Category Archives: Furniture

03.07.12

My Living Room Lamps.

As many of you saw in my Living Room Project mood board, I was planning for something like these Westwood Gold Lamps for my new Rast end tables.  
But at $318 each, I think Mike would have a seizure. So, here’s how I got the look for MUCH less.  Remember these cable knit lamps from HomeGoods?
Well, obviously, I spray painted them. 
 I had to stray from my go-to which is Krylon’s Gold to Rustolium’s Brass to match the gold foil on the new shades I ordered.
As you can see these new black shades were bigger than the old navy ones
so I had to buy new harps too.  The old shades were two inches shorter than the new, so I increased the harp size from 8″ to 10″.
and voila!  I put them back together and couldn’t be happier with the final result.  And at $170 for both lamps versus the $636 that I would have paid for the Westwood lamps, I think Mike couldn’t be happier either!

03.01.12

4 Little Ghosts.

I LUST after these lucite stools from CB2.  I hunted them down after seeing them in this kitchen.
That being said, they were a little to big for my kitchen, and my budget.
We have a small galley between our kitchen island and our refrigerator.   But the girls love to cook with me and get tired of standing on step stools.
 So, I found the perfect acrylic stools to fit my kitchen and my budget.  ($199.95 for two!)
To upholster or not to upholster, that is the question.

02.28.12

Ikea Rast to Dorothy Draper.

I had been searching for the perfect side tables for our living room for what seems like forever.  I saw a few Rast DIY’s on various blogs and figured if I couldn’t buy them, I’d make them.  Much to Mike’s dismay, this was a project that I (ahem) we were going to take on.  These tables were a true labor of love.

 I thought it would be easy, but it took many weekends and trips to Home Depot.   Here’s what we started with: two Ikea Rast Dressers  (At $34.99 the price can’t be beat!)

 and a cart full of spray paint.  That little spray grip was a lifesaver, because I practically went through every last can of spray paint that you see below.
 Here is the how-to.  You may want to eliminate some of these steps and learn from my mistakes.
1.) Assemble the bases, but not the drawers (or have your husband do it while he is watching football.)
2) Spray on on two coats of primer.  BE SURE TO SAND THOROUGHLY between coats. (I wish I had)  I recommend sanding blocks versus sandpaper for this one.
3.) I sprayed on a lacquer and I am not sure if it was the fact that it was 20 degrees outside, or that the lacquer wasn’t cutting it (see those spots?) After six cans of black lacquer I had to switch gears.
4.)  After a SERIOUS sanding, I repainted everything with a black oil-based polyurethane.  I used a roller to apply it.  Polyurethane takes at least 12 hours to dry.  I gave it 2 days.  (Helpful hint: Skip the lacquer paint and go right to this step.)

5.) Next I Sanded and painted my O’verlays with Krylon Gold Spray paint. I love the rose-gold undertones in that paint.  I also used that paint for my Intaglio frames in the dining room.   I let them dry for a day and sealed with a clear lacquer.

6.) Attempted to assemble the dressers.  Mike had to bail me out on this one.

7.) Installed 12 of this brass hardware. (Burnished Bronze, 51 mm x 43 mm)
8.) Super glued the O’verlays on as well as a few of my fingers together.

And here is the final result:

Recognize that lamp?  Next week I will post how I gave it a make-over in 20 minutes.

02.23.12

Home Goods Homerun.

I was feeling a little down on HomeGoods after the holidays as the place seemed cleaned out.  But I had a few projects which warranted a visit, and I am happy to report that they have restocked and my local store is chock full of great buys.
Beautiful Suzanis.
LOVE this purple rug.
 How great would this be in a little girl’s room?
I would love to paint this.
How great would these look reupholstered?
Moroccan tables galore.
This would look fabulous painted a bright color.
I am a sucker for apothecaries.
Gorg!
$500 is a little steep to pay for a chair that I’d turn around and reupholster, but I’ve got my eye on this baby for a markdown.
Great side table.
I am in love with these pink velvet benches.
Two of these in an office?  Yes, please.
Lotus flower chandy.  Looks a lot like this baby.
Pair of Ikat chairs.
Couldn’t resist this lamp at $18.00. This DEFINITELY needs a make-over, but it’s got good bones.
I came looking for two lamps that would be perfect candidates for our living room.  Tune in next week for their new look.
I bought this lamp because I loved it so, but it’s really, really tall.  I am desperately looking for a home for it, but it wasn’t cheap, so I may need to return it.  Sigh.

02.22.12

Shelter Envy: Brooke Shields.

I have always loved Brooke Shields.  I think she is so beautiful.  Did you know that at 14 she was the youngest Vogue covergirl?  I am still bummed that Lipstick Jungle got canceled…. Seriously, it was a great show!  She also wrote one of my favorite children’s books that I read to my girls every night for what seems like two years, Welcome to Your World, Baby.
Anywho, when I was browsing the magazine section at the grocery store, I came across a a stunning room on the cover of Architectural Digest (I always kick myself for not subscribing as the money I have wasted on buying single issues could pay for my kids’ college education… Note to self– subscribe today.)  As a self-professed Brooke lover, I am sure that you can imagine my excitement to see her posing next to the oh-so-perfect mantle.  Just look at these drool-worthy shots of her Upper East Side townhouse!

02.21.12

Bit By Bit…

Guess what we finally put together last weekend….

I will post a full tutorial next week.  And in other news, my turquoise linen fabric came, and I couldn’t be more disappointed.  I paid $200 to have it backed, and the manufacturer is insisting it has an acrylic backing… I sent it back last week to have knit backing added.   Learn from my mistake… Always go with a knit backing.
I’ll give you one guess who is going to be pissed when these are reupholstered…..