stuff i’ve made

paint technique to make Ikea Hemnes mirror look like Restoration Hardware finish

  i picked up this Ikea Hemnes mirror for a property in Mammoth Lakes.  i wanted a rustic look to match the gorgeous and majestic Sherwin Mountain Range that is viewable from the house.  i started with a light dry-brushing of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint’s Paris Grey.  after brushing in the direction of the grain, […]

shabby beachy chic side table :: Annie Sloan style

this piece was such a lame late 90s piece that i don’t even remember where i got it or why. every time i walked past it, it begged to be repainted. i do my best work late night….so i dragged her downstairs, camera in tow, and into the garage.  it’s march and it was in […]

oversized rustic wood and metal console table

my friend showed me a photo of a console table she was about to buy. i took one look at the price and immediately knew that we could build the exact thing and save her money. and let’s admit it. who wants to pay retail?! so we go to work. i busted out my tools […]

queen anne dresser :: grand finale

don’t you love when life knocks you for a few loops?  i got the flu shot, and low and behold, got a 4 day mini flu.  at least it wasn’t the whole shebang, but 4 days of fever es no bueno, as we like to say in so cal. so, i took a few weeks […]

garden love

summer hydrangea tablescape

i love hydrangeas. i had the luxury of spending a few hours in the garden today and cut a bunch of hydrangea as they're starting to look a … [more...]

look who’s here? spring garden!

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artichokes!!!

look what we saw in the garden today!?!? it only took 9 months.  :) anyone have the recipe for the Bandera/Houston's artichoke? … [more...]

fresh garden salsa

there's something really magical about fresh, homemade, garden salsa. the colors are vibrant.  the flavors are unmatched. and when paired … [more...]

a beautiful Japanese maple tree

isn't this gorgeous?  i was visiting a friend back east and spotted this stunning and massive tree. they used to have two trees, but one drowned by … [more...]

growing potatoes and yams in coffee sacks

i met a wonderfully delightful woman a few months ago at a baby shower.  i started telling Cheri how i was obsessed with watching YouTube videos on … [more...]

Hello, ladybugs!

I released 1500 ladybugs into the garden this morning. I have no idea how many have survived, but while they were alive, I snapped a few pix. They're … [more...]

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