Multipurpose Before and After

A Before and After of a project I recently completed. This is one that I added to my Etsy shop and is available for purchase. It is a wooden box I came across - actually I came across two of them, but the other one had a solid wood bottom and the whole thing looked so shabby and cohesive that I left it that way.

The bottom of this one was clearly a different shade and therefore was begging to be painted. So I used a classic white with a distressed, white-washed finish and I love how it turned out.

I love old wooden boxes because they have so many uses:
- holding plants
- planting a succulent garden
- hanging as a shelf or curio
- setting on a large table as a base for a grand centerpiece
- drilling holes in the sides to fill with candles and hang for an indoor/outdoor candelier...

A Trip to the Oregon Garden

Although I live just 30 minutes from the Oregon Garden, I only recently made my first trip there. I am so glad I went. I love gardening, gardens, flowers...and this was a treat!

With over 20 specialty gardens and features there was more than enough to see and enjoy. Upon arriving we immediately took a tram around the park to get a quick tour of the grounds before exploring on foot.

The water garden was one we enjoyed the most because it is very unique. They have a water monster and a rock-climbing fish! We saw large fish which was neat, but one was literally getting about 2/3 of its body out of the water climbing the rock wall surround, probably with a food motivation. We watched that little guy for several minutes - quite entertaining!

Here's the monster that lurks in the water. My kids love the attraction, but don't worry - my 4 year-old swears it's not real.

If you have kids, the Children's Garden is wonderful! It is a bit of a resting spot for adults and there is an excavating sand box area for the kids, a rabbit hole, a ship and so much more.

My kids loved all of it and were especially intrigued by the large train set-up they have. I think they could have stayed there and chased that train for an hour.

I love this flower pot family. I am thinking we need to make a flower pot person for the small children's garden we created this past summer at our house.

One of my favorite finds was the creative use of household items in the garden. They have a complete bathroom...

...and a real flowerbed.

That day we saw trees (including a 400 year-old Signature Oak), flowers, water features, birds, fish, small snakes (my daughter's favorite). It was definitely worth the trip! I can't wait to see it in the Spring.

Vintage Apothecary Jars

I had one old glass apothecary jar that was my grandmother's. I always remember it in the display cabinet above her beautiful wooden secretary and it was always full of sugar-free candies. That was a big deal because Grandma never had candy at her house. 

picture from robomargo.com

I recently started collecting more to go with that one. I especially love the curvy ones and they must have lids! But once you have them, what do you put in them? Right now mine are filled with sea shells, but here are some other great ideas...


Here is another take on beach decor.

picture from decorchick.com

Making a terrarium is the next thing I want to try with mine.

picture from potterybarn.com

Of course candy always looks great in a glass jar.

picture from ehow.com

These jars are beautiful and can be used to display just about anything: rocks, vintage reading glasses, antique watches, marbles, small toys, clothespins, lace or ribbon...

picture from robomango.com

They make great, clean storage in the bathroom and kitchen as well. They take up so little visual space that it won't look cluttered on a counter top. 

ShabbyNChic jar pair

Find a variety of apothecary jars for sale in my shop if you are looking for your own to fill.

ShabbyNChic Tall Jar

Please share any other ideas you have for how to use these glass jars.

Before and After

It's been awhile since I have posted and I thought I would start back with a Before and After project since those are so much fun to see. I found this small shelf and it was dirty and has sealer spilled on it, but it was a cute and sturdy piece of furniture. 

When my 4 year-old saw it she said, "Mommy, this looks icky. You should paint it." And yes, I did!

I chose turquoise because you really can't go wrong with that color, especially recently. 

What do you think? It's now for sale in my new booth at a local antique shop.

I think it would look precious with pink items on it or a collection of white milk glass.