Vanity redo

Some of you might remember when I showed you the vanity in my dressing room.

Well, it may not look like it in the picture, but it was in horrible shape.

I covered it with all sorts of things to hide the damaged veneer, but it really needed to be fixed. Plus it was kind of dirty looking from sitting in an industrial shop for years. I had polished it, but it never looked right.

Anyway, one day I had enough of looking at it and went to work.

I'd never done anything like this, but I figured the worst thing that would happen is that I would end up having to paint it and if you know me and my hatred of painted antiques, you know that's a very last resort ;)

I started where it was coming up and it was pretty easy going at first.

And then I realized that I was just removing the top layer.

This is about the time when I asked myself what the hell I was thinking.

Many hours later, I brought out the sander which helped get the glued on second layer of the veneer off.

Good Lord.... look at the mess!

I got a little carried away while I was chipping it off, so I used some wood putty to fill the craters chips.

All sanded and ready to stain :)

Although, a stain might have ended up looking better, I just used Briwax, because it's easy to apply and it doesn't make any rings when you set a drinking glass on it.

Much better!

Now for the very sad drawers.

Taking off the hardware was easy peasy.

Before...

After sanding...

And a coat of Briwax.

Drawers before...

Drawers after...

And done!

Well, except for trying to get all the dust and wood chips out of the carpet ;)

Anyway, I think it looks much better.

By the way, I haven't had time to visit all of you or to reply to comments lately, partly because of projects like this, but things are slowing down now, so you'll be seeing me around :)

xo

rue

Before you know it

It may seem unbelievable to those that are still in the heat of Summer, but here, Autumn already seems to be whispering.

The air feels different.

I notice it in the morning, while I'm still in bed.

The window in my bedroom has been open at night lately, because it's already cooling down and the other morning I felt a crispness.

I also notice it when I take my walk in the evening.

Even though it's still a bit hot, there's a slightly cooler breeze when the wind blows.

The sun is rising later and setting earlier, so I get to witness my sunrises again and the lights get turned on earlier in my home.

Even the wildlife outside seems to be getting ready, as the birds are already eating more seed from the feeder and the squirrels are gathering pieces of wood for their nests from the woodpile.

The woodpeckers haven't shown up to hammer food into the eves of my roof, but it's only a matter of time.

I've been in a nesting mood.

There's been painting, furniture moving, and a basic need to clean and clear out useless things so that I feel like I can breathe.

It's almost like I'm in a rush to get things done so that I can truly enjoy the coming season.

I look forward to taking walks with falling leaves swirling around.

Getting back to exploring ghost towns and digging up old artifacts that happened to be someone's trash a hundred years ago.

I have a sudden urge to light a fire in the fireplace, make some cocoa, wrap myself in a cozy blanket, and read a good book.

Baking cookies, cakes and pies sounds like a perfect way to spend the day.

Chili and cornbread, 

pumpkins, 

sweaters,

wool dresses and skirts,

candles...

they're all calling my name.

And yet...

I know it's not quite time.

I can't say that I really enjoy Summer.

Yes, the slightly tan skin, the swimming, walking barefoot, barbecuing, and the sounds of crickets and cicadas serenading me from the tree tops are lovely.

But honestly...

it's never been my season.

I'm thankful for it though, because more than anything...

 it really makes me appreciate...

Autumn.

It'll be here before you know it.

xo

rue