Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Reveals and Makeovers #2

This is the second post in my series of closer looks at the items in the parlor of my circa 1848 home.

I've had this stand since our first trip to Charleston. I bought it because I loved the shape and the fact that it's one solid piece of wood, made from one tree. You can see the growth lines on the bottom of it. It started out life as a candle stand and, for many years, I've had this displayed with a large candle atop it. I needed a fern stand for this room. All Victorian parlors had a fern stand!! Instead of a fern, I chose a gilded cherub urn and floral arrangement . I've had lots of ferns, but they always seem to "shed" for me and create a big mess.

The lovely lace doily looks old, doesn't it. It's not! It is brand new and was created with a few old elements. I took a piece of lace from my stash and added an old Battenburg doily to the center. Then, sewed on a row of narrow lace, some Venice lace on the edge and dipped the entire thing in a tea dye to age it a bit.


Closer look at the top....

Now, the big reveal...
In order to make this stand top large enough to sit my urn on it, I had to make some modifications. I could have cut a piece of wood to make the circle top, but I was in a hurry to take photos so decided to make a temporary "fix" instead. A couple of washers and a long screw to attach this to the center worked like a charm.



View from underneath. Yup, it's a Santa Platter!! Shhhh..don't tell anyone.....


I may just leave it like this forever!!
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A little hint about floral arrangements..... I always fill my arrangements with fresh baby's breath. It adds a wonderful fragrance to the room and is an inexpensive way of adding a freshness to your silks. When they dry, they still look great for about 6 months! You can usually buy a nice set of sprigs at your local grocery chain for about $5.00.
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If you are enjoying this series, please leave me a comment and let me know. I'm going to have a drawing and will include all comments from this series. More about that later.

Stay tuned...........



6 comments:

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Had to giggle at your make-shift Santa platter tabletop! I would have guessed it was a pot lid! I do fun things like that, too. I often cover soup cans with napkins for "lifts" for my vignettes. That lace topper is beautiful. I love Venice lace, Battenburg, too!

Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

The Victorian Parlor said...

I love this series! I always enjoy seeing makeovers (especially to old homes) as well as great decorating ideas:).

Blessings,

Kim

Anonymous said...

Bertie,
Another great makeover for your parlor! I love the lace topper! It is gorgeous. Can't wait to see more!

Jennifer said...

Bertie, Your room looks so pretty.I love the table makeover.Great idea, the stool looks great too with the new covering.I Love your house and your makeover series.Hugs,Jen

Katie said...

It's gorgeous! How about a fake fern? Really the room should have one, or even a print on the wall of one?

Love what you've done there but then you know that already!

vickie said...

Great job! Love how you put the lace pieces together and made the large lacy cloth, so pretty!