Repurpose, Upcycle, Handmade, DIY, Vintage Collectibles

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurpose, Upcycle, Restore, Handmade, DIY, Vintage Collectibles, and many many more words I could use that we can all relate to in one way, or another for our interests. I love to Junk, Thrift Stores, Garage Sales, Flea Markets, Curb side pick up, Dumpster diving once in a great while, and wherever a treasure can be found. Sometimes it's in front of you in a store, and sometimes you have to do a little digging for it too. That is all within the fun of the hunt. 

I Love painted furniture, wood, etc! If it's junk, cheap pine, damaged is where the joy of restoring, or repurposing is done instead of throwing it away. It's something that can be treasured by you. If you happen to get a piece that is already beautiful keep it and treasure it, or sell it so someone else that can enjoy it the same way. 

Now, when you find some of the pieces that you are going to keep for yourself, or maybe resell them you have some decisions to make. Did you happen to find a valuable antique? I am no expert myself, and the best thing to do is a little research before you decide what you will be doing. Some of your pieces will lose value if the original finish is not preserved. Wood grain, some aged patina, warm wood tones, and sometimes pieces are in great condition that they just need a little cleaning. Nothing else. Ok, so again is it a valuable antique, is the wood in good condition, will painting improve the value, and will painting make the piece more beautiful, or desirable for resale? Just a few questions to consider, and ask yourself when you are deciding whether or not to paint.

Is the wood in good condition? A lot of your pieces found can be in fair condition to poor, or very poor condition. Sometimes you'll see pieces of veneer missing maybe extremely scuffed finish, scratched, worn, etc. With these kind of cases painting would probably be a great option. Also, some pieces may just need a good cleaning with a bit of a restore of a finish to make it shine again. Many pieces can look fabulous painted, and sometimes the original finish is the best too. These are decisions that you will have to make. 

I, myself, like a mix of painting, and natural wood within each room of a home. Doing a mix like this can add some interest with the wood tones, provide some warmth, and adds a little depth to a natural or a white room too. 

It's like an art deciding whether the wood is beautiful, or not. This would be a personal decision on your part. What I may consider beautiful others might not like. Remember that sometimes just a simple cleaning can be good enough to bring an item to life too. 

Some pieces are really stunning in person, they are in amazing condition inside and out. You might feel that painting it would diminish the value, and of course the beauty too. Again, how the item is beautified is entirely subjective. Many pieces can be either way really. It truly can be a tough call when restoring, repurposing, upcycling, and so on. If it's for my own personal use I would consider what would look best with the space it is to be used in. Now, if you intend to sell a piece you need to consider if painting will make it easier to sell. Most of the finds we come across need some kind of help to live again, and I am willing to revive it too! 

These are just a few thoughts I am sharing with you about painting versus a no paint decision. It can be a tough call. So, what do you think?

I shared a few thoughts pertaining to painting of items. There is sooo much more that can be discussed when we get into this area of repurposing, restoring, restyling, handmade, diy, and all of the above. It excites me as it does many others. Unfortunately, I cannot cover everything all at once. I hope to cover a little bit of this, little bit of that, and am willing to have you offer some ideas too. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and don't be afraid to leave a comment if you feel like doing so. All are welcome. I just ask that everyone plays nice, and enjoy sharing things with each other please.  

   

  

Upcycling Reimagining Repurposing Bookcase Paint and Trim

Upcycling Reimagining Repurposing Bookcase Coffee Table Paint and Trim!

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Wow! Where did this week go to? Halloween has passed, our first weekend for November is now by us, and the presidential elections are now past us too. Christmas will soon be here, and everyone is busy with Holiday preparations, shopping, filling our online shops, and making time for being creative too. 

I wish I would have copied it over here for ya'll to read, but I read a statement from Kovels little newsletter that I get periodically. This little letter shares about auctions, and what some things of interest have sold for, is informational, helps people with identifying marks and things with their items, and etc. In this particular letter received today they had made a comment about Recyling. They had noted how recycling is a trend. I believe them about this too. Through searching on the internet, watching what others share, and even your physical brick & mortar shops feature this within their shops that is often shared on Facebook too. 

This is something I found shared on Facebook that you will be viewing below. Have you ever had one of them shelves, or maybe a book case, or some other form of furniture resembling this that you maybe move from room to room, don't want to get rid of it, but yet know there is something else you could do with it? Below the pictures come from Crafty Nest, and from their post they did on Oct. 16, 2012 called Before & After, Blast From the Past . . . Plain Bookshelf = DIY Fancy China Cabinet. In this particular posting they share with you the before, and after of this item. They share with you how they did this piece, where some of the pieces were found, and etc. 

Is this not lovely what they did? If you are interested in this DIY project done with this book shelf, give their website a visit for further details.

I hope that you enjoyed this DIY transformation of this book shelf that I am sharing with you by Crafty Nest. I hope it helps you with ideas of what to do with your own pieces, and that maybe this is also inspiring for some of you too.  Repurpose, Upcycle, Recycle, and Reimagine is the trend of today.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and hope this week ends well for you. Have a wonderful weekend. Till the next time . . . .

Eames Era or Known as Mid Century Modern Era

Eames Era or Known as Mid Century Modern Era is another vintage fun time. 

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams Everyone! The Eames Era is still hot to sell, collect, and decorate with in your homes. This Mid Century Modern Era represents the 1950s to 1960s era. 

As time goes along there is always New Collectors of all ages. Like some of those precious times to us there will never be a 1950s to 1960s era. This is a time that is still collectible, desired by many, and there are reproductions of this time too. Guess what? Those items are sought after as well. 

The colors are noticeable for this era too. Shades of orange, or like that burnt orange. Some of that dirty looking yellow or gold like colors, and the greens too! Even the teal color has been a popular choice for many. Not only the colors, but the styles of the furniture, and the home decor that was used then! Desks, chairs, lamps, clocks, radios, candle holders, lamps, pottery, wall decor, and so much more. When viewing items of this time, if you know the era, you sometimes will actually feel like you are back there when you see the different pieces. Oh, and let's not forget the clothing of that time too. Actually the vintage retro clothing from then is in demand with people today. Sellers have searched to be able to offer them. I myself also enjoy seeing some of them old pull traveling campers too. You know, them small ones, but yet so cute too. 

Some of our TV shows have kind of helped in a way with this particular era too. I am thinking of Mad Men which I did find referred to the retro era time. 

Above is a picture of a retro vase that I had sold on Ebay. Seeing this took me back to that Eames Era. How groovy, right?:) Below you will also see a few pictures I got from google search to help you feel that era, and time as well.

The green lounge retro chair

Pinkish retro radio

Gold Tone old phone from that era

  

Don't forget those starburst clocks too!






Hope you enjoyed your trip down memory lane with the Eames Era, or what is also known as the Mid Century Modern era too. Hope they were good memories. If you have not experienced this era yourself, I hope you did with this little bit shared today. Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone, and see you again soon. Take care, and have a wonderful day!:)