Thursday, September 27, 2007

About Exotic Wood Countertops

Exotic wood counters top are a high end kitchen counter trend that is sweeping expensive homes across the nation. If you are looking for the next hot kitchen trend to sweep the nation the way slab granite kitchen counter did, then take a look at exotic wood kitchen counters.

My first experience with exotic wood kitchen counters was when a family member started working for a company that sold exotic wood counter tops. I had never heard of using expensive and rare woods on kitchen counter tops, I thought butcher block kitchen counters were the only wood kitchen counter top trends out there.

I have to admit once I started seeing samples of exotic wood counter tops and getting to view finished results, I was amazed at the simple and striking beauty of these rich wood kitchen counters...finish reading...

New Wheel Thrown Coffee Mugs




Just thought I would share some new wheel thrown mugs with you. I am in love with the retro purple coffee mug. My poor photos do not do the purple mug justice!


I won't be adding these to my store at Etsy, but I thought they would be fun to share!


I am more than happy to make custom orders of mugs for your retro kitchen, vintage kitchen, or any style kitchen! Contact me through my Etsy page and we can discuss color and style options.


I have tons of photos of my mugs, so I bet you might find one you like! Hey, maybe two! These mugs also make great gifts. Add a packet of cocoa or a tea bag or two and wrap them for a simple Christmas gift for any age.

New Wheel Thrown Coffee Mugs

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Make Your Own Vintage Looking Halloween Tablecloth

Vintage Halloween decorations, vintage Halloween toys, and plastic vintage Halloween decorations are fun collectibles. If you are lucky enough to come across some vintage Halloween tablecloths, plastic decoration or even jack O lanterns, then you have to worry about that little price tag.

Vintage Halloween tablecloths in particular are a favorite of mine. Vintage Halloween tablecloths are hard to find and expensive when you are lucky enough to come across one.

You can easily make your own vintage Halloween tablecloth that is new, but will fool everyone!So, take inspiration from vintage Halloween fabric and vintage Halloween tablecloths!

To Make Your Own Vintage Looking Halloween Tablecloths You Will Need...finish reading...

Monday, September 24, 2007

3 Ways to Customize Your Couch Slips Covers

Custom couch slip covers and sofa slipcovers are just too expensive for my meager budget.

You can take pre made couch and sofa slip covers and customize them in so many ways.These ideas for custom couch slip cover embellishments will fool family and friend into thinking you spent quite a bit on custom slipcovers for your furniture!

Fabric paint is an awesome way to customize any couch slip cover or chair slip cover. Fabric paint can be used so many ways on the slipcover.One of the most affordable ways to use fabric paint details on the slip covers is to dip a small paint brush into some fabric paint.

Use it to outline any piping detail on the chair or couch slipcover to create a custom look...finish reading...

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Celebrity Themed Halloween Costume Ideas You Can Make Yourself: Make Your Own Britney, Paris, and Lindsay Inspired Costumes

In a celebrity obsessed world what would be a better Halloween costume than a celebrity themed girl fight? Why let the celebrities have all the fun. You can keep your friends entertained for hours, plus they won’t have to stay glued to the TV watching spoiled celebrities bicker back and forth.

Here are some ideas for celebrity themed Halloween costumes; you’ll have to supply the catfights.So, with many celebrities, like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears having a signature look there are quite a few simple things you can do to create Halloween costumes so you can look like you favorite celebrity.

Get a group of friends together, each of you can be a celebrity, and you can spend the whole night picking petty fights with each other. Don’t forget to have a friend dress up like the paparazzi!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Vintage and Retro Kitchen Decor

Check below for links to vintage kitchen crafts, retro kitchen appliance sources, retro kitchen hardware crafts and more.

I have been using and decorating with retro kitchen decor for years and have come across quite a few sources.

If you are on a budget, then check out the link to the robins eggs blue paint on the video links above.

This color would be perfect for retro kitchen cabinets.

Magnet Recipe Board Craft

This Magnet Recipe board is the perfect craft for a kitchen. You can use simple pre cut materials to make this magnetic recipe board and keep your kitchen more organized.

I love kitchen accessories that look great and keep your organized. Your magnetic recipe board will look awesome and be the perfect place to display family photos, treasured recipes, and all that art work the kids bring home!

To Make a Magnetic Recipe Board You Will Need..(link)...

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

New Vintage Fabric and Retro Fabric Purses Are Being Listed Tomorrow






Here is a sneak peak at some of the retro fabric purses I have been making.


I am loving this retro fabric. I decided to use the vintage fabric to make purses, but it really wold have been lovely made into retro kitchen curtains, retro kitchen pillows for a window seat, or even retro kitchen towels!


Oh, well, they are still cute and should be up on my etsy store, Retrofied, sometime tomorrow evening!


Sunday, September 16, 2007

Retro Kitchen Accent Wall Ideas

This retro kitchen accent wall idea is the perfect way to get an instant retro kitchen for less than $25. Retro kitchens are a huge design trend in today's hot kitchen design market.

Investing in super expensive retro kitchen décor and retro kitchen appliances is just not always an option.

So, try creating this retro kitchen accent wall on the first wall you see when you walk into your kitchen. This way you will see your retro kitchen art the minute you walk in and set the tone for your vintage kitchen with retro flare!

To Make a Retro Kitchen Accent Wall You Will Need..(click to finish reading)...

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Budget Kitchen Counter Updates: Vintage Key Mosaic Kitchen Counter Tops

Looking for an easy and vintage look for updating your kitchen countertops? Check out these mosaic vintage key counter tops.I love Vintage Key and I love redoing kitchen counter tops on a budget.

So, if you are looking for a quick way to update your kitchen counter tops on a budget, then try making these Vintage Key Mosaic Kitchen Counter Tops.

These Vintage Key Mosaic Kitchen Counter Tops are an easy DIY craft project that repurposes old Vintage Key into an updated and affordable Kitchen Counter Top material. The addition of vintage Key and small glass tiles is all you need!

Well, the, some outdated kitchen counter tops, some vintage keys, and some time!This easy Vintage Key Mosaic Kitchen Counter Top craft project is perfect for anyone who likes to decorate with a vintage or shabby chic look in his or her retro or vintage kitchen.

Vintage Key matched with small square tiles are the perfect material when you want to redecorate with a vintage look in your home.

Click here to read how to make this fun retro DIY project...

By the way, you can use this same technique on picture frames!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Retro Kitchen Hardware Made from Vintage Fabric

You can make some retro kitchen hardware for your kitchen cabinets using vintage fabric from your stash. I love using vintage fabric in usual ways and these retro kitchen cabinet hardware and draw pulls are an awesome project!

Don't worry; your retro kitchen hardware made from vintage fabric is durable, affordable, and great looking in a retro kitchen.

To Make Retro Kitchen Door Knobs from Vintage Fabric You Will Need:Heavy great interfacing or craft bon, Vintage fabric, retro fabric, or vintage Feedsack fabric,Pinking sheers and Grommets.

Click here to finishing reading how to make your vintage kitchen cabinet hardware...

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Vintage Inspired Halloween Crafts

Vintage inspired Halloween crafts are a great way to incorporate your love of all things vintage into your Halloween décor. I love to decorate with vintage items in my home.

Over the years I have made quite a few Vintage inspired Halloween crafts that are perfect for decorating your home. I have a 1930's paper jack-o-lantern that was my grandmothers when she was a child, which has been the main inspiration for all of my vintage inspired Halloween craft projects.

Here are some suggestions and ideas for creating your own vintage inspired Halloween crafts:

One of the first vintage inspired Halloween craft projects I ever did was to make a jack-o-lantern out of a metal can. It was a Folgers coffee can that was about to find its way into the garbage. I decided to use tin snips to cut out a face, then I painted the entire metal can with a rusting faux treatment kit I found at Lowe’s. I made the entire can look like it was really old.

Then I put a candle in it and used I for a great centerpiece on my coffee table. I have also made this project by painting the can metal can with orange paint and then rubbing gel wood stain on it to make it look old.

(Keep reading for more of the crafts for your vintage Halloween home....)

I will try to get the inspiration photo up later today.

Just wanted to let you know


Some more vintagr fabric purses will be going into the Retrofied.Etsy.com store later this week.


There will be about 10 more retro fabric and vintage fabric purses as well as some more hand made mugs.


These would all make wonderful bridal shower gifts, wedding gifts, or coffee lover gifts with a vintage flare.


Each is hand made and truly unique.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Retro Tablecloth Head Board Craft Project

Making a Retro Tablecloth upholstered headboard is an easy weekend project. I always find great vintage tablecloths at the flea market and yard sales. They can really be super affordable.

They also come in a variety of sizes that would fit a twin bed headboard al the way to a king sized bed.You can complete this Retro Tablecloth headboard project in one day, for less than $100.

The cost of this upolstered headboard will depend on how pricey your Retro Tablecloth is...(link to intructions)....

Saturday, September 8, 2007

How to Paint Your Bathroom Counter with Krylon Make it Stone Textured Paint


(That is my bathroom counter before and after.)

Granite counter tops are one of the most popular trends in home design. Whether in the bathroom or kitchen granite counters can completely change the look of a room. Krylon Make It Stone Textured Paint is an affordable option for transforming existing outdated laminate counter tops into a design feature in you home.

Krylon Make It Stone Textured Paint can be purchased at almost any local home improvement store or hardware store for less than $10 a can. I have even seen it at super stores like Target and Wal-Mart.

While it is easy to apply and there are directions on the side of the can, there are a few additional steps you can take that will help you achieve a more professional finish on your laminate bathroom counter tops.

Using these steps you can achieve clean lines, even coverage, and long lasting durability on your faux granite counter tops...finish reading...

Friday, September 7, 2007

How to Build a Retro Breakfast Bar Out of a Wood Door

Adding counter space to a small kitchen is easy and affordable to do! You can use a pre made wood door and a few other materials to make a custom retro breakfast bar.

I love this retro kitchen breakfast bar craft project because it looks great, can be easily custom fit to your small kitchen, and costs so much less than a new counter!

If you have an exceptionally small kitchen, then try using one part of a bi fold door that has a smooth surface to make a retro table and breakfast bar.

You can add a ton of counter space and a fun place for the kids to eat breakfast with these narrow doors.

To Make a Retro Breakfast Bar You Will Need..(click to finsh reading)...

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Retro Kitchen Curtains You Didn't Know You Had

Retro kitchens are a hugely popular trend in kitchens today. If you spent all yoru money on those new retro looking kitchen appliances, then here are some ideas for basically free retro kitchen curtains you didn't even know you had.

Retro Table Cloths

For these retro kitchen curtains all you need is one retro tablecloth per window and two push pins. Simply iron your vintage tablecloth nice and crisp and flat.

Now, pin the retro tablecloth to the window frame. Center the tablecloth in the window. If your table cloth is to large or two small this will be the neatest fit you can do.

You can allow extra fabric to hang down on either side.For more privacy with sheer retro tablecloths, try folding them over and pining into place.

Need more ideas? Keep reading...

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Decorating a Retro Kitchen on a Budget


Decorating a retro kitchen is a great way to bring back the past while updating your kitchen into one of the latest trends in home décor today. Retro kitchens are bigger than ever.


Creating a retro kitchen on a budget is a great way to add value to your home, show your personality, and start some great conversation the next time you have friends and family over.


Even if you aren’t on a budget, these ideas can help get you started...finish reading...

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Mosaic Halloween Shower Curtain Craft Project

So, I thought I would give a some fun vintage Halloween decorations ideas. You can make new Halloween decorations with a vintage touch for any room in your home.

This Halloween Shower curtain is a fun way to decorate the kid's bathroom for Halloween this year. If you have been searching for the perfect Halloween Shower curtain, then look no further.

You can make your own Halloween shower curtain for very little money! Be sure to give your paint colors a vintage paint color by adding a touch of burnt sienna paint or brown paint to them!

Click here to read how to make this vintage Halloween mosaic shower curtain.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Using Vintage Furniture in Your Retro Bathroom


Using vintage furniture and accessories in the bathroom is great way to create a custom design in your home bathroom. Vintage furniture is ideal for the bathroom for many reasons.


Vintage furniture is a great way to add storage to a small space. Vintage furniture in the bathroom is also a great way to add inexpensive art to the walls in your bathroom. Vintage furniture is a great way to provide seating in a larger bathroom.


It seems that in the past decade or so most people have come to expect more from their bathrooms. Vintage furniture is a great way to get a custom look on a small budget or a big budget. Here are some ideas to get you started using vintage furniture in your bathroom...(Link to finish reading...)

Check out Retrofied.Etsy.Com

In need of a retro purse that will turn heads and make a timeless statement? Check out my new store Retrofied - a retro girl in a modern world. Retrofied