X-ceptional Makeover

I've been a little under the weather this week . . . think our whole family has a low-grade virus. Anyway, I just wanted to check in and share a great X bench makeover I ran across recently in the blog world. I "blog-met" sweet Hilary from Mrs. Dow-Ward's Neighborhood when she left a comment asking about some items in my antique booth. After further emailing, I realized she also works at Worlds Away and is the person responsible for their blog. So, of course she has fabulous taste! Without further ado, here is her X bench makeover . . .

First, she purchased this X bench from Target . . . I didn't even know they carried these. You can find them online for $79.99, plus free shipping. Not super cheap but compared to other X benches, not bad either. 

Then, she tried her hand at recovering it in a cotton canvas.

She felt it was just "okay" and might be lacking something. So, then she turned it over to the artisan at Worlds Away (a nice perk of working there) and voila . . . 

Doesn't it look fabulous?! I didn't get all the details but it looks like the base has been gold leafed (or painted with gold leaf paint, at least) and possibly rubbed for an aged finish. Not to be left out, the top got a sumptuous chocolate velvet makeover as well.  Yum.

Hilary now loves the way it fits in with the rest of her furniture and decor. Check out that chair, by the way. I would die for that. The stool definitely looks like something right out of Worlds Away and is somewhat similar to the St. Regis stool from Amy Howard:

You must check out Hilary's blog if you haven't . . . she's got really great style!

X Marks the Spot

First of all, I had a post about my need for X benches pretty much written in my mind and planned on putting it together this morning. Of course, I got distracted because my mother was still visiting and my kids are out of school for President's Day. So, I go about my day doing stuff around the house, hosting a play date, the usual. In between, I sneak a few blog reads when I see this . . .

My blog friend Bri over at Me, You and a Wiener found these X benches here in Nashville! I've been lusting after X benches for a while but actually started searching the internet in earnest for some over the weekend. So, where and when did she find these? On Craigslist. On Saturday. The same time and place I was looking, but she has got mad Craig skills. The benches are now hers. Finders keepers. I'm not bitter, just very jealous. She is aware of this.

I found these on eBay for $400 but someone purchased them for $600 at the "Buy It Now" price. Not that I wanted to pay that amount anyway. But these actually looked decent and I liked the coral velvet upholstery. Sigh.

Let's look at some fabulous examples of the elusive X bench I seek . . . 

Angie Hranwosky does not mess around. Love this little number.

 Elizabeth Bauer via So Haute Style

Meg Braff

Jonathan Adler, of course. And I know that I could buy a brand spanking new Jonathan Adler X benches for a mere $476 each (they're currently on sale!), but I'd rather not pay $1,000 for two.

Of course, there are always the ones at Ballard Designs.

But I would probably want to provide my own fabric which ups the price a bit up into the $250 - 300 (at least) each. Still a bit pricey.

So, where do I want to put these X benches? In my family room/living room/whatever you want to call it. Specifically, in that blank, empty, barren space between the coffee table and fireplace. I feel there's a void. My husband thinks it will be too cluttered. What? Too much furniture? Never. You can't really put anything big there and it is kind of a pass-through to get to the sliding glass doors (which will soon be replaced with French doors, both fingers crossed). And don't mind that random table to the right beside the sidelight window. I was moving furniture.

I know I need drapery, but I was waiting for new doors before I tackled the window treatment around them. Can't put the cart before the horse, right? Also, I realize there are people out there who hate TVs over fireplaces, but there seriously is not much of a choice with this layout. Once again, crazy builder.  Anyway, back to the space. Am I the only person who is bothered by the emptiness? By the lonely void in front of the fireplace?

See that brass coffee table? It's new. Craigslist. Who found it? Bri . . . I'm telling you, she's the queen of Craig. Stay tuned for a future possible collaboration between the two of us.

Forgive the lack of styling. I just got it on Friday.

Another option? Pushing the X benches under my sofa table/console. Of course, my table's a little small. Might need to find a different one. Maybe I should put Bri on the case.

So, what do you think? Could X benches solve my decorating dilemma? Or should I leave well enough alone?

Sources: Me, You and a Wiener, eBay, Angie Hranowsky, So Haute Style, Meg Braff, Jonathan Adler, Ballard Designs

Monday, Shmonday

Today was one of those days. Monday, Monday . . . can't trust that day. It was a string of unpleasant occurrences . . . I awoke with my head hurting, discovered the dog had peed on the rug again (see below) and then received some disappointing news (nothing earth-shattering, but still). Later in the day, the washing machine started leaking and the cat puked on our bedroom carpet. Seriously.

Exhibit A (can't see the discoloration? I can)

In the grand scheme of things, I realize these are just minor hiccups, but overall I'd categorize this day as less than stellar. Not horrible . . . just not great fun.

But then something miraculous happened. I got over it. Something simple changed my mood. Sometimes, thank goodness, that's all it takes. Was it chocolate? Or a new piece of furniture (an X bench, maybe)?

Ballard Designs

Nope. It was my 4-year-old son playing his Nintendo DSI so intently that he developed an inadvertent kicking motion with his left foot nearly clocking me in the face as I sat next to him. For some reason, my husband and I found this hilarious. Then he proceeded to coach his father -- in an uber-serious manner -- on how to properly play his Super Mario Brothers game (as if my husband had never played a video game before in his life . . . ha!). It was hilarious and sweet and adorable . . . kind of one of those "you had to be there moments." Which is exactly why it was so great.

Leave it to a 4-year-old to put the whole day into perspective. Now, where's my Spot Shot?