Last week I found a beveled glass mirror at the local thrift store for $8.  It was the perfect size for my daughter’s bedroom.  The only problem was that it was oak.  All it took to transform it was just some sanding, a bit of primer, and some white spray paint. 

Here’s the Before and After:

There are two schools of thought on painting oak. 

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s not the house, nor the things within

It’s not the career, or staying thin

It’s not a vacation taken abroad

Nor time spent online with my favorite blog

What matters most is a girl and a boy

A most precious gift, and my pride and joy

What matters most is their beautiful face

And raising them right, with patience and grace

Happy Mother’s Day

.

I was working on just a few more little projects today before I photograph my kitchen for the big reveal.  I had to change the tone of the wood frame for some artwork above the pantry, and my inexpensive corkboard where I keep a rotating photo gallery.  I also wanted to add a little artwork to a plain white pitcher I purchased at Target to coordinate with some other decorative items.  

Change Your (Wood) Tone with Craft Paint:

Did you know that semi opaque $2 acrylic craft paint acts just like stain on raw natural wood?  True.  I have never shied away from using wood stain (see this project and this project), but rather than get the stinky walnut tone Minwax stain out of my garage, I opted for simple craft paint. 

Read the rest of this entry »

For those of you who read my musings, you all know I have a deep and profound crush on spray paint.  I fondly refer to it as my BFF. 

I also have an addiction to the garden department at my local Lowes.  It’s about 5,000 square feet of botanical beauty.  Restraining myself, I picked up only two miniature rose trees to add some greenery to my garden kitchen window.  Then I was on my way to look at planters when it dawned on me: perhaps I don’t need a new cachepot if a little spray paint can satisfy.  Holding my breath and crossing my fingers, I dipped my toe into the shallow end of a line of spray paint I have never used before:  paint designed for plastic.  And it worked.

I turned a standard terra cotta colored plastic pot into a ceramic look planter, all with a little spray paint.  And now you can too. 

Before and After: 

My friends, I cannot begin to tell you how delighted I was with this product. 

Read the rest of this entry »

Two days ago, I was discussing nightstands with my cousin Jeannie in Tucson and telling her how much I want to replace mine with one of these Terrific Trios from Ballard Designs.

Then I saw one on Craigslist this past weekend and quickly snapped it up for $25. 

Read the rest of this entry »