Shabby Chic Lamp Revamp

I realize that I have shown quite a few lamp redos lately, but this one shabby chic remake was too interesting to pass up, and thought it would be worth showing off.  It is not your average spray painted lamp, and let me just say, I don't think I would have tried it, but I am so impressed with how it turned out that I guess I wouldn't fear trying it out in the future! It is from Suzanne @ Meridian Road:

I had this old lamp that I didn't like anymore.

It started out as a shiny brass lamp similar to this lamp.

 I got tired of it after about 2 minutes, and spray painted it black.

Something happened when I spray painted it and the paint turned out really rough, like sandpaper. It might have been too cold. But it looked a little like cast iron, and that was kind of cool, so I left it. And grew tired of after about 5 minutes. 

 I've been coveting this lamp

from Pottery Barn.

But the $100 price tag seemed a little, well, silly to me. It's a nice lamp, and I wanted it, but I wanted $100 in my pocket more.

I thought maybe I could fake it.

So I used this to cover the lamp.

I mixed up a thin batch, and used an old brush to spread the plaster all over the lamp.

I gave it several coats, then sanded it all smooth when it was dry.

Then I gave it a coat of some darker taupe paint that we had in the garage from some project that I don't even remember anymore.

Then I sanded it again because I didn't do a good enough job the first time, and painted it with the taupe paint again. (Just keeping it honest.)

I wasn't sure how I'd achieve the really worn and chipped parts of the inspiration lamp. 

 That's what makes the whole lamp, in my opinion. I did a search, and found that
 there are kits out there you can use(I saw that Michelle at Sweet Something Designs used one) but I was almost 100% certain I couldn't find them where I live, and I didn't want to order something online and then wait a week for it to show up. 

(I'm all about instant gratification, people!)

So I pulled out the Elmer's school glue and applied a light layer in the spots I wanted to age.

(You can get some pretty extreme crackle with glue. If you want really big crackle, use a lot and don't let it dry very much.)

When the glue was tacky but not all that wet, I went over the whole lamp with some off white craft paint, being careful to only brush over the glue spots once. If you brush over it a bunch of times it won't work.

I don't have any pictures of that step or the next few because I had become convinced at this point that this makeover was destined for the landfill and gave up on the documentation process.

But once the crackle started to show up, and before the glue was really dry, I took a toothpick and lifted out some of the larger spots of the crackled paint in the middle of each spot. 

And got this.

 

It's not the same, but I liked it OK.

Then I dabbed on some brown glaze and wiped it off in spots.

I found a lampshade I liked at Walmart. I was looking for a lighter one, but they didn't have one. Of course.

(One thing you learn when you live in a place that very few places to shop is to adapt and let go of your shopping expectations. So I adapted and let go of my expectation of having an ivory colored linen-like shade.) 

 I'm glad I got the darker color. It matches the dark spots on the lamp almost exactly.

The only money I spent on this was for the lampshade. So about $15. I had everything else on hand. 

I might get tired of after another 5 minutes, but that's OK. Maybe I'll find another one I like better between now and then.

Isn't that so cool?  I really like how she used her inspiration, and I love how it turned out!  I hope she is still liking it, I would!

Read more...

Laundry Room Design and Decorating Idea

I love a beautiful laundry room.  I feel like, if I have to do the chore of washing the insane amount of clothing and linens we go through in a week, that I should at least enjoy the experience right?  And what better than some eye candy- in the form of a beautifully decorated laundry room?  Well Jenny at The Rodden Family  was inspired to make her laundry room a beautiful space and she did it all for under $6.00, check it out:

Okay I am sure most of you have seen The House of Smith's Pantry facelift. 

I must say i was beyond inspired and my wheels immediately began spinning!

You see Mrs. Smith owns a vinyl business, Wonderfully Wordy, therefore she had the means to use a nice amount of vinyl to create this quatrefoil design you see and paint to her hearts desire and create the most "perfect" looking pantry in America. 

Well, being the absolutely Martha/ i-can-do-anything-if-i-set-my-mind-to-it me i went ah-pludering.{if that isn't a word it is now;) } I knew my husband would laugh hysterically at me if i told him i wanted to order this large amount of vinyl and actually spend $ on this project so i had to think harder....

I needed to spend less than $10.00 and create the same look. 

Well if you know me at all, you know i like to have things that other people don't have, i really love different. 

Well, how many people do you know that have used their favorite wedding wrapping paper from Hallmark and turned it into their absolute favorite wallpapered room in their house??

 I DID!!

I know what you are thinking... Jenny Beth, most people are spending whole weekends to rip down tacky wallpaper, and you are hanging it??

Have no fear my friends, Spray Adhesive came to the rescue. 

Whenever I am ready to "change the look" all I need is my handy-dandy Magic Eraser and a slight amount of elbow grease and all the tackiness is gone. 

