The Moon and Me: chalk paint

Showing posts with label chalk paint. Show all posts

Thursday, June 29, 2017

A Stenciled Dresser Makeover

In a shocking news release...

I have NOT dropped off the face of the Earth!

But that is a story for another day.

Once upon a time I wrote a little story about a clock.

In the course of that tale you were introduced

to a started, although long neglected, project.

Enter the dejected dresser...

This dresser, or chest of drawers, once belonged to my mom.

While it was the first real furniture she had growing up,

it wasn't particularly pretty, and she had no sentimental attachment to it.

You can see in the picture above that at the time I took this

picture, 4 1/2 years ago, I had already started the redo.

However, that had been another 2+ years before that.

I know, right?

It had these mid mod grooves and sharp, tarnished, and

deformed metal pulls where the knobs are now.

You can see the color of the metal on the top pulls,

although those aren't the same style.

The ones I had already removed were bent hook-like things that

gouged your flesh should you get too close when passing by.

Since it is actually solid wood it made my job a little easier.

I filled all the grooves with wood filler and sanded them smooth.

I also filled the holes for the top pulls so I could drill new holes

for the wood knobs to match the other drawers.

I somehow neglected to take any pictures between the beginning and end.

I painted the bottom with home mixed chalk paint.

This was a sample I had of BM Revere Pewter.

I started out painting the whole thing and didn't like it.

So I sanded the paint off the top and went with stain.

I usually cheat and use the stain/poly mix because I'm ~~lazy~~ efficient.

Once it was painted, I used this adhesive vinyl stencil I ordered from Etsy.

(It doesn't look like that seller is currently active)

It was just what the doctor ordered.

Perfect!

I distressed it ever so lightly around the corners and sealed it with wax.

Mmmm...mmmm...mmm.

I used the same stain from the top on the knobs, too...

(which are just basic wood pulls I picked up at Home Depot)

and the finished piece is beautiful.

And now for a few too many pictures...

Here it is in it's home in the guest bedroom...

which I will try to share sometime in the near future...

or before the end of the year at least!

I love this transformation!!!

I hope you'e enjoyed this makeover.

I do have a few other things to share.

I haven't been completely idle in my absence...

just unable and/or unmotivated to write about it.

I hope some of you re still out there!

I've missed you!

Hope your having a great summer!

See you soon...

Sharing here:

Eighteen25

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Entertainment Center to TV Console Makeover

Helloooooo!

I have missed you!

NO, really.

And I almost feel the need to reintroduce myself......again. :)

sigh.

Anyway...we have been spending every spare minute working

on the bathroom redo and I have not had time to get this done!

I mean...it's been DONE.... but not done. You know?

So...like my new entertainment center?

Wanna see what it used to look like?

KEEP READING!!!!!! ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

SEE?????????

Here's the official Before and After...

but scroll down to see the magic in action!

First...start with an outdated entertainment center.

Excuse the husband person...I forgot to take any

pics before we started taking things apart.

It actually used to have a partition on the upper left side with a glass door...

we took that off a couple years ago so we could fit the flat screen in there.

Let's back up, shall we?

It all started when Jon decided he wanted to mount the TV on the wall.

Ugh...ok.

Then what do we do with the entertainment center?

I didn't really like any of the consoles we saw...

unless we wanted to spend gobs of money...

sooooo not necessary.

We talked about making some shelves and baskets below á la something I saw on Pinterest.

Then I had this brilliant idea to use what we already had.

I know...sometimes I amaze even myself.

So the story began...

First we removed the top...we knew we wanted to keep that part.

Then with a hand saw we cut off the vertical sides down to the bottom.

Pretty easy, it doesn't have to be pretty...just even.

See why pretty doesn't matter?

We're attaching the top piece the bottom section and it will cover any saw marks.

Unless you got really carried away and went all Texas Chainsaw on it or something.

Then I can't help you.

Once we made sure we had it centered on the bottom piece,
we used Gorilla wood glue in generous amounts and then set
some heavy things on the top while it dried for a couple days.
Oh...and we took the doors off...filled the screw holes and sanded.
Yep...forgot that part.

