DIY: SIDE TABLE

Have you ever found a piece of furniture you absolutely love that just needs a little TLC? That’s how I felt when I saw this gorgeous side table at a vintage sale. I think it was love at first sight! The price was outstanding – under $100. Ladies, if you’re hunting to a great bargain, barn sales & flea markets are the way to go.

I had THE perfect spot for the side table all picked out in the farmhouse. At first, I wanted to paint it. But when I thought about the beautiful wood that was (hopefully!) hiding under the varnish, I knew I wanted to see if I could bring back its natural beauty.

Below, see how I took a great vintage find from a 5 to a 10, with just a little elbow grease & a heart to see it restored!

STEP one: Remove doors & drawers

To effectively remove all paint and lacquer from ALL sides of the doors and drawers, I first took out the drawers and doors, and set the separate pieces out to be worked on.

Even if the paint isn't visible, it's important to clean off the nooks and crannies so that your piece is as beautiful and close-to-original as possible.

STEP Two: Plastic wrap

I covered the piece with Citristrip varnish remover and covered it in plastic wrap. The plastic helps keep the varnish moist, so that the chemical begins to peel the paint away from the wood more effectively.

STEP Three: Paint removal

Scrape down all remaining paint and wipe down with denatured alcohol with steel wool...

I HIGHLY recommend wearing gloves! My skin gets so dry and cracked from the dry winter air, and I try to save it as much “extra” irritation as possible when tackling a DIY project.

...this will help reveal that fantastic, shining wood underneath!

STEP Four: Sand

Sand off any imperfections (I just use Walmart-grade sandpaper; whatever you have on hand will work. If needed, you can repeat steps two through four.

STEP FIVE: Linseed

Wipe down with linseed oil (this one works great) - the oil helps bring out the natural texture and grain in the wood. Put in the work to add that fabulous new-find glow to the piece!

STEP Six: top coat

Cost with a top polyurethane coat (I recommend this brand). I used a flat finish because I wanted it to look vintage.

And you're done! Enjoy your beautiful side table and the vintage flair it adds to your space. Have YOU planned a weekend DIY, friends? Let me know if you try this tutorial in the comments, or via Instagram, @maplecreekmarket! Happy Friday!

Blessings,

Ginny

Shop the side table details!

Cake (Everything Dawn), Wooden sign (Currently Chic), Cake stand (Pioneer Woman)

#vintage #table #vintagefarmhouse #homedecor #rustic #fixerupper #DIY #wood #betterhomesandgardens

Fall on the Farm

Hello friends! Happy, happy, happy fall!

It's upon us - a brand-new season. This time of year, this farm is BUSTLING with activity. Pumpkin picking, back-to-school, decorating, football, you name it! The temperatures cool down, the leaves start to change and our family settles into more of a routine.

I find the routine part so calming after a summer jammed with activity. On top of school craziness we also have our annual harvest of all the vegetables we planted this summer. Not to mention the pumpkins...need I say more?

The pumpkins here at Maple Creek are one of my favorite parts of fall. Before we moved to New York, we celebrated fall in a much warmer climate and I just couldn’t get used to my pumpkins rotting before Halloween. That was not a happy aspect of fall for me!

(Rotting pumpkins? Blah!)

HOWEVER, autumn can be so magical and cozy: bonfires, s'mores, blankets, hayrides and football make for a winning combination. While the outside world is turning beautiful shades of color, the inside of the farmhouse gets a makeover as well. These adorable velvet pumpkins from Love Feast Shop are perfect for adorning the tables and mantels. Plus, lots of soft throws, pillows and blankets from Pier One make the furniture autumn-happy.

In the farmhouse living room this year, I decided to purchase three new items for my fall starting point.

I wanted them to be:

inexpensive

reusable

and on-trend

At Kohls's, I found a mirror that provided an amazing focal point for the mantel and laid the groundwork for the rest of the room. The wreath is from Pier One (for under thirty dollars!), giving a neutral dimension where I could add color. The last item I purchased was a warm throw. It was the right color combination to tie in all of the fall goodness together in one spot.

