Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Birthday Happies and a Thrift Store Bench Makeover


Sorry for my absence...I took a couple days off for my birthday! It's always nice to have a little break from blogging, but even better to get back in the swing of things. When I'm not here, I feel like a part of me is missing...cheesy, but true!



Aren't these little nest votive holders the most adorable thing you're ever seen? My sweet friend, Nikki, gave them to me for my birthday. Although, I have to tell you her husband actually picked these out. He's pretty good...I'm totally impressed with your skills Chris!



My mom gave me these beautiful mercury glass candle sticks. They make the most gorgeous display for spring. I.am.in.love! They sparkle, they shine.....perfection. And they are just the right size to hold the nest votives. I love it when random things come together and make for a perfect vignette!


Now for the ugly duckling bench from the thrift store. My mom gave me this a while back. I was so excited to give it new life, but just didn't have anywhere to put it. So under the bathroom vanity it has sat for months and months. So sad looking with it's faded gold velvet fabric and matching hideous trim!


It definitely needed a little extra cushion on the seat, so I decided to add a piece of foam. I simply sprayed both the seat and the foam with adhesive so it wouldn't shift around while I was working.This this step is probably not necessary, but it helped me.



After I put the foam on, I cut a piece of fabric to fit the bench with enough overhang to wrap around the bottom. Maybe 3 inches all around. You can trim the excess off when you're done stapling. Question....I thought I wanted to keep the iron legs this dark color, but now I'm thinking I should paint them white to match the headboard. What do you think???



I am sooooooo not an expert when it comes to upholstering. I pretty much wing it every time and never remember how I did it the last time. Alot of wrapping and folding and rewrapping and refolding and then eventually I'll get it right. Sorry for the sad little tutorial...it really doesn't even qualify as such!


I used the same fabric from this headboard I did a while back....remember the one I found on the side of the road? This is for my girls' room that one day will hopefully all come together. We are in the process of moving the crib out and getting a bigger mattress so that they can share a bed. Risky business with a 2 and 4 year old...but it's worth a try! They have zero room to play in there with all the furniture, so downsizing is necessary. And I can't wait for it to look like a real little girls room, not a nursery/playroom.



And just because I cannot get enough of these little cuties.....a close up shot. They are stinkin adorable and I want 287 more of them! Have any of you started decorating for spring yet or am I the only crazy one getting out all the eggs and nests in 30 degree weather?
Linked to Trash to Treasure Tuesday at Reinvented.


26 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

You know what, I think it would look better with the legs white. Especially if this bench does wind up in your girls' room {with the matching headboard}. Love your votive nests! Hope you had a Happy Birthday!

Unknown said...

hELLO aMAndA~

Love the speckled egg rings... darling.. Lots of bloggy friends are asking if we/us have decorated for Easter/Spring? I guess we are all anxious. I bought a few new things, and too am ready to decorate for Easter.

LOVE THE BENCH, and how cute to cordinate with the headboard, I would paint the rod iron white, like you mentioned. Great job. P.S. I just got a new (used) hutch from an antique store that I have decked out, come check it out on LarsenLoves, when you can. Hugs, Jenn

Kristina P. said...

I LOVE the votive holders!

Angie Holden said...

Gorgeous bday gifts!! You are one lucky girl!
And the bench -- gorgeous!!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Happy Belated birthday chickey! And wowzers, those candle rings are CAUTE! I'm so loving the mercury glass candle sticks too. You got a good haul! :)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday girl!! LOOOOOVE your presents, the nests, the eggs, the mercury glass, oh my! I have to say I haven't thought about spring decor, but there hasn't been much "spring" to inspire me around here. Love the bench too, and yes, if it were me, I'd paint the base white.

Unknown said...

I love the votive holders. They are darling! When you said you were painting the bench I thought "Oh no!" But then I scrolled down and saw the headboard and I see why you would now.
Happy belated B-day!
Brooke

southerninspiration said...

Wherever did Chris find those adorable little votives??? And I LOVE the mercury glass candlesticks!
one more thing....the bench is adorable and yes, I would paint it white, too.....I think a little ruffle around the bottom of the seat would be cute...about 1.5 inches long or so....just small.

Suzanne

Victoria Hayden said...

The bench turned out super cute! Happy Birthday to you!!! I hope it was a great day! Loving the pretty mercury glass candle holders and eggs! I am having my 1st blogaversary today...come see what I am giving away. :)

Hugs and love,
Victoria

Tammy @ tinselshop.com said...

Those votives are SO STINKIN' CUTE! I totally love how they look on your new candlesticks. I have been putting Easter out a little at a time, I am in the mood and I just LOVE bunnies, and chicks, and eggs...

Tne bench looks really cute too, I can't wait to see there finished room!

Best wishes,
Tammy

hannahshirley said...

i vote yes on painting the bench white! Where'd you get the cute fabric? Are the girls going to sleep on a full bed?

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

I agree with many others...WHITE!! bench is adorable - so is headboard - great job

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

I say white legs too. I love that fabric. And the egg votives look fab nestled in the mercury glass. Cute!

Ramona said...

the bench turned out great! but i have to agree - white would look fabulous!

Jeanette said...

looks great. you always do such cute things

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Love your new-old bench!! :) I think it looks great. I say more power to ya if you can get them to share a bed. Mine will hopefully be sharing a room in the next year. We have bunk beds on layaway for when the little one is ready to get out of her crib. Soon I hope! ;)

Heather Henderson said...

i love those votives too!! and the paisley fabric is so cute!

Amy said...

Those eggs are darling!

The bench is so cute too--I'd definitely go white on the legs.

Vonda said...

WHITE...

Infarrantly Creative said...

Don't forget to add this to the Roadkill Rescue party on Thursday.

Richella Parham said...

What darling votive holders! I hope you birthday was absolutely wonderful. If I may be so bold as to ask: what's the actual date?

Your bench is going to be so cute in the girls' room. I would paint it white for that room. If you ever decide to use it somewhere else, you can always paint the legs another color. Isn't it fun that spray paint makes us so versatile?!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Happy Birthday Amanda!!! I hope you had a wonderful day!

Love those Easter candlesticks - what a cute idea! And your bench looks amazing!!!

XOXO
Jen

Anonymous said...

Wow, the candlesticks are beautiful as well and the bench makeover.

Unknown said...

Just found your blog today, Love the headboard! I have a 6 year old and a 4 year old that share a bed and it works great. They each have there own rooms but my 6 year old, always wants to sleep with sissy! Hope it works with your girls>

Pam Walter said...

The bench may have been an ugly duckling,but you made it into a swan! www.satisfiedsole.com

Jonathan Gill said...

So I have stumbled upon your blog while trying to research mercury glass lamps. I have an original antique mercury glass lamp that I am going to sell on Ebay in a week. I am trying to get information on it. I know that it is old and that it used to be an oil lamp, but it has been converted to an electrical lamp.

Anyway, here are some pics of the lamp on tiny pic...

http://tinypic.com/m/99knko/1

http://tinypic.com/m/99knpl/1

http://tinypic.com/m/99mjk6/1

If you or anyone else has any information or are interested please let me know!

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