20% Off At Vintage Townsquare This Weekend

It has been so much fun running my shop on Etsy, Vintage Townsquare.  I started this venture last August.  I enjoy every aspect of it.  The shopping, listing and shipping of every item.  

I love using vintage touches throughout my home.  Having a collected look is so on trend right now as evidenced by most homes you see in magazines. 

Vintage Townsquare has recently reached 100 Facebook followers, to celebrate I am offering a 20% coupon code.  This is especially for my Facebook followers as a way of saying, "Thank you so much"!!

To learn the coupon code, Like us right now and shop all weekend long!  Simply click below.  

Vintage Townsquare on Facebook

Here is a sampling of some items currently listed in the shop.

From the Travel and Recreation category:

From the It's All White category:

From the Farmhouse Fresh category:

And a whole lot more goodies!!  This sale is the perfect time to buy something for yourself and a friend.  Have fun shopping!   

And the link again:

Vintage Townsquare on Facebook

Post edit:  This sale is expired. 


Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~

How We Refinished The Buffet

First, let me say how much it means to receive so many nice comments on my finished buffet.  That is almost as rewarding as the finished piece!

As promised, here are the steps we took in refinishing the buffet.  If you missed the first post, click here to read.  

We didn't take pictures while we worked.  But that is OK as this is not really intended to be a step by step tutorial.  There are other bloggers with some really good ones.  I highly recommend Shaunna at Perfectly Imperfect and Mariann at Miss Mustard Seed.    

I painted two coats with Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Louis Blue.  I found the paint did become thicker the longer the can was open.  This led to more visible brush strokes after the second coat.  One of the nice things about this paint is that you can easily add water to achieve a lighter color or thinner consistency.  This also leads to an easy clean-up!

This whole process was completely an experiment as we (my husband and I worked on it together one Saturday) had never worked with chalk paint before.  We used a very fine sanding block to remove brush marks.  This paint sands so easily!  We then distressed it in various areas.  Again, a breeze. 

Because we had it on hand, we used Ralph Lauren Tinting Glaze in Cottage Hill to added some age to the buffet.  We diluted this, two parts glaze and one part water.  My husband wiped it on and I came behind him and wiped it off.   I found that this glaze had some green undertones.   

We then used Minwax, Paste Finishing Wax in Natural.  Again, this was the wax we had on hand.  

We put it on much like you would on a car in a circular motion.  Waited about 15 minutes, then used a soft cloth to buff to a nice shine. 

It was really after the wax was buffed that this piece really began to sing!  The wax brings out the beauty of the chalk paint and the distressing.  Up to that point, I wasn't sure.  The longer we buffed, the more I smiled!  The wax brought out the old-world patina I was looking for.   We chose to use the existing hardware.

And for those who have difficulty with me painting an old piece of furniture, I have to say that I feel I gave this buffet it's second life.  I never would have bought it in the first place without planning on painting it.  Before, it looked too Victorian and granny.  Now, it feels fresh and modern with a European antique style.  I believe we will enjoy this buffet for years to come. 

A reminder of how it looked before.

And some more "afters" of my treasure!

Thanks for visitng!  Libby~

Linking to the following parties!


Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing Newbie Party


Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Monday
  






   

My Louis Blue Chalk Paint Buffet

You may remember that a couple of months back I purchased two pieces of furniture that I was so excited about.  I found them on eBay classifieds.  These listings are usually just for local sales.  More like Craig's List.  Here is the post when I shared about my finds.

The buffet was going to be used in the foyer.  I knew I wanted to try out the chalk paint that everyone has been using but I couldn't decide which color.  After some deliberation I decided to use Louis Blue.  I remember the day the paint arrived I was so excited I couldn't open the package fast enough.  Unfortunately, this is what greeted me. 

Yup, the paint can had popped opened during shipping.  Good for me, kind Virginia, at Southern Institute of Faux Finishing in Mississippi, the placed I had ordered from, immediately made it right.  Two days later I received another can and this one was in tip top shape.

Here is the buffet before in all of it's 1920's glory.

And the reveal!!

Last Saturday, my husband and I finished up this project and I couldn't be happier with the results.  Like many others, (namely Miss Mustard Seed) I chose to leave the top as is.  I just polished it with some Old English.

