Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Fleur Dis Lis and Heirloom White

What could be better?

You know how much I love all things French.  Well, I adore the fleur de lis motif, and just couldn't pass up these goodies that I found at two separate yard sales a week or so ago.  
      Fleur de Lis + Heirloom White=True Love!
When I first saw these wrought iron wall sconces, they were black.  Not bad, but of course I thought they would look oh, so much better with a couple of coats of heirloom white!
This is what they used to look like! Now whenever I go to a yard or garage sale, I constantly think:  "This would look so much better painted _______."   The blank usually being heirloom white of course, or various shades of blue!
Some distressing and Ralph Lauren antiquing glaze in "smoke" really gives these a different look, I think!  I really love the crystal teardrops at the bottom!

Ok, I am a bad blogger again! I was so excited to start painting this next project, that I neglected to take "before" shots!  I know some of you can relate to this!!  Anyway, I found a pair of these fleur de lis wall hangings that started out being gold.  Well, you know me, I just can't leave well enough alone!
They have a neat all over subtle crackle finish, and unless you were to pick them up (they are super light weight resin), you would think they are concrete architectural elements!
I really like how the distressing and antiquing glaze give them an old world look.

Can't you just picture these, along with the wall sconces, hanging in a chateau (ok, my chateau!) in the French countryside?  A girl's gotta dream, doesn't she?!!

I am linking up with Kathleen over at Faded Charm for White Wednesday. Be sure to check out all of the lovey posts!

22 comments:

Cindy Adkins said...

Woo hoo! Sure love these!!! Gorgeous!
I wanted to tell you that when I glue heavier things, such as the glass bottle and shell, I try to attach them to fabric and use the hot glue gun...it stabilizes it...That's the only way I know how to make them stick...lol
Hugs from me,
Cindy
xox

Debbie said...

Wow Donna! I love how you distressed both pieces to make them look vintage! You always find the perfect pieces to add to your lovely home. Good job kiddo!
Debbie@houseatthelake

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"Hi Donna",
You did a beautiful transition! and yes we want to see WHERE you finally display them in your chateau...
Hugs, Donna

Christine said...

You never disappoint me Donna! I love them...and there is nothing wrong with either of those colors-lol!!
I don't think I told you that the colors you love were the inspiration for my daughter's room re-do! So see?? What is that saying about great minds...?

Debbie said...

Keep on dreaming girlfriend... these will look good no matter where you put them!!! And yes, I'm hooked on Heirloom White too... I almost feel like a traitor if I use anything EXCEPT Heirloom White or black!!!

Barbara Jean said...

they are wonderful white!

blessings

barbara jean

Karen said...

Love them this way.......just gorgeous!

Heaven's Walk said...

Hi Donna! Thanks for the sweet comments on my blog, friend! The berries we use for the wine is located in the field next door to our home. LOTS of'em! Hubby picks a bucketful every evening, so our freezer is quite full! :) Your cordial sounds really yummy. Is it hard to make? I'd love to try making it sometime.

The distressing job you did on your new treasures is just perfect! Will you share how you did it?

xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

Dee@FrenchBleuVintage said...

Wow! Really pretty finds. They were super when you found them, but you were absolutely right - they look great now.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous finds! I'm going to have to get some of that white paint....what a transformation! BTW, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a sweet compliment about my latest little creations....means so much to me.

Blessings,

Abby:)

Unknown said...

Very pretty!!! Where will you put all these?? I like the Ralph Lauren distress touches very much....
xoxo
lynn

NanaDiana said...

Hi Donna- I just found you thru Debbie over at Lakehouse...and yes..I kniw it is the middle of the night but MyHero's beeper went off and he is off to an emergency call...and I am awake now and well...HERE I am. I went back and read through some of your posts. Loving your blog. I love what you can do with a can of white paint...and I, too, always look at an item and see it painted. Can't believe you found two of those fleur de lis things at two separate sales. WHAT is the chance of that happening? Guess God was giving you one of those little daily "smiles", huh?

I see that you live in MI. I am across the border in WI...we just spent last night up in Iron Mt. We love MI and all its beautiful shoreline along Lake Superior (and Lake MI). It is such a pretty state, isn't it? And full of wonderful people that I am meeting through BLOGSTER HEAVEN here...lol

Signing up as your newest follower- Diana

Susan Freeman said...

Your transformations are great! I laughed when you said that you forget to take before pics ~ I do too.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Rebecca said...

You got some goodies-they'll look great anywhere!

Blue Ridge Altered Art said...

They are so cute. Don't you just love heirloom white? It is my favorite. ~~Sherry~~

. said...

These both turned out great!! I love "Ralph"! He does some amazing antiquing! ;)

And thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I'm still so new, every comment makes me super giddy! :)

Sandi said...

Love these! They do look so much better painted heirloom white than black. Just perfect now!
Blessings~

Virginia said...

Wonderful transformation….Very pretty.
Blessings,
Virginia

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

Great Transformation ~ Love them White....

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Donna,
At one time in my crazy decorating eras I started putting the fleur de lis on everything that didn't move! LOL!
I control myself a little better nowdays.
I love your metal ones and those architectural pieces are tres chic! Love the paint treatment you used too.

hugs
Sissie

NanaDiana said...

Hi again, Donna! Just wanted to tell you that we don't live on Lake Superior. We actually live in Green Bay, WI but our favorite quick trip is up to Lake Superior-usually Munising, MI. If you and hubby have never been to Munising and seen Pictured Rocks National Park you have to do that when you go on another motor home trip. It is gorgeous.

And...yes...I LOVE Debbie!!!! She's my new "buddy"...okay...and that Laurie chick too over at Heaven's Walk- lol Diana

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Donna,
You lucked out finding those wonderful fleur de lis decorations! I didn't know Ralph Lauren had antiquing glaze, I need to get some for a little piece I've got sitting on my front room floor, funny, but I was just thinking I need something to give it a subtle little glow. Hoping Home Depot has the glaze. Thanks for your post, it's lovely. Good to meet you and thanks for your visit! Happy WW.
~Tracie