Paper whites progress……..

 

A few weeks ago I planted some Paper whites in a pot. It was a kit I picked up at Lowes while picking up more supplies for the never ending bathroom renovation that we are still working on. It is amazing how much they grow every day…..it is like magic!

So, how are your Paper whites growing? Do you have blooms yet?

Have a great week!!!!!!

A touch of paint…..

The downstairs bath room was one of the first rooms we renovated after buying the cottage eight years ago. At the time the bathroom had a whirlpool tub,shower stall,a toilet, and two single sink vanities. Nothing was salvageable…..even the whirlpool tub had a crack! So, we gutted the entire space down to the studs and installed a new pedestal sink, toilet, and an antique claw foot tub with brass shower surround. The brass fixtures didn’t hold up well so a while back we installed new chrome fixtures. Somehow I never got around to getting new light fixtures to match. It was on the list but you know how that is!!!! Today I decided to just paint the antique brass crystal chandelier!!! I figured if it turned out hideous I wouldn't be out much since I had originally planned on replacing it anyways. Much to my surprise though it turned out absolutely darling!

Before:

 

after:

 

It was a quick project…..all I did was brush white paint on right over the brass. I wanted sort of a shabby chic look so I didn’t worry about it covering every little nook and cranny. I didn’t even take it down….I did it all while standing on a ladder! It took about an hour………

 

 

Have a great weekend!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

Love,

Derek,Des & the fur babies!

 

The paint colors & technique for the armoire….

 

When people find out I painted the armoire in the living room the first question they ask is,”What color did you use?” The second question is usually,”How long did it take?” So, today I will answer those questions.

The armoire was a Craig’s List purchase for $600 and it is made out of teak wood.

 

How the armoire looked before:

 

And how it looks today:

 

Here you can see how detailed it is.

 

First the armoire was lightly sanded then a coat of primer was applied. Next a custom color of grey I mixed up using paint I had on hand was applied. Sherwin Williams 7640 Fawn Brindle in satin is a very close match if you don’t want to mix up your own color. After the base coat was dry I touched up a few places. I then dry brushed white paint I had on hand over the entire piece using a wet paper towel to wipe off any places that I felt the paint was applied too heavily. After it was dry I then used an artist brush to apply Burnt Umber craft paint in all the nooks and crannies.  I did not apply any kind of finish over the top of the paint which is something I should probably do…… I would recommend a paste wax. The entire project took 8 hours to complete…………

I also wanted to send out a big,big thank you to all of those who took the time to comment on the open house party…….. I really truly appreciate it!!!!!!!!! It was so much fun to read all the comments.

Have a great weekend!!!!!!

 

 

Ps. I do not claim to be an expert and this is probably not the best way to paint a piece of furniture….it just works for me.

Our home featured in BH&G Christmas Ideas……

 

If you missed us in last year’s Midwest Living Christmas issue then you can see our home featured this year in BH&G Christmas Ideas! I’ve also included some photos not seen in the article so sit back and enjoy the tour!

photography by: Greg Scheidemann

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had to include a few photo’s of the babies too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Holidays!

Switching things up a little….

 

I decided to switch tables behind the settee for a lighter look. Switching the tables was the easy part…..coming up with the perfect paint color….not so much! You see the second table was already painted in a beautiful grey color but when the table was placed behind the settee it didn’t look so great in real life although it photographed beautifully.  So, I spent days, (yes you read that correctly) tweaking the color to come up with the final result. Midway thru the project I was ready to give up but being the stubborn person that I am I was determined to find that perfect color and persevered.

Here is the original table:

 

 

The second table:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend!!!!!

 

Crackle and chippy becomes a new design element…..

 

My new obsession lately seems to be anything with crackled or chippy paint?!?!? I recently picked up this capital to add to the vignette on the French baker’s table in the dining room. It is just the perfect size……

 

 

Fall has definitely arrived here and the mornings have a definite nip to them now!!! The leaves are changing….mother nature never disappoints!

Have a great weekend!!!!!

A little chippy goodness……..

 

 

With the weather turning cooler outside it was time to bring the planters in for the season. This urn was starting to deteriorate so I decided to retire it from it’s outdoor duties and bring it inside the house.

 

A couple of books stacked on top= instant vignette! It looks so beautiful with the sunlight streaming thru the window…….

 

Have a great week!!!!