This post is sponsored by Velvet Finishes, however all opinions are 100% mine. Sometimes I forget how much I love painting furniture. Before this project, it had been too long since my last furniture makeover. With a few furniture painting projects prior to this one, there seemed to be hiccups every time I turned around…
Furniture Makeovers
Prepping Furniture to Paint: When to Sand, When to Degloss, and When to Prime
I will be the first to say that not every piece of furniture I’ve ever painted has turned out so well. There have been pieces where the paint just peeled off, where the old finish bled through or where the paint color decision wasn’t exactly my best. That kind of stuff happens. I don’t have a PhD…
A DIY Tuxedo Bar Inspired by My Other Husband
At our Christmas party last year, one of the guests asked me how I liked being a polygamist while nodding in the direction of Grunt Labor and Nicky jointly washing dishes. I said it’s damn fantastic. When I married Grunt Labor, I had no clue I’d be getting two husbands for the price of one. Let…
FAQ: Painting Furniture
I feel like I should preface posts where I give tons of information like this with “I’m not a professional!” I don’t have a degree in painting furniture, interior design or anything like that. What I do have is nearly a decade’s worth of painting furniture, decorating and things of that nature under my belt….
What kind of paint do I use on that?
I really thought that all the information to know about painting furniture was out there in internet land for everyone to see and no one needed to hear anymore from me besides the occasional furniture makeover, on the subject. However, I get questions all the time asking what kind of paint for certain kinds of…
How to Create a Beachy Colored Look with Paint + Video
Last year, I figured out a way to make furniture glazes in any color. When I did that, I had just tried out different colors on spare pieces of trim I had lying around. I always intended to go back and makeover an actual piece of furniture using the method. But then life happened. #bestofintentions…
My Best Tips and Tricks for Painting Furniture
When I painted my first piece of furniture nearly 10 years ago, I would have never dreamed painting furniture would become “all the rage” in the DIY world. Now, you can’t get on Pinterest without something about painting furniture popping up within five minutes. In all honesty, I had no idea what I was doing…
The Circus’ Yellow Bookshelf Makeover
About a year ago, a friend and I went out one Saturday morning thrifting. We got to the first stop, but it was wasn’t opened yet. However, outside was a bookshelf. A bookshelf that wasn’t anything to write home about – except for the doors and the hardware. The bookshelf had a price tag of…
How to Paint a Plaid Pattern for Lazy Gals
You guys. You guys. You guys. No. Really. You guys. I did something. I did something I wasn’t sure I could do at all. I was sure it would be an utter failure. I held my breath with each brushstroke and removal of FrogTape. But it wasn’t a failure. It. Was. A. WIN. You see…
Bill’s Vintage Laundry Hamper Makeover
Last summer, we had a smelly clothes situation. Having a teenage boy in the house most days who had been in the midst of football practice, this would not normally cause alarm.
However, when my clothes came up smelling not-so-much like roses, but more like I’d just played every down during a championship football game, we had a problem.
Turns out dear Bill was tossing his football clothes into the laundry hamper in mine and Grunt Labor’s room. And our clothes didn’t stand a chance against even one of his sweat soaked football practice t-shirts.
Lucky for him, I discovered what was causing the problem of my smelly clothes while he was away at FCA camp. I also decided to fix it before he returned – I gave him his very own laundry hamper.
Not that he’s ever actually washed the clothes he’s put in it though.
Click the link below to read the rest…
When in doubt…go polka dots.
I’m ashamed to tell you how long I’ve had this chair sitting in the garage ready to be made over. I’ll say it’s been the better part of a year at the least. It was one of those purchases that went like this:
It’s $10! I can’t pass it up for $10!
But you don’t need it Jenna.
I know that. But it’s $10!!!
You don’t need it.
$10.
Make a smart decision, Jenna.
Ok. I’m buying it.
Said conversation was between myself and myself of course.
