before and after Archives - KREATING HOMES

Faux Shiplap RV Walls

March 30, 2018 88 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

Ok. That was a crazy(unplanned!) break. But big things are brewing and changes are coming to both this blog and our space. More on that soon! Promise!

But now that I’m back to the blog life lets chat about RV walls. Specifically how we remedied the dark and dirty walls in our fifth wheel with some awesome faux shiplap! In case you forgot the way it looked before…. lets take a trip down memory lane:

Faux shiplap RV walls

[Right after we brought the fifthwheel home]

Faux shiplap RV walls

[Halfway through demo]

Most of the walls were covered in the beige wall paper but the slide out that houses our living room and dining room had a bit of extra flair. The bottom half had a decorative border of plastic faux stone tiles and dark stone wall paper. How a designer thought dark and stoney was a good look in such a tiny space…I will never know!

So these items had to go. ASAP! But after doing the demo we needed a way to cover the ugly bits. We thought about painting it but its such a small amount of wall we wanted to so something a bit extra. Enter faux shiplap!

We’ve all heard and seen the wood planks a certain tv star has made so popular recently. And I do love the look. But I dont need it covering all my surfaces. Plus, real shiplap is pretty dang heavy. So adding just a touch of the treatment was the trick!

Faux shiplap RV walls

We’ve used faux shiplap in some of our spaces before and the method is super simple. We cut down sheets of 1/4″ plywood on our table saw to 6″ widths and glued them straight to the wall. The look comes out best if you vary the grains as you are attaching them. In other words, dont glue them on exactly as they were in full sheets.

Faux shiplap RV walls

One Pinterest trick that seems to really help with spacing is using pennies! Yup, the same ones that are collecting in the bottom of your purse or center console of the car. Grab a handful and stick them between the planks to keep them perfectly spaced while the adhesive dries. Once everything has set for 24 hours pull them from the gaps and enjoy getting use out of that change cup!

Faux shiplap RV walls

You can leave the planks naked if you want a more natural look. I’d hit them with a quick coat of wax just to help protect the wood if you go this route. For us, we needed more contrast since the wood was nearly the same as the existing beige wall paper.

Faux shiplap RV walls

We wanted to keep some of the natural woodgrain so we went with a white wash. I used my trusty chalk paint and mixed it up 1 part paint to 3 parts water. You can adjust to show more or less of your wood grain. Just use a scrap to test on as this dries a little different from how it goes on.

Faux Shiplap RV Walls

Also, Im kinda obsessed with my new mixing cup! Yes thats a hairdressers dye cup. You can get them at the beauty supply store for the whopping price of 99 cents! They’re cheap, have liquid measurement markers, and come with a convenient handle. I know you can get things similar at the hardware store but if I have a choice between 10 bucks or just 1… well, thats a no brainer!

I slap this wash on pretty quick(and without much precision LOL!) so it doesn’t have time to form lines from drying between sections. Once the planks have dried completely I add a coat of wax and dry overnight. I didn’t want a shiny finish so I went super light on coverage and barely buffed it with a rag.

Faux shiplap RV walls

The section that is covered in the faux shiplap is relatively small but I feel like it still makes a big difference. This project is crazy affordable, easy to DIY, and looks good on just about any wall. Couldn’t be happier we added this to our tiny space!

So are you #teamshiplap? Have any gracing the walls of your home? You know Id love to hear all about it in the comments!

before & after, DIY, tiny living

Replacing RV Window Treatments

February 6, 2018 96 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

Oh padded valances…. sigh. Why did you become an RV staple? I’ll never know! When we did all the demo on the fifth wheel I happily took out every last one. I knew this was something I’d do the day we first looked at this unit! It immediately brightened up the space and I was so excited to find new window treatments that kept all the pretty light!

Replacing RV window treatments

As you can see the valances also covered and enclosed the pull down day/night shades. After spending some time with these shades (and breaking one on our very first trip!) I knew they had to come out as well. Im sure people are cringing at the idea because shades are not cheap to replace but the idea of living full time with these was crazy. So out they went! Also, my fam doesn’t normally or intentionally match on demo day! LOL!

Replacing RV window treatments

Once everything was gone I realized I really wanted to preserve all that brightness. I looked at several different window treatments… roller shades, blinds, curtains… so many options! It became clear I was going to need multiple solutions to get both the look and privacy we needed.

