A Red Neck Chic Stop……..or Pilgrimage….

A pilgrimage……a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance  ……

On a recent trip to Texas I made my type of Pilgrimage….and I’m thinkin’ yours too…...this is my type of shrine….

That’s right—I stopped in Hillsboro Antique Mall  to check out the stash of our own Red Neck Chic…and it is pretty cool stuff…take a peek…

And check out her blog if you have not yet-- 

http://redneckchic.blogspot.com 

or hop over to Gails- My Repurposed Life and check out Red Neck Chic’s guest post http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2011/04/guest-post-red-neck-chic-is-flashing.html

Enjoy—both are a GREAT FIND!!

chris

The Vintage White Wash Stand Hunt

I spied this beauty on Layla & Kevin’s blog – http://www.theletteredcottage.com/  and it was love at first sight! 

A wash stand..that should be easy to find right?…..well this is where the story begins……

first step -- what did I love about this wash stand?

1. Squared off look
2. Square trim on the cabinet doors
3. A few inch opening from the base of the stand to the floor(easier to clean under)
4. Desktop overlay-squared off…

I started the hunt in Illinois a few months back…..no luck at local shops-but not to worry I knew I Texas bound for Round Top Texas Antique Week----as a VIB- Very Important Blogger…how cool is that??http://midwestcottageandfinds.blogspot.com/2011/04/round-top-texas-marburger-farm.html

Stopped at several shops between here and Texas….found a few  contenders…Each one had a couple of my wants—but none were a complete package…..

So the hunt continued…..from Waco, Texas  to Round Top and then to Warrenton….and then …..we spied her….in a small vendors tent in Warrenton, Texas….she was PERFECT and I was thrilled—I could not believe it—I truly had been looking for this for 4 months and found it in a little tent off the side of the road in Warrenton….what are the chances??? I felt like I hit the lottery……

Loaded her (and lots of other goodies up) and headed home…. to begin the make-over….

Welcome Home and let’s get started……

First let’s fix the little hiccups…Gorilla Glue and clamps…if that can’t fix it-it’s not fixable!! Love the dovetail drawers —it was just a little loose making the drawer difficult to close……Once the glue is dry sand off the excess—I like to leave the clamp on for 2 days to ensure a good hold…..

Next up -- the rest of the team…Sanding – I have learned that different grit textures and different contours of the sanding block can make the job go a little  a lot easier….150-grit for smoothing, 100 for leveling and 80 for defect removal—and one tip—3M Sand Blocks are color coded-so you can tell what you are grabbing for in a glance and if you do your makeovers after working all day like me—any help is appreciated!!

I like to use this style/shape on corners and trim….the angle helps so much!

To get areas that are easily accessible I use a typical square block—that has a little wear to see how deep it will go before moving to the tougher – rough—sanding block..you can always go back and sand more…..
 
On this piece I did 2 coats of paint—-
American Accents-Heirloom White---

with my best buddy—Mr. Purdy…..and let it dry overnight between coats--

and then sanded with a block  to get this look….I knew I was going to try a glaze so I roughed up the wood, removed the paint- and pulled out the glaze…..


I used a brush to apply the glaze and then wiped it off with a rag-this glaze was tinted to a very light brown-tea color—to copy a Ralph Lauren color that Home Depot USED to carry—the associate can look up the formula to replicate the color….play with the glaze…it can change the color of your paint a bit and really adds depth to the areas you have sanded……Here is the formula if you would like to try this color…
 
Then I painted over the entire wash stand again (we are at 3 coats now)….I really like the look the paint OVER the glazed area created….The great thing about glaze, sanding and painting….there is no right or wrong…just personal preferences…Once I was comfy with the color and glaze I let it sit for a couple days—gave a light sanding once again—dusted it off with a nice cotton rag and put on the Valspar Clear Protector—I lightly sanded it once it was dry—and really liked the texture and look…but…..next I want to try a finishing wax on my next piece…need to research those a bit….and will let you know which I prefer….

One suggestion-keep notes on your process —you will be surprised how easily  you forget how many coats of paint, when you sanded or how many coats of  glaze you have used..or maybe that is just me!!
Supplies:

• Sand Paper or Sand Blocks - different grit #'s & types--I use several
• Gorilla Glue--A MUST - take the time to glue loose joints, seams, legs, backs of furniture- it will pay off  with the finished product. I have used a lot of different products..Gorilla Glue goes on easy, drys well and HOLDS pieces together and overrun drips sand off easily....
• Clamps - a collection of different sizes will benefit you greatly
• Paint - your choice - as you complete different projects you will get a feel for likes and dislikes
• Paint Brush--My top 3 choices 1. PURDY 2. PURDY 3. PURDY Your project truly is only as good as your brush...treat  your Purdy's well by cleaning them afterwards and it last you for LONG time.
• Glaze or Stain - Like paint you will find what works best for you--I have detailed info on what I used above--and I LOVE the way it turned out....has a great aged, vintage look and I will have A LOT of it for a long time.....
• Protector or Clear Cover - I love the one I used above and will continue to try different options and report back..next project I am using a wax and will do a point by point comparison..

