The Beautiful Antique Carriage

During the Christmas holidays, I was refinishing alot of childrens pieces.  Tables and chairs, toy chests, play kitchens, and a very special antique baby carriage.  When I first saw this carriage, I immediately knew it wouldn't last very long.  With Christmas a couple of weeks away, I thought for sure that a mommy on my facebook page would grab this quickly  for her little girl ~

It was pretty from the very beginning, just needed a little added love to make it gorgeous.  Of course, when I brought this home, my little granddaughter, Samantha, wanted it.  But I explained to her that someone else would probably get more use out of it than she would.  If you all only knew the toys, and craft items this little girl has.....omg.  She will probably take after me when she grows up as she loves to paint, is very creative and always looking for things to repurpose.  Anyway, so she was o.k. after I told her it was going to be up for sale.

Well, within a couple of hours of posting this pretty carriage, it was claimed.  A lovely lady by the name of Melanie, of RENDERING BY MELANIE, bought it.  Turns out that she is a photographer ~ how perfect was this?  She wasn't sure what color she wanted it refinished but she knew she wanted the carriage. 

So, Christmas came and went and Melanie decided on brown ~ so I did some research to see what antique carriages looked like "back in the days".  I found some in brown with black wheels ~ that was my question ~ what color do I paint the wheels. 

I went and bought the paint color that Melanie picked ~ it was Bison Brown by Behr and I went with the satin finish.  So, I took the carriage completely apart, primed it  and started the painting ~ after a few coats of this bison brown on the body of the carriage ~ I was in love with it. 

So, I am currently using her photo as my profile picture for my name change of YOUNIQUE727 to ON SECOND THOUGHT......might even decide on making it my permanent one....hhmmmmm.

Thanks for stopping by ~ and don't forget to join me my new f/b page......ON SECOND THOUGHT

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/On-Second-Thought/154275191293282

My Shabby Chic Inspiration

A few days ago I decided I was going to transform my home into the shabby chic look ~ I've always loved this look and decor; however, my decorating has trended more towards the traditional dark browns, mahogony, elegant type of furniture. Well, since I've just about sold all my traditional home decor, I've got to start shopping and re-decorating....oh, you know I dread that :)

I've read plenty of blogs, magazines and such that I pretty much know what I want now ~ its just pulling it all together now.  All my current end tables and coffee table are dark brown ~ but that is an easy fix......I'll repaint all those when I can.  I'm buying new lamps, new rugs, well, when I say new, I mean from a thrift store and just fixing them up and making them beautiful ~ I hope......

I find things all the time but unfortunately I have a difficult time keeping them for myself.  Now that I'm selling home decor, in addition, to furniture, I want to sell that too ~ I guess I want to share these beautiful items with everyone as I feel I can always find something else ~ am I crazy or what?

The pictures I am posting are from a wonderful blogger named "Miss Mustard Seed" ~ she is the most creative person I've ever known.  She can do it all ~ paint, sew, use power tools and is a very nice person too.  She has so many ideas in her head I wonder if she ever sleeps.

Well, lucky for me, I have alot of furniture already ~ all I have to do now is sand it down and repaint it to the shabby chic look ~ don't know when I'll have to do it though. I have lots of pieces to finish for my clients ~ they come first.  So, I will get my home "shabby chic" as soon as I can.  In the meantime, I'll keep looking for more inspiration and hope that my home looks as beautiful as these pictures.

Thanks for stopping by and May God Bless You :)

Time to be Shabby Chic

Happy New Year Everyone.......

Like many of you, I have always loved the shabby chic look ~ have had a few pieces here and there but never went completely shabby chic.  Well, this year its going to be ALL SHABBY CHIC.....you would think with me painting all the time that it would be easy to transform my entire home to shabby chic but it isn't so. My home is very traditional with dark wood; I love it but I really want the shabby chic look now.....

If you ever talk to your landscaper he will tell you that he too doesn't have to landscape his own yard as he's too busy doing everyone else's yards.......I think this applies to many other occupations also....maybe I'm wrong but I've heard this more than once. 

There are so many times that I'm out thrifting and I am pulled towards items that I want for my home BUT they won't match because they are all shabby chic ~ so, starting this month, I will start transforming my home, one room at a time.

I've always felt that the shabby chic look is so warm and inviting ~ don't get me wrong, I love the traditional look as it tends to look very elegant and warm also but I've decided its time to make a change to reflect my passion which is refinishing and painting furniture, shabby chic style.

The good thing about all this is it shouldn't take too much time to transform my old furniture (excluding my couch, its leather and probably will just be covered) as my sprayer does wonders......yeaaahhhh.  I have things put away now, like shutters, old windows, antique pics. but just haven't put them to use ~ but...give me a few months and I will share my transformations with you. 

If you have any suggestions or ideas to help me with this big endeavor, let me know.  I also would love to see pictures of your home so I can be inspired.

Thanks for stopping by and May God Bless You :)