Wine Barrel Table

"Come quickly! I am tasting stars!" -Don Perignon (1638-1714) at his first sip of champagne.

(I know this is about wine barrels not champagne, but I just love that quote.)

I am so sorry I have been out of commission for a while. I was in the process of a huge move, had family in from out of the country, and then, broke my computer. I am finally getting situated and am madly getting my apartment ready. The apartment is old, and the kitchen is pretty dated, however, I am having a grand ol' time making it mine. 

Now,  I am going to discuss this incredible wine barrel that I found today. I was visiting my best friend in Napa and got a fabulous large wine barrel for a great price! I decided I could use it as an extra surface next to my wine bar for appetizers when I entertain or, to hold wine bottles. Wine barrels are fantastic as a bistro table, or two put together with a board to make a bar. When they are cut in half they make wonderful coffee and side tables, just put a piece of glass on top and voila! You've got a unique looking piece. They also make beautiful  ice buckets and planters for flowers or herbs.  But beware, if you fill them with ice or dirt they can leak. That would be for outdoor use only.  I know you all have seen the wine bar a few times before, but I thought the barrel looked nice next to it!

I love the stamped label and numbers on the barrel.

The red wine stains give it so much character, and I love the giant nail heads.
I switched things around a bit below because I'm crazy like that....

From Blah to a Beautiful Bar

See the updated beverage bar here.

My girlfriend was recently getting rid of a table and was kind enough to give it to me!  I just LOVE free!!  Since I entertain a lot I decided I wanted to create a beverage bar.  I want to be able to reuse it as an island  if I need to in the future so, I kept it pretty simple.  I still need to add a bottle opener to it and am thinking about adding some awesome antique metal wheels.

I decided to paint it with a beautiful white spray paint called Heirloom White.  It actually matches my FREE kitchen table perfectly!  I roughed up the edges with sandpaper to antique it and added crystal knobs.  The larger knobs look much better and add some glam to it.  I topped it with my cafe chalkboard and all the necessities for a fabulous evening ;)  I added straws, limes, a ton of mason jars for cocktails, wine, cork storage, ice scoops, my chalkboard ice and beverage bucket etc.  This can be used as an Italian soda bar, or a coffee bar.  I am sure I will use it for all of the above.

Before

After

 Here are the roughed up edges

 I got this awesome victorian looking hand clip and clipped a towel on it to help with spills.

I think I'm gonna have to sit and enjoy a glass of wine :)

Woodland Treasure Hunt

I went on a treasure hunt today while visiting my parent's cabin and found some unique and beautiful pieces.  I am so excited to use them in my home! It was also fun staging them.

Vintage Looking Wooden Finials

My personal favorite...set of three very old chippy wooden Croquet Mallets

 Old Vintage Bottles

Wrought Iron Potting Tools and Rack

 Large Metal Squirrel and Acorn Bowl

 Bird Rack (perfect for herbs, keys, teacups, hats etc.)

 Decorative bird

Chalkboard Ice bucket!

OK, so I found these awesome handyman's buckets from the local hardware store and fell in love! They definitely have a vintage industrial look to them.They have several sizes, even one that looked like the size of a wine bucket. I decided to paint chalkboard paint on the side to label whatever may be in the bucket ie: drinks, flowers, laundry, magazines, glasses, dried lavender etc. I washed the outside of the bucket off and painted 3 coats of chalkboard paint on. I personally like the uneven imperfect look but you could tape yours off if you wanted yours to be perfect. Let it dry completely and voila! You have a fabulous chalkboard bucket!  They are perfect for weddings, events, BBQ, gifts, anything!

 Did I mention I love beautiful water bottles!?

Linking up to:

  

Burlap Prints

I am so excited about these burlap Prints I've made! Here are some that I have done :) For a tutorial on how to make this yourself click here!

VINTAGE PRINTS

 FRENCH LABELS

ITALIAN LABEL

FRENCH SEASCAPE

 BABY SILHUOETTE

FOOD IMAGES

PEACOCK

HOME SIGNS and MONOGRAMS

The beautiful vintage graphics are courtesy of Karen, The Graphics Fairy.