“Hi.  My name is Stacy and I’m calling about the sofa you have posted on Craigslist. $30. Sure. I’ll take it.”

She had no nasty smells and more importantly, she had great bones.

Now it seems crazy.  Now, after the work is done, I can honestly say I’m not sure I’d do it again.

These old pieces are built to last & the upholstery was original which meant hours and hours of tack removal.  It was after my hands were sore and wrecked that I began to really doubt my decision to restore this 7′ beast.  However, fabric and supplies were ordered and it was going to be the centerpiece in the living room of our new home.

It’s when I’m overwhelmed that I do my very best procrastinating.  I’ve been overwhelmed a lot lately.  The sofa was now naked, down to her strong bones but she sat for quite a long time while I mustered up the drive to get started with phase two:  the rebuilding of the inner stuffing, cutting the foam cushions and constructing the addition of a chaise section and frame. Then she sat a while longer.

With our new home construction cruising along, I knew I needed to get this project moving as well.  As I worked, I became more confident in my plan and skills.  Upholstery isn’t hard.  It’s time consuming but not hard.  From my experience, a project like this needs to be taken one step at a time, finding solutions as you go.  I guess that’s true in life.

The project was much more time consuming than I bargained for but now that it’s done, I’m thrilled with the final result.

Time for movies, popcorn and a few Coronas.

We hope you were all feelin’ the love this week.

Thanks for your visit.  Find our full selection of vintage SCOUTS in our ETSY shop.

image via byfryd

Happy New Year!

found @ PrettyGirlDesigns

On our recent trip to Chicago, we were commissioned by Lauren to make her sweet son, Henry, a new toy box.  She was wanting something vintage in look that would work for toys, books, stuffed animals or art supplies.  We had her in mind as we set out on our afternoon scout in Andersonville.  When we came across this sweet white washed vintage crate, we knew it was perfect for little Henry’s toys.

After a good sanding to break down any sharp edges & some cleaning, we added casters,

a little { h } monogram & two coats of matte poly.

If you’d like a similar custom toy crate for your sweet little bug, just give us a shout.

This beautiful handmade afghan left our sugarSCOUT shoppe and landed in a family photo shoot

with Kara and her sweet darlings.Aren’t they yummy?

Find more sweet images by Becky at b2 photography

This beauty was scouted on our summer sugarSCOUT trip to Chicago.  Although he certainly needed work, he was handsome as is.  Our sweet client, Asia, wanted to bring him from good to gorgeous.  

She chose a great charcoal, textured fabric & let us work our majik.  The wood certainly needed some attention and after a good sanding, medium brown stain and three coats of satin poly, he was ready for his new suit.  

As we all work to build those holiday shopping lists, there’s no doubt we are also looking for ways to save.  Stop by the sugarSCOUT Etsy shoppe,  browse our 400+ inventory items & make this a handmade and vintage holiday season.  Because you’re so sweet, we’d also like to offer you 20% off your purchase.  Simply apply code: SSHOLIDAY20 at checkout to apply your discount.

In the event you’re also looking for some photo card inspiration…here are a few ideas

photos courtesy of smosh & alltop

We love old furniture…the kind with great lines & epic patina from years of use.  You know, those pieces that look like they’ve been forgotten about for the last 7 decades?

There have been times we’ve admired the patina on a piece and have said, “You just can’t make that up.”  Now we’re not so sure.

Introducing…..MILK PAINT!

Milk paint has been around for hundreds of years…since cave times really.  However, Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, is working to bring milk paint to the masses with her custom line of the powdery goodness.

We’re always up for the challenge of trying something new & decided to order 4 boxes.  

With Boxwood, Ironstone, Mustard Seed Yellow & Kitchen Scale in hand, it was just a matter of getting started.  We’ve had a small buffet style piece sitting around waiting for a little lovin’ & decided to give her a sunny, sugarSCOUT style {i call a  do-over}.  It was easy to see early on that milk paint has a mind of its own and tends to decide if it “likes a piece” or not.  Well, it clearly didn’t like our little buffet cutie, as the paint began to bubble right away.

DISCLAIMER: If you have any control issues with needing to know the final outcome of your project, milk paint is not for you.  However, we loved it & found fun in discovering how the paint would act.  Here is a little sneak peek.  Once she’s complete with a wax finish and new hardware, we’ll post some cuter staged up photos.

Go get your milk paint on & order a box or two here.

These two were in major need of a little lovin’ but we knew they had some serious potential. The retro styling and swivel mechanism were tough to appreciate given their condition.  However, we worked our majik & think they’ve gone from putrid to perfect.  You decide.

Now these sisters are not only sexy, but super comfy.  New seat foam and soft grey cotton velvet makes for one…oops, two sweet seats.  Book it….find them, sold as a pair, in the sugarSCOUT shoppe.

It’s been a fun, busy and challenging few weeks at sugarSCOUT.  We’re feeling very blessed.

Stay tuned for a few snapshots from our trip to JunkBonanza.  We plan on highlighting the HITS & MISSES of the show for you this week.