Amy Freese Life Coach

I had met with a decorating client earlier this Fall to find that she was in the midst of her own "Dog's Gone Wild" reality show!  I was amazed and horrified at the damage that her dogs had done to her upholstered furniture. But to my amazement she was brushed off her tattered and torn furniture much like any mother who dismisses the mess the kids have left in front of the tv, in their bedrooms, by the front door...I'm speaking with experience here but I wish I could embrace her same nonchalant attitude of 'dogs will be dogs.'

Thankfully, the talented craftsmen at Cool Springs Upholstery look at dog frenzied furniture not only as a creative challenge but as job security.  So, off her furniture went to be returned  soon after with renewed life and new springs to chew....???  She was tickled pink over her brand new couches but unfortunately, her mouthwatering dogs were not as they now realized their chops would not be licking these new 'chew toy's' from behind their newly installed doggie gate!

But couches aren't the only pieces these "Cujo wanna be's " like to sink their chops into.  No, before I got out the door my grace-filled client retrieved another chew toy that her babies used as a teething ring.  A beautiful ornate gilded mirror from the highly respectable Horchow company.  

Apparently, her bad boy dogs, have great taste and know a great find when they see one.  The glistening gold caught their eye and they decided to leave their mark on it too.  Knowing that she most likely paid a pretty penny for it  and knowing that if the table was turned I would want to salvage that beauty any way I could.  I knew there had to be a way to take that once treasured purchase that now looked like it was ready for the dumpster back to its treasured beginning...so I hauled into the back seat of my car with hopes of bringing it back to life too.  All you can do is try.

After visiting my favorite craft store, Michaels, I  realized there must be quite a few dogs going wild out there as there was an array of 'building up' products to choose from.  

Below is my step by step on bringing back the gold

Yum, Yum!   A build up product could be used on an array of items in your home that have lost a piece here and there.  Think picture frames, furniture, accessories, etc.

I chose 'Model Magic' to use for this project because the mirror itself was styrofoam and I felt that it would camafloage the best.  It was easy to manipulate, smooth out, and build up.  Felt like I was kneading bread dough.  You'll be amazed at the choices so just read the information and find the product most suitable for you.  I let it dry over night before painting.

The 'white stuff' is the product.  It sticks straight to whatever you're building up.  Easy, breezey and it's quite fun to do!   

Once dry, I used a sanding pad to blend the edges of the product with the original.  After that, it was time to paint.  As I would tell my faux finishing clients back in the day, "it's just paint, if you don't like it, just paint over it." 

I used an assortment of gold paints to achieve the olde world gilded finish.

Voila!  Ready to reflect once again!!

So, go retrieve your items that you've relinquished to the goodwill pile and head to your favorite craft store to find the best product for your project and get started bringing it back to life!  Have fun, you can do it!!

Take the Plunge in 2012

I'm usually game when it comes to taking the plunge into new adventures and experiences.  Most of the time I even jump in feet first!  However,when my husband announced that he signed both of us and our three kids to participate in theTybee Island 'Polar Bear Plunge' I have to admit my sense of adventure wasn't bursting at the seams when he announced what it entailed.  

The name,it self, sent shivers down my spine as it's difficult enough to get me to dip my toe in the water when it is sweltering hot outside, let alone on a January morning in the states.

Because I thought it was cool that 'Mr.Freese' went to such great lengths to find us the perfect memory-filled family outing to begin our New Year, no way, was this Mrs.Freese going to get heated up over his choice of outings.

Besides, the Polar Bear Plunge wasn't about being rational or about an opportunity to practice clear thinking, no, this event was all about putting on your crazy and going for it in the spirit of "if I can psyche myself up enough to jump in a body of freezing cold water with no heat to warm my back, then I can most certainly grab a hold of 2012 with an "I Can Do Anything" attitude too!

Yes, it was a bone chilling experience, but in the coolest, most memorable way.  We all did it, and we all survived! And isn't that the way with most of the plunges we finally decide to take?  We not only survive, but we usually get warmed up to taking more plunges and making an even bigger splash! 

If you'd like a bit more encouragement as it pertains to taking your plunge this 2012 visit my Brentwood HomePage column.

Take a peek by pressing link below at us and all the other crazies after the taking the plunge!

 We did and so can you!!