Monthly Archives: November 2015

Old Chair New Life

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What do you do with a chair no one wants?  Well ask me that question and my answer is keep it!  That’s exactly what I did with my new addition.  Like an unwanted puppy, I decided to be her new owner.  Give her love and affection and breathe new life in her just like I did Clarissa (and still working on Don).

I decided to do some research on this chair and found it’s a Louis XV style Fauteuil armchair.  These chairs were beginning to be made in the 1600’s and were considered French by Royal Design and was designed with a woman’s figure in mind, by having delicate curves.  The backs were round for the softness of the woman’s shoulders and the carvings were considered the ornaments (like a woman wears jewelry).   This particular chair was made during the turn of the 19th century (between 1880 – 1900).  The chair had it’s original needlepoint fabric, however, as you see, it pretty much took a beating.  But, one thing for sure, she’s a real McCoy, a Louis XV french chair.  So, I’m thrilled that I couldn’t sell it for the mere $25.00 I was asking for it at the yard sale.    The average price for these chairs is $500.00, so yes, she is definitely worth investing in.  I’m going to name her Kittra.  Luckily, the frame was strong, but the wood stain was a bit drab.  I decided to paint the frame using Martha Stewart antique gold (please don’t squeal 🙂 )

The gold paint gives it a new look, without taking away from the beauty and not making it gawdy.

For the fabric, I chose a soft chenile pile white fabric and wanted to incorporate cheetah print with it.  I also wanted the authenticity of the chair to remain intact, so I had the upholsterer keep the straw stuffing but add enough cushion for a better seat.  Keep in mind that if you ever get a chair or sofa and discover it’s an antique, it’s always best to preserve some of its history.

Here’s Kittra’s new look

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Time to bring her home and find a space for her.

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I’m in the process of making a few changes in the living room, nothing big, but changing up the wall color and adding a few reupholstered items.  But for now, she’ll rest here.  I was just so excited with her new look I wanted to share it with you.

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I’ve never used white before on furniture, and now that we’re empty nesters and no little ones around, I thought I’d give it a whirl (for at least one piece) and the cheetah print has always been my fettish.  I plan to add a bit more of that around.  I hope you like Kittra’s new look as much as I do.  Have you done a makeover lately?  I’d love to hear all about it.  Until next time, Happy hunting and enjoy thrifting your house into a home!  Smooches

Jamala

 

 

Right Time Right Moment

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Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of joining my hubby on his yearly golfing trip. Well before we left, I did a quick search for thrift stores and shopping centers that were in the Daytona area, and saw they had a few, so, at least I could have something to keep me busy. Luckily I had the wheel during the wee hours of the morning.  The roads were empty and my eyes could wander a bit.  Well I spotted a few thrift stores and a Goodwill along the way to the hotel.  Naturally I couldn’t wait to get there the next day.  Well my friends… let me tell you… That was THEEE Best Goodwill I have EVER, EVER,(pause-roll the head) EVAH been to.  OH MY GOSH!  This was a true “being at the right place at the right time” moment for me.  Ok.. talk about luck – I had to pinch myself..  Me and my aunt walked in the store and I notice how neat and clean it was (and got even more excited) walking past the registers I look up at the top of the racks and spot some crystal wine decanters, and walked towards them, but then low and behold I spotted some bee-u-tiful barware.  I made a mad dash to them.  I couldn’t believe it.. They were the exact ones I’ve been watching and wanting.  I told my aunt stand right there and guard them while I run to get a cart.  She started laughing at me – because she couldn’t believe my excitement.  She said – “Girl, you’re acting like you found gold” I told her I did!!   Look what I found!!!!

