Sunday, November 08, 2009

Design Changes And Another Reason I Love My Husband

I married a man of many talents.

One of his best is refinishing furniture. Rather than buying new pieces, we'd much rather change what we have or buy something to transform.

Check out a few of his latest pieces.

I don't have a "before" picture for this rocking chair, but it was originally Carter's.....from Lillian Vernon.....made of blonde wood and was monogrammed with his name on the back.

We really need 2 in this size to accommodate the "twins", so I'm stopping in at the resale shops often to see what they have.

I wanted to give Lainey a vanity for her second birthday. She's quite interested in lotions and make up and all things girly. I thought it was the perfect time. Pottery Barn Kids and the like had options, but none that I loved. Stopped in at the Goodwill and found this table for $9.99.

Blake peeled off the top, painted it and then added a Ralph Lauren Antiquing Glaze.

Love the etched details and curvy legs. I'm currently looking for a fabric stool and then we'll put the table against the wall with a funky mirror to complete it.

I traded an old set of patio furniture for this cabinet while we were still in Colorado. I loved this piece and knew it could be really cute with a few changes. This is what I like about refinishing. Adding time and love and our own personality. Making it ours.

First, we stripped the interior of the red satin fabric. Then, Blake sanded it, painted it, distressed it, and added the antique glaze. Coco sent me the chicken toile fabric and we fitted it in.

Blake isn't sold on the chickens, but I think it's funky and unusual. He wants something more trendy like a damask. Time will tell.

****Blake would like the records to state that he does not know what a "damask" fabric is. He has never used the word and has no interest in using it.

Pictured next to the "chicken cabinet", as we now call it, is Lainey's doll high chair. Because they eat with us, of course. Found it at an antique store in Weston, Missouri. LOVE it.


Lots more projects lined up. We're currently transitioning all of our earth toned, "heavy" pieces into those with a more whimsical and "lived in" feel to them. I don't want my house to look like a typical model home......dark colors, obligatory trendy accessories, overdone lamps and weighty pillows. They're nice. But, they're not us.

I want COLOR. I want our house to reflect our personalities and the fact that 3 children live here. I want it to look like a happy, cheerful, full-of-life home.

Blake and I have been really good about buying simple furniture that can span over many designs. That way, we can keep the pieces long term and change pillows and artwork according to our current design direction. A leather couch, leather chair, solid chenille couch, etc......all will stay and be used for years and years.

Thinking of recovering our paisley ottoman with burlap.....and we'll eventually change the paisley chair to achieve more of the look we want now.

I love the feel of the following rooms. They're welcoming and full of color.

And, comfortable.

And, it looks like someone might actually live there!

(minus the white couch, of course)

Books, books, books.....make me happy.

I like the color against the white base here.

Another direction, but this feels like home to me.

Cute, cute, cute.


Changes coming in the Starnes house. An armoire to refinish......and artwork to create. I'm collecting ideas and am slowly putting it all together. Stay tuned!

15 comments:

Heather said...

I can't wait to see! Y'all are so handy! We did so much work to our first 2 houses that I wore Derek out. It's like pulling teeth to get him to do any projects anymore. uggghhh.

Jodee said...

Wow! He is handy! I can't wait to see more!

Hope you have a great week!

Coco said...

Oh Casey! I love it. Blake did an awesome job. I like the chicken fabric, if you did a damask, then it would look like every other armoir that has been distressed. Oh, buy the burlap now, I have an idea of something we can try.

We will have lots o' fun when I arrive in three weeks!!!(Yes Blake, Coco and kids arrive in THREE WEEKS) Let's go junking with the kids.

My house is a rainbow of weird colors, as you know, and it started out three years ago your typical buttercream walls, brown furniture, etc. Now it is a funky festival of colors and goods.

The Soladay Family said...

Our house has a million shades of brown, trendy accessories, overdone lamps and pillows, but that's what we like! Making a house your own is so much fun!

Sara said...

Love, love, love the "chicken" cabinet! Your hubby did a great job on all the furniture. We've been doing the same thing at our house lately. So fun! Can't wait to see more pics.

Monica said...

I wish I had the patience and time to create beautiful furniture. I love the "chicken cabinet" and Lainey's little vanity. Adorable.

donatelli98 said...

I love the chicken cabinet - y'all did an awesome job. Mr. ESPN and I started stripping our kitchen table and chairs (our kids have destroyed it in 2 years). It's a lot of work but I am excited to see the finished product. My fingers are still numb from the sanding! Can't wait to see the other pieces you are working on.

Tutus and Choo-Choos said...

Your husband does a great job! Those pieces look absolutely fabulous.

Michelle

Dee Stephens said...

I'm big on decorating with books but that's been another battle with Brad.
Love your style! I can't seem to get out of that Southern/French/NOLA look in my place. So freaking drawn to it though!

Amy said...

Love it! The chicken cabinet is amazing. We have a pink couch, green curtains and yellow walls - one friend walked in and asked if I actually bought a pink couch or if it was given to us!! haha

SASS said...

"Blake doesn't know what damask is and has no interest using it." My favorite part of this post. Mostly because I was trying get Tony to use the word "latte" to describe our wall color. That's what it is actually called. It is brown, and he refuses to call it anything else.

Good work! Love Lainey's vanity. Makes me want to go shopping! (Thanks)

merrilee said...

This is so cute. Great stuff and I love the way you have changed it to make it your own. Also, love the side bar about Blake and "damask"--priceless!!!

starnes family said...

Dee - I noticed my cousin and his wife decorate with books, however, they're turned around so that you can't read the spine. Only the pages.....giving the bookcases a funky look. I really liked it when I saw it in pictures. Another idea!

Merry Mack said...

Very cool! I love it. Check my blog tomorrow night. I will post Missy Mack's vanity and mirror I did. Maybe it will give you some more ides.

Becca Jane said...

I loved this post! I agree with you about color in the home. I can't wait until I live somewhere where I can paint the walls!
I wish you lived closer to me....you could help me re-finish Allison's dresser. People are ALWAYS leaving old furniture by the dumpsters here when they move out....most of it just needs some TLC, I just wish I knew how to fix stuff up!