Handpainted Children's Bedroom

This sweet little sunroom

now embraces the grandchildren

snug in their beds.

What was once all white wicker and plants

is now a Full Moon Yellow

and Candy Apple Red.

My friend was inspired by her Swedish roots and Carl Larsson design

to remake the room a refuge for her grandchildren.

What a cheery little spot.

The names of the kids are all around the tops of the windows

with vine woven in and out.

I have some paint tips here

if you would like to get the look.

First, plan the placement of the names.

One trick I love to use is sketching with glaze first.

Dip your flat brush in glaze only (no paint)

and freehand your letters.

You can easily wipe it off and redo as many time as you want.  

No big.

It's great because you can see the lettering design and placement with just the glaze.

Nice, no commitment until you are ready.

Then when you get it how you like it, add a little paint to your glaze

and just paint over the lines you've already outlined.

Braver, braver, and then as much paint as you want.

I switched from a flat brush to a liner brush at the end to get the little curls.

And here are some video tips for painting the vine

This video demonstrates painting with a liner brush.

For a larger vine you could use a 1/2" flat brush and roll the brush

between your fingers and drag in the same way.

Sweet personalized sentiment

makes for a "cherry on top"

this little sunroom redo.

Your comment is welcome here.

Refresh with High Gloss White

In the beginning...

They looked like this:

Actually, this is even better than they looked at first.

I removed the old torn fabric seats and gave everything a good sanding.

But they were

Drab.

(you know what's comin')

And

Now

They're

Fab

And this is her journey...

After the sanding, wood filler, and wipe down

comes the primer and paint.

This time I used a spray primer.  I really like the metal spray primers.

They are so nice and thick and have great adhesion.

Next, she got a couple of coats of white gloss spray paint.

Then if there were still any pourous areas that didn't cover as well

I brushed on the gloss white paint.



I have a bargain secret

about making new cushions for the seats.

I buy foam mattress pads.

The bumpy, egg-crate looking ones.

I can get a queen size pad for about $12.00

and that will cover 3  or 4 chair seats.

So this is what it looks like:

Cut 3 pieces the size of the wooden seat.

Layer them  bumpy sides together

finishing with a smooth surface on top.

Then add one layer of batting and the fabric to cover.

See.

Now she's so cute

with her shapely little legs

and her puffed up seat.

She will be joining the rest of her party,

a long white table with 6 chairs

under the big white tent

at a summer wedding.

Is there something you can turn drab to fab

with a fresh coat of gloss white?

Refresh:  to give new vigor or spirit to,

to give new freshness or brightness.

"He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed"  Proverbs 11:25

If you have any gloss white redo faves, I'd love to hear your comment.

Bahama Blue Painted Furniture

I'm Jumping In!

And I'm going "Bahama Underwater Blue"

Now that I live at the lake

I'm changing some of my home color.

I had a lot of reds and golds before.

This is the sideboard that is up for a change:

Here's a sneak peak at what's to come:

After sanding and priming

I base painted in

Bahamas Underwater Blue; Semi-Gloss; from Walmart.

Let the glazing begin.

Folkart's Raw Sienna and Burnt Umber combine to make a nice golden brown .

Pour some clear glaze

onto your paint tray

Any clear glaze would work,

but I like the consistency of this.

Load your brush with just the glaze first

Then dip the side of the brush in the mixed color:

And Brush it over the blue

working in 1' - 2' areas.

Better switch to a bigger brush!

I use a wet wipe to blend out areas that might be too heavy with paint:

And there you have it!

Quite a new look .

Removed the doors.

Painted the interior white.

Baskets on shelves.

New Hardware.

Color changes are fun and inexpensive

and change the mood of a room.

Take a risk.  "It's just paint"  is my motto.


Linking to Miss Mustard Seed

Linking to The 36th Avenue