Now, I'm feelin' it...

What a difference a week makes.

Last Tuesday I was not really feelin' the love for my Living Room.

Don't get me wrong...

I'm happy and grateful;

I just needed to lighten things up in the worst way.

I think we all know that blogging gives us an opportunity

to expand our decorating horizons.

In this last two years I've really come to love and appreciate

a more light and bright aesthetic.

I don't consider the love of "white" to be a trend.

To me it's a cleaner, calming, refreshing outlook on life.

So over this last year I've found myself wanting to, and accomplishing,

some changes that are bringing my home to where I actually am "in my head".

Now I LOVE  my monster mirror,

it doesn't jump out at you anymore.

Same for the fireplace surround.

I don't like the texture of the heat resistant paint,

but at least it's not the jarring brass that it was.

These were two big impact makeovers,

that really changed the look of the fireplace.

I still have some things I am working on in here,

but the overall "feel" of the space is getting there.

I was surprised at the number of you that didn't "share my vision"

 for my grandmother clock.

(hope ya still love me anyway)

It's a new, inexpensive, battery operated, lightweight, reproduction.

Yes, it was pretty...

and it suited my taste 10 years ago...

but not any longer.

I waited till last to paint it,

giving it every chance to make it work,

but each time I looked in that direction it was all I could see...

Big, dark, and too busy.

I used two different paints on it.

My Creamy White from Behr on the body

and a special mix that I used on the walls in the kitchen,

also Behr paint, for the accent color.

I highlighted the embellishments...

Then used my stain/wipe on poly glaze technique

(Minwax stain mixed with Minwax Wipe On Polyurethane)

Then distress sanding with my mouse.

I'm really happy with it!

Then this small occasional table got the paintbrush too.

After spray painting the brass lamps

the shades now work for me.

To the right of the fireplace

 I had this ladies writing desk that I bought about six years ago.

It had been painted black to cover up a lot of faults,

but it had to go white as well.

It has some pretty detail that you couldn't see before.

But my favorite transformation has to be my coffee table.

Each time I look at it I feel all warm and fuzzy.

Right now, I just have garage sale floral pillows on the sofas.

Here's the new fabric for my four new pillows 

 that I'm hoping to work on later this week.

We have to get back our large ladder from the kiddos

before I can work on the chandy and the top of the armoire.

There's no way to spray paint that massive fixture,

(or take it down to paint)

I'm not wanting to spend a thousand on a new one,

but I do have some ideas.

For now this sofa table, below, has missed the paintbrush.

It may get it later,

but for now I'm taking a breather.

I've learned something big in this last week.

If you've given something a lot of time and thought,

and you still want to make changes,

don't be paralyzed and do nothing.

Our gut intuition usually is on target.

I love the changes I've made.

Maybe they aren't everyone else's taste,

but I want to wake up everyday and enjoy my spaces.

I cannot thank you guys enough

 for all the encouragement and input you gave.

Like I said, I looked at things with fresh eyes,

and was really open to some things I just didn't think I could do...

But DID!!!!

So far I've been able to do this without breaking the bank.

I spent $18 at Lowes for the silk accent lamp shades.

and $77 for the Pierre Deux 4 yards of material and trim.

(This is no longer available on the website,

but when new, their fabric runs between  $90 and $125 a yard.)

(can we say bargain...?)

I had all the paint on hand

except the heat paint that was $5.00

I'm linking this to these great parties this week

(links on the buttons on the sidebar)

the Power of Paint Party

at Domestically Speaking

 

Okey, dokey friends,

see ya back here on Thursday afternoon for

when I'll be joining in on the

Where Blogger's Create Party. 

Hope you'll join in.

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"!

love ya bunches,

So far, so good...

First of all, I just have to say what a great guy my hubby is.

He's agreeable with most ideas that I come up with.

He now appreciates the virtues of  old, "white", and chippy

 when it comes to junk scrounging and furniture hunting.

(whitewashing the huge mirror at 10:45pm)

I've been single minded these last few days

in transforming the living room.

Notice the change in the fireplace insert;

 heat resistant white spray paint.

Small changes here with painting the accent lamps white

and changing out the shades.

Then putting my PB knock off book bundles under the lamps

 instead of the covered ones.

This was Friday when I first tried out the demijohns

in place of the urns with flowers.

One of my goals was to minimize all the brass accents in here.

