Projects for Home

I guess it would be kind of fun to have a special spot where I can keep track of all the furniture rescues that I've decided to keep, transform and find a place for in my home.  Moving has made me take stock of what I have, what I love and what needs to be "changed" to suit it's new environment.  It is a lot of fun to find a piece that is just for yourself.  So many times there are pieces that I want to keep and fall in love with but I have to keep a head on my shoulders because it's my profession and work.  I cannot be a collector or I would soon run out of room.  In fact, that is how many of my antique friends became shops (they had too much stuff acquired over the decades) and decided they should start selling instead of hoarding.  LOL 

I'm pretty good and trying to control clutter and balance the space so that it's not too sparse or too cluttered for the way we live.  Having a busy family with three growing children and always a menagerie of furry companions (dogs & cats), there is some clutter to be dealt with and plenty of dust, fur and accidents.  Lucky I love old vintage, chippy furniture with some distressing and patina as it's about the only furniture that looks nice over time as opposed to looking like it was hit by a weed wacker . 

Arts & Crafts Style Arm Chair

I'm just going to post pictures of furniture as I work on it ready for it's new home and then it will be interesting to see it in the space. 

The barley twist arts & crafts style antique chair was in pretty good condition.  I liked the fabric but it needs a bit of colour and repairs to the silk trim.  I tea stained the silk trim to give it an antiqued and deeper tones that the original gold.

 

The drop leaf with drawer antique table was a beautiful find.  The fluted curved legs with brass tips, the little drawer and made from cherry wood.  I have been in a green and yellow mood lately and I thought that this little table would work well in the family room off the back of my house.  It's a solarium style space with windows and plenty of outdoor light.  I have a pair of old Charleston style sleigh bed sofas in neutrals.  Green of the table would compliment the green from outdoors.

The funny thing is people are so use to me painting in colour that even the my kids were surprised to see the next set of neutral antique whites being painted.  I finally after a whole year got around to repairing and painting my ladder back country chairs and the oak pedestal table.  I'm not sure whether or not I'll pair them as I still have the dining room table to paint.  I also have 4 oval back dining room chairs.  Again I'll have to assemble the pieces and see what looks best with what but at least there will be two tables.  

So quite the departure from colourful boho, to shabby, quite French Country whites.  



ladder back chairs (being painted and repaired)

 

round oak pedestal table - French Country (white - soft distressing)

 



Another neutral project.  This was a piece given to me by a friend.  It was designated to be scrapped.  The veneer to the top of this bottom-hutch piece was removed.  A mixture of chalk paint and pewter glaze to give it a French gray finish.  Hopefully this will make a lovely bench (low console) either in the master bedroom or somewhere.  I don't know where but I will find a space for it.  It's a keeper.

(drying before applying pewter glaze)

 

 

 

My next project will be my hideaway desk - finally.  Even in it's rough shape it has been serving me well to store paints, papers and other art supplies.

 

 I've just been steam-rolling along with getting projects done.  I guess after putting them off for a long time I'm eager to tackle them and see things finished.  Nothing like a move to push you into finishing things that you've put on the "B" list. 

 

Finally my hideaway desk has been reworked!

 

 

We realized that the Queen Anne painted bedroom set would just not fit into the new space.  I decided no time better than the present to tackle the Malcolm French Provincial Set.  It was slightly smaller and I've just been in the mood to paint things in shades of gray!

 

 

Next projects are tables!!  After 2.5 years the dining room table is finally going to be reworked. 



Evolution and Changes: A Studio-Workshop and Relocation!

Welcome to the metamorphosis of Mary's Thrifty Boutique!

There seems to be a lot of change early on this year with reorganization.  I've spent two years growing and evolving my passion for reworking vintage furnishings and giving them a second chance.  A rebirth and transformation.  Along with the growth and development, it didn't take long for my work to outgrow my space and home.   It was time to sit down and come up with a new game plan.  I needed a separate workshop / studio, separate from my home.  We love our location and found it difficult to consider relocating elsewhere.  Our much loved Victorian home was overwhelmed with my work projects and costly to maintain with a young family.  We needed to shift gears and find a house that would better accommodate our needs.
 
