the chair bench evolution

June 2, 2015June 2, 2015 | circadee

Once upon a time we took 3 cast off yard sale chairs and upcycled them into a custom bench that is a perfect fit in our dining nook.

You can review the bench tutorial here.

As the space evolved it was inevitable for the bench to evolve too. When we updated the kitchen, the colors took on an earthy, neutral palette with lots of texture. The kitchen continues to be the room that changes the most frequently around here…

When the floors were redone this winter, I updated the bench by giving each chair a coat of MMSMP Grainsack over the bold colored chalk paint. The milk paint resisted the chalk paint in a few places giving just a subtle distressed look.

upcycled chairs turned custom bench (26 of 38)

Also, I came across 3 neutral toile printed pillows that were perfectly sized for each chair. They were only a buck for each pillow cover. I found some inserts and boom!

It’s like a new bench for little cost (again)! What have you upcycled lately?

ammo trunk

September 18, 2014September 18, 2014 | circadee

Vintage Trunks are the best, aren’t they? Clearly they provide storage as that was the intention in the utilitarian object to begin with. However, they also lend an aesthetic appeal to a space.

A few years back I scored this large vintage ammo trunk as part of a lot of trunks. It was a WWII US Navy trunk. In fact, the shipping labels are still in tact which indicate that it was sent to the US Air Force in New York. The trunk, overall, is in great shape.

I have a soft spot for World War II memorabilia. It is probably the least feminine thing to collect but there is something visually appealing to me about the army green, type fonts, rivets and brass details typically associated with the items. It generally leads me to wonder about what our country was like at that time with women headed to work while men were at war; what my grandparents were doing; what technology was in play and so on. It is also the era that my collections date back to. I don’t really gravitate toward many pieces earlier than 1940’s.

Naturally I loved this green trunk although I did initially try to sell it but had no takers. When that happens it is a sure sign that it is meant to stay with us…at least for now.

Over the past year it has lived a double life after receiving a set of casters on the bottom so it can easily be pushed around. First, it made a fantastic window seat when covered with a thick, tufted cushion and pillows.

The problem was that it simply wasn’t getting enough use beyond its storage abilities. A few months ago, I pushed it into play as an extra long coffee table where it seems to have a more fulfilling life. Plus, this made more room for vintage chair hoarding.

You can do no wrong to it. Drink rings cause no damage. This thing was in war after all! And brass always looks good with army green.

What is your favorite way to use a vintage trunk?

P.S. Don’t forget about the upcoming milk paint demonstration at Serendipity Shops of Doylestown on Sunday!

the best seat in the house

January 30, 2014February 18, 2014 | circadee

This is one of my very favorite spaces in our home.

It is a built-in cedar bench with much-needed storage. I love built-ins of any kind because they are just so custom to each house. We left built-in shelves behind in our previous dining room and living room. The only thing better than built-ins might be pocket doors.

This is a special place where we like to curl up and read a book when time allows. In the winter, the baseboard heat pumps right up onto the seat making it even cozier. Said baseboard is due for a coat of glossy white paint this spring.

Over the holidays we added top down/bottom up shades. I was really committed to the idea of these shades so that we could always have the top down yielding a perfectly clear view. Our bed faces the window so it is spectacular to wake up to the sun peeking through the woods. We see the most beautiful early morning pink skies and evening lavender clouds.

And lately we’ve been waking up to snow dusting our holly trees. It’s the little things.

The valance is just a strand of starfish because we are “down the shore” after all and sometimes a little kitsch is necessary. The salvaged piece above the window was a Brimfield honeymoon find. I love all of the vivid colors.