The Santa Ana Buffet

I thought I would show you a little before and after of a piece only a Grandma living in Santa Fe could love. At one time somebody worked really hard to hand paint that Aztec detail on this vintage Bassett buffet. The hardware? Beefy western man handles and improvised metal twisty ties. Oh yeah, this one was a beauty. :)

This one was an easy visual. I loved the clean lines, the feet and the circular details of this piece. I closed my eyes and forgot about the bright colors and rusty handles and I pictured her soft and elegant perched in somebody's dining room. Their sparkly chandelier would dance off the bling bling that I would purchase for this piece. It was a pretty picture inside that head of mine.

 So, I turned to an old favorite color of mine. Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan in Coco. And protected it with a ASCP clear wax. The original piece came with three different types of handles & knobs. I chose to simplify the piece by painting it in one solid color and I selected two rhinestone circular knobs to play up the circular detail that was already in the piece.  The rest of the drawers received matching silver pulls and the outcome? Ahhhh... so much better!

Don't be afraid to paint. Don't be afraid to change out the hardware! It's simple. It's easy. And it will give you a big impact for little money...

Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

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How We Created Sentimental Watercolor Artwork Using Our Family Photos

I'm a firm believer that when it comes to decorating a home, less is more. And the things that we choose to set out or put up on our walls should have value for us. I love the idea of being surrounded by things our family loves, things we've collected or that hold meaning for our family.


So, instead of running out to buy a kick knack at a Home Goods store just to fill a spot, take a minute to think about it. Is there something you might have that could fill that spot AND help you connect to yourself or help your family connect with each other? Need an idea? I have one for you!

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The Park Side Table

A few years ago the family that lived next door to us pulled up in an empty enormous moving van. My boys watched as they went back and forth up the ramp lifting heavy boxes and moving furniture. We offered them our dolly and our help, but they declined... they had a crew. And they had a ton of stuff. They did it a little bit at a time and on the second move day I could see the men start to scratch their head, then look inside the moving van and then back into the house. I'm sure quite the puzzle fitting task. This went on for quite some time.

Several hours later as I was pulling out to run to the grocery store and I noticed the moving truck was closed up but their SUV looked something out of a IKEA commercial. All sorts of things were tied up there. I remember giggling. Not in a making fun sort of way... just a I hope he earned his Boy Scout Rope Tying Badge sort of way.

I came home a short time later with my groceries and saw something on the curb. Something made out of my favorite substance... wood. It said, "FREE". I love free. I looked left and then right wondering how many other neighbors might be headed for this same eye candy. But I was alone in my drool. And before anybody else could swipe it, I went in for the kill. My frozen stuff could wait.

Apparently, they had room for their cook books, but not this. It was a wide square Henredon side table. It was heavy and awkward to carry but I shuffled my way into the garage with it. I couldn't believe how good of shape it was in. Minus the nail polish. If it would have been in perfect condition, I wouldn't have done a thing to it. But, the nail polish wouldn't come off. So, I chose to refinish him in Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan in French Linen. And walllaaaa there he was. Except, I wanted to see something sparkly. So, I added a glass knob. And then he became a she pretty quickly.

Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

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