Another no-spend month!

<p>Hello all! I hope the end of last year and the start to 2015 were great! We stayed at home and partied in the basement…meaning we sat on the couch and ate popcorn. ;) </p> <p>I’ve been busy going through rooms, purging and organizing and it feels so good.<strong> I love it</strong>. I’ve had zero desire to bring anything new into the house – <em>it all must go! </em>So I figured this would be a great time to do another one of my no-spend months. </p> <p>I’ve done these a couple times before and it’s just a time for me to focus on what we have, make things work and get stuff done around the house. I always have list a mile long of projects I want to accomplish that get pushed aside because of the bigger stuff. And it just feels good to not bring any more STUFF into the house. My only cheat may be an IKEA trip that’s already planned, but I may just reschedule. ;)</p> <p>I thought I would share a few of my favorite projects from no-spends past so you can see what I’m up to during these months. </p> <p>I still love my little candlestick table that sits in our family room: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKMEHQuY2k8uI7UET6RuUQGFYfoO_NE0aLLYM-40CH50HjDvuEh_4ewvytB_rb36ft_DCBV15gmg2VA193DU_kapHKjaJUt-mchKRS-DOQie-V7zrh-3m1nMJMrz8KRVUJKNjYemXXSU/s1600-h/IMG_0375%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="board and batten walls" border="0" height="738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjGKxovMQnxqlrP2g4GSrTb2JAzEy5Ubt3IMxNHgy_zXs_WPaIMFnR_5O3QKaS8LP5B4-IKz0KyPEB4ZKc6qrPD0Kv4GQsh8Hjp10h9M38eUeGw7K-T2IbBNuCEYPcha6eBTD5yiMceI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="board and batten walls" width="500" /></a></p> <p>You can see how I made that (with items from Goodwill that I had) <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/candlestick-turned-table.html">here</a>. </p> <p>Years ago I found an amazing online resource for free prints and used that to <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/absolutely-free-and-beautiful-art.html">create some art</a> in the family room: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxROqZT54UjxSo3gwBA8lNcdM4pzfeXdQM01yN9AdJ8aT3t-EaoM-9go3O9AvC4pNv828qO8AqgZBN2vnr-hr8H-zAGUEyQV0VRCwN0E7PL7XVAvgUXSlSnXs7gOEg5SWsSsgJA8OaUE/s1600-h/IMG_5556%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="free art printables" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bbNaiBCtzIS3Rx4GO26ulIk0GuD6OymaugD0EtIZXNW6A2OvMxQfSccjDUw6QRjzALNG9SfyC1EM1zZs21A6dKSmn4FiqgplB5av_FK5LhWvFbwdSE6lN1AXOArpoJKs1kDfFbUCgPk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="free art printables" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I later added some gold rub n buff to the corners of those frames too: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduLNuBucxbn-x68-gJ-aNznFFYaCYc3hWVfmELCNGJztddNpeTlEZuPoMTxPhf3Go0W4XX5_On7rIXlONPfDILm8G8hLfEG69sHAPobDPpwlqf1SOsIjpPTU9uFco7IOm7s7nLaWJRwo/s1600-h/IMG_6689%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="corner fireplace" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4LaC7wpw316IiTFQN8fJc-mZnPknB7O1uZ0KoqqYK8-JjCQdhnne4lw0HtyewuBMkKXJ6o1jXvAiziCITTg_JtQUWHu2HwO1Mt7sUBUzVMY9nS8vE4owe1yJ05XbyXXy3IitL9NglSo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="corner fireplace" width="485" /></a>Those prints now sit on the built ins near one of my other favorite no-spend projects, the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-trough-thingy.html">DIY wood trough</a>:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBJBmSfa-CcqCzht-1p6UhnO8eVcKoUZlQheZPGL4BUjx8TVqLn7o6PP3-EUYGyouufHDMZajadpkEr721I6Xw25VQVGKYl4l-j6f4c-mT1wpnK7QvWdxKXakmHBeNvNBc9EQ1YXlmAc/s1600-h/IMG_0351%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray fireplace" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsbcamIHv0sz0MpIoFHxggVYFIzZytKU9m8WNOSXlSqjaUBWbPfOAFa2sh_U1VruHAcEFG9FBDs7FfNrk_l0UJ35yteCE26LAaukEUlmZzygH6mqXTDJ9i5rItx29fpFr8fy2hy5t1as/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gray fireplace" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This is one of the projects I get asked about most! I made it from scrap wood and it’s SO EASY. These are great for the middle of a long table too. </p> <p>Another one of my best no-spend projects was when I took an old 80’s night stand we had forever:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrENwscvJNozEQ-XieqqpkMGRKH60BF9Ah-IGKLIDu4Mi9_ufxcNCQwky84TxpsZJsyssQByohvPnfOlK9CYHdna0RlNyF00WpDvUIAYIniFIhTBPaZ4j9kGULTy1LI5wLWP6NaPRWYmk/s1600-h/painting-dark-wood%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="painting over dark wood" border="0" height="746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMKK0nWUFfvXwUnCREiVR4avHukmCEb1k6G79Ui8mJomJhdw-BMQFmCOLd7RG7hdN0nnFbUAks7_MV3Z5EuB1hi4amIeyfV4zyHNoESV5F3fzlqdhec1gw8GziX-P9pz6E4S-YPIAJ6I/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="painting over dark wood" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And made it over with white paint and handles (all we had on hand). </p> <p>So much