Repotted house plants with river rocks
The indestructible Ponytail Palm
1. Just Add Plant!
Let's face it, some projects are just easier than others.
A stool versus an armoire for example.
And some techniques are just faster than others.
Although there is a time for layering, distressing and experimenting with paint,
sometimes it's just good for the soul to get something done,
start to finish...and bask in the success!
I don't get much time to paint for myself, so when I can,
I squeeze in a project here and there that I can complete
quickly and easily, but with the hope of maximum impact!
Here are five such fabulous projects
to inspire the DIY Weekend Warrior in you:
A stool versus an armoire for example.
And some techniques are just faster than others.
Although there is a time for layering, distressing and experimenting with paint,
sometimes it's just good for the soul to get something done,
start to finish...and bask in the success!
I don't get much time to paint for myself, so when I can,
I squeeze in a project here and there that I can complete
quickly and easily, but with the hope of maximum impact!
Here are five such fabulous projects
to inspire the DIY Weekend Warrior in you:
It's fairly easy to find a random disused garden pot
lurking about the shed, yard or garage, right?
It's not just me who keeps random, old stuff that most people dump, right?
You can always pick one up for $1-$2 at Salvos.
On a whim I gave some river rocks a quick coat of
Lumiere Metallic Paint in True Gold and I'm so glad I did!
What a fantastic result and an unexpected addition...
lurking about the shed, yard or garage, right?
It's not just me who keeps random, old stuff that most people dump, right?
You can always pick one up for $1-$2 at Salvos.
On a whim I gave some river rocks a quick coat of
Lumiere Metallic Paint in True Gold and I'm so glad I did!
What a fantastic result and an unexpected addition...
We've all heard about the benefits of having indoor plants.
Bonus? They're back in fashion in interior styling so you
no longer look like the crazy-jungle-treehugger
if you have them scattered about your home.
This is a ponytail palm (Beaucarnea Guatamalensis) and
the label promises me I can't kill it.
It was $26.99 at the local hardware but
I've seen them at Ikea for a lot less.
Bonus? They're back in fashion in interior styling so you
no longer look like the crazy-jungle-treehugger
if you have them scattered about your home.
This is a ponytail palm (Beaucarnea Guatamalensis) and
the label promises me I can't kill it.
It was $26.99 at the local hardware but
I've seen them at Ikea for a lot less.
Who doesn't need gold rocks in their life?
Bringing life to a workspace with a plant and some painted metallic rocks
It's very likely everyone has a chair either in use or in storage that can use a new life.
If not, a quick trip to the local second hand store will solve that problem.
There are still gems to be discovered out there!
I found this in an Adelaide junk shop, forgotten in a corner.
A perfect vintage solid oak swivel office chair....a wheel-less dream come true!
I have been looking for one to fix up for years.
If not, a quick trip to the local second hand store will solve that problem.
There are still gems to be discovered out there!
I found this in an Adelaide junk shop, forgotten in a corner.
A perfect vintage solid oak swivel office chair....a wheel-less dream come true!
I have been looking for one to fix up for years.
My vintage office chair discovery in its wheel-less BEFORE state
2. Take a Seat...
I painted the dirty terracotta pot
(complete with leftover bits of potting soil and a few spider legs!!!)
with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Typewriter
before adding an Art Deco stencil in Lumiere's True Gold.
Is it my best work? Nope. But was it done in about 3 minutes
and did I have fun? Yup!
And it turned an ordinary houseplant into a statement accessory
for my office bringing life and a bit-o-bling to my workspace.
(complete with leftover bits of potting soil and a few spider legs!!!)
with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Typewriter
before adding an Art Deco stencil in Lumiere's True Gold.
Is it my best work? Nope. But was it done in about 3 minutes
and did I have fun? Yup!
And it turned an ordinary houseplant into a statement accessory
for my office bringing life and a bit-o-bling to my workspace.
Once dry, MMS Hemp Oil was randomly applied before
being roughly painted with Autentico Chalk Paint in Bright Green.
Next up, a coat of Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Wax followed by Antiquing Wax.
