Inspiration Board #6

Well, it's about time to share another inspiration board with you, isn't it?! It's only been...ummm.... Let's just say it's been WAY too long! 

Ready for that design board? I'm all into spring colors. I always am this time of year. Frankly, I love them year round. So, my inspiration today is coming from this photo I took at Biltmore House when we were there last month:

"Yellow & Red Tulips"

B.E. Photography

Where does your mind go when you see that gorgeous combo of bright yellow and orange tinted red? For me, these are the images that immediately pop into my head:

sunshine,

popsicles,

fresh cut grass,

colorful flower beds,

spring showers,

energy,

life,

blue skies, 

&

bright new green leaves....

and then I ended up with this fabric being my next and main jumping off point:

Recognize this? It's the fabric I fell in love with about a month ago!

Braemore Selim Punch

Those colors and pattern just scream the need for a whimsical and fun room! I pulled together a breakfast room based off these two images. One that would be fun to sit in and energizing each morning. This was my final result, which you can also view each piece of independently on Pinterest:

Inspiration Board #6
B.E. Interiors

I started this board on March 26th and I'm just now finding time to finish it up and post it! Funny. When I started blogging it was to build my business as well as to connect with like-minded people all across the globe. Now, I've been incredibly blessed with as much work as I want to take on and struggle with finding time to blog! My, how the tables have turned. I've never felt so content in what I'm doing. I've been incredibly blessed! The best part is that it seems to be constantly evolving. 

I started out redoing pieces to sell in a consignment/antique shop. Now I'm doing mainly custom work from furniture to drapery to design consulting (which is my favorite) with custom painted furniture running a close second. I still have dreams of one day having my own fabric design label, but that would just be a big plus at this point. If I've learned anything, it's that being open to whatever the good Lord puts in front of me brings the greatest joy.... not me trying to plan out the future. He keeps bringing bigger and better stuff as time goes by and I'm constantly excited to see what's next:)

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Today's Fabric Find

I don't know about you, but I'm SOOOOO over the winter grays! Today I found a fabric that just made me happy. It completely inspired me. It's going into my house somewhere...just haven't decided where yet:)

Drapery Fabric - Lauren Hancock Selim on Cotton Fabric

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I'm so excited...

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬... and I just can't hide it ♪ ♫ ♬! I have been eyeing a fabric at Hancock's on the Red Tag shelf for a while to try for curtains in the dining room. I just haven't been happy with the lack of "umph!" in that room. It needed some drama somehow, but I wasn't quite sure how I could afford to bring it in. I get tons of ideas, but then have to toss most when it comes down to budget or what I realistically have the time to recreate.

Before I delve into that, I first want to share some photos I took two days ago. I got up extra early before the alarm went off and walked into see this out my dining room window!

"Be still...and know that I am God."
B.E. Photography

"Be still...and know that I am God." II
B.E. Photography

"Be still...and know that I am God." III
B.E. Photography

I felt such a sense of peace as I marveled at this gorgeous site. God was reminding me to not fret and worry about the events currently going on in our lives. To rest in his grace and as Psalms 46:10 states:

¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; 

   I will be exalted among the nations, 

   I will be exalted in the earth.”

Time has been super limited lately for me to work on projects, but I've been spending many blessed moments at the rehab center with my dying grandfather-in-law. No project or decorating can even hold a candle to that. I've been able to witness God working in our family lives in ways words can't describe. What a blessing!

O.k. So, about that fabric. It's been calling to me quietly every time I've walked in Hancock's lately. Finally I just decided I was going to buy some, try it and if it didn't work, take it back. My curiosity was getting the better of me. Imagine gold taffeta flocked with a large black damask pattern all over! Talk about formal! That would be why I kept hesitating. It's about as formal as you can get and has some serious body to it as well. While I was in, I also decided to get a black crinkle polyester with what I thought were olive and copper embroidered small dots all over it as a second option to try as well as some black and tan silk plaid pre-made curtains panels on the 60% rack (off already reduced prices). I'm sure those girls hate me in there because if something doesn't work, I make sure and take it back. I can't afford not to! And I never buy small amounts, either:) Actually, they know me by name and start laughing when I walk in and head straight for the cutting table! They know I'm there to have something measured to return:)

