I tend to be sentimental about Stuff. Two years ago, when we moved, my old accessories were comforting--the design equivalent of a "blankie" or "teddy." They didn't exactly work with the new house, but I wasn't getting rid of them. So I went to Lowes and bought paint. For more info, scroll down to the bottom.
But first, you are in for a fabulous treat! I asked for before/after pictures, and I am thrilled to post them.
Shabby Vintage Chic sent photos of her fabulous revamped accessories. For more information, visit her blog Shabby Vintage Chic
Attention fans of MacKenzie-Childs! Many of you may know RMS's Cedwards/Carol, and she took an unfinished desk and transformed it into a work of art. Carol wrote: "Although I didn't take any before pictures, I was able to find a picture of the table I started with from their website. Okay, it was a little more than paint! It involved paint, tile, wrapping paper, decoupage medium and some rocks that I stole (I mean borrowed) from my neighbor's yard. And then there was that overpriced glass knob from Anthropolgie that I just had to have. The second picture is obviously the AFTER. I know it's not exactly what you asked for but the only thing I paint on a regular basis is drapery hardware!"
To view more of Carol's rooms on RMS--her username is cedwards55--click HERE.
Here's Carol's table "before"
And the "after"--MacKenzie-Childs:
Shelia sent some fabulous pictures of a revamped secretary. Many of you enjoy her blog, Notesongs. For more info and a "Pink Saturday" excursion, check out her blog Notesongs
First, Shelia found a secretary on Craigslist
And now it's ready for painting!
Using Lowe's "Posh Red," she transformed this piece
And here's the finished secretary! Isn't it magnificent?!
Just look at these details!
Here's my faux fumblings (2 years ago).
I went a little wild, though, and some things had to Be Redone. I didn't take photos because this was during my Pre-blogging days. lol
I had many inexpensive boxes from discount shops and yard sales and, with a little paint, I tried to give them a little uniformity. And, I grouped them.
As always, my faithful Mister
If you have any tips--or especially before/after pics--you'd like to share, please send an email, and I'll post them.
Oh my, I LOVE that chaise. All of your rooms are just amazing Gollum, you have a beautiful home. I wish I was smart enough to take before pictures of some of my better projects - but I didn't. All I have are before pictures of Karen's, which isn't exactly my idea of a perfect "after" photo. She moved in last night, and her moving truck arrived today. She was going to lay all of her art out for me to go through and tell her where to hang. We'll see how that goes. I'm going to try to stay away from there for a while. I have a canopy project in the bedroom I'm going to start working on soon. I have to lose the driftwood, but I'm keeping that starburst mirror I bought for Karen's room! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHi Gollum! Paint covers a world of sin, well, the wrong colors! Those boxes look great and your bookshelve are wonderful! You have such a beautiful home and it's so large! Recently I found a precious little secretary on Craigslist and bought it. I brought it home and painted the heck out of it. I love it, I don't know really how to decorate it, but it will have a permanent place in my house forever. I love that little Mister and I'm sure Chloe would have a crush on him. We have a little neighbor dog, named Max, who looks so much like Mister. He comes over everyday and pees on the brass kickplate of our front door! I can hear Chloe Dawn just whimpering and loving it! What am I gonna do!? Thanks for coming to my tea party!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Your home is gourgeous,done very tastefully. I am sure I will be visiting you again. Many Blessings, Virginia
ReplyDeleteLOL, How I can relate to this post! You put it perfectly, and my home has a number of decorating "security blankets" lying around.
ReplyDeleteI am always in the middle of some kind of repainting/finishing/decorating project it seems.
I believe that while most of us seek familiarity with our surroundings (including, as you pointed out, some favorite accessories that follow us from home to home), at the same time, we also get bored & crave change.
It's human nature, after all, and our styles evolve over time.
I will email you a couple of projects that come to mind. By the way, love love LOVE the bird cages, and the chaise looks so comfy. Seriously, is that guest room ready? LOL.....
As you have proven, it is amazing what a little paint can do. To me it is one of the most effective and cheapest decorating tools there is on the Market. (I applaud the Industrial Revolution!)
ReplyDeleteLike Artie I wish I had a few before and after projects to share; however it is only since last Christmas that I armed myself with a camera :(
Lovely reinventions! That last photo, with chaise, is breathtaking, oh my.
ReplyDeleteBlogging and photography, a blogger rarely leaves home without a camera! It was after starting my blog, that I became interested in turning my photography into a little hobby.
Loved your tree post! WOW!
Paint is our secret weapon. I even paint silk and real flowers at work. Who would have guessed. Yes, there are paints made to paint real flowers!! I love the examples
ReplyDeleteyou have shared here. You have a lovely home!! Hugs, Terrie
Your little Mister brings a smile to my face.
ReplyDeleteCertain accessories I keep because of cherished memories they bring. Those items I always keep. Yet as Shabby stated we crave change from the same everyday accessories. That's when I delegate them either to the basement or I donate them to Big Sisters.
Your beautiful picture of the bookcase with the birdcages reminds me of a birdcage I haven't used for quite some time. I'll have to find a home for it.
I hadn't thought of it that way before, but my "stuff" is like a security blanket. I just can't part with it. But, unlike you, I just stick it somewhere, whether it "goes" with the room or not. Hmmmm, maybe I'll start looking around my home for things to paint. Does Mister ever get hair in your projects?!! When I paint, there are many times I end up with a dog hair stuck on the painted piece! Of course, I just consider that part of the charm of the piece! Laurie, a/k/a bargainhunr
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see how beautifully accessories can be changed or updated instead of disposed of and replaced with something new. It makes you realize you should re-invent items that you think can no longer work in your home. Thanks for the inspiration. And I'm so glad that you are no longer "undercover" Gollum...this way we get to see the rest of your remarkable home! And finally thanks so very much for the kind words you left on my blog. I respect your opinions greatly so the kind comments really struck home for me. You're very gracious.
ReplyDeleteOops, I just left a comment and it disappeared........
ReplyDeleteYour tree looks so much happier in the new room, it almost looks like it's taking a deep breath! Hopefully, it won't strip naked for you! LOL...
I also love to paint things to give them a new life! Wish I had more before pictures... My motto is: " I have a can of spray paint and am not afraid to use it, any questions?" You can see one of my transformations on my page on RMS under the title, "You Ain't Seen Nuttin' Yet"....but be careful, just take a quick peek, you chair-a-holic, cuz it's a chair!
(santamaker)
Oh Mister, you are the ultimate accessory! Gollum, you did it again. That corner of your library makes me want to curl up with a book right now. However, I wouldn't want to muss up the perfectly draped throw. LOL ~ Robyn
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful room! I have never met a can of paint that I don't just LOVE! Paint is the lifeline to all things wonderful. (isn't that deep?) Really in my home if you stand still long enough you will get painted, fauxed, washed or otherwise changed in color!!! LOVE IT! M. Ann
ReplyDelete*** Oh, do I remember spray-painting ~~~ yessirreeebob!... Got hooked on it in the 70's, and have been on "restriction" from doing it ever since then, when I spray-painted the dawg!
ReplyDelete"All that and then some" Just this morning at breakfast with my husband,I went into a full blown speech of how Gollum is the most talented decorator ...yada yada ,my hubby just smiled and then said she must really be something.To which I answered "all that and then some" He then asked what did her crown look like??lol
ReplyDeleteIt all started because of my planned shopping trip today-he said to buy clothes not house things. How dare he.
Gollum, I emailed you pics of my latest reinvention of an accessory project, and posted a new blog to describe. Thanks for all the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteGollum.. I say have paint can or spray will travel.. We recently were given the most awesome group of bookcases with doors on them..they were just the nastiest shade of brown you had ever layed eyes on.. with even nastier looking handles if that's possible.. A bit of sanding and black stain later... a trip to the hardware store and the purchase of new handles I have transformed them from "ugly" and I say that in the nicest of ways..lol.. to the most beautiful set of cabinets..
ReplyDeleteLove this corner of your home and the grouping of birdcages..and yes those beautiful boxes...hugs ~lynne~
Hi Gollum :)
ReplyDeleteThose makeovers were amazing!! I knew about Carol's table, but it cracks me up because she acts like it's no big deal. She put a lot of work into that simple table and it turned out fantastic!
I love that picture of your chaise and mister in front of the window with the light streaming in. Beautiful!
I have a before I just posted about. I don't think it'll be done in order to participate in this post though. I have other makeovers, but no befores, because like you, it was pre-blogging.
This was a great idea :)
hugs,
rue
Afternoon, Gollum. Thank you so much for adding my little piece to your wonderful blog!! You're the bestest!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Hi Gollum and Friends, I feel so honored to be included on your blog and to be among such amazing company. Shelia, the detail on that secretary really stands out after the paint job and I love how you accessorized it. Shabby Vintage Chic, I'm going to go to your blog and check it out. Can't wait. Love the chandy and your "hall tree" is really cool too. Can't wait for the flea market next weekend! Hope I find some treasures. Happy rest of the weekend everyone! Carol/cedwards55
ReplyDeletehey girl...if you don't get overloaded with before and after photos...let me know. I have several I can send you!
ReplyDeletethe local Salvation Army used to call me their fixer angel...I would take home the worst piece...(and my hubby would be so embarassed that the neighbors might think that I actually used them in our home...lol) and fix them up...re-purpose some and repair others...then if I didn't have a spot for them...I would take them back and donate them to the store I bought them from!
I usually got too excited to remember the before photos...so many of them are just after shots or mid-job shots...but there are a few that I used my camera to document for proof that it was a peice of junk!
Aw, shucks, Gollum, I am tickled pink as they say. Thanks for putting my little chandy up.
ReplyDelete**hugs**
Kendra
Gollum, You have some wonderful things on your blog today. As usual, you are creating inspiration for all who read. Isn't paint a wonderful tool! The digital camera isn't bad either . . . all those wonderful "before" and "after" photos!!! I can't wait to see what you do with that wonderful organ top. It is spectacular! Sushi
ReplyDelete