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.

Hey there Sweet Friends, do you love painting old furniture like I do? Old Vintage Furniture can be repurposed easily with a nice paint job. It’s fun and a lot less expensive than purchasing brand new pieces.

This buffet was my grandmother’s and is over 100 years old. I remember as a little girl seeing it in her home. This buffet is stained in a dark Mahogany and if I tried to paint it, there would be bleed through. I don’t have plans to paint this piece as it has been well cared for and does not need a paint job.

How To Stop Bleed Through When Painting Furniture!

When painting a piece of furniture that is stained in Mahogany or Cherry, there will almost always be bleed through. Bleed through is where the stain seeps through to the top of your paint. So, if you paint a piece of furniture in a light white color, you will see brown/black splotches all over the piece. This problem can be expensive (more paint coats) and annoying!

I painted these tables in A Maker’s Studio Rescue and Restore Paint in the color Hissy Fit and Blessed. I love the glimmer that the Metallic Gold Wax gives the pieces. I also used A Maker’s Studio Cerusing Wax on the white part of the table to ensure a sturdy top coat. I love the distressed look and how the wood shows off. #EnjoytheBraggingRights

Now these two tables were a bit of a challenge, as the wood was stained Mahogany. I used Zinsser Shellac and sprayed the tables with two coats.

In the “Sewing Cabinet Turned Desk Transformation and a Night I was Stood Up on a Date!” project, I dealt with bleed through and the issue was resolved because I used Boss by Dixie Belle.

I’ve got a super fun playlist on you Tube, “7 Furniture Makeovers with Story!” Most of these furniture makeover’s I dealt with bleed through on.

Eliminating Bleed Through on painted furniture is easy. There are a variety of products on the market, called “Stain Blockers” that you can use to eliminate Bleed Through on Painted Furniture. Here are some of the products that I have used. All of these products work, but I don’t love using all of the products, just fyi!

How To Stop Bleed Through When Painting Furniture with Stain Blockers!

1. Zinnser Shellac
2. Boss by Dixie Belle
3. Salvation Solution Wood Stain Blocker by DIY Paint Co.

My Bad Date Furniture Makeover was a fun project where I did not have to deal with Bleed Through. The bleed through probably happened but because I used a black paint color, the bleed through spots did not show up.

The Two Little End Tables refurbished using A Maker’s Studio Rescue and Restore Paint is also a video on You Tube.

They make great bedside or couch tables. #CraftaBeautifulLife

Little End Table x 2 = A Blessed Hissy Fit!

You can watch my videos for more of my personal opinions on the three product – Stain Blockers” that I have worked with. I’m certain there are many other Stain Blocker products on the market. I hope this inspires you to paint a furniture makeover where you know you will have bleed through. It’s really an easy solution to correct and the end result is usually worth it.

Make it a great day! Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post How To Stop Bleed Through When Painting Furniture! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

The Traveling Teacup arrived at my home! Coffee or tea, it’s always a toss up for me, Sweet Friends. What is your preferred morning beverage? If you’re not following along on the Traveling Teacup Journey, you can start by reading my Sweet Friend Barbara’s post, “The Exciting Beginnings of the Traveling Teacup.”

Three Tips for a Simple Tea Party!

You might be wondering what is the traveling teacup? My Sweet friend Barbara gathered a few friends to participate and the teacup is traveling to each of our homes. Do you love sharing tea with friends? My sweet friend Barbara has a likeness to sharing tea with friends. Since many of her friends are far away, she decided to send a teacup on a journey.

Last week the teacup arrived coming from a Farm in Oregon. I was the second stop on the Traveling Teacups journey. I created an unboxing video, “Watch Me Wednesday, Episode #5 and the Traveling Teacup!” I hope you enjoy the video.

When I saw the opportunity to join the teacup party, I knew I wanted in. I’m not a BIG tea drinker, but I do enjoy drinking tea and reminiscing about old and new friends. So that is exactly what I did when the Traveling Teacup arrived.

Don’t forget to get caught up on stop #1 at Martha’s farm here. Tea with cows, why not? Martha took some beautiful photos of the tea cup on her farm. You really don’t want to miss that picture of her cows trying to get a taste of her tea. It’s so cute.

Tea party’s are so much fun, whether you’re enjoying tea with friends near or far. For this tea party, it was just me and my pups. Oreo and Sofy hanging out whilst I enjoyed my cup of tea over a journal. It was such the perfect opportunity to reminisce over friends new and old.

Although I usually start my morning with a cup of coffee and a journal, writing in my morning pages, today was different. I decided to sit at my old sewing cabinet turned desk, with pups in tow, and enjoy a cup of tea. My journal pages became filled with thoughts of friends old and friends new.

You’re probably thinking, a tea party with pups? WHHHHAAAATTTT? I remember when I was a little girl, setting all of my dolls around the table and having a tea party. I guess this morning was no different.

Tea Parties are really simple. Of course, they can be elaborate if that’s what you choose, but I prefer simple. So, here are my Three Tips for the Perfect Tea Party!

Three Tips for the Perfect Tea Party!

Tip #1

The perfect tea party needs pretty tea cups!

Tip #2

The perfect tea party needs friends. Dolls, pups, cows or real humans all qualify.

Tips #3

The perfect tea party needs to include a tasty type of tea.

Three Tips for a Simple Tea Party!

Tea party’s are so simple yet so much fun! Just remember that the time you spend with your tea is what’s important. Whether you are enjoying your tea with dolls, pups, cows or humans, savor the time.

I hope I’ve inspired you to take a moment and reminisce about your friend old and friends new. Tea parties are so perfect for that.

I’m so baffled by the internet these days and how it has allowed me to meet so many new friends. It’s truly amazing the friendships I have created with people I have never seen in person. Of course, I see them virtually, but it’s really not the same.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post Three Tips for a Simple Tea Party! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

I am a Vintage Fanatic, Sweet Friends. I’ve always loved old stuff, but honestly it wasn’t until a few years back when I really started to enjoy bringing them into my home decor. I strive to Create a Vintage Vibe in my home. I love how Vintage tells a story and being such a sentimental person, it really makes me feel at home.

Vintage Home Decor!

Today, I’m going to give you “Five Tips on How to Create a Vintage Vibe in your Home.” Grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started.

Yesterday, I posted the video, “How to Create a Vintage Vibe in your Home.”  I hope you enjoy it.

If you haven’t subscribed to my You Tube Channel, you can subscribe and get notified. I’ve got videos coming out each Monday and Wednesday,

Tips for a Vintage Vibe in your Home!

Vintage evokes a sense of a time long ago. I love showing off things that were my ancestors. I don’t have many, but those I have I truly treasure. Now, let’s get into the “Five Tips on How to Create a Vintage Vibe in your Home.”

Number one: Decorate with old stuff!

That’s a no-brainer right? If you want a Vintage Vibe in your home, you need stuff that is old and vintage.

When decorating your main living spaces think of choosing furniture with lots of wood and curves. I am pretty obsessed with spindles myself. In fact, the Buffet I use, as well as my Dining Room Table and Chairs sat in my Grandmother’s home. You can see the full photo of my dining room table in my post “Dining Room Makeover.” My Dad tells stories of when he was a young boy and played hide and seek under the table.

Artwork, old metal signs, frames and mirrors bring in a vintage vibe to every room in the home. Needlepoint, botanical prints, old canvas art, or even replicated images on canvas, like the vintage typewriter I’ve recently displayed on my wall, brings a vintage vibe into the home. The Vintage Typewriter print came from PhotoWall. I wrote about it last week when I told the story of 1992.

If you are interested in vintage wall art for your home, check out PhotoWall. PhotoWall guarantees their products will ship in 1-4 days. Use discount code createwithcynthia25 and you will receive 25% discount on any products purchased prior to June 15, 2020.

Wall paneling, wainscoting, and shiplap are all beautiful telltale signs of your home’s history. And yet, if your home does not have those things, they are easy to incorporate and make a huge statement. Other vintage options include old windows, screens and shutters.

I have a couple of sets of shutters in my home and even created a Shutter Turned Table piece that sits in my hallway. I love to place my old irons and washboard on it.

For the kitchen, glass jars, old vessels, utensils, wooden spoons and rolling pins are tell tale signs of vintage. Old China, Crystal and other disheware also bestow a look of vintage.

In the bedroom choose bedding with ruffles, quilts, lace or linen like materials. You headboard could easily bring in a vintage vibe.

Number two: Create small vignettes of similar vintage items on Tiered Trays, Wall Shelves and Fireplace Mantels.

I have a few tiered tray’s in my home and I like to style them with my vintage finds. On one of the tiered trays in my family room, I place an old cylinder, vintage frogs, old gardening tools and some vases with flowers.

Pairing similar items together on Wall Shelves, like I did in my kitchen create a sense of vintage.

Mantels are also a good place to house vintage items.

Number three: Shop Antique Stores and online stores like, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Etsy.

I like to think of what I have and how I can add to it to create more of a statement. For example, I had two very old irons from my Grandmother. Sitting alone, they didn’t say much. When I was looking at Antique Stores, I choose to search for a few more items to pair with the old irons. I discovered the Wash Board and some old Black and White prints that speak to a time long ago when Dryers were not available.

I’ve had huge success shopping Facebook Marketplace for free furniture. I picked up this old desk and after a couple of coats of paint it now functions very well in my home.

Number four: Keep your eyes open when you’re outside. Garage Sales, Estate Sales, Flea Markets and the side of the road.

Garage Sales and Flea Markets are a great place to find old stuff. If you enjoy Estate Sales and the hunt that occurs there, you can find some very nice items. I love Flea Markets and that is where I found my old vintage suitcases.

My favorite way to find old vintage items is to keep my eyes open when I’m outside. More often than not, people are trying to get rid of their junk, aka Vintage oldies. Where I live, it’s very common for people to leave items on the curb before they donate it. I have found more great finds sitting in front of someone’s house.

Number five: Repurpose old things into usable items.

If you are a Pinterest user, you can get so many ideas on how to repurpose old things into usable items. I was given an old Sewing Cabinet a couple of years back and before repurposing it I spent time searching Pinterest to determine what to do with it. The Sewing Cabinet was transformed into a Desk and sits in my bedroom as a bedside writing table.

I hope these tips have given you ideas and inspiration on how to create a vintage vibe in your home. I’d love to see your vintage style, so tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your photos.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

Do you follow my Pinterest Boards? Did you know I have a Vintage Finds Pinterest Board? Why do I ask, you might wonder?  

Followers on Pinterest are important! I not only PIN content from Create With Cynthia, but just like you, I save PINS from other bloggers to my boards. As a follower, Pinterest sends you my Pins to your home feed and you see them first. If you save one of my Pins, and then repin it, you help me spread my content to others. 

If you are a Pinterest user, then I hope that you will follow all of my Pinterest boards or the ones that interest YOU the most. If you let me know, I will then follow you in return.

The post Tips for Creating a Vintage Vibe in your Home! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

I love vintage, I love old door knobs and spindle legs. I love old suitcases and old furniture like Sewing Cabinets. I love irons and washboards and all those things that remind me of a time long ago. Vintage Typewriter Decor does just that for me. It actually reminds me of 1992.

I know that 1992 wasn’t really that long ago, but I’ve got a story about 1992 just for you!

This post is in collaboration with PhotoWall. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Have you finished your Mother’s Day shopping? It’s not to late to check out PhotoWall. PhotoWall guarantees their products will ship in 1-4 days. Use discount code createwithcynthia25 and you will receive 25% discount on any products purchased prior to June 15, 2020.

Vintage Typewriter Decor!

I remember when typewriters were the thang, do you? Yes, prior to the year 1992 typewriters were still the thang, just like landlines and voicemail machines and fax machines.

Do you remember using a typewriter? Nowadays, we are all on Laptops and iPads and Cellphones. I’m not even sure what the Ribbon Key is, do you remember?

In 1992, I graduated from College and landed my first job in the Corporate World in San Francisco, California. I was such a proud College graduate. I loved getting all corporate dressed in the morning. I’d proudly walk to the Muni Bus Stop and get on the crowded bus where we all waited for the bus to take us downtown.

