Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Homemade and Handcrafted No. 51

Every Wednesday  - Sunday 

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!


Welcome to the Homemade and Handcrafted party!

As this is a very busy time for all of us while we are preparing for Christmas, this link up is going to continue for 2 weeks to allow time for family and the holiday festivities. 

Feel free to link up your posts (new or old ones). We love seeing what you've been up to! Share your crafts, recipes, DIY, and inspirations! We love to visit other parties and enter giveaways; so you can link those up too!

Let's check out the top viewed from last week! 

 Recycled Tin Can Christmas Tree


Frugal Holiday Mantel Decor


Simple Nordic Christmas Tree


Reclaimed Wood Ornaments and Homemade Stencils


Double Chocolate Nutella Cookie Truffles


So many wonderful Christmas ideas were shared last week!!! 

Thank you for sharing your creations! 
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"Pinning" is encouraged! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your creations and ideas!




 

Friday, December 9, 2016

Antique Chair Revival


It's time for another makeover! Each month, our "Furniture Refresh" group takes a piece of furniture and refreshes it into a new life. You never know what we come up with! 



I was excited to redo this antique Windsor style chair I found at a flea market in the Hudson Valley. It's one of my favorite places to go for great farmhouse things. I scored with the chair, an antique cast iron bell, and an old milk box. 



There were several chairs available but this cutie caught my eye. 

Those spindles are so slim, crooked, and just plain sweet. Even though the chair was banged up quite a bit, I could envision it refinished to remain old looking. 



Normally any beat up piece with cracks could be filled in, sanded, then painted. But this chair deserved to show its years by leaving all of the scars exposed. 

A fan back American Windsor like this dates into the 1700's. If it survived this long, why not show it? 

So I sanded it. A lot. But not too crazy in the creases and cracks. Allowing the old paint to accentuate all of them. Including a lot of old wormholes. 



After becoming impatient with sanding, I cleaned the dust off, rubbed in coconut oil to condition the wood, then used a dark antique wax to seal the whole chair. It brought back the true identity. 



A few of the spindles were previously broken and repaired. And done well, as they were holding up. (Probably why the chair was painted.) The dark wax shows where the breaks were. Wormholes are all over the hand carved seat and they actually look amazing. 

Check out these handmade spindles. A bit crooked, but so fascinating! 



In fact the whole backrest is bit off. Like, it became twisted. 





The cracks are really obvious with the paint removed. 



Surprisingly, the chair is sturdy despite its age. 



I'm a sucker for antiques like this and believe they should be refinished if they can. Although it isn't valuable because of its condition, it sure is handsome; war wounds and all. 



With all of its scars and age lines, it's very functional. 



And it displays plenty of character. 



Sitting there all twisted and crooked, it fits into our home just fine. 



It will sit in our dining room as an accent piece. Used when necessary. After all, being a couple hundred years old, it should rest. After several more polishings, it should continue to shine in its own glory. 


Well, that's my makeover of the month. Let's see what the other group members did with their crazy amazing talent!! 

Here are the before photos: 


Click on the blogs to see the finished outcome: 





Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Homemade and Handcrafted No. 50

Every Wednesday  - Sunday 
I'm late. Computer update issues last night, but it's resolved. So the party will be extended through Monday. 
Welcome to the Homemade and Handcrafted party!
Feel free to link up your posts (new or old ones). 'Tis the season for some Christmas posts! We love seeing what you've been up to! Share your crafts, recipes, DIY, and inspirations! We love to visit other parties and enter giveaways; so you can link those up too!


Let's check out the top viewed from last week! 

Forest of Walnut Trees


Stamped Silverware


Oregon State Felt Ornament


Christmas Crib Wreath


Spinach Frittata



Thank you for sharing your creations! 
Featured Badge



Party Button  to be shared ONLY if desired.
"Pinning" is encouraged! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your creations and ideas!