Thrifty Thursday - The Desk with a Story and other bits and pieces

I've picked up some great pieces in the last week or so, none more so than this vanity table, that I think will work beautifully as a desk.

The best pieces come with a story right? I actually bought this one on eBay from someone in Newcastle. He left it out on the verandah for me, as the house was empty ready to be sold and he was at work. So I struggled with this thing up the steep drive way, lifted it into the car and realised that the mirror frame that was still attached on one side was never going to fit in the car.

Honestly I cried. Harry was chasing a cat he'd discovered in the garden and I couldn't even think. AND I had no chocolate on hand. So I had a bit of a cry there in a street in Broadmeadow over a table.  Of course, there was no way I was leaving this thing behind, so I got myself together and walked over to the next door neighbours front door, little man in hand, and asked to borrow a saw. You should have seen the mans face - a grown woman, teary, with a two year old, asking for a saw! When I started to explain he held his hand up and said 'Yes, I'll see on the driveway'.

So I sawed that thing off, thanked the man profusely, got the desk into my car and headed off. If you follow me on Facebook you'll know that I then went to McDonalds where a brawl ensued amongst a bunch of men over who knows what. Harry thought it was great fun and as each man yelled at the other Harry would yell out random words too. So I inhaled a burger and we left.

I also picked up a few bits and pieces for me... a lovely old blanket to use as a throw rug now its getting colder, a great cane basket, and a little mirror.

In other news can I share that I am having THE MOST hideous time finding knobs for everything I am working on? I've had three sets delivered so far and all of them I've sent back. IT"S DRIVING ME INSANE!!! Honestly, if I was looking for a business idea that would be it. Or I suppose I could work out how to make my own ceramic ones... but on the bright side, I am LOVING working on this!

It's a very obscure photo, but you guys get the idea right???

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Bar stools - a gaggle? a flock? maybe a pub full?

hello!

I've had a bunch of bar stools to work on lately - for some reason I liked them and they were the right price, so I decided to grab them all :)

These ones were my first sale at my last market, along with a lovely little green table. I love how the top turned out, rustic and worn, just the way I like it! I was in the process of sanding the old paint off when I decided I like the way they looked just the way they were! The blue and cream underneath looked great with the dark wood, so I smoothed it down and gave it a coat of wax.

The next ones started out as a bit of an experiment that didn't go the way I had originally planned, so they've had a makeover and a half. I haven't waxed them yet, as I'm thinking that I'd like them with REALLY heavy distressing. I went with the same walnut stain as the ones above, and the same distressed look for the legs, just in a much brighter colour. Sometimes I need a pop of colour, makes me happy :)

I also completely missed Thrifty Thursday last week - I've been running round like a headless chook doing every sort of nothing. Do you ever have those sorts of weeks? Lots of starts but nothing finished. This week I will be better - promise. AND I have a couple of really great finds to share, and my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project to finish!!!

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Red Chippy Bedside / Side Table

Sometimes things come into my garage and take a LONG time to get made over. Indecision is often the reason (paint colour, style, purpose etc etc), but other times something comes in and I have it painted and finished in 24 hours because I just know. This was one of those.

I really love the cut out on the legs - gives it a little interest and character. The piece is actually a lot heavier than I expected, so I felt the shape could handle a really bold colour. This is Kimono Red :)

The distressing came out so well, I'm really happy with it :) Don't you love it when thinks just work out right?

If you've been wondering, I was devastated to come home on Friday to find that the delivery driver had been to deliver my first ever Annie Sloan Chalk Paint but as I wasn't home, took it away again. ARGH!!! I frantically called, offered to come to the depot, met the driver somewhere, anything, but unfortunately nothing would work. Thank goodness, it arrived today!!

I love the colour chart, so nice to have the colours right here in front of me. I'm really loving all the blues... but first things first! So can you guess what I'll be trying out this week?

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Under the Table and Dreaming

Thrifty Thursday #18 - A Few Great Finds

I've picked up a few great pieces this week, ready for makeover. I've learned my lesson after last months market day - I need to get in early and finish more pieces than I think I need, in case I sell a few during the month. No more last minute freaking out moments please!

These corner shelves are slightly too pink for my liking, but I think they'd be great with a makeover. I'm torn between going with a bold colour (like yellow) or something more subdued. Stay tuned.

I also picked these tiered shelves up this week. I was a little disappointed to see that part of the wood was damaged (which was not noted on the add, nor mentioned when I asked), but I decided to take them anyway and see what I can do. Again, these are still in the 'thinking' stage - I'm tossing up whether to remove the back and cover with fabric or wallpaper, or just remove it all together. We'll see.

The last one is something I picked up just last night. I drove passed it and knowing I couldn't cram it in to my car, raced home to swap cars and cross my fingers it was still there. Lucky for me it was.

