Apple Basket Makeover

 

I am spending more and more time dreaming in white in blogland, and I am happily addicted to pinning lovely whites and creams like crazy on my pinterest boards. In my own home I am still drawn to incorporating worn leathers and warm wood tones which add depth and a "lived-in" feel to the ethereal beauty of  my cottage white walls, white distressed furniture pieces and decorative accents. I love too many different decorating styles to ever have a completely white or strictly shabby chic decor, but I doubt I will ever back to putting much color on my walls even if the white/cream "trend" goes out. If trends revolve back to bold color, it won't matter...I am sold on whites for life! As a collector, I love the creams and whites on our walls because they provide the perfect back drop for my ever-evolving displays and vignettes. Despite having a lot of junk and collectibles, the walls create a sense of calm unity and the look is always pulled together.

I am now getting to the point that I find it hard to resist slapping white chalk paint on anything and everything because I am obsessed always so pleased with the results whenever I do. I was really sick with the flu last week and all I really felt like doing was pinning. All the inspiration was driving me crazy however, so here is what I did this weekend to satisfy my white cravings...

Earlier this summer I bought several old apple baskets at a yard sale, like the ones in the picture below. I love these types of baskets. So many memories of going to the market with my mom and seeing them filled with fresh produce.

source: http://rowhousenest.com/2011/05/08/basketville-baskets/

Mine had been outside so it was a little warped and mildewy. I sprayed it with a bleach and water solution and let it sun-dry. Then I painted it with a homemade chalk-paint recipe. White love strikes again! I had some extra burlap so I adorned the basket with a generous bow. It turned out even better than I thought. There are so many uses for this basket, both functional and decorative, especially with fall coming. Even empty, it is still so pretty.

For now the basket is sitting in this chair. I recently found it at a yard sale for $1. Since it was already white and a little chippy I kept it just the way it was. No extra work. Score!

 I stuffed the basket with a beautiful vintage chenille twin coverlet. Then I made a little stick bundle out of some broken chair spindles that I salvaged from some other furniture makeovers.  

These leftover spindles from misc. broken chairs (previously brown) were
originally tossed out by the garbage, but
I thought they still had possiblity for crafts or decorative potential, so I brought them in and painted them white too!

         Here is a prime example of why I chant the "use what you have" decorating mantra.  I love how this little spindle bundle turned out. Now it looks so pretty tied up with an old crochet remnant and scraps of burlap. And to think they were destined for the landfill!

   I also put this sweet little book in the basket as a prop for the post photos. It was a surprise gift from my best friend when I dropped off her birthday gift. We all know it is better to give than recieve, but its still always fun to receive! In addition to its lovely cover, the book has the most tantilizing pictures of various French flea markets (on my life's to-do list). Until I actually get to make that dream come true, I will settle for wandering through the pages.

Enjoy your blog visit!

 

2013:

http://startathome.blogspot.com/2013/10/furniture-and-paint-party-18-and-50.html

 

 

2012 Linking up:

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2012/08/white-wednesday-167.html

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/08/home-and-garden-thursday_29.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ADelightsomeLife+%28A+Delightsome+Life%29

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/08/under-100-linky-party_29.html

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/08/time-travel-thursday-112-talented-time.html

http://www.primpjunktion.com/

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/08/vintage-inspiration-103-all-things-home.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: blogspot/bCGJMl (Common Ground)