All in the Family: Grandma's Kitchen Table Repurposed as a Coffee Table

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Let's just say, the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.  Although my children, along with my nieces and nephews have mocked my sisters and my creative endeavors throughout their childhoods, they are now starting to pursue their own projects.  My sister texted me pictures of the coffee table my nephew built using his grandmother's old kitchen table.

The finished product looks great in his new house. (Jared, you can check out how to style a coffee table on my previous blog post here.  I am sure you can extrapolate the principles to a rectangular coffee table).

I don't have a lot of details on his construction process but am guessing that the top with the legs removed, fits down in the box he constructed.  Good job using towels to protect the floor!  Of course it couldn't be constructed in the garage due to the newly installed gym.

Truly a Renaissance Man!

 

 Here you can see the drill holes left by my Mother as she made sandals out of oil cloth for Vacation Bible School.  Whoops!  Don't you love a piece of furniture with history?  Now you see where this craftiness talent comes from.  It is in the genes!

Being a true member of the Britt Clan, he saved the legs for future use.  I found these ideas for him by googling repurposed table legs:

Spindleabra?

Spindle Christmas Tree?

And of course, if you have a few fan blades laying around you could make your Mom some yard art!  She would, however, want them in a brighter color.

 

Any other ideas for repurposing the table legs?

 

Wendy



 



CHAPIN GROUP INTERIORS OPENS AT FACTORY ANTIQUES

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Several months ago, my intern and I ventured out to Statham, Georgia to visit Factory Antiques.  We had heard about it on numerous occasions and decided it was time to investigate.

It was love at first site.  Architectural salvage, industrial items, painted furniture, garden paraphernalia, whimsical tchotchkes and more!  Well, it just so happened they had a booth space coming available the first of August.  Hunky Handy Man has been pushing  suggesting I open another antique booth ever since we opened the Etsy Shop.  While on the hunt for items for Etsy, I kept running across great finds that would be better sold through a store than the Internet. (Not only do I find them, I buy them as they are way too cool to pass up!  Sooooo, we decided to take the plunge.  Chapin Group Interiors booth officially opened on August 1.

 We spent most of the day Thursday setting up

Hunky Handy Man (HHM) carrying in fixtures.

Great lathe wall.

HHM had a lot to do before my intern and I could get started. This great corner unit 

was  built from bi-fold doors we found along the road several months ago. 

 Of course I had to stop and pick them up!

Tight fit.

Anybody home?

The industrial window is hung!  Hard to part with this treasure but it doesn't fit where

I wanted to use it in my house.  Six years in the garage is probably long enough.

 Let the fun begin!

My trusty intern was there to tote, style and offer advice.

(And take all these photos)

Thanks, Susan!

One of my favorite clients stopped by and made the first purchase from our booth.

 HHM really wanted to keep this blown glass fishing float,

 Love the patina on this claw foot tub leg. 

They make great bookends!

 Not sure what this government chest was used for, but it is made out of quarter inch steel.

What ever they stored in it was very secure.

Vintage industrial stools.

 These bass feeders would look great in the garden.

 Instant collection of vintage hand blown wine demijohns.

 Add a whimsical vintage touch to the nursery.

 Fabulous coffee table!

What is your favorite? 

We will be adding new merchandise each week so be sure to stop by!

See y'all soon!

 

Wendy



Styling a Round Coffee Table

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Although I love my round sea grass coffee table purchased at Z Gallerie many years ago, it can be a challenge to style a round coffee table.   I finally found the perfect tray to ground my vignettes on sale at Pottery Barn.  The dark color and smooth wood finish contrast perfectly with the sea grass and tie together with the dark legs.

Last evening, my daughter-in-law gave me a beautiful bouquet of hydrangeas from her yard.  This inspired me to clear off the magazines, mail, and remnants of an earlier tablescape so I could enjoy their beauty.

Taking pictures of vignettes can help you really focus in on the details.  Although this arrangement looked okay, when I looked at this picture, the magnifying glass gets lost.  Adding the books prevented it from disappearing against the dark tray. They also added a linear shape to contrast with all the round and organic elements.

Although my kids think I am at pack rat (I think hoarder is the term they use), I was able to pull together this vignette with things I pulled from my stash.  The Pottery Barn vase was purchased for my daughter's engagement party five years ago.  I found the driftwood at a lighting store in Naples, Florida while helping a client choose a new fixture.  The magnifying glass came from my all time favorite home decor store, Nell Hill's in Atchison, Kansas.  (And I am not going to lie, it has come in very handy when HHM and I do not have a pair of reading glasses close by).   And of course, there is no shortage of design books in every room of my house!