Sometimes, things happen very quickly and opportunities present themselves that require you to jump in sooner than expected.  We sold our home and a bought a new "old" house in under 2 weeks time and only 2 minutes away in the same neighbourhood.  This change allows us to remain in the historic district of Bowmanville and gives me a separate space (a design studio/workshop).  I can have a home again. Yes, an actual dining room with table and chairs, living room with sofas and chair to sit on.  The fun part (scary actually) is that we have less than one month to do this move.  YIKES!!! 

A relatively easy decision for me was to expand my artistic and bohemian roots.  It's time for my next step, my evolution.  I want to simplify what I do and with that comes a new address and a studio name that reflects what I love to do!  Re-work something old into something that is re-loved, re-used and transformed.  I feel a great deal of gratitude and blessed for the opportunities that arose out of life's difficult challenges.

There is still much work to be done, but I look forward to welcoming visitors to my new studio.  My affection and affinity towards the Bohemian eclectic style has set a path for me to follow. 

Laissez les bon temps rouler will be status quo!  The Mad Hatter wants to know:  "why is Mary's Thrifty Boutique like a caterpillar?"  Stay tuned for one of the six impossible things I have to get done by May 1st. 

May 16th and the studio is just about organized and ready.  I would like to change the curtains, add some more lighting, put up more artwork and put flowers outside.  There is no many items that it took a lot of thinking to find space and I definitely think a sale is in order.  Here are some views of the new space.



It's a New Year - welcome 2013

Yes the year has gone by so quickly and it that span I have made so many treasured friends, fans and customers.  We have put on some great vintage shows with my friend and fellow DaVintage Diva, Rhonda.  Follow our community page on facebook for fun and interesting pictures, information of upcoming events and what we both our up too on http://www.facebook.com/davintagedivas

We are everywhere including Pinterest.  Check out our professional boards and interest boards under Mary's Thrifty Boutique and Country Chic!

Some big news this Spring is that I'll be relocating a couple of blocks from my current location, closer to downtown Main Street (King Street), Bowmanville.  My artful transformations will have better visibility.  The house is a beautiful 1930s home with cove ceilings in the living and dining room and a separate studio for me to work out of.  I'll have plenty of storage space in the basement and although it will be smaller and downsized, we will make it work. 

These type of big changes mean one good thing for fans and customers.  SALES, great deals and less to move is best and weather permitting a possible yard sale.  So follow the site for all the items already being sold and many are going fast.  As decisions on what will fit wear some never available before items will be!

I have been continuing to reach out and challenge myself artistically and have finished many pieces of furniture.  Great transformations and as always I want to keep them all.  I have to constantly remind myself that I scaling down and not up and I can't keep everything :)  Wishful thinking just like everyone. 

Honestly it's in the blood.  You cannot do this without loving the thrill of the find, the hunt, the junking, thrifting, auctions, yard sales, barn sales .... make a u-turn someone throwing out furniture finds.  That's is how it starts. 

My favourite piece of 2013 so far would be so hard to decide.  If I had to choose one it would be the little pie-shaped decoupage side table. 

DaVintage Divas

We are at it again - 2013 Spring Cleaning Sale on Saturday, February 23rd!  Ten a.m. until the last customer - we aim to please.  Now I have one week left to get my act in gear and decorate that farmhouse.  Lots of trips back and forth, what to bring.  What to leave - what will sell before I plan to take it there (LOL) that happens a lot.  Pretty sale tags.  Amazing prices.  What can I finish in time.  All the behind-the-scenes panics.  Heeee.  Well fingers crossed I did manage to straighten out and set up email transfer payments. 

The Divas are spring cleaning with some great sales.  We hope to inspire and get people motivated to freshen up their spaces with some great one-of-a-kind repurposed furniture and vintage decor!

Once again this little prequel spring cleaning sale was a success.  It was the appetizer to a bigger/better event we are collaberating on for summer.  It also helped free up valuable space to allow for future projects.  Here are some of the highlights from Spring Cleaning!

Hello friends and fans, thank you so much for making our holiday event a huge success.  Two full days of great savings and sales and many people drove in from Toronto.  Thank you, what a compliment that it was a relatively short drive 35-40 minutes and well worth the time and a bit of extra fuel for the car because we had so many amazing items for sale. 

Yes the Divas have already started working on a springtime event (hoping for 2 days) and working on the logistics in the dead of winter (January).  Plus we are doing some treasure hunting road trips shortly and that is always fun. 

