Coke Crates and Carnations

Ever since I glimpsed a look at the beautiful Pottery Barn Carnation Flag, I knew I wanted to make it. Nico De Swert accounts a fine way to create a centerpiece using fresh flowers, and even has a video. In the video, Nico demonstrates using four vintage soda crates, but it looks to me, and I may be wrong, but what is photographed on the stunning Summer Barbecue table scape is a single soda crate, so that is what I focused on. I was on the hunt for vintage crates and I knew right where to go. My local antique shop! I found the perfect one, worn but not abused, vintage but not flimsy, coke but not Pepsi, I'm a coca-cola girl! :) Somewhat local too, I love visiting Arkansas!Love the patina!

Based on the papers that lined the bottom, that I took out to do this project, dates back to 1963. I did splurge a little, this set me back $10.00.

I filled it with dry foam. I did not glue or even wire, I just used some small pieces of foam to wedge on the ends.
I cut the carnations pretty short and started the stripes first, this went really fast! When doing a low arrangement like this, don't waste your moss, you won't even see it.


I had found some navy colored carnations, but could not find any more. Guess what I did? That's right, I spray painted additional cream colored carnations navy. Now this is a common practice for designers, but I didn't have Design Master spray paint (paint made for silk flowers) on hand, but I used some Krylon Global Blue and they seem to turn out ok. However. it wasn't quite blue enough and certainly didn't jive with the existing blue carnations, so I whipped out the acrylic paint, true navy, and went to town hand painting my carnations! I think it turned out great! A little time consuming, but it had to be done!

Shhhh.....don't tell anyone I painted them! :)

Now for the stars, I just punched them out of card stock, used a teeny tiny drop of glue and randomly placed them.

You might remember my carnation ball that I made back in February

I picked up some fun placemats at Dollar Tree, you'll be seeing them featured before long!


Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you're inspired! Thanks to Pottery Barn for the inspiration!

Pottery Barn Lamp

I think I have a problem. I love lamps. Not just lamps, but anything in the lighting realm. Lamps/chandeliers/pendants are right up there with shoes/scarfs/purses {etc.} for me....

The other problem is; I don't like to spend a lot of money on them. So when I'm out thrifting, I always look at lamps. So when I spy a guy like this...he usually comes home with me. I really liked the shape of this guy. The shape:yes, the brass: no. {Sorry brass lovers !} I know that this can easily be altered with a little spray paint. or. something.

Look at the pearl detail around it! Nice!Whilst contemplating what finish I would do, I came across this picture! I nearly crapped my pants!!!

I can do that!! See!?!:I had just perfected the technique for the ball finial and I could do the same thing on the ugly {sorry} brass lamp!!! I was elated!! That's a little dramatic, but I was really, really happy...

I got to work!

NOTE: Please take my advice and use metal primer (especially you, Connie) when working with metal. It will provide a nice tooth for any technique you plan to do. Here is what I use:

My new found love lamp didn't come with a shade, which is probably a good thing....but I saw that Walmart is carrying some fairly decent looking shades. I was really glad too because the drum shades I had researched on the web were running an upwards of 30$ and my lamp budget is pretty thin, I mean I had to fork out 8 bucks for the lamp already, there was no room for a 30$ shade, I might as well buy the lamp at Pottery Barn! It's ok, crisis's averted: This lovely drum shade was just under 15$.

I love the name of the color: Fresh Ivory. It's got a nice glow when it's on too.

This project didn't take me long, but I didn't do it all at once. I squeezed working on it between life, if you know what I mean. I am very pleased with the results!

The Before and After

Even though it's still freezing cold, spring colors have been creeping out all around {the house, that is}...Spring will be here soon!

No brass lamp is safe from me...

If you would like to read about this lamp re-do click here

On deck next, I found the twins just today! They are for my bedroom...I've got to think about how I want them!! The shape is outstanding! Stay tuned!

Yhanks for stopping by! I hope you're inspired!

Pottery Barn Inspiration

I am always inspired by Pottery Barn, I think a lot of us are, and why not? They have expert stylists, endless props and merchandise, and super photography. What's not to love?
Ummm...the prices.
So instead of hoping and dreaming that the Pottery Barn Fairy would bestow endless wishes on me....I got to work.

Inspiration #1
Enter ball finial. I have seen this recreated a time or two already and I really do love it. The weathered finish, slightly shabby yet classic look. I'm going to give it a try-I can do this!

Fortunately, I was able to purchase a concrete ball finial, that looks nearly like it, except for the base...something I could live with.

BEFORE

AFTER

I was really excited about the finished product, and the Pottery Barn Fairy is mad because it turned out so well. She's sulking in the corner...

Inspiration #2

Enter Boxwood Wreath. This is a loverly picture from PB website but I was initially inspired when I was leafing through the catalog....

For the Christmas season I loved this boxwood wreath and the clocks hanging from the center...very inspiring.

Of course Pottery Barns Version is fresh boxwood, but I made mine from artificial boxwood. I really loved it during Christmas.

I didn't hang clocks, but a monogram for my last name that I made from a vintage book page and a tag....I actually haven't taken it down, it hangs right inside the front door. Boxwood isn't too seasonal for me.

BEFORE

So then I decided that if I was going to leave it up all the time, I should give it a little Valentine's Day Trimming!
AFTER

The Pottery Barn Fairy is really mad now!

Inspiration #3

Enter chalkboard platter. I don't really care for the rectangle version, but I really admired the oval one. With a Dollar Tree platter and a steady hand, I was able to recreate the look .

Here is the

AFTER

The Pottery Barn Fairy distracted me and I forgot to take a picture of the platter before I poured on the paint. She was trying to woo me with those beautiful bird plates...have you seen those? They are fantastic!

I think you can visualize the before....it was a white platter...:)


Well, that's it for now, I'm sure that Pottery Barn will continue to inspire me, time and time again!

OK Pottery Barn Fairy, just to make you happy, I'll go look at the clearance section!

But first, I'm going to visit Gina, Kim, Cindy and Becca and all the great ideas at

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you're inspired!