better!: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq9v-z0B-NqXfU-guV2bSSmES6kEZVGGW1Ukxe4jSZXIu2RFREhVZqistJYzFQlrJTZiiOuXUSSx4bgkD7PbIX9NNA9Rd9veV-EYAQtKISG9Uhnei43TjLgCyBfiWpjMI7TFEfZxZTBQ/s1600-h/80%252527s-nightstand-redo%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="80's nightstand redo" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3i5aHMCNIvIgSwUvqpzRzVV-phHIFIZREZ3WANN7Hby_6g_8U1-ToySXx05Nxd_fuWDQodmVMNCAcR93dDgJgsO0dDjiGQPYE2x4OT7f0LN-nL1VMKFpvi2D5L1J9FRzawEGIRpXITk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="80's nightstand redo" width="484" /></a></p> <p>I didn’t love the scrolly wood underneath so I recently removed that with my jigsaw, as you can see in this Instagram pic from the other night: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuilOk3ku96ceIj7AjOWSk5HGIv50kWhAlf3OPf6O2QJebE76LNGRDMQQ_SN2OpnzJ_hzkcbvPpPqGKuIUus0YskXLHoaahrQ6vulXe_63vUY9MLLcy83QtGXoS77XO51m-eHACngCHxY/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray accent wall" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkHyl5dM1lgfrdddvnwLybdJEmmIMo2lb3yHA5bZVbuI5t1wwbBssFi-jdzLK6EleGgbuavhHyWlmj829SgmZ30AlOZrKF5OEgqUohEaNMLLfydA976bhXt0wXrZITTSwzIXFrzrOHkI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gray accent wall" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It removed even more of the 80’s feel. ;)</p> <p>I used some scrap wood to <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/no-spend-project-review.html">build some shelves</a> in the guest room closet: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LVdUhwW-xsqiKVyOqcRBjZP7tIwCa5Fzt10DFzXiXjGk2Z2IJLS2OMRUuvn08_nELhyphenhyphenVVQKklsDhpg_TzSYuu7LjFR92ExPibHxiUBpHdSKyHgLjhw2izddlrqqqMj0996l3of2YSrg/s1600-h/using-wasted-space-in-closet%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="using all of closet" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6tAsIfq_0bWfDC_aCXLiisILlBdOZcIKxh8SSCa_YU9BIfJQAuemoYWuR1GNtrHxPzAkw4dUJZqMaOjPVxG7pHz8quUcjHhb1YzYrXMG9Mv6RRrHjZar3dwPW5zxNqdwHfZqVB40JxM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="using all of closet" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I hate wasted space and this makes that awkward spot SO much more useful! </p> <p>I also finished up a big project in that same room: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1x4wK83hj7n0zQhmbGwpn4grMR88D7mHVZT8cnlyvXe-edtxU_OaSKxoF6jACFPM0iwmq3C7goJ2s0_mTaUsUqBHIuL1zMBdxfuKb9btW_ja9MrftOXOVVtNmBBM-Ri7HxchanK8HW9Y/s1600-h/ombre-paint-wall%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ombre painted wall" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPetdIrSUrcmdqmdRZhqpISd2QHV39Qwil5-163zQldZIRtCzrrcYGU7LP3XMZQcLUocxSFXA9DC-oJQkGHBIrQ_ak_zdhXwtJTnePG5bdm4flybX1NiF0RR8WHrRnl8Z_3eVgbGPOMg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ombre painted wall" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I had the paint…I just never took the time to do it! Still love this <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/an-ombre-wall-guest-room-progress.html">ombre wall</a>! </p> <p>We had some drapes that needed lined and some sheets I was going to drop off at Goodwill – so I <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-line-drapes-with-what-you-have.html">used the sheets to line the drapes</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWplA3sPfygQ3tilYYey7hmKWFIF4MrjFqlYcXR1rzqien8HVrzMFmMPnKtTRhWV1xAgECFj_s_BzehEy2gxMEvfha-o_ZVXV_AUcNNJcjUFpk0cPj4dNRnlMaUd_xl-SwvX6LNJL9jI8/s1600-h/how-to-line-drapes%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to line drapes" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhVDid4MAIv1a8ABQnZ-5wRsRJlcbPtRQhHDZaccHZot2ixX1MNtWMuPptQF_wpwI21PPRR6QtlIZd2hnQInQIPBTZBNEq30CDtjaoTdWCbJGWR3aLEQ0DqBhL8c83qLrmZShVY2jBZo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to line drapes" width="500" /></a> I share how to line drapes in that post too. The sheets were the perfect weight – love how full they make the drapes. </p> <p>Like I said, I tend to get a lot of little things done in these months and last time I finished up a bunch of little details in our basement bathroom and shared the reveal: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQJArIdBumHpvSeF-98uX_11yZIV4AO46MtQhWhAb7JS6tkDvRfXbl8_3h8N9_183GcbqM5MDJy0f-2bNbevrItprOXJiuCD95QiKjxhjSt8uyYhUM50JwmKalAXiY4XopIztTlc2H_s/s1600-h/blue-green-bathroom%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="blue and green bathroom" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSSloN4ORZ0TWTy0AV8ROepCUB5Ao4laLffQEE7EbJCl422KJ3C_FeVJfNvezZYfdaajZC01zWPUSKQVtQ587gTR_Sba_D9o8dwPCAVUA9a0nYf9pggRGvasZ8_Gq6FKT87scenO2kMQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blue and green bathroom" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I adore this room and it’s pretty colors! You can see more of this space <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/bright-basement-bathroom-done.html">here</a>. </p> <p>I’m looking forward to getting some projects knocked off the list! Hope you’ll find them useful too! </p> <p>You can see all of my no-spend projects <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/08/no-spend-july-in-review.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/no-spend-project-review.html">here</a>. :) Have a great weekend my peeps!</p>

