Cabinet Door For Decor~

You know I am never done decorating, changing things and adding details.

 

Some time ago, I was traveling in Arkansas and stopped at a wonderful

flea market and found these great cabinets doors for sale.

 

They are perfect for signs, paintings and inspiration boards

with the frame built right in.

 

I sold many designed with paintings, French graphics and roses,

so I thought I would keep one for myself to place above my kitchen cabinets. An area I continue to work on and let evolve.

 

First, I painted this treasure a cottage white and added an enlarged

french graphic using the blender pen transfer method, shared HERE,

followed by filling in a bit to darken with a Sharpie Pen.

The graphic is courtesy of

THE GRAPHICS FAIRY

 

Since this is to be displayed up high, it needed to be darker.

See the smaller graphic? ~ this antiqued version was the inspiration for the look, yet leaving it light enough to be seen from the floor.

 

Next I began to antique the background and darken the framed edge.

 

Using acrylic paint in burnt umber and water, working quickly and applying with a soft cloth.

You can apply an extender medium to the paint for a longer work time if you have never done this. All these supplies are inexpensive

and available at most craft centers.

 

The color goes right over the words and then I float a bit more

color around the high points and edges.

Sand for a bit of distress and age.

 

 

To the framed area I darkened it  with the umber

and added black to the edge.

I also had some scroll appliques in my stash,

so I added those to the sides and top of the graphic.

 

 

 

Here it is in the new spot above the cabinets in my kitchen.

 

 

Notice I took off the door to the plate cabinet and painted the inside cottage cream.

It gave the room a larger feel and displays my toile style dishes.

This area is my message center by the phone, mail holder and flat screen.

The wall color is Heirloom Lace, a custom color from Behr.

 

Across the room above the fridge area is the Menu tray I shared

HERE.

Do you think, I might paint these cabinets too?

Still deciding, to paint or not???

I do think leaving them the wood tone gives the center of my home an anchor.

But, I've been known to change my mind when it comes to redesign. LOL

The chandelier is on a dimmer and I have added glass crystal drops

with crystal garland. So pretty in the evening with the lights dimmed.

 

From a plain cabinet door~

 

To a French Graphic Display.

 

 

If you come across these doors, don't pass them up,

they are great to create with.

 

Have creating and see you next time.

 

Smiles,

Celestina Marie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Vintage Glovebox Design

I just love these vintage glove boxes.

 This one was a great find.

 

Originally a light green with a few old stains,

I hand painted it a cottage white inside and out.

.

These old boxes are very easy to paint and cover in 2 or 3 coats depending on the color.

The insides are usually a stiff card board, but you can paint that too if there

are not any rips or tears.

For this glove box, several coats of my favorite honeysuckle bloom  began the transformation.

 

I want to say, if you are ever painting on fabric to be worn, like a shirt for example, it is advisable to mix textile medium with your paint first using equal parts, medium and paint before painting on the fabric. This gives a soft movable feel to the finish. If not, the painted area would be like cardboard and not comfortable. Years ago, in the early 80's when I started in business, I painted lots of clothing for customers on sweatshirts, denim shirts and the like and this step was important. It also makes the item washable which you would want.

I usually speed up the drying time with a hair dryer

. Can't wait to get to the real fun.

Now moving on, here is the progression of the vintage glove box.

 This is where the fun begins when embellishments are added.

 

  I hand painted silk leaves in the same cottage cream.

 

All the crocheted accents are vintage pieces along with the lace ribbon.

 

 Vintage lace edging was used to form crocheted roses.

I used tulle and pearl trim over the vintage lace.

I just love how these old glove boxes turn out.

 Hope you will remember next time you find one treasure hunting,

you can paint them!

Joining
What I Accomplished Wednesday
Etsy Cottage Style from the Cottage Craft Room

 

~~Have Fun~~

 

 Celestina Marie

From the Old Neighborhood

Gorgeous and historic sites were as close as my backyard growing up near the designated National and Historic site of The Dearborn Inn.
Near by is the Ford Motor Company where my father worked for 33 years.