Eventually I found these curtains on Amazon. Being that RV windows are crazy sizes I didn’t even bother trying to find ones sized to match. I ordered the biggest ones they had and planned to cut down to size. I really liked the linen texture and the sheer coverage. They let in a ton of light and they’re a fraction of the price of true linen.

Replacing RV window treatments

It took a few days to cut and hem all the panels to size but it was very simple sewing. All straight lines and long stitches! It took 3 sets total to make panels for all the windows and I puzzled out as many as possible per section. We installed light weight wrap around curtain rods to hang them on and even used some of the same holes left from the valances.

*Everything we’ve hung (pre-existing holes or not!) has been mounted with molly bolts. We find its the most secure way to hang anything permanent in our fifth wheel and works perfectly with the luan walls.

Replacing RV window treatments

When it came to the bedroom we wanted the option for a bit more privacy. I felt like I saw the same cheap rollers used in several RV makeovers. Im sure they are an inexpensive solution if you are working on a budget but again we are talking FULL TIME USE. And the one thing nearly everyone agrees on is the roller shades eventually loose their ability to roll back up. We aint got time for items that have a short shelf life! Ha!

So we headed to Home Depot to check out a few other options. After feeling a few window treatments in person we settled on Cordless Cellular Shades. If you buy them in the store they will also cut them to size for free while you do your other shopping. Obviously this was a perk as we needed some seriously non traditional sizes.

Replacing RV window treatments

The shades fit perfectly within the curtain rods we had and were incredibly easy to mount. The shades themselves are cordless and move up or down soooooo smoothly! We got the blackout versions which were a little more but totally worth it and doable since its only 3 small windows.

Replacing RV window treatments

In addition to the shades I also added a bit of tassel trim to the curtains in the bedroom. Im not 100% set on the bedroom color scheme for the new space but I know it will include some Navy as I plan to recycle some pieces from our loft. For now, this little addition is really perking up the simple window treatments!

Replacing RV window treatments

Have you replaced any window treatments in your living space lately? Is your RV full of bulky padded valances? Do you love em’ or hate em’? You know I’d love to hear all about it in the comments!

Replacing RV window treatments

before & after, DIY, upcycle

DIY Marbled Diffuser

November 1, 2017 15 Comments

This DIY Marbled Diffuser post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

Fall. We all love it right? One of the many reasons I love these next couple weeks is the cozy vibes and sinking into my inner homebody. Lately one of my favorite ways to up the cozy factor in our home is diffusing Essential Oils(EOs). My sweet cousin recently converted me into an oil lovin’ fool and I couldn’t be happier!

If you’re already diffusing EOs in your home you know the diffuser market is VAST. They come in every shape, size, and color you could dream up and there are some absolutely stunning options. When I bought my diffuser I wasn’t willing to commit to a super expensive option so I went with a well reviewed and super affordable model.

After using this in our home everyday for some time I decided the only way to love it more was to give it a makeover! You know I love paint and marbling(I swear that could have been another title option for this blog!) and it was the first thing I thought to try. Of course Im now completely obsessed and want to make these for every person I know. Spoiler alert for any family and friends… Santa’s making you marbled diffusers! Ha!

DIY Marbled Diffuser

Ok, so lets get down to the deets! Besides the actual diffuser you just need a container larger enough to roll your diffuser in, nail polish, scissors, a skewer, and painters tape. I also threw down some newsprint to protect my work surface but any drop cloth or scratch paper will work.

DIY Marbled Diffuser

I purchased this basic cool mist diffuser online. The body is plastic and made up of 3 main pieces. I removed the lid from the base and separated the cup from the cover. Being able to take this apart is absolutely key! Obviously electricity and water don’t mix well so if you cant remove your lid completely I would not recommend this process.

DIY Marbled Diffuser

Once everything was separated I masked off the hole on top and the bottom edge with painters tape. It can be a little tricky getting the tape to follow the edge exactly so I slapped on a few pieces and used scissors to cut off the excess.

DIY Marbled Diffuser

When everything was taped off I got to the fun stuff… making the marble! I filled up the container with enough water to bring the marble close to the top. If you want to ‘dip’ vs ‘roll’ you need your container to be deep enough to accommodate the whole lid. Personally I like to ‘roll’ but you can practice on other items to find your own marbling style.

