Desk Makeover

I loooove farmhouse tables.  In fact, one of my very first furniture projects was this beauty!

I scored her off Craigslist for $200 and my husband and I went to work.  He sanded her down entirely and I stained.  Like I said, it was my first project so it's not perfect, but I definitely learned a thing or two and I love her.  AND she's the perfect table to handle a toddler. :)

When I saw this desk at an antique store, I had to have it and give it a little farmhouse update.

I started with three coats of General Finishes Snow White on the body and the drawers.

Then I did three coats of General Finishes Java Gel Stain for the top.

I loved the original hardware, so I didn't touch a thing there, but I did line the drawers with some really cute orange paper.  And here she is!

 

 

 

 

It may have been a pretty straight forward makeover, but I think it really gave this table new life.  It would look fantastic in any home either as a desk or even an entry table.  The possibilities are endless!

-Ashley

Rustic Kitchen Sign

A month or so ago, I got the itch to redecorate the space above my kitchen cabinets.  Years ago, I settled in on a rustic wine theme, which I still love, but I used to switch out the decor each season - "Lemons and Limes" in the Spring and Summer and "Apples and Cinnamon" in the Fall/Winter.  These days, however, I'm really into simple, clean and timeless.

Today I wanted to share a sign that I made in about 15 minutes.  And the best part about it is that it cost me $0!  I started with some wood scraps and burlap that I had laying around the workshop.

I wrapped the wood in burlap and used my staple gun to secure the burlap to the wood.

 

 

Then I lined up and secured the stencils.  And finally used a sponge brush to apply the black paint.

 

And that was that!

I liked the sign as is, but really wanted to make it more rustic, so I of course called on my Dad to build me a frame. :)

He made the most beautiful frame, which I then stained my favorite color.

NOW we're talking!  Don't you love it!?!

And the wine bottle I found at the thrift store for $2!

 

That's a wrap for the kitchen! :)

-Ashley

Spring Is In The Air

And therefore Easter is right around the corner!  In all actuality however, Easter is quite late this year - April 20th!  That's OK though because it gives me more time to decorate and even more time to enjoy those decorations!  Win, win!

I found the cutest stencil at (where else?!) Hobby Lobby - a bunny silhouette.  I snatched it up immediately because I knew it would come in handy not only for Easter decor, but for Spring decor in general.

Wanting to go a little more rustic with the "Easter Collection", I searched through my never-ending collection of scrap wood and found the perfect sheet of pine.  I also came across some leftover letters that just happen to spell "WELCOME".  I can take a hint - a door sign I must make! :)

To get started, I used a small foam brush to apply my most favorite color stain.

While that dried, I painted the orange letters yellow.

 

I let the stain dry overnight before taping down the bunny stencil and painting it white.

Next I used blue tape to create a straight line that would serve as a guide as I glued down each letter.

Last but not least was to drill two holes for the twine.  I enlisted my hubby for this part.  :)

And there you have it!  A door sign that will last me through the Spring and Easter season.

-Ashley