Can you say Pepto-pink?

Posted on March 8, 2013 by jdishner

My sister and her husband are currently redecorating their preteen daughter’s bedroom. For the past few years she has shied away from the pinks that she so loved as a little girl. But the bedding that she chose for her new room has new shades of pinks along with orange and blue to give it a bit more sophistication.

Her desk was a craigslist find that my sister had previously painted green and bought traditional glass handles. She now wanted it pink to match her new bedding so Aunt Jodi gets a call for help.

Small writing desk that my niece wanted Pink!

Desk after 2 coats of pink paint

Pink it is! It took 3 coats of paint to cover up the green but I needed to add some interest. Gold Leaf! I’d always wanted to try it and this was a perfect way to start. After all, if it turned out crappy I wouldn’t be the one having to look at it everyday.

Gold leaf detailing and new gold-tone pulls

It was very easy but it took some time to get the hang of it. And I’m still sweeping up little flakes of gold off my floor…that stuff is like glitter. The great gold handles are Allen + Roth handles found at Lowe’s.

After: Pepto-pink and gold leaf details

It’s a bit garish but when I look back to my style at her age I think that’d be right up my alley. She and her folks are thrilled so it’s all good.

TV Console/Dresser Project

Posted on February 12, 2013 by jdishner

I’ve been shopping for a TV console for, oh years I guess. I just hadn’t found any new furniture that was interesting AND affordable. If I had an extra $3,000 I’d have no problem. Plus, I’m always anxious for another painting project. Check out my refurbished dresser/entryway project from last year.

I cruise the usual websites like ebay and craigslist to see if anything sparks my interest. Not too long ago a credenza caught my eye. It had a 60′s/70′s feel but was simple enough not to overwhelm my space…PROJECT!! $220 and a 30 minute trip to nearby Garner, NC is all it took.

In order to retrofit it for my cable box I had to remove the top drawer and drill a 3-inch hole in back for the cables. To reinforce the space left empty by the drawer I created a “template” out of newspaper and took it to Home Depot to have a piece of luan cut to fit that space then glued it down. I could’ve tacked it as well but I didn’t think it was necessary.

Luan Shelf to support cable box

I could’ve easily replaced the hardware with something else but I was really happy with how the brass handles polished up with some Brasso and steel wool.

Brass Handles Before and After

I was already inspired from a project I saw on Apartment Therapy. So I knew I wanted a high gloss finish in a bright color (teal). Then I decided, to make it more interesting I would paint the interior cabinets a contrasting color (emerald green).

After two coats of FLAT paint

For tips on how to paint a glossy finish on furniture I would suggest this post from Honey & Fitz. I found it very informative. However she suggests a 400-grit sandpaper for in between coats but I felt a 320-grit was adequate.

I took my time letting it dry thoroughly and sanding between each coat; 3 coats (flat) paint, 2 coats poly, 2-3 coats crystal clear spray.

The finish isn’t perfect but I think with other projects I’ll improve. What I really like about it is the deep color really comes out in the evening but the glossy finish brightens up my dark living room during the day.

Guest Bathroom Update

Posted on June 5, 2012 by jdishner

Guest Bath originally

With a teeny-tiny budget my guest bathroom is mostly done except for artwork, shelving and finishing touches. It gets no light at all so I wanted it to be bright & fresh.

The 20-year-old bone-colored vanity was replaced with a cleaner white one (the cheapest I could find, $98). I replaced the curtain, painted horizontal stripes to “mod” it up and changed out all the old outlets & switches to white ones.

In progress

The stripes were pretty easy to do with a long level and the green Frog Tape that prevents bleeding. It worked really well and I’m pretty happy with the results. I repainted the vanity with leftover teal paint from another project.

Shower curtain from World Market

The sink fixture was a hand-me-down from my sister’s bathroom redo and I think it looks great with everything else.

Guest bath after

I think in all I spent about $175 but I’m still “futzing”!

TV Table Project

Posted on May 18, 2012 by jdishner

Shopping for a TV stand that I like is near impossible. I don’t want a “TV stand”, I want a piece of furniture that my TV happens to sit on. So, I think a good option is to refinish a low, long dresser or console. I’ve been scanning the local flea markets and secondhand furniture stores because I think that’s where the most interesting pieces are.

One contender, found at Furniture Follies in Chapel Hill, looks very promising but it’s HUGE! I’ve got to go back and take some measurements to see if it’ll fit. I wanted something super long so the TV only takes up one side of it and then I can dress up the other end with books, vases…stuff.

Then I’ll need to decide; keep the finish & clean it up or go color-wild on it!

Field Trip: SOUTH in Chapel Hill

Posted on May 18, 2012 by jdishner

A beautiful new store just opened in Meadowmont Village not too far from downtown Chapel Hill. It’s called “South Unlimited” located at 107 Meadowmont Village Circle.

Perfectly Loaded Table!

What a lovely space! Pretty pricey but I really enjoyed wandering around and getting ideas for dinner place settings, bedding and color combinations. Love, love the fabric on that wingback chair.

Navy Blue, Khaki and White Bedding

They also had a selection of super cute dog beds, collars and dog food containers.

Bella needs a new bed!

Living Room Painted (finally)

Posted on March 23, 2012 by jdishner

After living in my townhome for three and a half years I’ve finally chosen a color. Whew! I think I was paralyzed with fear of committing to a color. This is the longest I’ve ever waited to paint a room and those who know me probably know what a challenge this was.

Dining/Living Room Before Painting

Before Painting

Because it’s such an open room including my entryway, dining room and living room I wanted to find something that was neutral but rich enough to encompass the room. I chose “Mega Greige” from Sherwin Williams in a flat finish. I’m really happy with the results although I feel that if I bring anything else into the space it will need to be a bold graphic print or lighter colors…something to contrast with the darker walls.

Mantle After

After Painting, Wallpaper and Dresser Project

After

This all began with my dresser project for my entryway. Once that was finished and in place the walls just looked too dingy…and it was all downhill from there. But in a good way!

Entryway Dresser After

Nothing’s ever truly done (I hope). Since I really enjoyed repainting the dresser I think my next project will be a long, low piece of furniture for my TV to go on.

Entryway Dresser Project

Posted on March 7, 2012 by jdishner

Secondhand dresser Before

My entryway (if you can call it that) is mostly non-existent. You walk directly into the dining area with no direction of where to drop off your stuff. I have a coat closet at least but no easy place to set my keys or store hats & gloves. An entryway console wasn’t enough storage for me so I decided to get a dresser to refinish. It may be a little tall but the benefits of the added storage was worth it, I thought.

The dresser I found at Bob’s Bargain Barn, a secondhand furniture store located near the State Fairgrounds. For all it’s mustiness I really liked the shape and it had some deco detailing at the base which was neat.

With my trusty palm sander I went to work. First, I sanded the old finish with a 220 grit sandpaper and wiped it down with a damp rag. Primed with Kilz and decided on a dark charcoal grey paint from Benjamin Moore. I knew I wanted a high gloss finish so that’s the paint finish I choose…little did I realize my mistake! It wasn’t until paint coat #2 that I started reading different blogs about painting furniture. Dina from Honey & Fitz says that in order to get the proper adhesion you should use a FLAT paint and a glossy top coat. Well crap…

After about 4 thin coats of paint

Just before starting the polycrylic top coat

I trudged onward anyway with 2 more thin coats of my stupid paint **sanding lightly between coats**. I learned that for a top coat not to use an oil-based polyurethene because it tends to turn amber with age. So I chose a water-based polycrylic and rolled on 2 thin coats (again, sanding between). Then, following Dina’s instructions I chose Rustoleum’s Crystal Clear Gloss Spray on top of that. I went for multiple thin coats of this spray paint to reduce drips & glopping. With about 4 thin coats I went through almost 4 cans of this stuff but it definitely gave me the finish I wanted.

Knobs found at Anthropologie $8

The finish isn’t as “lacquer-y” as I’d like but it was really dinged up to begin with. If I chose to do this again then I’d be a little more meticulous in my sanding. But I’m real excited with how it turned out. The knobs I found at Anthropologie and I think they enhance the “deco” look and contrast nicely with the color.

Final pics with props coming soon!

I Want This: Marble Footed Bowl

Posted on February 22, 2012 by jdishner

From Williams Sonoma

I was watching one of my new favorited shows “New Girl” and noticed on the kitchen table they have one of these marble footed bowls. I love the look of it, especially in a very casual mix of other things. On a kitchen table that doubles as a workspace. Or more traditional like in a bathroom for soaps or towels.

This one pictured is from Williams Sonoma and is not cheap at about $250. But I’ll bet I could search around the flea markets and find something similar even if it’s made of some other stone. This’ll be a good challenge.

I’ve always loved the look and feel of marble and if I can’t have the expensive carrera countertops in my bathroom I’ll settle for a splash here & there.

Counter Stools Update (before and after)

Posted on July 25, 2011 by jdishner

Found on Overstock.com

I found these great metal stools on Overstock.com. They were way less expensive than others that I’ve seen online. Great simple lines and pretty sturdy to use in place of a step stool too!

My sister liked mine so much she got some of her own but wanted a specific color. I had mentioned that I’d heard of local auto-body shops painting metal furniture and she called around.

Some places responded “we don’t do that”, but she found one place that said yes and charged her $60 per stool. So for a total of approximately $100 she got a great, punchy custom stool for her kitchen. Great idea!

Metal Stool AFTER

Finding New Life for Old Furniture

Posted on May 10, 2011 by jdishner

In my kitchen I’ve got a small bay window with room for a table and chairs. The pedestal table there is my very first dining table I got years ago from Meijer (for those of you from the north). And the chairs were very cheap chairs that I glued back together time and time again.

When I finally threw out the crappy chairs I needed something to sit on and looked to my back porch. My old patio set had been in storage but when I stuck the chairs in my kitchen I loved the way they looked!

Kitchen with patio chairs & my new valances I sewed!

When you’re putting a room together don’t forget to look everywhere else in your house/garage/attic for items to repurpose…

Dish on Design

A Guide to Style on a Budget