Sadie

"Sadie" is ready for her closeup! I like how she turned out. I started with a soft butter and after I added the dark glaze, it became mellow yellow. Glaze looks so good on pieces with detailed molding and I didn't even need to change out the hardware.

Remember the before?

Next in line for a makeover...

"Ruby"

(marble top)

Ordinarily I like black painted furniture, but the black is too harsh for the marble top and the gold handles and highlights clash with the marble.

The marble has an interesting color, something between a purple and rust. I actually mixed my own paint color for this. Not so easy to do, I was going for a rust but kept getting pink (bubble gum pink!). I finally came up with a color that blends nicely with the marble. She will be ready for her reveal in a few days...

***Please join me at Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Friday ***

***Please join me at Debbiedoos Newbie Party ***



Maine is in House Beautiful

The state of Maine gets a mention in April's Issue. Designer Tom Scheerer shows his summer home on the coast.

I love the sofa and wicker chairs. I am not so sure about the rug??

Here's the sofa in a different setting.

I love his reply about Mainers. "The exterior is so staunch and unassuming" Tom replies "That's one thing about Mainers. They're plain folk, and you don't want to go against that much. Fleece is the uniform, not cashmere.  "Are Mainer's straightforward to the point of bluntness?" Tom says "They can be a little brusque. It's easier when people are brusque. I prefer it to that Southern thing that drives me crazy-everybody being nice to each other all the time. Takes too long. There's not enough time in the day".

I would say that's a pretty accurate description;)

More images of Tom Scheerer's Designs

Another One Bites the Dust

The design industry has lost another business. Maine Cottage has closed its doors. This probably doesn't mean much to most of the country, since Maine Cottage only had three stores. But for those of us living in Maine and loving design, Maine Cottage is a familiar design source.

The company was founded in a restored cannery in 1988 by Peter Bass, great grandson of Wilton, Maine shoe maker G.H. Bass, and artist Carol Bass. Maine Cottage is headquartered in Yarmouth, Maine.
Maine Cottage was the first company to offer American Country, Shaker, and Mid Century Modern-inspired painted wood furniture in 40 colors. The idea originated with artist Carol Bass painting and selling "found" pieces. The company then began to design and paint its own line. Since then the company has expanded to include its own wicker and upholstery finished in 200 fabrics. Maine Cottage furniture is principally manufactured in the United States. The company closed February 2011 due to poor economic conditions.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Sorry to see another business close, but this place was seriously over priced (in my opinion). I love that it helped revive the painted furniture concept. Remember, painting furniture has always been a way to update pieces without spending a lot of money.

Everything Old is New Again

I am finally ready to show some of my pieces of revamped furniture. I keep forgetting to take before pictures. Also I don't have a camera, my daughter is the family photographer and she's not always available when I need her (I'll be getting my own camera soon!)

The before picture was taken with a phone camera (not great quality). This is an "Ethan Allen" maple hutch with brass knobs.

"Mae"

I painted "Mae" a soft blue/green, distressed the finish and added white porcelain knobs.

This is a sofa table that was in my living room. When I first purchased the piece years ago, it had a light pine finish. I painted it black to make it feel a little more formal. I never felt like this table looked finished.

"Nora"

I painted the piece red and then distressed it. I was not going to go as far as I did, but when sanding the pine showed through and I liked the look. I kept sanding and glazing until the piece felt finished. Sometimes you don't know how the end product is going to turn out until it's done.

I am anxious to show more of my finished work. I am excited to start selling my pieces, that's why I have named them.

Also when I get my own camera, I can take more photos with different angles and close ups.

"Sadie" before her makeover. I'll show her finished in a few days.

What do you think?

I'm joining DebbieDoos Newbie Party please check it out.

I'm also joining Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuedays please take a look.

My Summer "Ride"

I have found the perfect mode of transportation for the few short months we can enjoy the outside weather in Maine.

The Huffy only $89 at Walmart. Notice no confusing gears and this bike actually has fenders??

I just need to add this great basket $19.99 for carrying my small purchases.

A colorful bell to kindly let people know to get out of my way.

Add a cute helmet for safety and I am ready to ride in style!

(My husband thinks the bike won't get many miles on it-I am so ready to prove him wrong)

The White Vintage Farmhouse

I found this great "Vintage Farmhouse" at Lookie Loos. Please click on the link to see the slide show. Actually I found Lookie Loos at Hooked on Houses another great place to find beautiful homes.

The white vintage farmhouse is full of found items, re purposed, repainted and reupholstered. Exactly how a farmhouse should be done!

(Images: Southern Living, Cottage Living, Sara Richardson, BH&G, Country Living)