Finished End Table Redo

I have finished the end table. This was my first experience using Annie Sloan chalk paint. I drove almost an hour to get it. I almost put it back several times because of the cost, but I am really glad I didn't.
I really wanted Antique White, but they were out. I ended up getting the color Old Ochre. In my opinion it is between a cream and light tan. I am so thrilled now that I got that color. It goes so well with my decor and I think it looks great distressed. Once again I learned so much from this project. I found I applied it too thick to some areas. This caused those areas to not dry as smooth. It still looks great, but not as good as if I had used thinner layers, and PATIENTLY waited to add more coats. The paint is thick and goes a long way. I only used about a fourth a quart for this table, which really helps justify the cost.
All I did for this table was clean it very well, paint it, distress some areas with sand paper, and then spray a matte clear protective coat. I was going to use Annie Sloan wax, but I had read on some other blogs that it is not as protective. I knew we would be sitting drinks on the table, so I opted for the polyurethane instead.
I used the wax on my wine rack I recently posted about instead. I liked the look it gave the rack, but even after several days I can still feel it. I am not sure how I feel about it yet. I will have to apply it to some other items to see how it works.
In the picture you can see that I added a dark brown basket to the bottom shelf. Also, I want to add that this paint went right over the stain with great coverage. I didn't have to sand the table whatsoever. A definite plus to me, so thumbs up to Annie Sloan paint!

Spicing It Up

Today we are going to talk about my new button holder. I have had this small spice rack for years. We have used up all the spices that we like. My in-laws purchased it for us, and I just didn't want to part with it. I decided to convert it to a button holder.

Cabinet How To

I wanted to follow up with the instructions on how to apply the faux finish to the cabinet I finished. If you look at the post called "Cabinet Update 2", you can see the products that were used. First I applied a strong oil based primer, then Valspar paint called "Eclipse". It was the color called for to do the "Taste of Italy" faux finish. After the paint had dried I applied Valspar Brushed Pearl to it. You can see the picture of it in my other post. I purchased it at Lowe's who also had the pamphlet on how to apply this type of finish.
I had to also purchase a wash brush along with a trowel. To apply you take a few foot section, take the wash brush and make X's. When this becomes tacky you take the trowel and make circular motions over that area. Then you repeat this on another section until it is all finished. I was very upset when it dried because it did not look like it does on the pamphlet. I decided to apply a second coat using the same technique. This made all of the difference. I was very happy then with the finished look. It definitely reminds me of some of the buildings in Italy.
I hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to ask! Here is the better photo I promised!

The Finished Cabinet!

I am SO excited to show you the before and after photos of the cabinet. I will have better quality photos soon, but I just couldn't wait! I worked very hard on this. It was my first big project and I am very proud. It was an old, dull piece of furniture, and I feel like I have given it some character.

Tomorrow I will give detailed instructions on how to give it the "Taste of Italy" finish. We are decorating our dining room in Tuscan decor, so this will match perfectly! Check back in tomorrow to see how to get this look.

Cabinet Update Part 2

Well I got the cabinet primed and painted. I will say that it took a long time. As you can see in the pictures from Part 1, the cabinet has several shelves, and they are not removable. It was really time consuming doing the ceilings of them and getting in all the corners. There are also a couple of drawers. It was well worth the time. It is a large cabinet with a great amount of storage. It was my grandma's and it was free. What more can I ask for?? After the painting I purchased my supplies for the faux finish. The finished look is called "A Taste of Italy".  Here is what was needed to do the brushed pearl finish:
Valspar Brushed Pearl
Wash Brush 4 in.
Trowel (plastic)
I purchased all of these items at Lowe's. They also had a pamphlet with instructions. I am so excited to show the finished look! I am waiting on one thing and then I can show you the cabinet. I ordered the handles so I am waiting for them to arrive in the mail. Once they are on, it will be ready to go so stick around!

