Plant Stand Makeover

I Loooooove baths.  Its my little escape when I get to go read in the tub and listen to relaxing music. I have been looking for awhile now for a little table to sit next to the bathtub to hold a glass of water, a novel (so it doesn't get wet) and some bath accessories etc. I saw this $8.00 brass plant stand at a flea market this past fall that was quite frankly...U.G.L.Y...but I saw its potential!

I wish I had a before picture before I spray painted it...but I am much too impatient for that.  Here it is after a coat of Rustoleum "Heirloom White" spray paint sitting next to an old pot I plan to use as a caddy for some bath accessories.

 I  wrapped the handle of the little pot in natural jute to create a more natural-spa-like look.  

I added a pretty little bird plate I had to the top of it to hold my glass of wine water and a novel I am reading.

I love my little $ 8.00 thrifty plant stand table!

Its fun to look for things and think "how can I use them differently?"  Does this look like a table to you? or do you just see a plant stand?  Either way I like the shabby chic look to it and if I grow tired of it, I might put it out on the deck in the summer with some flowers.

I am linking up to House of Grace's "Twice Owned Tuesday Linky Party"

Kitchen Chalkboard: Before & After

I wanted a little chalkboard in my kitchen to write inspiring quotes, seasonal sayings and to do lists.  I found this antique frame at a flea market for $10.00.  There was a section of the flea market that was raising funds for a little boy with cancer and this frame was in this section.  The $10.00 went completely for this cause, so it made for an easy decision and even if I wrecked the frame it would not have mattered.

Here is the "before":

 I just loved the detail on the top and in the corners.

I used wood filler to fill in the gaps with my fingers and roughly filled in the missing bits of frame. I than used a bamboo skewer to remove the wood filler around the detailed areas.

I didn't want it to be perfect and loose the antique feel.

I than painted the frame in a colour I already had in the house (my entryway) Benjamin Moore Mount Saint Anne.  I antiqued it a little more by glazing the corners with some metallic gold acrylic paint.  

For the chalkboard I bought a piece of hardboard for $2.38 at Home Depot and cut it to fit the frame.  I still have another big piece left.   I than painted the hardboard with chalkboard paint. 

It sits behind my kitchen sink in a plate holder that I got at the dollar store a long time ago.  It looks great with my santa full of dog bones, my $1.00 thrift store plate and antiqued candle holder.

 Linking to Thrifty Decor Chick's Before & After Party