A Perfect Fit!

A post from Kelli–

When I decided that I wanted to do a few cosmetic upgrades to my home this summer, I knew that I would be slightly limited.  Because we currently rent, I knew that ripping out a wall or painting the wall a nice red would be out of the question.  I decided that I would try to find a smaller piece that I could place in the kitchen to add some extra storage and to display the cookie jars that I have been collecting.  With Puppycat also being a trash digger, I was also open to moving the trash can into the back staircase that leads to the basement that I refuse to enter.

When I mentioned this to mom, she told me that she had the perfect thing.  She dug out this wonderful little shelf.  At first, I didn’t know for sure if it would work because it was a bit smaller than what I was looking for, but she told me that I could chalk paint it and if I didn’t like it or it didn’t fit perfectly, we could sell it.  I got to chalk painting it and noticed that it had some cute little quirks.  The scalloped edge on the top was a bit uneven and the stain that was previously applied wasn’t the best.  The further I got into the painting process, the more I was hoping that it would fit as I was really starting to like it!

Here it is in my kitchen.  Amazingly, it fits perfectly over the vent–Something I didn’t plan at all.  It also works perfectly to hold cookbooks and the cookie jars that I have been collecting.

Remember I said the scalloping isn’t quite perfect?  Here’s a quick picture to show you.  I am assuming that this shelf was probably a product of a high school shop class or 4-H project and was more carved out that cut out.  I absolutely love it!  I love hand made!! It’s little things like this that give a bit of personality that cannot be matched by store-bought furniture.  I’ll definitely be keeping this piece for a long time!

For those of you wondering this was chalk painted with Annie Sloan’s Emperor’s Silk with two coats, light waxed and then lots of dark wax.