Friday, April 27, 2012

Class & Charm

This dresser has seen better days....

It actually looks like it's in really rough shape, but most of it is cosmetic....
the "bones" of this dresser are pretty good!


"after" ~ much better!!!

lots of hardware on this piece!

close-up of the distressing

Renae went to Washburn to pick up this dresser & the previous blog entry titled "Green, like Grass".  She dropped this beauty off at my house & we both got started on our dresser "transformations".  I must say, I think they turned out pretty darn good!  New colors added new life to these rather outdated, drab dressers.

The color I used on this one was ASCP in Provence, mixed with French Gray.  The color took on a light slate blue ~ really timeless & classy.  I didn't use any of the original hardware b/c as you can see, most of it was missing.  I searched through our stash of hardware & pieced together a unique blend & I actually not only like the combination, I love it!!!  I did have to spray the hardware oil rubbed bronze so that it all had a cohesive look.

Once painted, distressed, & waxed with some "new", old hardware this piece is ready & waiting for a new home....maybe yours??

Thanks for visiting,
Heather

$150

dimensions: 48"w x 17 1/2"d x 32"tall

Available for purchase



Thursday, April 26, 2012

Green, Like Grass


I picked this fun dresser up on my way through Washburn the other day.  It was brown and thoroughly distressed by a little girl and her pen.  Nice.  

Anyway, I cleaned it up real good and started painting.  I chose ASCP in Antibes Green, distressed it heavily and sealed it with clear and dark wax.  

 I love the final product.  It looks like spring to me.  


I love this detail on the top drawers.  

The handles received a fresh coat of antique bronze paint.


Look at this curve on the bottom!  Very Nice.  


Neat panels on the sides.  


Measures 49.5" wide, 18.5" deep and 30" tall.  

Perfect for a smaller bedroom, sun room or sitting room.  

Sold.

Contact us at greenbriargoods@hotmail.com

Thanks for visiting. 

Renae

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Wall of Mirrors


My Foyer. Before. 

I had one black framed mirror above the lawyers couch...
it needed something more, but what?  

Side table, plants, etc...nothing seems to be just right.  
The couch is staying there, so I need to work with the wall.  



I have a number of unique old mirrors stashed in a closet 
and have been thinking of creating a wall of mirrors.  I pulled out some stuff, traced it onto Christmas wrap, cut it out and tried a few layouts on the floor.  



This is what I came up with.

I wanted all the  mirrors to look cohesive, so I painted them Pure White by ASCP.  I kept one mirror in its wood tone and hesitated about painting another one...but in the end, I painted it and it looks great.  

I found that the gift wrap taped to the wall helped so much...
I could see the layout, make adjustments and when I decided it was good, 
it made hanging the mirrors a breeze.  I simply measured the wires or 
hanging brackets on each piece, measured the same distance on the 
paper, started my anchor and pulled the paper away.  Brilliant.  


My Foyer.  After.  


I've had this mirror forever.  It was painted and distressed before that was cool:)  It was cream and gold.  I like it much better in white.  


This was a black shiny mirror from Wal-Mart several years ago.  
I like how I aged it a little bit by adding white paint and distressing it.  


This is the mirror I hesitated painting...we've had it since we bought our first home in Grand Forks.  I remember Mike trying to hang it on a stud by screwing random holes along the wall.  Nice.  He's come a long way.  

The white freshened it up and gave it new life. 


The uppermost mirror with the diamond was originally purchased at Hobby Lobby.  It was black.  I like the texture it adds to the wall. 


I was unsure about leaving the oval mirror and old tool box wood tone...but I like it.  The wood on the oval mirror is gorgeous and it is similar to the wood on the couch.  The two pieces add a little character and help with the cohesive look I was going for.  

I like it...hope Mike and the boys do too.  
We'll have to get used to seeing our reflections as we walk down the hall.

Renae 





Monday, April 16, 2012

Fabric Sling Bookshelf

I've been an avid fan of Pinterest for some time now.  I've pinned many things & just haven't had the time to make them.....but there was 1 pin that I just kept coming back to & that one was by TipJunkie.com.  She posted a pin that was titled How to Make a Fabric Sling Bookshelf & it was soooo cute, that I've been itching to try it!

My little 3 year old loves to be read to (most 3 year olds do)!!  Anyway, she has a bookcase that is full & now that she is in a "big girl bed", I'm finding that lazy mom (that would be me)....  reads a bunch of stories, & then tosses them gently over the side of the bed when I'm finished (instead of walking over to the bookcase to put them away.....if you know me, this doesn't surprise you)!!!

How to Make a Fabric Sling Bookshelf via TipJunkie.com (this is the picture from the website that sold me on making one for my daughter)


When I saw the fabric sling bookshelf mounted on the wall right next to the bed, I knew this was a project I NEEDED to do!  TipJunkie.com has a great tutorial on how to make this if you want to check out her website.  I will attempt to show you how I used my very minimal sewing ability to make one for my daughter....(P.S.  if I can do this, ANYONE can do this ~ trust me)!

Step 1:  Go & find yourself some fun fabric (you'll need 1 1/3 yard), bring it home & wash it!

Step 2:  Go to Lowes or wherever you prefer & buy (2) double brackets (I found them in the drapery section)

Step 3:  Buy (2) 48" long round dowels (5/8" diameter)

Sew right sides together... sew short side, long side, and half way up the other short...

turn your fabric right sides out & then sew up the half that you left open to turn fabric through...



I just used my sewing machine to stitch up the half side...

measure 2" up and pin the first long side...

sew the first long side... then, repeat on the second long side..

when your finished, it will look like this...place your dowels in & your done with the sewing...pretty easy!

just another picture of your finished sling

This is a picture of the brackets I bought (about $5 each)






I definitely recommend that you try this project if you have an avid reader or a little one who likes to pick out his/her own books & has their favorites that they like to read on a daily basis!  I'm going to switch out the books in the sling once a week to mix it up a little!! 

My 11 year old daughter saw this completed & thought maybe she would like to have one....  you could make this for any age group (doesn't just have to be for little ones)

Thanks to TipJunkie.com for this awesome project (which by the way cost $20 total for everything...sweet)!

Happy Reading,
Heather

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Distressed White

I picked this dresser up at an old farmstead near Fort Lincoln.  
It's top was a mess and it was filthy...but, it had some great character.  
So I snatched it up, cleaned it and painted it pure white.  




Dresser. Before.  


Dresser. After. 


Love the legs and the curve at the bottom. 


Pure White. Heavy Distressing. Perfect. 


36" wide, 17" deep and 35" high.

SOLD

Contact us at greenbriargoods@hotmail.com

Thanks for visiting.

Renae


Monday, April 9, 2012

Bookshelf in Orange

On Friday, I visited an old farmstead in search of a replacement mirror for an old vanity and ended up coming home with the pickup full of "treasures"...
and one of them found its home in Casey's room. 

I recently showed pictures from the room makeover that we did for 
our son Casey.  We had used a unique old bookshelf next to his bed...
it worked, but I was searching for a better one:)  


This is the original one.  


I bought this for $5.  
Ugly. Dirty. Gross. 


Soap. Water. Bleach. Paint.  



Perfect.  

The entire piece is painted Barcelona Orange, distressed and waxed.  I used scrapbook papers and Modge Podge on the back panel to add interest.  



Now Casey has the perfect spot for his "treasures."

Renae