Not Happy...

with the appearance of this blog!  Please forgive me as I redecorate!

Shannon

It's been a minute...

Whew...February was a whirl wind of month. I can not believe it is really March 1st. I wanted to post a few pictures of the finished chair and wainscoting projects. Both were MONSTERS!!! I absolutely love how each turned out and wouldn't trade a moment of the time, anguish, and frustrations that went into both projects.

The Chair...

I really believe the number one factor to consider when reupholstering furniture is the shape of the piece. Curves are particularly hard to deal with. If you are considering an upholstery project I suggest trying straight armed pieces first. Practice with clearance fabrics in similar textures and weights. There is nothing worse that spending money on fabric and not coming away with a perfect piece.


Wainscoting...

I have the great fortune of having two men at my disposal for my "heavy" projects. The beauty of this paneling is, that it wasn't heavy. Since we decided to utilize a lightweight and inexpensive fiber board for our base paneling for this project, we were able to splurge a bit on our upper and lower trim moldings. We ripped 1/4 in. birch paneling for our uprights. After a good primer coat, we lightly sanded all surfaces and applied two good coats of gloss paint. As you can tell, this treatment is a little over half the height of the wall. Remember to carefully measure for your electrical outlets. Measuring mishaps and hasty cutting can lead to disaster!

Happy March!
Shannon

Crush of the Week

When I think of Valentine's Day, I always think of a lovely, candle lit dinner with a nice bottle of wine!  From that dreamy vision comes this weeks crush...

                                       

                                           Vintage Oak Hanging Wine Glass Rack

This beautiful, hanging stem holder is made from reclaimed oak wine barrel staves!  Each piece has it's own character and markings from barrel straps and the wine contained inside.  The chain is included, mounting hardware is sold separately so that you can match your decor.

Red Velvet Brownies, Just in Time for Valentines Day

We were so busy sawing, nailing, and spackling this weekend, (and the wainscot project still continues...sigh...) that I didn't have time to try this recipe that I found in last months edition of SLM.  I hope that someone will make it and let me know if it is a winner!!! 
Looks pretty yummy, enjoy!

Shannon

Red Velvet Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
• 3/4 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (1-oz.) bottle red liquid food coloring
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Small-Batch Cream Cheese Frosting (see below)
• Garnish: white chocolate curls

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.
2. 2. Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Whisk in sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time, whisking just until blended after each addition. Gently stir in flour and next 4 ingredients. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
3. 3. Bake at 350° for 44 to 48 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 2 hours).
4. 4. Lift brownies from pan, using foil sides as handles; gently remove foil. Spread Small-Batch Cream Cheese Frosting on top of brownies, and cut into 16 squares. Garnish, if desired.

Note:

Line pan with foil by trimming two long foil pieces to a 9-inch width. Fit strips, crossing each other, in the pan.



Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened 
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

1. Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla

This Weeks Crush



Hanging Hurricane Pillar Holder

Love it!!!

claiming my blog

one of the necessary evils...


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there you go!

Amping Up for a Creative Weekend!

Hurray!  It's Thursday!  I am preparing for a very productive weekend.  We have been in the process of applying a high "wainscoting" to our bedroom walls that hopefully, will be complete this weekend.  I will post a semi before and after picture under a new tab labeled "projects".  I will make sure to make note of all the helps and hinders for anyone wanting to try this themselves. 

I also have plans to make a slipcover for an old chair Stef had stored in the barn at the farm.  He doesn't know it yet, but I think it's going to get new legs too.  If not legs, I know it is going to get shiny steel cup casters!  I will post before and afters for sure...I just know it will end up being my favorite chair. 

In the middle of all this, I am planning on trying a new dessert to post for Valentines Day.  It looks so decadent.  The recipe promises that it is relatively simple to make.  Let's hope so, I've already got quite a bit on my plate.  :)

Does anyone else have big plans for the weekend?  Post your projects and recipes, please!!!

XO!
Shannon

Crush of the Week

I have found myself inspired by the industrial of late.  So much so, that we have "papered" a wall in our home with sheet metal.  (That turned out amazing, by the way!)  Industrial, once again, has inspired today's crush. 

The "Urban Chair"

This is our "Urban Chair".  I love how the chair legs look as if they were taken off a chair at an old school, while the back rest arms are so modern.  Bits and pieces, old and new, in harmonious union.  I'm putting one near that sheet metal wall.  Where will yours be?                                                                                         

Bust, busy, busy!

It's been a few weeks since we've had time to update the blog. We have been very busy testing the website and adding new products. We have so many more to go!

As spring approaches we will begin rolling out new outdoor furniture and "rehabilitated" finds from here and there.  Until that time it would be very helpful if all of you would search for "distinctly home" on google and click the +1 button. This will help to improve our search engine rankings.

I will begin to resume the crush of the week this weekend!!!  As always, if you are looking for something in particular let us know. We may have it!

Happy shopping,
Stef and Shannon