A Place to Share Ideas and Inspiration for the Home
I came across this awesome before and after chair that I just had to share. It never seizes to amaze me how easy it is to make something old look fresh and modern. I’m a lover of thrifting, making old things new and fresh, but I would probably pass this one up.
Check out this before…
Pretty ugly right. Do you see any potential in this?
You have got to see how amazing this after picture is…
Can you believe it? Looks great right?
In my recent search for inspiration for my home office/guest room, I came across this great studio/work space overhaul over at ish and chi. She has fantastic taste. I love what she did here. Check out this before & after.
I love how light and airy it feels. Her choice of color scheme is soothing and calming. Perfect combo for a work space.
This painted cupboard which she has all her fabrics organized in is so perfectly fit for the space. She painted the inside too! So smart!
I must admit, I’m definitively in awe and slightly jealous. I hope my space ends up just as lovely(and organized). You can check out more photos/info over at ish and chi.
Another score on Craigslist! A campaign style desk…not the real thing of course, but a nice looking reproduction. The owner actually had it for 30 years! The desk was originally a really cool green color but she repainted it white ( not the greatest paint job either). It was $40 bucks and it came with a piece of glass she had custom made for it. Double score! Here she is…
When I saw it I knew it was going to be a DIY project. I’ve seen campaign style furniture in so many fun colors, I knew I would be, at the very least, painting it. When I actually examined the condition it was in, I decided it was probably best to strip the existing paint and start from scratch. Being that I’ve never actually stripped paint from furniture, I didn’t know what I was getting myself (and boyfriend) into.
Here’s what I picked up from Home Depot:
And so the journey began…this is what is looked liked with the paint stripper doing its thang…
The first layer of white paint came off easily. It was the original green paint that was tough. What I couldn’t get off with the paint stripper and scraper, I figured I could just sand down to get a smooth finish. Boy! Am I glad for boyfriends! I borrowed an electric sander from my dad and while I finished stripping the paint off, boyfriend went to work at sanding. 5 hours later (I think if he realized it would take so long, he probably wouldn’t have volunteered) it was done. Hallelujah! Next step is the priming. Here’s a shot of the “painting station” with the desk stripped and sanded.
As you can see, some of that green paint didn’t want to budge much…
Never the less, it was smooth. Next step. Priming.
Right now, I’m in the middle of priming it. I’m having a tough time deciding what color to paint it. Did you notice all the paint swatches sitting on top of the desk? Boyfriend really wants “Candy Apple Red” , but I’m not sold. Although I know it would look great, I’m feeling something a little more fun, like “Pencil Yellow”. What are your thoughts? Here’s a closer shot…
or what about…
or…
So many options!!! I would love to get some feedback, so please comment. Especially if you’re siding with my choice instead of boyfriends’ pick.
Here are some great examples of campaign style furniture to help along with your decision
via lonny magazine
via makingmacy.blogspot
via stuartmemberyhomecollection
via boogieboardcottage.blogspot
via twenty-six-to-life.com
Thoughts?
Hi there. I’m Debra. I used to work in the interior design world for a hand-full of years before switching up careers. Now, I’m a graphic and web designer by day and an interior design enthusiast by night. You can read more about me here.
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