Back to School and a Sign

Today was the day...

My boys headed off to school. 1st and 3rd and I can hardly believe it. They are ready and I'm ready, but it makes me sad that another year will sneak by while we are busy with homework and brushing teeth and learning lessons...

The first two days are half days...so just enough time to pull the downstairs together and then go get them again...and make a sign. 

While mowing the lawn last week I noticed this perfectly good piece of weathered wood in our fire pit. Who would throw out such a beauty you ask? Me too...(hus-ahem-band). Lost his mind I tell ya! So I quickly snatched it out of the pile and put it on my counter. Where it sat like this for a week...

What can I say...

After I put the little down for a nap and cleaned the kitchen, I decided it was time to get it finished...out came the white Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I printed off the letters from the computer, but because the background is white, I couldn't use my tracing paper...so I had to wing it. 

Which didn't work out perfectly. But I'm still pretty happy that the naked spot above the window is feeling a little less naked...

 

MFF (Mister Freckle Face) asked what projects I was going to get started on after the kids are in school full time. Let's face it, I've got a limited time since my belly increases in size daily...seriously. 

But I do have plans for a certain ceiling...and a certain laundry room may get some cute new shelves. And I need to get to work on the little's new room as she moves to the playroom, to make room for the newest little. And I need to actually finish nursery...more to post on that this week I hope!!

Thanks for stopping by...I hope to see you again!!

xo-Chris

Linking up to:

It's So Very Cherie

Those Wing Chairs...

Remember those wing chairs I started forever ago...Well. I sort of gone 3/4 of the way done, lost my mind (those wings!) and threw them in the garage. Today I decided it was time to get started again and see if I can at least finish one by the end of the month. There are 2. Punch me now. 

Here is what one of them looks like right now. 

The fabric is just canvas from Harbor Freight (washed with bleach to soften). The legs are painted Annie Sloan Duck Egg, but they will be getting a white or French Linen coat over the top, because I'm not really liking the blue.  From this angle, she isn't looking so bad. From this angle. Did I tell you I broke one of those tiles working on this chair. Seriously. (It is currently hot glued down because the baby likes to pull it up and use it as a weapon).

This is the front living room. The chairs will be replacing those white ones on the right (by the way, in the interest of full disclosure, the matching leather loveseat is directly behind those white chairs. Because I have no idea what to do with it.)

Details my friends, minor details. I think those wing chairs will look really great in here. Someday. When I can finish them. In the meantime...

...I decided that I didn't want the SW Oyster bay on the columns of the dining room anymore. The front living room is SW Comfort Gray, and the dining room is Oyster Bay (one shade darker). But I think the columns should be BM Grant Beige now so I don't have a weird line of demarcation next to my kitchen where one ends and the other begins.That explains the Grant Beige splotches all over the place, right?

All in a day's work friends. The baby will wake soon - I better get back to tearing my house apart.

xo-Chris

French Chair

Remember that chair I picked up on Craigslist last week? It's made quite the transformation, although it's not finished, I thought I would share what it's looking like right now.

Here is the before (after I slapped some paint on it's arms and legs - because I have no patience)

 It was in great shape - really sturdy, but that fabric was gross...and after I got started, I wondered if I should go get a tetanus booster. Not kidding.

This is layer two. Hmm. I'm thinking 70's, correct me if I'm wrong. Love the coordinating fabrics...double ew. 

 

Once I pulled this layer off, and took out the 621 gazillion staples, I just used the fabric as a guide to cut my new fabric. I bought a heavier weight Osnaburg fabric at Joann (s) and doubled it up for extra strength. It was on sale for around $3 a yard. YAY! I know it's not as strong as upholstery grade fabric, but it looks like linen and is nubby and perfect. From there it was easy (thanks to my new staple gun that I can actually squeeze with one hand and no naughty words).

Right now, it sits unfinished because I need an actual upholstery part for the back...so until I get around to ordering that...here she is. All frenchy and purdy...

  

I used multiple layers of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White, and French Linen and distressed her within an inch of her life. She is smooth like silk. I added the grain sack stripes because it was just missing something...I may do another french grain sack stencil next to it. 

Just for fun, here are my inspiration pieces from Pinterest...

Source: frenchgardenhouse.com via Megan on Pinterest

Source: missmustardseed.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: paintmewhite.com via Cyndi on Pinterest

xo-Chris

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Blame it on the ... Paint

We went out of town for the long weekend and for about 2 weeks before hand, I couldn't contain my excitement...why? Because I was going to get my first can of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I. Was. GIDDY. I could hardly wait to get home to start painting a gazillion things. I got Pure White (because, boring as it is, it seemed like I would get the most use for my own home out of that one) and a sample pot of grey and egg blue. I don't remember their real names, but that's close enough. 

I have had this antique full sized bed sitting in the garage waiting for a new home for awhile. It had a shiny finish and the idea of prepping gave me hives. So, there it sat. It is so cute, with art deco details, and would be so sweet in a little girls room. Hives.  It has 2 coats of ASCP on it and I'm contemplating on distress with dark wax, or just clear wax. Hmm. Either way, it should be up for sale by the end of the week. Finally.

 These are pre- Annie Sloan. Don't stare too long at the mess I've got going on. It may cause permanent damage.

Then - yesterday I was able to pick up a wood chair with fabric seat and back - I have been looking MONTHS for one of these. I have so many ideas swirling around in my head. I have visions of these swirling around in my head and keeping me up at night.

Source: missmustardseed.blogspot.com via Stitch a Wish on Pinterest

Source: beyondthescreendoordesigns.blogspot.com via Jodi on Pinterest

Source: laylagrayce.com via Melinda on Pinterest

Source: paintmewhite.com via Cyndi on Pinterest

I don't know if I should paint her frame a mix of ASCP Pure White, or white mixed with blue, or gray. What I do know is I have some linen look fabric that will be covering the seat and back after I get the gazillions of staples out. Seriously. I counted them.

So naturally, while deciding on that, I walked around the house for other things to paint. After all - it's Spring (almost) and in my house...that means TIME TO PAINT! (actually. It's always time to paint in my house. This just gives me an excuse). 

This dresser was next up. Unfortunately, I don't have a before picture. But believe me. She wasn't cute. Birds eye maple aka ORANGE. Ew. But the lines. Swoon. I had attempted a Restoration Hardware driftwood layered type of treatment but it wasn't sticking to the finish. So I put another coat of Annie's Pure White over it with a dry brush technique - it looks SO great. This came with the bed above on Craigslist. She stays with me. Until I find something else. 

 
Do you see her curvy legs and little key holes. AND - caster feet. She had me at hello. It looks a little splotchy in the picture - but it looks so great and worn.

It's true - this paint is so much fun. I can't wait to get more. More. MORE. Mwuahhhh hahhh hahhh. Ahem.

I've been working on Spring-ing up the Family Room. Come back tomorrow to see some before and after pictures. My how my style has changed.

Thanks for dropping by!

xo-Chris

Linking up to:
Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint Party
Savvy Southern Style: Wow us Wednesdays
Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday