An FYI

It is a good idea if you are using thin fabric to recover a lampshade to begin with a plain white (or close to it) lampshade or to re cover your shade first with a plain white (or close to it) cloth and then re cover again with your fabric of choice.

Makeover Monday

So. It's been a while. I do apologize!
But I believe that I have a really exciting project/ concept for you today.
If any of you have furniture you hate or are bored with, but can't or don't want to have to buy something else, seriously consider giving it a face lift. This can be very simple and as basic as just painting it a different color. And can be as complex as re-upholstering, stripping, re-staining, accessorizing, etc.

For me I painted and then added embellishments I got from the hardware store.
The embellishments came because I was unhappy with the color the paint dried to, but didn't want to repaint and also because I looked at the mission/contemporary vibe the table was giving off and wanted something softer, fancier, and more 'French Provincial'.

I bought eight squares that one normally uses for window trim and about 13 feet of Trim. For the look I was going for I bought the 'egg and dart' style trim.

I cut my moulding to size and sanded any excess so they fit somewhat snugly.

I painted all of my trim pieces white. (I had a picture of my table in the blue I painted it but is lost so if you are curious to see the table before any trim check the previous post!)

Using a foam brush I painted 'provincial' stain by Minwax all over my pieces being particularly diligent about getting it into the grooves which is the main place you want to 'dirty it up' when trying to age something. One could do this with glaze but stain was far less expensive.

I wiped the excess off with a rag (wear gloves!) but found I needed to repeat this process a number of times to make sure I got it just how I wanted it. I also found I had to let it dry for about two days. Be wary of this. You might destroy your project on the next step if the stain isn't dry.

(see how great and antique it looks?)

Using liquid nals and clamps I glued my pieces into place and let sit. The liquid nails take about 30 minutes to dry and 24 hours to cure. Make sure you keep your clamps in place for 30 minutes at least.

I need to decide what to do with the chairs, but for now... I am loving my table. Eventually I will have a chandelier (made y me, of course!) hanging over the center of the table. Or perhaps I may just ave something decorative hanging. Only time will tell.

I hope that tis inspires you to take that piece of furniture that you hate, or that you wish really made a statement and do something with it! The weather is perfect for outdoor projects like stripping, sanding, painting, etc.  So get on it!

Thanks for reading!

-B

Makeover Monday Crafting Rut...

So. I have been SO busy... and also kind of in a craft rut... A Crut? Well, whatever.
But I did manage to get some spray painting done with the gorgeous weather we have been having and I need YOU to help me!!!!!
The basic spray painting is done, however, I do not think that the pieces I painted are quite finished and I need some advice on where to go from here. So. Posted are the pictures of the various projects I have painted. Please PLEASE vote on the poll what you think I should do and if you have an idea I would love for you to comment here and let me know what you think.
Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my 'crutted' heart!

First. My dining room table. It used to be the color of the chairs. I lie the blue particularly with my painting. However. The color is slightly off what I was hoping cause I was lazy (naughty, naughty) and didn't want to strip it and sand it and then paint it. So I found a spray paint color (spa Blue by Rustoleum) that LOOKED lighter in the store and seemed to be just the color I wanted. It is not. But I can live with it. The real question is (since I am going for French Provincial and this table says IKEA Modern) How to dress it up to fit more with what I am wanting to do. Here is where you come in. Please vote in the poll.

Secondly. I loved, LOVED, LOVE the lines of this bedside table. BUT. Stain finishes are very hard to match and I have a MAJOR pet peeve. Mismatched wood. Now. I have seen mismatched wood in some houses and on some blogs where the designer/homeowner/blogger was able to match without matching and really put together a great room. I do not have this ability. Therefore I would rather paint things. So I painted this. I need you to tell me where to go next. By the way, notice the placemat that I also mentioned HERE ?So. Please vote on the poll!

