Small Ottoman for "Star Fish Cottage"

Here is a small ottoman I refinished for "Star Fish Cottage" - sorry for the fussy picture - I'll make note that I need a new camera. Can't figure out how to do close up shots that well - and this from the girl who was photo editor of the year book two years in a row. As you can see I used the same fabric as the folding chair.


I got the ottoman at the Goodwill Store for $4.95. The top lid hinges back to hide little things. Not very big so it won't hide much. I can't decide if I should add fringe or not.

Well, it has been extremely stressful lately for me at work and somewhat at home. The stress has been causing health issues that I will not go into as I do believe in the law of attraction and I'd rather focus on something positive. I'd love to hear about the things happening in your life. I would also like to think all of my followers and for anyone who stops by.

Until Next Time. . . .
Kathleen

Head Board Make Over for "Star Fish Cottage" Guest Room

This head board was given to me by a friend in Bandon. It was stained dark so of course I had to paint it white. My usual Swiss Mocha ICI paint white that is.

I got the netting at a thrift store about 4 or 5 years ago (for $5.00.) I've been saving it just for this purpose. One of my husband's co-workers stayed out their earlier this week and she said it looked "romantic." Paris (that is her name) stayed at "Star Fish Cottage" when we had a whole in the kitchen ceiling and the bathroom was the old yucky lavender one. You remember the photo. This was her third trip out there since we started. The second time we had changed the outside so much she drove around looking for it until she realized which house it was. She couldn't believe the transformation then. This time she got to see the wood floors installed and well the house is mostly together now. I just need to finish painting the trim inside, put the crown molding in the kitchen and well spiffy it up for guest. With new linens, a few new furnishings and how could I forget get rid of all the tools we are storing inside the house. Doesn't everyone have a table saw just inside their front door?

This is the before photo. It was pretty dark but now with the white paint it looks like it belongs inside the house.

Until Next Time. . . . . . .

Kathleen

Make Over For a Folding Chair

I got this folding chair so long ago I don't remember when it was purchased. I do remember that I purchased it at Costco. I decided to give it a make over for the Bandon house. I spray painted it white and recovered the cushions with this light pink rose fabric. Unfortunately Joann Fabrics did not carry the other floral print I recovered my foot stool and the other chair in out at the coast. I'm really happy with the way it turned out.




This is what the chair looked like before. To me it is a big change. While refinishing the chair I had to do something different. Instead of using a staple gun - I used a hot glue gun. I couldn't get the staples to work and I was desperately trying anything I thought might work. It worked great. Now I think I will pick up a few more chairs for "Star Fish Cottage" and maybe even a few for the Ashland house.

Until Next Time. . . .




Kathleen

Brittnee's Chairs

Just a little post to show you some chairs I did for my niece Brittnee. Brittnee moved to Ashland with her boyfriend Angleo to go to college. She is fond of white and black so I took this old ugly (sorry I don't have a before picture) directors chair and covered the seat and back with black and white fabric. The chair had been a very ugly (stained) brown color. I purchased it at the thrift store for $4.99

I started out on this chair painting it white for myself with a sponge brush. Never again will I use a sponge brush as I ended up with lots of drips. I had to sand the drips down to the wood and start over with black paint. Once again I used the black and white fabric. Looks much better.

Here is a before shot although you can't really see the awful drips on the chair. Before I tried painting it white it was a very ugly brown. I have nothing against brown but these two chairs were not the best of browns.

Until Next Time. . . . .

Kathleen

Free Bandon Chair

I completed this chair over the weekend for the Bandon Cottage. I got the Fabric at JoAnn's in Medford. It seems most of the fabric stores have gone out of business in my area. I sure miss Brytex in San Francisco (Union Square area.) It took me forever to make up my mind. I kept looking for something that looked real beachy but I wasn't happy with what I found. I do like this floral print though. I've decided to cover another chair for the coast in the same fabric. That will probably be next month though as I've already started on a rocking chair (pictures will be on a later post.)

Here is the before shot. The chair was on the side of the road with a big "Free" sign next to it. I actually left the chair and drove past the first time and then started thinking about it later. I just into the car at 10 pm and headed back to see if it was still there. It was so I brought it home. Once again everyone thought I was nuts for taking the chair. I had to replace most of the padding. Damian did some gluing to make it stronger. So what do you think? Did it turn out alright?

Until Next Time...

