Repurposing at its best

My New Washstand

In another lifetime this was a sewing desk or student desk.

When I purchased it for five bucks, it did not have a top and there are no drawers.

However, there was a compartment inside that I removed.

I took a photo of the graffiti while I was painting it.

One day I discovered a large old cabinet door I purchased at the Resale store in Waco would work for a table top. 

I was very excited because I knew from the beginning that I would make a mosaic top for my washstand and was wondering how I would handle the edge of the mosaic.

The trim of molding near the edge was perfect. 

Ready to grout.

Grouted. Note the plate is grouted in place.

I remember that my Grannie had a washstand at her back door. 

It seems like it was a plain wooden box.

She also had a dipper hanging on a nail above a bucket of well water for drinking.

Can you imagine?

washstand at the backdoor

My original plan was to cut a hole in the top so this granite bowl would sit down in it. 

When the time came, I couldn't decide if I really really wanted to cut a hole.

What if I made a mess of it? 

I tried to think of something simpler.

And discovered that I had two big bowls in my kitchen that would also work on my new washstand.

Each would have required a different size hole. 

It would have been real simple to just mosaic the whole top.

But you know I do tend to make things complicated for myself. 

So I used a cracked plate from my everday dishes and grouted it into the mosaic. 

Now, I have three options for the wash bowl. 

So, do you agree? 

Giving new life to an old desk that nobody but me wanted and an old cabinet door is repurposing at its best.

♥

Project by Project

I'll get them done. 

While I emptied the parlor last week to clean and paint the floor, I took pictures of most of the projects I moved out. 

Just for the record (mine), it is helpful to see them this way rather than in my head in a jumbled mess.

Or in the parlor in a jumbled mess.

Birdcage project needs a bit of dressing up. 

Also, on this day I retrieved the rolled up morning glory floor cloth from under the bed and unfurled it. 

As the day warmed the floor cloth relaxed and settled down in its spot. 

I LOVE IT!

Chair is a paint and seat project

Buggy project will be a surprise

 This was my mother-in-laws and I don't know where it came from.

I can't help but wonder if it was hers.

I have a re-purpose plan for it. 

Shutters to re-purpose

Cabinet Corner Shelf to hang

Antique Easel

 This will be a simple project.

Boxes 

Tin Canister Set

Sconces with Mercury Glass 

Candle holders

Wicker Chair

Table and legs

 This will become a parlor art desk.

Small Drop Leaf Table

Baskets

Various legs and turned dowel parts

 I'll think of something. 

Expandable Hooks

 I have already used the one on the left. 

Watch for it in the next post. 

Stove

Small three drawer cabinet

 Small cabinet needs gluing and paint.

Homemade stool

This little stool project is finished. 

It is a little wobbley but I'm not touching it as it was made and used by my Daddy.

And I love it just the way it is.

Having it in the Garden Palace makes me think of him every time I see it. So many memories but mostly that he taught me I could do anything I thought I could do.

♥

Wanna See My Junk

April fools

The Garden Palace parlor full of junk is the room-of-the-week.

Company is coming and I'm frantic to get ready for a fun visit.

Everything was moved into the parlor while I was working on the other rooms.

But now I've moved everything out because the parlor is the last room to reclaim and with luck and hard work, I will have this room conquered by weeks end. 

Everything in every picture is a project.

There is no way I will get all the projects finished before my visitor gets here, but I will have finished the reclamation from the unwanted furry and flying squatters who moved in during during the period of my neglect.

♥

PS...all of my online classes are marked down really really cheap. And that is no April fools joke!

Antique Landscapes in Ugly Antique Frames

Another Garden Palace Project

These four antique oil paintings are by an unknown artist.

All four were obviously painted by the same person;

however, only one is signed.

The artist name is Davidson.

These came to me by way of my mother-in-law.

Although, I didn't know anything about them until after she was gone.

Each painting has the same initials on the backside that give me a clue as to where this collection came from and how my mother-in-law came by them. 

In the mid 1950s, the house they lived in was torn down. It was a beautiful Victorian three story house. Some items were unwanted by the owner and and were left for them to do with as they wished. 

The house owners initials are on the back side of each painting.

I think it is fun to know a little bit of history but I just could not live with the ugly frames. 

Or maybe I am just "into" all things white. 

I think it is interesting that each frame is different. 

I used chalk paint and distressed the frames before waxing them. 

Here they are at the base of the stairs in the Garden Palace. 

I have intentions for this wall display to grow up the stairs.

And I will probably paint all the frames. 

♥

Here's another before and after

It doesn't look so bad before I painted it.

I Just wanted it RED.

It now sits "in waiting" on the newly painted gray floor of the middle room. 

I'm thinking it will be hung in the parlor because I'm going in a red-everything direction for that little room.

♥ 

Trash to Treasure

Another Garden Palace project.

Finished 

I took this cute little cabinet apart to make it easier to paint.

Also, it was a bit wobbly which I fixed. 

Love the way it turned out .

However, I'm not sure just where I will hang it. 

Soon, I'll know. 

For now it sits "in holding" in the tiny stair-room.

And please do notice the painted floor. 

I'm not even sure what knick-knacks I will display.

And I was wondering, does it bother you that the side glasses are missing?

Not me.

I made a treasure out of somebody's trash.

♥

PS...if you are interested in following me by email. There is a way to sign up in the sidebar. 

I signed up to follow me and it is pretty cool.

Now, I'll know when I post ;0)

I think I'm out of Hibernation

I've been hibernating, mostly busy with this and that. 

You know how it goes. 

This is one of the thats.

I finally finished the Lamp started here.

It took me a good while to find an old lamp shade.

Five bucks.

I spray painted it green because that's what I had.

And then I wrapped it with fibers because that's what I had.

I started this toothbrush rug in January while enjoying a roaring fire and listening to books.

The tool is a toothbrush that has been cut off.

If your interested it making one, consult with Google for the how-to. You'll find a lot.

This one reached twenty-two inches before I got bored inspired to jump to a new project.

This poor little wicker stool has been a Garden Palace project in waiting for ever so long.

I had no idea how to fix it until I got bored was working on that toothbrush rug. 

First thing, cut away the seat.

Then, I started another toothbrush rug.

And painted the stool.

Stool Rug.

This is the finished project.

Projects waiting to go to the Garden Palace.

I have great intentions to be back real soon to show and share more this and thats projects.

Until then, know that I'm still here and love hearing from you.

♥