Polyvore 30-day Challenge #1...Guest Bathroom

The beginning of Spring is pretty darn slammed up with orders and projects here on the Porch, and I really have no business playing on Polyvore or writing a blog post, BUT...

There is something about the weather getting warmer and the beautiful yellow dust all over everything that nudges me to do something for the Porch People. You know, the ones that actually live here and put up with a random china cabinet blocking the foyer and quarts of paint littered about the house in the midst of me working? The ones that drop by for a cocktail on the actual Porch? Those people. Disclaimer:  the pollen reference was complete sarcasm.

This is the house that is attached to the Porch.

I think I tend to put aside doing things for my own home because I am always so busy trying to make the homes of others beautiful. I'm a bit flighty and restless when working--I tend to start a new piece or project inbetween coats of paint, so there is always something in progress around here. I decided that I was going to get ontheball with my own redecorating. The best way to get anything done with me is to challenge me that I can't, so here we are:  the first 30-day Polyvore Challenge. 

The goal is to redecorate (and in some cases finally decorate) one room in my house at a time, using my Polyvore sets as a reference, in 30 days. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can! First order of business...the Guest Bathroom.

My family and friends have all seen my Guest Bathroom. They have seen it at its best and they have seen it at its worst. They know when they come for an event it will be pristine and they know when they drop by for a casual visit it will be a little notsopristine. They know that the ceiling-to-floor curtain actually hides a tub/shower combo behind it and if they are nosey--they know I store my carpet shampooer in that tub combo. So, it has been a long time coming to make the Guest Bathroom over.

Anyhoo, I have been waiting to try FAT Paint's new color, Wasabi, hoping that it would work for my Guest Bathroom's vanity. It is a rich mossy green. After looking at the sample, I decided it was absolutely perfect. So, like a good "decorator", last night I couldn't sleep and clicked over to my Polyvore account to see what I thought I wanted the Guest Bathroom to look like last year. My Polyvore account hasn't seen any action in months on my part (sorta like this poor blog), so I needed to take a peek at my other Front/Guest Bathroom set. I realized that was just not going to work. So, like any insomniac (not quotations there because I go through phases), I decided to make a new one. Some of the elements are the same, but the overall feel is much warmer and more in tune with me.

This is the Guest Bathroom Polyvore from my very first blog, found here::  http://www.porchpro.blogspot.com/2013/02/diving-into-color.html

I think a lot of people create "dream" rooms consisting mostly of things they just want. I try to use things I have, things I can make, and things I can find for much less--so that the end result is actually attainable! My tastes in decorating change about every year--I don't throw myself into the new trend at one time, rather I incorporate things about that trend that I love AND work with items I already own (and still love). Here's the newest Polyvore incarnation:

This set and info on all of the inspiration items can be found here:  http://www.polyvore.com/guest_bathroom/set?id=119516995

Let's start with the floor: I have square subway-style tiles and dark tan grout. The white is more of an off-white. I love how easy they are to clean! Goal:  already installed (score!!!)

The walls are currently a tan with orange undertones. The new color will be a richer tan. My Sherwin-Williams sample book is presently residing on the vanity, as it is down to two choices. I'm considering painting the trim the same color, but I'll have to have a look at it and then decide if I want the trim a secondary color. If so, I'm thinking ivory. Goal:  purchase paint(s) and paint walls and trim

I mentioned the ceiling-to-floor curtain--I can't count the number of times guests have told me they were surprised that there really was a tub/shower behind it, thinking it was just a false panel to add interest. These people also gave away that they now knew where the carpet shampooer was being stored. Gotcha!  The new panel will be an ivory linen-like material. Linen is lovely, but I need a fabric that I can toss in the wash and not worry about. Goal:  purchase fabric and cajole my Mother into making the panel (ha!)

