Heavenly Harvests

A happy harvester received an early holiday surprise.  Remember the old church pew from July " A Wing and a Prayer"  - well it was delivered to it's new home this weekend to the delight of the owners.  Autumn hues of crimson, gold, and bittersweet orange dot the landscape on the journey, as the newly finished mahogany stained church pew traveled the country roads to it's home.A farmhouse amid fields of corn and sorghum, being harvested and sold at local stands.

When we arrived, the owner had already staked out the perfect spot - adjacent the fireplace, slightly offset to the comfy overstuffed chairs. The room filled with autumn décor and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee - a Market Street Cafe' specialty; hazelnut toffee awaited our arrival.  We'd stopped at  the local Scent from Heaven Bakery picking up the house specialty - glazed croissants.             

Perfect for a cool autumn morning.

Take a look at the finished product. The pillow added a nice touch don't you think.

 

Happy Fall Ya' All !

 

Fait Accompli'

   Ever hear the old adage " the Cobblers children go unshod" - or in a more modern version " the Plumbers wife always has a leaky faucet" - BASICALLY -  we tend to accomplish things for others more often than we do for ourselves; CASE IN POINT:  April 2012 the blog entry titled  "Ladies in Waiting ". 
     We purchased these lovely side tables. My original thoughts were to restore them, keep one for ourselves and auction or consign the other.  They both made it to the disassembly and stripping stage; one made it to the sanding and finish sanding stage. The other lay in parts nicely arranged on the work table. Throughout the year other projects scootched them farther and farther toward the back tables in the Barn.

Then one lovely summer day that proved to be "relatively"
(no pun intended)  humidity free  (and for the summer of 2013 - that was saying something) and while other projects were in holding stages waiting for one thing or another - a' moitie' fini'. The first stain was applied, then the second, and by evenings approach - "fini".  Take a look and dust off the memory - or for convenience sake - just flip back through the blogs.                         
                                                                              But isn't she just lovely !

A Wing and a Prayer

Special new finds often come from some of the most unlikely places and events. Take for instance a routine dentist visit.  Not necessarily a time for prayer (unless you are like me and have high anxiety). So to calm my nerves and soothe the inevitable, our favorite dental assistant chatted with me about this and that in an attempt to distract me from what lie ahead. Funny how topics of conversation evolve.

"Since you've both retired, are you able to keep up with refinishing projects and get out to antique a little more?  she asked.  " Indeed we are, even with the daily humidity and rain we've had".  Drool bib centered on my chest, leaning the chair back, she continued " do you think you might take a look at an old chapel bench I've had for decades"; gloves and mask now donned. " It's a bit weathered, but it was from my dads church and I'd love to have it restored".  "Sure, we'll come around one Saturday afternoon and take a look..........,"  one filling later, I mumbled from numbed lips " I'll call you next week".

After a week of torrents of afternoon and evening rain, and a 4th absent of any firework spectaculars, we headed to our favorite Saturday Flea Market, knowing full well the it might be a slim venue due to the holiday weekend and weather.  Of course, after years and years of frequenting this locale - we were correct.

Might be tricky here

Quick thinking and being nearby, we made a call, and headed to look over to examine the church bench.  What a charming little chapel sized pew bench.  A good amount of sanding, some repair needed, but certainly salvageable.   A "before the holidays requested completion" was determined and worked for us with our present inventory schedule.  Loaded up it headed to the Barn.  I'll bet it's heard it's share of church hymns raised on Sunday mornings and Wednesday church meetings - and so   "In the Sweet By and By" this pew bench will be restored.  Don't forget to check back on this when the weather is cooler and the leaves are turning, and of course stop by the Barn anytime to see all the work in progress - there's always coffee on.

Dovetailing in need of repair

Nice detail

Original color - maybe ?

 

Round To It

I know you've heard the expression..., or maybe you've said it a time or two yourself  " I'll get a round to it".

This time though, the expression is two fold. First the table we're featuring this month is one that we said " when the weather breaks, we'll get a round to it" and second; the table is actually ROUND.

Found at a Charleston, South Carolina outdoor bazaar type market that featured crafts, local baskets, seasonings, and some very unique items made from sea grass, there was also an area that hosted antiquities, attic treasures, and auction selections. Some pricey, some reasonable. This table had a cracked glass top, so to make the price a little more enticing and to save the travel issues associated with transporting glass, the dealer made me a deal I couldn't refuse.  As you can see, the delightful little table is probably best considered for a coffee table used in front of a love seat or chair-and -a -half is being prepared for touch ups, stain and a top. 

While the original stain was a cherry blend, it has lifted quite nicely.  We're thinking a medium teak or bamboo colored stain will breathe new life and inspire a new home.  It is responding to sanding well so we're doubtful that remover will be needed. Also considering alternative mediums for the top. Something southern in style - reminiscent of tall lemonades on the verandah or embellished iced tea with a sprig of mint. 

Given it came from the south, I am looking toward a clever application with a textured technique that when finished will resemble a steamer trunk top.  Altered Art is a form of applying different mediums - sometimes fabric such as Toile' and then distressing it to appear aged. A special paste is then applied that gives a thick glazed finish.  The only drawback - the weather needs to be humidity low in order for it to dry - alas, we've had a rainy June.

But doesn't the idea of a coffee table situated in front of an over-stuffed love seat with some southern charm and detail sound like a relaxed summer afternoon. So prop your feet up, grab a good book and a tall glass of something cool and tasty - but be sure to check back and see how this turns out.

    

 

Not your Average End Table

Every now and again you should take a step to one side and look outside the box.  The box being that little rut we sometimes get into doing the same things, the same tried and true way - and while this is "a good thing" to be reliable, consistent, and predictable, it can also be a tad bit b-o-r-i-n-g. So when I was approached by one of my favorite customers to get creative with a bamboo side table I acquired, I was ready for the challenge.

I headed to my trusty files, folders, and albums to search for unique ideas - magazine clippings, penned notes, a snapshot taken of an idea (permission obtained of course) and given that the customer requested a nautical tropical theme with cool colors I was able to combine two separate ideas into one FABULOUS finished product.  With a little help from the "Podge" - a 1960's favorite glazing technique, success was achieved and inspiration renewed.

Take a look at the  ..........,   BEFORE 

In sad shape, but salvageable

Bamboo was in good condition

Laminate top - what were they thinking !!!

 ....., and the AFTER .....,



    

Florida themed side-table - vintage map top

This was a fun project, and out of my "norm-zone" - but tapped into my "creative-side"

Bottom Shelf - vintage postcards