Two of my friends are getting married May 7, 2016. The bride came up with the most adorable gift idea for her groom. Since there will be time in between the ceremony and reception, guests will be able to play lawn games. She purchased the cornhole boards online and we got to painting!

First we spray painted the boards white with two coats (paint+primer).

 

 

 

Then, we traced the bride and groom’s silhouette’s, cut them, and painted the perimeter of the head onto the board. Then we painted the inside of the silhouette.

She stenciled the wedding date and I used three coats of poly to seal.

 

      I would say the groom enjoyed his Christmas gifts!



Tiffany Blue Student Desk

The student I chose to receive a study space truly deserves it. Let’s call her “T”. T was my student last year and my advisee for the last two years. I have seen her grow academically and begin to make better choices in challenging situations. She offers to mentor younger kids who are new to the school and gives them advice about how to stay in my good graces. She’s my comic relief and an ambitious child. One day, T hopes to become a fashion designer and visit Germany.

After asking T to sit down with me to help me design a desk for a “client” I figured out her style. She’s very sophisticated. The tiffany blue, black, and white palette inspired her. She was drawn to diamonds and fur as well. Sounds like she has expensive taste! The last thing she insisted on was a secretary desk that way she could hide anything she is working on quickly if she doesn’t want someone to see it.

After prepping I spray painted the outside a satin tiffany blue (Rust-Oleum Aqua) and the inside a semi-gloss black. I used the same black on the chair and used a faux-fur fabric to recover the cushion.

 

 

 

 

Desk accessories from Homegoods/Marshalls and Staples.

I dropped off the desk and set it up in her bedroom. Tonight, T will find out her desk design isn't for my "client" but for her! I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for T!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

The Kitchen Island: The Gathering Place

Most parties end up around the kitchen island. This client was looking for the perfect gathering place.

 

Dimensions: 5 ft (l) x 32 in (w) x 42 in (h).

Status: Sold

 

Before

 

 

 

After

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baseball Bookends

Negative: My husband’s collection of baseballs

Positive: Functionality for my bookcases

My husband has baseballs from various life stages stowed away. After he decided which ones he HAD to keep (like his first little league home run ball) he gave me the rest.

Our bookcases always end up a mess by the end of the day and even worse at the end of the week. My students loved the new addition to the classroom! A perfect addition to my two toned bookcase.

My kids throw out the most creative ideas when I ask them about their design wishes. Do you need some inspiration in a kid friendly space? I would love to help!

Chalkboard Cabinet

This poor cabinet was broken down and sad. See the before here.

Use this chalkboard cabinet to suit your needs. Tons of storage space.

Wine cabinet?

Or perfect playroom storage?

Status: Not for Sale

What To Do with Chipped Craigslist Furniture

Have you ever shown up to pick an item from Craigslist and the picture and the item just don’t match? Think of an online dating profile picture that advertises one thing and what was advertised was not promised on the date.

I needed new storage in my living room and went to pick up a cabinet. When I showed up to find pieces missing from the top the seller said, “It’s not of good quality”. I felt like I already committed and paid.

 

 

So what do you do with chipped Craigslist furniture?

1.       Fill the chipped wood (or in this case cardboard-esque material)

Use a stainable wood filler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.       Paint it.

High gloss paint will show more imperfections. I choose darker colors when painting less than ideal wood.

 

 

 

Is it perfect, not quite. But a blemish on a chalkboard painted cabinet versus a hunk of missing cheap cardboard material is much more tolerable.

 

Check back in for the finished product of my chalkboard painted cabinet!