Medicine Chest Update

Posted on by gayle

mirror-beforeIn the process of updating a bathroom trapped in the 70″s, I had to make a decision about the medicine chest. To replace or redo. The chest itself had nothing wrong with it except a worn, out-of-date frame around the mirror.

Rather than contribute to the volume of junk in the local landfill, I opted for replacing the frame. I took the chest out of the wall and disassembled the mirror from the metal box. It was held there by about two dozen screws.

The metal box needed a bit of light sanding and a quick spray paint job. The mirror was in perfect shape and really was a very nice piece of electroplated glass. Probably cannot buy one this nice any more.

mirror-afterThe replacement frame was made with mitered corners from standard poplar purchased at Lowes. I bought a European-style narrow profile vanity from the local box store. It had what the manufacturer called a Cherry finish. Trying to match that color required testing several different stains on scraps of the poplar. The final choice was one by Cabot called Red Hickory. I put one coat of the stain on followed by one coat of satin polyurethane. A light pass with fine steel wool followed by another coat of finish was all it needed to match the finish of the vanity.

Total cost of the project: $20. Compare that to at least $100 for a new medicine chest. Love it.

Virginia College is Class Act

Posted on by gayle

Just received a thank you letter from the Birmingham Symphony Decorator Show House Design Team. The Virginia College students have learned their lessons well and listened to their mothers instructions on etiquette.  They were great to work with for starters and now they have proven themselves gracious and well mannered. Below is the text of the letter.

The 2009 Designer Show House has come to a successful close. The entire Design Team from Virginia College would like to thank you for your willingness to help us achieve our goal of creating an interesting and inviting playroom in our assigned space. We would not have been able to create our vision without the generosity of supporters like yourself, especially during these trying economic times.

The room was a child’s “Enchanted Forest” playroom and the gorgeous handmade cabinet you loaned us was the perfect addition to the room. Not only was it the correct size but was beautifully handcrafted and received many favorable comments on the quality.

Once again thank you very much for loaning the cabinet to our effort, it helped to make our room a popular and well-liked living space. We look forward to patronizing your business in the near future.

Yours truly,

2009 Design Team

Virginia College students are a class act.

Showhouse press

Posted on by gayle

Birmingham Symphony Decorator Showhouse cabinetFrom AL.com:
Decorators ShowHouse revisits a manor

“The children’s playroom, decorated by students at Virginia College, is a woodland wonderland. The wooden stage, topped with an arbor, is trimmed with river rocks and features a chalkboard background “so they can change the scenery,” says instructor Ginny Aday. One corner of the playful, angular room features a hand-painted tree, trimmed with fairies, while another is outfitted with a custom-built banquette, which is upholstered with a brown-tweed fabric and topped with robin’s egg blue pillows.”

No mention of my piece, but it may not have been delivered yet. I got it in just under the wire.

Delivered to Showhouse

Posted on by gayle

Cabinet in Children's RoomDelivered cabinet to Birmingham Symphony Decorator Showhouse today.  Did not get to see the entire house, but the children’s room is very fun and well done. The cabinet fit in perfectly and the interior designer (Ginny Aday Interiors) in charge of the commission was pleased. Of course, I forgot my camera, but Ginny took this picture at the patron’s party and sent it to me. I heard that B’ham Magazine will be doing a shoot so will be on the lookout for their coverage.

Another photographer was at the house. I was very pleased to see my friend Jean Allsopp there. Her photos always showcase a house well. I also met designer Marjorie Johnston who decorated the foyer.

Showhouse opens April 24 for touring.

Monday – Saturday 10am – 3pm,  Sunday 1pm – 5pm. Tickets are $20. For more info, click here.

Cabinet- It is finished!

Posted on by gayle

cabinet-finished-1Delivery tomorrow to the showhouse. Finish was still a bit tacky, but by morning it should be fine. I applied a coat of paste wax over the satin polyurethane to dull the finish even more. No time to add much in the way of peeled wood accents, but did add a natural twig handle. Hinges are rusty iron and there is a hidden door catch. I am pleased and hope the interior designer will be too.