Okio B Designs

I know autumn doesn't officially start until later this month, but it's been beautifully brisk here the last few days and that has me in an autumn state-of-mind.

So, of course, once my boys went back to school, I started working on some autumn-inspired projects. First up was this tarnished metal cake stand from our local thrift store. All it needed was a few coats of orange spray paint, Dollar Store pumpkins and some Scrabble letters.

This corner of my kitchen is one of my favorites. I love playing off the white/off-white palette. The ceramic cup is from World Market and is displaying a bunch of my French script candles, while the ceramic pumpkin was a Home Goods find. It's filled with scented mini pumpkins.

Another old scale in the kitchen that I dressed up for autumn.

I filled some "apothecary jars" with more mini pumpkins and potpurri, and some faux cotton branches from Hobby Lobby. I made the "jars" using glass candleholders and vases fom the Dollar Store. I used the same technique I used when I made a redneck wine glass a few years ago: simply use some E6000 glue and glue the vase to the top of the candleholder. Super easy!

My front porch is still a work in progress, but here's where I am so far. I have big plans for this piece for Halloween, but I'm trying not to get ahead of myself.

How are you decorating for autumn?

Jeanine

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This is not one of my boys' favorite vignettes of mine.

School starts here in 2 weeks and they are not amused by how I dressed up my little vintage desk.

I, on the other hand, think it's adorable. I used a vintage Thermos, microscope, Scrabble letters and message board to "celebrate" the upcoming school year.

Sorry boys!

Jeanine

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Why yes, I have started some Halloween projects. If you've been following me for a while, you probably know that Halloween is my favorite "holiday." And it seems every August, I start to get the itch to create some creepy decor.

This tray was actually inspired by one I saw on Pinterest and was super easy to make. First, I grabbed the metal tray from our local thrift store. Next, I gave it a few coats of black spray paint - front and back. I knew I wanted to use this great vintage skull image (from The Graphics Fairy), but I felt it was missing a little something.

Since I didn't have any scrapbook paper - which the original pinner used for hers, I simply printed the skull onto some aged French script paper. I used Mod Podge to glue it to the front of the tray. I gave it another coat to seal it in.

I'm debating on whether or not to add some Scrabble letters or other creepy touches or just leave it as is. Luckily, I have almost 2 months to figure that out!

Jeanine

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It was chilly and rainy here yesterday. Yes, in July! Since we were trapped in the house most of the day, I took advantage of the down time to make a new set of lavender jars.

I made some a few months ago and they are sitting on my kitchen window ledge. This time I used some aged-looking French script paper.

I ripped the pieces to make the paper look older and used some Distressed Ink on the edges. I finished up by tying on some twine and filling the jars with lavender. They smell so good!

When the sun finally came out, I was able to take some pics on items headed to my vintage Etsy shop - like these rusty old mattress springs.

And these Christmas tree tins.

And this vintage children's book.

You can visit my vintage shop here. In the meantime, I've got some Halloween projects in the works. Stay tuned!

Jeanine

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I scored this little plant table at a garage sale a couple of weeks ago. It was $3.

I finally got around to painting it this week. It was a bit hit and miss. I painted it white. Then I tried the Mod Podge method to add a French graphic. Fail - I peeled it right off. Then I tried to do a farmhouse stripe design. Fail - I smudged the paint. Sooooo....

I went with a simple black chalk paint top. And you know what? I actually like it. A lot.

Jeanine

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I spied this cabinet on the curb back in April. Yes, April.

It sat and sat and sat in our garage. I was waiting on the weather and going back and forth on what color to paint it. Finally, I decided on gray, and this past weekend - with a little help from the hubby - I finally gave it the makeover I had been envisioning.

The girlfriend who helped load it in the car could not believe it was the same cabinet. I have to say I'm pretty pleased with it myself.

It took several coats (and cans!) of Krylon's Granite spray paint. Again, my hubby assisted quite a bit with the spraying.

The finishing touch was the Milk & Cream Co., which I stenciled on using black paint. The stencil is from the Knick of Time Etsy shop. I bought the stencil specifically for this project, although I have used it on tea towels as well.

Again, super happy with how this piece turned out. I was intimidated at first, but as I admire it on the porch, I know I chose the right color and stencil design.

Jeanine