Baby Girls Dresser

Before:

After:

I am finally done with this dresser!!  

The craftsmanship of this dress is just beautiful, I love the way the top 2 drawers bow out!

I was able to reuse the original hardware.  I love the charm of old hardware.

I details on this mirror are stunning!  It did take a bit to paint them but I couldn't be more happy with how all the details stand out now.  

I don't even know what else to say, this piece speaks for itself!

TTFn

Brooke

Unexpected

Life as of late hasn't been exactly what I had expected.  When we got home from Bear Lake we found out I was pregnant.  Which was quite the surprise to say the least.  Being my youngest is just over 1 I found myself a little worried to have 3 children under the age of 4, but as I thought about it I became more and more excited, and secretly hoped it was a boy for my husband.  He is the youngest of 4 girls, the father to 2 girls, our dog is even a girl, I think it is time he has a son!

What is it about carrying a baby that creates that instant love between mother and child.   I changed my lifestyle in hopes to create the best environment for my growing child, which included giving up Dr. Pepper (that is not an easy thing for me).  We started trying to decide where the baby would sleep, talked about the financial numbers, so on and so forth.  I became more and more excited to have this sweet baby in our home.  Another room to decorate right??

Sunday night, I started to bleed and cramp, I knew I was going to miscarry.  I had never miscarried before this so I didn't really know what I was in for.  Monday morning came and emotions started going crazy.  I cried and cried and cried.

By the afternoon I decided I should probably let my family and close friends who knew I was pregnant that I was miscarrying.  Since I couldn't talk about it without bawling I send out a mass text.  Not even minutes after I sent out the text, my dad, brother, sister, mom, grammy, friends, sister in law all started calling me.  My neighbor ran right over with Mrs Cavanaugh's chocolate with a sweet note that said "Chocolate always helps me"  She didn't have to say anything else, I knew she care.  My mom called me during all of her breaks throughout the day to see how I was doing.  My sister in law kept calling me to see if she could come and get the girls to let me rest.  My other neighbor brought me cookies and cupcakes she made herself and came the next day too with these beautiful flowers.  Another neighbor came over on her lunch break to check on me as well.  Last night my friend took me out to dinner for a little break and some girl time.  And I can't forget my husband, who ran his fingers through my hair as I  cried, who cooked dinner, and cleaned the house, who told me everything was going to be okay.

As I sit here and write this tears run down my face.  Yes, I am sad I miscarried but how can I not feel blessed and grateful for all of the wonderful support and care I have been shown and given.  I couldn't ask for a better family or friends.  I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven who is always watching out for me and sending help when I need it most.  I want to say thank you to all of you!  Your kindness hasn't gone unnoticed.

Sometimes I watch the news at night and wonder what kind of a world we live in.  Experiences like this remind me what the news is forgetting, the small acts of kindness, the generosity, and the compassion on the little things.  Sometimes it is the little things that mean the most!



 

Custom Orders!

I am now accepting custom orders!  

Have an old piece of furniture sitting around needing freshened up?  Let me transform it into something beautiful and unique.  

I spray all of my pieces with a professional paint sprayer and high quality paint for a smooth professional finish.  I apply a clear top coat as well for protection.

If you have a piece you would like a bid for please send me an email at Brooke.n.larsen@gmail.com.  Please include dimensions, a picture, and if you have an idea of how you would like it refinished.  

My quotes will include prep work (minor repairs), painting, and a top coat.  New hardware and large repairs will be an additional charge!

Want to refinish something yourself and need help getting started?  

I charge a $50 consultation fee (first hour) and $30 every hour after the consultation.

Here are a few of my favorite refinishes!

One of my Favorite Dressers.  I love how clean it looks!

Hutch Post Here

Table Post here

Sofa Table Post Here

Decorating with MEANING!!

There are so many amazing spaces out there.  Sometimes I find myself feeling overwhelmed, wondering how my budget will ever allow my rooms to look a certain way.   I was looking at my daughters room today and I realized I wouldn't change a thing.  Every piece in this picture means something to me or has some story behind it! 

