Saturday, June 27, 2020

What Happens When You Paint a Chair White?

Simple and sweet! That’s how I like it.

This vintage chair is another junkin’ treasure find.

It wasn’t painted in a great color red so I decided to paint it white. The first attempt to paint it with a latex paint failed miserably.

The white paint wrinkled and bubbled. Definitely didn’t like those results.

My second attempt was another type of paint using what I had on hand.

I began with a white chalk paint.

As I painted the white over the red, the red bled through

leaving my vintage treasure a soft pale pink.

Stepping back and giving it some thought…

Maybe this is what it was meant to be!

What do you think of this cutie?

I was working at getting the most for my money.

I had spent $20 on this beauty.

Now it is soft and subtle. Not white, but pale pink and pretty!

Have you ever had a dilemma as such?

Should I find another paint or leave it as is?

I think she will stay as is!

Then what do you do? How do you show it?

With flowers of course!

Well, take it out to the horse pasture for sure.

With a simple place to land…

Just a random summer chair with a bouquet of flowers!

Just a little fun and playing around.

Adding a favorite Navajo style rug and…

a horse.

That’s okay. I just snapped away. Glad he came to check it out!

Added A Navajo Style Rug

That ole’ Navajo rug…

Things that last like an ole’ Navajo rug from thirty years ago(A wedding gift from my sister.)

and a pretty wooden chair.

Just some southwestern summer styling.

A mix of pieces and styles that just worked for me.

Some wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin’

I hope this you inspires you to think outside the box, mix some pieces,

and head out to where the wild things are.

XXOOs

June 21, 2020

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Left Overs

Left over from the house stucco project was a pile of Chicken wire.

Chicken wire is one of those things that when you see it

you just want to build something.

It has so much potential. Original use: Chicken coops.

Such a versatile building material.

I’ve never used Chicken wire in home décor projects before,

but thought it might be interesting to craft with it.

So here it is!

My DIY chicken wire basket I put flowers in.

A cute partner for a pretty pink chair… a chicken wire basket full of pink lilies!

A little rustic and refound!

Such a simple project that maybe took 15 minutes and it’s complete.

Here’s what you’ll need: Chicken wire shaped to a cone.

I started with a square piece of chicken wire. Lay it flat and rolled it to a cone shape.

Using a pair of needle nose pliers, I wrapped the cut ends of the chicken wire around to fasten the cone shape in place.

You may have to close up the end of the cone as you might have some sharp ends remaining.

Simply tuck the lose ends inwards using your needle nose pliers.

Attach wire, ribbon, or even jute string for a hanger.

Wrapped newsprint around the bouquet. When hanging, use a little jar or a small plastic container to tuck inside the wire basket to water the flowers.

Add your favorite flowers and voila your project is complete.

To hang, I simply attached a bright pink ribbon.

Hang it on your front door, but if you don’t have a front door like me, right now…

Hang it from your garden gate or maybe an old squeeze chute out in the horse pasture.;)

I am loving it! You know I might make a few more!
Maybe a new obsession! Who knew!

A little wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin‘

XXOOs

Some DIY Candle Holders

June 19, 2020

I’m a DIYer. Can’t say I love crafting too much, but when it comes to some things like candle holders…I like to make my own. I’m so inspired by beautiful candles all aglow. I love beautiful candle holders of most kinds. I like them chunky, beautifully tapered, metal, wood, glass and rustic is pretty cool too. Those with pretty patterns & details are just fine as well. Candle holders with candles are so perfect for lighting steps outdoors,  for a little ambiance on your patio table and even for displaying with indoor vignettes.

I like rustic home décor!

Warm and inviting… I kind of have a thing for candle holders.

And those candles….can we talk about those for a second? 

That beautiful warm glow cast from those flickering candles

welcomes you to sit down and enjoy the view.

Some Of My Projects

Just A Board With Charcter

Using rustic fencing wood, I made a chunky tea light holder.

Cleaning up the wood with soap, soft brush & water.

I marked the placement for the tealights & I drilled the holes.

Sure to spark a conversation with your guests.

A great focal point for your home!

Can you picture this to display your favorite scented candle?

Jar or pillar candle?

With this candle stand, either would be a nice addition to any country home.

Do you have a question regarding any of my DIY projects? Let me know.

Happy Friday!

Monday, June 15, 2020

Happy Monday!

You know, it’s funny – every week, from spring through the fall,

I think I don’t have much in bloom in the yard until I take a few pictures.  

So this week, I thought I would show you around my country garden.

That is, before we began our new home construction.

When I first started my yard, I pretty much knew nothing about gardening. Throwing formality out of the window I began planting things that I loved. I wanted brick pathways with the mix of wildflowers spilling into the pathways, pretty green leafy plants, and an abundance of blooms everywhere you looked. I wanted that English cottage garden look with it’s distinct style—and informal design, densely planted, with flowers at the edge of garden beds spilling over onto the paths. The overall effect is artful, romantic, and uncontrived.

Enjoy the tour!

To add additional interest I wanted a little rustic and refound!

Every color of flower goes with rust! Rust is a must!

Like old rusted pitch forks in wine barrels with a bunch of annual blooms!

Just an old rusted out enamel pan framing growing columbine.

Living in a high desert region, one is required to plant water-wise plants and ones that can withstand harsh winters. I did try to get the right plant in the right place. Taking care to suit the planting to the soil, the light levels and how much water it might need. The plants will be happier, and so, you’ll be happier. I picked plants that are doers: robust and tough. In a garden there may be down times. So I tried to plant flowers that bloomed at different times, but throughout the summer. This will make your garden look amazing throughout summer.

I think that there is nothing is more romantic than a cottage garden that is blooming and overflowing. I like gardens dripping with flowers and heady with scent. These gardens bring a breath of the elegance to any space.

Spaces that would otherwise be empty were filled with flowers, both for their beauty and to suppress weeds. Boy, believe me we can get plenty of weeds! I wanted my flowers the predominant feature. Delicate, fragrant, garden pinks, the bolds and the silvery foliage that provides interest in a summer garden.

Lambs ear is a soft velvety leafed perennial that grows well for me. It’s easy to grow and provides a beautiful layered look as it grows under taller plants. It provides such beautiful gray/green foliage. Lambs ear is a great high desert plant, because it is a water wise plant, so perfect for my area.

Lacey Sentenials

 In the front of the house the peonies are starting to bloom.

Loving these pale pink blooms.

Heady With Scents

I planted lilac bushes, wild roses, and honey suckle for their heady scent.

A Little On The Wild Side

The wild roses that crop up here and there (don’t have the heart to pull them).

Wild roses lend to the overflowing and natural look, which I love.

I think the beauty of cottage gardens is that mostly anything goes.

Honey Suckle

Pink Coneflowers and Shasta Daisies

Columbine

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Curated or rambling I love a cottagy garden!

Happy Monday!