A complete set of Culver “Valencia” barware.  What makes this glass set special is it’s embellished in 22kt gold and it’s their most popular design that ever sold.   Culver glass company was founded in 1939 by Irving Rothenberg in Brooklyn, NY.  The company later relocated to my nearby hometown Rahway, NJ in 1980 and remained there under the realm of Mark “Mickey” Rothenberg, who took over the company in 1987  after his father, Irving, passed away.  Mark ran the company until he sold it in 1996 to Moderne Glass Company, Inc. He then headed another glass company until his death on 9/11 – he was one of the passengers on the hijacked Newark-to-San-Francisco flight that crashed in Pennsylvania.  Known for lavish designs, many embellished with 22-karat gold, the company gained notoriety and its products became highly collectible.  For the most part, Culver did not begin producing gold embellished glass until the late 50’s and much of their pieces made prior to this time, are unsigned, unlabeled and often difficult to identify.

In the early 60s, Culver perfected the (still secret process) of high heat firing, 22k Gold onto their fine glassware, allowing for thick, textured, gold & rhinestone displays, that better handled the test of time. Wealth was abundant in the US, and opulence was equally embraced, with the sleek, Mid Century Modern / Futurist Atomic Age styles, more commonly associated with the time, and business soared.

With the release of the Valencia pattern, popularity exploded & soon Culver was considered the wedding gift of the “Up and coming”, becoming available in the finest department stores. The process of high heat firing 22k Gold onto the glass for permanence, was kept close to the vest by the family & employees.

So you see, I did find gold!  I couldn’t wait to get them to their new home displayed on my bar cart

They added the perfect touch to the cart

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The cute pineapple hand towel was a gifted item I’ve had for years.

The brass pineapple was an estate sale find for a mere $8.00 (woohoo) and my girlfriend spotted the cheetah print napkins and she said they had my name all over them 🙂  (Thanks Kimmy!)

The vintage emerald green decanter- another yard sale find for $5.00 enhances the jewel tone of the glassware and the silver bar accessories were caught at the same estate sale for $4.00.

Now the story starts with me watching this barware on Chairish.  I was holding off buying them until after some upcoming travel plans.  I’m so glad I did, because I was able to snag this 13-piece set for $32.00.  I would have kicked myself if I’d bought them before.  My stylish bar cart look is complete and all done with thrift store, yard sale and estate sale finds.  Now let’s get our “Drink On!!”

I had to give my hubby one big kiss (one for winning the tournament and one for bringing me 🙂 )

If you liked these glasses check out more of them on my Pinterest Board “Fancy Glass” and follow along. Happy hunting and remember – you, too, can thrift your house into a home!  Cheers

Jamala

 

*ps.. the Culver glass history was retrieved from Collectors Weekly and you can read more about it here:

Forever Hydrangeas

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While everyone is displaying all the pretty mums, pansies and lilacs for fall, I’m still admiring my Forever Hydrangea plant. While I lived up north, I was never the green-thumb gardener, but I remember falling in love with the Hydrangea flowers.  I would pass by houses with the beautiful blue, purple, green and mauve color bushes and say to myself “one day I’ll have those”.   I have to admit – I use to wait till night fall to sneak and clip a few – like a bandit in the night wearing a handkerchief and baseball cap  ..(lol- I know- shame on me).  When I moved south, those were the first things I planted.  Needless to say the first couple of years I was not very successful at growing them.  So I kinda gave up.  But throughout the years, one bush managed to stay strong.  I couldn’t believe it and I’m just tickled pink happy.  With all the rain, this one bush, which is planted right outside my bedroom window, is still blooming.  Every morning after I rise, I take a peak just to catch a  quick glance at my beautiful blossom buddies.

Last week, I decided to take advantage and clip a few to dry out, so I can enjoy them until next summer.  To dry hydrangeas where they’ll maintain color is really simple.

FIRST: Cut a few of your beautiful blooms to display in a favorite vase.  Only cut the ones that have fully blossomed and appear to be almost dry (sort of like soft paper).  Remember to cut at a slant and lightly shake off the bugs.  Remove the green leaf – I left a couple on near the very top.  My first batch came to work with me to brighten my desk area.  The cute tray was a DIY you view here

The second batch was placed on the bar cart for some added color (can you believe how colorful they are in November??!)

SECOND:  Add water, but only about an inch up.  You don’t want the stems too deep in the water.  As the water slowly evaporates, the drying process will begin.  Once the water has completely evaporated, and the flowers feel dry, leave them in the vase for another day or two (or until the stems are completely dry).  This will take about 2-3 weeks so be patient and enjoy the color.

THIRD:   Your dried beauties are ready to be display in a fall basket:

Or create a bouquet.  Here I added them with pecans in a vase

The petals tend to darken a bit as they dry, which adds to the fall richness.  The olive green and lilac combinations are perfect fall accent colors.

Or use them with a fall centerpiece, like here:  I just added them on the corner of my simple table display.

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These have the green and mauve tone colors which again, are rich with fall colors.

I couldn’t be more pleased with the having them lingering around my house till next year.  It’ll only remind me of how summer is to come.

So if you have a hydrangea bush still blooming, go ahead, pick a few to bring inside to create your own display.  I hope this post was helpful in drying out your flowers.  Until next time – continue to enjoy the Fall-bulous season.  Smooches!

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Friday Feature

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Hey everyone, it’s been a while since I’ve featured someone, and I apologize for that.  This past month I had a minor setback, but that’s over and now it’s time for me to get back on track.  I’m excited to introduce today’s Friday feature.  A few months ago I joined a Facebook group called The Thrifting Divas.  It’s a wonderful group of ladies who enjoy thrifting and showing off their “goodies”.  It’s mainly focused around fashion, however quite a few people also showcase their homes decorated with items they get while thrifting.  It was through that group I came across thrifting diva, Knetta Lilly, when she featured her beautiful dining room.  Look at her beautiful space:

My mouth dropped when I saw it and to learn she used thrifted items sweetened the whole look.  She stated the table, banquette seating, floor vases, mirrored buffet and lamps were all sourced from Craigslist.  She’s a great example if you look for items, and be patient- you’ll find them without spending a fortune.

Knetta has a passion for home decor, and use thrifted items to decorate her home and clients homes.  She feels you don’t have to be super rich to have a beautiful home and caters to all different budgets.   Here are few of her designs: She created this living room, by using sources like Craigslist and OfferUp.  The sofa, glass coffee table, round rug and Wingback acrylic chairs were all sourced from those sites.

For the bedroom, the thrifted items featured here are the curtain panels and ottoman (which is absolutely stunning).

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She thrifted the mirror, console table and artificial tree to design this dramatic foyer featured here.

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In this cozy quaint sitting area she thrifted the mirrors, table, pillows, chairs and the rug was sale item she snagged for $20.00 (kudos to her!!)

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For a client she designed this dining area by hitting Craigslist for the table, buffet, and light fixture (I’ve got to get active with that site-do any of you use it?)

Last but not least, I have to show you one more fabulous room she created for another client

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To create this swanky pad, she hit a hotel liquidation store and scooped the pin striped chairs and ottoman.  She scored again on Craigslist with the bar and glass top table.  For the bar she used her special touch by staining it black and added the marble top for a whole new look.  The fancy red mirror was silver and she painted it for a pop of color.  She finished the look with custom pillows she made and this room was finished with one happy client.   So you see why I was so excited about today’s feature.  There’s a lot of excitement and enthusiasm amongst home decorators in this group and now Knetta has created her own FB Group Cents Savvy Home.   Knetta Lilly, who is the owner and Principal Designer for K Lilly Interiors, LLC., a residential interior decorating firm in Atlanta, Georgia.  Her site was created to showcase low – priced and second-hand home decor furnishings and accessories that she have sourced in and around Atlanta. Most of these furnishings have been sourced from Craigslist, OfferUp, garage sales and/or thrift stores. She, too, believes your home can look high-end without the expensive price tag. The site allows for its members to post home decor furnishings and accessories that they find and/or post rooms that have been designed with thrifted decor.  So, come join and  “Let’s Have Fun with Cents Savvy Home Decor!”

I’ll look to see you there!  Until next time – happy hunting! Smooches?