These vintage barstools have been painted and sealed using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. The color Athenian Black was used and then Clear Wax was applied for a finish. The artwork on the front is an Iron Orchid Designs Decor Transfer called Painterly Florals. Keeping reading for the full tutorial or scroll to the bottom of the post.

Hi there, Sweet Friends, today I’ve got a “One of a Kind Furniture Makeover” for you. These barstools are in a new space…my new booth space at The Red Door in Elk Grove.

If you’re new to the blog a HUGE WELCOME! I am so thrilled you are here.

Sweet Friends, If you are part of the Create With Cynthia Blog Family, you know that I LOVE furniture makeovers and I love creating uniques pieces using Iron Orchid Design products.

I love vintage and when I see a set of barstools like these my heart goes pitter patter. Remember the numbered barstools that I painted over a year ago?

I showed them off in the Blog Post, “Furniture Wax Makeover!” They were gobbled up, oh so quickly, at Treasure Fest! Funny thing is they weren’t even vintage with spindle legs.

I love spindle legs and when you mix spindle and barstools that just means vintage goodness.

So head on over to The Red Door in Elk Grove if Barstools is on your shopping list.

The story about the barstools goes like this. My neighborhood had a garage sale. Of course, I had to go looking around.

As I was driving down the street I saw this house driveway full of furniture. The wood caught my eye and then as I pulled over and I saw the spindles and metal feet (a post on that makeover is coming soon), my heart just started beating fast.

I picked up multiple pieces of furniture that day. In preparation for opening my new store space, I have begun doing furniture makeovers. Oh my, it’s been almost six months since I painted. Honestly, Sweet Friends, I think I forgot how much I love painting.

As some of you may have seen on Instagram, I have a new store space. Of course with my excitement over the new store space, I thought some makeovers were in order.

But I realize i’ve been remiss and not shared with you all about the new store space.

Oh yeah, so the new store space. That’s what I have been meaning to tell and show you.

Drum roll please…

It’s been a long road for the Create With Cynthia shop. I’ve tried multiple types of venues but none have really worked well. Alas, I believe I have found the perfect space. I truly believe in my heart this is where the Create With Cynthia shop can truly shine.

In my space at The Red Door, Antiques, Vintage and More, you’ll find Iron Orchid Design products. You can make your own projects by picking up all the supplies or take home one of the “Create With Cynthia” projects. I’m super excited to also be teaching classes.

But, the most exciting part is that…..

drum roll please…

The Red Door in Elk Grove, carries the Annie Sloan paint line. Iron Orchid Designs is a true compliment to the Annie Sloan paint line for all furniture makeover and diy craft enthusiasts.

Therefore my enthusiasm for being in this store space is so huge as I feel so honored to be in this type of environment doing what I love most.

Let’s get to the tutorial.

1. Clean your furniture. You can use soap and water and if the piece is super dirty Krud Kutter works great.
2. Two coats of Annie Sloan paint in the color Black Athenian Black.
3. One coat of Annie Sloan clear wax.
4. Apply pieces of Iron Orchid Designs Decor Transfer in Painterly Florals.
5. Two coats of Annie Sloan clear wax.

Now if you’ve never applied a decor transfer you should probably read some of my other posts. You can check out any of these:

Trash to Treasure Furniture Makeover and Adding Flowers Into Your Home Decor!

Tips On Using Iron Orchid Design Transfers On A Furniture Makeover!

One Person’s Junk Is Another Person’s Treasure! And A New Video On You Tube!

Iron Orchid Designs has so many decor transfer options. Visit me at The Red Door in Elk Grove, California or check out Iron Orchid Designs here. If flowers aren’t your jam, there are also botanicals, scripts, lemons, and some new products are coming out very soon!

I posed the question on Instagram. Vintage Barstool Makeover complete…keep or sell?

Let me know what you think? Should I keep the barstools or sell them?

I’m leaning towards keeping, but honestly, this is usually what happens. So, in the meantime you can check them out at The Red Door in Elk Grove.

I hope I’ve inspired you to take an old drab piece of furniture and turn it into fabulousness. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you recreate a similar project.

Now go out there and Create Something!

Cynthia

The post Vintage Barstools in a New Space! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

This post is in collaboration with Femme Luxe. All opinions are my own.

Remember when I shared, “Fashion Over Fifty!” That post included all kinds of clothing options for the women over fifty (and under fifty too). In that post I showed off t-shirts, some trousers and my parents beautiful backyard.

Then I shared, “Comfy Clothes in my Closet?”  I’m a jeans and T-shirt type of gal. You could also call me a sweat shirt and sweat pants kind a girl. I’ve usually got a ball cap on my head. So comfy clothes is a must!

