Zebra Dresser

Hey friends,

today I'm thinking about

our style personalities.

I don't often stop to think about my style.

I usually just get a visual

of something that I would love to have around me

in my home and go for it.

Have you ever been to Sproost.com?

It's fun.

It is a Decorating style personality quiz.

My style is

67 percent Rustic Revival

33 percent Nantucket

Yep, that sounds like me.

My 9 year old grandaughter took the quiz

and she was about

100 percent Hollywood Glam.

Yep, that sounds like her.

That brings me to todays project:

Taylor's Zebra Dresser:

Although for a true Hollywood Glam look

I would have used black and white

with some sparkle bling handles.

This is more of a compromise with the Gray.

(She'll probably have me change it after this post. ha!)

The stripe pattern I chose

is a mix of soft tan and black

with a white dry brush over top.

I found a magazine picture

of a zebra pattern I liked

and could use as a visual

while I painted freehand.

Using a 1" flat brush,

I dipped the brush in clear glaze

then one side in tan

and the other side in black.

Drag the brush on it's side.

Then I dry brushed white

over the top

Probably the change I like most

about this dresser

is the drawer pulls.

Originally,

the dresser had several tiny little

round gold knobs.

Rather than leaving

this odd arrangement,

I filled all of the holes

and drilled new ones

for

four simple handles.

I cheated on this "Before" picture

and photoshopped in the knobs

because I had already removed them

when I took the photo.

But I wanted you to

see the transformation

so that

you can always think without limit

about what you can change

besides paint

to create a better final product.

Phew...much better.

Four simple centered drawer pulls

make a nice balance.

So, are you, my stylin' friends,

Nantucket or Hollywood Glam

or any other of the many

decorating personalities?

Always appreciate your visit,

Deb

Linking To:      Thursday:    Beyond the Picket Fence
                                           The Shabby Creek Cottage
                                           House of Hepworths
                                           The 36th Avenue

                        Friday:          Miss Mustard Seed
                                             Redoux Interiors
                                             At the Picket Fence

                        Monday:      Sumos Sweet Stuff
                                            I Should be Mopping the Floor
                                            Craftomaniac

                      Tuesday:        Home Stories A to Z
                                             My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
                                             Primitive and Proper
                     Wednesday:   Savvy Southern Style

My Favorite Number

I used to dream

about living at the lake.

About five years ago

we bought a lot

but we weren't ready

to live there full time yet.

But I knew it would happen someday.

So while I was waiting

to live at Lot 22

I made a big canvas to remind me of it.

I wanted something big and graphic

and kind of reminded me of

an old football jersey.

To get the old worn jersey look

the most important tool is an old chip brush.

You can see more about this dry brush

application that I did on this Route 66 Sign.

Use darker colors to shade at the bottom

and at the right of the numbers.

I even darkened the shading at the

bottom right corner of the canvas.

I also used a dry brush white.

Because I used yard canvas

I could just turn under the edges and glue.

Then I added grommets to the top.

You can see how I did that here.

Since this is canvas by the yard you will just

cut a hole rather than drill.

Dry brush areas around the numbers and letters.

Now I have my canvas hanging on the

wall above my sofa.

You can see it from the lake when you're in the boat.

But while I was still living in my home before this

I kept my favorite number hanging

as a reminder of the future.

I clipped lake pictures all around it

so that it was a dream board.

I think it would be fun to make a canvas

with your kid's sports jersey number

and hang sport pics all around.

It could be great in a boys or girls bedroom.

So it can be your favorite number

or jersey art....

big and bold impact.

I'm loving summer,

but, wow, have I been busy!

Are you like me?

I want to make time for projects

but have the pull of so many

great summer activities.

Hope you're enjoying yours!

Thanks for taking the time to stop.

Appreciate it, Deb

Linking to:     Saturday:       Funky Junk Interiors

                      Monday:         DIY Showoff
                                             Between Naps on the Porch

Sand and Shells Dresser

Hey to all of my

Lake Lovin'

Coast Lovin'

Beach Lovin'

Friends!