The hardest part was waiting for the timber wheels to show up from overseas,
especially when in my excitement I ordered 4 wheels — for 5 legs.
(Arrrrgggghhhhhhhh!!!)
being roughly painted with Autentico Chalk Paint in Bright Green.
Next up, a coat of Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Wax followed by Antiquing Wax.
The hardest part was waiting for the timber wheels to show up from overseas,
especially when in my excitement I ordered 4 wheels — for 5 legs.
(Arrrrgggghhhhhhhh!!!)
Not enough wheels to go around...
Now, I confess.
I'm in love with how this chair turned out...and the reason it doesn't have
a blog post dedicated solely to its transformation...
I lost the photos.
(Who does that?! And how in this world of clouds?)
It's fairly straight-forward upstyle,
she was painted in Miss Mustard Seeds Milk Paint in Typewriter
with Bonding Agent because I did not want any chippy action.
I'm in love with how this chair turned out...and the reason it doesn't have
a blog post dedicated solely to its transformation...
I lost the photos.
(Who does that?! And how in this world of clouds?)
It's fairly straight-forward upstyle,
she was painted in Miss Mustard Seeds Milk Paint in Typewriter
with Bonding Agent because I did not want any chippy action.
DURING: Getting a coat of Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Typewriter
But it was worth the wait .
This chair is one of my very favourite projects and is the
design inspo for my home office renovation.
She's so happy and welcoming don't you think?!
AFTER: All finished and ready to get to work
Lumiere Metallic Paint in Metallic Copper was used on the base.
I think a better name for this colour would be Rose Gold—a very popular
colour in fashion which translates extremely well to interiors.
The lampshade was replaced
with an amazing work-of-art lampshade from Anna Chandler
who has swoon-worthy homewares aplenty.
(That's an Anna Chandler tile on the wall as well.)
This upstyle brought a whole lot of life to this dull corner
of my guest bedroom with minimum effort.
I think a better name for this colour would be Rose Gold—a very popular
colour in fashion which translates extremely well to interiors.
The lampshade was replaced
with an amazing work-of-art lampshade from Anna Chandler
who has swoon-worthy homewares aplenty.
(That's an Anna Chandler tile on the wall as well.)
This upstyle brought a whole lot of life to this dull corner
of my guest bedroom with minimum effort.
An easy pick-me-up for most rooms is to restyle a lamp.
Minimal effort for maximum impact!
Lamps can often be forgotten and before you know it,
you've got a dated or dull home accessory that isn't bringing
style or inspiration to a space.
And why replace it when you can simply paint it!?!
This pineapple lamp is awesome but with a black-and-brassy-gold base,
it wasn't so much past its due date,
it just...well...could be better!
Minimal effort for maximum impact!
Lamps can often be forgotten and before you know it,
you've got a dated or dull home accessory that isn't bringing
style or inspiration to a space.
And why replace it when you can simply paint it!?!
This pineapple lamp is awesome but with a black-and-brassy-gold base,
it wasn't so much past its due date,
it just...well...could be better!
Lamp base painted in Lumiere Metallic Copper for instant update
BEFORE: Lamp base waiting for its new styling
3. Let There be Light!
You can use Chalk Paint or MMS Milk Paint to paint a lampshade
A Few Other Simple Lamp Revamps:
Bringing colour and life to a dark corner affordably with metallic paint
Oftentimes we forget the obvious. What's right in front of us.
It may be a jewellery box, a vase or candlesticks.
Instead of replacing, restyle!
Most times updating accessories can inject new life into a room.
It may be a jewellery box, a vase or candlesticks.
Instead of replacing, restyle!
Most times updating accessories can inject new life into a room.
A Few Other Projects to Spark the Imagination...
Inventive artwork with sentimental meaning
AFTER: Coastal and bright with colour change, some dry-brushing and White Wax
In my world, a room isn't complete without a bit of artwork.
Artwork doesn't have to be traditional paintings or prints,
although supporting local artists is often affordable AND fabulous!
I also believe thinking outside the box is a great idea.
