The After, After, After

Hello there!  How's your week?  You know, you can really answer that if you want to...

I am changing things up in the ol' Casa de Hughes... but I think I may have found one spot that is really finished this time...

It drives Mr. Hughes crazy for me to change something that I have said is "all finished."

Every time I find a piece of furniture that I love, love and NEED to take home, he always asks...

where ARE you going to put it?

Well, dear.... I was thinking the entry....

don't believe me...

let's take a walk....

Green chest that used to be a stereo cabinet
It is now in the studio, painted white and hiding the sewing machine

Painting by Mr. Hughes is now in the library/office

(also, notice how tiny the photo is... and how blurry....)

Again, tiny photo...
This chair (the LuLu) was sold at the booth
The blue table... in the corner of the dining room right now....

moving right along

Ahh... then I had the mirror collection... still have most of them...
The table... sold... Mr. Hughes loved that table....

Lamp is in the living room...
Mirrors have been moved

Ahhhh... I loved the Tara... she sold too... gosh, I really did love this set up
This lamp, still is sort of in the entry...I have had it for many, many moons
 which brings us to here

The Della.... loved her... went to a very sweet, sweet girl...
I never planned on the Della lasting... she was always meant to go to the booth
But I really did love her too...

And, here is the after, after, after....after......after...

I loved the Della so, I decided to paint Kate the same color... what a difference the lighting makes...
So, I really, really think that it will stay this way. For awhile *wink*
No really, I am serious this time.
Oh, if you like my framed butterflies, you can find them at
bugunderglass
well... the black framed ones at least... the brown framed one were purchased on our honeymoon.
baby hughes loves them... says... look bees.  All bugs are bees.
And, that mirror... constantly has fingerprints and "smooches" on it .... it is where baby hughes and I roar and practice silly faces... we are fond of the silliness......

I will be back soon with a bloggy tour of one of my favorite shops on Main Street in Franklin, Tennessee
I promise... Mr. Hughes is editing the photos that he took there...and maybe I will also show you how I have shook things up around these parts... just a little shake...

Bye for now!

 

Oh... I meant to ask you... is there a spot in YOUR home that is constantly changing?

A Secretary, a King, and a Duck

all walk into a bar and the Secretary orders.....

No, really this isn't a post about a joke.  This is more of a post about the pressing issues on my mind involving the furniture in my house that I love and desperately want to work.  I am seriously obsessing over this in between wondering if I have enough orange and aqua blue pom poms for the 2nd birthday coming up next week.  

Let's start with the Secretary.... that is pretty simple... I even think I know what colors Kate is going to be (isn't Kate a perfect name for a classy Secretary that greets you when you walk in the door?) 

Now, this isn't my classy lady Kate.... I don't have a before photo of her yet, but it gives you an idea of what she sort of looks like, but my girl Kate needs some work... 

And, if you read closely before, you read correctly "colors"  

We are talking special *just for me* colors, and maybe some vintage wallpaper or a fun color on the back of the upper cabinet.  This girl is staying... if you recall a long time ago, I mentioned here that I have been wanting one.... well, I found one while out looking for booth lovelies.  She was was in front of the now beautiful Collette. The guy even asked me what color I would paint her...I think she winked at me and whispered "make me pretty!"

And, a few days later, Mr. Hughes told the guy that he would be out to get her to shut me up (I made that part up, but that sounds like something he would say.)  She is now in the garage, just waiting for baby hughes to turn 2 and for my sister's kitchen table to be painted (I have priorities... and my monster and sister come before my desire to love this lady... plus, I need some time to find the perfect jewelry...)

Now, about that King....

(it is amazing about how many of my posts involve me obsessing over some piece of furniture... maybe I should see someone about this *wink*)

anyhow, back to the matter at hand.  The King...

this is actually a new obsession involving an old one...

(seriously, need  help)

These are 2 twins that Mr. Hughes found on craigslist to shut me up about the 2 cane and wood ones.  We thought we would hang on to them until we moved far away and lived happily ever after.  Well, kids, I just don't think that is happening anytime soon.  And, in the meantime, we could use a bigger bed and a new mattress... did you know 2 twins = 1 king....

So, last night, while Mr. Hughes was out, and I bribed the baby with a Handy Manny movie, I lugged 2 twins upstairs.  Yep... sure did! Mr. Hughes wasn't too happy about it... said some nonsense about me not being as young as I used to be.... what?!?

So, at about 9:30 pm, we constructed 2 twins in our room in front of our current queen.  And, I think it looked great.  Now, there are some technical aspects that will have to be dealt with to make this happen, but that is boring and lets face it, in my house, the Mr's job.

But, here is why I am hesitant...

A. (or do you prefer 1?) The bed will have to go in front of the windows... the headboards are low so hopefully it won't block too much.  I need the light.

B.  We will have to save a buy a new king mattress AND bedding.  I have a lovely duvet that I JUST bought last year.  And, I love it, so hopefully I can size up.

