Thursday, August 18, 2011

Can I get you a sample?

It is almost impossible for me to make a trip to Home Depot and not spend a significant amount of time looking at all of the paint swatch cards. 

And it is also almost impossible for me not to have them mix up a sample of a new color I found. 


I, personally, am a Behr girl. 

Did you know that they have over 2000 colors?! 

Holy options Batman! 

One reason I love Behr (even though 2000 options can be a little overwhelming), is because I love how most of their swatches show a  spectrum of colors similar to one another. 


This helps me compare similar colors and chose the one that best matches my vision. 

This is about a third of my sample collection. 
Like I said, it's hard for me not to pick up a different one each time I'm there. :)


So I thought I'd share some of my favorites that I've used.

In the white/neutral category:
Ballet White: It's a soft white without being too stark or influenced by undertones of pinks/yellows/browns. 
Camembert: A LOVELY cream. It is tinged with a pale yellow. 
Frost: This is a stark white. Very crisp and clean. 

In the gray category:
Manhattan Mist: A soft gray with a twinge of a subtle subtle blue.
Subtle Touch: A white with a touch of gray; just like the name says.
Sparrow: A rich gray without looking stone-like. 

In the blue category:
Windsor Haze: Almost a stone blue with a navy touch.
Pencil Point: A deep gray with charcoal blue. 
Tropical Breeze: An almost Caribbean sky blue. 

In the jewel tone category:
Peacock Tail: It's just like it sounds. :)
Opulent: A pure golden yellow, almost mustard-like.
Teal Zeal: A modern twist on Tiffany Blue. It looks lovely with Tropical Breeze.
Cranberry Whip: A deep rich red without looking too barn red. Sophisticated. 
Grape Leaves: A saturated green. Almost Mediterranean

Obviously this isn't a comprehensive list but I love all of these colors.
Love love love.    

What are your favorite colors? 
Any suggestions for new ones to try?!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S. A few things I forgot to mention. :)
1. Samples are non returnable. They're about $3 so not a huge investment, but $$$ is $$$.
2. You can get them with primer mixed in, just ask for it. However they only come flat. They don't come with a gloss mixed in.
3. You can always ask for the color you choose to be mixed with less color pigment than is shown on the swatch. For example, you can ask for it with 50% pigment and then add more as wanted. However, they cannot take pigment out once added. 
4. An 8oz sample covers about 25 sq feet so they are great for small projects. 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Classic Hand Carved Entry Table

I was at DI looking for a piece for a custom job when I stumbled across this detailed treasure.


I ran my fingers over the detail work admiring the tiny carvings 
and thinking what Jake would say if I brought another piece home. 

But I decided it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
(I have a bad habit of doing that)
And so I paid for it and loaded it in the car. 

The older gentalman who helped me load it up shared with me some tips to know if something is truly hand carved. 

 The #1 thing to look for is small irregularities in shape and thickness of the carving. Human hands aren't perfect so small inconsistencies can help verify. 

She's painted in Ballet white by Behr and waxed with Howard Citrus Shield.
She's got 3 drawers and pull out writer's ledge and even a secret compartment.  



Any guesses where? 



 It's right down here. 
A velvet lined little hiding spot.  

She's perfect for an entry way, and end table, or a night stand. 

For more information look under the For Sale tab at the top of the page. 

Sunday, August 14, 2011

So I got engaged! (Again)

On August 17th 2008 Jake proposed at Cape Argo in Oregon. 


We climb a cliff over looking the ocean and Jake poped the question. 

And I said YES! 

The only sad part of the whole event was that there was no one around us to share our news with
 and we didn't get cell phone service.

But obviously it was still one of the best days of my life. :)

After we had been married for a couple months Jake asked me what I had thought of his proposal. 

I mentioned that I would have liked to had people around to celebrate with, but I loved how he had done it and we left it at that. 

And we left it at that. 

A couple of nights ago at Rhett's birthday party, Jake was welcoming our friends and family and started to talk about how grateful he was for me and the past year of being parents together. 

Then he got down on one knee

and pulled out a little velvet box

and asked me if I would marry him 

again.

I said most likely. :)

Inside the little velvet box were these


Three gold bands.

I LOVE them. 

I love that I can work in them and not risk sanding my diamond or painting it (again). 

I love that we got to celebrate our "engagement" with our friends and family. 

And did I mention I love that I can work in them?! 

:) 

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Tutorial: How to get a distressed look with just paint

Happy almost weekend!

I'm sorry for the absence for the past few days.

We've been SO beyond busy lately between getting ready to move, a furniture finishing marathon, Rhett's birthday, family in town, and anticipation of this for Jake




means busy with a capital B.

But I promised a tutorial on my painting technique that I used on the rustic chest of drawers. 


Now don't laugh.

I decided to show you in video format.

I thought it might be easier for you to follow... and I didn't really want to upload a million pictures.

I'm having a lazy moment. :)

So here's the video! 
(There's a little glitch because I got the giggles in the middle of recording)



I hope this helps!

It's super simple and produces some great results. 

As with all projects make sure to do a preview before you try it on the real deal. :)

Here are some pictures of what I just demonstrated. 



