Summer Entertaining

Summer creates a change of pace.  We work less, relax more and certainly entertain A LOT. Nothing brings people together more than a family beach house.  When I think of summer I imagine a bushel of crabs in the backyard, a big bowl of fruit salad and endless amounts of food from kabobs to quinoa salad provided by mom.  Let's not forget Brownie Sundays.  Obviously we stuff ourselves only to leave enough room to fit some more. Thank you metabolism. 

So at the start of each summer our bay front household undergoes a seasonal spruce up.  The weather and salty sea air is hard on everything, especially outdoor furniture.  This means that every year there is painting to be done.  Below is a photo of a patio table that was just refinished.  Originally purchased at Pottery Barn, the table was a mosaic of a Lobster.  We don't eat much Lobster in Ocean City, MD.  A Blue Crab seemed a little more fitting.  This table will host endless amounts of dishes all summer long.  Family and friends will fill their plates on the patio and head down to the yard to enjoy.

Another tip for summer entertaining at the beach: Lighten the load with your serve ware.  When transporting from inside to out, you want your plates and dishes to be light and sturdy.  Being mermaids, we like to stick to the nautical/beach theme.  Find something that is somewhat common and easy to mix with other dishes. Below are a few nautical examples I have been coveting. Number 1 is a tasting dish from FURBISH STUDIO for only $5.00.  Number 2 is a seascape plate set (4 included) from World Market for $15.96.  Good Prices and totally inline with the Eastern Shore theme for summer. 

One last must have for summer dinning and entertaining is an outdoor rug, but you knew this.  World Market once again has AMAZING prices on outdoor decor.  I am absolutely in love with their 4'x6' Blue Shell Seascape Rio Floor Mat 

This rug has a similar texture and color scheme to the one we have placed with our Blue Crab table.  Which, I am sorry is not for sale.  If your like the idea of painting some kind of image on a table, give it a try.  Or we could, we love doing it.  Below is a mermaid I painted on our picnic table a couple of years ago:

What should we paint on the picnic table this year? Post below!

DIY BAR: I was "Crafty" before it was cool

In the age of  DIY I find it hard to show off a new finished product without someone saying "I saw that on Pinterest".  Don't get me wrong.  I love Pinterest for inspiration and ideas, but some of the messages that site sends just straight irritate me (shout out to Ashleigh Hilker).  There is 5 minute six pack abs, low calorie desserts and DIY furniture that costs more to make than it would to purchase new.  Oh if it only took 5 minutes to have six pack abs.  I'm sorry, but low calorie dessert does not taste like the real thing and if DIY furniture was easy, we would all furnish our homes with refurbished garbage.

Lucky for me I was Crafty before it was cool.  This means I know that not every project turns out the way you hope.  I would say 1/3 of my attempts are flops, but that is just part of the DIY game.  You have to just take a step back and try and different approach. 

Since moving into my new Reston apartment I have been doing some crafting myself.  Our most proud DIY project is home bar.  Props to the man Finch Eric(a) my dad.  He pretty much came up simplest way to get a sturdy bottom shelf up with as little work as possible. All it took was a trip to home depot, a drill and stud finder.

We decided to make a bar because we had this awkward little area in our hallway that was designed as a computer area. With some idea's from Dana and some Pinterest inspiration we built the beaut last weekend.  While we have not been mixing drinks every night, or any night this week, I am so excited to entertain for the first time tomorrow!

So here is what we used to create our bar:

•  A Dresser from The Pink Finch of course
• Home made canvas: "Brunch without booze is just a sad late breakfast"
• One Floating Shelf and One 48 inch Board with shelf hangers from Home Depot
• Wine Glass Holder from The Container Store
• Antique Wine Bottle Holder
• We decorated the bar with previously owned items and added some color with accessories from Home Goods.

This project worked because we did not model it off of some tiny url picture we found online, we worked with what we had and kept it simple.  My advice when starting a DIY project is to roll with the punches.  If your original concept is no longer plausible, switch gears. Always get input from others, it helps to have a second set of eyes.

