Point Breeze finds a home in Manhattan, NY

Back in May we posted about a unique set of furniture that we found in our local Habitat for Humanity store here in Lexington Park, MD. After a couple coats of Aubusson Blue Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and a smooth coat of Annie Sloan Clear Wax they were ready for their close ups.

Both pieces sparked quite a bit of interest on our Etsy Site, but some customers seemed turned off by the high shipping prices. Solid wood made it the 1970's is not exactly light, and with pieces this size, they are nearly impossible to ship for a low rate.  We considered pulling the pieces off of Etsy and trying to sell them in the local area exclusively, but with 900+ page views for both the buffet and china cabinet and dozens of inquires, we thought, let's leave them posted until the listing expires. If we still haven't found buyers at that point, we'll pull them off.

And then I met another Mindy. A conversation came through on Etsy from a woman named Mindy in Manhattan, NY who was interested in purchasing the china cabinet. It's not every day I meet someone who shares my name, so I was pretty excited and thought, maybe this is a sign, maybe she is meant to purchase this set. And after many conversations and tons of research trying to figure out how in the world we would ship such a large item to Manhattan for a reasonable price, we finally came to an agreement.

You see, Mindy was actually interested in the pieces for her daughter, Dalia. A sweet newlywed, Dalia was looking for a couple of unique pieces to furnish she and her new husbands apartment. When we work on pieces, we always try to imagine what type of person it will sell to. And after being in contact so closely with this family, I knew we had to make it work. I offered to drive halfway and meet Dalia with the China Cabinet. As bad as she wanted both pieces to complete the set, the buffet's dimensions just would not fit in her apartment. We settled on a date and location, packed up the cabinet as securely as possible on the back of Bubba's truck and hit the road.

Dalia and her new hubby found their way to our meeting spot and after some wiggling and jiggling, we finally go the cabinet loaded into their vehicle. She had also asked if we could bring another piece from our shop with us, that way if they could fit it in their car, they could purchase it too. And sure enough, we got it to fit. So not only did our beloved blue China Cabinet find a new home in Manhattan, but our funky Spanish-Inspired table/cabinet (at right) did too!

Dalia and Mindy were such great customers, if only everyone I dealt with on Etsy was so kind and appreciative. Their cooperation and determination helped make this sale a fun one and we were so happy to see two of our favorite pieces go to such a great home. Dalia was even kind enough to send us some photos of how great both of the pieces look in her new apartment. Best of luck to you and your husband, Dalia, we wish you many years of happiness and love!

Check out the pictures from Dalia's apartment - I think Point Breeze style looks pretty good in Manhattan, don't you?

Refinished French Provincial

Monday's Featured Product

Seaside Cottage chest of drawers

The girls and I were heading out to yard sales a couple of months ago, "keep your eyes open for any French provincial furniture" I reminded them. We had received lots of positive feedback on the French provincial chest of drawers  that we painted in true PBC style and named the Seaside Cottage chest of drawers. (See photo at right)

Before we started PBC it seems French Provincial furniture was plentiful at yard sales, estate sales, and thrift shops. This year we hadn't found any except the one chest of drawers. Weeks went by and we were not finding any good pieces. Then one Saturday afternoon as Marci was taking a walk around her neighborhood she came across a yard sale we hadn't even known about. The family was beginning to pack it up as Marci's eyes skimmed the few remaining items strewn about the driveway. And there it was, one lonely little French provincial night stand / end table, and since the man was ready to call it a day he made Marci an offer she couldn't refuse. It was sturdy and well built but drab and boring with worn faded yellowy cream paint and Marci knew what potential it had.

So, with some ASCP in Graphite, some of our own mix of chalk paint in pink, and a little AS Clear Wax to top it off, we gave an old drab nightstand some punch and pizazz. This color scheme would be great in a little girls room, a pre-teens room, or even a young lady heading off to college would enjoy the updated look as well. The ample storage for personal items and books and the spacious surface for a lamp, alarm clock, and cell phone charger make this a great piece for the dorm as well.

We really hope you like the gray and pink, slightly distressed look as much as we do, it's a fun, versatile piece!

