Stories of a House: July 2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

~ Weathered Turquoise Chest of Drawers ~

Happy Tuesday everyone!

I thought I'd share another furniture makeover with you all. It turned out super cute, but I only have one picture that even depicts the color somewhat accurately :(

I found this antique in pretty rough shape. I wasn't sure if I could even refinish the top because there was what seemed to be a hole that had been drilled into it and lots of loose wood fibers that had to be cleaned out:

I tried to fill it with "stainable" wood filler - the 2nd kind I've tried but look what happened when I went to test a spot to see if it would stain:

Hmmm, not very stainable, right? Will somebody please let me in on the dirty little secret Plastic Wood and Minwax is keeping from us, where they put a big fat "STAINABLE" on the label when they are so UNstainable? Oh, the unjustice! The outrage! Has anyone had any success with stainable wood filler?

I realize I said "stain" and "stainable" 6 times in 4 sentences. I'm okay with it.

What to do, what to do...I really didn't want to paint the top, so I....

...decided that if I couldn't make it better, I'd make it worse. I took a hammer to that drill hole and smashed all around it so that it looked like it had undergone a major incident rather than looking like a drill hole. Are you following me? Then I smoothed the fibers with my sander. Since the body of the dresser was heavily weathered, it fit right into the scheme of things.

It's adorable in person! I'm tempted to keep it for the next house,

but since we sadly don't have a "next house," I will go ahead and sell it.

^ This is the only photo that came close to the actual color, which is a pretty, deep turquoise^
(SW Jamaica Bay)

So, does anyone want to weigh in on the wood filler scandal?

Or, can anyone help a novice photographer out on why most of my pictures turned out light blue instead of turquoise? I'm a hot mess, I tell ya!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Malouf Fine Linens Giveaway!!

Hello friends!!

A few weeks ago, I was contacted about an opportunity to host a giveaway for Malouf Fine Linens. I think it must have been fate, having struggled so long with terrible sleep, neck and back problems - for which we were researching a new Sleep Number bed. I had already visited the Sleep Number store, and being as ~~cheap~~ money conscious as I am I inquired about a refurbished model for a lot less than a brand new bed. In the end, and regardless of a great sales pitch, I walked out of the store because I still didn't want to spend that amount of money.

About a month later, Malouf Fine Linens graciously sent me their Zoned 100% Natural Talalay Latex Pillow, which happened to be the same day I had also purchased a feather down pillow top from Target (with a 20% off coupon). I laid down that night and had the best sleep I've had since Our Disney Cruise (which was the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in). Weeks later, I am still sleeping like a baby, and the pillow has helped my neck so much! I love it that I can remove the cover and wash it, that it is dust mite resistant, and supports my neck.

I also received a Sleep Tite Mattress Protector which is 100% hypo-allergenic, and acts as a barrier against dust mites and all sorts of other stuff we want to protect our mattresses from.

On to the giveaway - Malouf Fine Linens has offered to give two of my wonderful readers their choice of a pillow or a mattress protector (not to be confused with a mattress pad). I am very impressed with this company and am therefore joyfully sharing this giveaway with you all. Simply leave a comment and let me know whether you would like a pillow or a mattress protector and I will randomly select two winners. The giveaway will run until Thursday at 5pm AZ time.

Good luck to all!