirty and grungy with a very worn and tattered seat.

The finish had been stripped off here and there from being weathered, sitting on a front porch…partially protected from the elements.

Even though it was just a forgotten frame there was something about it that I just fell in love with. So when this shabby beauty of a rocker was offered as a freebie, I said “Yes,” and it came home with me.

Restoration

I began the process of restoration by removing the tacks just to remove the tattered, torn, worn-out seat.

I sanded the rocker down with 60 grit sandpaper and my orbital sander in places that I could get the sander to. In places that the sander did not fit…I used good old fashioned elbow grease with sandpaper to remove dirt, grime and the remaining stain. I sanded it down to bare wood, to my liking.

Some spots may still seem darker, but I like that it gives the chair age and depth…

keeping the natural warmth of the wood.

How Did I Treat the Carved Back?

Using the corner of my orbital sander and a point on a piece of folded sandpaper I gently sanded the carvings to clean out the stain, arriving at the patina I have achieved.

Originally, I thought I would reupholster it and repair it to bring it back to what it once may have looked like. But the more that naked chair frame has sat…  the more I appreciated it’s rustic elegance and decided to leave it to maybe simply wearing it’s elegant carvings and nothing else.

Simple and beautiful!

I love this chair with all it’s rustic goodness and beautiful imperfections.

It evokes beauty and curiosity.

It has inspired me to play…

Adding folded burlap & dried florals to the seat, I snapped some photos of it’s reclaimed raw and natural beauty.

As my friend from Burlapluxe would say…

“Decayed raw beauty, not for sitting & rocking, but just for looking at.”

~ Dore Callaway https://www.instagram.com/burlapluxe/

A non-practical piece.

They say that if you love it, you will find a place for it.

For now, it is front & center sitting in the foyer of my house.

Maybe tucked a little out-of-the way…;)

I would like to think that as it holds that sprinkle of dried floral beauty it creates a little romance.

Tack holes & all!

It’s not complete…still missing a cushion for it’s seat and a back support…

If not for rocking…

then just for looking soft-n-pretty.

I hope you enjoyed my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

If you stopped by the blog, thanks for stopping! I would love to hear from you, so please drop me a little note.

Friday, July 9, 2021

Well summer has been a whirl-wind affair!

With several quick trips – family graduation/vacation to the California Redwoods and a camping trip in the mountains. All so very nice, but has not spurred my writing and creative bug as much as I would like.

Well, I’m back.

I hope that I have been missed… even just a little;)

June was a busy month with me not having notched off too many big projects.

However, I’m hoping to get back on track!

Starting with just a little summer island vignette…

Pears, vintage platters, plants, and a wooden trough for candles.

Would you believe that these vintage (ironstone looking) platters were picked up from a yard sale while I was camping in the mountains? Yep! That is where I scored my new vintage treasures, and I have more to share.

A Simple Fresh Summer Look

To create this super simple fresh summer look, I added everyday useful items from the white platters, tea towel, wooden trough, candles, of course greenery, and seasonal fruit that I had on hand. The pears were one of the fresh fruits we have in the house at the moment. I love displaying the fruits and veggies we have in a pretty way, & this is a great & easy way to grab one & go. Pears have been a favorite snack as of late. We often cut up fresh pears, apples and have them with vanilla yogurt for breakfast.

Pears add that fresh, homey look to the space or an instant summer feeling. Think fresh fruit for easy summer stylin’.

Sometimes, less is more. Keeping my island vignette low profile for gatherings and conversations.

 I hope this post & this island vignette inspire you in some way.

I guess I needed a creative kick today & it sure helped me.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today to see what is happening here at Rustic and Refound...

where I love sharing my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.‘

xx

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Welcome to my weekend roundup!

This week went by so very fast! And…It was a bit busy.

I finished my week babysitting one of my favorite “Littles.” I haven’t played that much soccer, basketball, and volleyball since junior high and my high school days. We spent a great deal of time outside. I had a blast with him!

Today, I want to talk about bringing some touches of greenery to our indoor spaces.

First, I must clarify again, that I’m not a certified decorator. Maybe you won’t even like my images or what I do, and that is certainly okay. (Whoa, that was long winded!)

So…

Sometimes just a little touch of the seasons inside is exactly what we need.

I have been embracing the natural touches in my rooms for awhile now.

