Adorable Decoupaged Girls Desk

I have been playing with decoupage, a lot, lately.  I really love the technique and the finished result, definitely a learning process and not as "smooth" as I thought going in, but I really loving how things are turning out.

This little desk belonged to my grandmother.  It's in really good shape (except for a few knicks here and there) but had begun to yellow in weird ways.  I decided to give it a fresh coat of paint and add some interest with paper.

I primed it and added two coats of white paint.



 I plan to decoupage the inner portion of the drawers, leaving the outer edge white and change out the drawer pulls.

Here's the paper I chose.  I love the colors and the large floral print is gorgeous.  At first I was only going to cover the drawer fronts but then I thought, why not add a punch of color from the side as well.  Wow!  I really love the result.

I had a little help changing out the knobs, as always.  At least she let me get it done.  Usually she's tearing the tool or sandpaper right out of my hand.  I'm not allowed to work when she is present.

 New knobs, what a huge difference they make. 

Love the finished result. 

 Have you done any decoupage projects?  Would love to see what you've done.

A Table Re-Thunk

Do you have an old table just sitting around?  How about making it a DIY project. I recently took one apart, basically into two halves, and made a desk out of it. The finished product is so multi-functional. I could use it for a desk, a potting bench, an entryway table, etc. It could be skirted and have storage underneath as well. I am very happy with how it turned out. A stack of wood sitting in the basement and a beat-up table is now a great, functional piece.

The Wonderful World of Vintage Textiles

I find myself drawn to particular things when walking through an antique mall or thrift shop.  Very near the top of my list is textiles, of any kind.  From old clothing to napkins and tablecloths or a beautiful quilt will have me drooling.  I just love them. 

Here's a sampling of great things, within the textile realm, I found at a local antique shop:

How To Give New Life To Worn Out Wood Furniture

I love to look for quality wood furniture pieces at garage sales and thrift stores.  If you are persistent and keep at it you can find some really great stuff.  

For a quick reference quide of my top 10 Items to Grab for Unique Home Decor subscribe to my Postcard Cheat Sheet Series, today's postcard is entitled Thrift Store Gold.

I am working on some furniture pieces and playing with decoupage, I'm having way too much fun!  I love the two-tone furniture that is painted white and the drawers/door fronts are left natural wood.  I have been wanting to do a piece like that for a while and finally found a couple great pieces to play with.

New Additions at The Pink Elephant Antique Mall

Nestled between exit 33 and 37 along I-55 in southern Illinois (about 30 minutes outside St. Louis, MO) is an old school building turned Antique Mall called The Pink Elephant Antique Mall.  I've had a booth in the basement for a couple years now and my love for vintage (antiques and well, junk) has only grown over my time there.  It's a really amazing place with so much to look at and a little something for everyone.  

Just a couple weeks ago a new addition has opened called Christmas Decor & More, LLC.  Yesterday I had the opportunity to take a look at the new shop and it's adorable, mainly Christmas items but some fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving items as well.  Take a little tour with me of the shop.  

I've seen variations of these all over Pinterest and they are so beautiful.  The owner of the shop made this one, isn't she gorgeous!

Who doesn't need a little camo in their holiday decor?

If you have a gigantor tree and are looking for large ornaments, she's got an assortment of unique items to choose from.

Humongous stuffed reindeer.  He's gotta be over 6' tall.

The kiddos would love a super-hero stocking.

An assortment of holiday mugs and glasses.

A glass set for one of our "must-see" holiday movies (I might just need that)!

This is my favorite, do you have some explaining to do this year?

They're pink and huge, not sure how tall but at least 5'.  What a statement they'd make on either side of your front door.

Love it!

I always have a hard time finding stocking holders that I like, these are perfect and the others available are cute too.

Not only did a new Christmas shop open but a diner is in the works as well, not open quite yet but soon, real soon.  

Isn't it cute, can't wait for it to open and set a menu.  I hear they'll have chicken n' dumplings, my favorite.  Really hoping the rumors are true!

If you've never stopped in for a visit you really are missing out.  Here's a peek inside the mall as well.

