November 4, 2008

Great Auction Finds and Faux Mirror Project

We attended a "Trade Day" auction this past Saturday which was essentially an outdoor flea-market type thing where different vendors sold various merchandise. To be perfectly honest, most of the stuff was "junk" but I was lucky enough to spot a few "diamonds in the rough" to bring home.

Here is one of the treasures I found....a wonderful floor lamp with that great aqua color! I'm really finding myself drawn to this color more and more and I am using it quite a bit in my "cottage kitchen" makeover. I will have to get a light fixture for it but I just could not resist the vintage feel of the lamp. Don't know where it will end up but never fear....I will find the perfect spot for it!











Hubby spotted this architectural piece on the ground and pointed it out to me. The way the auction was operating Saturday afternoon was that everything was staged outside. The auctioneer would go from vendor to vendor so you could bid on stuff. When we saw this piece, a guy standing nearby said "I was hoping no one else would see this....am I going to have to fight you for it?" So naturally I replied "of course." I did point out to him that it was in bad condition and he surely didn't want it......and he, being a Southern gentlemen, did not argue with me! I picked up this little beauty for $5.00! It looks like it came off the top of an old dresser. There is a little damage to it, nothing that some wood glue and clamps won't fix. Right now I don't plan to do anything to it but clean it up and then hang it over our bed.





You can see the damaged area above

She's a beauty!

Here's another little piece I picked up for $5.00. It belonged to the owner of the auction and when I spied it, I asked him how much he wanted for it.....he said $5.00 and I said SOLD!


Love all the chippy white peeling paint....this will go over my narrow bathroom window.





This piece above the bay window is certainly not an antique nor an architectural piece yet I love the way it fills up the space over the window. I bought it at Kirklands. It's a metal piece that was finished off in a bronze color.....took the trusty white spray paint and instant "architecture"!




I've always wanted some of those oversize salt and pepper shakers to put some bath salts in but I've never found any in good enough condition that were reasonably priced. Friday I went to a new flea market and found this set which were in great shape.....look at the price!


I went to my local spa (Wal Mart) and got some extravagantly expensive bath salts......



...oh yeah, it cost about $2.00 a bag!

How pretty is this? For under $5.00 I now have some "pretties" for my bathroom



At the same flea market, I picked up this urn for a little over $6.00



I wanted to get a plant to sit down inside the urn that would survive my non-green thumb. Saw this great plant at Home Depot and it reminded me of the "rabbit's foot ferns" my grandmother used to have. Now that might not be the "technical" term but that's what I've always called them. You could rub the little soft "rabbits feet" spilling out from the bottom of the plant....this brought back some good memories of my grandmother (who did have a green thumb)








If you have been reading my blog, you'll remember my posting about my friend Linda's gorgeous cottage style home. Since I was already redoing my kitchen and bedroom in a white cottage style, seeing her home really inspired me and gave me some good ideas, which I have unashamedly (is that a word?) copied! She had a beautiful aqua painted round mirror in her dining room. I spotted this one recently at T.J. Maxx and while it was not wood, it was a very reasonable price and I thought I could give it the "aqua treatment" and hang it in the kitchen.


Here's how it looked before.....(nothing wrong it the white, I just wanted to use the aqua color on it)....





First coat of paint

Although I coated it 3 times, some of the white still showed through. After glazing with Ralph Lauren's tobacco glaze, it still needed something else so I took some matte black paint and just dry brushed it on. You can click on the pictures below to see how it turned out....like the original paint is chipping off and the "old wood" is showing underneath

I played around with several vingettes on this little table in the kitchen. While I liked the sparse look (see below), I eventually settled on placing the urn on this table. I first had the urn and plant on the kitchen table but hubby complains because he has to move it so he can see the TV (hate it) so I will leave the kitchen table bare for now.


Some of you astute ladies will remember my post on Linda's house and recognize some of the same design elements here as in her dining room

I love these turquoise plates I found at Pier 1 (on sale)....they only had four so I got them all. If I find any more of them I'll add to these.....the shape and color are so interesting!



Well, that's all for now. I'm finally in the home stretch in putting the finishing touches in the kitchen and bedroom and then I'll post pictures.




I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT IS FOLLOWING MY BLOG. IF YOU ARE ENJOYING MY BLOG, READING MY BLOG, OR JUST "LURKING" PLEASE CLICK ON "FOLLOW THIS BLOG". I APPRECIATE EVERYONE OF YA'LL!


40 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Judy,
I really enjoyed seeing all your new finds. I really enjoyed the architectural pieces and hope you'll post the pictures after they are in place.
Diane

Nancy Rosalina said...

Hi Judy, Your finds are beautiful! I love the urn! Can't wait to see more pics.. Nancy

Salmagundi said...

What great finds and projects. The finish that you put on the aqua round mirror turned out amazing! Sally

Fran said...

You got some great finds! I love the urn and the new plant. And your new mirror turned out great.

Fran

Suzann said...

Some wonderful finds! I love what you did to the mirror - it has so much more character now. The urn is amazing too. I can't wait to see more pics of the bedroom and kitchen.

Stacey said...

Oh that mirror is so pretty. That whole vignette is just magazine worthy!!

You are doing such a pretty job. I want some of that color too!

Natalie Meester said...

Love your ideas and the side table arrangement is perfect! I too love the aqua.

Jennifer said...

