Perfect. Just the way they are...

Sometimes I find or buy items that just scream, "Make me over!" They are usually scratched or neglected or from the 1970s. Other times, though, an item is so old or beautiful or perfectly rusted or chipped that I can't bear to alter it. Here are a few of those "found" items that I decided to just leave alone.

This cute little bench came from a flea market.
I loved the old leather top and rusty studs.

I found this lady left all alone on a curb. She was so graceful and
perfectly chipped. I just updated her hardware, painted some corner details,
and added a basket for her missing top drawer. Beautiful!

This potting table was a thrift store find. With its metal top and chipped paint
I couldn't even think about changing it! It's found a home on my Porch. :)

My daughter found these little lanterns on a curb. Perfectly rusty and chipped!

Another "free" find, this old wash bucket is a home for my impatiens!

Bought all this rusty hardware at a flea market. LOVE the patina!

Originally, I bought this RCA radio cabinet to gut and paint. But
after my hubby found out the radio STILL WORKED I couldn't
bring myself to gut it.

A Few (Hundred) Makeovers

Okay, okay. I have been sorely remiss in posting on my blog. Let me just give a few good excuses: I am a mother, an author, a weekend warrior and furniture re-furbisher. I periodically update several different blogs (check out Booktorium!), an Etsy shop, my Pinterest page and various and sundry Facebook pages (for my books & furniture). Whew!

But enough whining and excuses. I've done LOTS of awesome makeovers this summer and I want to get you up to speed! So, here is just a taste of what I've been doing. Maybe when you see how busy I've been (and all the super-dee-coolio pieces I've found & refinished) you'll forgive me.

Makeover #1: A French Country End Table

I'm extremely forgetful when it comes to "before" photos. I hope you'll forgive me; this is the only one I had of this wood table.

When she came to me, she was in need of some love. Her top was scratched. She was an orangey brown that really did nothing for her complexion. And she had something sticky in her drawer. I don't even want to know.But look how she turned out! A shabby-chic furniture piece anyone would be proud of! A little primer, a little paint, some sanding/glazing/sealing. The usual process. And she went to a kind and loving home. ;)

Makeover #2: Mantle BookcaseI found this excellent mantle at a thrift store. i wasn't sure what I would do with it, but when some vintage wood came my way, I knew it would make a beautiful, one-of-a-kind bookcase. With help from hubby, I transformed the orangish mantle into a beautiful shabby show piece!

Makeover #3: Shabby Chic Hutch
Again, I forgot to take a proper "before" photo. This is all I could find, but you get the idea. This hutch, while cute, had the potential to be MORE. So, I got to work, and after long, grueling hours of taping off glass and layers and layers of primer, paint and glaze, I finally had a beautiful, shabby hutch! I sold it to an amazing woman who was starting a boutique, and she was kind enough to send me a photo of the hutch in its new home. I know it will be VERY happy there!