Rod iron set, this way and that

Whew! It's busy time guys. Big time. We've been outside non-stop working, (and playing), in the yard, and I've been on a roll in the garage finishing up some of the last pieces before the big sale coming up on May 4.

This set was a recent find that I just couldn't leave alone. I didn't snag it right away as I tend to shy away from matching sets, but I found myself checking in to see if it was still available, week after week. A sign? I think so.

I picked up this set not just because of the cool rod iron and planked table tops, but because I saw a lot of versatility in this group. I gravitate towards pieces that I can see arranged in various ways with multiple functionality.

These pieces will be available at the May 4 sale, but for the fun of it I photographed them in two different ways in our home just to show off a bit of their versatility. 

Set up ONE: 

Using the coffee table as a coffee table and the end tables as end tables, (I only photographed one of the end tables but there are two).

Always a sucker for basket storage!

I love it when a piece is already perfectly distressed when it falls into my hands.

I spy a boy.

Set up TWO:

Using the two end tables side by side as a coffee table and the coffee table outside as a bench.

So there ya have it - a 3 piece set that can go several different directions. How fun is that?! All pieces available for sale on Saturday, May 4.

For this set I painted on a thick coat of Paris Grey ASCP and then a thin, dry-brushed layer of Old White ASCP. All the nicks and divots were appreciatively there when I first layed my eyes on these. I don't know who to thank for those but if you're out there, well done!

This post is linked up to Blue Egg Brown Nest! 

~You, (and your bffs), are invited to the Chelsea's Garage Spring Sale!~

Saturday, May 4

10am-2pm

Herndon, VA

(contact me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com for the address)

What you can expect: 
-Complimentary refreshments
-Norah Jones, (probably not in person, but I'll work on it)
-One, two, or three of my children making an appearance if you're lucky
-My husband making an appearance if you're really lucky
-Oh yes, and lots of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces all ready for a good home

Are you getting tired of seeing that at the end of each post yet? :)

~Chelsea

New store alert! (for Northern VA)

Last weekend I had the special gift of a rare date with my sweet boy, Colin. Colin is my oldest son, (3yrs), and Shire's twin. One of my greatest pleasures in life is one-on-one alone time with any of my children. Each of our three have such strikingly different personalities that getting to be alone with any one of them for even a short period is an adventure.

Colin and I had a little adventure of our own when he accompanied me to On a Whim in Leesburg for more Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

It's my favorite errand to run just because of the beautiful drive!

God, the Creator. So magnificent!

On a Whim - check em' out!

After we picked up our paint at On a Whim, we walked next door to this new treasure hunter's hot spot, Rust and Feathers. This gem opened in January and I couldn't be more excited to go visit again! The owner has a fantastic eye and you'll find a plethora of vintage home accessories as well as refinished pieces.

Naturally, we came home with more than just paint ;)

Rust and Feathers had a large basket filled with horse shoes. Colin and I dug around, picked out a few, and then decided this was our winner. It was different from all the others and seemed well used. I kind of like the idea of horse shoes as gifts. Who doesn't want a small dose of good luck in their home?

Plus, they're just cool looking, yea?!

On a Whim was having a free Annie Sloan workshop so Colin got to test some colors on his fingers. Barcelona Orange on the left, Arles on the right. No one but a mother could possibly treasure two small slips of paper so dearly. If you know Colin, (and I'm pretty sure most of you don't), the fact that he even touched the paint is huge for him. These will be framed.:)

~You, (and your bffs), are invited to the Chelsea's Garage Spring Sale!~

Saturday, May 4

10am-2pm

Herndon, VA

(contact me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com for the address)

What you can expect: 
Complimentary refreshments
Norah Jones, (probably not in person, but I'll work on it)
One, two, or three of my children making an appearance if you're lucky
My husband making an appearance if you're really lucky
Oh yes, and lots of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces all ready for a good home

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

~Chelsea

Primitive lighting - DIY!

Hey all! So far I haven't received any photo submissions to share for the Color my World challenge, so I've cooked up a few things to share of my own.:) If you missed seeing the info for the challenge, please check out this post here and send any photos you'd like to share! I love showing your stuff here and getting inspired by your creativity!

