Easy Crown Molding

There always seems to be that one item that doesn't get finished when you update a room.  In our kitchen it's this.....

It's the top of our pantry cupboard.  I store handy kitchen items like old knobs and hinges in the canisters.  You just never know when a recipe will call for 3 rusty hinges and a vintage glass knob.

We painted it the same color as the kitchen cabinets, added chalkboard panels in the doors, base molding (or moulding if you're British) to the bottom, and changed out the hardware.

I even added cork board panels inside the doors to tack up very important upcoming events.

The only thing missing is a crown. 

It's been bugging me for 4 years, but I knew adding crown molding was beyond my capabilities. 

 I was so excited when a simple solution came in the mail a few weeks ago!

Normally, I quickly skim through and put it in the recycling bin.  But, take a look at idea number 6.

Add character to stock cabinets with pine boards and cove molding!!!!  Silly me.  Until now, I didn't even notice there were complete instructions online!  No use looking now.  I did it my own Ranger way.

I bought a pine board that a Lowe's employee was kind enough to cut to the proper length for me.  The board is 1 1/2 inches deeper than the cupboard and 3 inches wider.

I drilled pilot holes and screwed the board into the top of the cupboard after priming and sanding it.

I was feeling pretty optimistic, so I only bought one 8 foot length of cove molding.  I made four 45 degree miter cuts using only a miter box with a hand saw.  Since I needed 4 hands and only have 2  (I seem to start these projects when I'm home alone) I taped the molding up with painters tape to see if it fit correctly.  I only made one bad cut that was easily fixed and I even have a small piece of molding left over!

I drilled tiny holes where I nailed the trim on with small brad nails.  At this point, I didn't want to risk splitting the wood.  I countersunk the nails and filled the holes with wood filler.  I then filled any small spaces between the trim and cupboard with spackling, sanded it smooth, and applied 2 coats of paint.

There it is.  Faux crown molding.

It looks like it's always been there!

Now it looks like a free-standing piece of furniture.  I calculated that I've even added approximately 52 extra square inches of display space to the top, so I can place even more stuff up there!!!

Hey!  Get down from there right now!!!

I've finally taught them not to jump on the beds, but it looks like we need to have another talk.

Thanks for visiting!

Vickie

*Find more great ideas at these parties:
The 36th Avenue
Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday
Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special

Honey, I shrunk the table!

I've been storing our old kitchen table and chairs in the basement for almost 8 years, hoping one of our daughters would find a place for it.  It's squished between the sofa sleeper (the dark blob on the bottom of the picture) and a wall, and you can't sit at the table without knocking a game board or 3 off the wall. 

The table is a trestle table, so unfortunately the major award blows directly on the closest trestle.  Fire hazard?!

We've had the set since the girls were babies.  It fit well in the kitchen of our previous house, but is too big for our current kitchen.  It has proven to be quite useful as a work table for sewing or stained glass projects, but I need to make room for the play kitchen for our grand babies.  I still need a work table, so I've been scouting about for a smaller table.  I finally found one last week and it was even clearance priced!

Meet my petite farm table.

It's already the perfect color.

Slightly warped top.  Just my style.

Cute turned legs that don't even wobble.

Old thumbtacks with remnants of an oilcloth cover.

Some yummy previous colors.

Once again, I've put the cart before the horse.  Our youngest daughter has agreed better take our old table and chairs for their basement.  But first we need to reglue the joints on all the chairs.....

which is proving to be more work than I bargained for!

Until the table and chairs are outta here, I need to find a spot for the new table I bought. Hmmmm.

This is the view from the cave dweller's seat.

Do you think he'll notice?

Have a great weekend!

Vickie

See more great stuff at:

Knick of Time Tuesday

The Farmhouse Porch Cowgirl Up

A Good Egg

My name is Vickie, and I am a chocoholic.  There, I've said it.  I don't think I could get through a day without it.  I don't mean cake or cookies.  Chocolate candy is my addiction.  My last cholesterol count tipped the scales at slightly over 200.  And I know these.........

are not the culprit.  No, the more likely cause are the bad eggs in my diet.

Exhibit A.

Exhibit B. 

Holidays are the worst!  Just check out the holiday candy aisle.  Filled with all variety of pretty pastel wrapped chocolate candy that I buy because it looks so festive in my candy dishes.  For a day or two.  Until somebody eats it all. 

I've decided not to buy any more chocolate Easter candy.

I'll bring that pastel color into the house with artificial eggs, like these wood eggs I painted years ago.

I usually line them up like soldiers on this shelf, but I found this crate for a few dollars and the eggs almost fit in the cubbies.  I had to tip a few sideways and prop the shelf up with felt furniture pads so the eggs wouldn't keep rolling out. 

I added some fuzzy chicks in the empty spots.

I found them at our hospital gift nook.  Aren't they cute?!

I even found a spot for one of the pink flowered plates I removed from the "Sweet Sixteen" bedroom.

Our daughters are trying very hard to be healthy eaters and I've dicided to join them.