Beautiful Bird Table

On a hot summer day I found a little 3 legged table at a yard sale. It was the most unattractive color or red, quite dull actually. But, the shape was cute, the petite dimensions make it very versatile (you can squeeze it in ANYWHERE!) and it was sturdy.

Now to do something about that dreadful flat dull red color. Perusing our selection of value priced mistints from Lowes I chose a matte blue under coat and a lovely spring green for the top coat.  I decoupaged a fabric square of the sweetest little songbird on to the top of the table, applied AS clear wax, buffed, sanded, and distressed, and there she is.

Such a cheerful little landing place for your cold glass of ice tea while you sit on the porch, or a great little side table where your watch t.v. To purchase this adorable little table, please visit our Point Breeze Cottage etsy shop, or contact us directly at ptbreezecottage@gmail.com

Tropical Paradise

Featured Product

That is what I think of every time I look at this vibrant chair, Tropical Paradise. Given to our team from our fabulous yard saling partner in crime, Cathy, this retro chair was in great condition. Sturdy, solid, and structurally sound. Everything you want to look for when re-doing a vintage piece.

Our design expert, Donna, was the creative genius behind this chair, using Barcelona Orange AS Chalk Paint, AS Clear Wax, and a piece of fabric from Calico Corners. If you are looking to add a pop of Tropical to your home, sunroom, or beach house, this is the chair for you.

Please visit our etsy shop to purchase, or shoot us an email at ptbreezecottage@gmail.com for more details!

Keeping an Open Mind

“Seaside Cottage” she said, “I think you should paint it to suit a happy little cottage by the shore”.

“But it’s French Provincial” I protested. “Do you think I can pull that off?”

“Just go with it Mama, it’ll work, you’ll see”. ..

So went the conversation with my daughter Mindy on the French Provincial yard sale find.

I had my doubts. For months I have been envisioning this nice little chest done up in Paris Gray or even Provence Blue, maybe a dark wax, a little distressing, not too much, maybe a little gilding, dressing this fine little lady up in the French style she was born with. But Mindy had other ideas, and being open to other ideas is something I need to work on, so I set my mind to it, Seaside Cottage, NOT French Flair.

I cleaned the chest of drawers from top to bottom in March. In April I put some primer on the laminate top. The little chest of drawers taunted me, day in and day out, as if to say “is this it? is this all I get?” Beachy, cottagey, time worn, seaside, I had to find a starting point. Two days before our trip to Tybee Island, Georgia I found in my supplies a lovely blue paint. No name on it, no label, not sure where I got it from, but it was a lovely clear blue, kind of like a blue bird, and I decided that would be my base coat. It wasn’t exactly pretty, that first coat, but it was a start. I knew I would build from there, but it would have to wait until after vacation.

Upon returning from Tybee I had lots of color inspiration. Color abounds on this lovely little Island, every home is trimmed out in bright cheerful colors, and the home we rented, Under the Tybee Sun was colorful both inside and out. Happy is the word I would use to describe Tybee!

 A lovely greenish blue color kept popping up on signage around the island. After taking a moment to read the signs I realized they were in conjunction with The Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project through the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.  What an incredible effort to protect the Sea Turtles down there on Tybee, by employees of the museum, volunteers, and regulars citizens alike! You can check out the project here: http://tybeemarinescience.org/sea-turtle-project. 

Upon returning to Maryland I kept thinking about Tybee, about the turtles, and about the many lovely colors. Completely refreshed and rejuvenated I went to work on the chest of drawers and it just flowed, it really came together without even having to think about it. I applied a lovely blue green chalk paint that I mixed up myself, two coats of Annie Sloan Clear Wax, and then I started distressing.  Sanding here, rubbing there, I was beginning to realize Mindy’s original vision for this piece! The original drawer pulls were the finishing touch, and I’m glad I painted them the true blue color of the base coat, I think they really pull it all together. So what do you think? Was I able to take her from French Provincial to Seaside Cottage?  I’m so glad I kept my mind open to Mindy’s vision, this little dresser is absolutely charming. I can picture her with seaside décor sprinkled across the top (sea glass, shells, candles, etc.), used to store beach towels and swim suits, or for clothing storage in a fresh and breezy cottage bedroom. I hope you like the vibe of this chest as much as we do. It really does say “Seaside Cottage”!

