North Carolina Archives - The Weekend Country Girl

Behr Paint with Primer, Charlotte NC, Christmas, Dresser, North Carolina, Painted Furniture, painting, resale finds, Style

DIY Bar from 1970’s Dresser

November 27, 2013December 2, 2013 Karen

A while back I saw this dresser on a members only Facebook page for $20.00.

She was rough. I mean really rough.

I liked the curvy front doors and was able to work a deal. I do not know why, but I immediately saw this piece as a bar for my son-in-law and daughter. They entertain a lot and have a smallish main room. This small piece will hold drinks and snacks. I knew I wanted a shelf for snacks when company is over.
The Southern Belle asked for stem ware holders in the cabinet. There was a missing drawer so we decided to put in wine storage. It was a matter of adding vertical boards to divide the space. The first step was to sand and prime it.

Please don’t judge me because I am the messiest primer ever. I just work to get the thing covered, but it is not beautiful.

Hubby left me home working and went up to the Garagemahal alone. Before he left, I helped him pick out a navy blue paint color. This did not go as planned. This was not navy. You can read all about it here. Choosing the Right Navy Blue

It took another trip to the store for Hubby but the next color worked. December Eve.

It took a lot of work and I am proud of the work, just not the photos I took. Here is the finished project. Brushed nickel hardware, drop down shelf, bottle storage and all.

Blue is so stinkin hard to photograph. Lessons this fall. For sure. The color is much darker and richer than it looks here.

The interior is Pantone Lunar Rock that I had left over from painting our end tables. It looks great inside the bar.

I love the stem ware rack at the top that Hubby made from corner moulding.

Charlotte NC, Christmas, DIY Art, Maeby, North Carolina, painting, Shelter Pets

Rustic Dog Silhouette

November 22, 2013November 22, 2013 Karen

I have a grand-dog. She is a sweet-tempered rescue pup named Maeby and lives with The Southern Belle and Big Cat in North Carolina.

What do you get a dog for Christmas who has everything she wants? I mean she has all the belly rubs, walks, chew toys and snacks a girl could dream of. She is even famous. Her pretty face is on the cover of Pawblo Picasso custom pet portraits.

That is her on the left side. The happy one!

She really is a happy dog. Her parents ~~love~~ adore her and have a commissioned painting of her pretty face. Recently I was cleaning out a stack of old pictures (under our bed) and ran across this silhouette of me in like third grade. It got me thinking. I remembered that I had a picture of Maeby in portrait.

An idea formed in my little brain. A rustic silhouette on barn wood of Miss Maeby.

Hubby cut the boards to roughly the same length. He wanted to clean up the edge but I wanted it to look rough. I painted it my favorite off white, Cinnamon Cake by Behr then sanded the hound out of it to make the wood show through. Next, I glazed the boards with Behr Faux Effects mixed with just a little Behr Revival Mahogany. I wanted another layer so I wiped it all down with dark walnut stain. I liked the look of the wood enough that I could have just stopped at this point really, but the next step was to print the photo of Maeby on an overhead transparency sheet. If I had a projector that would project the picture straight on the wall that would have been awesome. I don’t. I do have access to an overhead projector. ( Check out school district auctions, they go on sale all the time for a few bucks.)

Shine it up on the wood, trace then fill in with charcoal colored paint.

Sounded good huh? I hated the first attempt. Well, I thought I did anyway. It took a few days and looking at the picture to realize that I really needed to rough up the portrait a little to match the background.

I still want to do a different picture that is all of her but this one makes a presentable present for her Christmas present now.

Soooo what do you think?

I know for sure that Maeby does not read my blog so if you see her, don’t spoil the surprise.

One Christmas present done.

Behr Paint with Primer, Charlotte NC, DIY Furniture, Fun with friends, Maeby, North Carolina, painting, Repurposed Furniture, resale finds, the Southern Belle

Choosing “The Right” Navy Blue is Hard

October 29, 2013November 4, 2013 Karen

The Southern Belle and Big Cat are getting a few pieces of furniture that I have collected just for them. A sewing cabinet turned into a beverage station for their awesome screened in porch. The next time we venture up to North Carolina I am going to take pictures of their back yard space. It is amazing.

Big Cat is a die hard Georgia Southern fan so navy for the cabinet was an easy decision. Navy blue. Not the bright sailboat blue the original beverage station is. I also decided to make a bar cabinet for them. They have a small dining space but entertain a lot so any space that they could use to hold glasses, bottles and things that don’t fit in their limited cabinet space. The interior of their home is also navy along with creams browns, and tons of natural fibers. Want to see it? I took pictures last fall Click Here. The cabinet is going to be navy too.

