Monday, April 19, 2010

Now You See It - Now You Don't

Spring is in full bloom everywhere!  5th Place Cottage may have more than its fair share of problems inside, but sometime in the past, someone with a very green thumb spent a lot of time in this yard.

Bulbs, ivy, ornamental trees, mature shrubs and wisteria....there is so much beauty blooming.

And, we want to enjoy every bit of it with strategic placement of sitting areas and outdoor living spaces.


But, as I showed you yesterday, and again pictured below....not everything outside is beautiful.

Isn't this lovely?  And, although we are big DIYers, moving this was a no no unless we want to hire an electrician.  Hmmm.....just how bad do I hate it?  Pretty stinkin bad!  So, we considered the options and here's what we came up with.  
Since our power company reads the meter electronically, the visibility is not important like it used to be, but it has to be accessible.  Okay, that helps...we will cover it up.  But, what about that color?  Don't get me wrong, I like yellow.   But, this is not exactly my kind of yellow....it lands somewhere between banana and schoolbus.  You almost need sunglasses to look at it!
Since the entire house will be repainted sometime this year, we got a jump on it and painted this enclosed patio section a simple white. This area will remain white since it is a defined area that we are planning to screen in...this too will happen sometime this year.  Notice how casually I commit us to layered projects....my hubby is not particularly fond of this trait...one might even say that he hates it.  And one would be right!  

Where were we...oh yes...the paint.  An improvement?  I would say so.

Next, we hung a pair of fab corbels that I scored last month at First Monday for $30, they made perfect shelf brackets.  And, hubby cut a shelf to fit, notching out where necessary for that ugly awful conduit.

Okay, you're probably saying "nice shelf" but it didn't hide a thing".  But, you only say that because you don't know what I know.  Check out this bad boy!

Admit it....it's fabulous!   Yessiree Bob!  And the cost for this lil gem?  Ahem, that would be -ZERO-!!  How 'bout that?  I've had this beauty for almost 10 years. The sign is likely to be with me forever.  It's rescue story...many years ago a small antique store that had been in business for decades closed the doors.  Months later when I noticed a new sign going up for the new tenants, my first thought was, "What did they do with that wonderful old sign".  I turned around in the middle of the street and headed back.  When I asked the sign guy what happened to the old sign, I was so sad to hear that they had thrown it away.  But happy as a clam when I went around back and discovered that I beat the trash man to the dumpster!  How's that for rescue?  It needn't ever worry about being thrown out again!


Now, it will spend its' days lounging around being admired on this shelf.  Hubster hinged it from the back so it can be easily lifted for meter accessibility.  I'm pleased as punch with the clever concealment for that mess!


What next?  Under the sign we placed an old pie counter from a drugstore cafe, another fleamarket find that needed some help.

Once upon a time there was glass in those inserts so you could see the pies.


But, one piece of glass was gone, and the other had been painted over.  So, rather than replace the glass, I removed the remaining glass and inserted these great nesting crates for storage.  We also sell these at the shoppe.


Isn't it fabulous repurposed into a potting table?  It will also be a great outdoor server. It can be whatever my my lil heart desires.  I love multi-functional repurposed vintage pieces, don't you?  Try to say that 10 times fast!


That big ol sign required something big and chunky underneath to look proportionate and I think this was its soul mate.  Symmetry is not at all important to me, but scale certainly is.  Next, I added in some accents...








Plants, garden accents, and a pair of industrial lights (another find from Canton First Monday) are right at home in this section of the patio.


I used an antique pickle jar to store birdseed....aren't vintage jars fabulous!!


As always, I have to include before and after shots.
Move your curser over the photo below to see the transformation!
















Or, how about the old fashioned way...


I still have more to show you on the patio......later!

What do you think so far?

43 comments:

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Wow LaurieAnna!! That is amazing! I'm sooo in love with that sign! Can't believe how perfect it is for this spot, the color, shape and wording! The jar of birdseed is just too cute! Another wonderful 5th place transfomation:)

Sueann said...

Well my dear! You have outdone yourself with this one. It is totally fabulous!!! Love everything about it. And that sign!! Oh!! Drool!!!!!!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

Wow!!! What a transformation. I'm with you on the yellow...not a very pleasing shade. Thank goodness for paint.

Your sign is fabulous! And, free to boot. I'm so envious.

My hubby thinks I'm a slave driver, as well. But, he always likes the end results from all the hard work I talk him in to.

Another marvelous makeover, LaurieAnna!

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage

Glimpse of My World said...

Adorable!! I am loving the pickle jar for sure!! Smiles!

fleurcottage said...

nicely done!! love the sign but even more that it got rescued! :)

Unknown said...

Excellent...love the jar of birdseed!

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

You always "WOW" me with what you do, I'm speechless...

Lisa said...

What a transformation! Just beautiful!

Brynwood Needleworks said...

LaurieAnna! You did a fabulous job on your redo. I love the new color and all the vintage pieces work together beautifully. Sit down, relax and give yourself a little pat on the back! You deserve it.
xoxo
Donna

Charlene said...