  

We removed the decorative piece that was centered on top as we felt it competed some with the mirror.

 

With having the piece finished I decided to change some things around for a fresh summer look.  I brought my two white lamps from another room.  On one side I added a silver tray with a small frame, wooden box and sea shells.  

On the other side I added a pretty etched glass bottle from Portugal and continued using my silver wine cooler as a planter.  

From another view

    

And a final view with the lamps on.

I'll be back with more details on how we achieved the finished effect.  It seems everyone uses a little different process. Again, I couldn't be happier.  I just smile every time I pass it now! 

Thanks for stopping by!!  I love to read your comments!  Libby! 

**pointed out by Annie Sloan herself - it is Louis Blue not Louie Blue - Thanks Annie! correction is made**   


Linking to the following parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Tabletop Tuesday at a Stroll Through Life

Home Decor and Organizing Link Party at Organize and Decorate Everything

Piece of Work Wednesday Furniture Link Party at Primitive & Proper

Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed

UPDATE:  To see how we refinished the buffet, click here.

Score!! An Old Wooden Framed Picture For a Project

For some time I have been on the lookout for a large picture and frame that I could turn into a blackboard for our great room.  

I had seen this look here and here.

The frame needed to be chunky and of course wooden.  The older, the better.  The picture needed to have a smooth finish so that it could be spray painted with chalkboard paint and then easily write upon.  And of course the price needed to be as close to zero as I could get it. :-)

Last week I was in a thrift store close to my home and spied something that I thought could work.  

Wooden chunky old frame?  Check
Large enough to fit the space needed?  Check
Smooth finish picture?  Check
No smoke or bad odors to contend with?  Check
Lowest price possible?   Check, check and  check

This is the before:

What's that?  How much did I pay for this?  Thought you would never ask!

 
Less than $10!!  That is pretty close to zero and that is my kind of deal!

It has a rather nice scenic picture in it really.  A  charming English cottage on the water.  Sorta hated to spray paint over it.  But I don't want another picture in this room and besides, the chalkboard spray paint will give it it's second life.    

Some close-ups of the frame. 

I was happy to see that the picture also had a nice hanging wire already installed.  

So I removed the picture from the frame, took it to my back covered deck and spray painted it.  It took two coats of Krylon Chalkboard paint in black.  Reassembled the frame and added a patriotic message for Memorial Day.  Here is the final reveal:

I did add some Rub n' Buff in Antique Gold in a few places on the frame just to brighten it a bit. 

To celebrate Memorial Day, I also added a couple of flags to a plant on the front porch.  We enjoy proudly displaying our beautiful Red, White and Blue!

Happy Memorial Day!! 

We honor those who have and are serving in all the armed forces for our nation.  God Bless You!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~

Linking up to:


Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing Newbie party
Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphis Monday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Southern Hospitality for Thrifty Treasures

Win a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Vintage Townsquare

Don't miss out!!  Right now, go visit Perfectly Imperfect for a chance to win  a $25.00 gift certificate to Vintage Townsquare, the place to find fun and unique items for your home and wardrobe.  

While you are there, be sure to check out all the giveaways from this week.  Enter each one and you just  might also win a free copy of Shaunna's e-book Creating a Masterpiece.  

Don't delay because this is the last day!!   

Libby~

A New Buffet and Some Easter Pretty

Hi Friends!  Remember when I showed you my foyer and springtime vignette?  You can see it here.  I mentioned then that I had been on the hunt for months for a buffet for the foyer.  Well, how quickly things can change.   Ta da!!

Isn't it beautiful?  I had been faithfully scouring local ads, thrift stores, estate sales, etc.  I found this listed on eBay classifieds.  Did you knot that eBay has a classifieds website?  This piece has a companion piece too, a china cabinet.  They are from the 1920's and both have been well taken care of and are in really good condition.  

I paid $225.00 for both pieces!  That is right, $112.50 each!  For now the china cabinet is on our screened-in back porch.  I had intended to use it in another place in our home but it simply didn't look right.

Now back to the buffet....I updated the table scape with an Easter theme.

I am using the same runner I had on the other chest.  Moved the plant that was in the silver wine cooler and replaced it with these cuttings from a ginormous tree in our back yard.  

Don't know the name of the tree but it has sweet white blooms on it.  My husband cut a lot for me and believe me, it didn't make a dent in the appearance of the tree.

I downloaded this awesome He Has Risen printable from Dear Lillie website.  You can get your own for FREE!!  Jennifer has them in several different colors.  Love her and her blog!  She is so talented. 

I placed a couple of cutie rabbits in front of the picture with Easter grass and eggs.  The crystal lamp is old but new to me, given to me by my Mom.  The two buffet lamps are in another spot for now.  

So what do you think about my new buffet?  I think it fits the foyer so much better than the chest I was previously using.  My plan is to paint the buffet.  I thought long and hard about it.  It is not yet an antique.  It is pretty like it is but I want to update it.  I am planning to use that fabulous chalk paint that everyone is blogging about.  Here it is again.

What color do you think would look good?  White?  Blue?  Green?  Gray?  I would like to use Duck Egg blue.  What are your thoughts?

Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~


Linking up to the following parties!

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style


Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life


Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm


Twice Owned Party at House of Grace

Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality

A Sweet and Simple Valentine's Day

We had a sweet and simple Valentines Day celebration this year. On Friday I put some Valentines packages with handmade cards and chocolates in the mail for special loved ones.  In the hurry to get to the post office I didn't think to take any pictures. 

On Saturday evening we celebrated with our two grandchildren.  We have a 9-year old granddaughter and an almost 5 year-old grandson.  We had the pleasure of  watching them while their parents went out for a romantic dinner. I put together a little gift bin for them filled with candy, cookies, crafts, bubbles, stickers, balloons, etc.  On the front I attached some cute glittery stickers. 

I bought most everything at Michael's or the Dollar Store.  In the center of the table was a platter with a candle and heart-shaped chocolate candy, of course!   I placed several mercury votive candle holders from Target around on the table.  

It was a pretty day and we blew bubbles outside and played tic-tac-toe on the drive way.  Dinner was grilled hamburgers, broccoli and baked beans.  Then our granddaughter worked on some of the craft projects in the gift bin.  Dessert was valentine chocolate candy and cookies then we played a game called Apples to Apples.  We certainly enjoy any time that we have with them.  

 

Do you see the little tea lights?  I have to take a moment and recommend a product I just recently started using.  These are flameless LED tea lights.  I purchased these from Sam's Club at Christmas.  I didn't think I would like them as I prefer the look of a real candle so much.  But these are super nice to have and use especially around children.  This whole box only cost me $14.00.  There were 24 led lights and 24 replacement batteries!  I like the fact that I can use them all over the house and not worry about forgetting about them and a fire starting. 

I did very little in decorating for Valentines Day.  I put out some thrifting and antiquing treasures on the chest in our foyer.  A ceramic horse.  This is a recent purchase from an antique market.  My brown and white transfer-ware pitcher I bought from a consignment store.  A couple Readers Digest books.  Old wooden spools. A white pedestal bowl filled with pine cones.   

I printed this love picture with 1 Cor. 13.  It was a free printable but I can't recall where I found it.  Anyone know?

Tied a red ribbon around the old wooden spools.  

I added a vintage valentine post card I had.  I enjoy collecting these old postcards to use at different times to decorate around the house.  This one is dated 1914.  I love the verse and the Dutch children on the front!

In the living room I set out these wooden blocks that spell LOVE on the chest in front of the windows.  I bought these from a thrift store but I believe they originally came from Cracker Barrel. 

I recently acquired these 3 old clear glass insulators from an estate sale.  They are so fun!  Can you see them with the sun shining through them?

Finally, in the master bedroom I placed this sweet needlepoint pillow on our bed.   I have had it forever and don't even remember where I got it. 

And a closer picture. 

My hubby took me out Valentines evening to one of our favorite restaurants, Copelands.  And we exchanged lovey-dovey cards!  

That pretty much wraps up our simple but sweet Valentines celebration.  What about you?  Do you make a fuss over Valentine's Day?  Would love to hear your comments!  Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~

I'm linking to the following parties!

Newbie Linkie Party at Debbiedoos  

 Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Metamorphis Mondays at Between Naps on the Porch