BEACHY RENTAL REFRESH

I made it home from the beach with chipped and broken nails but my spirit was still intact.  If you have been reading DI for a while then you know that we purchased this beach rental down on 30A at the peak of the market back in 2006.

Yeah.....it's definitely been a struggle but thank goodness it is finally breaking even with good rentals.  Whew.....those were some lean years for us.

I think I have mentioned before how much work it is keeping the place spiffed up as it sleeps 10 and that many people can be hard on a place.  Word of advice.....just rent.....it's much easier:)

The same furniture had been there for 11 years and lawd....it was not a pretty site.  Time for a refresh!  The last time I did one was here

I knew it was slim pickens down there for furniture shopping because everything is so expensive!  But I stumbled on a store called Stock and Trade Design Co and it was the motherload.  Reasonable prices and tons of merchandise.  

I got a sofa that was sunbrella AND slipcover. 

I purchased the coffee table and rug also.

The chair in the corner is so comfy and performance fabric also.

I have to tell you that I went in one store and asked the sales women if she had any sofa's or chairs in performance fabric and she looked at me and said "what is that"?  

Crickets......

I said you know "fabric that sings and dances"......what the heck.....are you kidding me?

We left.

Yes it drives me crazy that the sofa can't be centered under the window.....

I got that original watercolor picture a while back at a thrift store for 35.00

So this small table and chairs were purchased a few years ago from a flea market and then I stumbled across the place called Not Too Shabby  and bought this mirror!

I painted this Pottery Barn wood and glass console while I was there and I took about 5 coats and 3 full days.  Don't you hate when you start a project that you think will be so stinking easy and.....it's so not!

This piece is original [I bought when I first did the place]

I found this little occassional chair at a place called Retail Therapy.  Good deals in that place!

There are still a few things to do....but it's so clean we backed out of that place......call me done!

Got home Tuesday night and it's already Friday.  I could be a little happy about that:)

After Cami wined for 3 hours she wore herself out.  Traveling with that girl is not for sissy's.

Shaydoneforanotheryear

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IS SHABBY CHIC DEAD?

We will get to that question in a minute....

Finished cleaning the condo which was about as fun as a sharp stick in the eye. 

Everyday was a new list of things to do and replace.  

We had to interview a new cleaning service....which happens to be one of the biggest thorns in my side about rental property.  
I can't be there to personally inspect after and make sure my guest find a clean home.

  AND.... as a designer I WANT MY PILLOWS IN THE CORRECT PLACE.  

Is that too much to ask?

Apparently so.  Every time I get there it is "pillow chaos" and I get slightly annoyed.

While I was out shopping for cleaning supplies I found myself in a thrift store.....funny how that happens :) and stumbled upon a sofa that would be perfect for the condo.

The one we have is as comfortable as a bed of nails. 

Actually I found 2 that would work.

This one was in great condition....300.00.  
It was sleeper though which I have had before.   Not a fan.  Plus used mattress....yuk. 

It was a pretty good match with my pillows.

But then I saw another one that was 250.00 and on sale for......175.00!  Are you kidding me?

For real.  So I got it.

I know what you're thinking....WHITE?  
In a rental property.  
You are a crazy girl.

Yep....people have actually used that word to describe me.    
See that orange blanket on top....it can be used as a big throw.  

For that price I can get it cleaned every year.

OK....on to the reason of this post.

I walked into this store one afternoon.  Sounds like I was doing a lot of shopping huh?  
What can I say.

They had some of the prettiest painted furniture.  

Unusual pieces that in their original condition I might have looked at and thought...nah.

I love how they added a new top to this one.

I was very impressed with his work.

You know what I love....a modern room with one cool painted shabby piece in it.

Or maybe just bleach it and paint the hardware?

 Make a new top for a nice iron base.  
I need somebody to do stuff like this.

So the answer to the question is no.

Any ONE of those pieces could fit in a room like this......just one to stand out..."capish"?

Of course I got all inspired and wanted to paint something but then I got back and had one of these....

Which is pretty refreshing after a hard day of cleaning shopping.                                             And all gumption flew out the window.

We drove home yesterday and while I was looking at magazines, not paying attention, I heard my husband say these words...."I think I made a wrong turn because this does not look familiar".  

WHAT?

As my head snaped up. 

 Yup....it was true and it took us an hour longer.  So I had to drop the magazine reading and pay attention.  Another thing is that my husband gets sleepy the minute he gets behind the wheel.

He starts yawning every five minutes [big noisy ones] unless I entertain him by looking up strange things like why walrus have grizzly whiskers...

Guess what?

I am participating in the One Room Challenge again!

It starts this Wednesday and you can go here to find out how to link up! 

Linda from Calling It Home has rounded up a very talented group.....like how I included myself in that :)......to complete this challenge and I can't wait.

Better check in on Wednesday to see what is happening.

Sunday....Monday....yep.  You better enjoy every second of this day.

Sherikyfreaky

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