Almost Navy & Vintage Gold Side Table

My husband found this table abandoned next to a dumpster. It was in good condition and it had great curves so he brought it home to me. I sanded it down and originally started to paint it grey but after the first coat I didn't like how the grey was turning out. I found this deep blue green paint that reminds me of navy blue but is too green to be navy. It's Valspar's Farimont Penthouse Mosaic Blue.

The original finish on the top was a sandy orange stain and I liked how the tone looked with the blue. However, the top of the table had a lot of dents and scratches in it and I would've had to put a lot of elbow grease in it to sand it out. So I decided to paint it Vintage Gold Metallic by Martha Stewart. 

I put 2 coats on the top and then distressed the edges. I buffed the whole top with a fine sanding block and it created an aged look. As if I had glazed it. 

I liked the effect so I left it.

I'm going to be working on a kitchen island soon. We're moving into a house and it comes with a really awful kitchen island that the last tenants left. The landlord says I can do whatever I like with it, so I've been pinning for inspirations. I'll post pics when it's all done.

White Distressed Coffee Table with Turquoise Accents

I've been working on this coffee table for 2 months. She was a little stubborn but so am I...

At first I painted her a bright turquoise but it was just way too much color for this table. Then I tried white. It was OK but I wanted to see if something else would make more sense. So I dry brushed the base in a greyish turquoise. I liked the technique but I hated the way it looked. So we went back to white .

 I decided to glaze her in a silver metallic and she was beginning to show some character. However, after all the coats of paint the thin carvings on the corners were looking awful. I could see drips of paint  and runs. I turned to wood filler to remedy the problem. It was my first go at wood filler and I didn't do such an awesome job. Still, I could see the outlines of the carvings and then I thought about decoupoging.

I had this swirly craft paper that I adhered to the corners with mod podge and sealed with a clear coat. It was just the right amount of color and the swirls added a little whimsy. 

The edges of the tabletop and legs got a little distressing attention and then I applied a white wash. I like white washing (watered down white paint applied and then wiped off) because it provides a muted wood tone to the distressed areas. I finished her off with a few coats of wax and spray painted the original hardware.

After two months of trying different colors and techniques, she's finished and listed in my Etsy Shop!

It's OK to make a few mistakes especially when you can paint over them.

Pretty Little Table

I've been on the look out for a pretty little table and I finally got my hands on one!

I tried to resist painting it turquoise but...

I love it's pretty little claw feet.

And the pretty scallop detail around the top of the table.

It's just so... pretty.

You can find it for sale in my Etsy shop.

Happy Weekending!

Mod Podge Coasters

I was given these Christmas coasters last December and I've been using them ever since. We moved in November and my previous mosaic coasters, that my husband hated, did not make the move with us. I have yet to find out why but the hubs swears he wasn't the culprit. So I was inspired, thanks to pinterest, to Mod Podge these coasters.

Materials: Mod Podge, Paint Brush, Craft Paper and Coasters.

1. Cut paper.

2. Apply Mod Podge directly to coaster.

3. Lay paper over Mod Podged surface.

4. Apply Mod Podge over paper.

5. Let dry.

6. Spray with acrylic clear coat.

I didn't do them all in floral hoping that maybe the hubs would take more of a liking to these coasters. He likes red so they might even survive our next move.

Disclaimer: I am in no way implying that the hubs did anything to dispose of  the mosaic coasters. ;)

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Easiest DIY ever!

Mason Jar from Michaels - $1.29

Top from a bottle of hand soap from Target - $1.47

A hammer and nail to make the hole in the top ...

... and La Ti Da! Soap Dispenser.

Don't Be So Beachy

 I'm not a fan of beach inspired decor. With that said this little nightstand is looking a little 'beachy' and I happen to like it. I guess a little beachy-ness in small doses suits me fine.

I painted this nightstand in Hallowed Hush by Behr. It's kind of greyish green aqua. It's an interesting color.

Psst! You see the frame with the pressed flowers? My husband picked those for me on a hike while he was in San Diego last month. How sweet is he?!

