A Nice Surprise...

Don't you just love when you find something perfect that you didn't even know you were looking for? Saturday afternoon, after taking the kids to feed the ducks at McHargue's Mill, we went over to the flea market.  After checking out the vendors inside, we went around back where there are tables set up. Usually, we don't even venture out there, but let me tell you, we found out yesterday that that is where the interesting stuff is!  Much better than inside.  The very first set of tables we walked by had all sorts of old stuff, and right away, something caught my eye. I had remembered seeing an article in Country Living Magazine not long ago that featured a woman in Connecticut who had a collection of antique rug beaters adorning her stairwell walls. They were so pretty, all their different shapes and designs.  So when I saw two antique rug beaters, one with a green handle and one with red, laying on the flea market table, I knew I had to have it.

After striking up a conversation with the lovely older couple running the booth, I asked how much it was. "$12".   Not too bad, but a little high for me. I put it back down and decided to think about it. Now I'm not a good negotiator, you see. I hate it when the price on the tag is not the actual price. So instead of trying to negotiate, I just put it back and walked on down the aisle. Imagine my surprise when about 10 minutes later, while waiting for the kids at a toy booth, my husband appears, holding the rug beater, purchased for $8. 

I wasted no time hanging it up when I got home. I love the design, and I've realized that its not only decorative, but it could actually be useful. Since I already have a mechanical contraption to clean my rugs, it could really come in handy for keeping my husband in line! 

It's Done!

My first chair rehab is finished! I was so excited when I found this chair at a yard sale this past weekend! It was only $7--how could I pass that up?

It was already black, but was in serious need of some touch-ups. I gave it a good coat of glossy black, then set out to recover the seat. This was the first time I'd ever done this, and I was surprised that it was indeed as easy as I thought it was going to be. The hardest part is making sure the pattern of the fabric is on straight.

After a bunch of staples, here's the finished product:

Yard Sale Find...

This past weekend I got to experience a yard sale like I've never seen. Imagine 22 miles of non-stop yard sales, all along one country highway. Now, I know this pales in comparison to the annual US 127 yard sale that stretches through several states, but for those of us close enough to shop the East 80 Yard Sale, it's an amazing experience! I didn't get to shop the entire yard sale (I would need a LOT more money to shop with!), but I did see some interesting stuff. I'm tellin' ya, there was something for everyone.

I did come home with one thing that I've been scouting around for. For months now, I've been looking for just the right chair to rehab. I finally found one, for only $7! Here she is:

I'll touch up the paint, but it will remain black. The seat will have to go, though. I'm going out tomorrow to find a piece of fabric that will coordinate with my living room colors, taupe, brown, and paprika red. When its finished, it will be our new chair for the computer desk.

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Cornered in...

One corner of the dining room has long been a thorn in my side. It is quite small, and is in a high traffic area, so furnishing it has been a challenge. Not quite big enough for a desk or chest, but big enough that without something, it looked too empty. Last week, my mom surprised me with something that fit perfectly...her green bench.
She got this bench several years ago from a catalog that I brought home from work. It didn't cost much at all, less than $20 if I remember correctly. She had it in her guest room, but moved it out last week while decluttering. She asked me if I wanted it, and of course, I said yes. What kind of daughter would I be to refuse Mom's castoffs? As soon as she offered it to me, I knew where it would go-that problem corner.

I found the red pillow at JCPenney for only $7.99, and the rooster pillow was another gift from Mom (she found it at Cracker Barrel). The baskets were laying around the house.

Fills that corner just perfectly!