So since I really had no clue what to do with it or where I would put it, it just sat for a while. And then one day, I got a wild hair and decided I would attempt to paint the upholstery on this piece rather than re-upholstering it since I’d never tried painting it before. I only had $10 to lose. Here’s how it turned out…
Click the link below to read the rest…
Step-by-Step DIY Abstract Table for the Un-Artistic
I thought I had some serious artistic potential in high school. Mrs. Anchors, my art teacher, taught me how to draw and shade. Sans the dog I attempted once, I hasn’t half bad. Some family members even got my own custom pencil drawings for Christmas gifts that year. They are probably in their closets now.
However, it turns out painting artistically, such as abstract pieces, is not my forte.
And that really sucks because I really like abstract art.
Well, some of it anyway. Some of it’s just weird.
When I created my black and white gallery wall, I knew I wanted some abstract art pieces on it. The ones I saw online were too expensive for my blood. However, as the gallery wall was in process, the kitchen makeover was also in process, so I had my friend Kellie at my disposal.
And I took advantage of her. Because she can make a mean abstract art.
She killed it and two of her pieces now hang on my wall. I have no doubt they will be priceless one day.
Now, fast forward to two weeks ago. I went on a rampage and cleaned out my entire craft room. I found one of those small, round wooden tables with the screw on legs that no home in the 80’s was without – although it was adorned with a ruffle-y, tacky tablecloth back then. You know the ones I’m talkin’ about.
And I had a thought…
Let’s make it an abstract table. It’s just a $3 yard sale table. Doesn’t matter if I screw it up.
So I did want any non-artistic person would do who wanted an abstract table.
I pulled Kellie’s abstract painting off the wall and copied it onto the table.
And this is shocking I know, but I pulled it off.
Click the link below to read more…
Show Me Your Grain…Your Wood Grain.
I won’t lie.
The sight of a beautifully bold painted piece of furniture (preferably either kelly green, navy blue or a bold red) makes my heart soar.
Not as much as Grunt Labor makes my heart soar, but pretty close.
However, I have come to really appreciate a good grain…a good wood grain that is, because chocolate isn’t a grain yet, is it? I’m still waiting for chocolate to be classified as “good” for me.
Here are a few of my favorite stained and painted furniture makeovers…
Click the link below to read the rest and enter the giveaway!
Business in the Front, Party on Top: 70’s Credenza Makeover
I got my first and only Achy Breaky Heart t-shirt at the flea market in the middle of town.
I was seven.
It was heather gray, with a big multi-colored neon heart and multi-colored neon lettering on it.
I was so damn proud of that t-shirt.
Billy Ray Cyrus and his mullet essentially had overnight success with a song that had a terrible title.
It was the age of the achy breaky heart craze.
It wasn’t until I was in at least middle school, if not high school, that I realized the name for Billy Ray Cyrus’ infamous hairstyle was a mullet.
And that people described it as business in the front, party in the back.
Well that’s just what this credenza makeover is. Business in the front, but the party’s up top…
Click the link below to read more…
How To Refinish Wood Furniture
There once lived a man.
He was a farmer who wore Liberty overalls.
And he was a wood worker too.
He made lamps and a baby cradle when his first granddaughter was born.
The granddaughter slept in the cradle and her daughter slept in the cradle.
And the granddaughter doesn’t remember a time when a lamp her pap made wasn’t in her grandparent’s den.
They were floor lamps with a small table halfway up – nothing anyone would probably consider in style.
Except her.
A few months ago when the granddaughter went back home, she found her grandfather’s lamps in an outbuilding.
And that just wouldn’t do.
So along with a huge gold mirror and some old farm equipment that she just couldn’t let get thrown away, she brought the lamps home.
Click the link below to read more…
Power Tools 101: The Ultimate Guide to Using a Paint Sprayer
I had a revelation the other day.
A hold-the-phone-shut-the-front-door-smack-myself-on-the-head revelation.
I realized that for two years I’ve been showing you all these awesome (if I do say so myself) furniture makeovers that I’ve completed with my paint sprayer, but never once have I actually told you how to use the paint sprayer from start to finish.
See why I smacked myself on the head?
So here it is. The ultimate guide for how to use a paint sprayer from set-up to cleaning.
Sorry for the two year delay.
Using Velvet Finishes Paint in a Paint Sprayer
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.
It’s hip to be geometric | Geometric Table Makeover
I don’t consider myself a hip person.
I’m sure others don’t either.
That’s cool.
I think this table makeover should increase my hip level a tad bit though.
Because its hip to be square geometric.
Especially when it looks this good and is so easy to do…
The Bold And The Beautiful Furniture Makeovers
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.
Liquor Cabinet Makeover + Adding Fretwork to Furniture
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.
IKEA Billy Bookcase Hack: DIY Dress Up Closet
The circus has discovered princesses.
Specifically Belle and Cinderella.
She’s also discovered ballerinas and cowgirls and doctors.
And she wants to be all those things.
Numerous times throughout the day.
Luckily, she hasn’t morphed into a total girly girl. Let’s be honest – I don’t know if I could handle that.
Its more like tutu one minute and mud the next.
I’ll take that any day over constant tea parties and tiaras.
I thought I had the dress-up department confined to one box.
And then her birthday happened.
Suddenly, it was as if all of Broadway’s costume department threw up in her room.
There were meltdowns over not being able to find Ariel’s shoes to wear with Sophia’s dress.
It finally clicked with me what I would do for the IKEA Billy Bookcase Hack that HomeRight asked me to participate in – it would become a DIY Dress Up Closet.
When it doubt, use all the colors.
About a month ago, I drug the kid and Bill out of bed early one Saturday morning to go yard saleing.
They hate love it when I do that. 😉
I decided to be nice for once and give Grunt Labor the Saturday morning off.
He usually gives me Saturday mornings off, so it was long overdue.
Before leaving the neighborhood, we had lucked up on a bamboo patio table for a whopping $2 and a 5×7 leopard print rug for only $5.
Luck was on my side that day.
It quickly ended when there was a meltdown with the kid when I refused to buy a creepy $7 FurrRealz Cat.
$7 for a toy cat at a yard sale? And it looked possessed? Move along child, move along.
At the next stop though, we lucked upon a play phone, a beanie baby skunk and a Care Bears nightgown that the kid just had to have.
I’ve never been so happy to see a Ty Beanie Baby in my life.
The meltdown ceased.
As we were about to leave, I spotted something that had potential out of the corner of my eye…
A vintage paper sorter.
I looked at Bill.
His eyes lit up and he said, “We can do something really cool with that.”
He’s starting to think like me.
I asked the man how much for it.
$12.
Oh honey. You must be crazy. I don’t pay $12 for anything at a yard sale unless its furniture. Let me show you the rug I just snagged for $5.
Yep, I’m that girl, y’all.
Sorry not sorry.
We started negotiating.
3 Easy Ways to Update Your Furniture Hardware
I’m the farthest thing from a tree hugger you’ll ever meet.
You already knew that didn’t you?
But I do like to re-use and recycle things.
I’m just cheap, really.
My favorite thing to re-use is furniture hardware.
This is for two reasons.
1. I don’t want to spend money on new, expensive hardware.
See, cheap?
2. I don’t want to have to potentially drill holes for new hardware.
Ok, I’m lazy too.
These are my three favorite ways to update furniture hardware while doing as little as possible and spending as little as possible.
‘Cause that’s how we roll.
The Perfect Navy Paint
The part-time child, Bill, and I have formed a sort of business partnership.
I find furniture for him to paint. He paints it. I write about it. We sell it. I get my initial investment back and he keeps the profit for his labor.
When I first presented this idea to him, he was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to jump on the two end tables that I had already picked up.
I even let him pick out the color, which in my opinion is the perfect navy paint…
