Hello! Today for my Five Faves with Annie and Cindy I want to show you how we gave an update to an old dresser, my little white porcelain collection on display, a fun new online store, some apps that make life easier and a dress that can take you from running errands to out to dinner.
Our son, Tommy is here from L.A. to look at places to live in Orlando (his company is relocating his division) and to attend a local wedding. We just gave him our home tour and he gave us a thumbs up and said “It’s so relaxing here, like heaven.” We think so too!
1. Another Use For Wine Cubbies
In our new house, we have wine bottle shelves flanking the microwave/convection oven. I knew we wouldn’t actually store wine there since it should be at cellar temperature.
So I was trying to think of how to get rid of the cubbies until Howard was unpacking our dishes and said “What if we put all your little white pitchers in them?” Well, it’s fun to see my collection out!
I collect small white porcelain dishes from Limoges, Paris, and Portugal.
There are even two empty cubbies for my next purchases!
2. Shop Most Lovely Things: Cool and Collected
How to describe Annie’s style? Let’s just say it has “soul and simplicity.” And now you can shop her look with her new online store here.
Those scrub brushes are so cute! I see a little white pitcher that I think I have to buy before someone else does!
3. New Coastal Update To An Old Family Dresser
I almost didn’t take the dresser that was my Aunt Janet’s and then my mom’s. But I am sentimental. I already had a truck going north from San Diego to San Francisco with some furniture I had loaned to my sister before she started downsizing.
I thought I would just stick the dresser in a closet in the new house for storage. BUT then I starting thinking about needing a changing table for our first grandchild that we are expecting in September!
We found Laura and her boyfriend on the Handy app. They came to help us unpack. She mentioned that she likes giving furniture new life. And I thought since we are at the beach now…the dresser should have a coastal vibe!
Here is how Laura did it in her own words…
Update To An Old Dresser By Bleaching
- Sand or strip to bare wood
- Apply Zinsser 2part wood bleach. 100% wear gloves. Works best if you’re able to leave the furniture piece in the sun to dry but not necessary. Even better reason to do outside are the chemicals.
- You can also use household bleach, but it’s not as effective and doesn’t work for all wood species. Works the best if furniture piece is left in the sun.
- Once dry, lightly sand with a 220 grit to remove any dried residue left behind.
⁃ If you want a lighter shade, start the bleach process again.
⁃ Once the desired shade is reached, sand with a 220 grit to smooth out any grain popping from the bleach.
⁃ Can be left unsealed for a more natural aesthetic. If sealing is desired, use a clear wax or a water based polycrylic. If a polyurethane is used, it will yellow over time.
It was a billion degrees in our garage where Laura did the job. Poor thing. But I love the way it turned out and I think Aunt Janet and Mom would like the new beachy look! I will show you the rest of the guest room soon as it blends nicely.
Laura also takes furniture like from IKEA (example below) and gives it an upscale grasscloth makeover! You can reach Laura at lsowen87@gmail.com if you are interested. And checkout her instagram @ShopLuEls
4. Fun and Easy Apps I Love Knowing About
I felt like sending Laura a little gift (in addition to her payment) to buy a bunch of flowers.
Venmo Has Free Digital Gift Cards From Which To Choose
Laura loves dogs so I used this theme for an instant cash gift. Makes it easy if you want to send something fast.
Google Image Search App
My friend, Sam showed me how to look up where to find Mercedes’ favorite soy sauce. If you have a camera phone, you just take a photo of it (in my case the soy sauce bottle) in the Google app where I have placed the arrow. Then, a lot of info comes up based on the photo you took. Fun.
5. Shirtdress By Tuckernuck
This is an easy floral dress to throw on and it’s on sale now. I’m 5’1″ and this is an X-small.
They are running low on the above pattern but look at all the other great choices…
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Love your dresser re-finish and the nightstand wrap projects, Mary Ann!
Did the bleach change the coloration of the stripped vanity a lot? Even out the coloration or ?
Thanks!
Some parts are lighter than others. It was all so dark before…now there is more variation.
Enjoyed the post! Great job on the dresser, and love your porcelain in the cubbies. Cute summer dress too!
Mary Ann – have you seen the Wisteria “Weatherend” chest of drawers – it is very similar to your wonderful repurposed family treasure – prices at $2,100 – or priceless for yours! Well done.
I haven’t seen it yet…but this makes me even happier!
The dresser looks awesome! And love your dress too!
Sounds like Tommy’s move is getting closer … so exciting! I love Howard’s idea for your pitchers, brilliant. Not sure why kitchen designers ever though to put wine cubbies in upper cabinets. And you often see them over the refrigerator. The absolutely worst place to keep wine. Oh well, they work beautifully for a pitcher collection … and I think I need to start one! Everyone needs a Laura in their life. What beautiful work she did with your family dresser. And the grass cloth makeover. Wow! The little cookie plates from Annie’s shop are amazing. I’m using them all the time … for cookies, cupcakes and all kinds of things, even as a coaster. Love the dress! xo
Annie’s shop looks so fun. Yes…wine above the fridge…not a good idea.
