Chevron Night Stand

Chevron Night Stand

Did ya think I forgot about you? Nah, it's just with the start of a new school year, a new work assignment, and a new basset hound puppy...I've been a super busy mom lately. Too busy to "blog" that's for sure! 

I made some time over the weekend to pick up my paint brush and finally tackled this mid-century single drawer bookcase. I bought it for $15 at an auction a few weeks ago. It rained like cats and dogs the day of the sale so all of the furniture just got soaked:( The piece didn't have a lot of curb appeal but it was made of solid wood...had shelves for open storage...and was the perfect height for a nightstand or console table. Score!

I pondered long and hard as to what color I should paint it. I finally opted to go with Annie Sloan's 'Old White' Chalk Paint for two simple reasons:

#1) I'm planning to make an upholstered headboard for our bed at the cabin and the white will go with any fabric I choose.

#2) I've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use these faux alabaster knobs I picked up this summer.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to paint the whole piece or stain some of the wood. I even thought about lining the shelves with fabric. Then it dawned on me that I could stain a chevron pattern on the drawer. And at that very moment this is the sound I heard in my head...

*#@#*Allelujah...Allelujah*#@#*

I didn't have a stencil so I just taped off a chevron pattern using Frog tape. Then I applied a combination of Dark Walnut and Special Walnut stains. It took a couple tries to get the contrast and depth of color I was searching for but I finally got it to work.

 

The chevron pattern added just the right amount of 'BAM' to this piece. Don't ya think?

Here's the final product.

 

I Love It!!!

Can you imagine it next to an upholstered head board??? Me, too!

Happy-Happy-Happy...

 

Hey, did you notice the burlap box? I got my inspiration from one I spied at Hobby Lobby a couple weeks ago. It was super easy to reduplicate and a lot less expensive. I just found an old shoebox with a lid, some left over burlap, and adhesive spray. I'm telling ya...burlap adds a lot of bang for your buck. It's very inexpensive and is a great way to add texture to a room.

I simply followed the direction on the can of adhesive spray...

 and wrapped fabric around the box as if I were wrapping a present. 

Speaking of presents, I think I may have to make a few more of these burlap boxes 

to wrap Christmas gifts...??? There's that sound again (*#@#*allelujah*#@#*).

Burlap Covered Shoebox

The orb? It was another Pinterest project. Orbs are actually pretty popular right now. They're just a simple way to add an architectural element to your room. I actually bought a couple metal ones before I saw a Pinterest post showing orbs made from wooden embroidery hoops. I now have a collection of various sizes in my basement;) When my husband saw me making them he shook his head and gave me that "look". I just said, "Don't ask." He rolled his eyes and walked away. LOL!

Embroidery Hoop Orb

Thanks for reading everyone! I hope you all have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend!!!

~Wendy

Stackable Glass Bookcase

Well, ladies...I hit it big at Holy Trinity's garage sale last week! In amongst the cork boards, chest of drawers, and tiered wooden stand there's a gorgeous stackable glass bookcase in my trunk.

 Can you see it? You have to look past the golden oak and heavy lacquer to see the hidden treasure.

 

I painted it to match a buffet I have in the basement.

Then antiqued the piece with sand paper and a dark wax glaze.

And wallah...What do you think? I love it!

The pottery and stoneware was just collecting dust in my storage room.

I think all the white is a great contrast to the French Linen color.

  

I haven't told my husband yet but I'm going to keep this one!

Shhh...I wonder how long it will take before he notices it in the basement???

~Wendy

Magnet Board for My New Office...

As the new school year approaches my "to do" lists get longer and longer. For this week's post I decided to make a new magnet board for my speech therapy room. I've had my husband make several of these for me before. He owns a heating and cooling business so I have easy access to the galvanized sheet metal he uses to build duct work.

Here's s a pic of

my favorite magnet

board to date.

It's approximately

49" x 34".

Yeah...it's pretty BIG!






I picked up the frame at a garage sale for $2. It holds all of those family photos and Christmas pictures I hate to take down...my kids' awards and certificates...appointment cards and invites...important telephone numbers....and everything else that used to clutter my refrigerator. It's hard to tell from the photo but it hangs in a narrow hallway off the kitchen. It's the perfect place for this over sized frame. (Hint: hanging an over sized piece in a smaller space tends to add a modern element to your home.)

 
For today's project

I painted on old frame

with chalk paint.

I used a combination of 

Annie Sloan's Florence 

and Emperors Silk. 



Then I applied a coat of Annie Sloan clear wax and distressed it with sand paper. On my second coat of wax, I mixed dark wax with the mineral spirits to create a thick glaze consistency. Next I used a pair of tin snips to cut a piece of left over sheet metal to fit my 16"x 24" frame. The edges are really sharp so please be CAREFUL when you're working with sheet metal.

I also cut a piece of foam board I had on hand to add a little support behind the sheet metal. I used these inexpensive "Glazier Points" from Hobby Lobby to secure the back.  

I wanted the option to hang it vertically or horizontally so I took it to the framing department at Hobby Lobby. Did you know they will add a wire hanger for only $1? (Don't you just love that little electric screw driver they use to mount hardware on frames! I really need to get one of those;)

Here's the final product with a few magnets.

 

I hope to pair it with a

Hyllis galvanized shelving unit

from Ikea ($14.97 each) and

some lidded wicker baskets

($10) from Walmart shown below.

 So excited to put my office together

and get to know my new kiddos!

 


Let me know if you have an old frame you'd like made into magnet board...I'd love to help!

~Wendy