Tag Archives: paint

Desk Makeover

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Julie

Fixing up furniture is one of my very favorite things to do. In fact, when I first started this blog, I thought I would be posting a lot more about amazing furniture transformations.

The truth is, I don’t have the storage or work space to do as many furniture fix-ups as I would like. So when I do them, I think they’re a lot of fun.

This is my latest baby and I am thrilled with it!

(more…)

23 Comments
POSTED IN: desk, Furniture, paint, painting furniture

Share on facebook | Share on Twitter | Pin on Pinterest

Choosing Cabinet Paint Colors – Gray or Creamy White?

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Julie

You have probably noticed that I have kitchens on the brain and it’s going to be a hot topic for awhile. As my regular readers know, I’m planning a small kitchen update and I am deep in the heart of choosing lighting (see my lighting post here), backsplash tile, appliances and paint. I’m currently going around and around about paint color.

Why is choosing cabinetry paint colors so HARD?!

It’s tough enough choosing the right shade, but right now, I can’t decide whether to go gray with my kitchen cabinets or a creamy white like the trim color in my house. Or, alternatively, we could just have them re-stained in a little bit darker brown/walnut color.

I love painted cabinets and would love to brighten up the space so I’m about 90% sure we’ll be painting them.

We are keeping our existing counters but we are updating the backsplash (I’m still undecided about what tile).

If we paint, I’m considering:

Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies on the walls

And Benjamin Moore Navajo White on the cabinets

It’s really hard to show these colors (or any color) on a computer because they show up differently depending upon your monitor settings.

Here is a picture of how I see these two colors playing out together:

Photo via DecorPad

I love this look. Except, my counters are dark, so here’s another inspiration picture:

Creamy white cabinets, dark counters and gray walls

I adore these classic and timeless looking kitchens.

BUT, I also adore these beautiful kitchens with gray cabinetry. This one was shared on Cote De Texas:

Again, it has light counters, but here’s something similar that has dark counters:

My husband isn’t a fan of the gray but I think they’re both classic and beautiful options.

Here are a few other inspiring kitchen pics that have cabinets I love:

Nine & Sixteen blog

Here’s a close-up of her cabinets.

Nine & Sixteen blog

I also love this beautiful kitchen from Life in Grace blog. She mixes all of the colors so beautifully. This kitchen is elegant, yet totally approachable and functional.

Life in Grace blog

By the way, the color on her walls in Benjamin Moore’s Hazy Skies.

Farmhouse Kitchen by Boston Architects & Designers Patrick Ahearn Architect

I really love the picture above that I found on Houzz so I think I’m leaning towards creamy white cabinetry.

The Internet sure is a wonderful tool when doing research for a home update, but it can also be overwhelming! I think my problem is that I find too many things beautiful so it’s hard to settle with just one thing. I also know that I will be living with these choices for a long time so it makes me get a little “analysis paralysis!”

So, what do you think? Gray, creamy white or something altogether different? I can’t wait to hear what you think!

21 Comments
POSTED IN: cabinet colors, Kitchen, kitchen renovation, kitchen update, paint

Share on facebook | Share on Twitter | Pin on Pinterest

15+ Fabulous Furniture Projects

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Julie

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

I had all of these grand plans to blog over the holiday, but it has been so busy! I’ve been relaxing, planning projects and trying to get organized.

My Christmas decor is still up and it will be until the New Year. I might even share a few more pictures of it because I got some fun new photography gadgets for Christmas that I’m dying to try out. Plus, if you follow me on Instagram, you know the lights on our pre-lit, fake tree died a few days before Christmas and we replaced it with a gorgeous real tree. I am in love with it!! I could keep it up forever!

That said, I really am excited for the new year and beginning new projects at home.

Today, I’m teaming up with a few blogger friends to bring you some great past projects — my favorite kind — the ones that pack a big punch for a little effort and a few bucks.

Painting furniture and accessories is such a wonderful way to give new life to items that you are maybe not so excited about anymore or something you found at a yard sale for a smoking price.

Enjoy and be inspired by 15+ Awesome Furniture Painting Projects You Can Do!

Here are 15+ Amazing Furniture Painting Projects!

First up, I’m showing you my little blue china hutch. If you’ve been here before, you may be tired of seeing it, but it is my favorite painting project to date. And, I love it even more after adding bun feet to give it some height.

Next up, Christy from Our Southern Home…

Her mom bought her this antique desk in really bad shape at a yard sale for $15. She used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to revive it for her teen son’s room. You can find the complete how-to HERE from Our Southern Home.

Emperor’s Silk Dresser with dark wax by Sonya from At Home with the Barkers creates a striking piece!

I know we are all interested in Dria’s post on How To Achieve a Brush Strokes Free Finish from Dio Home Improvements. Thanks, Dria!

Lani from Simply Fresh Vintage has a tip involving White-Out that she used on this dresser! Why didn’t I think of it?!

Paint and Mod-Podge rescue this Goodwill table from Jeanette over at Snazzy Little Things.

Yes, you can paint laminate! Megan from Rappsody in Rooms shares the how to! Her entire porch is full of thrifty do it yourself ideas!

Gorgeous redo from Beth over at Farm Fresh Vintage Finds! You won’t believe the before! Removing a few lower panels and replacing with bead board really updates this stunner!

Beautiful piece from Petticoat Junktion. Kathy is fearless in her creativity! She is always generous in sharing her techniques with readers.

Chateau Grey is my absolute favorite Annie Sloan Chalk paint color. Sharon from Mrs. Hines Class painted this old dresser, and it is now used as a media cabinet! Where is the “Love” button?

Check out this whimsical beauty by Amanda from Mommy is Coo Coo. The fabric and color choice are such fun!!! I have a major crush on this chair!

Nancy from Artsy Chicks Rule is such a talented furniture painter and artist. She makes adding topography to furniture look so easy. Guess what…it really is! Visit Nancy for all the details!

Beautifully painted furniture doesn’t have to just be painted in chalky paint brands. This is lovely finished in gloss from Lowe’s! Visit Paula from Sweet Pea for the color and details!

Loving this retro table. Jen from Girl in the Garage has awesome tips for painting geometric designs on furniture! She does lots of furniture so be sure to click around on her blog!

This piece by Pamela From My Front Porch To Yours shows that you shouldn’t look over a badly damaged piece. This water damaged secretary is painted with not one, but two chalk paint colors. The inside is left stained!

Serena from Thrift Diving has an amazing twofer (is that a real word?) for you! Not only will she share with you the paint project, but shares how to reupholster this chair in detail!

Are you sitting down? This dining set was $85! Visit Christy from Confessions of a Serial Do It Yourselfer for the details! The transformation is amazing!

You can even update a piece with just stripes from Just a Girl and Her Blog! Abby adds grain sack stripes to an already painted chest for a quick update! Stripes are hot right now!

I encourage you to look around your home. Is there something that you are just bored with? Why not try your hand at paint! Scared or nervous? Practice on a yard sale or thrift store find first. You can even practice on scrap wood!

I’d love for you to pin the individual projects…just visit the individual blogs from the links and pin directly from their project. It will make it much easier for you and others to find it down the road.

Have a great day and thanks for reading!