British Invasion

After reading so much about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and seeing it recently in a new store downtown I finally decided to purchase my first two quarts.  I chose Paris Grey, Old Ochre and the Dark Wax.  I wanted to try it out on something small so I tied it into my love of all things British:  London, Will & Kate, the 2012 Summer Olympics :)  Here is my version of the Union Jack.

 Taped off the middle stripe and painted it Paris Grey.

Used Old Ochre and Lenox Tan from BM.

Applied the Clear & Dark Wax and lightly sanded afterward.  Finished with Clear Wax.

I like that no priming is necessary and the smooth finish you get by using the wax.   Hmm what's next?

I'm linking up to http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

http://restoreinteriors.com

http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com


http://akadesign.ca/


http://shadesofamberinc.blogspot.com

Plant Stand

Plant Stand - Before

Plant Stand - After

I've had this plant stand in my attic for quite some time. 

 I finally brought it down and decided to give it a makeover.

  After giving it a good cleaning with Murphy's soap I primed and painted it.  

I was in Home Depot and spotted this new product from Rust-oleum 

(Decorative Glaze in Java Brown).

 It was very easy to apply and wipe off and it gave the plant stand an antique look.

I'm linking up with:  www.funkyjunkinteriors.net

 http://akadesign.ca

http://southernhospitalityblog.com

Garden Flowers

Azalea

Daylily

Rudbeckia

Forsythia

Early summer backyard

Geranium, sweet potato vine, ivy, spike

Astible

Obedient plant, ornamental grass, heuchera 

Where has the summer gone?  One of my favorite things to do is to be out in the garden in the early morning.  It's when I water the lawn and flowers and watch the yard come to life.   I find it a little bittersweet now as the days are becoming shorter.   But my thoughts will soon turn to fall and that means mums, gourds, pumpkins and cornstalks.  How awesome that each season brings us such beautiful plants.  

Which season do you enjoy most?

Family Room in Season

Family Room -  Summer

Before the summer comes to an end, I thought I'd like to show you how I gave the family room an easy  makeover.   I choose Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue for the accent wall.   With the new color and some new accent pillows I've enjoyed the lazy days of summer!

       

Entering Brimfield, MA.

The countdown has begun!   We are making our annual trip to Brimfield, Massachusetts in a couple of weeks.   This is a girls weekend spent at a lovely Bed & Breakfast with the most amazing hosts,  enjoying each others company and treasure hunting.   Three times a year in May, July, and September hundreds of vendors transport their collectibles to Brimfield.  It's like no other flea market that I've been to.   If you've never heard of it or had the opportunity to go take a look at their website to see some of the amazing things you can discover www.brimfieldshow.com

Have you ever visited Brimfield?

Mirror Mirror....

Mirror Dresser

I decided that this small three drawer dresser could use an update.  So I purchased a box of 12x12 mirror tiles and a mirror cutter from Home Depot.  I only had about an inch to take off from each of the six tiles.  With my father in-laws guidance I overcame my fear of snapping the tiles.  Honestly, that was the hardest part of this project.  With some mirror adhesive and three pieces of moulding the dresser was transformed.


I am linking this to akadesign.ca/

Curtain Call

First, I'd like to thank my dear friend Kris for creating this blog and taking the time to teach me what I need to know.   She is truly talented and passionate about helping to design websites.   See for yourself what she can offer you at  Red Door Design Company.

This is Braemore Fabriano Sea Breeze.    My friend Kris purchased three yards of material to give her living room curtains an update.   I cut eight 7 inch wide strips that measured 90 inches in length.

Turned in a half inch on each side.

Pinned it on the front of the curtain an inch from the edge.

Lastly, sewed it on!  Instantly the updated look she was looking for.   She was able to introduce a new color scheme into her room with just a few yards of material.   And with the extra material left over, I made her a few throw pillows.   You can see the before and after of her living room on her blog at Red Door Design Company.   Go take a peek.  :)

I am posting this on aka design link party.

DIY Buffet

This was a roadside rescue!   I spotted it one day on the way to the mall but didn't have time to stop.  I was pleasantly surprised to see it still there on my way home.   I pulled over put down the back seats and loaded it in.  I washed it down with Murphy's soap and let it sit out for a day.

Primed it with Zinsser's Bullseye 123.

Buffet - After

I like using Benjamin Moore Impervo Satin Finish on furniture pieces.  Here I used BM Black and BM Dunmore Cream.  After cleaning off the original brass handles I reused them.  I'm always searching for a piece to provide extra storage and this holds plenty of linens in the top drawers and glassware and dishes below.   Saving it from the landfill is an extra bonus.


I'm linking this project to Southern Hospitality.
and also Elizabeth & Co

Words to Live By

I came across this saying several years ago and wanted to use it for a wall quote.  It all came together when I found this frame at a garage sale.  After painting the frame I measured the opening and taped off the size and stenciled the letters on the wall.  To this day it reminds me of how I want my home to feel and without a doubt not a day with my family is wasted. 













I'm linking this post to:

http://southernhospitalityblog.com

www.findingfabulousblog.com

Kitchen

Kitchen

Tiled Backsplash

This was an easy DIY project I made for the backsplash.   I found the perfect size frame at a local Home Goods and didn't care what picture was in it.   I grouted and tiled right over the oil painting.  I used an all in one adhesive and grout that I found at Home Depot along with 2 sheets of tile.  I only needed to cut off a few rows of tiles to make it fit.



This post is linked to http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

and http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com