New post with Old finds!

Vintage Costco Folding Step Ladder in Red -sold

Have you seen these before?  The two lower steps fold back under the seat.  The second step does actually lay flat, I think I had it on a grass mound and didn't notice when I took the picture.  (And now it's dark outside...)

 Although the original pad for the seat and backrest is missing, the charm and function are still here!

The seat (and steps!) are perfect for potted plants, a small stack of books, a super hip nightstand, or  displaying a favorite bowl in vintage style in the kitchen.  How about adding your family's last name initial to the backrest, or perhaps, DINE?  How fun!

Vintage Hoosier Cabinet Bins -sold

I believe these are metal bins from an antique Hoosier cabinet.  Hoosier cabinets many times had a flat surface near waist height for kneading dough and flour was stored within the metal cabinets.  Other examples I found on-line had a flour sifter built into the bin.   Wouldn't it be fun to have the cabinet these went into originally?!

The base of the metal bin is not as deep as the cabinet door.  I placed 2 bricks under the back metal corner and that leveled them out and kept them sturdy.  They both have fantastic hardware, chippy white paint, and worn red paint on the curved aspect of the bin.  The straight side and interior of the bins have a lovely galvanized patina. 

 Wouldn't these be cute as laundry hampers?!  (The small chalkboards are not included).

The small chalkboards are cute, but a small handmade or painted tag would work, or imagine vinyl letters to label the bins.  The interior panel of the doors could also be painted with chalkboard paint.  

They could also make a super unique and sweet planter.

Sooo many possibilities!

Wood Wine Box $10

White Metal Basket Stand -sold

(pail not included)

Great for a plant stand or holding rolled towels in the powder room.

Contact me if you're interested!

208-390-8653 or livelygrace@me.com

Thanks!

-Jen

Vintage couch; phases 1,2 & 3

How many 'phases' does a couch have you ask?  I'm not sure myself.  I do know that I take the 'collected/decorated over time' look to heart.  I bring in new to me pieces and live with them for a while.  And then I fuss with them.  I lean shabby painted shutters against the wall for a week (or more) to get a feel as to how they will look.   It is likely this couch may experience a few more phases, but here's how it has come so far ...

Phase 1:  The purchase

There is an ever changing room in our home.  I have been on the hunt for 2 chairs to use here for a long time, but haven't come across any.  (My husband said I could try a furniture store and might have better luck than junking, but what fun is that?!).  I knew the couch was awesome when I saw it, but would it be for our home or an item to sell?  It's a big piece to be slid into the garage without being noticed.  I needed to have a plan for this gal.  The Mr. was unsure about a used vintage couch, but sweet as he is, agreed to give it a go!


Phase 2:  The cleaning

I gave it a thorough vacuuming and then used Zorb from Dyson which is a different type of carpet shampoo.  I sounded like a commercial for Zorb answering questions from family, "it's a million ??? super tiny moist sponges that you work into the fabric, it absorbs the dirt and then you vacuum it up".   The couch was dusty in areas, but not gross and didn't have any odors(yeah!).  The Zorb worked great and the couch is now super soft and fresh!  (I think this goes without saying, but I have no affiliation with, nor am I receiving any compensation from Dyson.  If there are any Dyson folk out there that are happy with my take on their product, give me a call ; )


Phase 3:  The moving in

Outside of our house, we have been working on a re-do of a sprinkler system, landscaping, and water run-off management.  A-hem, we've been digging a lot of dirt, is what I meant to say!  So although the couch has been a nice place to take a break in the shade of the garage, once it was clean we were ready to have the space back.

I am quite tickled!  It's a perfect perch for a morning cup of coffee, a place for conversation, and a great reading spot.  It's perfectly worn in like a favorite pair of jeans.  And I've already fussed with it a bit.  The shabby mirror was already in place, but I'm already thinking there needs to be a bit more there. The pillow is a vintage seed sack that I scooped up from Vain & Vintage in Pocatello before I purchased the couch.  Honestly, I haven't even sown the end closed yet - that's the fussing part.  (Let me know what you think- does it work?)  And you may have noticed the propping of artwork on the chair rail - just gonna try that out for a while.  The wood work on the couch needs a little re-Gracing, that will be another phase.  What's next?  Who knows... I am going to enjoy and continue to 'collect over time'!

I'd love to hear your comments!
-Jen

Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint | French Linen

Hello all!

This dresser went to a new home months ago, but I wanted to  share a bit more about it, well, because chatting about painting furniture is fun! This was my second large piece painted with Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint (MMSMP) .  It was a custom piece for a lovely momma who wanted a chippy paint finished dresser for a new nursery! She had seen my first piece finished with milk paint and wanted the same look, but in a creamy, not-too-white color.  If you're unfamiliar with milk paint, the scoop is that it has been around for years, comes in powder form, and has the characteristic to 'chip' off giving you that amazing old flaking off paint look, that time and old paint give.  The benefit is you can achieve the look without waiting 50 years, seal the paint is it isn't flaking off onto your carpet, and milk paint doesn't contain any harmful lead like older painted pieces might.

The before shot.

I agree, pretty amazing!  But the finish was in bad shape and honestly, I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it to paint it!

(On a total side note, how many posts have I mentioned the wall color is more blue that the photos show?  And that I wish to paint those walls?  Well, these projects just keep popping up and the walls seem to stay the same color.  Someday!)

This part I was less excited about.  However, the varnish on the top was a complete mess with some intact, some worn off, and some stained.  So off it came and was then re-stained and sealed.

Back to the fun part;  the paint!  Like I mentioned and maybe you have read, milk paint has to be mixed.  This is the color "Kitchen Scale" by Miss Mustard Seed that I used for a dresser previously.  Take a peek at it HERE, I still just enjoy it so! One of the tricks I found with milk paint is patience, and stirring - a lot.  When I'm ready to paint I want to open the can & go!  With milk paint I have to plan ahead.  First, you want to mix approximately how much you think you will use.  It stays good in the fridge for up to a week mixed.  I also found that mixing the paint and then letting it sit (up to an hour) to absorb the water gave me much fewer clumps in the paint.  And lots of stirring.  Before, and while painting.  

Another pointer: You have to let it do it's thing!

 Sometimes it adheres to your surface, and sometimes even while painting with it, you'll notice it isn't going to stick.  And I don't think you can necessarily predict just where that will happen.

Now, this was a piece I knew the client wanted a chippy, heavily time-worn look to it.  There is a bonding agent available to mix with the paint so it is more predictable to adhere to the surface.  I chose to let loose of my need for control with both of these pieces with milk paint and didn't add the bonding agent.

The chipping on the legs and detail was enough to convince me!

At times with the second coat, the first coat would be chipping off.  Other areas, the paint flaked off easily with some pressure and rubbing with my fingertips.  Some areas I did lightly distress to remove more paint and let the wood show thru.  For me, this is my favorite part!

Although the flakiness of the paint is lovely, waxing this piece to protect the look took some patience.  I imagine using the bonding agent would make the waxing process a bit easier, but again, I knew the chippier the better!  So I gingerly applied the first coat of wax and then applied a second coat for a good seal.

So excited this dresser gets to grow up with an adorable new little girl!

-Jen