Another no-spend month!

Hello all! I hope the end of last year and the start to 2015 were great! We stayed at home and partied in the basement…meaning we sat on the...

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My House

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTsjwfcfuyvMwMh3CA7I0DezmftnIaKpneEPwZ1PjByAMzicDkbYqHKO77rD2OWaK02AJNiiZDfpQSdm-D5mD8nc4UmtYwckhoPz1uU31_1lynYwOZN4o1c1qVWl2O026UHSlv8Fkml4/s1600/house+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="new year, new chapter, DIY, new home, new house" border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTsjwfcfuyvMwMh3CA7I0DezmftnIaKpneEPwZ1PjByAMzicDkbYqHKO77rD2OWaK02AJNiiZDfpQSdm-D5mD8nc4UmtYwckhoPz1uU31_1lynYwOZN4o1c1qVWl2O026UHSlv8Fkml4/s1600/house+2014.jpg" title="My House" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It's the end of one chapter, but the start of many more.</i></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5bf1OvPGn_NYQ-Rtp29Gk6C260M-DvWDPMlDe1oSSnFZQJxS1Nb6CWFtX4qh6XjH7aJNxabrkjYfDceH2lGg3VoSZD_rHhpxSsSdLtTlKn5LcIx2t-DAqbSoks37pm_HyBr1dLd-Tis/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5bf1OvPGn_NYQ-Rtp29Gk6C260M-DvWDPMlDe1oSSnFZQJxS1Nb6CWFtX4qh6XjH7aJNxabrkjYfDceH2lGg3VoSZD_rHhpxSsSdLtTlKn5LcIx2t-DAqbSoks37pm_HyBr1dLd-Tis/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey all! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been MIA for a little while. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Things happen, and sometimes, one has to take a little break. </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">We've had to move, and it's been a whirlwind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTKkkZHgNsN1fdR6zKRQEDHCzc0JB5sWAfam_M9luMlRx_E9NN4uKCI57FkXI4XFXivOdgmVEolr4JqCCSuRhZ_9sPHqPyWiYjFriHIPvvK6U8ERNgb82Uplyx5AarQKcmaYkESEutZA/s1600/5-21-13+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTKkkZHgNsN1fdR6zKRQEDHCzc0JB5sWAfam_M9luMlRx_E9NN4uKCI57FkXI4XFXivOdgmVEolr4JqCCSuRhZ_9sPHqPyWiYjFriHIPvvK6U8ERNgb82Uplyx5AarQKcmaYkESEutZA/s1600/5-21-13+016.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I'm back! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I see that all of my loyal friends and followers have been hanging in there, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and have still been checking in with my blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VVW_NvbBY9SsZqTNqFZfE6JgvFfHFRgrbZwW1lQQo6rzw-Zdo0szctPgyM2dPU6y-H0mLQliF3_iq9zJpUpuTLO3EQn-umBivVoa5ZtDvOI34-I2wNLiNh6Hgj0Vqd8Y4KYo08ybRhc/s1600/5-21-13+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VVW_NvbBY9SsZqTNqFZfE6JgvFfHFRgrbZwW1lQQo6rzw-Zdo0szctPgyM2dPU6y-H0mLQliF3_iq9zJpUpuTLO3EQn-umBivVoa5ZtDvOI34-I2wNLiNh6Hgj0Vqd8Y4KYo08ybRhc/s1600/5-21-13+020.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For that, I'm so grateful! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDIs0dqw8HM718vqdxCdWnd2QuhZNAP4z1y9sRMv2z6wL8MSV77qG6z6C4-tk7vDVppOA8GN1NvFWuAbFUrjDzucmZxFIl_vH05knDcY2f9IebBgS6rvZyyLIsNW_Px7ySnu9Zt2HyJ0/s1600/5-21-13+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDIs0dqw8HM718vqdxCdWnd2QuhZNAP4z1y9sRMv2z6wL8MSV77qG6z6C4-tk7vDVppOA8GN1NvFWuAbFUrjDzucmZxFIl_vH05knDcY2f9IebBgS6rvZyyLIsNW_Px7ySnu9Zt2HyJ0/s1600/5-21-13+025.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, although I've sadly had to say goodbye to our home, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the great news is that we've moved into another beautiful house.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VurXq3i6G3mPO1JXtPpVLKckLu0vijaHMvBLBLZG1ari6qMLwn-shTvDJNSYn53ZqSK8ld-PZOVj1oLYsDG9bMpGc466EWLnRDM2PSqUHuuC-gQAmFnMPjZUu1wvp4KqudTSVIXg1hs/s1600/memorial+day+13+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VurXq3i6G3mPO1JXtPpVLKckLu0vijaHMvBLBLZG1ari6qMLwn-shTvDJNSYn53ZqSK8ld-PZOVj1oLYsDG9bMpGc466EWLnRDM2PSqUHuuC-gQAmFnMPjZUu1wvp4KqudTSVIXg1hs/s1600/memorial+day+13+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I plan on having lots of fun working on making it a great home! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are a series of pix of all of my favorite spots </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in and around my "old" home (which is actually NEW). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uUkMGQ0fRXMY1Q0M-ddyJvGj5mo7jwlEuNsqbKt5G_FgsuwBntdPKn97X2DHw6qepN_ip7qhcZLjTnXoc9eReCzsyspdiPAJB0wvfbE0Ez0LCkUfxQXA9SfcX0XN3zGzmCXMWGVwQXA/s1600/painting+chairs+6-13+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uUkMGQ0fRXMY1Q0M-ddyJvGj5mo7jwlEuNsqbKt5G_FgsuwBntdPKn97X2DHw6qepN_ip7qhcZLjTnXoc9eReCzsyspdiPAJB0wvfbE0Ez0LCkUfxQXA9SfcX0XN3zGzmCXMWGVwQXA/s1600/painting+chairs+6-13+020.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And when we are into the New Year, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll share some pictures of my "new" home (which is actually OLD). </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TDPGuCOevDPIdh1GQjJWq8jGFn-scrHs-yv4xHnX4Xc4kJk7qaKKW_6JmD2vEnkzvXxbGLp3dvT14EVnq1vfX111prIH240MLXtfJ3-Ndar4gKDAE68Eih9EcMBM6JT-A4jTU-VztaI/s1600/june2013+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TDPGuCOevDPIdh1GQjJWq8jGFn-scrHs-yv4xHnX4Xc4kJk7qaKKW_6JmD2vEnkzvXxbGLp3dvT14EVnq1vfX111prIH240MLXtfJ3-Ndar4gKDAE68Eih9EcMBM6JT-A4jTU-VztaI/s1600/june2013+014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you all have a great holiday season.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55LSHg2jrGtMi0ROGsC_rKWTtj-rbTC4tnSK-U4skhJz_-ADgTU3kUc41A-pZwIMN8Y8DsWHi7Ma2nYgwMuIJc7qQyMrfPjI6Lnax9qdDWSgwBb-psVGGhViROSzYr_kSmIoFHSDUM-Y/s1600/november+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55LSHg2jrGtMi0ROGsC_rKWTtj-rbTC4tnSK-U4skhJz_-ADgTU3kUc41A-pZwIMN8Y8DsWHi7Ma2nYgwMuIJc7qQyMrfPjI6Lnax9qdDWSgwBb-psVGGhViROSzYr_kSmIoFHSDUM-Y/s1600/november+2012+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I wish you a very Happy New Year! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJVC4iZimCCIpsKwgmIPOAjTYtt3V3NROrbYiYFw_Bh5b48iQeW5RrxDsZsNZsgXLEEAYwCwwP4RYpdg-miIs0jeBly8x_Onn2r-IG6R7ZTIK2C9V7VSaSLJctqem4b2GB2Q5ftYPJqY/s1600/xmastree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJVC4iZimCCIpsKwgmIPOAjTYtt3V3NROrbYiYFw_Bh5b48iQeW5RrxDsZsNZsgXLEEAYwCwwP4RYpdg-miIs0jeBly8x_Onn2r-IG6R7ZTIK2C9V7VSaSLJctqem4b2GB2Q5ftYPJqY/s1600/xmastree1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you for staying with me. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5DBWgiI5terCn8LN9G1oaSQ7Mq3hCv9G1kyitcA3M-LWPATbzTv6fGCs90NSDaDhSwhMTQO2XQOQq9PdtQwzlPUngUj-M2xcGXm4t5Wh7PAE0DeTuFmyJNfIiI67QuzpsnA3FGIYK6I/s1600/aug+2013+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5DBWgiI5terCn8LN9G1oaSQ7Mq3hCv9G1kyitcA3M-LWPATbzTv6fGCs90NSDaDhSwhMTQO2XQOQq9PdtQwzlPUngUj-M2xcGXm4t5Wh7PAE0DeTuFmyJNfIiI67QuzpsnA3FGIYK6I/s1600/aug+2013+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I look forward to 2015,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n4ivl1WkUgCNqI_OCAuvKx9pcbAcPhyphenhyphen9M1-cHHS_u1ekf5ACItl0xWJ9A0_W3yGAJIsl83cDrOFUvxFE1Xt0ESDs8S5J3cGmBnrR8Wd5VVxRd4rqlu9UrQ413YmOPdvyjs8fdpW4ifE/s1600/paintstick+flag+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1n4ivl1WkUgCNqI_OCAuvKx9pcbAcPhyphenhyphen9M1-cHHS_u1ekf5ACItl0xWJ9A0_W3yGAJIsl83cDrOFUvxFE1Xt0ESDs8S5J3cGmBnrR8Wd5VVxRd4rqlu9UrQ413YmOPdvyjs8fdpW4ifE/s1600/paintstick+flag+3.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I will see you all in the New Year, with more projects, DIY, and recipes. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMZkfrG_0TmIu7zHYjGhuPCdawykPq-PZMO19tGSOPlefkRDw_TeJdDp3nJofRa4wRpgXcnBKJLWMdCYv7uMviQ95Ik41xltIR_KZOeum4ByYsMwWpBy2sSdOxUoFWwX_GCQEpgYPSWA/s1600/mirror+on+phone+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMZkfrG_0TmIu7zHYjGhuPCdawykPq-PZMO19tGSOPlefkRDw_TeJdDp3nJofRa4wRpgXcnBKJLWMdCYv7uMviQ95Ik41xltIR_KZOeum4ByYsMwWpBy2sSdOxUoFWwX_GCQEpgYPSWA/s1600/mirror+on+phone+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My holiday and New Year's wish for all of you, is that you will ~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6UZWoSjxtppKSx0wQe9yQqNpFLYjuWaOy2fIA5TDhp2RBleC1" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">~ Julia</div>

My House

It's the end of one chapter, but the start of many more. Hey all!  I've been MIA for a little while.  Things happen, and sometimes, ...

