Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Anthropologie Inspired Desk aka The Butterfly Desk

I had plans, plans of an office space just for me.  I never expected my husband to be working for home and needing to share my space, but he does and we do.  So I gave him my ginormous desk that can also double as a dining room table.  That meant that I had to give up my plans of a daybed and add another desk.  Lucky for me I had one in my inventory, but I had finished it in a color that didn't go with my theme teal and pink.  So, I changed it.  I have to say I like it better and it looks like an Anthropologie knockoff.

This is what it looked like when I first got it.


and this is what it looked like when I first did it for my shop.
I had changed the knobs to faux glass knobs, I was thinking of a desk for a preteen when I first painted it.


This is what it looks like now.  It has 4 layers of paint including the original.
One hot pink, one white, one teal, and turquoise.  Some super distressing and viola!!  It fits perfectly in my little corner and I can still look out the window when I am working.




It's staged with one of my dining chairs, but I'm hoping to find another cute french provicial or antique chair to paint raspberry to do with it.

The cool thing is now I have my own desk and I have another cool finish for my Etsy shop.  I call it the  Butterfly Desk since something about it reminds me of a butterfly and I just love butterflies.  I could've called it The Monica Desk, but I didn't want to be that vain.  Well at least not today.

Don't forget to come share your projects every Friday for Furniture Friday.

xo,

mONICa

As you can see we're partying all week long. I probably need to go to link party rehab.  Oh well,  grab a martini and join us....Monica

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Furniture Friday #13 and Features

So glad to be back on this rainy Thursday afternoon.  Missed all of your fantastic projects while I was gone.  A couple that really stood out, were from Mak and Jill.

Mak and Jill have been friends for a long time and are specialist in Annie Sloan chalk paint.  
Here are some amazing pieces of theirs from Furniture Friday 2 weeks ago.


Now time to party!!

Please put your permalink into the linky and pretty please link back here so we can share everyone's other great ideas (button at the bottom of this post or on my sidebar).   Please do not link any shops!!  Sit back, relax, grab a martini, network (visit other links) and enjoy the  party.

Note: By adding your link you are giving me permission to use your photos on my blog without contacting you.  Which means you may get featured next week.


Ready Set, Go!!!


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Liebster Blog Award #5


I feel so honored when I get an email that say's I've been given the Liebster Blog Award.  This award is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  I've been honored to receive this award 5 times.

Most recently I was given the award by Susan @ Simply Vintageous.  If you haven't checked out her blog please do, she has really cool projects, a few really cool ones involving graphic pattern and painters tape.

To see how the award works and to check out other bloggers who have passed this award to me click here.

xo,

mONICa

I'm Back From Vacation

I guess catching up is not as easy as I thought it would be.  I'm gone for a couple of weeks and blogger has totally changed on me.  I still don't feel caught up.  I have tons of pieces to complete and the weather has not been cooperating (we are actually getting April showers).  May 1st is the deadline I've given myself to get back into the swing of things, so please be patient with me until then.

Our trip to Kentucky was awesome.  I got to visit some friends in Northern Kentucky, it's always lovely to see faces that you dearly miss.  There was a tornado there a few months ago and fortunately not too many were affected that I new, but unfortunately some of the people they know were affected.  They took me to go see one of the areas where it hit hardest.


After visiting the Cincinnati area, we headed toward Lexington where our dear friend let us visit her horse farm.  It was gorgeous and the weather was perfect.


We visited the Lexington Cemetery and saw some really old grave sites, including a civil war monument.

We also saw many historical homes and plantations including the Waveland Museum.


and no Kentucky trip is complete without visiting the Bourban Trail.  Our stop, Woodward Reserve Distillery.



We had so much fun, and the food was great.  We had everything from Fried Green Tomatoes, to Chicken Pot Pie,  

We made it to Kentucky without even hearing one Banjo playing. Lol! Must be a California stereotype.


Well, I've got a few new projects so stay tuned, we should be having some decorating fun shortly.

xo,

mONICa

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Kids Beds- Before and After

I love my kids beds, especially because my husband found them in a neighbors front yard for FREE!!  All they needed was a paint job and some 1 x4's for mattress support.  

Here is what they looked like before



My first step was to degloss and add a dark gray spray primer


Then I painted in a butterscotch yellow.  Rustoleum Sunny-something.  I can't remember, but it definitely started with sunny.  

I continued by rubbing off some paint with paste wax and sand paper.  I think distressing is the best option for 3 year olds as I'm sure they will add to the distressing.





Can you tell that I love gray spray primer for distressing?

xo,

mONICa

Monday, April 9, 2012

Ultra Cheap Kids Room Art (Even if You Are Not An Artist)

Last week I showed you my kids finished bedroom.


Today I'd like to show you how I made super cheap art.  No I am not an artist, well at least in the drawing sense.  I found a way to do something cute, easy and cheap.  

All you need is a canvas (got mine at Michaels with a coupon), spray paint, and a paint marker.

Spray paint the canvas in a color of your choice.


Then take your handy dandy paint marker


and draw whatever you like.  Yes, even stick people would be cute.

I chose a car and some flowers.




Thats it.  Quick, easy and cute, even your kids can do this.  The best part is that if you ever want to change it, just spray paint over it in another color and start fresh with your stick art.

xo,

mONICa

Friday, April 6, 2012

Guest Posting At One Chatty Chic

One Chatty Chic


Hello and Happy Friday.  
I just wanted to let you guys know that I am Guest Posting at One Chatty Chic Today.
One Chatty Chic is a blog about Home Decor, Food, Money Matters, Kids,  etc.
It's a great blog to check out for a well rounded life.
She will be sharing my Appeltini Dresser Tutorial, so please go check it out.


xo,

mONICa



Thursday, April 5, 2012

Furniture Friday 12- Features and Par-tay!!

Well, well, well, if it isn't Friday already.  I am so behind in work this week.  I've had lots of problem child's (my furniture pieces).  One will have to be completely stripped, another one had peeling veneer that would not cooperate.  The good news!!  Guess what I got for my anniversary?  A compressor and a paint gun.  I have yet to try them and I will be on vacation next week and no access to the Internet, so I will leave this linky up for two weeks, feel free to post more than one project as well.

I still have some post that I will be scheduling so you won't miss out on the fun completely and when I get back I'm sure I'll have plenty of scenery to show you.  Elaine and I are taking some much needed down time We are spending a week in Kentucky at horse farm to regroup, brain storm, and rejuvenate.  

Thanks for sharing your incredible projects last week, here are the features.


This pretty chair by Kirb Appeal.

This dresser done in Cece Caldwell by Bungalow 47.


and a great baseball themed dresser by Chase The Star.



Now time to party!!

Please put your permalink into the linky and pretty please link back here so we can share everyone's other great ideas (button at the bottom of this post or on my sidebar).   Please do not link any shops!!  Sit back, relax, grab a martini, network (visit other links) and enjoy the  party.

Note: By adding your link you are giving me permission to use your photos on my blog without contacting you.  Which means you may get featured, please make sure to come visit again on Saturday for Weekend Features.


Ready Set, Go!!!

xo,

mONICa

Gender Neutral Kids Room- Presented by Free Furniture

Yay!! I finally have a room looking decent in my house. The twins room. I've seen such cute gender neutral rooms around blogland.

In my version of a gender neutral kids room, I have a very special sponsor.
This room is being brought to you by FREE!!
or for those of you who watch Sesame Street, the letters
F-R-E-E!!

The beds were FREE!!
The dresser was FREE!!
The chest and stool were FREE!!
and the remainder, well Ikea so nearly FREE!!


The curtains were hand made by me.

Toys are stored in under the bed storage boxes.



Ikea Malm dresser and Expedit shelf for additional storage.

