Sometimes, You Just Need to Look Past the Ugly....

Many, many times I will buy the most ugliest piece at auction - then be amused by the looks I get as I proudly walk out with my "prize".  I am not scared of ugly.  As long as the bones and structure are good, I can make almost anything pretty again.

Enter this....uhh....beauty.  Yes, I am sure it was adorable in a child's room back in the day, but not today.  Not ever in this state again.  I could tell by the style without touching it that it was most likely mahogany....and it is!  VERY sturdy and nice clean lines.  SCORE!

I have been trying out all of the Miss Mustard Seed colors, and a new favorite of mine is Dried Lavender.  I absolutely adore the smokey purple color.  I've painted a few pieces with it, but nothing of this size, so I was anxious to make this my lavender beauty.

I kept it simple.  I just painted over the white gloss paint by using bonding agent in the mix on the first layer.  I was very happy that it stuck really well and gave it the uniform look I wanted.  One more coat and then I distressed it back a bit to expose some white to keep it from being too solid.  Finished it off with a couple of coats of wax and Voila!  No more kid's room dresser.

I opted for crystal knobs to keep it as simple as possible, but also because I had them in my stash.  I really didn't want anything to compete with the color. 

Then, I lined the drawers with this really pretty wallpaper I had picked up at a local Goodwill a while back.  So pretty!  I love Goodwill.

We are still in the slower months and weather hasn't helped, but we've been busy sprucing up and bringing in some new things as pieces go out.  Here are a few pics from around the shop this week.

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A really cool vintage oak teacher's desk and chair.  I painted the bottom part of the desk with MMSMP in Tricycle and left the top and chair wood.  I may do something with the chair, though.

My first piece in Farmhouse White!  This table turned out so farmhouse perfect! I seriously LOVE how milk paint enhances the imperfections of a piece!  See how the veneer is gone from the bottom exposing the planks used in making the table?  How perfect for this look!

I've been custom making "Grocery" signs and more to come.

I tend to decorate more in Seasons as opposed to Holidays.  However, there were a few signs of Valentine's Day around the shop.

We do love our vintage typewriters!  You can almost always find one or two at the shop.

As I sit here typing, it's SNOWING again.....ugh.  I am so anxious for Spring - and all the decorating I get to do with it!

'til next time!

And the Beat Goes On....

When I left you last, I stated that I had a huge decision to make.  Well, I have been given a little time to figure it out and am currently on leave for a few months (yes, from my brand new job) to get it off and running.  I have a great boss, to say the least.  

Since the second week of December, I have been able to devote my full attention to the shop and we made it through the extremely busy and exciting last weeks of holiday shopping with huge success.  It has now slowed down a bit and I finally have some time to breathe....to step back and start figuring this all out.  We are now open six days a week with a much more normal schedule.  

For now, I am building the shop in my vision and am quite overwhelmed at how well it is doing right now.  Of course, the key is to get us through the slower winter months and prepare for the busy late spring and summer shopping.  I have a LOT of plans for the shop and as I'm able, it will all be shared here and on our facebook page.  I am busier now than I think I ever have been.  I've been running the store by myself during the week, but am lucky to have my hubby and daughter helping on the weekends - but I honestly work seven days a week....with no break.  I am also fortunate to have a friend of mine coming in to help a couple of days a week, which will free me up to actually do some projects for the shop.  The pieces seem to be all falling into place.  As a very cautious optimist, I am excited about the opportunities ahead of me. 

For now, here are a few pics of our newest pieces in the shop...

JUST IN!

Hanover Artist Treslyn Reichert has just joined us!  Take a peek at some of her painted pieces!

Who doesn't love cows, pigs and bunnies?  There are also chickens and roosters. Her rustic style fits in the shop perfectly!

We are also so excited to have local artist, Debra Howard with us!!  I LOVE this painting!

 I am trying very hard to bring in some furniture to fill our space.  It has been challenging with such limited time, but I hope to have the shop filled by this weekend.  We had a great weekend last week and echos are sounding in the building.