I have a really great petite chandelier installed, but I am feeling a pendant in there for more light and a less fussy look.  Goal:  find pendant light for less than $790 (much less) and repaint antique bronze if necessary/install

The vanity. Let's talk about this vanity. It was custom-built to specifications. Not the specifications I gave them, but to some specifications. Right now it is solid white and we removed the horrible feet that were installed on it. New feet are a must. I'm going to add some brown and then overlay that with FAT's Wasabi before I lightly distress, wax and dark wax. Antique Bronze pulls are also veryveryvery necessary.  Goal:  purchase and paint new feet/install, paint vanity, purchase and install Antique Bronze knobs

Accessories are the fun part of any room! My friend Brandy (www.bfloydphotography.net) helped me pick out two original watercolors at Scott Antique Market and they are the inspiration for the new color scheme. Lots of greens and tans and an overall soft feel.  Goal:  purchase frames for watercolors

Here is Brandy trying on a giant pair of Emu boots at Scott Antique Market.

It has nothing to do with my Guest Bathroom, but she's adorable and I love this picture, so here it is.

Every bathroom needs a good rug underfoot. I love the modern feel of this one, without being too trendy. Plus, I found it in a washable!!!  Goal:  purchase rug

Every bathroom needs three things in addition to the obvious:  a waste bin, linens, and something to store extra paper in!  This waste bin has some great detail, and will add some depth to all of that tan and ivory. Going with white or ivory linens is always a good choice, and I have already found a great set of ivory linens. I use the vanity itself to store all of our beach towels, so  there is never anywhere to store extra tissue. No one wants to have to reach into the carpet shampooer storage to grab a roll, right? I'm over baskets, and I love the look of this upholstered crate. I just happen to know someone who has made a few of them (spoiler alert:  me). Goal:  purchase waste bin, purchase linens, construct/upholster crate seat.

Finally, I need a new sink set in Antique Bronze and a round mirror. I have a few round mirrors around the house, so I may just move one of those and possibly refinish it. Goal:  purchase/install sink set and find/possibly refinish round mirror.

I'm excited about this re-do!  Can I do it?  Sure, I can do, but can I do it in 30 days with all that I have going on on the Porch? The Guest Bathroom challenge starts on Saturday, April 26, so be sure to check the Porch Productions Facebook page (www.facebook.com/porchproductions) for before, during and after photos!

P.S. I'm still going to store the carpet shampooer in the tub.

Showtime.

As I get ready for another four days at Scott Antique Market in Atlanta, I am in the throes of the days before we start and all its chaos. Showing at a monthly market is NOT for the faint of heart. The prep is immense (in and of itself) and the four days I am there just about take the life out of me. Yet--here I am doing it again this month.

It's not just organizing my inventory lists, pricing items, and finishing up new pieces. Well, it is all that, but that and a lot more, especially for this upcoming market. Let's start a little simply and talk about the inventory lists. I create a spreadsheet for market that includes tabs for Porch Productions (furniture and accessories that I have completed), FAT Paint, Heavenly Sugar (body and lip scrubs this time), and one for other items. The "Other Items" sheet consists of what we in the bidness like to call "smalls". "Smalls" are items that we didn't create and usually haven't worked on in any way. For example, here are some smalls from my last market:

"Smalls" can be found almost anywhere--yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores, consignment stores, and sometimes from my own personal items.

"Smalls" add character and more pops of color to what could be rather bland if all you have to show are large pieces of furniture. I never have a problem with "not enough color", which is obvious if you have seen my work. I tend to buy "Smalls" that I would want in my own home. I kept a few of these items myself, so I suppose I was right! Buying "Smalls" isn't just a one-day event--it can take months to amass just the right amount of them, so it's an ongoing process (even when I am taking a month off from market, which I am doing for the month of July).

Doing the inventory on my FAT Paint and Heavenly Sugar is pretty much a breeze, since my orders come with invoices and I check off items as I sell them either through the porch or at our new location in Brown's Crossing Antique Mall. I'm really excited about all of the samples of FAT Paint I will have at this month's market--both the quarts and samples go fast, and I am just thrilled with the response we have received from customers who have purchased and tried it. It's a little overwhelming. I'm also excited to be offering Heavenly Sugar lip scrubs as well. As soon as my order for this market arrives, I am picking one out for myself and putting it to the test!