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Knock off Pottery Barn advent

<p>Hey all! Sooo…it snowed so much we need to shovel the driveway today…what. in. the?? I don’t mind winter but this is CRAY. Putting up the Christmas lights is going to stink. :) If it’s this cold already I’m really worried about the winter. Yikes. </p> <p>Anyway, we spent most of the day cuddled inside yesterday and I worked on a project that I am SO pleased with! I told you I was going to to do it when I shared the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-cutest-countdowns.html">advent calendar ideas</a> a couple weeks ago. </p> <p>This was the one that really got me: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74ypLkZ9g-X0JYl_lsK1vTaYquXpLQAZkB9Mfutm6WcYIAIsJi3na6WEtzxGV_oj84VGaRYvg4EPj910EZQkYIwXSf-DKD2t7VtUT7Y-XiB6hmzhbuqHgqtpEgRBgmQvkJdhAytp-e4Q/s1600-h/img33c%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="img33c" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKNyBdFl0nR8Jq5nI79HNQXlylxtv3rrYiHFh5Quav4Lr7CCYKvT1cjkUiApoT_Q19V9Fq6_I0hqmAL9dwVbFsEKNcZc-NeOyswu2SKtC-afZTCl2I7tQSMUYce-8KNLDCoFc3Oi_cLI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="img33c" width="551" /></a></p> <p>I thought it was pretty cute, but what really got me was the price. It’s $150, on sale for $119 right now. For a piece of wood. <em>Wood.</em> And listen, if you aren’t a DIYer (or even if you are), I totally get it! Buy it! Sometimes I buy too – it’s nice not to do everything yourself. But I am a DIYer and that price hurt me a little because I knew I could make this for a fraction of that. </p> <p>The bonus was that I had most of the supplies already – but even if you don’t this is easily a less than $25 project, probably less. </p> <p>We have a TON of wood in our garage from the family room renovation. It’s a good thing I haven’t started Christmas decorating yet because I can’t even get to the bins. :) I need to get it all cleaned out but…<em>COLD</em>. That’s going to be a fun project. But anyway, when we took down the old fireplace I kept all the scraps – it was nice wood and it pains me to get rid of wood. </p> <p>This long scrap used to be our mantel: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6ZlTkrzWndm87OTUnZJpa76tdE-TDJ9gEW_Ea4WY0HZgls9slcPLUSDvRKkf-hfeW_DGZYN8nxo3tO9ejoXCTjwEA4btnZ7WPMLjpy1Yc403TqAcwze2ThdQxfg26vjNv930QO_vYP8/s1600-h/IMG_0527%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off pottery barn advent" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQTPNj3jhwiDfkGcWC3eSIAcZyVAxC9aboMXjBC-tTz3h7_CE4dhuNGAppiw5MuXlht3X7cZPoHDOo18hOIE3rzbWPkm5rBfE5RK4oxB87DLcREVQzhdoJTnumUSB53Ekm1_IPaPQdFE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off pottery barn advent" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Helpers…always helping. </p> <p>I cleaned it up a bit – pulled some nails and scraped some caulk off, then painted it. The PB advent is white but I wanted to do something a little different: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqBIkr1cp_vraI9yOOFN4nNODL3AVDxwnAkIJR47nntlbKmznqSHMG4wy66kH2VwRaMd-Mre3EmgD7BDB-wuULh3L3IWXZl40KSU2wdzo5Zrg2ws_fRixWk5E0uDDGx5PZ7CO_HEkasI/s1600-h/chalkboard%252520paint%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chalkboard paint" border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfqNcCxnIi3wiDMzKUIn6kvK55P2T_Zx1Jk6L2AiV1gYKuPGW1VwnZJNFTwtymfEdwMKYIUGOQZxjKa5DL-vLLd9G4ZfqImf7DdKlaA2RhObBB40Qb0HEmNnE4yU0QVLdqyYoJ57PFn0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chalkboard paint" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Aww yeah. Chalkboard paint! </p> <p>I did two coats and then “seasoned” the board: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQ2ZpSZ2f6j9Ve4AswFNOJ_NNd1vsM8bQVZ2n5jl6T5S2HADO_44ih-WU3KAcQDlVo10MS3HxSTm8GxtkjNm3kui1xX2CbxtEvEc9UsBMxRpx_eazbYV9LUKwXPmjehgKM_VXxlV7tQM/s1600-h/IMG_0532%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="seasoning chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBQx7sTa8n6QcZjqnDxMKLU6t4GO49TMDT-gDGqZIDjVNX-HiafZoPZiQRal59H7bZDCpDIMhiZP49jM0JVP9cVm7TxipK1habWudzsOCbeW1WEt2YmdEaUTApiY-Sn3DbvLULrf1kLA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="seasoning chalkboard" width="500" /></a></p> <p>You do this so the chalk (supposedly) will wipe off easier when you write on it. I only did it because I wanted that chalkboard look – not a perfect black. I won’t be writing on this, but we could!</p> <p>I already had the clothespins for another project, but if you need them they’re cheap: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKl91-Be21Rnkl8hvkItiReR-uKDW1MDBwONkoJMPJ8brnqlijHF6IL39X7p3Nrj5w75YlPY03hV4t6EJusO0elSYA3TYpw8ibyrvNS-UtSbtIntGnrq9IpMi3nwexw0ndpYCu3OTUsqw/s1600-h/IMG_0535%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY advent Pottery Barn " border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPUYTMrcsKVbzvCVf7sa9piTvW_60xDy7xST2SsvhvnZJaIYLMaM2YL_ZDPUkSY0GBAY5_T78n949QkKhE9RyqS51cyPAOH1aiZH0wMClnaGAqfb9VMhv6N6SkvBJtTLh4TYJw5_6zk4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY advent Pottery Barn " width="500" /></a></p> <p>I just used a bit of wood glue on the backs of each one. I thought I may have to nail them in as well to make them really secure but they aren’t going anywhere as they are.</p> <p>For the numbers I totally lucked out and found these at Hobby Lobby: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7q4O93iC4t0LQ-UryrEt-VxP0TJirxS1RCMUzc6Bi6Lgq40T3aIz_U7QSu8Y3CPw6jZWq3cqtnvSn82nDyJvwDx7YOGPwLt5dtJUF2jetHfB2gDk-hsVTlbodBIJfoxrahEVhLdiw3WA/s1600-h/IMG_0536%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="advent calendar stickers" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT-rq9PvhAqnyisHvSXZM6gUH4RbmqTcMQ1RUVg4u0jsAh598RjIulkm7rhkzqo09WpcZkThw0tX_da3NHlD26fQ8ftCBdgzOIwTqkA6n3w9EJYFs1XaqUKZYHLOH51dsCOsZJWmjre0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="advent calendar stickers" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Hello…perfect! You’d probably have to stamp or stencil them if you can’t find a set like this. I was looking at other scrapbook numbers but you’d need a ton of 1’s and 2’s to make this work – that would get expensive. These were $5 and I got them for $3 with a coupon. </p> <p>Next up was the part I was most excited about – the lettering. I found a tutorial online on how to do this SO easily: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tS9I1OZvNypYsrgvP7KQSx9KxrSJxAXN75vb1X98fxB9L-OhzAE4hmmFH_Xj47lAyq4ZJs9IW_5hXdRtbBx4TjHqC3dmIKqlyug87doBfApcbq1OzC57WWsdJ-tOG9VBqgZrjIUSDRU/s1600-h/IMG_0537%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transfering lettering onto wood" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza9ASLYiz3BFEIHKCOiGYyodVz2NrJtixPS-G5ikstN1sKOXn3LGFZVTToFh7EI7k1swi4SjpnoV7Sa8jUED12DMiHUBw9z8lQKjT6XoQA7Vfp_R1K7M_G-7C9z2bzBYmi23lA1RX4fo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transfering lettering onto wood" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’m going to share the how to tomorrow because I want to take better pics – this part was done at night. It’s worthy of it’s own post anyway.  </p> <p>I thought it needed a little bit of Christmas color so I used the same technique to do the holly on each side: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOhoI_fyngWBetMBDSsrrrmwxLEnjPfHXtkEKmsrrGqZOIWgY2PFFrRzpCbKzCRHrq-krzgkI3n46SXEIL6ThYoDYdbN2zqjbaDe5uNmZRGYc6e8sZBE0zZboM3ucRq_1Z64uaJJopEk/s1600-h/IMG_0548%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY advent calendar Pottery Barn knock off" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBi7i9pHP2S3bAKxnHQEv3TuZg5PD59cLAnFf2AV3-_o_II0lBcZ3Pu7yzMts5p9sJSriTqi5ZHOQUCeNZL5SCwLCPxXf0XjXJs3sr_QdL24yDUWQxvhJd_KauO1dBo0whs9kEVXFys0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY advent calendar Pottery Barn knock off" width="500" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW0PMTE49cIL0aJqHlW4lX-R8YTZGnT39l0e1MsqR6oSY_VTDkvakMoxp3p6uF6b1FISqQEOGSLGMRQXLPDHHwa3SxLwPj4qYKLfxv2KZvAQQ-Z62lpBeyvJD0bSA72e6EZiXg8Q8Q9g/s1600-h/IMG_0568%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chalkboard advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qW417C1gT3UByjmjmokZLiFCwPEVmMiAch3nDOeqk0OsfztPr5uaQZ3Wrf5NhafRfXERi7PoIAGDObVEgo-uXN8dItmQYqcjoHm-9E0NOpnWOxZpB9TW_Q0OBUnXhSo3A25kEEHnoPM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chalkboard advent calendar" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I just filled those in with green paint and then used some sparkly stickers for the berries. </p> <p>I absolutely LOVE how it all came together!!<img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="661" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ybKSmiYfdh1bHfXKjzC0G05DBlp65JPnEBLj6N8u-HjgSzWYnAUMFAKVAJKccq3_tguqJ5Wvzj-9smOHH4cWfkkVPFmvU6SXKTZe_zSovsS2zIVZGoWVgkZjViAgD-hzrr-i9d01G0Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></p> <p>It will actually hang in the mud room but this area has better light to show it off. ;) </p> <p>I LOVE the chalkboard look – I think it’s a fun twist instead of the white advent like Pottery Barn: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1eszgRs51606HQmdcw1fuHcJP9XUm9snR89voLNcozv8COkerSBNGj2pkNCibJipd1kZw9XV_bXIh1gWZRGfqzc3i1gVWCOvW34f7rYxdfZ3JTuNQFz8fi4TezXY82ThHkIWWx6fm8I/s1600-h/IMG_0542%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="do it yourself pottery barn advent at @thriftydecorchick" border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qmh5sjSzBkPwzgzT_yl8syn9rIf0cTvI3exBCeKuC6TNjJQ_rFkTzVx3ksw1YjTJQQXBg-0OWx7cvmGbGc6IJH0KiENyiPhKYGMmAW6zvKnM4vDojqX9KoIVDHnxf_6sl7Z7Ri-lurA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="do it yourself pottery barn advent at @thriftydecorchick" width="575" /></a></p> <p>I grabbed a couple of my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-quick-and-easy-holiday-project.html">holiday placemat pillows</a> and the golds look great together:  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodhytG-9uzxPHXZcdt8Zlq3RVnV6juMBU48JJ-qYAkyfkZnIQMv7cF3RzyC3oDjNBTSEB6YSD0ClZdljsmVtK56-uDiNNm97s3gD4eezXlurgu3y1QCRtoekTJmV0TIhcgxMTrgDt588/s1600-h/IMG_0552%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtERWqcRRxiaOZR0DQJGS580gZWzNNzuVRn357L-2eDCBoQZS0ESzFEbv84tRN9Q5mYP0WSH2tOE4sCQsZYEEpTw8mTafHO94ywQ8dmSBkeK9BV5zD7QOcdDSviasHy4-FTeAqPmaNBc4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I loved the look of the little drawstring bags like on the original, but they were more than I wanted to spend. I found these simple brown paper bags instead and I actually love the look with the black: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO216sXdLrswx8zw8_wKuYJr74okO8BZ6SrmBm4_3jFOWkaFkw0vxo78iznWa4i3CTrQIU7v5JrkTJwTFkIf8hJjWk1PDp1MAutrok9g1s0sLwoxyP0CD9j0ZOVmxV6MyH11k7c_orjls/s1600-h/IMG_0562%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTA6nFQhn8n1rerCwa-9ohDqz3PegQwZwVnLMjb05luayJuo5RZla5uvrq6Y1pbtxV8Z5VuXQvayqGaRguBdNptdASifKKWlfAgK4_2PN3drCDW-1yNu1DEYcwSAYWWSwn8dQWnsDQmI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I realized later (after I figured out how to do the letter transfer) that I could have just done the same with the letters – that would save a little bit of money as well. But I do love the gold accent. I think they add a little bling: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNXo716_N_-tOtCW40EmS8u_DmKjWN7Q0mzptJJ-HTXkyqyTRpI1QPxPT5Ccjo50EnvmBSLGeU-mwug0nSGNz0tNqLCthYUAWilnZB-D2E79VIvquY7TwwWjiFiQMKjVB7yLLDy_e934/s1600-h/pin%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofXmGuGZbU0yccYY8UxcoUDyg-jSLh-xGcmZ5QjzISzg3A9NGbqAQA8gyRLH2s8khpX6Ujc0OhaahnahCoZMfDUufgDKnfNWy21DwkBCH7aSDPkGnH2MQxg1DvHOJjUHrfAGJud_oJTE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The bags are filled with little trinkets and some candy – I grab little things for the advent calendar after the holiday on clearance. </p> <p>The Bub saw it without the bags so I can’t wait for him to get home and see it now. :) My total cost for this project was $8. A savings of <em>more than</em> <em>$140</em> baby!: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgdnLO_fUH8wax_8Y_jquRvO438UxzFzYx0oo6CpMgDI1l6jNSgKELTVtqAWI9CritAQdVuxRuONx-ALhmGxY8rUDAcqGJOL1kD1bWnWJxMwOQTMnXg7-Fb4Ek_aoyIlfqXW9OPHUCHI/s1600-h/IMG_0555%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pottery barn wood advent knock off" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZXM1723MHQArWD2jkb4xxxhH2d9TlbSjUWCu5Wu6fyA2p_1HzVgaL5PumMVYIdKbzPyY93P2kM7_EUo0623DZa_Ap6-Yfryf15ruvnZOEY5Tss_Vug6iDJOiNX_1NDbqbu6DoRLhnyw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pottery barn wood advent knock off" width="560" /></a></p> <p>I only had to buy the numbers and the bags (the bags came 24 to a pack so I had to buy two to get to 25, argh!). If you did this a pine board would be less than $10. Of course the color can be anything you want – that’s the fun of it. Red would be super cool too! </p> <p>So there you go, yet again my wood hoarding pays off! :) I just love this – and I love that I saved so much money too! By the way, the Pottery Barn version is 10 inches by 67. Mine is 12 inches by 62. I think you could go long with this too – I almost did it vertical instead of horizontal since it’s so big. The point is to make it work for what you want – the best part of DIY! </p>