A little distressing goes a long way.

Less is more.

Unless its diamonds.

Floral Headboard and Footboard

It's finished! I had a few roadblocks with this piece but I'm happy with the finished look. Can you believe this is the same headboard and footboard I found while dumpster diving? Have a look~see. 

Smokey Blue Dresser

This was a display piece that had only a few nicks and dents. I lightly sanded it and then used Behr paint and primer in Smokey Blue with an extra shot of white to lighten it a shade.

This was the original finish.

Eh, not terrible just a little boring.

I applied two coats of the paint and primer in one.

I used a foam roller and a smaller brush for the details.

When it was dry I lightly sanded the edges of the drawers and the details on the sides. I used 100 grit sandpaper and a 3m  rubber sanding block (makes sanding so much more fun).

I used 2 silver and white circle drawer knobs for the top drawer and 4 brushed silver drawer knobs from Lowes.

I left the top and bottom in the original state since they were in good condition and had a nice stain.

It is protected with a coat of paste wax. This was my first time trying the wax and it was pretty simple. Apply, let dry and wipe off. I used SC Johnson Paste Wax and I tested it by scraping a screw along a hidden side and it didn't even leave the tiniest mark.

This is the finished look:

Oh, I haven't forgotten about the dumpster find headboard and footboard. I'm still working on it. I recently found some antique finials at Victoria's Antique Warehouse. It's a really beautiful shop with a warehouse filled with wonderful architectural pieces. I'm going to Joann's tomorrow to use my 50% off coupon for some fabric because I've decided  to upholster the headboard. Once it's completed I'll post pics.

I'm linking with...

Dumpster Finds

Another dumpster find! No kidding. Seriously, if you want to find some free furniture that needs a little TLC check at your local apartment complex's dumpster at the first of the month. You'll be surprised what people throw away just because they don't want to lug it up and down stairs, into a moving truck and into their new place.

I found this twin headboard and footboard. They had a few nicks and dents and needed a lot of sanding but after the first coat of paint they are already looking brand spankin' new.

I'm on the hunt for some finials to top off the posts and I'm painting them in Martha Stewart's Aegean Blue.

I will post pictures once they're completed.

What's your best dumpster find?

Online Creative Biz

 

There's so much to learn about doing something you love and making money from it. I've never been inclined to the matters of business. Also, I've never been inclined to post status updates on the regular. I don't have a twitter account. I just got email on my phone . I don't like advertising myself in general. I don't like the idea of selling to my friends. When my friends try to sell me something it makes me cringe. Needless to say, this world is foreign to me.

Some of you might be feeling the same way I am. So as I'm learning I'm going to share some resources with all of you that hopefully will be helpful to all of us. :)

What I've learned in the last 2 and a half months is there are free resources (thank God!) for newbies and if you ask a lot of questions you will find answers.

• First, if you're not on Etsy.com you need to be. Sign up. It's free. If you want to sale something this is the online place to do it. Low fees, a big community and lots of free resources. They have many virtual labs taught by experienced entrepreneurs for free. Also, I have found people selling similar items on Etsy and I've sent them emails asking for their advice. All of them have been eager to help and share their knowledge.


• Second, apparently social media is the key to free advertisement and to developing a following of faithful customers. I read this ebook a few days ago and it convinced me to get on the social media band wagon. Read it, especially if me telling you to read it makes you cringe. Read it.


• Third, subscribe to blogs that offer free resources like BlacksburgBelle.com or LauraRoeder.com. Blacksburg Belle has a page dedicated to resources that have helped her build her biz and she does weekly blogs with free advice. Laura Roeder does the same and I just read that she is having a free Webinar - End Your Website Shame. I just signed up.


• Last, subscribe to blogs that are doing the same thing you are doing. It will help inspire your creative ideas and keep you in the loop .

That's all for now.

Do you know of any great resources? If so, please share!

A Very Turquoise Headboard

Thanks to everyone who helped me pick the color.