Vintage Headboard

Technically it is a vintage (1930's-1940's) bed-frame (headboard, foot-board, side rails) including  a dresser and mirror. I am saving the foot-board and rails for another project. The dresser is currently employed as a work surface and storage in my kitchen. 

Here is the the very Plain Jane headboard which has been sitting in my garage for about a decade. I know it is shameful.

It's kinda dusty

And mirror which has some lovely detailing.

The mirror is just beginning to show some lovely patina on the glass

Close up of mirror detail

The nightstands I am using in the spare bedroom are white.  I could paint it white and call it a day. But feel like it needs...something. Some decorative applique? Stencil? Decoupage? Upholster?

Here are some inspirations

thevisualvamp.blogspot.com

flickr.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91376111

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/22425624

shabbynest.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80133441

edhenhome.blogspot.com/2010/07/cricut-love.html

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50411739


I kinda like them all! Suggestions? 


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Vanity be thy name

This little vanity table (circa 1930's-1950's) was given to me by my sister probably about 8 years ago. It wasn't in the best of shape then. It spoke to me so I kept it. It has been bounced around the house, room to room. It has been a desk, a vanity and a side table. For a brief time it was shoved into a corner of the garage--unloved, forgotten and sad. 

Once my daughter moved out, we had more room in the house and could envision what each space would become. I ALWAYS wanted a dressing room with a vanity. There is something so utterly girly and romantic about  it. Our dressing room was no longer a fantasy and then I remembered the sad little vanity. It was covered in cobwebs. And a few dead bugs. ICK! The legs were wobbly, it was aged, yellowed, chipped and gouged. The swing arms to hold the skirting are long gone (missing before I even had it). 

I started to spray it and didn't get a BEFORE pic. oops

 I  tightened the legs and cleaned off all the gunk. Covered it with a fabric remnant and pretty much left it. But it still seemed so sad. I didn't have enough space in the dressing room for the vanity so it is going to live just outside the dressing room in the little nook before the spare bedroom. You can see it (kinda) when I was working on painting the feature wall and my hallway.  Just please ignore the mess! It was a work in progress. Don't judge!

I finally decided it was time to dress it up. I gave it a once over with a fine grit sandpaper (200), tacked it off and began painting in a Satin White. I wasn't to concerned with the edges since that is going to get covered with fabric. Here is my sweet little vanity with a fresh coat of paint. Definitely brighter and lighter. Still a great deal of imperfections but that really imbues the character. Do you see the edge is riddled with holes. Doesn't it make you wonder about all the women who sat at the vanity through the years? How did they have it decorated?  Was it a few moments of quiet contemplation in the morning or before bed? Did they watch themselves age gracefully or agonize over every little wrinkle and gray hair? What memories were reflected in the mirror? 

Next I decided while it has lovely legs I decided she (yes it's a she) needed a little more modesty. I am trying to be very frugal so I am using what I have as much as I can. I had a round side table coverlet that my friend Sharon had given to me for free. I began by folding it in half  and then I pressed a very crisp edge using the iron on cotton/ steam.

I simply took the scissors and cut along the pressed edge and now I have 2 pieces of equal proportions.

I then turned over the raw edge to an approximate 1/2 inch seam and repeated the pressing technique to get a crisp edge.

Next I aligned the fabric around the vanity edge. I approximated the center (eyeballed it) on the front, back and side. I added a staple at each of these points.

What you are left with is some very droopy and ill fitting skirting. I then began adding small tuck pleats and stapled in place.

I repeated the process with the second piece of skirting. And here she is. Looking kinda cute.  Hmmm, I need to address those staples. Not very attractive.

I rooted around my scraps and I just didn't have anything that would work. So off to Joann's I went- coupon in hand. I came across some nice ecru/cream upholstery/ curtain trim for $2.99 per yard. 3 yards later I am back at home and wrapping the edge.

Hello my handy dandy (and ANCIENT ) glue gun!

Prior to attaching the trim I ran beads of hot glue on the edge of the fabric between the staple points. I want the edge very secure. Once that was set-up, I aligned the cut edge of the trim on center and aligned the around the side applying a bead of hot glue to attach.

I repeated this all the way around. Using the flat edge of a pair of scissors to press the trim into the glue. It is very secure! Once the entire edge was wrapped I added a little bit of bling to cover the where the  raw edges meet. Isn't it cute?!

Now to dress her up! I added my thrift store mirror.  Added some necklaces and lined up my bottles of perfume. I used to work for a cosmetics company--don't judge!

oh yeah, I added drapes across the dressing room

 A few different vantage points.

Oops! My bling and ruffles aren't centered--boo!

project recap
Vanity=free
skirting=free
mirror=$21.30
trim=$8.07
blingy accent=$0.29


I already had the paint, staple gun, staples, glue gun and glue sticks. I didn't do precise measurements. My finish isn't perfect. I wanted a quick and easy project. This could be upgraded by refinishing the vanity, purchasing higher grade fabric and trim. A quick search online and I found comparable vanities beginning at $25. If you have really good DIY skills you could make one using plywood and spindles.