C. I have 2 wonderful, handmade by my Mommy, queen size quilts that she put a lot of time and money into... can I ask her to make me a king.?

Are kings really that much better than queens?  What about blocking that window?  I really do want to know what you think, but just know, I will probably do what I want.

The bright side to doing this is that the Tara could be my nightstand along with a Tara II for Mr. Hughes (that doesn't sound quite right.....)

So, all of THIS got me to thinking... I bet some of you have some pieces that you love, love, love.  And, that you would want to share....

so how about this....

I will do a post or a couple of posts with photos that you can email me with a short description or story about how you stole it from someone or how it was uglier than a kick in the shin at midnight (that was my dad's phrase... I think it lost something in the Spanish to English translation...) before you made it over.

So, if you want to participate, send me your stuff at 

michelle at vintagejunky dot com

 If you have a blog, be sure to send the link so I can link to you in the post... I thought we could so it this way instead of a McKlinky.  I would love to have them by August 12 so I could get the post together by the 16th (that's a Monday, Friday seems too obvious!)  Oh, and here are the rules (sorry) it needs to be furniture and it needs to be vintage.  Oh, and you have to love it!  If this is super popular, then maybe I will have to split it into a few posts.... what do you think... are you game?

Well, kids, that is all I have for you today!

Bye for now!

there was never a duck... just put that in for funsies

New Booth Piece and Why it Will Cost $50 More

hello there!  I put the finishing touches on  a piece that I am working on to replace the current chest that is in my booth should it sell... I need to have backups with my small space, otherwise everything will be on the floor! Did I tell you that I name my pieces?  I figure if I am up close and personal with them, they might as well have a name.  So, since I was totally inspired by this sweet girl's redo of this piece, and by inspired, I mean I pretty much copied her *wink* I thought it would be fitting to name the piece after her....

 So, Meet Tara...

Lovely and sweet with her perfect shade of blue....

Her layers of character worn proudly....

Perfectly accessorized....

And, just as pretty on the inside with vintage map drawer liners...

 I love special ~just for you~ pretty things....

I rearranged the entry to welcome her while she stays here.  Actually, I think I will have a hard time letting go of this one...doesn't it look perfect with baby hughes' owl pillow?

And, speaking of that rascal, let us go back to the other day while we were working on this chest (you can go make yourself a drink and come back... this may take awhile...)

Well, I was outside sanding down the drawer where we filled in the holes from the old hardware and my two guys peaked their heads out the door... baby hughes had a *surprise* for me which is code for poop.  Somehow there is this unspoken agreement (that I never agreed to) that if I am at home and we have a dirty diaper situation, then I am in charge of it... whatever, I took care of it and asked Mr. Hughes to keep sanding while I was changing the stink. So, I set the rascal down to go out on the deck to switch places with Mr. Hughes ( I was less than 2 steps away from the child on the other side of the glass.) 

Then I heard it....

*click*

What was that.... do you have the keys... no... what about your wallet, the key that you keep in your wallet because you have locked yourself out..... no, I don't have my wallet..... cell phone.... no...

OH NO!!!

That sweet, precious little monster of ours locked us out of the house, flipped the deadbolt.  I knew he could do this of course, he is a giant baby and very resourceful.  But, I have always been inside when he flips it back and forth, back and forth.  But, not this time.  I begged him... please flip it back and tapped the deadbolt.  He knocked on the door back at me and smiled.  Begged some more... nope.  Said, do you want to go outside (a sure fire way for me to get him to do something.) he nods... and gets excited... okay, then turn the lock and Mommy will take you out and we can play (the whole time, Mr. Hughes is trying to figure out how we can break down the door without hurting baby hughes.)  I could see that the front door deadbolt wasn't locked, so Mr. Hughes went up front and rang the doorbell to see if the boy would open the door for him (he loves the doorbell.)  Nope, stayed by the back door close to me with a wary look on his face.... this is the child who does not know a stranger... always asking strangers for hugs and to be held....

Then, we realized, this isn't working.... baby hughes went further in the house where we couldn't see him.  I ran next door and begged my neighbor for a phone and a phone book.  Mr. Hughes got our regular (yes, regular, Mr. Hughes has locked himself out more than once) locksmith.  I hear him tell the locksmith... No sir, I can't ask him to let us back in, he is 2.  Please hurry. 

So, Mr. Hughes goes back up front to wait for him and I talk to baby hughes through the door.... no!  don't jump on that chair..... NO!! do NOT unplug that... okay....NONONO!!!  do not plug it back in!!!

He drinks the last of his juice and throws the cup at the window... obviously ticked that I am not filling it back up.

Then he comes up to the door and holds his chubby little hands out to me like

Mommy, pick me up, I want you... 

*heartbreaking*

Then, my sweet old man savior came to the back with my husband and started messing with the door.... baby hughes was sitting at the kitchen table very calm and gives that man his perfect smile.  A couple of minutes later

*click*

YES!  I almost pushed the locksmith over getting to my baby.  I hugged him, I kissed him... 

