Tag Archives

Joan Ambu

DIY: Restore Cast Iron Furniture

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read3.1K views

I recently found an Antique Cast Iron Chair and a matching Vintage Cast Aluminum Side Table with adjustable legs. What I love about this tiny set is the fact that it has a Grapevine pattern similar to an Antique Victorian Cast Iron set I own (read about it here). The set was weathered, the paint was flaking and chipping. As expected, there was some mild surface rust and wear especially on the chair.

Vintage Cast Aluminum Side Table.
Vintage Cast Aluminum Side Table.
Vintage Cast Aluminum Side Table.
Vintage Cast Aluminum Side Table.

The side table has three legs with the pattern of a Phoenix head at the top and claw foot at the base.

Vintage Cast Aluminum Side Table.
Vintage Cast Aluminum Side Table.

Though time consuming, the restoring process is simple.

We started by removing the rusted and flaking areas with a wire brush. Once that was done, we washed the set with soap and water to rid it of any debris and to ensure that the paint sticks to it. We let it dry and applied spray primer to seal the metal surface and prevent future rusting and finally, we spray painted it.

Vintage Cast Iron Chair.
Antique Cast Iron Chair.
Vintage Cast Iron Chair.
Antique Cast Iron Chair.

Now restored, the set will make a great addition to the rest of the collection. It was an exciting finishing project we all were eager to get our hands on.

Vintage Cast Iron Chair and Cast Aluminum Side Table.
Antique Cast Iron Chair and Vintage Cast Aluminum Side Table.

This was a fun project and we are looking forward to the next one.

Some Things Shabby

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read1.3K views

It’s the day after Christmas and the Sun is shining bright. It feels good to step outside, take a moment to breathe in and count my blessings. There’s no place like Home and as I sit here surrounded by so many lovelies; I realize that I have, not just a fondness for Victorian Cast Iron garden furniture, but a weakness as well.

The Patio Set below is an old Singer Sewing Machine Base with a half an inch Polypropylene tabletop (a Craigslist purchase). The chairs are Shabby Chic and the Table is Antique. The cross-piece on the Sewing Machine base has a patent date which reads Patented Jan. 4, 1887. All the wheels on the base still function as they should. I had the option to use it either as a Console Table or as a Desk, but I decided to use it as an outdoor table.

Shabby Chic Patio Set.
Shabby Chic Patio Chairs with Antique Singer Sewing Machine Base.

I have bought gorgeous Garden Sets over the years and the ones I cherish the most is this set of Antique Victorian Cast Iron Grapevine pattern matching Bench and Arm Chair.

Antique Cast Iron Bench and Arm Chair.
Antique Cast Iron Bench and Arm Chair.

I also have a lovely American Harvest Cast Aluminum Bistro Set which I have owned for a couple of years now and which I absolutely adore. This set sits pretty in my front yard, next to my Raywood Ash tree.

American Harvest Cast Aluminum Bistro Set
American Harvest Cast Aluminum Bistro Set

As I sit here, enjoying the moment in my garden, I wish you all a wonderful day.

Our Gingerbread House

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read1.2K views

“The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.” – Henry David Thoreau

Together with the kids, we’ve decided to do something fun while waiting for midnight and the opening of the gifts. We decorated the Gingerbread House (Pepparkaka Hus) we bought at Ikea a couple of weeks ago. I am sure it would have been so much fun making one from scratch.

Plain Gingerbread House.
Plain Gingerbread House.

We used caramel syrup to glue the pieces together and everyone pitched in with the decorations.

Gingerbread House Decorated.
Gingerbread House Decorated.
Gingerbread House Decorated.
Gingerbread House Decorated.

Merry Christmas!

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Roy L. Smith

Happy Holidays!

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read630 views

This year I decided to keep the Christmas Tree decorating simple which meant no ribbons, bows, flowers, beaded garland and no train set up around the tree. I selected just a few of the ornaments and we randomly hung them, placing the vintage Angel Tree Topper at the top of our White Christmas Tree.

Christmas Tree, 2013.
Christmas Tree, 2013.

I used two different wrapping papers for the gifts as well as tags, to ensure that we each open what belongs to us.  I have learned the hard way that my daughter dislike people opening gifts for her (unless she ask for help). I have my Christmas wrapping all set up and now looking forward to watching the joy of my kids faces when they discover what are in those carefully wrapped boxes.

In addition to the large elegant Wreath on the front door, there’s a weather-resistant Winter Garden Flag outside our front door to give our visitors an initial warm welcome.

Winter Garden Flag.
Winter Garden Flag.

May your hearts be filled with the Spirit of Christmas.

Happy Holidays!

Frozen Morning

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read532 views

It’s a beautiful day. The skies are clear, but the weather outside is deceitful. Baby, it’s cold outside! I am very thankful that we haven’t had our first Snowfall yet.

I suit up this morning to rake leaves in the backyard from last night’s wind. By the time everything was set and done, I could barely feel my fingers and toes. I took a few minutes to walk around the backyard and made a few interesting discoveries, some of which involve frozen water like the one from my Water Fountain. The larger Water Fountain is located in a sunny area so the Sun gets to melt the water.

Frozen Water.
Frozen Water.
Water Fountain 'The Village Maiden'.
Water Fountain ‘The Village Maiden’.

After seeing that solid ice, I was grateful that we shut off the exterior water valve to the irrigation system a couple of weeks ago. I would have lost all my plants from frost otherwise.

Snowy Mountains.
Snowy Mountains.

On a much happier note, I will be taking my Son to the annual Christmas Program performed by Pre Kinder, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade as well as Mr. Flores’ class at Oak Hills High School. He has been so excited about it, since we didn’t attend last years’ due to bad weather.