Lamp Revamp

The Hubs has had this floor lamp for EONS and I have always hated the brass color but used it because it was functional.

See?!?! Hideous, no. It stuck out like a sore thumb in our updated house. I decided it was time for a much needed makeover. I went to Home Depot last weekend and bought some spray paint. I like the "metallic" look just not the brass so I picked up this stuff.

Isn't it awesome and it was only $6.44! I love the name also, hammered, makes it sound so rough and tough and made me feel tough as well. I know it sounds silly but it did.

I first covered the inside (where the light bulb goes) and the knob to turn it on with painters tape.

                                    

Then I took this baby outside (it was nice the last couple of weekends-Come on Spring!!) and started spray painting it. I did a total of 2 coats to ensure it was completely covered. People say to sand your area a bit to make sure that the paint sticks to it. This is a good idea generally but I knew that this lamp wouldn't be moved or touched a whole lot so I am hoping the paint will last without sanding. And let's just be honest here...I am completely lazy and impatient for sanding. :)

The next step was to find a new lamp shade. Here is the old one...

EWWW...totally and completely outdated. The accordian style lamp shade, in my opinion, is O-U-T-out! I hit a bit of a snafu when shopping for the lampshade though; I soon found out that not all lampshades are made equal. As you can see from the above picture the hardware in the lampshade is relatively small and is close to the top of the shade. Well I found a magnificent lampshade at WalMart of all places for only $11.00. Score, well that is until I came home and found it will not fit the lamp.  

I ventured out today in search of different hardware for the lamp that will coorespond with my new lampshade. No such luck so I was forced to buy a new lampshade altogether.

I love it and truly think it is far better than the other two (the original and 1st replacement). Don't you just love the scroll detail-to die for! I am too the moon and back in love with the new lamp.

Before:

                                  

After:

                                     

                                      

YUMMY!!! It's gorgeous! Now I need to get back to my housewife duties. Looks like we have quite a bit of clutter in our kitchen/bar/dining areas.

Neutral Ground

I have for the longest time been considering painting my home office/craft room in progress a yellow tone. I love the color yellow; reminds me of sunshine and the new birth of spring. I instantly gravitate toward it, like a moth to a flame; hence the reason our wedding had accents of yellow. It's a happy color, no?

Martha Stewart

Anyway, I haven't painted yet for fear that once I do then I will change my mind (I do so ALOT) and have to start the whole painting process over again. Have I mentioned I despise painting; I have? About 100 times? Well ok...moving right along.

So the other day I received an email from Better Homes and Gardens and it was all about neutrals. Neutral paint, neutral accents, neutral bedding etc...you get the point. I couldn't help but shout at the computer "They are crazy; beige is boring". Maybe it was all those years living in a "sterile white" apartment but I NEED no I CRAVE color. Then I took a step back and opened my mind; not all "neutrals" are beige-what! get the heck out of town! Maybe it's their pictures that drew me in closer or maybe I was truly seeing neutrals for what they really are; a terrific back drop for ANYTHING! Here are some of the pictures that caught my eye...

Gray walls with the orange accents is GORGEOUS!

And I love this combo so much. The gray with pink; I'm such a girly-girl! (squeal)

Ohhh patterned walls and look! it even has my yellow

I decided to take to the world wide web in search of more answers and some inspiration. First stop, Veranda. If you have never seen one of their magazines you are seriously missing out. It's absolutely gorgeous and high glossy pages; I just get giddy when my hands reach out and grab it. This picture spoke to me because while this is my "office/craft room" I would also like a daybed in the case that guests come to stay.

Veranda 

Is it possible that neutrals look better with lots of light?

Country Living

Or maybe it's all about the metallic accents that make a neutral room "pop"?

Fine Living

Or could it be one bold statement piece?

House Beautiful

I decided to keep looking and who better to turn to then Martha Stewart! Help a sister out, Martha!

I love the gray and brown tones in this picture or do I love the organization the best and not necessarily the colors.

There it is again, the gray with pops of orange but I am still not convinced on neutrals until I see this...

Oh Martha! This is exquisite! Browns, khaki, white accents and the pink/fushia accents as well. This may be the look folks. Or maybe something in between this picture and the one above from BHG (gray with pink) or maybe stick with yellow but in accents and add in the gray color (like above) or...or...or...

See what I mean, I have such a difficult time making decisions. So many different elements and colors appeal to me and I think I am petrified to make the wrong choice but is there ever really a wrong choice when you follow your heart? Can a girl who is in love with just about everything she sees make a "bad" choice? This chick's head is swimming with possibilities and the excitement over neutrals. Yes, I said it....I'm starting to think that neutral is anything but boring!

Mm Modge Podge

I've never used Modge Podge before but I figured it was about time, don't you. A few months back I bought 2 big M's (2.99 ea) at Michaels and I was going to spray paint them black and put one on my bathroom shelves (when they are finally built) and the other in another space to be determined later. I also found an "M" magnet (.79) at Michaels last weekend but it was quite beat up. I am in love with monograms but who isn't, right.

I decided to bust out the Modge Podge and tackle my fears head on. I took my magnet and 1 of the big M's and set out on the dining room table.

Crucial supplies:

scrapbook paper

paint brush

Modge Podge

exacto knife

object, in this case the "M's"

Skittles

Yes! Skittles are critical here...or at least they are for me. I was taking on a new adhesive product that I have never worked with and it called for a little candy and happiness in case this was a big fat flop!

First I put a thin layer of Modge Podge on the "M's" and then I layed my scrapbook paper over top. I pressed the paper into the glue and smoothed out the ripples. Then I plopped myself on the couch and ate Skittles (you can choose any other activity in this place) while the glue dried. I gave it about 20 minutes just to be safe.

I then flipped the object over so the scrapbook paper was facing down and began carefully taking my exacto knife to the edge of the paper where it meets up with the object.

Here is the "m" magnet on our fridge; right below the picture of our dog, Maude. How fitting, right!

The other one I tried to put on our hutch-not great! Then I tried it in the kitchen on a side countertop we have-still not great! Then I remembered that the CD/DVD shelf has a major gap between accessories since I took the Christmas stuff down and I decided to prop it against the clock. Perfect! Now I just need a couple low candles or tealight holders and this will be done.

It's a little rough looking but hey it was my first time so I am going to cut myself a little slack here. Besides if everything was always perfect I think I would get bored. So what do you think? Isn't Modge Podge the greatest!