Larissa Hill Designs: March 2013

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

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.

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.