Saturday, December 28, 2013

Did I Destroy Them?

 
 
I was driving around town the other day on my way home from work and noticed a pile of junk sitting on the side of the road.  I stopped the car to take a closer look and here's what I found.  With the owners permission I quickly loaded these leather and wood chairs into my SUV.  Great potential for sure, they were all pretty beat up this one was the best of the lot.  Neglected and unwanted and headed for the landfill, I had an idea to get them back into circulation.
 
 
 A total of 5 chairs, no turning back now.  I cut them down for the backs and fronts of the chair, all wood carved, vintage and oozing with character.

 
 The bottoms.
 


 
 Added a piece of Redwood fencing to the tops of the fronts (above).
 
 
 The bones, keeping them for a future projects.
 
 
These tacks were used to keep the leather attached to the under mount.  Forged from metal can't imagine any machinery made these, they are all shapes and sizes.  These I will keep.
 
 
Straps removed and will put these for sale.
 
 
Leather seats removed this one has the branding still visible.  Guessing this was not created overseas.  Love, love, love.
 
 
All the fronts and backs were painted you guessed it white.


 
 Here is the final product.
 

I added some rusty hardware to this one just underneath the shelf.














Guessing you could use this shelf just about anywhere to store your keepsakes.







 
 For the backs I added a cut sheet of chalkboard and then chicken wire to the bottoms and gave it a light sanding.

 
I always season the board before it walks out the door.
 







Here it is the back of the chair or what's left of it.  All together 5 of these and 5 of the shelves, nice score.  If anyone is interested they will be available for sale at Restore & Rework.  Cisco

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Barn Reception

The young couple got a wedding of their dreams, married on the island of Hawaii.  For their guests back home however they wanted to plan a celebration and create a barn style wedding reception.  My goal was to make sure it was a special day for the bride and groom and their guests, and one to remember.  For me even more special as it was my very first attempt to help stage and create an event.  Not really knowing what I was doing or what I was getting myself into the reception eventually came together and we all created a most spectacular reception.  Here is a snapshot of the day.



 
 
A chalkboard used to set the mood for the guests.
 
 
Flowers soften the tables,
 
 
and lights to create the mood.
 
 
 


 

 
Boots for the gals, shorts for the guys.  A very casual event for the couple and their guests.
 
 
 
 
 
I brought in several pieces to set the stage for a perfect barn style wedding.
 
 
 
 
 
One cake for the cutting ceremony and these yummies were for the guests.  I had to try one and it was amazing.
 
 


 

 
Ladders were used to display the desserts.  Just perfect.
 
 
 
Stacks of hay for seating just outside.
 




 

 
Suitcase used to hold the bride and groom gifts.
 
 
My creation, made from wine barrel rings, a hanging lantern and thick vintage rope.  All were hung from the rafters to create a focal point above.
 


 
Almond orchards filled with almonds just outside the barn.  I used a few of the branches in galvanized buckets at the barn entrance.
 
 
Well wishes for the couple.
 

 
 
 

 
The couple.


 
Special thanks go out to the couple of course, Katie and Justin for allowing me to work with them, to Becky for meeting you at Paris Flea Market and allowing me convince you to help with the planning of the reception, and to Robyn for the use of your barn.  Also to my good friends Lori and Trashsista for all your help setting up and using some of your goods couldn't have done it without the both of you.