OH SO LOVE what you did with this whole area! You are right about that yellow! WOWser it was bright. AMAZING transformation! Good Job! I'll be back to check out some more. Charlene

Sherry Goodloe said...

I love how you eased us into the transformation! This is just FAB-U-LOUS!!

Life In My Nest said...

Holy cow!!! Only LaurieAnna could come up with that new look. You are amazing to say the least.

Susan Freeman said...

I love that repurposed potting table!! I am also happy that you were able to salvage that sign because it is a charmer!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Anonymous said...

Good Morning! I just found your blog and to say that I LOVE it, would be an understatement! I have read every page and love your style, home and the way you put together your beautiful simple country look. I would love to incorporate many of your ideas into my own home ~ can't wait to see more.
Have a wonderful day!
Sarah

Claudia said...

Oh my goodness, what a transformation! It looks wonderful - the sign is inspired and I love the potting table.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Fab!! Btw....a sign, not near as nice sold at the auction yesterday for $200.00...so dumpster divin pays off!

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

You are a genius...pure and simple!

What a gorgeous fix!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Sylvia (at) Lily's Pad and Petals said...

Can't believe it's the same space. Awesome transformation.

Gracefully Vintage said...

Love it-what a difference- Got to love those "hubster's" Great Job, thanks for the encouragement-Can you tell i was inspired by your shop- cant totally copy-differ.items, differ set up, but my little sofa i did, the window hanging all inspiration from your design.. Love it... Thank You...
karryann

Kids and Canning Jars said...

I am telling you!!!!! I tried to talk my hubby into a family vacation for the great Canton Frist Monday. I am so jealous. I will plan on it next year and we can meet.

Your patio looks awesome.

Melissa
www.thesavingsqueen.blogspot.com

Joanne Kennedy said...

I think it's wonderful! I can't believe that is a make over. It looks like it's been there for a long time and not perfectly planned out. It's wonderful. You do such a great job and how exciting to get that sign for free! Good for you.

Hugs,
Joanne

Blissful Endings said...

You have officially become my favorite blog! I love all every thing you did, and especially love your photography! Your blog is amazing and such an inspiration for decorating!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

I LOVE it! Wow - what a difference. You are very talented! And your home looks so lovely!

Thanks for your nice comment about my mean commenter!

XOXO
Jen

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

What a wonderful transformation. It all looks beautiful!!! Blessings~~~ Daphne

Unknown said...

I lOve what you did with the porch...I could certainly spend some time out there! I bet you'll love it even more when you screen it.:-) Tami

jaz@octoberfarm said...

great do over! check out my potting table!

molly said...

LOVE,LOVE,LOVE IT great job with old wonderful throw away treasures!!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Wow, What a transformation! Not only did you hide the ugly box but you created this wonderful vignette. How great you got the sign out of the dumpster..what a shame it would have been if the sign ended up in the landfill.

Jenn said...

Clever, clever! Like it very much.

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Your sign looks amazing on the wall covering up the meter box. What a great transformation. Looks great!! Love & blessings from NC!

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie Anna,
Amazing, just amazing! You style is incredible!! Everything looks just beautiful and how lucky are you to have scored such a fabulous sign?!!
Can't wait to see more!
Take care.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

I adore this space. Simply gorgeous! Your potting table is amazing. Totally inspiring. I apprecite you sharing this space - great transformation - I love it! Thanks so much for linking up to the Sunday Showcase. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you enjoy your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Alaina said...

You blew me away. I was quickly going through the pictures showing my son, I thought you jump to a picture of the shop. WOW it looks great, what a way to cover up an ugly area.

fiberdoodles said...

This just looks amazing!!

Cottage Sunshine said...

Wow!!! That is truly amazing!! That is one of the best transformations I have ever seen!! Great Job!!
Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

Elsie said...

Oh my Gosh LaurieAnna that is a
wonderful idea. I have the same
problem so as soon as we go electronically I will be doing
just about the same thing. I have
an antique sink with a shelf above and below for my potting table. I
hate that eye sore of a meter and
meter pan and the switch to my
fountain. My hubby is an electrician and I have tried to
get him to move it and he says it
would be such a hassel with the
electric co. Thanks for the idea.
Love the transformation.:O)

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

This is fabulous!! And I would be keeping that incredible sign forever too! I love everything about this!

the old white house said...

That is one incredible transformation! I love the rescue story, lucky you to see them hanging the new sign and have the forethought to check the dumpster! It all looks fabulous together! I'm behind in the blog world and so am checking on my favorites. Theresa

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Excellent job with covering the old meter....and like your NEW color a lot better too.

Rose

theresa martin said...

Fantastic! Love what you did with area.

Anonymous said...

You are so clever! I love this, at first I thought you had created a new space "inside" your home. It looks amazing!

Anonymous said...

This is COMPLETELY BEAUTIFUL!! You have an extremely good eye!

Jackie said...

Going to Canton !! Two weeks, can't wait to meet you! Plan on spending a lot of time looking at EVERYTHING in your store!
You are an inspiration!
Jackie