Spanish Influence

Thursday's Featured Product

What do I love best about this versatile console table? The fact that hidden on the bottom of the piece, is what we believe to be the furniture makers signature, the date, and the place: Virgil Robinson, Nov. 24, 1961, Hazelwood, North Carolina. Isn't it wonderful when you discover a little bit of history? Such a great find at the local Volunteer Rescue Squads annual yard sale, it was drab, brown, dusty, and dejected. Just sitting amongst cast-offs no one seemed to be paying any attention to. Ahhh, we were not quick to judge this old girl, we opened her doors, discovered she was sturdy and well built and we thought, maybe, just maybe, we can give her a new look for today's GLOBAL INSPIRED interiors.

Two coats of Annie Sloan Barcelona Orange, Aubusson Blue dabbed in the background of the front paneled doors, an application of Annie's Brown Wax, hand buffing and rubbing, and WOW, mission accomplished! What a transformation, this multi-functional cabinet is warm, vibrant, and brings the look of a world traveler to your home. Reminds you of a piece you might see in Turkey, Spain, or Greece. But no, made right here in the USA near the furniture capital of High Point, NC! The cabinet has one shelf inside that is adjustable. This piece is VERY heavy and solid. Could make an incredible coffee table in a smaller sized living room or apartment. Or a great night stand or end table as well!

My new puppy, Harper, modeling next to the table!

Please visit our Etsy site or send us an email if you think this table is right for you!



Out of the Blue

Thursday's Featured Product

Back in early spring our yard sale pickings were slim; The thrift shops were depleted, and craigslist was right down pitiful. It seemed there was absolutely no one with anything good to get rid of! After a disappointing Saturday morning we decided to detour and make one last stop, at the local Habitat Re-Store. There were the usual building materials, light fixtures, floor tiles, sinks, etc. and then we made our way in to the “furniture room”. Didn’t see much at first, but as we rounded a corner, there it was, an absolutely wonderful credenza/buffet straight out of a late 60’s or early 70’s dining room. Clean lines with a touch of pizazz? Check. Solid, sturdy, and well built? Check. Drawers and doors in good working order? Check. Is the price right? Well….maybe.

We all looked at each other, and nodded in approval, THIS could be the makeover piece we have been searching for.  You see, all three of us LOVE the way credenzas and buffets are being repurposed in to gorgeous places to house today’s Flat Screen T.V.’s. Storage abounds in these cabinets for DVD’s, games, puzzles, books, just about anything you would use in your family or media room.  We have also noticed a trend for using them in entryways as a place for keys, gloves, mail, purse storage, cell phone docking, etc.  We went up front and asked the very friendly clerk if we could purchase the credenza (or buffet, we still are not sure exactly which it is, although it has a silverware compartment so I guess it is technically a buffet?) She said, “Sure! If you buy the matching china cabinet I’ll give you a discount.” Hmmm we hadn’t even thought about taking on a china cabinet, but what the heck, if Sweet Bubba will pick it up and haul it for us, we’ll give it a whirl!

Bubba picked both pieces up and brought them home for us. We needed muscles, lots of muscles to wrestle them in to the shop, but boy oh boy were they worth the effort. Blue was the unanimous color choice, and not just any blue. Annie Sloan’s Aubusson Blue was what we were all drawn to. So we got to work, painting, and waxing, and waxing some more, buffing, and buffing some more, and the results are so pretty we are having a hard time parting with them. I actually had a scary moment of considering changing the entire décor of my living room just to accommodate the credenza, but sanity prevailed (and my husband Jeb’s look of disbelief kind of  brought me back to my senses), because I just repainted and refurnished my living room!

Let us know what you think of our two lovely pieces. We have enjoyed bringing a shot of color and fun to their somewhat boring original finishes.  You never know, sometimes a wonderful piece of furniture comes your way “Out of the Blue”. We certainly weren’t expecting to find these that dreary morning, but are we ever glad we did.