Karla's Cottage

A mini Makeover

July 08, 2009

A mini makeover

Thanks for all your kind comments about the Fairy Berry Trail!  I have to admit, it was not my idea, my husband mowed and created it last spring.  He and Sugarwings have been enjoying the walks down the trail for a few months now. I just gaudy-ed it up with a bunch of junk from Hobby Lobby this week.

We are both smitten with our little Sugarwings and can't get enough of seeing the world through her eyes.  Life is magical when you have a fairy grand baby around, whether the fairy trails are filled with real surprises around every corner, or just imaginary ones.

 

Yesterday, I was invited to an early sneek peek of an over the top, wonderful garage sale.  While there,  I decided to get started on my JULY GARAGE SALE GIVEAWAY , and bought a pretty postcard to kick off the package.  So, here you go, item # 1 in the giveaway.  More to come...

 

At the sale, I found a huge stash of not just post cards, but these pretty, Victorian books.  And believe it or not, I actually got them all photographed and listed into the Boutique (lately, I have not been so productive with my shops...)

 

While I was feeling so proud of myself for getting some work done, I added these ephemera packs too.  They are filled with a variety of great old papers, no copies, all originals.

 

Not only did I get a bunch of new goodies listed, I went through the site and did some housekeeping.  Things that had already sold, should now be deleted, so it is easier to shop.

Plus ( I'm patting myself on the back), I even added another ephemera pack to Etsy!  This one is all floral, also all OLD.  It includes one of the gorgeous vintage postcards I got at the sale yesterday.

What else did I get at the sale? Well, something I did NOT need, but couldn't resist. 

 

See why?  Man, these chairs were meant to live here with me.  The person I bought them from has a house jam packed with this kind of thing, and I'd love to have any of it! I felt lucky to get these, they are antique, and newly recovered.  Her things are always top notch.

 

The new chairs inspired a mini makeover.  Just a bit of brightening and sprucing up for summertime. I bought these old curtains years ago at another garage sale, but never had the right place for them. They are different sizes and have pleats at the top.

Well, the pleats are at what used to be the top. I turned them upside down and hung them from the hem. The fact that they are different lengths and  pleated is hidden by the sofa.  And where the hem was too tight for the rod, I ripped the stitching out a bit..

Then, I looked through the closet stash of pillows to find a few bright ones to add a little more color, and picked some fresh flowers from the garden.

 

I added a little fruit themed plate (how summery is that?) for color on the side table and that was it.

Having a neutral colored sofa and walls (and now chairs too!) means that I can redo for each season by just adding a few colorful things here and there.  And by shopping at estate and garage sales and stocking up on things like curtains and plates for cheap, means I can afford to change things out when I want to. 

Lets see, what did I spend?

Chairs $100 (BIG SPLURGE)

Plate - free fromBeth, she brings me stuff she gets in auction lots!

Curtains- $8 about 6 years ago

Pillows- Clearance at Hobby Lobby and Home Goods a few years back- $26

Flower vases- 25 cents at a garage sale

I think I'll need to buy a can of Scotch-guard to protect the new chairs before Sugarwings gets a hold of them, though.

Thanks for all your kind comments about the Fairy Berry Trail!  I have to admit, it was not my idea, my husband mowed and created it last spring.  He and Sugarwings have been enjoying the walks down the trail for a few months now. I just gaudy-ed it up with a bunch of junk from Hobby Lobby this week.

We are both smitten with our little Sugarwings and can't get enough of seeing the world through her eyes.  Life is magical when you have a fairy grand baby around, whether the fairy trails are filled with real surprises around every corner, or just imaginary ones.

 

Yesterday, I was invited to an early sneek peek of an over the top, wonderful garage sale.  While there,  I decided to get started on my JULY GARAGE SALE GIVEAWAY , and bought a pretty postcard to kick off the package.  So, here you go, item # 1 in the giveaway.  More to come...

 

At the sale, I found a huge stash of not just post cards, but these pretty, Victorian books.  And believe it or not, I actually got them all photographed and listed into the Boutique (lately, I have not been so productive with my shops...)