The Porch Productions inventory is a little more time-consuming. As I finish a piece, I try to go back over my purchasing spreadsheet and total up what it should sell for (purchase price, materials used, labor). Most of the time, I do not do that as I should. So, for market, I go back over everything and enter a sale price in the Porch Productions spreadsheet. I also enter the lowest possible price I can take, because people will ask me, "What is the lowest price you will take?" Just like the desk cost blog, I usually lose on my labor. Thankfully this is a labor of love!

This next task is not only time-consuming, it's a workout. For this upcoming market, I am delving into my immense stash of fabric. It would be nice if I had thought to measure it and mark it with those measurements when I closed my children's boutique in 2009, but nope--didn't do that, either. I have been spending hours folding, measuring (both yardage amounts and widths), and then making a master list of them all. Before we load up, I will tie them all up with four-cross ribbon and add price tags. I tend to have between 4 and 10 yards of a fabric, so I am hoping that with it being both "sanding season" and doing all of this fabric, my upper arms are going to be a-mazing by the time the Summer is over...

This is just some of my stash (hoarded) of fabrics. Someone should really have intervened at some point.

I don't generally have a "least price I will take" on fabrics, as most of them were purchased wholesale, and I sell them for just a tiny bit North of wholesale price. Forget trying to figure out what I paid for shipping if they were ordered. Oy vey.

It's a lot of work to get ready for a market and the days can be verrrrry long, but if it goes well, it can be an awesome way to sell a lot of items in a very short period of time. There are so many people that would never have had the chance to see my stuff otherwise. People come from hours away each month to visit Scott Antique Market!

If you are in the area (or even not), come out and see us June 6-9. We will be located in the South Building, Row I-5, Booths 5640 and 5641. Hours are Thursday (12:45-6), Friday & Saturday (9-6) and Sunday (10-4).

Off we go!

SOLD!

I have been to a LOT of auctions. However, they are usually the kind that I have run, and I've done a slew of them. Silent and live auctions for benefits are not anything like live auctions for porch goodies. Believe me, after learning to talk in Alabama, honing my speak in Texas, and being a Georgia girl for the last 29 years, I talk fast. I have nothing on the auctioneers.

It's interesting to watch everyone before the bidding begins. Seeing what they hover over, touch, and whisper about to their companions. I found myself cutting eyes a little bit at anyone who seemed to covet what I was coveting, but I don't think they saw me do it, so it's totally okay. Right?  They started outside, and I already had a few things that I knew must go home with me. One was this iron industrial cart:

I loved the finish as it was, and envisioned dark mahogany-stained shelves.

I had been paying close attention to what the majority of people there were bidding on up until my cart came up for bidding. They started with old wood doors, and only one of them sold. I figured that was a good sign for me, as old doors are something that I would totally buy a mess of if I hadn't already 

set my sights on other things (see below, as I caved on a door). Needless to say, I "won" the cart and let out a very annoying "Whoop!" when he gave the final point to me. I cannot wait to have Mr. Burruss cut shelves for it!

The next item I won was this great metal chair, and funnily enough--it was paired with an old door. I love the layering on the door, and plan on only flaking a bit of the loose paint chips off and putting a heavy spray clear coat on it. The little chair is just precious, and I think I may just leave it as is, too and also do a heavy clear coat on it.

They do actually look like they are meant to be together, don't they?

Next it was on to the Mack Daddy of what I wanted. This:

I have NO idea what it is, or where it was used. The general consensus is that it is an old Eastern Airlines luggage cart. Give it a guess yourself in the comments below.  I would love to have a thick cushion made for it and take porch naps on it. I think I shall.

I kind of zoned out on the rest of the outside items and made my way indoors. If you have never been to a live auction (that isn't book-ended by cocktails and dinner), they can last a long time while you are waiting for them to get to YOUR stuff. Inside there must have been about 200+ items up for auction--there were a few things I liked, but not enough to make the highest bid. I got this sweet French lamp, and need to find a shade for it before the next show at Scott Antique Market.

Pretty French Blue--Just needs a touch of dark wax to give it some depth.

I didn't say there wasn't anything that I wanted inside. I just said I let a lot of things go higher than I was willing to pay for them. However, there was one thing that I wanted. Needed. I have a tendency to lean towards art (in my home) that is a little off. You will find a small oil painting in my kitchen, but the rest of it is a little "off". This little gal was going to be mine...

And now she is.

I had a great time at the auction, and hope to attend another in the Fall. If you haven't ever been, here are few things I would suggest (because I am now an expert after one experience):

1. Have a budget. Stick to it.
2. Take a good look at everything before the auction starts, and know what you have your heart set on.
3. Have a friend tell you when to raise your card and nod to the auctioneer if you can't follow along with the speed of the auctioneer.
4. Have fun--I know I did!

Want to attend an auction in your area? Visit www.auctionzip.com to search for upcoming events.

Who You Are.

I tend to keep my "business" and my "personal" lives separate. Having a business is kind of like being a journalist--I feel that in business, you should keep your private thoughts to yourself to a certain degree. I think I'm doing a better job than most journalists these days! However, a little piece of me goes into each and every item that leaves the porch, so I think that's it's okay to share something with you. Today is a big day for me, because seven years ago I didn't think there would be a "today". I didn't even think there would be a Christmas 2007, but there have been six Christmases since March 29, 2007 and I am hoping there will be many, many, many more Christmases and March 29ths.

Me, bald and wanting to go hand out pencils at the airport.

Pink was never really my color. Even in the 6th grade when I wore a pink-striped Ralph Lauren polo and pink swish Nikes to the first day of school, I think I would have rather worn anything but pink. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34, I threatened everyone I knew with certain death (theirs) to NOT bring me anything with a pink ribbon on it. I'm not a flag-waver, a sign-carrier, or a get-out-there activist. I prefer to shout softer, and use my mind and hands to get my point across and to further a cause. Those that know me might say otherwise, but I could really be a raging activist if I was just a bit angrier...

I'm also not a big proponent of the "having cancer was a gift" line. I'd give that cancer back in a minute if I could. It was not a "gift". It didn't make me a better person. I was pretty damn "better" before it, but for so many years, it defined me. It scared me. It terrified me to the point that every little bump and bruise and pain was most likely the end. That "end". For a few years, I figured I was just going to die anyway and I was tired. Like, to the bone tired. I took care of my family as I should, needed and wanted to, but there was nothing about "me" that was all that special (other than being the token breast-cancer girl out of my age group of friends). Don't get me wrong--I wasn't pitied, or ignored, or held to a higher standard because of the cancer, but I slowly began to feel that maybe I wasn't going to die and maybe I should once again become a participating member of working society. 

 Drugged up, but loving my little man's hydrangea wreath.

Since 2007, I have had a lot of changes in my "professional" life. I closed my children's boutique in 2009 after owning it for seven years, I started doing more and more work for local fundraisers, and fell back in love with the best part of my boutique--creating on a daily basis. I loved the store for a very long time, but eventually decided that it was eating up too much of my life (and heart and nerves). The two things I told people I missed were the babies (ahhh, the smell of a new baby that won't keep me up all night is Heaven) and the custom projects. I couldn't just go out and smell random babies (I would prefer not to be incarcerated for that kind of shenanigan), so I gradually got back into creating.

I ran head on into Porch Productions. I revisited techniques and learned new ones. I bought paint and paint and more paint. I stocked up on brushes and power tools. I scoured every nook and cranny of yard sales, antique stores, thrift markets and created a network of awesome people that find great pieces for me and those who listen to me complain about how a layer of paint is going on. I still do all of this. This is IT. Having Porch Productions in my life has filled me up. I now worry more about the weather and "Can I finish that desk this week?", than my back hurting and "It's mets." I get immense joy from seeing the look on a customer's face when they see their re-created or newly created treasure for the first time. I can give more to my fundraisers not only because there is more to give, but because I can also create for them. I'm actually in the process of partnering with someone in a retail environment (but on a much smaller scale than the boutique), which is crazy, but I now think that I can start something and be around to finish it. I am finally where I am supposed to be--in my heart and on the porch.

 Glad I'm not a lefty.

Check your Porch Production's piece...somewhere on it is a fingerprint from this hand.

It's my "signature".

If you have read the "About" section on my page, you know when I first refinished a piece of furniture (around 1997). If you have read my other blog posts, you know about the letters and the sweet nurseries. If you have browsed my page, you know what I do now. By reading this blog, you now know what Porch Productions now does for me--for my family, for my self-confidence, for my survivorship. I don't owe cancer anything. I owe the ability to be tired after working hard to the countless sweet girls who are not here anymore. The ones that held my hand (both virtual and in real life) when I was no one but a "breast cancer girl". It's always going to be a part of me, but now when I am introduced to someone new, I'm introduced as the girl who owns Porch Productions.

When you think of my small business, don't only think about how I am taking pieces destined for the trash heap (recycling, anyone?) or giving people the option to buy small instead of big (there is no CEO over here). Think about what it means to me to be someone who takes these two hands, these sometimes neuropathic legs and this fuzzy chemo-brain and creates. Someone who found out she was someone she used to be before, but better and happier. There's more to the porch than just wine, and there's more to me now than that vague memory of the cancer. This week, I am even painting a 1950's vanity...pink. On top of that, last Christmas I asked for (and got) a new compressor. This year, it's a new high-falutin' respirator.

To buy or not to buy? Can I sell it? That IS the question...

I have a lot of inventory right now. Not because I am a hoarder (okay, I am), but because when I find a really great piece at a great price, I buy it. No hesitation, no plan of what I am going to do with it, no consideration of having space to store it until I get around to working on it. The most important part of that? The price.

When I find a great piece, and I think it's priced too high, it's not because it's not a good price for that item as is. It's just not a good price for ME. See, I don't buy pieces and just resell them--I transform them. Transforming takes a lot of time, effort, and materials. For example: if I see a great desk (I buy a lot of them, hence two blogs posts on desks) for $100 and it it's in great shape, I have to look at the costs of all that it will take to "transform" it. Let's break it down:

If this desk had been $100.

Most likely, I am going to have to sand it:  Mouse pads $6/pack and sheets $10/pack = $16 and 1 hour of labor to sand it, and that's only if it isn't a really thick layer of poly or 14 layer of latex paint that someone thought would be AWESOME on their desk.

Desk $116 in just material costs, plus 1 hour of labor.

Now that I have it sanded down, I might still need to prime it. If that's the case:  (3) cans of primer $8/each = $24 and about a half hour of labor.

Desk $140, plus1.5 hours of labor.

After all that bidness, it's now time to put a finish on it. I do not love to stain, so I am not going to figure in the cost of that (materials or labor), but I will say that the labor is a lot. Let's say I decide to use chalk paint, milk paint, or any other specialty paint. I like to do two coats, no matter what it is. Quart of specialty paint:  $38, plus 2 hours of labor. I might need a new brush and since I try to use really good brushes, which makes for an even finish, let's just say a new brush is $16. 

*I rarely use the whole quart of paint on any one project, but what is left isn't really enough to do another large piece.

Desk $194, plus 3.5 hours of labor.

If I want to distress it a bit, I once again have material costs--sanding block $5 and Mouse pads (we'll just consider that I didn't use all of the first pack). Let's give it a half hour of labor.

Desk, $199, plus 4 hours of labor.

Wait--that's not it. There is still a top finish, or maybe even some dark wax that goes on before I can even get to the top finish! Since I tend to not dark wax an entire piece, I am also going to leave that out of my little estimate here, but dark wax is about $45/tin. If you use all over on a large piece, you can easily use about a quarter of a tin! The labor is crazy--just imagine wiping on and wiping off Crisco (but less pliable) on an entire armoire. Sounds like a party, doesn't it? So, back to the final finish--I like a satin clear coat. A desk takes about 4 cans of clear coat, if done correctly and for a smooth, even, durable finish. The clear coat I use is $8/can. Used labor is about 20 minutes 3-4 times, but I'll just keep it at an even total, and estimate the total labor up until this point at 5 hours.

That $100 desk is now up to $231, and there isn't even any labor added to this total, or wax.
Ouch!

Even knowing all of this, I tend to end up cutting my labor charges way down on almost every piece just to keep the end total down, which sounds like I am kind of getting the shaft on the only thing that doesn't come out of my wallet! Thank goodness I love what I do!

So, the next time you wonder why you saw a desk at that yard sale for $100 is not going to be $100 when it leaves the porch, you know a little bit about why.

There is a lot of material cost, time and love put into each Porch Productions piece, so I hope that you feel the love coming off of it every time you look at yours!

Want to see how this desk turned out? Visit www.facebook.com/porchproductions tomorrow to find out!

A desk is a desk is a desk?

It's awesome how many people are taking the time to learn how to take something so-so and turn it into something fabulous. My journey started from necessity (and lack of funds), went through wanting to please my customers in my children's boutique and has now it become a bustling little business!

You might think that everyone who refinishes furniture does the same thing--sure, we all repair and prep the pieces, but even when different "artists" work on a piece with the same functionality you can see the light that shines from each of them individually...

Take a look at the three desks below and see if you SEE what I mean...

Desk 1:

Coral with lightly distressed edges (dark wax lightly applied) and satin finish

www.facebook.com/porchproductions

Don't just look at the shape of Desk 1. Look at the color--it's bright and just pops! It's an all-over finish, meaning there is only distressing on the hard edges (see second photo). The hardware was painted in an aged bronze to balance out the coral. You can't tell in the photo, but the satin finish gives it a subtle glow with a smooth feeling.

Desk 2:
Two tones of butter yellow with sage green accents and heavy distressing with clear wax finish
http://www.designsbybrie.blogspot.com/

Again, the difference in Desk 2 and Desk 1 has nothing to do with it's shape! Brie used two tones of butter yellow and sage green peeking through to give this desk a soothing feel. Distressing is used on the hard edges as well (with dark wax added for emphasis), but also on the top (see top right of second photo). The hardware was painted a soft white, which makes this neutral color-scheme pop for itself! The clear wax finish gives the piece a creamy feel.

 Desk 3:

Vintage white finish with heavily distressed edges and all over dark wax with clear wax finish

 https://www.facebook.com/VintageFication

Again and AGAIN, the difference in all of these desks is not the shape of them! Mary started with a solid vintage white, and then heavily distressed the hard edges (second photo). She used dark wax all over the piece, and less on the drawer fronts, which gives the white it's smokey feel and creates a two-tone look. The hardware is an old-gold metallic, which just increases the lushness of this piece. Clear wax finishes it off.

So...what have we learned here?

Just like someone who paints on canvas, artists who paint on furniture each have a different method to their madness (or happiness in these cases). Our minds all have a different scheme of colors in them. Our hands all have a different touch to them.

Our clients all have a different need.

However, we all want to make those clients happy. That's one thing we all DO the same.

One True Thing.

I used to own a children's boutique. We did it all--furniture, bedding, window treatments, custom art, and on and on and on. I had clients with small budgets and clients with budgets so large that I couldn't total their purchases fast enough. While I loved the big sales, the budget-friendly sales made me work harder. How to make a $5000 room with $500 is a challenge and this was before Pinterest. I shudder to think what would have been presented to me had Pinterest been around then...

With every room I did, I asked people to bring in one thing that they loved. Be it an antique *tsotchke, a fun piece of art, or a tiny scrap of fabric, I loved seeing what people had a connection to. I didn't care if it came from a generation of grandmothers before them, a yard sale, or TJMaxx. The customer just had to love it. When we were asked to do a nursery for a "Street of Dreams" house in Tyrone, Georgia, my inspiration piece was a sheet that I had seen on the Garnet Hill website. I bought 12 of them, and this is how it turned out:

Photo from Parents magazine. See more of the nursery here:

http://www.parents.com/baby/nursery/design/girlie-garden-nursery/

That's how I look at every room in my house. I am in the process of re-decorating several rooms in my house (even while I have a few that have never been finished in the almost 7 years we have lived here). Having the store gave me the ability to look at price tags with suspicion (since I knew what the mark-ups could be on on things). When I decide to redecorate, I find the one thing in the room that I love and build around it, whether it be with color, theme, texture, etc. Here are a few of my newest inspiration pieces, and I'll post photos of the completed rooms (along with their Polyvore plans as I complete them).

Playroom

Guest Bedroom

 Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom 2

So, the next time you want an update...think about it. What do you love?

*word that I can't pronounce courtesy of B. Davenport