Imagination to reality

We are days away from the May 4 sale and just last night Matt and I cleared out all the toys and some lawn equipment from the garage so I can begin setting up the space as a showroom. As I uncovered finished pieces that have been hiding under the protection of sheets and plastic, I looked around at the products of my labor and just felt incredible.

First peek of this 7-drawer dresser in a custom mixed soft green, homemade leather drawer pulls from an old belt

Completing any task these days feels like an accomplishment. My three dear young ones, (3, 3, and 2), are on my heels all day, except when they are asleep. I tried to sneak in a shower recently while they seemed occupied watching Doc McStuffins, only to see all three of their faces as they pulled the shower curtain aside, holding a plastic teapot in front of me, asking if we could have a tea party. In the shower.

Being patient during yet another run to Home Depot, (with a stop to the playground promised afterward)

This attention intensive phase of life is a true adventure, to say the least. Creating in our garage is less about having an outlet from all things 'Mommy', and more about the desire to simply be creative. Our home is filled with 3 very wild imaginations. In the transition from kid to adult I'd forgotten how much fun it is to imagine and use the creative part of my brain. I am so grateful to have these precious kids reminding me how to imagine. Each piece of furniture that I makeover is a physical extension of me and my imagination.

My vision of what the ordinary tv tray table could be

My style is rustic

with a bit of sparkle.

Unique,

and detailed.

 I believe that small pieces have as much impact as large.

And that not everyone wants to fill their home with white, cream, and grey;

-though I use a lot of those, too, (and they never get old)

I can see myself in each piece - my imagination, style and work. And it just makes sense.

*Which is refreshing, because sometimes toddlers are quite hard to understand! :)

~Every piece in this post will be available this Saturday, May 4~

10am - 2pm

Herndon, VA 

-email me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com for the address! I'd love to see you there!

Please see the previous post for more photos of available pieces.

~Chelsea

This post was originally featured under Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.

8-sided beauty

I posted recently about how much I am drawn to versatile pieces. That's becoming an increasingly strong criteria when I'm out shopping either for our home or Chelsea's Garage! When I came across an octagon accent table several months ago, it was a no-brainer! I love that this piece could be moved here and there; up against a wall, tucked into a corner, or smack in the middle of a room. It doesn't matter because it's finished all the way around! I've got several floating pieces like this for the May 4 sale and they might be the ones I am most excited about, (see the end of this post for details)!

When I have the opportunity to refinish a piece of furniture, I always begin by asking myself what the goal is with the piece. Is it a plain and ordinary piece that can be turned into something unique with some fun painting techniques? Or is the piece already interesting enough that I want to keep the makeover somewhat simple? For this octagon table I really wanted to play up the shape and let the details speak for themselves. I used two contrasting, but soft, colors side by side to enhance the unique quality of this piece.

So happy with the final look!

Aren't these doors exquisite?! It's actually one door; the whole things opens from the right side, (you can see the hinges on the left)

Trim in Annie Sloan's Duck Egg, panels in Annie Sloan's Country Grey.

{This piece will be available for sale at the May 4 Chelsea's Garage sale}

Chelsea's Garage Spring Sale!

Saturday, May 4

10am-2pm

Herndon, VA

I've got coffee tables, bookshelves, dressers, consoles, buffets, accent tables, mirrors, storage cabinets, desks, chairs, and a few home accessories. Guests will be greeted with complimentary refreshments, so bring some friends, come to shop or just to peruse, and have a lovely time!

Open to the public! Please contact me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com for the address. 

I would love to see you there! 

~Chelsea

This post was originally featured under Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.