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 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.

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.

A chest of drawers can become a distinctive kitchen island with extra storage. Paint the chest a coordinating color, change the hardware, include locking casters found at a hardware store.

Is a chest of drawers to large for your space, look for a console table, older wooden filing cabinet or a personal favorite a repurposed potting table, matching baskets add storage under the table. Remember the height of a kitchen island should be about 36 inches.

Ceramics create a unique place to store cooking utensils. Terra cotta wine coolers can be found for under $10.00 and make a delightful earthy addition to your kitchen and can double up as a vase for large scale flowers; maybe sunflowers.

Quick Tip: Add a large butcher block cutting board to the top of your new island, protecting the top.

Stay tuned… continuing to love your space.

Three senses come into play when walking in the door.

Visual – The color pallet, when choosing a color pallet look at the colors you love to wear. Those colors will create a sense of a comfortable home.

Touch – You should find yourself rubbing your hands along furniture in your space, a pleasant touch will encourage you to curl up and stay awhile. Fabrics you love to wear will help you determine your upholstery.

Scent – Diffusers of essentials oils are an elegant way to add a subtle welcoming aroma to your space.

Stay tuned… continuing to love your space. 

She had come into the store that day to see if anyone had bought her old sewing table.

Her fiancé bought her the sewing machine in 1949, so she could sew her wedding dress. She used the machine for years, finally the old machine gave up the ghost and the table sat in the garage, a dropping of point for paint tins, tools and the odd beverage. Laughing she thought the table overpriced, because, after all, there was no sewing machine and what could that old table be used for!
Listening to the sewing cabinet’s wonderful history, I knew its purpose. Thanking her for the story, I bought the table.

Anxious to give this vintage sewing table new purpose, I started working immediately. Using Howard’s Restor-a-Finish and 000 extra fine Bulldog steel wool, I began gently rubbing with the grain, removing stains, paint rings & water marks. Using a soft cloth, I then used Howard’s Restor-a-Shine, after a couple of hours the vintage table took on new life.

Where the machine had folded into the table was a tray, removing the layers of dust and oil from the old sewing machine, I placed a 12 inch black plastic basket, the kind purchased at the dollar store, it became a new home for cords, manuals and accessories.

I placed my restored vintage sewing table in a nook, to add visual interest I paired it with a vintage table lamp and an old wood folding chair to complete the new laptop desk in the family room.

Quick Tip: Placing a lamp and chair at a small table in unused corners of a room can become an ideal place to write a thank-you card, a practical lap top desk, or a crafting table; creating a new dimension to any room.

Stay tuned… continuing to love your space.

Roxanne Griese is an Artist; Decorating and organizing are her passions, to see more articles and artwork visit www.artbyroxanne.ca

Well this article is all about lessons on taking trusty tools for granted. I’ve found a vintage step stool I had been searching thrift stores for months, excited to have finally found my treasure I began to prepare for the new look! Everything was in place staple gun, scissors, finishing hammer, staples for gun oops.

Now let me explain I like my “borrowed” manual staple gun it fits my hand, its easy to use and does not need burgeoning biceps. Over the years, my husband has bought me new staple guns.

The electric ones… Nearly having to do a standing push-up on the top end of gun for the staple to go firmly in the wood, then if your lucky the recoil will not hurt your shoulder to bad.

Then there was the heavy duty staple gun, this was a riot I did give it a try once! I need two hands just to hold it, then stretch my fingers reach the handle, lets face it heavy duty staple guns are not on the market for small hands.

So I go back to my faithful old staple gun without staples. No problem right! Off to the hardware store I bought staples (in bulk) I’m not running out of staples for years. Home at last, staples in hand…. Oh no they do not fit! Back to the hardware store; honestly how hard could it be to find staples? Two store clerks and a service manager later, they finally found staples that fit! The manager asking permission wrote in permanent maker on the gun the staples model number! To their credit they did not try to sell me a new staple gun, although I did buy enough staples to last years, not one of three employees had ever heard of my now cleaned and oiled trusty staple gun.

Stay tuned… Hopefully you can use some ideas, continuing to love your space.

Roxanne Griese is an Artist; Design and organizing are her passions, to view more articles and artwork visit www.artbyroxanne.ca

Stay tuned… Continuing to live life beautifully.

Roxanne