My first bench!

Wrapping up January's "Favorite Projects". 

 

 I am ready to wrap up January too and move into spring!  I am excited for some new projects coming up!  :)

 

But first here is one of my very first projects......

 

 When I saw this bench at the flea market I knew it was perfect! I had set out to find a bench for our hallway off our mudroom.  We needed a place to sit to put on our shoes!  I got this bench for $18.00.  I acutally kind of like that funky fabric!

 

   I wanted this bench white.  I was on quite the white kick for awhile.  I had not yet discovered Annie Sloan so I spray painted the bench white.  (after removing the cushions)  I then sanded the edges to rough it up. 

 

 I used painters drop cloth for the fabric.  Cheap cheap cheap!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I added some nail heads to the back.  Easy!!

 

 

 

You can read about the entire project here:

 

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5262909746498862430#editor/target=post;postID=3676572396215870541

 

  

 

 

 

Here it is!  Perfect for that spot!  BUT it has been awhile and I am getting alittle bored with that bench. Plus it gets alot of use so all white was probably not the best choice of colors!  I have some new ideas of how to spice it up!  Stay tuned!  :)


 

My most favorite project this year!

Re decorating Bryce's bedroom had to be hands down my most favorite project this year!!  We had soooo much fun!!   

When I started going to flea markets and began to slowly re purpose furniture and change our home around Bryce was not a fan.  She did not like the idea of used things and could not understand why I was bringing that stuff in here!  (or painting everything white for that matter!)

Over time she started like the vintagey feel of things.  It was her idea to re do her room with all things from a flea market!  I was in heaven!!!! :)

                      



Bryce and I knew right from the beginning we wanted a barn door type head board for her bed.  We found EXACTLY what we were looking for at the Kane County Flea Market.  This barn door was the perfect color and it was sealed so we did not have to worry about old paint chipping!  And it was $50.00!!!  Love it!!

We decided to go with a soft gray on her walls.  This is a great neutral gray.  It is Benjamin Moore Coventry Gray. 

 

 

 

 

 

This little nightstand was part of a bedroom set TJ and I had years and years ago!  It was a honey pine color and had flowers painted on it!  We had donated all but this night stand. I painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Aubusson Blue and changed out the hardware with some chunky glass hardware.  I love this piece!

We found this old window at an antique store in Wisconsin.  It is the perfect place for Bryce to put up her favorite pics!

 

This wall is so fun!  Bryce wanted to hang a rope to display her special things.  We got clothes pins and she can add or take away whatever she wants. 

 

 

The LOVE, DREAM, FAITH, PEACE board was a surprise I made her while she was at camp.  I found the old door in the trash at a flea market.  I clean it up and painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and Provence.  Then I stenciled on the words in black paint.

 

 

The dresser was also from a flea market.  It is great condition and has wheels. Love that!  We painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Ochre.

 

This little sunburst mirror was on a stand.  I had TJ take it off the stand and added a hook so I could hang it.  I love the splash of gold on the gray wall! I also love a true old sunburst mirror!

 

 

The little bench under the window was an old piano bench we had in the basement.  I painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and roughed it up.  I stapled some painters cloth to the old worn leather top.  Perfect!

 

 

 

I love this little corner.  The mirror Bryce already had, we just spray painted it yellow.  The white table was in the basement not being used.  It is perfect for her makeup!  The vintage mirrors and frames on the wall are some of the first things I purchased at a flea market. 

To read more about this project you can click on the link below:

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5262909746498862430#editor/target=post;postID=1282129980523037797

This room was so fun to do.  It was very inexpensive since we re used many things we already had.  It feels so good to put old things to good use!   The rest we found at flea markets!  That of course was the BEST part! 

More favorite projects!

 

This project is by far one of my favorites! 

 

I found this old door in the trash at a flea market.  So that means it was FREE!!!!

 

It was pretty dirty and needed some work but I had a vision for it!

 

 

 

 

 

I saw this door at a flea market over the summer.  They were asking $250.00!  I thought it was cool, but $250.00???

 

I knew I could do this myself for much less!

First thing I did was clean my door really well!  (and then cleaned it again!!) You can read about the entire project here:

 

http://myeverchanginghome.blogspot.com/2012/09/mirror-from-old-door.html

 

 

 

 

 



 

After the door was clean and the old window film was peeled and scraped off it was ready to be painted.  I decided to go with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Provence. 

 

 

Provence
Blue green shutters in the South of France are the inspiration for this colour. Set against walls of any of the whites. Provence needs light and bright fabrics with a Mediterranean and seaside feel. Other paint colours that work with Provence also need to have the same freshness and strength. Of course a cupboard painted Provence looks great against a wall of Old White.

 

 



 

After the paint dried I applied both Annie Sloan clear and dark wax. 

 

After a failed attempt of attaching a mirror to the front of the glass I decided to go with Krylon Looking Glass Spray.  I love this stuff!!

 

 

 

 

 

I put the door outside and spray several thin coats.  Letting each coat dry in between.  

Here is the finished mirror!  It fits perfect on that little wall!  It is so much fun to make things out of old finds!  Especially ones that you find in the trash!  :) 

 

 



Insanity!!!

 

I just checked the temperature and it is 9!  brrrrrrr. Think I need to wait a bit before I go out running!  This got me thinking about new years resolutions.  Do you have any? 

 

I have a few things that come to mind.

 

First off I have to explain I am just coming off Insanity.  Insanity is the hardest work out video I have ever tried.  It is a super intense  60 day, 6 times a week program.  It was good timing since it is cold outside, I could work out inside.  (I usually run)  TJ got amazing results with this video so I decided to try it.  The first two weeks I would collapse in a pool of sweat on the floor when I was done, NO LIE!  And my entire body hurt daily! 

 

 

The secret to these mind-blowing INSANITY workout results: MAX Interval Training.

Shaun T took traditional interval training and flipped it on its head—you perform long bursts of maximum-intensity exercises with short periods of rest. Each INSANITY workout keeps you constantly challenged as you alternate between aerobic and anaerobic intervals performed at your MAX. The result: burn up to 1,000 calories in an hour and get the most insane body in 60 days.

 

Sounds fun hey???? I definitely had a love hate relationship with Shaun T!

 

I worked my way up and by the end could do almost everything and had much more energy and strength.  My results however were not as amazing as TJ's!  I did lose some weight and I definitely got some upper body muscles I never knew I had!  I can do a mean push up now too!  :) 

 

I am glad I did this video, but it sure made me miss running! 

  So one of my goals is to mix in some Insanity with my running.  I think I will appreciate my running that much more!

 

So that is my first resolution.  Kind of boring, but it works for me!

 

 

Declutter!

 

 

 I have been working on this the past few months and need to continue.  We have soooooo much stuff.  I have made more trips to Goodwill than I can count.  That feels good!  I do not want all the excess, just what we need! 

 

This will also help in being more organized.  Another goal I have.  I am very organized in my real estate business, but it kind of stops there!  I want to organize everything!!!!  Maybe my kids will jump on this too!!!  You should see their rooms!  :)

 

 

Create!

 

My favorite thing to do is bring new life to an old piece.  I love this!   I can not keep it all if I plan to declutter though!  :)  So watch for some great things for sale soon!

 

 

Family.

 

This one is pretty easy.  Spend as much time with my family as possible.  Ok, not so easy with teenagers.  The years have gone by way to fast!  With an 18 year old applying to colleges and one who will be 16 in 26 days (who is counting???)  I have to say time goes flying by.  I just want to savor any little moment I can with these two.  TJ & I are very lucky because I think the kids like to be with us too at times.  That is a big bonus!  :) 

 

 This also goes to extended family that we do not see often enough!

 

God.

 

To continue to make God part of my everyday life.  To live my life according to His will.  To think before I speak and do, this is huge!

 

 

So not much for decorating today.  I was planning to post about a favorite project, but looking out at the cold made me think of not wanting to run outside, which made me think of my Insanity video, which made me think of New Years Resolutions!!  :)

 

OK, time to get out there and RUN!!!!

 

Do you have any New Years Resolutions??? I would love to hear them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Some of my favorite project of 2012

 

Happy New Year!!! 

 

I hope everyone had a happy and safe new years!  TJ & I had a quiet and very relaxing one.  Our kids were out and about which made me worry of course, but aside from that it was wonderfully relaxing!  We made a good dinner, had a fire, played games, watched movies, perfect.  

 

 

I thought it would be fun to look back at some of my favorite projects from 2012 during the month of January. 

 

As I started to go through my past projects I realized a few things.....

 

1. I love doing projects! 

2.  I can not wait until flea market season is back!

3.  I have so many new ideas!

4.  I miss the warm weather!!  :) 

 

This first project is by far one of my most challenging and I have to say the least enjoyable.  The end results though made it so worth it!  I love that I was able to take something that was once a very special table to us, and make it special again! 

 

You can read about it here:

 

 http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5262909746498862430#editor/target=post;postID=168340909412726963

 

And here: 

 

 

 http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5262909746498862430#editor/target=post;postID=8947369287926576484

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Everyday when I see this table I smile.  I am so glad I decided to re-finish it instead of sell it.  It is going to be with us a very long time!  :)