2011 January

Free Table and Some New Digs

January 30, 2011 by Christa @ Stories of a House 29 Comments

Back in December my friend Heidi and I went to a Christmas Party, and when she arrived she told me she saw this across the street from her house. Of course we found a way to sneak out and snag it.

Our hubbies refer to us as Thelma and Louise because adventures always seem to find us.
Or perhaps we find them.

Kevin was very impressed with this contraption for some reason. I didn’t get it.

Obviously the top had to be refinished. I thought it was Tiger Oak but one of my readers told me this is Quarter Sawn Oak (thanks Susan!).
I used Dark Walnut then applied several coats of Tung Oil.
It’ll be very durable.

I think it is so pretty.

It came with casters in case the new owner wants them. I think it’d be great cut down to a coffee table.
Details for those in the greater Phx area can be found at The Restoration Shoppe.

And I’m super excited about what I’ve been working on this weekend – a new workspace. The cabinet holds all my products, and there will soon be a spray booth in the 3rd car garage. I cannot wait!

And so I’ve been very motivated to reorganize the garage, and Kevin’s love tank runneth over…

Here is everything that was taking up precious space (minus the plastic bins). Unfortunately there was a lot of paint products that went bad.

Edited to add : Hubby and I always dispose responsibly. Everything that can be recycled will be, and of course all the dried up paint products are going to the hazardous waste place.

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Filed Under: Before and After, Workspace

Kassie’s Room :: Part One

January 26, 2011 by Christa @ Stories of a House 17 Comments

It is amazing how fast these girls have outgrown their little girl rooms.

Sigh.

Kassie’s bunk bed just got moved in to her little sister’s room, and eventually her dresser and bookshelf will too, so we are outfitting her room to accommodate a queen bed, since her new Aunt Aimee gave her the mattress she doesn’t need anymore. Now all of the Little Women can accommodate a sleep over.

Here (again) is the before:

And now:

I was so bummed that the CL seller smeared liquid gold all over it, because I wasn’t planning on priming it – I was going to do a chemical rub-through (which you can’t do when you prime), so I had to sand through the edges instead. Not my fave finish, but it still turned out okay.

The set also came with two tall nightstands that I will hopefully finish soon, and a t.v. armoire that I’ll probably paint in a fun barn red and sell. We’re on the lookout for a pine dresser that will coordinate with what’s going on in here.

I absolutely love the happy chartreuse green we painted her walls in, and the faux wainscoting we added, along with crown moulding (oops, no photo). Obviously the bedding needs to be addressed and those pillows are waaaay too small.

Kassie’s a very happy camper and can’t wait to sleep in her new bed tonight.

(That’s not a bad paint job on the right corner of the footboard – just a light reflection

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

On the Agenda this Week…or Two.

January 23, 2011 by Christa @ Stories of a House 15 Comments

1) Finish a “new” queen bed for one of The Little Women…

(Dear CL’ster: I so appreciate that you wanted this piece to be free of dirt. You go above and beyond most. But why, oh why, did you use oily Liquid Gold? Whyyyyy?)

2) Update Pauline’s kitchen cabinets to a warm white to tie in her new granite and upcoming hardwood floors. Here are the before shots:

If I had one wish, it would be for stainless or even black appliances, but we will make it work.

3) Dream about what I will do with this….

4) And this….

That should keep me busy for a while!

xoxo,

Christa

p.s. I enjoy answering your questions and comments, but most of you have “no reply” settings. In order for me to reply to a question, you will need to change that setting, which is easy.

Go to Blogger dashboard.
Click “Edit Profile.”
Check “show my e-mail” under the privacy settings.

Now, I can answer you

Filed Under: Uncategorized

~ Rustic Farm Hutch ~

January 18, 2011 by Christa @ Stories of a House 32 Comments

Hi there!

The hutch is all finished, and I love how it came out.

For my local friends who have asked, I am setting up a separate website that will just list furniture available, dimensions, etc. Not any rambling of any kind.