Like in an hour.....

Here is a closeup of the pattern, has a slight sheen to it with a pretty small repeat, i.e. makes it easier to match the pattern.

Here is the whole project. 

I tried my very best to eliminate as much unnecessary junk as possible.

I think the top right corner is a lost cause though. haha

Took two of my Arthur Court canisters and added them in here. The are filled with sweetnlow and soup mixes, not something i use all the time. 

My sweet friend Anna wrote me a thank you note, and i just love the way she wrote our address so much i had to add it to the "decor."

Needed to add some hang tags to everything so we would know where our items were hiding. haha.
{all fonts are compliments of the incredible Amanda fromwww.kevinandamanda.com}

More or less, this project was really good to weed out the clutter and send everything we don't use on a daily basis out to the "satellite kitchen" in the guest house. 

Speaking of the guest house: I hope to one day make it out there and begin working on projects but as i am continually learning.... slow and steady wins the race. 

Also for those of you still wondering, we are going strong with the homemade detergent. Only good things to say and my pocketbook is loving the slight relief!!

Happy early Friday/ first football weekend for most of us!!

ROLL TIDE!!!

ps. did i mention i only spent 6 bucks and some change on this project??

I think this looks great, and it is also functional, which is a must!  Great Job!

Read more...

Newly Upholstered Entryway or Bedroom Bench

Don't forget to link up to our Remodelaholic's Anonymous Party, 

for a chance to be featured!

I love a good before and after, and have I ever admitted that I have a special place in my heart for little benches.  I think they are so quaint, and I love how Korrie at Red Hen Home has totally re-imagined this well used, and abused garage sale find into something simply wonderful, here is what she did:


School started this week. For many a mother, that would be cause for rejoicing and more projects! But I'm a homeschooler! I'm afraid I may haveless time for projects, and I'm not really OK with that. I'll be struggling to find the balance in the next couple of weeks! 

Something that has me feeling good is the completion of a new project--another bench! I found this treasure at a garage sale a couple of weeks ago: 


Isn't she purty?? Let me just say that there was a LOT of great furniture at this particular yard sale, but the owner obviously thought VERY HIGHLY of what he had! This little bench, however, with the caning completely missing from one side, was a good buy! 


My friend "D" had been wanting a bench for her bedroom, so I sent her a picture of this one immediately. Sold! 

The plan was to put an upholstered seat on the bench. I had a piece of plywood cut to the general dimensions by my table-saw-owning friend. Then I made a pattern out of scraps of wrapping paper to follow the curves and corners of the bench. I taped the pattern directly to the plywood, and... 


Look at this! I cut this shape out my very own self with my very own jigsaw! (I bought the jigsaw a couple of months ago. Had to wait until it was properly "aged" to use it, you know.) 

Please ignore a couple of little zigs into the wood. I promise they won't show. 


First a layer of 2" Nu-Foam went on the plywood, and then I stapled a layer of batting on with my pneumatic stapler (another fun toy) to give nice smooth edges. 


Next came the fabric! Do you recognize it? It is the same that is on this bench at the end of my bed! I had just enough left. 



Oh, I probably forgot to mention the paint job. I used Rustoleum's flat black paint, and then distressed it to show the pretty details. 

I love the pretty curved handles. 


I added three buttons on top. I used my stapler to staple through all the layers of fabric and foam, and then hot-glued the buttons on. That particular method seems to work just as well (and it's a lot easier) than stringing them through holes in the plywood. 

Didn't it turn out perfectly!!  I love the shape of the piece and and the fabric she choose, all told, I'd say quite envy-able!!

Read more...

Brand New Stair Banister, Home Remodel

I try not to feature the same blogger right in a row, but you will have to forgive me for this one cause I couldn't help it when I saw this party link.  Ashley over at The Hillside Home has completely updated the look of her home by changing out the old banister on her staircase and balcony.  Not only was this a necessary change for saftey, but honestly it brought the home's look right up to date in a snap!  Check out the transformation:


The first time we looked at the house that is now our home, the first thing we saw as we walked in the door was the stairway. Our house was built in the 1970's and the stairway was original. It was built before there were building codes determining the space between each bar, so my mommy-radar was sounding on high as I noticed that Liam would fit right through those bars with little to no effort. EEEK. 

So, high on our renovating priority list was replacing the stairway.

Above are the before pictures and below is the BIG REVEAL of our brand new craftsman stairway. We are absolutely in love with the finished product. It is safe as can be and is a beautiful focal point in our home.

We are still shopping for a new lighting fixture to hang in the stairway and this lantern is on the top of my list. It is an outdoor lantern from Pottery Barn, but I think it would work indoors as well. What do you guys think?

Isn't the difference incredible?  

I love the new look, 

and I am sure they are enjoying it too!

