A few months ago I purchased a couple of candlesticks at the thrift store. 
They were a beautiful shape and size but the finish was a bit confusing. Were they tarnished brass that resembled silver or were they silver plate rubbed down to the brass. 
Either way I liked them so they came home with me.
Then I stumbled upon an article proclaiming the wonders of an inexpensive product that could easily be found in the automotive aisle. 
This stuff really is magic-----that is if you can get beyond the horrendous odor of ammonia. I wore my paint mask while scrubbing away with an old towel that quickly turned black as I rubbed and rubbed.
But all of the odor and rubbing and elbow grease was worth it when the results are as dramatic as this little before and after. The new finish is a silver-ish with a gold undertone---a really beautiful combination.
Now my thrifted treasures are a real treasure find!
Magic Before and After
His Favorite
It all began with a piece of slate that was destined for the garbage dump. I found it in the corner of my in-laws storage room as we were de-cluttering and packing for my MIL's move to a smaller home. It was a piece left over from the entry floor of the house that had been their home for several years.
"Why do you want that?!?!" my hubby asked as I carted it to his truck (you would think that he would have learned by now that his wife has an eye for good junk).
He rolled his eyes as I gave him a list of reasons.
When we arrived home I hauled my newly acquired piece of slate into our home and plopped it on top of another junk find, an old sewing machine cabinet that hubby had picked at the thrift store. Amazingly the slate piece was the PERFECT size!
We cut and nailed molding to the top of the cabinet so the slate would rest inside. I painted it the same blue-gray as the slate.
It's now my husband's night stand and his favorite piece of furniture. It's a beautiful reminder of the family memories made in the home of his youth.
For The Birds
It's funny how one "new" item can serve as inspiration for a whole makeover. My garbage gift screen got a good cleaning and sanding to reveal some of the old paint layers. Then it was placed in the center of the mantle, serving as a unique backdrop.
I pulled out all of my collected birdcages and gave them a fresh coat of white spray paint to unify them.
I also spruced up some old candle pillars with a yellow so bright it screams sunshine.
These little birds were thrift finds years ago. Originally they hung from a ribbon. I cut apart a wire hanger and drilled a few holes in the birds and some scrap wood, to make long legged fowl.
This one is my favorite. It's the real deal. 
Several years ago I found it in my driveway after a mighty wind.There used to be horses near our home and
this little nest has horsetail hair woven in for nesting comfort.
What a creative bird!
for the birds!
A Gift of Garbage
When my husband arrived home from his walk he announced that
he had a present for me. . . . . . .
from someone's garbage can.
His walking partner thought he was strange.
an old wooden screen.
Now I feel a mantle makeover coming on!You're So Vane
I found these vanity benches at different times years ago at thrift stores.
I bought the second thinking that it was an exact match to the first. It wasn't. The legs are different but fortunately the size is the same. They sat in my storage room until I found this darling fabric. 
It's too light weight for upholstery fabric so I knew that if I were going to use it on a piece of furniture it would have to something that wouldn't be used every day. That's when I remembered the benches. I knew that with a little makeover they would finally find a home.
With a little Mediterranean Blue spray paint to unite them, and cushy new tops for comfort, those worn out benches now look fresh and new.
They now reside at the foot of the bed in the guest room.
(And I might have just enough fabric left to cover that small pillow!) Susan's Surprise
I recently worked with Susan rearranging and styling her home. On my second visit I asked her to bring out all of her decorations and accessories that she had stored away but that she wanted to find a place for in her home.
play and imagination.
decorative iron piece.
I immediately saw it's possibilities!I told Susan the items she needed to purchase,
then she gave me the opportunity of pulling it all together.
I adhered floral foam using hot glue.
Next I dressed the foam with plenty of mossand slipped the entire thing into the metal piece.
Then came the real fun! a beautiful backstage of greenery.
Next I placed the florals,pretty poppies in red and yellow.
to hang on her door or in her home,
made from an item that she had stored away.
that with a little transformation would become
a beautiful accessory?
Shutter Love
Last year I found an old shutter while doing a dumpster drive-by. Even though I had no clue what I would do with a tall, lone, beat-up shutter, I threw it in the garage until inspiration hit. Then it happened!
I pulled out my trash find, cleaned, spray painted, and sanded until it had the perfect worn patina.
I added a knob where one was missing. 
I grabbed clips from my office supplies.
And I began to hang and clip fun items onto the slats.
Now I have the perfect memo/photo board for our guest room.
Trying a Trend
You use it as the center for a trendy fabulous fabric flower.
in half again,
and then fold one edge to meet the opposite, forming a point.
Using scissors, round off the open end about 2 & 1/2 inches from the point.
Make a second pattern by repeating the process of folding and cutting, this time cut about 2 inches from the point. You now have two flower pattern sizes.
Choose one or two of your favorite fabrics, like brown burlap and a piece of upholstery fabric. Cut two of each size flower patterns (one fabric per pattern if you're using two fabrics).
Layer the two small pieces on top of the two large, alternating the fabrics. Stitch and hot glue the four layers together. Be sure to scrunch each layer a bit so they don't just lay flat (this is where the hot glue comes in handy).
Then pin it onto your blouse and get ready tohear the comments like:
or my favorite"What is that?!?!"
Hoiliday Decor Hoarder
I laid the two wreaths togetherand thought that the pairing looked quite nice.
I would just need a way to keep them snugly attached to one another.
That's where this shutter (found by a dumpster) came in handy.
A good cleaning, a fresh coat of spray paint,and a little sanding, makes it the perfect backdrop
to tie and hot glue my forlorn holiday decorations,
transforming all of these orphans into one big holiday wow factor.
Unfortunately it's a bit too heavy to hang on my front door(believe me, I tried).
But it does make the perfect centerpiece
for my dining room mantle/shelf.
Add in some eggs, chicks, bunnies,
mixed amongst a few potted faux flowers, electric candles, and books.
How to Decorate withThings You Already Own.
