from drab to fab: the cane chair makeover.

this post contains affiliate links to products. the tiny white house may receive a commission for purchases made through these links—at no additional cost to you. thanks for your support in this way!

When I used to do design work for a contractor, it was in my job description to shop. whether it was to decorate and furnish the newly constructed contractor's office or to select mirrors or cabinet hardware for a client, I got paid to go shopping. every girl's dream, right?

I've actually never been a huge shopper. perhaps it's because I tend to be frugal and don't love to spend money.  perhaps it's because it wasn't something I did much growing up.  I'm one of four children and shopping [with four kids in tow] wasn't something my mother did often or happily. so, maybe it's genetic—my mom doesn't like to shop, so it's only natural that I don't enjoy it. whatever the reason, shopping is not exactly my first choice unless I am searching for—or happening upon—something for my home. now that is something I love. yard sales + secondhand stores are what my dreams are made of. 

occasionally, when running errands for work, I'd make the necessary stops and shop for clients, but I'd also stop by Goodwill or one of my other honey holes if I got the chance. I was doing just that when I came across this pretty little chair. I knew it would need some sprucing, but for ten bucks? I couldn't pass that up.

The white paint makes me think the previous owner tried their hand at DIY-ing, but stopped short of reupholstering it.  the green fabric looks a little dated, like it may be from the 80s or 90s. I knew for certain it was older when I was standing on the chair one day to fix something up high and I heard the fabric rip under my feet. oops. good thing I was planning on fixing it up! another tell-tale sign of its age happened when I began the reupholstery... the original foam seat cushion had rotted and begun to break down.

I would've loved to have stripped the chair down to the natural wood. however,  due to the cane being painted and the fact that stripping can damage cane, I decided to just paint it. as always, I was going for a timeless, traditional look, so my vision included black paint and some kind of neutral fabric. at first I planned to use an ivory fabric I picked up at the fancy fabric store during a remnant sale, but I ended up using a canvas drop cloth. this isn’t my first go-round using this material for drapery and upholstery. remember this? instead of using a nailhead trim to finish it off, I opted for a softer, more feminine look with this trim I found at Hobby Lobby.

I started off with a bang and quickly ran out of gas. removing the nailhead trim was an extremely tedious—and dangerous—process and took hours. imagine little nails heads flying from every direction. I can't remember how many nail heads there were, but I know it was a lot because I lost count after I got to a hundred. then, when it came time for painting, I decided to give milk paint a try. I wasn't too impressed with the finish, so I ended up using regular ol' latex paint. before I could recover anything, I had to reinforce the seating by replacing the webbing. after that, I had to get a new cushion and cut it to size. suffice it to say, nothing went "according to plan." this chair may have been a steal for the price, but it certainly took a labor of love to transform it.

It only took a year to finish this project! sadly, I'm not kidding. let the record show, though, that I didn't work on this steadily, just whenever I had spare time or felt like it.  I bought it in February 2017, right before my first baby turned a year old. then I had another baby that summer. in March 2018, I set to work on the chair’s makeover. for some silly reason, I thought I could finish the whole project within a month’s time. I was in a hurry to get it done, so we could have more seating available for Grey’s second birthday party in April 2018. I missed that deadline—but only by a year! we celebrated our boy’s third birthday a couple weeks ago and this little old chair finally made its big debut!

While I am pleased with the finished product, there is something to be said about the art of upholstery. it is surely not for the faint of heart. the scope of work in my project was on the smaller side and it wore me out! I can’t imagine reupholstering a wing chair or sofa. despite its challenges, though, it is certainly rewarding. but don’t be surprised if I take a little break before I get around to the cane barrel back chair that’s been sitting in the garage for a year or two. maybe next year…

---

SOURCES

gimp braid trim in natural | Hobby Lobby
buffalo check throw pillow | Tuesday Morning
blue + white lamp | Ralph Lauren via TJ Maxx
blue + white planter | Ross

---

the apothecary cabinet.

I came across this little apothecary cabinet through an online market page.  I probably didn't need it; but as soon as I spotted it, I saw its potential and couldn't stop dreaming of the transformation.  and for only twenty-five bucks?  it was totally worth it.

the seller listed it as an apothecary cabinet and described it as very heavy.  upon reading the description, I assumed it was an antique and a steal at that.  I simply couldn't pass it up.  now that it's mine, I'm almost positive it is no antique.  while it is a heavy piece as it is solid wood, the wood seems newer.  obviously if it was an antique, it would have more character and patina.  I certainly don't regret the purchase, though.

If you've been following the blog from the beginning, you may remember the bedside table transformation.  as soon as I saw this cabinet, I knew I wanted to do essentially the same thing: give it a fresh coat of black chalkboard paint, season it with chalk, wipe the "seasoning" off with a felt cloth, and update the hardware.

Based on the paint job and the decorative knobs, I imagine that this piece previously belonged in a child's room.  my initial vision was inspired by old card catalogs.  I would've loved to replace the ceramic knobs with card holder drawer pulls.  however, due to the dimensions and the drawer fronts being so small, I ended up going with a simple cabinet knob.  I prefer the warmth and tradition of brass fixtures and hardware, so I chose this antique bronze flat knob from Hobby Lobby.  I snatched them while the hardware was 50% off, so I got nine knobs for $18 plus tax.  not too shabby!

I applied 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint, letting it dry completely between each coat.  a couple days later, I seasoned, or lightly scribbled, on the surface with white chalk and wiping it down after with a piece of felt.  it took a little while for me to purchase all nine knobs, but I got around to it eventually.   

Now it sits near our hearth.  it adds contrast to the red brick and to a mostly neutral room.  the little drawers are so fun! in the spring, I snipped some roses from our yard, put them in jar of fresh water, and placed it in one of the drawers. the apothecary cabinet also doubles as the perfect hiding place for small objects… trucks, pacifiers—you name it.  I even found a few Fruit Loops in a some of the drawers. and even though it may not be an antique now, it certainly will be someday.  maybe this piece will stay in my family forever, or long enough to become "antique."

---

SOURCES:

drawer knobs | Hobby Lobby
Valspar chalkboard paint | Lowe’s

2019 | resolutions, habits, + dreams.

Some say that they don’t believe in making new year’s resolutions. well that’s fine for them, but as a stupid ex-boyfriend of mine once said, “to each to his own.” as a list-maker, I love writing down my hopes and dreams and goals and ideas for the coming year. now, are there things that have been on my list for the last five years? well, of course. but maybe this is my year! the year I’ll make things happen. and if not, there’s always next year, right? perhaps one of the reasons I am a fan of setting goals and resolutions is because there are always areas in my life I know I can and would like to improve. some of my goals may be a little lofty, but I would say most are reasonable and attainable. for the first time in tiny white house history, I am sharing these resolutions with you!

hospitality

I find great joy in creating atmospheres that are welcoming and feel like home; but this year, I’d like to step out of my introverted comfort zone and actually invite others into our home and our lives. a novel concept, yes? this past year, I really struggled with insecurity and perfectionism and having the desire to host others, but feeling inadequate. towards the end of the year, after much prompting by the Holy Spirit, I decided to get over myself and invite the girls from my Sunday school class over for a girls’ night in. in the weeks before, I stressed myself out planning and cleaning and preparing and wishing I hadn’t mentioned the idea in the first place. but you know what? I am so glad I did. it was such a sweet time with some dear women in my life. I’m not saying the night or my hosting was perfect, but dinner was served at 6 and my guests lingered until 10pm, so it must not have been too terrible. and to think if I had let my fear of my house not being clean enough or nice enough or not being a good enough cook keep me from hosting, I would have missed out on the gift of letting others in.

I love the way Laura Bell puts it,

…both of them knew and understood the true art of simply opening their door.  They weren't prideful in what they had nor were they ashamed or afraid of not having enough.  Because they had that innate “southernness” about them, they understood that those who entered their home didn't actually NEED their finest china or greatest batch of sweet tea.  What people needed was them.  They needed their kindness, they needed someone to be family when theirs was falling apart, they needed to see and be touched by a strong marriage, they needed to be heard and not overlooked. 

The Greatest gift we have been handed is an invitation to walk in life with the One who gave life to us. If we are made in His image, doesn't that make us excellent extenders of invitations?

— The Art of Inviting

another thing I’d like to do this year that falls in the category of hospitality is to meet our neighbors. I mean, we’ve met them; but I want to get to know them, to bake them cookies, invite them over for dinner. I want to share more than a friendly wave when we pass each other. this is another thing that makes me nervous and I’ve already overanalyzed and considered every possible scenario… they’ll be allergic to the cookies, they’ll decline a dinner invitation, etc. but my mother said I should offer anyway. she said they should be gracious enough to accept the cookies and then throw them away if it’s not something they like. so, I guess I’ll take my mom’s advice and just do it.

---

writing letters + sending cards

do you remember how exciting it was as a child to find a letter in the mail addressed to you? not a bill or anything of that sort, but a card or letter with your name on it. I suppose snail mail could be considered a lost art, which is such a shame. I’ve always thought it such a thoughtful gesture. I want to send more mail this year. on birthdays and special occasions would be nice, but what about sending a card to someone for no reason at all? I know that would mean a lot to me, so I want to try to do more of that.

---

getting back in the kitchen + weekly family dinner(s)

another revolutionary idea, I know. this one is kind of weird [and maybe pathetic?] because I actually enjoy cooking, but don’t do it as often as I’d like or should. I plan to make more of an effort in the kitchen this year. I’m open to trying new recipes; but more than that, I want to gather around the table with my family and share a meal. we do this occasionally at home; but more often than not, our meals are shared on the living room floor—or kitchen, if it’s spaghetti night. a lot of the time, my husband and I will feed the boys, do bath time, tuck them in, and then enjoy our meal—whether home-cooked or takeout—once the house is quiet. I actually love this kind of dinner, but I want to learn to love sitting down to supper with all three of my boys and hearing about each others’ day and dining together like civilized-ish humans—you know, that kind of thing. my goal is to have family dinner at the table once a week. I realize I am setting the bar very low, but this is more often than we do now, so I’m good with it.

---

projects + home improvement

if you’ve been following the blog for any length of time, you know I love a good project. and while I don’t believe this is our “forever home,” (which is such a silly term to me. there’s really no such thing, but that’s another post for another day.), there is still much I’d like to do to this house before our time here is done. ironically, my husband thinks it’s kind of pointless to do a lot of projects if we don’t plan to stick around longterm. and I see it from the exact opposite point of view… if we aren’t going to be here forever, I’d like to get to work now and do the things I want to do, so we can enjoy them while we live here before our time here is complete. and it’s nothing too major… our home renovation knocked all the big tasks off the to-do list. it’s small(er) projects like making over the friends’ entry to our home, planting an herb garden, landscaping the front yard, finishing up the laundry room remodel, that kind of thing. I’m sure my husband is not thrilled if he’s reading this, but none of this is news to him. I submitted these work orders a long time go. time to get to work!

---

taking photos + having them printed

almost five years ago, I bought my first DSLR camera. though I have no desire to be a photographer, I have certainly enjoyed my camera and “gotten my money’s worth.” I don’t struggle so much with actually taking photos as I do with promptly editing and ordering prints. I have maybe a handful of printed photos of our family, and that’s being generous. this year I want to be intentional about printing photos for framing, but also to fill photo albums. I’d love to have something that isn’t a screen that we can use to reflect on memories, as well as something tangible to share with our children. I’ve had plans to create a gallery wall of black + white family photos in our stairwell for some time now, so accomplishing this will kill two birds with one stone.

---

blogging

this little blog of mine is certainly a hobby and creative outlet for me. I can’t believe it’s been nearly five years since it was created! in 2019, I’d like to share on the blog more frequently and maybe figure out the business side of blogging. this, along with most of the “resolutions” mentioned above, has been on my to-do list for awhile now. I’ve been researching how to monetize your blog for some time now, and let me tell you, the internet is hard. but really and truly, I’d love to be able contribute financially to my family, so I’m hoping to make real progress on this front in 2019.

---

I suppose these are more than simply goals or resolutions… these are habits that I want to create and make long-lasting, and I think 2019 is just the year to make it happen.

