Trash 2 Treasure Room Divider

I'm sure I am not the only one who draws inspiration from pictures in magazines and newspapers. However, my process to getting there may different than some. I am a self declared cheapskate. I think it began out of necessity, and has continued simply because I consider it a challenge.

So when I came upon a photo of a room divider in a catalog, I tore it out and set it aside. Now the average person may shop high and low until they find one, but I knew I would make it. Here is where the weird part comes in. I collected a pile of random things that I thought when compiled would come together into an even better version of my beloved screen...and for way less money.

I started with some Craigslist bi-fold doors...free, what I think was part of an old broken shoji screen...free, two old antique spoon collecting racks...free, and a collection of botanical images from 'the most fabulous place on earth', The Graphics Fairy....free! Are you keeping count? I've said here before that I can look at a pile of things and picture it finished. When I try to convey my ideas to my husband he gives me that "she is crazy" look, you know the one? They don't think like we do.

Anyway, from that pile I reconfigured the door hinges to zig-zag back and forth. I was able to make due with the existing hinges by just using two on each union instead of three. My husband helped me to rip the shoji on the table saw into four strips, one for each door. I hammered the sides off of the spoon racks and attached the curvy pieces to the top of each section. It served almost like a moulding, but cost me zero. I primed all the pieces and then painted the doors bright white and the shoji frames a pale gray. My brad nailer worked fabulous to attach the completed pieces together. I gave it all a good distressing and then it was time to make the magic happen.

I found twenty images of flowers, birds, and butterflies that I loved. I simply printed them out on parchment, covered their fronts with clear contact paper, and trimmed them to size. I chose to use spray adhesive and attach them to the centers of each framed opening. Originally I planned to use decorative tacks on all the corners, but I had a container of tiny binder clips that I decided to use instead. They gave it that finishing touch and added to the "specimen" botanical look.

Now I don't often "toot my own horn" so to speak, but I am pretty proud of the finished product. Most of all the fact that it only cost me about $3.00 for the binder clips....and of course the paper and ink. If I had a more feminine house, I'd be keeping this one for sure!

Linking up to these lovely ladies:

www.savvysouthernstyle.net

You bought me what?

Bedroom pieces in the waterfall style are everywhere, I come upon dressers and vanities the most often. I never really consider buying them since I tend to be drawn to the curvier styles with lots of edges to distress.

I do however own an entire waterfall style bedroom set...unpainted none the less. It belonged to my grandparents who gave it to my parents when they got married; who then gave it to my husband and I when we got married 29 years ago. It now is the resting place for my overnight guests. I remember late in my Senior year (yes, I was a mere baby when I got married) spending countless hours out in the garage giving it a new coat of varathane in anticipation of starting my new grown-up life.

Well, the moral of this story is never say never. Awhile back I had a waterfall vanity kind of just land in my lap. There was a misunderstanding at the shop and another member bought it from a customer after she told her I wanted it. She couldn't get ahold of me and didn't want me to miss out so she picked it up thinking she could just sell it to me. I was more than a little surprised when I got the call saying it was there for me. I didn't really want it, and in fact had never even seen it before. However I felt obligated to buy it under the circumstances. Thank goodness she only paid $15 for it!

It had been sitting in the garage for awhile awaiting a burst of inspiration to hit me upside the head. Finally, it spoke to me. I decided to kind of do a tone on tone chevron pattern across the top. The last chevron piece I painted was much bolder and only lasted about a week at the shop. I know the object is to sell things, but I kind of like them to stay around just long enough so I can admire them before they are scooped up.

I also had a small amount of french inspired paper in a pink butterfly print that was just enough to cover the four drawers. Now pink won't always work, but this is a vanity after all. I was able to find a dresser mirror at the Goodwill that I painted to match. I actually was pretty pleased with how it turned out all things considered. It is old fashioned feminine with just the right touch of sass in the form of chevron.




Linking up to these lovely ladies:

Rustic Elegant Lightfixture

I know I usually share furniture pieces here, but I also dabble in a whole lot of other avenues. I sew, I paint, I paper craft...I am a true mixed media artist loving the assemblage of this and that. My favorite projects are those that come together using things for other than their intended purpose.

That is exactly what inspired my latest project. I came across this perfectly aged, worm hole covered antique oxen yoke at one of my favorite antique shops. The owner has my name in her little book and calls me when she comes across things that are broken and need some extra love. She also is always very flexible with me on her prices. I don't think I've ever paid the marked price for anything I have gotten from her.

When I saw this hanging from a rope on the ceiling I thought to myself; "how great would that look with a couple of drop cloth transferred drum shades"? Well fabulous of course! The rustic wood against the refined shades....perfect!

Believe it or not I started out with two camouflage hanging lamp kits from Cabelas...I know, yes Cabelas! They were in the bargain cave for only $12 apiece complete with shade, cord and their own on and off switches. A very popular Swedish retailer (who shall remain nameless) sells inexpensive cords too, but they don't have switches.

The biggest headache of this whole project was peeling the "camo" fabric off of the shades without breaking the plastic...and it was tough. It showed through the drop cloth fabric so covering over it wasn't an option. I then collected a menagerie of bird and french prints from The Graphics Fairy and created a collage of images using the freezer paper transfer method until the shade felt full.

I attached the fabric with spray adhesive and used a hot glue gun to secure the edges. I simply wove the cords through the rusty rings on the yoke and through trial and error knotted them at the appropriate level. Since I am not an electrician, I simply created a sleeve to cover the exposed cords and camouflage them a bit. I added some lengths of chain to each side for ease of hanging.

I think it adds just the right touch to my booth. Hoping someone scoops it up!


Linking up to these lovely ladies:

r />