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Saturday, 31 December 2016

Create An Old Beam Mantel

I love working with wood.  The grains, texture, smell and character from worm holes to weather beaten seashore finds – what we can create is limited to only our imagination.

 So, here's the thing…. 
The homeowners of a new build cottage asked for their fireplace mantel to be an old beam. Not only was I searching for a rather large specimen, I also wanted a good quality beam with hand hewed details and character. The fireplace was the focal point of their cottage – it needed to match my criteria and not cost an arm and a leg.  My search proved fruitless and pricy – so, knowing I could do better - I did the next best thing, I created! I purchased a 10’ x 8” rough beam from a local lumber mill for $20.00. 

DISTRESSING
With a draw blade I shaved off the edges giving it the hand hewed details I was looking for.  I attached the beam with a chain to the back of my truck and drug it up and down a gravel road a few times to add bumps and dents – to further age the appearance and give it character.

SANDING
Back in the workshop I used my trusty orbital sander and a 150 grit to remove any pieces that would cause splinters and then followed up with 220 grit paper to smoothen it out.  I didn’t use a higher grit paper as I wanted to maintain the appearance of an old beam.

STAINING
I treated the beam with a coat of Prestain Wood Conditioner from Minwax.  This penetrates the grain of the wood to promote uniform acceptance of the stain. Without it you may end up with streaks and blotches from where you started and stopped applying the stain.  I always recommend treating any raw surface before staining. 

We chose Minwax Early American and Natural stains.  The first coat was a mixture of  ¾ Early American to ¼ Natural.  I used a chip brush for this project to ensure the stain soaked into all of the crevices, let it sit for 20 minutes and wiped off the excess.  Once the beam was installed and the rock work completed, I applied two more coats of straight Early American, allowing each coat to penetrate for a few minutes followed by wiping off the excess with a cotton rag.  If you want to retain the color you have achieved on your wood I recommend a coat of polyurethane.  The home owners for this mantel chose not to do this so the beam will darken over time.

Here's are some before and after pictures of the beautiful, rustic mantel piece.
Installed using brackets

Final coat of Early American stain

Fabulous!

"Believe you can and you're half way there!"  - Theodore Roosevelt

Tomorrow I will show how I turned an old bench into a "sofa" for two little fur babies.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions about products used on this project. I’d love to share them with you. Do you have a renovation project or can't find what you are looking for?  Send me a picture/description and I will provide a free consultation for you!

  
Until next time – Live Simply!
            Mary Elizabeth




Friday, 30 December 2016

Leap of Faith

Fast forward two years since finishing my first chalk painted chair and the plethora of furniture that has come my way since…. 

The little old dilapidated cottage located across the road from my cottage was purchased by a wonderful couple who lived the “off season” on the other end of the country. Their plan was to bulldoze the one season dwelling and build new. They had the floor plan, the contractor and had selected paint color, the kitchen cupboards and flooring. Then I got the call…. 

So, here’s the thing...

I grew up in the 80’s and have always been an avid Martha Stewart follower.  I taught myself to craft, cook, sew, garden and basically do anything that had to be done.  If Martha could do it – so could I. My obsession with interior design, lead to the transformation of a number of homes – for myself. So when I received a call from my new neighbors asking for assistance with sourcing exterior lighting – I was off to the races!  Full of confidence that I could find the perfect fixtures! 

Their simple lighting request turned into a nine-month project of overseeing and decorating their new cottage from top to bottom. AND, I mean top to bottom.  From bedding, custom draperies, sofa, rugs, table and chairs and even dishes – it was a turnkey. Lighting was one thing – but decorating and finishing someone else’s home? I was unsure I was up to the task – I may have thought I was Martha – I may have thought I could do anything Martha could do – but, seriously?

I accepted the challenge knowing that for whatever reason, I was given an opportunity to believe in me, in my abilities and my knowledge.  If not now, when?  How long have we sat on the sidelines waiting and wishing we could turn our passions into possibilities?  With a well lodged lump in my throat - I took the leap. 

Here's the end result of my first interior decorating gig!  Taking that leap of faith and trusting in myself has been one of my greatest gifts.

Bedroom
Sunroom
Kitchen
View from Dining Room to Living Room
Living and Dining room
Bathroom

Check back tomorrow for tips and techniques, where I'll share my favorite shops, and how I created the mantel and pantry screen door used in this farmhouse/seashore stunner.

In the meantime, please send me any questions you may have on this project – or any other topic. I love to share. Are you hoping to give your home or cottage a facelift or a complete remodel?  Are you preparing for resale or getting ready to move and just need to get organized but don’t know where to start?  Hey, we’ve all been there!  Send me a note and I will provide a free consultation for you!

“What if I fall?” 
“Oh but my darling, what if you fly?”  
                                                   -e.h.

Until Next Time - Live Simply
- Mary Elizabeth






Thursday, 29 December 2016

One Little Chair....

I love yard sales, garage sales, antique/vintage stores, auctions, attics, spring and fall cleanup and good ole hand-me-down items. I also love to paint, sew, bake, rearrange furniture and create.  That’s when I am in my comfort zone – free from the same ole routine of daily living.

So, here’s the thing……

On the little dead end road where I reside there are ten awesome cottages - usually vacated after the Thanksgiving weekend leaving me to exist solo until their return the following May.  I didn’t, and still don’t, mind being on “the Bay” by myself – I have a million projects and a to-do list that never seems to end.  Winter is “my time” to hunker down and try to accomplish something – anything!

The first winter, six years ago, I was at a point in my life where I needed my soul need a life simplified.  A place that reflected who I was. Up to that point I had been a pack rat – hanging on to everything from my past like those possessions defined who I was.  The more I had, the happier I was – and the more impressive it seemed – to me. How very wrong I was. So, slowly – very slowly, my transformation began. I was going to start fresh - declutter and live simply.

I sold all of those so-called "treasures" and kept only what I needed - not what I wanted, but what I needed - otherwise I never wouldn't have gotten rid of anything!  I had decided I was going to upcycle, recycle, reinvent and repurpose.

This is my story.  The journey, over 6 years, of how one little chair has opened the door to new experiences, new adventures and a new life.  I hope you will check back often, leave comments, ask questions, subscribe and follow me as I take you through tips, techniques and tutorials on everything from refinishing and reupholstering to sewing, decorating and interior design - it's going to be fun!

I chose Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and waxes to get started. Following Annie’s tutorials on YouTube and searching the web for inspiration - I was quickly overwhelmed, yet filled with enthusiasm for tackling the endless paint project possibilities. I was like a steam roller and ended up painting everything in site – seriously!  If it had a flat surface I was all over it.

My very first project, back in 2011, was brought to me by my biggest supporter and best friend.  Thankfully he understands my need for creativity and he will search pretty much anywhere - No word a lie, this little chair was rescued from a dumpster.


Pretty sad!


Pretty Awesome!

I restored this beauty in Annie’s Versailles, clear waxed and accented with dark wax.  Although it was in reasonably good shape it had to be re-glued, re-caned and the bottom of the legs sanded so it would sit level.

With pride I displayed my first refinished piece of furniture in my cottage. It eventually found a new home – more on that journey later. I never, in my wildest dreams thought I would ever share these pictures so you will have to forgive me for not having “staged” these photos. It is what it is.


In the future I will include more detail about the process but in the meantime please let me know if you have any questions. Do you have a piece of furniture you don’t know what to do with?  Send me a picture and I will provide a free consultation for you!



 “Life isn’t about finding yourself.  It’s about creating yourself." - George Bernard Shaw



Until next time - Live Simply!
- Mary Elizabeth