Shiny Candy

I figured instead of keeping everyone waiting on pretty after photos of the bookcases I might as well just dive right in.  But first lets back up.  To paint the bookcases I really only needed to take off what was on the shelves.  Everything else could stay in the drawers and cabinets. So I took off all the books and piled them neatly in front of my fireplace. 

 

Fast forward 3 weeks when the bookcases were ready to be used, I decided it was time to give the office a good cleaning.  Yes, this is my husbands 'space', but in my defense this 'space ' is like a black hole of crappola.  I was sick of putting his mail neatly on the side of his desk only to find it a week later spilled on the floor, unopened.  Nails on a chalkboard I tell you! 

 

So I took the opportunity during one of his out of town business trips to go to work....

 

Just keeping it real here folks! Good design isn't just about the pretty after pictures all the time.  There is usually a process in getting there, and here is mine. 

 

 I labeled bags and sorted for hours. It was liberating! 

And for the record, he was very appreciative that I took the time to do this because in the long run it will save him HOURS of looking for lost documents.  So it was a win-win.

Anywoo, as a reminder here is where I left off last time-

 

And here is what they look like now!!

 

 

Ahhh, so fresh and so clean!

 

I cant even tell you what a little white paint does for this space.  It has completely opened up the office and made it feel so much bigger than it is.  For a pair of bookcases that were headed to the sale pile, I gave them a new life (till I change my mind again).

And since everyone loves a side by side- here is the before and after one more time..

  I've still got a few more projects for the office to show you, but for now I'm so happy with how they turned out.

 

Now go grab that white paint brush and get to work! 

 

Shiny Chalk

The tiny office in my apartment has been the bain of my existence since we moved in.  Its ALWAYS a mess and its right off of the family room and of course in my direct line of vision daily.  Anywoo, I'll do a whole office post later, this post is more about the Annie Sloan chalk paint that transformed the bookcases I was about to throw to the curb.

Originally I bought them for a song, with grand plans of painting them white.  But then months and years passed and they sat creeping up the office and making it feel smaller and darker than it is.

They sat so long because I realized how much of a job it was going to be to sand them, prime them, then paint them. Yuck. 

Enter Annie Sloan chalk paint and their promise that it requires ZERO priming.  I had held off so long because of the price tag, its kind of steep.  I also want them in a high gloss finish, not that chalky finish.  But the thought of spending so much time sanding them and the fact that with the wax I could polish it to a shine sold me.  I bit the bullet and bought a can of Pure White Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and a can of the clear wax.

Now I did wipe down both the bookcases with a vinegar and water mix to clean off any grossness that was one them, and then I went to town.  

*So a little word of advice, if you want to paint something dark brown like these bookcases order a can of Old White AND Pure White.  Yes its more expensive, but I ended up using 2 full cans of Pure White on these.   I learned the hard way the Pure White has no pigment and it doesn't cover like the other colors.  I wish I would have ordered the Old White as well because then I would have more than half of two cans left instead of nothing left. 

The painting was the easy part.  It goes on quick and dries faster than any paint I've used before.  The hard part was the wax.  I had no idea it would require so much buffing.  I did two coats of the wax and buffed every single inch of those bookcases like nobody's business.  I wanted shine and shine they do.  It doesn't even look like that chalky finish I was afraid of.  

Now since these obviously get a lot of wear and tear I wanted to make sure they were good and cured before I put anything back on them.  I let them sit like you see above for a good 3 weeks before I put anything back.  I'm really glad I did, because the finish has not scratched once yet. 

I'm still finishing up this space, but here are the pulls I ordered to replace the old ones

I love them and they look so great with the Pure White!  I've got a few more projects to finish up in the office and then I'll share.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Gussied Up Entry

My parents use the garage entry as the main entry to the house.  Coming in from the garage the door opens right up to the side hallway and it's often where family and friends come in from the driveway too. (as I mentioned in this blog post too)  A few months ago my Mom wanted to spruce the place up without spending a ton of money.  I gave her a few ideas, but painting a runner on the stairs is my favorite idea yet.  So Mom (and Dad, since he'll probably be painting) this one is for you.  Also for any of you who are looking to spruce up your stairs

via the Estate of Things

Love the edge detail here. It's like a banded runner, but with paint.

Living, Etc.

Living, Etc.

This Old House, photo by Nathan Kirkman

This edge detail is fun too

Unknown, anyone know where this photo is from?

Via Home Life, photo by Polly Wreford

What do you think?  Do you think a painted runner would spruce up a garage entry and give it a little character and charm?