The table sold the day after we brought it in, but the chairs are still available!  There is a set of six, one of which is an arm chair.  I may paint them if they sit too long, but they are in really nice condition....

Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint Classes will be starting next month!  Dates and information coming very soon.  Other types of classes are also in the works!

I am also working on another VERY exciting event.  STAY TUNED!!

Our hours are now:

Tue - Sat, 11-5
Sun, 12-4

'til next time!

Where I've Been and Holiday Cheer!

For the last couple of months, my life has been crazy.  On my last post, over two months ago, I shared with you that I accepted a full-time position right after we committed to two floors in the building Stone Creek now occupies.  I can only describe it as "weird" timing and am still unsure of its purpose (there just has to be a reason).  Needless to say, I have been extremely stressed about figuring out how to do both - well.  We decided to open the shop only on weekends, while we worked our jobs during the week.  It's been amazing to see how well we are doing on just weekends, but it also means that we are working seven days a week - with absolutely. no. break.  We are exhausted.  My heart breaks when I have customers tell me that they stopped by during the week thinking we were open. Having to be away from the shop during the week feels just like being homesick. 

We thought about hiring someone to work it during the week, but decided against it because of several reasons. As I explain to those who ask, our shop is not a box shop. We do have some retail, but our stock is mostly custom made, painted and picked.  It takes all of our very little free time to create the goodies we bring to our customers.  Having the shop open during the week would mean we would need more stock and we just can't do that - at this time.  

Yes, I have some serious decisions to make.  

In the meantime, I would love to share with you some of the latest pictures from around the shop.  The holidays are in full-force throughout downtown Fredericksburg, VA!  If you are close, you really should come to our little city and spend a day going through the shops - and enjoy some wonderful food!

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Look at this GORGEOUS oak buffet!  It sold the day after we brought it in and will be heading to a bed and breakfast!

We are not glitsy and shiny, but a lot of rustic chic.

We found this really cool, very worn and tattered leather chair at an auction over the summer and it finally made it into the shop.  LOVE this look!

Cotton has become our signature.

Loving this chest painted with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Tricycle mixed with a little Curio to tone it down.  Waxed in clear.

Ornaments and signs have been huge sellers!  These are perfect for stocking stuffers, wine bottles and sweet little gifts!

We have one clock left but can still custom order more!  The little white table has sold.

Hope to see you this weekend!  We will be open this Friday at 8:00 am for Black Friday deals!  Come on in!

'til next time!

We Are Open!

Yes, I know.  It's been over a month since I posted.  Shame. On. Me.  It's been a crazy ride and there is so much to tell!

First off, we opened the doors to the shop on September 5th with a "soft" opening.  No fanfare, no balloons, just opened the doors.  That weekend was amazing!  Being that it was a holiday weekend, the streets were loaded and we had many, many fabulous customers come through the door.  We sold a lot of things, from several pieces of furniture to tons of decor.  I didn't feel that we were ready to open (more on that below), but so glad we did!

Since then, it's been a great month!  More furniture is gone and I'm trying my best to keep the shop stocked.  Not so easy when it's just me working it for the most part.  Of course, Dean is by my side on the weekends, but it takes two of us to keep it running smoothly those days.  I decided to be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so that I can have those days to get my stock ready.  

So what else has been going on?  Well....I must trust in God's timing.  I have to.  I'm not sure how it will all work out, but we'll figure it out.  After a couple of years of trying to get back into my career so that I can finish out my retirement, it happened.  At the same time.  Literally.  Of course, I had to accept the job!  The shop is for now, retirement is for a lifetime. Since we signed a contract on the space, we are kind of stuck.  In the meantime, we will have to make the best of it and believe that everything truly does happen for a reason.  Because of all of this happening and the weighing in on my mind and heart, I had a hard time pushing myself into getting things at the shop exactly the way I wanted it for opening day.  It has since filled up nicely and new things are coming in daily.

