Festival of Lights – Day 3

Tags

light fixture, makeover, paint, spray paint, update

From Brassy to Classy!

I had some spray paint leftover from the light fixture makeover. However, the shiny brass finish on the three hall lights was mocking me. The shape of the lights are fine, it’s just the finish that needed updating.The lights were fairly easy to take down, but I did make Hubster do the electrical part. The most time-consuming part was taping each little glass pane! I also taped over the sockets and the sticker warning me not to use more than 25 watt bulbs. After a few coats of oil-rubbed bronze spray paint and removing all that tape, they looked so much better.

Hubster then mounted them back on the ceiling for me. He decided he doesn’t like where this is going… 5 ceiling fans to update, 1 kitchen light, 1 more bathroom light… Oh, well! those are projects for a later date.

XOXO,
Young Wifey

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Spray Paint Series: Salvaged Heater in Powder Room

Tags

bathroom, heater, painting, postaday2011, powder room, spray paint

I really thought we’d have to tear out and replace this heater, it wouldn’t be too expensive to replace, but we wanted to see if we could salvage it first. I’m not even sure why we have this type of heater in the powder room, I know it doesn’t have any floor vents hooked up to our heat pump, but it’s a small room that in completely interior…

I really wish I’d taken a before pic. I think the original color was tan, but I couldn’t tell due to the vast amount of rust that had taken over the heater. It was so bad you needed a new tetanus shot just from looking at it. I cleaned off the heater and sanded it down. Then cleaned it and sanded it again. Lather, rinse, repeat… After many attempts I was able to get it mostly smooth. And then I covered the walls & floor carefully and applied a few base coats of Rust-Oleum.

Salvaging the Heater

After about 6 coats, it finally looked like a heater again. Thanks Rust-Oleum!

Have you salvaged anything rusty recently?

Spray Paint Series: Bird Cages for Guest Room

Tags

bedroom, bird cage, guest room, home decor, painting, postaday2011, spray paint

I have a few off white antique bird cages that previously resided on my bookshelves in my old living room. I’m going to be moving them in the guest room. These small black votive holder bird cages were our place card holders from a recent vow renewal.

Bird Cages Before

When I unpacked them I wanted them to go with the antique wooden birdcages, but vary the color from the off white ones. I used the same white spray paint and pearl essence finish as I did for the guest room nightstands. Not exactly sure about their placement on the antique dresser, but until the room is completely furnished, it works.

One Bird Cage After

What accent colors do you prefer?

Spray Paint Series: Lighting for Powder Room

Tags

bathroom, home decor, light fixture, lighting, postaday2011, powder room, spray paint, vanity

The powder room is where I got bad at taking before photos, maybe I was in a rush to get this bathroom started.

Here's a Peek at our Powder Room Before

I had plans to replace our hideous light fixture (can you see it up there?), when Hubster suggested that it was similar in shape to the one I had been eyeing. I had been blinded by the brass; I do not like brass, especially faux brass. I do however love bronze…

Hubster removed the light fixture from the wall. I tried to remove the globes to protect them from the paint (and thoroughly clean the nooks and crannies), but apparently they were extremely well attached. I had to be very creative in covering the globes with paper and painter’s tape, since I’d have to spray the fixture from several angles. So with a few coats of the “oil-rubbed bronze” spray paint, I was able to transform this light fixture and spare its life.

Bronze & Beautiful

I can’t wait to show you the entire transformation, just a little more work…

What do you think? Are you a brass or bronze fan?

Spray Paint Series: Nightstands for Guest Room

Tags

bed table, bedroom, before & after, end table, guest room, home decor, night table, nightstand, paint, postaday2011, side table, spray paint, table

Catching Up:
I was really bad at posting last month (and an even worse blog reader), it seems to be my July trend. Despite me being sick for a week and a half, we did get a lot done to our house. I however haven’t been in the kitchen much. July has come and gone and now it’s almost time to go back to school. I had surgery yesterday (don’t worry, it was diagnostic and had good results) and have a few weeks of healing ahead of me. Stuck on the couch or in bed seems like the perfect time to share a few of our projects with you and for me to catch up on my reading…

A Can of Spray Paint Can Do Wonders
Last week, Hubster and I purchased these two black nightstands at Ikea for our guest room. After all, the guest room currently only houses a box spring & mattress (sitting on the floor) and an antique wooden dresser. I know what all I want to make and add to the room, but it’ll take a while (and a lot of projects) to get it to where I want it.

Ikea Before

I had chosen a soothing green for the guest room, with a bold (for us) green accent wall. Hubster was very unsure of my color choice, but I told him to trust me. Knowing once my vision was complete, he’d approve. It just needs to be toned down with white and natural accents.

I wanted to paint our new tables white with a glossy finish, but Hubster suggested a pearl essence finish. Nice! After I put the tables together with my new allen wrench, I started to paint them with spray paint that promised primer & paint in one. Well, even after a few coats the tables were a shimmery silver… beautiful, but not fitting into my vision. The next day I picked up white spray paint and decided to use it as my primer. After a few good coats, I topped it off with my pearl essence top coat. Once they were dry, I placed them in the guest room and topped them with the beveled edge glass.

Young Wifey's After

Now the tables are on each side of the bed, this one topped with some antique vases (family heirlooms) with a white hydrangea bloom and a few books on the shelf below. Please ignore the stained carpet, the previous owners were really rough on the house, I did steam clean this room TWICE (we plan to replace it with a hardwood floor in the future)!

Just a small project to share, but it added a big impact in the guest room.

What miracles has spray paint worked for you recently?

PS – If any of this post didn’t make sense, please blame it on the percocet…