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...

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Eighteen25

Snowbird Ornament Giveaway from Tree Classics

Hey, folks!
I hope you had a fun and safe Halloween and the only
bad spirits you encountered came from a bottle.

I know it's not quite Thanksgiving,

but it's time to start thinking about Christmas.

Making lists, checking them twice,

figuring out if you've been naughty or nice.

I can't really help with the naughty or nice part,

but I may be able to help with the decorating!

Tree Classics has asked me to help you make your

home into a winter wonderland this Christmas.

Founded in 1976, Tree Classics™ has a long history of
designing the World's Finest Artificial Christmas Trees.
We have since expanded our range of holiday offerings to
include artificial wreaths, garlands, and various accessories.
Our lasting success is a result of our dedication to quality
and personal service that delights customers year after year

I'm partnering with them to give away this

adorable set of Mini Snowbird Ornaments.

The splendor of the outdoors comes alive with

Tree Classics' Assorted Mini Snow-Bird Ornament Set.

These Christmas tree decorations capture the charm of

snowbirds perched on evergreens in the winter.

With a bristly finish & glitter embellishments,

these snowbird ornaments are perfect against the

rich green foliage of a classic Christmas tree.

Check out the Rafflecopter giveaway below and
enter to receive these sweet little snowbirds.
The contest runs through 11:59 PM MST on Nov. 11
and is open to U.S. residents only.
For more details, see the terms and conditions below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for coming by...and good luck!

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Crafts a la Mode

Happy Blessed Home
Simply Sweet Home
The Freshman Cook
Life On Lakeshore Drive
Reasons to Skip the Housework
Dwellings

Glam Guest Bath Makeover

I have made it my mission to paint all the cabinets in the house.

Someday I'll even make it to the kitchen.

In the meantime I have finished the 3rd and final bathroom.

This is our upstairs guest bathroom...

otherwise known as Sara's bathroom when she is home.

It started out like this below...usually with more clutter.

The fashion cities wallpaper border never got completely

put up and what was there was starting to fall down.  Nice, huh?

I don't know why there is a yellow hand towel on the rack.

It wasn't horrible...if you don't count the orangey

builder cabinets with no hardware.

But it was time for a change.

You can see my paint samples on the wall below. :)

Ta da!

I went with Sherwin Williams Requisite Gray.

It's soft and a little warm...very pretty and soothing.

I was concerned about doing gray in this room with no windows,

but the satin finish and the lighter color actually seems to

brighten the room instead of make it darker.

Please ignore my elbow.

She's been wanting me to do something in here since

I first did the mini makeover in our master bath.

She wanted the cabinets painted and the mirror framed...

and when I told her I was going with gray...

her only request was a plum shower curtain.

Done.

Oops. Looks like I forgot to put the little rug back in before I took this shot.

Oh well.

Someday I hope to replace the flooring...but until then this will have to work.

I framed the mirror with some decorative molding, mitered at the corners.

You can find instructions for that all over the place.

I will post some of my own someday.

I also used my favorite Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint

to transform the shiny silver light fixture into something more classy.

She also asked if I could do a large damask stencil on one wall.

Ugh.

You can see it here reflected in the mirror.

It look pretty...but that's something I probably

won't be doing again anytime soon.

But more on that in a later post.

I've decided to do the cabs throughout the house in the

SW Creamy that I started with in the master bath.

To me it's the perfect creamy white but not stark.

I love a little warmth to my white.

The hardware I purchased from this seller again on eBay

because they have great prices and flat rate shipping.

The counter top was done using my same method of

sponge painting and sealed with epoxy resin

like I did in our planked wall powder room.

The faucet is the same as the powder room...these were a

couple of satin nickel faucets I picked

up on clearance at Walmart for a great price.

I couldn't pass them up.

Here is the stenciled wall.

I took out the standard towel bar and replaced it

with antique looking hooks for a little more character.

This actually came from Hobby Lobby and was turquoise.

I painted it with some black chalk paint and distressed

it a little so the turquoise would just peak through.

I'm still deciding if it needs a piece of art in the large space to the left of the towel hooks.

Here's a little closer look at the counter tops.

And a little bit of pretty with a sort of vanity tray and a beautiful orchid.

That's the story of the glam bathroom makeover.

Yes it's a little posh and purple...but I feel it's still a nice

space for Sara as well as any overnight guests we may have.

Oh...and just for a little fun...

I added this bit of vinyl to the front of the tub

 so you see it when you pull back the curtain.

Just a quick before and after.

I wish I could give you a cost breakdown.

But the truth is I started this makeover last fall.

I know, I know...hard to believe it takes that long.

Hey...I did say I changed jobs and it caused a scheduling upheaval.

If I had to guess in my head...

paint, hardware, faucet, curtain, molding for the frame, epoxy...

Probably around $250 or so.

Not bad for an entirely new look without replacing major pieces.

So what do you think?

Way better than the before right?

Sara likes it...I know she won't be home forever...

but I'm confident guests will enjoy it also.

Well...that's all for now, folks.

I do actually have a couple more things waiting in the wings to show you...

I just have to make some final adjustments...so stay tuned.

