She's got crrrves

I thought I would introduce you to my newest addition.  This is that type of piece that makes my heart race when I find it!  Great original hardware and enough curves to give J-Lo a run for her money.

BEFORE

 They just don't make them like this anymore.  Every where I look this piece is layered in detail tight down to the carved and curvy legs.

                                                          AFTER

 We are going to name this color "Zinc Lid".

 I am thinking this needs a big 'ole mirror above it and a pair of devastatin' lamps to make an amazing buffet.  It also has loads of hide-the-crap value for just about anywhere.

To adopt this beauty, please come by and see us at Rebel Reclaimed or call me at the store. {616.218.9257}
Peace
dann

Where I've Been

 You've probably been wondering if I died.  It's been pretty quiet here in blogger world for several weeks but I assure you that I have not been watching TV and ignoring you all.  My Michigan memory tells me to run outside and enjoy every waking moment of this beautiful summer.  So I went a little crazy and re-landscaped the front yard.

 This is a birdbath that I made from a vintage tomato cage that I scored at an estate sale last summer.  The top is from an urn that had almost met an unfortunate end when the base broke off.  Thank goodness I never throw things away!  In the back is an aqua urn full of herbs that I always use. Dill, basil and thyme.

 Cosmos are my favorite cutting flower and since I don't have a tilled garden, I have mixed my garden favorites in with my other pots.

 I am in love with black flowers.  These petunias are so beautiful and they smell amazing after the sun sets.  Chip says I always like things that look like they came from a witch's house.  I may need to turn him into a frog.

 I treat each pot as a still life.  The composition of color and form is everything when it comes to mixed accent pots.  This beauty looks great next to our aqua adirondack chairs.

 Too beautiful not to show you!

Most nights you will see us here in our outdoor living room.  We have decided that we will spend every available moment here until the snow flies.  By then I am sure we will grow tired of dead-heading and watering and will be ready for cozy movie nights.  Somehow, right now, I can't even imagine it. -Dann

Mother's Day Dinner

This year Chip and I invited everyone over for Mother's Day.  Any excuse I can find to cook for a group of people and I am there!  My mom is a big fan of comfort food and one thing we always remember about my Grandma is baked fried chicken.  Yum.  I have had a tough time getting the crispy outside that I always see so I thought I would go to the queen of fried chicken herself, Paula Deen.  I was not disappointed.  Check out how beautiful it turned out!  It has also been delicious as leftovers this week.  It makes me think that I am on a picnic.  Maybe it's time for you to try.  Good luck!  dann


Southern Fried Chicken
{Food Network}

Ingredients
House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
Southern Fried Chicken:
4 eggs
1/3 cup water
1 cup hot red pepper sauce
2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon pepper
House Seasoning
2 1/2-pound chicken, cut into pieces
Oil, for frying, preferably peanut oil
Directions
To make the House Seasoning, mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

In a medium size bowl, beat the eggs with the water. Add enough hot sauce so the egg mixture is bright orange. In another bowl, combine the flour and pepper. Season the chicken with the House Seasoning. Dip the seasoned chicken in the egg, and then coat well in the flour mixture.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a deep pot. Do not fill the pot more than 1/2 full with oil.

Fry the chicken in the oil until brown and crisp. Dark meat takes longer than white meat. It should take dark meat about 13 to 14 minutes, white meat around 8 to 10 minutes.

Reclaimed

Thought you would want to see how these beauties turned out.  They couldn't be more beautiful.  I also replaced the foam on the seats so they look and feel so much more comfortable.  Off to your new life dears!  May you be the center of many happy gatherings!

Shades of Gray. And other attack chicken stories.

 No rest for the wicked.  I must have been really bad.   I am swimming in a sea of custom paint projects! That is a wonderful challenge to have.  As my friend Karla says, I "give gratitude" for a full shop and excited, loyal customers.  On this our one year anniversary week, it feels good to see the projects keep coming.  I am working on these lovely chairs for a client right now and I am so excited to see the drab cherry finish melt away.  In this shade they feel much more like a style I saw at Pottery Barn not too long ago.  Wait 'til you see the fabric that we are doing on the seats!

I was also thrilled to be able to paint outside on a sunny day.  Much better than having to build a wood fire before I started to paint!  On the flip side, I was screamed at by a loud group of very daunting chickens.  I may have peed a little when they snuck up behind me.  Only in the country.  Later I found out that they are a roving band of Guinea hens.  Yikes.  They were scary up close but the perfect shade of gray.  I feel an inspiration for a new Rebel furniture paint color.  Enjoy your sunny weekend.   We've wated a long time and the wait has made it wonderful!  dann

Rebel Reclaimed goes on the road!

 It makes me giggle to myself when people say they couldn't find us this weekend at the Allegan Antiques Market.  We were like an aqua, pink and orange happy little color explosion!  Oh, well.  We had fun, sold lots and I look like I just got back from the Cayman Islands.   Who knew you could get so tan when the sun doesn't shine?

 Yes. That is a fabulous white chandelier.  Yes.  It sold.

 Goodbye fabulous persimmon chairs.  You were too good to last!

 "Sassy" the 1972 camper was our backdrop.  She got a lot of attention and also worked great as a wine cellar!

Today, I am a little tired but we had a blast!  The store is all put back together and I am dreaming of summer days.  Not too much to ask in May, right?  Yesterday we painted our front porch the loveliest mink brown color.  Wait 'til you see it!  Have a great week, friends!  dann

One step closer to completion...

Have you ever had a fabric sits on a roll forever because you love it so much and you are too afraid to commit?  No.  Me neither.  This fabric has been tucked away for almost 5 years until recently.  I have been agonizing over what to do for window treatments in our "fish bowl" living room since we moved in and finally decided to pull the trigger.  After seeing them up it's like, what was I waiting for? Now maybe I can move on to the next thing.  Bathroom limbo.  I have had a wallpaper sample hanging by a piece of masking tape next to my mirror in the bathroom for 6 months.  I think I will post the before picture and see what you think.  Have a great weekend with family.  As I write this, I realize that I have yet to eat a Reese's peanut butter egg.  What a waste! I am stopping at Walgreen's on the way home.

Peace out.  db