Home Is Where You Hang Your Hat... and Coats

The newest addition to our household

Not the look I wanted to go for

The home we purchased, along with many other homes we looked at here in the Lowcountry, didn't come with a coat closet. Just because winter is much shorter than winters up north, does not mean I wont need a coat. So, without a spot to hang it, the kids would come in a toss theirs on the couch in the family room, I would hang mine over the railing to the stairs along with my purse, and my husband usually would hang his on the back of a chair. This just does not work for me! Now on our second winter in this home we finally solved the problem. I didn't want the typical coat tree, so I looked to Pinterest for some inspiration.

Pinspiration

With this as my inspiration Pinspiration, I got to work at picking out exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it, so the hubster could make my idea a reality.

Nut on back of a knob

Although I forgot to take pictures of the process, it's simple enough to explain. I found the most beautiful knobs and hooks at World Market. Seven of them cost me around $20. We already had pallet wood cut to the right length because it was leftover from a shoe bench he built for me (that will have to be another post). I laid out the wood on the floor and planned out exactly where I wanted my knobs and hooks to go. I marked off where they would be and he drilled a hole right through the spots for the knobs only. You do not need to drill for the hooks, they'll be hung with screws. Heres the important part- because the knobs are secured on the back by a nut, you have to have somewhere for the nut to hide. The wood will be flat against the wall so you have to notch out a space for the nut to secure the knob, but still be out of the way.

A spade bit & notch

Screw cutter

He did this by using a spade bit on his power drill. He also had to use his screw cutters because the screw on the back of the knob was longer than we needed it. Now that all the prep work was done, hubby found the studs in the wall, and screwed the pallet wood directly in to the wall with the knobs already attached and then he screwed on the hooks.

You can also see cast iron brackets mounted on the sides, and that's because after we cut more pallets, there will be a shelf on top. The brackets I found at a local thrift store for a few dollars. At the time that I bought them I wasn't sure where and how I'd use them, but I knew they'd come in handy.

I LOVE my new coat rack! Of course I'll have to add another post when the final touch is complete with shelf and decor. I'm a lucky lady to have such a handy hubby!

Drexel Table

When I found this table I knew I had to fix it! It was solid wood and stamped on the underside with its original manufacturers info. With minimal effort I was able to find this 1960 catalog from when it first came out! It's the one on the right in the second row.

This is the cover of the catalog, in case you're interested :)

I debated for a while if I should sand and re-stain back to it's original color. A lot of people are adamant about not destroying the integrity of vintage wood pieces, but since I felt that this one has been so poorly cared for on the top and legs, it would be a perfect piece for me to revamp. 

After a good sanding, it got a coat of light grey paint on the frame, legs and lower tier of the table.

A dove white color for the center of the tabletop.

I created the graphic from a collection of images found on Graphics Fairy, who by the way, just so happen to have shared this beautiful piece on their website!

After it was finished being designed, it received several coats of polycrylic to keep it looking beautiful for years to come. It, along with other pieces I've reinvented are available on my Etsy page.

PSA- Drugs are bad home decor is good!

Despite the controversial nature of  it all, when I found this magazine cover I fell in love! I didnt know what I was going to use it on, but that I had to save it and find something for it eventually.

Some of the 1920's art deco movement was a little wacky for my tastes, but on this particular image I love the colors and the way they blend, the beauty of the model with the veil and full length gloves, it all screamed vintage high fashion to me.

So after some appropriate cropping, it was censored enough to be transformed in to home decor! In an ironic twist, I felt like the image would best suit this handcrafted wooden tissue box cover. Although the big bold word COCAIN has been removed, the model is still holding up what appears to be some cocaine and chances are she intends on using it. What would she need afterwards? A tissue! So she belongs right where she is. I should point out that I have no idea if a cocaine user actually has any need for tissues since I myself have never used it, but I would imagine it would mess up the sinuses just a tad bit and things would get congested or runny. If I am wrong, I apologize for my ignorance but I don't intend on becoming an expert on the subject. Regardless it's still a beautiful vintage image which is now a beautiful decorative and functional household item.




As for the wood, I coated it with a chocolate glaze to give it a rich dark color that would have a slight sheen and still accentuate the grain. It received a protective poly coat in a satin finish and then the image was decoupaged on and given another couple of coats of mod podge to ensure the finished product will last for years to come.

 

Social Butterfly

This piece has been an absolute labor of love! I've refinished many pieces before, but always for myself. This is the first that I've made specifically to sell.

About a month ago I decided I wanted to see if I can make some money off of the hobby that I love so much. If it works out then that's amazing and I can earn money for my family doing something that makes me happy, and if I don't sell a single thing then I get to keep the pieces of
furniture for my own home and I still get to do something that makes me happy. Win-win!






I spent some time searching around for a unique item that could definitely benefit from an update. When I saw this gossip bench and I fell in love! I knew this was "The One". I took it home and sanded it immediately.
Then it sat...
And  sat...
We had Christmas to prepare for, cookies to be baked and family to visit, all the while it sat waiting to be rejuvenated. After we got back from our holiday and celebrated the New Year I finally had the time to give it the attention it deserved.

I painted it white and then I created the graphic. Its a compilation of a few graphics I came across and I edited together, added a little of my own and titled in a beautiful French script "Social Butterfly". After all, it is  a gossip bench! What better name can be used for a chair that's sole purpose was to give women a comfortable way to go on for hours about the latest scandal?

After the graphic, it needed some distressing. This is a 1940s-50s piece, we cant have it looking brand new! It needed some character, so before sealing it I did the distressing. Sealing after ensures the only distress to the finish is the intentional distress.

The cushion and fabric was in need of an upgrade so this pretty little chair got a sassy and sexy seat so it can be used to spread the word in style!

Even though we are no longer tethered from our phones to a wall this is still a beautiful antique statement piece that will add elegance to your home.