Walk the Walk (Chalk the Chalk)

Hi everyone!

I am finally ready to show you how my chalk painted wing back chair turned out.  If you remember, I had an old burgundy wing back chair that we use in our master bedroom. For awhile, I've been wanting to replace it with something that went better with our color scheme.  

But here's the thing:  this chair was in good condition, it is sequestered away in our master bedroom where only the two of us see it and I would rather spend my $ on other things if I can figure out a way to make things work.  I had read that people have had success with painting upholstered furniture with chalk paint, so I figured why not give it a try?  

A quick trip to WalMart and I was back in a flash with two bottles of Waverly Chalk paint in Crimson and a hand full of foam sponge brushes.  And just like that, I dove in!

Here you can see the chair cushion, still with most of the original burgundy color.  I figured the nubby, flame stitched fabric would be a good candidate for painting, as there would be a lot of forgiveness if the paint didn't cover evenly. The first few brush strokes were a tad scary, I have to admit.

I did two coats thinned down with about 25% water.  The last coat was full strength. Around the seams, I had to really dab and apply the paint heavily for the paint to get into all of the crevices.

I also worked under the every watchful eye of my pal, Palmer...

As you can see, he is not a very good supervisor and ended up wearing some chalk paint for a few days! (You can see the shame in his eyes, can't you?)

And, yet, he perseveres!

And ta da!  The finished product!  The fabric started out just a bit stiff, but over time it has softened and does not feel painted.  The coverage is even and also, most importantly, does not look painted.  It looks great in our room.

It has been about five months or so since I painted this chair and it still looks perfect.  I am thinking of giving it a new coat of paint this summer - a faux leather maybe.  I think the fabric would be perfect for that.

In the meantime, I will enjoy my "new" chair a bit longer.

 Closing thoughts:

1. Painting an old chair that was just headed to Goodwill anyway is a great idea - what do you have to lose?
2. I would recommend two watered down coats and a third full strength coat of paint for a smooth, even coverage.
3.  Would I do it over again?  Oh yeah, and I will!!! Soon!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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Easter Happy Hour Mason Jar

Hi everyone!

I know, I know...there aren't many Mason jar ideas that haven't been done over the past few years.  I am (dare I say it?) maybe even getting to the saturation point with Mason jars.  But then, something comes along that still is so stinkin' cute.

This Easter season, I have seen a lot of Mason jars filled with Easter grass, candy and chocolate bunnies.  Oooh!  I love them.  But here is the thing:  I found out about this very sweet idea after all of the kiddo gifts had been purchased and sent off.  What to do? What to do?

Mr. Bluebird and I are blessed with some pretty amazing adult kiddos in our lives and we will be spending Easter with them this year.  So, why not amp up this Easter Mason jar idea and do it adult style? For about $4.00 each, they are a super fun and affordable gift (I will share the deets at the end of this post). Let me preface this with the fact that I am not going to bore you with how I assembled the jars.  It is pretty much crafting 101.  With that being said, let me share with you some pictures!

Aren't they cute? Of course, you can do a non-alcohol version and put just about any old thing in them.  But how fun!

The details:

1 quart Mason jar    1.50
Clothespin Clip         .25
Liquor                     1.45
Easter grass               .22
Candy                        .50
                                 3.92

I had the raffia and the fabric in my stash.

Anyway, a little Easter fun for some of my very favorite people in all of the world!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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MBR (That's Short for Master Bath Re-Do!)

Hi everyone!

As you all know, we are in the process of updating our master bath and I wanted to share with you a few of the things we will be doing to make this room lovable at long last!  Yesterday, I shared my short list of lighting candidates here.  Today, let's take a look at the walls.

Our master bedroom has a navy, red and green floral comforter and of course, I could kind of keep going with that idea into the bathroom.  However, I am choosing to go with a more neutral palette.  Knowing me, comforters come and go with the seasons and I want to keep the small bathroom to a neutral palette.  Besides, there is so much going on in this little bath that pattern would be too much!

With the comforter as a backdrop, here are a few bits and pieces of what will be going on the walls.  I scored two pieces of vintage ceiling tile that I will be using on the wall behind the toilet, along with beadboard wall paper and dark wood trim.  I love, love, love the worn, chippy finish.  Junk to some, but beautiful to me! Most of the wall area will be just plain painted drywall.

Here is a closeup.  The upper part is similar to a crown molding, with raised metal carving and the flat portion has an almost  honeycomb appearance.  The coat rack will be used for hanging bath towels.

 I will be painting the walls a creamy white, called Milk Paint, and the cider oak vanity will be getting a coffee colored coat of paint, appropriately named Ground Coffee.  The floor and window trim will be a simple, bright white.

A closer look at the coat rack.  It is not old, but rather a Hobby Lobby find.

I received a gift card from my employer for Christmas and I decided to see how far I could stretch it in finishing touches for this re-do.  I placed my online order today and spent all but .43 of it!  I think you will be impressed on how far that $100 takes me in completing the room. Believe it or not, Walmart.com has some great things on line!

Lastly, here is another look at my lighting contestants.  Feel free to pick a favorite and let me know in the comments.  I will be placing an order soon.  I am torn between two of them now...and I would love to hear what you have to say!

I will be back soon with "the rest of the plan" and the other items we will be using to finish up this room re-do.  What's on your spring to do list?

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane

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Master Bath 'Re-Do: Lighting Decisions

Hi everyone!

I have shared every room in our house many times over the past four years - every room except one. Our very uninspired, blah and yes, possibly even ugly master bathroom. It is incredibly small and truthfully, I have never liked how it has been decorated. Ever.

That will be changing very soon and you may possibly be seeing it way more than you would like! We are embarking on a mini re-do that I think will turn this sow's ear into a silk purse.  "Before" pictures are coming soon, but in the meantime, I am sharing the "beauty contestants" in the lighting category.

I would love to know which one is your favorite and why. Please leave me a comment!

I will be posting the before photos later this week, along with my "design plan." I have a fun wall feature in the works that I am very excited to share once it's installed.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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Bunny Hop

Hi Everyone!

Oh goodness, hadn't planned on such an extended blog vacation, but time got away from me and frankly, not much was really going on with me last month.  But...I am back and ready to start posting a little more regularly.  I have got some projects brewing and some things to share with you.  Brace yourselves, lol!

Anyway, short and sweet today.  I've been doing a little bunny hopping and adding some Easter decor around the house.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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