async='async' data-ad-client='ca-pub-1704385665578974' src='https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js'/> July 2019 - Welch House 1900

Thrift Store Makeover


A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a "diamond in the rough" thrift store find. I love those days. 


On this particular day what I spotted was a very large Degas print. The ballerinas caught my eye immediately, as well as the size of print.




What didn't impress me was the dark frame that it was mounted in. The below photo is my "before" photo, and while its not the greatest photo...you can see what I'm talking about. As I was wandering  around the store with this giant painting in my cart, I started to notice that something was "off" with this print. After inspecting it closer I could see that the previous owner had taken a "dark wash" of some kind and darkened the painting from it's original brilliant colors. That actually made me sad for some reason and I debated about putting it back...but I didn't.



Once I got it home I took soap and water on a sponge and was able to actually clean some of the dark wash off of it, which made me so so happy. Now the frame needed some attention. Its a very nice wood frame with lots and details, but I needed to change it to gold. I love gold! I know white is very "in" right now, but gold just has my heart.



I had just ordered some gold leaf off of amazon so I decided that I would try my hand at that for this particular frame. I usually use a gold paint for my frames, so this project would be a little different for me. Well...lol gold leafing is definitely a lot different than what I'm used to! Its honestly not hard at all, just follow the directions. I think my issue was since it was my first time using gold leaf, I should have started on something that didn't have a lot of details. My frame looks a little more "rustic" than I had intended it to look, but it works for me. My husband even commented that the frame turned out really nice, and he doesn't usually notice things like that. I will definitely use gold leaf again.




A close up of my Degas print. Aren't the ballerinas beautiful? Its truly a beautiful painting.





Currently I have it hanging in my entry way and I love it here for now. In the future I want a huge gaudy gold French Pier Mirror for this spot...just waiting for it to show up on one of my thrifting outings or Craigslist...lol


 


This sweet little french photo was sent to me by one of my very dear IG friends. It actually hangs in my entryway as well, but today I took it down for this photo.





I'm so happy that I took a chance on this beauty and brought it home. I think it cleaned up very nicely and is definitely a keepsake.




One more view of the foyer. This year one of my goals was to focus more on my photography and try to get out of my comfort zone when it comes to taking pictures. This particular view is not a view I would ever share. I have to use a different lens to get this type of view of my home. This particular  lens is one that I don't use a lot and I find it intimidating. I decided to get out of my comfort zone and I am pleasantly surprised at how these photos turned out! I can finally show you the Gothic arches that we have at Welch House. We actually have 4 in our house, three downstairs and one tiny arch upstairs in the hallway.




I hope you enjoyed this post! Don't forget to stop and look at the wall art when you are out thrifting, you just might stumble upon something beautiful!


-Larissa

Claw Foot Tub Makeover


When I would envision my dream home, I always pictured a bathroom complete with a glorious claw foot tub.  I have always wanted one. There is such a subtle charm and romance associated with a claw foot bathtub.

When we purchased our home we had one bathroom that was large enough to accommodate a claw foot. But it was a small space, around 58"in length. Claw foot tubs that small are harder to find, and  when purchased new they greatly exceed the larger sizes in price.




Enter Facebook Marketplace...I was browsing around and I spotted this claw foot tub, and honestly didn't get too excited until I saw the measurements...54" long! Perfect for our space and definitely in my budget at only $50.



This purchase was kind of an impulse buy since we are currently working on our other bathroom and didn't plan on working on another at the same time! The bathroom where this tub is to eventually reside,  is nowhere near being completed, so it has found a temporary home in the dining room...lol




I don't know the age of it, but its in surprisingly good condition! I also did a lead test on it and thankfully it came out negative. Our little guy is so excited about this tub! lol he's always sitting in it and playing with his toys. I can't wait until he can actually bathe in it.



I think a good deep clean will make the inside as good as new! I lightly cleaned the inside and it already shined up nicely! The outside was a drab gray/ tan color. I wanted to change that. I did some research on how to paint the outside of a claw tub and honestly everyone was doing something different, from chalk paint to exterior paint etc.  So I decided to be budget friendly and use a soft pink paint that I already had on hand, called "Odessa Pink."





I think she wears it well! The paint went on very nicely and I will probably put a sealer of some sort on it to protect the the outside of the tub.



Initially I wanted to gild the tub feet, but the more I looked at the chippy paint and gorgeous patina, I couldn't bring myself to do it.




They are just perfect as is, and compliment the soft pink paint so nicely.




I am IN LOVE.  I couldn't ask for a more perfect, imperfect, romantic claw foot tub.




I asked my husband to help me scoot the tub in front of our dining room mantel to get some pretty pictures of it in it's temporary home.



I love the charm and history of old things. So much beauty!



I am so grateful to have found this diamond in the rough, and welcome it to its forever home.

Now off to work on those bathrooms!!

Thank you for stopping by!

-Larissa

Happy Independence Day


Do you have big plans for Independence Day? This year it will be just my little family of three celebrating here at home together. My little guy and I baked a cheesecake and a 4th of July sheet cake. I can't wait to eat them! Earlier this week he helped me decorate around the house for the holiday.



I don't have a lot of 4th of July decor, but I do have a ton of flags, which when grouped together, can make a bold decor statement. Here we grouped three in a in a twig floral holder and attached to the armoire. I really like this look..simple and elegant.



A couple of years ago I found this small George Washington bust at the thrift store for $3.00. He always comes out at the 4th. He was a bronze color originally, but this year I painted him white because the color was already chipping in spots.




We picked some garden roses for our patriotic vignette, and of course candles!

My little guy had fun putting the remaining flags in our flower pots on the front porch. He's a good helper!




I want to wish you all a very safe and happy Independence Day! 


-Larissa