Collaborating...

Troy Antiques has added a new area in "the vault"...anything and everything baby and child...nursery, playroom, and kid's room furniture, bedding (by order at the moment), pillows, toys...and all other sorts of accessories-both vintage and re-purposed. Stop by when you can and check out the latest!
Gail (aka Miss Hettie's) found this great small platform style rocker. She painted it white and distressed it a little-and brought it to me for the fabrics. And what exactly do you do? Boy, girl, pastels, brights???? How do you know what someone will like? So, we opted for white-a cotton duck gathered skirt that ties onto the base under the seat cushion. The seat and back cushions are covered on one side in white duck and the other-an old white cotton bedspread which gives a super vintage appeal and adds great texture to the all white piece.
But I just had to add a little color, so I decided on a little 14" ruffled pillow in a sweet pink cotton rose stripe print. The pillow, I decided, could be easily changed for a different look.
This sweet chair would make a charming accent not only in a nursery, but in almost any cottage-y setting.
Special orders for nursery items welcome!

Shaunna's Slips ( Intro and Part 1)

So, to tell you the truth, in the beginning this new chic had us sort of "shakin' in our boots"...I mean-I started hearing "have you seen Shaunna's blog?"....not once, not twice, but lots and lots and lots. And the only Shaunna I knew of at all had been in school with my children...Could it be that Shaunna? She was painting furniture and decorating? She kind of appeared suddenly and with great reviews...and I looked her up and was quite impressed :) And I told Bobby to take a look at this blog-look what she's doing...and what did he say? First of all, he said "she looks like her momma, doesn't she?"...well now, if you have any knowledge of history in our county, you know that's a compliment-and in more ways than one :) And I said, "look at her furniture, Bobby, it's good, isn't it?..."
And so the word on the streets was that the antique store where we house and hopefully sell our painted and repurposed furnishings would probably close and we would all go broke :)...blah, blah, blah, drama, ...Anyway, then Bobby (the wise, good man) said, "y'all be nice to that little girl..."
And I thought...you know, he's right...we want our artsy town to be the best....and to have lots of great artistic people-all different-with his or her own unique talents...there is room for all of us. We do all have somewhat varied styles...from a little rustic and primitive to refined and fresh. So if you haven't had the opportunity to meet Shaunna, do it now...she's charming and it's great to have a new artsy friend....any day :)
Now that we are finished with the introduction...I am truly honored that Shaunna contacted me to make her slipcovers!!!! And what big furniture pieces she has-on the scale of small to large, Shaunna's pieces are HUGE! They are comfy, cozy, oversized and THE PERFECT PIECES FOR SLIPCOVERS!!!!! I love the style-all separate cushions...and great arms! Shaunna's fabric of choice...well, if you know Shaunna, you know that answer-WHITE COTTON DUCK!! The transformation to this casual, beachy look is perfect for summer...take a look at the photos. Hey Shaunna, please share photos on your blog, pretty please-my space (even my new workspace) does not do these oversized beauties justice....the photos will be much better taken in a larger space, I am sure.
So, this is the sofa....we decided to start with the largest piece and work down to the chair and a half and ottoman. Shaunna prewashed and dried her fabric (THANKS FOR SAVING ME LOADS-pun intended- OF TIME :) And I know you did not have time to do this laundry, either, Shaunna...really-thanks! Oh, and a word about washing slipcovers. I serge all raw edges so...if your slipcover fabric has been pre-laundered, that should take care of shrinkage issues for later, but they are kind of like your jeans....so if you dry your cotton slipcovers totally...they will fit tightly, but they will stretch and be fine. (So especially on the cushion covers...the big ones, you might feel as though you are arm wrestling a bear to get them on, but it is worth the effort :)
And my, how I wish that before I had priced the labor for these great pieces, I had seen that beautiful turquoise dresser in Shaunna's entryway (see it HERE). Now that would have been the swap :) I LOVE THAT PIECE!!!!! I love what you are doing with your home Shaunna. I love unique pieces of old furniture...and remade pieces of furniture...and pieces that Bobby builds...and well, I love furniture with a story.
OK...so the sofa is ready, Shaunna-call me when you are home and we will deliver this one and pick up the next pieces. I hope you love them, my new "artsy" friend :) I truly appreciate your business and I am so honored that you considered me for your project! Talk to you soon!!!

