An Inexpensive Gilded Table Project

I woke up to this today:

But we still had power.  Let’s all continue to remember those adversely affected by the superstorm Sandy in our thoughts and prayers.

NOW:

I’m lovin’ all the little gold metal accent tables that have been so prevalent lately.  Their diminutive size and clean lines lend themselves well to many décor solutions.

My favorite style has to be this one:

(Sorry for the blurry image…this is in Suzanne Kasler’s foyer and she uses this table again in more of her designs).

It is based on an antique French design.

But I also like this style:

World’s Away also has some smart designs like this one in an hourglass shape.

This one with the ever popular “X” motif.

Or this simple round one.

One Kings Lane has Worlds Away tables occasionally and if you’re lucky you can catch them at a great price.

I needed a very small accent table next to a fireside chair in my master bedroom. 

Remember all those spray paint cans I showed you yesterday?

 

 

Well, it just so happens I had an old white, rusty metal table that I was saving for just the right time.  I think it had been a garden table, but I got it on the cheap at an antique shop a while back and liked the straight lines and sturdiness of it.  I don’t have any better “before” photos.

 

A little bit of gold spray paint and Voilà!  A table masterpiece ala Kim!

 

It even had the original glass on the top.

 

The imperfections speak volumes and it was probably handmade.

 

I LOVE tables with shelves on the bottom for stashes of great books.

Not bad for something I already had, huh!

The curved feet add a cool detail!

 

Mr. Chair is much happier now that he has a buddy.  The master bedroom is progressing.

On another note, the contractors DID show up today!  Yipee!  By the end of the week I should have a new media wall in the family room!

Happy Decorating,

Kim

Linking up to:

WOW! Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

I’ve Been Trigger Happy & An Update

I’m talking about spray paint triggers!!!

Krylon, Valspar, and Rust-Oleum that is.

So, I got a little trigger happy with the outrageously summer-like weather we had last week…in the 80’s every day.  I decided I would enjoy the outdoors and do a few projects while I had the chance.  For me, spray painting things is just plain fun (or a little like therapy).  I don’t exactly think of it as crafting.  It’s way too easy.

I might have gotten a little carried away…

I did metal pieces, wood pieces, resin pieces, Christmas items and well, just about anything I was tired of and wanted to change.  I figured if I messed anything up, I could get rid of it since I was a little bored with it already.  (I don’t have before pics of EVERY thing I painted because it was too monotonous and uninteresting so this is just a sample).

No white or old world treatments on most of the items.  Nope, not this time.

I stepped out of my comfort zone and went bold with statement colors.  Don’t be alarmed (well, maybe…my husband is, lol!).  You’ll soon see how I intend on incorporating these into my house.

And, now for an update on what else I’ve been doing.  This is the BEFORE of the family room media wall the contractors were supposed to begin work on this morning installing board and batten.

And here is the AFTER:

Yep, that’s right.  The contractors postponed until yet another day.  And, the painters are scheduled to come back on Thursday.  Why oh why can’t things be on schedule?

And, now I have to tell my husband he has no big screen TV to watch after I promised him this wasn’t a big project and it would only take a day or two to have completed.  (I’m just kidding…my sweet husband is very understanding when it comes to decorating and it’s a good thing).

On a happy note, I found this great barbola basket that I had purchased a couple years ago for $8 (yes, only $8) when I was searching through my stash of things to paint.  I had forgotten about it.  I know, how could I forget about a barbola basket?   It happens to the best of us.

It only has a little gesso detail missing on one side.

It still needs a facelift and so far I only have it primed.  I’m thinking of maybe treating it to a a gray wash.  What do you think?  (You know you’ll see the pair of deer at Christmas!)

PLEASE STAY TUNED AND CHECK BACK OFTEN AS I HAVE A COUPLE OF EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING UP!

Plus, I DO promise to begin some room reveals.  It’s been a slow and interesting process but I’m getting there.

Please say a prayer for our friends who are affected by the storm Sandy. I hope none of you are in harm’s way.  We are currently under a winter storm warning here with snow and strong winds expected thru Wednesday morning.  I can’t believe it was in the 80’s all week last week.

Stay safe my friends,

Kim

Thinking Outside The Box, They’re Gone, & Swing Arm Sconces

Yep!  I heard you!  The shutters have to go! LOL

They are already gone.  I guess I was thinking outside the box a little too much!!!   Trying to force something that just wasn’t right.  That’s the beauty of design.  It’s never done.

I’m sticking with the white quilt and toile shams.  I think it’s crisper and “pops” off the bed more.

Now what about the lamps?  I don’t think they work anymore.

I REALLY would like to do swing arm sconces to free up nightstand space and because I just really think they are cool.  I’ve been looking at Shades of Light online and they have a great selection.  The one below is by Alexa Hampton and comes in 3 finishes.

 

Or what about this one?

