Trinket Tray

So, how many of you are "thrifters"? Do you stop into every Value Village, Salvation Army or Goodwill store whenever you get the chance? I wish I had endless hours to poke around, but luckily I'm close enough to a few good locations that some evenings I can hit 3 or 4 on the way home from work. I haven't found too much lately; either people are donating less or thrifting has become so popular that it's just slim pickins for the evening shoppers.

Yesterday I had a bit of luck. Here is the long version of the story: Just before the holidays I saw these beautiful porcelain trays with artwork by Caitlin McGauley. You may also remember that Caitlin is one of the talented artists featured on the Tiger Flower Studio website which I blogged about last year. (I also love her leopard wallpaper!!)  At $185, the trays were beyond my budget, but I loved the idea of a gorgeous trinket catcher on the bedside table.

 

Photos via www.CaitlinMcGauley.com

Fast forward to yesterday at my local Value Village. I found an ashtray to use as a "seat filler" until my fairy godmother brings me that zebra^^^. Now I know the word "ashtray" sounds rather icky, but this one didn't look as though it had ever been used for such a purpose. With two fierce cheetahs and a touch of green trim, I thought it could be just the thing to hold a bauble or two on the bedside. Made in Italy by Borghi, I would even venture a guess that it's made of porcelain and that the trim is hand painted. Not bad for $1.99.

 

Not Exactly Quick, But We're Making Progress...

So according to my previous post, things were moving along quickly, and that is still true for the most part. Ninety percent of the key pieces for this bedroom makeover have been sourced, orders have been placed and furniture has been picked up. I'm still stuck on finding the ceiling light fixture and mirror, but other than that, we're chugging along.

The sloooowest part of the process has been the "elbow grease" pieces. The thrifted dresser ($29.99!) underwent a makeover, and since I could only work on it intermittently, it took about 10 days from start to finish. Sand, prime, dry, sand, prime, dry, sand, paint, dry, sand, paint, dry, sand, paint, dry...you get the picture.

Done at last!! Updated from scratched & dented 1960's veneer to a crisp, modern white (Para Paints Whitewash White, 2089-00):

Without missing a beat, I'm onto the next project. I submitted a max bid of $100 through an online estate auction, and the hammer came down at 95 bucks for this pair of bedside tables. I was completely sold when I saw the hardware. The drawers were a bit sticky, but some candle wax easily along the runners quickly sorted that out. After a good wipe down, it will be time to get back to sanding, priming & painting. Good times!

Using Mirrors Above Bedside Tables

About 9 months ago (wow, time flies!!) I posted a DIY project where my Mom and I covered a pair of quatrefoil mirrors with gold foil. The idea was to mount the mirrors on the wall above each bedside, reflecting the light from the table lamps and adding a bit of sparkle. That idea worked great in the old condo but I hit a snag in the new place - the master bedroom here is about 6" narrower than my previous bedroom, plus the new upholstered bed is 6" wider than the headboard I used to have (which was recovered & relocated to the guest bedroom). If you do the math, you'll calculate that I lost an entire foot which meant that the quatrefoil mirrors no longer fit in the space. Boo :(

I decided to hang the gold foil mirrors in the entryway (still a work in progress) and I've been on the hunt for a new pair of mirrors for the master bedroom ever since. I bought a pair that were too big, and then I bought a pair that were too small, and finally, just like Goldilocks, I found a pair that were just right. Thank goodness HomeSense has an excellent return/exchange policy.

Success!!

There is more space between the mirror and the headboard than there appears, I just couldn't get back far enough to get the right camera angle. I love the shape of these mirrors, and I also love that even the frames are mirrored - I wanted to keep it as simple as possible without introducing any other elements to this wall.

What do you think? Do you like this idea?

Bedside Vignettes

After I recently "instagrammed" my bedside table vignettes, it got me thinking about what we like to keep close. I love to have fresh flowers at the bedside, since they are the last thing I see at night and the first thing I see in the morning. But I also keep an alarm clock, a small dish for jewellery, and a coin bank. What do you keep on your bedside table?

Photos by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait...and Wait...and Wait...

Remember this post? After visiting numerous vintage shops both near and far, trolling through antique shows, and lurking on the internet for hours, I am here to tell you that...

...I finally found these on Kijiji!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!!

I am on my way to pick these babies up today, and after months of searching, I'm so excited to get them into my hot little hands. With a lick of paint and a new set of hardware, they are going to look splendid in the new guest room!! Yippee!!

Bamboo Bedsides or Bust!

Just last month, my friend Shannon of What's Up Whimsy was antiquing in Fenelon Falls when she came across a fabulous pair of vintage faux bamboo bedside tables. Through the magic of Twitter, she tweeted this photo of her find:

Photo courtesy of What's Up Whimsy

When Shannon revealed that she didn't need the tables, I asked if she wouldn't mind picking them up for me (they would be perfect for the guest room in the new condo). Unfortunately, by the time she went back to the antique shop, the tables had already been sold to another customer. Boo :-(

Ever since that day, I have been unable to get these tables out of my head, and I've been looking for a similar pair on Craigslist, Kijiji, and at every vintage, consignment and thrift shop in town. If anyone finds a pair of tables similar to those pictured above please, please, pretty please let me know!!