Knock off Pottery Barn advent

Hey all! Sooo…it snowed so much we need to shovel the driveway today…what. in. the?? I don’t mind winter but this is CRAY. Putting up the Ch...

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Simple fix: Filling holes

<p>Hey heeeey. I’m back today with a quick DIY tip! This one will come in handy if you ever go to paint furniture or kitchen cabinets and want to change out the hardware while you’re at it. </p> <p>I’ve shared how to fill <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCoQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthriftydecorchick.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fgot-holes.html&ei=JfhaVKemFNOyyASUoILQCg&usg=AFQjCNExCAAYvbXliJ1d2H_RN1ojyO9S7w&sig2=w4RzJ-DurqqHOb8hy9uw8Q&bvm=bv.78677474,d.aWw">holes in the wall</a>, but this takes a little more finesse. Maybe because I’m pickier on furniture. :) I like this method because it gives you a finished look on both sides of the drawer or door. </p> <p>I shared <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/10/black-and-brass.html">this dresser</a> than I repainted a few weeks back: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvF5-p-X3j195uOX01-8T-U16AW7P987O_5AFdSrChqte06aOkLW0DaemF6Y6fY-9p_9OYXAb13utotYWwFUjkqqQZhIbQZMp362-MJtpmbij_5W8E6licob2wrhMLkkfJght4A_FU20/s1600-h/IMG_02462.jpg"><img alt="painting furniture the easy way" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDnOKMnT92J6-3pCEUwC32nVMsAfVtmhX2mj7Ilz4083-UIqyoow2uRYR6dXTzMS5xlK-Mrof0Oj7SlCNEuDp_nFtNyUgY2x86umLo7PTUAiDjTYFO9h9WYz8vMTeyAS4kLMkAr3h8ho/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="painting furniture the easy way" width="500" /></a></p> <p>If you remember I hated the hardware so it had to go: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_OFAUIi25firxFSyEFgd726wRsMaX590wJjbpISIw3twT1fYC9YzaMtiBEkxqROyHeELc4Wk4mOw9gc4_g0ag2YU3Sr9ZYvpvOgRRkSPw_J3uqj2hISlbKd2JMVE-cBVEmKw2m5aACM/s1600-h/IMG_02472.jpg"><img alt="vintage brass hardware" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVpq730isZaslUN720a2Q2YunvUApogV_lWjXTVylrQcXDyYelJeXNkfWU55doLW1WhSVuXv_-VsXj64a_rbAt9zzrcTlJB6CEOtiq05c3UL9puqmwp0iNUZ09h3fWaSP47ik_Rz5ZvA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="vintage brass hardware" width="500" /></a></p> <p>These handles left especially large holes that couldn’t be filled with just putty or wood filler. I mean, they could – but because the back was open it would be a pain to try to get enough in there and get it all smooth. It would take numerous fillings and sandings. Ain’t nobody got time for that. </p> <p>The hole on the top is the size I was dealing with – there’s an easy way to take care of these: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSpI0VWkUEXD_vgSbabBQYVpXGSfenZ928iHAQt9H6VSO3W2Z7JbJEmaV0x1WAvrDY8WZlUaMyDKLJgbyeOb7tJK5lHMP8AJmNz8Eyua3_y2_4vZCoLShSKppE1mJvJCxH7Kosd4b5GM/s1600-h/IMG_02482.jpg"><img alt="filling holes in furniture" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxbhDe9MbX-WsDhQ5DBgV6V8dw7PL492bmamMfeeoQYgo5Ai8PaBZeaYPcgch5pBlWM6TaoXDlno0BM7K93uoOvEiGqgjH4LlvTVRwvFngi_iFWSXHOsXax7LYjDhqZd_fUtbwvvPJOU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="filling holes in furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’ve heard a few ways of filling bigger holes like this – toothpicks is one and wood plugs is another. Both work great, but I was going for the easiest, quickest and cheapest fix – the wood dowel: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfcm64DHGsAmNClNC6nYGOOA10TtpeNsbti__L-nVIEqWfKltUVhyphenhyphenNefmluZKXD7Yq5jsuDcTUV6t3NB8z8Gk_oNxPZ3YiM1NiWbeTJnpQWa4Idgl-RXFrKNUGyHAJV0Sp2PVP3u2Odc/s1600-h/ScreenShot20141105at10.31.26PM3.png"><img alt="wood dowels" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlEKG4SxuA5e2FomrOdsy1dOJf0Hla3a1VtFw6Rh-Qk0PHNjgO55cOFFf3ZbgpUauM5VNzTdFyGeH6szImtxBaRDDNPugzj6K_zztus37F_FvXn1B0fJabuf9PG8hALfnX_phnuU0zko/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wood dowels" width="500" /></a></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://thecakegirls.com/cake-support-pegs-wooden-dowl-rods.html">source</a>)</p> <p align="left">I took the hardware to the store with me so I could figure out the perfect sized dowel.</p> <p align="left">I actually got a couple to make sure I got the right fit. I pushed it through the hole in the drawer and marked where I needed to cut – this way the hole would be filled on both the inside and outside of the drawer. (Although I’m not picky enough to make the inside look perfect). </p> <p align="left">I cut the small bit of dowel down and then covered it with wood glue: </p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhlrgeF2RYpWxZZ_d6xwjRVmzqucg_4B_LNmgyKWaYwebOFpGohKRBmwlbHK2zD06tV7GwOVEdyZkHOrJ60F2c8uPSZcCw9hoU5m3sg4Apmaife_g57j0i575kOrX2UrBun89oJ4p6r8/s1600-h/IMG_02512.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="filling holes with dowels" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxLDlJToP4hvRMDRAObpZGzaRP3s49NOHH3Vc37HrBLfh4o380zqn1uQqQAU5VFjbptuTki85nfIau5nr4qHmBErf0fiYTuw9bX3vJI4Wwr6KueKb6idR0uOvD8fV3-XBXWa-_9kFK34/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="filling holes with dowels" width="500" /></a></p> <p align="left">Put the dowel in the empty spot (I’m tired of saying hole) and make sure it’s flush. </p> <p align="left">You’ll want to let it sit for a bit to dry, but it was ready quicker than I thought it would be. When the wood glue is dry and the dowel is secure you can use some wood filler to even it out even more: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlwMIVjpv0qPc20tjBgXWbRIlhwWaPdRVcLEyUZVpuW-LYZQls6ygZ0DOdyKPf3v1Ox3OQaLV123USrJIcVpA-UMLfY-DzNFlzQ_MgvmTuiPCRypw2XBPMOUiHlyq9wFngPyCrxb3M1w/s1600-h/IMG_02522.jpg"><img alt="how to fill holes in cabinets " border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpYIY5Karhxll-ZLB5fpEH5Cc4KSrkBWrBgkMS2ZQ4z3mEUH7I42v9Wvn1I1GxEY7B7Vndh0An9P7Ii8z46BEHHWVKrydVrQq_x6JqJH0zLY4SijU_25Fbfd-vOaK2zaJBqd-tjfwtwU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="how to fill holes in cabinets " width="500" /></a> </p> <p>You’ll want to sand it down (lightly) and you may need to reapply the filler two or three times (and sand between) to get it nice and flush with the surface. </p> <p>After paint you won’t even notice it was there!: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-Wp2V4Qq5GTjT3ZbF_ziUIvv7r8LvoVifPORcs3rWYLqkjVDvuUGVBNa1zHGqBvn7_BkHvp1zgmxXVly1igH8HcBUJcdnGoZ3CU1cYBdbHvhp5DYNCtWxpyz31DCvuV_XPWBc9RA_V4/s1600-h/IMG_02572.jpg"><img alt="painting furniture" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJtuuOWiG08gFvgiSxVVslRwLXCOSQ6Zj38bejvNgE8CxYgzvsKRscC1xCqPpoRA6dgX3KesX9GKiyjyge-g6ZwQYTR7KOx1gHPs2d7tH3FoGmztjv4i_gVPnoVpV6fH3wgKUmwS80p8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="painting furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This is a GREAT tip for anyone painting kitchen or bathroom cabinets and wanting to change out the hardware at the same time. Dowels are usually about three feet long and are super cheap – mine was less than a dollar. One would probably get you through a whole kitchen. :) </p> <p>Of course if you read the post about our dresser you know I decided to keep the hardware (that I used to hate) at the last minute. It looked great with the new color and I fell in love with it!: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivu2fXzzzxeGSCV9Fp1h9dfjOCFqDBbIxYaqi8GRGmZq054-48gu0kkCMfPX6ijb8cSpchQjCa1-dOU6YvGJcHjscjRtnQlAD6y6FyUuHRGAeemHw8orRjtYg40jMj0uJeG1Xn_C4-MGI/s1600-h/IMG_04182.jpg"><img alt="graphite benjamin moore" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU8Sc2Bw2zhu4chCNX1mkL9DQdbQGAe1cCsluK_w1uPb-4L5ljfdh4qhJ0_WUPkFFLjtgdFnxvhKwMo0_HC2AqEGKAZIyt2ykWd4OAFaTkafe71qZoxcWqmim4xOnyZv0JkVj5CLTMIA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="graphite benjamin moore" width="500" /></a></p> <p>So I ended up just drilling the dowel rods out – gah. I had only filled the top two anyway so not a big deal. </p> <p>But this is a great little tip that should save you some time and some wood filler. :) I love easy and inexpensive fixes! Do you have a trick like this for holes in walls or furniture? </p>

Simple fix: Filling holes

Hey heeeey. I’m back today with a quick DIY tip! This one will come in handy if you ever go to paint furniture or kitchen cabinets and want ...

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Black and brass

<p>Welcome to a new week my friends! Hope you had a lovely weekend! </p> <p>Yesterday I finished up the <strong>last</strong> DIY project for the family room – I think I keep saying everything is the “last” project and then I realize I have another one. For for real – this is it. We’ve been able to rework most of what was in the room before in the new set up and I’m pretty excited about that. I’ve only made one purchase for the “new” space – a gorgeous chair I found a HomeGoods a few weeks back. I’m in lurrrve with it. </p> <p>In our old set up we used a dresser as the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/11/new-family-room-rug.html">entertainment center</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrqR7-Q1Iq03_ynG0CgF49kbtydPu_bxg4_bAVoK0-9oR0XzmzxmRqZh9LF2Nd7YJcBzsVD5kDZRXSfakSZJ5NXEK1S-dT_SoW_ELMLHgf5HYD90jJXZbCo5PTq3Jod2PeEhnkBeHkZU/s1600-h/IMG_7186%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7186" border="0" height="742" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM35vCH16BZFfvJQsDDmnvMeEs8Y3CkYy75YwdkYlHNyacVr5nc_M1a13-DquEW7zIzNFMNpz9V0RJrMF84ukwtAxwz5HhPf5KboxwnVlehCH8YE2vR1nB7yFZmJiw_VKGDzWKXwNvf98/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_7186" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I use dressers all over our house for storage – they’re pretty and functional. Most of them are Craigslist finds – well, pretty much all of them actually. The one above is one of my favorites but it was too long for the new spot in the family room set up. </p> <p>So I switched that out for one that’s been in our bedroom for years. I’ve always had a plan to paint it but I bought it because I LOVED the lines: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiYA9w_92S_l0Mgvf7heztaP-n34wF5vTETnWAws6fs2DVMpEWty4u8iPpAB2IGAen5E4W61Yx8BougeplKW7q4BezV6rZwPjNn9nxlmYfKlebSSE_Z1_CCJR-1tEKeOn_TArOGqOVck/s1600-h/IMG_0246%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="paiting a dresser" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGntOBDdfoq3R7q2KHS_PfADLHtwYDlajg7z6jhJzICY3juMJgX6NyMnNzCRmQ8_vBNeADquXtyoejFzRShhzUo6OtB7TZMIgCzNgySVAGmu5NE1G0LLZ2RXAbcrn-o29xY3iiQc6RtCw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="paiting a dresser" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Most of my dressers I would never paint – even with some damage I love the warm feel of the wood. This one though, I’ve never loved. The finish was a “fake” look – it’s an odd look that I didn’t care for. It had almost a spattered finish on the wood, I’m not sure how else to describe it. Let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty wood finish. And I’ve always really disliked the hardware on it as well – it’s felt too frilly for me. </p> <p>So I didn’t feel bad painting this one. I considered just sanding it down to a more natural state – I’m loving that trend lately. But the new chair that sits in front of it already has a lighter look and I knew it wouldn’t be enough contrast. </p> <p>AND sanding it down would require a ton of work – taking it outside and trying to get into all the little detailed areas of the piece. I prefer sitting on my butt and painting inside. ;) </p> <p>I started by wiping it down well – I’ve used tsp cleaner in the past but over the past few years I’ve realized just regular cleaning wipes work just as well. You just want to get any residue or dust off of whatever you’re painting. </p> <p>I primed it with my favorite primer: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIPhi9ZWvMt_PrQX0TPwJ_fsNj9HWtH4wUpKiGgRmbLoSgGKagWSJDI06WBogpaBaRODuCYco2ia6YnQvpn-SfyXLoNjguGN2ptVNH_uj8mQLQlpfFZgv7sun8dFzKYI56l9KNnsQjQ4/s1600-h/IMG_0258%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bin primer painting furniture" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4TaLlNMibi4F1Zs39c0GyW4QixIQrlswOa6eYQjRRsVfYysQWJp10HigVI8nUA6TumK7oZcSCTV_qmwCOHZI-jr3IUe5SIIhNbpFN5PTw8ewkZcvEQ_wBGlNpUC6rTJAekephlLLRMk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="bin primer painting furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I have this tinted gray because I use it on all of our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/10/black-and-white-and-awesome-all-over.html">interior black doors</a>. It’s a super thin primer and SO easy to apply. It always goes on incredibly well and dries really fast.</p> <p>Because I wanted to replace the hardware I filled the holes on the top drawers (they were a different type of hardware than the rest of the drawers):</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomXFCB-nUM6itWG_8powcLs0CpwcaElZQPvXuK5QbCs-cNln_3RSlro6i2o1sdQahLl-JQq0sxVg9tbBJcVPjxwkZlbhHAHvHRvfBhJB3FSTvMcZXdNbCx0tiW0bSoFC6gNB30-odugA/s1600-h/IMG_0252%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to paint furniture" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFsj0NKlEB00uvWUNld6diX_JrVPU0tLeep6gu9sfFbAhjHfooNqvqB_9Mcnfc1k8727ed0Q0rRPVGlegUqSytF_SHsmtOyhpBzZDwn1Oq9ZR2m5EQiYUXDMwmMp_BH6KbiHolBedhKI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to paint furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>After the coat of primer I made sure to give the flat surfaces a really quick sanding: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUPOQvqjktWK3JCREGQYs5Y-NnkD28C6e8i_FjGoSLXjoEO_eQdIM5E8x3JAh1025XjE6T-8KuCLO1kuoJU433i74fP-31UqgN-Fnx-VV1mbTlBQ4mrkkWWZB4FIrXGJjeZkkDSwvbrk/s1600-h/IMG_0259%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="sanding furniture" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH0LMCkuFAGrw-oZu1hlk-wTyP8MDdyE0DQi8QTsn92ntEZxHd7OcjEA-rILNwgERr-gS4Eqz5XyyNCO_Hx2BSt4EAC2lKMNQ-N4f-qfS4UqrWmz8czvIhU3VMz5MP8NCtfqoa7G-l1U/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="sanding furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I kind of loathe sanding but this is just a light, fast sanding to knock it down just a bit. You’ll want to do that between each coat of color too – if you don’t (I skipped it once or twice this time) your surfaces won’t be super smooth. Not a big deal but it feels better with a smoother finish. </p> <p>I knew I was going to like it when it was all primed and ready for paint: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy59D9sYuat0BoT7z8HmEH5jB6xMA6D7FF_op8yQYM8xokgY8Y_FJnzjQclf6xr5reH3pCPXELMP4MHKVbCPLdipWB1DpiUk-W11U8Ac26oD6ZrB6gyn6HJKfKac6tCSD5LwFlpHdnOWk/s1600-h/IMG_0261%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to paint furniture" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV75kwCGclQ56FdFy0tSaAJWDrCD1IpfklXOH5smISGwcJP8HZ0ochn4As9gu-kqmdXKdwd3wtN67SzJk0wndKrTNb87s1RRsl3chZY6ohDNhVd_idRilyGsmdcTeiMuvfcAOMzSIkMqs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to paint furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I swear sometimes painting a piece really helps the pretty details and lines shine. </p> <p>I found this AWESOME brush at Lowe’s that I used for most of the painting: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXPBBumPzLfc_JY4UKlx3desLhZ2Qx2sknIzHjwT-aYTYCLKeiWlwDtS4ldbVjD0oshZVX44WqoHWP-6uChJvQEYiqCndzCvjzBGcvAe3J3d7F2qaEMtlw0R4yVFhbFuR8rYSOiepJsg/s1600-h/IMG_0265%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="square paint brush" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6qcEYvEMAOUu0hk-Nw6N65JVd0JwMV_3cJX9XGtL2pz1CHmucWE2mKOoR9sQ3uXz2R-g_lgFB0sQSDl2K7LWkRHzK23AiLCLHe9K7SOEdjUgW2BZjn6ipzB3n9gmpMJXLjmgL_yNZz0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="square paint brush" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s a square brush and I’ve never seen one like it. It’s made for painting window panels but it was perfect for getting into all the grooves in the dresser. Loved it!</p> <p>I’ve said many times over the years that I believe every room should have a touch of black. It’s grounding and gives some great contrast. I used to paint ever.y.thing. black but I’ve stopped that. ;) But I knew this one would look striking in a darker color so I went for it. I used the Graphite color by Sherwin Williams that I’ve used for our interior doors. </p> <p>I found hardware that matched the wide (five inch) span of the old hardware but it was a brushed nickel and kind of basic. I didn’t love it. So I held up the old hardware against the new dark color and feel head over heels with it: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzLaUnEHdvEjhRHP1EBO0xRCJZd3RqiNkbeBHb8vF-yQTH8BLmVAxrx8hJTpL8S5XvgnXWU4Ifg9_P2hp1BnNTEmmB5z_IRb_ajIRIGAqrMo5pnr_3ECzNg4eSxTm9s7vJVROp3GUVRI/s1600-h/IMG_0275%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="vintage brass hardware" border="0" height="747" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHDwyieI4-4t0IGafXezr_01yKBxOsigGWpmGztka1rGKM5ALDRDdCht5c-sm5Q6Svfrl5UDBLiAyv8duzPdtMp9AzdfCZRzerqMwXXZTilaXm3-7KpE4Bcl_8z4pB_hoPhP0ODW-eU0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="vintage brass hardware" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Well huh! I’m not kidding when I say I <em>really</em> didn’t care for these handles before – and now I absolutely positively LOVE them. I gave them a good cleaning with my brass cleaner and they are looking so much better than before. (Yes I had to knock out that filler I had put in the top drawers.)</p> <p>You can see all the pretty lines of the dresser here: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhH8VhVAjzmcOjADarqny24oABBvOGRm0fSCLGZ6FFmGd-T7FokEi3-_In9Jn2HU0xTc2SwepmdXQHQUBaAbm-i-bZKOBz2W3AKluqZsaMoowqI0Ng5cLf10Wy82A_MTfvtgKPdVnparw/s1600-h/IMG_0277%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="black dresser" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlixtOZZWu4KHUm5Qwx4DRnKivKtOEjGUh6IVv9gOQKBnih147ULE-1GKHO2nOyn4ofeznharEHGGORl8XCrAIquzKWnJC18G7SQS98NRKB_A60sfkL7DpsWPSB8iJdlGVCWEp-vXzio4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="black dresser" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I am obsessed with it now. Obsessed: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin49ypUAIoo0-kyvVu4usTRFlBImwVkJMLLbmX2mJoGHZAvRdgGppA8ExvC_R3pwRJRs3wty8-VoUkPNScln3YI5KdYW9MY3RILodgfCPIJgWcDEpoxoXcUYcHDe_1UzwlYa_LhpUjcmY/s1600-h/IMG_0273%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="black dresser brass hardware" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdHwFluWxSCg5EKyFUjfGhM_zcQp54eoRV6iYh8SVoS80BkBWr4gIERSM-9CwjbXrhJ3qTYlyoNqg30N-0x27KPlzs3CmKKzur8CxHyfxrMZ-LcXUoV1i4v5mquEaIyFUQ8B4cndl6rM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="black dresser brass hardware" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s so beautiful, I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!  </p> <p>On our doors that Graphite color looks more black but you can see it’s true color better here – a dark, dark gray: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRNlQZ-X6uoUslZWrX0PelJlp9ivugWpExMuMPyaVNqh8EuR5H9PJvBLBVK4z2MaV9TirvSaR-1pzE25F0rBvaEv_b5csLwxFYfzm2kF8ja5o1MlgTAZBX3wvAlXI18iXZmhwgs1pyvY/s1600-h/IMG_0278%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="painted black dresser" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN05Y_Zf_QEF7MoJoF692bphkptaHYuxcYrYKYF1mWIajbZfn293ynMSldZsz1PSVs5FL01hT0JtuL8A0LZGFNIEFiOW-17zCqo-UF7SC1SgWsra8W4EdXR-BT2FyJ2U2VKfj1FXWBnE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="painted black dresser" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I haven’t dressed it up yet – I just threw stuff on it for the pictures. </p> <p>This dresser serves as my “office” storage. Or at least it will soon – I have some items in it but need to switch out my supplies from the dresser that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/01/well-finally-office-reveal.html">used to sit in my office</a>. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGr0dbmX-7zmT6OsVEXsuqge0s5z7QmGRn0CvO6xpfycThIw5QcX8xTY2Mf1Uh70oWzJs9SeO85Evpy4j40rdSD0uzQfYKF8W2v2PrdvPog7vBote6JyIP-ZJRdwLgZcR8QaHj6Q3w1E/s1600-h/IMG_0269%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="dresser for office storage" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ51bagwQx_fCAaDwXNx8gDqyQN91o5cQ8eSTNdequGHfQ0g6HWFS8OTJKj_3Dgetukcgsu_JE-g5gyuMyvn0WD7Iqg60bBN6QQpU9morLnhyphenhyphenS2FqHibyehZymUgqPcmNVz_pdhEWqz30/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dresser for office storage" width="500" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The best part – I spent $7 on a new brush and that’s all this redo cost me. WHOOT! I had the primer and paint so that’s always a bonus. I haven’t distressed it at all yet – I’ve said before that distressing stresses me. :) After all that work I hate to mess it up on purpose. So I’ll probably just let that happen on it’s own. And soon I’ll put a couple coats of satin poly on the top to protect it against scuff marks.</p> <p>I am still laughing about that hardware too – I can’t believe how much I love it against the darker color. I think this may be my favorite painted piece ever and it’s the handles that put it over the top for me. Have you painted furniture? Do you have a go-to color?</p> <p>I’ll be back on Wednesday with the whole space! I’m going to work hard over the next two days to get all the smaller details finished up.</p>

Black and brass

Welcome to a new week my friends! Hope you had a lovely weekend! Yesterday I finished up the last DIY project for the family room – I thi...

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