DIY Marbled Diffuser

After I poured a few layers of paint(quickly) onto the surface I swirled with a skewer. The pattern you see on the surface isn’t going to transfer as-is onto your lid so don’t overthink it. Just swirl enough to get a random pattern.

DIY Marbled Diffuser

Then I got to rolling! I had to roll three times to overlap the sides and top but I didn’t have to reload the paint. Overlapping also created a more random look so it was #winning all around! I left the lid on some newsprint to dry for a full 24 hours. It might have been overkill but I wanted to make sure the paint was completely cured before reassembling.

DIY Marbled Diffuser

Once the 24 hours was up I loaded it with water and a few drops of EOs and fell in love all over again! Ok, ok, that may be a bit much but honestly I sat there admiring my handy work for a good 5 minutes. Im so excited with how this came out and how easy it will be to replicate!

So have you started using EOs in your home? Is your diffuser in need of a makeover? You know I’d love to hear all about it in the comments!

before & after, DIY, living room, loft life

Modern Painted Antlers

October 18, 2017 36 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

Modern Painted Antlers

I grew up in a house of hunters. My husband also grew up in a house of hunters. We both lived with antlers and other taxidermy trophies and it was only a matter of time before they made it into our home as a couple. The only problem I had with this is the style or “look” they imply. See, we arent cabin, lodge, woodsy, etc kind of people within our own space. Its just not us. #nojudgement So a few coats of paint later and we are loving our “new” modern antlers!

Modern Painted Antlers

The set on the left is one Q actually hunted when he was a kid. They are sentimental and I’ve been trying to find a way to integrate them into our space for quite a while. The set on the right is from Target and completely ceramic. They are both ok on their own but neither fit our style or space.

Ive seen a bunch of tutorials and antler makeovers using spray paint but I really wanted to stick to the color pallet we chose for the living room. And finding those exact colors is basically impossible. So I used the Ceramcoat Select from Delta to mix my colors to an exact match. Its the first time I’ve used these satin finishes and I totally loved them!

Modern Painted Antlers

I separated the real antlers from the plaque to make painting easier. I wiped everything down with a damp rag to remove dust and thats it. Im not big on prep work… are you guys picking up on that? Ha!

Being that these would be mounted and nearly never handled I wasn’t too concerned with primers or sealers. I just laid out some newsprint and started slapping on the acrylic!

Modern Painted Antlers

[after 1 coat of acrylic paint]

Modern Painted Antlers

I used bristle brushes to really work the paint into the uneven surface of the antlers. It took 2 solid coats to get full coverage[see above for coverage after 1 coat] and I did a little bit of touch up on the real knobby bits.

Modern Painted Antlers

Painting over the fur was a bit different. It took 3 coats to really cover everything and I used a softer synthetic brush. Also, you need to paint with the grain so this dries “laying down”. The paint will make the fur stiff so you want to be aware of how you are directing it.

I let this dry for a full 24 hours before attempting to hang them up. And again, I did not seal these. If you wanted a different finish(glossy/high shine) Im sure you could hit them with a coat of spray on.

Modern Painted Antlers

Now lets talk hanging hardware. I’ve never been shy about decorating our walls whether we were renting or owned. And over the years I’ve tested a number of different hardware. I know that’s probably making some of you cringe because you’re team “don’t destroy the drywall”! But! I think I’ve found a pretty good compromise.

I picked up this multi-pack of hangers from High & Mighty a while ago and I’m thoroughly impressed! (No, I’m not affiliated with H&M) They can hold an insane amount of weight for their size and they only make a hole the size a thumbtack would leave. Thats tiny! And, even better, they’re a tool free product. #winning

Modern Painted Antlers

I am loving this makeover and I cant wait hear what a few of my “traditional hunters” think! So would you paint a set of antlers? Have you already given a taxidermy piece a mod makeover? You know I’d love to hear all about it in the comments!

before & after, DIY, office, studio, upcycle

The DIY Desk: Part 2

September 13, 2017 22 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

Last week I shared Part 1 of the DIY Desk project. Part 1 was mostly about the desk top and basics but if you saw the post and/or pictures you know we altered part of our design to incorporate a few pieces we already had. Which brings us to Part 2! We used a couple of the same tricks to upcycle our old storage into a pair of fab modern farmhouse pieces.

DIY Desk Part 2

We’ve had this cube storage system for many many years. I bought them back in my scrapbooking heyday and they have served me well. (They’ve since been retired but you can find similar ones here, here, and here) They store a good chunk of my art and craft supplies as well as a handful of office supplies and files. Its been great having a “modular” system that we can rearrange and reconfigure as we move from place to place. For this reason, I really wanted to make them work in the loft. But they clearly needed a face lift! Ha!

It should also be said that you can still do this without these exact storage cubes. Ive seen great options at places like HomeGoods, Target, and Ikea. You cold also thrift a solid side table or use a small dresser you have on hand. The point is: this “technique” is easy to apply to nearly any piece of furniture you want to upcycle.

DIY Desk Part 2

After working with the peel and stick vinyl planks I knew I could use them to update the cubes. I emptied the drawers and cleaned them with a rag and some tabletop spray. I also removed all the hardware. Once the drawers were prepped I sat them face down on one of the planks with the backing still intact and marked the dimensions. I used a t-square to extend my lines and then scored with a box cutter. Its important you use a metal ruler for this as your box cutter can actually cut right into a wood or plastic version. The metal ones will give you a straight(and sturdy!) edge every time. After the planks are scored you can snap off the excess. This is waaaaay easier than I originally imagined!

DIY Desk Part 2

As I was getting my first drawer set up I also made a template for my hardware. Once the planks were attached they would be covering the preexisting holes and again Im not the type that is going to try measuring that out after the fact. So save yourself the headache (and time!) and do this before setting your planks! I just used a sheet of scrap card stock to measure where the holes would be when the top and side edges were lined up.

DIY Desk Part 2

Because these planks were going to live vertical(on the face of the cubes) I wanted to really make sure they were permanently attached. The adhesive that is applied to the back is pretty strong but if you really wanted to you could peel it up. I wanted to avoid any chance of that happening(even accidentally) so I hit the back with a small amount of Gorilla Glue. If you’ve never used GG you should know it needs to be under pressure/weight for an hour after applying it. Great way to get some more use out of those heavy art history books! #artschoolgrad

DIY Desk Part 2

While waiting for the GG to cure up I painted my hardware with 2 coats of chalk paint. I haven’t used it on something that gets this much handling but being that the part of the pull which is touched most is “under” the face I feel like it will hold up well. Yes, I have high hopes for chalk paint on this(big surprise right?) but I’ll be back after a few months with and update on this. Promise!

DIY Desk Part 2

After an hour under a stack of books I attached the hardware using my template and filled the drawers up! Again, these 2 middle desks are an altered version of the original I posted in Part 1 but the change is pretty simple. Basically we’re using the cubes as the legs on one side of the desks. This makes the tops sit a bit higher than your average desk but I like being able to stand part time while working too.

DIY Desk Part 2

The desks being this height also meant we couldn’t use traditional office chairs. At their most extended height we were still sitting too low. We opted for these drafting chairs and we are loving them! They do have a foot rest(the metal ring at the bottom) but we added mini ottomans for anther option. And as a bonus they give us a bit of extra storage! Win win!

DIY Desk Part 2

So what DIYs have you added to your workspace? Are you working on a desk upcycle as well? You know I’d love to hear all about it in the comments!

before & after, DIY, living room, upcycle

Painted Throw Pillows

July 19, 2017 13 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

If you’ve been here recently you already know I have piles of throw pillows to keep my comfy level maxed out. You may also know I’ve painted throw pillows before. But after getting my hands on a new design for our living room I was itching to use those fabric painting tricks again. These painted throw pillows have a completely different feel than my first attempt but I think they are just as successful!

Originally, I ordered these pillow cases to use as is. And they did live happily on our wicker arm chair for some time. But after adding the throw blanket pillow cases and seeing how punchy the colors were I knew this pillow case needed something to liven it up!

Painted Throw Pillows

When I was considering how to add those punches of color I was reminded of star patterned quilts and adult coloring books. Both of them have negative space which I wanted to replicate to keep the design from getting too busy. I started playing with options in my sketch book and made sure the colors matched up with the other pieces already in the living room.

Painted Throw Pillows

Once I got the pattern mapped out and the colors finalized I set up for painting. The only prep you really need to do is wash/dry the pillow case and place a magazine(or other barrier) inside. This keeps the paint from bleeding through to the other side of your pillow case. You can also add a small amount of fabric medium to your paints. This will keep the painted sections pliable.

Painted Throw Pillows

I used a soft medium sized brush to fill in the larger portions of the design. This helped get most of the spaces filled quickly. I later filled in the edges with a small flexible brush. The paint will get a bit watered down in consistency from the fabric medium. Although, I found using a damp brush also helps with fluidity. This was mostly helpful when I was working on the edging. Be sure to add water sparingly as it may make your paint “bleed”. Painted Throw Pillows

It only took a few Netflix reruns to fill in the design and I think the pay off was well worth the time. So another throw pillow success in the books! Ha!

Painted Throw Pillows

Have you tried any throw pillow DIYs lately? Painted any fabric? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Painted Throw Pillows

before & after, DIY, upcycle

3 Simple DIYs

July 14, 2017 20 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

As much as I’d like to design and create all the decor and furniture in our homes from scratch its just not realistic. On the other hand, plucking something off a shelf and bringing it home to use “as is” is pretty rare. So generally I do a little of both. Some projects are more involved and some (like I’m about to share) are very simple. I promise it doesn’t always take a great deal of time or skill to customize your decor and I’ve got 3 simple DIYs to prove it!

Paint.

Its generally my go-to when I want to alter a piece. Its inexpensive, nearly limitless in options/colors, and you can add it to pretty much any surface. I picked up this awesome wood planter at Target to update my bedroom plant scene. I loved the raw wood and it fit perfectly in my copper plant stands. Except… it just… needed a liiiiiiiiil somthin…ha!

3 Simple DIYs

After placing it next to the other pot I was using I figured I could pull some of that stripe-y goodness and make them look coordinating without actually matching. I threw on a couple wraps of painters tape and filled them in with craft acrylic. Since the plant will live inside a liner Im not concerned with moisture getting to the paint and didn’t bother with any sealer. Adding simple painted patterns or stripes is a quick and easy way to get some of the colors you want in your space on your decor.

3 Simple DIYs

2. Ribbon.

Ribbon, twill tape, twine, yarn…. basically anything you can wrap and tie! I may or may not have a crazy amount of ribbon(and the like) from my days working at both a craft store and then fabric shop. So it shouldn’t be a big surprise this is another quick trick I use often. Again, the variety factor is amazing with these materials and you can generally find something that works with the vision you have for your space. Another perk about simply tying or wrapping something up is the zero damage factor. You can embellish something and later on down the road change or remove your addition to suit another room or design.

3 Simple DIYs

This was truly as simple as: wrap, knot, and trim. Its not a crazy makeover but repeating that white stripe makes it visually tie in with the rest of the room juuuuust a bit more. Not all upgrades need to be big to make a difference!

3 Simple DIYs

3. Washi Tape

Speaking of zero damage, lets talk tape! Washi tape that is. You can add this to so many surfaces and it will peel right off whenever you decide your done with that look. The last time I hit the craft store there was a whole section dedicated to washi tape so the possibilities here are pretty fab. I’ve used washi tape on quite a few projects now and I will say it does better on smooth surfaces. Surfaces like glass work especially well so when it was time to upcycle this old candle holder into a planter I knew tape was going to be my quickest bet. Also, you can layer your washi tapes to create your own patterns and designs. Yay for getting bonus tapes!

3 Simple DIYs

And you can finally keep your collection on display in these adorable dispensers(yes, Im totally obsessed!).

3 Simple DIYs

So are you a customizer? Have you livened up a new piece? Or upcycled an old treasure? Tell me all about it in the comments!

DIY, living room, loft life, plant lady

Marbled Planters

July 11, 2017 18 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

I titled this “Marbled Planters” but honestly it could really be “Marbled Anything”. I promise once you do this project you will be looking around wondering what else you could pour, swirl, and dip! Its so addictive you guys! And it only takes a few(very inexpensive!) supplies that you probably already have on hand. Marbled Planters

If you have a planter that has sections you’d like to mask off use painters tape. I wanted to keep the “raw edge” on my cement planters so I masked off those bottom portions. You could also use the tape to add a decorative design(double creative points for that!).

Once your planters are ready and your work surface is set up fill your container with water. You want enough to keep space between the surface paint and the bottom of your container. If you are marbling a large pot you might want something deeper as you might dip further down while rolling.

