Painted Mid Century Laminate Bedroom Set

I picked up a blonde Harmony House bedroom set for $100. I thought I got a steal, then realized it's a vintage Sears brand, blond laminate pos in poor shape. It might have even caught fire once in its life, but that just fueled my fire to go paint crazy. All the mcm snobs can't yell at me for  slapping paint on it, so time for some creative paint fun!

The Chest of Drawers

(before)

(after)

The Dresser

(before)

(after)

in process...

The Bed

 (before)

(after)

need to make the bed and take a pic...

Painting a Dark 60's Kitchen and Breakfast Nook with a POP

I have an addiction to projects. It seems like I'm never satisfied with anything I do the first time, so I decided to paint the kitchen, again. I have a 1 year old, so I spend A LOT of time in the kitchen, and the green cabinets and mismatch chrome cabinet pulls / brass hinges were really irritating me.  What was I thinking when I slapped semi gloss multi green shades on everything?  The natural sunlight situation in this small space is poor, and the drab confines of the kitchen have to go now!

I almost forgot to take a before pic (please excuse all the clutter). I got excited and started priming before I pulled off all the cabinet doors. After removing all the hardware I started priming all the surfaces with 2 coats of "gripper".

After a couple days of contemplating colors I found myself drawn to this antique turquoise palette I found on Pinterest. Isn't it pretty! 

I went with a behr shade called "silky bamboo" in satin sheen for the open cabinets, and "garden wall" for the closed cabinets. I figure having lighter, neutral cabinets will allow for a pop of color on the walls.

Replaced satin colored cabinet pulls with inexpensive ones closer to the hinge color.

I ended up changing my mind and painting the cabinet back dark brown.

Trying to grow sweet potatoes

One of my sweet potatoes started growing, so I guess I will plant it and see what happens.

I put it in a pot and covered it with dirt

See the little sprouts sticking out of the dirt?

I will update with progress...

1 1/2 weeks later, the vines are growing.

We have has several days of light rain, so I haven't had to give them water.

Spray Painted Antique High Chair

The Thrift Shop High Chair

Scored this relic for a couple bucks a while back and always wanted to paint it.

After painting the kitchen a dark turquoise, I figured some bright red would give this chair a needed boost.

(ha-ha)

I wiped down the chair and took it outside to spray paint. I didn't sand or prime it.

Bought 2 cans of Rust-Oleum in Poppy Red in Satin and painted the underside first.

Flipped Chair right side up and 2 cans of paint later I got this...

I sprayed 2 coats around the chair at all angles to be sure and get all the little detailed nooks.  

It pops!

Baby Shane likes it, and that's all that matters to me!

Lets take a look at that before and after side by side...

Dang!  What a super fun and easy project!

Growing an avocado tree from seed

I always save avocado seeds because I hate throwing away something that has the potential be so freaking great. Usually the seeds sit by my sink until they turn black and shrivel up. Or I start the process and forget to water the seed. Hopefully this blog in progress will help me stay on task.

Step 1

I gathered some baby food jars and suspended the seeds halfway in water with various pointy things and sat them in front of a window in the kitchen. I will change out/add water as needed and update as soon as I see any action. The seed should split and send roots down into the water. 

Now we play the waiting game...

Atomic Bullet Planter makeover

Restored this sweet little atomic pot today. Made it even more atomic with some glitter silver paint. Re-formed the edges with plastic putty from auto zone.

Handmade Moai Man Shelf / Shadowbox

Handmade Moai Man (OG) Shelf / Shadowbox

Repurposed wine box- cut, carved and stained, ready to display Tiki Mugs!

13" x 11" x 5"

Tiki Mugs

Just adding Tiki Mugs from our collection a little at a time...

DIY Concrete Countertop

updated old 60's bathroom tile with concrete countertops

I think the tile was redone in the 80's because it was done so poorly!  Either way, the old school way was to use wire mesh and concrete to lay the tile on, so it was a messy project to get the tile up!  After all was said and done the results are gorgeous and the process fairly easy.  If you are into the modern look you will probably find the result as beautiful as I do!

the best before pic I have, but you can see the "before" countertop here-

ugly old sink with lovely tile job surround

I just LOVE the bathtub faucet

the beginning...  tap off tile and find concrete.  Not what I expected!  

This is when hubby comes home and says "what did you do?"

so we had no choice but to go forward with my "little update" that would be "easy"...

countertop is gone!

measure and cut a piece of plywood for the bottom and facing side.

I wanted a 2.5" edge, and I wanted it to overhang the edge of the counter.

I found that the drawers were perfect for a 2x4 to lay on and attach the facing wood piece, so the concrete would pour into the overhang.  You can just build a frame for it if you don't have drawers.

Mix up your concrete.  I used 5500 psi Maximizer because it has smaller aggregate

As you mix you can add color.  I used charcoal.

then pour the concrete onto the plywood frame.  I used rolled up magazines for the plumbing holes.

Be sure and vibrate the edge so the concrete gets down the front to make a clean edge.

when it dries it looks like this!  I used a belt sander to smooth it out a bit. (this process is very dusty so have good ventilation and use heavy duty masks)

next we made smaller frames for the backsplash and sides.  Pour your concrete in and let set

attach the sides with construction adhesive and grout or seal the edges.

Seal the concrete with concrete sealer and buff with carnauba wax (you can find this at an auto parts store)

tile goes up

and Ta-Da!

I love our new counter, and it has held up beautifully!

 

Now to tackle the bathtub area...