A pair of frenchy cane-back chairs……..

 Finally, I'm getting into the bowels of my storage unit!!!!!!

These have been back there for years…….

a pair of queen anne style dining chairs…..

I removed the seats,

then painted the frames in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in

Paris Grey.

I decided to keep the natural cane, so in order to

integrate it, I heavily distressed the painted finish,

to show lots of wood.

Then I waxed with clear and dark waxes,

and buffed.

I used this awesome fabric remnant  to recover the seats.

 It's a taupe and pale blue in a scrolly pattern...

 I wish I had a little cafe table to go with this pair.

What a sweet ensemble it would make!!!!!!!

They are in my space at RVA Antiques on the Avenue.

For sale: $175/pair

SheShe, The Home Magician

Sheila Fox

sheilafox@aol.com

804-402-4370

Coming up with a use for some old shutters

My friends tend to give me stuff they don't want anymore…

Like Bonita, who on a recent visit, 

brought me these shutters that have been in her house FOREVER.

The inserts are a yellow plastic and very fragile.

Lots are broken, which is okay.

because they're going anyway.

 I had just pulled this primitive piece out of storage to work on, 

and, hmmm, I got an idea.

 First I painted the console in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey, 

in a very dry brush technique.

I didn't want total coverage. After distressing,

I applied wax, dark wax, and then added some brass hardware.

 I painted the inside doors in a combo 

of Antibes Green and Versailles.

After waxing, 

I lined the shelves with wallpaper.

Then I started playing around with those shutters,

and it just so happened that they fit the top PERFECTLY.

Are you seeing where I'm going with this?

Entertainment Center…

armoire…

liquor cabinet/bar...

 For the back and sides, 

I wanted the shutters to be stationery,

 so I removed the screws from the hinges..

 Then I flipped the hinge so it's perpendicular...

And screwed it back in.

I used angle brackets to secure the 

"top" to the base.

 The front shutters are the only ones that open now.

Then I played around with fabric...

 I decided to use this shower curtain.

So I cut out cardboard to fit in the shutters,

and then covered with the fabric

and glued them in.

 Then inside, I added strips to both sides

so I can add a shelf.

 After cutting a board to size, 

I covered the shelf in the same Thibaut wallpaper 

I used in the interior of the console..

More birds…….hmmm, I must be in a bird kind of mood today...

 I then decided to also paint the shutters, to match the console base.

Now, the ideal time to do this would have been 

before I added the fabric inserts….

 But sometimes logic is an afterthought.

I was definitely being tested today……..

many snafus…

This thing took me ALL DAY…

but it's finally done!

Except for waxing the top, 

which I'll do tomorrow.

Take a look inside!

I added lumber to make a top, 

 and then added a wine glass rack...

This makes the perfect wine bar! Glasses on top...

Plenty of space for bottles here,

as well as inside the console base.

I think it's time for a glass!

Amazing what you can do with….junk….

Thanks, Bonita!

Although I was planning to take this to my booth 

at RVA Antiques on The Avenues,

it's rather awkward to move…

and since the shutters are lined with fabric,

it's rather delicate…

So I think I might just have to keep it!!!!!!!!!

Oh darn!

And there went my day!

SheShe, The Home Magician

Sheila Fox

sheilafox@aol.com

804-402-4370

Rehab for a broken cane chair.

This random chair has been hanging out in my dining room 

for some time….

 You can see here that the caning 

on the chair front is in bad shape.

 But the caned seat is intact……..

Here's what I did to rehab this chair:

First, I painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey.

 After drying, 

I distressed all the edges..and waxed.

 I didn't paint the caning because 

I'm going to cover those areas.

 (I failed to take photos of rebuilding the back, 

but I just left the caning in, 

and added lots of batting in front of the caning,

and behind it.) 

Then I used some remnants to cover,

stapling along the edges.

I had to piece the back, 

but I'll fix that in a minute..

 Now I have the front, back 

and seat upholstered and edges trimmed.

 To finish, I glued gimp along all the edges,

and reinforced ends with nail heads.

 For the back, 

I glued this wide striped trim to hide that seam.

I used a chenille for the seat.

It's finished………….

would make a great chair with a frenchy little desk…

or with a vanity.

For Sale: $85

Have a chair that needs some TLC?

SheShe, The Home Magician

Sheila Fox

sheilafox@aol.com

804-402-4370

A Bathroom Redo with Just A Few Accessories

Here's a little past project that will show you what
a difference just a few accessories can make in a room makeover!
Sometimes you don't have to do a complete rehaul
to make a room sing!

Awhile back, my clients, Roz and Johnny,
 asked me to spruce up their house for resale, 

including this 2nd floor bathroom.

 Here's what the room looked like when I arrived:

Roz had already painted the walls
in a faux turquoise treatment. 

But there was not much personality otherwise.

A bland, oversized mirror over the vanity...

…with a dated light fixture.

And a bare window except for a blind.

So take a look at the AFTER:

I made this sweet little valance from fabric remnants.

White and cobalt blue with turquoise ribbon-

to tie in the wall color.
And I used pompoms for the bottom edge.

(Those are little miniature sand dollars along the ribbon.)

  I added thick bead moulding around the mirror, 

hung some new towels I purchased...

And I changed out the light fixture.

You can see it better here when it's not lit.

And now for the pops of color!

I added a little shelf with brackets above the toilet.

With some colorful vases.

On the wall, I hung a sailing print.

Fun little seahorse hooks.

 Everywhere there are little surprises that make you smile.

Finished it off with a new striped shower curtain,

and a little turquoise table.

Big impact, on a small budget!!!!!

Do you have a room that needs a little umph?

She She, The Home Magician

Sheila Fox

sheilafox@aol.com

804-402-4370