DIY

The Rescued TV Console

11.06.13

There’s a game I like to play. I call it Musical Trash Finds.

It goes like this:

  • Find a piece of abandoned furniture on the curb. Ask boyfriend to help me carry it into the house.
  • Find a better piece of abandoned furniture on the curb. Ask boyfriend to help me swap the two.
  • Repeat.

It’s a fabulously cheap method of decorating. Bonus: I’m rescuing items from the landfill.

Since I am a puny small gal with jelly arms, this game only requires a judicious eye and the ability to delegate the task of lifting. To Alan. Alan does not enjoy Musical Trash Finds as much as I do. But I do the cooking, so it’s a fair exchange.

My latest icky trash haul rescued furniture piece is a TV console I found on a humid evening stroll in August. Alan helped me shove it into the Jetta and lug it back to our garage, where I’ve been slowly slowly agonizing over it meticulously restoring it at exactly the pace I intended. Ta-da!

Rescued TV Console || Jade and Fern

You have to see the before for maximum “oooo!” impact:

Rescued TV Console || Jade and Fern

Yup, I’m in love. Unlike our last TV console, which you can see in my Lavender Living Room, it has shelves! And doors! And cute little inset handles which were just begging to be painted brassy gold!

Rescued TV Console || Jade and Fern

Rescued TV Console || Jade and Fern

Because Wally is convinced that all new pieces of furniture belong to him and him alone, he monitored my photoshoot to make sure I didn’t mistakenly think the console was mine. Cats.

The colors are Casa Blanca and India Ink, both in Ace Hardware’s Clark & Kensington line. But oh my god, you guys, primer is so not a joke. Despite thoroughly sanding and using paint and primer in one, that white just would. not. cover. I kept thinking the next coat would be the last, until I finally surrendered after 6 or so coats, bought a separate white primer, and started over. Sometimes you have to learn by doing.

Taping the stripe and triangle detail on the handles nearly killed me. Look at this mess:

Rescued TV Console || Jade and Fern

But the teeny strips of tape and extra bit of work paid off. The doors needed just a smidge more personality, and the result makes my heart go pitter-patter. The gold is Rustoleum Specialty Metallic spray paint in gold. It’s the best.

Rescued TV Console || Jade and Fern

It’s not the world’s greatest paint job, but I’m happy with it. Here’s one more glimpse:

Rescued TV Console || Jade and Fern

What do you think of my rescued TV console? Do you play Musical Trash Finds too? What’s your best curbside loot?

Inspiration

Make It Friday: November at Last

11.01.13

Make It Friday || DIY Roundup via Jade and Fern

Almost Makes Perfect clock || Ikea Hackers lamp || Yes Missy bracelet

A Beautiful Mess blanket || Making Nice in the Midwest cabinet

Holy crap, I have never been happier to see a month go by. Halloween was my first “real” holiday as a “real” blogger and I just did not find a balance of themed vs. regular posts that worked for me. Onwards to Thanksgiving! Maybe I’ll get it right in November.

Today I’m off to Vermont for a few days to visit my dear friend Rosie of Rosie’s Wonders. What are you all doing? Any good plans and/or projects?

Read Watch Listen

Don’t Watch This

10.31.13

Remember when I said people like me need to take it slow with horror movies?

I should learn to follow my own rules.

My friend Clay had to escort me to the bathroom and prove to me there was no demon lady behind the shower curtain after watching The Conjuring last night. From now on, I’m sticking to Hocus Pocus.

Hope your Halloween is just as scary—or not—as you want it to be!

Inspiration

Make It Friday: Inspiration Needed

10.25.13

Make It Friday || DIY Roundup via Jade and Fern

Were you expecting another Halloween post? That’s too bad. I got a little over-saturated in Halloween stuff and needed some new inspiration. So deal.

» I’m digging this gold and wood platter by A Daily Something. All you need is tape & paint, my absolute favorite DIY supplies.

» This photo transfer on wood is just lovely. It helps that it’s such a peaceful landscape, too. On Free People Blog (yes, the clothing company!).

» Lucite + brass is a powerful combination. I can’t wait to whip up these lucite bookends by House of Earnest. So classy.

» Oh look—more gold! Monograms aren’t really my thing, but I love this technique for decorating a gold dot mug. Check out the tutorial on The Sweet Escape. (Also the name of my favorite Pinterest board).

» My jewelry weakness is earrings–I can’t. resist. them. These embroidery-wrapped hoops by Creature Comforts are soooo calling my name.

» This tutorial for paper dahlias by Fräulein Klein is in German, but Google Translate can help you with that. Make them in black for some macabre Halloween decorations. There, I got a little themey in the post after all.

Will you be making anything this weekend? I have some projects up my sleeve that I’m trying to finish up amidst the bustling fall season parties. But my biggest plan this weekend is gorging myself silly at the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival. What about you?

Happy weekend, all!

Read Watch Listen

Not-too-Scary Halloween Movies

10.23.13

It’s no secret that I am a WIMP when it comes to horror movies. Actually, when it comes to most things. I have an over-developed startle response, and am not completely convinced that I am safe from shark attacks in swimming pools. Horror movies are generally not a good idea for a gal who screams when someone taps her on the shoulder.

But Alan has been training me. This month I’ve already survived The Omen, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Rosemary’s Baby! I know, pitiful, right? Laugh all you want, sitting through these films was a mega victory for me. I am toughening up, guys.

This post is for those of you who are chickens too. We need to take little steps on the road to Horror movies with a capital H. Here are a few JV Halloweenish movies that won’t leave you (ok, ME) cowering under the covers.

Not-too-scary Movies to Watch on Halloween || Jade and Fern

Rosemary’s Baby. Wowowow. This film is awesome. Creepy without being terrifying, it’s the story of a young couple trying to get pregnant and get ahead in the shadow of their new, overbearing neighbors. Definitely a must-see.

Ghostbusters. Ok, obviously not scary at all. But it’s such a great movie to watch in October, don’t you think?

Psycho. The classic mystery slasher. Psychological thrillers are much easier for me to stomach, and the black-and-white takes a bit of the edge off.

Sleepy Hollow. Johnny Depp + Christina Ricci + vintage Tim Burton + stunning cinematography + killer costumes. Just watch it, it’s fab.

The Exorcist. I realize “not-too-scary” is debatable here, but strangely enough, pseudo religious demonic possession stories have never bothered me. Of course, I haven’t seen the uncut version, which I hear sent people in the audience running for the exit.

Invasion of the Bodysnatchers. This 1978 version with Donald Sutherland and Jeff Goldblum is phenomenal. There’s a few jumpy moments, but mostly it rides on a subtle skin-crawling vibe.

Your turn: What movies do you love to watch during Halloween season? Are you a wimp or a champ?