Textile wall hangings, mirrors, hanging bookshelves and DIY art
add variety and will personalise a space
making it a one-of-a-kind representation of YOU.
My husband found this little goody in a shed, we cleaned it up and it now
graces our family room filled with mementos and sentimental gifts.
Every time I dust it (not very often...he he) or walk by it,
it makes me smile. How is that NOT art at work?
Artwork doesn't have to be traditional paintings or prints,
although supporting local artists is often affordable AND fabulous!
I also believe thinking outside the box is a great idea.
Textile wall hangings, mirrors, hanging bookshelves and DIY art
add variety and will personalise a space
making it a one-of-a-kind representation of YOU.
My husband found this little goody in a shed, we cleaned it up and it now
graces our family room filled with mementos and sentimental gifts.
Every time I dust it (not very often...he he) or walk by it,
it makes me smile. How is that NOT art at work?
Spicing up a timber frame with a modern metallic
$7 Mid-Century artwork...not to everyone's taste, but I love it!
Not wanting to touch the 3D art itself,
I taped it off so I could give the frame a little zing with
Lumiere Metallic Paint in Metallic Olive.
When working on smaller surfaces, art brushes provide better control.
These metallic paints dry pretty fast,
I gave the frame a quick second coat
in less than an hour.
I taped it off so I could give the frame a little zing with
Lumiere Metallic Paint in Metallic Olive.
When working on smaller surfaces, art brushes provide better control.
These metallic paints dry pretty fast,
I gave the frame a quick second coat
in less than an hour.
5. Accessories, Accents, Knick-Knacks & Such...
Use what you have to provide interesting visual meaning to your home
I have a gate hanging in my hallway wall with photos and special
mementos that is admired and commented on by
nearly every visitor I'm blessed to have in my home.
It's a great non-traditional way to get people to pause
in an area that is typically a thoroughfare.
And again, the gate has special meaning to me
(I drug it up from the gully on our property, a few meters every day during a bit of a life "rough patch.")
The point?
Get creative! Express yourself...it's your space!
mementos that is admired and commented on by
nearly every visitor I'm blessed to have in my home.
It's a great non-traditional way to get people to pause
in an area that is typically a thoroughfare.
And again, the gate has special meaning to me
(I drug it up from the gully on our property, a few meters every day during a bit of a life "rough patch.")
The point?
Get creative! Express yourself...it's your space!
4. Get Art Smart.
The BEFORE: A client wanted a lighter, brighter look for these black timber candlesticks
Although these are gorgeous timber candlesticks
and the black is stunning, the room needed lightening and
why not use what you have?
These were painted with Autentico Chalk Paint in Sand then
subtlely dry-brushed with Autentico in Milk
before being sealed with Miss Mustard Seed's White Wax.
and the black is stunning, the room needed lightening and
why not use what you have?
These were painted with Autentico Chalk Paint in Sand then
subtlely dry-brushed with Autentico in Milk
before being sealed with Miss Mustard Seed's White Wax.
Just as quirky upcycled art has its place, so too does traditional artwork
and Op Shops can be an inexpensive and creative source for interesting pieces.
I found this Mid-Century beauty in the
dusty corner of a thrift store.
It was $7....yes....$7!
and Op Shops can be an inexpensive and creative source for interesting pieces.
I found this Mid-Century beauty in the
dusty corner of a thrift store.
It was $7....yes....$7!
$24 Target lamp updated with MMS Milk Paint in Flow Blue , lampshade stencilled with Lumiere Metallic Paint
Before and after of a simple pine box painted with MMS Milk Paint
A $3 paper box is transformed into an "old" book
Bringing a vintage magazine rack into 2015 with modern stripes
My greatest hope is that you found something here to
inspire and motivate you to get out there this weekend and
make something BEAUTIFUL foryour home.
As always, I love your comments and of course, any questions,
just email me at sada@forthelovecreations.com.au
inspire and motivate you to get out there this weekend and
make something BEAUTIFUL foryour home.
As always, I love your comments and of course, any questions,
just email me at sada@forthelovecreations.com.au
It's all here...for the love...
Sada
Sada
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