Green with Indie Preview

Paint. Sew. Strip. Stain. Sleep. Wine. Whine. Repeat.

That's been life around our house lately. We're not only getting ready for our first show of 2013, Green with Indie, but we're also working on a very unique custom order. Once we get it all finished up, we'll be sharing all of the details. Until then, here's a sneak peek:

Our inventory in our Etsy store has been pretty low as we're stock piling stuff for GWI. We've been working on alot of really cool, upcycled and repurposed home goodies (it's what GWI is all about). I thought I would share some of the stuff we'll be bringing. There's still a couple of cool pieces made from old boat wood that we'll be bringing, but here's a couple other things:

Chalkboard made from antique cabinet door and handmade pillows made from vintage grain sacks.

Corkboard made from an old mirror. Distressed with ASCP

Handpainted, distressed and waxed Union Jack on canvas

Large pillow made from coffee grain sack and vintage grain sack scraps

Chalkboard upcycled from antique mirror. Handpainted and distressed.

Antique letterpress side table with hairpin legs

Side table with antique sewing machine legs

Side table with antique sewing machine legs

Stool recovered in coffee grain sack

Coffee table made from old door on hairpin legs

Paris cabinet door side table

Handpainted Ottoman

 It's true what they say, you can paint ANYTHING with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! Take this pleather ottoman for example. We picked up a pair of them for super cheap about five years ago. They've been moved to various rooms in the house and up until last weekend were sitting on the back porch.

They were cold and depressed.

I knew Annie could cheer them up.

I put several coats of ASCP in French Linen on it.

Then, using some 3M ScotchBlue painters tape, I added some stripes.

My lines weren't perfect, so I took a light sanding block to the entire ottoman to distress it. Then, gave it a good rub down of Annie Sloan's dark wax. The wax sealed it up real good and made the entire surface sooo smooth. Like buttah.

Doesn't it look much happier?

Would You Rather...Mismatched Chairs

We've made some progress on our first Would You Rather... poll. This little guy just needs a piece of glass then he's ready for show! Thanks again for all of your feedback!

This week's Would You Rather...is a trend I am currently obsessed with: mismatched chairs in a dining area. Back in November, I offered tips on creating an eclectic dining room. And, I created this Etsy treasury of some of my favorite seats from Etsy sellers.

So, my question to you this week is a simple one: Would you rather have an eclectic mix of chairs around your favorite dining area? Or, do you prefer a matching set?

Head on over to Facebook and let us know (or leave a comment). To spice things up this week, I'll be doing a drawing from all those who vote and giveaway a pair of my favorite vintage wine hankie gift bags. You know you want one...

Would You Rather...Wednesday

Thanks for all the great feedback on last week's Would You Rather... Jeff has added a letterpress tray side table to his to-do list. We'll share pics soon!

This week's Would You Rather is more of a home decor question. I've always loved different color front doors. Why have a boring ol' white door like everybody else, when you can have a bright blue, yellow or teal green? Or, what about orange?

A couple of years ago, we painted our front door red. It had nothing to do with our future ambitions. We debated between several colors (most of the inside of our home is blue and it's by far our fave color). In the end, we liked the brightness of red (and it goes well with the color of our house).

Little did I know, in Feng Shui, a red front door means “welcome.” Interestingly, in early American tradition, it means the very same thing. In fact, if a home had a red front door, tired travelers who might be traveling by horse and buggy would know the home was a place where they would be welcomed to stop and spend the night or rest.

So...this week's question is this -- whether you've already taken your favorite hue to your front door or are still thinking about taking the plunge, Would You Rather go green? Or blue? Or RDFCo. red? Click here to head on over to our Facebook page and vote (or leave me your thoughts below!)

(And, if you are considering red, here's a couple of my favorite red doors.)

Latest Finds & Exciting New Project

So, we completely sat on our bums in January. Didn't lift a finger to do anything besides watch reruns of Honey Boo Boo Downton Abbey. And, here we are. Sprinting into February. Trying to finalize some custom orders AND get ready for our first show of 2013, Green with Indie.

Out of our minds, right? (I'm talking about the Honey Boo Boo part, not the procrastination).

So, now we're in crunch mode. In December, we launched a custom order program for our dining room tables, where the customer joins us as we hunt for their perfect table. I love the idea of customers being apart of the story of their table.

Last weekend, we headed out for the first time to meet our new customers at Fellenz Antiques in the Central West End. It's a huge warehouse packed to the roof with doors, spindles, old architectural findings, windows, mantles...you name it, he probably has it.

Fellenz Antiques in the CWE

The couple came to us wanting a shadow box coffee table. During the course of our search, we happened upon the doors below (forgive me for the bad iPhone pic). The first one has leaded glass and the second one is identical, but features a mirror instead.

The idea is to use both doors for the table -- one as a lower "shelf" and the other for the top. Some sturdy architectural legs were found to support it. It will be a truly unique piece and we're looking forward to getting started on it!

While we were there, I ran across this old cabinet door. I love the arch and it still has the original lock on the front -- it will make a really cute chalkboard menu board.

 Jeff spotted these old sewing machine legs. Just a little TLC and they will make great legs for a side table or sofa table.

Now that we are stocked up, it's time to get to work! Of course, all work and no play is no fun. We also got our first taste of snow last weekend. And we love to run in the snow!

Marley

Allie

Would You Rather...Wednesday

Jeff and I are always looking for feedback from friends and family on ideas (whether it's tables, paint colors, or finds we think are cool, but others are like "eh"), so, we're starting a new weekly series here at Behind the Red Door called Would You Rather...

Every Wednesday, we'll be asking for your input and feedback on projects we are working on. We'll give some of our thoughts on the blog, then ask you to head on over to our Facebook page to vote on your favorite idea. Of course, you're welcome to leave thoughts in the comments below. All feedback will be taken to heart - so, let's hear it!

First up....

I've been on the look out for months for vintage letterpress trays. Now don't get me wrong...they are all over the place. Unfortunately, sellers have picked up on their popularity and I don't want to pay a high price. I've seen them for upwards of $50. Some in bad shape for $30.

A few weeks ago I went to my first estate sale. I got there about an hour after it started, so most of the good stuff was gone. Everything was labeled...except for a lone letterpress tray, hanging on the wall. I snatched it up and brought it to check out. It's estimated value? $5. Sold!

Last weekend, I ran across another one for $25. It was in great condition and had the cutest little handle on the side, so I grabbed that one, too.

So, my questions is -- how would you use a vintage letterpress tray? We've got a few ideas we are kicking around. But, would you rather use it as a table?

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Or to display jewelry?

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Or display your favorite collection of small trinkets?

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Click here to head on over to our Facebook page and let us know how you would incorporate it in your decor!