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

My Top 12 of 2012

January started out providing 5 of my top 12.

Craigslist Cane Chairs

Larissa Hill Designs

Auction Console Table Spray Paint Makeover

Larissa Hill Designs

Wedding Garter For Laura

Larissa Hill Designs

Painting for Charity - Lady Bug Chair

Larissa Hill Designs

Candlestick Makeover

Larissa Hill Designs

February brought favorite #6!

                                                    Faux Sew Pillows

Larissa Hill Designs

I completely fell off the map through July while focusing on Boobapalooza!!!

In July, I started Painting For Charity once again, #7.

Thomas The Tank

Larissa Hill Designs

I was back creating garters with love for my niece, Natalie.  I also designed a wedding card box and a wedding keepsake album for my sister-in-law,               #8, #9 & #10.

Here Comes The Bride

Larissa Hill Designs

In November, I reinvented an old family heirloom, #11.

Lions & Tigers & Bears, Oh MY

And then followed it up with a handmade Military Wreath, #12!

Camouflage Military Wreath

I'm looking forward to sharing more repurposing, refinishing and recycling with you in 2013!!!

Let me know what you think....

Heather

2012 Year In Review

As I look back on this past year, I think the best place to start is my          

2012 Resolution List.

1. Complete the projects that I start!  Well, I managed to complete some of them but to be honest with you, I'm seriously ADD and multi-tasking is a part of my being.  Needless to say, I did not get all of my projects finished but I did manage to complete some of them.  And, you can find them at  Completed Projects.
2. My second goal was to redesign my blog!  Once again, I managed to achieve this goal and given that I'm technologically challenged, I feel pretty good about adding borders, redesigning my header and introducing a blog signature.  WOOHOO!!!
3. 3rd on my list of resolutions was to start a LINKY party and I did it!!! I feel particularly good about hosting Season's Eatings however silly it may seem to seasoned bloggers.  A special thank you goes out to the bloggers who participated.
4. #4 on my list was to take an Art class.  It didn't happen!!!
5. And finally, my most aggressive goal was to run a 5K.  I still can't believe I put this on my list.  Well, I tried my best but these old hips just aren't meant for running!!!

And so it goes, 3 out of 5 ain't bad and I think I can almost say 4 since I tried to run.  

This year, I've decided that my one and only resolution is to do my BEST in life, in love and in DIYing!!!

Have you set any goals or made any resolutions for 2013?  I'd love to hear them!

Heather

And The Winner Is.....

A couple of weeks ago, I asked my followers to vote on a paint color for my Nesting Tables and "Your vote will determine how I paint the entire set, WHITE OR GREY.... " 

Well, the vote is in and by a margin of almost 2 to 1, GREY was the winner!!! 

So, here they are.....

Project #7 Completed!

Let me know what you think....

"Faux Sew" Pillows

My quest to complete my Guest Room continues.  This pillow caught my eye recently on WhisperWood Cottage and I knew that these quick and easy pillows would fit into my design plan.



My current bolster pillows were wrapped in Battenberg Lace trimmed curtains and tied with grosgrain ribbon as shown below.  So, I just unwrapped them to followed Amy's tutorial.

As part of her Burlap Week @ WhisperWood Cottage, Amy provides a detailed yet simple tutorial for her "Faux Sew" burlap bolster pillow.  Supplies include a bolster pillow, burlap scrap material, scissors, jute twine and a straight upholstery needle. 

As per Amy's tutorial, I eyeballed the amount of fabric and then rolled the fabric around the bolster pillow with the finished burlap edge overlapping the unfinished edge by approximately 2".  With my upholstery needle and twine, I wove my needle up and over the seam from end to end...really easy.

I then wove the needle through in 1" sections around the entire end of both sides allowing me to gather the ends.  

 

I can't thank Amy enough for this crafty "Faux Sew" tutorial as I am now one project closer to completing my Guest Room makeover.

Project #6 Complete!

Let me know what you think....

Repurposed Monday - Lamp Base

Sometimes it is just too hard to let some things go and in this case, it was a black lamp base.  For a number of years it has been sitting in my storage room collecting dust.

Well, I stumbled across a darling lamp in one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie and there it was.....the perfect bunny Lamp.  Unfortunately, the Runway Bunny Ensemble lamp is no longer available at the store or online but here is a photo of it.  Created by the Swedish design team "Front", a cheeky hare proudly dons a top hat (the lampshade) to model it in your home.  At 13.5" H, it was priced at $199.  A little too expensive for a whimsical accent but a great inspiration piece!!!



I could not get it off my mind and a few weeks later while shopping, I came across a darling white ceramic garden bunny.  I really love the crackle and aged finish on my bunny.

It appeared to be the correct size for my lamp base so I bought it and it was. I then adhered to the base with a household glue....a perfect fit. I found a burlap drum shade at Walmart. It is part of their Better Homes And Gardens line and I couldn't pass it up at $9.97.

 

I could have kept it simple but decided to add just a touch of black grosgrain ribbon to the top and bottom.  Grosgrain ribbon and glue, the perfect combination!

My 'Runway Bunny Ensemble' lamp is part of my Guest Room Makeover Project that I look forward to sharing with you in the near future.

Project #4 Complete!

What have you repurposed lately? 

Let me know what you think.....I love reading your comments!

Joining the Party.....

 

Craigslist Cane Chairs

Like so many DIYers, I peruse Craigslist on a regular basis.  Recently, I scored these great cane chairs and knew I had to have them.  For $50 they had found a new home, mine!

Craigslist Cane Chairs

Craigslist Cane Chairs

Upon closer inspection, they needed a bit more love than I thought but nothing I couldn't cover with paint.  My newest favorite saying is, "If all else fails, paint it".   

I first removed the cushions and bottom seat and then I cleaned with TSP.  Next I used my handy Klean Strip Easy Liquid Sandpaper over the entire chair.  It deglosses and prepares the chair for painting.  LOVE IT!!!

I then took the chairs outside and sprayed them with Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Primer in Black followed by 2 coats of Krylon Spaces Satin Finish in Black.  I feel that spray paint provides the best coverage for cane.

Craigslist Cane Chairs

My next step was to distress the chairs to expose some of the original wood where it may have worn away through normal wear and tear.  I tend to use whatever grade of sandpaper I have handy.  I used a not-so-fine grade this time.  To be honest with you, it was a spare piece and I really don't know what grade it was.  I then finished them off with my trusty wax, Howard Citrus Shield Premium Paste Wax. Bottom line, I was pleased with the overall distressing. 

Now this is where I wanted to announce that these chairs are part of an overall plan to redecorate my Guest Room for expected company at the end of the month.  I have sooooo much to do.  Hint, hint.....black, cream and burlap are a part of the design scheme.

Next, I tackled recovering the cushions and the seat.  The most important lesson I learned while completing this part of the project is to cut your fabric generously.  I did not do this and subsquently, my cushion is sewn a bit too tightly. 

Below is the painted chair with the seat recovered.

And finally, the completed project....  You might recognize the RELAX pillow made earlier this year for my Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway post that featured Graphique.

Project #3 Complete!

Let me know what you think......

PS. Stay tuned for a new giveaway featuring Graphique in the next couple of weeks!

I've joined the Imagine The Impossibilties ,  DIY Club Inc. and The DIY Showoff