For now, here are a few pics from around the shop.  I have more coming and amazing ladies that help fill in with their handcrafted goodies and vintage finds!

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One of my newest pieces!  I love this one.  A pine washstand made over with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Mustard Seed.  Love the chippiness on this one!

Did you know that we are now the Fredericksburg area retailer for Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint?  

We have a full stock available!  Visit or contact us with your MMSMP needs!  Classes coming soon!

All of our cotton wreaths sold out quickly.  More coming in this week!  Take a peek at those super cute soaps by be mindful.! 

I LOVE the fork fish by none other than Krissy of Updating Yesterday!  I have one of her first ones and wear it all of the time.  I fondly named it "Bubbles".  Are you also a Pisces?  Perfect!  :)

More creations from Updating Yesterday!  These totally fit in with our slogan "Restyled Charm and Vintage Goodness"!   Gorgeous necklaces made from drawer handles.

Natasia brought in many more signs and ornaments yesterday and we sold a lot this weekend.  These ornaments are so cute and can be used for so many things. Gift wrapping, wine bottles or for sweet gifts. At only $2.99 each, you can stock up for the holidays!  There are tons to choose from! This is just a very small sampling.

This sweet rocking horse found a new home today!

This new line of body products from be mindful. is wonderful!  All handcrafted from start to finish.  Visit her webpage to read all about the products and if you can't make it to the store, she also sells on-line!

How absolutely cute are these bird soaps??

This went out to it's new home today!

This was a fun find. An old French phonograph.  It has all the workings, just needs a new arm.  Or, repurpose it into a mini bar! Painting, pumpkins and grain sack chair in this pictures are all sold.

This vignette greets you as you come in. Though, not for long!  The dresser sold last weekend, but we get to hold on to it until they pick it up next Sunday.  I hate to see it go, but....I have another wow piece in the works!

I have a lot to sort out, but we are marching on!  I'll seriously try to be better about posting updates and pictures of the shop.

'til next time!

We Are Moving Right Along With the New Shop!

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind!  By looking from the outside of the building, it looks like nothing is happening.  However, we've been busy cleaning and painting, as well as getting permits, insurance, signs, display pieces and lots and lots...and lots of new inventory (all currently stored in our house and garage)!  Technically, our lease doesn't start until Sep 1, but the landlords have been kind enough to allow us access to get things ready for the big move in.  Because of this, we are on schedule to open on Saturday, Sep 5th!

For the most part, the building is very nice!!  However, the kitchen was the one room that needed some TLC.  It has been very neglected over the years with very worn cabinets and dirty floors.  I had the ancient stove removed which created more floor and wall space.  I'll be hand scrubbing the floors tomorrow to try to get the grout a little cleaner, then shine them up with my favorite floor product.

With my hubby standing there in this "before" picture, you can see how HUGE this space is and it will be a great retail area with lots of natural light! What you see is just half of the room.  See the cabinets to the left?  Yuck.  See the two cabinets to the right behind him? They are FABULOUS!  Possibly original to the home.  I will only be cleaning them up and use them for display (they are movable!!)

I got permission to paint the cabinets and went to it!  The white really make them look so much cleaner.  I still plan to do some tile work and will be heading to Hobby Lobby tomorrow for some cute knobs.

Not a great picture....but it is SO much better!!  The doors do close...the paint was still wet when I snapped the picture.  

I'm making curtains out of ticking for the window and the french doors.  I can't believe that I haven't taken pictures of those gorgeous doors from the inside, yet...but here they are from the covered deck.  

A glass panel was installed on the outside and we are debating on whether to have it removed and stored in the basement.  On one hand, we can open it to the outside and not use the common door to go out to the deck - which will be our main access route to the basement - but, on the other, this does add some security...

That mantel on the wall behind Dean is actually the original to this fireplace in the middle room.  Pine shelf mantel....not so pretty.

