Friday, June 29, 2012

A home makeover for $50



I'll admit it, I can be a bit obsessive. My current obsession centers around paint and refinishing furniture. I've been meaning to post about this recent paint obsession for a few months, but life got in the way. So, I'll start from the beginning...

A few months after Calder was born and my brain was starting to work (well, kinda) and I had the energy to tackle some home projects, I went for it. I had just had it with my dark, depressing surroundings, and I was soo ready for a change. I knew I couldn't afford to buy new furniture and "start over", so I decided to work with my hand-me-downs and make them more me.  Of course, I do hope some day to replace these pieces with my "dream table" or my "dream armoire," but since I've been saying that for years now and that ship hasn't come in, this will have to do the trick for now.

My living room feels so refreshed and I do too. I use to just sit and stare, and wish away all that dark wood. But I was too scared to actually make the move. I would go in spurts of caring and not caring and then caring a lot... and then finally, on a random Saturday when Bruner was gone playing golf and Calder was sound asleep in her nap... I DID IT. I knew once I made one big paint stroke, there was no turning back..




I've never been scared of painting furniture, in fact, quite the opposite. I love painting old pieces and find it so rewarding and therapeutic. BUT, there was something about our dining room table and chairs from my in-laws that made me nervous. They didn't care if I painted it because it desperately needed some refinishing, but it did make me nervous for some reason. My husband loves this table because of all the childhood memories, so I'm glad we could meet in the middle here.

And...Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to the rescue! While I was in Chattanooga in April, I came across Annie Sloan Chalk Paint at a cute store downtown, C.Martin Collection. I was immediately interested because this paint is perfect for someone like me who doesn't have the time or patience (or muscles) to refinish furniture the "correct" way. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint does not follow the rules but allows the user to work with it in an independent, intuitive and creative way. No Sanding. No Priming. No Removing of old wax, old paintor varnish. REALLY.

I used Old White on our dining room table and chairs. I sealed it with the Annie Sloan Clear Wax, and experimented with the dark wax but ended up switching it back and leaving it out.

 



And painting the armoire scared me too. I actually bought that piece soon after I graduated from Ole Miss and received my first paycheck (for barely nothing), but at the time it was a lot for this little graphic designer. I bought it at AtHome in Homewood (such a cute store and I miss those lunch breaks where I'd just wander around and graze). I loved it at the time, and it was the perfect size for our living room in the little home I rented with some girlfriends from college. BUT, my taste has definitely changed and evolved since then (as I'm sure it always will), and I wouldn't buy that same piece now.


I used Benjamin Moore Fairview Taupe on our armoire. BTW, I love this Natura paint—totally worth the extra money. It doesn't have an odor at all and was important to me with Calder.





I was hesitant about painting this cane back chair at first, but I couldn't be happier with it now. I actually used several different Benjamin Moore paints I already had (Natural Wicker, Briarwood and  Fairview Taupe). I completely winged it and think it turned out pretty well for such a last minute project.






So for a whopping $50 or so, I got a whole new living room and dining room. It took me a few Saturdays and Sundays (and several of Calder's long naps), but totally worth it in the end.

And for you Mobilians, you can buy Annie Sloan Chalk paint at the Heron House. Photo courtesy of my good friend Ashley Dukes!


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Thursday, June 28, 2012

East Bay Clothiers Website Launch!

We just launched the new East Bay Clothiers site! We've been working on this site for what seems like forever, so I keep pinching myself when I realize it's actually L.I.V.E. {See in progress "Sneak Peek" post here.}





And here's a big smile to brighten your day. Calder keeps getting sweeter and sweeter, and bigger and bigger. Happy Thursday everyone. Hope you do something extra fun this weekend! We're headed to New Orleans on Saturday morning and coming back Sunday. It'll be our first trip just the two of us and Calder will be with the juju and mack-daddy! I'm sure I'll take lots of pics and have some fun things to share next week...

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

It's so easy to focus more on the things we want, especially in this "perfect pinterest world" we live in. BUT, I pray I always focus more on what I have.
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Serena & Lily

I just love Serena & Lily! Even though I've only purchased one thing from them (the glider in Calder's Nursery in the image below), every time I receive their catalog in the mail I treat it like a magazine. I never toss it in the recycling bin like I do so many other catalogs. This one is special. It makes me wanna curl up on the couch and swoon over every picture. I mean seriously, talk about wanting to pin every item.
Click here to read about their story, and how these mom-trepreneurs started Serena & Lily.
 

And I adore these pendants. They would definitely make a room!
Click here to view a digital version Matchbook, featuring Serena & Lily.


Visit their site for more info and plan on staying a while since there is a lot to see!

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Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day

 
Happy 1st Father's Day to one amazing dad!! Bruner, you really are such a wonderful father, and it's been SO much fun to watch you with Calder. You're such a helpful, patient, loving and funny dad! Here's to your special day and many, many more to come!
There is no such thing as too much cuddle time!


or play time!
 And here's to our amazing father's too! We wouldn't be here without you two.
 Calder and I are so very blessed to have you. What would we do without you??
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