I was so impressed with PhotoWall. They reached out to me to choose a product from their online store. I love vintage so I started my search there. The old typewriter canvas print jumped right out at me. It was a bit of a toss up because I was considering a canvas print of my little family of five, as well. PhotoWall allows you to provide them a photograph and they make it into a print or wallpaper…how cool is that.

But back to 1992. I was such a proud Corporate World worker bee and looking back it truly shaped the person I am today. I spent ten years, after college, living and working in the Corporate World and then I got tired of Muni Buses.

I moved south to the suburbs where the weather was warmer and the parking was easier. Buses were not as common, most just drove their car to work. Of course, we all carried laptops or iPads to and from home.

I love vintage and I’m always looking for more vintage decor. I knew my home was in need of a new Canvas Print. When I saw the Vintage Typewriter I kind of feel in love. The ordering process was so easy and my shipment arrived in 3 days.

The old typewriter canvas print sits nicely next to my desk in the Family Room. When the Canvas Print arrived, I opened the box and found instructions on how to put the item together. Putting together the item was so easy and it literally took me a few minutes. All of the hardware was included and it was super simple. I did not even need any tools to put it together.

There was even hanging hardware include in the box. On the PhotoWall website, there is a short video which explains how to put Canvas Prints together.

PhotoWall also carries a variety of Wall Paper and Prints and Posters. You can even customize with your own photographs. The possibilities are endless.

When I started my career in the corporate world 28 years ago, we used telephones with voicemail boxes attached, typewriters and scanners. Fax machines were also becoming popular, but most people did not own a fax machine in their home. Our business relied heavily on the postal service for mail. I was a Human Resources Recruiter and so we received alot of mailed resumes.

Almost 30 years later we live in a world where everything can be done from a Cell Phone, Laptop or iPad. Most don’t even go into the office on a daily basis.

Of course, with our current situation in the year 2020, we are being asked to work from home more often. I love the quote below by Nate Berkus.

I hope I’ve inspired you to decorate your home with Vintage Pieces. Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post Vintage Typewriter Decor and a Story About 1992! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

Weekly Round Up Edition #38!

Weekly Round Up Edition #38 is full of ideas and inspiration for you, Sweet Friends!

Happy Saturday and Welcome to the Weekly Round Up Edition #38! This week was full of crafting for Spring and getting ready for Mother’s Day. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy all of the Blog Posts and You Tube videos. Leave me a comment and let me know how you are doing.

Weekly Round Up!

Today I give you the full week of blog posts in one email and some tidbits on what’s happening in blogland or with my “Family of five!”

Have you subscribed to my You Tube Channel? I’ve got videos coming out each Monday and Wednesday, you can subscribe and get notified.

Saturday Edition – Weekly Round Up!

In this Saturday edition, I’ll be sharing with you the following:

Create With Cynthia “Blog Posts” for the week.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas!

I just can’t believe it’s May and Mother’s Day will be here in just a few weeks. Friends, I hope you enjoy the Mother’s Day Gift Guide that I put together. It’s my first. Your clicks and purchases are appreciated as they help support the website. You can check it out the gift guide here.

How to Create a Morning Routine during Quarantine!

My morning routine has been completely thrown off because of Sheltering in Place and Social Distancing. Has your morning been turned upside down? Here are tips on How to Create a Morning Routine during Quarantine? Check it out here.

Create With Cynthia “You Tube” for the week.

My videos this week are below. I hope you enjoyed watching.

Watch Me Wednesday Episode #4, Sheltering in Place !

Spring Pillow Stenciled!

What’s going on in Blog Land and with my Family of Five.

I’ve been working on updating my website and have added a “Shop My Home” page. I’ll hope you’ll pop on over to the “Shop My Home” page and check out what’s going on over there. Here is the link. The website is a “work in progress,” so this is just the beginning.

I also have some upcoming changes coming to the blog. If you’ve gotten this far on the post, thank you so much. I truly appreciate all of your support. I’m considering pausing my “Weekly Round Up” posts and would love your feedback. Is the Weekly Round Up a post that you’d be fine not seeing? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook as well.

Stay safe and healthy and go out there and create something.

Cynthia

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