I knew this drapery fabric would go wonderful with the new foyer rug, but was just really worried about the formality. I'd take pics and pop them on here, but I'm exhausted tonight and will do that tomorrow. Long story short, I felt that wonderful feeling of "Ah Ha!" come over me as I realized I'd found the perfect fabric at a price I could afford!!!!! Not only that, but the second option coordinated so well with the drapery fabric, rug, and slipcovers, that I decided to use it to reupholster the two head chairs and the plaid on the other chairs! WOW! Suddenly, I'm feeling immensely relieved as I realize this room is finally about to be totally done. And not just in a "O.K." kind-of way, but in an "I'm so happy!" kind-of way (even though hubby doesn't much care for the chair fabric - yet!)! I'm now frantically working to finish the four remaining chairs and get final touches done to show you before Thanksgiving.  See, I went and put myself on a deadline by offering to have the huge extended family meal here on Thanksgiving day! NO PRESSURE! Secretly, though, I work best when I've got deadlines to meet. That's why I self-impose them on a regular basis.

This meal will be extra special though. God willing, my grandfather-in-law will be able to join us for one more Thanksgiving. His diagnosis came back about two weeks ago as very aggressive stage 4 lung cancer that has spread to the brain, wrapping around the spinal column and into the lymph nodes. These are hard days right now, but I'm just praying that God will allow us all to get together one more time. There are no guarantees as we're on a day to day basis, but then again, aren't we anyway all the time? Some serious thanks will be given on that day if he's able to join us as well as thanks that everyone else can be there!

I can't wait to show you the finished product! I think you're going to agree with me that it just pulls it all together. Now, to get those chairs finished up...

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Furniture Reburishing: Part I

"The Baroness" Before and After
B.E. Interiors Photography

Everyone has their own way of doing things, but I though it might be fun for you to see what goes on when I'm looking for a piece and what happens when I go through the brainstorming/design phase of recreating a piece of furniture. So many people have really seemed to like my "Baroness" armoire piece...especially the inside. I have a sneaky feeling people would love to know how in the world I come up with that kind of thing. O.k. maybe not. Maybe I'm just flattering myself, so humor me;)

The process actually begins before I even buy. In order for a piece to have potential, I'm looking for a couple of things... although I'm not actually running through a check list in my head:

1. Over-all condition. Is it in good or easily repairable shape? By that, I mean would a little screw tightening, wood putty, sanding, stain and paint save it? If not, keep walking.
2. Style. I rarely go out looking for something specific. I try to keep a finger on what appeals to people currently and if I see something with a vein of those same aesthetics (because everything recycles in style) for a good price, I grab it.
3. Solid wood. No MDF or pressboard here! It's resale value isn't going to be much if it's not solid and it's definitely not going to be worth any real work.
4. As distasteful as the subject is, these days you have to really look out for little critters on resale pieces. So, I carefully check it over with a tiny LED (bright!) flashlight I carry on my keys. Do a little research to know what you're looking for. I'll leave it at that!
5. No cigarette smoke! Zinser Bin will cover it, but it's a ton of work and reeks on the way home, leaving a horrid smell in the car. It'd have to be one heck of a beauty to make me buy it!
6. Detailing. There needs to be some kind of detail that makes it catch my attention...or if it's a minimalist piece...lack of detail which also opens doors to creativity.
7. Price. I will rarely pay more than $100 for something unless it's in fantastic shape.You have to keep your finger on what a piece will retail for and how much you've got to put into it. Will it make money or is it a piece you really love?

Once I've made up my mind to buy a piece, then the process goes into over-drive. I start thinking about the details that caught my eye.

1. Is it country, modern or elegant antique? What kind of finish would compliment that style best?
2. What element do I want to be the main feature?
3. I shop for some remnant fabric (or use some of my stash) that goes really well with the style of the piece, figure out how I'm going to use it and then draw colors from it.
4. I then decide which colors would look best with the style of the piece and where would I use each. I usually pull three colors: overall, glaze or stain, and possible accent color.

I'm going to walk you through the crazy chaotic process I call brainstorming with this recently finished piece:

My latest makeover "victim"!

When I look at this armoire, I see fairly clean lines. That means nothing flashy or too ornate will work. I've wanted to use chalk paint again and this is a great piece for that. It needs very minor repairs...just some wood filler, sanding and stain on those places to keep the base a uniform color. I don't have to strip this one if I go with an aged look.

See how the bottom of this veneer is waving and separated from the base? This needs to be fixed or it will easily catch and tear on something making for one unhappy customer...NOT what I'm after! 

