Coral Striped Headboard

This is a simple headboard that I painted grey with a coral stripe down the center.

I've never used stripes on furniture before and I was a little hesitant to try. I just used regular blue painter's tape (not the expensive stuff). I painted the coral in the middle. Taped off the sides. Sealed the tape with the coral color and then painted the grey. After a few coats and a couple of days I peeled off the tape and I had a perfectly crisp line.  Easy Peasy!

The paint colors are Behr's Creek Bend and Youthful Coral. I just purchased the testers for $3 at Home Depot. 

You can find this piece for sale in my Etsy Shop. 

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.

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.

Repurposed

I found arms to a vanity mirror at a second-hand furniture store. They had a fun shape and there was already a piece of wood screwed into the back of one with a little hook... I'm guessing the previous owner had the same idea.

All I had to do was distress them with sandpaper and spray a clear coat to give them some shine. Then I screwed the piece of wood into the other arm.

And abracadabra...instant wall art!

Crushing on a Lamp

Since my husband stole me away from my single life a year and half ago my only crushes (besides the one I have on my hubs) have been on home decor. I'd like to introduce you to my current crush.

Don't mind her she's just being Modest. ;)

I found her at the flea market and I basically stole her from the seller. It was the end of the day  and the seller dropped the price 40%.

Here's a negotiating tip and something to keep in mind when buying old lamps. First, ask what the price is and then always ask if the lamp works. The seller knows that it's risky for you to purchase the lamp if it doesn't work. They will almost always drop the price for you to take some of the risk out of the purchase. Also, always, Always, ALWAYS go at the end of the day on the last day. 30 minutes before they close is best. Use 20 minutes to scout out the items you want and then return to buy when there's about 10 to 5 minutes left. You will get the best price possible this way. Sellers at flea markets want to sell and they will drop their prices dramatically at the end of the day.

I liked that this old lamp had interesting glass, was in good shape, had little crystals drizzled about the leafy bobeche, and it came with a lamp shade.

So, I headed to Joann Fabrics to get inspired by some fabric for the shade. I found this floral pattern. It's something I've had my eye on for a while and this was the perfect project for it. Plus, I already have coordinating paint.

I painted all the brass parts of the lamp Norway Aqua by ColorPlace. The same color I painted my Armoire.

Then I wrapped the fabric around the shade which was a little tricky because the bottom of the shade was wider than the top. I did a little manipulating and secured it to the shade with hot glue. Also, I added a grey ribbon for trim on the top and the bottom.

Ooh La La!

Chandeliers Make Me Weak in the Knees

I dedicate this song to Chandeliers everywhere.

Weak by SWV at Jango {You must play this song. It will take you back to 1993}

I get so weak in the knees I can hardly speak.
I lose all control and something takes over me.
In a daze, your love's so amazing, it's not a phase.
I want you to stay with me, by my side.
I swallow my pride, your love is so sweet.
It knocks me right off of my feet.
I can't explain why your loving makes me weak.

Seriously, I love chandeliers and I'm not talking about the ones hanging high in expensive hotels. I'm talking about the ones lying low in the dirt at the flea market covered in brass. I lose all control and something takes over me. I have to buy it!

Recently, I found two! So I bought them both.

I really wish I would've taken a before picture but I was so excited about painting them that I completely forgot... :( Basically, it was old and very brass. Google Brass Chandelier and you can see many examples.

I'm not a fan of brass so I did a little painting and  a little drizzling to make them look like this.

And now one is hanging in my bedroom.

How to do-it-yourself:

Materials Needed: spray primer, spray paint, gems/crystals, clear string, crimp beads, and fabric

1. Clean it off.

2. Remove the candle sleeves and wrap the electrical bit in painters tape to protect.

3. Prime it.

4. Paint it.

5. Let it dry 24 hours.

6. String your gems/crystals in any pattern you desire.

{I found mine at Michaels in the floral section next to those colorful glass beads you put in vases. However, there are many websites that sell chandelier accessories and next time I will probably shop online for mine because there are many fun things you can do to embellish your chandelier like adding a bobesche}

7. Wrap  end of stringed gems/crystals around arm of chandelier, string crimp bead and crimp in place. Be sure to pull the string tight and close to the arm.

8. Sew 3" of fabric for cord cover. Hem the ends of the tube first and then pin inside out and sew 1/2 in" hem along the side. Turn inside out and feed cord through your new cord cover. If you don't sew, don't worry. You can spray paint the chain by wrapping the cord in painters tape and then spray painting the chain to match.

9. Get weak in the knees over your very sparkly and pretty Chandelier.

Now the hard part is hanging it and YES I did hang it myself after some reasearch on how to install a light fixture.

This is a how-to video by HomeAdditionPlus.com on how to install a chandelier.

If you're going to be working with an old  chandelier like mine be sure to know which wire is the black, red and ground wire. Also, if yours didn't come with everything you need to install, I found a screw collar loop kit at Lowes for $4.

ENJOY the fixture and the song!

Boring Glass Vase

Am I the only one that has a large collection of boring glass vases?

Well, I've come up with a fun and easy way to make them a little more interesting.

I took this glass vase.

Some Elmer's glue, water, paintbrush, lighter and pages from a book and I came up with this...

How to do-it-yourself:

Burn the edges of the paper carefully. Avoid burning yourself or catching anything on fire. Keep a glass of water nearby.

Mix half and half water and glue.

Paint the glue on the surface and on top of the paper.

Slowly adhere the paper to the surface with your paintbrush. If the paper starts to tear don't worry it just adds some character.

Let Dry.

Tickle Me Turquoise

I recently accepted a job where I get to work from home. Yay! My parents gave me this armoire that is actually a computer desk armoire.

Since I need to fit a home office in my one bedroom apartment and still have room for my husband this was perfect. And I can simply close the doors at the end of the day and I don't have to stare at my work while eating dinner.

All it needed was a splash of turquoise.

Topped off with some chocolate brown glaze. Voila! Home office complete!

If you want to do-it-yourself only a few items are needed:

1. Paint - Norway Aqua by ColorPlace (Wal-Mart, $10)

2. Glaze - Chocolate Brown by Valspar (Lowes, $17)

3. Paintbrush

4. Dishcloth

5. Something to paint

This is a very simple project. You don't have to have a lot of experience. Glaze is ever so easy and it gives any item that aged vintage finish we're all looking for. You simple apply it with a brush and wipe it off. If you are painting it on a flat surface like I did, then you do have to pay close attention to your brush strokes. Be sure to keep them even and going in the same direction. Also, a little goes a long way.