 

While I was feeling so proud of myself for getting some work done, I added these ephemera packs too.  They are filled with a variety of great old papers, no copies, all originals.

 

Not only did I get a bunch of new goodies listed, I went through the site and did some housekeeping.  Things that had already sold, should now be deleted, so it is easier to shop.

Plus ( I'm patting myself on the back), I even added another ephemera pack to Etsy!  This one is all floral, also all OLD.  It includes one of the gorgeous vintage postcards I got at the sale yesterday.

What else did I get at the sale? Well, something I did NOT need, but couldn't resist. 

 

See why?  Man, these chairs were meant to live here with me.  The person I bought them from has a house jam packed with this kind of thing, and I'd love to have any of it! I felt lucky to get these, they are antique, and newly recovered.  Her things are always top notch.

 

The new chairs inspired a mini makeover.  Just a bit of brightening and sprucing up for summertime. I bought these old curtains years ago at another garage sale, but never had the right place for them. They are different sizes and have pleats at the top.

Well, the pleats are at what used to be the top. I turned them upside down and hung them from the hem. The fact that they are different lengths and  pleated is hidden by the sofa.  And where the hem was too tight for the rod, I ripped the stitching out a bit..

Then, I looked through the closet stash of pillows to find a few bright ones to add a little more color, and picked some fresh flowers from the garden.

 

I added a little fruit themed plate (how summery is that?) for color on the side table and that was it.

Having a neutral colored sofa and walls (and now chairs too!) means that I can redo for each season by just adding a few colorful things here and there.  And by shopping at estate and garage sales and stocking up on things like curtains and plates for cheap, means I can afford to change things out when I want to. 

Lets see, what did I spend?

Chairs $100 (BIG SPLURGE)

Plate - free fromBeth, she brings me stuff she gets in auction lots!

Curtains- $8 about 6 years ago

Pillows- Clearance at Hobby Lobby and Home Goods a few years back- $26

Flower vases- 25 cents at a garage sale

I think I'll need to buy a can of Scotch-guard to protect the new chairs before Sugarwings gets a hold of them, though.

A mini makeover

Thanks for all your kind comments about the Fairy Berry Trail!  I have to admit, it was not my idea, my husband mowed and created it last spring.  He and Sugarwings have been enjoying the walks down the trail for a few months now. I just gaudy-ed it up with a bunch of junk from Hobby Lobby this week.

We are both smitten with our little Sugarwings and can't get enough of seeing the world through her eyes.  Life is magical when you have a fairy grand baby around, whether the fairy trails are filled with real surprises around every corner, or just imaginary ones.

 

Yesterday, I was invited to an early sneek peek of an over the top, wonderful garage sale.  While there,  I decided to get started on my JULY GARAGE SALE GIVEAWAY , and bought a pretty postcard to kick off the package.  So, here you go, item # 1 in the giveaway.  More to come...

 

At the sale, I found a huge stash of not just post cards, but these pretty, Victorian books.  And believe it or not, I actually got them all photographed and listed into the Boutique (lately, I have not been so productive with my shops...)

 

While I was feeling so proud of myself for getting some work done, I added these ephemera packs too.  They are filled with a variety of great old papers, no copies, all originals.

 

Not only did I get a bunch of new goodies listed, I went through the site and did some housekeeping.  Things that had already sold, should now be deleted, so it is easier to shop.

Plus ( I'm patting myself on the back), I even added another ephemera pack to Etsy!  This one is all floral, also all OLD.  It includes one of the gorgeous vintage postcards I got at the sale yesterday.

What else did I get at the sale? Well, something I did NOT need, but couldn't resist. 

 

See why?  Man, these chairs were meant to live here with me.  The person I bought them from has a house jam packed with this kind of thing, and I'd love to have any of it! I felt lucky to get these, they are antique, and newly recovered.  Her things are always top notch.

 

The new chairs inspired a mini makeover.  Just a bit of brightening and sprucing up for summertime. I bought these old curtains years ago at another garage sale, but never had the right place for them. They are different sizes and have pleats at the top.

