Union Jack Waterfall Buffet

Are you ready??? :-) This piece of furniture was one of those pieces that literally morphed while in process. We'll start with an AFTER shall we?

You like???

When someone handed it over to me like this

(BEFORE)

I thought - ok...I'll just paint it pretty and call it good.

But then I noticed the top was peeling...well,

the whole thing was in bad shape!

Look what was underneath the top though.

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I just had to incorporate a stained top somehow.

Sooo...I ended up with this.

Ummmmmm..........well..........

this is not.how.I.had.envisioned.it.in.my.head. :-(

Hmmmmmm????

Thinking......thinking.......what to do now?

Somehow the Union Jack symbol came to mind.

Of course! That would look awesome!!!

I hope....  :-)

Finishing Details:

Minwax Jacobean - 2 coats

Tung Oil- 2 coats

ASCP Paris Gray (large stripes)

ASCP Old White (skinny stripes)

Rustoleum Gloss Navy Blue Spray Paint

Annie Sloan Clear Wax

FROGTAPE

Kilz Primer Spray Paint (not pictured)

I'm going to need to buy an ENTIRE

new roll of FROGTAPE! :-)

Boy, that was a lot of taping.

Two deep drawers in the middle.

One long skinny top with three divided drawers on the right.

New oil-rubbed bronze pulls with brass highlights

(in stock @ Lowe's)

A little distressing.....

And a little more distressing....  :-)

Original hinges were used.

The antique waterfall style somehow fits perfectly, and

I love that the blue part is high gloss and the gray and white

are a low sheen from the wax finish!

It could be used as a dresser, entry table, or

console table and has great storage.

It definitely makes a statement without being too bold.

I really contemplated adding the traditional red, but

just really fell in love with the cool tones

and nautical feel of the piece.

Dimensions are 54"long x 20"wide x 35.5"high

$375 cash

Contact me for arrangements.

I can't wait to see who it gets to go home with!

~~~~~

On another wonderful note, if you follow

via facebook, you knew that I recently won a giveaway

from Centsational Girl Kate for 5 yards of

Waverly Fabric! Hello!! Centsational Girl!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!

I learned about this on the way home from

our camping trip, made my selections, and

they arrived at my front door step to-day!

YEAH!!!

Here were my picks!

It was a tough choice, but I love how they all work together.

I have absolutely no specific plan for them, but

they may end up in a project or two. :-)

Just in case you are curious, these are from

Waverly's Modern Essentials Collection.

Left to Right:

Farmer's Market - Plum 675942

Glamour - Shale 652404

Network - Sunshine 675951

I hope your week has been off to a GREAT start.

Some fun-ness for myself is that

MY BIRTHDAY IS WEDNESDAY!

(That would be the 16th!) :-)

I'm SO excited!

I kind of wonder if anyone can guess my age.

Hmmm???

That could be a little dangerous!

You'll have to come back to find out. ;-)

Keep posted for a little surprise

because I appreciate YOU and you

have been a big part of my past year.

So tune in for some birthday fun! ;-)

~Anneke~

You can now follow me via Pinterest and Twitter!

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Work, Work, Work, CRASH!

Well that's kind of how I feel today - coughing kids up all night, sniffles, and paper piles. :-( Yesterday I worked, worked, worked, and today feels like a big crash.

BUT - I did have a great day yesterday working on some new pieces to share with you - one today, and a couple very soon. I'm SO excited! Now that I have an official "work" day I can count on, I SO look forward to that time and kind of go into hyper-drive. I think today my body's saying, "What in the world did you do to me yesterday?!" :-)

I finished up this cute little table yesterday.

Notice anything different??? Yup...I finally took the time to get on Picnik and do a little watermark and editing. It was a super quick I-don't-know-what-I'm doing edit, but here is the before.

Not too bad for a quick upgrade. It was just a phone picture to begin with taken in the waning light of day, but I'll take what I can get at this point. Tomorrow I get to have a sister day and I'm bringing my new camera to get some lessons from a pro like her! I CAN'T WAIT!!! Love you sis! :-)

Some more picts. of the table.

On the base is ASCP in Old White.

On the top I used French Linen, distressed, waxed,

and then "antiqued" or "aged" with Minwax Jacobean stain.

I brushed the stain on and let it sit for under a minute

and then wiped it off.

I did this 3 times, letting it dry completely in between,

then re-waxed for a final time.

The whole piece is finished in Annie Sloan clear wax.

It's such a cute little thing!

It got some new hardware on the front too.

This cutie is priced @

SOLD

Dimensions are 45.75" long x 16" wide x 26" high

And here is the before!

It was a cute little table in great shape that

just needed a little makeover

to give it some character!

Just a heads up, I'm planning to begin the process of transferring

to Wordpress and get an official designer to give my blog

a makeover and make it user friendly.

I know I could figure it out eventually, but seriously...

I'd rather do a bagillion other things that I do better and faster.

I'm hoping to have this complete in the next month

(Psssst....it's my b-day this month!)

and have my blog look like I've been

hoping it would since I dove headfirst blind into blogland began blogging 6 months ago!

Be on the lookout! :-)

I already have someone lined up, but I'd love to

know who you use or who's designs you love

in the wonderful list of blog designers!

If I get enough input, I'll put together a shout out

for all of your faves!!!

Who do YOU love and why/what do you love

about them and their work?

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Anneke~

You can now follow me via Pinterest and Twitter!

  

Today's Guest - Lenae of Silver Sage Design Studio

Okaaaayyyyy ~ who's excited it's Friday????! Any big plans tonight??? :-)

I'm probably hanging out by the campfire!

Well, today, we're onto our second feature interview while I'm on our family trip,

and you get a big treat as I get to introduce you to

Lenae

of

Silver Sage Design Studio

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself. Your family, what you do,

how long have you been doing this, etc.?

My name is Lenae and I have Silver Sage Design Studio in Moses Lake.

Silver Sage is a lifestyle store with a focus on design.

I believe in celebrating the beauty of all things every day.

This belief is for my business as well as my home life

with my fiancé Urban Masset and our daughter Aspyn Grace.

We are a busy family doing design,

building our dream cabin on Snoqualmie pass,

managing our rentals and working on a house filp or two.

Every day is an adventure.

2. Who is your favorite designer and why?

Picking ONE favorite designer is a hard thing to do. There are

so many talented people in this industry. But, if I have to pick just one,

I think that it would have to be Pam Pierce from Houston. Pam is not

mainstream, but I could definitely move into one of her homes

without changing a thing. Six years ago one of her projects was featured

in Verandah magazine and it remains one of my favorite homes of all

time. Pam Pierce just has something about her work that speaks to me...

The architecture always has a rustic flavor to it with stone and roughhewn beams

mixed with plastered walls. Well-worn antiques blend with silk

and sometimes a little crystal. Simply Devine!

(Lenae's home)

3. How did you come about doing what you do and what do you absolutely LOVE about it?

I’ve always had a love for all things beautiful.

Garage sale jewelry made me feel like a queen as a child. The bigger the better!

Seashells, rocks, moss and branches, I loved it all. This translates today.

Abraham Maslow quoted that a musician must make music,

an artist must paint, a poet must write,

if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. And it is true.

It comes from the inside….Passion!

Passion flows like water making things a little more clear.

I started my first design related business at 19 doing faux painting

and that developed into opening a small shop

and then a full design business at 23.

I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing,

but went full steam ahead (by the seat of my pants)!!!

Lifestyle and design shops were not common then,

and I remember how cutting edge it seemed to carry furnishings,

accessories and jewelry with a working design studio.

This grew and evolved into what is now Silver Sage.

I feel so fortunate to have been able

to do what I love every day.

4. What are some design trends that you are loving at this moment?

There are so many beautiful design trends out there right now. I would say

my favorite has to be the Restoration hardware look.

They have done the best job accumulating a well-worn and loved feel

making it accessible to the common consumer.

And it is a welcomed change from the overdone Tuscan look. Don’t get me wrong,

Tuscan can be beautiful, but as a designer I need a

little more inspiration than a red and gold interior. Been there, done that.

(Lenae's home)

5. Who, what, where do you find inspiration from?

Nature provides the most design inspiration for me. I have always had a love

for rocks and leaves and all the colors as you see around us every day.

To take in a sunset or see the leaves turn in autumn

can take my breath away like nothing else. I constantly drive Snoqualmie pass

and find myself gazing at all the beauty

and suddenly a design scheme will unfold.

There is an honor is being asked into someone’s home

to design such a sacred space that their family shares every day.

I never take this lightly.

6. What is one design tip you think would instantly change a space?

The best design tip I can give isn’t so glamorous.

I think that cleaning and DE-cluttering can do wonders to a room.

So many women want to paint and decorate and purchase a new feel,

but really just cleaning up clutter can bring peace of mind

and make everything look a little better.

(Lenae's home)

7. Flats or Heels?

I don’t even have to think a second on this one! Oh heels most definitely!!!

I don’t even think that anyone would recognize me without 4 inch platforms on.

They are a girl’s best friend!

8. Black, Brunette, Blonde, or Red?

 Blonde…..we have more fun right???

9. What is your dream travel destination or vacation?

Traveling to France and Italy would be a dream for me.

All the history, architecture, culture and good food. I hear its phenomenal,

and I will never want to come back.

10. With the holidays around the corner, what is your fave tradition?

I come from a small family and we had no traditions other than reading

the story of Christs birth on Christmas Eve before opening gifts.

I am excited to pass this tradition down to my daughter

along with making our own. The Holidays bring out the crazy creative side of me.

I love making handmade things for both my friends and my shop.

From fresh cut green wreathes to hand painted ornaments,

my home looks like Santas workshop come November.

I need to reread my answer for #6.

11. What is a dream of yours in the next year for Silver Sage Design Studio?

I have accomplished so many things in my years of business.

People who know me know that I am driven.

There are always so many things going on in my little brain

of new projects and directions. This year I have a little girl

and my heart has really been at home.

I love my shop, but there is something to be said for a balanced life.

So my goal for both myself and for Silver Sage

is a little less business

and a little more personal time.

I would love to reach out to other mothers and women out there.

I have lived a life of valuing accomplishment. Being a type A

I live from project to project never giving myself time to breath.

This year I have seen the beauty of taking a breath.

Taking naps with my daughter and spending time in the yard.

We forget sometimes the value of being a wife, a friend and a mother.

Women truly are the center of a community, family and a home.

12. OH! And what color scheme represents your home best?

My home is done in natural colors

of mossy green, tans and touches of terracotta.

I love things muted and a little dirty looking like they are found in nature.

This year we have a few projects to finish up,

 and I am excited to evolve with the tans and grays

experimenting a little with my guest room and upstairs living room.

Oh ya, did I say in #11 I was giving myself time to breathe???

Old habits sometimes die hard!

