This pick shows that I don't see the need to paint everything.  This mantle is beautiful just the way it is.  All it needed was some cleaning and I used a little hemp oil to revive the dried wood.  This beauty dates back to early 1900's. The details and craftsmanship are definitely one of a kind.

This is the kind of piece that can instantly take your "new" home and give it the character that you are desperate to achieve.

This mantle will be listed on ETSY soon, but if you would like to see it in person, it can be seen at Sweet Olive Café and Antiques.

Mandy

I have been trying out some new products and techniques lately.  Some have been turning out great, while others not so great!!!  But that's one thing I love about paint, its just paint!!  You don't like it just paint over it.

I did manage to finish this precious little desk.  It has all the vintage accessories that I just love, casters and crystal knobs.  The drawers have been covered with vintage dictionary pages.  It turned out great.  I will be listing it on ETSY soon, but if your local and would like to see it or purchase it, it can be found at Sweet Olive Café and Antiques.

Here is what it looked like before:

Mandy

This pick is definitely one that I am very tempted to keep. I even tried to find the perfect spot in my mom's house so that it would just stay in the family. But its something I have to remind myself, this is a business.  So here it is.............

This scale is the perfect vintage piece.  I love scales in kitchens with fruit on them. In living rooms on book shelves with books on them.  I love the rust with the white peeking through.  I also love the words stamped on it "Penn Scale"  Ok......I LOVE IT!!

With that said.. I am listing it in my shop on etsy, so if your interested in purchasing this pick along with my others please visit my shop 

Mandy

This is a piece I did for a customer, its called a gossip bench.  It is a fantastic place to put your house phone and I believe that's what my customer plans on doing.  I painted this piece a pale blue, and used a dark wax to warm it up a little. I didn't reupholster the seat because that was something that the customer wanted to do herself.  I will have to get a picture from her when its completely done. 

I think it came out great!

Mandy

This week I found something, that at first I thought they would be perfect for a little boy's room.  But in my quest to find out more about them, I realized they would be perfect in lots of different rooms.

Vintage Speed Liner Water Skis

I love the colors, the patina of the wood and the fact that these were once used by someone.  They are in great shape and I can't wait to put them at Sweet Olive Café

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I am also linking to Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Friday, featuring the twin beds I did a couple of weeks ago.  She has a fantastic blog so be sure to check it out!!

Mandy

Yes, in case you were wondering I do love the show “American Pickers.”   If you don’t watch it or have never seen it, you are missing out.  Besides Painted Furniture, I also sell some of my vintage finds at the Sweet Olive Café. What I would like to do is have a regular post and show you what my new pick of the week is.

So this week its one of my favorites and greatest finds ever,  it’s a vintage paper roller.

I can just picture this paper roll holder ( I really don't know the technical term) on a counter in a old general store.  I have always admired these paper rollers in magazines and catalogs ( the pottery barn catalog)  and when I saw this one at a local flea market, I knew it was going to be mine.  The wood has a gorgeous patina and its the perfect size.  They apparently come in many different sizes, I have seen a few on etsy but they don’t stay very long.

Next week I plan to share a pick that I am actually going to sell at Sweet Olive, for now I am going to keep this one!!!

 Mandy

I love getting a new pottery barn catalog in the mail.  I have been known to purchase a few things from Pottery Barn, but what I love most about the catalog is seeing how the rooms look and feel.  When I look at the pictures of the living, kitchens,bedrooms and work spaces that I like, I ask myself  “Why do I like this room?”  Besides the furniture, pillows and bedding that Pottery Barn is selling, there are usually key pieces that “MAKE” the room.  Take this kitchen for instance…..

source: pottery barn catalog

The island is beautiful, and so are the cabinets, but what is it that draws me in? Makes me love, not just the “LOOK” but the “FEEL” of this room?  To me it’s the vintage accessories. 

source: pottery barn catalog

Now don’t get wrong, there are a lot of things that make this kitchen work,  the color of the cabinets are gorgeous.  I love a farmhouse, apron front sink and the rug, just cozies the whole kitchen up.  But, what people sometimes miss are the details, and the details are what bring it all together.  If the kitchen scale, the paper roller, the tin pig and bread board spice rack, utensil holder (which by the way would be a great do-it-yourself project) weren’t there, I guarantee that kitchen would not have the same appeal.  That’s why VINTAGE ACCESSORIES are so fantastic, they add instant warmth and character to any room.  

So next time your looking through your catalog, try to find the accessories that pottery barn isn’t selling!

Mandy

The thing I love the most about the blog world is the Before and After pictures.  Whether it is furniture, remodels, or just rearranging a room, I love to see what can be done. So I plan on showing more before and after pictures soon,  today I am going to start with one I did for a client recently.

It was just a plain brown cabinet, that just needed a little personality.  This is how she looks now!

I think it came out great!

Mandy

DONE!

They came out beautiful, can't wait to bring them to the show!

Mandy

    This Saturday, Sweet Olive Antiques and Cafe is having a craft show.  I will be there with some new pieces, which include a pair of vintage twin beds.  I'm not quite done with them yet, so all I have to show is a before picture.

I am painting them a pure white and finishing them off with a dark wax. They are going to beautiful! Perfect for a little girls room.   If you want to see them in person, come to Sweet Olive Cafe this Saturday, December 1, from 8 to 3.

Mandy