Linda {Calling it Home} 12/19/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/19/12

1 Tray...2 Ways

Welcome to my final Lowe's Sponsored Challenge for 2012!
The Challenge : Migrating Garden Taking the garden indoors for the colder months. This is quite the challenge because indoor plants hate me......except for one species. More on that later. I headed off to Lowe's for inspiration. For me, inspiration happens by traveling up and down every single isle.
I could not believe how fantastic this display was. Lowe's is speaking my language in a big way. Completely forgetting why I came, I found myself wanting this entire vignette. That mirror...perfect (although gold paint would be my choice). That pillow is dying to become an upholstered stool. Those urns need to live in my home. AND THEN I SAW IT....

My inspiration....that tray on the floor holding the towels.
I rounded the corner with my cart....and there they were

They reminded me of this $80 tray. Only, I liked the handles on the Lowe's tray much better....oh yeah, and I loved the price!
If you are wondering what a tray has to do with a Migrating Garden....I'll get there. By the way, I had to take these home, too.

A few more supplies

Tray makeover time. I wanted the handles gold, so I taped them off

Then I taped newspaper over the tray leaving only the handles exposed

Spray, spray, spray....and you have this

I tried to to take out some of the light reflections in my photo.

Now for the fancy corners. I put the hinges in place with a dab of the glue, and then pre-drilled the holes. Please note that I replaced the screws with shorter ones.

Next, I wanted a contrasting bottom for the tray. For this, I used poster board and some fabric.

Cut the poster board to fit the tray, and wrap it with the fabric

Here is my custom tray

But the title is 1 tray 2 ways....so....here is the other version

Do you have a favorite? I can't decide.
I'll be back tomorrow to show you how I selected my containers for my Migrating Garden. In the mean time, click on over to the Lowe's Creative Ideas page where you can find fun projects like this wooden snowflake ornament.

Wooden Snowflake Ornament Tutorial

They use the same drill I use.
I recently heard that if you live in a building with a handyman, you are supposed to give him a holiday tip! I am the ~~handyman~~ handy-woman in this building.....wonder what my tip from my family will be? Update - Here is how I selected my containers Update - Here is my Migrating Garden on the tray

Linda {Calling it Home} 12/16/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/16/12

Jazz for Cows...Video Sunday

I wonder how they got the idea to do this?

It's a quiet Sunday, here. I think it's ok to smile.

Some other video's you may enjoy:

Where The Hell is Matt What if Money Was No Object Call Me Maybe - U.S. Military Dancing With an iPod in Public Jingle Bark

Linda {Calling it Home} 12/14/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/14/12

It's Just Too Sad...

There are no words

I am thinking of those who were affected by the tragedy of it all.

Linda {Calling it Home} 12/14/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/14/12

Consignment & Junk

A couple of weeks ago, I headed south on the Parkway....you Jersey folks know what I'm saying. I wanted to check out a consignment store (it shall remain nameless) that I had been looking at online. They have really lovely things like this

Great accent pieces

This Altar table made me weep

A pair of perfection

The lines stared to get blurred between consignment and new retail. I was not exactly sure which I was looking at. You certainly could not tell by the price.

It all felt like full retail to me. I haven't paid full retail since I bought my wedding dress.

The staff had a bit of an attitude. In all fairness, if they summed me up as "not their customer", they were correct.

This was definitely vintage and fabulous.

After I left the overpriced "used furniture" store.....I stopped at another place I had been checking out online. It was the polar opposite of this shop

It was a warehouse that has "Saturday's Only" days.

When I see pictures online, I have expectations in my head.

I did not expect Bi-Polar-ness

Stuff stacked on stuff, piled on more stuff.

Some people enjoy this level of digging.....I might, on a warmer day. It was freezing, and I wanted a latte.

I was starting to feel claustrophobic.

Really, you think there is a resale value on these pillows? Can you say bed bugs!

I tried to keep an open mind, but I forgot my Purell.

As usual...I'm out! Do you shop in places like either of these? I have decided that I am somewhere in the middle. Today, I am off on another CL adventure. I have a really great video for Video Sunday.

Have a great weekend!

Linda {Calling it Home} 12/12/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/12/12

Karl, Is That You?

It all started with this pin. It is a Karl Springer Asian Modern Coffee Table. Something about this pin stuck with me.
I was sure I saw it on CL. I know, that would be too crazy, right? Notice the comment I made.

The pinner never responded...would you?

Meet my new coffee table

Shooting a picture of brass is tricky, but bare with me...because I think it is a real Karl Springer. The owner had it listed all wrong. In fact, it was up for a long time, and I won't tell you how I found this one...sorry. Let's just say that it wasn't under anything you would have thought it would be. I am also not going to share the price, because if it is real....it's for sale!
Here is a similar table listed on 1st dibs

1st dibs $2,850.

There is a slight difference with this table, it does not have the ribs on the top piece holding up the glass....mine does.

Here is an Asian Style table on 1st dibs that is very similar to mine. This one is rectangular.

1st dibs $4,200.

This detail is identical to mine

1st dibs $4,200.

Here is the table from the original pin. It is in London at Talisman. I inquired about this table, and here are some additional photos they sent me.

Karl Springer Table ~ $7,000 (US)

The rib detail I keep referring to.

Now, I don't want you to think the CL table is in perfect condition...it is not. There are a few of the ribs missing.

This is not difficult to mask with a creative solution. The glass is almost perfect...especially for its age.

I did a quick styled picture for you.

See my jeans?
So, is this a Karl Springer table?

Linda {Calling it Home} 12/11/12 Linda {Calling it Home} 12/11/12

Pinterest Addicts..This is For You

I just found this site called Pinterest You Are Drunk. It is hilarious. Anyone can submit a pin that they think has crossed the line from good taste to good grief..... craft projects gone wrong or just too far. Here are a few that I found on that site. The titles are NOT mine.
Fake Toast. It May Not Be Practical, But At Least You Had Something To Take Your Mind Off The Voices.