Great finds! They will add so much to your home. Your mirror looks so nice as well. I really love the color.
Have a wonderful week,
Jen @ Fiddle Dee Dee
mrsjones6.wordpress.com

Nancy Hood said...

loved all the pics and updates of your decor!!

Inspired Kara said...

who knew I could be so jealous of a floor lamp?!!

Unknown said...

I've been lurking for awhile, and I wanted to tell you that I enjoy seeing all of your projects.

duchess said...

Beautiful finds.
They all look great.

Sassy herself said...

Hey there Judy I am a lurker as well. :) The mirror redo is just FAB and love the side table scape! I love all of your great finds but am especially in love with the wood piece from an old dresser. In that center area where it looks like just bare wood you could decoupage and age an old picture of a cherub or angel like the one you have on your side table or your initial would be nice too! Thanks for sharing and can't wait to see your redo pics.

Four Paws and Co said...

Hi Judy,
I found your blog on santamakers blog list. Wow, do you ever have an eye for treasures! I love the way the mirror turned out. I think I'll tackle one we have stored. Think I'll borrow you plant in the urn idea too. Thanks for the imspiration! :0]
Diane

southerninspiration said...

Oh my goodness at the treasures!! They all look fabulous!

Suzanne

Miss Janice said...

Great finds! I love the vignette with the refinished blue mirror--that looks so good! Can't wait for more...
Miss Janice

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, friend, you've been busy finding some really neat stuff. Love that urn wall piece, that is very unique. And I really like that aqua mirror & all the little touches of aqua you are doing. My guestroom is done for now & I'll be sharing pics on Monday!

Picket said...

Ohhhh girl I love the new look over here....great treasures you found and what bargins! I love your 'brand' of bath salts!! lol lol That is my favorite kind! lol That mirror turned out gorgeous amd i have alot of iron rusty pieces I got at Kirklands and Hobby Lobby...never thought about painting them the creamy white...but I love that look over your window like that! Great post girl...loved all the eye candy!

Lady Katherine said...

Oh, what wonderful finds I love them all, Care to share! lol I have the same lamp, for years and it is in a corner with some of my collection hanging on it! I need to bring it out. Yours made me remember how lovely it is.

CMB said...

What great finds...love what you did to the mirror!

Sherri said...

Judy, you really found alot of great things!! I love the urn with the rabbit foot fern in it!! I love those ferns. I bought them for my girls when they were little and they just loved to rub the little rabbit feet sticking out of their plants!!

Free Art Printables said...

OH, what great things you have found! Love the mirror make over!

Unknown said...

Judy,

I loved all of your finds and I really enjoy your blog. I too am into the pops of blue right now.

Deb

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

What great finds! I love old architectural stuff like that. Beautiful. :-)

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Wow, Judy...you really found some awesome things! Love your lamp and the architectual pieces you found. And girl, you drive a hard bargain! :-) The mirror turned out just beautiful! What a great idea to paint it the way you wanted. Can't wait to see the final pics of your rooms, too! Susan

The Beauty Bargainista said...

I love all of your new finds! What a great idea for the salt!!!! I need some of that for my bath too! And the mirror is lovely! :)

Anonymous said...

HI Judy! Nice move pointing out the damage to the architect piece!! love it BUT I WANT that white toureen!!! I adore the color aqua and have used it in my bedroom; I'm still working on painting walls grey (Linda got me going on that one!) have 2 more rooms to go!!! Really enjoyed this post and all your new treasures! Have a great weekend - Sincerely, Jeannette

LillaFlisan said...

What a beautiful and lovely blog you got!!!

I'll be back soon for more inspiration!
Thank you for charing!

Hugs
Flisan, Sweden

Designs on 47th Street said...

Okay, I see several things "I want". Love that lamp and love the architectural pieces and the urns. My goodness you struck a gold mine. Great blog, by the way!

Charm and Grace said...

What a lovely post, and the mirror pictured in your header turned out so nicely with the new paint! Those 'bath salt' shakers are gorgeous... where is this flea market???? I am not a good flea market shopper, but my m-i-l loves them. Very nice!

Blessings,
Christi

Charm and Grace said...

Oh, and I meant to do this a long time ago, but I added your blog to my blogroll.

:-) Christi

Kristi said...

Did you got to the auction on 231? Your pictures make me sick... :) I want those architech pieces!!!!!

Carrie said...

Each piece is a great find at great prices...You've used each very effectively in your decor.

Melissa Lester said...

What treasures you found! I am loving that aqua color also. It looks so pretty on all your new finds.

Laurie - Decorating Fanatic said...

Hello! I think you did really well at the "junk" sale! I love the white urn with your fern and that lamp. I picked up a similar lamp at a garage sale recently (and I too wasn't sure where it was going to end up in the house!) but the trouble is I can't find a shade for it. It's the style with the bulb hanging down that poses the problem. If you find a shade for yours, can you let me know where? When you get your treasures sorted out - please post pictures of where they ended up. :)

Tara said...

I love your decorating here and the choice of the Tiffany blue--very hip!

Also love your blog background, great choice!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

You found some incredible finds..sure wish we had some wonderful flea markets around here. Love your home...hugs ~lynne~

Tamara Jansen said...

You found some great deals! Love the way you put them together in your home.

Deb said...

I love what you are doing with your home. Love the frame on the mirror. Would you mind telling me what color your walls are? Love it.

Deb

Unknown said...

Thank you for the info. It sounds pretty user friendly. I guess I’ll pick one up for fun. thank u
auction ideas

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