Outdoor Drink Station

In a couple weeks I will have a bunch of friends visiting from all over the country. It's always very casual and fun, but I like to put out a good spread, and to me the drinks are a pretty integral part of a fabulous summer gathering. I picked up a vintage wheeled cart at the flea market last week that I'm working on refinishing. It's going to be our drinks stations for our outdoor entertaining. I'll show you a picture when it's complete, but the 'before' picture is below. Here are some other awesome outdoor drink stations. It's Friday, after all, and I'm ready for a cocktail!

It's probably the pool in the background, but this whole picture just looks soooo refreshing. 

Is there anytime an antique chippy paint farm table doesn't look amazing? I vote no. 

Retro and cheerful, perfect for a red white and blue themed drinks station.

A simple but elegant set up that shows the great table at its best. 

SUCH a clever idea! I see old doors on craigslist all the time. It would be so easy to repurpose one into a table. This one is extra pretty since the door was so fancy to begin with!

The area for the ice is especially useful here, a perfect temporary repurposing of a potting bench.

This one is very similar to mine- though a little sleeker with the god detailing. I really like the freedom of  mobility that the casters allow.

This is a beautiful potting bench. So clever to use the planters to chill the wine. 

And here's my new cart. I got it for $4, which I think is a pretty awesome deal. Its got great big wheels, and a very industrial look. I've painted the two work surfaces a mint green so far, but I haven't really figured out yet what else to do with it, or if I should just leave the rest of it alone!

A Girl Can Dream

Last night I had the most vivid dream that we bought a new house and on the property was a 19th century school house that I was going to convert into my new workshop. It had old hardwood floors, 15ft ceilings, huge windows, the perfect amount of space. I was so elated...and then I woke up.
I'm currently doing all of my furniture work in my basement workshop. The ceilings are pretty low, it's a bit musty, and everything that needs to be sanded, photographed, or sold, has to be hauled up the 10 basement steps and through the hatchway. It is not, by any means, an ideal space.

When I go running in the evenings I like to peek in the windows of all the abandoned factories (My town was once the number one producer of bells in the world) and dream of a studio/workshop in one of those big, sunny, cool, and slightly creepy spaces. Then again, I'd also be very happy buying a house that had a huge barn or outbuilding and using that as the workshop. That way I could keep up my habit of late night polyurethaning. Either way- it would be an upgrade from my basement dungeon. Here are some pics of other barn and warehouse studios.

I love the how open and bright this space is. I would be terrified to work on furniture in here though, the gorgeous floors would be paint splattered in a matter of minutes. 

Another really cool bright workshop. 

With a few more windows, this would be perfect. A cement floor so I can make a mess guilt free. Its a big open space 

Stunning barn conversion. I'm amazed there aren't more barn conversions in New England. These 19th century barns are everywhere, and lots of them are still in remarkable good shape. 

They turned this barn into a jewelry store- it would have been equally awesome as a furniture gallery. 

Beyond gorgeous. Look at the subtle diamond patter on the floor, the matching enamel topped work tables, that huge antique cabinet. 

There's a factory in two that looks a lot like this on the inside. It needs to be cleaned up a bit but definitely has potential. I love the texture play between the painted brick wall in the back and the chipped paint on the beams. 

Well, if I ever win the lottery, I'll get myself a space just like this for my workshop. I don't frequently play the lottery, so it's a long shot. 

Happy Flag Day!

I like flag day. There's something so summery and festive about a flag jauntily hung on the wall... and don't get me started on how much I adore bunting. Someday when I have my great big old house, It's going to be bunted to within an inch of its life from flag day to the fourth.
In our upstairs (once it's finished) we're going to have a long hallway that I've been struggling to figure out how to decorate. After looking at these pictures I think, at least in the summer, I'm going to hang a collection of large vintage flags. My little sister scored a really great faded vintage stars and stripes at the flea market a few weeks ago (pictured). I called her this morning and she's promised to send me a picture by the end of the day of the flag now hanging on her apartment wall- so I'll add it when I get it.
Here are some other gorgeous flags integrating into decor. Kinda makes you feel a little patriotic no?

About nine different flag decor options all in one vignette.
 I especially like the flag hanging casually on the antique ladder.

A painted wooden flag is a more durable option than a textile one, and it adds a folk art charm to this kitchen.

Nautical and fresh with a flag hung as a curtain. I bet it looks cute peaking through from the outside too!

Retro charm and I love how the red from the flag plays off the olive upholstery of the couch. 