Well, the pleats are at what used to be the top. I turned them upside down and hung them from the hem. The fact that they are different lengths and  pleated is hidden by the sofa.  And where the hem was too tight for the rod, I ripped the stitching out a bit..

Then, I looked through the closet stash of pillows to find a few bright ones to add a little more color, and picked some fresh flowers from the garden.

 

I added a little fruit themed plate (how summery is that?) for color on the side table and that was it.

Having a neutral colored sofa and walls (and now chairs too!) means that I can redo for each season by just adding a few colorful things here and there.  And by shopping at estate and garage sales and stocking up on things like curtains and plates for cheap, means I can afford to change things out when I want to. 

Lets see, what did I spend?

Chairs $100 (BIG SPLURGE)

Plate - free fromBeth, she brings me stuff she gets in auction lots!

Curtains- $8 about 6 years ago

Pillows- Clearance at Hobby Lobby and Home Goods a few years back- $26

Flower vases- 25 cents at a garage sale

I think I'll need to buy a can of Scotch-guard to protect the new chairs before Sugarwings gets a hold of them, though.

Comments

[Jingle]

WOW! That looks like it was quite the garage sale! If only I could stumble upon such sales! The chairs are amazing and the paper goods are fabulous!

[Lori]

Karla, what an amazing garage sale that must have been!!! wow weeeeeee:)
your new chairs are TDF gorgeous!!!
Beth is so sweet to you...you are such good friends to each other...

ps: i was a mini hat~whisperer today...i FINALLY found some flowers and hats that were reasonably priced...hooray!!!

[Melissa Burford]

What beautiful finds. I understand how difficult it is to be productive when there is so many other things to do. Congrats on getting new things posted and the mini makeover...fabulous as ever. Hope your 4th was a great one!

[jeanie]

Love those chairs and the beautiful curtains behind them! Great finds -- I haven't seen that great a sale around here, try as I may!

[rita]

I LOVE your mini-make over. And the way you made the drapes work made me smile -- I did that same thing in my bedroom -- made the curtains go a way that the manufacture did not intend just to get the look I was after.
Those chairs were a bargain. I would expect to see a $300 to $500 price tag on them in the the PacNW.
You said that you have the same paper napkins that I used for my recent garage sale find. Well, of course you have them, they have ROSES on them. LOL
rita

[Kim Johnson]

Love those vintage papers. I just visted your Etsy shopped and purchased a few for myself. Can't wait to get them in the mail... :-)

[Mahala]

How fun and that plate is so sweet!

[Debra Abel]

Ah, new decor, priceless....

Looks great. Love the vintage curtains and the chairs, great finds.

[barbara]

That's my kind of makeover. And I'm glad you rescued the Fairy Berry post - those pictures are wonderful, especially Sugarwings kissing the frog. She is just a doll, but you know that.

[Robin]

the curtains look great! I of course LOVE the chairs! The ephemera packs look wonderful too. Loved that floral one! (sold!) dern!

[Pattie]

Hi Karla,

Don't you always feel vindicated when you finally find the perfect place for something you found years ago?? "See I knew there was a reason why I kept moving that ...around" :) Got to love it!!Hmmmm with that kinda work you should reward yourself with a good mystery & a glass of wine while soaking up the ambiance of the "summer room" !

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx

[LiLi M.]

Those chairs were a steal! I expected to pay over a 100 dollars a piece! Why do all americans want to go to Paris, I think you pay over 200 dollars a piece over there! That was a great make over!

[Rue]

WOW! You did great on the room. Love the chairs. They can go anywhere. I got some curtain with pleats on top, but I didn't have that kind of rod. When my son was helping me hang them, He said Mom these won't work. I said oh yes they will, turn them upside down and use the hem for the pocket. It was our little secret. Great minds think alike. Have a good weekend.

[chrisitne]

I would love to sit in that room anytime. It's beautiful! I love the treatment you did on the pic of Sugarwings!

