Making New & Fun Again

Looking around my home, I found some interesting areas that needed some help.....or added fun with a redo or new color.

So why not work with some furniture for now.

Never one to be scared of trying something new with paint, I decided to take this old beat-up table and begin the process of bringing in new color tones to our den.

My husband needed a bigger end table to hold all his controls and glass of tea....so why not start here.

It wouldn't hurt?

Table 1

Step 1.

Clean, sand and remove old veneer that was peeling....redo surface with filler and prime.

....Took longer than I expected to peel the veneer!!!!

Painted a combination of colors along with Bronze metallic.

The top needed something else????? O.k. what about some swirls?

Yeah!!! Free-handed some scrools designs for that extra punch I felt it needed.....this is all the painting before I aged the final piece and top coated it.

I'll show the completed piece along with 2 others when I post the other pictures in a few days.

Enjoy your weekend.

Weekend Finds

Glad I went out this weekend despite my inner reservations that the finds wouldn't be that promising with the Holidays apporaching...so I was happy I went out after all. I found some really nice goodies! Hope my Blog friends were successful as well....so don't give up, you just never know what you'll find.


Wasn't sure if I should head out this past weekend to hunt for some goodies....but pleasantly, the Garage Sales were pretty good and my finds turned out to be very special. Living in a military city can also bring forth some interesting treasures from those who have returned to the States from abroad.
Here a just a few of this fun weekend hunt...some Fenton glass, a pair of Kimberly hand painted framed cat tiles and of course my current decorating trend, some vintage Bird prints.

Happy Hearts to All

Wishing you all a wonderful Valentines Day ....hearts to all....here are few Victorian I like to offer you today. May Cupids arrow take aim everyday and bring you many smiles & joys along the way.

Getting Back On

Well, it's been a while since I've Blogged....and I've sure missed out on a lot.
I don't know where or who exactly stated: "That things happen for a reason and when they do...they sure do"
That being said...when the Gizmo goblins decided to have fun with me a couple of weeks ago...they sure planned a whopper of a headache.
Despite the old P.C. crashing and having to buy a new one....the printer decided to join in the fun and commit its own demise as well and therefore another purchase....the digital camera decided to act up too....what else can go wrong?

So far this hasn't been as bad as when my cell camera got wet...and all the pictures died with it.

But before I decide to give up entirely...I found a way to download a couple of pictures and share with you all....just a couple of ideas and interesting antiques which are nice to look at from the comforts of home.
Enjoy.....

The Hunt begins!!!

I must start by apologizing for not keeping up with my postings...but the unforeseen started earlier this month....my trusted and old friend (PC) finally decided to relinquish and die.
With that the nightmares began....choosing another, how could I find the same relationship with another...and least of all, a new version that gave me the little option of having to go "VISTA!!!" yikes!
My trusted XP spoiled me for any other, but here I am, still biting my lips as I slowly start using this new system. Of course those of you who have already become familiar with VISTA, you're aware that most of your programs are not compatible with this new version...so I'm slowly...very slowly, figuring out what I really need and what I will have to do without.
But here I am, trying to post again...and hoping this won't be as frightening and aggravating as it has been.
So here I go....
Many of you know that the "shopping season" has begun...and I mean the "real" season for us die-hard garage or tag sale addicts. The season has been off to a good start, up a little earlier, fighting larger crowds and keeping in my mind to be a bit more selective.
Here a few new "old" items I have found...most I notice are busts or little figurines, dainty but nice for displays.
Not really sure why I bought the Nurse...but there was something about her and fun, that I had to bring her home...chips and all.
Good Luck to all of you...as you start your shopping season.

Sea Shells and Decor

With Spring Break on every ones mind...the smell of the ocean breeze and walking thru sandy shorelines hunting for that perfect sea shell. Packing them up and bringing them home as a friendly reminder of the tranquility of a fun weekend excursion, brought me home to ponder on the delicacies of the artisans who created some of my favorites finds.