Mary Ann! So many good things today! But first, a huge thank you for sharing my little shop! That was very sweet of you!
I love the dresser update! She does beautiful work! It’s wonderful to save a sentimental piece of furniture and give it a whole new look! It will be a perfect changing table!
I love that soy sauce. I received as a gift a few years ago (I think I may have shared it as a 5 fave too) ha, but I did not know the trick about how to find something.
You look amazing in that dress, Mary Ann!
xx
Oh course you already knew about the soy sauce! It’s pretty expensive!
Mary Ann, What a sweet idea to keep the chest and do it and it can out so pretty! Love it. So excited for you all.
I have that Tuckernuck dress and it’s very comfy and perfect for summer days. xo
You and I have the same taste, Kim!
Great idea for the cubbies! The dresser came out very nice and I love that grasscloth piece as well. The girl is talented!
Linda
Yes, Laura IS talented!
That dresser looks fabulous! Sounds like you found a gem when you hired Laura. I love what she did to the IKEA bedside table amazing! That dress is so darling on you. Another great Sunday post!!
Thanks, Cindy!
Mary Ann, this was a great post! Love the bleached dresser. Wow! You look adorable in the red print dress. Thanks for all the tips. ❤️ Kathy
Thanks, Kathy!!
You are so creative, the dresser turned out beautifully! Also, you are so petite and your dress looks
darling on you because of your size. I am 5′ 5” and normal weight for my size, but too busty for that look!
Love your taste!!
Judee
Are you sure you can’t just order a larger size, Judee?
Beautiful dresser! Definitely a coastal vibe for your soon to be changing table. Congratulations to you and Howard on becoming grandparents. I see lots of cross country trips in your future!
Yes..there will be airports in our future!!
Hi MaryAnn,
I love your Tuckernuck dress. It looks great on you and very cool for those warm summer days.
The dresser looks great. It’s going to have a long life with your family now that it’s updated.
Happy summer.
Karen B.
Happy Summer to you, Karen!
Great post, I love the redo of the chest! I have one from my
grandmother that looks just like yours! Its stuck in a closet
and this made me want to find someone here to do the same
thing! I could then put it out somewhere in the house and
not hide it in a closet!!
Great posts Mary Ann….have so enjoyed seeing your new place in Florida. Do you have any idea what name is of your new kitchen countertops…..really like them. Thank you..
I don’t know but I will try to find out!
Collections are meant to be displayed. Your little white pitchers are the perfect compliment to the little cubbies and now you can enjoy them everyday.
Your bureau has that beachy vibe now and fits into your Florida aesthetic. It has nice lines, so I imagine you are pleased that you decided to keep it. I’ve been trying to get up the nerve to bleach my night tables. My husband is not ok with the idea though. Perhaps, I’ll try it on something small first, like a mirror.
You are convincing me to buy and wear more dresses. My problem is that I am tall (5’8”) so many are too short for my liking. I do like the midi length dresses.
Are you finding it hard to adjust to the humid heat of a Florida?
I am not crazy about the humidity, Joanna…but I do love it here!
I love the dresser makeover. I was very skeptical at first, but it is a perfect update. I have a wonderful walnut table with 3 large leaves that I bought with my first “real” job paycheck in 1973. I have used it everywhere I have lived and it shows a lot of good times. I am downsizing to a place near the beach and I may test this out and update my table.
Yes…do it! My mom always encouraged me to make things work for your current lifestyle.
How cute are those cubbies with your pitchers! Get that one from Annie’s store and then only one more to fill all the spaces. But then what? More cubbies!!!! Have a great week at the beach! xoxo-holly
Ha! Or I can take the little bowls and mustard jars out in favor of more little pitchers, Holly!
Very cute dress! It looks like it fits your new warmer lifestyle. I was in SF this past week and was wondering which house might have been yours.
Like you, I collect pitchers and it all started at a Marche de Puce in Paris when I found a little Quimper pitcher. I’ve had to stop since although I have some niches in my kitchen for them, I have enough. Your white is pretty in the wine cubbies. Let’s hear it for Howard and for his clever thinking outside the box (or cubby!).
I look forward to reading the posts you, Cindy and Annie do on Sunday. Thank you for always finding creative content.
Thanks, Wren! I have one pitcher from the Marche aux Puces too! I also like Astier de Villate (but so expensive). They used to have little porcelain shops in Paris but they were gone when we were there in May. 🙁
I love your blog. The dress suits you perfectly. Just wanted to pass along a great BBC series to watch called The Split.
Yay! SO appreciate the suggestion, Angie!
Your mother’s dresser looks fabulous. What a creative vision you have!
Well, I saw something on Instagram… and Laura had the technique and “elbow grease!”