how's it hangin'...

I love the smell of laundry that has dried in the fresh air and sun.

Sheets are so crisp and fresh...

Growing up, we lived in the country. Laundry was my chore, and to be honest I secretly loved doing it. The smell of dryer sheets still make me happy.

Weird, I know.

Anyway, once April rolled around, I was stricktly forbidden to use the dryer. It was "the sun is free and we have to pay for gas" school of thought that my mother drilled into me. Now, as an adult with my own home, I totally understand. I love to pinch a penny now and then. It frees up more cash for my "junking" excursions, right?!

(both photos from Country Living)

So here is what I just gotta know...

Do you "hang" your clothes to dry in the summer or still use the dryer?

I would love to hear your opinion. I am afraid my neighbors would hate it...I don't live in a 'clothesline' neighborhood. Then again, it is also not a "paint furniture in your driveway" or a "run your palm sander at 10pm" kind of neighborhood either, but I have yet to have a knock on my door with complaints. Ha!

So should I throw caution to the wind and do something as crazy as installing a clothesline in my backyard? Or would that give me the "hillbilly" label I have heard a neighbor or two mention? Oh, and I should clarify, I would never hang bras, undies or my hubbys boxers out to dry, just so ya know!

Personally, I think they are pretty darn cute.

Lets hear it girls, and don't hold back!

loving this...bathroom edition

I am on a bathroom kick today, so just thougt I would share my latest loves.

I have 3 bathrooms that are in desperate need of a makeover...so I am always on the hunt for inspiration. I love all of these...hope you will enjoy them as much as I do!

I am c-r-a-z-y about the color palette in this one. I am all about neutrals and natural pine. It is just soooo "me". I am seriously considering this look for my main bathroom. But I am not sure if I have the heart to cut open the top of a gorgeous old pine dresser.

Everthing just looks so casual and comfortable. I like things that are not too fussy. I can almost feel the summer breeze blowing through the window when I look at this bathroom.

I would just die to have a bathroom this large! If I put a cabinet like this in mine, I would not be able to walk in the door! LOVE the grey walls and of course...the chandi! Oh, and the whitewashed floors. My flooring guy thought I was such a nut the other day when I called for a quote to whitewash my oak floors. What does he know, anyway??

Loving this cabinet...I think I may have to do one for my show in May like this. The chicken-wire front is fabulous!

And the storage in this bath - WOW! I would love to have all those cupboards and cabinet doors to hide things behind! Oh, and of course...I am swoony over the grey walls.

This bath is my inspiration for my basement bathroom. I can't wait to do the beadboard walls...galvanized light fixtures...old farm sink. Love, love, love it!

I am a girl that is crazy about old metal...and the top of this vanity makes me just plain giddy! I need to find one. This is not a want. This is a NEED! I really think I am going to end up with beadboard ceiling in every room of my house, too!

Back to reality...I have to go clean the ugly bathrooms I have....and stop dreaming about the one's I don't.

After bathroom duty and a little laundry...I am off to paint a french-style entertainment center and the most gorgeous french-style bedroom set. Anyone out there shopping for a little girl's furniture? This bedroom set makes me wish I had one. A french armoire, sleigh bed, nightstand and vanity with a gorgeous bench that is soon to be painted a beautiful soft, off-white. It will be at the show in St. Charles, IL in May!

Happy Wednesday!

(photo credit: #1 & 2 BH&G, #3 Remodeling Center, #4 Unknown, #5 Canadian House & Home, #6 BH&G, #7 House Beautiful)

yard sale bliss...

Friday was a perfect day...70 degrees...the sun was shining...

I started out early for my yard sale rounds. Now just a tip for you all in case you are ever driving in my town...if I see a sign that looks like this...I brake. Hard.

If someone took the time to paint their sign like this...they must have fabulous things, right?

When I see a sign like this I get that feeling...a few little butterflies...I drive a little faster than I should...and watch out if you think for a second you are going to pull out of a driveway in front of me. I will go over top of you.

Because at the end of it all...I leave with my truck looking like this.

And it is so worth it.

I wish I would have taken better photos, but I was in a hurry. I had to unload my loot from Round #1 and head back out for the rest of the sales! There is so much packed in the back of my truck, I could not even label it all.

I loaded up 3 times...it was fabulous.

And the back seat of the truck??

Well, lets not even go there. It was full. As in c-r-a-z-y full.

32 ornate antique portrait frames, old metal objects, metal baskets and old french books...oh and a few beautiful old linens, too.

It was a good day.

I have to sort and clean everything up today and start painting those frames! Maybe I will be able to snap more pics tomorrow. Most of this is going to the show with my in May, so if you see something you like..come see me!

Happy Monday...and hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

little miss sunshine...

My friend Annie, over at The House That Jade Built, graciously awarded me with the...

Why thank you, Annie...it is so nice to know I bring a little "sunshine" into your day! She has such a fun and colorful blog, speaking of sunshine, so pop over and pay her a visit!

So I am adding my own little twist on this award post. I had many readers email me after my last post to as about my furniture painting business. So I am going to give you a few answers...but I'll skip typing out the questions...because it is late...and I am tired...and I inhaled a lot of paint fumes today so my brain needs a rest. Here it goes...

1. I have been in business for 10 years - this month is actually my anniversary. Most of you seem interested in how I got started doing this, but that is a whole other post - long story. Lets just say it involved a car accident, a foot surgery that kept me from going to work and a girl that can never sit still.

2. Yes, I paint furniture as my full-time job. I give a makeover to around 60-70 pieces per month. 

3. When I am not painting rest of my time is spent dumpster diving, cruising Craigslist, stalking the neighborhood on trash day, going to yard sales, auctions and flea markets, prepping, finishing and selling the pieces. I hope that helps explain why I hardly ever show photos of my work. It is out the door as soon as it is done...and quite frankly who has the time? I'm wiped out by the time it is ready for delivery or shipping!

4. The color of furniture the most popular with my clients is...white. A crisp, clean bright white.

5. No, I do not spray my furniture. I have tried it in the past, may try it again in the future, but my clients have come to expect a certain finish from me...and I am not one to disappoint! I find the extra time it takes to use a good quality primer, brush and paint is so worth it. But who knows, I would love to spray to save a little time...but we will see.

6. Yes, my husband helps me. And no, he never complains. He has his own busy career, but if I need a repair or a custom cabinet built, he is right there to help, no questions asked. I swear I could never do this business on the level that I do it without a helping hand now and then. But I will say, he refuses to paint. He is my handy-man and my delivery help. It ends there.

7. Yes, I do ship my furniture and it is much more reasonable than you would think!

8. The furthest I have ever shipped something is Asia...I have a store there that buys from me regularly. It is so weird to see my coffee table in an ad with Chinese lettering all around it!

9. No, I do not paint in my garage or my basement. Thank goodness! In the early days I did but I hated the mess and I never had enough room to work. I had to rent 3 storage units just to keep my stock in - crazy! So a few years ago I had to move the operation to a warehouse. Much better.

10. YES! All the furniture in my house is white. All but one gorgeous European pine sideboard from the early 1800s...I could never paint that!

I think that should cover all the questions I received, if not...remind me and I will post the answer!

I am off to bed. I have a list of estate sales to make the rounds to tomorrow and an afternoon date with an armoire!

Sounds like a perfect spring day to me!