Sometimes it’s just bare branches and twigs, or just some old vines twisted around for a foraged wreath.

There is something about wandering around outside to see what inspires you to bring it indoors.

Bringing the outdoors in is so simple – especially in Spring.

This week is all about some pretty blooming shrubs and how simple buckets can be a perfect way to enjoy them in your home.

Sometimes a pretty bucket of blooms is all that you need to spruce up the space.

Two Things I’m Obsessed With…

Old Buckets and Flowering Bushes/Shrubs

1. Old Buckets – New Buckets Old Buckets and maybe new buckets are always a go-to favorite for me. This is one of my favorite buckets and some of my favorite blooming shrubs.

This bucket is so pretty with it’s turquoise and copper feel.

Not an old bucket, but more on the new side. It has an Old World feel, and it kind of gives you a rustic European vibe.

2. Flowering Bushes/Shrubs – I love the delicate pretty pink blooms from this Honeysuckle bush.

This Honeysuckle bush is growing in the front of our house. It blooms the smallest and most delicate pink blossoms in the spring and has a very delicate sweet scent. It’s one of my favorites. So, I snipped some bottom branches, bringing a little of the outside in.

This charming bush is easy to grow. It’s planted in a sunny spot, with plenty of room to sprawl.

 This Honeysuckle bush requires nothing more than water and maybe a trim to keep it looking quaint instead of crazy.

Buckets of blooming shrubbery add charm and are so simple and easy to add anywhere.

They make a gorgeous centerpiece for a rustic table.

 It kind of makes my heart do a little pitter patter.

Even on the kitchen island a bucket of flowering greenery add some pretty and some charm.

A simple island vignette.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Thanks for stopping by Rustic and Refound… where I’m sharing my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

A Gathering of the Tumbleweed

A simple foraged arrangement.

Out in the middle of the sagebrush sea of the Great Basin, in the great Nevada Desert, are my undying love of the odd and wonderful in this rich state.

It may even include the tumbleweed.

The tumbleweed is evocative of the sweeping prairies and the wild west and is well known to the Great Basin Desert.

I like to call this rolling plant with it’s prickly points, “The Desert Renegade of the West.”

Tumbleweeds are free agents in the wind as they are most often briskly escorted across the deserts and prairies.

Tumbleweeds haunt the deserts and mingle in sagebrush oceans.

Not quite valued and mostly worthless.

Yes, and most people have a great aversion to this plant as it can literally leave a thorn in one’s side.

Tumbleweeds, these desert dwellers, gather and congregate in the fences after the wind and pile in corners like a bunch of shy teenage girls.

All the while, these renegades of the west sit and decay, waiting for the next wind that might disperse them and their seed to another desert obstacle.

A Dried Botanical

Foraged from nature, the tumbleweed brings an element of rustic surprise indoors.

Look at the mix of those colors!

The white bowl layered with the decayed…of dark golden tones, even brown, to the faded and light.

Loving the tones of neutrals and woods.

And… the texture is well provided.

Weathered beautifully in nature with the sun’s bleaching, my dried botanical is a true rural and rustic find.

It adds just the perfect rustic vibe.

Rustic and Refound

Combined with my rustic and refound well weathered bench, these two bring a type of soulful piece of nature inside.

If you can have one tumbleweed, why not two?

I say, “Forage your garden, fields, and yard to find dried elements that inspire you to create.” 

If you choose the “Renegade of the West” remember to handle with care. She’ll bite you and sting you the tumbleweed of the west. You may even want to use garden gloves for protection.

I hope you enjoyed this posting of my foraged dried fauna. Today’s ramblings are meant to give you some humor, but also provide you with some inspiration to create and gather.

Remember, I’m just sharing what nature has to offer… and where my wild west stylin’ is for my wild west livin.’

Happy Tuesday!

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Welcome to a weekend edition… a few of my favorite things.

I hope you are having a great weekend wherever you are! We are having a wet and soggy weekend!

I wanted to share a round-up of my Favorite Things from this past week. When things get crazy it always makes me realize how blessed I truly am even if life seems a little chaotic. Yes, even when you are retired you get busy. Here are just a few things that I found to put together for my rustic and refound, a few favorite things.

…Because I’m craving a little sunshine today!

It’s Lilac Season

My lilacs are finally blooming! Our season for lilacs is pretty late compared to others I’m sure.

