Love Craig's List....

Look at this beauty--she just needs a little Anne Sloan Chalk Paint...

and she would be show room ready!!

I just need to hide her behind this current project so my hubby won't see her...

Promised him he could have his garage back this weekend...but hey--it is a three day weekend coming up right???

How to shop at a Pottery Barn Outlet

We all love a deal right?  We all love Pottery Barn right?  Well..... when you combine the two you have found a little slice of HEAVEN!!  I have made several stops at the PB Outlet in San Marcos, Texas--here are some of those finds....

http://midwestcottageandfinds.blogspot.com/2011/04/pottery-barn-outlet.html
http://midwestcottageandfinds.blogspot.com/2010/11/pottery-barn-outlet-visit-and-finds.html

This past week we tried a different PB outlet in Jeffersonville, Ohio.  I get soo excited when I see that sign....and walk in the door...............

My PB Outlet shopping tips:

• As you walk in the front door check out the "additional off" sales....they usually have a chalk board with those listed...adding an additional 20-50% off the already discounted price--PRICELESS!
• Arrive EARLY...some items are a little damaged and can be picked up for a little of nothing--but you have to be the first person to see those one of a kinds...
• Look, look, look....at the bottom of shelves, under other pieces....leave no stone unturned...those one of a kind items usually are sitting alone and have to be sought out....
• Don't be afraid to ask for an additional amount off the price..I have never been told no when I have asked...
• TAKE THE TAGS OFF THE LARGE ITEMS.....See the picture below....and look at the small print on the bottom...

• The larger pieces are still on the floor with a price tag after this tag is removed...Make sure the piece you have decided on has not already been purchased by someone else...I have always taken the ticket to the sale associate, made sure it still was available and then asked the associate to write SOLD on my larger pieces...I learned the hard way.....carried a rug around all day-my first trip-only to find it might have been already sold....insert SAD face...but it ended up coming home with me after all!
• Talk to the associates--THEY know the days the shipments arrive, what is in the back that will be put out in the next hour or so and if there is another item like the one you have found  on the floor -but want 2 of..plus how lucky are they--greatest job EVER!!

Following these tips can help you score some deals like these.....

$99.00 for this hutch...............

My pillow shams were $19.99 & currently are $35.00 in the store...SCORE!! They do not have EVERY item in the outlets so to find my bedding was an added surprise......

This little cutie--$1.97

Here is what I walked away with for a FRACTION of the price....

See the basket on the left....currently $35.00 on-line and in the stores...picked him up for $19.00!

This was the smallest purchase I have made in a visit...This outlet is not a large as the San Marcos outlet..but there were still some great buys and DEEP discounts......and once again...

POTTERY BARN OUTLET.....

A GOOD FIND!!!

A great give away!

Debra from Common Ground

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

is having a PICTURE PERFECT give away!!

If you are like me you love your 
inspiration photos,
decorating books,
and blog pics
 to help give you that extra excitement to jump into that next project....

Deb is giving away her 2 favorite go to books!!

A little peek inside....

 Deb is also giving away one of her vintage key pendant necklaces....

 Now those are a GREAT find...

hop over to Deb's place take a peek and sign up to take home the goodies.......

good luck!



Just a Great Picture of Vintage Doors............

I wanted to share this pic i snapped earlier this year at Round Top, Texas

it makes me smile :)

enjoy your Thursday.............

Master Bedroom Makeover- Sharing my favorite project again...

With spring right around the corner -- I know many of you are planning your spring projects...This project is one I still am still so thrilled with  I thought I would share it again -- these doors really changed the look of my bedroom......Here is the breakdown on how my bedroom closet doors went from this.....
 

To this.....

I feel in love with these doors when I saw them in Kevin and Layla's blog-

The Lettered Cottage 
-http://theletteredcottage.net/master-bedroom-re-do-update-mirrored-closet-doors
  I knew they would be perfect for my master bedroom...a smaller room - so in addition to looking great the mirrors would make the room appear larger..........

We purchased 4 new 24" interior doors from Lowes @$20.00 a piece, hinge hardware and window handles (to use as the door handles) from Home Depot--all total $40.00.....You might be lucky enough to already have closet doors that could be transformed...
unlike me who was still sporting the bi-fold 60's doors!

The hardware I purchased even came in oil rubbed bronze--SCORE.... no painting!!

I lined up the doors and started painting--several coats...pulled out my ol' faithful Purdy......

When I completed the painting the hardware was added

after careful measurements were taken.....I am always so nervous drilling that first hole!

Before we went to the next step we made sure they our hardware was lined up, measurements looked good and the doors fit well...once the mirrors are added they become VERY heavy, easier to double check yourself at this stage....and things were looking good!!

Next up ......penciling in the outline for the mirrors...this is a little tricky..TIP**It is helpful to mark the top and bottom of the doors to be certain your measurements are correct for each..I wanted the mirror to be a little higher on the top of the door--so there would be a few more inches of actual door showing on the bottom of each door...which sounds simple until you have 4 doors laying in front of you and you are wondering ummm..which end is up???

I called local mirror and glass companies and had 4 quotes on the price of cutting the custom mirrors....They ranged from $150.00 to $293.00..

TIP**call around it is worth the time..you will be surprised how many local places handle custom mirrors....

BIG TIP**---you will be covering the mirror edges with trim so you will not need the sides beveled...

that a lot saves $$$!

Next I prepped the doors to secure the mirrors.....Make sure you use mirror adhesive...VERY important...The mirrors are very heavy...Read the directions on the adhesive very carefully--the doors have to sit for a few days for the adhesive to set...So have them in an area that they will not have to be moved for a few days.....

 

I added a bit more adhesive after being creative!
 

I painted the trim to match the doors and added the trim around the mirror edges....and after a few days of sitting undisturbed ..........

I LOVE them...it completely changed the look of the room...along with new bedding, paint and a new bed that was purchased in the ugliest color I have EVER seen until we painted it--but that is for another DIY post!!


Chris

Urban Remains Chicago --- Pretty Cooool Find!!

 "urban remains deals exclusively in the reclamation and recycling of American antique architectural artifacts and other oddities found among commercial and industrial buildings or residential structures. Our website collection of over 11,000 recovered artifacts dates between the mid-19th century and the late 1960's. We do not deal in new or reproduction building materials"

I stopped in a couple weeks ago---take a peek......they are in a huge old brick building in downtown chicago-with on street parking.....so makes a stop a bit easier!

Not sure what the silver item is below--but i always think of the Tin Man when i see it!

The stained glass hanging from the ceiling--to die for!!  Great deep colors and designs...

How great would this look on a huge wall  as the anchor with other vintage signs surrounding it??

Great architectural pieces galore! --check out PHIL in the background!!

Vintage sessions....nough said..................

Where???

Miss Mustard Seed would go ga-ga over this gal.....

it is almost visual vintage over load...on second thought....naaaa....no such thing!

vintage maps!!!!

Gotta love the Colonel!!

The dentist sign --put it in the vintage sign collection!!

This is the type of place you can lose time in---every piece tells a story and you will hear yourself saying over and over---LOOK AT THIS!!!  I did not leave with anything this trip but on a previous trip  i did find the perfect summer cover for our fireplace ---the guys that run the store are great -- helped me figure out over the phone what size i needed and what would look best......

If you ever have to find that "special" vintage item......you have found your place!

you can check out their inventory on their website.....it is listed above in the sign......their website gives great detail about the historic locations and buildings they are currently working on--construction time periods, artifacts they are reclaiming, specific history on finds....very interesting....Worth the drive if you are ever near the Chicago area....a pretty cool find......