Look What I Found...

Acorn & Oak Leaf Dresser

While perusing Marketplace last weekend, I came across this dresser. See the motif? It matches the motif on the bed I purchased and painted last fall! Handsome and I picked this piece up yesterday, and will add it to our bedroom set.

I haven't decided yet whether or not I'll paint it white. My thinking is that the top (which is scratched) will be painted, and I'm going to change out the hardware to update the look. I may end up painting it white, but I'm not inclined to completely cover the wood. I'm going to start with a good cleaning and make decisions from there. 

The weather was unseasonably warm yesterday for Wisconsin. It was 62º! If the weather stays like this for a few more days, I'll be able to get some work done on this piece while it's still out in the garage. Fingers crossed.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Inspired...

Brynwood Needleworks - Table Inspiration

 

I belong to a farmhouse/cottage/Victorian home group on Facebook. Recently, a lady shared a photograph of her sitting room, and I immediately fixated on the table. Typical British homes have taller tables for their tea/cocktail tables, so seeing this reminded me of that.

Now, understand that while his wife considers herself more than half British (and I should. I was born there!), Handsome is not always enthused with my taste in that regard. We are great at the art of compromise...mostly.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Found One!!!

 

I actually conversed with the lady who had that table in the picture. She explained that she purchased an end table and painted it for her decor.

 

So, I went "hunting" on FB Marketplace. Not only did I find a taller end table, I found nearly the exact table! I think the "gingerbread" next to the table legs is slightly different, but really. They could be sisters!

 

I contacted the seller, we agreed on a lower price than her asking, and I went and got it. It was such a steal, and just what I wanted.

Brynwood Needleworks - It's Home

It is a little taller than what I want for a tea table, so I may shorten the legs by a couple inches, but isn't it beautiful? Now to decide whether or not I can bring myself to paint it. The wood is really interesting, and I love the inlay. I think for now, I'm going to enjoy it just as it is. Marketplace for the win again!

 

Repurposing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire

Facebook Marketplace strikes again. I found this lovely jewelry cabinet, thinking it would hold all my baubles and bangles (and bright, shiny beads). So I drove to take a look. Once I saw it "in person", something else occurred to me. Would it work for my silk threads, and stumpwork supplies? I think so!

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Top Section

I paid the lady, loaded it into my Explorer, and brought it home. I gathered my supplies, and gave it a test load. I began with some of my tools in the top section (where the rings and things usually go).

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Left Side Door

The side sections with hooks work perfectly for storing my hanging silk threads (Waterlilies and Watercolors from The Caron Collection, plus a few others).

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire  - Right Side Door

I hung vintage silks, and my stumpwork wires on the opposite side. They all fit quite nicely!

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire  - Silk Threads

The next drawer had compartments that were the perfect size for Trebizond silks, along with vintage robin's egg blue silks, Gutermann silks, and a few other odd silk threads.

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Silk Threads and Needles

The front of this drawer holds needles for embroidery and applique', and strong cotton threads for covering and securing stumpwork wires. The back spools are gorgeous Kimono silks that I used in applique', but they'll also work for other embroidery.

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Needles, Threads & Needle Minders

More silks, needle minders, needles, a beautiful ruler from my dear Kiwi friend, Marrianne, and even a bottle of coiled Pearl Sadi thread for goldwork.

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Silk Threads

 

Last, but not least, are the rest of my silk threads, purchased in Kentucky when I was attending the Royal School of Needlework courses. My tutor, Owen, helped me choose them.

 

So, next time you see something you really like, consider a completely different purpose for it. This will fit perfectly next to my stitching chair, and all my supplies will be within reach. Now, all I need are more hours in the day to work on all the ideas in my head!

New In The Studio...

Brynwood Needleworks - Marketplace Work Table

When we moved to the farm, I said I was going to avoid buying brand new furniture at all cost. I no longer want, nor do I need brand new furniture. We use what we have, or I find great deals to repurpose. This is one such deal.

