LAMP TWEAKIN'

FROM THIS (ain't it purdy??)

TO THIS
all with a couple of coats of brick red craft paint and some of that bronze metallic paint used as a glaze. Voila...new lamp.

No *before* of this lamp, but it was a WalMart special from my Staging Stash....flat black. Once again the metallic bronze to the rescue. I gave it a good coat with a small brush on the kitchen counter. I never prepare for these projects, lol and then took it down cellar and sprayed a light coat of black around it and it looks pretty good if I do say so myself!

Even better is the feeling I get when I finally do something semi-creative.

Later,
Janet

ELECTION DAY PROJECT

Empty mirror frame..the mirror broke many years ago, so hopefully any residue of bad luck has dissipated. I painted the frame black, then dry brushed the detail with some bronze paint so it has a bit of depth. Then just hung 3 blue plates in the empty frame. I think I need bigger plates, but these are the size I have. Free project. Now I am working on knitting a yellow/goldish aka Cornsilk pillow cover for a 12x18 free pillow to replace the needlepoint. The chair in the corner (Chloe's favorite sleeping spot) has been "covered" with an old Mattelasse bedspread.

The guest room is getting cozier and cheaper by the minute. What projects are you working on?

Later,

Janet

TWIGS

I just added some twigs from fallen branches outside. I like the way it makes the faux Hydrangeas, faux oak leaves and oversized acorns come to life.


What do you think?

Janet

PS. Ignore that woman in the background with the camera; she is a figment of your imagination.

BIRTHDAYS and A HORROR STORY

Last night I hosted a Birthday Party for my friend Barbara. Just seven of us old biddies...er...middle aged women eating, laughing and having a fun time eating Chicken Tarragon Crepes, Seafood Spinach Crepes, Roasted Beets and Buttercup Squash. That was followed by a decadent Apple Cranberry Bread Pudding made with a lovely Challah Bread. Yummy in my tummy! Did you used to say that when you were a kid?? Anyway, sorry no pictures or recipes because I tend to wing it.

Now for the Horror Story of the fireplace. Many of you have probably already spotted it. When I was finally finished with all the brick, I taped off the sides and top to give the mouldings a nice fresh coat of paint. I used new blue tape ( Shurtape, not 3M) and when I removed it just hours later, it pulled off all the gold wall paint. Never fear, I had almost a gallon left so off to the basement I trudged, opened the can, stirred like crazy only to find that whatever binder Benjamin Moore uses does not last for 6 years, darn! I put some on the wall anyway and all it did was dribble. So off to the paint store where they don't have samples in this color ( it is 6 years old, OK,OK), so I have to have a quart mixed ( from the label on the can's lid) and pay $17. Remember this was supposed to be basically a free project!! I ran home and used less than 2 Tablespoons aka one ounce of paint on the white stripes. I went out for an hour to give it a chance to dry and hopefully darken. No!!! See those goobers on the wall, now the whole room has to be repainted , which it *does* need, but I don't have the energy or $$ to do it right now!
End of Horror Story and I am over it now.

On Sunday October 26, tomorrow as I write this, please go over to Rabbit Run Cottage and wish our dear,sweet friend Susie Q a Happy Birthday. Apparently she is throwing herself a party! tell her I sent you.

Thanks for the kudos; I love you all.

Later,

Janet

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

Linda at Restyled Homes has challenged us to do a post about a makeover we have done. I did this last summer and have posted pictures before, but I thought I would play along and post some new ones. Click to enlarge, if you like.

close up of the metallic bronze finish

This room has belonged to various boys over the years and once they were all gone I claimed it as the Guest Room. The warm, neutral wall color is Weston Flax by Benjamin Moore. The furnishings were a catchall. The bed was once my pride and joy...shiny brass (plated?) from 1988 when I went out on my own with my two young boys. I bought bronze metallic paint and after priming the brass, I gave it two coats of bronze with a sponge brush. Instant update!

closeup of the multi-layered finish (and dust)

The dresser is one of those heavy nasty dark pine jobs that I inherited with Bob. He had several other pieces that have disappeared, where I can't say. His plaid upholstered pieces found new homes, thank goodness. I wanted to throw the dresser out and then thought the storage was useful, so why not invest a few bucks in some paint and new hardware. I rather like the way it came out. Not perfect, but perfectly imperfect and it houses lots of stuff and don't you love that cute rooster tassel??

Later,