Friday, May 17, 2013

A Win/Win Situation



First, a confession: I left this primitive chest project unfinished for WAAAY too long. Sometimes, I do that. 

I move on to the next thing before finishing something completely. I'm not proud of that character flaw.



And here is my cabinet, just as I bought it at a garage sale. (Well, minus a half a hasp that got bent when it fell out of the back of a truck, but that's another story.)



I love green, and this paint had lots of character - alligatoring, patina, etc. I used it this way for several years.

Then, I decided to lighten things up in my house, and I wanted to use this cabinet in my living room. I painted it white - using flat oil-based Rustoleum. 



While I liked the pristine white look, I didn't feel this piece, with all its character, was quite right in perfect white paint.



It almost seemed like I was trying to hide the character and pretend the scars didn't exist. I was cogitating, trying to figure out what I might do about it, when something happened: 



I dropped a can of black onyx stain, which splashed onto the pristine cabinet. (Yes, I am a klutz as well as a procrastinator.)

As I wiped it off, I sort of liked the way it looked. So I began covering the piece in stain and wiping it off. 


Then the unthinkable happened; I ran out of stain. After all, I had just spilled a considerable amount of my can. 

Simple - just go to the store and buy another can of stain, right? Don't ask me why, but it didn't happen. 

The half-baked cabinet sat there in my living room - a little reminder of my character flaws that greeted me every time I walked in my front door. 



I pretended it was intentional - the splotchy state of this primitive chest. I pretended it was "character."

Finally, I'd had enough. I grabbed the palm sander and went to work on it. After all, I could always slap more paint on if I didn't like the results. 



I liked what was happening beneath the sander!


Hello, alligator. Nice to see you again.


Same for you, Mr. Green.


Good bye, splotches. Hello, hand-hewn character.
Why didn't I take an hour and do this months ago?


I get to keep the alligator paint and character, along with little green reminders of the past. And I get a white piece of furniture. (BONUS - it holds my "waiting for the next season" living room decor.) 

That, my friends, is what I call a win/win situation!

Word for the Day:
2 John 1:8
Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.


Linking With

Sunday

Sunday Show-off Link Party
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Thrifty Treasures
Monday

Metamorphosis Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Revival Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The Scoop
The Scoop
Wednesday

Blissfully White Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wed
Restored it Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Show Me What Ya Got
What’s it Wednesday
Penny Pinching Party
Thursday

Under $100 Link Party
Transformation Thursday
Inspired Creations
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Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Furniture Feature Friday
Friday Redoux Link Party
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Rustic Restorations Weekend
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Fridays on Remodelaholic
Fabulously Creative Friday
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Delicately Constructed Friday
Flaunt it Friday
Weekend
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday
Show and Tell Saturday





Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Modern/Vintage Mantel for Spring/Summer


Mantel-scaping has become one of my favorite ways to change seasons.



I enjoy integrating new objects, and sometimes giving myself guidelines that remind me of old college design projects. This mantel is one of those.



My assignment: Create a minimalized mantel, using shades of white, and incorporate a collection of modern vases into the existing industrial/elegant/cottage themed room.



So far, this was my easiest mantel display to date.



More amazingly, I haven't tweaked it once since Saturday!



I even had time to add another element: the firebox.




Yes, the firebox.



Here's a peek from across the room:



I saw this done somewhere, but I can't remember where. Doing this enabled me to empty the primitive cabinet of books, and fill it with some decorative items I wanted to rest until another season. 

If the hearth is the heart of the home, this is an interesting way to renew it for summer, don't you think? 

Here's Another shot of the whole mantel, before the books.



This mantel is a pretty good example of using asymmetrical symmetry.




Which means balanced, but not exactly the same on both sides when you divide it in the center.

I'm continuing the modern/vintage, new with old theme throughout the room. I still have some tweaking to do on the shelves that flank the mantel. More on that later!

Word for the Day:
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Linking With

Sunday

Thrifty Treasures
Sunday Show-off Link Party
Monday

Masterpiece Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The Scoop
The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday
Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday
Blissfully White Wednesday
What’s it Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wed
Thursday

Thursday Open House Party
Time Travel Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
Potpourri Friday
Frugal Friday
Fabulously Creative Friday
Inspiration Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend
Weekend
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday