Master Bedroom Week 1

Gotta have some ch-ch-ch-changes to the bedroom. Boring, boring, boring.

Everybody Loves Raymond--famous bedroom furniture. Not available. Nope--so over the years I decided to search Craigslist and pick up some of this furniture. Well, we did. We traveled over several nearby states--spending a long Saturday drive to pick up several pieces from different homes. We got the bed and dresser in Kentucky. The armoire in Georgia. The nightstands--I don't remember as we have about four different kinds.

I debated about how to refinish these pieces. I went back and forth between General Finishes gel stain and Annie Sloan Chalk paint. I decided that chalk paint was the way I would go but I would mix my own. So...I ordered Calcium Carbonate from Amazon and waited for it to arrive. I knew I could mix my own in the color I wanted. But--in the time it takes to arrive I did what all of us probably do--I changed my mind. I knew the chalk paint would be much easier because I could work on a couple of pieces at a time and basically have them finished in a day. The drying time was so quick! I had finished other pieces in it.

I liked the look of this but didn't want two toned. Also I really wanted the furniture to look as if it was made this way--smooth finish. I already had the General Finishes in two different shades--Java and Nutmeg. I debated again and again and again before settling on the Java. I have used it before.

When I did the dining room furniture I had read that the sock method of applying was the way to go. Whew--a lot of work. After reading some blogs I accessed via Pinterest one caught my immediate attention. They had used a brush! A regular cheap brush to do their kitchen cabinets. So--I started with the bedside tables using the brush method. I thought if it didn't turn out I could always borrow socks from Mr. Spouse. I dropped by Dollar Tree and purchased several of their brushes. I love them. They are so soft that I figured "why not"?

I liked it! I loved using a brush. It took only two coats (I probably was applying it a little heavier with the brush). So in reality--each project was going to take three days. First coat with drying 24 hours. Second and FINAL coat and letting it dry 24 hours.  Then I could easily apply a couple coats of poly in one day.

I was able to move the bedside tables to our guest room in order to complete those. This didn't disrupt our sleeping arrangements. The smell--not so much!

The next pieces I did were the dresser and armoire. I removed all the drawers to the guest room to work on those. I just had to move the dresser out a bit --but we could still sleep in our bedroom. Same three days of work/drying times.

The last project was the BED. Well--that meant we had to sleep elsewhere. We do have another guest room on the downstairs level to use. I have to admit I hastened the drying time of the bed. I applied the first coat and let it dry 15 hours. Then...I went ahead and applied the second coat late that night. I got up super early the next day and applied two coats of poly. Mr. Spouse didn't have to leave quite so early for work that day so he was able to get the mattress and box springs back on the bed so I could "put everything back together" during that second day.

I am now ready to decorate. I haven't decided what to do. I am just enjoying the minimalist look for now of a darker stained bedroom!

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall

I have heard about being sure what a mirror reflects and I see what that means! After searching for a window pane-type mirror I found one on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I did NOT buy it. I looked everywhere including on-line. The ones I found were a little pricey for what I wanted to spend. 

Back to Hobby Lobby. There were still two there. I did NOT buy. 

I looked. After a couple of weeks I decided to go back. There was one I really, really wanted from Kirklands. It was sold out! So..I decided if it was still there at Hobby Lobby I would put that mirror in my cart. 

I saw there was one left. So--I walked away. Browsed the store and finally went back for one more look. This time it made it--not only in the cart--but home! 

Yesterday Mr. Spouse hung it. 

I really like the details on the mirror. It is made of a heavy metal that is painted and distressed. Works great with my favorite decor as of late!

I will keep it!  (GRRR--I am now having trouble with my computer hiding all the photos I edited.)

Bye-Bye Honey Pine

My love for Broyhill Fontana has been long. I mean we have traveled all over the areas surrounding our state to find bits and pieces. A table here, another elsewhere. We have accumulated quite a bit. But when I purchased the Ikea Ektorp sofa with the white slipcover the honey pine just seemed dated. I decided after browsing Pinterest, various blogs, and more blogs that I wanted to go with staining the tops of the tables in my downstairs family room with a chestnut stain and use Annie Sloan Old World White on the rest.

After cleaning each table and lightly sanding the tops I attempted to apply the stain. It wasn't absorbed in the wood at all. I tried to sand again and reapply--again the stain bubbled up. I don't know if this is a problem because of the finish that Broyhill applied or what the previous owners had used but I was forced to move to plan B (that I hadn't even thought or planned for!). I had some Annie Sloan graphite so decided to use that on the tops.

If you notice since we found these in different places, the finish on these three are actually different. So maybe using chalk paint provided the best solution.

After the first coat, I quickly realized this wasn't going to be a quick project. I had envisioned that I might be able to do most of the various coats in one day. Scratch that idea. I first worked on the two end tables and the coffee table--saving the sofa table for another day. For these I only did the tops--letting each coat dry a couple of hours. Later that day I began working on the sides and legs with the white. Amazingly, the white only took two coats. Turned legs are a pain to cover evenly. I finally turned the tables on the side and was able to reach the legs much better.

My wrist was regretting this project! It still hurts several days later.

 Excuse the armoire--it belongs to my son. I am storing it for him but hope he will take it soon!

All in all, I think it is an improvement. I am disappointed that the stain didn't work out on the tops. If I was to backtrack and start over I would use General Finishes gel stain on the tops. I think it would have been the right choice.

I am still needing to decorate and add the farmhouse touches I envision. But...I am snowbound at the present time!

Just call me Goldilocks

You know the story--Goldilocks was a perfectionist. Striving for just the right of everything.

That's what I felt like with this simple, simple project.

Step 1: find a window type frame. Hobby Lobby to the rescue on that one.

It was the 50% off on mirrors and wood products so the price was "just right" for my mind and pocketbook. However, I really wanted a white aged appearance. That could be easily done because I had a small jar of Annie Sloan chalk paint.

I thought a little "dry brush" technique would be the right touch. Well...just Goldilocks (me) thought it looked too "farm aged" for my living room. 

Surely a second coat would solve that issue. Take the mirror down. Tape it off...again.

This time the finish suited me--just not the color. It appeared too yellow to use with the white ironware pitchers and vases. GRRRR.

Back to Hobby Lobby. I didn't want to get another jar of Annie Sloan because of the $$$. I wandered through the paint section and found a chalk paint there. I am sure it isn't the quality of Annie Sloan but this is just a frame. It isn't a piece of furniture or I would have bought AS. I used the 40% off coupon and it came to around $4. 

This is the third time I have taped the frame.

Third time I have painted it.

Three Bears. Three paint tries.

I found the shelf at HomeGoods/TJMaxx and the white matches the shade of the flowery hooks. I am not through styling the shelf. But at least...I think it is "just right".

Do you ever feel like a character in a book? Just saying...I am a teacher!