I know this piece was originally bought by a man for his personal use, so it's clean lines would likely appeal to men more than some other piece (Ms. Baroness!). That means, don't get frilly. The great thing about not overly masculine pieces is that they also appeal to a lot of women, so don't go TOO masculine either.

Sometimes the initial force directing where I go with the process is just my desire to do a certain look, finish or use a certain fabric. I was wanting to do an aged driftwood-gray, antique look like these pieces:

via DecorPad

 

via interiorconnector.com



via Veranda Magazine
Driftwood gray with an antique gilded look. Hmmm. This would go nicely with the fabric below!

So, knowing that, I'm looking for a fabric that coordinates with that look. Here's what I found to use at my fabric warehouse. It's floral paisley linen. I deliberately went with a muted palette of grays, creams, browns and golds that would appeal to both sexes.

Very neutral and elegant with a hint of gold thread running through it to jazz it up some.

But, I'm not so sure. If you know me, you know I like some color and I started hunting through my stash for some other slightly more colorful option that could potentially appeal to both sexes, and I stumbled upon these. Remember my purple (or plum as I like to call it) fabric I fell in love with a couple of months ago that is so out of my normal color zone? I have both stripes and floral that coordinate... plenty of it. It is still muted, but a little more lively. Hmmmm.....which to use? Play it safe or live on the edge? Muted and elegant or fresh and casual?

The "masculine" version.

The complimentary "feminine" version.

I plan to line the drawers and the inside of the cabinet areas with fabric. People often don't go past the outside, but I always pull open drawers and doors when I'm looking to buy a piece. I want my furniture interiors to stand out and be like a jewel inside the box! That's the part that only the owner will usually see, so I want to make them smile every time they look at it.

Now that I have my fabric and I know I want that aged gray color, I decide on my paint and  finishing method. A smart person would do a test board, but I'm living dangerously and just going with my gut instinct on this one. Hopefully it will turn out like I picture it will in my head! A smart person would also perfect one method and stick with it...I always have to try something new so it's a constant learning curve:)

My paints and finishes to achieve my "weathered driftwood" look.

Last, but not least, I look for some hardware that will compliment the furniture style, paint and fabric. Sometimes I just reuse the existing pieces. On this piece, I plan to reuse the pulls, but since I'm missing a knob, replace the knobs. That means they've got to coordinate with the pulls. So, I think I'll go with these:

Exiting drawer pulls that I plan to reuse. The ribbed handle is actually shown with bottom side up here. I like that better than just the plain smooth other side...has more character. So, I'm rotating them so that the ribbed side is up.

New knobs for the doors purchased from Hobby Lobby.

Now that I've made all the decisions, it's time to pull it all together.

There you go. That's the way I work through the planning stages with a new piece. Now, sometimes surprises come up, I run out of stuff or have to change paths midstream because something just isn't "working", which is what may happen with the fabric choice here.  You've got to be flexible. If you get too set on a plan, then you are up against a wall when those issues pop up. Honestly, this is the hardest but most exciting part. I love the planning stage. It's when you're knee deep in the process that sometimes your patience can be tested. Bearing any surprises, I'll now buckle down and "git 'er dun"!

So, until tomorrow, I'll leave you to imagine what the finished armoire will look like.

p.s. Running spell check BEFORE hitting the publish button is always a good idea. Unfortunately, I am too tired tonight to use my good ideas! Oh, well. Better late than never:)

Fabric Jackpot!

via  LA  Design Concepts

Hello. My name is Miss Bee and I'm a fabric-aholic. Something about beautiful fabrics at bargin basement prices just makes my heart race! I stand there touching and gazing at the colors, textures, shimmer...I'm sick. Truely sick! And enjoying every minute of it.

God is so good! I got to my fabric warehouse this morning and was one of the first in the door (with three sleepy, dragging boys behind me) and spent less than $100. I headed straight for the remnants in the back as soon as I could get the kids past the water dispensers and bathrooms. What is it with paper cups and a WATER cooler?! UGH! I was chomping at the bit and having to beg God for patience, because I wanted to dump them all in my cart and race back there, ramming every cart in my way, before someone else could get my stash I knew was waiting on me.

And, true to my fears, I was just a second later than I wanted and a lady stood there holding a pile of that lovely script fabric I used in the liners of my sideboard redo! I debated tackling her, yelling for the boys to grab the fabric and run!!!! But, I retained my composure and instead said "If you decide you don't want that, let me know!" Then I gave her this sickening sweet smile. I have no shame, do I?!

All was not lost. I found another pile of it (14 yards in total) and quickly swooped in for the kill, then slowly sauntered around with my prize enjoying the coveting looks I got:) It pays to be early. Even the lady working that area came up and told me they'd all been laughing when they put those out that morning wondering how long it'd take for them to disappear. News flash! French Script is a HOT ITEM!

That was not my only find. I also was blessed enough to find these beautiful fabrics as well:

Ooh, so Frenchy! Scored 4 yards of this and it's heavy - outdoor quality I think.



This was just so pretty I had to get it . 6+ yards!



Found another 5 yards of this beauty.

This one I got 10 yards of last month. What would I possibly need that much fabric for (hint, hint)? Could it have something do with my current BIG project? Guess you'll just have to wait and see:)

Smokey Bear becomes The Baroness

"How YOU do'n?" (love that quote from Friends...why did that show have to end?!) I've been down under for the last few days, and no I don't mean visiting the Outback...(I wish!). I was down for the count and under the weather, wishing I was down in the bed and under the covers! But, as we Mom's all know, we have to literally be at death's door to get that! The meds the doc prescribed made me feel just a little loopy. I was afraid if I typed a post, it would have been gibberish! For example, I edited all my before pictures and now I can't find them! I have no idea where I saved them! Thankfullly I had a few elsewhere.

Anyhoo... Ready for another reveal? It's been a while, hasn't it? Remember Smokey the Bear? Yes, Old Smokey has gone through quite a transformation and become.....

The Baroness!

(Lacking smoke, that is)

Here she is, in all her glory!

Talk about a labor of love!

This was the detailing I fell in love with.

The white is Sherwin Williams "Creamy".

I had a sample pot custom matched to the tan color in the fabric, which I then mixed with glaze.



The glazing brings out the beautiful Art Deco detailing.



Like the new knobs?

I wanted to make the inside like a jewel in a box...when you opened it, you saw the real beauty!

This fabric was my inspiration and jumping off point. It was more of my remnant finds.

The inside of the drawers are painted Martha Stewart's "Tide Pool" Precious Metals. Gorgeous turquoise color!

It took me forever to finish this one. Taking on a smokey, repair needing piece isn't fast work. I've had a number of custom orders and they've keep me tied up as well. I just had to go visit Old Smokey whenever I could squeeze in a few minutes, but He has now become a SHE! What'cha think?

Just to review, I found this old chiffrobe/armoire at one of my local thrift stores. It REEKED of fire smoke. Apparently, it had been sitting in a storage unit that had caught fire. The lady checking me out thought I was crazy to take it (that's never stopped me)! I had to strip it down to the bare...and I do mean bare bones, wash it with Murphy's Oil soap multiple times, prime with Zinnser Bin (my new favorite primer) and put multiple coats of paint/glaze/fabric/wax on it, but it's now smoke free. You'd never even know it had such a rank, lowly beginning!

Smokey Bear arrives home (I had to Lysol the car big time)!

Part of me hated to paint this. I think it's walnut! But, I had to do some repair work on places making it a necessity.

The incredible amount of nastiness coming off! Can you believe how thick those layers of paint were? See the white residue? Ash!

I bet this was beautiful when new!

And, just to slow me down a LITTLE bit more, I forgot to follow my own directions to size fabric larger when lining with it! It shrank and I ended up having to find and order more. While waiting on it, I dropped some hints as to what was coming. If you want to know info I didn't include here on any of the process, let me know!

I really enjoy recreating a piece of furniture. I'm finishing up one or two more quick projects to show you (I work on multiple things at once), and then I get to start on my next big project using my fabric remnants I just found! Remember this?

Can't wait to get started using these remnants!

 I'm not trying to crank out a ton of stuff. I goal is to sell one or two BIG pieces a month with my smaller stuff down at my booth. I enjoy taking my time and making each piece a work of art.

fyi:
I have got to reduce the amount of email in my Inbox, so I'm canceling some of my blog post subscriptions. If you notice a drop in your reader number, it's not that I don't like it or am not still keeping up. I just am signing up as a follower instead so I can keep up with them in my Dashboard versus my Inbox.

Linking up to: