A little luck and $3

The title says it all. Yes, a little luck and $3 is what I had when I found this beauty at the Salvation Army.

Obviously, the beautiful wood scrolling had been broken off the sides.  I knew I could cut off the broken pieces and make the mirror salvageable.  Well, I was a nervous Nelly trying to cut off broken pieces. I was so afraid that I would damage the main scroll work that made the mirror worth buying for $3!  Of course, hubby came to the rescue.  He told me I needed to leave while he cut off the damaged parts because I probably didn't want to really see how he was going to do it.  Ten minutes later, he brought it back in to me.  I used a little bit of gold acrylic craft paint to touch up the sides.

Hubby wasn't too happy with hanging it because it was so very heavy.  Here is the evolution of my mantle.

First, metalwork.

Then, an empty frame.

Next up, trumeau mirror.

Now, a $3 Italian mirror.

I think it goes so much better because of the tile around the fireplace.  Here is a little close up of the vignette by the fireplace. 

I wonder what it will be next?!

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  and Coastal Charm

 

Homegoods Chest Redo

Hello all!  I wanted to share with you another redo.  A couple of months ago, I had purchased a chest on clearance at Homegoods.  It was to be my nightstand for my bedroom. Well, you remember my french lovelies right? 

 

You know, my 'they will be mine no matter what!" They are great new nightstands. But on a side note, I may repaint my bedroom thus delaying my decision on how to paint my french lovelies.  I digressed, back to the redo at hand.  So, it left this chest from Homegoods unneeded in the bedroom.

Good thing I hadn't painted it yet.  Not really what I care for but I love the shape.  I decided I would use some chalk paint to spruce it up.  I used french linen as a base coat.  Then, I tried to thin down old white to make a wash.  I decided that it was too much all over. So, I just left the top that way.  So what to do with the bottom now?  Of course, duck egg blue!  Then, you know the story.  Apply clear wax.  It needed a little extra something.  So, I added dark wax too.  A little sanding here and there.  I really love how it turned out!

I am not crazy about the original handles but I am sure I will tone them down somehow.  I just had to share it with you.  Again the before to after:

  

Quite a difference right?!

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Ironstone love

I love me some ironstone!  I have no idea how it happened but it did.  It probably happened by looking at others' collections arranged so grandly.  Every auction, flea market, thrift store, and garage sales, I keep an eye out for ironstone.  I seem to be drawn to soup tureens, casserole dishes, and pitchers.  Funny thing is I do not cook anything nice enough to serve in my nicer pieces!

When I went to my usual weekly auction, I spied with my little eye some ironstone.  I thought for sure some others would think it was just as fabulous as I did, but luck was on my side! Check out all of these pieces that I snagged for $10!

Take a look at the beautiful detail on the casserole dish.

I picked up these terrific tea cups, sugar caddy, and cute ironstone cow creamers.

A little closer shot of my cows.

Finally, I picked up this great ironstone platter for $1 at the flea market.

Needless to say, I felt like I hit the ironstone jackpot last week.  I wonder if I will ever find that perfect hutch to display them in.  A girl always has to have a dream, right?!

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 Coastal Charm

So much for promises

I know.  I know.  I remember that I promised to post at least once a week.  Well, what can I say but life happens, priorities change, and on, and on but I am here today.  Have I done projects?  Sure.  Do I have a back log waiting in the garage?  Sure.  What self-respecting DIY blogging gal doesn't?  Am I going to share them with you?  Of course, don't be absurd.  But before I show you any DIY project or makeover, I must share my most recent acquisition.

Allow me to give you the back story first.  You see.  Last Thursday, I was scheduled for a laparoscopic oophorectomy.  What is that you ask?  A fancy, new cosmetic surgery?  No.  Just a way to dive full blown into menopause.  Oh yeah for me.  No, seriously.  Since my breast cancer was estrogen positive, it was necessary.  Taking the ovaries out was a way to stop my body from creating that evil estrogen that my cancer really liked.  So, the day before surgery was auction day.  What a better way to give myself a consolation prize for hitting menopause at age 36 than going to the auction for some shop therapy.

Just so you know.  My surgery was "uneventful" (thank goodness).  Just crossing my fingers that hot flashes, night sweats, and weight gain will not be a major issue for me now that I am in menopause.  But hey, don't I know that things can be worse.  I will take it.  Okay, back to my acquisition.

I was determined to walk out of the auction with the winning bid.  Those poor folks didn't have a chance!  Are you ready to see the objects of my determination?  Okay...

I have a pair of the commode chests.  Aren't they fabulous?!  There is only one problem.  Both of the tops have seen better days.  So, the question I have for you is to paint or not?  I feel like they are so gorgeous that it would be a crime to paint them if not for the top needing some tlc.  But really, I am not feeling the wood with the decor of my bedroom.  So, I was thinking of transforming them with paint.

Here are a couple of inspiration pieces:

      
(above images from google images)

I would really love to here your feedback.  Tell me what you think.

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