play that funky music

alternate title:  it's electric!

So, this project was a bit off the grid for me, so to speak.  You'll see in a minute what I mean, but the end result is FUN!

First things first, though.  This little blog is quickly approaching 200 followers (179 at last count) which makes me just giddy with excitement.  I'd like to do something to celebrate and to say a huge 'thanks' to those of you who are supporting me in each step of this journey.

If you'll remember, when we hit 100 followers, I gave away a huge custom magnetic board (yay!!).  That was a big hit.  What do you want to see for a giveaway next?  I need some feedback, folks :)  I was thinking a giftcard, perhaps a visa card, but that isn't very original.  What do you think?!  And just like last time, all you need to do to win is be a follower (for those of you not familiar with this, all you need is an email address & a password to do this).

Black & Decker has asked me to sign onto their new "projects & advice" section of their website, which looks really cool & fun.  Check out my new badge on the upper right sidebar on the blog.  Perhaps they would want to give away some fun tools?!?  Let me know what you think.

Onward...

This table was yet another find of my neighbor/scouter.  She's fabulous, have I said that lately?!  When she brought it over, I was mid-priming session on several other pieces so unfortunately, the only 'before' I have of this piece is actually an 'in progress'.

Here's a sneak peek

And before...

This, as I said, is more of a 'during'.  It is mid-priming here.  The whole piece was only about $5, mainly because it only came with two out of three panels of glass for those cut-outs you see.

So I painted it a nice neutral color...

Or not.

In my quest to use up all of the random paint in our basement, I went with this.  It is a Rustoleum spray paint, meant for striping projects, I believe.  It is almost neon.  Blinding.

I started over it with RL Tobacco glaze.

I let that dry completely, then sanded all over and applied some Minwax Dark Walnut stain with a rag.

Now it's starting to get the look I was going for.

The dilemma ~ what to do with those openings?  My initial thought was to cover these panels that Doug cut for me with textured, paintable wallpaper.

HUGE fail.  Soppy, wet, drippy fail.

So next I went with this- it is plastic, meant to mimic vintage ceiling tiles.  I got it in the kitchen design department at HD where you can buy it by the sheet.  I think it is intended to be used as a backsplash.  It is great- you can cut it with plain old scissors.

I got out my gorilla glue and found some heavy stuff to sit on the panels overnight while they dried.

Ta-Da!

Those of you who know me are aware that 'funky' is probably the last word anyone would ever use to describe me, so this funky table was especially fun.  Our photographer & dear friend once referred to me in a blog post as "hip" (I was cutting my hair for locks of love, and let the boys cut it themselves) and my family laughed about that for weeks... the thought of me being "hip" was hilarious to them.  Still is.

I also just finished this dresser that was a Goodwill find.  I am STILL searching for the owner of the Bible that I found inside it.  It is embossed & has all sorts of family information handwritten inside.  I am determined to find this person, or at least his family!

It was in rough shape.

The finish was so worn that I didn't have to strip it at all- I just sanded.  Then I went with, you guessed it, dark walnut stain.

These pictures are so awful, I can't believe I am even putting them up.  Terrible quality, awkward angle, you name it, they are bad.  But it is also late & I'm tired!

Sorry for the awful pictures :)  My Nikon battery died on me, so I used my 'cheap' camera.

So, become a follower if you aren't already, and let me know what you'd like to see in a giveaway!!

thanks for coming by!
kathie

Linking to...
 Check out Cassie's new button :)
Strut you Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple
The life of Lou Lou's A Little Distressed

the other half

So the dresser is now reunited (visually, at least!) with it's companion piece, the chest!

Don't they look great together?

Just to take you back, here is the 'before'

Aren't these drawers fabulous?  This is what you find when you open the two top doors ~ three concealed drawers!

In other news, I have gotten a(nother) new set of dining rooms chairs!  Here's to this set staying put here in our home :)  The others keep selling!  I found these on craigslist and my dad was kind enough to drive to Buford with me to get them (about 40 minutes from my house).  They are wonderful, sturdy & I even like the finish on them enough to keep it (at least for now).  I will be changing out the seat covers, but haven't had time yet.

All 6, one with arms, for $100.  Can you beat that?!  Especially considering they are in perfect condition.

Happiness!!

Have a great night, everyone!
kathie

Linking to:
Domestically Speaking's Power of Paint Party
Primitive & Proper's Piece of Work Wednesday

Aegean Blue Dresser

Wow, it's been a while since I've been here!  We had a great weekend- the weather here in Atlanta was gorgeous.  Unbeatable.  Lovely, perfect, I could go on & on.  We were all on a fresh-air-high!

I finished this over the weekend...

I love it!  The color is Aegean Blue by Martha Stewart.  As an aside, I painted the entire piece (two coats) with one tester bottle :)  I think it was $2.50 or something like that.  She started like this...

The curves on the front & on the drawers were just too fun to leave alone, so I distressed them pretty heavily and added some antiquing glaze by Valspar.  Then I covered the whole piece in polyacrylic.

I loved the original hardware, so I gave it a very light coat of ORB and then blotted it off.  So they are darker than before, but not in a huge way.

I also finished another project this weekend, a horse head towel rack for my boy's bathroom.  It started with one of these.

Then my dad cut pieces of beadboard to put behind the openings.

We put them in & then glued them with Gorilla Glue.  I accidentally left the clamps on for a few days, so I am sure it is good & glued :)

Painted in Heirloom White.

Added horsehead hooks that I found at My Favorite Place, and distressed the frame.

I haven't put it up yet, as I am waiting for some help--- it is a bit heavy, and with towels hanging on it, it's only going to get heavier!  So we need some studs (literal & figurative) to help with that.

Last but not least, I wanted to share with you what my 6 year old brought home from the school library last week.  He's been reading it for a few days now...

Hmmmmm....

Last time I checked, we have a fat calico cat.  Adding a gerbil to the mix, I am afraid, would only make her much, much fatter.

Thanks for visiting!

Oh, and one other thing ~ I've had several people ask me (from all over, via blogland) how I sell my pieces that are for sale.  I've had a lot of luck with Craigslist & also with my blog.  If you sell pieces, will you share with us how you sell them?  People are looking for help!  Thanks!

Kathie

Linking to:
Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday
Strut you Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple
Primitive & Proper's Piece of Work Wednesday
Domestically Speaking's Power of Paint Party
Sassy Sites Trash to Treasure Tuesday
Stories of a House, Project Diaries (my first time there!)
DIY Project Parade
Keeping It Simple's Motivate Me Mondays
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Mondays
Le Chateau des fleurs by Frenchy
Frou-FruGal's Blog Hop
French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday