Daily-Beast-cottagecharmcreations

Wooden Trinket Box Tutorial...

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Our House, tutorials

While out treasure hunting the other day, my daughter spied this

adorable wooden trinket box for $4. . . score!

Although it didn't look like that at first. . .but I could

definately see the potential! This was just a

little too busy for my taste. . .

Out in the workroom we pulled out the sander and got busy. . .

just a few minutes is all it takes!

By sanding through the edges to the wood,
it allows for easier distressing after painting. . .

When doing smaller projects, I like to use the aerosal cans for two reasons:

1. It dries super fast

2. Smooth surface. . .no brush lines!

Apply two light coats of paint allowing at least 30 min. dry

time in between. . .heavy coats are not recommended because it

can create "fish eyes". . .spotty pockets of paint.

Sand through the paint once again. . . don't be afraid to be rough with the sander!

Also, I like it when colors from underneath peek through,

revealing it's former life :)

Allow at least a few hours to dry before clear coating, and make sure

to spray one light coat, and then a final coat.

I have tried ALOT of clear lacquer sprays, and this one is

by far my very favorite (Home Depot or Lowes)

Word of warning:

Your paint will crackle when sprayed with lacquer if:

1. Not enough dry time is allowed. . .or

2.Coats are sprayed on too heavy. . .or

3. Not at least 65 degrees where spraying

My little gal was very happy with the end result!

...and the trinket box is already filled with trinkets!

"Why should the sky be

the limit,

when there's footprints

on the moon?"

-Tiffani Young

Linking up to:

Funky Junk Interiors

Today's Creative Blog

Hope Studios

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Story of an old church pew...

Posted by Unknown | Labels: before and after's

I have to admit, I wasn't so sure about this bench. . .but oh, how I love it now!

A favorite client of ours has an eye for finding the greatest treasures...

This church pew has probably enjoyed many o' sermons

while in its prime,

but gone are the days of yesteryear...

Luckily, it was spotted, brought home, and transformed.

Oh how I love a good transformation!

This old pew has gone to a lovely cottage in the hills (see here)

. . .and hapilly rests in the parlor.

. . .a new life!

And that's the story of an old church pew.

THE END

"An optomist is the human

personification of Spring."

-Susan J. Bissonette

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New life for a little shelf...and a bathroom

Posted by Unknown | Labels: before and after's

This cute little shelf caught my eye one day while I was out treasure
hunting (aka:thrifting), and knew I had the perfect place for it.

We had been working on a bathroom makeover (see here) for a client,
and this would be the perfect piece to hold the random jars of

cotton balls, swabs, and sented bath salts.

Originally, the shelf was just a simple oak finish. . . but I knew it had potential!

With a bead board backing, and a little bit of paint and glaze, it had a new life. . .

sometimes thats all it takes. . ."seeing" the potential and possibilities.

This is the bathroom before...not too bad, really. Just needed a little

splash of color and personality to bring it to life.

Our client loved red, but wanted to

keep the bathroom light, so we decided to install a 4 ft. high

bead board wrap in crisp white...it did the trick!

(full details can be viewed on our Room Makeover's page)

If only we could "see" the potential in people the way we do

when we restore a piece of furniture, repaint a room,

reorganize a closet, or remodel a house. . .

what if

we took the time to restore someone's hope,

rebuild someone's self worth,

renew someone's faith. . .

"Don't judge each day by the
harvest you reap,
but by the seeds you plant."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

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This Little Word of Mine

Posted by Unknown | Labels: annual "word"

Over at The Lettered Cottage, Layla has inspired us to come up with a

"Word of the Year"

to focus on throughout 2012. The word she chose was Up,
and you can read all about it on her amazing website.

As for my word, I have chosen the word Seek.

I continue to be amazed at the abundance of blessings that are

found when one truly seeks. . .

This year, I have decided to focus on:

seeking ways to improve,

seeking ways to increase my knowledge,

seeking answers to dilemma's,

seeking out my ancestors,

seeking ways to reach out to others,

seeking for simplicity,

seeking to serve,

seeking my Savior...

Do you have a word yet? It's very empowering!

Join Layla's linky party and submit your word!

"Ask, and it shall be given you;

seek, and ye shall find;

knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

-Matthew 7:7

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Charming Coastal Shop

Posted by Unknown | Labels: fun vintage shops

Every time we go to Laguna Beach to visit family, I always have to

stroll down to the boardwalk to visit this quaint little beach shop.

The layers of distressed wood mingled with shiny, sparkly random objects

create a magical feast for the eyes!

There's something about places like this that just make me. . . well, happy!

I also love the combination of chippy wood and lightly distressed. . .blending

two different textures to create just the right balance.

Speaking of chippy, I am soooo in LOVE with these shutters. . .

Be still my heart!

Have you ever painted starfish? Who would of thunk it!

I have painted many things. . . but not starfish!

Ahhh. . . the beautiful hues of whites, greys, creams, blues, and greens.

So inviting, calming the senses and soothing the soul. . . have you ever stopped

to ponder why God created the world in the same color palette?

"Count among your blessings

all the colors, beauties, and

splendor of a living earth."

-Edward Cunningham

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Subtle Changes...

Posted by Unknown | Labels: before and after's, Our House

I've had this shelf for a long time, and it's been through a few

colors as it's moved to various places throughout the house.

For the past seven years, it's been in my daughter's room, along with

this cute princess pink bench.

Her room's been this same way since she was born,

and I'm ready to make some changes...some of the changes are going to be

major, and some are going to be small.

My daughter really loves her bench and shelf, but her "new room" will

look a little more vintage, and a little more mature...and these

pieces were just a bit too modern for my taste.

With the bench and shelf in tow, we went out to the workshop

to do a little distressing with the electric sander.

Did I tell you how much I like my electric sander?

A little sanding...a little dusting...and a coat of clear satin lacquer...

and it's done!

A little side note on the lacquer spray:
Make sure to have plenty of ventalation, and wear a mask...it's strong!
When working on smaller projects, my very favorite aerosal spray
is made by "Deft," and is sold at either Lowes or Home Depot.

I love to have multiple colors showing through, revealing it's past lives...

Just some subtle changes...but has made me a very happy girl today!

The best part about it is that my sweet little princess loves it too :)

"A daughter may outgrow your lap...

but she will never outgrow your heart."

-Anonymous

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Salvaged Parlor Doors

Posted by Unknown | Labels: Our House, salvaged favorites

Recently I went to an estate sale of an old farmhouse that was cleaning out a
huge shed full of nifty vintage finds, and boy did I have a hey day!

One of the first things that caught my eye was a pair
of old swinging parlor doors. . .you know the kind you see in old
western movies when they enter the saloon?

Yep, there they were. . .in all their glory.

I have a rather large picture window in my living room that was very plain,

and desperately needed some attention. I'd been ho-humming around the idea of

hanging curtains, but once I saw these parlor doors, it was all over!

Here you can see my dilemma with this window. . .

Enough said.

Since they were already painted white, all I needed to do was pull out one of my
all-time favorite tools. . .the electric sander.
If you don't have one, get one. . .you'll be glad you did!
Anyways, I just put a 100 grit piece of sandpaper on and went to town.