Keith was able to frame another window in our Looney Bin, the sole one in my office, using all recycled wood of course. Naturally, as is our style, none of the wood came from the same source, and therefore did not match. We're not even sure it all came from trees.
But, with sanding, and a couple coats of polyurethane, the differences between wood types become inconsequential, at least to me. I especially love my six inch deep window sill, which gives me more room for my glass bits and bobs. I don't wear much bling (should quinquagenarians say bling?) but I do like it in my windows. I prefer to go towards the light despite Dylan Thomas's advice.
We live in the country with no neighbors for over a 1/2 mile, so curtains are not needed or desired. Although I may play around with a narrow scarf to cover those ugly-but-functional screw hooks.
Total cost for windows...$0. All materials had been on hand for years
My other project this week was an old green dresser we think, maybe, came from my mother-in-law. Our adult kids all remember us having the thing for decades but origin cannot be confirmed. It had some pea green peeling paint and one drawer that someone, sometime tried to refinish, plus scotch tape remnants plastered about. For years it was hidden in a closet on the old farm. I think I kept wrapping paper and ribbon in it. It was time for a face lift.
I sanded it, but even though it was a well made piece, lots of dovetailing and other signs of craftsmanship, I did not want to strip the whole thing. Laziness, that's all. So I painted it with the leftover grey paint from my recent studio wall remodel.
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| Inside of dresser |
Then, I covered the top two drawers with some old scrapbook paper and a coat of Mod Podge (I don't scrapbook, go figure) and the other drawers with torn packing paper and more Mod Podge.
Mod Podge. What a weird name. Say it over and over and it gets weirder. or maybe that's just me. Makes me think of The Mod Squad. Wasn't that Peggy Lipton so damn...you know...Mod? I wonder if she ever used Mod Podge? I'll bet not. She probably had people to do her Mod Podging for her. But I regress.
Anyway, here's the dresser with updates. Special thanks to my sister Mary who gave me all the hardware when she remodeled her kitchen.
And the whole obligatory before and after pictures. Total cost was $3 worth of Mod Podge. The packing paper was free, came with a tractor seat we bought awhile back.
Next week, if the weather holds, I'll be back in MY studio. Playing with rugs and reclaimed furniture.
Both projects look fantastic. The weather will have you indoors soon enough. But now is the time for pottering on what can get done outside.
ReplyDeleteI have hanging stained glass in my window - in the same manner your beads are hung. It's small but adds a bit of interest to catch the light. I also have an ancient chest of drawers passed down from my older sister, to me, to my younger brother, then down to my daughter. Her younger brother will probably see it in his room at some point.
I like yours though. Nice and narrow, but tall. Fits the space perfectly.
Thanks Chris. I've never been a "drapes" kind of gal for windows, too oppressive, but I may put them in my studio for that libraryesque look. If I can find some at the thrift store.
DeleteThat window is wonderful. Keith is a clever guy. Your 'shabby chic' chest of drawers is very trendy over here at the moment; it would have demanded a high price in London or Paris!!.
ReplyDeleteMore like "Shabby Cheap" !
DeleteThanks Cro
Awesome,!!
ReplyDeleteI love that window, what an amazing piece of wood you used for the sill. I like wood that is left natural, and with the actual window frame in white the two look great together.
ReplyDeleteOld furniture like your dresser, look just as good and just as well made in all the bits that aren't usually visible don't they. I have little boxes that my grand father made for storage, just out of rough wood in his cabinet making workshop and they are all made with such attention to detail and made to last.
Those little boxes sound so wonderful and knowing your grandfather crafted them, that's the real treasure.
DeleteThose are impressive window sills. I like what you did with the chest/dresser!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. The cool thing about odl but not really antique furniture is you can repaint later on down the line, or ship it to London as Cro suggests for the big bucks.
DeleteI, too, love those deep sills!!! Ah, the plants I could grow there! Good reuse of a handy storage item too. Modpodge is the same as watery Elmer's White Glue which is what my sister used w-a-a-a-y back 'cause it's cheaper.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about that Sharon. The Mod Podge smells worse than Elmers glue and although glue sniffing was never my thing...where was I going with this? Oh yeah, glue is cheaper. Thanks.
DeleteThe original part of our house is 130 year old logs so the window sills are deep. I have a schnoodle type dog who thinks the one he can get to from the couch is his throne, he'll lay on that sill for hours surveying his domaine. Can you say dog snot all over the window?
ReplyDeleteWhen I visit Ireland I like to rent the oldest cottages I can because among other things, I love the thick stone walls and the deep windowsills. And if your dog fits, you must acquit.
DeleteWhat a very useful husband you have, the window looks great, the dresser is lovely, I hope it takes pride of place.
ReplyDeleteIn our small Looney Bin everything takes pride of place, even the washing machine in the kitchen and all the milking equipment in the bathroom. I'll pass on your kind words to Keith. He does deserve them
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