Monday, June 21

the movement of granny chic...

a few weeks back i was happily in my own little world,
cutting, pasting and 'a sticking' wallpaper to the inners of a peachy estate find.
a lovely little cupboard that caught my eye.
alas she was a little more 'world weary' than i had hoped
but as i stood in front of her that fateful morning,
i could not let her down...


safely back in mossy shed,
i gave her several 'lickity licks' of my glossy white paint
and then proceeded to inspect her insides.
they were a rather dull painted brown color.
after attempting to paint them granny knicker pink
i gave up on that idea after the first coat.
so i set to with paper and glue...


"ha!" said my man glancing over at my work in progress,
"i can just see it now, in years to come, someone will be in the thrift store
and come across your granny cupboard,
marvel at how lovely it must have been in it's original state.
how could someone have committed such a crime with wallpaper and paint"
to which he continued to chuckle to himself

i did not wavier, nor did i put down my paper and glue.
after her inners were complete i finished her off with a lovely set of old wood handles.
then came the usual shuffle around the shed,
figuring out a spot where she may shine in all her new granny chic glory...
after the perfectly perfect spot was found,
i stood back to admire her beauty
and then i pondered,
no, this sweetie was not going to end up in the thrift store later in life,
being mocked by passing strangers.
i'm thinking another life for her...


someone, somewhere will come across her,
gasp the gasp, i have gasped many times myself.
and then with a little bit of luck,
that someone will exclaim for all to know

"why this is the most fabulous example of the granny chic movement,
a movement that occurred in the early part of the 21st century.
it was not uncommon for discarded forsaken souls to be picked up
and adorned with paint, paper and fabric.
if i am not mistaken this looks to be a 'dottie angel' example...
yes, yes it is! look just inside the cupboard there,
the signature of the woman behind this granny chic redo.
one Tif Fussell aka dottie angel,
a lover of granny chic goodness...
oh this is indeed the most peachiest of finds"

she has 'batting and basting' on her mind ~ Tif

51 comments:

Clare said...

Ah this is fabulous, its so nice to see old forgottens found and restored to their lovely selves, and in such a wonderfully unique way :)

Gina said...

Looks like the perfect example of "granny chic" and you have done a wonderful job restoring it. I'd happily give it a home!!!

Selfsewn said...

Ooh ooh you must sign it, then people of the future will have no doubt that they have dottie angel original!

Diary of a knitter said...

I think your cupboard is super cute.I love it.

Chloe said...

You tell him, Tif. Crime, indeed!

no said...

I think she is beautiful. One day someone will love her just as you have.

Sharon Stanley said...

it's a perfect example of granny chic! and it is in a most perfect spot, beside a most perfect chair filled with perfect stuff...love it!

We Blog Artists said...

Oh, and it is SO GRANNY CHIC, such a pure and sure "Dottie Angel"....a masterpiece...
You have such style...I LOVE IT!!!

Oh, and if you have a small mo'...pass by and play our little game.
HUGS
Char.x.

Unknown said...

ohh, i love it!! i would be just thrilled to find this granny chic-ified beauty at a thrift store!

Jessi said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that cupboard! It's exactly what I need in my kitchen!!

1 Funky Woman said...

I love it and if it ever ended up at the thrift store I would totally snap it up. I'd be thrilled to know you put your heart into it. It is a gorgeous piece!

sabrina said...

I love your cabinet! I love ALL of your cabinets, and how you turn something old into a beautiful new piece! How lovely!!

Arthur Ransome said...

Ooh, Tif, it's lovely, particularly the cut and pasted innards. It should indeed remain a thing of beauty and a joy for a good long while.

Nora

Debby said...

What an adorable cupboard.

Roxanne said...

This really made me laugh. Because I can seriously see someone recognizing your treasures as "dottie angel originals" long after you're gone. She's a beauty that's for sure!

Elisha said...

Wonderful, just wonderful, I want one of those too. I am looking for an old kitchen dresser currently, this is inspiration to pick up one that has seen better days and restore it to a different kind of glory..... Love your blog, always a delight.

Natalie T. said...

This one out here is eye-balling your pyrex with a grin. Oh how purdy...

Geek+Nerd said...

Tif - your new cupboard is beautiful - and your post made me chuckle :)

Tanya Murray said...

Sometimes it's just got to be paint and paper! Her beautiful bone structure and curves shine all the same and I adore the fretwork at her legs. I agree, shabby-chic will be a recognised movement but probably not gasped over till another three generations have passed through other fads.

mel @ loved handmade said...

I love it! Your man sounds very much like my man when I'm giving an old piece new life...I bet she will never end up in a thrift store, she will stay in the family forever as a treasured piece along with all your other thrifted tressures & she will always take pride of place no matter who's home she is in...

Natalie Ward said...

This is beautiful!! Love it

Sherri B. said...

I admire you for being such a liberated woman. In my home even a glance at a paint brush while standing near anything with 'a grain running through it' is a sin. Your piece proves that there can be new life after wood stain and you may very well be the Frank Lloyd Wright of the forgotten furnishings.

chloejessica said...

OH I LOVE that cabinet! My home has been looking and looking for one just like it! And it has the perfect dottie angel touch, and home would be lucky to own it! :)

Maureen Cracknell Handmade said...