Once it was ready...I used some home mixed chalk paint...two coats later...

and it looks like it was always one short piece of furniture and never anything else.

This was Martha Stewart's Tidewater...

It's a little more green than aqua, but I made it work in the room.

A little dark wax and allover clear wax and you have an amazing transformation!

I searched high and low for the perfect size baskets...they were never to be found.

I found these almost perfect ones at World Market...but there was still something missing...

Besides the need to put some tools away...

my baskets needed some liners!

Perfect!!!

Not only did they unify the look, but they kept the CDs and DVDs

from leaning to and fro on the uneven seagrass weave.

I was going to do a tutorial on making liners for baskets...

but, NO...since mine didn't fit properly and I was mad at them

and just cut a slit in the back and blew raspberries at them...

I thought maybe I would pass on the how-to.

But they are pretty from the front! :)

The reason it took so long to get this out to you...

well, once we redid the TV console...the rest of the room needed a facelift.

I couldn't very well, just leave you with one little corner, could I?

This is our loft "bonus room" as it's called...but to us it's our TV room.

But since it's upstairs, it has always been the castoff room.

You know...the place you send the furniture and decor

you didn't want to use in the rest of the house?

Well, no more! I wanted it to be cozy.

We don't watch tons of TV but when we do, it's a fun family time.

I wanted it to be a relaxing place to hang out.

We did get a new loveseat and extra wide chair, but that's because we really needed them.

Then I began brainstorming decor.

I was going for cottage style when I planned the console, so I went with the whole room.

Now, I can't say my interpretation of cottage style and yours are compatible.

That doesn't matter, all that matters is we love it.

It's cozy and has a collected look...that's the story I'm going with.

It started with this big framed Rodney White print I picked

up at Tuesday Morning a couple years ago.

I have always loved it and never had a place for it.

I decided it was becoming a focal point in this room

The "frieze" above the TV came from Hobby Lobby.

You can see I moved the Barnwood Flower Box up here...I like it here even better.

But anyway...I also shopped the house and the garage.

The large star above I used to have in the living room...

The old window has been collecting dust and spider webs

in the garage for longer than I can remember.

I had primed it once, sloppily...with plans to paint it black...

then I was struck by inspiration to paint it one of the

twelve thousand samples of aqua paint I have...

genius.

But know...scraping paint is one of my least favorite things to do...
this little razor blade was the bane of my existence for several evenings after dinner.

I used my Silhouette to cut some birds on a wire from vinyl...

and I am in love with my new wall art.

I hung it sideways because it worked better in the space and with the birds.

Sweet, huh?

The clock I adore came from Decor Steals I think...I have a thing for clocks.

The blue bird is from Hobby Lobby.

Our loveseat and chair came with some hideous throw pillows.

I mean, so ugly, even a mother would have a hard time, you know?

That was an easy fix, I just picked up some fun coordinating fabric

and sewed some super simple envelope covers for them.

{Almost} instant makeover.

{***I found the link above for you because she made hers almost exactly like I made mine,

but know this...I detest ironing and would never do such a detestable thing to something

I'm going to be mashing up against on the couch! :) ha ha}

I found the aqua button pillow at HomeGoods and wish

I had gotten it's large square counterpart.

My mom warned me...she said I'd be sorry...and of course, she was right.

Dangit.

The fun sunburst mirror I picked up at Hobby Lobby...on sale, because, really.
The chunky cable throw was 80% off...because I wasn't going to pay $80 for it!
Crazy. I bought 2 of the 3 they had...and should have gotten all 3.
And my last crafty contribution...I made the LOVE sign
with some scrap wood, some chalk paint, vinyl, and some fabric strips.

And there you have it...
A whole room change because of one man's desire to wall-mount the television.
In the end...it was a good decision. :)
Thanks, love.

There's still a side table you didn't see beside the oversized chair that I need to paint,

but it's basically a done deal.

It's fun and cozy to hang out here and lounge around.

To me it feels much like a vacation cottage or something.