Lilacs are some of my most favorite flowers.

These lilacs were started from my sweet mom’s lilac bush many years ago. I feel a little sentimental about these flowers. So, I just had to share what I clipped from my yard.

I may go lilac over-load.;)

Lilacs are amazing flowers! Not just because they are beautiful and full of delicate star shaped blossoms that have the most intricate details. Or that they bring a burst of sunshine into a room, or they fill gardens with their gorgeous shades of purple in spring signaling that summer is just around the corner, or even that their scent is absolutely incredible…
 Of course they are amazing for all of those things and they are simply beautiful flowers to bring indoors and enjoy.  I absolutely love them!

Rustic and Refound

Don’t you just love crusty zinc buckets? Well, you probably guessed that I do.

So when seasonal flowers bloom, buckets of fresh-clipped flowers land on the dining table, entry table, and old benches.

Old buckets are the best for gathering fresh blooms.

A mix of vintage and new.

Vintage buckets gathered with new white porcelain pitchers, and collected cutting boards.

All simple elements that look amazing together.

Old Weathered Benches

Old silvered and weathered benches are another favorite. Maybe a little wonky in nature from being out in the weather, but it’s absolutely adorable. If benches can be adorable.

I had to bring inside that rustic element of weathered wood.

Even the splits in the sides and top are things that make it so appealing to me.

This bench is so charming even in it’s crooked nature.

I hope you enjoyed some of my favorite rustic and refound items from my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

Thanks for checking out some of my favorite things on this wet and soggy Saturday.

Friday, May 21, 2021

On the table, collected blue and white china with lavender topiaries for a pretty brunch with some favorite ladies.

Sometimes setting the table for a get-together is a little like staging for a play. I often spend countless hours imagining and designing the table to create a little bit of drama. Yes, the food maybe first, then the flowers, and the final is the arranging of all the details of each place setting.

Flickering Candle Light

Next up might be the dash of ambiance with the flickering candles to add in that sprinkle of magic and pretty.

The ambiance and setting is the most important.

It tends to create laughter and conversations that will linger and be most memorable.

A pretty table setting and and layout of the meal speaks volumes to your guests, and tells them that you have spent some time on their arrival and how important it is to host their gathering.

Your guests just might ask, “What’s the celebration?”

Even the most ordinary of days is a perfect day to celebrate laughter and friendship.

Center Stage

Keeping it simple with a layering of flickering candles and some dried artichokes… just to keep it green.

Vintage China

My table is set with my vintage blue and white china. A collection of pieces that I started over 31 years ago.

Maybe a bit of a hodgepodge collection, but a collection of Blue Willow all the same.

You would never know that these piece of china were collected. Not a purchased set, but gifted and thrifted from years gone by.

The sweetest inspiration comes from the smallest of details and everyday things that are always there… A whimsical collection of blue and and white china layered with crisply folded blue napkins, some thrifted green goblets, dried artichokes, flickering candles, and a vintage crocheted runner.

The End Result

Fleurs – Lavender topiaries

One of the most essential table details, flowers. They set the stage. Their color palette and style dictate what jewelry (china) will be added.

The lavender topiaries, because of their height are set at the end of the table as to not block faces and conversations.

So often, we save out pretty table settings for special events, but it doesn’t have to be a special occasion to bring out some vintage china, light a few candles, and add some cheer. Celebrate the simple pleasures of life of friendship and laughter.

Just some inky blue at its best! I just can’t resist some blue and white china! They are so striking. I will forever love…

I hope that today’s post inspires you to indulge and set the table with some pretty china, light a few candles, and invite some friends.

Happy Friday!

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

I’ve been thinking about what else I could make with the chicken wire that was leftover from out home build. Chicken wire was used on the outside of our house to help adhere the stucco to.

And then… there it was. The idea of a chicken wire cloche. This DIY chicken wire cloche was created in one afternoon.

A chicken wire cloche is easy to make and maybe a spring decorating must have.

Plain old chicken wire never looked so good!

Here’s what you need:

-Roll of chicken wire

-Wire cutters

-Needle nose pliers

-Extra small gauge wire (used to tie parts of the cloche together & create the handle)

-Gloves (I can’t work with gloves so I was cautious not to get poked or scratched)

Step 1

Lay out the sheet of chicken wire and cut it depending on the cloche size you will need

Step 2

Shaping the cloche. You can free form your cloche shape or wrap the chicken wire around a large jar, can, etc. to get the cylinder shape. I free formed mine. (Hence it’s little wonky shape.)

