Operation Paint Bedroom Furniture

I’ve had this wooden bedroom furniture (bed, dresser, and swivel mirror) from Ikea for about 15 years.  It’s still in relatively good shape and we’re using it in the guest room.  I wanted to give it a makeover to add some new life to it instead of purchasing new furniture.  I figured it would be really pretty in white and then I could add touches of color to the room with the bedding, art, and accessories.

BEFORE

I’ve never undertaken a project like this before.  But, I figured that given all the hours I’ve spent “studying” Centsational Girl’s tutorials about how to paint furniture, that I was armed with some good knowledge and instructions.  

Day 1.  Like a good student, I sanded the furniture lightly with an electric sander, wiped it down with the tack cloth, then primed each piece with spray primer.  I then tried to spray paint the pieces with white spray paint.  This is where it all went very wrong.  After several coats, it looked terrible.  Very splotchy and uneven.  I think the below picture of the headboard might just be with the primer on, but it didn’t look much better after the spray paint. 

I ended up at the hardware store buying paint in a can, rollers, and brushes.  When I got home, I applied the first coat and it looked 100 times better.  Then it started raining!  Seriously.  Did I mention that I was doing this project in our driveway?

Day 2.  Hubby offered to help.  Thank God. 

Needless to say, I quickly discovered that I am no CG, and after two days at this dang fun project in the 100 degree Houston heat and humidity, I really just wanted to be finished!  I’m thinking, she does this for FUN?!?!  I seriously have an even greater appreciation for all of you DIYers out there now (as if I didn’t before:)  Does your back and hands ache too???

Anyhow, the mirror was the last thing to be completed and I really lost steam.  It required some detailed painting, and, in my haste, I really did a sloppy job.  Painted all over the mirror thinking that I could just scrape it off later.  Still on to do list.  My husband commented that CG would be ashamed of me! 

Enough of the drama, here is an AFTER shot of the dresser with new $2 pulls from Lowe’s.

We still have to put the bed together (can’t find all the pieces since the move) and I have lots of paint to scrape off of the mirror.

Even though this project had its challenges, I will not be deterred!  I am determined to try again and, hopefully, my DIY skills will improve with experience. 

Also, note to self: apply sunscreen next time!

 

*Click here to see the parties I’ve linked to.

Cute & Free- Does It Get Any Better?

The other day I was on...and came across these....
Free to download quote cards for you to print and use as you please. Above is the 3rd installment but there are two more as well...
The sweet Erin does not stop there, be sure to check out the button on the side of her blog for more free downloads. I am printing this one off soon...
More at Perfect Sentiment

Organized {Spices}

Am I ridiculous for getting excited about organizing my spices?  Sad, I know:)  Before my little spice-organization project, my spice jars were a mismatched jumble.  I had been wanting to organize them and make them prettier for some time, and when I read how SmittenKitchen organized her spices here, I was inspired.   

Here’s what my confused spices looked like BEFORE.

 

And here they are AFTER. 

 

 

I used the 4.5 ounce sealable glass jars, which are perfect for fitting your whole tablespoon into.  I washed and dried the jars, then  went through my spices to make sure they were still good.  It was also interesting to see which spices I have that I’ve never even opened.  (Hello 5 Spice Powder, nice to meet you!  But me and cinnamon are tight- love you in my oatmeal in the morning!) After making labels with my printer (Font: Bradley Hand ITC), I attached them to each jar.  Like SmittenKitchen points out, there are tiny air bubbles in the labels, but it really doesn’t bother me.

  

I put the jars on a lazy susan so that I could rotate them for easy locating of specific spices, and, of course arranged them in rainbow order:)  Makes me want to cook something!

 

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I’m sharing this post with these fabulous blogs:

A Few of My Favorite Things * All Thingz Related * Blue Cricket Design * C.R.A.F.T. * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Infarrantly Creative * Just A Girl * Keeping it Simple * Mad in Crafts * Me and My Bucket * Miss Mustard Seed * New Nostalgia * Remodelaholic * Seven Thirty Three * Serenity Now * Super Stinky Boys * Tatertots and Jello * The Inspired Room * The Shabby Chic Cottage * The Shabby Nest * Thrifty Decor Chick * Today’s Creative Blog * Under the Table and Dreaming

and here

Modern Barn

Sounds like an oxymoron right? Well, somehow in the hands of John Barman it works like a charm....





From Interior Design

Family Room Inspiration

I’ve been collecting images of family rooms that I love for some time now, long before I ever thought of starting my own blog.  I want to share these images with you, and if you know the photo source, please let me know so that I can give credit. 

Most of the living rooms featured have muted, neutral tones that I find so peaceful and relaxing.  I admire how these living rooms are layered with elements that provide visual interest, something I find very hard to achieve.  Sometimes, after the basics go in, I get lost on what to do next to completely finish a room to give it that interesting look, while still being comfortable to live in.  I will be detailing my efforts in the coming weeks and would love your feed back.  For now, enjoy these family room images:)