Thursday, January 24, 2013

" Rustic Recycle " DIY


When I think about the love language

 that I share with Mr. Dior I realize

DIY in our household has a few bumps

before the finish.






We are as Kristin describes " comedic drama "

and yet flirtatious when we work together

on a project .


When Mr. Dior expressed to me a need for

a more " handsome " look in our home

I knew immediately where he was coming from.

What a love he has been living with the neutrals

 and the truck loads of branches and twigs

I have adorned inside.






There is nothing I would not do for this man

so my wheels began spinning harder than usual.

We are challenged this year by the costs

of my health expenses for the months ahead

more so than ever before.

I needed to come up with a " look for less " project

while working with what we had on hand.



{Enter the old gate door I found

in the dumpster awhile back}






I love this old gate door and have used it

as a back drop from time to time...






The more I thought about it I realized

it would make a nice focal point in front of the sofa

and it would be " handsome "


{Comedic drama ensues} 






I share with Mr. Dior that we can take apart

the old gate and marry it with a piece of glass

from a Goodwill find.

I tell him we can build a box.

Mr. Dior " you want me to build

a box to put glass on? " 


This goes on while I still try and

explain the box.

Finally my son comes outside and says

" I think mom means a crate ?"

Mr. Dior sighs relief for a moment still

not sure where I am going.


We begin...





Mr. Dior

 " You know the other side of the gate is white "


 Kate " yes Ira I know "

He always laughs when I call him by his middle name.





Mr. Dior

" I hope you know what you are doing?"


Kate " I don't but we are bonding "





Mr. Dior

" It looks horrid with the white showing "

Kate

" I know we are not done yet I have an idea"





We go back out to the garage

and I grab a container and mix 

polyurethane, expresso wood stain, and a cup 

of black chalk board paint.

Then just as I dip the brush to start

applying it to the white wood

he screams " Good Lord Wilma what are you doing?"

For those that are around

us the term " Good Lord " is always

 followed by Wilma.

 { No offense to anyone named Wilma}


He is in full panic mode at this point

knowing that he worked hard building

that horrid box.





This is when breathing

techniques come in handy even when you are not 

going through labor.

Finally after a few minutes of calming breaths

I said " Just trust me "





After a few hours of letting it all dry

I could see that the wood had evened up.

A nice blend of color had developed.





We brought the box/crate back inside

and placed the glass on top.

It was not a perfect fit

but someone was smiling

from ear to ear.







Yes Mr. Dior was thrilled as he just sat there

looking at our finished project.






I used equal parts of polyurethane

 wood stain and black chalkboard paint to achieve that

burnished wood look.

Mr. Dior used two inch roofing

and two inch finishing nails to build the box/crate.






We sealed it completely with a quick coat of polyurethane.

 Chalk board paint, wood stain and polyurethane were all items

we had on hand from Home Depot.


Mr. Dior even said he thought it was

"handsome"  a perfect ending to our project.


I love the rustic feel it gives and now I just have to

add the other elements back into 

our living room, ie our area rug and other accessories.



Graphic Pillows The Tarnished Crown


I will be linking up this week 

to my favorite lovelies in blog land.




Debra's Be Inspired

Funky Junk Interiors SNS # 173




Have a beautiful and blessed week
XOXO

48 comments:

Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road said...

I am laughing so hard reading your "comedic drama"!! I can hear the whole conversation and really wish you two would start video-taping yourselves. You're so fun to watch!!!

I love the crate table, but I'm kind of bummed you took apart that beautiful gate that you were supposed to give to me. LOL

Michele said...

Hi Kate, You and your honey are so cute together. You made an adorable Handsome table indeed. Lovely sweet blessings to you and yours.

Michele
Pearl 13.1

Anne said...

You two work very well together! What a beautiful piece!Made with heart and soul <3
xx
Anne

Debra@CommonGround said...

I think it's totally gorgeous, I never would have known that the finish was "applied". great job, Wilma!!

Anonymous said...

Manischewitz!

It's me said...

What a lovely table !!...a good couple you two !!...made with love....xxx...

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

What a beautiful finish. I'm glad Mr. Dior trusted you. You make a great team.

CURIOUS said...

We've said it before & We'll say it again . . .
That man is a Keeper ! HANDSOME ROCKS !!
Love It !!!
Big Hugs from Texas
JOE & GLENN

Unknown said...

What a fun peek into project land ;-)

Karen said...

You two are great together, that is fabulous.

Annie Louise said...

What a team--looks fabulous!!!
Blessings to you and your family,
Jeanette

Ann said...

It turned out beautiful. I'm glad he "trusted" you Wilma. Ha! Ha! Have a blessed week.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Compromise makes things even better...it's sweet how you work hard to please each other! Loved the story AND the table!

Rust: Vintage Inspired Design said...

Holey Moley Kate....this is amazing!! Should be in a magazine. Inspiring team work!

Vintage Market Place said...

Good lord wilma it is A-Ma-ZING!!!!

What a great redo and I just love how you styled it all. Now I want is a glass vase with the sea grass sprouting! LOVE IT
Amy

Cam said...

What a crack up! I can just see the two of you going back and forth! Love the table. Just perfect. Love the comedy even more!

trash talk said...

Y'all put the "hands" in handsome! Cute read and even cuter...I mean handsome-er finished project.
Deb

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Love it! And I love the darling story of the two of you working together. It brought a smile to my face! You are very creative with you stain concoction! How in the world did you know it would work?! :)

"Create Beauty" said...

