INDUSTRIAL ROLLING CART

I love the industrial, rustic, exposed hardware look that is starting to appear all over the design world. So, when I started to see these awesome old-school, rolling furniture carts doubling as coffee tables, I knew I wanted one. You have probably seen them going for top dollar at shops like:

Restoration Hardware: $895-$1295 [here]

Wisteria: $579 [here]

And while shopping in Auburn I stumbled upon these beauties at Ressurect Antiques:

I was bound and determined to get one for Melrose! I showed my Dad these pictures and he had an even better idea - refinish one ourselves. I am all for the cheaper option so when he said he found one I was beyond giddy.


She was an ugly duckling at first, but quickly grew into a beautiful swan! 

This cart is newer than the others - the tires are rubber rather than the chunky, metal ones and the frame is thinner, but these issues didn't deter us. The idea was to spray paint the frame (all the red) black, add a new board on top, remove any nails or staples, and sand the top.

[please excuse the rooster and hens - Bob wanted his moment to shine]

We then decided to stain the new board with a mix of walnut and red oak to try to distress it to blend in with the older boards.

But, then it looked too different so we decided to stain the others boards as well.

Looks pretty good at this point except for the "Br Hu" on top. We sanded the top some more to remove the white letters and then did several more coats of stain to keep blending the boards together.

I have to say, I am more than happy with it and getting it for free makes it even better. Thanks Dad for all your help! It fits in perfect with my style and you don't even need coasters! 

The Den is coming along quite nicely and I am trying to get in one last piece before I post pictures. I am off Friday for Good Friday so I hope to get A LOT accomplished - wish me luck!

FIREPLACE INSPIRATION

Melrose has a fireplace. A real, wood burning fireplace in the den and I am stoked. Well, I guess we won't use it 'til the winter, but that is fine because fireplaces also double as a great decorating nooks. I love how designers, and aspiring interior decorators, are using firewood as an accessory. I immediately started collecting pictures for my own fireplace inspiration and these are my favs:



LOVE the stacked firewood on top of the grate. So messy and casually thrown in there. [habitually chic]

This is how I will accessorize my fireplace until I purchase a grate like the picture above. [nest egg]

[unknown]

Love the woven basket - good for storing extra firewood. [unknown]

[unknown]

A good friend brought me a bundle of firewood today to decorate so I hope to have pictures up soon. I was concerned about getting firewood now that the weather has warmed up, but leave it to a girl from Chelsie, Alabama to know where to find some. Thanks Janie - especially for picking out the pretty pieces for me!

RECENT INVITATION DESIGN

Last week I designed and printed these invitations for a friend who is hosting a bachelorette weekend. It is pretty simple, but they turned out super cute and preppy. My friend was having a hard time finding a beach themed, classy invite without bras, panties, or leopard print pasted all over them. She mailed them in narrow pink envelopes and sealed the flap with a label of the palm tree emblem.

Thanks Dana for the design opportunity and I know Lizzie will love them!

FRAMED PRINTS

I (well, Brandon) hung a collection of botanical sea life prints yesterday at Melrose and they look fantastic. She now has 12, 14" square frames of coral reefs and such that hang above the sofa. I have been collecting inspiration images of hanging prints ever since I bought a set on One Kings Lane. Before I do a B&A post of them, here are some of my favorite rooms with prints.

[brabourne farm]

[unknown]

[unknown]

[beautiful things to share]

I really like these small framed prints above the bed. Just enough to add interest to the bare wall and loads of white (which I love). [nest egg]


The den is almost done so be on the lookout for a new B&A post coming soon! In the meantime, I will share other inspiration topics that make an appearance in the den and a DIY project my Dad and I did.  

ETHEREDGE ADOPTION BENEFIT

I wanted to take a moment to direct your attention to the Etheredge Adoption Benefit. My good friend (and co-worker), Brandi, and her husband are in the process of adopting two beautiful girls and I just constantly stand in awe of their passion. I truly admire their leap in faith to pursue this calling from God. I can't wait to meet the girls!

DESCRIPTION FROM FB PAGE/BLOG:

God calls us to love the widows and orphans, and as members of the Body of Christ, it is our privilege to honor and support those who take up this banner.

The Etheredge Adoption Benefit is our attempt to do just that. Brandi and Shane Etheredge have felt God calling them to adopt internationally for years, and now, the timing is right. The process to adopt S & M has begun.

We would love for you to join us on March 28th at the Cates House in Birmingham for a silent auction and sit-down dinner as we honor the Etheredges and help them make God's calling in their life a reality.

Tickets are going fast and space is limited. So, hurry and purchase today. Visit adoptionbenefit.blogspot.com for more info, to purchase tickets, or to donate!

The benefit dinner is having a live and silent auction and I am donating a few things. I have two paintings I am putting in the auction + 2 gift certificates for customized invitations and customized thank you cards. Here is a sneak peek of one of my paintings:

(sorry for the bad resolution - the picture is from my phone)

P.S. I also volunteered to design this email (pictured above) and the blog header.