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Using Velvet Finishes Paint in a Paint Sprayer

August 27, 2015 By Jenna 8 Comments

It’s no secret around here that I have a love for both Velvet Finishes paint and my HomeRight Paint Sprayer.

In fact, last year, when Kellie from Velvet Finishes asked me about trying her paint, one of my first questions was “Can I use it in my paint sprayer?”

Luckily, the answer was yes.

Now if she would have said no, it wouldn’t have been a deal breaker. There are lots of times when the weather isn’t cooperating with me and I can’t use my sprayer or other times when the project is small and it just doesn’t make sense to use the sprayer.

But on big projects and pieces with lots of little details and nooks and crannies, I like to use Velvet Finishes in my paint sprayer to cut down on my work time.

Because I like having more time for cheap beer, ya know?

Am I right or am I right?

Many of you, my dear people, have asked me if you can use Velvet Finishes in a paint sprayer and I’ve said, “Yep, you sure can!” Just like with any other paints though, you do have to thin Velvet Finishes before spraying it.

So here’s how it all works. Even though there’s a lot of writing, its really easy – I promise.

My Favorite Green Color Combinations for Decorating

August 24, 2015 By Jenna 18 Comments

It was love at first spray when I made the Kate Spade Inspired Lamp Makeover.

I had met my decorating color soulmate and there was no turning back.

Green and I went together as well as me and cheap beer.

Well, almost. Let’s face it – cheap beer will always have my heart. Oh, and Grunt Labor too.

I think one of the main reasons I love green so much is because it looks great with my second in line favorite colors.

Click the link below to read more…

Cane Inspired Accent Wall for $25

August 20, 2015 By Jenna 27 Comments

Sometimes I try to make things more complicated than they really are.

Not on purpose of course.

I just don’t think sometimes. Its like my mind sometimes turns off its “common sense” mode.

That’s also when I end up saying things I shouldn’t to people.

Whoops.

That common sense mode of my brain shut down when I started to do this accent wall.

You see I love caned pieces. Caned chairs, caned tables, caned light fixtures. I’m crazy over the pattern.

And I have a pillow with a caned pattern on it.

And I was determined to get that pattern on my wall. I knew I could. It was just straight lines strategically placed.

But I was overthinking it.

And it took Grunt Labor coming up to me, turning the pillow diagonally and saying, “Its just squares, Jenna,” for me to figure it out.

He was right.

But I didn’t say that because I’m not too keen on how saying he’s right tastes.

Like vinegar, I tell ya.

And once this revelation was made, I figured out how to make my own cane inspired wall.

Click the link below to read more!

Kitchen Makeover: Take Two

August 18, 2015 By Jenna 58 Comments

Hi. My name is Jenna.

I’m a recovering neutral decorator.

Yes friends, there was a time when I turned solely to whites and beiges for decorating.

I knew no better. I thought I liked it. I thought it was my style.

I was so damn wrong.

As soon as I spray painted my first piece kelly green, there was no going back.

And then I discovered the no-fail combo of kelly green and navy and it was as if the design gods smiled down upon me and showered me with their wisdom.

Ok, maybe that was a little much, but you get the idea.

I am a color girl.

And when we renovated the beloved foreclosure I opted for beiges, whites, and light blues.

And they were pretty. I’m not bashing on beige.

But they weren’t me.

So slowly but surely, every room in this house has gotten re-made over.

The kitchen was especially in need of color. This is what it looked like before we added in some glorious color (besides the barstools.)

Click the link below to read the rest of the post…

Best Sources for Affordable Wall Art and Favorites Under $50

August 13, 2015 By Jenna 14 Comments

In case you didn’t know, I’m not an art connoisseur.

Now a cheap beer connoisseur, I am.

Ok, really just Miller High Life.

Here’s how I decide what art to hang on my walls:

I browse online and/or thrift stores.

Ooooo, I like it.

Look at the price tag.

Ooooo, its cheap.

Buy it.

Ooooo, its expensive.

Leave it.

Pretty straightforward, no?

While there may never be a priceless hand painted original piece of art hanging in my home, excluding the circus’ art, these pieces either already reside here or will at some point.

Because they’re pretty.

And cheap.

And nothing beats pretty and cheap together.

Click the link below to get the details!

9 Simple and Easy Bed Makeovers and Hacks

August 6, 2015 By Jenna 85 Comments

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ran across DIY headboards on Pinterest.

I’m confident DIY headboards could run Pinterest all by themselves.

Now, I’m not bashing on DIY headboards at all.

If you have patience and an insane amount of upholstery and tufting skills, then by all means make your own headboard.

However, I don’t.

I’m in favor of using what I’ve got.

This could also mean that I’m cheap. That’s cool too. I’ll own it.

I can paint a headboard faster than I can build one and cheaper too.

No, it might not look as chic as a velvet upholstered one would, but if it looks like any of these bed makeovers, I wouldn’t turn my nose up at it.

Tips and Tricks for The Perfect Container Garden

August 4, 2015 By Jenna

The last time I wrote about gardening or flowers in general, I was apparently misleading.

You see the post was titled how to get a yard full of hydrangeas, but all I did to get a yard full of beautiful hydrangeas was have a husband who heard me say I’d never leave if I had them.

So I see where you may have been a bit miffed with me.

But it was a good story, no?

This time though, I promise, I actually have real tips and tricks for you on how to get those glorious container gardens that we all lust after at the plant nurseries.

DIY Headband Holder for $5

August 3, 2015 By Jenna 12 Comments

Remember our Aunt Rochelle?

The aunt that you wanted for yourself?

The one who sends the circus ensembles complete with matching shirts, pants, dresses, cardigans and even sunglasses.

Well, that amazing Aunt Rochelle, she also sends headbands to match every single outfit she’s ever bought for the circus.

She’s pretty much any little fashionista’s dream.

She is 100% the reason why the kid wins best dressed at preschool every year.

Well, there really isn’t an award for that, but if there was, she’d have it in the bag.

While the circus will wear, and love, every shirt, shorts, dress, sunglasses and everything else Aunt Rochelle sends, she isn’t always a fan of the headbands.

So I had a brilliant idea when I made her dress-up station.

I would also make a DIY headband holder so the circus would easily spot her headbands and in theory, want to wear them.

The View from the Floor | Painted Ceiling Designs

July 23, 2015 By Jenna 98 Comments

Sometimes I lay on the floor.

For no good reason at all.

Sometimes I close my eyes.

And daydream.

Sometimes I stare at the despicable popcorn ceiling and try to find the strength to remove it.

I usually decide I’ll pay someone to do that before I scrape ceilings again.

Sometimes I just ponder life’s mysteries.

Either way, the ceiling is usually ugly.

And most of the time, my wondering leads me down a rabbit hole of painted ceiling designs.

Don’t forget to tip your hat to Hank.

July 21, 2015 By Jenna 18 Comments

I remember being about four or five years old, in the kitchen with my Grannie one day, when we heard country music and line dancing start playing on TNN.

All biscuit making halted.

She swept me into her arms.

Carried me into the den.

And we did our own version of line dancing right then and there in front of that tv.

She knew the song.

She knew the steps.

And she held me as we danced.

And in those moments, my love affair with country music began.

From Loretta & Conway to Garth & Trisha, I love them all.

Furthermore, I firmly believe that every single situation in life has an accompanying country song and I’ll be happy to tell you what it is.

Grunt Labor and I decided to take a quick trip for our five year anniversary back in June. As we pondered our options, one city seemed to be clear – Nashville.

Music City U.S.A.

Sparkly Horses Birthday Party

July 13, 2015 By Jenna 18 Comments

Every year around the end of April, I feel the need to start drinking a tad bit more.

Because a birthday party is on the horizon.

And that means lots of planning.

And organizing.

And making.

All in a specific timeframe.

And I’ve never been good at any of that stuff all together at once.

Thus, why the sparkly horse birthday party was two months ago and you are just now hearing about it.

I needed time to recuperate.

DIY Outdoor Daybed Tutorial – doubles as a sofa!

July 9, 2015 By Jenna 50 Comments

If you’re looking for a piece of furniture to pull double duty outside, then this outdoor daybed is for you! Not only does it function as an outdoor bed, but it also makes a great outdoor sofa! Step-by-step instructions for making your own DIY Outdoor Daybed can be found here!

The Bold And The Beautiful Furniture Makeovers

July 2, 2015 By Jenna 106 Comments

Yes, I did try to make that title sound like a soap opera on purpose.

Why?

Because these furniture makeovers deserve a title that is just as dramatic as they are.

Because they are bold and beautiful.

The Bold and The Beautiful Furniture Makeovers

Add a punch of color to your headboard.

DIY Sunglasses Holder for $5

June 30, 2015 By Jenna 14 Comments

We have an Aunt Rochelle.

I hope you have an Aunt Rochelle too.

You see, Aunt Rochelles always send the good stuff.

It is not uncommon for multiple packages (sporting color coordinated designs & patterns) to arrive on the front porch anytime of the year.

It may be Christmas.

Or it may not.

It may be a birthday.

Or it may not.

Said packages will contain not one, not two, but multiple ensembles for the circus.

Each ensemble is complete with a top, pants, cardigan, usually a skirt, socks, matching beret, and my favorite – matching sunglasses.

And during the summer she gets multiple swimsuits with matching cover-ups, hats, and sunglasses.

The kid has Jackie O sunglasses, pink sunglasses, movie star sunglasses, Iris Apfel sunglasses, floral print sunglasses, checked sunglasses.

If she has an outfit from Aunt Rochelle, then she has the matching sunglasses.

See why we love our Aunt Rochelle?

We also love her because she’s just a load of fun too.

With this vast assortment of sunglasses, it felt wrong just putting them in a drawer and only bringing them out as needed to complete an ensemble.

No, no, no, no, no – sunglasses like this should be displayed.

So Grunt Labor and I came up with this DIY sunglasses holder so that the kid could enjoy her shades even inside.

Liquor Cabinet Makeover + Adding Fretwork to Furniture

June 25, 2015 By Jenna 96 Comments

After a few weeks, I started missing the red.

Not the red on the buffet itself, but just the color red in general.

Apparently, not only are my beloved colors kelly green and navy, but also a bold red.

This really isn’t surprising. Red was always my favorite color growing up. I’m quite sure it became my favorite color when Reba wore the red dress.

If you know the dress I’m talking about, then we are kindred spirits.

So I started hunting for something to paint red.

Que Lorrie Morgan’s Something in Red.

Sorry, I’m not quite sure how this post has become about country music of the 90’s.

And I happened upon my great-grandmother’s china cabinet turned liquor cabinet.

I know. I know. You can judge me. It won’t bother me at all.

It was time for a change.

And not just a change in color, but also a change in location.

Dress Up Closet: Easy DIY Dress Up Storage from a Bookcase

June 22, 2015 By Jenna 117 Comments

Coming up with great storage solutions for your kids’ toys and paraphernalia can often be hard – not this one though! If dress up clothes are taking over your life then make this DIY dress up closet now! A bookcase is all you’ll need to get started and create dress up storage to save your sanity and a dress up station your little one will love!

The Ultimate DIY Outdoor Sectional

June 17, 2015 By Jenna 32 Comments

Grunt Labor is working on creating the ultimate backyard.

Last year, we built the deck and made over the screened-in porch.

This year, we added on a patio.

And if this summer heat gets any worse, there’s going to be a new pool with me in it on a pink flamingo float.

After said patio was finished, we looked at it and asked ourselves what in the world we were going to put on it.

Didn’t think that one through.

So we built an outdoor sectional.

Ok, I came up with the idea and Grunt Labor mostly built it.

Oh, and Nicky helped a little. He got mad that I didn’t mention him in my Facebook post about the sectional, so I have to mention him here. He’s such a girl sometimes.

Of course, the ultimate backyard must include ultimate seating and this is the ultimate DIY outdoor sectional.

13 Stunning Home Ideas I Found in One Place

June 15, 2015 By Jenna 24 Comments

Last Wednesday they let me into the Nashville Symphony Show House.

I’m quite certain the powers that be must have never read my blog before to know that this gal is borderline redneck and hadn’t set foot in such a fancy house before – otherwise they may have thought twice before sending my invitation.

I walked out of that house scolding myself for using inappropriate language in front of people who never met me before, but brimming over with DIY and decorating ideas.

I quickly got over the inappropriate language scolding. I feel overall they became better people for having met me.

The ideas though – my head is still spinning. Here’s 14 stunning home ideas that I took away from the Nashville Symphony Show House – and really, there were waaaay more than 14, but I felt I should cut it off somewhere instead of keeping you stuck here reading all day.

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