I hope no one was holding their breath thinking I was going to show my kitchen cabinets painted white! That didn’t happen but when Cindy got here, it wasn’t very long until she said, “Well, did you decide what we’re going to do?” I said, “Yes, George said he’d like to have this little vanity…which I am calling a mini buffet… painted a different color.” It was my mom’s and as much as I love the style and shape and size of if, I wasn’t crazy about the gold/mustard/yellowish color she had painted it. So Cindy and I went down to the basement and “shopped” in my “paint section” and we found some Annie Sloan’s French Linen Chalk paint. But there wasn’t but maybe an inch in the bottom of the can. Cindy wasn’t sure that would be quite enough, especially if we gave it two coats, so we looked some more and found another can with some “Gauntlet Gray” in it. She added a little of it to the French Linen and off we went… new paint for a new look.
I forgot to take a “before” picture of the piece, but did get one when Cindy was getting ready to start. The drawer was removed, but you can at least see the color.
Now it’s kind of a mushroom/light cocoa/grayish color and I’m really liking it.
It only took about 30 minutes to do the actual painting…
The pulls were an oil rubbed bronze color; just sort of plain, so I went to Hobby Lobby and picked out some glass knobs and it really makes a world of difference. Especially in the daytime. But these pics are taken in the evening…with a flash.
Cindy brought us this cute little Schnauzer and of course we had to do a little decorating to include him.
I also removed my Ficus tree from the corner and it looks much neater to me. I’ve had that thing for probably 15-20 years.
We were gone all day today, visiting at my cousin’s trailer, where they are staying and then doing a little shopping. We mostly did a lot of laughing and it was therapeutic for all of us! :o) We had pizza at my house for dinner and did more visiting with the guys. They saw Simon and watched him steal bananas and marshmallows from his bowl. :o)
We did a lot of laughing about the masks we were having to wear. They wanted something new and more streamlined than what they had on, so I had them pick out some favorite fabrics…
…and we got started on some custom fitted masks. I got them each a navy and white polka dotted mask made and now that I know how they fit their faces, I can make them more…
I LOVE MY SISTERS!!
See you tomorrow!
Blessings, Jeanne
So glad you all got to visit
Well, I love that little mini-buffet, but not that mustard color that it was before! The new gray tone looks so nice with your flooring, from what I can see, and the glass knobs are a nice touch.
Good that your sisters have new masks, and more coming, too. I still need to make myself some lighter-weight masks; today it was 92° in Seattle, and heat and masks don’t go well together when you have breathing issues, especially.
We went out for dinner tonight, and for the first time since I got sick, I really FELT like eating!! And now, some 8+ hours later, I’m still doing okay, so I’m hopeful the worst is over!
HI Charlotte,
I should have compared the buffet to the color that used to be in my room… Maybe momma borrowed that paint from me… I bet it was almost the same color. Glad it’s gone…from both places!
The denim ones they bought at Joann’s just to have an extra one or two, was way too heavy to suit me, especially on a hot day like today was.
I’m glad you had a nice dinner… and things stayed down and where they were supposed to stay!
Blessings, Jeanne
Your “new” French buffet looks so nice and fresh now, Jeanne! Yellowish things tend to look old and worn, at least to me! The glass knobs are a great touch, and add to the piece remarkably well! Good job!
From the pictures of your sisters, you seem to range quite a bit in height, like mine do. I was always the tallest at 5’9, but my next youngest sister is only 5’3 or 4″. then the third sister is like 5’7″ and the youngest is my height! Where are you , somewhere in the middle?
Love their masks! You certainly got a lot done and had a lot of fun while doing it!
HI Linda,
Cindy is the oldest, I’m next, 16 months younger than her, Deb is the baby, 7 years younger than me… Bob is 2 years younger than me…
Oh, ha, ha, I meant height!
Those glass knobs really add sparkle to the mini buffet. Just like your sisters added sparkle to your week. I hope you’ll tell us more about their visit tomorrow. What did they think of Elizabeth’s new outfit?
HI Marilyn,
Yes, my new knobs are very pretty. I intended to take a picture today in the daylight, but forgot. They do look very nice and the piece looks very nice in my living room now. I think my mom would have loved it. It was one of her all time favorite pieces and we don’t even know where it came from.
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’ll bet your sisters were raving about the renovated sewing room. It really was an accomplishment.
