Your questions answered

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I've been getting a lot of questions left in my comments lately and most of the time I can't respond back because there was no email address left. So, I decided to open this post up to answer any of your questions. If you leave a question here I'll update this post and add it to the bottom.

Here are some of the questions I've received lately:

What is the pattern of the dishes in your hutch? I not sure if it was the pattern above someone was referring to...these are made by Johnson Brothers but there isn't a pattern name on the back. I bought these at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Every time I go in to one of these stores I buy one or two dishes to add to mine. I almost have a full set now. I also have similar ones made called Finlandia. You can find those here. This is a really popular pattern and made by other manufactures also. I have a really old one hanging in my bedroom but I can't read the name on the back. Thank you Laurie Anne - She left a comment that the Johnson Brothers pattern is called Blue Denmark. You can find it here (although it's a lot cheaper at Marshalls!)

Where did you move your birdhouse table when you got your new hutch? It's back under my staircase on the other side of the room, like in the old photo below. The table I had there is now in my daughter's room for her to use as a vanity.

What color did you paint your armoire and hutch? Both are painted with Behr paint and the color is called Polar Bear. It's a really white color but the paste wax I use on top of it adds a bit more yellow (see question below for more info on this)

How do you paint your furniture? There is a link on my sidebar, click on the photo and it will take you to the steps I use to paint my furniture.

Where do you get lavender water and how do you use it to iron? I buy my lavender water at Marshalls. I just lightly spray it on whatever I'm ironing and then iron. I also spray it on my sheets. I tried to find some online in case you don't have a Marshalls near you but WOW they are all so expensive. I only pay about $5.99 for mine. I think TJ Maxx also carries it.

Did you paint the hardware on your hutch or replace it? I painted it white. I also painted the hardware on my bedroom set. On the armoire, I replaced it.

You told us what you had to give for the china cabinet. Did you say what you "stole" the armoire for? It was $250...a little more than I wanted to spend but it is really good quality.

Where did you get the applique you added to the armoire? There are many places to buy these online. I got mine from DoItYourselfChic.com

Where do you paint your furniture if you live in an apartment? I paint it out by my carport which is one of the reasons I get my projects done so quickly because I can't really leave my furniture sitting out there. I'm sure my neighbors don't want to look at my old half-finished projects. I think they must say, there she is...painting something white again!

I sent you an email but you didn't respond, why? I really try to respond to every email I receive but some end up in my SPAM box with about a million real spam messages I get everyday. I check there about once a week but there are so many I may have overlooked some real emails. If I don't get back to you, please send another email if you like. I don't usually respond to comments on my blog. I really planned to be better with that this year but I just can't seem to find enough time! I read and cherish every single comment made!

How do you find such good stuff on Craigslist and in thrift stores? I live in Silicon Valley. Most people here are into the latest and greatest and keeping up with the Jones. They get rid of their stuff so they can get newer stuff. I like the old stuff!

How do you get so much done...don't you sleep? Sometimes I don't sleep. I woke up at 2:00 AM and started this post and now it's almost 4:00 AM...I better get some more sleep!

I hope I answered all the questions I've been receiving. If you have another question please leave a comment and check back I'll answer those below:

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Updated with new questions:  

How long have you been shabby chicing or whatever you call this style and to someone like me just starting out where do I start?  I've always loved country style decorating but it's evolved over the decades for me.  Around the early 90s I switched to blue and white from hunter green. My advice for someone just starting out is to get ideas from magazines or blogs and see what you like.  Also, I would pick a color scheme you like (blue & white, pink & white, pink & green, etc.)  Little by little start collecting things for your home that fit with your style and color scheme.  Buy the best you can afford and only things you love!  Over time, you will be surprised how much you have collected.  This is the way I've done it.  It's taken me many years but now I cherish all the things I have and they have special memories attached to them.  Most of my rooms in my home are blue and white which makes it easy to move things around from room to room.   

How did you start & what first inspired you to start - did you see a magazine or someone's house or shop?  I've always been inspired by magazines.  I read Romantic Homes and Victoria from the beginning when they were first published.  Victoria always had a blue and white issue and that is what really inspired me to decorate with blue and white.  

What flea markets do you frequent?  I go to the DeAnza College flea market in Cupertino.  It's the first Saturday of every month.  It used to be a lot better but you can still find some nice things there.