Even though this was a DIY success I wan to thank Pinterest for the unrealistic expectations it creates! Feel free to post your Pinterest Fails below :0)

Mirror Mirror

Currently I am in the process of moving.  By process I mean that I have packed five boxes and barely put a dent in the copious amount of "STUFF" I own.  It's tedious and stressful and I would not be able to do it without my Mom (the crafty lady behind the Finch).  She is a superhuman when it comes to packing, moving, unpacking and staging a home.  I think I would be in a sea of panic laying on the couch with a bottle of wine come Sunday if I did not have her help to look forward to.  When I move in I need to unpack and set up immediately.  If my house is a mess, I am a mess.  I get it from ma mama. 

When I was at my parent's house this past Sunday I was noticing just how many mirrors my mom has throughout the house.  I would say there is AT LEAST one in every room.  I love that. My current apartment is a little sad when it comes to our mirror to room ratio, I want to make a point to add more reflection to our new place.  It has high vaulted ceilings and arched windows so it will be much brighter than my current apartment which has a dungeon of a living space. 

Here is a new Mirror at The Pink Finch Shop that I covet: 

 I love the distressed look.  It looks good as old :)

The majority of the furniture in my current apartment are Finch finds. Luckily if my furniture pieces don't fit in the space, I can always swap for something a little more feng shui.  Perks.  If my place doesn't look to impoverish when we are finished decorating, I will gladly post some pictures of my furniture throughout our spankin' new apartment.  

Wired: Gnarly's Rings

Yes, we are now selling hand made jewelry. 

Our shop is a home decor and furnishings shop, but lucky for us Karly is now selling her one of a kind pieces on our Etsy site.  Currently she has only rings for sale, but keep your eyes peeled for charm necklaces, bracelets and earrings as well. 

The inspiration for the jewelry is the sea. I would describe it as beachy or bohemian. Karly has been making and selling her Jewelry at Quiet Storm Surf Shop (the uptown store) in Ocean City since last summer.  You can look for more of her pieces there come June. 

Rings range between $10-$20 with free local delivery

If you would like a custom ring with your preferred color scheme you can contact Karly Siegel

To know more about the jewelry maker see her style blog BEWILDERMISS.

Throwback Thursday

We found a throwback fitting since Dana is abroad and the finch workshop is closed for the week. 

The Green Antiqued Desk is still available for $280 with free local delivery. 

The Vintage Milk Box is going for $30 also including free local delivery. 

Just visit our Etsy to purchase.  If you want to inquire about custom refinishes or a particular style or color you have been looking for, give us a shout via EMAIL

Spring Cleaning

Up-Cycled Piano Bench

While running last weekend I watched the majority of my neighbors begin their spring yard work: weeding, mulching and planting.  While we are all excited to get outside on those first warm spring days, we are also avoiding what lurks inside. 

Luckily spring cleaning is not all about "cleaning".  Once the rubber gloves come off, it is time to get organized.  I love purging in the spring.  I always seem to get rid of clothes, old documents, receipts, etc.  So why not spring clean your decor? 

How long have you held onto a decor item or furniture piece, even though it no long fits your style?  For example: Say you have a great, well built mirror that has been hanging on your wall for years.  It's oak, boring and you want to replace it.  Instead of replacing it, why not refurbish it.  The spring can be a great time for projects, but you have to be careful you do not end up hoarding old items with the intent to facelift.  So keep your project list realistic and sell or donate everything else you no longer need.  Craigslist has a great free section if you want to de-clutter fast. 

Another option: you can contact us at The Pink Finch.  We would be happy to pick up your item and deliver it after we apply our magic. 

Above is a photo of a piano bench we bought and refinished by using green paint, a blue wash and some decorative stencils.  By refinishing this item, this piano bench can now be seating and storage in any room, now lets see what kind of items you can up-cycle. 

Secret Storage

Details

Ecru End Table

If you're looking for side or end table for your space, you may have just found the perfect functional and aesthetic piece.  I often choose a neutral color and simple design when it comes to my side table and dress it up with my nick knacks and a decorative lamp.  My end tables need to be functional.  After all, I do store all my important bed/chair side supplies inside.  Whether you use the lower shelf of the table to stack bedside books or a wire basket full of yarn, this piece is flexible and could change its function over the years.

 A good drawer is so important for us girls.  We need a place a designated spot for our chap stick, nail file and journal to fulfill our nightly routine...okay that might just be me.  However, my point is, you can make it your own.

If you currently own a functional furniture piece that does not do the job from a design aspect, shoot us an e-mail.  Specify what color, finish and hardware you desire and we will customize it to your home and tastes. 

Visit our Etsy Shop to purchase the table for $95 with free local delivery!