Hubby went to Coldspring without me. We went together to pick our paint, so there is no blame here. We are just learning that navy blue is a tricky color. The first color was WAAAAY too vibrant. Hubby sent the picture to me and TSB. I will bet she almost had a stroke.

The cabinet door confirmed my suspicion that we needed a color change.

Hubby went back to town ( 30 minutes one way) to get a darker color.
Here are the results:

Here is the cabinet in a darker shade:

I am not sure I love it, but I am withholding judgement until we go back to the Garagemahal. I am guessing that a coat of black glaze will tone it down. Hope, hope. I love the 1970’s vibe of the cabinet.
I will let you know about the paint. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Charlotte NC, Decorating, family, North Carolina, the Southern Belle

What I Learn From My Daughter’s Decorating Style

March 14, 2013March 14, 2013 Karen

I have written before about my daughter’s decorating style. I love her simple elegance. It is a theme that is evident in her whole life, not just decorating her home. As I prepare to move from one home to what will probably (hopefully) be a smaller home, I am glad I have had the chance to spend time in her very peaceful home. I have viewed what she does with fresh eyes and I will be taking what I observed home with me and apply it in my new digs.

Here is what I have noticed about her home that makes it so serene:
1. Keep only what you love. She pares down easily where I struggle with keeping things I do not love because I love who gave it to me or I fear hurting someone’s feelings. As soon as the new mirror was installed the old one went to Restore. Because she only keeps what she loves, her home is a true reflection of her personality. Her home is peacful because it is not too full of stuff.
2. Select a subtle theme and carry it through the home. The Southern Belle loves navy blue. It will be the color of her brides maid dresses. Every room has a touch of navy. Pillows, chair cushions, valance, shower curtain trim, the office walls. It travels through the home without being overwhelming. She lived in costal communities for a few years. That costal vibe is also evident, but not kitchy.

3. Nothing beats white trim work. No matter the wall color, the white trim unifies each room.
4. Dark colors work well in bedrooms, as long as the furniture is minimal and light. It is restful.

5. Nothing fussy. Natural fibers, wood, fruit, fresh flowers.

6. Keep the metals the same throughout the house. In The Southern Belle’s home it is silver, chrome, or brushed nickel. She stays true to that family in everything. Light fixtures, furniture hardware, lamps…

Charlotte NC, Decorating, DIY Projects, home decorating, North Carolina, recycled furniture, Repurposed Furniture, the guest room, the Southern Belle, vintage style

Turning a Ten Dollar Door Into a Headboard

March 13, 2013March 14, 2013 Karen

When we are at The Southern Belle’s home we try to do things for her that she and her fiancée just don’t have the time to do. This trip Hubby replaced the shower head and fixed it so that Sweet Maeby can get her shower without getting TSB (The Southern Belle) all wet too. I decided that my project would be to make a fun headboard for the guest room.
I love the Restore. There is one really near TSB’s home. I am a huge supporter of Habitat For Humanity and I am all about repurposed items.
At the local Restore we picked up a solid wood panel door for $10.00.

It was a bit dirty and I hated the brass hardware, but otherwise it was in good shape. Hubby removed all the hardware,

I gave it a shower and scrub then Hubby cut it down to 61 inches. That meant he had to cut from both ends in order to make the panels even and he did it with a circular saw. I think he missed his table saw on this one. No pictures because I was standing on the end of the door while it was being cut.

The door was painted white on one side and off white on the other. I opted to use the white side and touched it up at the cut ends with white spray paint. I found a can of greenish black called Charleston Green for $2.00 in the oops bin at Home Depot. A can of glazing medium and a cheap paintbrush later I was good to go. This was my project at the Pinterest Party. No pictures of the glazing because I forgot to make sure my SD card was in.

Hubby attached two by four legs to the back of the door and bolted it to the frame. I love how it turned out and I hope my daughter does too. It adds to the eclectic vibe in her guest room.

Total cost of this project was about $20.00.

Here is the finished product:

Charlotte NC, Decorating, Fun with friends, North Carolina, the Southern Belle, Thrifty Art

Pinterest Party With The Southern Belle

March 13, 2013March 13, 2013 Karen

The Southern Belle had a Pinterest party Tuesday night. It was a great way to have friends over, work on projects, and learn new things. I loved most of all the opportunity to meet some of her friends in North Carolina. The projects going on were: a spring wreath, jute/burlap wrapped wine bottles for an upcoming wedding reception (with the coolest hand crocheted roses!), faux milk glass and mercury glass, making rainbow and pot of gold treat bags for coworkers, and a welcome sign for a front entry. I have never been to a Pinterest Party before but I loved it. Every person brings the stuff for their own Pinterest craft idea then works on it. I am SO SAD that I messed up my camera so the only shots I have are from The Southern Belle’s iPhone. There are times when I am really not too smart. I hope that the others took pictures so that I can update this post. Several of them promised to send me pictures of their finished projects and I am holding them to it.