I've come across a few pieces of Victorian Shell art...a bouquet of sea shell flowers and the most unique of vanity items...tiny hand blown perfume viles decorated with little shell flowers...how romantic these souls were who created such art for their loved ones.

Have you noticed?

Have you noticed that once you start shopping at your Tag sales or Garage sales...that you pick what you like at one location one weekend and the next weekend you find something similar...before you know it, you started a collection without actually planning to do so.

Below are a few items I found recently at different sales and weekends...these are Italian decorative items: gilded, filigree with a plaster-like coating. Just the elegant look got my attention at first...and when I unpacked the finds and put them together, I realized that I had started another collection. Sometimes I'll go weeks without finding anything interesting and then whalla...you strike GOLD!!!

Has this happen to you?

With the recent change in weather and local neighborhood sales becoming more prevalent...I started taking note of those which were close enough to home to venture out early and begin my own "Hunting Season"...forget the guns...all I need are some good tennis shoes, loose change and plenty of patience. Around my area....it's nice to have the option of just parking in a large community and stroll the open garages to find some hidden treasure...mind you, patience is needed to deal with the professional family flee market dealers that also make it a point to shop...but if your collecting Gods are with you, you might just find something special.

This might be a little pet peeve of mine...but a little decorum would be nice...close the car doors, park your car along the curb of the road and not ideal ling in the middle of street....and please, keep the children safe and avoid them jumping out of the bed of pick-up truck onto oncoming traffic!

This collection of prints "above" were found at different sales one Saturday morning...with the vintage reproduction print of the Holy Mother with her child. It was a fun adventure hitting the sales not knowing what I would find...and to my surprise I finally found my "Month" of this botanical print...and for $ 8.00. I can't get it framed for that...so pack it up, we have winner!

Fall

These large Roosters came from Kerrville, Texas... from one of our weekend trips a couple of years ago...they too get into the Festive spirit...adorned with additional roosters, chicks and twinkle lights...just a bit more fun while we have our morning cereal. Thanks for letting me share my pictures...and hope I can be a bit more ready when Christmas comes along.
So enjoy your Fall decorating...and know that there are some of us who just finished setting up this weekend....finally!

The Mantel was found and purchased over 30 years ago...never really knew if it would be used...until we decided to build our Hill Country house 8 years ago. Now it proudly welcomes guest to our home. So now its decorated as well...with Birds..made from ceramic, metal or painted on plates...and as you can see those who saw one of my earlier posts, Mr Dryfuss ( our family dog ) sits proudly in his Matador outfit portrait....can you tell he is the focal point of our family.

The large Armoire that holds the entertainment area...once had large mirrors on the doors. Didn't much care for the look for the Living area...so I removed them and replaced with fabric & padding and covered MDF panels.

This piece is also a favorite area for Holiday decorating...so I finally pulled out my Fall colors and adorned the top with Antique Fishing Baskets...Deer antlers, wooden Bird houses and of course the foliage & pumpkins. A favorite part I like to include is a light timer with little rice lights that come on just as it starts to get dark...just a little twinkle makes us feel happy.

Well I hope most of you are doing better than me...I can't believe how quickly the year has gone by and we are now closing into the heavy season of Fall decorating and Holiday decor.

I for one...have been very slow to accept the reality before me...but with my neighbors and homes decorated with such beautiful and colorful Fall colors...I finally woke up and decided to join in the fun.

Another Shopping Spot

It has been a while since I had chance to post...but work has been a bit crazy, with family stopping by in between. Still, I make it a point to shop when I can and I thought I would share another spot I frequent.
Here is another favorite...Go-To store... when I'm in need of something special for a project or clients home....it's called The Arrangement and it's located in Castle Hills in San Antonio Texas. The Owners are a Mother/Daughter team...who love to scout for antiques and find creative Floral Designers to create the most beautiful arrangements. I'd advise you to take your time when visiting...there is so much to look at, that it will take you several trips around the store to make sure you didn't miss a thing.