Yes. I was foraging around on Facebook Marketplace again. Don't judge. There are so many cool things there, and never at "brand new" prices. Anyway, I found this heavy duty commercial work table for a sweet price, so I contacted the seller. I asked a few questions, and made arrangements to go to see it.

It measures 48" long by 24" wide by 26 1/2" high, with the shelf below. I was told it came out of a hospital during a remodel. It's heavy and strong, with a solid wood top and metal undercarriage. I bought it on the spot.

While I was standing in her garage, I noticed there was also a pristine pattern file cabinet next to the table. I asked if it was for sale and if so, how much? She said it was, and I could make an offer. I did, we agreed, and it also came home with me. The coolest part was that my Explorer was about 2" too short to fit everything inside, so the seller offered to deliver part of it for me.

She and I loaded everything into our two vehicles, she followed me home and everything was here the same day. On top of that, she's also a seamstress, so I now have a new friend with a shared interest!

Brynwood Needleworks - Destiny Sewing Table

 

Handsome and I managed to carry the table up to the studio yesterday, and I have it all installed in my sewing room now. I have my bobbins, adhesives (for making handbags and wallets), and order binder on the shelf, and Destiny is perfectly installed on top. The table is long enough for me to use the embroidery attachment, too.

The pattern file is too heavy for Handsome and me to get upstairs, so we'll wait for my nephew's strong muscles to help one of us get it up there. I've made a spot for it in my fabric studio, and it's going to hold all my woolens for applique' work. I'll show that to you once it's upstairs and in place.

I've got the itch to stitch (sew) now, but today is a bread baking day. I'm planning to play in the studio on Sunday as I move into a productive July. Can you believe it's right around the corner? Enjoy your weekend. I'll tell you all about mine on Monday!

Another Find For The Farmhouse...

Our Kitchen

Handsome and I have decided to wait until next fall or winter to renovate our kitchen. The space is  completely workable as it is, and served generations of families before us with much less. We've decided to take our time choosing cabinets, (much needed) flooring, and any needed appliances.

The New Centerpiece

I did say much needed flooring. Well, choosing just the right new floor will take a bit of looking and research. Many of our floors in this hundred year old beauty are crowned, making a hard plank or tile floor out of the question. We need something more flexible (to accommodate the unevenness of the floor), and heavy duty (because of kitchen traffic and the dogs).

However, the current floor leaves a lot to be desired. It's a stick-on tile that was additionally glued down onto plywood, screwed over the hardwood and previous linoleum (which may be asbestos. Ya think?). I've been on my hands and knees (oh, yay) with a scrub brush, and I still can't get the floor clean to our standards. It's chipping up in places, so it's been grating on me.

In order to replace this floor, we'll first have to completely remove the tile and plywood beneath it. Then we'll have to assess the linoleum to see if we can get down to the original, hundred-year-old maple floor. If we get there, we'll have the same man who brought back the other floors in the house tell us whether or not our original hardwood floor can be restored. If so, we'll do that. If it's beyond saving, we'll choose a new floor covering that will go with the renovation we're planning.

What Floor?

 

I've been trolling the Marketplace, looking for something that could cover the floor until we redo it. Night before last, I found this beauty. It's an eight foot, circular rug. It's not an expensive, Persian rug like our red one that you would have seen in photos of our living room in Florida (which I hope will fit into the attic bunkhouse when that's done), but I wouldn't want one of that quality in a kitchen anyway.

I showed this one to Handsome, we contacted the seller and picked it up (a mere 12 miles away!) yesterday morning. Within a half hour, we'd cleared the table and chairs out, vacuumed and mopped the floor, let it dry, and installed the rug. 

Voila! What floor? I don't see that floor anymore. We walk into this room and see a comfortable kitchen space with a beautiful rug. Until it's time to pull up and replace that tile, this will do perfectly. Score another one for the Marketplace (and me!).

A Little Spring In The Kitchen...

Vintage Kitchen Cabinet

I'm sharing my latest farmhouse find with you today. (I really have to resist my daily forays into the Facebook Marketplace!) This is a beautiful, updated, vintage cabinet I found and brought back to Hickory Hill.

