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.
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| a vintage lamp given a shabby farmhouse makeover with handsewn flowers and eyelit |
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!
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shabby meets industrial
votive holders - made from old ash sifters |
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| 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)
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| my second favourite - upcycled antique piece - I still have her for now |
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| I love my lighting - found some more beauties that I upcycled and still have another pair to work on |
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| Plenty of retro colours for summer |
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| favourite piece for a client |
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| a pair of folding wooden tables - redone in a gypsy boho style |
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| refinished vintage bird seed dispenser |
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| so much fun - my Alice in Wonderland inspired table and bistro chair for a client |
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| the completed bistro table (Alice inspired) |
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| road sign make-overs |
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| a mad tray |
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| Pink-burgundy boho wicker sofa with boho owl pillow |
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| Before: vintage Samsonite overnight suitcase |
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| After: A very naughty overnight bag called Kiss and Make Up |
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| Chains of love tied to the outside |
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Summertime is picnic time - love these repro enamelware mugs and bowls
they fit nicely in the portable folding suitcase table |
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| After: Ceramic cannister set with utensil holder and vintage napkin holder - dripping spoon, lightswitch |
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| Before: old ceramic cannister set before it's facelift |
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| Before: old tin cannisters |
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| After: Vintage Maritime tins |
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| Vintage farmhouse drop leaf table |
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| Finished! chalkboard flowers and pretty vines with inspiring words - great for a cottage farmhouse style |
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| After: faux metallic gypsy boho style with glass beads |
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| Before: wood/brass hanging light fixture |
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| Before: do you recognize the little bench (needed a lot of work) |
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| Before: this old store mannequin gets a huge transformation |
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| Before: old pine kitchen table |
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| After: the little antique stool with vintage sack cloth |
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| After: the pine kitchen table - French shabby chic |
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| After: My Rock n Roll Vintage Angel - little lights fit inside to shine down and illuminate |
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| 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!
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| Vintage Steamer Trunk - post WWII - (pre-upcycling) |
Welcome to the chapter of what it was, what it is and some great befores and afters.
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| Before the upcycling - just "picked" |
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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. |
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| Vintage Steamer Trunk - Upcycled |
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| Upcycled pine side table - Shabby Boho |
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| big pine country table - now vintage cottage style white |
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| upcycling lamp shades from 1970s (now shabby chic) |
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| The 1970s lamps before the shabby makeover |
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| The door in the process of upcycling |
Vintage Doors - upcycled and repurposed here is the Union Jack Door
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| Antique Shutter - in the process of removing decades of paint |
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| Beauty - original blue-green paint |
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| my favourite upcycled vintage drum lamp shade (milk glass still underneath) - from a 1970s floor lamp |
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| This wonderful vintage rocker needed to be cheered up! |
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| Cleaned the seat - purple glaze - what a cheerful country rocker |
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| antique corbel - to be upcycled |
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| soda fountain - bistro chair to be upcycled |
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| my new old sign - shabby boho |
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| Vintage chair to be upcycled |
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| Antique settee - to be upcycled |
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| Two reproduction antique chairs (Spanish Mission style) - being upcyled |
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| French Country chairs - complete with toile aprons and a darker wood stain! |
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A pair of reproduction restaurant prints - upcycled frames
(farmhouse chic) |
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| Antique window sash - needs a lot of cleaning |
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all cleaned up and used some of my favourite images
romantic frontier - mid western |
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| antique door - upcycling art project for client |
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| side two of the door |
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| Antique upcycled door |
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| two solid retro lamps - when I was carrying them to the car I put the baskets on top and that began an idea |
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| Vintage Paris - Retro Kitsch! |
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| Vintage grain sifter - would make a wonderful lantern or hanging lamp |
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| After: now a lantern with wicked attitude |
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| Vintage country pine shelf in the process of being upcycled |
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| Old pine mirror before |
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| after: victorian inspired roses and butterflies mirror |
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| before: vintage bar stool |
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| After: Union Jack - bar stool |
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| Before: vintage oak folding chairs from a church |
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| After: whitewash and French shabby chic folding chair (drying on the porch) |
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| Before: old farm tray |
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| After: Rustic French Country tray perfect for fresh cut flowers/herbs or bread |
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| Before: solid oak vintage folding chairs |
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| After: pair of white shabby French style - folding chairs |
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| Before: antique wooden bench - bad shape |
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| After: wooden plywood seat ready to be painted and nailed -shabby country bench |
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| Before: two tiered planter style table |
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After: Shabby romantic planter style table -
great for a bathroom or porch |
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| Before: bottom of antique mission style chair needs some repairs and a slip apron to protect the old torn leather |
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| After: new canvass bottom and a faux suede leather fringed apron |
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| Before: shabby white vintage desk table - needs a bit of inspiration |
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| After: definitely an inspiration little place to sit at and be creative |
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| Before: rustic three tiered tray |
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| After: shabby chic three tiered tray |
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| Before: rustic country basket shelf |
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| After: retro diner style shelf unit |
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| Before: Shell/scroll plaster mirror |
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| After: Dramatic deep meditteranean blue - French Mirror |
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. 
"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.
southern style inspiration
summer cottage shabby chic coffee table
love this farmhouse chic chair
antique piano bench reworked
Mirrors have been great transformation projects and so popular that I am back down to just one mirror again!
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