Tag Archive | "Salvage"
Picking Their Way Across Canada
Last fall, History Television invited me to a Leslieville junk store where they were shooting an episode of a new series called Canadian Pickers, debuting next Tuesday (April 12 at 10 pm EST). At that time I'd never seen American Pickers, which has since grown into a monster hit for the network. Judging by the half-an-hour I spent with Sheldon and Scott in Toronto, I'd say they have a pretty fair chance of holding their own against their US forerunners. Sheldon had me in stitches telling a story about how Scott scored a Steiff lion at a yard sale by parking so close to a fence that his mother couldn’t get out of the car and beat him to it (he claims it wasn’t intentional).
Full post and comments...Does Howard Really Restore A Finish?
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I've heard about Howard Restor-A-Finish but never actually used it until this past weekend when I helped my friend Ingrid breathe some new life into a couple of tired antiques. The product isn't widely available in Canada but Toronto's Queen West Antique Centre (1605 Queen Street West, 416.588.2212) stocks the full range of shades from light pine-maple to dark oak and ebony. Howard's slogan is "Restore it, Don't Strip it!" and I have to say I was very impressed with the product up to a point. The rub-on, wipe-off liquid was fantastically good at hiding minor dings and scratches and even removed old paint smudges with the help of some super-fine steel wool.
Full post and comments...Dumpster Diving Pays Off
Monday, November 1, 2010
I had to do some pretty fancy gymnastics to fish this lamp out of the garbage on Saturday. I was thwarted by a fence protecting the trash, so I went home and got a coat hanger that allowed me to reach over and pull it out with the hook. The lamp is in nearly perfect condition with a speckled white and grey texture on the lower half. I had a small dinner party that evening where we discussed my fabulous find and what size and shape of shade would be right for the lamp. No one suggested anything like what I found yesterday while walking Judy -- I am not making this up, I swear! There in the middle of a gravel car pad outside my building was this made-to-measure, lined silk shade, cast off and left for dead. Coincidence? I think not.
Full post and comments...My Kelly Wearstler Moment
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
LA-based interior designer Kelly Wearstler set off an avalanche of criticism when she unveiled her new direction in an October 2008 Domino cover story. The blogosphere was apopletic over her sudden style shift toward chunky 1970s and '80s furnishings and I admit I added my voice to the chorus. But as I've seen more and more of this new Wearstler work published, I've warmed to the vibe, if only because it stands in such refreshing contrast to the overdose of mid-century modern evident practically everywhere else.
Full post and comments...Wood Refinishing 101: Start Small
Monday, September 21, 2009
What I know about woodworking is enough to fill a single blog post, this one. I'm as rank an amateur and you'll find. But that didn't stop me from trying to rehabilitate this teak bar cart which looks incredible now, thanks to a really good sanding and a rub-down with my new favorite product, polymerized tung oil.
Full post and comments...
- Love It or List It: Advantage Hilary (110)
- Decorator Nightmare (49)
- Comments: No Registration Required (43)
- All Blogged Out (43)
- Lamp Rehab: Before OR After? (39)
- Strip Brass With Oven Cleaner (32)
- With a Little Help From My Friends (28)
- Making Sense of HomeSense (26)
- High Contrast (26)
- Real Style on a Real Budget (24)
- Of Bugs and Butterflies
- Anatomy of a Great Garage Sale
- Philippines Via Dundas West
- Picasso Via Homesense
- 2nd Annual styleNorth Garage Sale May 19
- Shade Parade
- Madame? Or Madame’s Designer?
- Take This Sofa: Best of CL Toronto
- Spring Tulips
- Return to Matchy Matchy
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
5 Comments