PROGRESS - Afters, and living room walls...

Remember this chair? It was a freebie. Last October, I had a plan. I patched it up and painted it.

I painted it a lovely shade of green - John Deere Green. 

When too much of a good thing began to drag me down, I decided to lighten up and use green as an accent only in a mostly white space. So, another can of gloss white Rustoleum spray paint later, and here it is:

And, in keeping with my quest for my white environment, here are more "after" photos of recent projects:

In case you didn't see it, here is the before:

And another white component for my future white living room:

Here's what it looked like yesterday morning:

You probably didn't notice the biggest thing I did today. Look again at the first photo and then the third photo. Still don't see it? It's my new wall color! Or maybe the lack thereof. When my son came home after work today, he said, "It smells like paint. What color is that? Paint?" Meaning it was colorless. He's color blind so it probably annoyed him. 


It is actually a custom color I mixed myself - from a variety of off-white paints mixed with "earthy mushroom taupe" left from my daughter's room last summer. It's a light warm gray. Just dark enough to contrast nicely with my glossy white trim. I've painted one wall and parts of two others. 


There are  more "afters" to show you, but I'll save them for another post this week! Now, better get back to my projects.


Word for the Day:


Psalm 122:7
May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.


May the Peace of the Lord be with you!


-Revi

Linking with:

Saturdayhttp://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday 

Sunday

http://my1929charmerblog.com/ Sunday’s Best

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Bloggers Party Hop

Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/ Making The World Cuter Monday

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ Motivate Me Monday 
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Tuesday

http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/ Knick of Time Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/ Cowgirl Up!

Wednesday

http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ White Wednesday

http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/ Primp Your Stuff Wed

http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/ Piece of Work Wednesday

http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/ Restored It Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ - What’s It Wednesday

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
http://www.the36thavenue.com// Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty Thursday
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/Time Travel Thursday

Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/ Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/ Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/ - Flaunt it Friday

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com – Vintage Inspiration Friday

Thrifty Finds and Before Photos

Here's a sneak peek at some projects I'm working on. I'll post afters within the next week!

The finial above was found at a thrift store for $4.94 - a little more than I usually pay for most of my treasures. It's a nice size and one of the items on my list, so I decided to splurge.

You may have noticed, lately I can't seem to get enough lamps! I tell myself, "They're so cheap!" and, "I will do lamps for my daughter/son's house!" Well, it IS all true. SO, when I find a good lamp, I also look for old drum shades to revise. Here are a couple of "befores.":

The smaller one has been stripped of the outside fabric. I have a plan to bring them into this century...

Here's a cute little footstool. I'm still trying to decide whether to paint it or just recover the cushion. It cost $5.00 in its current condition several years ago. I even kept the green fabric, but now it's gotta go! Bring on the white stuff!

Did I mention lamps? I found this one, and it's got great crackled glass, but the faux antique brass finish on the metal parts does absolutely nothing for it. I'm going to do something about that!

And last but not least, my Martha Washington chair. I've recovered this girl at least five times! I found her in a thrift store in Houston. She had a very worn crackled leather on her. When I took it apart, there was an old bus token in it from the Houston Transit Authority. I wore it on a necklace for years, but now I don't remember what happened to it.

Recovering her now is easy - I just use the old fabric as a pattern to cut the new one. She'll wear a new frock soon.


This weekend, I'll continue painting my living room, removing windows, patching sheet rock, and while those things are drying, I'll tackle some of these smaller projects. Check back next week for after photos!


Word for the Day:


Nehemiah 6:9
They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”


Lord, please strengthen my hands so I may complete my work! May He also strengthen you for the work you have to do today! And may you enjoy your rest as well.


-Revi

Linking with:

Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

Saturday

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday

Kudos to YOU and My New Plan Details...

First, I'd like to give a great big pat on the back to all of you who took the impossible challenge and actually completed your projects! I did not. BUT, Karianne at Thistlewood Farms posted today encouraging us to go ahead and enter the link party anyway, so here goes nothin'.


