May 26, 2011

A Farmhouse Window (Sort of) and a Tutorial

I love the look a salvaged window can give a room. 

I've had a big blank wall in the kitchen just waiting for the perfect piece.  I've searched . . . and searched some more . . . all along that big blank wall kept staring back at me.


This week it was time to take matters into my own hands.  I figured if I couldn't find the perfect, old, chippy window to hang in my kitchen, I'd better make my own! 

After the window was complete I hung it on the wall and surrounded it with a collection of white plates.

That poor blank wall now looks like this!


I just love my new "window".


The paint finish turned out great and the addition of chicken wire adds a great touch!


Together with the plates, I think it gives my kitchen a great farmhouse flare.


To make your own you'll need...

Plywood (I used a piece with one smooth size, cost under $10)
chicken wire
drill
jigsaw
staple gun
paint

Start by determining the size of the window and make a template.

Layer your template on the plywood and trace around it.


Next determine how wide you want your frame.  I picked one and half inches.
Fold your template in half, then in half again, then once more.
Your template should look like this.


Using a ruler, measure from the curved edge and make a mark one and half inches in.
I made about 5 marks across the curve then connected the marks to make my cutting edge.

After cutting the line your template should look like this.


Unfold the template and center inside your original circle on the plywood.


Once again trace your template onto the plywood.  It should look like this.


Next make your windows "insides".  A simple cross shape is what I decided on.
To do this, I first found the center of my inside circle by folding the template in half and marking the line.  Unfolded the template and folded once again in the opposite direction, then marked that line.


It should look like this.


Now determine how wide you'd like your inside frame to be.  I decided on a slightly smaller size of one inch.

Using the cross lines you previously made, mark your desired width on each side of the line. 

 This is where my quilting ruler came in very handy.  I placed the ruler over the cross line, positioning it so that the edge I would draw was a half inch out from the original line.  After marking the first side, I flipped it over and did the same thing on the other side of the original line.  This gave me a total inside frame width of one inch. I did the same thing for all four lines.


Here's a look at what it should look like.


Erase your cross line and it should look like this.


Now all you need to do is cut out your shape.  I first cut out the middle sections by  using a drill to make a large enough hole for the jigsaw blade to fit into.  Then simply traced along the lines with the jigsaw.  After that I cut the outside shape.

Sand down all your edges and then paint.  I used a scraping technique similar to this.
However this time I waited for the paint to set a couple minutes then scraped off the white paint in  just a few spots. 


Once your painting is complete, add chicken wire unto the back using a staple gun.  I covered the chicken wire with a quick coat of black spray paint before I attached it to the frame.  I think it added a nice touch and blended in with the frame better.



The last step, add a picture hanger to back and hang your "new" window on the wall.


I love the result, don't you!


Oh yes!  I think it adds a great farmhouse look.  Just what I wanted all along.  I'm so happy I decided to make my own!


Hope you have a great day,

Robin

I'll be joining these parties:
Transformation Thursday's at the Shabby Chic Cottage
Open House at No Minimalist Here
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Fridays Unfold at Stuff and Nonsense
Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
How To Day at The Lettered Cottage
Farmhouse Friday at Laurie Anna's Vintage Home

May 24, 2011

A Desk With Potential

A few months back I found a fabulous desk for my daughter but I forgot to share it with you all.

The top has water rings, the finishes is very dark and a few of the drawer pulls are falling off.

But its solid and it's curves had me jumping for joy.  Little Miss E is loving it also.  I'm all for painting it up and distressing it a bit.  Miss E likes it the way it is.  So I'm working on changing her mind ...ever so slowly ... maybe in a couple months she'll give me the "go ahead".

Look at those curvy drawers!  Love them and the rope detail along the tops edge.  Oh, and look at the cute little legs!  Hmmmm, maybe I should have kept this desk for myself...next time I'd better think these things through a little better huh!


Have a great day everyone!
Robin

May 22, 2011

Knocked My Socks Off

It's once again time to share a few images that have sparked my creativity. 

Hope you enjoy!

I adore the lanterns and the wire baskets; plus I'm really drawn the simple color palette.



With gardening on the brain 24/7, I'm loving this simple, stylish arrangement of Babies Breath.



Oh how perfect this grouping of treasured items look.  I love how the pale colors of the room and it's accessories make the flowers pop!


Hmmm, more Babies Breath.  Looks like I have a theme going on here!



How great is this sign?


Now I've shown white house before but I'm thinking this one is my new favorite.
I can see myself chilling on the porch, reading my favorite blogs or perhaps watching the goats ramble happily around the yard. 
Hmmm, may be it should be chickens - - I'll have to think on that a while. 

What do you think?  Goats or Chickens?

This photo has reintroduced me to an old crush - - plate racks.  Fabulous don't you think!


Which images have got your creativity revved up?

May 19, 2011

A Weekend At The Cabin

This past weekend the girls and I enjoyed our second trip to the cabin this spring.  I've talked of the cabin before, however I've never shared the whole experience going to the cabin entails.

Three years ago my parents purchased the property and have since built a cabin which the whole family helped build.  The land is located in an established forest and one side of the property has a river. 

To say the least,  it's rustic.  So rustic in fact no roads lead in.  Instead we travel a mile through a forest like this. . .
On one of theses, carrying everything in that we need . . .
down trails like this . . .
this time of year things can get a little muddy -- rubber boats are a must. . .
To heat the cabin and cook our food we burn this . . .
Either in this. . .
Or in the campfire. . .
If nature calls, you need to take a trip out back to use this . . .

Dad used old barn boards to give it a rustic feel.

We sleep in a loft (just like Laura Ingalls!)
A few helpful hooks hang on the back of the cabin ready to lend a helping hand. 
  Boots like these keep us looking snappy on rainy days.
There always seems to be work to do if were feeling motivated.
But mostly we enjoy the view.

This time of year is one of my favorite for spending time at the cabin.  Everything is so green and beautiful and pretty flowers grow in clumps everywhere you look.

Pretty ones like theses . . .
Not sure what they are called, but I think they are so pretty.
Even when the flowers have faded,  beauty is everywhere you look.
No matter if you look down . . .
or up . . .
Beauty surrounds us.

Spending time at the cabin is all about slowing down, appreciating the land, enjoying each others company and making memories which the kids will hopefully remember throughout their lives.

May 18, 2011

Fading Blooms

This morning I'm enjoying an impromptu floral arrangement grouped together in mismatched containers and placed on a ruffled napkin. 


After deadheading fading blooms from the garden I just couldn't bear to part with a few of the best looking ones.

Pale pink shrub roses. . .


. . . purple hyacinth . . .


. . . and a hydrangea bud. . .



The sweet arrangement makes me smile and is such a great way to bring a little of the garden inside.

Hope you have a snappy day!

Robin