I put him down and he starts digging in the locksmith's tools..... oh baby hughes....

The guy left after we paid him $50 (no, I am not really charging more for the chest)

and I grabbed my baby again and bawled my eyes out so thankful that he was okay, that it hadn't been worse.

I had two large margaritas that night.  Extra salt.

If you would like to see other furniture transformations, hop on over to visit Holly at Life in the Fun Lane

Evolution of an Entry

It is Thursday, so that means I am joining Gina for her weekly party at The Shabby Chic Cottage.  This week I reworked an area that I was pretty pleased with already.  But I when I found a great little table at Carter's Creek Station that I had to take home, I just had to rearrange this area that I had just done a post about.  So here is the first before:

And, here is the next before:

And, I was really happy with it at this point.  But, I have been trying to find a space for some vintage mirrors that I have picked up along the past couple of years.  And, that cute little table.  Plus, the bright colors were not as fallish as I would have liked so here is the evolved entry.

Mr Hughes actually liked the idea and he happily hung my mirrors for me.  I know of 2 other small mirrors that I may pick up this weekend to add to it.  Eventually, I would love to paint the entry a slightly darker white, but it will be this color for a while longer (did I mention it is 2 stories?  Mr. Hughes isn't going to let me rent scaffolding anytime soon!)  I found a home for the painting with the red poppies that he painted and it looks great!  And, I just swapped the chairs.  The table didn't need much work.  Miss Linda had stripped the veneer off the top. And it looked great just as it was.  I just added a coat of Dark Brown Briwax and buffed.

I added my birdcage and some other little treasures.

So, I guess the third time really is a charm.  I think I'll find a couple of grey and white pumpkins to fall this area up a little.

Now, I am off so I can see the other wonderful transformations of the partygoers.

Transforming our Entry

Today I am joining in on Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage. I have been working on spiffing up our entry on and off for awhile. One morning I woke up and looked at all that white in our entry and decided it needed something. Here is what it looked before:

And here is what it looks like now with a little paint, rearranging and a special something:

I changed up the furniture a little. I had asked your opinion and most everyone agreed that this look was better than the green chest. It will find a new home once we finish our Creativity Space (trying that name on for size!)

Then I got rid of all that white! I painted the back of the front door with some leftover paint from the window box trim in the dining room. And, I used leftover wall paint from the dining room to paint the architectural piece above the door. I think it came off of an old bed. I distressed it a little and Mr. Hughes hung it up for me. Now for that something special....

The fabulous shield shaped frame that I brought home from the last flea market! I left it alone, color wise and just removed the old wood off the back. I went searching through Mr. Hughes' Vintage French catalogues and found a few photos of things I felt everyone should have when they leave: hat, shoes, umbrella, and luggage. I collaged them together and then I added the finishing touch....

It is French for "Until Next Time." I had to look it up... I took 4 years of Spanish! But, everything is better in French, isn't it.
I put it all up with a wide ivory grosgrain ribbon and attached it at the top of the door with flat push pins.

Please remember my giveaway if you haven't signed up for it yet and also put my first party on your calender! Well, I am off to Gina's to see what everyone else has transformed!

Lazy Saturday and opinions needed

It is a very lazy Saturday here at the Hughes home. We have all been sick at some point this week. That's right! Someone brought germies to Baby Hughes' birthday! How thoughtful! Thanks for the lovely gift AND the cold! Oh well, he has been handling it very well considering it caused his very first ear infection. It did get him out of his shots for the time being, so I think he must be pretty pleased. I just got the fabulous symptoms yesterday. So, I am too sick to complete major projects, but not sick enough to stay out of Mr. Hughes' hair about doing some rearranging. We decided that the new vintage chest will be of more use upstairs in our bedroom. So, it left me with a few options downstairs. I could move it back the way it was:

This is how it has looked for a couple of years. This is a vintage stereo cabinet that we gutted the speakers and replaced with the bins that hold scarfs and umbrellas. It also holds our junk box. We don't have a junk drawer, but we do have a box filled with pens, tape, and just junk. I am a little tired of the green, it has always been a little bright. And, it doesn't flow into the dining room. But it is really useful in the entry. Painting it is always an option.
Or should I go with this look:

I like this even if it is a little atypical of me...I am not usually a red person. The table ties in with the color in the dining room. I added the basket for shoes. Mr. Hughes made this his only request: it has to be useful. And, a space to take off your shoes and store them is useful. If this look stays, then I will likely cover the chair with a grain sack. Regardless of what I choose, the painting stays. It is a Mr. Hughes original and it won't look great anywhere else because of the red. Besides, I love it. It is a friendly way to enter our home.

So, dear readers, which do you like better? And why? I really appreciate your opinions.

So, I will wait patiently (yeah right) for your opinion. I guess while I am waiting I will unload the dishwasher. If I am well enough to scoot furniture and blog about it, then I am well enough to do some chores!