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!

A Slight Change with ChalkPaint

I am new at the chalk paint trend. But I am finding it is wonderful! Lose the prime, paint, paint, protect, etc.

I wanted some decor items beside the china hutch in the dining room. Definitely not the candle sconces I have used in the past. So...a trip to Hobby Lobby in search for the perfect pair. I walked. I searched. I meandered. Nothing seemed right. It was the wrong color or the wrong size (or maybe the wrong price for my "slight change".

I finally found what I thought would work but the aged green did NOT suit me. I was looking for dark.

The center was just about perfect. I laid our my tarp and picked up the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite that I had used for my kitchen project.

I did use two coats to cover the places I missed on the first coat. (I am an impatient painter).

The before of the dining area:

And the after:

The shadows it creates on the wall behind makes it look distorted!

Mr. Spouse just noticed them last night. HUMMM--they have been up for a couple of months. I guess that means that they don't look absolutely terrible!