The food was great! Thank you sweet girl for planning this for us.

Dresser, Mirror, North Carolina, Ornate mirror, the Southern Belle

The Giant Silver Mirror Has Been Installed

March 11, 2013March 18, 2013 Karen

The giant silver mirror that has been in my possession for almost a year now, finally has a home in The Southern Belle’s home. It was safely transported to North Carolina and Hubby got it hung. The Giant Silver Mirror It started life as a gold ornate mirror I would guess in the 50’s. I found this beauty at a garage sale for $10.00.

I loved the detail and the size. This beauty is five feet wide and three feet tall!

She got a total makeover to modernize and match The Southern Belle’s silver/brushed nickle throughout her beautiful home including a new backing and hanging hardware.

Doesn’t she look beautiful? I love the stenciled wall in the bedroom and the soft blue comforter set.

Do you ever wonder what your dog does when you are at work? This is what sweet Maeby does…pretty much nothing.

Belmont, Carolina Panthers, KIPP Charlotte, North Carolina, traveling

Great Weekend in North Carolina

October 12, 2012 Karen

This is mu last post about my trip to see the kids last weekeend so hold on tight!

We had a three day weekend due to Columbus Day. Thank you Christopher Columbus go almost discovering the Americas!

I took an extra day and made it a four day long trip to see the Carolina Kids. I miss them terribly because they live so far from us. They both love the Southeast and have put down roots in Charlotte, North Carolina.
My daughter, the Southern Belle, had quite a weekend planned. I arrived Thursday night just before midnight. I spent the day with my sweet daughter shopping for wedding dresses, but I have already told you that. Friday night we met up with her fella and drove out to Belmont, North Carolina. I loved this small town and when I come back to visit with Hubby we are going to shop like crazy there. It really is like Mayberry ( filmed in North Carolina FYI). There were checker boards set up outside shops, people sitting on benches and kids on bicycles. The downtown has a restored locomotive and two rail cars restored. The weather was picture perfect.

We met up with some of the Southern Belle’s coworkers at Jax.

The weather was so great that everyone was out on the back deck. I loved being able to meet some of the people she works with. It made me feel better that some of them had their parents there too. I think I could move to Belmont.

Saturday morning we were up bright and early to volunteer at KIPP Academy, Charlotte. I was very proud of the daughter. She had arranged this program and was responsible for all the speakers at the Girls Leadership Program that day. This is her Junior League volunteer project and she loves the girls she works with. It is great to see her giving back to the community.

Saturday afternoon we went to the Great Grapes Wine, Food and Arts festival. I got to meet another of Rachel’s friends, Amber along with her husband Allen. I hear a lot about these new friends so it was great to actually meet them. We enjoyed the festival a lot. I love to go to events that showcase local wines.

Saturday night The Southern Belle and her beau took me to Leroy Fox a local resturant in their neighborhood. Can you tell I ate well this weekend? The food was great, but I was so tired I think I went to bed about 9:00. A storm blew in during the night and dropped the temperature 20 degrees.

Sunday morning we took off for the kids’ church, Hawthorne Lane United Methodist. The kids will be getting married there. It is nice to see that they have found a church that they are fitting into.

We rushed home to dress for another volunteering opportunity. The Southern Belle is a ZTA and it was Think Pink day in the NFL. The ZTA sorority ‘s number one — is the Susan G. Komen foundation. My daughter volunteered to pass out pink ribbons to fans so her beau and I did too. We attended the game after volunteering.

The Southern Belle and her beau before the game.

It was COLD. I was not dressed very warmly. I ended up wearing my future son-in-law’s shirt, a long sleeved shirt and the volunteer tshirt while he just wore the short sleeved volunteer shirt. (thanks!) The temperature kept dropping. The clouds moved in… we bailed at half-time.

On the way home we stopped at another local resturant, Krazy Fish . It is a funky little place that has wild art in it and the most unique food. It is sort of an Asian meets soul food restaurant. I had a Roti for the first time.

Monday morning I enjoyed waking up late and reading while the Southern Belle went to work. When she got home at 11:00 went shopping. It is those day to day simple things I miss most with my kids so far away from me.

Thank you for letting me share my weekend with you.