la Isla, the lsland

We purchased a short-sale home and closed August 31, 2010. WE then spent the month of September remodeling... well more like painting and redoing flooring. We hired some of the help, and did a lot ourselves. So here you can see the monster island. It measures about 8ftx4ft, Its huge, and deserves more of a focus than just a glance. So I started brainstorming with our carpenter friend..... I wanted it to look like a "unique piece" not just part of the existing scheme.

I just didn't like the way the island was just 1/2 cabinetry and 1/2 drywall... so I had him beadboard, and batten board-frame it all out. I love how it turned out. We cut a lot of costs by going with MDF, especially since I knew I was going to paint it. I think the perfect color is red. Red is totally neutral in my book. If you ever want a splash of color- RED, it goes with everything.... well, if you get the right red. I tried about 4 different shades. It had to be a cooler red, not too orange. And Red is a tough color to paint. I recommend using a blue primer if possible. And lots of coats, and patience in between drying times. You can't really go off of they labels. I don't think it was dry until about week 2.

IT WORKED!! I finished it with Black glaze. I will soon post my window to match.... and maybe another view of the other side. Sorry! I also found cute knobs to make it stand out even more. You totally need more views of this beauty. So I'll post more later darling!

Should I? Could I? Would I?

Have you ever painted plastic? Could it really work and look good? Well, this was my latest project, to bring new life to these two run-of-the-mill plastic chairs.


So I got the red I wanted...Tomato red is what I am calling it.

I recently bought two of these yellow planters at Walmart. LOVE YELLOW and RED together. Hmm... makes me want hamburgers and hot dogs. Well, this is my BBQ area.

So I went for it, and here is the result. Decorating the deck is far from over, but these red chairs make me smile.

Wall-hanging revamp

A New wardrobe of paint.

All the metal fixtures.... This was a gift- And it just hasn't felt right....so....

With Yellow being so HOT... I must incorporate it a little more....
Just whip out some Yellow Spray Paint, cover completely.

Then out with the acryllics..... I used Grass-green, turquoise, Sunshine Yellow, Royal blue. At first I started painting things certain colors, but then- i messed up, and had to fix it. Got a little wild- I got to mixing things. I was in Da vinci-mode using my color pallet. A little of this and a little of that. And to finish- I usually Add WHITE! I got out the white last-WHITE is an Artist's secret. You add white, and viola.. its like adding heaven- the purity... just think of flower arrangements (baby's breath)... if you're ever struggling with a painting, flowers, and color ensemble ...ADD WHITE!! (it took on a light-yellow)

I got out the power-sander, with 80grit. (I wanted FAST results) And just touched it all over. This is sometimes where I get outta hand! But managed ok.

To Finish it off, I pulled out some Mini Wax Gel Stain. (in Walnut) Ever so lightly I rubbed it on with a rag, and... a little piece of lovely. It was so fun. And fast! Now That wall is so light. We need to repaint....

Enjoy.

Upcoming project reveal

I have been working on a big project for the past two weeks. I'm not actually working...but waiting, for the rain to stop! Rain, rain, go away, come again another day... I am undertaking the task of repainting my dining room set and I've learned never paint the day before a two week rainstorm. It's wet and drippy here in New England and I can't wait to get my table and chairs back.

Here's a shot of what I'm dealing with...



This poor chair never saw it coming...a booster seat did this after resting here for the past 5 years.
The reveal won't be too dramatic, just a clean, fresh table and chairs. Stay tune.

Har- ta-tack

We are nuts about Valentines Day already! We are daily trying to strum up something to do. This is the inspiration we had today. And we feel so pretty now.
Paint a base coat. She chose pink. With the contrast of Red, we added hearts. Simply dip the fingernail polish, wipe the sides on the jar, just so you wont make a big drip. angle the brush, touch the nail. It should just leave one angled line like "/" then angle the brush opposite, only touch the bottom together to form the heart. You are basically creating a "V" but it looks like a cute heart! I was thinking XOXOX would be cute too...
Then a top coat! I swear by this one, Out the Door, It holds up better than the salon's goods!