Hubby's Skills

My hubby has skills!
I could list several.
Among the list would be that he is the best amateur carpenter, plumber, motorcycle rider (he would want me to include that),
dishwasher, and electrician that I know!
It is the latter that was very helpful
in the installation of my bargain thrift store chandelier.I was not fond of the original hanging apparatus. It was a little too sleek and modern, and the fact that it hung down
11 inches created a big problem with my 8 foot ceilings,
especially hanging in the middle of a closet.
I didn't need anyone to poke their eye out while getting dressed.

The solution was to replace it with a more traditional ceiling canopy. That's when it's really nice to have a hubby with electrician skills.

Problem number two came when we
took down the antiquated light fixture. Apparently the previous owners had at one time installed high watt bulbs
causing so much heat that the paint discolored and peeled.
We have big plans in the future for remodeling this
so-small-you-can-barely-call-it-a-walk-in closet
so I didn't want to take the time to re-paint it now.
Instead I decided to use a quick and inexpensive cover-the-mess solution;
a thrifted silver tray.Now that the ceiling looked so pretty
I thought I'd stage my side of the closet. I use some pretty boxes and apothecary jars
(already stored there waiting for another organization project).
Then I tacked up my small collection of vintage hats. Now it's a real treat to walk into my closet!

I-Key-A-Bargain

Look at what I just purchased!Did I buy it from the big blue Swedish store for $59.99?

Nooooooooo!
This was a brand-new-in-the-box $10 thrift store purchase.I'm so happy that I won't have to look at this ugly fixture anymore.Now I just need a little help from the man of the house. . .

Stick A Fork On It

For those of you who requested that I tell you how I painted my sub floors, I'll do a tutorial next week. I need to dig a sample board and paints out of the cold garage and let them warm up first. So I thought I'd share another easy fix in the meantime.

These are my keys. Every time hubby borrows them he tells me that I'll need a new key chain soon. He says this e v e r y time. Which got me to thinking, they're my keys, they should have something unique hanging from them.

My solution came when I spyed this beautiful little olive fork at the thrift store for 10 cents. Isn't the detail on the handle exquisite?
And it's real sterling silver.
Since sterling silver is rather soft I just snipped off the tongs with wire cutters. Then I used my brute force to bend the end (then hubby used his brute force to finish the job).

Now I have a key fob that is
sterling silver and uniquely exquisite!

***Don't forget to enter for the
Sodderbug giveaway here***

A Cozied Corner

You've seen the end of my upstairs hallway before with

the large monogram, the "family" sign and the family photos.This is the longer view of said hall,
complete with painted subflooring and dings in the walls. (and yes, I have brass doorknobs---
haven't you heard, brass is making a comeback)
On the left is a closet door and the doorway into the computer room.
Straight ahead is the door to the bathroom
and just right of that is the door to our master bedroom.

When we first looked at this home I fell in love with the way
the doorways were set back into alcoves,
just a little architectural detail that intrigued me. The master bedroom door alcove has a small corner
that stayed vacant for years.
One day I haphazardly plopped a this small table there
and I liked the feel of it. But when I found this gorgeous plant stand
at the thrift store
I knew it would make a better fit.Of course I had to top it with something,
something that would
reflect a little light
into this darkened corner.
That something was a PB vase I picked up...at the thrift store. Love it!
And since the theme for this corner seems to be
thrifted elegance with a bit of shine,
why not finish of the vignette with this collection of mirrors. These were gathered one by one
over a period of time,
just waiting until there is enough to make a statement. And what a statement
this thrifted elegant hidden corner makes!

Please go here
if you haven't yet entered the Sodderbug giveaway.

The Right Timing

People often comment to me that they can never find great items at the thrift store. It really is a matter of timing, and by that I mean that you need to invest a little time and you need to be lucky enough to be there at the right time. One cannot just run in and out of a thrift store and hope to find something wonderful. Take your time! Treasures need to be hunted. I will often go up and down each aisle at least twice searching for that special something.If you're lucky enough to be there at the right time when that treasure is there, you might need to accept it in less than perfect condition. I was fortunate to be there at the right time to find this pretty little chair. I love the style and colors and it is really comfy too. It doesn't matter that there's a little bit of a tear on the arm. For now I just cover it with a throw. Later I might take a needle and thread to it, or a little hot glue.

I saw this beauty of a lamp at closing time. I didn't buy it because I have a supply of lamps and this one needed a bit of work. But I couldn't stop thinking about it so the next day I ran to the store as soon as it opened and snatched it up. Hubby made the repairs and luckily I already had the perfect shade.
These two additions were just what I needed to finish off my little corner. With the exception of the flowers, photo, tin shelves (purchased from a neighborhood boutique), dropcloth curtains, and the computer, everything you see came from thrift stores.I like the way the lamp and faux plant hide the computer from clear view from the doorway. And the comfy chair serves as a nice place to read, put on your shoes, as well as work at the computer. Finding incredible treasures at the thrift store really is just a matter of timing.

Not Just One

My husband decided that our home needed another computer. He was tired of sharing with the kids so he bought them an inexpensive used one. I thought it was a great idea until I had to figure out where to put "our" computer. We already have a room in the house designated as "the computer room" where computer usage is easily monitored. The room also contains all of the game systems so it gets quite a bit of use, especially on the weekends. It was decided that the other computer would find a home in the master bedroom---not the ideal place, but again, a place where it's usage can be monitored. However, I didn't want the computer, sitting on a big ol' desk, to be the main focus of the room.
I showed you this petite vintage dressing table that I started working on a few months ago. It was a thrift store find. Unfortunately I deleted the "before" photo of it looking quite sad covered in pastel green and pink sponge paint. I stripped all the paint, gave it a good sanding, and painted it a creamy white. I replaced the hardware with these pretties. And now it sits quite proudly beneath the vintage tin shelves in the corner of the room.