My Own Before and After Parade - A Tribute to Refurbishing

My passion is to find great, usually American-made heirloom quality upholstered furniture that is no longer useable but has good bones and a solid foundation.  It is lovingly restored for at least one more life - hopefully, more. It is such a GREEN way to decorate a home!

I am constantly impressed with the magic of the restoration process.  I find that this time-honored tradition is often a component of decorated spaces in major decorating magazines, websites, etsy and eBay stores and pinterest boards - check out several of my boards here.  I use estate sales, garage sales, craigslist, goodwill and other sources of well-priced heirloom pieces.

Every so often, I compose a posting of just my own "before and after" images and here is one that covers pieces completed over the past several months. I do not do my own upholstery work - I use the fabulous Lees of Norcross, Georgia. I do touch up (and sometimes refinish) the woodwork but generally do not buy any piece that has damaged woodwork (even if repaired) or badly scarred woodwork that cannot be refinished.

Vintage Channel Back Chair - Craigslist Purchase - available for sale through eBay and Etsy 

Set of Lee Industries Club Chairs (with Ottoman) - Estate Sale Purchase - Available through eBay and Etsy 

Set of Classic Wingbacks - Craigslist Purchase - Available through eBay and Etsy

Gooseneck Martha Washington - Consignment Sale Purchase - Available through eBay and Etsy

Sherrill Tight-seat Chairs - Craigslist Purchase - Available through eBay and Etsy

Sette and Ottoman - Garage Sale Purchase - Available through eBay and Etsy

Cane-sided Wingback Chairs - Craigslist Purchase - Available through eBay and Etsy

Club Chairs - Estate Sale Purchase - Available through eBay and Etsy

I think these transformations demonstrate how nicely these great pieces can be transformed and hope the results inspire others to do the same!  They truly do not make them like this anymore and certainly less and less in America!

This posting is linked here - Savvy Southern Style.

Norcross Art Festival - Home Sweet Home

Norcross Arts Festival in historic downtown area 

My mailing address is Norcross, Georgia, although our particular area has recently become its own city - Peachtree Corners (how unique is that) - but Norcross remains the mailing address.  So this blog is about my home town.  It is a suburb of Atlanta - about 22 miles from city center which is considered close-in given the huge area that the Atlanta metropolitan area occupies.  Here is a tell-all website for the city of Norcross including its history - link to website - an excerpt:

Georgia's first rail tracks were laid in the mid-1830's, and during the years of post-Civil War Reconstruction, rail expansion led to town expansion.  In 1869, Atlanta entrepreneur J.J. Thrasher purchased 250 acres around the first stop north along the proposed Richmond Danville lines, and a year later, the area was incorporated. Thrasher named the new town for his good friend and fellow entrepreneur, Jonathan Norcross, who was also the fourth mayor of Atlanta.

Over the weekend,  the annual Norcross Arts Festival in the historic downtown area was scheduled.  We had only once been to this event briefly before and thought we'd meander over on Sunday afternoon.  The weather had turned chilly for this area (mid 60's) so it definitely felt like fall.  We were VERY impressed with the scope and variety of the event and it was very well attended.

The Norcross Arts Festival's website includes much information about the event - link to website.

The Norcross Art Fest, the first sparkling member of our Splash Festivals family, will celebrate its ninth season on October 6 and 7, 2012. The popular Art Fest, with crowds of 60,000 festival goers in 2011, makes its home on the charming streets of historic downtown Norcross. Whimsical and wildly colorful artisans from across the country exhibit their imaginative artwork amidst the enchanting shops, eateries and boutiques in the City of Norcross. 

Heading towards art displays.

I bought several Christmas gifts and picked up vendor cards for future discussions.  Several vendors have Estsy shops (as I do) so that may be a way to stay connected.  Here are some images of the event - we will definitely put this on our calendars for future visits.

I also discovered a shop selling Annie Sloan Chalk Paints (Yaaah) and promised to come back to do a "blog exclusive" on her shop.

Here is the ASCP Shop - I will be visiting soon to make some purchases and hear more about her shop. 

Love this idea and wish I had known - I would have donated one of my chairs.

 This was a wonderful stop for us and an impressive venue for our hometown!

PINK Power - In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Highlights in Pink - from my pinterest board.

This is the month where the color pink is seen in all sorts of venues from legitimate charity benefits/runs/marathons, etc. to products sold by online and brick-and-mortar retail establishments.  I have over the years acquired some great T-shirts from Black Market / White Market that are dedicated to the cause.

Pink is a great color for home decor as well and not just for the young ladies in our lives.  It can be sophisticated, as well as warm and cheery.  Here are some great images - most from my "red" pinterest board link to pinterest board.  Enjoy!

Love these chairs!  

Pink walls add a lot of charm to these rooms.

I love this combination although it may not be for everyone.

This is nice - House Beautiful does have the best decorating images in their magazine and website. 

This would work in so many settings - I love this style chaise and wish I could get my hands on more of them!

I think this looks sophisticated and yet could work in a young lady's room.

I do not have any pink items in my current inventory but have had quite a few over the years.

Green and pink are a classic combination.

How to Pick a Color Scheme from BHG - I love their website!

Like a lot of people, I get a LOT of unwanted advertising and information every day and spent some time trying to figure out how to keep it from reaching me. The frequent messages from Better Homes and Gardens (BHG) are an exception. They are almost always very informative and useful.  Someone over there knows what they are doing.

Today's message emphasized tips on selecting colors and color schemes - always a timely subject. I just finished decorating our recently completed lower level (aka basement) space read about it here and had the luxury of almost starting from scratch with color selections since it is so removed from the rest of my house. I did stick with the wall colors in adjacent space (a goldish taupe) but added charcoal and seafoam blue in furnishings and accent paint. This latter color was the result of finding the right rug - one of the "tips" mentioned by BHG as a good starter.