The Inn was built by Henry Ford, the inventor of the automobile and his son Edsel. The hotel's design  was created by  architect Albert Kahn in 1931. This November the beautiful Georgian style hotel will celebrate it's 82nd

anniversary.

Having this gorgeous place in my neighborhood growing up was very special and over the years my family and I have had the privilege of staying here many times on visits to Michigan.
 The influence of it's grandeur always encouraged me as a decorator.
 Over time, renovations have taken place but the original character and style have been preserved and maintained.

In the fall of 2011,  I had the opportunity to visit again and took these pics to share. From the beautiful chandeliers to the black and white tile floors and the outside gardens, every inch is elegant.

Next fall we will stay in this gorgeous Inn once again and I look forward to the visit.
 

The reception area with beautiful grand piano. I was honored to play this gorgeous instrument while on my stay.

The keys feel like silk and the black finish looks like glass.

Beautiful sun rooms flow outside to gorgeous gardens.

Sitting  and living areas perfect  to relax with family and friends.

Stunning ceilings with grand chandeliers.

Comfortable living rooms overlooking the fireplace with a beautiful painting of Henry Ford.

Gorgeous flower arrangements

grace large gathering tables.

The Dearborn Inn,

a beautiful place to stay, visit and enjoy

the history of days gone by in a special place I called home.

Joining
Tuesdays At Our Home

See you next time.

XO Celestina Marie

Vintage Writing Desk

When I first painted this vintage writing desk, about 8 years ago,

I thought I would soon add something to it in the way of a design.

 

 

I had hoped to paint something pretty, accent the stool and so on.

 

Well, time marched on and I just never got around to the embellishment.

 

Till now, when I added a french graphic from

The Graphics Fairy.

and

painted checks using a stencil on the stool.

 

Not a lot of accents I know, but it doesn't take much to

make a change and add some style.

 

Below is the before pic on the pull down writing surface.

 

Using a graphic from The Graphics Fairy, I made a copy

on Transfer Artist Paper using an ink jet printer.

Laser will not work for this print and transfer.

 

Next,

I simply ironed it on the surface using a dry iron.

While still hot, pull off the paper

and the transfer will appear.

If it doesn't iron on fully, you can always use a sharpie to fill in a bit.

I did that very lightly because I like the look of it being a bit old and worn on this piece.

 

For the stool I used black acrylic paint and sanded it all around

for a worn and time charmed treasure.

 

 

This desk fits perfectly between the closets and so handy to write a little note.

 

For the wall above the desk, I found a great shelf at a yard sale.

Painted it to match the desk and again distressed it lightly.

 

On the shelf I have several treasures and a bird collection.

 

The little birds below standing with the embellished french bottle

are a set of three I purchased when I first got married nearly 40 years ago.

I always loved decorating with them and still do.

 

The robin in the next pic was from my mother's collection

along with the little chickadee and robin keepsake box.

 

The sweet birdie welcome plaque greets visitors and was a gift many years ago

from my sweet dear blog friend Julie Marie from Idyllhours.

I love it with the curled wire and beads at the top.

 

This gorgeous needlepoint cottage was a find at another yard sale.

It was being hand created by an elder lady who died before it was finished.

Everything was complete but around the edge.

So I took it to be framed a bit smaller and have enjoyed it for many years.

I hope the elder lady is looking down and happy that her perfect work is being appreciated.

 

I love the pull down surface and the desk with all it's little cubbies for note cards and letters.

Perfect place to write a letter or card. The New Zealand calender is a special gift from my dear blog friend

Carolyn from Draffin Bears.

The note cards are created and gifted from another dear friend

Karen from

A Scrapbook of Inspiration.

And the sweet butterfly paper weight was my mothers, a gift from her Godchild.

 

The postcards from my area in Texas, are enjoyed by family and friends to send a note

back home while on a stay with me.

 

If you want to try the Transfer Artist Paper,

I recommend

 this.

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by and a warm welcome to

all new followers.

 

Happy Creating!

Joining,

 Country Whites Weekend.

and

Vintage View Sunday

 

 

Celestina Marie