I still have a huge brass octopuss of a chandelier.

You know the saying,

"The 80's called and they want their chandelier back..."

uh huh...

This is how it all started last Tuesday.

whew...was that last Tuesday?

I have painted so much furniture this last week,

it's been a blur.

Then I broke free to hunt for fabric

 for new added pillows for the damask sofas.

These sofas are so comfortable and I really love them.

I've thought about the idea of slipcovers,

but this room is formal.

I have two other living areas that are casual,

and this one I want to be "casual elegance",

with a Country French flair.

So next I have a pillow project...

These are before photos of two other pieces I painted this week.

More tomorrow with the progress I've made.

It's all coming together, and I'm lovin' the changes.

I'm Joining Marty for TTT

love ya'll,

Vintage Inspiration Friday #45 Just getting started...

This week I threw out a spur-of-the-moment challenge

 for you all to give me some inspiration

in changing up my Living Room.

Wow...!!!

You all addressed many of the things that were bugging me,

but that I just hadn't done anything about.

Fresh eyes and some great advice have yielded so many ideas.

I have a mile long list now of things that I can try,

 and a roadmap to actually get to where I want to be,

instead of just thinking about it.

The first thing I did was spray paint my two brass lamps;

a few coats of Satin White by Valspar,

and a coat of Minwax liquid poly with a little dark stain added.

(spurred on by Nita, I knew this would be the start point!)

(still needs distressing)

Once they were white the dark end table looked wrong...

only way to remedy that was to do the unthinkable;

paint out those tables.

I always keep a gallon of my tried and true Behr two-in-one paint on hand.

(Creamy White)

Never know when you'll go nuts and start a huge project!

My biggest gripe in this room has been the dark wood coffee and end tables.

Just so not me...

I just knew I wouldn't be happy until I painted them.

They are heavy, huge, and clunky,

but have a lot of frenchy charm with the yummy details and curvy legs.

The dark wood just obliterated all that.

One of my helpers.

 (oh Mom, no pictures...)

Before shots from last post.

I had to take a deep breath and just slap on some of that paint;

no going back.

I actually tried the idea by Ahrisha

about leaving the tops stained,

 (love this look and have a few pieces downstairs with this)

but they are just too dark,

and I decided for all white instead of a stripping project.

(not a stripper..te he)

So here's where I am right now,

I have to do my stain "glaze" (any type of dark oil based stain)

and wipe on poly on the coffee table.

The end tables are finished.

I thought about going the ASCP route,

but I have other pieces in here

 with this same paint technique and I'm really happy with it.

I have absolutely no gray or blue anywhere around,

and even though I love that look,

it wouldn't work for this space.

Oh how I love seeing that detail, now!

Painting more furniture pieces,

finding fabric for some new pillows to add to the sofas,

buying new shades for the chandelier and accent lighting,

finding some heat resistant spray paint for the fireplace insert.

Whitewashing the mirror above the fireplace...

on and on...

(painting the clock...?)

but I'm excited with what's ahead!

I have to apologize for being a poopy hostess for the party.

I got about halfway through visiting,

and then the holiday crowd overwhelmed me.

You all had some wonderful Patriotic decor,

I just grabbed a few examples.

Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to join in!

Love you guys!

Jeanine the Queen of Chippy Shabby,

always puts together a wonderful holiday display,

Her July 4th entry way is vintage at it's best!

Richard at My Old Historic House puts on a fabulous

patriotic display with his wire stands, furniture and gazebo.

Tee, from Brown Eyed Belle has such a fresh vintage display for the 4th,

 with gorgeous Limoges plates and just picked hydrangeas.

And check out Kim from Starshine Chic

She has the sweetest patriotic teddy display;

an inspiration from Bethany Lowe Designs.

Thanks again for all the help,

I have plenty on my plate for awhile to see this get where I'm envisioning it.

I'll keep you posted on the progress,

Hope you'll join in today

(please direct people back to this post with a button or link.)

 I'm joining these great parties this weekend:

(Links on the sidebar)

love ya,

I'm committed...

...or should that be,

"I need to be committed"?

You all gave me some fabulous ideas

and inspiration on my last post!

Hopefully, I'll share what I've accomplished for VIF,

 tomorrow afternoon.

now...to work!

Keep a good thought for me.

I haven't regretted painting anything white so far...