Finding something for each side of the mirror was a struggle. I am a lady who loves symmetry, so I needed to have two of the same thing! I looked at buying bundles of wheat...BUT, for the size I needed it was $50 a bundle, which is just not in my budget.

Last year, I saved some of my cornstalks and decided to just use what I had this year. I bunched them up, took a step back - it was a win! I love to bring from the outdoors to make a space come alive. Bonus points if it's reused or recycled!

The amber glass, on the other hand, was a total accident. I stumbled across them when I was looking for jars to can my homemade salsa. A two-pack of jars was ten dollars - score! - and I knew they could multitask around here.

The other jars are from the Magnolia Hearth and Hand collection. Again, I purchased those without even knowing amber glass would be a hot fall item! I love when things work out like that!

Last but not least, the pumpkins oozing out of the fireplace were grown right here at the farm. We purchase all of our seeds from Harris Seed Company and have worked with them for years. Their seeds are top quality. If we have a good crop, we'll sell or give away the extras to our neighbors.

How do YOU celebrate autumn? What are your go-to decor stores or websites? Are you in love with amber glass and mustard yellow, or ready for what's next? What are your fun autumn family traditions? Pumpkin picking, hay rides, etc.? Let me know in the comments!

Before you leave, one last happy pumpkin picture...

#interiordesign #country #homedecor #fall #pumpkins #lovefeastshop #falldesign #vintgine #farmhouse #fixerupper

A WEEKEND AT MACKENZIE CHILDS

For our 23rd wedding anniversary, my hubby and I looked for a weekend getaway but decided that, due to the craziness of our schedules, we didn't want to travel far. Luckily there are a plethora of gorgeous locations in the Finger Lakes region! If you should know one thing about me, it would be that I absolutely LOVE interior design. Choosing to visit Mackenzie Childs in Aurora, New York (nestled along the beautiful Cayuka Lake) was a no-brainer. 

If I could think of one word that would describe this gorgeous place it would be JOY.

The beauty of the landscape and the gorgeous setting of the Mackenzie Childs farmhouse make for the absolute perfect getaway. When we drove up to the breathtaking house, the first thing I noticed were the gorgeous gardens and stunning view. Our little family also lives in a farmhouse (which I adore) but this one was surreal!

If you aren't familiar with Mackenzie Childs - girl, you need to get on board! It is one of my favorite brands. While originally founded as a pottery business in 1983, it soon grew and branched into furniture making a design. Each piece is handmade and hand-painted, which means each piece is as unique as a fingerprint - something rare and precious in today's fast-paced, quantity-over-quality culture. 

 While we were visiting we were able to stop by the gift shop, take a guided tour of the farmhouse and tour the gardens.

 Inside the store! Isn't it magical? 

I was expecting to love the store but man, the farmhouse was just spectacular! The attention to detail and the preservation of the original house was on point. The farmhouse is stocked full of art and furniture (from current and retired collections) made right there at Mackenzie Childs.

 One of the bedrooms!

 The dining room...

The famous Courtly Check pattern was on full display throughout the farmhouse.

 Another one of the bedrooms, featuring the limited wicker furniture collection! 

 The beautiful kitchen! Featuring the retired Honeymoon Pink pattern. 

After we toured, we had to stop to snap a few pictures at the house! This porch was absolutely gorgeous. 

After our visit to Mackenzie Childs, we ventured down into the quaint town of Aurora, New York. This town is home to Wells College and the Inns of Aurora. It was like stepping back in time! We loved being able to enjoy our weekend at a much slower pace.

This gorgeous spot is a must-see and a bucket list item for sure. I would highly recommend a day trip visit if you’re local, or - if you're traveling from out-of-state - a stay at the gorgeous Inns of Aurora! 

The hubs & I outside the store! 

Have YOU been to Mackenzie Childs? Are you a fan of the brand? Which piece or collection is your favorite? Let me know what you think! 

#homedecor #famrhouse #mackenzechilds #decor #interiordesign #courtlycheck #kitchen #bedroom #roadtrip #anniversary