Sheet music at one time was a part of evening entertainment much like the television is today,it could be found in almost every home. These sheets of music placed upon the piano where more often than not decorated with the soft smiling faces of musicians, famous actors and actresses, wartime patroitism, elaborate and colorful illustrations.
Today stacks of sheet music can be found at flea markets, antique stores and estate sales. You might want to take few moments to look through them and will find their appeal as I have. They are usually only a few dollars and usually something can be found to fit in with any decor.
Most pieces of sheet music will fit in a standard 11x14 inch frame with a little bit of a board. They can also be matted and placed in a larger frame or in collaged into groups. So if you are looking for an inexpensive piece for your wall and to put a little music into life take the time to look through a pile of vintage sheet music- you might just find one that hits the right note !
Showing posts with label budget decorating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget decorating. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Yard Saling
It's Saturday morning and its time to think about items we need for decorating. What better place to shop than yard sales - its inexpensive and fun ! The piece that just isnt right in someone elses home may be just what your looking for and at a fraction of the cost of what buying something new would be. Every style from primitive, country, modern to shabby chic can be found with a bit of looking, from expensive antiques to one of a kind pieces of art. The problem with yard saling is that you can home with a carload of bargains that you have no use or place for. An item for a dollar is a real bargain if you can use it but an item that has no use at all only becomes a burden to store or sale. Here are a few tips you may find helpful :
1. Make a list of what you need and stick to it. Maybes are not to be bought.
2. Measure your room, windows and available space for furniture needs. Nothing is worse than getting home and finding something will not fit- there are no returns at yard sale. Be sure to take your list with you.
3. Check your newspaper, free shopper ads, grocery store bulletin boards for sales. Craiglist on the internet is another great place to look. Make a list of addresses and use yahoo maps to map out directions.
4.Take cash most people will deal only in cash. Small bills and change. You will get better deals if people see that you dont have a large amount to spend, nothing makes a vendor feel worse than to be bargained down and then for you to pull out a large bill to pay with.
5. Go early or go late. Go early before items are picked over assures you of a better selection while going late usually means a better price especially on furniture items.
6. If you see something you want pick it up you can always return it to its place after shopping the entire sale and making decisions. Hesistating is the best way to have someone else pick up the item you wanted
7. Examine items carefully. If there is a stain or defect and you can still use it point it out to the vendor often they will lower the price. Buy furniture with good structure- solid wood can easily be painted or refinished. Remember you can not return things after purchasing so inspect glass and china for chips and cracks.
Yard sales are great places to buy used solid wood furniture, picture frames, vintage and shabby chic items but there is also alot of junk - so shop with a discerning eye and have fun !
1. Make a list of what you need and stick to it. Maybes are not to be bought.
2. Measure your room, windows and available space for furniture needs. Nothing is worse than getting home and finding something will not fit- there are no returns at yard sale. Be sure to take your list with you.
3. Check your newspaper, free shopper ads, grocery store bulletin boards for sales. Craiglist on the internet is another great place to look. Make a list of addresses and use yahoo maps to map out directions.
4.Take cash most people will deal only in cash. Small bills and change. You will get better deals if people see that you dont have a large amount to spend, nothing makes a vendor feel worse than to be bargained down and then for you to pull out a large bill to pay with.
5. Go early or go late. Go early before items are picked over assures you of a better selection while going late usually means a better price especially on furniture items.
6. If you see something you want pick it up you can always return it to its place after shopping the entire sale and making decisions. Hesistating is the best way to have someone else pick up the item you wanted
7. Examine items carefully. If there is a stain or defect and you can still use it point it out to the vendor often they will lower the price. Buy furniture with good structure- solid wood can easily be painted or refinished. Remember you can not return things after purchasing so inspect glass and china for chips and cracks.
Yard sales are great places to buy used solid wood furniture, picture frames, vintage and shabby chic items but there is also alot of junk - so shop with a discerning eye and have fun !
Monday, March 05, 2007
Painting Old Furniture
Great pieces of old furniture can be found at auctions, flea markets and estate sales, usually they just need a little tender loving care to make them a great piece once again and in most instances are economical to buy. By following the simple steps below you can turn your old finds into great pieces.
Remember to always work in a well ventilated area
First clean the piece with a mild soap and water removing all the chipped paint and dirtIf you piece has old wax buildup, shellac or old varnish you must dull this with a solvent such as paint thinner, rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits otherwise it will repel the paint. Use steel wool dipping it in the solvent and then rubbing over the piece. Rinse the pad in the solvent and repeat the process as necessary. Let the piece dry thoroughly.
Sand with medium grit sandpaper switching to a fine grit sandpaper as the surface becomes smooth, wipe the dust away with a tack cloth. You can use a dry bristle brush in tight areas to get the sanding residue out.
Be sure to wipe the piece completely-any sanding residue left will show up in your paint.
Paint the entire piece with a stain blocking primer giving it one coat. Let dry thoroughly then lightly sand and wipe with a tack cloth to give a smooth surface
Paint the piece with a basecoat of paint of your choosing then sand lightly and let the piece dry. Add a second coat to completely cover the wood
Now the piece can be decorated with a folk art motif, stenciling or any detailing you like.....or left plain.
Varnish with a good varnish to protect your work and add durability to the piece
Remember to always work in a well ventilated area
First clean the piece with a mild soap and water removing all the chipped paint and dirtIf you piece has old wax buildup, shellac or old varnish you must dull this with a solvent such as paint thinner, rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits otherwise it will repel the paint. Use steel wool dipping it in the solvent and then rubbing over the piece. Rinse the pad in the solvent and repeat the process as necessary. Let the piece dry thoroughly.
Sand with medium grit sandpaper switching to a fine grit sandpaper as the surface becomes smooth, wipe the dust away with a tack cloth. You can use a dry bristle brush in tight areas to get the sanding residue out.
Be sure to wipe the piece completely-any sanding residue left will show up in your paint.
Paint the entire piece with a stain blocking primer giving it one coat. Let dry thoroughly then lightly sand and wipe with a tack cloth to give a smooth surface
Paint the piece with a basecoat of paint of your choosing then sand lightly and let the piece dry. Add a second coat to completely cover the wood
Now the piece can be decorated with a folk art motif, stenciling or any detailing you like.....or left plain.
Varnish with a good varnish to protect your work and add durability to the piece
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