A ROCKING CHAIR MAKEOVER!

Ashley needed a rocking chair for Evan's nursery.........................and I searched for a long time before I found this.

All the other rocking chairs looked slightly flimsy - this one screamed " big comfy rocking chair " to me and when the ad read " We used this for our children " I knew I'd found THE one !

But it needed a makeover - 

I started by painting it Graphite from ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT ™

Next I added some 3 inch foam to the seat to make it thicker and to hide the indentation of previous bums LOL ! ( it also felt way too low - adding 3 inches of foam gave the seat a little height )

Ashley's favorite pattern is Chevron - so I bought some grey and white fabric to reupholster it with and then lightly sanded all the edges.................and then finished it all off by personalizing it with his name 

It's quite a big chair ( it may end up in the living room instead of his nursery )

But it's incredibly comfy !

And that it has a history of rocking babies to sleep makes it even more special, don't you think?

But for now we'll get it delivered so that Mama can test it out!

A little bit of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ™
A little bit of Chevron fabric
And a whole lotta love.................

The thought crossed my mind that IF they have another one and IF it's a girl - and IF they don't mind too much - I'd like them to call her EVA - then I could just replace the N with a heart or something LOL

You all have a wonderful day everybody !!!
Much love,
Me
Lolli - AKA


LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
JOIN ME AT THESE FABULOUS PARTIES !

DIY SHOWOFF                                                     BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH
MY UNCOMMON SLICE OF SUBURBIA          A STROLL THRU LIFE
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT              MEMORIES BY THE MILE
AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY                               ELIZABETH & CO.
THE DIY DREAMER                                             FLUSTER BUSTER
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE                                MY SALVAGED TREASURES
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS OLSON              I GOTTA CREATE
LAMBERTS LATELY                                            LIVE LAUGH ROWE
KATHERINE'S CORNER                                      THE DEDICATED HOUSE
GRACE & GOOD EATS                                ANDERSON & GRANT
FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE                         THE SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE
TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS                    DESIGN DINING & DIAPERS
MY TURN FOR US                                               PATINA PARADISE
MY ROMANTIC HOME                                       THE PIN JUNKIE
THE CRAFTED SPARROW                                  MISS TOODY GOO SHOES
VINTAGE PAINT & MORE                           LIFE ON LAKESHORE DRIVE
IT'S OVERFLOWING                                            HOMESTORIES A TO Z
WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME          FEARLESSLY CREATIVE MAMMAS
LEHMAN LANE                                                    REDHEAD CAN DECORATE
KEEPING IT SIMPLE                                            THE DEDICATED HOUSE
FUNKY JUNK INTERIORS                                  REMODELAHOLIC

A Clock Makeover!

Good morning everyone !

Someone " threw " this in with a piece of furniture I bought once...............last year

A perfectly fine ( in perfectly fine working order ) clock

Except it was way too woody for me................here it is all shabbified.

And that's all I have " time " for today -
We hit another snafu in the mud room ...............need to put on my thinking cap and step away from the computer for a little bit.

Plus every time I have a few minutes to spare I run back to mini secretariat
Whose sitting patiently on the kitchen table waiting to be finished

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint -
Pure white on body
Graphite around face

Hope you all have a wonderful day !
Hugs,
Me


LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
JOIN ME AT THESE FABULOUS PARTIES !

THE DIY DREAMER                                                FLUSTER BUSTER
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE                                   SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
MY SALVAGED TREASURES                                IVY & ELEPHANTS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON                FEEDING BIG
ANDERSON & GRANT                                   THE CHARM OF HOME
FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE                            THE SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE
TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS                       MY TURN FOR US
MY ROMANTIC HOME                                          THE SHABBY NEST
FUNKY JUNK INTERIORS                                    A CLOCK MAKEOVER
LIFE ON LAKESHORE DRIVE                               IT'S OVERFLOWING
DWELLINGS THE HEART OF YOUR HOME       THE ALTERED PAST
BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                       SAND & SISAL
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT                 AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY
KATHE WITH AN E                                                HOME STORIES A TO Z

A DIY Faux Marble Mantel

I LOVE marble -

And....................I wanted a slab of marble for the faux fire place we built for the bedroom.

You know, that cheap frugal DIY one we built?
So I decided a cheap frugal DIY marble mantel would fit perfectly !

We bought a length of wood for 12.00 - had it cut to fit the mantel ( and unbelievably enough there was exactly - to the tee - to make another mantel for the living room gas fireplace - which I'll age and stain )
It's a nice thick chunk - perfect for this project !

I gave it a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Pure White - and then mixed a little Paris Grey with Graphite to create the " veins ": and simple painted them on the white - feathering some so that it was thicker in some areas
( with 2 different sizes of artist brushes - one pointy edge - and one flat edge )

The next photos are before I put polyurethane on it ..................but you can see it on the fireplace at least !

I don't have a tutorial because I was in such a hurry to get it done that I didn't stop to take photos - but if the truth be known it would be difficult to show through photos anyway - you'd kind of need a video I think.
( of which there are probably a million of them out there with far superior results !!! )

I just made my " veins " and brushed them out in places and left them in tact in others - the only important thing to remember when doing this is to bring your veins down onto the front and sides of your slabs for authenticity......................

Another mantel to decorate !  ( this was just thrown together to show you the finished product- the only thing I know that's staying is that wreath from Target ( 25.00 if anyone's interested ! )

And that's my final DIY project for 2014 lol !

Have a wonderful day everyone - I'm off to buy another one of these wreaths - I'm in love !

Oh and that perfect deer?
10.00 ( again Target )
You can see the tutorial for the actual fireplace HERE

Much love,
Me

Looking for inspiration?
Join me at the fabulous parties !

Between Naps on the Porch                                            A Stroll Thru Life
Sand & Sisal                                                            The Scoop
Kathe with an E                                                               Savvy Southern Style
Beyond the Picket Fence                                                 The Charm of Home
The Shabby Art Boutique                                                French Country Cottage
My Turn for Us                                                               My Romantic Home
Funky Junk Interiors                                                        Life on Lakeshore Drive
The Dedicated House                                                      HOMESTORIES A TO Z
Ivy & Elephants                                                       Classy Clutter
The 36th Avenue                                                             Pieced Pastimes
I Should be Mopping the Floor                                        Miss Mustard Seed
REMODELAHOLIC

Graphite - take me away

Good morning everyone !

Part 2 of the bedroom set makeover - I even have a before for you this time !

I have to tell you I've enjoyed every single second of this makeover - truly !

I wish I had a place to stage them properly - I'm doing this smack in the middle of a room being built
Who does that?
Obviously I do - but who else does that?

At least the details are renovation free :)
Black and white photo anyone?

beautiful details in the drawers -

a place to keep change..............

and a VERY feeble attempt to stage it - but look at that beautiful waxed sheen !

can we " frost ": the reno's out of there?

nah - didn't think so - anyway - it is what it is - which is a dresser makeover - being done in a house makeover - by a woman who needs a complete makeover.....................

so this is what you get - but hey - it's one hell of a better pic than you got with the ladies dresser
here

Have to run and tackle those end tables now :)

Paint used :  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - GRAPHITE - and clear wax

Have a wonderful Monday
Much love,

Partying Here!
From my Front Porch to Yours                   Common Ground                   The Charm of Home
French Country Cottage                              Redoux                                 Chase the Star
My Romantic Home                                   My Romantic Home               Miss Mustard Seed
The Shabby Nest                                       Remodelaholic                       I Heart Nap Time
Funky Junk Interirors                                Be Different - Act Normal       Pieced Pastimes
Three Mango Seeds                                   Uncommon Designs               Coastal Charm
Under the table & dreaming                 Between naps on the porch     Stone Gable
A Stroll through life                                   Knick of Time                       Savvy Southern Style
Adorned from Above                               Glitter Glue and Paint

To distress or not to distress...................

As you know furniture talks to me ( sometimes it sends me mixed messages - and I have to start all over again - other times it's clear as a bell - right from the beginning )

There are pieces I do where distressing would take away from the beauty of the piece - and so they are left as is such as this one ( HERE ) instead of distressing I did a " driftwood " finish on top using wax and left the body clean

Some pieces are content with just a quick white wash ( super easy white wash HERE )

or dark wax for a quick " antiqued dirty look " HERE

And then some pieces ask for distressing ( " cheating " distressing HERE )

and every now and then one whispers  "please, go all the way " ( HERE )

But the piece I'm working on right now?

It was begging for just a little distressing around the corners and details - and to precisely do that I used my sander and tilted it to an angle that would only " outline " the edges................
Of course you can do it by hand - but this took seconds for each drawer ( as opposed to precious minutes LOL )

There's something particularly beautiful with ASCP Graphite and small bits of wood peaking through -
the old worn look is so Restoration Hardware ( ish )  -

it's not even waxed yet and you can see how this looks so naturally aged, right?

and the great thing about this is that IF you decide you DON'T like the distressed look - it's simply a quick coat around the corners and it's removed in minutes.  I think a lot of people are afraid when painting furniture - but there's nothing you can't fix - absolutely nothing :)

oh oh - it would appear electrical sanders speak to me too - I can hear it yelling from downstairs -
" hurry up will ya - come finish this piece already "

I'm coming - I'm coming !!!
Sorry have to sign off now - these things are very temperamental :)

( I had to google temperamental - spell check kept correcting me - who else thought it was spelled
TEMPERMENTAL LMHO??????????????