Desk Redo

I have a really cute project today! We want our new office to be mainly black and white decor with some other colors thrown in. The reason for this is that my husband has a black CD rack and I have a white cabinet I keep photo's in that will be kept in the office. Unfortunately, do to lack of funds we have a lot of laminate furniture in our home. We are slowly replacing it. Our desk is awful looking in my opinion. It is just boring brown and made of laminate. I decided to cover it with wrapping paper. I was going to decoupage all of the areas, but after trial and error, meaning after I ripped off a couple of sheets, I decided to just stretch the wrapping paper over the areas and then decoupage where I sealed it underneath. I am so pleased with the results.
I purchased my paper at Hobby Lobby. I recommend getting it there if you have one in your area because the gift wrap is thick and strong. I would just advice that wherever you get it make sure it is not the really thin rolls. Depending on the size of what you are covering you made need the rolls instead of the flat sheets.  The office is a work in progress, so I will keep you posted along the way. Here are the before and after photos!

Cabinet Update Part 1

Well, I guess I did not think it through to start on this cabinet the week before our big move to the new house. Let me just say I got the cabinet almost painted completely, but then had to stop to move, so now it is sitting on plastic almost in the center of our dining room! It is driving me crazy at this point. I so want to finish it, but unfortunately being able to walk into my kitchen right now has to be the priority. There are boxes covering every inch of this house and it is a big house!

The photo's here do not really show the brightness of the color yellow that I chose. The one showing the inside of the drawer shows the color the best. I am hoping when it is finished I can time it the right time a day to get a good shot. I will next purchase the brushed pearl and tools I need to give it the Tuscan finish. Thanks for being patient and stay tuned. When the unpacking is over I hope to have projects completed closer together.

New Project Update

I have been very busy getting ready for our big move which will take place this weekend. We also have the joy of getting to move our parents on the same day. That is going to be one crazy day! Of course, being that I am already not in my right mind at the moment I decided to start a paint project in the same week! When my grandma died we decided to keep one of her old cabinets. It desperately needed repainting and a little update. These are pics of it before. I put primer on it yesterday, and I am painting it a yellow color today. I am then going to attempt my first faux finish and apply brushed pearl to it to give it a Tuscan look. The end color is called Tuscan Italy. I will be back with the after photos!

The New Year!

Here is to fresh starts and a new year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I know we did, but I must admit it was a crazy time. I was very busy this year with baking, cooking, working on gifts, and of course visiting with my amazing family and friends. One reason I was extra busy this year is because I went a little overboard with making homemade presents. I am very eager for us to get started on some new projects that have more to do with decorating, but I am going to share one more gift idea, that if modified could easily be used to decorate your home.
My father in law is only 63 and has been in a nursing home for 14 years due to a severe stroke. We had really run out of ideas on what to get him for Christmas. I decided I would make him a collage frame of old photos, but  we realized he didn't really have any more wall space. My husband came up with the great idea of making him a place mat to put on his tray table. It is in front of him at all times, so he would always see them! I thought this was a great idea!
To do this project you need:
 Poster board cut to 11x17 (You should check with your local copy shop to see what size works best with their laminating system before beginning).
Photos you are wanting to use (Can be originals or paper copy).
A cutter (If you need to cut them straight).
Cut out embellishments (Optional)
Scrapbook tape squares to stick photos to poster board

After applying the photos the way I wanted onto the poster boards I took them to the local office supply shop and had them laminated. I had two laminated for around $6.00. A couple of tips to remember is to ask the store to leave a 1/2 in to an inch of laminate around the sides so liquid cannot seep through. Also, have them make a color copy of your boards before they laminate them. This way if you ever want another copy you will have it handy!

You could easily use images from magazines, or from online to make place mats that match your decor. Another great idea is to use pictures of your kids. They will be tickled everyday when they eat, getting to see themselves. Another idea is to use their drawings! I hope you have fun with this project, and let me know if you have any questions!

Button Tie-Backs

Button Tie-Backs

This is a simple project I did when I moved into our home. First I picked out buttons and ribbon that matched the decor in my living room. Also, I purchased two drawer knobs that matched. Then I cut the ribbon to the length I would want to tie back my curtains. I simply spaced the buttons apart and hot glued them to the ribbon, along with hot gluing the ends of the ribbon together. Then I attached the drawer knobs to the wall, ran the ribbon up through the bottom of the curtain and attached the ribbon to the knob.