TIME FOR A BACKYARD MAKEOVER

Things have been so busy at the shop that my husband and I noticed that in order for us to throw our big BBQ this weekend we need to get the backyard squared away.

So we moved some things around, added some outdoor spaces and still have some things to do but the foundation is set and I gotta say we kinda like it.

Here is a little peak of what we have going on so far

This Talavera tile from Mexico was inspiration for the color scheme and decor

Put my vintage bar cart to use to hold plates and bbq items

We moved our patio furniture down from the deck to the yard area...added some fabulous bright red umbrellas.

I freshened up my faded cushions with some ....yep...rag rugs. Perfect!

The new gifted hot tub of a family friend got a colorful makeover....RED again.

A gazebo on the deck, now provides a shady retreat and lounge area.   Pulled a vintage brass/glass table that I had in the garage and it works perfectly.

I will share more of this little transformation with pics of this weekends BBQ.

Congrats to my husband on his success, I'm very proud of him (but then again I always have been)

- MJ

SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO......

You have to paint a good vintage piece......here is that instance.

Here is one of my trips...you can see the Imperial hall table back left.  I purchased it from a woman who was  selling her mother's estate items.  Those 3 tables were all from her.

I brought it to the shop and left it in original condition.  Painted a vintage mirror to match...and it got some good looks but no takers.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...in my many years as a retail merchandiser I know when something doesn't sell you re-merchandise it or take it off the floor.

What do you think I did???

Yep I took it off the floor.....but only temporarily to paint it. (LOL)

You can only merchandise something so much, if it's not selling it's got to go.

Well here is the new redesigned table.  I did in a two tone with 1st a undercoating of Maine Harbor Blue then  a top coat of Memphis Blue by CeCe Caldwell's Paints.

I so excited at the two-tone makeover and the fact that I have become such a fan of blue since using this paint line.  It's shows in the shop and now in my home too.

So...........if you have a piece that is tired...... redesign it with some paint and new accessories.

-MJ

MINI MAKEOVER.............FOR ME

Well I have been refinishing and making over so many pieces for resale at the shop and pieces for customers.   I came across something and thought, "this one is for me".


Here it is.....children's dresser found for FREE in my neighborhood.

Now anyone who knows me knows that I do not like blue at all....however I have been obsessed with Blue Montana Sky from CeCe Caldwell's Paints

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Here is my 1st idea to go blue then I wanted to go a little funky with my plan which was to be functional since this space was now missing the former big hutch

I was inspired by a painting of mine, terracotta pots and lemons.

Well here it is..........my new kitchen storage space.  Bottom drawers were left natural wood and intact to hold napkin rings, place mats and napkins.  The wood also matches the color of the kitchen cabinets.

Now the chair I just left there because it was too tattered for the shop and it was the same honey wood color.  I have had that painting for awhile and I love it because it reminds me of Italian countryside, which is the team of my kitchen.

I think Im happy with my blue obsession and my new piece.

For more info on CeCe Caldwell's Paints go HERE

The paints are also available at Lucky 7 Design Shop, I use this paint of all of my pieces by personal choice. I have tried them all and I feel that this is best for me and my concept of living a GREEN lifestyle and having an eco-friendly shop.

-MJ

I have been so busy with the shop I haven't joined some of my favorite linky parties in awhile...so Im going to visit the best at

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IT'S TIME FOR THE RED-WHITE-BLUE

May is an exciting time in our family, no not for Mother's Day but because it is a month that signifies many things for us.

The beginning of the summer season, the opening of the pool, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day and this year a very big graduation.

So I finally decided to throw away my tattered (that's a nice way of putting it) wicker furniture and went with some new pieces to dress up the porch.  A splash of color in the furniture this year.

Here is what we are starting off with and will add to in the next week or so.

                                      My favorite wreath made by my friend LP from Crafty                                  Southern Chick....it has all of my front porch colors and matches my birdbath too!  

New RED chairs for the porch...I left the Made in the U.S.A stickers on them (hehe)

Front door

Left side of the porch w/ chairs and flags flying

I gave the old Pier 1 trunk a makeover AGAIN..this time just dry brushed some CeCe Caldwell's Memphis Blue over the tired Black.

Touched up my Marine and he and the other 3 branches of the military are sold in my Lucky 7 Design shop in Woodbridge, NJ

Nothing like a Boston Fern hanging on the front porch to make it summertime. Old Glory right next to it.

This wind chime makes the loudest but nicest sound

My "window to nowhere" as my brother calls it...with some butterflies.

Vintage Ball Jar is now flag holder.

Scrap piece of picket fence got some white paint and will be adorned with some patriotic pieces as I add them.

My simple little sitting area, bench, bird bath and bird feeder.

A view from the lawn

THANKS FOR VISITING MY PORCH....HOPE YOU ALL WILL SOME YOUR PATRIOTISM THIS MONTH AND EVERYDAY.

GOD BLESS THE U.S. MILITARY 

 GOD BLESS AMERICA

                                                                              -MJ

IT'S HERE.....COME ON IN AND SEE

Well unlocking the shop door yesterday gave me the biggest smile.    My box of FOLK Magazines was waiting for me.    I couldn't wait to open the box..lay the out for displays and then grab my copy and read it from cover to cover.

It's new it's fresh and this Issue V is just fabulous....Im so excited to be a proud supporter and to offer this magazine to my customers.

Here it is at home on my country table display

Of course I must share the page where Lucky 7 Design is listed.

Simple picnic display

Handmade napkin rings on real produce crates from local market

Recycled license plate flower art

Fun hand sewn apron and handmade candles

Old Glory Longaberger tote

Simple Americana display in the front of shop

Red White Blue & Stars

Another vignette 

Vintage Coke bottles into vases, art and old red books.

More cubbies and cupboards filled with handmade soy candles.

Handmade napkin rings...wood accents and strawberry pin cushion basket

Red - White - Blue

- MJ

Visit FOLK on Facebook HERE

Visit FOLK blog HERE

and don't forget to come on in to Lucky 7 Design and get your copy of Issue V.

AWARENESS

Every year we do the local Autism Awareness walk at our daughter's school.  It is sponsored by a wonderful local organization here call POAC - Parents of Autistic Children.   They provide support groups, training and put on wonderful events for families of children/adults with Autism.  All of this is done for FREE....how wonderful is that.

They also provide training for our teachers, firefighters, police officers and 1st responders so they know how to deal with a situation involving an Autistic person.

I am truly grateful as I am every year to them, and this year we raised money in the shop as well as online and as always we had a group of family/friends to come out and support our daughter and her team.

This year theme as per Samayah was "cereal"...so we were Samayah's Breakfast Club....take a look at our fun day.

THANK YOU TO ALL YOU DONATED AND THOSE OF YOU WHO SHOWED YOUR SUPPORT AS WELL! 

- MJ