Rag A Muffin Wreath

Hello Lovelies!

 Have you heard of Rag A Muffin Wreaths??   I just discovered them and I'm so glad i did!

Honestly, these do take a Little bit of time to put together but it well worth it. It's really very easy. Basically its just shoving 3"x 3" pieces of fabric into a straw wreath. A dab of hot glue on the ends before you stuff in the wreath helps hold it in place. Depending on the size of your straw wreath ~ i thinks mine was a 18" wreath and i used about 500 squares of fabric ~ and i didn't totally cover the back. sounds like alot but once ya get to cutting it goes by fast.

hung up with a burlap ribbon is like the icing on the cake!



Look at all that Shabby Tattered Goodness!



 What a great way to use up your fabric scraps! I dug into my stash pulled out coordinating fabrics in shades of white. The best part is i felt like i was cleaning out my massive fabric piles ~ why? i was even saving little bits of fabric is beyond me, but good thing i did cause now i have this Fabulous Wreath! So I've got rid of some clutter and now have a Romantically Shabby wreath to hang in front of my Antique mirror!



 I loved my wreath so much i decided to make Rag A Muffin Balls!  Again super easy just stuff Styrofoam balls with fabric.

 Aren't these so cute! Can you picture a bunch of them sitting in a wire bowl on a farm table? How Shabby Chic Right?

These were made with old vintage doilies that were stained and had tares in them. Normally i would have just thrown doilies away that were just to ratty but not now!! These were fun to make and something  that can easily be done while my lil helper is around so today I'll be making a couple more to take to the shop. So if you'd like one without having to spend the time making one stop on by and buy yourself a present!

Have a Wonderful Weekend !!

Erica

Painted Floors

Hello Everyone!

My last post was all about layering.  And how adding different layers to a space makes it dynamic and pleasing to the eye. All this talk about layering i realized that i needed to add a couple of very important layers to my booth at A Unique House Antique Mall.

 First of all its time to address the floor! I've always thought that i would paint BIG diamonds in varied shades of white. But theres so many other painting techniques that are so pretty! I just can't decide. I've also always liked the look of sisal i think it gives the room a nice warm feel but it would make moving furniture a bit challenging.  So i'm going to stick with paint.

 Do any of these pictures tickle your fancy?

Aside from the gorgeous floors don't you just LOVe that wall treatment??

MY fav! Elizabeth Maxson! I've loved her and have followed her blog for years! Talk about layering she is the queen! I had the pleasure of visiting her shop in St.Louis and felt as if i were in a dream! She has the most spectacular displays.

Can't believe I've been putting off the very first layer of design in my own Booth!  I'm very excited to get my paint brushes wet and transform my space.  Booth #33 is going to be so fabulous ( i just wish i could decide on a patten :) )!! I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as I'm done. You can follow me on facebook for more updates.

Until then...

Have a enlightened day ~ everyday!

Erica

Revealing all the Layers

Hello my Friends!

I'd like to share with y'all the effects of layering.

 Such an important aspect of decorating. Without Layers your space would have no dimensions it would be very boring, plain, and probably feel "unfinished".  Layering is essentially what makes a space feel cozy, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and complete.  Its all about adding style and uniqueness making your space your own, a place that makes you feel relaxed.





layered mirrors, glass pottery with iron and enamel the softness of the flowers and the sheer curtains, even layers inside the fireplace



  Did any of you watch Chistoper Lowell's show when it was on??? I do miss it~ I honestly learned so much from him. His style is not exactly how i decorate my home ~ ya know i prefer the chippy shabby Tattered vintage style, but the decorating elements that he taught me can be used in any design style. He makes decorating easy by just following his 7 LAYERS to create a room.  If you'd like to read a bit for yourself here is a link to his page.

http://www.christopherlowell.com/design/seven_layers.php ~ I highly recommend  it he gives good useful information. And of coarse Nate always has fabulous tips and ideas. http://www.thenateshow.com/ Another  good  site for some fantastic decorating tips is http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/06/how-to-decorate-series-day-3-leaning.html. Check them out when you have time!