The mask photo of your sisters will become a not so fun reminder of the great pandemic of 2020. Hope you can print it and date it and put it in an album. Years from now, your great grandchildren will be putting it all over the net. That is if we don’t have something else better by then with which to communicate.
Your project with Cindy turned out wonderful. Love how you shopped for paint and mixed your own color. It looks so nice and fits in perfectly.
So, was your ficus artificial or real? I still have the old still alive one here that blocks my way to the sewing machine. Must decide what to do with it. 🙂
HI Joy,
My sewing room was the first thing they wanted to see when they came over…
I meant to take a picture of my new piece in the daytime so you can see the color better, but forgot…oops!
My ficus tree was artificial and a real dust catcher!
Thanks Joy,
Sounds like a wonderful visit. So thoughtful of your sister to find and bring a mini Reuben! He looks so sweet on the newly painted mini buffet. Seems gray is a bit of a trendsetter your house, maybe pale gray kitchen cupboards next!? LOL Thanks for sharing.
HI Dorothy,
The cabinets will be Snowbound (a white by Sherwin Williams…) I already have the paint, but just need to find the time! :o)
Thanks Dorothy,
blessings, Jeanne
I had o laugh when you talked about your ficus tree. At Christmas I moved mine outside behind the house on the patio And never moved it back. Funny how something that was such an important accessory can become so outdated and you don’t even notice it….like the gold paint which I’m sure was lovely when your mom first painted it
Wish my sister could visit more often. I understand how fun it can be😉
What did you change to make the masks fit better?
HI Kathie,
I think my ficus tree is a thing of the past too… Maybe Kristoffer would like it in his new home, when and if he ever gets one! :o) probably not!
They bought some from Joann Fabrics and they were so big… so I tweaked them. The denim ones they sold there are humongous! I had to take them completely apart and make them an inch smaller at the bottom and tighten up the elastic on the ears.
Cindy told me I need to make a tutorial on how to fix the ones you get that are too big!
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a lovely finish to your desk, Jeanne. It really looks nice where it fits and the items on top. Love the glass doggie. Looks familiar!
There is nothing like sisters! There are three of us too and when we are together, it’s wonderful!
Enjoy your time with them.
HI Paula,
We really did have the best time visiting. Just a bit too short, but it was fun anyway!
Glad you have 2 sisters… they are the best when they are the best! I love mine!
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, I am so happy that you had great sister time. I knew you would have a fun project to share with them.
This week I am “attending” the Virtual Doll Convention. The first program was about Patti Play Pal dolls. I did not have one as a child (and don’t now) but I found the program interesting. The presenters showed other dolls. One was a Kidz and Cats. I do have one of those.
I sign up for all these doll conventions and then end up forgetting when they are. I guess because I can’t predict my days. I was supposed to have my grandchildren today so their dad could do an all-day job. So I planned for that. Then last evening my son called and said the job had been moved to Wednesday. So now I have to rethink today. Usually it works the other way. I don’t think I’ll have them and then I get called to duty at the last minute. I try to be flexible, but I think everyone will be glad, mostly them, when they can go back to school.
I hope you’re having a marvelous time, Dorothy. Maybe you could continue to give us a quick synopsis of the daily dolls. I didn’t sign up because I knew on Saturday night that this week I wasn’t going to be able to predict my days either. The money can go into my doll fun fund instead… seems right.
HI Dorothy,
I bet you had almost as much fun visiting the Doll convention as I did with my sisters! It sounds like a lot of fun along with some learning! :o)
Thanks Dorothy,
blessings, Jeanne
I really like the new color on your mini buffet. How nice that you have a sister who can help you with this. I’m not very good at it, and while my sisters both have their talents, none of them is furniture refinishing. Cute “Reuben”.
Quite frankly I’m tired of wearing a mask and find myself doing less shopping because I don’t want to wear one, no matter how cute they are. Aside from my claustrophobia, they are just darn hot, and I wear the lighter weight disposable kind. The one I made is way to hot for summer. Even inside in air conditioning. I had to take my car to be inspected this morning and had to wear a mask while I was waiting. I thought we either had to wear masks or self-distance but now it’s both. There was only myself and another woman in there and she was on one side of the waiting room and I was on the other, but we both still had to wear masks because that’s what it said on the door. By the time they were finished and I left, I had a headache. And wearing one outside in Texas should be called cruel and unusual punishment.