We have Re-"Stuffed" the Nook...and other new details

Hey... I wanted to let you know that the nook is re-stuffed with lots of fun new and old small treasures. Stop by Troy Antiques on the square in downtown Troy, Alabama and check it out.
Sometimes I wonder if it is all "worth it"...the time, the focus, the time, the time.....and the time.
Where do we focus our efforts? Where should we focus our efforts? Bobby has all he can do , I have all I can do...and, believe me, we are thankful each and every day that this is the case. We praise God from whom all blessings flow...
And, most of all, we love, love, love what we do! That is the best part of our "jobs". People sometimes ask if Bobby is "retired"-because he goes along with me as my personal window treatment "installation expert"-and I guess because he is not at a "real" job. The answer is "No"-Bobby is not retired. He works lots-and late hours-and weekends, too, most times.
But, I think that because we enjoy our work, both Bobby and me, and that for the most part, we work together, it does not seem like a "job".
We truly enjoy all that we do-restoration projects, building, art and sewing projects, light fixture making and repair, re-purposing, light upholstery, refinishing, painting, and the occasional "hunting" for unique finds and treasures...and at the same time mix in visits to our beautiful grandson Grayson...and our children, Lauren, Allie and Brantley-it is most definitely "worth it".
So...just wanted to share that we have added one more thing to our list: Etsy...might as well give it a try. After all, most everything we do is handmade. Just wish we could figure out how to ship a loveseat to Chicago... ;)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cottageandcabin

Bobby's Workshop

I would not have much to post without the help of my super hero carpenter husband, Bobby. He has a terrific talent for finsh carpentry and cabinet building and old house repair and workshop building (hint, hint) and curtain rod installation and plumbing and some electrical issues and just anything else you could need or want..... I just wish he had more time, but, don't we all?

Well, he is definitely the hard work behind all of our creations and re-makes. So, if your older home needs help or you want a special piece built per your specifications....call him, or me if you can't find him-and I will help you track him down.

This is our latest...a cute, little black settee-upholstered with a 5" foam cushion covered with sage cotton toile. Cording detail of green check cotton accents the cushion as well as the matching pair of 16" ruffled pillows. Bobby has built settees like this in the past for our friend, Gail, who manages Troy Antiques...and, she is a super seller!!!! Our black settee will be available at Old South Antique Mall in Dothan after Thursday...we have a smaller booth (the nook under the stairs) at Troy Antiques, but we have to limit the size of our items there. Check out these antique stores often for all sorts of decorating ideas and unusal pieces.

And...I am so excited about these last few postings, not only for the new items available, but the location of the photos (hint #2)....more surprises coming soon.

New Year, New Slipcovers...

Happy New Year everyone! A little late with my wishes, but as usual, we have had many busy days~at work and at home. I am sure many of you know that my precious little Grandson, Grayson, was hospitalized for several days at the beginning of the new year with RSV. (Lauren blogged about Grayson's hospital visit~ www.gracethroughourworld.blogspot.com.) This was not the best of beginnings for this year, but-we praise God for his recovery!!!! And, I am so thankful to have him home and happy....so, we are truly blessed and, with the new year, we will now proceed.
I am now playing "catch up" with my sewing projects, but have managed to add a few new pieces to "my booth" at OLD SOUTH ANTIQUE MALL in Dothan and to "the nook under the stairs" at Troy Antiques. I will post some other items over the next few days, but for now-a sofa with a natural cotton slipcover. This piece is 90" long and 36" deep- oversized and comfy-with 5" boxed seat cushions and traditional rolled arms. The slipcover has a tailored skirt that falls from the cushion deck and all pieces are self-corded. The cushions have zippered closures. This 100% cotton has a small pattern that gives the fabric great texture. The fabric has been prewashed and dried, taking care of all shrinkage issues. Delivery is available-free of charge-for the Dothan or Troy area.