Tomorrow I'll post my other ideas on how to spruce up a garage entry.  You know, how to make it worthy of that judgy friend to see too!


PS- yesterday I was a guest blogger over at Brittany's blog Classically B.  Head on over to check out what my latest favorite finds are!!

Glossy Gloss Gloss

There seem to be a ton of new construction homes around these parts.  Other parts as well, I just notice where I live. Obvi.  Often, with new construction comes lack of detail or builder grade finishes.  But, at the same time that often means very smooth, flat walls with little flaws that would be PERFECT for s little high gloss / lacquer treatment!

I would have loved to use some crazy high gloss in my apartment, but with plaster walls and a less than perfect finish it would just highlight every tiny flaw on the older than old walls. But I sure can day dream about glossy walls and maybe that fun client who will let me go glossy crazy on their walls

Steven Gambrel, Time and Place. Photo by Eric Piasecki

Christina Murphy via House Beautiful

 

MMR Interiors

 

Lonny Mag

Miles Redd

Home of Jackie Astier via Elle Decor, photo by Eric Piasecki

Phoebe Howard

Veranda

Thom Filicia

 

Kristen Kelli Design via Veranda, photo by Max Kim-Bee

 

 design by Veronica Swanson Beard via Harpers Bazaar, photo by Ditte Isager

 

 

Tell me, would you like glossy walls in your home?

 

 

Polka-dot-in-time

Ever since I saw Stephanie's adorable closet nursery post I've been looking for a spot to do my own dots.  (PS if you haven't seen it, go check it out, it is beyond cute)

 

The stencil seemed easy enough, I mean who cant tape up a stencil and color in a few dots?  WRONG. 

 

Holy cow does it take time, and patience and did I mention time.  I thought my bathroom was the perfect place to add some pizazz with dots, after all I have been looking for a way to give that pink tile an update.  But after 2 full nights work, this is where I'm currently at

 

 

I thought I had a tiny apartment bathroom, UNTIL I look at it in measurements of 1" dots and 12' ceilings. Holy time consuming to say the least. 

 

Needless to say my weekend will be filled with stenciling and more stencling.  Good thing the weather man says its going to rain all weekend, I wont feel as bad staying indoors. 

 

In the meantime lets take a look at how I hope my walls might look when I'm finished

 

Good Homes

 

via avotakka

 

anyone know the original source to this one??

 

 

Wish me luck this weekend, I'm going to need it!

 

 

 

One Room Challenge: The Final

The end is here!  Woah, I never thought I would be saying those words, but it really is the end of this 6 7 week challenge.  I am grateful to Linda for talking me into doing this challenge again! She really knows how to get my butt in gear.  Thank you Linda!! 

My little rental apartment kitchen finally got the personal makeover it deserved for close to 5 years.  Like I said when I started this project, just because I live in a rental doesn't mean it shouldn't feel like my own.  I should have done this straight from the beginning, regardless if I thought I was only going to be here for 2 years.  Not owning this place it made major renovations not realistic.  This makeover had to consist of paint, fabric, and accessories. 

Lets go back to where I started.  The first picture (on the left) is going wayyy back, back to the first week I lived here.

 Bar cabinet & armoire before

under the sink and the mess before

If you want to start back at the beginning check out the previous weeks here

Week 1- Intro

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

The rug was purchased about 2 years ago and was the jumping off point for this makeover

I actually stuck to the original plan and used everything here.  

OK enough talking already, here is my new kitchen 

(warning, photo dump ahead)

And that's a wrap!  

7 weeks of planning, projects, paint and hark work has paid off.  With a few personal details, paint and creativity my rental apartment is no longer a place I avoid at all costs.  I might actually put some of those pots and pans I have to use and cook a nice dinner for my husband.  

Who am I kidding, I'll put the newly painted take out menu drawer to use and order us a nice celebratory dinner.  

Thank you so much for coming back each week to check in on my little kitchen makeover.  I had much fun tackling this project that I can't wait to start the next one.  After a little R&R of course.

Now I'm off to check out the other 19 bloggers and their final reveals, I can't wait to see how all the rooms turned out!

 

Chattafabulous

Chinoiserie Chic

Classic Casual Home

the Cottage Mix

Cottage & Vine

Design Indulgence

Design Manifest

Hodge Podge

Kim Macumber Interiors

Little Black Door

Matters of Style

My Crafty Home Life

Nicole Scott Designs

Pacific Family Homes

Pawleys Island Posh

the Peak of Tres Chic

the Pink Pagoda

Powell Brower Home

Simple Details