---

your turn! do you set new year’s resolutions? if so, what’s on your list? if not, why?

laundry room remodel | pt. ii

progress report.

It's time for a quick update on our laundry room remodel!  there was a time when I jokingly said that I hoped we'd have this project completed by the end of the year, thinking how in the world could we not? these days, I think it will be a Christmas miracle if this thing wraps up while we're still in the year 2018.  if you're just tuning in, catch yourself up on our laundry room remodel by reading part one here.

To be sure, we have made progress.  after all, this wouldn't be much of a progress report if there was no progress.  the new countertops are nearly complete.  all that's left to do is a final coat and sealant once they have cured, which takes thirty days.  if you're just joining us, we covered our laminate countertops with concrete.  sounds a little crazy, right?  it probably is, but my thinking behind that is that nothing can be worse than the dusty blue counters we began with.  I mean, even with a risky DIY such as this, it's hard to mess up something like that and have a worse outcome. we were willing to take that chance, anyway.  I will share more about this process in the final reveal post.  for now, I am really pleased with how things are looking.

After removing the upper cabinets, which were glued to the wall, there were quite a few spots that needed to be patched.  a little drywall tape and joint compound fixed that right up.  a fresh coat of paint and several true crime podcasts later, the wall looks brand new.

​a couple weeks ago marked our five year wedding anniversary.  we spent the evening celebrating the most romantic way I know how—DIYing. with a little research and absolutely zero experience under our tool belts, we installed a tile backsplash ourselves! I would bet a million dollars that five years ago, my husband never would have imagined that's how we'd spend any anniversary.  in my mind, though, we're right on track!  I'm teasing… sort of.

would you believe we actually both enjoyed this project?  I know this because Drew actually started on it without me.  typically when it comes to home improvement, I am begging/having to consult and formally schedule with my husband to begin a project.  not so this time around... while I was chasing our youngest through the house, I passed by the laundry room to find Drew spreading thinset on the wall with a trowel and putting the first subway tile in place.  "what do you think you're doing?" I demanded.  he turned with a smile, "I just couldn't wait anymore." though I appreciated his enthusiasm, I had been dreaming of this moment for months and wanted to be a part of every second of the tiling process.  needless to say, we tucked our boy into bed shortly after and headed straight to work together.

​a couple days after the thinset dried, it was time for grout!  to be totally honest, this part was not as fun as I had hoped and neither of us much enjoyed it.  but it is a necessary step and we got it done and that’s what that counts.  it was our very first time to tackle a tile project; and though it was a small area that didn’t require too many cuts, I’m happy to add this skill to our resumé. I’m sure a professional could take a look at our work and spot imperfections immediately, but I think it looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself. I’m proud of us for trying something new and tickled that the results were decent. I'll share more details in the reveal post about products used, tips, etc. 

​The wood brackets for the open shelving have been painted, as you can see.  the lumber for the shelves has been cut.  I need to prime and paint the boards.  and the plan is to install it all this week. I am extra excited about this part!

I hung a few woven trays on the wall near the desk, so we've got that going for us as well.  I am so happy to see this room slowly coming together!  I think it's shaping up to be a really lovely space. I need to pick up some spray paint and lock my other handyman [aka my father] down. he’s always been skilled in spray-painting, so I’ve recruited him to help me give the old metal lockers a fresh coat of paint. here’s hoping we knock that out in the next week or two! if we do, it looks like there may just be a chance we could wrap things up before the clock strikes twelve on 2018. I’ll keep you posted…

---

if you want to keep up with all the little details between blog posts, give the tiny white house a follow on instagram.  I post there more frequently,  and almost always share as things are happening on the laundry room remodel... as well as in other rooms + projects taking place!

---

Drew.

I am not one to boast, especially on social media; however, his birthday seemed like just the occasion to honor and introduce you to the man behind the tiny white house. he’s the one who makes it all happen, the one who brings my vision to life.

image by Emily Green

---

My husband Drew is one of the kindest souls I've ever known.  he always gives the benefit of the doubt and sees the best in people.  if ever I am venting about another human, he is quick to suggest what they may have been thinking or where they may have been coming from.  it is so irritating.  he never assumes the worst in situations or of others.  in fact, we often refer to him as "Defender of the Weak/Week."  he has always been this way, ever since we became friends when he was sixteen years old.  of the two of us, he is definitely "the nice one."

minutes after we welcomed our first child to the world

---

Another cool/annoying thing about Drew is that he is brilliant.  let me put this into perspective for you: he scored a 32 on his ACT.  for those unfamiliar with the ACT, it is an entrance exam used by most colleges to make admissions decisions, with a test score range of 1-36.  according to the statistics, a score of 32 places him in the 98th percentile. I, who am a little older and much wiser [I do have more life experience, after all], did not make a 32.  I will not be disclosing my score, but suffice it to say: I was accepted into college and that alone was my goal.

he's kind of a know-it-all.  well, he used to be.  he still knows a lot, but I "helped" him to possess his knowledge in a more humble way.  for any other know-it-alls reading this, the first thing you need to know [or should already if you do, in fact, know everything] is that know-it-alls are obnoxious.  if someone informs you of something, almost anything is a better response than, "I know."  Drew would say this phrase so often, driving me mad, that I created a little exercise for him.  if I told him something and he responded with, "I know," whether he knew or not, I would make him recite the phrase: "I don't know everything."  repeatedly.  because you know what?  it's true.  nobody knows everything.  and you know what else?  he has learned to respond more humbly with an "oh really?" or "that's interesting."

image by Emily Green

---

In addition to his intelligence, Drew is an incredible musician.  I know it seems like I'm biased, but really and truly, he is completely gifted.  his first love is the drums.  he began playing when he was just four years old.  (he learned from his dad, a fellow drummer).  as a teen, he learned to play the acoustic guitar.  as a twentysomething, he conquered the bass and electric; and finally, the piano.  he doesn't sing often, or in public anyway, but he also has a nice voice.  we enjoy making music together, though all I bring to the table is my voice and sick dance moves.  since he was thirteen years old, he has served in our church in some musical capacity.  the neatest thing about Drew and his talent is that he is completely humble.  if I was a rock star and played forty-seven instruments like him, you better believe I'd be shouting it from the rooftops.  Drew is not this way.  where he once lacked humility as a former know-it-all, he has never lacked anything as a musician.

moments before the birth of our second child

---

We make quite a pair for many reasons.  I am a dreamer; he is a realist.  I like to create, whether it's drawing or painting or building.  simply put, he does not.  but he does it anyway for me.  he's a numbers guy and majored in accounting.  I don't do numbers.  like ever, at all.  I once said that if the wires in my brain to compute mathematics do, in fact, exist, they are not connected.  not even close.  Drew says that he sees + thinks in numbers and that I see + think in colors.  the most ironic thing?  Drew is colorblind.  we are literally speaking completely different languages.  we are opposite in so many ways, but have the important things in common...  our beliefs, our goals, our dreams, our faith.

his life has not always been easy—by my standards.  he's weathered divorce, the loss of his mother, and losing his home + virtually all his earthly possessions in a flood, all before he was even twenty-four years old.  but he's so full of joy and hope, you'd never guess it.

image by Allison Moix

---

It's fun being married to him.  he's loving and spoils me in unconventional ways, like a coffee cup filled with ice cream before bed.  it's the darnedest thing, but it just tastes better when he fixes it. he dances with me in the kitchen, the way my father always has, and he makes me laugh like you wouldn't believe. he's an amazing father and loyal friend.  he loves our boys and they are crazy about him.  he’s a hard worker, and very rarely, if ever, does he complain.  every time I observe this quality of his, I make a point to be more like him.  I'm still working on it, obviously.  he never asks for anything and doesn't want much… except a nice guitar and set of drums and to move to the country.

I’m so grateful that the Lord saw fit for us to be together and that He chose me for Drew. he loved + pursued me despite my being a young, insecure girl who didn’t know who she was, and he helped me to find myself + follow my dreams. a true picture of the gospel. I’m still not certain why our parents let us get married since we were just a couple of dumb kids, but I sure am glad they did.

happy birthday to my man. you are so worth celebrating.

image by Allison Moix

---

images by:

Emily Green of Emily Green Photography
Allison Moix of Stellar Propeller Studio
my personal collection