Monday, March 25, 2013

Touching Up Paint

I think I am nesting....I have the sudden urge to fix all of the problems and neglected areas in my house, much to my husband's dismay!  Every weekend I have a new project planned for us to tackle.  Some get finished, but most get put back on the list for another weekend.  Somehow, two boys, two dogs, a husband, and a freak winter storm at the end of March have a way of detouring my plans....so I have learned to get creative with my time management. 


The closet in the nursery needed to be repainted.  (Along with several other rooms in my house that are this same "builder beige." )  I just don't have time before the baby comes to paint my entire house, I decided to touch up the paint, instead of repainting.  The closet took me less than one hour.  (The rest of my house took me 4 hours, and it looks like I repainted every room!)  I am not crazy about the beige, so someday I will repaint, but for now, this will do :)
 
 
Step 1:
 
If you are smart/lucky you have a record of the paint used....I was not lucky....my home is about 10 years old, and I do not have a record of the beige my builder used.  Don't try to match the paint with swatches!  It does not give you a perfect match.  Instead cut a piece of drywall from behind an electrical switch plate and take it to the paint store to be matched. 
 
 
 
Step 2:
 
Prepare the area...I am a messy painter, so for me this step aways includes a drop cloth.  I like to use a small roller with a short nap.  Often I will need a brush to get in the corners.  Use a paint tray...as you can see I did not... For a small closet, only a little bit of paint is needed.  (I used less than one quart for my entire home.)  Lastly,  make sure to fill in and repair any holes before painting. 
 
 
Step:3
 
Use a dry brush technique.  In other words, do not saturate the bush/roller with paint.  Very little paint is needed.  Dip the roller in the pant, and then roll off as much paint as possible in the pan before painting the wall.  (Very similar technique as stenciling).
 
 
Step: 4
 
Lightly roll over the wall's blemish.  Do not saturate the wall with paint, but  lightly cover the blemish.   If too much paint is used sometimes one can see the patch.   If blemish is not covered with the first coat of paint, wait for it to dry then paint a second coat.  I like to roll all of my paint off the roller before I re dip. 
 
 
Step:5
 
Let the paint dry, and clean up tools.  If this process seems confusing, don't hesitate to go into your local paint store and ask for advice.  My favorite local paint store in Lynchburg is Virginia Paint Company on hwy.  221 they are always happy to answer my questions.  They sell Benjamin Moore Paint, and honestly Bonnie is the best color expert in town. 
 
 
I tackled a few more painting projects to complete the nursery closet including this dresser turned changing table, and whitewashing this old picnic basket.  I will try to write a post on whitewashing next week.
 
 
 
Thanks for joining me on this project! 
 
Rebekah
 
p.s.  I had a concerned reader write me about my choice to use Annie Sloan's chalk paint on the crib.  I have to say at first I was rather suprised by her email, however I feel like it is my job to make informed decisions about my projects.  Not only do I not want to endanger my daughter, I don't want to endager my readers' children either.  I have written to the Annie Sloan Co. and received an quick response.  Their paints and waxes are completely safe to be used on a crib.  (I chose this paint because of it's low VOC levels, but it is always nice to have confirmation from the source).  It is very important as with any product, to allow the paint to cure.  With the ASCP product to allow the wax to harden.  This process usually takes about a month.  My baby will not be born for another two months, and she is not expected to pull up on the crib for at least 6 months after that.  So I think I am safe...honestly I expected concern over the bumper...which has been linked to SIDS, not the paint.  (I will be removing the bumper, I was using it for photo purposes only.)
 
 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

My Little Girl's Nursery

 
 I am so excited to share my latest project with you today.  I have been so busy with all of my other projects that I have not shared my big news with y'all.  I am expecting a little girl at the end of May.  I have had so much fun putting together my little girl's nursery.  Now hopefully she does not come out with an extra part!  Oh well if she does, I hope he likes pink! 
 


I have to admit that starting this project was a little overwhelming.  There are so many beautiful nurseries on Pinterest alone, I did not know what direction I was going to take.  In fact I had bought all of the fabric for the nursery and then changed my mind all together when Kandi offered me all of Harper's bedding.  I have been so busy I was afraid if I took on one more project this baby might be coming home to a pack-in-play in the closet!  Kind of like my first two :)





Once we decided to take Harper's crib bedding, this whole project came together in about one week.  The crib bedding can still be purchased at Hoohobbers.


If you know me, you know I preach fabric first, then paint.  I took one of the pinks from the bedding and chose Pink Hibiscus a Benjamin Moore color for the walls.  If my baby is anything like me, she will hate pink until she is in her 30's so this might be my only chance to paint a wall pink in my house! 

I also decided to paint the crib.  Here is a before picture of the crib.  I used this crib for my boys, and loved it, but I wanted to soften all the dark wood for my baby girl.



I used Annie Sloan chalk paint, Old White and a clear wax finish.  I like to distress my furniture after I paint. Here is the finished crib.




The swan and Aesop's Fable needlepoint were my last two purchases for the room.  I have to admit I did splurge on these two beauties I found at one of my favorite store's in Lynchburg, Enchanted. But I think they were worth every penny they are my two favorite things in the whole room.



I also love this vintage Italian chandelier I found at Black Dog Salvage for $78. What a deal!


I made the curtains long 12 inches longer than floor length so they could be pulled back and still puddle on the floor.  I made them out of a white cotton quilted fabric to help soften all the pink in the room. 



I have owned this dresser for years, and I think it works perfectly between the windows.  This chair has also been reappointed from another space in my house.  I think rocking chairs are great, but it was just not in my budget.  This is my third baby, and I did not use one for my first two.  What I wanted more than anything was a comfy place to stretch out during those late night feedings.  Although this chair will not win any design awards, it does win a comfort award in my book.  So it stays. 



Here are a few more pictures of my favorite things....


  A vintage embroidered pillow paired with a velvet Woven Home pillow help soften the enormous chair.



Keeping with the Aesop's Fable theme my hubby put a tortoise in the crib.  Now we need to find a Bunny!
 

 
A little vintage bear.


Handmade horse (from Black Dog) & Rewired Vintage Lamps


 
I hope you enjoyed the pictures!
 
Rebekah

p.s.
(Here is a link to Harper's nursery. Baby Girl Nursery Kandi and I clearly share the same style!)


p.p.s.
Here are a few before pictures...


 
A picture of the room and crib before we painted.


 
Sarah painting (my ever helpful assistant).

Oh I almost forgot here was my
Budget...

I came in way under my $1000 budget for this room

Crib Bedding...free
Crib...reused, free
Paint for crib... Annie Sloan $40
Paint on Walls...Benjamin Moore 1 gallon $50
Dresser...reused, free
Swan...$250
Aesop's Fable Early 19th Century Embroidery...gift
Chair & Ottoman...reused, free
Curtains...$180
Chandelier...$78
Bear...$12
Mirror over dresser...$40
Vintage lamps on dresser $50 for pair
Horse...$85

Total: $785

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