 

Quick tip:  Dip the stems of your hydrangeas in hot water to prolong their life.  I boil water in my teapot, pour into a measuring cup and submerge the fresh cut stem for a few seconds.  Occasionally, I still have a bloom that wilts quickly but for the most part I have found this to be successful









Wendy

Out and About: Metrolina Expo Antique Fair in Charlotte, North Carolina

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Hunky Handy Man and I decided to take a road trip over the Fourth and headed to Charlotte for the Metrolina Expo Antique Fair.  We had visited this show several years ago and fell in love with the city of Charlotte.  Veteran treasure hunters that we are, we know the best items go fast so we left Atlanta at 5 a.m. to be in Charlotte when the show opened.   Driving through some serious storms, we were not sure if this was the best plan!  Would vendors even show up in the downpour?  Did we want to wade through puddles in search of treasure?

 

Despite the weather, we arrived a few minutes before the 9:00 a.m. opening along with a few other diehards.  Although the sky looked threatening, the rain held off and we were rewarded with some great finds.

 

The first booth inside the gate had a basket of what I thought were chick feeders; upon further research, HHM learned they were actually Bass feeders.  I originally bought three of these beauties and when I went back for more, they were sold out!



I also purchased the large galvanized tray (used in a factory for baking bread) and the industrial stool from this charming couple.  They are thinking of coming to some Atlanta shows soon and I look forward to seeing their wares!  I am kicking myself for not buying several other of pieces from their booth.

 

Our next stop was this semi-covered area.  I snatched up this great crewel picture just in time as another customer bought all the remaining needlework pictures. (This one was my favorite anyway).



 

Love the Chinoiserie vase!  The aqua fits perfectly with today's color trends

 

 

Inside the first building, I found several great sewing machine drawers and a safety deposit box.  Normally, I find the inside booths are higher end antiques (and higher priced) but ended up finding several bargains.

 

 

Many of the permanent stalls were not open on the Fourth.  Due to the rain, it was a relatively small show but I was thrilled with the treasures we found.









 

Hunky Handy Man really wanted to buy the fire truck.  Yes, it does have for sale signs in the window.   Our grandson would have been thrilled!

 

Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July.  Watch for our further adventures in Charlotte later this week.

 

Wendy

 

 



Out and About: Dixie Highway 90 Mile Yardsale

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Hunky Handy Man and I are headed out to explore the Dixie Highway 90 Mile Yard Sale this weekend.  This is a new event for us and we are excited to experience the small towns along the route that runs from Marietta to Ringgold Ga.

 

"The Dixie Highway 90-mile Yard Sale was created in 2006 to celebrate the simpler times and historic communities along the Dixie Highway in northwest Georgia. In 2007, the Georgia Dixie Highway Association and Arcadia Publishing produced a souvenir book, North Georgia’s Dixie Highway, that features more than 200 early photographs and memories of the Dixie Highway, arranged in five chapters dedicated to each of the participating northwest Georgia counties: Catoosa, Whitfield, Gordon, Bartow and Cobb. In 2008, coordinators officially added Friday as a sale day, making this an annual three-day event on the first full weekend each June."

 

 

This historic highway meanders through many small towns in Northwest Georgia.  In addition to the yard sale, many of the towns are hosting other events to showcase their community.

 

 

HHM will definitely want to hit the Covered Bridge 'Que in Euharlee on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5p.m.  This annual event features a professional team competition, a classic car show, food and beverage booths, arts and crafts, along with children's activities.  When HHM and I travel, we have a rule, we only eat at local restaurants, no chains.  From the listings on the Dixie Highway Facebook Page, I am guessing we will have a hard time choosing where to dine. The Euharlee History Museum is also hosting a homesteading event inside the Granary from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.



 

 

When you are done shopping on Saturday, you can soak in a little culture at "Second Saturday Shakespeare" at the Clarence Brown Conference Center Amphitheatre.  Performances begin at 7:00 p.m. in Cartersville.  Bring your picnic and blanket.  Check out the website for all events.

 



Here are a few shots of last years offerings! 

 

 

"Peacocks of all kinds along "Peacock Alley" a nickname for the Dixie Highway that spawned the success of the chenille textile industry."  Hmmm, can I ever have too many peacocks?

 

HHM will be taking pictures for me to share with you next week.  As those of you who have shopped with me know, I get so into the treasure hunt I forget to snap photos!

 

 For further information, visit the Dixie Highway Yard Sale Website or Facebook Page.

 



 

Happy Hunting!

 

Wendy