Hi All,
I’ve been spending this past week or so BUSY decorating for Halloween. By popular request we are hosting a party again this year and I want everything to look amazing. I’ll be posting pics on my progress next week sometime.
Today I wanted to share another “before and after” with you.

You may remember last year I blogged about the new paint gun I bought (love it!)and the makeover I gave to my kitchen chairs. I painted all of them a pretty aqua blue. You can view that post HERE .

Well, I’ve lived with them for a year and it was time for a change. To be honest, I love the shape of these vintage chairs but because the legs are so narrow the legs kept falling apart. I must have reglued each chair 3 or 4 times and I was getting tired of it. Then one day my daughter was standing on one to get something out of the freezer and the legs gave out, spilling her to the floor. So I figured it was Time for them To Go!

I started scouring local thrift shops. I had in mind what I was looking for. Something with great cottage style lines and an upholstered seat. My inspiration?????

I had picked up the latest issue of Flea Market Style magazine a couple of months ago and fell in love with the chairs on the front cover. They are just adorable. So these chairs were stuck in my mind as I was traipsing through the thrift shops. That’s when I saw them. Three lonely chairs sitting outside my favorite haunt amidst second hand tables, chairs and dressers waiting to find a home. I got the three of them for only $20!

They were perfect! So similar to my inspiration pieces! They looked a little tired but were nice and solid. And what luck they had three. Because I was keeping the bench already at the table that’s  all I needed!

I brough them home, took the seat cushions off, sanded  and gave each one a coat of antique white paint and lightly distressed them. I had in my mind I wanted to cover the seats in a fun aqua and red fabric that would compliment a red and white polka dot fabric I already had in the kitchen, so I started surfing the net.

I fell in LOVE with this gorgeous aqua blue cotton fabric  called “Darla Rose” by Tanya Whelan. I found this beautiful fabric sold by the yard at CottageFlair.com . If you have never visited Jennifer’s site please do. Her site is full of beautiful items!

So, HERE is one of the chairs all finished!

Ok, now for the bench. I found this great red and white polka dot fabric a few months ago and stashed it away in my fabric closet. I knew I would find a use for it down the line as I already had a small red and white polka dot print in my kitchen. I pulled it out of storage and created a cute cushion for the bench. I used left over floral fabric to make coordinating pillows. I love the ball fringe!  (I made the cushion cover with a zipper in the back so I can wash it when needed.)

And here is my table and new chairs all finished…..

I Scotch Guarded the seats on the chairs to protect them from spillage. With two kids and hubby in the house this was a must!

I’ve been working on a couple of other projects in in my cozy kitchen as well. I attached a shelf above the doorway to display my collection of milk glass and some other goodies.

Yes I am a collector. Minimalists would NOT love my kitchen but to me it is warm and cozy.

I painted a 1″ X 8″ board cut to fit the doorway, painted it white and attached it directly to the top of the doorway moulding and used some old brackets I found a few years ago on each side. I finished it off with a red and white polka dotted ribbon. I love it! My Mom laughs at my love for polka dots. I just think they are so much fun and adds whimsy to a room.

Well, that’s all for today folks. I will be sharing my other projects I’ve got cooking up for my kitchen as they are completed. They consist of recycling an old chandelier for above the table, fixing up a scratched laminate floor and building a new pantry out of recycled doors.  Stay tuned!

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