I love that it has three legs - at first I thought one was missing and that it was leaning on something else, but no, it's curved round at the end to just one leg and that's just cool. Lots of thinking going on about this one too. I think it would lovely white, distressed with glass pulls.

So, what about you? Had any great finds lately?

Vintage Writing Desk

It constantly amazes me what people throw or give away. This desk was a pick up from Mum and I couldn't believe my eyes when she bought it over. SO gorgeous. And here she is just before she headed off to her new home...

Like almost everything that comes my way it had some flaws, so the stained table top I was planning just wasn't going to work out. I did want to keep some of the original wood though, so I went with original drawers instead. I think she came out looking beautiful!

I tossed up changing over the drawer pulls, and even ordered new ones, but in the end I stuck with the original. There was just something about them that I decided suited the piece perfectly. I also used a stencil to paint a small pattern behind each knob, just another little something to make it lovely :)

The lady that bought her is going to use the desk in her studio. I liked the sound of it; she was building a new style for the home and business and it sounded lovely. It was nice to hear how this piece would fit in in her home.

Yesterday was market day so today I'm exhausted! I had a great day, feeling very lucky to have met some lovely people, sent a few pieces off to new homes, and spent the day with my sister. So today I'm not planning any work, just lolling round and catching up on my favourite blogs. And eating a bit of cake ;)

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Twelve0eight 
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Remodelaholic

Thrifty Thursday #17 on ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day in Australia - the day where we remember those men and women who fought for our country throughout history and who continue to fight today. There will be many posts from Australians across the country who will describe the day in a more eloquent way than I ever could, but I thought I would share a little glimpse of what it is for my family.

My own Father fought in WWII by forging his birth certificate, serving at the very end of the war in Darwin and Papua New Guinea (yes, he was in his late 60's when I was born... but that's a story for another day). He hardly spoke of it, nor did he ever attend a service or march to my knowledge. I was too young to understand, and then old enough to know he would share it if he could. I have his medals, and those of his Fathers, (my grandfathers, from WWI) and today I showed them to my children. They are too young to understand what it all means, but I'm grateful to have these memories to share, having lost him in 2009.

Today, like most days, I think of him.




Lest We Forget

...................................

I picked up a few bits and pieces in the last week or so, some for Paisley Vintage and some to keep.

I love this little table, she's already had a makeover but here she is original. I love the cut out on the leg, and she is looking quite lovely now (If I do say so myself!) And of course, the ceramic owl. The owl is staying put; I loved him as soon as I saw him and now I'm just looking for the perfect spot. Unfortunately the perfect spot needs to be out of the reach of the little people, so I'm still looking. Someone else loved him too - he was hidden on the bottom shelf, right at the back, covered with a blanket. Sometimes a trip to the op shop with small people who like to hide in dark places can be quite useful!

The wire below I thought would be great painted a bright colour and attached to a wall somewhere. I have a few windows that look out on to colour bond fencing, and a few blank brick walls, so it's another keeper. The gold frames were a bargain that will be heading out to market with me this weekend. I'm leaving them gold, but if they don't sell I might try a colour on them. The pictures are just cut out from magazines, so they'll be coming out ;)

The last one is this ginormous coffee table. Seriously, this thing is REALLY long. But it is so cool. She's in the middle of her makeover right now and will share when she's finished. Lets just say she's not for the faint hearted :)

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Childrens Desk Makover

A few months ago now a friend of my Mum's found this desk on the side of the road, and thought of me. I LOVE that :)

I've spent hours on this thing. Literally. There was more paint on this piece of furniture than I've had to deal with before; blue, white, cream and pink. I eventually went out and purchased a heat gun to help with the paint removal and didn't look back. Honestly if you don't have one and are thinking about it, don't think any more! Sure, you have to be careful not to burn your fingers, but this made it so much easier.

I had a vision in my head of what I wanted, and I think I've gotten there...

I used a home made chalk paint in antique white on the outside, and chalk board paint on the cut out section on the desk lid. I seemed to have gotten the recipe just right with this one, it adhered beautifully and when sanded is lovely and smooth. And I have a tub of what's left over in the fridge!

On the inside I painted a pop of aqua :)

Once I had removed all that old paint I really enjoyed this one - I can imagine it in a child's room or even in a hall or entry. It's cute but has a strong lines making it more versatile. And in my house furniture needs to be able to do a lot and work in various places or it doesn't last long.

What I love about chalk paint is the distressing, so I couldn't not include a picture or two of the corners...

I'd love to hear what you think!

And I wanted to say a quick that you to those who left a comment on my post about trying out Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I've chosen Provence! Will keep you posted on my progress :)

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I'm sharing at...
TwelveOeight 
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Primp 
Miss Mustard Seed
The Shabby Nest 
Simple Home Life 
Under the Table and Dreaming