I have a fun furniture transformation to share.

Here's a sneak peak:

My niece inherited a dresser from Aunt Lucille.

Auntie's style went something like this:

That's not Kate's style.

Kate is a modern beachy girl.

She is looking for

"Some Beach"

"Somewhere".

So here's her plan.

"Give me something sand and white with a little bit of shabby,

and I will hunt down the drawer pulls."

So my mission started with a good sanding,

and primer and a little bit of wood filler repair.

You know my thing about old dressers and their drawers...

I like to freshen them up.

So I took out the old liner paper,

sanded the insides of the drawers,

wiped it down ,

and then sprayed the interiors with a clear spray.

That will help rid of anything musty.

I painted the shell of the dresser semi-gloss white.

and then sanded the edges for

a worn look.

The drawer fronts stay the original wood

because they are going to get a dip and drag paint treatment.

You can find out more about this paint technique

at one of my other tutorials here.

Using a piece of folded cardstock, dip into multiple paint colors

and drag across surface.

Refrain from covering entire surface

so that it has a really textural appearance.

The tan, gray and white mix

will be the grainy beach sand look I'm going for.

Then to top it off,

Kate found the perfect knob...

a clear glass swirl

that looks like a shell!

Sand and Shells...

found in textured paint and swirled glass

create just the look we're going for.

And really, the solid white surround

anchors the piece and gives it a really restful feel.

This dresser is going in baby's beach nursery,

but really it would be great in any room

adding a bit of coastal charm.

Thanks for your visit!

See you soon,  Deb

Link Parties:       

Thursday:         Beyond the Picket Fence
                         The Shabby Creek Cottage
                         House of Hepworths
                         The 36th Avenue
                         Delightful Order
                         Embracing Change

Friday:              Miss Mustard Seed
                         Redoux Interiors
                         At the Picket Fence

Saturday:         Funky Junk Interiors

Monday:           DIY Showoff
                        Sumos Sweet Stuff
                        Between naps on the Porch
                        I should be mopping the floor
                        Craftomaniac
                        The Dedicated House

Tuesday:          Coastal Charm
                        Home Stories A to Z
                        My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
                        Primitive and Proper

Wednesday:    Savvy Southern Style


Thrifty Decor Chick    

Fish Growth Chart

Awww...I went to a sweet baby shower today.

You can imagine how many times

I heard the word "cute".

There were so many charming little

dresses and booties.

And for baby Claire that's

on her way into this world

she will be so cute in

all of the sugary fashion.

But for nursery styling,

Baby Claire's mommy

wants a shabby beachy style.

So I jumped on that idea

with this

simple fish growth chart.

The shape is simple

and

the paint is worn.

The horizontal stripes

along with the weathered detail

make a sweet rustic style

for baby's nursery.

Because the style is really generic,

it would work great for

boy or girl

and will be adaptable to

any age really.

So here's the scoop

on how to

make one for your own little sweet pea.

I used 1/2" plywood

and cut a fish shape 45" x 7".

I have always loved the fish shapes at Castaways Hall

and drew out a template similar to one of those.

Cut and sand.

Brush entire piece, front and back,

with watered down raw sienna paint.

Let dry.

I wanted the back to look good too

so I used the same paint technique

that I used on this table

and  this flag.

Once that is dry

turn it over and paint the other side white.

After the white dries

tape off the horizontal lines

and paint in whatever color stripes you want.

I didn't use full brush coverage

because I wanted the worn look.

Using a yardstick and a ruler

as your guide, take a liner brush

to make the inch markers.

Paint numbers at the "foot" marks.

Personalize.

Use two screw eyes to pull the sisal through.

Tie off with braiding cord or jute twine.

Make sure when you start the braiding cord

you leave a long tail.

That way you have something to tie on to

at the end.

Now you just loop tie the rope

and you're ready to hang.

When you hang it on the wall

be sure the 2 ft. marker is actually

2 ft. from the floor so measurements are accurate.

You could use a fine tip marker to

document the dates of measuring

kiddo's height.

Here's the back...

Glad you could stop by!

Always appreciate your visits.

Have a great day, Deb

Link Parites:    

Tuesday:          Coastal Charm
                         Home Stories A to Z
                        My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wednesday:    Savvy Southern Style

Thursday:        Beyond the Picket Fence
                        The Shabby Creek Cottage
                        House of Hepworths
                        Delightful Order

Stars and Stripes Colorsplash

Flag Up Girls!

Here comes another fun

Paint Project.

In the spirit of the Season and all

I've been wanting to

paint stars and stripes.

This is really more of a Pop Art version

of Old Glory.

And you can hang either vertical or horizontal.

But it will definitely add a splash

of summer color to your home.

It's just Happy Art.

I used 1/2" plywood

and cut a 16" X 27" rectangle.

Sand all of the edges.

Paint the back Semi-Gloss Black (Outdoor Paint)

Using a watered down Raw Sienna

brush the front,  covering the entire surface

and all of the edges.

Then using some black,

brush in a few strokes.

This way the very underlayer

will be a warm color

that will show through your

top coat technique.

Layers and Layers of Paint

give pieces more depth

and a very painterly artful quality.

Now for some color.

At about 9" down I taped down a line.

Now I can lay in my blues.

I'm using the same paint method

that I used on this table.

But here on the blue part of the flag

you can fold a piece of cardstock paper

any size and drag it back and forth,

continuing to dip in the 3 different colors.

You can even switch motion

vertical then horizontal for a criss cross application.

Apply as much paint as you want

leaving some of the underlayer showing.

That creates a worn chippy look.

I also added some dark navy blue on top.

I didn't have the paint color I needed,

but I had some blue stain

leftover from these Summer Beach Chairs.

So I used that.

I poured some of the stain into a smaller bottle

so it was easier to pour.

BFF = Blowdryer

Now for the red

Cut a piece of cardstock about 3 1/4"

(just shy of that a bit)

Mark the 5 stripe layout on your board.

Using a straight edge

dip the cardstock in each of the colors

and drag down the line.

Add more of whatever color

you want to show.

Then for the white:

After you have all of the stripes painted,

return to the blue

and stencil in your stars using this same

dip and drag motion.

I first sketched a layout for the stars 

on a sheet of paper 

so I had a general idea of placement.

Then I cut stencils out of cardstock.

Laying the stencil in position

I used another folded piece of cardstock

(okay how many times can I say cardstock)

to dip and drag across the stencil

working out to in

so I don't get much run under.

Oh, and here are the colors

I used for the stars.

Well, you would think that would be enough.

But , oh no...

Let the layering continue..

Splatter with Orange.

Then a spray sealer.

I might even use a marine varnish

if I hang it outside.

Let's use a fun summer hang-

sisal rope.

I drilled tiny pilot holes in the plywood

to start my 1 3/16" screw eyes.

Say What?

Well, that's what they're called.

You can see how I looped the sisal through

and wrapped the braiding cord around.

Then you'll have a long stretch of rope.

I don't know how much I used but

it might have been 5 - 6'.

Tie that a couple of times

for a loop in the top.

Woop Woop

Now you have an American Summer Colorsplash !

Thanks for stopping by.

Hope you're having a great summer!

Linky Parties:

Tuesday:          Coastal Charm

                         Home Stories A to Z

                         My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wednesday:     Savvy Southern Style

                         Cheap Crafty Mama

Thursday:         Beyond the Picket Fence

                         Shabby Creek Cottage

                         House of Hepworths

                         Delightful Order

                         The 36th Avenue

                         The Checkered Apple Patriotic Party

                         Itsy Bitsy Paper Blog Patriotic Party

                         Fine Craft Guild

Friday:              Redoux Interiors

                         At the Picket Fence

                        The Shabby Nest

Saturday:         Funky Junk Interiors

Monday:           DIY Showoff

                        Sumos Sweet Stuff

                        Craftomaniac

                        I should be Mopping the Floor

                        Between Naps on the Porch

                       C.R.A.F.T