The Gypsy Caravan 2023

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Show and Tell Sunday: Trash to Treasure

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have far more trash than treasure -- or at least, trash that I've turned into treasure! (I rather like most of my treasures!)

I suspect as I visit other blogs today, I will discover tons of ideas to keep me occupied this summer (not the least of which will be wildly decorating furniture while I'm at the lake!) (Check out the list at Sugar Sugar!)

These two pieces are actually very nice pieces with a great personal provenance for me, but they were pretty ugly.

This little table was my grandparents, and one of the few things I have from their home. It sits in my hallway with (mostly) old books, including a rather old History of England set.


It had originally been a very dark wood. Then during my "Yellow Period" it was about the color of the brightest, sunniest yellow you could find! It was in the bedroom of my first apartment (also sunny yellow, from the headboard to the yellow gingham spread!).

In the 1990s, my friend Richard -- who had redone more than a few pieces -- helped me with my first refinishing job. And I love it.

(This medallion on the side was less than fun, but isn't it pretty?)
This piece came from our family cottage, which was purchased in 1919 and is now where my cousins come and down the road from mine. I think of it as a special gift from my uncle Martin, who died almost two years ago. I'd asked him if I could have it, and he said yes -- I'm so very grateful, for whenever I see it, I think of him and the rest of my family -- and that's every day!

When stripped, it revealed a few colors -- a Kelly green, a pale gray. It holds my microwave in the kitchen.

I love the door detail!
And the lock is the original.
Well, again, visit Sugar Sugar (Analise) for a list of others with much trash gloriously transformed into lovely pieces!)

11 comments:

  1. Great heirlooms! That are really things to treasure!

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  2. Stuff from our family is the best, isnt' it?!! I've done my share of sanding, stripping and refinishing (my bedroom floor was my very first project back in highschool) and it's hard work! You did a beautiful job on your pieces! Blessings... Polly

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  3. I love all your old pieces. And being in the family for so long make them even more special!

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  4. Wow Jeanie~ beautiful work! Thanks so much for sharing today!

    xo
    Analise

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  5. I love all of the details in the wood. So pretty! Thanks for sharing today! Di

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  6. Oh what beautiful family heirlooms to love & cherish. I have a little table very similar to your first one that my grandmother's uncle gave her as a wedding present. It has been blue, green, & now a honey maple. I love it dearly.

    Thanks so much for sharing!

    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  7. Wonderful Family Heirlooms.....it's special to have pieces with memories! Thanks for sharing.

    Smiles -

    Christa
    Chloe Rose

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  8. I Love both wonderful heirloom pieces! You did a great job of refinishing them. I have several pieces that I need to refinish and plan to do it one day(maybe when retire if I am not too old, ha!)
    I posted pic of your ATC that you sent me on my blog, I think the blog is finally working right again.
    xoxooxoxoxooxoxoxoxooxoxoxo

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  9. Beautiful pieces! Thank you for sharing!

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  10. I like the old furniture, mainly when they are memories from the family.
    Sorry for my mistakes......(the one or two...:-)))
    They are really a treasure...(not my mistakes!!....)
    best wishes
    Iris

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  11. Those are beautiful pieces. I especially love the chest of drawers. Recently I stripped a really old dresser of some horrendously ugly brown paint and it was very hard work, but worth it.

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