Here are the tips and some photos to accompany the text.  Very informative!  For the full article and photos check this link.

Take Colors from a RugA rug is the foundation for a room. Draw from colors featured in a pattern rug to create a cohesive look.

Photo of my renovated lower level - the rug was the inspiration for this color scheme (there is a seafoam blue chair off to the right as well as a painted table in this color). 

Be Inspired by ArtArt adds personality to a room. Using it as a foundation creates a great color scheme as seen in this European-inspired bedroom.

From the BGH article - the picture on the back well inspired the room colors. 

Pick Your Favorite ColorYou are sure to love your room if you choose your favorite color to be the base  

Stick with a Classic ComboBlue and white, green and blue, red and brown -- you can't go wrong when you stick to classic combos like this blue-and-yellow cottage living room. of the scheme as in this orange and blue bedroom.

Classic Blue and White (with bright yellow) from the BHG article - my Cane-sided Wingback Chairs on the right which would work well with this theme.  

Dress Your WindowsUse window treatment fabric to set a color scheme in your room. Draw from the fabric's main hues, then distribute those hues throughout the room with pieces of furniture and accessories.  

Use Hues of a CollectibleBe inspired by colors featured in your collection, such as the pair of green glass jugs in this display, that complements the beach theme throughout the home.

From BHG article.

Draw from a PillowPick shades from a color-filled pillow just like this one. To make the pillow the feature piece in the room, choose a light tone for the wall color, such as soft salmon pink in this case.  

Consider a ThemeDecorating themes often incorporate a color theme such as this beach-inspired bedroom, which features classic blue and white.  

Look in Your ClosetLove the look of your favorite outfit? Translate it into a room. Start with the color scheme, then accessorize with items that radiate the style of your clothes.  

Draw from an AccessoryCharming vases, frames, and other accessories offer inspiration in their lively hues -- such as this display of green picture frames. The pretty Kelly green of the frames inspired the rest of the home's color scheme.

From BHG article.

Set the AtmosphereSerene, cozy, vibrant ... Pick hues based on the way you want to feel when you walk into the room. For example, the relaxing white and linen beige tones used in this bedroom present a cozy atmosphere.  

Base It on a Piece of FurnitureWhen starting fresh in a room, choose a piece of furniture you want to center the room around. This living room's color palette was based on colors that work with the orange velvet sofa.

BHG Photo on the left and my "bold" botanical wingback (one of a pair) on the right - it would definitely provide a great color palette.

Start with Wallpaper

As wallpaper continues to make its comeback, consider it as the foundation of your color scheme. The whimsical white and gold pattern on the wallpaper in this room inspired the use of yellows throughout the bedroom.

From BHG article

In addition to this great article, I found many other "color theme" discussions on on the BHG website including a quiz that you can take to determine your color personality - link here.  Neat!!

Shopping for a Console Table - Interior Antiques Market

I have written about our wonderful lower level (aka basement) renovation and am very pleased with the outcome and the decor I have created read more here.  There is a space that is perfect for a narrow and long console table that could be used as a food buffet station and be tall and wide enough to tuck three 30" high round stools under it.  So, I am looking for a table that is approximately 35-6" inches high and up to 88" wide but no more than 15" deep.  This last measurement seems to be a tricky one.  I have been looking for almost two months and have seen little that works.  I have found three vendors at Scott's Antique Markets (monthly in Atlanta) that are willing and able to make a custom table for me - the price range is about $500 - $800. Before deciding on that solution (and being a true cheapskate/bargain hunter), I have been stopping by all sorts of places in the area to scout other options.  Last week, I visited the Interiors Antiques Market on Bennett street in the Buckhead area of the city.  

This shop link to website, is part of the Bennett Street Market area including art galleries and other interesting places.   It is tucked into an obscure intersection which you are likely to miss the first time you pass it - GPS is helpful here!  It is in a very busy area of Buckhead, so I would definitely recommend traveling there outside of the heavy traffic hour windows.

I liked the shop immediately and found the folks at the front desk very helpful. I discussed my console table quest and they acknowledged that probably nothing they had would be perfect but had some suggestions. One idea that has been offered several times is to buy a piece that has an interesting base which means it does not provide space for my stools. I may be willing to consider that down the road but just bought these stools from craigslist (3 for $120) - (Crate and Barrel's) so I would really like to use them.  

Photo from Crate and Barrel's website - I bought three of these for $120 off of Craigslist - retail is $99 each!

I did not spend a huge amount of time at the shop since I was on a mission to pick up a set of WONDERFUL wingback chairs that I was also buying from a Craigslist ad (more on this subject later) and had a limited amount of time before our appointment.  Here are some images of some of the great spaces I saw - I will definitely be back!  

Photo of one console table.  I loved the look of this but it is not high enough for my stools and too deep.  Cost was over a $1000 which, of course, is another issue for me.

First shop I saw inside the space - love the colors.  There is a console table tucked behind bright and patriotic artwork on left.  I wouldn't mind something this simple to go with my chairs but it was not quite tall enough and has that brace along the bottom. 

Nice buffet console - I am planning to have at least one and perhaps a pair of lamps on top (already have those as well).

Nice space at shops - yours truly in mirror. 

Another interesting space.

Another console table - not was wide as I would like and too deep.   

Love the star mirrors - I am obsessed with this type of look. 

Love the fish!

This is the best price I found for a console table.  It is too low and a little too plain for me.  Price was still around $350. 

Love these lamps!

This shop was all about blue and white porcelain - what's not to like!  

More interesting spaces.

This was an interesting visit although I did not find my console table.  The prices were a little high but the merchandise overall was unique and well presented.  I love exploring these types of shops!