Twice a year, I buy a new handbag. Last fall/winter it was a brick red satchel. The spring/summer of 08 was a metallic cream bag. This year, I’ve decided to go yellow for spring and summer. After all, it is the hot color. I’ve convinced myself that yellow really is a neutral, and will match everything I wear. [Will I look back on this in five years as a fashion mistake?]

Here are some sun-shiny beauties that are way out of my price range:

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Meet my naked wall. Ever since the remodel of 2006 (the lost year), when we reconfigured our floorplan to incorporate a separate living room, this wall has taunted me. So exhibitionist in its nakedness, constantly reminding me that it lacked any coverings whatsoever. I would walk past it everyday, hanging my head *sigh*, holding fast to my “don’t decorate all at once, take your time, get it right” philosophy. But naked wall was wearing me down.

Ballard Designs is one of my go-to catalogue’s for inspiration. I saw them advertising a party table and custom slipcover option in burlap. Burlap. Okay, I know some designers are into it, but if you ask me, burlap belongs in a barn. I’m a soft texture kind of gal. [Don't de-friend me if you like burlap.] But it wasn’t their fabric choice that got me so much as the PRICE. For a 42″ square party table they’re asking $129. For the custom fabric tablecloth, they’re asking an additional <*choke, cough, gag*> $217 to $457. Um, I think that’s a crime in some states.

[Confession: this look is kind of gorgeous]

Here’s my party table (48″ x 24″) that’s been collecting cobwebs for a year in my garage. I purchased it last year at Home Depot for $20 to use for parties.

I went to the local fabric store and practically stole this gorgeous embroidered linen fabric on sale for $6 a yard (orig $15 a yard). I hemmed the bottom with what I call the “double foldover” hem job.

Then I cut the top piece, and just like making a slipcover, I attached the fabric pieces together with pins (inside out). A few seams and 90 minutes later, I had myself a custom tablecloth. Check out this beautiful embroidery in the fabric. I also added some bronze trim around the seam, just to up the ante.

Then I got my end chairs at my dining room table to file for legal separation from the rest of my dining room set. They were bored there anyway and needed some space. With a new makeover (see this post), my dining room chairs now sit next to my Ballard style table. A few weeks ago, I ordered a set of four Paris prints from JCPenney on clearance for $129 (with free shipping!) Iron the linen tablecloth, add a few decorative items, and voila !

I amuse myself and say this is all temporary of course, because I covet this sofa from Crate and Barrel for the same wall and someday will talk Mr. CG into this worthy investment.

Until then, I am glad naked wall is clothed at last.

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Every DIYer needs a few power tools. I rob Mr. CG’s stash in the garage. I’ve got a crush on this power cordless screwdriver for its muscle and speed.

Remove cushion. Center seat on sturdy flat surface on the fabric pattern. Staple once at top, bottom, and sides, then work your way around with the staple gun positioning fabric just right. Corners are tough so reduce speed of stapling as you go around the bend.

Reattach new seat cushion. Add nailhead trim. (I used a french natural nailhead trim kit that includes 10 yards of nailheads. Easy to use because you only hammer every 5th nailhead.) Don’t forget to use rubber mallet to hammer in nailheads.

Add decorative pillow. Here’s my instant makeover in about one hour.

Queen Anne is much improved after the royal treatment, don’t you think?

Here are some other nailhead trim chairs available out there:

Ballard Designs Louis chair, $559

Overstocks ‘Montgomery’ dining chair with nailhead trim, $520

Salisbury & Manus ‘Louise’ Chair, $850 without fabric

St. Germain chair by Ralph Lauren Home, $1,725

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Albemarle Dining Chair by Tomlinson/Erwin Lambeth, $2,725

I love everything about this one: the colors, the embossing, the sparkle, the sentiment.

The handmade card holder is a nice personal touch.

A picnic invitation you can’t refuse. She stitched this napkin !

This is just one corner of Elise’s studio. Most of the products she works with are from Stampin Up, but she gathers goodies from all sources. Isn’t she the best? Contact Elise at mamacow@comcast.net. She is a rep for the Stampin Up company if you fall in love with anything from their website/catalogue.

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I was at the Goodwill store with my sister-in-law the other day and she spotted a very abused dresser. She very much wanted a dresser for my nephews who share a room, and she was particularly fond of the “piratey” hardware. Unfortunately, it looked like a hunk of junk. Centsational Aunty to the rescue! I promised I could bring it back to life. Daring me, she plunked down the $15 listed on the price tag. I repeat, $15, only because you won’t believe the final product.

Accepting her dare, I bought the following supplies: MinWax tinted stain in Antique Red ($8), some medium grade sandpaper ($3), and one new pull in chrome for $3 (which I later spray painted ‘antique bronze’ with Rustoleum to match the existing hardware).

Third step: Apply tinted stain to sanded wood top and drawers. This was unbelievable to me, how one coat of Minwax tinted stain completely changed the piece. It was so easy ! I used a sponge, and followed the directions on the can. You can see in the first photo how the stain dramatically changes the raw unhealthy wood into an even smooth surface. The stain transformed the dresser to make it look like new cherry wood. Unbelievable what a little elbow grease and tinted stain can do.

You can imagine what a dresser like this costs at Bombay Company or similar furniture stores. My 9 year old and 7 year old pirate loving nephews are going to love it ! I can already picture their pirate ship and treasure chest sitting on top. Aarrgggh.

Dresser $15
Tinted stain $8
Sandpaper $3
New pull hardware $3

Total cost: $29

[4/29/09 Author's Update: This project won the Minwax company's Showcase Project - see this post.]
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