Thursday, 28 July 2016

Old desk, new desk


Working on a few things right now and this is one of them. An old desk that my parents had for years, which we used to study on. They were going to throw it away but I asked if I could keep it as its solid wood. The paint was peeling off and it was covered in pen marks, pain and stickers. In places the wood had chipped off, there is a whole in the back and a drawer missing. Ugly aye? 

1. sand the beast!
2. I bought a 1L tin of red glossy oil paint for $10
3. Painted it white on the inside
4. added new handles (ebay $1 each)
5. Attached two light covers to the back (one inside and one out) why you ask? to thread your cords through of course!
6. And thats all. Easy peasy. 






Chalk painted bedroom furniture

Ok now this project took a long time. My husband was not keen on me doing this because he said he would refuse to sleep on the floor! so during our moving weekend I spent quite a few hours in between unpacking etc during the two days to paint the bed frame.

What we had before was ok but a bit boring and third hand to us! who knows how old! so no risk here.

How to:
1. Make your own chalk paint - 2 parts paint, 1 part calcium carbonate (chalk). Mix well!
2. make sure you tape where you don't want the paint to go.
3. lie out a mat to put the bed frame on. Don't want paint everywhere!
4. Paint away. may need a few layers. Chalk paint takes about 1/2hr to dry.
5. Once painted make sure you use furniture wax to seal in the paint. A thin application and rub off the excess. Once dry (usually overnight) you need to buff. I only put one layer on as in a hurry but you can put on a few. Never apply thickly! you'll spend hours trying to get it off as dries very sticky!!!
6. Put back together and done!




Next project the bedside tables!
1. Repeat as above
2. I love the copper look so I spray painted the metal legs
3. I do have copper knobs I spray painted but need to find a shorter screw. Till then DIY rope handles.




Final piece of the day the bedside lamps.
We bought touch lamps and I don't regret it at all but not very colourful. Just plain silver base and black lamp shade.
1. cut out lamp shade patter using fabric of choice. http://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bedrooms/custom-fabric-covered-lampshade
2. I used spray glue. Leave for a few minutes once sprayed onto lampshade till tacky. Don't be tempted to spray and apply material straight away. It won't stick well.
3. To finish I got some copper tape I bought off ebay to decorate both ends.





Phew! I think thats enough for one day. Tall boy to follow

Copper Wall Mirror

Had a wodden mirror like this since we got married and sat behind our door gathering dust. 
Now i have a copper obsession so got out my spray gun and turned it into this!!! 

1. Find an old mirror lying around






2.  Buy copper spray paint. 
I used Copper Metallic Plastikote 400ml $20 from Mitre10. 
Found a nifty gadget too that I simply love!! Its called the CAN GUN AEROSOL CAN TRIGGER SPRAY. Makes using a spray can a breeze! no more drips and sore painted fingers. 








3. Take glass out of mirror and spray away!
4. Put back together and hang. It really couldn't be any easier!!

Sorry abput the messy shoes! Decorating takes time. Collecting pieces that match and doing a bit of diy. Be patient!



DIY map painting on canvas


Finished the painting for above our bed. 
1. Took an old canvas and painted over it. 
2.Made my own stencil of the world with a craft knife and printing paper. Googled an image of the world and enlarged it on photoshop to fit the size of my canvas. Took forever!!! 
3.Painted with copper leaf pen NZ and Venezuela, two places dearest to our hearts and also the edges with copper spray paint. . Walla! I love it.