ESTATE SALE DESK FOR $48.75

   My girls have had almost 4 weeks of school behind them and now the holiday that used to officially start the school year is upon us--Labor Day.  I wanted to finish up the summer season of posts with a cute story of one of our hunts this past summer.

Having just returned from a trip out to Kansas, my youngest daughter begged me to take her to an estate sale.  "I haven't been to one sale all summer!"  She is so funny.  She is the daughter that keeps mental detailed notes about what all her family and friends like and dislike in regards to potential presents.  She scours the sales looking for jewelry and especially vintage books for me.

 

Which brings me to the posting today.  I had been on the hunt for a desk for Mr. Thrifty.  When doing his office two years ago, I used an old kitchen table as a writing surface for him.  It didn't take long for him to realize that the height of the table was not comfortable for using his laptop.  It was too tall.

 When we first entered the estate sale house, I told my daughter to only look for a desk right off the bat.(There were 4 at this sale.)  We could always go the second round to find smaller items.  The bigger items tend to move faster at the beginning of a sale.

Up the tri-level stairs and lo and behold, there was a desk in the first room.  The top of the desk was covered with displaced items from other shoppers.

This desk cost $65.00.  Since it was Friday, the second day of the sale, the price was down 25% off which brought the price down to $48.75.  You can't beat this deal!  With a price like that, it was an easy choice-- go for it!

I was very excited to see that the front of the desk was finished, as many are not.  I would be able to set the desk in the middle of the room instead of having to place it against the wall.  Since the placement of the completed office had this design, I was fixated on finding such a desk.(Sorry for the poor picture quality.  This was on my cell phone.)

The side had clean lines and added trim work.

I was thrilled to find a desk that might have not been an antique, but was solid wood.
Along with this, the added characteristics made an impression, such as the middle drawer....

the two pull out writing surfaces ....

and the upright file drawer.

Isn't she a beauty!

The top of the desk had some scratches, but nothing that  200 grit sandpaper couldn't get out.

The handles are original.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the hardware yet.

 Now the decision comes.  Do I repaint the entire piece, just the bottom or refinish the whole desk?

 What do you think would look best?  Stay tuned and find out. 



SPRAY PAINTING METAL PATIO FURNITURE

 With this being the end of summer, here is a project that you can do in the fall and come spring you will be ready for those parties!

 

While living in Little Rock 5 years ago, I decided to spray paint our patio furniture to freshen up the back patio before putting the house on the market.

 

 

I chose glossy black to go with the new chair cushions.

 

 

Cut to the present and table and chairs had faded in the sun.  Notice the original dark green paint showing through the lip on the table.

 

 

Using a newer product,

 

 

 I again made up my paint tent in the corner of the back yard.  In under 6 hours which included 1 hour drying time on each side, the entire table and 4 chairs were repainted.  This time, the product I used was much better at coverage and had very little overspray and spitting as normally happens when you spray paint a project.


Look at the results.

Not bad for a day's worth of effort.


FRONT PORCH CHRISTMAS WELCOME 2

Here is the 2nd Christmas porch posting.  I will hold off until November to show you more of this year's Christmas ideas.

 

In our neighborhood like most, twinkling and colorful lights hang from most eaves.  It is a beautiful sight!  However, we don't have the typical display out front.  I think sometimes the girls wish that we could be like all the other households--maybe next year.

For the past few years, I  have assembled a grouping of winter accessories to portray our winter scenery.


As a base, I drag out one of my most favorite collectibles from my grandparents--Grandpa's tool box.  In this box, he laid his enormous wrenches.

 Then I added Grandma's granite white and red dish pan that she used for soaking clothes or washing dishes in the basement.  Look at the dents or 'scars' as I call them.  I think they add so much character.

                                                                    
         Inside of this stands the very primitive Christmas tree strung with colored mini lights.

                                                                               
Wrapped around the trunk of the tree is a sateen red and green Christmas plaid tablecloth.

Propped behind the tree stands a set of vintage dark green shutters, picked up on a hunt years ago.  I connected them together at an angle using green floral wire so they will be somewhat stable

On one side, I hang the ecru metal mittens and the other, a metal flower pocket that holds evergreens and red berries. 

                                                                        

                                                                       
                           At the base of the tree, I casually place a set of vintage white skates.

                                                                            
I had a hard time getting my camera to take a good night picture with the lights on.  For now, I will have to settle for a daytime view.

                                                                  
 
                            Once all this is in place, a spotlight is placed about 10 feet away.

                                                                             

                                                                                    
                                       It is a unique but very homey look to the front porch.

FRONT PORCH CHRISTMAS WELCOME I

I know it's too soon to think about decorating for Christmas, but I wanted to get those creative juices flowing.  The next two posts will reveal past porches that I have staged.

 

 



Who says you can't use a birdbath in the winter time?

 

 

While in DC, the bird bath came in handy on my front porch.  A lovely shabby wooden flower box was set upon the bath.  Along with a vintage shutter, a Christmas tree decorated with fabric covered spools set in Grandma's granite pot filled with faux berry stems and tin snow mittens with a pair of vintage ice skates completes the vignette.