My three sisters and I are varying heights also. I’m about 5’3 1/2″ and my sister next in line is about 5′, but then the two youngest that came along a few years later ended up being tall. One is about 5’11” and the other was about 5’9″. I used to envy their height because everything I bought needed to be hemmed and I’m not fond of hemming. The days of the mini skirts worked perfectly for me. They weren’t mini on me but at least I didn’t have to hem them.
Definitely tell us what your sisters thought of your new sewing studio. I’m sure they were impressed.
David had his ophthalmologist check-up yesterday, three weeks after his shingles diagnosis. The doctor said his eye looks very good and he can see no damage to the eye at all. Hallelujah!! Prayed a lot for that. There is some swelling still and he will go back in two weeks for a final check-up, but the eye doctor said if he’s totally cleared up and he has no questions, he can cancel that one.
Hi Barbara,
So glad to hear that David’s eye healed without any issues
I agree that the masks are hot when I’m outside, but a necessity. They are finally mandatory for stores here, for which I am quite glad. I actually don’t give it too much thought now, just put it on as I head out the door even just to get the mail. I have it hanging on the deadbolt. It’s the new decor and the latest fashion. LOL
HI Barbara,
I’m glad you like my new buffet… and little Schnauzer… he’s adorable and my buffet is much nicer looking in my living room.
I think everyone is tired of wearing a mask… Deb said the new ones I made her will make shopping a little more enjoyable! She was suffocating in her old ones.
My sisters both loved my new sewing room… they thought it looked so streamlined and neat and organized. It’s almost there, but still a few more things need to be done.
I think they both thought the new floor was the biggest improvement.
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
I really envy your sister time, Jeanne. I really wish I could see mine more often. Unfortunately, as I said before, I may not see her again. Just too far and too expensive. As height goes, she drew the short straw! She is only 4ft 11 and a half! Love your makeover, it looks great. A paint store chain here has a yearly competition to see who can create the best recycled item, using their paint of course. My daughter Sam and I would love to go in for it but never seem to find the time to actually do anything. Sam is the one having Chemo, her husband wasn’t well at the weekend so went to the doctor on Monday. He has been a hypochondriac for years, if he has a headache he must have a brain tumour! He ended up in hospital! At the moment they aren’t sure what is wrong, he has a mass around his stomach but he has been vomiting and has a high temp. The only thing they know he hasn’t got is covid, they tested him.
So glad we no longer have to wear masks or self distance or anything. The only cases we have are returning residents/citizens already in managed isolation. We often forget, while we are living our almost normal lives that outside of our bubble this pandemic is still raging. The question though is how long we can manage without opening our borders? I think the idea is to wait till there is a safe vaccine but that could be a long way away. Keep safe everyone, we pray for all of you every week at church.
I like that little schnauzer! Very cute. The vanity does look better in a different color. I’m so happy you are having a nice visit with your sisters. I am so tired of making masks, I hope I don’t have to do any more.
Thanks Carolyn,
I love my new little Schnauzer too…he is very sweet.
You aren’t alone is being tired of wearing masks… it’s getting old, isn’t it?
Blessings, Jeanne
HI Anne,
I’m so sorry you sisters and you can’t get together often… I’d be so lost without seeing mine every few months. But they always come here… We don’t usually do the traveling…
Your brother in law sounds really sick this time… and you still sound busy with your daughter.
I’m glad things have eased up for you… I’ll be glad when it does here.
Thanks Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
The buffet’s new look is wonderful My true antiques I always leave the wood they are, but I would want to paint over something that was painted a color I didn’t care for. The glass knobs really dress it up. My great aunt had the old glass knobs on all the doors in her house… a big, old Victorian with lots of nooks and crannies. I know that’s how/when I first fell in love with that style She also had those little brass corners on each step to keep the dust out. I love those!
Lucky you to have sisters to spend time with. Yes, do tell us what they thought of your new sewing room. I’ll bet they found it amazing.
Had to look up those corner thingys. https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/dust-corner-decortive-brass?utm_source=froog&utm_medi_campaign=gdf&partner=froog&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhJDk9bfx6gIVUb7ACh0ggQXZEAQYASABEgKy8PD_BwEum=cse&utma
I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen them. Great idea. 🙂
I don’t think the link worked, but go to the same place and look for dust corners. They have several kinds. 🙂
Hi Laura,
My sisters did love my new sewing room and it was the first thing they wanted to see when they came over. They both loved the floors the most, but the new coloring on the walls made it seem so much more up to date and lighter. They both know I’ll get more done because it’s much more organized and neat. I’m sure they’ll be right on that!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne