I’ve been MIA the last couple of weeks and I just have to say, you guys are the best – I’m so excited to be back! Thanks for your patience while I switched from my old PC to my new iMac (it’s a dreamy machine!) and restyled the website. I’ve been putting off updating Salvaged Inspirations for the last year or so. I’m not ‘really’ a web developer or coder, but at one point I did build websites for small businesses. The thing is – I’m rusty. What a developer can pull off in 3-4 days may take me 2 weeks…and it pretty much did…lol.
But all is good.
It was A LOT of work and there’s still some tweaking to do, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with how everything turned out. The goal was to give the SI Blog a fresh clean look and make it easy for you to navigate and read. I hope I’ve accomplished this and I’d love to hear what you think. 🙂
So here’s more exciting news!
General Finishes has flattered and humbled the heck out of me by featuring me as June’s Blogger of the Month , so I’ll be showcasing a few furniture re-do’s using their amazing products. I have a few interesting pieces in mind and can’t wait to share them with you.
To kick things off, here’s a client’s restyled vintage tea cart.
If you’re following me on Facebook, you may have seen the ‘before’ when Richelle first brought me this charming piece.
It’s her hubby’s grandmas and like most vintage pieces, it’s held up exceptionally well over the years. The wooden wheels are missing and we repaired the castor wheels – but this tea cart is sturdy and will hopefully stay in her family for another 80 years.
It makes for a nostalgic piece with a story to tell.
Richelle purchased this 1930’s ‘Linen’ China Cabinet a few months back and wanted her tea cart to match. The China Cabinet was painted in General Finishes ‘Linen’, lightly distressed and top coated in GF High Performance Satin. We matched the color and sheen on her vintage tea cart and now it looks clean, classic and amazing!
This piece was such a pleasure to work on because I’ve ALWAYS wanted to restyle an antique tea cart. As an added bonus, I feel the biggest compliment a client can give is their repeat business. Thanks Richelle!
I’d love to hear from you… it’s been a while! Feel free to chime in about the website, tea cart or ANYTHING at all! I missed you! x
Have an amazing day!
Denise
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Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
Hi! I love the tea cart. I actually have an antique cart that I picked up for $25!!!! Original print on the piece, too. My question is, my cart has weathered and is super chippy. How do I keep the chippy (paint flaking and bare wood showing) look without it falling off every time I move it?
Hi Liza! $25 tea cart…WOW…lucky you! If the finish is flaking and falling off every time you move it, unfortunately there’s no ‘real’ permanent product fix. Anything you apply at this point will eventually flake off too… but if you’re loving the look as-is, you could try apply a few coats of Poly or Tough Coat to help seal the piece This solution usually isn’t permanent but if/when it starts chipping again, you can decide if you want to sand/paint then. 🙂
Welcome back. The tea cart is perfect and your new web design inviting and refreshing. Great job on both.
thanks so much Gail 🙂
A treasure!
this is so beautiful, what a great job!!
Thanks Heather 🙂
Exquisite! You turned the tea cart into a beauty! Your site is even better, if that is possible.
That’s sweet Tracy… means a lot coming from you! You’ve been visiting/and a part of the SI Blog for some time – so I really appreciate and value your opinion. Thank you! <3
This is such a pretty vignette, Denise. I love the detail on the tea cart. It’s quite unique.
Thanks Mary! This cart is unique and charming… I’d love to find one like this for myself. 🙂
fabulous news about general Finishes accolade andthis little number does you credit too. i get so envious that i dont have access to some of the beautiful old pieces in my area of Australia well done you deserve eit.
Thank you Patricia. 🙂 I’m sending you good vibes that some old beautiful pieces DO cross your path!
Denise,
WELCOME back! You have been missed. Your re-loved furniture pieces are always SO beautiful and unique. The new look of your site is wonderful.
All of it, truly inspirational !!
Thanks Trina… and I’m so glad you like the new look!!! 🙂
That is oh so pretty. I’m very jelly, lol. 🙂
Thanks Khadija! 🙂
I’m glad you are back, I missed you! I love the tea cart! I have one but wasn’t sure whether to keep it or lose it. After seeing this, I am definitely going to paint it to match the buffet and hutch I’m just finishing in a nice creamy colour. Thank you so much for the inspiration and welcome back!
KEEP IT….lol! And if you change your mind Ruth, I’ll gladly take it off your hands. 😉 Thanks for the warm welcome back. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hello Denise ! I am glad everything is all right with you and that you got what you wanted done , that and still having something beautiful to show us ! Thank you .
Hello Catherine! Thanks so much. It feels good to get something completed that’s been on my to-do list for soooo long…lol. Hope all is well with you too. 🙂
The cart looks great! Love the color and just the touch of distressing!
Thanks Pat! Richelle wanted the distressing to match the china cabinet she previously purchased so I think she made a fabulous choice too. 🙂
Just want to say I smiled when I saw Salvaged Inspirations in my mail. I always do.
Yaaaay! You just put a BIG smile on my face Rosie. 😀
Hi Denise, Welcome back 🙂 I love the website makeover, it’s very ‘clean’ like you wanted. The tea cart turned out fantastic! I had the opportunity to pick one up a few months ago but passed on it for a couple of reasons; one it looked like a lot of work and two they wanted to much for it, maybe next time I will reconsider. Have a great day!
Thanks Annie – good to be back! 🙂 I’ve kept my eyes peeled for one of these too but just like you said, they always seem to be quite costly. If we keep our eyes peeled, I’m sure the perfect cart at the perfect price will come our way! Good luck on your hunt!
Love the tea cart, love the new site. great job on both Denise 🙂
Thanks so much Chez! 🙂
Hi there Denise. I certainly missed your amazing blog over the last few weeks. So happy you’re back. What a beautiful website. So bright, airy and easy to navigate. Love the tea cart as well. My collection of antique tea cups would look fab on it!!!
Hey, I use to collect tea cups too. 🙂 A tea cup collection would look amazing on this cart!
Breathtakingly beautiful job Denise!! WOW!
Thanks SO much Carole! I always appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to leave a message here. Your enthusiasm and sparkling personality puts a huge smile on my face! 🙂
Denise!! I missed you! I was wondering where you’d been, I kept looking for an update in feedly, lol. The website looks great, and congratulations on the new computer!
Love your restyle. =D It looks so fresh and charming! It goes perfectly under a big window like that.
I actually just started on my first furniture painting project (a slightly scratched up and stained cheapo end table I scored for $25 [very cheap around here] – it even has what I assume are the original knobs from 1960!) after browsing through your site for inspiration (pun not intended). Wish me luck. 😀 Glad to have you back, can’t wait to see what furniture you fix up next!
I missed you too! It’s so good to be back blogging! I’m wishing you the best of luck on your table restyle but you’re so creative, I’m sure you don’t need any luck.:) And $25 is a steal of a deal! I’d love to see what you decide to do with the knobs/table! Have fun!