Padded storage bench and headboard...

Hi Everyone!  Yesterday I showed you a headboard bench that a client ordered for Christmas for one of her daughters and today I thought I'd show you what my client ordered for her other daughter.

 It's a padded storage bench with lots of room inside.  My client's daughter came out and picked the style of bench, the color and a couple of fabrics but left the final choice to me.

 This was her favorite fabric so that's what I used.  Then my client called and had found a headboard that had some damage on it and was shiny white laminate and wanted to know if I could make it over to match the bench and repair the damage.

 And this is how it turned out (sorry no before pictures).  I was able to repair the damage by adding an additional board to the top of the headboard and filling in the damaged area with Quickwood.

The really neat thing about this headboard is the cutouts.  It comes with plastic, colored pieces that you can use to change the look of the headboard, but instead of using those, I used the same fabric as the bench.  And of course I painted the whole thing black.  I think they turned out well and looked great together.  My client liked it too.  Thanks for stopping by.

Headboard Bench....

Hi Everyone!  I've been busy working on orders but thought I'd show you one of the orders I completed for a client at Christmas (I know I'm just a little behind).

My client was giving it to her daughter for Christmas.  My client and her daughters came out to the Studio and picked the headboard, fabric and paint color.

Here's what the headboard looked like before I started working on it.  I removed the lattice and replaced it with fabric once it was painted.

I used the foot board from this set as the arms of the bench.  I cut off the top of the posts and replaced them ones that were more rounded to match the top of the headboard posts.

I love this fabric and had been saving it for just the right bench.  

I painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk paint in Country Grey.  And I waxed it with both clear and dark wax.

I built the bench with storage under the upholstered seat.  I love how it turned out and so did my client.  Thanks for stopping by.

Decisions and a Few New Finds....

Hi Everyone!  It seems these last couple of weeks have just flown by.  I have tried several times to sit down and write a post, but I couldn't find my "voice" to write.  Have you ever had that problem?  I have finally started working on a few projects and have a couple of big projects planned around my house (it's only taken me 10 years).  And I've been trying to make some decisions regarding my business like which fairs to attend, how many and when the best time to schedule open houses at the studio and whether or not to put items on consignment at a local shop (just to name a few things) plus I took some time for myself.  I love to read but go in spurts, reading non stop and then not being able to concentrate.  This last week as been one of the those non stop readathons.  Since Friday, I have read six complete books and have started number 7.

But I believe I am finding my "voice" again and am ready to get back to work.  So I thought I'd begin by showing you a couple of new finds.  I'd say recent, but I picked these up the weekend of my studio Open House and just haven't shared them with you yet.

 My Uncle Bill brought me a stack of windows that he saved from going to the landfill.  Thanks Uncle Bill!

My dear, sweet friend Lynett brought me a bunch of items she'd picked up for me.  Isn't this beefy headboard and foot board great!

 I love this headboard with it's classic shape and can't wait to turn it into a bench...maybe one with storage.

 Lynett also brought me this Jenny Lind high chair.  It's in great shape!  I can't wait to paint this one and put it in my studio.

 And then there was this baby.  It was a little pricey and needs some work, but I couldn't resist it.  It's missing some trim pieces, but I think I can recreate them.

I believe it had been a stereo cabinet that you had to open the doors to expose the speakers.  I can't wait to work on this!  I'm planning on replacing the top because it is warped and I don't believe it is original to this piece based on the hinge marks on the base that are not on the top.  Then I think I'll add another shelf to the space on the left so it can be used as a buffet or TV stand.  But all of these will have to wait for a while.  As I'm getting ready to begin work on a remodel in my bathroom, more on that later.  Have you found any great items lately?  Thanks for stopping by.

Recent find...

Hi Everyone!  I am busy putting the last details on a long list of projects but haven't taken the time to photograph anything yet.  I thought I'd show you the latest headboard I picked up.  I got this one from my mom.  It was in her guest room.  Ten years ago I picked this up and transformed it for her while they were gone because the guest room had no headboard.  It had ugly wood panels in it that I removed, cut a new piece of wood and then upholstered.  After ten years of use, it's time for a remake.

Mom is decorating her guest room and I gave her a headboard from my stash to use and I got this one.

I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do with it yet.  What would you do?  Now I have to head out to the shop to finish my to list for the fair.  Thanks for stopping by.

Headboard remake...

Hi Everyone!  I am going to an estate auction today...I must admit that it's a first for me.  I've been to farm implement auctions with my dad where we got a mower, but I wasn't responsible for bidding.  So I'm a bit nervous about it.  I'm afraid I'm going to end up paying $200 for something when I thought I was paying $20 so I'm taking my Dad with me.  Hopefully I'll be able to get something good.

Today, I'm going to show you a project that I finished up a couple of days ago.  I got this headboard about a year ago because I loved the lines of it.  But I didn't like the painted on details.  I've looked at it several times to turn into a bench but kept setting it aside.  What kept me from using it as a bench is the depth of it not including the legs...it's really short.

I decided to do something different with it.....I started by removing the legs, then I cleaned and sanded it.  Then primed it and painted it in an aqua blue base color and then a top coat of  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and sanded it to reveal some of the aqua color.

 I decided to turn it into a multi-purpose piece.  I painted a chalk board in the center....

...and added six pegs to it....

 ...and added a ledge under the chalkboard to hold the chalk and eraser...