And I die. LOVE. And for the record, readers, this is just what I want someday - c.1860, white with black shutters,  an open air porch. I may have to steal this house. 

The union jack provides a welcome burst of color in an otherwise neutral space. 

I adore this hallway. This is just how I want my upstairs hallway to look. I just wonder if my cats would try and climb up the flag...

I would also accept this house as my dream home...though it looks like an in-town location, and I can't abide by that. Look at that bunting though. It just makes me smile. 

I've had this image saved in my interiors folder for sometime and I just now noticed that those are framed signal flags on the wall. They're very subtle, really just serve to compliment the portrait. I really like the bed linens here too.
 Flags and ticking go so well together.

A really fine collection of antique and vintage flags framed as art make a striking and attractive display in an entry way. I imagine flags would be quite a fun thing to collect. 

Flags as pillows are a great way to add a little summer flare to your family room-
and that green cupboard behind the couch is stunning. 

This faded and worn union jack looks like it made it through some terrible battle. It adds so much texture and interest to a subdued bedroom wall.

Little sister Erin with her prize flag from the flea market- stay tuned for a picture of it in its new home.

On Sideboards

As many of you know- I have a wee bit of a kitchen island obsession. Well, the same goes for sideboards. Couldn't tell you why, but it's reeeaaally hard for me to walk by a vintage sideboard and not want to buy it and fix it up, and I'm always wanting to turn other things into sideboards. I think they're such an interesting piece of furniture- were definitely out of style as being 'too formal' up until a few years ago- but they're back with a vengeance, though in a more informal playful manner.
I think a sideboard is a great way to express a little creativity in your space- add some color, a little whimsy, even a sense of humor. Let's face it- this piece will mostly be holding trays of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, so there's no need to make it too dour!
They're also versatile pieces- you can turn a sideboard into a bathroom vanity, a tv console, a kitchen island, a bit of built in storage, and entry console, a potting bench- the possibilities are endless. I thought we could spend a few minutes looking at pretty pictures of sideboards- cause, why not!

I love the blue color here- it really makes the detail of the piece pop. 

A gorgeous example that adds character and warmth to the home. 

This was a c. 1870 solid chestnut sideboard that I did as a custom project for a client last winter. 

The sideboard that was in my dining room. Gonna turn it into a kitchen island I think.

I got this one off craigslist. It was painted six ways from Sunday. I put a nice soft antique yellow on it.
Beautiful details. 

Just finished working on this one. It was a c.1920 sideboard that I added a veneer top to. I love the turned legs. 

This is my current sideboard...need to paint that one drawer pull

This one's currently for sale on craigslist. It started life as an antique solid maple dresser. I painted it a creamy white and added the barn board top. 

Great slate blue color that's complimented by the red tones in the finished top. 

I'm working on a sideboard right now that will look almost identical to this when I'm done. I really like the antique white with the medium colored wood top. 

Charcoal gray is a hard color to get right, and I would be interested to see the space that this sideboard is in now. If it's done right, it could look amazing. 

This is so many shades of blue and green- it's just delicious. 

A classic design and style- Mission oak adds a little visual weight to an eclectic space. 

LOVE this one. Why not have a little fun right? This is a showstopper. 

and, of course, how could I resist this green one. I love the lower shelf. 

Fabulous Coffee Table Set

Last year I got a smashing solid pine coffee table at a tag sale. As my old coffee table (From Bob's Discount Furniture) was in sad sad shape, I decided it was time for an upgrade. I stained the top of the coffee table dark walnut, painted the base white. I love it so much and I get quite a few compliments on it- That's why I was so beyond delighted when I found this incredible coffee table/ side table set two weeks ago. It's all solid pine, in fantastic condition, and I knew just what to do with it- refinish it just like I did with my coffee table! Bright antique white legs, dark walnut top. I have to admit- I like the coffee table from this set better than my own- the top has a much more defined and attractive wood grain- but I wouldn't dare break up the set for my own benefit! I couldn't be more pleased with how the whole set turned out- it's been one of the most satisfying projects I've worked on to date. The best part is that Pottery Barn has a very similar coffee table for sale - for $699?!?!? That's obscene and I don't know how they get away with it. This whole set will be a fraction of that cost, and I guarantee this set is higher quality. I can't wait to find this set a good home.
Before and after pics below. Enjoy!

before- and cute but in need of some pizzazz

look at those tops- some of the finest wood grain I've seen in a long time.

just for giggles- here's my coffee table and side table. Look how similar!

Gonna look incredible in someone's family room!