Family Room Media Wall Reveal

Can you believe it?  I finally have something completed in my house!!!

ONE WALL… YAY!  (just 3 months, 4 major trips, and 2 college move-ins later)

I’m lovin’ this simple board and batten treatment (and so is the hubby).

I must give credit where credit is due.  This was not my idea.  I repeat. This was not my idea.  I got this idea from outrageously talented Mandi from Vintage Revivals when I visited her blog after seeing her on the Nate Berkus show back in the summer.  Click HERE and HERE to see her examples.  She also has the tutorial HERE on how to do this.  Thanks, Mandi!

I knew this would be a perfect wall treatment for my awkward “not-done-properly when we built the house” media wall.

So here’s the breakdown:

Blah wall that’s masquerading as a media wall.  Doesn’t it resemble a jigsaw puzzle?

The new wall color that you see on the top is Sherwin Williams Wool Skein and it rocks!

I had already pre-measured everything and had the lines drawn onto the wall of how I wanted it to look.  The pencil lines just don’t show up in the photos.

Beginnings of a transformation.  Already better.  No more jigsaw.  Much more continuity.

My excitement is building.

 I can’t even believe it’s the same wall.

The lead carpenter, Brad, did an awesome job.  (Yes, I used our contractor.  I’m a wimp when it comes to more than just spray or chalk paint!).  Brad even installed a hidden panel to access the wiring to the surround sound.

And, voilà!

Materials for my project:

Existing crappy built-ins

2 carpenters

MDF board

Wood filler, caulk, nail guns and such

Oh, and saws and sandpaper

2 painters

Primer

1 gallon gloss paint—Queen Anne’s Lace

Did I actually say “finished”?  Now I’m wondering if I should add some artwork or cool letters or something to the top squares.

Maybe some vintage frames like Mandi used.

I wanted some contrast and texture so I picked up these baskets at Target and added some different antique enamel number tags from my French collection.

I knew they’d come in handy someday.

I may have even gotten carried away with the number tags!  But I love them!

Some might even think I have an obsession with Hermes orange right now!  I’m not sure where I’m going with it yet, but I can’t seem to resist it.

Remember the bright orange tray that I spray painted week before last using high gloss paint?

Guess where it ended up?

How do you like my lacquered Hermes tray?  (Hey, it’s my story and I’m sticking to it!).

Another great French basket from my friend, Cat sits atop the table.  Please visit her Etsy shop HERE.

I’ve had this antique Provencial tile for quite some time.

Here’s a different view of the room.  (Bad lighting when you are facing windows). The half-finished part.  The old heavy drapes came down and I’m going to do simple linen side panels over the existing blinds.

I now have the original Levier painting over the sofa.  Read about it HERE.

Can you say Dark Brown?  I realize we have too much chocolate brown leather furniture in here.  It just sort of happened that way.  It’s Bernhardt so it’s not getting replaced and besides, it’s easy to keep clean with Murphy in the house.  I’ll have to lighten the room up in other ways.

Checklist of what’s left to do in the family room:

Linen panels for windows

Decide on additional artwork

Style the fireplace mantel

Change the ceiling fixture

More pops of color with pillows (obviously with orange since that seems to be the direction I’m headed)

But for now….right now….I’m happy with my new and improved wall.

Happy Decorating,

Kim

Partying at:

WOW! Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

An Inexpensive Gilded Table Project

I woke up to this today:

But we still had power.  Let’s all continue to remember those adversely affected by the superstorm Sandy in our thoughts and prayers.

NOW:

I’m lovin’ all the little gold metal accent tables that have been so prevalent lately.  Their diminutive size and clean lines lend themselves well to many décor solutions.

My favorite style has to be this one:

(Sorry for the blurry image…this is in Suzanne Kasler’s foyer and she uses this table again in more of her designs).

It is based on an antique French design.

But I also like this style:

World’s Away also has some smart designs like this one in an hourglass shape.

This one with the ever popular “X” motif.

Or this simple round one.

One Kings Lane has Worlds Away tables occasionally and if you’re lucky you can catch them at a great price.

I needed a very small accent table next to a fireside chair in my master bedroom. 

Remember all those spray paint cans I showed you yesterday?

 

 

Well, it just so happens I had an old white, rusty metal table that I was saving for just the right time.  I think it had been a garden table, but I got it on the cheap at an antique shop a while back and liked the straight lines and sturdiness of it.  I don’t have any better “before” photos.