We took down this makeshift mantel and hung the old one its place.  I have some nail hole patching and painting to do...but believe me when I say it looks like it's supposed to now.  Pictures coming soon of that project.

We are getting there!!  The floors in the basement are supposed to be professionally cleaned, so until then, I'm holding off on doing anything down there for right now.  It will then become our storage area, more retail space and classroom.  I hope to have it all done by the 5th, but if not....soon after!

Bit by bit, it's coming together!

'til next time!

Accenting an Antique Dresser with MMS Milk Paint in "Typewriter"

I love painting furniture, but my first love is the timeless beauty of true antiques.  There is no duplicating the gorgeous wood grain that's found on many pieces and the patina can be breathtaking.

Then, there are some that are really pretty, but lack some 'umph'.  That's how I felt about this Empire dresser we found recently.  To be brought back to it's former glory, it will require some serious refinishing....and this piece will take a lot of bad chemicals, hand sanding and a long process to put the shine back on.  Not on my agenda....

Instead, since we had to do some repairs on the top, I knew I wanted some paint on it.

I let it sit in my foyer for a while as I studied it, stared at it and spent hours on Pinterest trying to get some real inspiration for it.  My first thought was to paint the whole piece a soft, light color, but every time I got ready to work on it, I literally could not bring myself to put my paint brush on it.  So, I came up with a Plan B.

I wanted to highlight it's handcrafted beauty, but at the same time, cover up the repairs on the top and the large veneer chips (yes, this piece is veneered), so I decided to just accent the piece with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Typewriter.

Look how the beautiful wood grain of the drawers really show off, now!  The finish on the drawers still has the alligator-ing going on, but I feel that patina just adds to the rustic feel of it.  I actually thinned the paint a little more than usual because I wanted the wood grain to show through...then lightly sanded to reveal more in places.

The whole piece got a top coat of Hemp Oil.

I know that these are not the original knobs, but are the ones that were on it when we bought it.  I had no problems with keeping them!  They are gorgeous!

So, before anyone yells at me for defacing an antique....this piece can still be refinished just as it could have been before I painted it!  I look at it this way...I am just preserving it for now. :)

This one will be heading to the new store soon as we begin to move things in!  

An Early American Dry Sink Makeover Using MMS Milk Paint in Kitchen Scale

Things are moving along with the new shop!  Nothing fun in the way of setting it up visually, but tackling the permits, cleaning and other necessary logistics.  I'll be receiving our first large retail order from Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint tomorrow!!  After that - it's full steam ahead as we'll begin to move stuff in!  We are still planning to open on September 5th, so keep watching.

In the meantime, I still have to back fill the space at R&R and am working on some gorgeous pieces for store.  Though we'll be moving everything out of the booth and to the new shop in a couple of weeks, I still feel the need to feather the "nestette" for the time being.

I actually just finished this piece this morning.  I decided to infuse some fun into this otherwise extremely boring piece.  Probably from the 70s or early 80s, this Early American dry sink is so reminiscent of what was around when I was growing up.  However, I do NOT feel any sense of nostalgia with this one and I seriously couldn't wait to transform it into a unique and functional coffee/wine station.

I've been trying out new colors (for me) in the Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint line that I have not used before.  I chose Kitchen Scale for this one and I think it was the perfect choice!   It's such a soft turquoise color.  I used Hemp Oil as the top coat and the finish is so silky smooth!  I did notice that it wasn't completely dry when I took the pictures...we seem to always be in a hurry to get the furniture out of the door and onto the floor!  :) 

I sanded it out and distressed it for the farmhouse feel - then added some chalkboard paint on the top for a little whimsy.

My penmanship leaves a lot to be desired. :)

I replaced the pulls with these really cool bale pulls that I found at Hobby Lobby.  Is there anything you cannot find there?  And their prices on knobs and pulls....so good!

I do love the black against this color!

Now perfect for a kitchen or even a business reception area!  Available in our space at R&R Antiques.

'til next time!