Cannonball Headboard Makeover

I have a very dated pine Colonial headboard. It didn't go well with my Southwestern bedroom set so a makeover was in order.

The headboard before shown is a perfect sample of what mine did look like before revamping it. (I can't locate my actual before photo) The style is quite similar, with the center boards and frame work, the cannonball posts, and the spindle inserts. 

The original finish was a very dark stain. Some of it is apparent with the old dents and scratches that I left behind for a rustic look.  (This piece was a used swap deal and the scratches were free)  Stripping and sanding took it down to the bare wood. Leaving the natural wood colors as is, I gave it a couple of coats of varnish, sanding in between each coat. 

I cut away the colonial spindles that were inserted on both sides, giving it a whole new look with open spaces. 

Then painted the bedposts on the top and in the middle portions a black gloss enamel.  It certainly is much nicer  looking than the old dark stained bed setting. The black goes with my wrought iron accents in the room.

Iron Baker's Rack from Ugh to Ah

I have this old iron Baker's Rack that I have had a love hate relationship with for over 16 years. Loved it for the microwave way back when and also hated it because of the shelving.

The one wooden shelf was fine, but the other wire shelves were a struggle. Cookbooks fell through, small objects would wobble and anything with legs or feet just wouldn't sit on it. I considered giving up and tossing the whole thing out. After some thought maybe new wood shelving could be more suitable.  BUT, I do like tile and this was not a work-space, only storage or display. So there ended my wire shelf dilemma:

Before and After 

Not so friendly wire shelving

Some boards cut to fit, with some new tiles and left overs from the kitchen tile job, some glue, left over grout, and polyurethane. 

Two top shelves 

Two bottom shelves 

A little black enamel paint all around the edges of the boards to blend in with the black iron

Usable shelves.

1. Measure shelving areas

2. Cut plywood or particle board for each shelf

3. Layout tile design

4. Glue the tiles to the board/shelves

5. Grout

6. Clean well from grouting material

7. Paint all edges of the boards to conceal 

8. Polyurethane surfaces for easy wiping and dusting

9. Slide into place

Plastic Bag Storage

You get those bags from shopping... and you keep them to reuse them. What do you do with them? I always stuff them under the kitchen and bathroom sinks. I started by using one of the bags to put all of the bags in. Yes, I know, really unorganized. So I tried a jar, eh, took too much room and still lifted when I pulled one out. Then I tried one of those hanging type in the broom closet. Nah, too light and fought with it. Then there was this:  

Pretty darn handy!  A heavy ceramic tissue box holder. This is homed under the kitchen sink.



Wha-la~ (Angels singing.)  Heavy ceramic tissue boxes!
I have one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom just for reusing plastic bags.

You can buy new to suit your taste or recycle your own. I got both at a thrift shop for $3 a piece because I couldn't part with the bathroom one I already had.  Just stuff your bags in and take one when you need it.

This idea can be used for any room where you reuse the bags, even in the car trunk, office, craft room, and garage. And you can personalize them with paint and decorate them!  

Reusing these bags in the bathroom trash basket is a must. So here is the bathroom plastic bag recycle bin living in the basin cabinet. Life got easier.




 

Backyard and Pond Project

I built this pond strategically to adjoin our concrete patio. It's large and deep enough to keep the natural habitat content.  Rather than the typical round or oval shape I went with triangular to make the waterfall appear as the focal point.

GFI power receptacle  is located next to the pond  to accommodate one pump, one filtered fountain and the water flowing birdbath in the far back. You can't see the power source because the "Stella O'Day" lilies are hiding it.  I use solar lights  taped to small plant poles with hooks staked in the ground on each side of the pond. I also have one behind the waterfalls.

Anyone who has built a pond may tell you they have most likely changed it a few times before it finally gets to where they want it or it looks best.  I've changed this little pond three times before I finally set the sides with concrete and stone. 

"Friends" often live here. These two look like they are saying... "I'm just like you!" or... "on your mark, get set..."

Some a little noisy, but cute.

As you can see, the pond adds a great feature to the right side of the deck and patio area. Here's a view from the high top table with concrete counter I built.  I'll take you on the tour of this back yard project  with more photos and details as soon as I take them. I revamped or built everything here.  

Even the fire pit has been put together and moved several times until I decided the furthest corner was best for it. Then I started pouring the concrete patio... by hand with a wheelbarrow, shovel and hoe.  One wheelbarrow load at a time. Sections at a time. It was a labor of love.

This was last spring before I removed the plastic waterfalls and built a concrete and stone waterfall.

This was during the summer with plant growth and the permanent waterfall.

I had to replant and organize this area since we had a professional come in and cut down several 30'-40' weak pine trees that became dangerous next to our house and the neighbor's. We added a sectional landscaping fence for the neighbors' privacy. For a second year growth, everything is flourishing well. 

Now that it's spring, I'll work on some finishing touches and come back with more for a full tour of photos and details.  I now have some fish in the pond, the wrap around deck is getting finished up and I recovered all of our patio furniture cushions. 

The backyard is our favorite place at home. The summers are short and we enjoy every moment here. I especially love taking in the flowers during its short season. 

The project is never ending. I add new creations and truly enjoy it.

Toy horse redo into a garden statue 

Road rescue outdoor furniture redo 

Our old green camp chair redo to match the rest of our mix. 

There will be more, I'm very sure! 

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Rope Basket with Worn Horseshoes

This is an easy project even the kids can do. This rope box is made of a scrap piece of wood, rope, 2 worn horseshoes, scrap leather and hot glue.

Scrap wood, finished. 

Hot glue the rope all around to desired height. 

Insert scrap leather to tie the horseshoe handle on.

Finish it off with a little rustic rope "unravel" 

Nice little mail toss basket!  

Boot Straps

Trusty old boots saw better days before scooping up around the horse barns.

I recycled belts and purse pieces for these boot straps. They gave character to all three pairs of my old boots.  There are endless possibilities on how to dress up plain ol' beat up boots. 

My vintage boots are distressed so I used distressed pieces to go with them. 

This bootstrap is just a belt that I cut in half, tied off the wood beads, rearranging a bit and allowed to dangle. I used the original belt hardware to attach to itself on this set. 

One large belt and a little imagination makes a set of bootstraps that can be worn on other boots.

Here are my old cowboy boots with a studded belt cut in half and purse pieces attaching them at the side. 

Using the purse hardware to connect the belt ends together also added a contrasting color. 

So old, holes were on the bottoms. I didn't wear them on rainy days.  Hubby had them resoled for me to keep my feet dryer.   As long as my feet don't pop out the sides;  they are keepers. 

My 70's (super vintage) boots with purse handles and pieces for straps here. 

Each set of bootstraps is removable to change the look of each pair of boots. 

It's just dandy! 

I'll keep them kicking around for a long time. Especially now that they are all gussied up.