I am standing on the landing upstairs looking over the gym space and you can also see the stage in the background.  But wait, that's not all, there's still the upstairs space and a basement.  Lots to see with a little something for everyone!

Pinkie, My New Space

Wow, am I exhausted.  I spent most of the day Saturday working on cleaning out and rearranging my space at The Pink Elephant Antique Mall where I have a shop.  I more than doubled my space the first of the year, which is wonderful, but man, oh man, I am so tired. 

Here's what my space looked like before:

I made a U-shape out of my original booth (it's a 10x12 space) with this being the only entrance.  The next picture shows the shelving across from the buffet/hutch to the right of the picture and into the neighboring booth, which became mine the first of the year.

 Wow, all the space to the right of the black shelving is now mine, including the locked case.  The black shelving is the very front of my original space with the opening to the left.

 Here is the entrance to my original booth and a look into my new space (I worked Saturday trying to figure out where to put stuff and getting it all set up).  It is a TON of space. 

 Here's another idea of how much space I now have.  The right of this picture is my new space.  You can see a portion of the black bookshelves that are my original space and the opening.  It is really a lot of space.  The next few pictures are the process of getting things changed over and where I left it Saturday.  Lots of work and I still have a LOT to do.

 

Saturday, I opened up the space.  First things first, I cleaned off the T.V wall unit that blocked the new space from my original space and moved it along the back wall.  Next, I started working on those black shelves.  I took everything off, dusted, moved shelves and placed it all again.  I am so sore!

 Here's where the T.V. wall unit sat before, separating the two spaces.  Look at that mess!

 The table I brought home.  It needs work.  I tried to sell it as is, to no avail, now it's my turn.  I have plans, can't wait to get started.

 Alrighty, moved the shelving into the corner and completely opened up the space, leaving the middle free for whatever furniture pieces I have ready at the time.  Right now it is a mess but has come a really long way.  I can't get back in to finish up until Tuesday.  I had to leave it with some things lining the edges, I really hate that but it's the best I could do today, I ran out of time. 

 This entire area, and then some, is the new section.  I will eventually get the case set up for Jewelry display.  I've made a turntable for earrings and am hoping to always have a mirror on hand.  This wall is the easiest to drill (the others are cinder block) so it is going to remain my collage wall.  Anything that hangs is going to find a home here.

The lowboy dresser is my first piece of furniture for the new year.  I am completely infatuated with it.  I have a dresser also done in two-tone that needs a few small fixes, hopefully I can get it done soon.

 I am really excited for my new space.  I've got lots of furniture waiting for me to get to it.  Busy, busy.  Can't wait to share my adventures with you.

 

Fun at The Pink Elephant Antique Mall

If you ever find yourself heading north on I-55 after leaving St. Louis you must stop in and see us at The Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, IL.  It's located in an old school building and is chock full of anything you could possibly imagine.  Brings back many fond memories as I walk from booth to booth.  With over 50 dealers there's plenty of variety and a little something for everyone.

 

Here's a few pictures I snapped yesterday, focusing on textiles, fun furniture pieces I'd like to get my hands on, suitcases I'd love to play with and a few cute baskets.  Take a look:

 

I'm a sucker for quilts and tablecloths.

 

 

 

 I've seen these cute decorated pillowcases used for window valances or cabinet skirting, very cute!

 

 Crazy Quilts, love them!

 Mom made some of these when I was a kid from old quilts/chenille blankets.  Lots of good memories.

Lots of cute small furniture/wall hanging pieces that just need a little TLC.

 

 

 

 Check out Pinterest and the many, many ideas for old suitcases.  I have quite a few just waiting for inspiration to strike!

 

 This is the cutest sewing basket.

 

 Best picnic basket ever.  The top slides outward to open.  Very nice!

 

I have a booth in the basement and starting the first of the year I'll be expanding into the booth next to me as well.  Come down the ramp and turn right, the entire corner area before the "entryway" is me.  Can't wait to get it filled up.  After Christmas it's going to be a whirlwind around here for a little while, I'm excited and terrified all at the same time!