Styling my Own Painted Furniture, Part Dos

Last time I shared my "ocean blues" dresser and the items I would put with it if it were mine ("styling my own painted furniture")  I had a huge response and it became my most viewed post ever! I was honored to have it featured at the shabby creak cottage, and am amazed by how many times its been pinned and re-pinned on pinterest. You guys rock!

So naturally I thought, "that was fun, lets do it again."

 

 Only this time with a console/cabinet.

 I used two different shades of blue like last time, however instead of layering them, I used them side by side.

This is a great piece for an entry way. It fits in smaller spaces while still having room for storage behind the door.

I really like the original hardware so it stayed just how I found it.

I distressed it a lot and used a dark wax for the finish.

Now if I wasn't selling this, and I put it in an entry way, this is how I might decorate with it:

1. Nate Berkus Dipped Bowl, Target. Great catch-all for keys and mail.

2. ZigZag Rug in Grey, Urban Outfiitters

3. Hand painted Lamp with Script Drum Shade, Refound Vintage

4. Large Round "Montclaire" Mirror, One Kings Lane

5. Natural Decorations, Inc. Faux Lilac Arrangement, Joss and Main 
(real flowers would be even better!)

I think "styling my own painted furniture" will be a regular around here :)

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Simple Fall Decorating Part I

I started my fall decorating at home and decided this year I wanted to keep things simple, light and suddle. Here is the first completed part - the fire place side of my Living Room.

I'm still enjoying the simplicity of the vintage milk glass vases that I put on my mantel a couple months ago, so I just added some (artificial) wheat and grasses to them.

I placed three metal pumpkins on the fireplace. The largest one I purchased at a craft show a couple years ago and the other two are from my good friend, Ann's booth at A Classy Flea.

They are also great for outdoor use.

No real changes to the left of the fireplace... just some flowers from my yard.

To the right I added a wreath that has hung on my front door in previous years. .

I made it by hot gluing leaves again, and again, anddd ... again. 

The leaves are from crate and barrel, unfortunately I don't think they still carry them.

The chair is vintage from another dealer at a classy flea. Vintage shutters fill the corner and a vintage wood crate (I'm seeing a theme here) holds what fire wood I had left over from last year.

I likely won't be lighting any fires for a few months to come, but I still added a vintage brass match stick holder, in anticipation of the cool weather that makes the Season so great.

(down in the right.. see it?)

I like the cute duck detail

Looking at the picture above, the only items that were purchased new are the pumpkins and fleur de lis wreath holder. 

Happy Fall!

 

Sunday, Sun Down

Me enjoying a day at Haven Spa, Rhinebeck, NY.
(A birthday girl from a great friend)

Part of my ReFound Vintage mission is to focus on health and wellness. I am no expert in the field, however I have spent much of my down time exploring and researching numerous ways to focus and relax. As a single mom of a very energetic one year old, relaxing is last on my to-do list. From a mindfulness perspective, this is no good!

If you often find yourself caught between picking up stray cheerios in between couch cushions and pulling your head out of the washing machine every day, it's time to face the facts. Life will stop for no one...therefore, we must make it a point to take control. We don't have a relax button and no one has the power to take control other than you.

In recent years, I have discovered yoga, pilates, zen, health food stores, Nutella, crafts and the power of a good book. Some of these activities may interest you, some may not. That is ok! These are my personal go-to's for unwinding and relaxing my mind and body. This post is meant to encourage you to explore and find your own way to relax.

You may be saying "I don't need to relax," or "I don't have time for this nonsense." But the fact of the matter is, you must have an open mind and be an advocate for your own well being.

Here are some of my suggestions. Remember, have an open mind because you never know what may work until you give it a try.

1. Yoga (a classic, sure way to focus the mind and just be!)

Yoga by selecomte featuring American Eagle Outfitters

Yoga pants

delias.com

Yoga footwear

etsy.com

American Eagle Outfitters hair accessory

ae.com

White home decor

purehome.com

2. Pilates (my absolute FAVORITE...relax and build a 6pack at the same time. I recommend Body Be Well in Red Hook, NY

3. Zen (I purchased a mini Zen garden from OfficePlayground.com for $14.99)

4. Explore your local health food store. The relaxing possibilities are endless.

5. Nutella (simply amazing)

6. Crafts. I have always been a creative person, but never found one particular activity that I am set on. I enjoy trying different things. For a while I enjoyed making homemade cards and gift tags, then I experimented with calligraphy, then made homemade dreamcatchers and lately, I tried painting canvas. I never thought I could paint but I gave it a try and it felt great!

My first canvas painting, Fall Foliage

7. Read. Read anything! Find something you enjoy and read it! Always carry it with you because you never know when you'll have a free moment to relax and get lost.

My current read, easy and enjoyable

8. Embrace the power of sunshine. It's a proven fact...Vitamin D is a powerful pick me up. Now, I know we are searching for ways to relax, but sometimes feeling happy is the best way to relax. Go for a walk, sit on your porch, lay on a towel in your lawn, look at a picture of the sun (if you live in Alaska) and just appreciate the warmth and brightness.

Enjoying the late August sunshine with Cameron

Now go out there and explore! It's never too late to learn something new about yourself. 

I would love to hear about your adventures of relaxing. Leave a little note on here!

Check back later this week on how to feel good about yourself when your world is in complete chaos!

New Finds = New Etsy Items

 

I added a few new items to Etsy over the last couple days. This lamp I hand painted, and it comes with the script drum shade. I even have a matching one if you need them by your bed!

I also added this light bulb that someone re-purposed into a bottle. I thought it would be good on a bookshelf.

And finally, I added this vintage, Asian style, glass lamp. 

The detail is so pretty

Fall Wedding Guest

With Labor Day officially behind us, I have total Fall fever now. The fact that it just hit me is completely unusual. In the past I was buying the first mums I spotted in the grocery store in early August. 

pinterest, original source unknown

Then after receiving an invitation to my friend's October wedding in the mail recently, it only added to my day dreaming of sweaters, a cool breeze, pumpkin lattes and apple picking. So until mother nature gets on board (because 85degrees doesn't really say break out the boots) the best thing I can do is create a "visual daydream" of what I'd wear to this event.

After all, my favorite season plus the fun of a wedding is a pretty fantastic combination 

So here is what I came up with for inspiration. 

This look certainly wasn't made with a budget in mind, like I said, it's just a look for inspiration.

 But if you some how can afford a $800+ wallet, good for you.

 Here's a source list.. knock yourself out :)  

$70 - warehouse.co.uk

barneys.com

topshop.com

harrods.com

evanity.com

1stdibs.com

Warm Nightstand, Cool Accessories

When I paint furniture and decorate my house, I definitley favor cooler colors. So, when I painted this 2-drawer nightstand tan, it was a little different for me.

But the thing is, one tan piece of furniture does not mean your room has to be decorated with browns, reds and shades of orange.

Here are some accessories I found that keep the nightstand more modern and bright.

1. Peacock Print from Annasee on Etsy. The curves of the feathered tail plays off the curved detail on the drawer fronts.
2.White Lamp /Shade from West Elm
3. Pair of blue/gold hand painted Candle Holders (www.refoundvintagehome.etsy.com)
4. Stack of books (image from babble.com)
5. Dahlia Candle Holder from CB2


Now for a better look at the Nightstand (which is for sale at a classy flea in marietta, ga)

I used Annie Sloan's "coco" with some white acrylic I had.

I went a little heavy on the distressing to bring out several layers of color

Hope Everyone is enjoying their Labor Day Weekend!

If you're local, A Classy Flea is having a Sale Sunday and Monday where items are marked down 10, 15 and 20% OFF!

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