THE FIVE FINALISTS!

This desk has been with its owner for many years and in many apartments. Now, the desk sits behind a door in its owner's first home. There must be something that keeps this desk around, throughout the years and all the moves. It deserves some love and attention so it can be on the same level as all the other beautiful furniture in this stylish house. At least it deserves to get a better view than the back of a door! It's only fair.

According to the judges:

Kate:  I love this, the idea of a covered desk is genius...  five o'clock, time to
close the desk! I agree 100% that this piece  deserves a better view (and a
fresh coat of paint and pulls).

Sara: For the secretary-style desk, I would leave it the colour it is- just refinish. I love the wood and I don't think anything would be added to this style of desk by painting it.
So on the desk: as the Dragons say on Dragon's Den: "I'm Out".

Kelly: I heart this desk.  Such mystery concealed within.  So many romantic little notes to be penned(I'm already picking out new stationary in my mind)...but not as is, and not behind that door!  Imagine this piece in a bright bold color with some new hardware!  Oh!  Imagine if it was one color on the outside and another inside!  Such joie de vivre!  Ah, be still me beating heart.

THE FIVE FINALISTS!

The owner of this chair moved into her first house and it's completely updated and stunning. This chair needs a face lift in order to fit in with its fabulous surroundings! I love mid century chairs and this one would sing with some new upholstery and maybe, just maybe two buttons?

What say you, judges?

Sara: The mid-century retro chair is slightly less deserving in that it was a cheaper piece to begin with. That being said these modern silhouettes are making a big comeback.
So well worth a makeover. I would paint the legs and upholster it in something fun and cosy like (fun) fur or chenille.

Kelly: This is potentially a great chair.  It looks like it once was a great chair, came by some hard times(the recession hit everyone hard), but was unwilling to admit even to itself, that it was time for a bit of a face lift.  A modern print in a bright color and two buttons and this chair becomes a sought after piece once again.

Kate: I have been seeing these chairs all over the place, they look so stylish
when updated! Two buttons may be a tall order, but I am sure Turquoise Shed can
deliver.

THE FIVE FINALISTS!

This thrift store score comes from someone stylish who desperately needs somewhere to perch while she puts on her fabulous shoes. Her glamorous wallpaper is a like a pair of Christian Louboutin heels and the telephone table is a ratty pair of flats from Payless. It's just not right! This piece needs a makeover!

The judges weigh in:

Kate: The bench is a find and a half, a little style makeover and it will
compliment  this accent wall very nicely. It may have been Grandma's bench, but
it doesn't have to look like Grandma's bench.

Sara: I adore the little phone table/bench. And it needs help. SOME help. Maybe re-upholstered in gray tweed with red piping to match the owner's decor? And a coat of black paint (I love black furniture right now). But again... although down-at-the-heels, it is not on its last legs.

Kelly: I love vintage anything.  But sometimes vintage pieces can be helped along with small updates here and there.  Like this telephone table.  No longer a necessary piece for most home owners(the exception being the few die hard rotary users, we do exist!),  but very cute and potentially stylish none the less.  Imagine the long romantic calls that could take place while you perch elegantly on the edge of the seat slipping on a pair of cute kitten heels.   New fabric!  Bright paint!  And new hardware!  Judging by the wallpaper the owner is not afraid of a bold statement, so lets go bold!

THE FIVE FINALISTS!

This rocking chair 'came from away'. And the owner has come a long way, too! From her days of having to use boxes covered with wrapping paper for her decor, to being married and living back on the Island- she's ready for a more sophisticated look. That's where we come in! I love this rocker- the whimsical curves of the wood. I think it would look great painted and with new cushions upholstered in a mature, graphic print. But that's just me. I'm not the judge.

 Stylish judges, what say you?

Kelly: I once lived with one of these rocking chairs.  Sigh.  It is no longer with me.  Which in the long run might be a good thing.  Because if this rocker gets refinished and mine didn't I would be very upset. Very, very upset!  My only fear here is that if you recover this chair, you're going to have to keep going.  The couch will pale in comparison to the newly accented curves, the curtains will look drab and boring, new rugs! new lamps!   Lets paint the walls and buy new end tables!...i guess what I'm trying to say is this:  the rocking chair would look amazing after a good old fashioned Turquoise Shed fix up!

Katelyn: I likes me a good rocker, and this one is no exception, the curvy  wooden
details would really come alive with a fun, fresh colour.

Sara: The Bentwood rocker certainly needs a major facelift and I agree a coat of paint and new upholstery would be just the ticket. BUT, alas, it is not quite scary enough.
The upholstery needs to be un-usable.. then it might be a winner. Maybe by the time the SECOND Annual scary furniture contest rolls around?

Honourable Mentions!

This entry deserves mention because of the clever DIY behind it. It's almost always better to try and find another purpose for a piece, rather than toss it out. This piece was used as a change table and after that was no longer needed (lucky. I'm up to my eye balls in diapers...), it was given a coat of paint, some hardware and fabric behind the glass fronts for hidden storage and is now used as an entertainment unit. Clever!

Thanks for entering! Check out the next post for our other honourable mention...

Honourable Mention!

 These chairs are unbelievable. If anybody needs any foam, these chairs have some to spare. The lucky owner just bought their first house and were short on furniture. A friend selflessly parted with the chairs in order to help her out. Awww. But seriously, these chairs could be great! The rocker could be functional and quirky piece in a nursery or family room.

 Painted in a pale green

And comfortable cushions upholstered in a fun print, with crisp white piping. Cute. 

Thanks for entering!

Halloween Make-Over Contest!

(click poster to enlarge)

We are so excited to announce the first annual Turquoise Shed Halloween Make-Over Contest!  

Please email us...

- pictures of your awful furniture piece (which will be posted here for all to be horrified by!)

-a brief history of it (where you got it, where it resides in your home, why you think it is so terrible!)

-your complete contact info (full name, general address and phone number)

The winner will be decided by three fabulous, local guest judges

Kelly Caseley of Green Man Vintage and Vinyl.  She has style and a flair for retro pieces. You can follow her at

http://greenmangirl.blogspot.com

Katelyn Fraser of Katelyn Fraser Photography has an eye for beauty and knows how to capture it. You can follow her at

http://katelynfraserphoto.tumblr.com/

and CBC's Sara Fraser. She can spot a good story when she sees one! She also designs and sews pillows from vintage fabrics! Buy them at  Green Man Vintage and Vinyl!

Contest closes at the witching hour!  Midnight, Sunday Oct. 31st.

The winner will be chosen, announced and contacted by Friday,  Nov. 5th.  The lucky winner will have their completed piece displayed in our 102 Queen Street window to show off its successful recovery!

for entry or questions contact us at...

turquoiseshed@gmail.com