Thursday 21 May 2015

If you're looking for me, I'll be in the shed!

If you're looking for me anytime soon, I'll be in the shed with a sander in one hand and a jar of paint stripper in the other. There's a lot of restoration work to be done round here before Number Three turns one at the end of the summer. 

I've been hoarding some salvaged stuff and flea market finds so that I can make him some hierloom-looking presents for his first birthday. 

We have had the rocking horse since Number Two was a baby. It was put out for the bin by someone with no sense of nostalgia at all. At least that's what I think. I mean how could you dump this gorgeous little fella? 


While Number Two still fit into it, I hadn't the time to do it up and once he grew out of it, poor horsey was sent to the cellar and forgotten about. He very nearly got taken to a flea market to be sold, but we hadn't the heart to do it when it came down to it. 

So, today I stripped off the plastic seat cover and the old, rotten padding and then began sanding the flaky varnish off. I also put paint stripper on the face (God that sounds awful. I feel horrible just typing that sentence) and sawed off the plastic handles. Operation restoration has begun in ernest.


Number Three's bedroom is decorated in greens and white, so I want to go with something that will fit in with that when I finally get round to painting the rocking horse. I think I may go for a medium grey with white patches, a darker grey mane and a green bridle.  Hmm, I feel a mood board coming on. 

Part two of the birthday present is this little toy shop. I really should have put something into the photo to show the scale of it. Size-wise, this is made for toddlers to stand at and play shop. It is from the 1950s, according to the family I bought it from. They only wanted €10 for it. I was thrilled, especially when I saw that the clock actually works. I kept smiling to myself this morning in the garden every time I heard the ticking when I switched the sander off.


Colour-wise I am not sure yet what I will go for. I definitely need to look around for some inspiration. I am considering painting the background a darker colour and the shelves themselves a lighter colour and I will probably add some text to the front panel. It seems a bit bare to me as it is now.




I am so pleased to finally have found the time to get started on these projects. For me, the first blow is half the battle. Once I get started on a project, I usually manage to keep up the momentum till the end.  

As I said, I'm still undecided on the final look of both pieces. I'd love to hear your ideas, if you'd care to share.

Home Etc

10 comments:

  1. Oh my god you're a way better mother than me! Poor No 3 got a few balloons and a plastic garage. Now I'm (nearly) feeling guilty!
    The horsey will look fab as a grey and white dappled fella. I'd probably go mad and give min a swishy tail and a plush velvetty seat but then again I gave my kid the plastic garage. As for the shop, I love pillar box red for these things. My little woman has a red wooden kitchen and it looks lovely and bright - and takes a good kicking. Much pretty than a plastic garage. *Hangs head in shame*

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    1. Thats where you are wrong Helen. This is all a result of guilt. Yos see Number two got a fleece for his first birthday. I don't know what came over me. It must have been the fear of going back to work the following week. I've no other explanation.
      Anyway, the same fate should not befall Number Three. Hence the slight overreaction.
      (I just remembered that Number Two got a plastic garage for his first Christmas).
      Oh and by the way, you are a genuis! Velvet is a brilliant idea and I even have a piece in dark green. Thanks!

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  2. That rocking horse is adorable - I think I would've had to rescue that little fella too.

    I can't wait to see what you do with the shop - I think it could be amazing. Lucky, No. 3!

    Jenna at Tinyfootsteps xx

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    1. I've got to get going on my mood board for the shop. I have an image of the horse in my head, but the shop will need a bit more thought.
      Horsey is now sitting in the shed, headless and half-painted in undercoat, poor fella.

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  3. You're so inspiring! How do you find the time?! Love this. I probably have never been in our shed. That rocking horse is so cute. Love him! Good luck with all your projects, you busy lady! Jess x #HomeEtc

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    1. Thank you Jess! Our shed is just beside the washing line, so I try to do a few bouts of ten minutes or so whenever I am outside at the line or when Number 3 goes for his (very short) naps. It is amazing how much sanding you can get done in ten minutes :)

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  4. I love both of these projects! The little shop is adorable, what a wonderful find. I would maybe choose red and white paint for it? The possibilities are endless - just think of all the cute things you can collect to go in it! x

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    1. Thanks! Yes, red would be nice. A good strong one would be great against white and not girly at all. I could add in a bit of blue or green to "boy" it up a bit too.

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  5. That post office/toy shop is AMAZING!! My boys would give their eye-teeth for something like that! Sadly they have to make do with the little IKEA kitchen instead! Good for you up-cycling these lovely things!! Thanks so much for linking up and sharing on #HomeEtc

    Caro | www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk

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    1. Isn't it? I got it at a flea market and was so astounded that they only wanted a tenner for it. I just can't let these things go when I see them. I am hooked on up-cycling, especially for the kids.
      Loving the #HomeEtc linky.

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