Layering is ohhh sooo very vital to a successful retail shop or antique mall booth or even to flea market displays. The more layers the more there is to look at which causes the eye to linger. By providing multiple Layers your creating a visually interesting display that can give a fabulous shopping experience for your "guest".  which its almost guaranteed they will frequent your shop often.  And hopefully in return bring in more sales. Shoppers want to be inspired enlightened and lots of eye candy.  Although its very important not to over layer too much can cause clutter and a cluttered space is never good.



http://urbanfarmhouse.blogspot.com/

 Notice the layers in this shop display?  There,s the chippy iron urn holding the delicate crystal chandy. the softness of the grain sack poofs piled 2 high, the glass lanterns filled w/natural elements. a Neutral rug that defines space. stacks of tattered books. Very pleasing to the eye the perfect mix of different textures

http://pinterest.com/pin/11540542764979207/

This is one of my fav displays because of the layering. Notice the leaves on the floor?  then your eye is brought upward towards the beautiful branches and then There is hidden treasures insides of everything! an inviting combination of a vary of items yet it doesn't seem cluttered.

  I like to update my home quite often. Sometimes I'll come across a cool piece at auction or where ever and instead of selling it right away I'll keep it till i get sick of it or till something else comes along. which means its time to play around with decorating. I love creating new vignettes in my home keeping my decor fresh. And If your in retail then you already know updating vignettes is a weekly event. Its amazing how when your treasure are rearranged how they can totally take on a new look!

I thought I'd share w/ y'all my layering technique while I'm redecorating the top of my Antique Hutch. Im using a softer look for the late spring summer. Im trying my hardest to stick with all white however i can never do that! I don't know why thats so hard for me but it did turn out very soothing and calm. Here is the before pics.

Notice the different textures ~ vintage books , glass bottles , ironstone pitchers, oil painting.  Even though this is the before there are already some layers involved.  I think this is pretty, But it seems kinda blaa huh? 

It sort of looks like i just stuck stuff on a shelf and doesn't seem very personalized. But get ready for this...

 Heres the after!... This is where i add linens, shells, handcrafted ragamuffin balls, Paper flowers, and  tattered lace. And then all of the sudden it comes to life!

 Simply by adding a few more touches, now my vignette is softer more pleasing to look at and more importantly its more me.

 I like the red Antique books stacked on either end i feel like it anchors the whole display.

The Ballerina oil painting is what prompted me to recreate a new display. I just love her, she's new to me (found at a estate sale) but def an oldie. The colors are beautifully matched with my blue mason jars and found sea glass.

It makes me happy to gaze up at all my collections. Your home is a reflection of you so spend some time on "you"and make your surrounding something to be proud of!  I hope this post has encouraged you to create beauty in your home.

Thanks for sticking around ( i know this was a long one!)

Have Fun Decorating!

Erica

 

Art Deco Dresser with stripes

Hello There Lovelies!

What a gorgeous spring Friday morning! I woke this morning with an incredible sense of gratitude. Im so thankful for everything in my life that the Lord has blessed me with.  I just feel like today should be a day of "paying it forward" ~ Spread the Love..Just try to put a smile on every person face that i come in contact today, yep thats my goal. Everyone deserves a happy heart. So lets start the day with some pretties, I know that always makes me happy. :)



Top of a Gorgeous Huge Heavily carved Mirror



 Ive had this Art Deco Dresser for a really long time just taken up space in my garage~ I never really liked it so it was hard for me to see the potential. I searched pintrest trying to get some sort of inspiration on how to go about painting this piece. I knew it had to be something cool to give it some umph (i know thats not a word). When i came across furniture that other people had painted stripes i knew that was it. So out came the paint brushes and CeCe Caldwells Vintage white paint and the Annie Sloan custom mix of Duck Egg Blug and Old White for the stripes and away i went.

Before

After

 Aren't those handles cool! That is why i bought this dresser. I'm a sucker for vintage hardware.

 So what do ya think?

Im not over the moon about it but my firefighter wanted to keep it, which made me feel better. It does have great ample storage and drawer dividers love that! And its a sturdy (not dirty, Neely :}) dresser, good thick solid wood.

Antique Fire Extinguisher ~ i can't ever pass these up. Really neat piece of history and the patina on them is just awesome!

And here he ( doesn't this dresser seem sort of manly) girlyfied (another tattered elegance word) in the shop. He is for sale for $120.00.

 Looking at my shop pics ~ boy do i have a thing for Blue! I can't express enough how much i love Annie Sloan chalk paint. Iv'e used alot of Duck Egg Blue and Abusson Blue and my latest love this week is Versailles it sort of a mossy green color. Like me on Facebook i try to post pics of what im working on.

 Thanks for sticking around i hope i put a smile on your face today!

Have a Terrific Weekend ~ every weekend!!!

Erica

xxxxxx

Tables~ Before & After

 Hello Friends! Im so glad your here!