What a great coffee table! And it turned out so fabulous!{er, I mean, handsome} The glass top works wonderfully with it. How sweet of Mr. Dior to go with your plan even though he could not 'see' it at first. I often have to remind my husband to trust me in decor ideas... I recently convinced him of my desire to have a fireplace in my studio...well, a mantle that is, come by sometime and see the result!

Blessings,
Violet

Amy Kinser said...

The table is wonderful and you and your husband are wonderful together!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

You two certainly work well together. That table turned out great! I wouldn't have a clue as to how to mix paint or anything else. Have a great rest of the week. Tammy

Deserae said...

It is AMAZING.....and turned out so very handsome too! You and your husband sound like me and mine when working on a project!!! LOL
~Des

bec said...

brilliant ...both of you!
I love the crate table and the fact you both made it together with love!
Bec x

stefanie said...

its PERFECT!!!!

Sherry at The Rusty Pearl said...

That is a labor of LOVE .. Awesome

toves sammensurium said...

I almost feel like an insekt on your walls,listening to your conversation:)
And I am laughing inside by the two of You,You are both so charming and reminds of another complete I know;)
Perfect results....can't wait to see what You will do with the remains!My cat Wilma is terribly offended by the way ;)
Tovehugs:)

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

What a beautiful marriage both yours and the table!

Cassie said...

Love this table! What a great job you've both done. So inspired to fix up mine!

Recycled Rita said...

This post had me cracking up...I could just visualize you both...too funny! The table turned out wonderful, now I have to hold my tongue and NOT call Mr Dior Ira when I am at the store...heehee! (no promises....)

Unknown said...

LOVE THE WAY YOUR COFFEE TABLE TURNED OUT, SO PRETTY, I WOULD LOVE TO FEATURE IT, IF THAT WOULD BE OK PLEASE LET ME KNOW,
LAUREN

OldThingsNew said...

It is a handsome coffee table indeed. Great creativity. Thank you for sharing at Beyond The Picket Fence. Patti@OldThingsNew

the old white house said...

Well Wilma, I think that you and Ira did a fabulous job on your new handsome table! I love how you think outside the box, even when it comes to the paint technique that you use. It is gorgeous! I have to tell you that I loved your last post also, it was so poetic and true. I think the most important part is that when we do bloom, that we recognize it and live our lives in FULL BLOOM, which I just know that you do. I will be looking for the Artful Blogging issue so I can read your feature. Congratulations... a honor well deserved! love,t.xoxo

Unknown said...

This turned out absolutely fabulous!
( manly yes, but I like it too! )
Don't know if anyone remembers that commercial from the 70's - talk about ageing myself lol
Beautiful job ( as always of course )
XOX

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kate, the color turned out fabulous! Looks as thought it's been out in the weather for a while. the perfect look! Don't know how you knew that concoction would give you the look you wanted, but somehow you did. I think of you often. Hope those hospital bills don't damper your spirits! Love this project. You and the Mr. are a terrific team. Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
hugs,
Jann

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

What a great project! Thanks for the inspiration (and a giggle).

Jeanette @ Creating A Life

Burlap Luxe said...

While you were planning and building I would have been there cheering you on, the crate looks so fun and so filled with rustic elegance. I'm looking forward to what's next in that pretty little head of yours.
Tell Mr. Dior he rocks, and he rocked the new old coffee table crate!

Kate I purchased the latest Artful blogger and your feature is amazing, the article moved me, I can't explain how your words touch, but just know that know one pulls you in and comforts like you.
You can be so proud of all you have added to blogging you truly bring calming comfort to all.

A beautiful super model team you and Mr, Dior (Ira) make.
See you and all you inspire soon.
Xox
Doré

must love junk said...

You two make a great team! Fantastic job on the table!! :)
Susan

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Oh my this is fabulous and gorgeous and just the perfect amount of man :) ha ha!
Featuring later today.
XO
Kristin

Kadee Willow said...

Don't you love how you know something should be rescued because it has value? Obviously not to the person who tossed it, but to YOU! And the time comes when it's ready to be transformed into the another version of the beauty it always was. Great blog post!

Unknown said...

Love the table, I love building things myself, I would like to give this a try, and also the paint mixture. Great post! Thanks for the ispireation!

Market Nine home said...

Love it! Perfect contrast!

Unknown said...

It's gorgeous, Kate!!! I love the story and can just hear all the conversation going back and forth. Such a work of love.
I just got caught up and am SO excited for you about your blog in Artful Blogger .You truly deserve to be in it. February 1st can't come soon enough. I'll be at Barnes and Noble looking for it!
xoxo
lynn

June said...

This is definitely handsome Kate. I think Mr Dior must be happy with these touches of masculinity in the decor. The table is AWESOME!
I hope you are feeling well Kate. I LOVE it when I see your beautiful face pop up at my place!
hugs...

sheerserendipity said...

This table turned out absolutely gorgeous! You two make a wonderful team! Also, your photography is spectacular, they belong in a magazine!

sheerserendipity said...

Just as I said your photos should be in a magazine, I see that Artful blogger already featured your beautiful photography! Congratulations!

Homeroad said...

OMG Wilma! This is awesome! I love the rustic wood and the glass top! This is exactly what I need for my living room! Can you send your husband over to make one for me??? I love it! Thanks for all the info... I'm off to find a fence (we have zillions of broken fences here since the hurricane!)
Susan

Joselyn @ The DIY Spot said...

Love your comedic drama but I love your rustic table even more!

Heather S said...

This is gorgeous (yet manly). Your photos are stunning too!

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