When we last left you, our beautiful antique mantle with its faux firebox looked like this:
Nothing was painted, no stone was laid. Things were kinda bare. And unfinished.
Our first item on the agenda was to paint it.
First, we caulked any cracks or areas we felt needed filling in. We painted the mantle and the adjoining boards behind it with white paint in satin finish.
Next, we installed Airstone to the surround and the bottom of the hearth.
This stuff is amazingly easy and fun to work with. Simply spread the adhesive on the back of the stones like you’re frosting a cake and press into place. You can also cut the stone with a hacksaw or circular saw.
We then laid faux slate vinyl tiles across the top of the hearth. We may upgrade it later to real slate but I am loving how this looks, and how little it cost.
We then painted the faux brick paneling with some matte black chalk paint. I just like the finish.
We still have a few areas to fill in and some trim to add, but all in all, I am loving it!
Stay tuned! The rest of our living room is about to change in a big way, and I can’t wait to show it to you!!
I absolutely love antique stores, resale stores and thrift shops. I love looking for specific things, but I also love finding random treasures too.
Recently, I found this pretty and unusual desk in a Habitat for Humanity store. For a split second, I considered buying it.
Then, I spotted this pair of French toile chairs that would be darling in a little girls’ room.
It made me wish I needed them. In the end, I said goodbye to the cute desk and the darling chairs and walked away.
But, I digress. I mentioned that I sometimes go in a store searching for specific items. On this trip, I was in search of a new large piece of art for our living room.
I didn’t find what I wanted, but I did find these two neat paintings.
There are a handfull of items I am always on the lookout for in a resale shop or flea market. There are a few things I love to collect and I almost never pass up. Today, I’d like to share those lovely treasures with you.
1. Milkglass
I have several pieces of Fenton milk glass, and while most of my collection has been passed down to me from my grandparents and great grandparents, I also frequently purchase small pieces when I encounter them. I have passed on milkglass pieces just as often as I’ve purchased them, in an effort to keep my collection small.
2. Seagrove Pottery (especially blue)
I was raised in Central North Carolina, so I’m very familiar with Seagrove pottery. I remember being absolutely gobsmacked by how expensive the pottery is on Ebay, so I am always excited to find a piece for sale in a flea market or resale shop. I’ve emassed a decent collection from yard sales, thrift stores and family members.
3. Vintage tea cups and tea sets
You can often find one or two matching cups and saucers. You can do so many cool things with these- decorate with them, make bird feeders from them, make candles with them, gift them to a friend with a box of their favorite tea…the list is endless. I use mine beside my kitchen sink to store my rings while washing dishes.
4. Vintage quilts
Quilts often cost a pretty penny. If you find a nice vintage quilt that is still in great shape, buy it! That’s what washing machines are for! If it has a small tear, you can fix it. If it’s faded, use it for a picnic blanket. Vintage quilts also make great wall hangings.
5. Vintage picture frames
Have you ever seen vintage picture frames with the glass removed and painted with chalk paint? I’m telling you right now, you should do this! These frames would be lovely in a little girls’ room painted pink. They’d also make a lovely statement wall on a staircase. Or just a cute collage wall in a hallway. Hang them up empty or with photos in them.
Other things I love to search for are antique signs and advertisements, household items like wash boards, and old license plates. What do you love to buy from resale stores and flea markets?
Last weekend, I posted this picture on Instagram, leading my followers to wonder what I’m up to.
I’m going to go ahead and tell you that this project will take several posts, and I’ll be talking about it for the next few weeks…but I’m happy to scratch the surface today.
This absolutely lovely antique mantle has been in my garage for almost two years. I knew what I wanted to do with it but just couldn’t find the time. Story of my life. I knew I wanted it done by December so I felt compelled to stop dragging my feet and just do it.
Then, there was a whole lotta strippin’ going on, and not the sexy kind. At least this kind of stripper doesn’t smell bad. Just brush it on with a paintbrush and wait thirty minutes. Then, scrape that paint right off. You may have to repeat the process, if there are several layers of paint to remove. I had to do this three times.
Plus, the stripper gives everything a pinkish hue, which is also lots of fun.
I used low grit sandpaper and a plastic putty knife to scrape away the paint. I’ve almost got all the paint off.
And if you’ll tune in next week, I’ll show you the second installment. Come see us next Tuesday to see what I’m doing with this mantle.
Our favorite season is upon us here at Lumber in my Minivan! I can’t tell you how much I love fall in the south- the temperatures cool off, the leaves change and everybody heads outside.
My house seems to be in its finest glory when the fall decor comes out. I tried to change it up a little this year and I’m loving the results.
When you come in the front door, you’re greeted by sunflowers and the soft glow of candles in this vignette, which can be found on our sofa table.
Our living room is full of pumpkins, sunflowers, bittersweet and candles. I especially love these sweet fall pillows I ordered online last year.
One of my favorite things about our living room decor is this beautiful wreath Michael’s family sent us when my dad died.
This sweet vignette is on our coffee table.
We also have a similar vignette in our office/ family room.
If you’re curious, that tree field guide belonged to my dad.
I am loving our fall table runner and the fall potpourri I put in our bread bowl. It smells so good!
The window in our dining room got a little fall goodness too in the form of milkglass, a lantern and some fall florals.
Even our kitchen is sporting a little fall goodness.
The shelves in our master bath look so cute with the sunflowers and pine cones.
I decided our hall bath needed some sunflowers as well 😃
Throughout our fall house tour, you’ve likely seen these elements repeated: milk glass, pine cones, bittersweet, copper pumpkins and sunflowers.
Tune in next week for some pictures of our outdoor fall decor.
I have been itching to decorate for fall lately, and now that it’s finally September, I just might. Have you all been to Dollar General recently? They have so many beautiful fall things and for such awesome prices! There were many things I wanted to buy and I still may go back and buy them later.
This comfy fall throw is soft and I love the colors. This muted gray would be beautiful thrown over my couch.
This pretty tea towel would look great in a kitchen or a bathroom.
These cute little fall bowls are reminiscent of Rae Dunn and I am seriously considering going back and buying about six of them.
I want this cute little sign so bad. My aunt was with me at the DG and she talked about buying this and putting it in the center of a deco mesh wreath, which would be really pretty.
These pretty little metal baskets would be great in a fall vignette.
These small canvas fall signs are available in several different designs and are another thing I’m debating on going back to buy.
I’ve earmarked this cute little clock for a project I’m about to do. Isn’t it cute?
These cute little galvanized pails could be used for so many things.
I want some of these little candle lanterns.
This photo frame is so pretty. I’ve almost bought it many a time.
There were also some really cute candle holders and some fall vase fillers that I liked and didn’t get pictures of.
