Table Dressings...




The Nester is having a party!








As my nest is still under restoration...I'll just be sharing a little snippet...a few twigs, some canvas, and bits of straw...





In the early 1980's, whilst visiting the home of our paternal grandparents in Minnesota, one of my brothers discovered something hidden behind some shrubs beside the garage. Stacked in pieces and coated in layers of paint, was an antique dressing table. My grandmother said that my brother, who wanted to use it for a school project, could have it. And so, it was packed up alongside our big red Coleman cooler in the back of our "wood-sided" white Mercury station wagon for our 3 day drive back home to Washington State. What a perfect divider between my brothers in the center-back passenger seats...and my nest in the way-very-back. When my brother finished restoring the table...he gave it to me! I have always thought that the legs were too sweet to cover them with a skirt.




My parents purchased the painting of a boy and his dog at an art fair in Minnesota in the 1960's. The straw fedora on the little lamp was my grandfather's. The little porcelain bouquet was a gift to my mother from my grandmother...but it has been with me for as long as I can remember. I bought the tiniest frames at Nordstrom in the early 90's. They used to sell the little silver-plated ones for $3.00 each. The tiny round frame is Italian and cost a bit more. The frames behind the perfume and the Ikea ($9.99) alarm clock, are also old family keepsakes. The paper snippets tucked into the frame of the painting include a couple of pretty postcards, a vintage comic, and 2 old attendance cards from the church where my parents were married, Powderhorn Park Baptist. I bought the little lamp under the fedora at target for around $20..I think...it took me a while to decide between the table or floor lamp version.




Under the table is a vintage suitcase for which I paid between $1.99 and $14.99...I can't remember. The little straw purse with pretty pink lining (not shown) is from Victoria Secret. I have several cute handbags from Victoria Secret and Bath and Body works...they came filled with yummy lotions and such. As for my hat, my straw hat is from an Australian company called, "Corroboree." I used to work in a boutique that sold them. I believe I paid about $22 dollars for it in 1997.




The fir floor, baseboard molding, and 1/4 round trim are original to the house...which, like the antique dressing table...came coated in layers and layers of paint. The newest layers were provided by me...along with a plaster treatment and buttercream glaze on the walls. Mmmm...buttercream glaze...now that sounds like a great table dressing for a party!


That's absolutely true...so I'm adding this ol' post to Miss Mustard Seeds New Year's Favorite Furniture Linky Party! 

Happy New Year blessings to you!!!

: )

Julie M.

For more photos…and to receive regular updates on my fabulous junking adventures and restoration projects, please follow The Little Red Shop's facebook page.  You can also visit us via My Favorite Find , Twitter and Pinterest.



Comments

Anonymous said…
love the hats and suitcase!
Amber said…
That all ties together great! Thanks for the comment! I too love to find things to turn into something else!
Lisa said…
That is just awesome! What a great treasure! It is lovely!
Hugs, lisa
Valerie said…
ooooh...lovely! i hope you post the rest of your "nest" someday!
Such a lovely vignette full of precious item that came from your grandparents. Your artistic and design skills are sure evident in this sweet arrangement.

I enjoyed reading through some of your posts ~ cute place you have here :)

Kindly, ldh
Ve said…
Hi! I love the history and family connections in your treasures! Meaningful decor is the BEST.
I especially love that table! So pretty and the family history is great too! :)
Carrie
Marie said…
Beautiful table and wonderful family story. Thank you for sharing!

Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
That piece is so pretty and, again, you have done a great job at dressing it up. The accessories are perfect for it. Thanks for sharing...I missed this piece the first time around.
The whole set up is completely adorable... love the hat and suitcase! Great!
Lisa
Julie-

I have that same dressing table. I rescued mine from a friends potting shed- it had to have a new top which my hubby replaced for me. I took it off my friends hands because my Granny had one in her house when I was growing up.
You're right- the little arms that swing open were for skirting. I have the arms for mine, but hubby didn't re-attach them for the same reason. The legs are so darling.

I enjoyed seeing it and hearing the story.
Thanks.

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