Step 3

Closing up the cylinder shape. Combine the open ends of the chicken wire and attach them together. You want to twist the open ends together to form an open-ended cylinder. Now you have a cylinder with two open ends.

Step 4

Wire one open end of the cylinder together to form the top of the cloche

One of the ends will have a finished edge.  That becomes the bottom of the cloche.  Take the unfinished edge at the other end and start wiring together to form the dome. I gently kept pushing the sides to form the dome. This took a little time and persistence. The goal is to create the top of a dome.

I Shaped and formed the wire into a dome by working with it until I had the exact shape I wanted.

Step 5

Forming the ring/handle

You just need an ornamental piece to finish off the top of the cloche. For the top of my wire cloche, I used a piece of wire and shaped it into a ring. I shaped the wire into a circle and finished it off by wrapping the ends around the circle to add form and stability. To finish off your cloche, the possibilities are endless. You can add a finial, wooden knob, or any other ornamental top you choose.

Attach the formed circle handle to the top of the cloche with a wire.

The wiry construction adds charm, interest, and maybe a little farmhouse vibe.

My work of art. It’s farmhouse decor at it’s finest with a little rustic elegance added in.

I must admit I am a bit smitten with cloches.  I can change the decor with the seasons.

HOW TO DECORATE WITH A WIRE CLOCHE

The options and uses for wire cloches may be endless. Here are just a few of the ways I’ve used them in my home.

• place small plant on a plate and cover it with a cloche
• add a grouping of candles inside of a wire cloche (battery operated candles – flameless)
• add a single pinecone
• place a seashell under a cloche
• place a cloche on top of a cake stand and decorate
• add a bird nest and eggs
• add a single candle and some faux florals

A Chicken Wire Cloche with a white plate/bowl makes a wonderful home accent or centerpiece. Nothing says farmhouse like a chicken wire cloche.

Do you use cloches in your home decor?  What do you like to fill them with? 

I hope I have inspired you today to create your own chicken wire cloche or maybe just to decorate with one.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today & for making my blogging about my rustic and refound something I truly enjoy and where I share my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.‘

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Lemon Love!

I might be a bit obsessed with this bowl of lemons on my kitchen island.

Are you a lemon fan too?

I so enjoy the bright, sunny color they give to a space. I’ve often admired the lemon decor seen, but never jumped on that band wagon. What I love most about lemon decor is that it can blend with a lot of different styles. It works wonderfully for Farmhouse, but also can work well with the European look or that old world feel. I think I like it all. Best of all, you can just grab a batch of lemons from your local grocer put them in a pretty bowl and you have great home decor that is functional.

Just A Bowl of Lemons

Lemon is one of my favorite flavors, especially this time of year. I guess you would say that I can’t get enough because I’m always putting them in my water. You know what they say? “When life gives you lemons, put some in your drink, H2O.” Lemon water is quite refreshing and has some health benefits as well, and I won’t even get into that.

So What I did With A Batch of Lemons

… Made Lemon Curd

I have never had lemon curd, but have heard great reviews. So I had to give it a try.

These bowl of beauties came from sunny California. My in-laws grow the lemon tree in their yard.

So all those lemons are the inspiration for the recipe I’m sharing today: Lemon Curd

FYI: Lemon curd goes well with scones.

Lemon curd originated in 19th Century England and was traditionally served with bread or scones at afternoon tea.

Okay, now that’s one I can hitch my wagon to.

My Recipe for Lemon Curd –

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)

1-2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

1/8 teaspoon of Kosher salt

Step 1 – Zest 2 of the lemons

Step 2 – Using a mixer, cream the butter and beat in the sugar and lemon zest. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing thoroughly. Then add the lemon juice and salt. Mix until combined.

Step 3 – Pour the mixture into a 2 quart saucepan and cook over low heat until thickened (about 10 minutes), stirring constantly. Lemon curd will thicken at about 170 degrees F, or just below simmer. Remove from the heat, cool, and refrigerate.

Just an FYI. I found recipes on the web and first read the reviews. I ended up combining several recipes. Make sure that you don’t add the eggs while cooking as they will scramble. (That is my note to self.)