I absolutely love it! So what do think?

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Tiki Tacky no more

Do you remember these? If you were a product of the 1960's/1970's-I am sure somewhere in your repressed  faded memories there was a relative, friend or neighbor that had these hanging on their kitchen wall.

My daughter  desperately wanted a set of these for Christmas. SPECIFICALLY, she wanted THE set (or an identical set) to what her Mammaw and Pappaw T. used to have. Unfortunately, I couldn't replicate those no matter where I searched. But I came close when I found a pair on Ebay that are 32 inches tall. Yes--almost 3 feet tall! That sure is a whole lotta fork and spoon. Of course, I found the ginormous pair after  these were already purchased at a thrift store (which are about 18 inches in height). Hmmm, what to do, what to do.

Not trying to harsh anyone's mellow but the Tiki thing? So NOT my style. I really like the wooden utensil thing though. It's kinda kitschy. Quirky. Like me.  I had alluded to to using jute twine for craft in a previous post, so here we go!

Here are the supplies needed--

Also needle and thread and duh -giant fork and spoon

Do NOT waste your money buying twine from Michael's- they charge $6.99 for about 120 feet. (At least that is all that was available at my local store). Go to Lowes, Home Depot or Tractor Supply where  you can purchase 190-250 feet of jute for $2.99. Hobby Lobby has 400 feet normally priced at $6.99, but with coupon or sale you can buy it for as cheap as $3.99.

The first thing I did was very lightly rub the spoon, fork tines and handles with a very fine piece of sandpaper (220 grit).  An emery cloth would probably work as well. I really didn't want to sand to take the finish off and make it perfect.  Just  enough to knock off some of the little bumps (and get rid of 40 years of grime-bleh). Next, I went over them with a little Old English Walnut stain/ polish since I like the dark wood look. (A dark shoe polish would probably work as well. I just used what I had available.)  Paint is always an option if you opt to forgo the wood color.  After everything was dry I began  by wrapping the jute twine over the Tiki portion of the handles.

I wrapped these when I was watching TV because it is BORING!!  Try to make it a tight wrap and neat. If you have little gaps it is ok because you will go over it anyway. Once all the main bumps and divets were wrapped and relatively concealed,  I tried to make the handle appear uniform in size.

Sam-Sam was "helping"

When finished  wrapping the jute, tuck the end into the wrapped section using the tip point of the scissors and then apply a drop of glue to seal it. No worries about it unraveling! I  took a piece of twine that was  approximately 15-18 inches long divided it into 3 equal portions and tied a knot at one end. I then braided the three strands.

When finished with the braid, I knotted the other end, trimmed any frayed pieces and this will become the hanger for the utensil.

I looped the braid through the hole of the utensil's handle, butted the knotted ends together  and then whip stitched the knots together forming a loop. When  I was done sewing, I ran a thin bead of glue around the seam.

The hanger will be strong enough to support the weight of  the utensil.

And here is the way they turned out! I just love it!

Cost breakdown:
Over-sized vintage wooden utensils  $6.99
380 feet of jute twine  $ 5.98
Super Glue $1.00 (I already had this)

It took me maybe 1 1/2 hrs to do everything but I did take breaks between steps. The wrapping of each utensil was probably 20 -30 minutes each. I used ~ 190 feet of  jute on each utensil. For less than $15  I have cool and kitschy wall decor for my kitchen! What do you think?


Shared on http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday 2/6/12

Shared on  2/07/2012 

My Weekend Retail Therapy

You would think after all of the Christmas shopping, I would be over it and not want to shop. Oh my friend you would be so wrong! This weekend was full of fantastic finds!

My daughter found this beautiful mirror for my vanity at one of our local thrifty haunts. It's chippy paint.  It's cottage-garden style. It's adorable!!

Meijer's
It is a desert plate but I thought it would be awesome as a candle holder. AND it was on clearance SCORE!

Big Lots
It is great because I use it for loose change. (Well if the hubbs and my daughter would quit taking it that is!)

TJ Maxx

A new shower curtain on clearance

This ADORABLE pillow!! It matches the decor in my girly spare bedroom perfectly! Also on clearance. 

Some aromatherapy for me! Lavender bath salts, french milled soap and silky talc 

These adorable potpourri birds!

Lavender

Lemon Grass

A very cool school vibe wall mounted magazine/ file holder

I saw the flowers and chippy white finish and had to  have it. I have NO IDEAL what I am using this one for. It is not quite big enough for a magazine. Cold use it for mail or maybe to hold hand towels. Ideals anyone?

Tuesday Morning

A couple of discounted pictures frames. They are slightly different but similar in finish. Love these!

Some super cute 100% cotton fabrics and scraps for quilting projects.

A new rattan silverware organizer

My weekend was spent shopping and then deciding where to put all my newest treasures.  I also cleaned some items out of the kitchen and closets. I did a massive donation to Goodwill. I try to eliminate 1 item for every 1 new item brought in the house. A must when you live in a small space! What did all my bloggy friends do this weekend? Shop, cook, decorate, lounge around? I would love to hear from you!