Some of you will remember when I found a cabinet for the studio via Craigs List. A fellow resident of my little town was selling it, the price was good and the next thing Don knew, he was helping me lug it home and then up the stairs. Here’s what it looked liked (from the article on my studio in Studios magazine):
It was painted in a khaki color and the funky homemade handles were painted in a darkish blue. Another view from the day I brought it home:
I talked myself into thinking it looked just fine as is, most likely because I was too lazy to paint it at the time. And it was fine. But the colors really weren’t me – and they didn’t really fit in with the pink and aqua look of the rest of this mini studio.
In my painting frenzy, I decided to take on the cabinet. I used some paint that I had on hand from another project.
It’s now a very pale pink. So much better. I purposely left it a bit weathered and let some of the original paint show through in places. I’ll probably do more aging as time goes on – or just let daily life upstairs in this narrow hallway take care of the aging.
It’s hard to get a good photo. If I want to take a picture, I have to do it at an angle. Or shoot through the spindles:
I moved the dolls from their previous home on the top of the bookshelf in the bedroom. I like them better here.
From the left: my mom’s Shirley Temple doll (I’ve given up on trying to restore her banana curls), my favorite teddy bear (who travels with me), my beautiful Tressa with two left feet (you can read her story here) little Emma (she has a story, too, you can read it here) a bunny I won in a giveaway, and my little stuffed dog, Billy Rubin, given to me by Don when I had gall bladder surgery – get it? Bilirubin = Billy Rubin (name courtesy of Elyse.)
Inside the cabinet:
Pottery, buttons, a framed print, my wedding cake toppers and a photo of my mom on her wedding day.
Pottery, pretty clothespins, ribbons, one of Georgianna’s photos (from Brenda), glove boxes, treasures.
Pottery, pincushions, thread, floss, buttons, ribbons, my favorite vintage hat and a tiny bird nest.
And a pretty vintage prize ribbon.
The new look really lightens up the studio, which, let’s face it, is tiny. Since it’s in the upstairs hallway, I want to keep it light and bright and cheery.
That may be it for the painting, my friends. At least until I discuss the dresser with Don. I’m leaning toward trying to restore it a little. But, keep in mind, one of the drawers doesn’t always open. We’ll see.
Oh, right. It’s Valentine’s Day. I keep forgetting. Don and I really don’t make a big deal of V Day because we say I love you many times a day, every day. I’d even go so far as to say that every day is Valentine’s Day for us. (Hope that doesn’t sound too sappy!) But the love that Valentine’s Day symbolizes? That is indeed a wonderful thing. So Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you. I treasure each and every one of you and am so grateful that you want to spend a little portion of your day here. I wish you nothing but love and happiness.
Happy Thursday.
It is beautiful and I love your dolls.
Suzan
Hello Claudia,
I am loving the pale pink! wow! What a simple process to change a look! I loved it before too : )
All you treasures look simply perfect on your pretty shelves. You really know how to show off your treasures!
Hugs,
Terri
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Val Day!
I’m with you about V. Day Claudia, my husband and I tell each other “I love you” several times each day. I’ve enjoyed your painting frenzy. I love the way white paint lightens things up. Someday I’ll get the nerve to paint some of our things but it will have to be after I quit babysitting. The two toddlers I’m watching just saw Beauty & The Beast for the first time and loved it, their way of celebrating “love” today. I’m also keeping a 6 month old who is cutting teeth and learning to sit up and crqwl all at the same time. So things are hectic here in our home. Your blog is the only one I check out everyday and I feel like we’re long distance friends. Keep inspiring your readers.
WOW! LOVE that pale pink! Happy Valentines Day to You as well! – Judy A-
Yes, here’s to Love and Happiness!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Don! I love the cabinet, but especially everything you have in it. Love the cake toppers and the picture of your beautiful mom on her wedding day. She looks so happy. I am a stitcher and love all your threads. I just bought some glass jars for my threads so I can put them where I can see and enjoy them.
And Valentine’s Day. I hate that some people feel left out because they don’t have a special valentine. Valentine’s Day is for everyone. Just like in grade school. I give valentines at the grocery store, to my girlfriends, to my kids and grandkids, my sisters, strangers, and just everyone. It’s lots of fun.
Claudia, I’ve always love your little cottage. It just seems so…well, cottage-y and like there is a lot of love in it.
Hubs and I don’t celebrate it much either, a card or a meal out. I don’t decorate for the seasons/holidays anymore. Just don’t have the energy I did at 45! But I do love the holidays. Plus we know we love each other to the moon and back. ;-)
xoxo,
Connie
Your cabinet is so charming…and I just love ALL of the wonderful goodies inside!
Love that pale pink…it fits beautifully! We don’t really celebrate V-day either…every day should be Valentine’s Day!! ;)
The cabinet looks beautiful, Claudia! That pink is so lovely and perfect for lightening up your space. Sending you love of Valentines Day!