Right after breakfast.

Have a great day!

Vickie

*For more great ideas, join the parties at:

Savvy Southern Style Wow us Wednesdays

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special

The Farmhouse Porch Cowgirl Up

Guest Post: First comes love.

You've seen many of my vintage purchases and may have wondered, "What in the world does she do with all that stuff?!"  To help answer that question, I've invited Julie from "First Comes Love." to be my special guest today.  Take it away, Julie!

Photo by Jen Meneghin Photography

Hi, I'm Julie, and if you haven't already guessed, I'm the firstborn daughter of the Rangers 911.  My mom asked if I would share with you the reveal of our son's nursery highlighting many of both her and my vintage purchases and blog inspired creations.  Now you can see for yourselves how everything came together in a room perfect for our little man.  Enjoy!

Mack does not like the word nursery.  A nursery is for a new baby.  My baby is 9 months old.  {Yes, it seriously took me 9 months to post these pics.}

Without further ado.  Here is Mack's Mini Man Cave.

Airplane from my mom (aka Gramma).  Hung from the ceiling with fishing wire.  Mack loves when I hold him up so he can make it fly.

Collection of what else...trucks, of course.  {Mack.  Mack truck.}

Hoping he gets his daddy's musical ability.  {Present from gramma and grampa before he was even conceived.}

Chalkboard wall.  I used it to record feedings and diaper changes the day we came home from the hospital.  {think that lasted about a day and a half.  "he ate for 15 minutes on the right side and 10 on the left.  will you write that down please?"  "oh, he just pooped.  i think there is pee, too?"  remember that?  what a different world with a 9 month old.}

Scrabble tile holder to hold the chalk.  One day Mack will be able to use this to create artwork.  {he will just silently sit and create.  for hours upon hours.  hahaha.  somehow i doubt that.}

The Mustache Mobile (from etsy).  Soon he will be able to reach up and grab it.  Time to take that down.  And lower the crib.  {bad parents.}

One of my favorite items in the room.  A $7 old army ammunition box repurposed as a toybox by my very creative mother!  See it here.  It is so me Mack.  LOVE it. 

For making Mack's Melodies.

I found this vintage toybox {aka basket} on one of my very pregnant antiquing trips.  {that was my teddy bear when i was little!}

Mack's grampa's (my dad's) old softball glove.  Mack has some big shoes to fill.  The first son and the first grandson to two very athletic guys.  {sorry guys, he does have half of my genes.}

This table was another antiquing find.  And I made that changing pad cover.  Remember?  {Time for the changing table to go into storage.  Was very useful for first several months, but the floor proves to be the more convenient option now.}

Vintage metal locker baskets.  Perfect for holding diapers and burp cloths.

Sign made by...you guessed it.  Gramma.  Simple, white IKEA curtains with yellow pom-pom trim.  "Made" by me.

Another favorite.  The "sweet p sign."  {p-baby.  mack's genderless in utero nickname.}  Complete with tiny disco ball.  {get it?  "won't you dance with me?}

The teeny, old fishing poles were purchased before Mack was born.  {i knew in my heart he would be a boy.  yes, i know, finley.  that does not matter.  you will be right alongside the boys with rod in hand.  with a cute fishing hat, of course.}

Definitely a gramma present.  No baby room is complete without one.  {ok, one more time.  click here.}

The sought after gift from this year's Ranger family dice game.  Jeremy won.  Or shall I say Mack won.  {looks like he is guarding mack as he slumbers.  plus, i get to accessorize him!  name suggestions are welcome.}

Ok.  I think this takes the cake as my all-time favorite part of the room.  The Bobber Chandelier.  {Must give my mom credit for this idea.}  Antique chandelier, boy-ified with some red and white bobbers.  {mack has loved this chandelier from day one.}

The grand tour.  {of his teeny, tiny...but much loved....room.}

Vintage red wagon shelf.

White Jenny Lind crib from Walmart.com that we purchased in black.  But changed our minds.  {not a fun thing to paint.}  IKEA curtain rods {cut off at each end accomodate corner windows} and IKEA rug.

"P-Baby" sign made by sis Megan for Mack's baby shower.

I take back all of my "favorites."  My favorite part of this room is you, Mack. 

Love, Mama.

*Thank you Julie for being my guest today and I hope you will come back again!  So, what does the little man think of his room?

Oo, la, la!

(His hat is a vintage French wool beret we found on an antiquing trip to Buffalo, MN.)

Not all of my vintage finds hit a home run.  I've learned to only buy big items our girls are looking for after I've emailed pictures and have their approval.  As for the smaller items they weren't exactly smitten with...

Garage Sale!

Yes, we Rangers will unite this spring for a group garage sale.  Even if we don't sell everything anything, I know we'll have plenty of fun!

Thanks for joining us today!

Vickie, Julie, and Mack

Join the party at:

Knick of Time Tuesday

The Farmhouse Porch Cowgirl Up

Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

Ivy & Elephants What's It Wednesday