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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Secretary Desk Makeover

Happy New Years Eve! 

For today's post, I want to share a secretary's desk that I nabbed for a steal of a deal.  Here is the before.
My vision was navy with white and gold accents, but before I could even crack open the paint can, my friend fell in love, so we changed course just a bit. :)  Wanting to compliment her hutch I had done a year ago, she chose white with grey accents. 
And here is how it turned out!
It doesn't even look like the same piece, right?!  And it will compliment her hutch perfectly!  I have been wanting to tackle a secretary's desk for so long and I had so much fun with this transformation, I can't wait to do it again!! :)

Here is one last look at the before and after.
On January 3rd of this year, I published my first post and want to thank all of you for joining me on my creative journey!  I look forward to another year together!!  Have a safe and happy New Years!!
-Ashley

Friday, December 12, 2014

Laundry Room Reveal

You might be wondering what possessed me to update my laundry room - after all, it is just a laundry room, right?  Here is your answer. 
Does this blank wall bug anyone else as much as it bugged me?!!  I always thought about updating our shelving, which would help eat up that empty space, but unfortunately, it wasn't in the budget.  Time to get creative!
What do you think?


It all started with some simple scrapbook paper.  I cut the 12x12 pages into strips and simply taped it to the wall.  I used blue painters tape, hoping that it will be least likely to remove any paint from the wall when I'm ready to move on and try something else.  And because I wanted to make it look seamless, I added colorful clothespins to each of the page breaks.  Hudson LOVES doing laundry, so I casually snapped a few (or fourty) photos of him in action.  LOVE!!

Here is the rest of the tour.  Remember this sign?  I'm still loving it so it got to stay. :)
And I found this piece at the Goodwill for $8.  It's perfect for keeping all those little things (like stain sticks, dryer sheets, etc) organized.
Opposite the washer and dryer were two paintings my husband and I did at one of those "paint and sip" classes, but they just weren't cutting it. 
Instead, I added two shelves and three hooks.  The hooks act as my new drying rack.  Never again will I need to unfold that humongous thing!  Talk about a space saver solution! 
And of course, who doesn't love some cushion under your feet when doing load after load.  Thank you Target!
There you have it.  Laundry just got a little bit more fun. :)

-Ashley

Friday, November 21, 2014

DIY Mini Pennant Banner

About a month ago, I made over my laundry room.  Some may find it a little odd to jazz up such a small space, but I absolutely love the result.  In fact, instead of dragging the clean clothes out to the loft to fold on the floor, I enjoy folding them right then and there on top of the washer.  It's such a happy place! :)

Before I unveil the full makeover, I thought I'd show you how I dressed up a backless frame.  It's sits on a shelf that I added purely to hold really cute decor, ha.  Here are the materials I started with.  Luckily, I had everything in my crafting stash!

I decided to paint polka dots on each of the pennants.  I used the eraser end of a pencil as my paint brush. :)
Once I had all the pieces painted, I stapled the twine to each end of the frame.  Then I used mini clothespins to attach the pennants.
Done and done!

I can't wait to share the rest of the laundry room with you soon!
-Ashley


Monday, November 10, 2014

Old Frame Turned Serving Tray

Can you believe it's November?!  Where in the world has the time gone!  I feel like if I as much as blink, I'll be ringing in the New Year.  Ha!  I need life to slooooow down, just a little.  Alright, moving on. :)

For the longest time, I've been wanting to take an old and forgotten picture frame, add pallet boards and transform it into a super cute rustic tray.  I found the perfect frame and couldn't wait to start lining up my boards.  Here is what I started with.
Unfortunately, as I embarked on this project I realized the pallet boards were too thick for the tray and therefore a no go.  Bummer.  Luckily, I had bead board left over from the Halloween signs!  I took measurements and got to cutting.
Then I started layering my paint.  First with a buttercream yellow, then with orange
I gave the frame a couple coats of the yellow as well.
Looking good, right? :)

Wanting to add a little something extra - I used scrapbook paper to make paper leaves and decoupaged those right onto the tray.  I then outlined them using a gold paint pen.  This helped give them a little pop.  And finally, I transferred the word "thankful" to the center of the tray.  I used black acrylic paint to fill it in and finished it off with a gold outline.
I used the same scrapbook paper to decoupage the entire backside of the tray as well.

Simply add your hardware and there you have it!  Since I won't be entertaining this year, I decided to display the tray in my bookshelf and I just love it! :)

-Ashley



Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Kate Spade Inspired Nightstand

I LOVE Kate Spade.  In fact, one of my favorite colors is Kate Spade green - come on, you know the one, right!?! :)  I also love when she does anything with stripes or with polka dots, especially gold polka dots.  And since I just can't get enough gold lately, I got a little funky with this nightstand makeover.  It started out like this...
And now looks like this!
 
Don't you think it's the perfect little accent table for a reading corner?  I'm so tempted to keep it, haha. 

I knew I wanted to do a black and peacock blue combo, but after three coats of Maison Blanche Wrought Iron and three coats of Corinth Blue, I felt it was missing something. 
Enter in Kate Spade and her inspiration for gold polka dots.
NOW we were getting somewhere.  I also did some gold detailing on top too!  And of course found the perfect gold polka dot paper to add to the drawer.  I really do love how this turned out.  Here is another look!
Until next time! :)
-Ashley




Friday, October 17, 2014

Halloween Decoupage Wood Numbers

I can't wait to show you just how easy it is to turn this...
into this!

So cute, right!?  I always loved the idea of using the date of the holiday within your home decor.  And when I saw this paper at Hobby Lobby, I knew it'd be perfect for this project.

Now it's your turn!  First, start by tracing your numbers onto your paper.  Then take those numbers out to get a quick coat of paint.  Make sure you paint the back and the sides.
While your letters are drying, cut out the numbers you traced.
 Now it's time for some modge podge!
I put a layer on the wood and then place the paper on top, smoothing out all the wrinkles/bubbles that might appear.  Make sure your paper covers the wood, but don't be too worried if some of your paper hangs over - we'll be taking care of that very professionally.

Once your paper has dried, get out a nail file - see, very professional. :)  At a downward angle, file the edges of the wood.  It may take a few tries in one spot, but soon you'll see the excess paper start to tear away, leaving you with a nice smooth edge.

Once you have your numbers just the way you like it, give the whole thing another layer of modge podge.  That's it!!  I told you it was easy and really adds to any holiday decor.
 
I think the next holiday I'll do this for is Valentine's Day!!
-Ashley