This old vanity got a "makeover" last week. I used a high quality, matte finish, dark paint for the body. It has the smooth texture of  milk paint, and I like how the decorative details "pop." I used a high-gloss finish on the top and the appliques for contrast and durability. On sale now at Redux!

I rescued 2 of these folding chairs from the back of an old dusty garage. I cleaned and waxed them, and made new seats. I thought I was being clever by pairing antiques with modern vinyl, but after researching the origin of "Leg-O-Matic" chairs, I learned they were popular for use in Airstream campers. The vinyl would have fit right in with those shiny metal trailers.

The beauty of nature never ceases to amaze me. It took a couple hours to sand off all the blade marks and burns, and after a good waxing, I was rewarded with the "rings of life." The glass top was salvaged from St. Vincent de Paul. Great side table for inside or out.

Upholstery isn't just for sitting on. I found this great Parson's table at the local thrift store. Although it was very sturdy, the laminate top was chipped and buckled. I decided to have it upholstered in this beautiful faux bois fabric. 'Kind of ironic and unexpected.

What do you do with an old, retired bowling ball? Cover it with moss.

The good ole hot glue gun and a bag of moss from the craft store does the job.

It was time to replace our winter wreath, but I couldn't find anything the right size or style. I finally saw this antique oval frame at one of my favorite stores, Poppy Red, and thought "if only it was a wreath..." I added some velvet ribbon, and voila, its now a wreath.

Wooden curtain rings are some of my favorite crafting items. I was thrilled to receive a whole box of salvaged rings a couple weeks ago. It took some pondering, but after kicking the box around my studio awhile, I finally came up with the idea of pairing them with air plants (a bit of research clued me in that waterproof craft glue works best). Now looking for a good, cheap source for about 50 tiny air plants.

This is my latest window installment at Redux. 

Manager, Chris Rummell, painted a box of 2nd-hand, mis-matched frames with white chalk paint, and"antiqued" them with a light sanding. I wired them all together in a pattern suggestive of a heart shape, then added old sheet music and heart ornaments made from magazine covers. (No store-bought items were used in the making of this installment.) 

What to do with a basket of broken teapots...?

I put them in my cement mixer, added sand, water, and rocks, and look what came out! Beautiful tumbled bits of ceramic. I hope to use these as ground cover in our planter boxes, and in terrariums. Stay tuned...