Two Toned Star Dresser

Happy weekend, even though it is almost over. I have a very quick before and after. I found this dresser on Craigslist last year and had it in my inventory for a while. A lady named Marta saw it and wanted to use it as a TV stand.

BEFORE

I snapped this picture before we loaded it up for delivery. Marta found pulls at Lowe's which were on clearance and in limited quantity.  Thankfully, she was able to find enough for this dresser but we had to wait to add the hardware until we delivered so I don't have many after pictures.

AFTER

She decided to keep all of the drawers and house her electronics on the top or on another table next to the TV stand. We didn't center anything for these pictures....it was just a quick after shot.

 I love how the hardware matches the dresser perfectly. I also like her choice of knobs.....it's so modern and different.

I have to share the picture of her kitty Mattie (he really wanted to be included).

Custom Mustard Yellow Buffet

I spent the day running errands with my daughter, giving my hubby time to study for class tonight, and rushing home to take advantage of the sun poking its head out to take a few pictures. 

As I was getting ready to stage this buffet I got a text message from my client letting me know the sun was out and she was dying to see some more photos. This is for you Ashley!!

Ashley found a buffet and wanted to paint it mustard yellow. She gave me three shades of yellow to pick from and I picked Almond Puff by Valspar. I don't know if my eyes or going bad or the girl that was training in the paint department mixed it wrong but the color was off.  First, you get to see the color I mixed and at the end of this post you can see the huge mistake of a color I chose.

 BEFORE

One of our errands was Trader Joe's to get  flowers.

I don't have a color name since I mixed the color myself. 

I sprayed the pulls, waxed and very lightly distressed the edges. 

I sanded the top and used Kona stain to restain the top. 

Ashley has a farm table in her kitchen with a dark top and a coffee table with a dark wood plank top so we went dark with this piece too. 

Want to see what the Almond Puff looked like? 

It's the color on the right and the color on the left is the one I mixed. I took it with my phone at night so it's not too clear but you get the idea. 

I kept picturing yellow school buses, and those big bright smiley faces...maybe even a yield sign. 

I was going to use a black glaze to tone it down or maybe even add a little brown paint to help adjust the color. Both were a FAIL! 

Thankfully, I think I made the right call and came up with a great color that was very close to the three Ashley gave me.
 I can't leave you with this picture so here so one more good one!

Yellow is my grandma's favorite color and I never liked it. In the last two years, yellow (especially mustard yellow) has been added to my top 5 favorite colors. 

 Are you a fan of yellow?

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Chippy Bench in Teal Zeal

I want thank all of you for your sweet comments about our new baby and our family photos. If you missed that post you can click here.

I forgot to mention that we are having another girl which is perfect because I kept everything that belonged to Elise.

Now on to the furniture!

My client wanted to makeover a bench for her little girl's room. 

BEFORE

AFTER

I felt like my staging was lacking so I called in reinforcements!

She makes the bench look so tiny when she's jumping off. 

The paint is Teal Zeal by Behr and I used my orbital sander to distress. I went back with a light grit sanding block to smooth it out. It gave the bench a great chippy look! After I distressed I sealed with paste wax.

The pulls are from Hobby Lobby and the fabric in the drawer is from Joann's. 

My client used that fabric to make curtains so I added it to the drawer to hide ugly stains left over the years and to tie the bench into the room.

This bench is going to look so cute in a little girl's room!



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Meet my Family

Most of my posts are about furniture and maybe a random DIY post. I wanted to share a little of my personal life with you all.

We recently had our first family photos done. I'm the type of person who never had the desire to have photos done professionally. I think mostly because I look at pictures of myself and pick myself apart. I did the same thing with these but I know in a couple of years I will see myself in a different light and I won't judge myself so much. It sounds horrible to admit that but I know I'm not the only one. I do LOVE these pictures though.

 
 Meet my family.

Me (Helen), Elise and my amazing husband Dan.

Another excuse I had to not do family photos was the cost. 

I was given the opportunity to barter with a client so I had no excuse to not do a shoot. 

If you are in the St. Louis area and are looking for a great photographer who is above reasonable on her prices check out Krista B. Photography. The link takes you to her Facebook page which shows her awesome talent. 

Make sure to tell her Helen sent you!

I've been keeping a secret from most of you guys.

This shoot was special because we were able to capture just the three of us before we become a family of four.

We are expecting a baby at the beginning of July. Yes, that's right, this baby is almost cooked and I'm just now sharing the news.

 

 

 Our daughter (Elise) is very excited about being a big sister.

Enjoy the many faces of Elise. 

 

  

 

I'm sure I will share more of myself and my family on my blog but I don't know how much is too much. 

My focus is my business and the furniture but there are so many exciting things going on in my personal life.I don't want to bore you guys but we will see which route I take.

As a follower and blog reader what do you like? 

A little of both worlds or just the furniture?