Kathleen

Bandon Projects

Here are a couple of Bandon Projects I completed recently. This little TV cabinet I got at the Goodwill for $19.95. I wanted something small that would hold the tv, dvd player and some movies. I really like the way this turned out. Of course it is painted with the ICI Swiss Mocha paint. Our old tv blew up one weekend and my friend Kris was kind enough to give us this tv. It doesn't look like much but the picture is really good. It sure does the trick for now. We plan to get a little flat screen sometime soon.

Here is the cabinet before I started painting on it. It is solid wood and yes I know I painted over a pretty finish but I like the finished results.

This little shelf unit I also found at the Goodwill for $4.99. It also got the ICI Swiss Mocha treatment. I decided to add the little star fish to give it that beach look. I really like the result and decided that I'm going to name the cottage "Star Fish Cottage" because I noticed once I did this I have lots of star fish all over the cottage (more of that later.)

Here is the little shelf prior to painting. I was also a real nice solid wood piece. I really liked the finish on this one and was a little sad to paint it. It goes so much better out at the coast with the white paint though.

Well, I know I've been absent from this blog for a while. For those of you who check it regularly I apologize. I've been caught up with my niece and her boyfriend moving to Ashland and then just dealing with my leg etc. I do have the cast off now and it is wonderful. A few aches and pains still but I am so thankful to be able to walk.

I hope all of you are well. I would like to hear from you so please leave a message and tell me how you are doing. I have lots more to share this week so. . . . .

Until next time

Kathleen

Moving Around Better & Bandon Furniture

I'm certainly moving around better. This week has been exhausting. I went to the doctor today and he gave me a walking boot to wear. I now can walk without crutches. He said I was lucky, and that the bone I broke would eventually heal on its own but it will heal faster with the boot. Also, he said there is a chance the bone could separate if I didn't wear the boot which would mean surgery. Don't want that. Anyway, I am feeling extremely lucky. The boot is heavy and I'm going to continue sleeping in the guest room as I'm afraid I'll clobber my husband with the boot. I need to get use to it. But hey, I can walk now without crutches!!!!

I've discovered that I'm am very independent and don't like having to depend on others. It is nice to know I can though. My husband was just as happy as I was about the boot. He wanted to go to Bandon this weekend. I've decided to stay behind as I'm not sure I want to try navigating those stairs into the house yet. Also, Damian's father turns 80 next month and he wanted to go down to L.A. to visit him. My friend Kris was willing to stay with me (Bless your Heart) so he could go. Having lost both of my parents I really wouldn't want to stand in the way of that.

Anyway, leg is still sore, but I can walk!!!! How great is that!!!! I couldn't believe the bruises on my leg and foot when they took off the splint.

And now on Bandon

This little telephone table is another item I painted over the 4th of July. My friend Kris gave it to me. I think it is so perfect. I used my usual white paint and painted the inside with Laura Ashley, Pale Apple 2 (The kitchen is painted this color.) The throw I found at the thrift store. It has sea shells all over it. I'm going to be replacing the love seat that I threw a white table cloth over with two chairs. Years ago I gave my friend Deanne a little chair I had refinished the wood on (small platform rocker) but hadn't gotten around to the upholstery part. I even had the material but I was moving at the time waiting for the Ashland house to be built and had to put my stuff in storage. Deanne is giving the chair back to me as she is cleaning out her garage and hadn't gotten around to it either.

This is the before on the telephone table.

This is in my little guest room. The dresser I had purchased at a garage sale in Bandon. I think I paid $15.00 for it but I really can't remember. I wish I had a before shot of it because it was very ugly. Lots of different color paint. I used the ICI Swiss Coffee paint and put clear glass knobs on it. The mirror is what I painted over the holiday weekend. I found the mirror at the Goodwill Store (can't remember which one though) for $5.99. I knew it was the right size for the room and the little dresser. The ceiling slopes here so there isn't much room.

This is the before shot of the mirror. The chair off to the right I will be refinishing soon. No bum ankle is going to stop me.

Until Next Time

Kathleen

Update on Under the Weather & Bandon Furniture

Well, I'm still hobbling around with the broken foot. I can't wait to get the cast on this Thursday. I'm going to take the day off as my foot seems to swell when I start walking on it during the day. I think I'm having an allergic reaction to the plastic on the splint. I've always been allergic to some plastics and don't usually think about it but something is going on inside there. Anyway, Thank you Dave for the comment. You didn't leave me your email address so I don't know how to get in touch with you. I'd like to compare notes on getting through this little bump in life so please leave me your email address.



