Trash to Treasured Wedding Gift

I'm so sorry.  I totally missed show off Sundays this week.  I've been packing all weekend and just have the basement left.  After packing comes organizing for Saturdays garage sale.

I thought I'd share this dresser that I did for a friend's wedding exactly a month ago today.  Her then fiance found this baby in the TRASH.  Most of the drawers were broken and the paint was pretty badly stained.  When I heard the news of this rescued "first" dresser I thought that in addition to buying a traditional wedding gift I would fix up the dresser for the bride and groom as a housewarming gift. I have to admit I've never repaired broken drawers before, but I knew I was up to the task.  Plus it was a Broyhill Dresser, which I thought would be worth repairing.

Here is a glimpse of the broken drawers

I decided to prime the dresser first before I tackled the mess with the drawers.

I have to admit I didn't even own clamps. I found these amazing band clamps at Home Depot that wrapped around and adjusted to any size.  I glued the drawers together and wrapped them in these band clamps and let each of them sit for 24 hours.  Then off to primer.

I used a silver metallic spray paint by Valspar and covered the dresser with two coats, then I used wipe on poly to seal.  The bride got some amazing knobs at Hobby Lobby that finished off the look.  I love how it came out.

xo,

mONICa

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It's been a crazy week

I have been so busy lately.  I just launched a new Etsy shop called Decorating Insanity.  My garage looks an artist studio with my multiple half done projects that are starting to look fantastic.  I dream of greatness with a real studio one day in Los Angeles (lately I've been wanting to go back home pretty badly)  and I must get more things in my store and fast.  It's looking a little half naked right now.

I sold my first piece within days and that was really exciting.

I've completed my second piece this week and listed it, and I have at least 2 more pieces on the way this week.

Since it's spray painting season I've got to take advantage of the weather.  I thought I'd post some great spray painting tips from Thrifty Decor Chick.

 

Q:  Where do you spray paint in the different seasons?

A:  In the spring/summer/fall that’s easy – usually in the backyard or on the deck. Usually I can be found holding an item out at arm’s length, over the edge of the deck, spraying away. Then I’ll just lay it on the railing to dry.

I keep old sheets around that I use as drop clothes when I paint, but most often I use them on the garage floor to spray paint. A few many, many times hubby has come home to a slew of items drying on his side of the garage floor. Which I know thrills him to no end.  ;)

In the winter, I have been known to spray paint in the basement – but I do quick, light sprays, then leave immediately. Usually anymore, I do my winter painting in the garage.

Q:  Do I need to prep my surfaces for spray paint?

A:  Other than thoroughly cleaning an item, honestly I don’t prep much. :) If it’s bare wood, a spray primer is a really good idea. You’ll prime the surface and use way less spray paint in the end.

On wood items, sometimes I will do a light sanding to prepare the surface – but most of the time I don’t. On metal, I usually just spray directly on the surface, but if it’s something that will get a lot of handling, I definitely prime it first. I have sprayed many metal lamps and did not prime because (the bases) don’t get touched much.

Same goes for light fixtures – I mean, how often do you touch them? At least around here, it’s not much. :)

So for the kitchen fixture, I didn’t prime. I did light, quick sprays and worked my way around the light as it hung. I LOVE the way it turned out!:

Swoon! (Ignore the pantry door in front of the window!) Now the light hangs about 29 inches above the table instead of 31 (I know, but I notice.) And it’s 23 inches wide instead of 18 inches – which fills in that area much better.

Visual substance and all.  ;)

I’m thinking of an update for the shades – you know I can’t leave well enough alone!

The Krylon oil rubbed bronze paint I used dried super fast, even out in the freaking-insane-I’m-sweating-just-standing-here-heat we had today, but you need to be sure to let anything you spray paint cure (dry) long enough before you handle it.

Because I’m insanely impatient, I waited till this fixture was dry to the touch and then started installing. Because of that, there were a few little scratches here and there after I got it up.

I just threw the sheet over the kitchen table and sprayed little touch ups. I don’t recommend doing this unless you really have yours spaces covered. But I am me and me is crayyyyzay! :)

So if your project doesn’t go just right, what do you do?

Q:  How do I fix bubbles/crackling/drips/oopsies?

A: Imperfections usually mean one of two things – either you didn’t prep properly so the paint isn’t adhering well, or you are spraying too much, too fast. Drips always mean you’ve used too much. To correct those, wipe them off immediately if you can, then spray over. If you notice them later, sand it down lightly and spray again.

Same goes for crackling. Whenever I see that it means I haven’t prepped well. Sometimes I’ve noticed crackles when I’m using spray paint that has been in the heat or the item I’m spraying has been in the heat.

Crackle can be harder to cover – so sand down as much as possible and spray again.

If you follow these tips, you should get a finished product that will last you for years!:

xo,

mONICa

Coral Mirrored Credenza- Feature Friday

So I am actually in love with this piece of furniture.  I just love mirrored furniture, and this dresser/ credenza really knocks my socks off.

This is what is looked like before

Amazing right?  She used Krylons Secret Color Coral Isle.  I'm totally going to order some.  This color is gorgeous.  She wrote a whole post on how to get Krylons secret colors.

You must visit Vintage Revivals for complete DIY instructions.  I guess until I meet Coral Isle, I won't be able to dump Watermelon (my current color of choice).  I hope we can stay friends after the break-up.

xo,

mONICa

I guess you can spray paint a lampshade

So if you get totally bored with your old lamp shade there is a way to customize it. Sometimes when I see things really cheap I got to try to make them work, so here is the lamp I got at Home Goods on clearance.



Yup.  Totally not my style, but for under $10 bucks I knew I could make it my style.  Well, it sat in my basement for a while and then one day I was having guest and knew I needed more lighting.  So off to the internet I went and I found this great article at eddieross.com.  I absolutely fell in love with this lamp.



Now I know that you can cover a lamp shade with fabric, but I didn't have any and I didn't have time to run to the store, so I thought, why not?  If it didn't work I could always cover it with fabric later.  So off I went to find some spray paint in my garage.  I had metallic gray and flat black.  I lightly sanded the base and sprayed it the metallic black and then sprayed the shade with black. I did have to end up spraying both the inside and outside so that when the light shines through you can't tell that is is spray paint.  I didn't do the tape thing since I also didn't have any, but maybe later. So here it is:



As for fire hazard, well not really sure so I don't turn it on unless it is going to be supervised.  I would've had a real story to tell if it had blown up in front of my guest, but it didn't.  Whew!  I'm also looking for a collection of books that will look cool underneath it or something else creative as it sits a little too low.  We will see what I come across.