So it’s no secret I love old furniture.  And thrift stores.  And the paint department.  The three combined bring me great joy and make my world complete.

Like so many of you, I love to fix up older pieces with stain or paint, and give them cool new hardware.  You know, bring them into this century.   Which is why I wander around local thrift stores and spend hours on Craigslist when I should be folding laundry.  Yet again, I was out ‘shopping’ yesterday, and found a few gems I really want to bring home.

Especially when I see this sign when I walk in.

This antique dresser just needs a little love, but I’d never paint it.  The burled wood is just too pretty.  And a glass top too!

I can hear these end tables whisper, ‘Please paint me antique white, distress my edges, and replace my knobs with some crystal bling instead’.  I may just have to heed their call, since they are only $15 each on sale.

I love the lines on this piece.  It seems everyone knows someone with this style of dresser.  Dark stain or light paint (cream or gray) either way, it’s lovely.

Even more beauties.  Such potential!

How cool is this hall tree bench?  Don’t you love that hutch!  Wouldn’t it be stunning in robin’s egg blue?

Today, I’m loving this midcentury style credenza for my office to replace the ‘pretty but not storage friendly’ sofa.  It’s weathered and the top is *gasp* Formica, so I see it painted in pewter gray with nickel pulls.  Plus momma really needs some file cabinets.  I’m kinda liking that lamp too, it’s tall and has a gorgeous shape.  It would be stunning in glossy black.

And the crème-de-la-crème.  Be still my heart.

I’ve spoken to several local antique stores and boutiques who are wanting to sell my pieces.  Which is why I’m in the market for one of these.

Or one of these.

Just as soon as I epoxy the garage floor.  And just as soon as I can convince my hub his parking spot in that same garage may become my new ‘shop’.   Notice how I said his  parking spot.   

What’s your latest thrift store find?  Got any recommendations on a professional grade sprayer?  Do share!

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One of my favorite reads every day is Colour Me Happy, written by Colour and Decorating Expert Maria Killam.  Maria tackles all sorts of problems in decorating and design with a focus on choosing the right colors.

Some of my favorite tips are answers to questions like ‘Which Color Sofa Should You Buy?‘  or Maria’s informative suggestions in ‘What Everyone Should Know About Gray’.   I’m delighted to have Maria here this afternoon with her suggestions on ways to make your home a cozier space this autumn.

5 ways to Cozy your Space for Fall

by Maria Killam of Colour Me Happy

"I am thrilled and honored to be guest posting with Kate here at Centsational Girl.  She is so creative and talented; I just love her blog, this woman wields a spray can like nobody’s business!  Here are my top tips for a cozy fall:

 

1) Paint a room green. Green goes with everything, looks fabulous with your staple pieces in brown or gray and feels warm and spacious.

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This is a custom colour based on Benjamin Moore’s ‘Forest Moss’.   I love the way it’s mixed with charcoal, contemporary accent pillows and gold accents.

 

2) Add mirrors.

 

Mirrors add sparkle and light to a darker space and are an inexpensive way to fill up a wall where art would normally be.   Check out Kate’s entire transformation of her family room (above) – the mirrors and the lamp makeover really add bling to the room.

*flattered you would pick my space Maria!

  

3) Introduce a dramatic colour to your living room

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This room has primarily red accents but it still works with the raspberry wall and keeps the space feeling fresh.  Keep in mind the white and cream in the room are necessary to work with such a clean colour.

 

4) Add Cushions with Pattern

 

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I recently saw a client who informed me that she didn’t like cushions at all, she simply has a gorgeous throw in all the colours of her living room, but I got her to commit to a minimum of three (for 2 loveseats).  Without cushions on a sofa, it can look naked.   Toss pillows do a great job of repeating the existing colour in your space!

 

5. Have an Ottoman with a Throw.  I am a big believer in ottomans, especially in great rooms. The first thing I want to do is put my feet up when I sit down at the end of the day and a throw is also a requirement to stay warm.

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Stick around, Kate has so many ideas on her wonderful blog!  How do you make your home feel like fall?"

Thank you so much Maria for sharing your tips today, it’s always a pleasure learning from you!   Speaking of fall decorating, be sure to link up to Julia’s Fall Open House Party and also Nester’s Fall Mantel Party too!  

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Continuing the Fantastic Feature series, today I’m here to show off a fabulous before and after starring the inventive Brooke of Oh Brooke blog.  You savvy readers have seen your share of these kinds of chair makeovers, but Brooke’s is exceptionally good due to her fabric and finish choice, and excellent tutorial!

Here’s Brooke’s Before:

And After:

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Okay, it’s true, I so love autumn, but recently, as in the last few years, I’m loving Halloween too.  Only because in my world, all the kids around me live to dress up in their costumes and I can’t help but get excited along with them.  Costume choice is already the hot topic at school.  "What are you going to be?"  "I’m going to be Bat Girl!"  "I’m going to be Luke Skywalker!"

I’ve never liked the the gory side of Halloween.  I really don’t care for for anything extremely bloody or too disturbing.  Unlike the teenagers, I steer clear of haunted houses.  But I do love the dressing up in costumes, carving jack-o-lanterns, and trick-or-treating side of Halloween.  And I like the playful, whimsical, spooky side filled with spiders, witches, ghosts and goblins.

This year, we’re entertaining friends for a pumpkin carving party, so I thought I’d get a head start.  Martha’s been making beverage labels for a few years now, and when I spied hers in the latest Living Magazine, I was inspired to create some of my own.

Boo!

These beer bottle labels are perfect for the spooky ales we will serve.

Here’s a few poisonous potions I concocted for a Halloween vignette.

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Hello there, hope you had a great weekend, I sure did!  It was my birthday last week, so  my hub and I hired a babysitter on Saturday, and spent an afternoon and evening at some favorite places nearby.

It’s the high season in Wine Country right now.  The leaves are turning, the festivals have begun, the tasting rooms are filled with tourists.   September through November is the most colorful season to visit this bountiful region.  If you’re ever in our area, here are a few worthwhile places to spend an enjoyable afternoon.

Korbel Champagne Cellars is home to some of the finest (and quite affordable) sparkling wines.   ‘Toast Life!’  is the motto here  ~ I certainly subscribe to that.   They have some helpful tips on their site giving all the details for choosing, storing, and entertaining with champagne.

A visit to their winery is a worthwhile trip.  The brick building that greets you is so very pretty with its classic brick facade and ivy covered walls.

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