stuff i’ve made

annie sloan tutorial :: Restoration Hardware wood finish on an old coffee table
July 8 By meesh
A few folks have asked how I got the look on the zero to hero coffee table. I didn’t take pix b/c we’re moving this week and I didn’t have much time to crank out a few more pieces before the movers arrive! But here was my process: Old White as a base, brushed on […]

queen anne dresser refinishing :: part 1
October 3 By meesh
my husband and i took care of our uncle george for the past 18 months. he was a kind man with a generous nature. he had nothing, but gave everything he found to those in need. he treasured this queen anne dresser, which belonged to his parents. i decided it should stay in the family. […]

painting Michael’s wood crates to look like Restoration Hardware
November 26 By meesh
do you have a friend (or many) who inspires you to be healthier? i mean, like when you’re lounging in bed at 7 am, dreaming of sidecar doughnuts while checking facebook and she’s already finished a marathon? right. that friend. my friend Robyn is that to me. she’s a smart, hard-charging, all-natural beauty, and is usually […]

Old Glory – wooden American flag
April 22 By meesh
we’ve been testing ways to make big wood walls that aren’t as heavy as Noah’s arc. 🙂 so we built this prototype and i was inspired to paint Old Glory. this is a 4′ x 5′ piece that i hand-painted with a custom blue blend of Annie Sloan graphite + napoleonic and Gilbertson’s chalk paint […]
garden love
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...]

Rooting Brussels Sprouts
I love Brussels sprouts. Please move on if you don't...b/c this post is all about them and some uber-nerd techniques that I'm testing in the … [more...]

spring flowers
remember that day last fall when i rode my bike around cutting hydrangea clippings from my neighbors? you don't remember? it's ok, … [more...]

so cal garden explosion
we've got rogue tomato plants all over the garden. take exhibit A. i didn't plant this one and look how amazing it is! i'm sort of insulted, … [more...]

a gorgeous, romantic, Napa wedding
we just returned from the most gorgeous and romantic wedding....ever. the setting was idyllic with the changing leaves and warm breezes. i wanted … [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...]

Harvesting and germinating rose seeds
I just love roses. I don't know their varieties or names, but instead, I'm the gal at the nursery going around sniffing all the roses to see which … [more...]