I hate spell check - it's removed another false belief I had in myself..................

Much live leve luve LOVE,

Partying Here !!!
Savvy Southern Style                             Adorned from Above                   French Country Cottage
Chase the Star                                       My Romantic Home                    The Shabby Nest
Miss Mustard Seed                                Remodelaholic                            I Heart Nap Time
Funky Junk Interiors                              Painted Pasttimes                       Be Different - Act Normal
It's Overflowing                                    Three Mango Seeds                    Uncommon Designs
I Should be Mopping the Floor               CraftOManiac                             The Chicken Chick
Between Naps on the Porch                   Coastal Charm                             Stone Gable
My Uncommon SLice of Suburbia          Not Just a Housewife                   Homework
Glitter Glue and Paint

Me, Myself and a little black paint..................

la la lalala la la
da dum di dum di
boom chucka lucka
a tisket a tasket
na na na na na na - hey hey
Shirley Shirley bo birley bonana fana to firley

What you guys doing today?

I'm painting in the kitchen - you know those little touches .....................

And I have the C.D. player blasting - and I'm humming and I'm singing

John says - Can you keep it down, a little, do you think?
Suzan says - Why does it bother you if I sing a little?
Suzan says - If I'm singing I'm happy -
Suzan says - Would you rather I be witching ?
Suzan says - Why do I have to be quiet anyway, what are you doing?
John says - Trying to read the paper

Suzan SCREAMS - Reading the freaking paper?  There's a house with a million things to do in it!
Suzan sings as loud as she can " I READ THE NEWS TODAY, OH BOY - ABOUT A LUCKY MAN WHO MADE THE GRADE..................... " ♪

Who lounges around reading the paper when you've just bought a major fixer upper?

I love this little old window - ( there's a matching one in the bathroom - that's been covered up by tile - have no idea why - but it'll be exposed when the bathroom gets renovated - and the reason I KNOW there's a window there is because there's 2 of these on the outside of the building )
If it doesn't work in the bathroom, I'm going to have it transferred to a perfect little spot in the kitchen.

It's become a little redundant since we updated the kitchen - the configuration doesn't allow it to open more than a few inches - but still I wanted to keep it right where it was ( the new window will be the one that gets opened up to allow those gentle winter breezes to form pretty icicles on my dishes...............:)

The glass is old - very old - and wavy and dimpled and I just love the little bit of original character it
brings into the room - hoping it'll look ok with the custom French Chateau window we've ordered ( which will be black as well ) because they're on the same wall - I think I'll have to plant a lilac tree or bush outside this wall - just ignore me - that was an internal thought as I was typing away.

I also painted out the wood trim that acts as ledge against the marble tiles and then " sealed " the marble ( including the floor thresholds I used as a back splash ). Fingers are crossed that it holds up for at least a year :)

Here's how that view looked when we bought it by the way

Next I painted the back door - still singing - until John rudely put the T.V on super loud..............
I silently painted.  ( well singing on the inside - but that doesn't count really )

The only reason I have the window covered ( and it's temporary ) is because the mud room off of
it is in a terrible state - I used these panels I found once at the Dollar Store - 2 in a pack
( I did a post on them a long long time ago - when the earth was green )

They come in different patterns of which I have all ( OCD anyone? nah - not me ) haven't a clue which box they're in so used what I could easily find :)
They attach by little rings in those holes you see along the perimeter - you simply hook them up to the size you need.
I put them on a little rod  - and hung them on the outside of the door

and voila - a little privacy and no hardware to look at - for under 5.00

Doo ♪  - Doo - Doo ♪ ♪
Lookin' out my back door......................

( it's too cold out - otherwise there'd be happy people dancin' on my lawn, don't you know )

EVERY girl should have a little black dress - AND a little black window :)

Much love,
Moi

Sharing with :)

3 Mango Seeds                               I should be mopping the floor\
Uncommon Design                          Under the Table & Dreaming
Coastal Charm                                My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Homework\                                    Gingersnap Craft
Savvy Southern Style                      Ivy and Elephants
The Charm of HOme                       French Country Cottage
My Turn for Us                              My Romantic Home
Finding Fabulous                            The Shabby Nest
Bloom Design                                 An extraordinary day
Glitter Gue & Paint