The lamp I found at a garage sale for $5, it had some stains on the lamp shade so I found these butterflies at the dollar store 2 for a $1 and I glued them right over the stains!

The cute bunny hugging a chick was a gift my mom gave her for easter a few years ago

The blue box was also a gift we received when she was born

The oval frame I bought at DI (local Thrift Store) for a $1 and she helped me make the K out of buttons

The cute hat I found at a Flea market for $5

The Cinderella tin she picked out at Lost and Found $5

The bear was also a gift.  It is one of those wax ones that smells delicious!

The old children's books I found at Lost and Found Thrift

The characiture we had draw while we were in Disneyland, Yes she even held still for 20 minutes!

All of these items have been collected over 3 years now.  Whether they were found, made or given as a gift they all come together perfectly and helped create a space for my little girl with meaning and personality.

TTFN

Brooke

My First Custom Hutch

Before...Cause we all love before!  

After

Look at all the details in this hutch!  It is absolutely beautiful.  

I loved refinishing this hutch, it was my first custom project for someone. 

 It was so fun to help bring this piece back to life with someone else in mind.  She knew what she wanted and I got to help her create it!  

It was so beautiful once it was done I couldn't help putting my dishes in there and taking some pictures to share!    I might have stolen it if I had somewhere to put it! ;)

My favorite part however was the reveal!  She was so excited I almost felt like I was on HGTV.  There is never a better feeling that creating something and someone LOVING it!

TTFN

Brooke  

Back to Reality!

Every Summer my husbands family rents a condo at Bear Lake and we spend the week together playing cards, spending time at the beach, eating lots of good food, reading, drinking WAY too much Dr. Pepper, and enjoying each others company.   I look forward to Bear Lake every year, it is one of those vacations that you don't need a vacation to recuperate.

I think my daughters favorite part is playing in the mud without mom getting mad!

Goodbye until next year Bear Lake!!

1920's Waterfall Dresser

When I saw this dresser I HAD to have it.  It isn't everyday you find an old piece with this much detail.  It was very loved, it had a few names carved in it, nothing a good sanding couldn't fix!

Before:

After:

I painted the whole dresser and carmel color first and then painted black over the top.  Once everything was dried I got out my sand paper and sanded the black down until the carmel color showed through!  I then used the carmel color to go back and really help accent the beautiful details of this dresser!

I loved this wood inlay and I didn't want to paint over it, so it was my color inspiration.  Yes, there are somethings I just can't bring myself to paint over.  Look how beautiful it is!!

I am selling this dresser check out my furniture for sale page at the top of my blog!!

TTFN

Brooke

Come VISIT!!!

Today, Friday August 9th and Tomorrow Saturday August 10th.  I am taking over the front of Lost and Found Thrift!!  (90 W 100 N Bountiful) Come on over and visit.  There is so much fun stuff going on.  Bountiful City is having Summer Fest in the park, lots of booths, free music and more.  Bountiful Main street is having their side walk sale so now is the time to get out!!

I took my furniture over this morning to set up and the store owner, Rex, let me have free reign of their store to set up the display outside.  HEAVEN.  I had so much fun digging and pulling stuff out to create a fun display.  They have so many treasures!!

 Waterfall dresser is FOR SALE!!  It can be bought individually or in the bedroom set Which includes the Night Stand, Dresser, and Queen Bed.

Lots of FUN FUN accessories to go on top too!

Yes, I love to stack things.

This cute table is also FOR SALE!!  I wish I had a spot for a little table it is so darling!  That is probably the hardest part of this business, I want to keep it all!

Lost and Found and so many fun things for table settings!

Vintage Suitcases

 Doll crib with vintage children's books. I even bought some of these books today!

I will be at Lost and Found after 2 today(Friday) and from 10 to Close on Saturday.  If you need help finding something or putting something together come on over!!!

See you soon!!

Brooke

Lost and Found

I am so so excited....

Friday and Saturday I will be taking over the front of Lost and Found Thrift if you live in the Salt Lake Area come out and visit! 

90 West 100 North Bountiful.  

I will have new furniture out, I will also be using some of Lost and Founds Treasures to decorate.  Come take a look around and find some one of a kind treasures for yourself!

