Numbered bar stools

I found these two wood-and-metal barstools at Deseret Industries months ago. It's a well-established fact that I have a thing for barstools...which is silly, since I own exactly ONE, and it's not a work of art.



They were painted dark green from top to bottom, and it was darn near impossible to sand the paint off of the metal legs!





So I resorted to stripper...





Don't you love how the top gets all moldy looking??





I was in for a surprise when I started scraping paint.



For underneath the green, there was brown.

Underneath the brown, there was red.

Underneath the red...well, there was finally metal.



I sanded down to bare wood on the seats, but I never did completely get down to bare metal on those legs...even after multiple applications of stripper. But I did get down far enough (and smooth enough) to paint again.



So, after Rustoleum primer and black spray paint for the legs, and a little Minwax English Chestnut stain on the tops, here they are today:





I used my Cricut to cut cardstock stencils for the numbers. I squared the stencils up with the grain of the wood, but when I replaced the seats on the bases, I discovered that the grain wasn't squared up with the legs! That bothers me a little...but I am telling myself that for a "funky junk" style, it's OK.











Do I believe myself? That remains to be seen!

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Chasing Dreams

 We all have dreams, plans and goals.................what are yours? Is it something that still eludes you?

 Being an endless planner and one with long and short term goals may make me seem serious, but I am also a dreamer. Truly believing that pursuing my dream will indeed transform my life.

 I long to go from this

                To this!

My dream has always been to draw. 
I want to make paper or canvas come alive. Wouldn't you agree that the ability to draw is another form of communication? Ever try to explain a killer chandelier with words only? How about an amazing interior, or a stunning garden? It is for me, a handicap..........but no more

                                             Here
Since dreams are for chasing, I will be off  for two weeks in January studying under the masterful Mike Lin's intensive graphic workshop to learn the skills of hand rendering. 

How is this for a before and after! And as mentioned in TWO WEEKS

 .

Mike's definitive workshop is the fourteen day straight session for 12-16 hours per day!

But see what you can accomplish

Here is Mike observing his students

Here is Mike drawing blind-folded.
But why are the workshops called 'Be Loose?' Well, these workshops not only teach you how to draw but are transformative.  In order to free your mind to draw, one must become "loose", adjust your attitude, while increasing one's confidence and grabbing life by the horns, in other words.........this is life changing.

Our proud master at the end of the session displaying and critiquing the after drawings.

He is an  author who has taught all around the world. To Landscape Architects and Landscape Designers, Interior Designers, students and numerous other professionals.

But...........this is not for the faint of heart. I feel as though I am entering the film 'Karate Kid'

Here is Mike.........as a child.
How do I know all of this?  
I took this workshop once before. There, I said it (my head is hanging low). Everyone excelled but me. Teasingly I asked Mike (whom I now consider a friend) if there were discounts for returning students?
"No, you fool around too much!"
And that was the truth. For some unknown reason I did fool around, with all my new-found friends....But 
    N O T  T H I S  T I M E!


Take a look at Mike in action. Being a master, he makes this look effortless but it is part of a technique taught.

                      geneva shop before
One of the reasons to acquire drawing skills is to do our exterior stylizing and landscape designs

                      Rendering of Geneva shop after

An associate in my firm, Stephanie Fania is our in-house artist. She draws and is wonderful conveying my thoughts. Telling her where to put what, what to change, eliminate............and she understands horticulture and architecture. Mind you Stephanie will NOT be replaced. I may fool around but I am not a fool, this takes practice.

                                     Friends warehouse before in North Carolina
In this instance Thomas sent photo's, filled out our survey and without ever being on site we proposed the following with minor changes such as paint and landscaping with minimum architectural details.

But with life's twists and turns or small interior design appointments by myself I long to draw.

Care to join me? Drop me a line. But I have promised myself this time, no partying!

Fondly,
Debra

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Tobacco Cloth Panels & Photos

On Monday after returning home from the Simple Goods show I got busy rinsing my Tobacco Cloth panels for the family room windows – hopefully the other rooms will get theirs soon – they’re washed but I’m just too pooped to put them up.

I had my Flu shot on Tuesday night and it knocked me every which way!
Horrible headache and very, very sick – on the mend now but still feel punky – nausea won’t go away as well as a nagging headache in the back of my head. Dr. said it was a reaction to the shot…had it last year the same. Going to re-think getting the shot next year.

Well, onto the panels…I had to use 2 panels on each side otherwise they would be too thin – and as things go, one thing leads to another.
Now the walls look rather dingy and too light for the panels. A little bit darker maybe???

I’ll have to take a panel with me to pick out paint though because they look different in different settings.

The opposite wall has our sofa and some tables and chairs – but the windows above are long across the wall and high up – not sure what to do there. Maybe just keep what I have up because they work with the privacy panels in the bow window.

You know, last weekend at the show we went to the Seraph (Colonial furniture store) in Delaware, Ohio and I forgot to put pictures on. Nice shop and I was told it was their first/original store.
Now we loved the furniture and all but the store really was in total neglect. Very dusty and dirty – things just didn’t look fresh and clean to represent the prices on the pieces of furniture, but still a nice store if you wanted Colonial furniture.
 
click on photo box to open – then click on slideshow

View Full Album

Oh at the Buggy Seat Antiques they had this adorable
Miniature Pony…and they put a Christmas hat on him!!!!

Have you seen the photo books you can make yourself through any photo processing company?
I made one up for our Grandson’s 21st birthday on the 17th.
I started with his birth photo for the opening picture in the cover box and then added photos for each of his years.
You can add more than one photo on a page…just too cute.
I think he will love it.
I had a 50% off coupon for one too so that was a plus!

So there you have today’s entry

I know there’s more but I’m tired.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone

Karen

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What I got !

I promised to show off what I got in exchange for my Divine Dining Table. I couldn't be happier!

Ta-da!

Isn't she pretty??



I used to have this little table in that spot:



It was fine, but I have since decided that I prefer color in my accessories rather than my furniture.



This new-to-me little desk has history! character! It has a slide-out writing surface!





Perfect for a lap-top!



My grandparents' trunk still fits neatly underneath.



I love the top folded back, but it can also close if wanted.





Actually, that part is a little tricky, as the original hinges are broken. I'm on a hunt for new ones, but I haven't had any luck yet.



Other than that, this little desk was in remarkably good shape. There were/are definitely some dings and scratches:



...but I used a little Walnut "Restore-a-Finish" on it, and while it isn't a magical ointment, it does do a pretty good job of hiding minor defects.



Here's one last pretty picture:





I'm so glad it's mine!

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