Finalement. I have spray painted a black curtain rod the color Nutmeg by Rustoluem. I think it is nice-ish, but I would love, LOVE to make the little balls at the end really something special. What do you think? Please vote!!!

Thank you all. I am so grateful (in advance) for your much-needed input.

Merci Beaucoup!

Hey All...

It's been a while. To be honest I have been pretty busy preparing for a few weddings (congrats, daddy!) and a vacay to see the in-laws.
So I just wanted to let you know I haven't died or given up on my blog. Look for a post hopefully by the weekend ;) !

Romance your Home with Simpler Times

Lately I have been thinking that with a baby in the house the hubby and I need a little space just for us that is special and wonderful and romantic. I have done a number of small things but my most recent project that I feel really brings the whole thing together is this homemade, completely custom chandelier. Yes. YOU can make one too!

Start with a wire hanging basket. Spray it and its chain the color you choose. I used the color 'nutmeg' by Rustoleum. Buy 10 ft. of white 2 wire cord and a white plug. I got mine at Home Depot. They connected them for me so I had what is called a 'whip'.

Then purchase a lamp socket. Mine was black so I stuffed newspaper inside and spray painted it white. At Home Depot they will connect this for you as well.

I got lucky. The guy who helped me at Home Depot was SO helpful. He helped me find the pieces I needed and helped me customize anything that wasn't exactly right.

Buy a washer and some plastic connectors, too.

The guy at home depot filed the washer so it fit exactly inside the 'top' hole and then we super glued it in place. Make sure you do a line of super glue along the top and the inside. Once that is complete you can spray paint a touch up coat OR spray paint for the first time.

Strip the ends of your wire and stick inside the plastic connectors. Using a lighter melt the plastic until it is sealed. This will help it to be safer and keep the connectors on. Then unscrew the little screws on your socket, put the round ends of the connectors on the holes and then screw your screws back in. Don't forget to buy a light bulb making sure your wattage isn't too high. I went with 25 watts. Perfect for my project. Soft light that won't melt the plastic.

NOTE: I am NOT an electrician. I had the Home Depot electrical guy do everything so I wouldn't electrocute myself. Be careful!!!

Put the end of your socket up through the hole and then use the washer to keep it in place. The chain can be used to hang your chandelier. It is a good idea not to rely on the cord to hang your chandelier. It's better to use the chain and just drape the cord up over the ceiling hooks to get it out of the way. Doing this insures that your chandelier will hang level.

I couldn't find any 'crystals' at the craft stores so I bought a strip of trim that had them on it and just cut the bits I needed off. I kept the fabric of the trim for a little later in the project.

Using a cricut machine set on 3  and 3 1/2 (NOT real dial size) with the 'Wild Card' cartridge I cut birds from one side of the paper and the back side so I could have them double sided with the print of the paper I like showing on both sides.

Using various beads that coordinated I made three crystal hangers that I hung off the place the chain used to connect. I embellished my birds once they were cut out.

I also added a little 'bling' at the bottom of the string that I hung my birdies from. This weights it down and adds a little embellishment. With the birds 'open' put a glob of Tacky Glue and then stick your birds together over the thread. This seals the thread in and glues your two sides together.

Do as many on a string as you like/ as will fit. Mine each had four birds. I hung them from every-other curlicue so they wouldn't be too dense.

When I was done I felt it was a little plain so I glued (with tacky glue, I figured hot glue couldn't hold up to extended heat from the light bulb) some fringe around the bottom and around the socket (note: the fringe on the socket is the fringe leftover from where I got the crystals).

I added some tulle around the hook to disguise the hook a little.

And voila! Your own custom chandelier that adds a little romance to your home.

Guest Posting Today

All right all of my faithful followers! I am moving up in the world! I am guest posting today (Sat.) at firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com Head on over and check it out! I made a WICKED awesome craft. If you have any questions about how I did it or if my steps aren't clear pop back over here and leave me an old message-roni. k?! Love 'em over there at F & J. Super crafty!