Simple Shabby Cheap!

(Did you notice "cheap" in the title? Not "chic?" Yes, these items are cheap, but they are treasures!)

If you were to walk through my house, you would discover there are a LOT of shabby chic items. You know, sanded down items that look as though they are a million years old because they are so worn in. It's not so much that I LOVE shabby chic (I do like the look, but I like a lot of different styles). I actually sand things down on purpose because I have two kids under the age of 5 and when they scrach, dent, and ding up furniture, it only adds to the appeal of the piece. Goodness, kids are rough on furniture! That is also why we haven't bought a new piece since our oldest was born. Pretty much every piece of furniture we've acquired in the past 5 years has either been a hand-me-down, a garage sale item, or from a thrift store! I've just Kathy-ized them. Here are a few of the treasures that I have throughout our home:

This was an ugly $5 cabinet my Dad bought for me from a garage sale because he knew I was looking for something to put out on my patio to store stuff in. I thought it was a hopeless piece. I thought I'd experiment using a combination wax, paint, and my paint scraper to see what kind of catastrophe I could create. I must admit, I was quite pleased with this catastrophe. And it is useful for keeping the patio cleaned up (most of the time...)

We also managed to get a wine barrel (when my sister-in-law worked for a local winery) for our patio and set it up as somewhat of a bistro table. My husband carved out a "cork" for it. (I happen to love those little wooden fishermen/captains - you know, like that guy on the Wharf in Monterey.)

Jayne's room has a lot of shabby chic - it's easy to put white in her room. This toy box was purchased at a garage sale for $5. I put a coat of white on it and then scratched it up. Bet you can't tell which scratches are mine and which are hers?
The blanket is a rag quilt made by a very talented friend of mine - she made one for Lincoln, too. They are favorites of my kids. The pink "tutued" hippo was one of Jayne's finds at a garage sale.
This bookshelf was sitting outside a home in my neighborhood with a "free" sign on it. I spotted it while taking the kids for a walk. My husband was gracious enough to get in the truck and pick it up for me as soon as I got home from the walk! I didn't even have to paint it. It might just be one of my favorite pieces.

And her cute little rocking chair - I think I stole this from my parents' shop. Well, I think I probably got permission.

Can't leave Lincoln out: his is a chair given to me by a neighbor that I "re-upholstered." (I put that in the quotes to mean that "I tried my very best to recover this stinkin' chair in a way that people would look at it and not know that I used 150 staples and had to recut the material 4 or 5 times to make it work.") Again, if you don't look too closely, it is really cute!!
Oh - I almost forgot about this little one. I think this might actually be my favorite. Although no one has ever complimented me on it. Hmmm....maybe I need to rethink my taste in decor?!

Back to the backyard: My dad made some birdhouses that I have put in the yard (although I have not seen any birds in them). This particular birdhouse is in a potted plant holder turned upside down. The giant spoon on the wall was a treasure from the local antique mall (with the helpful eyes of my Mom - she is the antique Queen!)

Alas, there will be no more homemade birdhouses from my Dad, but a dear friend of mine paints beautiful birdhouses that her father makes. Perhaps soon you will see my yard adorned with a birdhouse with touches of "Janelle" on it!

Sometimes I get frustrated looking around my house and seeing all these leftovers. However, I am quickly reminded that all of these pieces have my personal touch. My frustration quickly turns to pride as I realize that I am using the gifts that God has given me to turn my house into our home. Besides, my children will only be young once and I'd rather enjoy them than worry about my furniture all the time!