Start adding your nail polish in random swirling patterns. You aren’t creating the “marble effect” yet but you do want your colors to overlap. I only used 3 different colors but using more or less is totally doable! One tip I read and actually found helpful is keeping the bottles close to the surface while pouring. This keeps your paint from hitting the surface too hard and just sinking to the bottom of the water.

When you have your colors overlapped pretty well and the surface is covered you can start swirling! This is insanely satisfying! You need to work fairly quick because the polish starts to set up pretty fast. I didn’t use a “quick dry” polish and I still had to work quick so I would skip those varieties if possible.

Once you have a pattern you like start rolling your planters over the surface. The polish will basically cling to the surface of your planters. You shouldn’t have to dip too far into the water although I double dipped (deeper and/or more shallow) just to test it out.

If you’re working with more translucent colors overlapping your rolls and dips can create a pretty cool effect but it doesn’t look as “traditional”. Also, if you choose to work with those types of polish be warned your planter(and its original color) will most likely show through. I had a couple areas where the yellows showed through but its part of my current color scheme so I was ok with it. I’d highly recommend doing a “tester” or starting with a planter your willing to love just a lil less(LOL!) until you get the hang of it.

If you’re really attached to your current manicure you may want to use gloves. Ive always been a bare handed painter and seem to have a different pallet in my palm after my DIYs… I cant be the only one!? I think it was easier to handle the planters without having the extra slip factor of gloves but again, to each his own! And if you to dive in sans gloves fear not, a little polish remover or acetone takes off any marbling remnants in just a few swipes. But just to be safe you might want a few paper towels on stand by.

In between rolls you’ll also want to clean the surface. Again, the paint sets up pretty quick so you should be able to pull any extras off in sheets. I waited maybe an extra 30 seconds and ran a toothpick over the surface to pick up the remnants.

Let your finished planters cure up for a day or at least overnight. If you have any areas masked off check a small section before removing. If any of the paint starts to peel up with the tape you can run a utility knife along the edge to get a clean pull. This only happened in one area for me and the paint was super thick in that section.

Now enjoy giving your old planters some new life! I’m completely obsessed and cant wait to marble some more items in our loft. Im sure I’ll be back shortly with more marbled projects!

Have you already jumped on the marble train? Done any notable planter DIYs? Tell me all about it in the comments!

bedroom, before & after, DIY, loft life, upcycle

Painted Fabric Chair

June 23, 2017 13 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

The Original Chair

We bought this chair from a Habitat For Humanity ReStore for dirt cheap. It was a total goldilocks scenario since the chairs that are most comfortable for me are rarely comfy for Q. But, by some miracle, this one fit us both! Only problem was the color. It was a really unattractive mauve with green dots and that just wasn’t going to work with everything else in our place. We bought the chair thinking we were going to reupholster it but quickly decided that was entirely way too much work. After a bit of research I planned on painting it… and then a whole year and a 3,000 mile move happened. Ha! Since I was getting down to business with the decor in the loft it was time to finally tackle the ugly pink chair. Luckily this painted fabric chair turned out better than even I expected.

Painted Fabric Chair

The Solution

See, if you search painted fabric chair(or furniture) you will get a ton of results and nearly all of them are done just a bit differently. Being that I’ve never painted any fabric furniture I just wanted to make sure two things happened. First, I wanted the fabric to stay soft and pliable. I mean whats the point of a comfy upholstered wingback chair makeover if it ends up a stiff mess? No point! Second, I wanted full coverage on that awful pink color! Side note: if this color is your jam and you make it work in your house more power to ya! But this is just simply not the case in the loft.

The Steps

After pulling from a handful of tutorials I did the following to get some pretty fab results:

-Vacuum the chair thoroughly(esp. all those nooks and crannies!).

-Mix 1 part fabric medium with 2 parts interior paint.

-Spray the area you are painting with a light mist of water.

-Use a stiff brush to paint light coats over the entire chair. A smaller bristle brush is also helpful to get into all the creases and corners.

-Sand the surface in between coats(once completely dry) with fine grit sandpaper.

Painted Fabric Chair

[After the first coat. Yes, it looks patchy and scary but just keep painting!]

