Guest Post: What a difference a knob can make.

I met Dacia on a Friday night girl's night just this past year but it feels like I've known her forever. Everytime I am with her, I just love her more and more! This girl knows how to work a pair of heels (she even does mountain climbers in them), has true wit and smarts, is such a loyal and caring friend, embodies classic beauty, and can get down and dirty in her DIY projects (she just shared that she was hand stiching a dog bed cover and plans to feature it here soon!). Dacia lives in California with her husband and the cutest little dog named Roo. 

Dacia and me at More than Waffles!

In her words:

"One day I was talking with my boss.  She told me she was going to redo her kitchen and that she was going to get rid of a tall upright four shelf case with a glass door. She asked me if I wanted to take a look at it before she tossed it. I couldn't believe my eyes...it was beautiful!  I saw the awesomeness of this piece and was so excited to get it FOR FREE!!!  In her house, she had it in her kitchen with various vases and platters placed inside. I, however, had no room in my kitchen at the time, so the shelf became a bookcase in our living room. Just recently, Tyler and I moved to a new apartment that is a little short on storage in the kitchen. Instantly, I knew this piece would go back to being a beautiful case that would hold our mugs, jars, and glasses. At first the case just sat  sat in our kitchen with a drab white knob. We have an open floor plan, making the case visible from our living room, so I decided to spice it up!  

I walked into Anthropologie and there it was, the most beautiful knob in the most perfect orange color. The knob was $10. A bit pricy for one knob, however, I justified it because it was only ONE knob and we were gifted the shelving unit for free. I thought the adorable weathered shelf deserved a gorgeous knob that would make it stand out and be a piece to remember. My husband had to use some heavy duty tools to remove the old, gross, boring knob. He then had to use a special saw made for metal to trim down the screw back that had the threading on it.  

Overall, I think the knob turned the piece from something interesting to unforgettable. I love sitting on the sofa, glancing over into my kitchen and seeing this perfect lady like shelf in all its glory."

How have you transformed a piece just by switching out old hardware? For more knob inspiration, you can read  "Knob Crazy" on Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up.

Treasury Edition No. 1

One of my favorite necklaces I purchased at a car show. Yes, bargain hunting and vintage finds can come at the most unexpected times. Don't you just love this turtle necklace? What is one of your favorite "got it when I least expected it" finds?

This wonderful find is from reader Noelle, designer and art director of uzzicreative. A Goodwill tray (circa 1970's Great Britain) she snagged for $2 on her birthday, together with a succulent and salt and pepper birds she received as a gift, she created a fabulous centerpiece. I am loving the green and orange color combo. ("I stare at it every day for creative inspiration"-Noelle) All this for $2!!! 

Jenna of Jennasaurusfun whimsical hand-made goods found an amazing hot-air balloon print, an owl bank, and a voyage worthy embroidery piece. In her words: " 'Admiral Stock's Aerial Adventure' is a print that Blake (husband in above photo) and I purchased together at a Salvation Army while we were dating. We shared it and often joked over the custody battle that would surely occur if we were ever to break up. The painting feels like something that would be in a Wes Anderson movie.  I got the little, leather owl bank at a thrift store years ago and I love the way it works with other little things that I have collected on top of a stereo that grandma passed on to us when she got new ones. I found this embroidered ship at a garage sale for 2 bucks. We get compliments on it all the time and it has inspired me to try out some embroidery of my own (for example... my first ever attempt is the owl in the photo with the owl bank)."    This girl knows how to thrift. She has what I consider the gene. (Yes she is my cousin). And yes, she does have an Etsy shop.

Lovely reader Hillary put in some serious elbow grease, paint, and design detailing into this piece (a Broyhill hutch). It was an unsold garage sale item that was given to her. All she had to pay was her time and diy patience! You can read more about the project at her personal blog. It made me laugh reading about her paint suite and the commentary about her husband getting in the project. (Also, that her light at the end of the tunnel was to get a homemade pie on that hutch, no matter what it took). How pretty are those knobs? And don't even get me started about that yellow, grey, and aqua floral print. Love it, Hillary!

I would love to add your find to the next treasury. Just send me an image (it can even be a snapshot from your phone, no professional cameras needed!) with a short detail of your find at pearlspoppiespinkiesup@gmail.com and I will add it to the next collection of reader treasures.  As Jenna wrote me, "Its like a grown up show and tell series!"  I cannot wait to see what you have to share!