Saturday, January 12, 2013

Sweet Prairie-ness



 If you bring home some of this...







ask your husband ~ very sweetly ~ if he would tackle a little project for you...




 



and then stand back and watch the magic happen...









your studioffice will be graced with this charming piece of prairie goodness.








Menard's recently advertised this darling six foot wooden workbench for $49.99.
 When my eyes landed on that ad,
my heart fluttered.  :)

It reminded me of the entry table in Tausha's beautiful Florida home
that I had been secretly coveting for a long time.


The next day, I rushed to the store with a $15 rebate check clutched tightly in my hand,
ran down the aisles in search of my long-lost table,
had some helpful young man load it onto a cart for me,
and plunked down $35.

 [The Husband later told me he couldn't even buy the wood to make one from scratch for that amount.]


It only took him a day to put the kit together
(after cutting down the length by 12" to fit into my studioffice better),
and I spent the following day recreating a worn, vintagey look by staining it first with 'Early American', then painting on watered down 'French Enamel' Milk Paint
which I rubbed and sanded back.






We moved the antique church pew that was previously in the room
to the barn.
See it there behind the chaise covered with a slipcover?
To tell you the truth, we never sat on it or used it for anything.

I may sell it this spring in my booth.







I spent the next day floofing, creating pretty vignettes,

and 

sighing...

over and over and over again.

[I even got the good kind of raised eyebrows, and a
"Holy cow!  That looks great!  I'm really impressed, hon!" 
from The Husband.   
Woot woot!]





Oh, yeah...

I'm loving every single board on this baby.












'Tangled prairie hearts' I made this week.







This sweet little prairie table will give me a special place to weave my dream catchers,






string my large wooden rosaries



Made more rosaries this week. One is winging it's way to Australia! 


wrap my tangled prairie hearts...


Tutorial will be coming soon. I promise.  :)


and create some pretty vignettes, of course.  

*wink*






We were both so thrilled with the rustic feeling this workbench brought to Heaven's Walk,
that The Husband wants to make more for me to sell in my booth.

What do you think?

 A bit of faded pink
or lavender paint next.....?   
:)



~  Blessings  ~





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92 comments:

  1. Love your new work bench, and hubby got on the assembly fast. I have never tried milk paint, but yours is so pretty. Can't wait to see what you will create on it.

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  2. WOW!!! That is a beauty!
    Luv the vignette as well. Looking forward to seeing it pop up in future blogs :-)
    Cheers, Gee

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  3. WOW!!! This is amazing!!! It is So much like Taushas!!! I have to go to Menards!!! yOUR HOME IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I get so inspired from my shabby chic prarie friends!!! Thank YOU!!! your friend Cindi Shooltz

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  4. Laurie this is just gorgeous!
    What a hunny your hubby is and such a great job he did.
    I love how you've decorated it and the paint on it is so pretty!
    Have fun sighing and then sighing again. xo
    P.S. Puppy looks so comfy lol

    All my heart,
    Deborah xo

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  5. I love it! I love how the milk paint looks like a wash--so pretty! It reminds me of Tashua's too. :)

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  6. Love it. It came out great!! Looks so nice.

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  7. LOVE it! I want to run to our nearest Menards (an hour away) to find one of these! I love your paint choice for it too! And your beautiful vignettes...sighing over here too! :)
    Maria

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  8. Oh my! I adore this piece. Great Job!

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  9. What a wonderful idea! I could use a couple of these in my home.
    And I have a $15 rebate check to use.
    Thanks for sharing. Love the colors you chose.

    sandraallen260@centurytel.net

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  10. So pretty. Your home is looking alot like Simpy Me's in all its Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic-ness. A decor I will never tire of. My white sea cottage bedroom has R.A blue rose toss pillows and lavender rose bud sheets right now..a bit eclectic. One of my rose paintings would looks so pretty in your farmhouse. I will soon be painting more mini ones for spring.

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  11. love it laurie...so shabby chic-y. i think you should keep your darling hubby!
    erin
    xxoo

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  12. Absolutely love it....sigh. You and the hubby are a great team :)

    Jeanette @ Creating A Life

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  13. I think your table looks marvelous... I love color....and what a deal.. Enjoy! Blessings!

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  14. I think it turned out great and would be good seller. You both did a great job-! xo Diana

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  15. Oh, I just feel your joy flooding through this post!!! And I'm excited for you! And even better is when the husband is on board and loves the look, too! By the way, happy new year to you! Can't wait to see the tutorial!

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  16. Laurie, this is so seriously beautiful and cool my jaw dropped.......then to read what it cost....... I love how you used the miss mustardseed french enamel on it too, it does remind me of the one tausha has in her foyer I always adored that but yours is unique I just adore it if I saw one in a booth I would snatch it up so I say yes put some in your booth!!!! You are really making some pretties hope to see pictures of your booth when you stock it! I bet it will be very pretty
    Sherry

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  17. I can't believe the table began as a workbench. The stain and paint treatment you did made it sing! It's something you both can be proud of.
    Nancy

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  18. Hi Laurie,
    Love the workbench and wishing we had a store like that on the west coast! The paint treatment is just lovely. Beautiful photos as always :)

    Warmly,
    Jacqueline

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  19. Oh how gorgeous,I can see why you have lost your heart to it. I also love the little string of silver hearts and am drooling over that beautiful blue cushion with the frill. x

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  20. What a great buy--& such teamwork! :-). My hubby helped me with a few little projects today, too. It's much more fun than working alone. ;-)

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  21. I love it Laurie ( and by the way with your staging skills I think you could sell anything in your booth really )
    Looks gorgeous!
    XOX

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  22. Oh, the bench is GORGEOUS, love it so much. Wonder what you did to get that color?

    Have a great weekend

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    Replies
    1. Bente - Milk Paint comes in powdered form. You add warm water to it, stir it up, and you're good to go! You can find it online at many different stores!

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  23. Ops, I found it. You had written about it. (smile)

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  24. O wowwww Laurie.....o looooove it !! it is cool...so tough !!...great job from your husband.....love frpm me and now i am going it find you on fb and pinterest..have a nice sunday...love Ria...xx

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  25. Dier Laurie,
    WOW- have no words today!!!!!!LOVE ♥
    This piece of furniture I also showed my husband that I would love to do :-) And you've done a perfect job!!!Had I lived somewhere with you,I'd ask you about one-beauty-is absolutely no mistake!!!A the patina on it is beautiful-I have to show my husband :-)
    Definitely do and sell-you are too clever !
    You're my big inspiration-runs after her husband,whether he checks out :-)))
    Hugs to you ♥♥♥

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  26. I love your blog, your photos and your wonderful inspiration. Thank you. Do you have an online shop? Nancy Carr nancythedove@aol.com

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    1. Hi Nancy! No, I don't have an online shop, but I do have a booth in Doster Emporium here in Michigan where I sell my upcycled/repurposed treasures. :) I have also sold some of my wooden rosaries to some bloggers who have requested them. :) xoxo L.

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  27. What a Great Job!!!! Awesome Table, love it !!!!!

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  28. Oh gosh, if you make a lavender one I'm going to sit here and cry because it would be calling my name!!! That is gorgeous and how fun to have a new spot to play with and make pretty new vignettes:) Plus it was made with love with always makes something more special!

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  29. Beautiful Laurie! Everything you touch turns to gold! LOVE your vignette too! Your farmhouse is turning into a beautiful romantic cottage <3
    xx
    Anne

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  30. I agree, Laurie. It does look GREAT :)
    Laura

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  31. lovely table! and nice pictures too!!
    xo + blessings,
    Anne Marie

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  32. That was a fantastic deal, Laurie...and it sure did turn out beautiful!

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  33. I'm in LOVE! The dream catcher and hearts, too, are really lovely.
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  34. Charming as it can be!!!!! Love the treatment too, where do you find thr milk paint? Have wanted to redo my harvest table and that sounds like a winner treatment to me..---well done you two!!!!!suek

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  35. That is so fabulous Laurie!... oooh, I want one too!... your sweet pup looks adorable sleeping all cosy and warm... hope your mama is doing better... much love, xoxo Julie Marie

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  36. Laurie,
    Love your new Praire sweetness...even "Mr. Ed" came to look!!!
    I think hubby is correct in putting a couple of these in your booth...they would make a wonderful potting bench for the upcoming Spring planting of seedlings!!! Thanks for sharing your newest table with us!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  37. I love how you did the finish on it most of all Laurie. It looks so great in the room~what a perfect piece! And how nice that hubs will help you make them up for your store.

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  38. Ok that is amazing!! I love it:) I wish my hubby was handy like that I would LOVE one!! Have a wonderful Sunday!!!

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  39. Hi SWEETS !!!!

    GASP!!!!!!! SWOOOOOOOOOOOON !!!!!!!! I'm In LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE with your Prairie sweetness worktable !!!!! YAY ! I am so utterly thrilled for you, and what a great man of yours to build this for his beautiful bride ! You are WORTH it dearest friend, ten times over!!!! This absolutely steals my heart and I know you must be having so much fun floofing away!!! Enjoy your loveliness and I look forward to seeing more pics! Also, I LOVE your silver hearts on a string! You are so AMAZING !!!!

    Love you !
    XOXO~ Steph

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  40. OMGoodness Laurie, I absolutely LOVE your new table!! Maybe I will sweet talk my hubby into making me one. I LOVE your blog and have been following you for a while now. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend, Gail

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  41. Laurie, this is just adorable! I can think of so many uses for a workstation like this. I love the color you chose and I think you should definitely sell these in your shop.

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  42. It's Wonderful! No wonder you love it so! I love the the combination of stain and milk paint... the finish is just perfect. What a great bargain too, and YAY for hubby for being such a sweetie and cutting it down and putting it all together for you!

    Cindy

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  43. I love it! Now it my turn to covet something. It would look great in my den.

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  44. It is perfect! I know I could find a place for one two. I love how you painted it-the color is perfect too!

    Carolyn

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  45. Your new prairie table is gorgeous, the paint job is perfection and the styling, A-#1.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  46. bravo! you two make a dream team!

    :)
    michele

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  47. Laurie, you had better hide that man. He did a wonderful job helping you create that wonderful piece and a compliment and offer to do more at the end. Priceless. Enjoy your new addition.

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  48. where do i find the directions to make this table?...maybe i just haven't looked in the right place....many thanks for your help...i gotta make this for a new little family that just bought a new house....deborah

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    1. What a wonderful idea, Deborah! The directions are right on the box that all the wood comes in. Very easy to follow! Have fun! xoxo laurie

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  49. This turned out soooo beautiful! But then you put your special touches on it and it's like magic...gorgeous! Just showed this to my Mr. Menards (he works for Menards in the outdoor lumber yard) and he's never, ever seen this kit. When I said we need about 4 of these he agreed...that's a really nice compliment coming from him! Do you remember the Company name or have a number on this kit? I've inherited a saw and all the fixin's from my Father and this would be a great project for us.
    Crafty Hugs,
    Pendra

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  50. Hi Laurie, it looks amazing, I too love milk paints but I make my own, you can google all kinds of formulas.

    Your home is just amazing. So chic and farmhouse shabby :)

    See you soon, looking forward to what's next in your creativeness.
    Xoxo
    Doré

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  51. What a happy ending!! It did turn out delightfully well!

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  52. Breathtaking, my dear. Every bit of it. Love that prairie goodness.

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  53. Wow-beautiful blog-just found you from sea cottage. I just posted my visit to Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic boutique in Santa Monica, Ca. on my blog. She has those silver hearts on leather cords for sale as well as the large rosary and dream catchers. I would love to know how to do the silver hearts-yours look better from your photos.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I'll be posting a tutorial on them soon! Stay tuned! :)

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  54. What a great piece!! You are lucky that you have a handy hubby!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  55. Wow-Wee Laurie, Awesome!!!! What a gorgeous piece!!! And I love the color!!!
    Hope your doing well and blessings to your family!!
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  56. i love the table, did you wait for the paint to dry before you wiped it off?

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    1. I kind of slapped the paint on here and there and rubbed it back in places. Other places I let it dry as it was. Then I took the hand sander to it all and sanded haphazardly. :)

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  57. Hi Laurie! wow I love!!! the table! and all your pics are so nice and I love the rosary xo Val

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  58. Oh looks just lovely Laurie !! and your paint job is great ! now then where is my husband I have a little job for him hehehe.....
    Gail x

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  59. The table is beautiful. And your photographs are perfect. Just perfect.

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  60. Beautiful table Laurie ! I love the color !so shabby !
    Xoxo

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  61. This is just so pretty Laurie!
    I'm going to show Jim and hope he can make me one too!

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  62. Very sweet. Love the "almost there" blue. What lovely, soft photos.
    Blessings,
    Fiordelisa

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  63. Absolutely gorgeous Laurie. Love the way you have painted her up too... and if it gets husband approval, you know she is a winner!

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  64. Love your work bench. Have hubby make one for your shop, see what happens...
    I think they would be successful.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Michele

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  65. absolutely beautiful. All of it. ( I made some hearts similar to yours recently, you know what they say, great minds think alike, LOl)

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  66. You and your hubby are one amazing team Laurie!! Oh goodness I can imagine how much you must have enjoyed seeing this gorgeous beauty come to life. And I absolutely adore your choice of color and how you styled it so perfectly. I am dreaming of that shade of paint right now! xoxo

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  67. Oh Laurie! I love, love, love it. You and hubby did a wonderful job. I'll be featuring you on Transformed Tuesday. Hugs, Peggy

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  68. Oh Laurie, I love it! The color is great. You did good girl! I have not tried milk paint. I really want to. I can't believe the price. Hubby was right when he said he couldn't have bought the wood for that price. I will be featuring you on Share Your Cup.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  69. Oh heavens!!! I LOVE that!!! It's beautiful. Dare I saw, I want one.... ;-)

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  70. Hello Laurie - it looks amazing - love the colors and how you styled it! What a dear husband you have! I'll be featuring your post in my next Home and Garden Thursday party.
    I appreciate you sharing,
    Kathy

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  71. Love the rustic with the romantic! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  72. It looks beautiful, and I love the painted finish you gave it - THAT's what makes it perfect!
    Blessings,
    ~Angie

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  73. oh my goodness,,,,I am in LOVE!!!!!!

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  74. Love everything! Really want one of these. What color and brand of paint did you use? Is there a website where I can find that table?

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  75. I think I found it on their website but they don't ship. What brand and stain did you put before the paint? Did you put any wax afterward? Wish that store was near me. Your blog and home is beautiful.

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    1. Hi Donna - Since you're a "no-reply" blogger, I had to reply to you here. Hope that you see it! :) We ordered the bench online and went to the store to pick it up. Luckily, we have a Menards about an hour away. I applied MinWax "Early American" stain to it first. It's dark, but don't let it scare you. The next day I applied a very watery mix of "French Enamel" milk paint. No, I didn't wax it afterwards because I didn't care if more of the paint wore off or not. But I would imagine that you could apply a clear coat of it if you want to preserve the paint application. :) Hope that you can get one built, Donna! You'd love it! xoxo laurie

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  76. Wow, That bench is so lovely. It looks really old and oh so charming in your home.

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