Until then, remember:

happiness is a choice...choose wisely.

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DIY Showoff
The Chicken Chick
Life on Lakeshore Drive
A Pumpkin and a Princess
Funky Polkadot Giraffe
VMG206
Stone Gable
A Stroll Thru Life
Lamberts Lately
Thrifty Decor Chick

Bye Bye Mini Blinds and a Chandelier Makeover

Hello...hello...is this thing on?

Remember me?

I'm that girl that used to blog here.

I was recently looking back at another post where
I was joking about being AWOL for 3 weeks.
That seems like nothing now.

I haven't stopped DIYing or decorating...
I just haven't had time to share any of it with you.
Insert sad face here.

But...TA-DA! I totally changed the look of my dining room with a few simple updates.
I hate those cheap white mini blinds...as necessary as they may be sometimes.

When we had our dining windows replaced after a storm damaged them,
I knew I wasn't putting the blinds back up.
Here's how it looks now:

And here's how it used to look.
I searched and searched and couldn't find any decent before pictures.
I was so sure I had some...

But you get the idea...even if it's a little Christmasy.

I found the bamboo shades on clearance at Bed, Bath & Beyond for a sweet price.

They were lighter than I really wanted but couldn't pass them up.

I fixed that problem with some Minwax spray stain.

I probably could have done a wipe on stain, but these shades
have a liner and I didn't want it to seep through.

I found a good spot in the garage to hang them and
stretch them all the way out and sprayed away.
It worked beautifully.

I love them because they are cordless and they add
some nice, warm natural color to the room

The next step was to make some straight neutral curtain panels.
Seriously, straight off the bolt...cut, hem sides and ends.
Add a little fusible web at the top for sturdiness. Done.

Once again I used some Onasburg fabric.
It resembles the popular drop cloths but is much easier
to work with and has a super low price.

Once I agonized over the curtain rod I wanted,
then I found the clip rings on clearance.
Bonus!



Now the fun part...
You can see from the inset that this light fixture used to have globes.
I was so over them, but didn't think it made sense to get a new light.

I removed the globes, added some pointy light bulbs...

...and needed something to cover the ceramic bases.

My quest yielded no suitable base covers so I had to improvise.

I'll give you 3 guesses and the first 2 don't count.

Okay, okay...I kinda loathe crafts made from TP rolls...
but in this instance I had no other choice...and they're not handled ever.
I cut them to the size I wanted then spray painted
them with some Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze.
Did you guess correctly?

You can't even tell. :)

I love it! It's like a whole new chandelier!

I love the lightened up look and it will go so well with

the kitchen if I ever get those pesky cabinets painted. :)

I still love red, but prefer to accessorize with it rather than have it be the focus.

See? I haven't been a total slacker.

So what do you think?

I like my new job...it's just really different and when I go home

I don't have the umph to sit down at the computer and work on the blog.

Not to mention all the other craziness of life...and taking the girl to

New York  to settle in for a summer program on Broadway.

Really. (Miss Awesome Pants!)

But I miss you...really.

And I do have other projects that I'm working on and

hope to finish soon...and share eventually. :)

All my love till next time...

Sharing here:

Crafts a la Mode

Craft Dictator

AKA Design

The DIY Village

The Answer is Chocolate

Happy and Blessed Home

Bloom Designs

Sincerely, Paula

I Heart Naptime

Reasons to Skip the Housework

A Simple Pantry

Crafty Allie

The Turquoise Home

The Dedicated House

From My Front Porch toYours

A Stroll Thru Life

Stone Gable

Thrifty Decor Chick

Happy New Year! 2014's Top Ten!

Okay, well, I'm only slightly behind.

I mean, January's not quite half over yet, right?

It has been super crazy nuts around here the last few weeks.

So, without further ado,

allow me to present to you the top 10 from 2014!!!

I know, I know...

you're thinking...didn't I only post ten times last year?

No...I actually did a few more than that!

:)

As always, I feel these numbers would be totally

different if posted at different times of the year.

10. Hauntingly tasty Cookie Dough Jack-O-Lantern Truffles

9. Taking you into the clouds in my Valentine's "heart-air" balloon.

8. Absolutely wonderful and totally time consuming Paper Rose Trees.

7.  The "I still love going in there just to look" Planked wall bathroom.

6. The "keep calm and eat breakfast" Cheesy Egg and Sausage Bake.

5. "I can't believe I ate all the frosting" GF Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting.

4. The secret makeover of Sara's purple palace.

3. The Chalk Painted Dresser of my dreams.

2. The great TV Console maker

and the single most popular post from last year...

The super easy customizable DIY personalized cutting board.

And there you have it!
I had lots of fun in 2014 doing all these projects...
I hope you enjoyed them, too!

2015 looks to be challenging for my blogging time.
I just changed jobs and have much less free time now...
although I am totally stoked for this new adventure in the new year.

I know I promised a sweet treat before Christmas...
I am hoping to get it out to you in time for Valentine's day.

Until then, keep smiling!

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Craft Dictator
AKA Design
Crafts a la Mode
I Heart Naptime
The 36th Avenue
Reasons to Skip the Housework
I Should Be Mopping The Floor
The Chicken Chick