Now comes the fun part! If your chair has a distinct texture like ours you can layer your paint to keep the textured design. This idea came to me after sanding the first layer. Because the sanding is what keeps the chair from getting stiff you always end the layer with sanding. This will expose a layer below the current top layer of paint and in doing so you will also accentuate any raised pattern or texture in the fabric.

Painted Fabric Chair

I started with a couple coats of classic silver and hand tinted the paint for the remaining layers. I went darker by adding a couple ounces of black paint which I measured out on a scale (so I could replicate it if need be). Once the final coat dried and I sanded it down the texture really popped. And still no sign of the ugly pink!

The Results

Painted Fabric Chair

[before & after sanding]

Painted Fabric Chair

This does add a more rustic or even shabby chic feel(which isn’t typically us) but in this space its going to fit right in! All the wood in our bedroom is raw or unfinished so another perfectly imperfect piece is totally making us happy!

Painted Fabric Chair

So have you painted a fabric chair? Or any other fabric furniture? You know I’d love to hear all about it in the comments!

bedroom, before & after, DIY, ikea hacks, loft life, upcycle

Ikea Nightstand Hack

May 13, 2017 29 Comments

This post includes affiliate links. For the full disclosure policy click here.

I know people have probably been hacking Ikea goods for as long as the place has been churning out affordable furniture. I also know Im totally late to the hacking party! While I’ve bought plenty of Ikea furniture over the years its never been with the intention to hack from the get go. That is, until this move. Until this Ikea ‘As-Is’ section. Until this Ikea nightstand hack.

The Raw Goods

If you’ve been reading my posts for a while you will remember our latest Ikea haul that maxed out our Prius’ packing capabilities(above). Hidden in that pile of discounted goods were two beat up MALM nightstands priced at a whopping $27. We may have knack for finding crazy as-is deals(what can I say?!). These guys are still reasonably priced new but seeing the pair marked down so much with what I considered strictly cosmetic issues I threw them on our cart as quickly as possible.

The Paint

After rolling around a few color schemes for our new bedroom space I decided on a Navy, Rosegold, Beachwood combo. With that in mind I skimmed the chalk paint color selection and grabbed a jar in the color Nautical. The label initially looked pretty close to the shade I was going. Unfortunately, after I swatched it I realized it was way too light. Straight out of the jar this is closer to a royal blue. So I grabbed a container of Rich black and started mixing. After 2 coats of paint, 1 coat of Wax, and 20 minutes of elbow grease buffing these looked ~~good as~~ better than new!

DIY note: if you’re mixing a custom color its really helpful to weigh as you go. I use our digital kitchen scale and and write down the “recipe” as I mix. This way I can create multiple batches while covering larger areas and duplicate the shade exactly as needed. The final color came out to about 3 parts blue and 1 part black.

The Hardware

I’ve used these simple pulls for other projects in the past and loved them. I knew I wanted to use them again to keep the look pretty clean and modern. Plus, you can grab the multi pack of 10 which is great because I have plans for the other 6 handles (more on that later). I’d been lusting after all the gorgeous rose gold hardware floating around Pinterest for some time but after seeing a couple price tags(who pays this much for handles??) decided I could get the same look with some good ol’ spray paint.

*Update: Amazon has now started making their own version of these pulls for a fraction of the price! I’ve used both and they’re equally well made and versatile for DIY projects.

I started off with the Valspar Rose Gold since it was so highly recommended online. This was great on coverage and it did have a rose-y hue but I like my Rose Gold pushing the line on Copper so I went in search of something else. Now, looking at the Dusty Pink by Krylon you would think this is going to come out straight Pink sans any Gold but NOPE! It came out my dream color mashup of Copper and Rose Gold(que the spray paint angels singing! Ahhhhh!). You can see the difference pretty well below. The right has just one coat of the Valspar and the Left has the additional coat of Krylon:

The Final Hack

I know I’ve been blowing up my social media with a lot of #chalkpaint but I’m still totally in love. Get used to it peeps! Any product that has this kind of coverage and staying power without me having to sand a single square inch is here to STAY! This covered all the scrapes and scratches these floor models had and made it look like part of the wood grain. And again: NO SANDING!

We talked about adding feet/legs(and we may still) but for now we are loving these new-to-us nightstands! So have you intentionally hacked any Ikea goods? Done a nightstand makeover? You know I’d love to hear all about it in the comments!