Vintage Farmhouse Cabinet

 

There are four drawers (the bottom one is a metal-lined bread drawer!), and a cupboard section with a vintage rack on the inside of the door. The whole piece measures 42" wide by 24" deep by 30" high, and the top is enameled metal. 

 

It's the perfect spot for our bread machine and toaster. I placed our smaller cutting boards in the rack on the door, and the larger ones in the drawer above it. Of course, the homemade (and store bought) breads and rolls will go into the bottom drawer. The large storage area behind the door is just the right size for my electric water bath canner, too! (You just never know when I'll have the urge to can something these days! lol)

I love the enamel top and the fabulous robin's egg blue paint color. Everything about it makes me smile, and now I have a lovely touch of Spring in the kitchen, too.

My Latest Score...

Brynwood Needleworks' Singer Table

Could anything be more perfect for a studio located in a 100 year old farmhouse? I used to have about a dozen vintage Singer sewing machines when I had my needlework shop, but when I closed it, most of my machines went to live with a friend.

I've kept my eyes open for a treadle base, hoping to have a table top made for it when I found one in great condition. I didn't really want to have to use a wire brush to clean it up, though.

Table Top - Seller's photo

 

I finally found exactly what I've been searching for, at a perfect price...and it already has a beautiful walnut top. I brought it home and now it's in the studio. It's another Facebook Marketplace score!

 

Brynwood Needleworks Table In The Studio

 

Until spring (when I open my studio door to let the fresh air in) it will sit right here. I've got it butted up to my Jane table, to give me a bit more working space while I'm making wallets and bags. For now, it's just perfect where it is.

Just What I Need...

A Chair For The Bedroom

  ...another project!

I need a comfy chair for the bedroom, so naturally, I went to Facebook Marketplace (again). I found a great deal on a comfy chair and ottoman.

I'm definitely going to paint the legs white, and then I'm going to reupholster it. I'm debating yardage of feedsack fabric, canvas drop cloth, or quilted fabric. I'm going to spend a little time sitting in it while I contemplate how I want it to look.

I'm "getting there" with the bedroom, but not quite ready to share pictures. I still have to paint the dresser I bought, and then, the washstand (which I'm using as a side table). I'm leaving my oak commode alone. No way that gets paint, because I love it the way it is.

Don't worry. When I get the chair done, you'll be the first to see the results. It won't be this week, though. I've got orders to fill and more listings to write up. I'll probably break up the process by painting the legs on the chair...and repainting a few spots in the stairwell that got a little nicked moving the chair upstairs (sigh).

 

This is going to be a fun week. I also have a few special things on my calendar, and I can't wait to tell you about them! What do you have planned?

Farmhouse Renovation - Temporary Kitchen...

Farmhouse Kitchen Hutch

 

In a few short days, Handsome will arrive at the farm. I've been busy as I continue to empty boxes, arrange and edit their contents. One area I've been giving special attention to is our kitchen space.

While Handsome and I have been apart, I've used a countertop convection oven, induction cooktop and various other electric appliances. Before my husband's arrival, our son offered up a used refrigerator and electric range from one of his house reno projects. Because we have decided to wait until late fall to renovate the kitchen, this arrangement was perfect! He brought the appliances to the farm on Tuesday.

I also discovered Facebook Marketplace. I wanted a piece that would allow me to remove the dishes from our pantry to make more room for foodstuffs. Of course, once the kitchen is built, we'll have plenty of storage for dishes, bakeware, flatware and pots n' pans, but I needed to get creative until then.

I found this beautiful hutch in the Marketplace (only about 20 miles away from here), and the price was great. In fact, it already has a home to go to when we're finished with it! There was a small mishap when it was being moved - actually the fault of the seller - but we purchased it anyway, and the door that was broken is being repaired to reinstall. Then it will be perfect for our purposes. 

The pantry is already rearranged; the hutch is filled; and I'm going grocery shopping later today. Our little dorm fridge will go into the basement to use as a soda fridge. It's actually come together so well, I may not be in any hurry to renovate the kitchen! At least we'll be able to take our time now to plan exactly the right farm kitchen renovation for Hickory Hill Farm.