The blue trunk

I visited a few second hand stores this week and found this antique trunk. It was love at first sight and I purchased it straight away. 
After a deep cleaning I was able to list all the damages and repairs due to be done and started. 

Vintage wood stove

When I don't have furniture to makeover I just look around my place and always stumble upon something to upcycle, refresh or embellish. 
Our vintage wood stove is the protagonist of the project today. As for family furniture and antiques I have told about on the blog, most of them belonged to my Mum and I am so grateful to have kept them from her last removal and so happy to care them all. I guess I inherited her taste for antiques and ancient treasures. As far as I remember my childhood, there was no modern piece of furniture at home, not a single one; most of our interiors were more than 50, 80 or 100 years old!

Vintage milk bottle carrier

I have seen this milk bottle carrier in our family's house since ever! I remember when my mother used to store wine or canned tomatoes. It finally turned to be used as a decor item somewhere in the kitchen and eventually ended in my hands! It's a real beauty! The metal color is dull and rust is visible on joints and nails but do not alter its genuine character. 

Junk stores in the desert

There is no restore or painting job today! 

I am happy to share with you wonderful pictures while we were visiting Moab, Utah and Colorado. As I did in my post while driving accross Route 66 (click here if you missed it) we stopped by two gorgeous places: junk and antiques stores! I so much love them! 

The first place was in Moab, a souvenirs store. We did prefer the outdoor rather the inside because of the junk stuff standing there, obviously abandonned but maintaining its character, irrestibly vintage! Old engines, tractors, rusted pieces all over... 

The 2nd store was even more genuine! The owner was very friendly and happy to see visitors from abroad. His store was originally (and still) a beans supplier but turned into a vintage store as nearly everything was for sale: coffee, kitchenware, car plates... and oh by the way one of them is now hanging on my headboard. Enjoy the tour...

The watchmaker stool

This beautiful watchmaker stool is in our family since ever as it belonged to a relative who was indeed a watchmaker. This interesting stool is made from 2 pieces which form a rotating sitting chair. 

I have been hesitating a very long time before repurposing as I didn't really know how: painting, not painting...? But the major point had to be done: woodworm had made damages and the whole piece needed attention. 

After treatment I used milk paint all over and sanded a little bit to feel the real wood grain. Milk paint is so great to revamp the antique feeling on all furniture!

I customized using typewriting stencils and imagined a cocoa manufacturer sign from Ghana.

I used soft and dark wax to protect the paint; here is the result.

My kitchen rack pots

Hi there, Last September I mentionned something about some antique stuff I could get from my family place in France; you can read it here if you missed it. I remember my Mum using these saucepans when making her jam...
 

They are entirely made of copper and have their own cover. The main issue is their weight, they're a quite heavy and this is the reason why it took so long to have them hanging above the kitchen island. My first intention was to use a plank palet wood as a frame and screw hangers on it. I then changed my mind and decided to hang a reinforced curtain stick but I finally came back to the first idea and this is it! I like the result and how it looks above the island. Check out BEFORE and AFTER photos as well as the DIY process. 
 

How to line an old trunk

My old trunk is now lined and finished. It has been a huuuuge work but totally worth it and I am happy with the result as it has kept its antique look! After removing canvas and glue I sanded, cleaned and sealed with primor. I have used an natural rough linen and a vintage mattress ticking on edges (beige/white strippes). I also reused the lateral strap after cleaning and painting it (Aubusson blue ASCP). Silicone and pins have been used to hold fabrics. Last, I cleaned the metal trim with vinegar, painted white and waxed. I used black shoeshine in order to hide ugly marks on it and waxed afterwards. It is now in the entrance hall and currently being used as shoe and bag storage.

 AFTER

Family's antiques

Check out the last antique stuff I could find during our last removal. Most of them were properly packed in cupboards and old trunks waiting for their turn to be shown all over the house. There are splendid and genuine! Some of them were purely deco items but I also remember when some were used on a regular basis for home ware needs such as grinding coffee, making homemade jam in copper pans, weighing food in the old English scale… I now have to find a place for each of them!
 

 

Old chemistry jars

Real treasures found in a chemistry family business. Taken one by one from the cupboard these beautiful jars still have their genuine labels as well and their contents remain intact.