Thursday, December 17, 2015

Mini Cedar & Pine Trees

This is a sponsored post.

Remember last week when I shared our Stained Cedar Shingled Christmas Tree? Well in that post there were pictures of some cute little cedar and pine trees that I created in a matter of minutes and I wanted to share the details of them with you all today.

 

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

White & Stained Vintage Country Hutch

Morning friends!

If you're a regular reader than you know I hold General Finishes paint in a special place. It is simply my go to. I was trying to think about why I loved it so much the other day, as it has been a few projects since I've used it. As soon as I painted my first stroke on this hutch, I remembered. The ultra smooth application and satin finish cannot be matched.

So with that said...I completed this hutch for a client of mine who loves using family pieces in her home (in fact, I did a coffee/end table set over the summer for her in a similar style).


Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Advent Calendar Blog Hop & GIVEAWAY with Balsam Hill

This is a sponsored post.

Welcome everyone!

If you are coming over from Just a Smidgen, don't you just love that blog? It's new to me and I have spent quite a bit of time pouring over Barbara's wonderful content.

Also,  I'm so thrilled to be partnering with Balsam Hill again this holiday season! This year, I've paired with 23 other bloggers to share with you all why we love Christmas so very much. (Check out the full list of participants here.) I find Balsam Hill products to truly have a timeless quality that I just adore. In fact, when I started pulling out my Christmas decorations this year, my very first thing I grabbed was my Balsam Hill tabletop tree. You can see it on my dining room sideboard in my 2015 Holiday Home Tour here.

Countdown to Christmas


Today, I'm here to share with you what Christmas means to me. It isn't about gifts. Or about having an over the top festive house (although, I do my fair share of decorating and crafting this time of year). It's really about family and being around those that you are closest to and have an unbreakable bond with.


Monday, December 14, 2015

My Top 5 Ways to Decorate Beautifully for Christmas on a Budget


Hey friends!

I want to talk about decorating for Christmas on a slim budget today. I know finances are tough for a lot of people this year. Me included. Between moving to a new state, renovating this old house and getting the boys everything they needed to start school there wasn't a ton left to splurge on holiday decorations this year. (Let's not forget Christmas gifts need to be bought...as do birthday gifts in this house as both my sons have b-days within a week of Christmas).


Thursday, December 10, 2015

Stained Cedar Shingled Christmas Tree

This is a sponsored post.

Welcome friends!

I wanted to share a cozy little nook in our living room with you all today.

It's very simply dressed for the holidays in neutral colors and natural elements.

Our cedar planked tree takes center stage. While these reclaimed wood trees are popular in the blogging world, we tweaked ours a bit to make it more unique. I'm completely in love with it, by the way!



Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Easy Rustic Shim Star Garland

Hey everyone! I'm feeling so inspired to decorate differently this year and to add Christmas cheer to every finished or (almost finished) space in our new to us farmhouse!

I have a list of simple and inexpensive holiday crafts to share with you all in the coming weeks, and these rustic stars are the first in this series.


Monday, December 7, 2015

My Love for Undecorated Christmas Trees

On Friday, I participated in the 2015 Holiday House Walk tour. I shared a few areas of our home, that are relatively finished and decorated for the holiday season. (If you missed it you can read the original post here.)

I truly loved decorating this year! And, while I wish I could have shared more, I am absolutely in love with what I did accomplish.

One thing you may have noticed was that, while I did decorate our main tree (with fresh winterberry branches and ornaments in red and white), I left our smaller tree and various pine clippings untouched. And, that is something that I just adore.

Here are some of my favorite examples...

Friday, December 4, 2015

2015 Holiday House Walk

I'm so thrilled to be a part of the Holiday House Walk again this year! It has been an amazing week! I have thoroughly enjoyed ever single home, especially Susie Harris who you may all be stopping over from.


And, we would love to welcome you all to our new to us 100 year old Connecticut farmhouse!



We've only lived here for just about two months now and I've very slowly been making it our home.

To me, Christmas isn't about an abundance of gifts and decorations, but instead, a time to reflect on the past year and spend time with those you love most.


Monday, November 23, 2015

New Dining Room Chandelier with Parrot Uncle


This is a sponsored post.

Hey everyone!

So, as you all know, we've been working on updating the dining room in our 100 year old farmhouse ever since we moved in two months ago.


Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Modern Farmhouse Coffee Table

We've lived in our farmhouse for almost two months and I have been looking for this... (what I imagined in my head coffee table) for about three. Furniture pickings seem so slim lately!



Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Primitive Autumn Decorating

The damp, chilly, gloomy days of November in New England have definitely arrived this week. It leaves you with a cold, raw feeling, but I secretly kind of enjoy it. It just makes you want to wrap up in a blanket, get cozy and enjoy your home.

Last week, I went up to visit my Mom and she does primitive in such a spectacular way.


Thursday, November 5, 2015

Decorating with Bittersweet & Dining Room Rug Inspirations

The weather in New England has been seriously beautiful and warm lately.  So, earlier this week, I took a little walk to investigate our property and I was excited to see some bittersweet growing here and there. It's an invasive vine, but I'm kind of always drawn to its beauty and color.


Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Farmhouse Dining Room Updates & Plans

We've lived in our Connecticut farmhouse for four weeks now and, honestly, I feel like I have gotten very little accomplished.

I spent the month before we moved planning and planning and then when we got to the actual house, the color choices just seemed all wrong. Has that happened to you?


Wednesday, October 7, 2015

How to Create a Rustic Autumn Display

Hey everyone! The unpacking and cleaning is going well here at the new house. My patience is a little lacking because, as typical, I want things done like yesterday.

Actually, I'm kind of having like a I'm dying to paint because then the rooms will really start to come together coupled with a damn I really don't want to paint because it's such a chore and I need to do all the trim. I'm sure you've all felt that way.

My goal for earlier this week was to at least clear a path in the dining room so every four steps we didn't need to move a box to create a path. I mostly succeeded. There are still a couple of random boxes in a corner, but it no longer is the command station of moving that is was a week ago.

Since I got the room looking halfway civilized, I decided to decorate the table for fall.


Tuesday, October 6, 2015

The Selling of Number Fifty-Three

Well that was a longer blogging break than I had intended. Despite my attempts as steadily blogging over the last year or so, life and responsibility has gotten in the way. It's not a bad thing, just the reality of it. Then, there was that chunk of time when I had literally no time to share projects even if I had the projects to share.

This is why: I sold my house. My love, my boys and (soon to join us, Figgy) packed up last week and moved to Connecticut. Selling and moving to a less congested area (re: not being able to actually see my neighbor open his fridge and get a snack while I'm sitting on my very own couch) has been something I have wanted to do for a good decade. Once my divorce was final this was my cue to fully get out of a place that never made me happy and start over. And, it happened fast. The house was listed for more than I was comfortable with and I received two offers in two weeks. Glad I listed high.




Thursday, July 9, 2015

Weathered Gray Coffee Table

Hey friends.
 
Thanks to my love, I'm becoming more and more comfortable with sanding and staining furniture. It's really taking Number Fifty-Three in a new direction, furniture wise, as I am now able to take on way more diversified projects.
 

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Vintage Painting Turned Rustic Wood Tray & Contributor Post

Hey everyone! This project was originally posted over at Jennifer Rizzo's blog where I write as a monthly contributor.

I have to say, I truly love this project! I was easy to make and is completely versatile. For the original post I had it styled on my coffee table, but it's since moved to the dining room. We have a whole farmhouse vibe going on in there and it just meshes perfectly (P.S. I have one more project I want to do and then I will share how our dining room has been completely changed, for like practically no money at all!)
 
The transformation of this vintage painting into a rustic wood tray is just remarkable and was so easy to create.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Rustic Wood Bunting

Morning everyone!
 
Today is my Mom's birthday and, since she is in love with Americana, plus tonight is our city's fireworks (which you can see from our backyard), plus we are just a couple of days away from the 4th, I whipped up this rustic wood bunting yesterday.
 

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Rustic Tuquoise Bench

Hey there! Ever have fifty million things you need to do, but then set it all aside because you feel the inspiration to work on one specific project.
 
Welcome to my world.
 
Yesterday, I picked up this vintage bench. It looks homemade, which is why I loved it. It was the perfect shape and size for our living room. I had been searching forever for something like this.
 

Monday, June 29, 2015

Happy Summer Pictures from our Home

Happy Monday everyone!
 
Our house feels like it's in a constant state of disarray lately.  We still have plans to move in the future, but that is moving slowly. And, I was really struggling with not making changes to our current home.
 
Lately, though, we have picked up some awesome new pieces (including a free farmhouse table for the dining room).  I've also painted some thrift store finds and moved things from room to room.
 

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Custom Farmhouse Coffee Table & My Sanding Frustration

Hey everyone! I have to tell you that I am so excited with how this custom farmhouse coffee table came out.
 
I picked it up at a tag sale with a particular customer in mind, and I have to be honest, it was in rough, rough shape.
 
In addition to the severe water marks...it looks like it was used for plants, one of the boards on the top had separated.
 
It was a lot of prep work to get it to the point of being able to stain and paint, and I definitely could not have done it without the serious woodworking skills of my boyfriend. He makes the best partner in this whole furniture business I have!
 
 

Monday, June 15, 2015

Rustic Wood & Metal Plant Stand

Probably a year or more ago I bought this little metal plant stand at an estate sale. I had actually bought a big piece of furniture and just kind of saw this little table on the way out and had it thrown in.
 
I was in love with the perfectly aged white metal base. It has just the right amount of chipping, rust and patina that you can really only get with time and age.
 
The top really was lacking, however. The best way I can describe it is as a piece of thin metal covered in contact paper. Nasty.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Painted & Stained Vintage Hutch

Several weeks back I picked up this hutch in my neighborhood. It was structurally fantastic, but had seen better days, cosmetically.
 

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Our Take on the Brimfield Flea Market...

Hey there!
 
Even though I grew up just a little bit away from Brimfield it wasn't something I frequented as a child, or as an adult, for that matter. In fact, this past weekend was only the second time I have ever gone.
 
If you've never been we would completely encourage you to go. It's such a unique experience filled with awesome vintage and antique pieces and tons of curiosities.
 

Monday, May 18, 2015

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Cleaning as a Family with Libman!

Hey everyone! If you follow me on Facebook, then you may have already heard that I have been chosen as an official Libman Family Blogger.
 
 

Monday, April 6, 2015

Black Painted Chair & Where I Get My Inspiration From

One of the pieces we picked up on our trip to Rhode Island (you can read all about that here), was this classic wooden chair.
 
I had been looking for something similar to this for a little bit and the price, quality and style of this one fit the bill. For the record, I paid about $20 and it is a solid piece originally made in Gardner, Massachusetts. Whenever I find pieces from Garner they are always super well built.
 

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Updated 70's Nighstand & Why You Should Buy These Old Pieces

You know what? I'm kind of in love with this piece.
 
Once I find furniture I typically move pretty quickly to get it redone and either put in my own home or listed for sale.
 
This table...I've had it since the beginning of tag sale season...last year! I think it waited more than long enough for its transformation.
 

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Spring Touches & Contributor Post

Spring is one of my very favorite times of the year (and not just because I have an April birthday)! I love how the weather gets warmer, the days get longer (seriously, the getting dark at like 4:30 in the afternoon during the winter gets old really, really fast), and the light and bright colors of the season.
 
This year, I added just a few spring touches to our home. I'm trying to keep things neutral and uncluttered since I'm really looking to sell and will be listing very soon.
 
I filled a vintage card catalogue drawer with plants...
 

Monday, March 30, 2015

Road Tripping (& Furniture Buying) in Rhode Island

Morning friends!
 
A couple of weeks ago we spent the day traveling through Rhode Island hunting down furniture for my painting business (and, of course, a couple little pieces for ourselves).
 
Typically, when I think of Rhode Island, I think of Newport or the beach, but they have some pretty amazing antique/junk/consignment shops further up in the state that we absolutely fell in love with. We have definite plans to travel there again (seriously it is just about 1.5 hours from Western Massachusetts so totally doable) to revisit our favorites and check out some more along the way.
 
Now, truth be told, I had no intentions of even posting about this. I know. Crazy. I'm always trying to finish things here at home or complete and stage a new furniture piece to share with you and I just never end up posting. My boyfriend and I were talking about blogging the other day and he truly thought I should be sharing more about just everyday and all these cool adventures we go on. I couldn't agree more. So in the future. I actually plan to take more than like two pictures and really show you these amazing places we find.
 
We started our trip in Pawtucket at the Rhode Island Antiques Mall. I love this place. Seriously. There is so much to look at. And so much I personally wanted!
 
