Monday, April 29, 2013

Words For The Week!!!

Have you found yours yet???

Heather

Monday, April 22, 2013

Words For The Week!!!

Come on, dream big!!!

Heather

Monday, April 15, 2013

Words For The Week!!!




Be courageous!!!

Heather

Monday, March 25, 2013

Words For The Week!!!

I am starting a new feature today which I have entitled, "Words For The Week". I hope they inspire you and bring a smile to your face!!!


Wishing you a day filled with much happiness!!!

Heather

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Leopard LOVE!!!

If you've been a follower of mine for any length of time, you know that I LOVE any and all Animal Prints.  It all started with my mother, who always had an animal print of some sort in our home.  My most vivid memory is our leopard print pillows on our long white silk sofa in our living room when I was a little girl.  Those pillows still adorn her living room sofa and I still LOVE them!!!

So today I had to share with you an AMAZING makeover by Jenny of her fabulous Craigslist find, Eames Management Chairs in Scalamandre Leopardo Velvet.

 photo DSC_0208.jpg
Little Green Notebook

Now, this story is not so much about a fabulous DIY but about her great deal on a pair of Eames Soft Pad chairs from the Management line, the deal she scored on 4 yards of Scalamandre Leopardo Silk Velvet on Ebay and the difficult but fabulous upholstery job completed by a professional.  

I've also found a new favorite quote, "good animal print is a neutral".  Thank you, Jenny of Little Green Notebook!!!

Let me know what you think....

Heather

Friday, March 8, 2013

French Willow DIY!!!

As I continue on my quest to update our daughters' bathroom, I was looking for ideas on how to update a wicker and metal tower of baskets.  This small piece of furniture has served its purpose over time and I wanted to keep it because it is just the right size for the space.


My first thought was to spray paint it and then it dawned on me while perusing Pinterest to create a Grey Wash finish. So, I set out to find the easiest DIY to achieve this 'french willow' look.

Debbie of Confessions Of A Plate Addict shared her instructions for achieving the desired grey washed look in her post,  DIY Grey Willow French Laundry Basket and I love it.  However, I did not have any Rustoleum Camouflage spray paint on hand and I was anxious to get this project started so I needed to find another tutorial or create one of my own which I ultimately did and share below.

My first step was to apply a mix of ASCP Paris Grey color and I used a Behr color substitute, Sparrow. I combined 1/2 Behr Sparrow paint with 1/2 water to create a wash.


Using a foam brush, I generously painted the wicker leaving some of the original wicker color exposed.


My next step was to bring in a beige color. I chose to incorporate a Behr color substitute, Pecan Sandie for ASCP Old Ochre paint color.


I applied it as a wash of 1/3 paint and 2/3 water as shown below.


I then topped it off with a final coat of Krylon Satin Finish to provide a protective coating. 

Finally, I completed my newly refinished 'willow wicker' tower with hand painted tags.  I did my best to achieve an iron finish to match the iron on the tower.  I first painted the oval discs with a graphite paint and then applied a coat of Min Wax Classic Gray Stain. I let it sit for approximately 5 minutes and then wiped it off.

I then traced the perfect "No.s" for the tags utilizing a 'Jelllyka Delicious Cake' font and then copied over them with my Metallic Silver Sharpie pen.


I finally attached the 'No.' tags with the ever trusty E-6000 Craft Adhesive and voila....


Let me know what you think....

Heather

I'm partying here today....

The Shabby NestPhotobucket
  French Country Cottage  
  Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Weekend Bloggy Reading

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

American Made Chalk Board Paint!!!

Many of us have used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the past.  Some of us have created our own.

And now, there's an American Made brand on the market,
Hudson Paint!!!  Founded by New York based decorative painter and color consultant, Arno Cornillion. Hudson Paint has been featured in Oprah Magazine, House Beautiful and This Old House.  

"Hudson Paint 100% acrylic color chalkboard is a beautiful,washable finish for creating erasable color panels. Lowodor and easy application over wallboard, wood, plaster, masonite, MDF (Medium density fiberboard), primed metal, and wood."  

And don't you just love the whimsical, colorful packaging!!!

Hudson Paint

Their color palette includes 30 vibrant and often surprising selections which reflect Anro's decorative painting experiences.   



Hudson Paint has 3 additional specialty paints including Floor Paint, Door Paint and Lime Paint.



See what inspires Anro and company on their inspiration page.  You can find this fabulous paint company on Facebook at Hudson Paint and at numerous retailers across the country, in Canada and online. Better yet, they offer a smaller 8oz size @ $9.99, plus quart size @ $24.99 and gallon size @ $74.99.  I love the variety of sizes and the pricing too!!!

It's always good to buy American Made!!!

Let me know what you think....

Heather





Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Guess where I am today.....getting ready for a big night out on the town!!!


Wishing you a very Happy Valentines Day,

Heather






Tuesday, February 12, 2013

MIA Again!!!

I've been busy working on soooo many projects and I've not taken the time to write about any of them.  Isn't that what blogging is all about????

So, I thought I'd give you a little hint of what's to come on Larissa Hill Designs....

From bathroom cabinet makeovers to kitchen cabinet makeovers


to revitalizing Art de Mexico sconces


to mixing my own Annie Sloan Chalk Paint 


to painting my dining room chairs


to refinishing and restyling a leather chair


to updating Thrift Store finds


to repainting my Dining Room Sideboard


to refinishing Craigslist finds


to more "Painting For Charity"


to sewing slipcovers and window treatments, upholstering furniture and then some....

I hope you stay tuned for all of it!!!

Let me know what you think....

Heather


Thursday, January 24, 2013

Chrome To Brushed Nickel!!!

I've been working feverishly at completing our daughters' bathroom.  I've refinished the cabinets, replaced lighting, painted walls, sewn curtains and changed out the shower curtain and rod but the cabinet hardware just wasn't working for me. I purchased this chrome hardware a couple of years ago and still really like the style and size but not the shiny finish.


So, I set out to find the best way to change the finish.  The only option I found online was to use Fine Steel Wool but I didn't have much success.

I figured I had nothing to lose and took out my Extra Fine sanding block and started sanding.  With a little bit of grit and grind, I'm thrilled with the outcome.  Voila!!!


Let me know what you think.....

Heather

Friday, January 11, 2013

larissa's look for less

The LOOK

Restoration Hardware's French Library Shelving is a reproduction of the mid-Eastern library bookcase. It is  a perfect combination of aged iron and distressed natural hardwood and is priced @ $1695 - $1995.

72" French Library Shelving
Restoration Hardware

For LESS


Home Decorators' Industrial Mansard Double Bookshelf provides useful and stylish storage @ $467 with Free Shipping.

Industrial Mansard Double Bookshelf
Home Decorators
Let me know what you think....

Heather



Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Power Of Paint!!!

A big thank you goes out to Maryann @ Power Of Paint for featuring my Thomas The Tank which is a part of my Painting For Charity series!!!

Larissa Hill Designs

Head on over to Power Of Paint to see all of the fabulous paint projects that Maryann features on a daily basis.  Better yet, submit yours and be featured!!!



Let me know what you think....

Heather