A couple of little make overs..

I thought I would show you all a couple of small make overs I did just recently. One of a gorgeous brass cherub bowl and the other of a candelabra.

I did them both with Annie Sloan chalk paint and am very happy with the results.

I'm also in the process of purging and trying to declutter some of my stuff with a bit of rearranging as well in an effort to make life easier once I open my store but it's proving harder than anticipated!

 take care ladies,

Maryann 

Buffet & Hutch make over in progress....

At the moment I am working on making over this lovely buffet & hutch that I picked up not long ago. I absolutely loved the details on the drawers so it came home with me. I am also using using Annie Sloan's chalk paint for the first time and I am happy with the result and the creamy texture of the paint it leaves. I did water it down just a little though as it is very thick.

I still need to wax it and paint the hutch section but I'm thinking of wall paper for the back of the hutch since it's such a large expanse and very plain. Something very subtle and neutral perhaps with a fine design or pattern.

So once it's all done I'll post some more pics.  I am also doing the happy dance at the moment as I finally get the keys to my store today. So I will be very busy getting all that ready as well and hopefully won't be long before I can open my doors.
                                                                So take care ladies...
                                                                   Maryann.

pink shaggy rug...

It's funny how just one new (or not so new) element can make a difference to a room.  One of my most favourite rooms in my house would have to be my bedroom because I have tried to give it that shabby vintage feel that I love so much.

So when my sister offered me a pink rug that she used to have in her prior home I was quite happy to take it off her hands.

I knew that it would look good in my bedroom but it ended up looking much nicer than I expected and the fact that it was used and a little worn was a bonus and added to the feel of the room.

My room is nearly finished but I need to add more details to the wall behind my bed and I need to paint the chest of drawers but it's getting there.

                                                      take care, Maryann xx

Dreams do come true...

I suppose if you hold on to a dream long enough never losing the passion or desire to do this one thing that for some reason you feel you must do.. then some how the universe makes things happen that eventually it's inevitable.

So after many years of wanting to have my very own brick and mortar shop.... it's finally going to happen.

I am so excited and to say it feels surreal would be an understatement. I am also petrified that I may fail in my endeavour but as my son so eloquently put it.. better to die trying and fail than to die never trying at all but I am hopeful that it will succeed beyond my expectations ( a little positive thinking there).

So I have found a spot not far from my home which is ideal but won't be open for a few weeks yet as I am learning  as I go how to get it all up and running and the owner is fixing a few things up first also.

A few new arrivals going in soon..

 Loving this last lot of shabby items...

So that's it ...just goes to show you though you never know when or how a dream of yours will come true and that you are never too old to follow your dreams!

Stay tuned.

Take care, Maryann xx

summer garden 2015

Hi girls, well it's definitely been a while! It's Summer here in Australia and I have been enjoying my garden and especially my roses.

I had put this new arch in the front of my home last winter and it was full of roses in spring.. the climbing rose I planted either side is called Renae and it was so pretty and did really well for it's first season. 

If you look in the background of the photo underneath you can see another climbing rose..this one is my Pierre de Ronsard.. which I am in love with!

I have been very busy also trying to build my little shop up and I am very thankful it is still going. 

I would love one day to turn it into a brick and mortar store but for now I only sell online. 

 If you haven't popped over please do. I am having a sale at the moment..

These pretty pink poinsettias are for sale in my store..(but they are darker than depicted in this photo)

http://stores.ebay.com.au/ShabbyFrench-Vintage?_rdc=1

and if you'd like to follow me on my fb page.. which is where you will find me more often, here is the link..

https://www.facebook.com/Shabby-French-Vintage-499721476839012/

Anyways girls I am going to try and get back into blogging more often and also see what you have all been up to aswell!

So take care,

Maryann xxx

Ballerina Cot Quilt Nursery Set

Hi girls, ever since joining fb I seem to be neglecting my blog so for those of you who don't have fb I thought I would show you what I have been working on. A complete cot quilt nursery set for a customer.

It consists of a Quilt, cushion, pillowcase, lamp, bumper and nappy stacker. Luckily I still had some of the pretty Henry Alexander ballerina fabric! Just click on the pics for a larger version.

I mailed them to her today so I hope she will be happy with them.

I really need to get into the garden for a few days now as with winter upon us everything is looking dead and messy.. and all my roses need pruning!

take care, Maryann