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.

Hi there Sweet Friends, this week flew by. Thursday came and went and I never hit publish on my post. I missed y’all. But I am back today with my 5 Favorites!

I love a good upcycle and I bet you do too! Today, I’ve got 5 of my favorite upcycling, refurbishing, makeover projects that I want to show off.

5 Upcycling Projects for the Home!

I hope these projects inspire you to shop inexpensively and add some pizazz with paint and paint products and brighten up your home.

Are you ready to see 5 Upcycling Projects for the Home? Grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started.

Project #1 Old Ladder Turned Bathroom Storage

My bathroom was in need of storage. There was a spot in the bathroom that was small, and I tried a small dresser and even a shelf. I felt like I wasn’t utilizing the space to it’s fullest advantage. Of course, Pinterest inspired me to use an old ladder for storage. I picked up this old wood ladder years ago. After painting the ladder, adding a few hooks and nailing in some baskets, I had the perfect storage solution for my bathroom.

Project #2 Upcycled Wine Box into a Magazine Tray Table

Wine boxes are great to upcycle. They are made of durable wood, easily paintable and come in a variety of sizes. For this project I was looking to create a Magazine Tray Table to sit next to my sofa. This project was super simple and it is perfect for a variety of spaces in my home.

When I’m not using the Wine Box Turned Magazine Table next to my sofa, it sits by my desk and holds my favorite magazines and books.

Project #3 DIY Pet Bed

Old Drawers with some cute little legs make the perfect Pet Beds. You could also use Wine Boxes, but for the beds below I used drawers. I was struggling with my pups hanging out on the sofa and hoped their new beds would lure them off the couch.

It worked….kinda. For these beds, I personalized them with my pets names; Oreo and Sofy. Are you a pet lover?

Project #4 Floral Mirror

Do you like to bring flowers into your home? Have you thought of enhancing an old mirror with a floral transfer. Iron Orchid Designs has a nice selection of decor transfers that will enhance any mirror.

Project 5: Old Shutters Turned Shelf

I’m a little obsessed with shutters. I love all that would and there are so many different ways that you can decorate with a shutter.

For this shutter, I decided to create a table. I added a shelf, a couple of table legs and of course some paint. I think it turned out super cute. What do you think?

I hope I’ve inspired you to go and check out your local Thrift or Second Hand Store and find some items to upcycle. Just remember, someones trash is another person’s treasure.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post 5 Upcycling Projects for the Home! 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.

We are all, in some form or another, stuck in quarantine. Sweet Friends, has it changed your life??? Goodness gracious it has changed mine. Shelter in Place, Social Distance, eLearning… it’s not something I am used to. It feels like it’s Summer Vacation but I have work to complete and the kiddos are still in school.

How to Create a Morning Routine During Quarantine!

My Morning Routine has been completely thrown off by quarantine, and actually it’s not just my morning routine it’s my daily routine.

Sweet Friends, I do believe, if the morning starts off correctly, the whole day flows well. So in today’s post, I’ve got “Five Tips for a Morning Routine While in Quarantine!” These tips are guaranteed to help you have a more productive and enjoyable day.

Prior to the pandemic, the boys and I had a pretty normal morning routine. The morning routine was driven by getting to school on time. Being on time was occasionally a challenge, be we had a mission to get moving in the morning and it worked.

During the day, the boys were at school and I was either working at my desk from home on the blog or at my part time job. Working from home is something I have been used to for a long time and I always ensure I had an adequate desk space.

After school, the boys and I would come home and get into homework mode if needed. We just shared desk spaces in the afternoons. Sometimes, Luke would sit at the couch, sometimes he’d use my desk in the family room, Troy usually liked to sit at the kitchen table. There hasn’t been alot of homework up till now and so everything seemed to be okay.

About six months ago, anticipating that I was short on desk spaces (the couch really isn’t ideal), I created an additional desk space for the family, “Sewing Cabinet Turned Desk Transformation” but it landed next to my bed and was being used as a bedside table.

I even made a video on the Sewing Cabinet Turned Desk Transformation that you can watch here.

In any event it all ebbed and flowed… until 6 weeks ago. When “Shelter in Place” became the thang and my world started rocking. Or maybe I should say crumpling. I hate to be negative but it’s honestly how I felt.

How to Create a Morning Routine during Quarantine?

