The Widow's Workshop: Summer Recap

It was a busy, hot, hot, hot summer. I sweated more this year than I have in my whole life - not kidding! Temps hovered in the triple digits most days and evenings didn't cool off until, well they didn't cool down! The AC ran all day long. And, there is no AC in the garage - so, the sweat thing...

But, I did start and finish lots of projects. These may not be in the order in which I finished them, but I think I've remembered most of what I did.

First, I worked on my living space. I switched colors and had to do lots of things to make things work. The pictures for the biggest part of that change were in an earlier post. Since that time, I reupholstered my dining room chairs and made a new table cover. I also made a new entry table. I'm happy with how everything turned out, and I especially love the entry table. I've avoided colors for so long and it's such a refreshing change to see one of my favorite colors on the walls and in the furniture. So, not a bunch of pics but here's the result. (And, I'm not sure why these are videos!!)

Entry table: I love, love, love this. I have room in those drawers for all my glasses and keys!

Dining Chairs

These didn't turn out as tight fitting as the side chairs; I had to turn the fabric around in order to have enough for the 2 end chairs. It's more noticeable in this picture than when you're sitting on it!

The table cover is the same fabric and looks great.

Next, my sister commissioned me to create new bedroom furniture.
She's been making due with a small dresser and night stands. Sometimes I'd find her sitting on the floor working on things because she could plug her phone charger in only that area. She had a metal file cabinet, and several plastic drawer bins holding personal papers and school supplies. It was a mess. So, we brainstormed on what she needed to contain her clothing, personal important documents, her son's school papers, and desk space. Then I designed pieces that gave her room for everything, and looked pretty in her room. She bought a new small recliner, new bedding and some art work, reconfigured and painted her jewelry box, I redid the lighting fixtures, and now she has a beautiful, soothing space to spend some alone time. Light, soft gray dresser, file cabinet, desk, night stands. Simple but soothing and spacious. The light fixtures went from rustic bronze to silver tones. The gold/yellow color of the jewelry box brings out the golds in the artwork. This room now functions. She loves it, and I'm happy she has a nice space to get away from me when she needs to!!

I wish I were a better photographer, because she really did a nice job with colors and accessories, and it's such a pretty room now.

Another project I enjoyed was making this coffee bar/counter for a family that saw something similar at a garage sale my sis and I had. He called me a few days after he'd see it and said he'd loved the top and wanted one in his home. It turned out great. I do love these rustic herringbone counters. The picture of the top is similar to what he has.

I spent some time up at Logger Daughter's and built some additional laundry cabinets for her. One, small change covered up the opening behind the washer/dryer and gave her space to store laundry items within reach. (she's only 5" tall when she stretches so this was an important change!)

The other cabinets were added in the mud room area of the laundry room. I showed my very early blond roots when I made the tall broom closet for this area by mis-measuring one side of the cabinet and not catching it until installation. Boy was it wonky. But, I kept thinking it was the wall of their old home that must be way out of plumb. Nope, after beating it into submission and screwing it in as close to level and plumb as I could get it, I remeasured and discovered I was out by at least an inch! But, the darned thing was in and held her broom and vacuum so I left it and said I'd cover it up with the doors. I had to leave it for 2-1/2 months though so I worried and fussed about it the whole time. I made the doors for it here at home, then worried that I'd measured those wrong. The doors are made from hickory, with hickory plywood center panel. The outside edge of the door has the same coved edge as her kitchen cabinets, so you really don't notice that they are not raised panel. It was a relief to install them and find they fit, and that I could actually cover up the bulk of my mistake. Years after I'm gone they'll reach into that cupboard and remember that I didn't have a lot of skill, but I did my best for them!!