I am not an expert cook, but this recipe worked for me, and my lemon curd did not have a metallic taste.

The Finished Look of Lemon Curd

I love how the lemon curd is so pretty in these cute little jars.

Now, If you like lemon aide, lemon meringue pie, or just anything lemon… you are going to love lemon curd!

It’s amazing! I think I could eat it on everything! It’s zesty, tart, not too tart, just about the best spread ever!

It’s a zesty citrus fruit spread that adds an extra bright and tangy flavor to any sweet treat.

Lemon Decor

Now if you don’t think you could make lemon curd, but like the lemon decor, lemon’s are also super modern and are a chic look for your home.

I hope you have liked my sweet not so sour lemon love – recipe and home decor.

Happy Saturday!

Remember, I always enjoy my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

Thanks for stopping by and please, please leave me a review.

Friday, May 7, 2021

May begins the season of blooms and blossoms and gardens coming to life and it also brings a day to celebrate the moms and mom figures in our lives.

So, I just set the stage… the table that is, for a Mother’s Day brunch.

The Local Garden Center

 My first stop for a centerpiece idea?  The Home Depot for some pretty lavender. This is what I found. Spanish lavender topiaries. I found several lavender topiaries for a centerpiece in the garden center- and brought two of them home. I am loving their pretty purple blooms and they just feel like spring and a bit pretty. You can of course bring in any plants that you have that are blooming right now- or any greens that inspire you to create that perfect center piece.

Here they are just marching down the center of the table. Kind of all stately and such. I must admit I might be a bit obsessed with these and not want to plant them in my yard.

I might let them hang around inside for awhile.

Dressing It Up!

To soften things up, I wrapped the pots with burlap and string and placed them on the dining table. -There’s something about this duo …marching down the center of the dining table… just love it.

Added Texture

The burlap bags serve two functions; they cover the unattractive pots and second they add layers of texture.

For additional texture, I added dried artichokes. Dried artichokes are some of my favorite elements to bring to a table scape added in a pretty bowl or plate.

Add the Ambiance

Sometimes a little charm and ambiance is exactly what a table needs. I do this by adding flickering candles… add taper candles and votives and layer them around the table.

The plates are stacked and layered with the napkins.

Mixing the Metals

The mixing of metals or metal colors that is, creates depth, interest, and elegance.

For interest, I used brass candle sticks, copper and gold votives and silver in my sugar bowl and silverware. What I love most about the brass candlesticks is that they add such a delicious golden tone to the table. Don’t be afraid to mix copper, gold & silver for an elegant look.

I’m almost ready.

How about you?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mom’s Day to all moms.

Thanks for stopping by Rustic and Refound where I enjoy sharing my wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin’.

Saturday, May 1, 2021

Can you believe that May is here already?

Happy May 1st.

Did you know that May Day is a real holiday?

It is celebrated on May 1 in many different cultures around the world.

May Day is known as day of unity, togetherness, and rebirth; a day to celebrate life as we know it.

Kind of ironic isn’t it?

Considering all that folks around the globe have experienced and endured this past year, wouldn’t it be nice to really celebrate and appreciate May 1 – May Day?

Especially this year?

A May Day Basket

Simple in design and constructed from good old fashioned chicken wire.

Some of my favorite material.

What You Will Need:

-Chicken wire – Shaped in a square and then rolled into a cone.

-using the cut ends of the chicken wire attach the loose ends to affix your cone shape.

-wire, ribbon, or jute string to attach to the top of the cone shaped basket for a handle.

-Bouquet of your favorite flowers

-wrap a very wet paper towel around your flower stems and tuck the stems into a zip-lock baggie to help keep your flowers fresh. (I actually added water to the baggie)

-Brown paper, newsprint, newspaper, paper of your choice to wrap around the bouquet.

-Tuck your wrapped bouquet into your wire basket

It’s perfect for a welcoming bouquet on the front door.

 I just love vibrant and colorful blossoms added to a simple construction.

Flowers make a big impact.

Their bold colors never fail to add brightness to everyday spots.

Even old cattle chutes.

Just a gathering of bright, colorful, flowers to help celebrate May.

All the colors of spring, and a basket of posies to brighten your path.

Happy May Day!

I always love something a little different, maybe a little funky, or quirky.

A little wild west stylin’ for my wild west livin.’

“Style isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about how you live.” – Lilly Pulitzer (1931-2013)