Storage Solutions

I don't know about you, but my computer station is always cluttered with paper and things that I need to work on.  It drives me bonkers, but there isn't a whole lot I can do about it. 

Then I got this idea.

I bought these magazine holders at the thrift store for .50 cents each.

I then spray painted them gold, with this spray paint.

And next, simply screwed them to the inside of the computer armoire door.

So much better! 

Keep checking back for more updates in this space.

Toodles,

Bon

Mirror Redo

I have wanted a mirror forever, but I am such a cheap skate I haven't wanted to spend very much! So you can imagine my excitement when I found this LARGE mirror for a meager $20. 

 This redo was so simple, inexpensive, and easy. 

First, I simply cleaned up the mirror. 

It had lots of grooves and nooks so I used a Qtip to get all the dust out.

Second, I taped and papered off the mirror portion.

 Third, I used THIS spray paint and spray painted the mirror. I did 3 coats.

I then sanded the edges a bit so the gold showed through a little. 

And finally I sealed it with a clear coat spray. ( I like the cheap $1 kind)

 Simple, elegant, and lovely. 

Just my style!

(I will be adding a wreath to it soon too)

Happy Crafting
Bon

Organized Computer Space and REDO

I could shoot myself in the eyeballs with a bee bee gun for not taking a "before" picture of the hutch I just redid. I found this piece for $15 at a yard sale.

 It was originally black, the owner had spray painted it a robin egg blue but the paint must have dripped and dried that way 'cause it had a rough texture.
 I didn't care. I knew I needed it. The price was right, my computer space has been giving me anxiety attacks, and it was all wood. (BONUS)
Plus, it was in decent shape and really just needed cleaned, sanded, and repainted. 

Here is a small look at what I was dealing with before.

(I obviously didn't document this space well either.  I am sure because it always felt cluttered and messy. No matter how clean it was. A bee bee gun shot to the eye may have been better than taking a real picture of this space-haha)

Look behind these two. (Don't mind them- they were pretty excited about the football game they were watching)

Can you see all the files, etc. back there?

That is where my computer desk sat. 

Here is one more to show you how cluttered it always looked.

I knew I wanted a hutch/armoire.
Armoires are great items of furniture to organize a space. They provide the option to close off the clutter and add additional space to decorate!

I am a sucker for a good armoire. I like the elegant feel and the ability to close off all the paper clutter.

You can see more armoire redo's here and here .
( I actually have before and after pictures for these)

So buying this piece was a no brainer.

 

My hubby and I simply cleaned it, sanded it down, and painted it white. 

I am loving it! 

More updates on the inside refinish soon! 

Entry Way and Front Room Update

So when I moved in to this house all the walls were white. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE WHITE, but kids and white walls really don't mesh. I have  slight , okay who am I kidding, major OCD and I think the white walls may very well have been the death of me. Those tiny peanut butter hand prints all over the place just weren't cohesive with my decor. 

The painstakingly loooooonnnngggg process of choosing a paint color was hard. I am loving all the griege colors that are out, but every time I sampled a greige it made the undertones in my kitchen cabinetry look more yellow. {YIKES} And I have these beautiful vaulted ceilings so it needed to be a color that could go throughout all the main living areas. 

I am pretty sure I tried 10 different colors on the wall. That is when I called up my friend, Lisa, in desperation.( She is pretty much a paint color expert.) I told her my dilemma, that I wanted greige but it didn't work. She very simply stated..."you can choose a griege that belongs more in the tan family but without yellow undertones.

" UHHHH HELLO! Why didn't I call her sooner?? 

Then she said the best thing ever- "Bonnie, try Sherwin Williams Loggia. It is beige, with a little gray tone." 

I ran right out and bought a sample can. 

Guess what??

 I was instantly in LOVE.

It was exactly what I wanted. 

Not too dark, no hues of yellow, warm and cool, and bright n' fresh. 

I am positive she is a color master! I know who I am turning to for a paint dilemma next time. 

(Sherwin Williams Loggia -SW7506)

With my paint color decided, I was ready to tackle this project. Well, maybe just THINK about it.

I wish I could say I was 100% ready to go, but let's face it, painting overwhelms me. Thank goodness for my good friend Brenda. She gave me some (much needed) gentle nudging to start the process. She helped me every step of the way. 

SERIOUSLY-- I have some pretty amazing friends!!

I knew I wanted to add paneling, to the entry way wall. 

Like my husband and I did on our laundry room project -

So we bought 2 sheets of white paneling.

 And some MDF to mold it out. 

 We added the wainscoting and got to work on the painting.

(Sorry, I have been bad with pictures taking - crappy cell pic alert.)

It really is amazing how simple changes like wainscoting and paint can completely transform a room.

I am probably the worlds slowest decorator. I am very methodical when I start a room.

 But hey, two years isn't too long to finish a space is it? haha

Entry Way-

And a couple before and after shots. 

I am a sucker for a before and after shot.

TV Stand

I have been searching for the right piece to use as my TV stand since we moved in. I had a smaller "redo" table as the TV stand, but knew I needed something much bigger. 

When my sister was getting rid of this piece I knew I HAD TO buy it from her. It is perfect for my space. Unfortunately (I could just slap myself) I was anxious to start painting this piece, and completely forgot to take before pictures. (I know, I know, right?!)

Please forgive me for this grainy cell phone shot. It shows a shelf not painted yet, so you can get an idea for the original color.

 I used an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint from Home Depot in white. I am in LOVE with chalk paint. Although, I will make my own next time. It was quite pricey.

 I simply cleaned this piece really well and didn't bother sanding it before hand. The chalk paint adheres fast and dries quickly. (It has a gritty feel so after you get as many coats as you want, you may want to lightly sand your piece to smooth it out.) 

My husband and I also added legs to this piece to give it the right heigth and the right look. 

I sanded the edges when I was all finished to give it a antiqued look and then applied a few coats of a polyacrylic to seal the paint.

 I love everything about it! 

It stores so much stuff- Xbox games and console, CD's, DVD's, Blankets, remotes, etc. 

Toodles,

BON

Window Seat Update

So I have these beautiful window seats in a few of my rooms.

Not only do the rooms need some paint, white just won't cut it with kiddos, these rooms also need a little updated. 

I think the wood "dates" the house.

So after a bit of research and some prep work, I decided to get this room into shape!

First up, I painted the room. 

A beautiful gray color from Glidden called Pebble Gray.

I am in love with it! Not too blue, not too dark, just fresh and bright!

Next, I removed the cabinet door fronts from the window seat and taped off all the walls and inside of the seat.

 After I had done all the prep work {cleaning the cabinets, taping off the walls, and removing all hardware} I got out all the paint and started.

Gripper is my new favorite thing. I didn't have to sand the cabinets at all. It dries supper fast and adheres easily without scraping.

After two coats of Gripper and 2-3 coats of Satin white paint,  I was ready to drill some holes for hardware.

Have you seen this product from the Home Depot? 

It makes adding hardware easy and even. 

I love the way it turned out.

I used a flat sheet to cover the seat cushion. I had my mom sew me a giant pillow case to fit the bench seat cushion. That way I could easily remove it when it needed washed.

Ahhhhh.....so much better!

This room has a whole new look!

Loves,

Bon

Drab to Fab Vanity

 I knew I wanted a vanity for one of my girls rooms. I searched high and low for the just the right piece.  I finally found this piece on craiglist for $30.00.

 I knew with a little hard work and a fresh coat of paint, it would work perfectly.

I first cleaned the piece really well and disassembled all the bolts. I then gave it two coats of spray paint!

I LOVE this spray!! It goes on thick and wonderfully!

I also reupholstered the seat fabric.

I simply stapled the fabric to the bottom base of the seat.

I love the transformation of drab pieces to gorgeous pieces!

 I love seeing the before picture right by the after!

Spray paint and craigslist are such wonderful things!

 XOXO,

Bon

A Tad Obsessed..

I am a tad  obsessed.

OKAY, maybe A LOT obsessed, with two things.

Picture frames and printables.

Can a girl really have too many? 

I can't pass up a picture frame with great structure to save my life. 

{I apologize about the before picture taken with my "dumb" phone. My camera has been on hiatus and I am starting to really want it back! Sigh.}

I scored this chunky beauty for $2.00

A little spray paint and some light sanding can turn any wretched old frame into a fun new piece.

I wish I could give credit to the maker of this printable. I found it on Pinterest but it isn't attached to a link. Isn't it the most adorable print ever?

Happy Crafting!

Toodles,

Bon