On Bandon Furniture



Remember this little stool. Well, I finished it and used the material I was going to use for the curtains in the bathroom. I've decided that I may keep the old pillow case curtains. I'll just finish them off correctly and use lace for the shower stall. When I held the material up in the bathroom it seemed like too many different colors. I think the stool will be just the right amount to give it a splash of color. After all, I have some much color on the walls in there.

Remember this is how the stool looked when I picked it up at the Goodwill Store. I must say it was a big improvement with the paint and all.

This is the one dining room chair I have for the table. I'm going to look for other chairs to paint white. I was pleased with the way it turned out. I used an old mint green pillow sham for the seat cover. The picture showed up on the pale side and doesn't really give the true color.

This is what the chair looked like before. Cute lines and a comfortable chair but not much else to get excited about.

I'm not sure how much else I will be able to do for the Bandon house until I get my foot fully recovered. Leave it to me though, I'm not one to set around for long without a project to do. It seems even shopping isn't that easy as I get tired fast. Working all day yesterday wiped me out. Oh, well . . . Onward we go.

Until Next Time

Kathleen

Here is the Bandon Table & The Blanket (Toy) Chest

I got many comments on painting an oak table white. It seems everyone thought I was making a mistake. You see I have longed for those white tables in many of the decorating magazines. I'm really happy with the way the table turned out. It is nice having a nice solid table to eat on out at the coast. I hope you will all agree it turned out great.

Remember this is what it use to look like. It had some chew marks along the base so that would had made refinishing it to the wood finish a bit more difficult. As it is I just did lots of sanding and now you can't tell where some dog chewed on the base.

The blanket (toy) chest turned out amazing. See I love to get pieces that make a drastic change when you redo them. I painted the chest inside and out with the ICI Swiss Mocha (as I did with the table). I was able to store many blankets and pillows inside. The cottage doesn't have much storage space so this was a major piece to add. I lucked out too because it fit perfectly where I wanted it to go. I added new silver hinges which look better than the original black ones. I'm going to make a cushion and some little pillows for it now.

Can you believe it use to look like this? I have this in the little guest room at the cottage. It will make a good spot for guest to put their suit case or using as a little seat once I get those pillows and cushion made.

A picture of the table during the process. See the old door in the back ground that use to be the front door to the cottage. I'm trying to think of ways to reuse it. Any suggestions?

Another picture during the process. The base has just the primer on it. The tub in the back ground will be going back into the cottage once I'm done with the refinishing (should be done during June). The outside of the tub and the feet use to be painted purple.

Tools of the trade. The first step in refinishing was to wiped down the table and the toy chest with this gloss remover. I had forgotten how much easier it makes the paint stick. I also sanded a bit to rough up the surface.

I had a can of this in my stash of goodies so I decided to use it for my primer as I was running low on white flat paint. I actually liked the way this went on and it seemed to cover really well. I used two coats of this on the table and chest before applying the ICI Swiss Mocha paint. I think I may use this stuff on all my new projects as well.

Okay now this was my original inspiration for the white table. Wouldn't it be great to find chairs like this. This is a page from a recent Pottery Barn catalog I received in the mail.

Until Next Time

Kathleen

Up Coming Projects for Bandon

Here are some up coming projects for the Bandon Cottage. I've already started painting them with white flat paint as a primer. I cleaned each piece off with a wet cloth and sand slightly before painting. I love getting a hold of pieces like this. They are very solid pieces of wood. They look horrible and that is why I love them so much. Once I'm done people usually can't believe it is the same pieces of furniture.

I got this toy box at the Ashland Goodwill store for $10.00. I could use more storage at the Bandon Cottage so I will use this for a blanket chest to store extra linens. I am painting it inside and out with the ICI Swiss Coffee paint. I will probably make a cushion for it as well so it can be used and a sitting bench too.

I got this table at the Medford Goodwill store for $49.99. This table is solid oak and weighs a ton. It is really well made. Damian thinks I'm committing a hugh mistake by painting it white. I just love the look of white round tables in all the magazines. As with the other piece it will get my ICI Swiss Coffee paint treatment. Now I need to find chairs.

This little beauty set me back $2.00 from the Ashland Goodwill Store. Yes the old paint job and the cushion are terrible but look at the lovely curved lines.

I won't be making it to the coast until Memorial Day weekend. By then I should have these pieces ready for the trip. I need to get these pieces out of my Ashland garage as I need to work on painting the inside of the clawfoot tub. Also on the way home last week I passed a pile of junk in front of a house not far from my place. There was a sign that said free. I stopped and looked at a cool chair. I decided not to get it and drove away. Later that night I kept thinking about the chair. At 9 pm I decided to drive down the street and see if it was still there and it was!!!! I hauled it home and now my garage is really full of furniture. Before pictures of the chair will be coming soon.