Source

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Vintage Inspired Drop Cloth Wreath

You know what? This post has been in the works for weeks now.  For some reason, as much as I love blogging, I cannot stay on a posting schedule like I used to be. I feel pulled in too many directions. I've been sick (nothing serious, just sinus issues and a spring cold). Plus, not a ton has been going on here decorating wise. I still need to list this house for sale, so I have been purging, rather than adding and it's looking a bit bland.
 
Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I made this drop cloth wreath for my front door. I felt inspired to create one using that material after I was featured on Apartment Therapy (here) in a roundup they did of drop cloth projects. (BTW, I'm completely embarrassed about that project. It is super old, photographed with my old junky camera, and my home is decorated in a style that is totally not me!)
 

Monday, March 2, 2015

Comparing Fabric & Foam Rollers When Painting Furniture

This is a sponsored post.

Hey friends!
 
A while back I started working with RollerLite, which was exciting for me since I paint so much furniture and they are the leading manufacturer of paint rollers.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Bold Red End Table

Bold and bright colors have been the general rule this past month when it comes to custom orders.
 
Since I typically gravitate towards white and lighter colors in my own home this is been a particularly fun month of work for me.
 

Monday, February 23, 2015

Repurposed Wine Crate Storage Ottoman

Lately, I've been craving brighter colors.
 
It's probably that I have completely hit my limit with snow and freezing weather and want to add in colors that remind me of spring to my home. Are you all there with me, too?


Friday, February 20, 2015

Vintage Red Dresser

Hey there everyone!  
 
 I spent a good chunk of my week working on custom orders and General Finishes Holiday Red was, by far, the most requested color.
 
This is such a pretty, pretty red. And, I say this not being a huge fan of red, but this just has that prefect true color to it without the undertones of orange or blue.


Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Fun & Modern Patina Green Chair

Hey all!
 
We've been spending the majority of our weekends road tripping around New England. My boyfriend and I are both super into furniture hunting and poking through flea markets so its the ideal way for us to unwind after a busy and stressful week.
 
During our travels we have been picking up furniture (a couple things for us here and there), but mostly items for my awesome customers.
 
I love to be able to find unique pieces and then work with them to make their vision come to life.
 

Monday, February 16, 2015

Pretty Pink & White Bench

Morning everyone!
 
I had intended to share this pretty pink and white bench with you all on Friday, but time totally got away from me.
 

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Vintage Child's Desk & Chair Set

Hey everyone!
 
A couple of weeks back we were out furniture hunting and came home with a cute chair and desk. They weren't originally a set, but they fit together just perfectly.


Monday, February 9, 2015

Two Toned Vintage Drop Leaf Table

Morning everyone!
 
We have another super snowy Monday here at Number Fifty-Three! I plan on spending a good chunk of time working on custom orders today and I thought I would share one I recently finished.



Thursday, February 5, 2015

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Chalkboard Valentine Picks + February Mantel + Contributor Post

 Hey all!
 
While it was snowy and blustery outside, yet again, yesterday I took the opportunity to photograph my February mantel for you all.
 

Monday, February 2, 2015

Easy Paper Heart Garland


This past weekend I was photographing a Valentine inspired chair I had painted and wanted to add a little something extra to the shoot. (Note: the chair will be featured as my contributor post on Jen Rizzo's blog tomorrow.)

Friday, January 30, 2015

Shabby Antique Bench

Lately, I've been finishing pieces of furniture that have been sitting around in the back of my garage forever.


Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Monday, January 19, 2015

Easy DIY Kitchen Shelving & Kitchen Reno Update

Hey everyone!
 
I'm super excited to share our kitchen shelving with you all today.  I feel like a few, simple changes have made our kitchen so bright and open and I love it.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

January Mantel & Contributor Post

Hey there!
 
I'm in the process of purging my furniture and accessories in preparation of selling my home, but still can't help myself from prettying things up around here.
 
 

Monday, January 5, 2015

Vintage Campaign Nightstand & New Partnership

 This is a sponsored post.

Happy 2015 friends!

Thank you all for sticking with Number Fifty-Three over the past year (even during my moments of slow posting)! There are going to be some significant changes over the next several months, including putting my house on the market and moving, and  I am so excited to share this journey with you all.

Despite all these changes I plan to continue to blog about all my latest furniture updates and crafts.

One piece that I recently finished was this awesome vintage campaign nightstand. I've had it for months and am thrilled that it finally received its makeover.