“Box-and-Assemble” Counter-Height Stool Update

As I am finishing up my Dream Workspace,

I decided to splurge on four counter-height stools for the work table.

Well, inexpensive “box-and-assemble” stools that is – - as in “Tar-Jay”.

 

Didn’t like the blah upholstery, so I updated the seats with fabric I have on hand.

I was tempted, but decided not to paint the metal parts.

 

Step 1

The chair, hardware and Allen wrench come in the box.

You’ll also need an electric staple gun, fabric, pen and scissors.

Step 2

Remove the metal frame from the seat.  

Measure the seat circumference, adding another three inches, and cut the fabric.

 

Steps 3-4

I stapled the four opposite sides, pulling fabric taught.

Then, I added four more staples in between, continuing to pull fabric taught.

Steps 5-6

Continue stapling, pulling fabric taught as you go.

Re-attach metal seat frame.

 

Step 7

Assemble chair, following included instructions.

Viola! That’s all there is to it!

 

Not bad for a “box and assemble” counter-height stool!

 

Have a great week! – -  Joanne

 

My Daughters Inspire Me – Happy Mom’s Day!!!

I couldn’t wait for my daughters’ to say, “Mamma” or take their very first step. Before I knew it, we were purchasing lunchboxes for the first day of kindergarten and then I was sending them off to college. I ran behind their bike on their first solo ride and couldn’t go to sleep until I heard the car pulling safely into the driveway on weekend nights. I dried their tears when they argued with their ‘best-est’ friend and chatted about their first crush. There was the first lost tooth, first sleep over, pierced ears, braces, first dance. Prom. Marriage. It may seem trite to some, but time truly does fly – whether we wish it to or not.

My daughters are hilariously funny, too adventurous, sometimes too serious, very creative, but mostly my inspiration. Both are cancer survivors. I am VERY PROUD to be the mother of these two lovely young ladies, my DAUGHTERS.

Lovely Vintage Tablecloths

There’s something lovely about old linen, cotton and lace. 

These vintage tablecloths were recent proud participants at my daughter and son-in-law’s vintage country wedding. It was a beautiful autumn afternoon on an alpaca farm with haystacks, mums, home-made applesauce and these very pretty vintage tablecloths.

Some of the tablecloths were found in thrift stores for a few dollars and others are heirlooms.

My great grandmothers “tatted” and crocheted the lace edges on these – - aren’t they wonderful? I feel so very lucky to have them.

…And, one day, I’ll hand them down to my two daughters.

Have a great week! – - Joanne

Sweat Equity Chairs

The original cane seats were long gone when my husband found these two Victorian cane chairs in an old barn at Holly Hill Farm.

A quick light sanding and stain, a new wood seat and a chair pad was the plan. *SIGH*

Let the sweat equity begin! White oil-based paint was revealed when I began to sand the first chair. After hours of laborious sanding, I rubbed two coats of golden oak stain followed by a clear coat on each chair.

My Yard #3: Spring Has Sprung!

At last! I just LOVE spring time. Around here it is the time after the occasional cold winds off the Atlantic and before the suffocatingly unbearable heat. Thought I’d share my just budding yard with you. For this, I can put up with pollen-sneezes!

Mi casa, su casa!

Dogwood

Hyacinth

Dwarf Azalea

Creeping Phlox

Angelina Sedum

Camellia

Giant Azalea

Have a good week! – - Joanne

Happy Birthday Douley!

Happy (is it really?) 6th birthday, Burningwood’s Bannon O’Douhl – or better – Douley!

First week  home…

Naughty toddler…

Statesman….

World’s Best BT Pup Boy!

Can you tell how much we love our Douley boy? Douley was born on Easter Sunday six years ago. He is such a gentle soul. He lives with his sista-pup, Phoebe Darling. They play ALL DAY LONG until they fall to sleep in exhaustion.

Have a good week! - – Joanne

Breakfront Desk/Cabinet Renewed

A friend thought I had lost my marbles when I purchased this Craigslist very dark and very ugly hunk of cabinet. (See This Breakfront Desk/Cabinet Needs TLC). I only paid $25 USD and I thought I had found a diamond in the rough.

My Workspace: Phase #2 (Sew Nook)

 

The cutting, sanding, painting, shelf and sewing table installation into the “used-to-be-closet” is just about complete. I used paint I already had on the walls and ceiling to prepare the space. (More on demolition here).

Loose junk is hidden away in a vintage oak slat picnic basket (collecting these is a guilty habit).  A variety of mason jars hold buttons. Fabrics are kept in see-through baskets ($23 USD).  The thread rack ($9.99 USD) and piece of scrap peg board  for my sewing tools ($4 USD) was spray painted to match. 

 A dowel was added to each end of the small shelf to hold ribbons.

One of my many March birthday surprises from my husband was a new Ott task light. Love. It.  Another husband surprise was two vintage chairs – one for the sewing table and the other at my desk. Both need new seat cushions – my next project.

My ABSOLUTE FAV thing is how George was able to create a matching “u-shaped” table top to fit around my vintage sewing table. It adds extra workspace.  It’s really hard to tell where each table begins and ends in the photo.

It’s still a work in progress. I need to organize and gather up the rest of my sewing supplies and go through/weed out fabrics. George needs to complete the wiring. But I am HAPPY. HAPPY. HAPPY.

I can’t wait to show off the rest of my new Dream Space.

Have a good week! - – Joanne

Pallet Picking Fun

My daughter, Brianne, my husband, George and I grabbed our boots and gloves last Saturday morning. We were going pallet-picking. Our first stop was to check out a construction site that used wooden portable crossing for low-bearing soil. Although it was an awesome sight to behold, it was a NO GO. George said that they looked to be treated – *sigh* – not something we wanted to bring into our homes.

Brianne & Portable Crossing Pallets

My Workspace: Phase #1 (Closet Demolition)

  I am the technology coordinator/curriculum design resource at a PK3-8 school, but many years before I taught art for 20+ years. I studied art. I’ve visited museums in Andulasia, Athens, Italy, Paris and on my home turf. I dream art. BUT I NEVER HAD A WORKSPACE TO CREATE!!! So…after months of stalking Pinterest and re-configuring layout and maximum storage for a small space, my Dream Workspace is starting to become a reality.  I am so, so, so excited!

 This room has held many memories. It was my daughter’s nursery when we first moved in and has been a “college-break room” and a guest room. It really is very small: 9 feet by 12 feet.  I need this new repurposed closet workspace to be efficient and affordable.

You’ve got to start somewhere. I boxed and moved everything to one corner or the other to make room for the closet demolition. WHAT A COLOSSAL MESS. This re-purposed space will be the sewing nook.

My husband removed mirrored sliding doors, shelving, the hanging rod, patched holes and will add wiring.

Once demo was complete, I painted the closet with left over creamy yellow satin enamel I had on hand.  My husband used wood left over from a previous job to cut a set of shelves for fabric and storage and I painted them a clean white enamel ($15 USD).

I want to incorporate my vintage sewing table into the space just below the shelving. My husband cut a “U” shaped piece of plywood (again, on hand) which I stained golden oak ($4 USD).  Once dry, we will slide the vintage sewing table into the “U” opening for a larger work area.  So, this past weekend we spent a total of $19 USD. 

Not a bad start. I can’t wait until this area has been completed. I’ll be sure to post after images.

Have a good week – - Joanne