Read more...

Reupholstered Arm Chair, Before and After

This is a great look at the difference reupholstering a piece can make.  This particular chair has great clean lines, and is so fun all newly dressed.  Thanks to jay over at salt fro linking this up to our last party!

Finally!  I finished reupholstering my armchair!  The whole process only took about 12 hours.

BEFORE

AFTER

Cost Breakdown

Ugly orange chair: $25

Waverly fabric from Joann's: $21

Extra heavy-duty staples: $2

TOTAL: $48

I am so happy with how it turned out, considering it was the first thing I have ever reupholstered.  The arms were tricky because they required sewing slipcover-like pieces to staple onto the frame as well as piping along the seam!  (it was also my first go at piping...)  I cut my new fabric using a "pattern" made from the old deconstructed pieces.  Luckily the foam and batting were in perfect condition so I didn't need to replace either!

I kept the legs wood because my couch legs are dark stained wood as well, although I would really like to try pickling them.  Maybe when everything else on my to-do list is done.  What do you think?  Keep the wooden legs?

Doesn't it look wonderful now!!?

Read more...

Master Bedroom Decorating and Remodel

Inside The Yellow House linked up on one of our parties and wants to give us a tours of her new master bedroom decorating and remodel.

I've been delinquent in posting the next set of pictures of the inside of the Yellow House.  If you missed the pictures of my living room and dining room, you can find them here.  

So without further adieu, let's go upstairs to the master bedroom and bath.  

So that you can fully understand the transformation, here are the before pictures.  Like the downstairs, the master bedroom had gorgeous carpet.  Great closet space too!

Notice how the transoms above the doors had been painted over. 

The closets were just barely deep enough to hold a hanger, but I'm not sure if they would have been able to accommodate clothes on those hangers.  

And here are the afters.  As you can see, I continued my theme of black and white and pink.  I kept the row of closets across the back wall, so I didn't lose a chunk of the bedroom to a walk-in closet.  The closet space is actually pretty generous for such a tiny house.  I did replace the standard-height doors with eight-foot doors to draw the eye upward to the high ceilings.  The louvered doors mimic the plantation shutters.  

The bed is from a flea market.  It was rusted and in generally bad shape, which meant that I got it for next to nothing.  I took it to an auto body shop to have it cleaned up and powder coated. 

There's a funny story to the quilt on the bed.  Years ago, I decided that someday I wanted to have a black and white bedroom, with a black and white quilt.  I fell in love with this quilt while I was out shopping with my mother.  Even though I had no place to put it just then, I bought the quilt and figured I would have it when the time came.  I stashed it at my parents' and promptly forgot all about it.  Well, fast forward about three years.  I bought the house and decided that I wanted a black and white quilt (guess my taste hadn't changed much).  I started to shop around for bedding, when my mother asked if I was going to use the quilt in their attic.  Good thing she remembered, or I would have gone crazy trying to find the perfect quilt that I already had!


I couldn't find exactly the right artwork for next to the bed.  I had in my head just what I wanted, but I couldn't find it in the real world.  So finally I asked someone I know who is an artist to paint the flowers for me.

Between the closets, the windows, and the doors, the lack of wall space for furniture was a real problem.  Instead of nightstands, I got two Bombay chests at a discount store to flank the bed.   They originally had a horrible rose pattern painted on the front, but I had them repainted in that same shiny white that went on the upright dresser.  The upright dresser, which just fits between the windows, used to be my grandmother's.   I love the way a couple of coats of paint makes all three pieces look like part of the same set. 


Remember those painted-over transoms?  Don't they look fantastic fully restored?  Fully functional, they tilt to allow air to circulate, even with the doors closed (old-fashioned air conditioning!).  The transoms are one of my favorite features of the house.


The fabric on the faux Roman shades and on the chair is Sunbrella indoor-outdoor fabric, which is perfect for a room that gets a lot of light because it doesn't fade.  So the black won't fade to gray or purple.  The shades are not working Roman shades.  I knew I would never put them down, so it wasn't worth spending the money on the extra fabric.  The shades are trimmed with pink beads (which unfortunately don't show up in the pictures).  The beads actually doubled the cost of the shades, but they look great sparkling in the sunshine.


The house did not originally have a bedroom off of the master bedroom, but I really wanted one, so I took a slice out of the adjoining second bedroom.  I love how you can see the pop of pink from the bedroom.


I know the pink isn't for everyone, but it's perfect for me.  I think it works because most of the walls are covered with tile, so there's just a little bit of pink. 



The artwork on the wall in the bathroom is left over from a college photography class.  I didn't turn out to be much of a photographer, but I did come a way with a few keepers.  I'm still looking for the perfect something for above the toilet. 



Thanks for coming on this tour with me!

Wow, what a transformation!  

Very nice, don't you think?

Read more...