I'm in the process of making over our guest room and doing a shiplap look (that post to come later).  As you will see in the photos, there is an odd "bump out" in the middle of a wall where our furnace vents run up to the roof.  In my original design it was going to be done in the same shiplap look as the rest of the room, but once the faux chimney idea came to me I was so glad I hadn't gotten to it yet with the wood.

The first step was to run to Home Depot and buy a sheet of faux brick paneling.  I lucked out by getting the VERY LAST ONE! More than likely it was still there because it had some damage, but who cares about that when you plan to cover it in joint compound, right?  It also meant it was half price due to the damaged area.  Even better!

I used a jigsaw to make the necessary cuts, and applied the paneling with a nail gun.  You can also use construction adhesive, however  I didn't want to damage the plaster should I
decide to ever remove it....as if! 
That completed the first step.

  Now to create the old plaster "German Schmear" look. I just used what I had on hand, which was about half of a bucket of joint compound that was left over from the bathroom remodel.  Perfect!
I grabbed two different trowel sizes, but found that I preferred the smaller size to apply and "smear", then followed with the larger one to knock down some of the roughness and
give a dragged look to some areas.  And in case you were wondering, yes those are my pajamas and slippers.  I tend to jump into things right after my morning coffee and news... then sort of
forget to get dressed, or brush my teeth for that matter. 

Here is where I suggest you take a step back.  When you're working up close it's hard to see the big picture.  Step away and see if you're loving it.  I decided I liked that it was inconsistent.  Heavier with more coverage in some areas, and thinner in others.  YOU CAN'T GO WRONG HERE! Because guess what? It's water soluble! At this point you could even take a damp rag and start wiping away areas if you want more exposure.  Or do as I did and wait until
was was nearly dry and "scrape & chip" away areas.  Between water and scraping you have
plenty of opportunities to play around, and of course can always go heavier if
you want a very plastered look.

Once my chimney was almost dry I decided to scrape some away and reveal more brick to let a little color show through.  If you did this and didn't like it you can just as easily add more.  The only step left to do after it's cured overnight is to very lightly sand off any places that are rough
and wipe down with a damp cloth.

I absolutely love it!  It looks as though we really did discover the brick chimney behind our plaster walls.  Now back to finishing up the bedroom makeover and get that shiplap painted!

From my initial design board to the finishing touches, it was worth all the work.  There's something so rewarding about making a vision come to life and doing it ourselves.  We started demo in February, but then life got busy and spring came...then summer.... and yeahhhh. 
We jumped back in this fall and met our goal of finishing before Christmas! And a week to spare!

From plumbing hassles, to bad knees... it's all in there!   The before and  after photos will tell the story.

There are some exciting changes happening here!  My Rust & Found journey is taking a new path, and I hope you’ll follow along with me.  Let’s just get the big news out of the way first: I'm going to be closing the brick & mortar part of my business at the end of November. It’s a bittersweet change, but will bring some new fun challenges and adventure.  For five years our monthly openings allowed me time to create, find, and curate great things to share with you in a new way, but it’s time to change things up

First: I'll soon be offering in home design consultations! I’ve been asked about this so many times, and the truth is it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Prior to the success of the store I’d never felt it was possible, but owning Rust & Found gave me something I hadn’t foreseen in the beginning: a newfound self confidence,  and your trust in my design sense! The “how & when”  of consulting is still in the planning stages, but this spring I’ll have more details to share with you, and I’m so excited to make this part of the business a reality!

The second exciting change: you no longer have to wait to purchase the “made” or “found” items that are for sale, nor will you have to be the first in line to ensure you get something you saw posted. You’ll be able to purchase things as I finish them! Facebook and Instagram will be the same as they are now, with furniture or lighting designs shared during the process and/or when completed.  Found and vintage items will be offered online in my marketplace.  The "planning stage" is underway and I'll share it as soon as I've got a great collection of items ready to go.

 If It Ain't Broke Why Fix It
So about the closing of the brick & mortar. I’m sure at this point you are asking “why? I thought you loved your store!?” I do! Believe me, a dream I’ve always had not only came true but grew and became more than I could have thought possible! I can’t begin to explain how honored I feel seeing happy faces come to shop over and over again. These past five years have been full of huge personal growth for me as well. Saying it’s been a self-confidence boost is an understatement.  It's truly been fantastic!

The reality of our success and growth is that it's harder for me to keep the shop filled. It's so wonderful that we empty out when we open. ... What a great problem to have, right? That’s the goal! However, selling more means making more and the physical demands of the job have taken their toll, this past year in particular. Long term back issues and the increasing fibromyalgia pain leave me fatigued much of the time.  I don't think my body is aware I'm only 53!  We’ve also been unable to take as many picking trips this year with long hours in the car being more uncomfortable for me.  Selling and sharing items as I make them will allow me to work at a manageable and more comfortable pace. I have a feeling that working with less discomfort may also leave me feeling more creative.  I need to get my mojo back this winter!

 
All added up this is such an exciting and positive change! Chris and I have made great new friends with other business owners and customers alike, and  I'll miss having those monthly opportunities to see all of you, to chat and share. I'll count on you all staying in touch with me through social media!

Please stay tuned for more information both here and through Instagram and Facebook.  When the details are worked out, I'll be sharing it all. 
                         
             This part of my journey has been so rewarding thanks to you, and I’m excited  
                                                                    to take the next big step with your support <3

*WEAR-ABILITY UPDATE:  When I originally finished painting I didn't follow up with any sort of clear coat. After 4-5 months I was having trouble getting the traffic pattern clean and it seemed the paint was sort of absorbing the dirt.  Before the holidays I decided to add a fresh top coat of my color and then follow up this time with a clear polyurethane.  Perfect!  It eliminated any porosity of the paint and was what I should have done after completing the job originally.
The product I topped it off with is made by RustOLeum, and I used cloth type applicator for a smooth finish. 

TThe larger flea markets that only happen a few times a year or once a month are always my favorite!  The thrill of the hunt is heightened because many dealers are from out of state and there's an urgency to beat other vendors to the deals.  This being said, it's impossible to do!  Even with early bird admission and getting there with the sunrise, you never know where to start shopping. Once Chris and I choose a direction, it's inevitable that something I would have wanted was selling on the other side of the flea right then.  That thought alone used to totally stress me out, but I've learned to ease up and remind myself that they are thinking the same thing about what I'm buying too.  Just have fun with it is the best theory!  
This trip was to the Springfield Extravaganza. Always a favorite!

I wanted to share some photos I snapped during our weekend trip.  Some of the items are things I could only dream of taking home with us, and others are great things that made it into our trailer.  You  never know!