The cabinet looks very pretty, Claudia, what a treasure. Your Shirley Temple doll is precious! I didn’t know your studio was featured in a magazine…good for you!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you! I think I am going to make hubby a steak for dinner. It’s a great day to be a little romantic! ;-D
XO,
Jane
Hi Claudia. You are in a frenzy painting up a storm. Wait til Don gets home. The pale pink is perfect. Sorry you still aren’t a fan of the chalk paint. I never used the white……always the colors…..maybe that’s why I like it. Love your collections. I read about all the dolls. My mom had a Shirley Temple but it is long gone. I have some of my dolls. A few years ago,, I tossed the ones that weren’t perfect…..we were downsizing…..what was I thinking. I still have some special ones. I wish I had a Shirley Temple doll for my Heidi since I named her after Shirley Temple. Love your wedding toppers. Oh heck, I just love everything in that sweet cottage.
Happy Valentines Day to you and Don.
(((((HUGS)))))
About Don’s chest, no not that one the one he puts his clothes in. I would restore it. Just put the veneer back if you still have it. Then put some more stain over the bumps and bruises to freshen it up a bit. Then a new coat of varnish. I can see it now and it looks beautiful. By the way i love all the things you have painted so far. It is catching cause I have some things lined up in my house for a new attitude.
Claudia, Your blog is the first I go go everyday. I have a small refinishing bussiness and over the years I have done some wonderful pieces like yours by decoupaging papers on the drawers and painting the sides and top in harlequin patterns in complemtary colors. Pick a wonderful roll of wallpaper or even Wal-Mart papers and a jar of Mod-Podge and you’ve got the ingredients.
Thank you for the tour of your cabinet! I love the little glimpses of your life that they show. The new color is very happy too. Hubby and I are like you and Don, we don’t even exchange cards today. He shows me in countless ways every single day how much he loves me. (And tells me too!)
Blessings,
Betsy
I love the pale pink and all of your treasures!! Me thinks it’s high time I reassembled the bits in my cabinet in my craft room too. Love the photo of your mom and the wedding cake toppers too. So much goodness. You two are so lucky — you’ll miss Don even more today. :)
Gorgeous cabinet. Never thought of pale pink for a piece of furniture, but that is just lovely. Thanks for telling us the history behind the dolls and the treasures in the cabinet, too. I agree with you on Valentine’s Day. Brian and I have been married 28+ years and together over 30 years. We are still very much in love and say “I love you” to each other several times a day, so V-Day isn’t a big deal to us. We exchange cards, but that’s it. We’re just both looking forward to a quiet, cozy evening in when he gets home from work.
The pink and aqua are lovely! The cabinet looks much better painted pale pink.
Happy St. Valentine’s Day to you!
I remember that article and how exciting it was! I love the sneak peek into your made over, pretty pink cupboard…all those treasures!!!! Love the glove boxes, how divine….Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hugs,
Mags
xx
Ooooh!! Pretty pretty pink studio cabinet! I want one! It’s so pretty and perfect and full of such interesting personal treasures. I really love it. ~Angela~
Claudia that cabinet looks so good in the pale pink! Love it! What great storage! Loved the look inside at all your treasures!
hugs,
Linda
Such a pretty, soft palette, Claudia. You have such a wonderful place to create there on your landing.
I hope you day is happy…It won’t be long before your Valentine returns.
Smiles,
Carolynn xoxo
I love the new pink face on that cabinet.. and all the fun stuff on top and inside. I volunteered at Multnomah Falls with my sister then both our husbands met us for dinner and we all had the most tender filet mignon with bordelaise sauce and a stuffed potato.. and creme brulee for dessert!! Hope Don hurries home!
Oh I love..the cabinet!!! and the dolls! You did wonderful!
Claudia,
I love your little studio. It’s a wonderful cozy spot to create. Very inspiring. Love the power of paint! It’s wonderful that you have natural light streaming in through the skylight. Is that mabel covered up? Still haven’t sewed anything on my featherweight machine. I liked your cabinet before but really love the pale pink color. My eye was immediately drawn to the cake toppers! What a fun, happy collection! Dave and I are the same way about v day. Although I love V day and all the cute inspirational colors and projects that it inspires, it’s just another day. I did decorate the mantle in late January and I might leave it up because it’s happy during these cold gray days.
Forgot to say that every day is V day!
It looks fabulous and your collections are truly lovely Claudia. Wish I had my old dollies – I loved making clothes for them when a young girl – my first venture into dressmaking and stitching up my own Vogue patterns later!
Mary X
LOVE YOUR POST……YOU DID A GREAT JOB ON YOUR CABINET…….IT LOOKS SO NICE…….AND ALL YOUR TREASURES ARE SO GREAT…….HAVE A NICE WEEKEND…….RIZZI
That´s a wonderful cabinet – filled with so many treasures. I Love those glove boxes – they are so so pretty