This one by Mary McDonald  has ostrich leather.

I’m off to Lexington this morning for the weekend.  I’m gonna hit Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, Pier 1, TJ Maxx…..well, you get the idea…..to see what I can come up with!

Toodles,

Kim

P.S. BTW…I’m not leaving the room all faded and beige.  This is just my starting background palette.  I’ve not gotten to the pops of color yet.  I’m thinking turquoise and Hermes orange…..or maybe buttery or bright yellow?

Opinions?

The BED Is Here, The BED Is Here: Plus, A Partial Reveal And I Need Your Opinion

 

Remember this:

And this:

Well, this is what came today:

Finally, my dream bed arrived today in all it’s upholstered and nail head trim glory.  In case you are wondering, it’s the Allesandra bed by Ethan Allen that I ordered in July. You can get different finishes and fabric but this is exactly how it was in their showroom when I fell in love with it.

I think the nickel nail head adds a modern flair to an otherwise historic French style.

The inside panel of the footboard is even covered in linen and tacked!  And, it’s made right here in the good ‘ol USA.  North Carolina to be exact.

O.K. I must admit.  I thought I had ordered the optional tufting but this is how it came and I couldn’t be happier.  (I must have been too busy focusing on the optional nail head trim)  If it was a mistake, then it must be serendipity because tufting would have been too busy on this particular piece now that I see it in my room.  I like the clean lines better.

Here’s where I need your opinion.  I have two choices of bedding and I’m kinda sittin’ on the fence so to say.

You will be jealous when I tell you about the first choice.

My Ethan Allen store was having a big Designer Showroom Floor Sample sale this summer and instead of just looking at the furniture on clearance I always check out the bedding and window treatments.  I got this queen 100% silk duvet with standard and Euro shams.  Regular retail was $785 and I paid $315!  Not bad, huh?

So here’s a sneak peek on the bed.  Please forget that it hasn’t been pressed yet and I’m only showing one side of pillows for experimental purposes only.

 

The second choice is a simple fresh white quilt.  Always in vogue.

I’m also playing with the shams.  Charcoal gray or toile?  Oh, btw the really cool white linen embroidered shams came from Horchow.  I had my eye on these for quite sometime and ordered them this past summer when they were on sale.

Here is a sneak peek at a fabric covered toile cornice that I may use on the windows. 

Of course, this is just the beginning.  I’m still waiting on this guy to arrive.

I’m having additional shelves made and the inside covered (including shelves) in new toile.  I’m soooo hoping it will be ready by Thanksgiving.

In the meantime, here is another sneak peek of what I’m thinking about for the sides of the bed.  These are antique French shutters that have been stripped.  I’m not sure yet though.  I think it might be a case of too much of a good thing.

One might think that this is shaping up to be a very Frenchy bedroom.

I certainly hope so.

Let me know what you think so far.

(I’m sooo dying to hang the French sunburst mirror over the bed but I am restraining for now!)

Sweet Dreams,

Kim

The Paris Flea Market

Six weeks later and the painting is finished.  Well, almost.  I’m still waiting on the contractors to come and do an installation of a board and batten treatment on the media wall in the family room and then the painters have to return.

I repeat. It’s been 6 weeks and not ONE, not ONE of my rooms is completely finished and put back together again.  I keep promising reveals to you and I’m sure I’ll have something completed by Thanksgiving! LOL

My upholstered bed from Ethan Allen is being delivered tomorrow and I’m so excited.

In the meantime, I’ll share some more Paris adventures.

I was fortunate enough to get to go to the famous Marche Aux Puces in Cliagnocort in St. Quen.

Let me begin by saying there is a lot to see.  One could never shop all of the vendors in one day.  But I certainly gave it my best effort.  Below is a map of only ONE section.

It can be overwhelming at first, but once you put your eyes back in your head and focus you can really find some great things.  And, let me tell you that you see everything from low-end stuff to very high-end stuff.

It was an absolutely lovely brisk September day and wouldn’t you know it, I found some treasures at the first booth I visited.

 

I spied some awesome green and white enamel over metal signs and numbers.  There were some numbers, days of the week, and months.  Not a full set.  Just piecemeal.

I really wanted December 25 for Christmas décor, but alas, no Decembre.  But I did find November 14 which is my anniversary date.  How’s that for romance found in the streets of Paris?

Here are me and my cousin Bobbi from Texas dealing with the nice Frenchman.  He did come down in price.  I think I got a pretty good deal.

 

This same dealer had this awesome zinc bottle drying rack and look what’s on top…a killer chandy!  My suitcase just wasn’t big enough.

He also had this cool spigot.  I would love to use this in a laundry room or outside garden room.

 

Of course, I did a lot more brocanting, but it’ll have to wait for another day.  I’ve got to get ready for the bed delivery.  I can’t wait.

Blessings,

Kim