Oh, I LOVE, love it! You made it SO much better.

: )Maureen

Staci said...

Tif: I look forward to your wonderfully honest and humor filled posts everyday! I love sneaking a peak at your world. Thanks for the inspiration!

Staci

wendy mathers said...

What are the sweet birdies on the wall made from ?

Meredith from PenelopeLovesLists said...

Ah, perfection. I love this excellent example of "Granny Chic".

Just found your blog (via Monday Morning Knits) and am loving everything here.

claire smith said...

Hey Tif stick to your glue guns! Your man just does't see the big picture.
Lucky for this little cupboard you could see it's potential. It looks fab after it's granny chic redo.

Dawn Gahan said...

I think we would all be very lucky to chance upon a dottie angel original! If you get a chance, would be honored if you'd stop by yesterday's post on The Gahan Girls. I "channeled" you as best I could (and credited you so that I could share the inspiration) as I embarked upon a footstool slipcover that I hope would do you proud. Do tell that dear man of yours that your mindset has infected a slew of us . . . and we thank you for that!

Dawn
www.gahangirls.blogspot.com

Hannah said...

Love the granny cupboard! I wish I was as handy as you! I have never attempted to re-vamp anything yet, but you inspire me to try! I love your blog by the way!

alexkeller said...

i think you're quite right, Tif! granny chic movement and all!

aussie gal said...

beautiful.
i love it.


jo

dottie angel said...

oh you have made me and my granny cupboard beam with pride :)
indeed i have chuckled all afternoon to myself thinking of 'the granny chic movement' and how our children's children will look back upon it!

the birdies are made from paper and stitched around the edge with the help of miss ethel... i used some thrift store wall birdies as my template.

and sherrie b, i am positively delighted by your comment, you are such a sweetie :)

Michelle said...

Just the right spot Tif to shine...
I think it will be a treasure for the future for sure...
Many an antique dealer will be hunting dottie treasures down and if they do find one...oh how lucky they will be...
but if I spot it first at an auction of the utmost kind they will have a biding war on there hands...
and yes tif do sign it...

thefabledneedle (jen) said...

when i was in high school a friend of my mom's told me i'd make a good grandma someday. us grannies got to stick together! :)

Gorgeous Things said...

I love your 'granny chic movement' - and I love your cupboard. I've been papering my furniture recently, but not been brave enough to attempt the multi-paper look. It's amazingly fab!!

Joshy and belle said...

Oh Tif I have just done such a wicked thing, I was so taken with ur little cupboard I was Reading away and looking at the yummy photos when I remembered I'm meant to be playing with my poorly four year old! Luckliy he was still explaining the rules I think I nodded in the right places now he's sat on the rug waiting for me to have my go in his made up game! But I don't know how to play, I think I'll have to come clean and hope he can see the beauty of granny chic! I've started a granny challenge on my blog, to be more like my nan and have 365 days of simple joys doing the types of things she did, sewing baking and paying proper attention to four year olds! Fliss xxx

Joshy and belle said...

Tif I showed my four year old your cupboard and asked him what he thought, he put his head to one side like a little puppy and said hmmmmm nice! I felt so proud I expected him to make a disaproving groan like his daddy does! My distraction techiniques have failed though he's just asked me am I ready to play his game! I am a bad mother!! xxx

emma said...

I'm hoping to one day stumble across an original tif fussell, which I would treasure and love in all it's granny glory. Don't like my chances of ever finding such a piece all the way over here.

Allana said...

Hear hear, well said! It certainly is a prime example of "The Granny Chic movement". One day, if you ever do pass it on, someone will be very proud to own it :)

mamas collection said...

Smithsonian Worthy: 'The Dottie Angel Wing; Founder of all things Granny Chic; Instigator of the Movement: Early 21rst Century: Hero to the Forsaken'

dottie angel said...

oh felicity, how you have made me chuckle! brought back those days of endless games with little ones, most fun but often i was caught out with my daydreaming...
i love your little story and i am most smitten with your four year old and his wonderful granny chic admiring ways :)

tee hee, mamas collection!

Anna said...

Well, hello there Pyrex display!!! I spy some lovely colors hidden in there. :)

Nina said...

Lovey, love, love, love!

Unknown said...

You are definitely one of the major movers and shakers of the granny chic movement! It's so wonderful to finally be able to come out of the linen closet and shout out loud, "I love crochet!"

Rachaeldaisy said...

You always make me smile!!! That cupboard is gorgeous. I know I'd be gasping with delight if I saw that treasure needing a home.

Deedrie said...

she is an adorable little cupboard & you are fab & isn't your man kind to give us all a laugh

Francesca said...

that must've taken you bloomin ages! and i'm sure that will happen - doilification will be a collectible for sure.

Anonymous said...

viva the granny chic movement!
one day there will be granny chic restorers, I'm sure of it... your blog will be their bible ;)
methinks we should form the 'granny chic appreciation society' and wear our little badges proudly :)

dottie angel said...

annabelle... oh yes, lovely little badges to wear with pride! i love the thought of a granny chic appreciation society... doesn't it just make one feel all warm and fuzzy inside :)

The Hobbit said...

Oh a signed Dotty!!!!I think that would be a great find.I'll be sure to tell my children to look for such a treasure.