The Ones That Got Away

I was looking back through some old iPhone photos the other day and I noticed a theme: doggies, food, decorating stuff, baby on repeat in that order.  When I'm out antiquing I often can't commit so I just snap a photo to remember what I might want to purchase later on.  Of course, I've been bitten a few times by being indecisive and my one-of-a-kind-gotta-have-it piece is gone!  I've also noticed looking back that I should maybe be a bit bolder in my selections; I'll settle for smaller, less risky pieces and miss out on that effortless, fun style I love so much in others' homes.  Here are some pieces that didn't make it home with me. Sorry for the iPhone photo quality but that's what you get on a lazy Saturday morning post!

I still love this rug! It had such perfect navy and terra cotta colors.  I think it was the price that stopped me; someone else is loving it now (country song).

It's hard to tell from this pic (sorry) but this is a pale pink birdbath.  I adored the blush of pink and the large clam shell shape on top so much that I used to go "visit" it at least once a week.  Why didn't I buy it? Who knows.  I think fear gets in the way of some pretty fantastic decorating.  The me in a parallel universe bought this baby and put it inside somewhere with silver and pink balls inside or bath towels or anything! Sigh. 

Again, sorry for the terrible shot.  What I'm lamenting over in this photo is that beautiful marble-topped console.  It would've been so chic set up as a bar filled with different decanters, a bowl of limes, etc. I can see it now. . .

NEVER pass up a massive wing chair in perfect condition gray/green leather. K?

Not only did I miss out on this lovely wicker chair, but when I was furnishing a room with a Palm Springs vibe later on I had to kick myself again, knowing she would've been perfect.

This sweet little church pew was only $200-something and I didn't get it because of the color.  I'm not too sad about it because I wasn't in the mood for a paint-stripping job but I will say church pews are hard to come by!  Sheesh, this is getting depressing.  Let's lighten things. . .

Ok, I got you on this one.  I don't regret not buying this incomplete seven dwarves set. 

But WHY didn't I stock up on feathers and tinsel when I had the chance??? WHY????!!!!!!!

I found this chandelier at a fantastic salvage shop I love in my town.  The price was too high at the time so I don't regret not getting it.  In fact, I rarely regret not buying things that are too much.  It's way more fun to look at the pieces in my home and remember what a steal they were.  I hope this post encourages you (and me) to be less fearful in design.  If you love it and it fit's your price range, get it!  Chances are the piece will find a spot in your home and you'll love it for years to come.  Hmmm, maybe I'll do another post on the ones that didn't get away.  

How Not to Reupholster Chairs 101

Well, this post is not exactly the ta-da of achievement I was hoping for when I found these fabulous chairs ($85 for the pair) at a local furniture consignment store but I promised updates to keep me honest so here goes.  First, let's take a look at my favorite coffee mug because this is the quote I like to recite when I'm attempting to be cool (and I fail miserably).

It's Never Too Late to Become What You Might Have Been

Isn't that a lovely sentiment? Don't you think we all need to be reminded of this everyday? I did, so I painted it on a coffee cup in a pottery shop.  Now, back to the the failure-I mean chairs.  I had such high hopes when I started and it seemed like a really simple upholstery job at first.  My chairs had a wooden seat with a hole in the middle covered in a webbing fabric and then your standard foam/fabric/lots of staples combo. Simple, right? Wrong!!

Round one of removing staples, fabric, etc. went smoothly enough, although it was dusty work, but then I made some critical errors; ones YOU can avoid.  First, I did not have my work space set up properly.  I knew I should have been working at a counter or tall table to avoid fatigue and back trouble.  You'd be surprised how quickly that can maroon a project.  As you lose patience, you get sloppy.  If I had a zen Mr. Miyagi teacher this would be the waxing on and off part where I practice patience and carefulness.  Second, I thought I had gathered most of my tools but because I was eager to start this awesome transformation I neglected to purchase an electric carving knife, which I'm told is key for cutting foam.  Rest assured these tools did not make a pretty foam cut.

The final critical error was a major miscalculation in fabric cutting which resulted in my fabric pieces being too small to hold as I stapled around a thick layer of foam and batting.  See? 

I know, I know. You're impressed with my jute webbing weaving skills.  As I write this post even now I think maybe it was too late and I was too tired (having tried to attempt too many steps in one night) to appreciate the progress.  To be honest I GAVE UP. I told my husband it was not fun DIY and that I wanted them shipped off to a professional.  I very well may still have to do that (and if it's not too much $$$ why not?) but for the sake of it never being too late to become what I might have been, i.e. a patient, methodical, detail-oriented person, I am going to give this project a second go around.  Then, I promise to show a step-by step process in which I am SO dang methodical it will give Martha Stewart goosebumps.  Also, it will be 2025 but whatevs!  

By the way, how much do you love this fabric I chose? THAT was a success. It's the Togo print from Premier Prints that has been floating around the blogosphere.  

Have I lost you in all this mess? Do you pity me/feel better about your own mistakes? I hope so, and I hope you're inspired to attempt imperfection daily.  : )

Mommy Manicure

I can't wait to share the progress (or lack thereof) on my chairs but until then here's a quick home-spa remedy I love for post-DIY nail beautification. You will need:

Olive oil, sugar (NOT salt, which might sting), a nail file, the nude quick-dry nail polish of your choice (I love the Sally Hansen one seen above).

I think you can guess where I'm going with this one.  Simply make a paste out of the olive oil and sugar (after having filed your nails) and slather away.  I have used store-bought scrubs before and this really is a favorite.  I also feel I am more likely to do this because I'm always in the kitchen anyway!

Wash your hands when finished and apply your nail polish. Now, if you're anything like me and HATE chipping nail polish then the secret is to just apply one coat.  It dries better and when chips do happen they will be less obvious.  Besides, this is a quick mommy manicure; we're not trying to re-create a professional look.  We just want to make everyone else wonder how we keep it so together  (wink). 

A Fine Pair (of Chairs)

I'm going to attempt to re-upholster these lovely armchairs I got for a song last week.  Here's hoping posting about them here will keep me motivated!

Life As Is

Welcome to House As Is blog.  I started this blog as a way to record everyday life events without having to worry about perfection for the camera.  Here goes!