I had the privilege of decorating for my church's Woman's Retreat this weekend.
"All Things New" was the theme and my job was to create the mood for all the ladies so they could prepare their hearts to be renewed and refreshed this weekend. The theme was totally up my alley since I LOVE re-purposing and making old things new and what a great way to get to know other woman in the community where I do life!
Pinterest as you know, is all the rage at the moment. There are so many inspiring visuals out there that we can pin and that inspire us to make old things new. Our retreat lead team thought it would be a great idea to create the decor around the whole "Pinterest" concept. I LOVED THAT IDEA.
So here goes....thought you might enjoy seeing what we did!
I found this vintage bike in Canton a couple weekends ago for $20. It was rusted and decrepit and incredibly ugly. I thought that this would be a cool large treasure to "renew" and painted it ALL pink.
My husband and everyone around me thought I was nuts as I rolled the bike to my car. I got lots of crazy looks that's for sure. However, he and his brother were so supportive and loaded the rusty piece of junk (after they had to take it apart to make it fit) in the car for me and trusted that it would be adorable when it was finished. I think it is!
We borrowed 4 old doors from a church friend that used them in their wedding for their backdrop. The doors are from their family farm. Aren't they so cool? They were my inspiration for the stage decor and I worked with their color scheme and rustic appeal.
The dress I found at Goodwill. I loved the vintage lace and the soft pink color. I added the broach to the front of the dress because I think that made it feel whimsical. The rose branches were gold and were also found in a thrift store. Once painted pink (by a WONDERFUL volunteer that painted until her finger hurt!) it looks so shabby chic and I loved it against the white distressed and chipped painted door.
I wanted loads of color on the stage as it was very cold and empty. I thought that cut strips of fabric and lace tied loosely onto rope would make a lovely backdrop. Again, many of my friends helped me by cutting each strip and tying them onto the rope (thank you ladies!!). These beauties added so much to the stage My drapery workroom donated all the fabric!!! JUST WAIT you will see BEFORE and AFTERS of the entire stage at the end of this post.
Aren't they fun? The great part is that after the retreat two of the girls took them home because they are going to re-purpose them again. One will make them into a bed skirt for her daughters room and the other loves all things "shabby chic" and is going to make draperies for her home. Repurposing once again!!!!!
The patina on these doors I love.
The big metal star was already on the stage so we had to work around that.
The band took most of the stage so we were limited as to what we could use. The farm doors were narrow and wide so they made a perfect backdrop without getting too in the way of the band's instruments.
Worship leader,
Jourdon Johnson was incredible and so talented. Her new CD is incredible!
I found this patio set at a garage sale. It was white before and wasn't terrible. I just thought painting it all the colors of the fabric we hung on the back wall would make things look pulled together. I recovered the chair cushions with fabric that was donated too. Do you see the green vase? That was a black and dirty mailbox that we painted green with spray paint meant for plastic. Fun!
Empty frames painted and distressed adds a really "funky junk" feel!
The bust was found at a thrift store as well and it makes a great jewelry holder.
I found these cute little ceramic cups and thought they made awesome cupcake holders. Central Market makes the cutest cupcakes! I used a mirror as a tray to give a layered look.
I purchased this gate and made it into a headboard. I added the decorative molding piece to it (It was brown before). Leaning up against it is a coffee table that I had made into an ottoman using an old coat. I loved the animal print and think it's the most awesome ottoman now. I wrapped the pillows with 2 of my belts to add some charm. The brown leather pillow on the right use to be a men's winter coat and I had it made into a pillow with a fun rhinestone button placed in the center. The colorful floral pillow use to be a jacket sleeve. Dated as a jacket but amazingly fun as a pillow.
A vintage suitcase and an old world shelf that I gold leafed makes this vignette come together.
I found 4 music books for a $1.00 each and decided they would be fun cut into paper chains. I hung them along with umbrella's from the chandeliers. They really made the room feel cozier and created a fun ambiance. Thank you friends for all your cutting!!!! They really made the room I thought!
With high ceilings you need large scale items.
The pink umbrella's looked so pretty with the light behind them.
Old hat boxes were recovered to look new.
The pillow here was made from an old dress.
In the foyer I added some collections too. The mood for a retreat is set as soon as everyone walks into the registration area. I love details and think that setting a welcoming feeling as soon as they step foot in the door is SO important, especially to woman!
My girls boots made great vases! The picture frame in the background was made from an old dress as well.
Cute chalk boards were placed throughout the retreat center. I loved this touch that the hospitality team did.
I hung a collection of little lampshades that I grouped together and they made a fun collection.
These cabinet doors I found at a garage sale. They were brown and dusty and full of cobwebs. I brought them home, painted and distressed them and added the paper to the back of them.
The picture frames I had and printed the wording on my laser printer. Easy, easy!
I had an old lampshade and stripped the old fabric off of it. Added the burlap and chevron print along with some vintage postcards and it was colorful that's for sure.
This old embroidered purse became a vase!
This gum machine base was made into a table. My very talented friend decoupaged the paper to the top of it.
BEFORE
AFTER
I love seeing how everybody's hard work for an event like this all comes together. So many details! Thank you to all of you that made this happen so that the ladies could enjoy and soak in what the Lord had for them that weekend.
This little tricycle was painted green too. It made a perfect display for the CD's Jourdon was selling.
The little shelf use to be brown too and it was painted this wonderful blue. I love the paper flowers made from old magazines!
I'm so blessed to have such great friends that I do life with that were at this retreat. Having woman in your life that you can laugh with, cry with and have fun with is the biggest gift EVER. Thank you to all my friends for your support and help in setting up this decor as well as taking it all down. You all worked so hard and I so appreciate it!
Hope you will find time to RENEW your soul. It gets neglected and needs nurturing. Make it a priority to STOP so you can be renewed. That's what this weekend was all about.
Hope you enjoyed seeing all these old things turned into something new!
"ALL THINGS NEW"