Well the success of the first event and the demand for another one was wonderful to hear and it really helped support Rhonda and myself to work really hard, put our heads together and come up with a holiday event called the "Holly-Jolly" Extravaganza.  Two days of vintage holiday shopping fun on the first weekend of December. 

 

This was our poster/flyer and we put together a fun little video - kind of the like "twas the night before" the Holly-Jolly Sale and all through the farmhouse ...   I had spent my time working on finding collectibles and housewares.  I did manage to make quite a few holiday bunting flags, one North Pole some Holly-Jolly Christmas plaques and plenty of funky stockings!

This is exciting.  Some amazing ladies with wonderful shops, artisans - well we respect and like each other's hard work and we are bringing all our talents together for one day (Saturday, October 27th) under one roof.

There is a lot of hard work going on - but we love our fans!  Well it was the first of it's kind here in Bowmanville and it was a success.  In spite of horrible weather we had a big turnout!  Thank you to all you braved the rain, the cold and the wind.

Porch, main floor, upstairs - the farmhouse was filled to the rafters with vintage furniture and decor!

There is Upcycling going On!

I cannot tell you how many times I have said that phrase to myself when the work is daunting and it gets overwhelming.  I also like "don't make me get my flying monkeys" ... hhaaa.  

 

 

 

There is always a piece of furniture that cries to be rescued, reworked and reloved.  

 

My Favourites of 2012!

 

Isn't it always about Alice.  I love each and every one.

 

 

"if you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there" ...the journey is the adventure!

 

 

 

Once in awhile there are also cats that like to enjoy the finer things in life, the cat magnet of a table.  LOL, love this picture he's so still like a statue that you sometimes walk right by him.  I guess he doesn't want to be kicked off his perch.

 

 



a vintage lamp given a shabby farmhouse makeover with handsewn flowers and eyelit



southern style inspiration

not just your average tin box - shabby romantic keepsake box

summer cottage shabby chic coffee table

love this farmhouse chic chair

 I never stop being amazed at the versatility of paper

 using old pictures and canvasses to make some vintage signage

 doesn't this look like cowhide - antique bookshelf has fooled many - all of this was done by removing decades of paint and distressing the old wood

 Two very old antique chairs - re completely redone without having to reupholster - just a lot of paint, creativity and patience

antique piano bench reworked

 a chalkboard bistro table - right your menu and have fun - then just wipe up - it's chalkboard :)

 

Love this transformation from serious and antique to a bohemian console

 

Well some of the biggest projects have been reloved old furniture.

I have pushed my creative boundaries to really cover as many genres as I could from shabby, farmhouse chic, more vintage boho and of course the Union Jack.

Mirrors have been great transformation projects and so popular that I am back down to just one mirror again!

The upcyling transformations have gone wild this Fall.  The DaVintage Divas first sale went very well and was a success.  Inspite of pending Hurricane Sandy on the way we managed to fill out the farmhouse full of vintage furnishings and decor.  Here are some great pics!

 We are in full swing Autumn right now and many projects done and happily on their way out the door.  Great thing as many unfinished projects have to start coming in because the weather has definitely cooled down.  I have been busy working on many projects.  This October (27th) we (two other amazing ladies and myself are putting on a Harvest Sale full of vintage furnishings, arts and crafts all under one roof for all our fans.  Check out the section DaVintage Divas for details and poster!

 



shabby meets industrial
votive holders - made from old ash sifters



before:  two very old ash sifters

Hi to everyone - summer is flying by and I've been flying too - very busy with children off for summer holidays and I've been way behind on my blogging.  I've done many, many projects and all the befores and afters are featured on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/marysthriftyboutique - hop over and take a look at all the fun items that have come and gone.  I will try to catch up and enjoy the last of summer.  Happy holidays!

my favourite upcycling piece - the antique bench (what a mess this beauty was when I first found her)

my second favourite - upcycled antique piece - I still have her for now

I love my lighting  - found some more beauties that I upcycled and still have another pair to work on

Plenty of retro colours for summer

favourite piece for a client

a pair of folding wooden tables - redone in a gypsy boho style

refinished vintage bird seed dispenser

so much fun - my Alice in Wonderland inspired table and bistro chair for a client

the completed bistro table (Alice inspired)

road sign make-overs

a mad tray

Pink-burgundy boho wicker sofa with boho owl pillow

Before:  vintage Samsonite overnight suitcase

After:  A very naughty overnight bag called Kiss and Make Up

Chains of love tied to the outside

Summertime is picnic time - love these repro enamelware mugs and bowls
they fit nicely in the portable folding suitcase table