What you see above is my current living room wall. But, first, let me back up a bit and give you some history. I moved here 9 years ago this February 14. It was a lovely valentine present from God to me. It was just what I wanted - a fixer-upper in a great old historic neighborhood. Many homes just a few blocks away sell for millions, but there's one block of small houses like mine. It began life as a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 living area, 1 car garage home - a "starter home." It was added onto and now it is 1726 sq ft. It has 3 bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths, 2 living areas and a formal dining room. It also has a 2-car garage - DEEP. More on that later.

Here is another photo of my wall - not a great photo of it, but it shows the texture pretty well. I learned how to do this hand-plastered type texture on This Old House, years ago. I've done it in two homes. It's easy, and covers a multitude of flaws. It's also very easy to cover nail holes and other things since it is incredibly easy to match. I have also loved this light beige-yellow color very much. It's been warm and cozy, and I've been able to use a variety of color schemes with it.


You may have read my whiny posts before - about my grand dog. She is absolutely the sweetest dog in the world - not my dog, mind you, but my son's. I have grown to adore her. Here she is enjoying a candy cane off the Christmas tree this past year.

I love how she runs to greet me when I come home - no one has done that in a LONG time! I love how she acts like she'll tear any strange men who knock on my door asking to mow my lawn into tiny pieces. I love how she smiles - yes, smiles. She does it often. I love how her whole back half wags when she sees me. She loves me and everyone else in our family, and we love her. She is one great dog! Except for a few small things...

See this lovely texture? Did you think I was exaggerating when I said the part about tearing strange men into tiny pieces? She hates the postman because he has the audacity to drop mail INSIDE the house!

This is my shiny oil-based Rustoleum Farm Implement Red door. I have loved this door for the past 9 years. Now, I must repaint, so I am trying to decide on a new color to paint - and I'm thinking taupe or gray...
I love my little peep door.

Here is the french window, also painted red with white trim. I like it uncovered, and she has scratched it to bits trying to get to the postman. I just reglazed and painted my outside trim a couple of years ago. That was not the most fun job I've ever done, and now I have to replace the broken pane. In case you didn't see it, here's another photo:

But even if I didn't have my granddog living with me at the moment, eating my sofa, breaking windows and scratching up my paint, I'd need to change anyway. You see, when I moved here, this house was wallpapered in original 1945 wallpaper. This living room was part faux grass cloth and part giant banana leaf pattern - reminiscent of bark cloth. It was forest green and oatmeal colored. The ceilings were light avocado green, and the trim was a lovely mint green like this:

See the interior part of the window? That's the color. Notice the lovely view. (You can see the half-eaten sofa in the reflection. Now it has a large drop cloth draped over it.) But the view...it's actually the back side of drywall board or sheet rock. There's a window like this on either side of the faux fireplace. (It used to have gas logs, but has been capped off now.) When I moved in, there were mini blinds on the windows. I upgraded to a curtain and made valances to cover the lovely oak bathroom light kits.

In case you didn't notice, take another look at those light fixtures. I imagine they replaced cute vintage sconces of some kind. I have purchased new ones and matching ceiling fixtures for the living room and dining room. I have also purchased sheet rock to patch the window holes, once I pry them out. I may do something with the windows now, or store them in my storage shed for making a future outside project like this:

 Photo via Pinterest

Now that you have the history, I'll tell you part of the reason I didn't finish my living room paint project. Since I live on a tight budget, I spread the cost of paint out over a few weeks. I purchased a gallon of off white flat wall paint from Walmart in December. 