Now I am thrilled to be partnering again with Femme Luxe to share “My Favorite Dress Up Clothes!” 

Shopping at Femme Luxe is such a treat. The variety of clothing and accessories is vast and the prices are fair. Femme Luxe carries everything from comfy clothes to dress up clothes plus accessories.

I like to have a few dress up clothes in my closet for those times when I’m out meeting new people and trying to make a good impression. Today, I’ve got the place for you to shop to fill up your closet with dress-up clothes.

The black and white polka dot dress is my all time favorite. You can probably tell with all of the pictures. This adorable brown dress is also a super fun find for those hot summer months.

Last week I mentioned new things happening at the Create With Cynthia Shop. Well, soon you’ll find Create With Cynthia in a new location. I’ll be sharing more of that next week.

I’m usually in jeans and a t-shirt, it’s true, but with some upcoming Create With Cynthia changes I thought I better go shopping for some dress up clothes.

A few days ago I posted on Instagram about, “New things coming to the Create With Cynthia website!” Check out that IG post here and don’t forget to follow me!

The lavender top above pairs well with shorts or jeans. It’s a fun t-shirt for this hot summer months. I also grabbed a new sweat shirt and sweat pants as you can never have enough, in my mind.

Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CreateWithCynthia.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. Thank you for your help in supporting my little space on the internet.

The white jean jacket below is a great cover up for those nights that are a bit chilly. I love wearing it with blue jeans or a little black dress.

May you be inspired to go out there and Create Something that fulfills all of your desires.  

This website is an expression of who I am and what I love to do. My hope is that you’ll be inspired to create with me. On the Create With Cynthia blog and channels you’ll find DIY Home Decor Projects with a Seasonal Flair and Vintage Furniture Makeovers.

No matter your budget, Femme Luxe clothing and accessories has something for you. Don’t forget to pop on over and start shopping.

Now go out there, “get pretty” and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post My Favorite Dress Up Clothes! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

May reminds me of Mother’s! That special day is coming, the day where we all get to celebrate the Mother in our lives. Today, I am sharing Mother’s Day Gift Ideas and a Story About My Mom! Don’t forget to click on the links. Happy Shopping!

This post is in collaboration with The Vintage Pearl. The Vintage Pearl has an amazing selection of handstamped jewelry. The perfect gift for the special Mother in your life. Some of the photos on this post are courtesy of The Vintage Pearl.

With Mother’s Day just a few weeks away I thought you might be looking for some gift ideas! What I love most about The Vintage Pearl is the personalized jewelry. What a sentimental treat for that special someone in your life. At The Vintage Pearl, each jewelry piece is handcrafted and made just for you! The hand-stamped pieces are made with love and care. Shop the collection now!

This Mother’s Day will mark approximately three months since my Mom passed. Some of you may have saw my post on Facebook where I wrote, “My Dad lost his beautiful bride on Valentine’s Day!”

Sweet Friends, life has been kicking me in the butt. Since I restarted the blog back in 2018 the ride has been bumpy. At times it feels like I’m on a sailboat going back and forth and ever so slowly, making no progress.  All the time wondering if I will ever be where I want to be. In 2020 when the pandemic hit, I knew changes in my life were coming. I sheltered in place, like everyone else, and I started planning my move to the Central Valley. My move back to the Central Valley last July, forced me to pause. Then in 2021 on Valentine’s Day, my Mom passed. The pause that was supposed to be a couple of months, turned longer, and I haven’t written much. Today, being the beginning of May, it felt appropriate to share this “Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2021 and a Story About My Mom.”

My Mom loved flowers and jewelry. She really didn’t wear alot of jewlery but I think as she aged it became more difficult to wear. Flowers always adorned her home and yard. My Mom was a very generous woman. She loved gardening and crafting and baking and giving to others. She really was the perfect Home Maker!

I’ve showed off my parent’s backyard before and you can check it out here. Usually it is full of flowers and blooms this time of year. Unfortunately, as my parents age, the time they spend in the garden has been less. To be honest, there aren’t many flowers blooming in their yard. In fact, just last week my Dad was reminiscing about the impatients he loved planting in the yard. My Mom and Dad’s flower choices have always been different. My Mom loved the impatients, but she also loved Peonies and Hydrangeas and Tulips.

Pausing and reflecting is always important, and on Mother’s Day it’s really the perfect time.

Flowers remind me of Mother’s just like jewelry. What reminds you of your Mother? Last week when I was walking around my Dad’s backyard, this beautiful peony caught my eye. The peony caught my eye because it was one of just a handful of blooms in the yard. My Mom loved peony’s and planted them years ago. Of the many peony plants in her yard, this was the only bloom. It felt sentimental as I strolled through the yard and saw just one peony flowering. One peony bloom on a handful of plants in their yard. Flowers, like jewelry are one of a kind. If you are looking for a one of a kind gift for your Mom, you should check out The Vintage Pearl.

But, just as I posted last week on Instagram, “New things are coming to the Create With Cynthia website.” New things are coming, so be sure to subscribe and follow me, and now let’s start shopping for Mother’s Day!

Mother’s day is about two weeks away and it’s not too late to order your package. If you notice the shipping date is after May 9th, when ordering, just send a card and let Mom know the package is on the way. You can also shop The Vintage Pearl for Dad or the Graduate in your life.

Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CreateWithCynthia.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. Thank you for your help in supporting my little space on the internet.

I hope that you enjoyed the story about my Mom and the single peony bloom. Check out the Vintage Pearl for ideas and inspiration where you can create a memorable gift for the Mom in your life. If you are a Mom yourself and see things you’d like just forward the post over to the hubby, boyfriend, friend or child.

May you be inspired to go out there and Create Something that fulfills all of your desires.  

This website is an expression of who I am and what I love to do. My hope is that you’ll be inspired to create with me. On the Create With Cynthia blog and channels you’ll find DIY Home Decor Projects with a Seasonal Flair and Vintage Furniture Makeovers. 

Thank you for letting me share about my Mom’s passing, the flowers in her garden and the perfect Mother’s Day Gift Guide from The Vintage Pearl.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2021 and a Story About My Mom! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

Do you have pieces of furniture in your home you just don’t love, Sweet Friends? Are you looking for ways to transform a piece of furniture?

I’ve got a post all about “What You Need to Start a Furniture Makeover!” and honestly you don’t need much. I like to find old pieces of furniture at Second Hand Stores and even on the side of the road.

This end table was drab and I really wanted to make it look fab!

A couple coats of white paint just did not do the trick and that’s when I turned to my bin of decor transfers.

I’ve done so many furniture projects with decor transfers and love the results and this little end table is no exception.

DISCLOSURE

Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CreateWithCynthia.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. Thank you for your help in supporting my little space on the internet.

Now, if you’ve been following me for more than a hot minute, you know I sell Iron Orchid Designs products and have completed multiple furniture makeovers using their products. The Dresser with the vase of flowers was one of my favorites. It was a Trash to Treasure Project and added the perfect touch of flowers to my home decor.

A Maker’s Studio also carries a selection of decor transfers. I created a dresser with insect transfers that you can check out on “A Furniture Makeover and a Story About Bees!”

Prima Marketing also carries a handful of decor transfers that you can purchase on Amazon. The decor transfer I used on this project is called “Rose Celebration.”

If you are looking for a tutorial on how to use Decor Transfers, most function the same. You can get my “Tips on Using Iron Orchid Designs Decor Transfers on Furniture Makeovers here.”

I hope I’ve inspired you to take an old drab piece of furniture and turn it into fabulousness. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you recreate a similar project.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post End Table Furniture Makeover! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

School has started and before you know it Halloween will be here. Have you started thinking about your Halloween decorating, Sweet Friends. The front door is the perfect spot for a Happy Halloween sign.

Do you wish you could make a Halloween Sign in just a few hours? Well, today I am going to show you just how to do it using a little paint and my favorite set of stencils, Essential Stencils.

Essential Stencils are thick and sturdy and can be used over and over again. You can purchase the stencils through CreateWithCynthiaShop.com. When you are at checkout be sure to use code CWC for 10% off.

For theses two signs; the Happy Halloween Sign and the Cat Sign, I used one stencil, the Halloween Stencil which includes 5 pieces.

Materials needed to make the Halloween sign:

• Wood – I used one piece that was 8 x 10 for the cat, and I used a 5 x 6. I used a pine board, but you could also use plywood. Most Home Stores and Lumbar yards will cut the board for you.
• 3 inch barnwood to frame out sign (this step is optional)
• Stain – I used Debi’s Design Diary DIY Paint in the Dark and Decrepit Stain. It is an all in one stain.
• White Paint – I used Rustoleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint in Linen White.
• Clear Sealer Top Coat – I used Rustoleum Clear Sealer.
• Paint Brush – I picked up mine from the dollar store .
• Stencil Paint Brush – this is a paint brush with a flat tip.
• Stencil – I used the Halloween Stencil from Essential Stencils.
• Sand Paper.
• Frog Tape.

Directions to make the Happy Halloween Sign:

• Stain board and let dry.
• Apply stencil to board using Frog Tape to hold it into place.
• Pounce or swirl white paint onto stencil and let dry.
• Sand board with 220 grit sand paper. Do this lightly, just to create an aged look.
• Seal board with clear sealer or Top Coat.
• Frame sign with wood if desired.

These signs were so easy to make and literally took less than an hour. Enjoy the process and have fun.

Now go out there and create something.

Cynthia

DISCLOSURE

Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CreateWithCynthia.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. Thank you for your help in supporting my little space on the internet.

The post Happy Halloween Sign DIY! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

I thought I’d update y’all on the happenings with my little family of five. Boy oh boy has it been a summer. We were fortunate to take a few short day trips, including this beach adventure in Northern California. Most of my Summer was spent house looking.

As I sit here writing this post, it almost feels surreal. The home buying adventure started in June and here we are September 1st and I finally have the keys to my new home. If you follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook (which I hope you do) you know that I offered on this beautiful home about a month ago.

Back in June, I just new it was time to relocate out of the San Francisco Bay Area to the Central Valley of Northern California. With aging parents my goal has always been to help them age gracefully.

What seems like not a long time…three months…felt like a very long sailboat ride.

This house, my new Home on Northwood, was the third property I offered on after viewing about a dozen homes. It was really my favorite home, but when I walked in to view the property it already had five offers in the queue. I honestly never thought this home would become mine, but “someone” had other plans for me.

There were so many reasons this home felt like my forever dream home. My son Troy loved the home, it was walking distance to my parent’s home, and all of the features in the home were exactly what I needed.

Of course, I wish I could have found a newly remolded home. But at this point the home met most of my needs.

I thought you might enjoy this video I made on the Home Buying Adventure. It’s Watch Me Wednesday, Episode #7.

The Home on Northwood is actually in really good condition, it’s just cosmetically not pleasing to me. This home has great bones but it does need lots of cosmetic TLC and updates; flooring, paint, popcorn ceilings, etc. etc.

I’m over the moon excited to be sharing with you today my NEW HOME NORTHWOOD!

I’m over the moon excited to be sharing with you some of the UGLY INTERIOR photos. LAUGHLING OUT LOUD!!!

The bathrooms are a flashback to 1970! Oh My. Linoleum on the floor in that beige marble, goodness gracious previous owners!!!

And how about that shower door. Obviously the previous owner was an older person and needed bathroom assistance, hence the metal holders on the wall.

I can’t deny that it just looks ugly inside. I grew up with Popcorn Ceilings and I’m 50 years old. They have GOT TO GO soon!!!! I love my new entryway, but those ceilings, ugh. The disappointing factor is the previous owners painted over the popcorn ceilings so scraping those is not an option. My thought are Shiplapping the Ceilings or Texturing over the Ceilings. The remainder of the house is not painted so those will get scrapped. Let me know what you think? Shiplap or Texture?

I am lucky enough to have a two car garage but I’m not exactly thrilled about having the laundry in the garage. I’m hoping to fancy up the laundry area to create a room environment. That’s just one of “my long list of” upcoming projects!

A a fixer up!  The home is actually in really good condition, it’s just cosmetically not pleasing to me.  I’m not a fan of carpet or pine wood floors or even dark brick.  I prefer lighter, more neutral tones as I believe it opens up the space to appear larger. My plan for this beautiful fireplace is to do a Faux Schmear finish. I’ll be sure to take you along on that DIY project.

The ceilings in my main family room are all wood and I absolutely love the look. The dark brick and dark ceilings make the room a bit dark, which is why I plan to Faux Schmear the fireplace soon.

I’m not sure if I am more thrilled with my spacious backyard, or the pups. The yard is full of beautiful green grass, flowering trees, fruit trees and a corner with a bird bath and trellis. Wisteria covers the trellis and I am really looking forward to seeing it bloom. I think Wisteria blooms closer to October and November, but I am not sure. Behind the Wisteria is also an Avocado Tree. Orange, Lemon, Lime, and Grapefruit Trees are just some of the fruit trees in my yard. There is a large patio up against the house, as well. I’m super excited to design and decorate the spacious patio.

BACKYARD WISH LIST!

Here’s what I’m dreaming about for my backyard! It’s a pretty clean slate and I’m really excited to get some seating out there.

DISCLOSURE

Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CreateWithCynthia.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. Thank you for your help in supporting my little space on the internet.

I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about my new home.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post Summer Adventures and Buying a New Home! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.