After:  Ceramic cannister set with utensil holder and vintage napkin holder - dripping spoon, lightswitch



Before:  old ceramic cannister set before it's facelift

Before:  old tin cannisters

After:  Vintage Maritime tins

Vintage farmhouse drop leaf table

Finished!  chalkboard flowers and pretty vines with inspiring words - great for a cottage farmhouse style

After:  faux metallic gypsy boho style with glass beads



Before:  wood/brass hanging light fixture

Before:  do you recognize the little bench (needed a lot of work)



Before:  this old store mannequin gets a huge transformation

Before:  old pine kitchen table

After:  the little antique stool with vintage sack cloth

After:  the pine kitchen table - French shabby chic



After:  My Rock n Roll Vintage Angel - little lights fit inside to shine down and illuminate

Platinum wings for the angel mannequin

Hello - I decided that I should make time to update and work on my blog.  So many times someone has visited while things wait to be reborn again into something else or fixed up.  The commentary on facebook just flies with befores and afters and funny conversation.  I thought it would be a good idea to share some of this on my blog.  Ideas and inspirations come from everywhere.  It's random, it's organic - it just happens!

Vintage Steamer Trunk - post WWII  - (pre-upcycling)

Welcome to the chapter of what it was, what it is and some great befores and afters.

Before the upcycling - just "picked"

Turquoise is one of my favourite colours (in any shade)!
This was a vintage suitcase that is now a travelling dog motel.
It opens up to house a Elvis pillow, a stuffed Guitar, two wooden vintage brackets to prop open the case.

Vintage Steamer Trunk - Upcycled

Upcycled pine side table - Shabby Boho

big pine country table - now vintage cottage style white

upcycling lamp shades from 1970s (now shabby chic)

The 1970s lamps before the shabby makeover

The door in the process of upcycling

Vintage Doors - upcycled and repurposed here is the Union Jack Door

Antique Shutter - in the process of removing decades of paint

Beauty - original blue-green paint

my favourite upcycled vintage drum lamp shade (milk glass still underneath) - from a 1970s floor lamp

This wonderful vintage rocker needed to be cheered up!

Cleaned the seat - purple glaze - what a cheerful country rocker

antique corbel - to be upcycled

soda fountain - bistro chair to be upcycled

my new old sign - shabby boho

Vintage chair to be upcycled

Antique settee - to be upcycled

Two reproduction antique chairs (Spanish Mission style) - being upcyled

French Country chairs - complete with toile aprons and a darker wood stain!

A pair of reproduction restaurant prints - upcycled frames
(farmhouse chic)

Antique window sash - needs a lot of cleaning

all cleaned up and used some of my favourite images
romantic frontier - mid western

antique door - upcycling art project for client

side two of the door

Antique upcycled door

two solid retro lamps - when I was carrying them to the car I put the baskets on top and that began an idea

Vintage Paris - Retro Kitsch!

Vintage grain sifter - would make a wonderful lantern or hanging lamp

After:  now a lantern with wicked attitude

Vintage country pine shelf in the process of being upcycled

Old pine mirror before

after:  victorian inspired roses and butterflies mirror

before:  vintage bar stool

After:  Union Jack - bar stool

Before:  vintage oak folding chairs from a church

After:  whitewash and French shabby chic folding chair (drying on the porch)

Before:  old farm tray

After:  Rustic French Country tray perfect for fresh cut flowers/herbs or bread

Before:  solid oak vintage folding chairs

After:  pair of white shabby French style - folding chairs

Before:  antique wooden bench - bad shape

After:  wooden plywood seat ready to be painted and nailed -shabby country bench

Before:  two tiered planter style table

After:  Shabby romantic planter style table -
great for a bathroom or porch

Before:  bottom of antique mission style chair needs some repairs and a slip apron to protect the old torn leather

After:  new canvass bottom and a faux suede leather fringed apron

Before:  shabby white vintage desk table - needs a bit of inspiration

After:  definitely an inspiration little place to sit at and be creative

Before:  rustic three tiered tray

After:  shabby chic three tiered tray

Before:  rustic country basket shelf

After:  retro diner style shelf unit

Before:  Shell/scroll plaster mirror



After:  Dramatic deep meditteranean blue - French Mirror