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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Invitation




I'm popping in from vacation (and from painting this sign) to invite Bay Area residents to come and visit us at our upcoming booth at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire.  



Who:   Urban Orchard Interiors and Claremont Finders Keepers.  Lane, Wendy and I are going to be sharing a booth.

What:  We'll be selling all of our repurposed, upcycled, refurbished, or just plain antique and vintage stuff.  We've got a whole 14 foot Uhaul truck-full of fabulous things. 

When:  Sunday, August 5, 2012 starting as early as 6am to 3pm closing.
  
Where:  Northern California's largest antiques show in Alameda. Click here for directions. 


Why:  We'd love to see you.  If we don't yet know you, please introduce yourself!  Our stuff aside, we're sure you'll have a great time perusing all of the wonderful treasures that this huge flea market has to offer. 


We look forward to seeing you!



Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Orange Painted Vintage Table Lamp -- SOLD at Alameda Antique Market




Our table lamp started life as one of those brassy 70s numbers.  We thought it needed some strong color.  And who doesn't love orange?

Use it with black and white, navy, hot pink, you name it.  This orange table lamp with give any interior a bit of zest.

Measures: 33.5" tall (19" tall to harp and finial) x 6" diameter at base
Use a 3-way bulb 50-100-150 Watts

This item is now available for purchase in our etsy shop for $25 plus S& H:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/104417730/orange-table-lamp-upcycled-70s-brass



Saturday, July 14, 2012

Get the Look: A Shot of Orange



Orange table lamp coming soon to Claremont Finders Keepers on Etsy


The Look:  A shot of orange gives any interior a bit of zest. 

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Orange Metal Box -- SOLD at Alameda Antiques Market






This vintage orange box once lived life as an educational kit.  With several dividers and slots, it can be used for anything from storing art to picnic supplies. Carry it with the sturdy black plastic handle and keep it closed with a metal latch.   The perfect small storage piece with punch!

All hardware still works (i.e., latches, hinges) and the box is in excellent condition even though it is vintage.

Measures: 11.5" tall; 13.75" wide x 8" deep

This item is now available for sale in our etsy shop for $36 plus S&H:



Trio of Numbered Chairs-- SOLD on Craigslist







We upcycled these mismatched chairs with a bit of second grade humor.

Why was six afraid of seven?  
Because seven ate nine.

So here we have seven, eight (ate), and nine.  These chairs were a homely but sturdy lot before we got to them with a coat of off-white paint and our numbered stencils, and some sand paper to distress them. We even replaced the seat ourselves on Chair #9!

Measures:  Chair #7 is 38.5" tall; 14.5" wide x 17" deep (seat is at 18" high; 15.5" wide x deep)
Chair #8 is 34.5" tall; 14.5" wide x 18" deep (seat is at 18" high; 15.75" wide x deep)
Chair #9 is 31.5" tall; 14" wide x 14" deep (seat is at 18.5" high; 15.25" wide x 15"deep)

This set of chairs is now available for sale on etsy for $76 plus S&H:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/103947321/trio-of-kitchen-numbered-chairs-upcycled?ref=v1_other_1

Want to see what they looked like before?

BEFORE:


We're thinking about adding the squat black one to the trio to become a foursome.  She'd become the fraidy-cat six. 

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Custom Table and Chairs



For the last month or so we've been working on a custom project -- painting a farmhouse table and chairs.

 Our client recently bought a house that came with these rustic table and chairs.


Current state of table


How chairs look (4 of them)

The table was a problem for this young family of four because it was full of worm-holes which made the task of wiping it down nearly impossible without getting grime into the small cavities.  Also, it was not ideal for homework or drawing because of the uneven surface.

So, we were given the task of filling those holes and painting the table and chairs to match their newly remodeled white kitchen.



These photos show the first two of three applications of Elmer's wood filler.  While we waited for each application of the wood filler to dry, we worked on the chairs.

The chairs got sanded down and white washed several times with Kelly Moore's Enviro-White. We lightly distressed and then added a coat of Daddy Van's wax, which is also non-toxic.

Not long after, we came across this image on Pinterest and were surprised by how similar the chairs looked:
ML Interior Design


After the table was satisfactorily filled and sanded smooth, we used two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (very low VOCs) in the French Linen color over the the top.  Then a white wash of the Kelly Moore Enviro-White, some more sanding, and finally a wash of the French Linen.

Here was the inspiration picture:



Farmhouse table with whitewash

And here is the finished project. 


The entire table also got a coat of Daddy Van's wax to protect the paint from food spills and the like. 


For the cost of what one or two nice quality, real wood new chairs would cost, our client got a totally new look for one table and four chairs.  Not a bad deal.

We're really happy with how it turned out and hope our client is just as pleased!


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Vintage Flash Cards, Set of Five-- SOLD at Alameda Antiques Market




This charmingly illustrated set of flashcards shows stereotypical 1950s family activities.

From left to right:  a baby  takes a bath, a boy gets dressed, a father gardens, a girl combs her hair, a grandmother talks on the phone, a mother washes the dishes, and hilariously, a grandfather relaxes in his armchair while smoking a pipe.

Measures: 9" x 7" (each card)

This set is now available for purchase in our etsy shop for $21 plus S&H:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/103435791/vintage-flash-cards-1950s-family

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Orange Metal Cart -- SOLD on Etsy




When we found this rolling metal file cart, it was silver.  We jazzed it up with some orange paint to give it some fresh color.  The bottom drawer can accommodate file folders while the top drawer can hold office supplies.  Or use it as a garden cart as pictured.  We put succulents under the glass shelf and think it would be fun to store pots and shears in the drawers.  This little cart would make a nice bar cart, kitchen cart, or bathroom cart too.

Measurements: 26" tall x 16" wide x 18.5" deep
Glass top is 17.25" x 14"
Sits on four 2" black rolling casters

This item is now available fourchase in our etsy shop for $40 plus S&H:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/103433385/orange-metal-rolling-cart-upcycled-with