SHM Design Piece Headed to New York

Isn't it funny how things just unfold right in front of you. Well, the other day I went to the studio (to pay my rent) and ran into this wonderful women who I thought was just spending the day browsing antique and consignment shops (something I just love to do). Anyway, she started looking at a few of my home decor books which got us talking. I discovered that she was really searching for cool pieces for a friend of her daughters apartment. She had decorated her daughters apartment with some great finds she had picked up here and there and her daughters friends were so amazed at how it looked they asked her to do the same for them. She now has a line of young ladies waiting for her to decorate their places with vintage and antique finds. Thus, she is on the search for ALOT of pieces!

After looking around, she decided to get this great little coffee table.  I was not only excited about the sale and opportunity for a rehab (as I call it) but that ..........

they all live in New York City. I don't know why, but having a piece of mine in someones New York apartment just seems so......

HUGE!!!!!

Some of my favorite TV designers live in New York. Two of my absolute FAVORITES are the.......................

 NOVAGRATZ.

They truly have been such an incredible inspiration to me because they aren't afraid to try anything.....and..... they like to mix the old with the new ... which I LOVE TO DO!

Their home in New York.

Half court basketball court in their home.

Dining Room

 The kitchen... LOVE the chandelier.

Sitting Room : they made one wall a garage door so you could open it and bring the outside in. So much fun.

Now back to the coffee table..... The table is this great little piece with a leather top and the most beautifully craved legs.

The first apartment she is decorating is very french inspired. Therefore, we decided to remove the leather top and have Mark, my carpenter, replace it with a new wood top.

After looking at the Annie Sloan color chart, we decided to paint the entire piece with AS Paris Grey and then white wash it with AS Pure White. To finish the piece we would use both the AS clear and dark wax. I love how it turned out.

I would love to hear what you think.  Have a great weekend!!!

Take Care
Stacy

Eddie Ross and the DC Big Flea Market

Hello Everyone,

This Sunday was such an exciting day for me. First I got to spend the day with one of my best friends doing what I love to do most .... walking up and down aisle after aisle looking for fabulous finds. But what was a great added bonus was that  I got to see and listen to(for only a few seconds) one of my favorite designers and bloggers...........

EDDIE ROSS

I follow his blog eddieross.com  faithfully and always look forward to seeing his transformations. He has such an eye for home decor and accessories and really knows how to get the most for your money. Anyway, I actually knew that he was going to be there and was going to sign up to walk around and listen to him but wasn't sure want my time frame was, so didn't. I will definitely sign up for his next one. 

I was able to get a few shots of him from a distance.

It was a great show and I came home with a car load of goodies for a few cleints and my studio.  If you have a chance to go to the next one it is at the same place May 5 & 6. It is definitely worth the drive. I always like to go on Sundays because you get better deals. There were some booths that had everything 50% off.

Take a look at some of my finds:

I fell in love with this first piece. It is an old, cut glass canister which is so beautiful in and of itself, but what I discovered when I opened the lid was even more special.

When you open the lid this is what you find..... I had no idea what this was until the vendor selling it showed me......

This! It is a glass insert that you can fill with ice so that your beverage stays cold but doesn't get diluted. Besides needing polished.... It is in perfect condition.  What an incredible find!!!!!

I was super excited about this piece also.  It is a solid oak antique frame with absolutely beautiful carvings.  I am going to paint and wax it with Annie Sloan paint and dark wax and turn it into a chalk board. Another great find.

I thought these two chairs were so fun. I am going to paint them in a pure white and then add a colorful seat cushion. 

This piece will make a perfect side table with a basket to hold blankets or table in a bathroom to hold towels or toiletries or even in a child's bedroom to hold games or books.

I love these metal indoor/outdoor chairs!!! So much fun. New coat of paint and some cute fabric and these will be perfect anywhere.

Met a vendor who had 6 vintage suitcases in great condition.  Bought all 6 to make stacking side tables. 

I can never pass up a pretty chair or mirror. Loved this one. I am planning on painting it and putting it up for sale in the studio.

Loved this cute caned table. All it needs is a good paint job!

More suitcases in great condition!

Couldn't pass up on these beautiful cobalt blue martini glasses! Ten of them to be exact. Will probably use them for everything but martini's.

Well there you have it.... my Sunday flea market finds. Aren't they so much FUN.

Take Care,

Stacy

Before and After; Rooms and Furniture Given Some Needed TLC

Hello! Hope everyone is having a great day. It was an absolutely beautiful day today. Warm and sunny... I only hope that it is here to stay... I don't like to be teased when it comes to warm weather.

Anyway... I thought I would show you a few before and after photos.  You will surely tell right away that some TLC was definitely needed.


#1 Craigslist purchase for $10

Look how cute this turned out. This chair was completely taken apart down to the  frame. Everything except the frame is new...... Total cost of this project $609.

Compare my clients custom reupholstered chair to a new, store bought chair:

Pottery Barn $899+ shipping

Crate and Barrel $999 ( not tufted)+ shipping

#2 Craigslist purchase for $100

This settee I actually did for myself. It now sits in my family room and I love it!!!!
Total Cost of this project including fabric: $650

Compare my reupholstered 100 year old settee with two store bought settee's:

Ballard Designs: $1159.00 + shipping

Calico Corners: $1479.00 + fabric cost + shipping

So, as you can easily see, choosing to reupholster a vintage or antique piece of furniture will not only fit your room perfectly because you have customized it specifically for your space but, will SAVE YOU ALOT OF MONEY and be a great conversational piece.

Give it a try... I promise, you will be totally amazed and happy at the transformation.



I am constantly talking about how just giving your walls a new coat of paint will totally change the feel and look of your room. It can actually make your old furniture look new. Take a look at a clients house that I recently just finished.  All we did in this house was take down a lighted bulk head, mirror and a few pieces of molding and then added a fresh coat of paint and a few light fixtures. The room looks and feels completely different.

Take a look at the incredible before and afters ( remember I'm not a great photographer)

Before:

Left the moldings up behind the couch

Took the wall mirror and molding down.

That's the lighted bulkhead we took out and replaced with sconces.

Replaced the dining room light fixture.

Another picture of the molding and mirrored wall that we took down.

Front Door

The client had already renovated her kitchen and done a great job. She just had chosen the wrong shade of blue paint. It didn't go with the warmth of the back splash or cabinetry.

After:

The walls in the living room were painted in Sherwin Williams Dormer Brown with the moldings and lighted bulk heads painted in Sherwin Williams Biscuit.

The dining room and kitchen needed a darker, warmer blue to blend better with the tile, counter tops and cabinets. We chose Sherwin Willaims Poolhouse and my client couldn't be happier. Just going with a couple shades darker gave both of these rooms a totally different feel. Before you would walk in these rooms and think how pretty but just felt something was a little off. Now the rooms feel complete. It has a very warm and cozy feeling that makes you want to hang out.

Isn't it just amazing what choosing the right color paint can do to a room. It can make such a HUGE difference for not alot of money.... especially if you paint the room yourself. Give it a try. Start with one room that just hasn't felt right and I promise you you will see and feel the difference.

Take Care,

Stacy