Blessings,
Christine

[barb]

oh ...goodness...with us just moving into the new place..i'm having to part with some things and find NEW things to fit! and of course play that shuffle around game....the house has been zapping all my free time...i'm sooo far behind...then i got some orders for some custom market bags...and some scrapbook pages...then i found out my new job (that was supposed to begin in august...) will begin this month! EXCITEMENT...AND TIRED ALL AT THE SAME TIME!

hugz and much love...

[Mary]

oohhhhh love the ephemera ... and everything else too!

[Alison Gibbs]

Hi Karla great post. No wonder you got those chairs - great price and they look perfect where you have them
Come over to my blog and enter my giveaway
Alsion

[tattingchic]

Those chairs are absolutely fabulous! I came on over because I heard you were "The Hat Whisperer"! LOL! ;)

[Tiffany ~ Shabby Scraps]

wow! I totally get why I couldn't get you on the phone now!! Great stuff! I am DYING over the chairs! oh, and the ephemera!!!
xoxo, TIffany

[Tina]

wonderful garage sale finds! very pretty.
--------------
inviting you over to my 500th post give away
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/2009/07/500th-post-giveaway-75-worth-of-awesome.html
~Tina

[Elaine L.]

Wow! You really scored with those chairs. I love your creative use of the drapes. It's a good reminder, for me, to think outside the box.

How cool is it that grandpa thought about creating the fairy trail. He's a keeper!

~elaine~

[Janis]

Beautiful chairs Karla!!! What a great
find! I also like your new curtains. I
never would have thought of turning them
upside down. Thank you for the wonderful
idea. Love Sugarwings pic in the beginning
too! She's a beauty!

Hugs,
Janis

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

Those chairs were a steal, Karla. Love your mini-makeover!

[gail]

Beautiful make-over! I love the chairs, they are PERFECT in your room! And I adore the curtains; I love the bold colors and of course the fact that they are roses!

[Andrea Villarreal]

Oh my gosh those chairs were only $100 that's amazing. Here they would have been at least $100 a piece. I did a little antiquing over the 4th of July weekend in central California and bought nothing. You would have thought everything was made of gold!! I found the cutest old books too with seashells on the cover. They were children's books and the shop owner wanted $65 a piece! Crazy wasn't in that day;)

[Chasity]

what a great garage sale!!!! why can't i ever find a garage sale like that?!
love the chairs and all your other pretties.
chasity

[shawn]

oh what a sweet pic of sugarwings! love the mini makeover also! Those curtains look fabulous!

[Beverly]

The room looks so fresh and pretty. I love the changes you've made.

I know how you adore your fairy grandbaby. I have a grandson that I adore, too.

I'm feeling lucky about your giveaway this month. It's my birthday month!!!

[sandy]

WOW!!!!!
EVERYTHING is scrumptous! The chairs were a steal! For antique French chairs that is unheard of! Keep that ladies address in your memory so if she has another sale you'll be first in line!! Enjoy!
Sandy

[Heather Bullard]

Just poppin' in to say hello to my SB roomie! Love the chairs and the ephemera packs too! As always you're a busy gal! You must have more than 24 hours in your day. Smiles, H

[Sue]

Incredible chairs...they must make you feel like the Cheshire Cat everytime you walk by them! I hopped over to your boutique to snatch a couple of those beautiful Victorian booklets but some other little shopper snagged the ones I wanted.

Love your blog...the previous post featuring The Fairy Berry Trail was PRECIOUS.

[Jennifer Hayslip]

Fabulous mini makeover Miss Karla! WHOO-HOO on the chairs!!! Loooove the vintage ephemera! As many others I have a softness and weekness for them. ;) So so beautiful! Hugs! Xo,Jenn

[Bev]

I love it all!...I especially love your little Sugarwings :) At every turn her photos make me smile, you are blessed!

[Diane]

I love all your cards and such and I LOVE the picture of Sugarwings.....that is really a neat picture

[Wendy]

I love your garage sale finds. The chairs are to die for! I love reading about the fun you and your hubby have with Sugarwings. When I'm a grandma, I want to be like you. Ü

[Rachael]

Fabulous chairs!!! Rachaelxo