Frumpy To Fabulous Wednesday...

I am so excited to share my TWO Frumpy To Fabulous items today...
So the first Frumpy To Fabulous is my new website.  I have been working on my website for what feels like forever.  The problem in this business is that you always have new work to be adding to your website.
I wanted a website that I could maintain on my own and make changes when I needed to.
One day I found the work of Promise Tangeman.  I really liked the eclectic quality she portrayed.
She has an additional site called Sitehouse which has websites for creative people.
I chose the website Industry for I think $179-....yes did you hear that correctly???
$179 dollars....take a look at the basic site and then look at my new site...www.donnabenedetto.com
you would never know that I created it based on that layout...looks night and day right...and is totally customizable.  That is really the beauty of it.
I did have technical help from my daughter Isabel and Alexis who worked out some glitches for me but it was very easy.  Also the technical support they offer was fabulous as well.  I contacted them a couple of times and they couldn't be more helpful.  You can also hire them to design your site for a reasonable fee as well.   My old website, which I had forgotten to take a picture of was looking a bit Frumpy if you will and it was time for an update.  More photos of current projects will be added soon.
If you are looking to create your own website I would highly recommend Sitehouse....
You do have to pay a hosting fee of about $400 and change to Showit which they explain.
I chose to keep my old hosting company as no one could guarantee I wouldn't lose my business e-mail.
So I will be paying another $135.00.  But basically I have a site that works for me and my business and I can update it when ever possible.

Bad photos sorry, but take a peek and let me know what you think.  www.donnabenedetto.com

My #2 Frumpy To Fabulous.
Silver Leaf  Chinoiserie Fretwork Tables.

I found a pair of these tables at one of my local antique centers for $450.00.
I purchased them immediately as I knew I would possibly use them for a client, for myself or one of my fellow designer friends would use them.

They are so heavy you can't believe is, very solid with glass top.

I decided to use them in my family room that I am redecorating and thought they should

be silver leafed.

Step one for me when I silver leaf is to spray them some form of silver.   This way if you miss a spot it sill

still look silver.

As you can see in the background all of the tree stumps...unfortunately super storm Sandy

uprooted all of our evergreens that were huge.  I am now open to my neighbors yard.

NG and as soon as spring comes I will replant some new trees.

This is how big the trees were, came right down on the edge of the house and pool fence.

There is my dog Teddy up front there, he keeps me company on my many projects.

Here you can see the that both tables have been silver leafed.  The left table still has bits and pieces hanging off of it.  The right table has been antiqued.

Here is a close up. I did have an issue this time with the size reacting with the silver metallic paint I used.

Never had this before, but it did not allow the sizing to lay smooth and created bumps in some areas.

I think it was because the spray paint might have been more of a lacquer so when you added the sizing it sissed.  Since these are staying at my house I put that area to the back of the room so you don't see it.

If they were going to a clients I would have sanded those areas out and redone them.

I am not going to show you the whole room as that is going to be a whole other blog series I am working on.

Hoping to finish off this room to be included in the new Interiors book coming out in 2013.

So that is my Frumpy To Fabulous Wednesday for you.  If you have any questions on the silver leaf or creating your own website...I would be happy to help you out, just send me an e-mail.