Reading Corners… I turned this unused corner of my livingroom to a quaint reading nook, I painting stripes on the wall to add personality to the space. Adding a console table, clock and mirrors brought new life to an uninspired corner. A belt on the cushion adds one more decorative layer, and is often a conversation piece. I’m often asked why my throw cushions are wearing belts… Giggles

The leather storage box under the console table houses my laptop and cords. The slipper chair has a fitted slip cover, making it easy to change my decor and keeping the chair clean. Under the chair is a matching stool, when I purchased the slip cover on sale… I bought 2, using the second one to cover a stool purchased at a thrift store.

Decor on a dime… Thrift store purchases! Include the console table $24.99, clock $19.00, mirrors $7.99, stool under the chair $3.99, burl vase $7.99, belt on pillow $1.99.

Keeping in touch!

Roxanne

I love to change the look of a light fixture, or put a chandelier in unexpected places… Causing my husbands eyebrows to disappear into his hair line… Chuckles…

I bought a wrought iron light fixture at one of favorite haunts… a local thrift store!  This was an old fashioned heavy fixture; I remembered carrying it to the front of the store thinking, this is going to be hard to secure safely to the ceiling.

I’ll buy something then think about it for a day to two. I liked the heavy look of the fixture but wanted to add a softer touch! First, I had to decide where I was going to hang the light.  Not an easy task, I carried the fixture around the house, holding it up as high as I could visualizing the light in the room.

I had to make a decision soon; my arms were shaking… I decided on the laundry room, a prettier laundry room, who would not want one!  I certainly spend quality time with Iona and Fiona… Yes, I named my washer and dryer they were just far too opulent, not to give them names… Hey, people name their cars why not washers and dryers. I digress…. Back to the light fixture; I sprayed painted the wrought iron a flat black, removing the plastic tubes covering the bulb housing, those I spray painted a glossy white, they had turned a not so lovely shade of yellow over time. Now off to visit the lighting experts, I needed new chandelier bulbs and shades that attached to the bulbs… I also needed expert advice on how to hang a heavy, light fixture safely.  I brought home my new lovely white shades and chandelier bulbs and advice; eager to start the process of installing… My advice, hire someone!  It took forever, to make all the hardware improvements, then installing what now felt like 200 lb. light fixture.  I love the wrought iron fixture in the laundry room! Fiona and Iona are even lovelier under the new light, and my husbands eyebrows disappeared into his hairline again!

Quick Tip: A local hardware store is a terrific place for advice, and it is free. To make the light tubes easier to paint and dry, try sliding the tubes over a piece of dowelling, suspending the dowelling over a cardboard box. Oh Ya and hire an electrician.

I own this great comfy chair, found it at a thrift store $39.00 retailed at $821.00 Woo hoo… All it needed was a little TLC – I touched up the wood with a dark brown sharpie, then gave it a good old fashioned polish. The back cushion zippers off, yeah me…. I tossed it in the washer (hint only use a front load washer) then 5 minutes on low in the dryer! While I was waiting for the wash, I used a steam cleaner on the seat…. This is thriftiness at it’s best…. I love my new to me accent chair.

Recently I found a mid century vinyl stool, forgotten and unloved.

Once the vinyl was washed and cleaned, it was conditioned with Armor All cleansing wipes.  I discovered the vinyl was in pristine condition complete with gold piping.  My intention was to recover the stool, instead pleasantly surprised, I left the vinyl top in it’s original condition. To add a bit of a modern flair I added hammered upholstery tacks round the base for some interesting detail.

If you are thinking of recovering a stool or a throw cushion, look in your closet!

A favorite old cashmere sweater, shirt or another piece of clothing can make a wonderful new cover full of memories.

I repurposed the stool as a plant stand for a fern from the back deck, making sure the fern was “pet” free and fertilized, it now looks lovely on a repurposed mid century vinyl stool. It also comes in handy as an extra seat for the grandkids or to rest weary toes.

Recovering, is simple! Once you have removed the legs and base, use a flat head screw driver to pry up the staples, pulling them off with pliers, keep the old cover as a pattern. Cut the new material leaving and inch or so extra, then place the material face down and place the stool on top. Simply staple the material to the bottom side, I use the 4 corner method around the entire stool, so the material is pleated and stapled evenly, then reassemble the stool.

Quick Tip: Keep Bulldog steel wool and a sanding block on hand, they are great for refinishing and light sanding projects. Be sure to check the foam and batting when you are recovering, it may need to be replaced.

Stay tuned… Hopefully you can use some ideas, continuing to live in your space beautifully.