SK On Elderberry

My Ron's Tables

Ron & SK's Custom Built Tables From Scrap Wood.

As a person such as me and my hubby builds their thirty-sixth home, it gives a person pause as to what is truly important.

I love the patina of history. I grew up on an isolated farm where the nearest friend was miles away. It seems very strange in this day and age that people could still be growing up without indoor plumbing.

That was my humble home life till the age of ten. And we were very happy. Loving the farm and animal life that came along with what country life entails.

I love rust. I love tarnished copper and brass. Everything my father tried to prevent, I do on purpose. I use Modern Masters Metal Effects Paints

Ron keeps most all our wood scraps from the building project for future stuff or for the wood stove.

I recently scrambled through this growing pile of wood scrap. I discovered what looked to be really cool old 2x8' and 2x12's long distorted and warped timbers covered in concrete. They had been part of the foundation concrete pour.

This is the design Ron built for me for a large family farm table. And using these old scarred scraps, It turned out exquisite. After he was finished joining all his pieces, he gave it over to me to make my mark. Which you know I have no trouble doing. Ever...

I was a bit apprehensive to begin. I didn't want to take the chance of ruining what he had worked so hard to create.

As I designed this little house over looking the Idaho Rockies, one of my most favorite colors came online with Ree Drummond at:Top Ten Faves

Here are a few of her amazing links.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/products/cowgirl-lace/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/products/its-here/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/products/launch-day/

Her designs contain some of my favorite and much used colors. This was the impetus for the back porches color scheme. Red, Teal, Cream and my own custom black chalk paint. I always make my own personal chalk paints. Rather than pay upwards of $49.00 per quart of paint, I mix my own for $2.50 per quart. I only mix what I am going to need per project.

I played with the beautiful floral design that is center of The Pioneer Woman's dinner plates. Coming up with my own interpretations.

I decoupaged the inner edge of the table with a black and white damask and added a chess board on one end and a checkers board on the opposite end.

I painted the background an old cream, over a crackle finish. Then stained with a dark chocolate brown and wiped it off quickly.

We built a little buffet using paper birch for legs cemented into the stamped concrete for stability.

The plans for this outdoor space are ongoing. It is to have a tin corrugated roof with growing vines and hanging lighting from the beams interior.

This is the view from this space. And now you know why this space is so precious.

Thanks for visiting. I will post as projects are finished.

SK & Modern Masters Paints

http://www.hometalk.com/sksartell/project
http://www.pinterest.com/sksart
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A Summer Wedding with SK on Elderberry

A Summer Cake

Posted on August 8, 2011by SK

Daughters Darcy and Summer have a firm belief I can do ANYTHING…Hmmmm….They have no idea I look to them for inspiration…So I start by making Summer draw her intricate designs to scale.

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Elderberry and SK's Finished Bath

Finishing with Light & SK

It's been a long road of discovery, designing, building and living in many homes. This journey has recently become more delightful. And not so "SK re-inventing the wheel" mode.

As we grow and expand our homes environment, it's amazing to see the difference as our tastes change and mature.

As a farm girl, I grew up with very simple, handmade fixtures. My father was a genius when it came to creating a beautiful piece, from very little.

I grew with a farm, cottage and industrial background. We created with what we had. That might be a light hung from the end of a pipe. I understood this wasn't what others might consider beautiful or elegant. But it became beautiful to my eye, as I saw this necessary element coming from what we could scavenge.

Now this design element has become commonplace. Farm/Industrial. A little sparkly here and there. The influence my farm life had on my end results.

I have had the pleasure to be invited to work with Parrot Uncle Lighting.

https://www.parrotuncle.com/pendant-lighting.html

https://www.parrotuncle.com/wooden-pendant-lights.html

Shadow Painted Signage

Professional Pictures Will Be Posted When Completed.

5,600 copper penny shower floor

Black raw iron pipe and fittings to hang clear glass shower walls.

With the re-introduction of the iconic Edison light bulb, design elements farm and industrial have gone from very common, to delightfully uncommon. We found a deep well of lighting, which up until a few years back, we had very little chance of finding. I found myself building my own versions of what I thought would work in my designs and spaces.

Working as a custom general contractor and designer on cottages, built dating back to the 1920's was a challenge. Finding the correct style of lighting was difficult and or very expensive. More times than not, I would end up creating and building my own designs from salvaged parts.As salvaging and saving old craftsman style cottages began to be popular, lighting designers began to take notice.It's a serendipitous moment as you discover others of like mind. Giving builders, designers and ultimately the homeowner, a better resource for the much needed finishing touches in lighting.

As my home is in it's final stretch, I couldn't be more excited to have an abundance of great lighting to choose from. Not just the run of the mill stuff you see on a everyday basis. Parrot Uncle's lighting can alter any rooms ambiance.

This couldn't have come at a better time for our own new home. I was struggling to find unique lights. I hate to be bored and after all the labor and love which has gone into this new home, I hated to have the same-old-same-old lights everyone else was using. Just wasn't going to work. I cannot stand to be bored...

So as I spend hours perusing Parrot Uncle. I am finding just the right elements to complete my one-of-a-kind home.

I love my bath lighting. It finishes an awkward lighting dilemma. Parrot Uncle came to my rescue and I thank them. More orders to come...I now know where I can purchase nicely styled lighting for my projects.

Thank you Parrot Uncle for your delightful addition to my new home. SK Sartell

https://www.parrotuncle.com/pendant-lighting.html

https://www.parrotuncle.com/wooden-pendant-lights.html

Thanks for visiting. sk on elderberry

SK & Modern Masters Paints

http://www.hometalk.com/sksartell/project
http://www.pinterest.com/sksart
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

https://www.parrotuncle.com/pendant-lighting.html

https://www.parrotuncle.com/wooden-pendant-lights.html

Oak to Copper and Rust with SK

From Oak to Copper and Rust with SK

We are well on our way to having an actual bathroom...

While the snow falls, I find time to play in my new fanciful bath. While it looks like this from my bath window,

I am staying warm working

The oak dresser I converted into a bath vanity is finally being installed. I thought it would never happen.

Dominoes. That's what it's like on a from scratch project. One thing has to happen first, then the next thing. On and on and on, until you can finally see what you visioned coming to life.

The before and afters tell quite a story. SK's Dresser Vanity Saga