 ...then decided to add a place for storing mittens or bills.  I wanted to use some small wire baskets that I had but I didn't like how far they stuck out so instead I took one of the small crates I made for the ladder in my studio (I had an extra one) and cut it in half long ways and attached it with screws from the back side....

 ...and then I gave them the same paint treatment....

 ..now all I need to do is season the chalkboard and add some little hooks under the chalkboard for keys or hanging a dogs leash....

 ...I can see this in a mudroom or the main family entrance to a home to keep everyone and everything organized.  I added hooks to the back already to hang it on the wall...but I didn't have any wall space long enough for it to take pictures of it hanging.  I love the lines of it....and how practical it is.  What would you have done with it?  Have a great weekend everyone!  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.alderberryhill.com/make-the-scene-monday-86-and-cardstore-review/ 
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2013/08/creative-bloggers-party-hop-122.html
http://www.creativelylivingblog.com/2013/08/monday-funday-party.html 
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/2013/08/the-scoop-78.html 
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/08/knick-of-time-tuesday-98.html 
http://www.kammyskorner.com/2013/08/trash-2-treasure-link-party-plum.html 
http://upcycledantiques.com/tute-s-tuesday.html 
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-130.html 
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/2013/08/rock-n-share-53.html 
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/08/189th-power-of-paint-party-popp.html 
http://www.southernlovely.com/2013/08/show-share-104.html 
http://startathome.blogspot.com/2013/08/paint-party-9.html 
http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2013/08/catch-glimpse-party-143.html 
http://madeinaday.com/2013/08/08/made-u-look-linky-80/ 
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/08/link-party-116-and-the-fab-features/ 
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/08/catch-as-catch-can-132.html 
http://www.craftionary.net/2013/08/friday-link-party-76.html 
http://www.504main.com/2013/08/tickled-pink-no-155-and-fun-announcement.html 
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/08/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-a-link-party-25/ 
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/08/inspire-me-please-linky-party-23/ 
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/08/cool-side-tables.html 

Headboard...

Hi Everyone!  I still don't have anything new to share with you yet...it's coming, I promise this week I will get back to sharing new projects.  So in the mean time, I thought I'd show you a headboard that I've been holding in my draft folder for well over a year.

I got this headboard over a year ago at a garage sale.  The legs on it are a little short....

...but I love the details on it...

I am definitely going to turn this into a bench....I'm thinking with storage....I have a couple of ideas, but I just can't decide....What would you do with it?  Thanks for stopping by.

Recent finds...

Hi Everyone!  I have the best Mom!  She went shopping in a near by town and picked up a couple of items for me.  So today's recent finds are a half gallon blue ball jar (sorry no picture), a headboard and foot board and a stool.

 I love this twin bed set.

 It is super heavy and solid.  And doesn't it have great lines!

 I can't wait to turn it into a bench.

 This wooden stool is in great shape...but the vinyl seat cover, not so much.

 The legs are solid and in wonderful shape.  I can see it painted a bold color.

 The seat is wooden and I'm thinking it needs to be stained with a graphic maybe?

It's a sturdy stool and was only $4.00.  Great finds Mom!  Thanks so much!  What would you do with these?  Have you had any great finds lately?  Thanks for stopping by.

Free Stuff....

Hi Everyone!  I had to show you the free things I received recently.  The day of my Open House, my Aunt Barb brought me several things and wouldn't let me pay her for them.  Thank you very much Aunt Barb!

 Look at these great twin size headboards.

 I love the details on this white one.

 It reminds me of one I had a while back in full-size.

 This is a set that the posts were cut off about 5 or 6 inches.

 I love the posts and the solid back.

 And I love this little foot board.  I'm thinking of separating these two into different projects...we'll see what happens.

 And this poor little yellow one has seen better days.  It has a board attached to the front although I'm not sure why.  And it appears that someone has tried (although not very well) to fill the slots of one of the legs with putty where the frame would attach.

 But I love the detail on it.  I'm thinking that this one won't become a bench....I can see doing something special with it.

My aunt also came me a bag full of sheet music books.  Thank you so very much Aunt Barb for the great items.  Now I have lots to work on!  Have you gotten anything for free lately?  Thanks for stopping by.

A new bench...

Hi Everyone!  I know some of you are tired of seeing headboards turned into benches, but I'm getting ready for the first fall craft fair and benches are a staple for my booth.  I got this headboard and foot board at the junk place that is no longer there, this past spring, you can see the original post here.

It had a piece missing from the foot that has been gone for a long time.

I used Kwik wood to fill in the missing portion and I filled all the other other cracks with wood filler.  Then sanded as needed.

I cut apart the foot board and then started building.....that was back in May...then it was set aside until after Dad's second surgery.

I spent time a couple of weeks ago when the weather was cooler to finish building it but neglected to take any pictures of it.  I painted it in Ivory latex paint and sanded it with my orbital sander to lightly distress it.

When I got home from work tonight I upholstered the seat in this fun paisley fabric.

The pictures are a little dark but then it's getting dark outside and I didn't want to wait until tomorrow to photograph it.

 I think this fabric is fun.  And here you can see the distressing...it's minimal....

 ....and a close up of the fabric.

I will be taking this to the Apple Jack's Fair in Nebraska City in the middle of September.  And I hope it finds a new home.  But if it doesn't...it will fit in nicely in my new studio.  So either way it will be a win/win.  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2012/08/catch-as-catch-can-86.html 
http://www.504main.com/2012/08/tickled-pink-no-112.html 
http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2012/08/shine-on-fridays-42-and-giveaway.html 
http://alderberryhill.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-scene-monday-37.html