The front porch scene gives the house a very cozy, homey Christmas feel.

 

UPCYCLED CHAISE LOUNGE NUMBER 2

 

 

I am sad to say that our summer here in Alabama is over since the girls went back to school on the 5th.  I know this is earlier then some areas of the country.  Now I can forge ahead and get started on the many projects piled up in my garage.

 

 

Arriving at an estate sale last spring, I came upon this tattered, worn chaise lounge.  I already had one chaise up-cycled in our home.  When I spied this piece, I knew that I had to buy it for my other daughter.  The girls love to sit in the finished one.  It was priced at $75.00 but everything was 50% off, so I actually paid $37.50.  Another deal that I couldn't pass up.

 

It looked like this originally.

 

 

Taking the slipcover off, it was in this condition.

 

The first step was to take the skirt off.  Using a screwdriver, hammer and pliers, I took out all the staples.

 

This tedious job took about 2 hours.

 





The lounge already looks so much better.

Now it was time to steam clean the upholstery fabric.  Once cleaned, I set it out in the sun to fully dry it.

 

Until I could purchase some fabric, the chaise would reside up in the rec room upstairs.  I would again want to have this piece slip covered.  I will go search for fabric and find a person to slipcover the piece.  I'll let you know when it is complete.

 



TUCK U INN AT GLICK MANSION

Summer traveling is a treat for anyone.  I wanted to share an experience that the girls, my sister and I had this summer.

Atchison, Kansas, is a small town nestled on the bluff of the Missouri River.  It is also the birthplace of Amelia Earhart.  In earlier days, boat captains and railway tycoons built elegant homes on this charming bluff.

Located here is Benedictine College.  My oldest daughter wanted to visit the campus that she had heard so many wonderful stories about.

Visiting Atchison brought us to this delightful bed and breakfast.  Five years ago on a Sister's Weekend, my sisters, Mom, and  I stayed at this quaint inn.  I had to bring my daughters back to stay at this gorgeous bed and breakfast.

Welcome to the Tuck U Inn at Glick Mansion. 

 

 

The Glick Mansion and grounds came together under one ownership over a period of 39 years. George Glick who was responsible for the construction of the home, moved from Fremont County Ohio to Atchison, Kansas in the spring of 1859 with his wife Lizzie Ryder Glick, son Frederick H., and daughter Jennie. George established a law practice in partnership with the Honorable Judge Alfred G. Otis in Atchison under the firm name "Otis & Glick". The Victorian Mansion was erected after Mr. Glick purchased lots number 6 and 7 in April 1873 for 950.00 and razed the existing structure. His wife Lizzie purchased the northerly adjoining lots 4 and 5 in July 1879, and judging by the purchase price of $1,000 dollars these lots also had a structure on them that was razed. Mr. Glick became active in farming and stock raising in 1874, his 600 acre "Shannon Hill" farm was well known in eastern Kansas. Mr. Glick was elected to the Kansas Legislature in 1862 and served 14 of the next 18 years in that post. Mr. Glick remained active in the political arena and was elected as Governor of Kansas in 1882 serving one term. (Taken from the Internet)

 

 

 We were welcomed by our gracious hosts and current owners, Loman and Christine in  the library. After a brief tour, we arrived at our room, Lizzy's Attic.  What a charming room up on the third floor!  There are also 4 other rooms in this establishment, one as beautiful as the next. Check the website out: www.glickmansion.com. 

 

Our hosts attention to detail is noted.  Notice the crystal knife rest and individual creamer.





This particular morning, we enjoyed Christine's Quiche, Montreal Hash Browns and Blueberry Blankets.  Not only did it look beautiful, it was delicious as well.

 

 The Inn has many gorgeous rooms in which to lounge and eat your breakfast.  This picture is taken from the sun room(where we ate) into the music room.  You might be fortunate enough to hear Christine play a song for you on the piano.

 



Another table is set here for breakfast in the front parlor.



 

The Front Hall

 

 Dining Room

 

The screened in porch.

 

A view from the screen porch to the outside .

 

 

Front Entrance

 

 

Charming details are everywhere.

 



 

Another fun activity in Atchison is visiting the Historic Railway Station.  Here is a display featuring the Tuck U Inn with Halloween decorations. 

 

 We took the Atchison Trolley 1 hour tour around  town.  We learned a lot about the early days of Atchison.

 

 

Visiting here in the fall is also a treat at the mansion.  Loman has an extensive amount of Halloween decorations to transform the Inn into a haunted mansion.

 

While in downtown Atchison, don't forget to visit Nell Hill's, an incredible home store full of fantastic displays and great home accents.

 

 

(Image from Nell Hill's website)

 

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of your busy life and step back in time, pick a date and head for the Tuck U Inn at Glick Mansion.  I guarantee that you will enjoy the  fine comfort and delicious breakfast fit for royalty at the Inn.