 Don't know where the month of April went. Time flies, im amazed with the bloggers that post daily... However do they do it? So many times iv'e sat in front of my computer to share w/ ya a piece of furniture ive painted or something I created or some cool places ive been, only to get sidetracked by all the eye candy thats in Blogland! I just get so lost and into everyone else pages, and then before i know it Im hearing Ma-Ma, Ma-Ma and my time is up ~  :) Anyway I'l try to do better cause i do have a lot to share and hopefully inspire!

 I thought you might enjoy some before and after furniture projects

Im going to start with the after for this one. It's one of my favs. You might recognize it from previous posts. Its been in A Unique House and currently it is in Time N Again Antiques. A Sweet petite French Occasional Table. Its carved and curvy legs are just gorgeous painted in Annie Sloan's Chalk paint. A custom mix i did myself which consists of Duck Egg blue and Paris Grey and then Old White highlighting the raised details. Really Elegant and small enough that it could go just about anywhere. I had it beside my tub in the master bath with all my bath salts and soaps displayed on top. 

ok so are you ready for the ugly before...

 Yikes! When i bought my little frenchy love at auction it was missing the top, which i imagine was probably marble. So my handy Firefighter cut a piece of wood to fit ~perfectly i might add , ya know antique pieces are never an exact shape and this was oval which in itself is kinda a tricky cut. 

 What an U-G-L-Y paint job someone did, besides the fact that the colors make me gag, can you see those hand painted little flowers? Yuck!

But now she shines and is as beautiful as can be ( at least i think ~ but i am starting to wonder why she's still at the antique store and not in someones home!)

Next up for your viewing pleasure ... :)

French Provincial Dining table. Has some great details along the apron (?) and some not so boring infact sort of fun legs. Was painted that 70's style factory finish french provincial you know ugly mossy taupe y color with the dark flecks of paint and trimmed in a dull gold. But no worries all that hideousness is gone never to be seen again! 

Now a creamy white with just a tad bit of distressing. What an awesome find this was. Big sturdy 6' dining table (also comes with a leaf). Maybe you think this one looks familiar too? It is at A Unique House Antique Mall. Its currently on sale for $199.00 but i won't be sad if it doesn't sell. I love the fact that it is so sturdy and heavy that allows me to pile lots of goodies on top.

Well i guess thats it for today. As always i like to leave you with some pics of my booth. Come by and visit us sometime!

Have a Splendid day ~ Everyday!!

Erica

Burlap Lampshades

 so ya might already know i got a thing for lampshades.

I absolutely Love recovering Vintage Lampshade Frames.

Its one of those things that really don't take up to much time and the end result is Fabulous! And it sooo much cheaper than buying new and hardly ever can you get the awesome shapes that you do when you use vintage. plus its totally custom you can cover them to match your style and decor ~ you can really make them personalized.

On this one when i got it, it had a massive stain on the outside which was too bad cause otherwise it was crisp white! So i went ahead a removed the outer fabric only to find that the inside liner was perfect and i was even able to remove the outer fabric without ripping the gorgeous vintage trim. Yeah!! but it seemed like it still needed something ~ you know me i like a bit of glam so i embellished the wire frame ( the skeleton) with pearls. I love the way it turned out~ so shabby chic so romantic!

Pearls!!



kinda fuzzy pic, sorry.

 Burlap has become a new fav for me. I mean really burlap and lace how Divine!

 For this one (on top) i first covered the entire shade with a natural burlap using hot glue ~ ouch! my plan was to stencil the bird motif right on the burlap but that was too difficult once it was already on the lampshade ~duhh! so i used some left over drop cloth fabric, tattered the edges, stenciled away and then glued that on there too. I applied 3 rosettes and added vintage trim on the top. so sweet! fyi~ bird stencil is a Martha Stewart stencil from Micheal's.

This one was easy peasy. I used a lighter burlap for the whole shade then used the natural darker burlap ( from Micheal's in the wreath section it comes i a roll) and put it around like a band then draped some tattered lace tied in a knot with a broken piece of a antique rhinestone necklace attached in the center. the top seemed boring to me so i added paper flowers and vintage buttons. And lastly the bottom is adorned with vintage popcorn trim ( that i scored at an action)

so do ya like? The Burlap shades are both available @ Time N Again Antiques. But probably won't last long! And the Skeleton Pearl lampshade is @ A Unique House Antique Mall, in King George, Va.

For more Lampshade and Lighting inspiration visit my Pintrest board for lots of eye candy!

Thanks for letting me share my creations with you!

Have a Awesome day ~ EVERYday!
Erica