It is Bountiful Main Street Sidewalk sale so there will be lots going on!!

Hope to see you there!

Brooke

Flowers, Flowers, Oh I LOVE Flowers! Part 1

Gardening 101 by Me

Part 1 - basic planting

(part 2 next week, How to pick the right flowers for your yard)

I am not a professional gardener by any means.  I just love flowers, and I have learned a lot by trial and Error, so I thought I would share so you can learn from my mistakes!!

If you can't already tell I LOVE flowers!  I get excited when it is spring time so I can plant my flowers. I have been known to plant them too early, because of excitement, and they died.

So my first tip is...DON'T Plant too early.  Some plants are much more hardy than others.  It will usually tell you right on the tag what temperatures they can tolerate. 

For example Petunias can survive Temperatures as low as 40 degrees were Potato Vines can't go lower then 50 degrees.

Second...Dirt is key.  Flowers need nutrients having good dirt is very important.  That doesn't mean you have to go out and buy soil pep(although it would help) it can be as easy as adding grass to your dirt this fall.  We use a rodatiller to turn our grass in as well as making the dirt nice and soft.  If you don't have a rotatiller you can turn the dirt with a shovel.

Third....When planting your flowers decide how close you want them.  Read the tag it will tell you how big they get.  I like to plant mine a little closer than recommended because I like my flowers to be full and overlapping.  

Fourth....Once your flowers are spaced, I usually lay mine all out and then go back and plant once they are how I want them, dig a hole and add a time release fertilizer.  This will help your flowers grow larger and healthier. 

Fifth...I  use Miracle Grow once a week to ensure my plants are well feed.  It is true they do grow bigger!!

Sixth...Dead Head!  Make sure you are cutting off the dead flowers.  This will help your plant to stay bright all summer, and allows the plant to grow more flowers as it isn't sending nutrients to dead flowers!

Seventh...Keep the weeds down!  I don't always have time to pull every single weed, often I use my little hand rake to turn the dirt and up root any weed that might be growing.  I do this once a week and it helps with the weed control tremendously!

eighth....ENJOY!!  

I love to sit in my front yard and enjoy my flowers.  What is it about flowers that makes you so happy?

Finally.....

So about a week ago I promised I would post pictures of the MOST AMAZING dresser EVER!!  So here they finally are.  Don't mind the pictures.  It is hard to take cute pictures in your garage, and I was being lazy and didn't want to haul it out!!

 Look at the beautiful details.....

I love how the drawers are curved and the hardware is beautiful!

I have debated what to do with this piece.  Some think it is a crime to paint something like this, I considered sanding it and staining it again.  But once I really looked at it there were too many chips and deep scratches to make it look good.  So I started painting it tonight!!  It is going in my baby girls room and I can't wait to get it in there!!!  I am going to design the room around this Beauty.

TTFN

Brooke

Living Room Turned Office Update

 I was looking through my photos of my Living Room turned Office and I realized they were out of date!  That defiantly calls for an UPDATE!!

If you are new the my blog, Click here for the before pics!

This room has been so fun!  I have loved treasure hunting, it seems to be the small pieces that really bring personality to this space. Every piece of furniture in this room has a story and a meaning.  It makes the space even more special! 

Chair Story Here

This dresser is my newest completed piece, currently serving as my credenza.  To refinish this piece I used Paris Grey Chalk Paint, and Old White.  I lightly distressed it with sand paper and then used a clear wax to seal her up!  

Isn't she CUTE??  

 So.....I should expand on my treasures I have found.  

All of you that live near SLC you want to hear this!!!

I came upon the most AMAZING store. 

Lost and Found Thrift in Bountiful Utah! 

 It is one for those fun stores that is changing everyday and you never know what you will find!

I found the dresser there as well as the 3 items above.  

These are not the only items I have found but a few of my favorites.  They have everything from antiques to games to toys to puzzles you name it they have it!

They take trades or cash and if you are looking for something specific they will help you find it!  Tell them I sent you and you will get 20% off!!

I am feeling like my little helper right now so I am off to bed!

TTFN

Brooke