Here is a little switch I made the other day that I am totally digging. I recently replaced a large white hanging lampshade in our living room with a simple aqua mason jar, (given to us by my husband's grandma). This little switch is so much more our style! I'm finding that having even just a few primitive accents or pieces around our home can swing the feel just enough to the right side of rustic. Our whole home doesn't have to be committed to the rustic, vintage style to have enough of that cozy feel. There's a balance that I so enjoy when I look around our home. Lighting is an excellent, (and noncommittal), way to totally shake things up!

By day...

 

 Just realized one of my little squirts switched that chair cushion, zipper side out.

By night...

This was such an easy switcheroo! I just used a hammer and large nail to create a hole big enough in the lid for the base of the light bulb to fit through. Then made two small holes on either side to release heat.

Regular bulbs were way too bright for this look, so I went online in search of the Edison bulb, a modern take on the original light bulb. Seemed a perfect pairing for this primitive, industrial light fixture. Timberson is an Etsy shop that sells a brand new 3-pack of 40 watt Edison bulbs for the same price you would pay for one at Restoration Hardware. How cool is that?! Check them out for more vintage lighting!

And in preparation for the MAY 4 SALE I made this to help illuminate our garage while guests hunt for treasure:

With a $3.50 gold lamp from the thrift store and a leftover can of black spray paint, I made my own sleek, industrial light fixture. I think it will fit right in with the decor on sale day.....you'll have to come by and take a look for yourself!

~You, (and your bffs), are invited to the Chelsea's Garage Spring Sale!~

Saturday, May 4

10am-2pm

Herndon, VA

(contact me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com for the address)

What you can expect: 
Complimentary refreshments
Norah Jones, (probably not in person, but I'll work on it)
One, two, or three of my children making an appearance if you're lucky
My husband making an appearance if you're really lucky
Oh yes, and lots of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces all ready for a good home

Thank you so much for reading!

~Chelsea

Color my World challenge!

GET YOUR CAMERAS READY!

As Spring unfolds to blooms of radiant color, so will we here at Chelsea's Garage! Please join in for our exciting color challenge the second week of April! Beginning on Monday, April 15 - Friday, April 19, I will post your photos of how you have incorporated a particular color, (or colors), in your own home! Show off your creativity and share how you have readied your home for this beautiful time of year. There are so many unique ways to incorporate color in our homes and I have been excited to see what you all have done! 

All you need to do to join along is email me your photo(s) at chelseasgarage@gmail.com. You do not need to have a blog or website for this, but if you do please include your link and I will post it under your photo(s), along with your name. If you want to include a description of your photo(s) you may, but it isn't necessary.:) I want this to be as easy an activity as possible so more folks are able to join!

So get snapping with your camera and send what you've got! I can't wait to see and share!

And don't forget to mark your calendar now!

Chelsea's Garage Spring Sale

Saturday, May 4

10am-2pm

Herndon, VA

(email me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com if you'd like the address)

Come on by with your friends and enjoy a complimentary refreshment while you peruse the beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces I have refinished over the last few months. 

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea

Chateau Grey cabinet

I love me a grayish green. There is nothing like the color of dried mud inside the home, is there. It's soothing and tranquil, goes with anything, and there are about a billion variations to choose from. You can go more gray with a hint of green, or something similar to Annie Sloan's 'Chateau Grey', which is a lovely green with a touch of grey. This was the perfect choice for a beautiful versatile cabinet that I got to finish OUTSIDE recently.

This is my first piece done in Chateau Grey and I have fallen in love with this natural, mossy color. So much so, in fact, that I almost reconsidered all the Duck Egg aquas I've got going on, just to fit it in.

Almost.

It took about 4 hours to strip this top and sand it down, (!!!), but it was sooo worth it. That wood grain is no small detail and enhances the rich character of this piece.

Isn't it lovely? There's just something about a raw, natural color, lightly distressed, against a dark wood lacquered in high gloss. I love that contrast; so timeless.

This piece, and other beauties like it, will be available at my May 4 Chelsea's Garage sale!

You, (and your bffs), are invited!

Chelsea's Garage Spring sale

Saturday, May 4

10am-2pm

Herndon, VA 
(contact me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com for the address)

What you can expect: 
Complimentary refreshments
Norah Jones, (probably not in person, but I'll work on it)
One, two, or three of my children making an appearance if you're lucky
My husband making an appearance if you're really lucky
Oh yes, and lots of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces all ready for a good home

Thank you so much for stopping by!

~Chelsea

Linked up with:

Blue Egg Brown Nest :)