Until Next Time

Kathleen

Even More Furniture From the Ashland House

My little corner of the bedroom

My cat Oscar loves to hide under the chair. My mother made the dresser scarf and the cowboy hat was my fathers.

This little chair is another item I wish I had a before picture to show you. It was covered in light pink fabric with white poka dots. The fabrics had many torn areas held together with tape. I knew this would look perfect with my birds-eye maple vanity. I purchased it a swap meet or flea market as some people call it around 10 years ago. I think I paid around $5.00 for it.

Here is a close up view of the back which has these decorative tacks on the upper back side of the chair. I purchased all the materials: decorative tacks, rope trim, fabric and cardboard strip at JoAnn Fabrics about seven years ago.

The gold rope trim. This was sew onto the fabric and then stapled onto the chair.

This is the cardboard strip which I put over the fabric before stapling onto the chair. The cardboard strip allows for a straight edge.

An even closer look at the cardboard strip. This strip is under the skirt on all four sides of the chair. I was a little nervous using it at first until I realised how easy it was to use.

This little blanket chest my husband and I refinished in 1982. I purchased it at an estate sale for $2.00. It was in very bad shape. No fabric covering and practically in pieces. We re-glued and stained the wood pieces and then put the padding and fabric on it. I made the pillows myself out of old bark cloth.

Until Next Time

Kathleen

More Furniture From The Ashland House

More Photographs of Refinished Furniture


Here is more furniture I have refinished over the years for my Ashland home.

This dresser I refinished around 1985. It was painted pink when it was given to me. I used a paint stripper and took all the paint off and rubbed layers of Linseed Oil into the wood (sanding between each coat with fine sand paper.) Many hours went into this dresser but I have never regretted all the work. I put milk glass knobs on to finish it off.

This dresser I refinished within the last couple of years. I paid $20.00 for it at the Ashland Goodwill Store. I used white paint from ICI called Swiss Coffee. It has a matt finish and the paint is wonderful. I use it for all my furniture now. I don't remember what type of finish the dresser had on it before I painted it. I don't strip my furniture instead I lightly sandpaper each item to rough up the finish so paint will adhere well. Then I use a flat white paint for a primer. I discovered when I was refinishing furniture as a business that flat paint works well as a primer preventing old coats of paint and varnish from bleeding through. I usually use two coats of flat paint (usually white) and two coats of the ICI Swiss Coffee to finish it off. Another trick I learned was making sure the paint dries well between coats. This will help keep the paint from peeling. I painted the knobs with green acrylic hobby paint. Someday I will replace them with green glass knobs.

This little dresser I use as a bedside nightstand. It was stained dark brown when I purchased it. I first painted it black to match an old bedroom theme I had years ago. It has been given the ICI Swiss Coffee treatment. The knobs are clear acrylic shaped like flowers.

This little dresser is also being used as a bedside nightstand. I wish I had a before picture as you wouldn't believe what it looked like. It had a split top and painted bright orange. It was perfect for the type of challenge I like in furniture. Very ugly and cheap. I paid $4.00 for it at the Goodwill "As Is Store" in Medford, Oregon. I filled the cracked top with paint able bathroom sealant. The type you purchase in a tube to seal off the edge around the tub. I've also used car bondo to fill in cracks in furniture. I layer the sealant a little at a time letting it dry between layers. I use a wet cloth to smooth the finish. Then I apply the paint. This little dresser was also painted black for years before it received the ICI Swiss Coffee paint treatment. I put what my mother-in-law calls my signature style of clear glass knobs to finish it off. This is on my side of the bed and I store books and magazines in the drawers to read before falling asleep.

This nightstand was one of the first Shabby Chic finishes I ever painted. I purchase it at a garage sales in the mid 1990's for $5.00. It has a clear glass knob for the drawer pull.

I purchased this little nightstand at St. Vincent de Pauls after I moved to Oregon. I paid $20.00 for it and at the time I couldn't believe I was willing to pay so much. I fell in love with the shape. This was painted before I discovered the ICI Swiss Coffee. I don't remember what brand I used but it is painted with cream or off-white matt paint. It looks very similar to the Swiss Coffee. I put green glass knobs for drawer pulls.

I now take before photos so the items I am refinishing for Bandon will have the before and after photos. I still have a few more pieces to share with you later this week from my Ashland home. I have even done a few fabric items.

Until Next Time

Kathleen