So…..I went from a picture that I carried with me in my wallet for 4 months…

to the find..

to the finished product…..


and now I am smilin’ ……..and off to the next project!!
Chris
I am linking up with the following parties-and you should also!
http://www.504main.com/2011/04/diy-me-celebration-link-up-at-white.html

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/04/upkeep-and-wow-us-wednesdays-12.html




http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/04/vintage-inspiration-friday-35-british.html

http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/

http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2011/05/catch-as-catch-can-27-plus-sodderbug.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FPgMj+%28My+Repurposed+Life%29

http://thediyclub.com/2011/05/may-2011-diy-project-party-monthly-contest/

Master Bedroom Makeover

I wanted to share some photos with you

& this week I will post some before and after shots—

and share some of the

many, many steps taken to get us from here….

to here….

and from here….

to here….

and one more

because they are JUST TOOO FUN -

now that I have completed the furniture pieces…..

then some fun shots of the new room….

so......

here we have this free garbage roadside find…..

that had to be duct taped to keep the doors from falling off ……

and now it is my new favorite piece…

LOVE the detail on her.....

half of the flower basket was missing so Mr. Midwest Cottage and Finds 

made a mold and reversed it—and viola!  

I will share that process this week when i talk about this dresser make-over…….

now some other shots…….

This guy has a story….searched for him ALL over……

and guess where I found him…….

ROUND TOP TEXAS

but he did not look this this when I purchased him….

Our new laundry hampers...

wish they came with little hands that popped out and picked up Mr. MW Cottage and Finds 

laundry off the floor...

hmmm...

MAYBE that will be my next project :)

Enjoy the rest of your Easter…and I am off to check my notes and decide which project I will post about first….after i enjoy some of the Easter candies……more to come……

A New Find...you will L-O-V-E and an update......

          Rachel from Farmhouse 425   
http://shabbyfrenchforme.blogspot.com/2011/04/flora-doora-and-my-spring-mantel.html     
blogged about this perfect little bag she just received in the mail....
I LOVE it in so many ways....
the simple white linen, the handle to hang from a knob--dresser, door, or cabinet......
So I had to find one.....
And...here they are....

http://www.floradoora.blogspot.com/   
I LOVE Jane's tag line--Spreading Happiness One Bag at a Time...
I agree-how can you not smile and be happy when looking at this.....off to order one or two  and pick up some baby's breath to fill it with......

Now for an update...Sorry for the poor quality of the picture below...but once all the work is complete you will have some great shots...I have NEVER worked so hard on a project....the bedroom makeover...and this Sunday will be the reveal to my family.....

new floor,

new paint,

new bed,

 new dressers,

new curtains,

new bedspread,

new pillows,

new baskets,

 new night stand,

new closet doors.....

and lots of blood sweat and TEARS and blisters.....

here is a sneak peek ...

you can see a second dresser's leg peeking out from behind...

the one peeking out is my free roadside find--

http://midwestcottageandfinds.blogspot.com/2010/10/some-things-are-meant-to-befound-on.html

I have removed carpet,

scrubbed concrete sub floor,

painted walls,

removed carpet floor tack strips--oh my... those are a tetanus shot waiting to happen..

purchased a new bed-painted it a great new color

 stripped, sanded, painted and antiqued dressers and a night stand until I had blisters on my fingers...

but tomorrow I will put it all together and exhale......

and then take pictures and share it with all of you........

and you will see bits and pieces of you in my project-

because that is where the inspiration came from...all of you.......

your projects,

your helpful hints,

your photos,

your painting tips,

your flooring tips,

your window curtain tips....

so stop back in and take a look at what you can do...

just wish I would have found that adorable bag above sooner so it could have made the photo shoot!  Oh well .....just have to take more pics once it arrives! 

Hugs,

chris

Pottery Barn Outlet

As if Round Top was not enough for one day we decided to forge on to the Pottery Barn Outlet in San Marcos, Texas....I have visited  this outlet several times the past 2 years...always searching for one specific item...The Pottery Barn Roll Arm, Slip-Covered, Comfort Couch in Brushed Canvas Natural, Grade B....Enter the couch section….and be amazed……awww…Heaven………..

and for the first time in all of our trips……..YESSSSSS………they had my couch…….

I could NOT believe it…in all my trips I have looked at each couch, crossed my fingers and hoped….and today was My lucky day…….and all couches were an extra 10% off…..bringing the grand total to…………$477.00!! that is correct….my $1,200.00 couch was standing right in front of me for $477.00..ka ching…now…it  was late…and I needed a U Haul to get this home…

…so I paid for the couch and we continued to shop ….telling the lucky peeps that  get to work at PB outlet we would be back in the morning to pack her up….and then we saw this…..
 
As you can tell since it is NOT still at PB we bought this chair also…this is my daughter-in-laws….a $600.00 chair for $9.00…yep-nine dollars!! It is missing the back and seat cover…but her sis happens to be a great seamstress and agreed to hook her up!
The fun continued….

Wall decor happened to be 50% off the lowest price……and yes..this is wall decor…lowest price….49.97…less 50%….I’ll take it for $24.98…..hey-i have a U-Haul…gotta fill her up!!

and yes…this would be wall decor also….lowest price $49.97…..my price….$24.98……………

and one last great buy….these PERFECT mirrors for my bedroom makeover….lowest price….$49.97…my price…..$24.98!!

Needless to say….I am one HAPPY POTTERY BARN CAMPER!!  And still to come…a GREAT new vintage, antique store we visited in Waco, Texas…….I will give you the hook-up and their face book info this week……now I have to get back to my great FINDS….and get them organized in my house for a pictorial tour…..:)