Project Diaries and Some Changes…

January 16, 2011 by Christa @ Stories of a House 14 Comments

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

When I started my blog 6 months ago, I just jumped in and trusted that I would eventually figure out where I wanted/needed to focus my attention. And I have – I’ve realized that what I enjoy most at this very moment is creating pieces for someone else to enjoy.

I also get emails almost everyday asking for finishing advice, and many times there is only so much I can help with in one email. So a few months ago I started jotting things down for a comprehensive ebook, and now it’s time for me to sit down and put it all together – everything from saving money by refinishing your own furniture to making money selling custom pieces. It will include everything I have learned (most times the hard way) and all the nitty gritty picky details that will help you complete a project successfully and without pulling your hair out!
I’m putting it out there so I am motivated to get it all finished.

I’m also flirting with the idea of offering classes for those in the greater Phoenix area since I’ve had requests, but I need to figure out how that would work. More on that later.

I started Project Diaries not knowing if there would be an interest, but there are SO many linkies out there I’ve realized that I’m just too small time to make it worth my time right now.
I hope to host them again in the future, though.

So, for now, I will be enjoying everyone’s fabulous projects on other peoples’ linkies.

I am very grateful for all of you who have linked up in the past,
and I’ll let you know when I think the time is right to start back up again.

I’m NOT going anywhere. I will still be posting before and afters,
and of course the occasional tangent, on a regular basis.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Project Diaries, Volume 14

January 11, 2011 by Christa @ Stories of a House 3 Comments

First thing’s first – Tara at Junk Restore has put together a luncheon for bloggers and fans,

and I will definitely be attending. Let me know if you will be there – I’m really looking forward to this!

I’m a day late for the party because my internet has been down.

It made me realize how dependent I am on my computer for anything from school updates, the blog world, questions I have for Google, answering furniture related questions, etc.

Let us recap a couple of beauties from last week, shall we?

I love these little desks/side tables from Cozy.Cottage.Cute. Her chippy distressing is perfection.

I loved Primitive and Proper Cassie’s idea of adding black and white contrast and function to this armoire.

(Yoga is still on my bucket list.)

Glazing is one of the biggest learning curves, if you ask me,

but {Show and Tell} Sausha has a great tutorial on how she does it.

I will forever think of Sausha when our family goes to Pei Wei
(you’ll need to see her post to know what in the world I’m talking about).

Okay, your turn!

Just a few simple guidelines ~
* Be a follower of Stories of a House.
* Add the Project Diaries button to your post.

* Add the URL of your post, not your general blog URL.
*Please only link up home decor and furniture makeovers.

So, what’s been happening at your house?

Filed Under: Project Diaries

Lizzie’s Kitchen Transformation :: Day 1

January 6, 2011 by Christa @ Stories of a House 13 Comments

I love this girl.

We met 4 years ago, and have 2 daughters the same age.

She just bought a house a mile away from me, and I’m helping her paint some cabinetry.

Here are some before shots:

Kitchen

Kids’ Bath

Powder Bath

Yesterday we primed the kitchen cabinets with the only primer I use for cabinetry, XIM.

It’s a little fussy in the sprayer, and comes out all weird, but it always levels nicely after my anxiety attack is over.

So far these cabinets have received 3 coats of paint.

I don’t want any brown oak grain popping through,

so 2 more coats will be needed today before the topcoat goes on.

(Say hi to Liberty, her cuteness kept us company all day.)

I’ll be back soon with the reveal!

xoxo,

Christa

Filed Under: Before and After, Cabinetry, Do it Yourself

French Farmhouse Table and a Time Sensitive Question

January 4, 2011 by Christa @ Stories of a House 13 Comments

Hi again!

I’m sharing another furniture makeover at Finding My Aloha today.

You might remember the before:

Well, I finally tackled it, and I’m glad I did.

Come and stop by Emily’s place to see the final result!

And now my question:
I’m helping a friend paint her kitchen cabinets tomorrow, and HD didn’t have the beadboard wallpaper. Has anyone seen it recently anywhere?
Thanks!

xoxo,

Christa

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