Eclectic and collected, just like the rest of my life. :)

And like this print I mentioned above:

"We tend to seek happiness...when happiness is actually a choice."

See why I love it so?

I spent about $40 for paint, baskets, and fabric...
which is a bargain when you consider most of the
new consoles we saw started at around $300...
that's a $260 or more savings!
Yay me!

Well, the bathroom I bought the paint for a year an a half ago...
we've made tons of progress on...but it's kinda slow going.
I'd say we're over half done...I think the hardest part is over.
I need to get it done, so I can put the toilet back in there.
We keep hoping no one drops by unexpectedly.
:)

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there...
whether by birth or by love...
Have a great one!!!

Sharing here:

I Should Be Mopping the Floor

The Chicken Chick

DIY Showoff

Natasha in Oz
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Monday, March 10, 2014

The Painted Lady ~ A Dresser Update

Hello there peeps...

I know, I've been neglectful and haven't been around.

I think I have a brain cloud.

Ever have one?

Know the best way to get rid of it?

Hrrmph.

Anyway...

last weekend it was cold and snowy...

again...

but it made for the perfect weekend to get this project done...

finally.

Last fall I told you about this fabulous find I got for my living room.

And yes, it's taken me this long to get it painted.

Whatever.

I apologize to those of you who said I should leave it natural and not paint it.

I just couldn't.

I say I'm sorry, but really I'm not.

It was throwing my whole living room atmosphere right outta wack!

Okay, maybe it wasn't quite that dramatic, but it all felt off.

Like something just wasn't quite right, you know?

It's bad enough that I am forbidden to paint the grandfather clock.

I would probably get a lecture from my dad just for mentioning it. :\
{but just between you and me, my mom thinks it would look pretty good painted black!}
The grandfather clock, that is. But don't tell.

I waffled some on the color.
I have a shelf done in Annie Sloan Old White,
so I didn't want this to be the same.
Between four different choices, I went with the AS Cream.

It's kinda buttery yellow. But I like it.
If I had thought about it, mixing the Old White and
Cream might have been a good compromise.

I wiped the dresser down with some hot soapy water.
It is old and was kinda dusty and cob-webby.
Two coats of paint later, you'd never even know!

I did some light distressing with a sanding sponge.

I didn't want to go crazy, just kind of a gently used look.

I know you're supposed to wax THEN sand, but I don't like it that way.

Call me a rebel.

I have yet to decide if I will use any dark wax for aging.

I may try it on a small space and take it back off if I don't like it.

The knobs may change.

That's something else I can't decide on.

I thought about painting them aqua, then didn't.

Some cute crystal ones might be fun.
At some point two of the knobs had been replaced,
they aren't quite the same style and size as the others.

But, unless you look, you can't really tell...

so for now...if you don't care, I don't care.

I love the lightness it brings to that side of the room now.

It really does fit into the rest of the style I have going on.

And as pretty as the natural wood was...I just love this more!

And now...just in case you're curious about the stuff on top:

this chunky plant stand...yes, it's a plant stand...

came from Hobby Lobby a few years ago.

I have used it for a cake display and now for candles

They have them again this year, but they are several dollars more now, of course.

The Pottery Barn look-alike lantern came from Pier 1 for a fraction of the cost of PB's version.

The frame is a clearance find, painted, strung with wire and mini clothespins.

The paper wreath came from Zulily and the round tray from Decor Steals.

The urn came from a vintage street fair and the boxwood ball is a TJMaxx find.

Like I said...just in case you wanted to know.

Oh...and...it's not just a pretty face...
I use it to store rotational decor, extra candles, books, and such.
It's awesome.

You know...if I had a wide angle lens...
I'd someday show you the WHOLE living room.
Oh well.

I hope you have enjoyed this makeover.

And if you didn't, please keep it to yourself. :)

I'm trying hard to get over my brain cloud problem...

and in the meantime...

I think I'm finally going to start painting the bathroom.

I've only had the paint for a year.

Ha!

I hope you all have a fantastic week and

the brain clouds stay far far away from you!