These Owners enjoy finding many Garden Decor items...such as wrought iron, from window pieces, to large cement figurines used for art and not just water features. This store can be a sensory overload...but worth your time to visit and check out how they made the pieces come together.

The Arrangement...has a wonderful way to display the old with the new...the look is so eclectic, it makes every piece look fresh...from old lace, to reupholstered chairs. I hope to go back and take some sharper pictures for your enjoyment...it was a last minute trip...so my phone was handy for this visit.

Shops

Currently I found the "Cottage" is carrying a large selection of painted & gilded pieces...from furniture... to Brass lighting and accents.

Looking around the store you will find a good selection of Transfer ware with framed Lytho prints adorning the walls, along with an array of Religious art.

There are times I like to just take some time and visit some of my favorite stores around the city, and one of them is "Cottage" located on Sunset Road toward the center of San Antonio.

The store itself might be small in size but it's worth the visit, when it often has a good inventory of unique pieces and European antiques from their travels to make your stop worth your while.

You do have to be somewhat careful as you peruse the store...most items have to sit on top of each other or be squeezed into some tight places, to get as much into the store for your shopping.

Still, its worth the effort to look around every nook and cranny...you might find that lost treasure you've been looking for. I Did.

The Delicacy of Craftmanship

The details of this table legs are just the beginning of the true Artisan who created her...I say "her", because she looks as though she has been dressed up with jewelry.

Look closely at her front, she has inlay Coral cabochons and Turquoise over the hammered wrought iron front panel. The bottom also has wrought iron for the extra details under the cabinet...like a skirt of sorts. Don't know how old this table is, but it reminded us of the Spanish furniture photographed in our family albums.

Sometimes, I'm lucky enough to find a set of 4 or just pair...but when a certain piece like this cane seat, carved with grapevine is found alone...it's too precious to leave behind unloved and forgotten in the back of a store.

I hope to find another one day... but until then, I will show her off proudly.

These hand carved chairs are delicate and refined even for my eclectic home....but what they remind me of, is the artistic craftsmanship we are loosing today. I can imagine the well worn hands, cracked and callus from hours of carving and sanding. The hands that smoothed these fine chairs had so much history...that I feel it's my obligation to exhibit them in my humble abode....from one artist to another.

Lighting

This Clear Pink lamp base has wonderful air bubbles that caused me to grab it and bring it home. It reminded me of Murano glass. I know it's old but it has all the elements of Modern fixtures found in high-end stores today. Found the perfect beaded shade and now it's ready for it's debut.

These Vintage Hand Blown fixtures were commonly seen in Victorian Homes...but the colors and delicacy of these lamps had so much personality I had to make sure they were used somewhere in my home. When they are lit up they cast such a warm glow....that these little gems could be referred to as forefathers of modern design...think of todays Italian lighting.

These Vintage lamps have been collected thru the years...and as many other finds, something about these, just seemed perfect for my tastes and the home I was building. They weren't purchased at the same time nor did they come with the shades or sometimes the metal hangers..but when the time was right they found just the right spot or room.

The White Lamp sits on top the Faux painted Blue Marble wooden top I matched for the room with a small display of antique celluloid vanity pieces. Not sure of the shade yet...but I had to put it out...I loved the leaf pattern to much not to use it.

Holiday Weekend

Well-loved hamper decorated with a collage of porcelain dolls, lace and antique jewelry.


These pictures were taken in an Antique store on Main Street, which had eclectic choices... from European to American collectibles....lot's of Religious artifacts, Garden decor and Lighting.

Over the weekend while visiting Fredreicksburg, Texas , I found this wonderful Alley Way on Main Street with some large wrought iron gates resting against the stone walls of the store buildings. Just imagine the majestic homes these once adorned?