Let’s be real here friends, I’m usually late to figuring things out. I feel like I should have understood what eLearning meant for the boys and in our home. Honestly think I was just in denial. I never wanted to be a home schooling Mom and I never felt capable.

Last week when my back started hurting (probably because most of my computer work was done in bed,) I realized the desk spaces, or lack there of, in our home was a problem. I also realized we had no morning routine and sleeping in past 7am daily was not conducive to eLearning and having a productive day.

When I’m feeling stressed I usually start searching for my favorite writers or bloggers on You Tube and on Podcasts and on Audible and I start listening for suggestions.

Quickly I came up with a new Morning Routine and resolved the desk space issue. Six weeks in and I’m just now figuring it out, but……life is life!

I thought if perhaps your struggling with the same “Lack of a Morning Routine because of Quarantine,” these tips might be helpful.

Five Tips for a Good Morning Routine – Quarantine or not!

#1 MORNING PAGES – Morning Pages is a process where you journal first thing in the morning. First thing in the morning = before you look at your phone or computer! Morning Pages entails writing down everything on your mind. Write – don’t type – three full pages. Just get all the gunk out of your head and onto paper. I discovered this method from Amy Landino, Amy TV on You Tube.

#2 MAKE A TO-DO LIST! The Ivy Lee Method. Again, I like Amy’s suggestion on Amy TY, How I Organize My To Do List. Basically the process is that every night (before the next day) or morning, make a list of 6 things and prioritize them.

#3 DRINK A FULL GLASS OF WATER FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. I think of it like this….what’s the first thing you want in your body when you wake up in the morning?

#4 SIT AT YOUR DESK! Secure a desk space for each member of the family. I know it seems like a no-brainer but when you’ve got kiddos that need to be homeschooled they need to be taught how it works to learn from home. Not providing each member of the house a proper quiet area and desk space is just problematic. Trust me and learn from me.

#5 SET A MEAL SCHEDULE. Let’s face it, when the refrigerator is in sight, we tend to eat ALOT more. Setting a breakfast, lunch and dinner time schedule has helped. Basically, I tell the boys in the morning what and when we will be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then when I see them walk into the kitchen I remind them, “lunch is at 1pm!” It’s kindof working! LOL

Quote mentioned in Amy TV episode.

“We judge ourself by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It’s good to remember that although our children will continue eLearning through the remainder of the school year, social distancing and sheltering in place will soon be lifted.

I’m thankful I was able to create some habits for myself that will work now and into the future. I hope I have encouraged you to think about your habits as well.

Now, stay safe and healthy and go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post How to Create a Morning Routine during Quarantine! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

Fall Favorites!

In my post on Saturday, Weekly Round Edition #4, I referred you to some of “My Fall Favorites” on the web. You can check that out here.

I have been so busy with Furniture Makeovers that I have been neglecting all of the “Fall Crafts” on my project list. Last Fall, I had so much fun crafting using A Maker’s Studio products like the Chalk Art and Copper, Variegated and Silver Leaf. You can check out, one of my very first set of videos that show you how to use the Leaf, “Restoring Thrift Store Items…” There are 5 videos in the series and you can check them here and here and here and here and here.

Note aside; As I was watching this video I felt myself sinking in my seat. Were my videos really that bad when I first started?!?!!!

Fall, Fall and more Fall!

Next up, Getting Ready for Fall and Milestones!

Last week I hit a HUGE milestone in my life! I turned 50, gracious goodness. Life is so good! Honestly though, the milestone is just an example of how my life is full of learning and growing exponentially! These video’s and the quote, “Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” by Napoleon Hill, are just an example of learning and growing!

Craft Classes at Create With Cynthia!

Next up, Getting Ready for Fall with Craft Classes! Have you checked out my full calendar of craft workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can check out all of my newest craft classes, and of course Fall and A Maker’s Studio Leaf are involved.

DIY Paint

Next up, Getting Ready for Fall and DIY Paint. You all know I love using DIY Paint as it’s clay and chalk components make for a magnificent furniture makeover.

Did you hear the news that DIY Paint has recently released new paint colors and products, just in time for Fall? As always, you can shop online at CreateWithCynthiaShop.com, for all your DIY Paint and Paint Product needs.

Well Sweet Friends, may the remainder of your week be fabulous and full of creativity!

Now go out there and create something!

Cynthia

The post Getting Ready for Fall! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.