Good luck!!

{ If you feature your own piece using this technique please link back to this post! Thank you! }

Friday, August 5, 2011

Rustic 3 Drawer Chest

Our house has a tiny little basement with dirt floors and lots of old...junk.

But in the corner we found this little lovely underneath...junk. 
She was in such bad shape when we brought her up and she smelled kind of funny. 





Like wet mulch.

I know, makes you cringe right?
The legs were rotten and the whole thing needed an deep cleaning.


We had a friend saw the legs off where they were rotten and then installed new legs ourselves! It's surprising easy ... I can say that now after we messed it up a couple times. You just buy legs that come with screws attached from a store like Home Depot, drill a hole in the part of the dresser you want to attach them too, fill the hole with glue to secure it better, and clamp the legs down for about an hour. When you're done, you've got new legs.

Luckily, besides the legs, she was structurally sound and we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to see what she could be.
So here she is now.





Normally I don't do distressed. 
It is SO hard for me to sand something flawlessly smooth only to distress it.

But with this chest it just worked. 

She's painted in Ballet White by Behr and dry brushed in Pencil Gray also by Behr. 

Also, I learned a new technique for dry brushing/hand painting that I'll share next week. :)

For more info look under the For Sale tab at the top of the page.

I'm partying here:


Monday
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday 
Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Monday
Keeping It Simple: Motivate Me Monday
Making The World Cuter: Monday
Skip To My Lou: Made By You Monday
Sumos Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday
The DIY Showoff: Project Parade
Thrifty Décor Chick

Tuesday
A Diamond In The Stuff: Time To Shine
At Home With K: Teriffic Under Ten Tuesdays
Bella Before And After: Amaze Me August
Charm Braclet Diva: Charm Bracelet Diva Party
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Crayon Freckles: Tiptoe Thru Tuesday
DIY By Design: Swing Into Spring
Domestically Speaking: Power Of Paint Party
Embellishing Life: Craft Catwalk
Giggles, Glitz, and Glam: Who's Got Glam?
Hope Studios: Tutorial Tuesday
Ladybug Blessings: Handmade Tuesdays
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday's Treasures


Tip Junkie: Tip Me Tuesday
The Ivy Cottage Blog: Say What? Linky Party
Today's Creative Blog: Get Your Craft On
Your Sassy Sites: Tuesday Trash 2 Treasure

Wednesday
All Things Heart & Home: All Things Inspired
Blue Cricket Design: Show And Tell
Creations by Kara: Look What I Made
Eisy Morgan: Inspired By You Wednesdays
Elements Interiors: Whassup Party
Gingersnaps: Wow Us Wednesday
House of Hepworths: Hookin Up with HoH
Handy Man, Crafty Woman: Wicked Awesome Wednesday
It’s Toile Good- WWW: Whatcha Workin’ With Wednesday
Momma Hen: Whatever Wednesday
My Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wednesday
Night Owl Crafting: Hoo's Got Talent?
Polka Dots on Parade: Wow Me Wednesday
Primitive And Proper
Primp: Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
Restore Interiors: Restore It Wednesday


Sugar and Dots: What I Whipped Up Wednesday
Sweet Peas & Bumblebees: What I Made Wednesday
The Thrifty Home: Penny Pinching Party
Type A: Anything Goes
Yesterday on Tuesday: A Crafty Soiree

Thursday
A Glimpse Inside: Catch A Glimpse Thursday
A Little Knick Knack: Everything But The Kitchen Sink
Beyond The Picket Fence: Under $100 Linky Party
Fabulously Flawed: Super Sweet Thursday Par-tay
Fireflies And Jellybeans: Show Off Your Stuff
Gluesticks: Get Your Brag On
Kissed By A Frog: Frog Blog Love
My Repurposed Life: Thursday Link Party
Paisley Passions: Thrilling Thursday
Pink Postcard: Transformations and Treasures Link Party
Rhinestone Beagle: Doggone Dirty Craftin
Tales From Bloggeritaville: Thrifty Thursday
The 36th Avenue: Share Awesomness Thursdays
The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday
Thrifty 101: DIY Thrifty Thursday
Thrifty Decorating: Thrifty Thursday
What Allies Making Now: Making It With Allie

Friday
504 Main: Tickeled Pink Fridays
At the Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
Chic On A Shoestring Decorating: Flaunt It Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
Designer Garden: VIP Party
Faith, Trust & A Little Pixie Dust: Fabulous Friday
Finding Fabulous: Frugalicious Friday
Fingerprints On The Fridge: Feature Yourself Friday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Gingersnap Crafts: Fab Friday
Just A Girl: Show And Share Day
Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday
My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday
Remodelaholic: Remodelaholic Friday
Wipperberry
Sassy Sites: Feature Your Sassy Sites
Simple Home Life: Simply Creations Friday
Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites
Sissors & Spatulas
Stuff And Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded
The Hungry Hypo: Bacon Time
The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday
Young & Crafty: Free For All Friday

Saturday
Be Different Act Normal: Show & Tell Saturdays
Funky Junk: Saturday Night Special
Sas Interiors: Saturday Spotlight