 

A little bit of gold spray paint and Voilà!  A table masterpiece ala Kim!

 

It even had the original glass on the top.

 

The imperfections speak volumes and it was probably handmade.

 

I LOVE tables with shelves on the bottom for stashes of great books.

Not bad for something I already had, huh!

The curved feet add a cool detail!

 

Mr. Chair is much happier now that he has a buddy.  The master bedroom is progressing.

On another note, the contractors DID show up today!  Yipee!  By the end of the week I should have a new media wall in the family room!

Happy Decorating,

Kim

Linking up to:

WOW! Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Potting Bench Makeover

Well, Bliss did it again! From yesterday’s post, not only did she give me the great idea of what to put on my loggia wall, but she was the first to comment AND guessed the correct answer, too.  That girl has it all together!  I’ll be sending her a little something special.  Thanks and congrats,  Bliss.

From the last post, this piece below was made from an old piano front panel.  I am a pianist so it makes it extra special for me.  I was lucky to find it.  Thanks for all the comments and guesses.

On to today’s project which is my potting bench makeover. 

I have been lusting after really wanting a charming potting bench ever since I saw Yvonne’s over at Stone Gable and Pam’s at Simple Details.  You know, the kind everyone else always seems to have and you can’t ever find the right one.  

A little voice in my head said  “You should just look in your storage areas”!  I did.

Icky, cheap (and I mean “cheap”) potting bench found at Big Lots years ago.  It is very flimsy and had been moved from the garage to the lawn mower storage building.  Crappy little drawer that doesn’t open properly.  Tons of mowing/lawn supplies had been plopped on top of it.  Anything to keep it out of sight!  I just never took it seriously. SERIOUSLY?

I should be thankful to have it.

What was I thinking?  It is a potting bench, right?  It doesn’t have a great zinc top or anything, but it’s nothing that a little paint can’t fix for sure.  I mean, I’ve seen some of you girls (and guys) create treasures out of mere pieces of wood (or less).   This is at least recognizable as it’s intended purpose.

I did have that new quart of ASCP in Old Ochre that I won (yes, WON ~ don’t be jealous) at Haven, so it was time to try it out.

Tah Dah!

I see why everyone raves about this color.  It’s a little creamier and warmer than Old White.

Even the old green plastic liner that it came with was suddenly elevated to something special.

I was simple-minded on this re-do.  No antiquing, sanding, waxing, buffing, or distressing on this piece.  Nope.  Just wanted it fresh, clean, and bright.  I’ve heard ASCP does well in outside weather and I wanted it to age naturally, over time, and have that true weathered look from the rain, wind, and sun.  

We’ll see what happens….(actually I was just too lazy to do anything else to it and it was soooo hot outside)  therefore it gets to age naturally and gracefully like all of us!!!!

Of course, the most fun was just playing around with all the cool outdoor stuff you can put on a potting bench.  Who knew?  Staging and vignetting are the icing on the cake.  Do I actually have to do any potting???

Numbered zinc tags from Dore at Burlap Luxe, French champagne buckets, cloches, vintage baskets, rustic French pottery and gardening tools just scream potting bench.

O.K. so you thought I had a problem with a large brick wall in the loggia!  Here is another blob of a brick wall.  We have lots of brick here at LBE!  The potting bench helps, but it still needs something else.  ???????

It’s a great location because of the water hose as a water source which I think will come in handy.  I will have to add brackets on the sides for hanging flowers like Yvonne did.

Plateau baskets, terra cotta pots, demi-johns, numbered tins….oh, the list just goes on and on.  Are you kidding me?  What have I done all these years without a functional potting bench?

Fresh flowers and numbers….get outta here!

 

Yes, yes, I’m thinking it could be a beverage center or a dessert area for outdoor entertaining.  You sneaky potting bench acting as a chameleon!!!

Can anyone have this much fun with a potting bench?  Well, I guess so.

I will continue to play with my potting bench whilst I whisk away the summer.  Oh, and maybe “pot” some hardy mums in the fall……oh, and finish harvesting my summer lavender.  The possibilities are endless.   I can’t wait to see how it weathers in all of Mother Nature’s furry.

Do you think I should change the knob on the little drawer?

Au Revoir,

Kim

Partying at:

WOW! Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday at At The Picket Fence

Potpourri Friday at 2805