In early January, I purchased another can of off white flat wall paint. When I mixed them in a 5 gallon bucket, they were NOT the same color! It was pretty dramatic how different the colors were. I usually mix them anyway, just because this happens frequently. I mixed them and painted a swatch next to my shiny oil-based trim. There was just not enough contrast for my taste. I added a mistint flat off white paint of another brand from another store. It was still too light. So I added some leftover "earthy mushroom taupe" from my daughter's bedroom redo last July. Still, it seemed a bit light. So I added the whole can. It was now a little too dark. I liked the contrast, but since my living room only has one window now, I don't want it to be darker than it is already. I added a gallon of white flat to it. It was still too dark. Last night, I bought another "country white" that is a warmer white. I plan to add that to the other paint and hopefully get it just right. You may have guessed - I have added 5 gallons of paint to the bucket already, so now I have to take a gallon out and add the new paint to it. Oh, well. I will use it in the little hallway off the dining room or mix it into another batch of paint for a bedroom or studio. I also bought a new roller, so I should be good to go! Now you know how I'll be spending my next Saturday or two...

I told you I have a new plan for my future mostly-white house. Here it is in a nutshell:

• Living Room - Elegant/Industrial Cottage - silver, gold, copper, vintage industrial, white
• Dining Room - similar to living room with silver, gold and white.
• My Bedroom - Modern Primitive Cottage - whites and neutrals with highly-textured elements, primitives and sleek modern pieces together.
• Guest Room - Vintage Garden Cottage - vintage feminine whites and greens with garden elements.

Soon,I'll show you some examples of the types of items I plan to use in each room!

I hope that before long, my little cottage will be renewed! My plan is to paint it all this year.

Word for the Day:

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

As you work to renew your homes and found objects, may you be renewed daily at the source of all things new!

-Revi

Linking with:

http://thistlewoodfarm.wordpress.com/tag/impossilble-linky-party/

Wednesday

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

Friday

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday

Saturday

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday 

A Tale of Two Lamps...and a sweet surprise!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...


She had been loved early in life, but too soon, she ended up somewhere she never thought she'd be - cast off by polite society and sold for a few coins. 

She had lied to herself,telling herself she was content pretending to be something she was not. 


Life had been different for the other lamp. In the beginning, it was good. She lived in a nice home. Later, she was sent to live among young followers of The Way. But even there, in this life, change is inevitable. She tried to hang on to the old ways, but it didn't work. Before long, she was unwanted and destined for the curb.

She tried in vain to reinvent herself. First, she tried a cheerful color. She looked ok on the outside, but deep inside, she was not happy. 

The colorful life she thought she wanted seemed dreary after only a short while. It had not been a good fit. She knew there was an answer out there somewhere. She had seen others who seemed to have it all. She kept looking.


One day after much searching, both lamps ended up at the same place. It was a divine appointment that had only seemed like chance.


They lived together separately, neither experiencing much change for a while. Then suddenly, it happened.


First, one felt the call to a new life. It surprised her how much she wanted it. She never thought she'd like this kind of life - she'd always imagined it would be very boring. She was wrong. 

The new life was a process - complete change did not happen all at once. She knew she was on the right path, but there was still work to be done.

In the beginning, she tried on a variety of hats. Some reminded her too much of her old life. Others seemed like a good fit, if a bit too dramatic. Still, she had a plan she thought might work...

After seeing the positive change in her new friend, the other lamp soon felt the call to let herself be remade from top to bottom as well. 

Though each had taken very different paths, they had both been brought to the same place. It was a place full of joy and contentment. It was a happy place.

After a bit of tweaking*, both found their new lives more fulfilling than they had ever imagined!

Neither had guessed their lives could change so dramatically! They agreed it was a sweet surprise that two lamps with nothing in common now lived happily together. They were both excited about the changes going on all around them - and the parts they would play in their new environment.


* A sweet surprise - I found the blue floral lamp shade at Walmart for under $7. It was the perfect size for my lamp, but the color was wrong - way too bold. I decided to spray paint it with gray Rustoleum primer. I planned to cover it in burlap. As I sprayed it, it began to look like damask! I decided it looked good enough without doing another thing to it! One coat of spray paint on a LAMP SHADE! I like it - what do you think?