A play mat and a couple of bean bags for some fun on the floor.

and since I ran out of space, I made a space in their closet for a play kitchen.


The rooms total came to $275 and that includes the play kitchen, linens, lamps, art work, and Ikea furniture not bad huh?

Next week I will share how to make quick kids art for next to nothing, and I will share the beds before and after.

xo,
mONICa



Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Thrifty Decor Chick

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I'm Guest Posting At Redoux


Hello all....
Today I am guest posting at Redoux.  Karen was a guest of ours a couple of weeks ago.  She taught us the ins and out of dumpster diving (awesome post!!) If you missed it you have to check it out.  Anyhoo, she has invited us to share our story of how we got in the biz.

If you are curious why I started painting furniture and how our creations have evolved please head over to her blog and check it out.

xo,

mONICa

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Metallic Finishes- The Tutorial

Last week I shared with you how to do our dark stained glazed furniture finish.



Well as promised, this week I will share a little more detail about the Metallic finishes.
I've shared with you a few pieces involving this finish.



Now I will show you how I do it.  The great thing about this finish is you can do it in whatever color you wish, so the possibilities are endless.  First you will need.

1.) Dark Gray Primer
2.) Paint (spray paint or brushed on)
I used Rustoleum Navy blue for the Midnight Dream and brushed on my own custom color for the Audrey.
3.) Martha Stewart Metallic Glaze
3.) Wipe on Poly


First you start with a light sanding or deglossing.


Then a coat of dark gray spray primer


Let the primer dry completely and then put on a layer of spray paint or brush on paint.

Now it is time to glaze, wipe the metallic glaze on and off in a straight motion or circular motion whichever finish you prefer.

Let that dry completely and add a coat or two of wipe on poly and at least 3 coats to the top.


I love the way this finish looks, gives your piece a great shimmer.  I am eager to try other glazes besides bronze.  I was at Home Depot the other day and saw silver and other bronzes, but have yet to try them.  Has anybody else used this metallic glaze?

xo,

mONICa



As you can see we're partying all week long. I probably need to go to link party rehab.  Oh well,  grab a martini and join us....Monica


Sunday
The DIY Showoff
Sisters Of The Wild West: Sister Sunday 
Under The Table and Dreaming: Sunday Showcase
It's Robin and I- Sunday Funday


Monday
Be Colorful
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
DIY Home Sweet Home
Making The World Cuter: Monday
Our Delightful Home: Show Me What You Got 
Vintage Mauve: Mauvin Monday


Tuesday
A Bowl Full of Lemons: One Project At a Time
Creating A House Of Grace: Twice Owned Party
DIY By Design: Swing Into Spring
Domestically Speaking: Power Of Paint Party
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday's Treasures
Tip Junkie: Tip Me Tuesday
The Ivy Cottage Blog: Say What? Linky Party
Your Sassy Sites: Tuesday Trash 2 Treasure
Very Merry Vintage Style: Share The Love

Wednesday
Blue Cricket Design: Show And Tell
Handy Man, Crafty Woman: Wicked Awesome Wednesday
Primitive And Proper
Restore Interiors: Restore It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdaylu
The Trendy Treehouse


Thursday
Beyond The Picket Fence: Under $100 Linky Party
House of Hepworths
The 36th Avenue: Share Awesomness Thursdays
The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday
Thrifty Decorating: Thrifty Thursday

Friday
2805 Potpourri Fridays
504 Main: Tickeled Pink Fridays
Addicted 2 Decorating: Addicts (not so) anonymous
At the Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
Chic On A Shoestring Decorating: Flaunt It Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
Fingerprints On The Fridge: Feature Yourself Friday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday
My Repurposed Life: Catch As Catch Can
My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday
Redoux Link Party
Remodelaholic: Remodelaholic Friday
Simply Designing: Simply Link Party
Simple Home Life: Simply Creations Friday
Tatertots & Jello: Weekend Wrapup
The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday


Saturday
Funky Junk: Saturday Night Special