DecoArt Blogger Outreach - Freshen That Bathroom!

Hello, Crafty Peeples!
Thank goodness my project request was approved by the
DecoArt Blogger Outreach Program 
YaY!   
My guest bathroom has been varying shades of pink for the past twenty-six years.  Pink and blue, pink and green, pink and beige.  I really wanted to change things up without waiting for The Hubster to steam off the wallpaper (you know how husbands are when it comes to their "Honey Do" lists.) 

In The Beginning was the Wood!

This is the vanity after I scrubbed all the wood with Murphy's Wood Soap.  

I started dumping drawers then I remembered I needed a BEFORE picture.

 Thoroughly cleaning your wood is not necessary but was important to me.  I was surprised at the amount of furniture polish that accumulated in three months since the last time I stripped the wood. 

In The End was the Americana Decor® Chalky Finish Vanity

I love my new vanity.  To achieve this color:

 Mix One Part Americana® Decor™Chalky Finish "Yesteryear "

One part Americana® Decor™ Chalky Finish "Relic."

CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER FABULOUS COLORS AND COMBINATIONS

HOW I REFRESHED THE VANITY: 

Remove doors and drawers from vanity.

1. Thoroughly clean your vanity of dust, dirt, wax, etc.  Clean wood requires less paint.
2. Apply painter's tape to surfaces you want to protect.   
3. To achieve this color: Mix One Part Americana® Decor™Chalky Finish "Yesteryear " and One Part "Relic."  Mix paint in small batches.  I used syringes to mix my paint and added an extender to prevent the paint from drying too quickly.  The color will be consistent. 
4. Apply paint. Usually, only one coat of paint is needed.  I applied two and allowed 30 minutes drying time between coats.  After applying final coat, I allowed my vanity dry for 2 days but I am a little OCD!)
5. Apply Decor™Creme Wax (clear.) I allowed the wax to dry tacky to the touch then buffed and repeated.  (Just remember, I am OCD.)***

 10mL syringes I used to mix my paint.  I was able to reduce waste by mixing small batches.

THE MODESTY WALL

I painted the counter of the modesty wall to match the vanity and trimmed it with Decor® "Carbon."

I allowed all of these surfaces to cure for a week.  Lots of wet stuff gets deposited here.

VANITY HARDWARE

Cabinet hardware is expensive.  Reusing is a much better idea.  Chalk paints provide great coverage and, if properly sealed and cured, will last for years or until your next "refreshing' project!

ACCESSORIES

The toothbrush holder and soap dish were originally pink.  The ring holder was pink and white with little flowers.  The soap dispenser is Ms. Meyer's®.  I forgot to take pictures before I started painting.  The decoupaged design is a napkin!

THE LIGHT FIXTURE

 I painted over the old metal fixture, put in some new LED bulbs and I was done! What a difference!

Thanks to Americana Decor® Chalky Finishes my bathroom has gone from this:

TO THIS:

The new smaller commode helped the transformation.  These cool colors help the room appear larger and the white just feels "clean."

The window shade is white not blue.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

My next planned project for the Blogger Outreach Program is to transform my dressing closet into a craft storage/mini workroom!  I have to estimate how much paint is needed and then decide if it is feasible.  I encourage you to look around your home and find a DIY project.  Start small and work your way up.  Chalk paints are great and easy to use which is perfect for novice DIYers like me!

HUGZ!

CHANA MALKAH!

*** For those who are not OCD!

(excerpt from DecoArt® web page)

AMERICANA DECOR® CHALKY FINISH

Quickly and easily refurbish flea market finds with Americana Decor® Chalky Finish paint. This ultra-matte chalk paint requires no priming or sanding before using. No special skills required to achieve looks from shabby chic to bohemian modern. Customize with waxes or varnishes to finish and protect the paint surface. Unlike Annie Sloan branded waxes, Americana Decor wax does not need to be reapplied to upkeep the protective finish.

Intro to Chalky Finish

see all Americana Decor® Chalky Finish videos

• Ultra-matte, chalky finish
• Available in 29 vintage, intermixable colors
• No priming or prep needed
• Adheres to even the slickest surfaces
• Easier to distress than other acrylic paints
• One-coat coverage with most colors on most surfaces
• Durable due to unique cross-linking feature of paint resin system
• Water-based for easy clean-up
• Made in the USA

A Place To Start - Upcycled Banana Stand

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

Sharing a project I created for my Crafter's Info Blog

" A Place To Start."

Last week, I decided that I am going to up-cycle everything that is connected to my disease and its treatment.  Because my Potassium levels tend to dip to unacceptable levels, I eat a lot of bananas.  It was while reaching for one of those bananas for my smoothie, it occurred to me that everything I touch that relates to my illness is so very drab.  I decided to change that.  This banana stand is the first item to be dressed up.  In a day or two, I shall have another.

This week's challenge is:  Upcycle a common household item.

We all have things around the house that could use a little Spring sprucing up.  I have decided to spruce up anything that is remotely connected to my illness.

I eat a lot of Bananas because I NEVER want to have to take potassium again.  NASTY!

THIS IS MY UPCYCLED BANANA STAND

Supplies:

Banana Stand

Napkins

Chalk or Acrylic Paint

Decoupage Glue

Matte Varnish

Bananas

Disassemble and Wash thoroughly with warm soapy water.

 I allowed mine to air dry for a day before I started painting.

No one has entered a project in the challenge in the last couple of challenges, so I am not setting up a link.  If you decide to upscale one of your household items and want to share it with me, you can enter it here - Never Ending Challenge

Have A Fabulous Week!

Hugz,

Chana

A D-I-Y Project by The Hubster

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

I frequently refer to "The Hubster" in my postings, mainly because he is my best cheerleader, head enabler and facilitator, and the LOVE of My Life!  I love handmade furniture, and so. it goes without saying that most of my furniture is "antique."  Probably not by the standards of antique dealers, but definitely by the amount of years that have passed since I purchased it.

One of my favorite pieces is our dining room set!   It is completely "pegged," and the only nails are the Flat Head Upholstery Tacks that were used to attach the leather backs and seats to the wood.  We were living in community for about five years and really only visited our main home a couple times a month.  Needless to say the leather began to crack, even though the chairs were covered.  I researched having the chairs re-upholstered but the cost of the leather was ridiculous.  I finally found faux leather fabric on Amazon that was as close a match as we were going to get and The Hubster repaired the two chairs that were in dire need of help.   I am so glad to be rid of the chair covers.  I love my wood and leather and pleather! :D)

HE DID IT! Go Hubster!

These two chairs have the original leather backs!  I took these right after Chanukah, so my Chanukiah and my Shabbos candle holders are still on the table!

I forgot to take a picture before he put the back on! Caught him as he was ripping the seat!

The Hubster even found "cheap" foam padding at Big Lots!  YAY!

VOILA!

The Hubster has another project in the hopper.  I will share it when he is done!

Hugz,

CHANA

and

THE HUBSTER