Shutter + Christmas Cards

A little shutter made its way into our Christmas decor this year! 

 

This faithful little shutter sat un-painted and hidden for the past two years because I couldn't figure out what to do with it.  I even moved it into our new house hoping inspiration would strike one day. A can of red spray paint and glitter blast brought this bland shutter to life. Now it's home to Christmas cards from family and friends. 

We have the perfect spot for the shutter(s) on our landing. I was so excited to keep cards on display showing off cute pictures of family and friends.

Shutter number one is filling up! It's almost time to bust out the second shutter.

Happy Holidays!

A Bench for Bruce

Yes - I'm sitting on the toilet. Awkward.

Let's just take a minute and remember this bathroom. 

Yuck!

Our first house project was ripping down the dreadful wallpaper in this master bathroom. You may remember this post.  I'm standing by my previous statement: Please don't ask me to help you tear down wallpaper. Please! I beg of you. 

Along with the wallpaper, we invested in new faucets, hardware for the drawers, and a new paint job.  My original intention was to spruce up the bench that came with the house. Unfortunately, we thought it would be a good idea to use that bench as a step stool during de-wallpapering and it was destroyed. Oops.  

R.I.P. brass bench. You lived a good life. 

Since then, I've been hunting for a NEW bench. 

My hunt was unsuccessful. 

Yesterday, I was walking around a flea market in my hometown and this bench popped out to me. It pleaded with me to save it. 

$10 later... it was saved!

I started by peeling off the existing cushion. The cushion had been repurposed three times before and had enough dust in it to fill my garage. 

It. Was. Gross. 

I gave the bench a new paint job with spray paint. Then, I picked up a yard of fabric at Jo-Anns, a foam cushion, some batting, and rewrapped the plywood that came with the bench. 

The highlight of this experience was investing in my first staple gun. My crafting possibilities are endless now - thanks to my new ($12) staple gun!

Here's what it looked like in the bathroom before it's little makeover:

And after it's 24-hour makeover!

Let's be honest... 

We all know who is going to take over the bench. The boss - Bruce. 

Did I mention we got a cat? Oh yes, we have a cat now. 

Meow

Hmm.. what shall I staple next?

Pistachio Inspired Tables

This weekend, my handsome fella' and I tackled a little furniture revamping project. To date, this was officially our second project together. Inspired by our favorite power couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines, we decided to give these end tables a second life. 

Here's a peak at the end tables prior to our project:

Fun Fact: Both tables fit quite nicely in the backseat of a Ford Fusion!

First, we decided to give each of the tables a good sanding because.. well... that's what every tutorial told us to do, so it seemed like it was necessary. How's that for an explanation?

After standing in the spray paint aisle for way-too-long (my fault.. couldn't decide on a color), Scott said, "go with your gut!" So, my gut said, "Pistachio!" Therefore, we went with the color "Pistachio" by Krylon. As were were painting and the color came to life, I fell more and more in love with the color! 

Named after my favorite snack: Pistachio!

After a few coats of paint (and another trip to Wal-Mart for more paint...then a pit stop at Home Depot...and online search at Menards..) our finished project was sitting pretty in our garage. 

Chip, our official project observer, gave the tables his stamp of approval. 

Have you painted furniture before? Do you sand? Prime? Spray Paint? Share with me your tips!

My next furniture project involves a sofa table I purchased on Craigslist and chalk paint. Off to the garage I go to soak up this beautiful weather and my final hours of spring break!