The pretty gray embroidered shade is also a Walmart find for under $10. 


I used Krylon satin nickel spray on the brass/green lamp. It covered beautifully! I like the warm silver tone of it. I still have quite a bit left in the can, so you'll be seeing it again!


Word for the Day:


2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!


May you experience abundant grace with each new day!
-Revi

Linking with:

Saturdayhttp://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday 

Sunday

http://my1929charmerblog.com/ Sunday’s Best

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Bloggers Party Hop

Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday
http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ Motivate Me Monday 

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Blogger's Party
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/ Before and After Party

Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday

http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/ Primp Your Stuff Wed

http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/ Restored It Wednesday

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ - What’s It Wednesday

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty ThursdayFriday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://www.remodelaholic.com/ Fridays on Remodelaholic
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/ - Flaunt it Friday

What Goes with White?

Hmmm...is this some new minimalist modern art piece?

What about this? Would it work in your all-white or neutral environment?

Do you recognize it yet? You've seen it before. Here's a little hint:

Remember now? This was a little freebie trunk/crate I got last summer. It had been faux painted years ago. 

I considered painting it white, or gray, since I wanted to use it in my house. Then it came to me: Antiqued Silver! It would work with my neutral palette and bring a little of the industrial vibe I find so appealing.


So, I got several shades of metallic silver paint - all different brands. I sprayed it all - including the painted hardware. I should have probably taken it all off and stripped it, but sometimes I can be a very impatient woman.

I just jumped in and started spraying. I wanted a worn-looking finish with the various paints - even using some gold here and there.

I just kept spraying and layering until I got something that was textural, but not splotchy. (Is that a word?)

To achieve an antique finish, I got out my walnut gel stain and started applying it with an old rag. 

While it was looking more antiqued, the gel stain didn't give quite as dramatic a look as I wanted. I got some oil based black paint and thinned it with some ebony stain. It was just the ticket!

It was looking sort of vintage-industrial. Just what I was going for! 

I thought it might make an interesting little table. It was too short as it was, and desperately needed some legs! I purchased some turned feet at the home improvement store, but they seemed a little small and delicate for the trunk. My son helped me out - he cut some 2x4 legs for it. I don't know if they will stay, but for now, it's more table-like. They're attached with wood screws, so they can be easily removed if I find better furniture legs for it later. So far, the cost to revise this trunk was about $2. I had the paint and stain already. The 2x4 cost less than $3, and I used about half of it. The screws cost under $2, and I only used 8 of them. 

So now, just as I'm finishing this silver trunk, I find out silver is out and gold is back in. - especially brass.

No worry. I'm not concerned with being "in style." I know what I like. I plan to use this in my white space, incorporating a variety of metallic finishes - silver, gold, rust, bronze and copper. 


I like being surrounded by sentimental things and natural materials.  I like eclectic and cozy. I like "real" art - even if it's bought in a thrift store. I prefer simple, clean lines and solid fabrics. I prefer painted furniture to wood, though a little wood is nice. I like "trendy items" that are easily changeable - like pillows and lamps. I like things that make you wonder where they've been...


Word for the Day:


Acts 3:6

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”


May your trunk contain all the silver and gold you require, and may the things you treasure more than silver be with you always!


-Revi

Linking with:

Monday
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/ Just something I whipped up

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/ Making The World Cuter Monday

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ Motivate Me Monday 
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Blogger's Party

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Tuesday

http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/ Knick of Time Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday

http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ White Wednesday

http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/ Primp Your Stuff Wed

http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/ Fall In Love Wednesday

http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/ Piece of Work Wednesday
http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/ Restored It Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ - What’s It Wednesday

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
http://www.the36thavenue.com// Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty Thursday
http://katherinescorner.com/ - Thursday Favorite Things

Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/ Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/ Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/ - Flaunt it Friday

Saturday
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday