Decorating with Vintage Books

Old books have become a decorating favorite of mine and I have them all throughout my house. They add a vintage homey feel, pops of color, and history to my home. I (obviously) have a love for things that are old; so finding a book that is from the early 1900s is very exciting to me. Most of my old books are from my grandparents' houses and some are from antique/consignment stores in Abilene.

The Mother Goose book on the left is my Granddaddy's (1931) and the 

Story Book on the right is my Dad and aunt's (1950). The books in the middle 

are my other grandfather's books from when he was growing up.

I am a major book lover and always have been. I love having my "old friends" to look at, re-read,  and rearrange from time to time. (Which is why I have a love/hate relationship with Kindle for IPad. Downloading my new book instantly is amazing...But, if I love the book I want it on
my bookshelf not hiding on my IPad!) 

;) Mimi

Ornate Switch Plate Makeover

My sister's new house had these gold, ornate light switch plates and outlet covers throughout the entire house. I'm guessing they are from '69 since thats when the house was built and nothing else was updated...

Here's a pic of the process in steps...

1. Original look

2. Painted

3. Paint wiped off 

4. Stained 

First, I painted them an Antique White color and then wiped it off with 

damp paper towel where I wanted the brass to show

Next, I used the stain marker across the entire thing to get the stain into the crevices.

Finally, I wiped off most of the stain and...Finished Product :)

;) Mimi

Vintage Mirror

I found this vintage mirror at a consignment shop in Abilene, Tx. I've had it for months just thinking about what I wanted to do with it and where to put it. 

I was "color inspired" by a chair that was my great-grandmother's (1940s) and my grandmother recovered in 1968. I wanted a true vintage chartreuse and I chose Benjamin Moore Meadow View.

 

I primed the mirror with Zinssers (so I didn't have to sand it), then painted. I sanded it by hand just a bit on the edges to give it a bit of distress. I also used a Minwax Wood Finish Stain Marker (Golden Oak) in the crevases. Finally, I sprayed on a coat of poly. 

Color: Benjamin Moore Meadow View

Stained: in crevases with Minwax Wood Finish Stain Marker 

(in Golden Oak)

Coat of Spray on Poly

;) Mimi

Headboard Re-Do

Before:

A neighbor made this headboard for me years ago out of an old door and fence posts. The color was way too close to the wall color in my bedroom; so I have been planning to paint it for a while.

I decided on Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal to give it a rich gray color that would compliment my bedding and the wall color. After 2 coats of paint I went back in the cracks and crevases with my handy-dandy Minwax Wood Finish Stain Marker (in Golden Oak).

Then, I tried something new (sort of)... I used the spray on version of the Minwax Poly I always use... It was so quick and easy and I will definitely be using it again...Especially on large pieces or things like chairs that are annoying to do. 

Color: Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal

Glaze/Stain: Minwax Wood Finish Stain Marker in Golden Oak

2 coats of Spray-On Minwax Poly

;) Mimi

Old Door Headboard

I found this great old door (1930s I think) at my favorite local Junktique store, Sweet 16 Antiques and Collectibles.

Next, my grandfather cut the door on both sides and secured the legs (2x8 boards). The total height is 52" and the width is 72".

After 2 coats of Zinsser Primer I didn't know exactly what to do about painting the "legs" (color wise). So, I tried 3 colors I had that I thought might work...One matched almost perfectly (total luck) and once the legs and door were glazed you can barely tell that the color isn't the same. I finished it off with 2 coats of Rub-On Poly.

>Next, I replaced the original door knob with this beautiful antique glass one that I had to have 6 months ago (knowing I would use it eventually). This part was not easy... My dad (a welder) had to break down the original knob so I could use the plate. Then I glued the plate and knob (bolted together) in place. Not easy but totally worth it.

Did I mention that I had an audience? :)

;) Mimi

Fabric covered canvases=Wall art

I saw this done as an example at Hobby Lobby in the fabric dept... Hobby Lobby had A LOT of really cute/pretty/trendy fabrics to choose from (I was happily impressed with the selection). I loved this mustard yellow print for my living room and decided to put 4 together to make a fairly large piece of wall art.

The 12x12 canvases that I originally wanted were much more expensive. I luckily found these cheap 2 packs that were half as expensive and I like the rectangular look just as well. 

I simply used my staple gun to attach the fabric (trying very hard to keep the lines straight)... A fabric with an organic pattern would be much easier to work with..

;) Mimi