~~~~~

Don't I know it!

Wow ~ thank you so much for being my guest today!!!

Aren't her designs just breath-taking? I actually

literally gasped when I saw the huge beams

surrounding the bedroom entry. LOVE!!!

I very much agree on Restoration Harware,

And I'd take a mommy play date any day. ;-)

Please take a moment to visit Silver Sage

via Facebook

and say "Hello"!

OR

Pop in for a visit in person if you're in the area!

Silver Sage Home Boutique

121 3rd Ave.
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Phone: (509) 765-4049

I'm personally planning on making a girl's trip to the area

so I can snag some fun things and meet Lenae!

(Babe...if you're reading this,

I've been good and love the blingy bracelet!) ;-)

Who's with me? Yup...that's what I thought.

I'll take care of the Escalade Limo Rental. Hehe. :-)

Thanks again Lenae!!!

~~~

Have a great weekend and join me on Monday to meet

Katy

from

The Classic Farmhouse.

I'll have a s'more tonight by the campfire just.for.you. :-)

~Anneke~

You can now follow me via Pinterest and Twitter!

Linking Up At My Romantic Home!

Linking up today at My Romantic Home. I love Cindy's blog and I am always learning more from great people like her!

This is by far one of my favorite pieces I have refinished and I love that I found it locally (my very own city even!). I've said before that the idea of supporting your local community is very gratifying to me!

I thought this piece was so unique and pretty. It just needed some serious cleaning and a little make-over. I often get impatient when I'm excited, and since I didn't have any of my creamy white in stock (since that's what was in my mind to use) I just raided the shelves to see what I had to work with. Consequently...this thing morphed from one day to the next, and actually was a little on the risky side for me at this point in my little hobby. :-) I love how it turned out!

It ended up having a bit of a coastal beach type look to it. I almost wanted to sprinkle sand and toss sea shells over the top while I sipped an icy drink and read my coastal magazine. This piece also fits my chosen name perfectly with the rustic distressed look and chic scrolly legs - PERFECT!!! Rustic&Chic

So...here's the details. The basic prep of clean, sand, prime. Then a couple coats of Glossy White Spray Paint, a mix of oops paints to make a Light Sea Green color that was brushed on, then distress, distress, and more distressing (this pieces has A LOT of edges!), light mocha glaze, and sealed in semi-gloss polycrylic.

Makes me wish I had a cute little beach house to put it in.  But I don't.:-(   Thankfully one of my friend's had the perfect place for it, so now it is hers. :-) (Which means I still get to enjoy it, right?) 

Have a great week!

~Anneke :-)