Table Envy!

If you want to see a really cool faux technique that you will love so much you will be looking for more furniture to paint, keep reading.....

 

 

Restoration Hardware is where I first noticed the popularity of the reclaimed wood look, which has a driftwood feel to it. I absolutely love it. They call it "salvaged natural".  I am slowly turning over the color and décor in my house from all warm earthy tones, to more of the cool greys and blues. This look is incorporated into that.

 

I found these chairs at Pier 1 Imports and I asked for them for my birthday. I love the texture of them and of course, the colors. And at $99 a piece, I just couldn't lose.

 

So naturally after I got the chairs, I just wanted to find a way to make them feel al little more cohesive with the dining set I already had.

I purchased this table from my friend Megan. I originally bought it to go up to our cabin and then loved it too much to pass it on. (Not to mention, I had a really high bar table and my daughters kept falling off the chairs, so it was time!)

I love this table because it is super chunky and solid. However, the top was never properly sealed so the finish was very splotchy and uneven. I felt like sanding and re-staining it would really just tarnish the antique feel that was really charming about this piece. So I went on a search for something cool I could try and after a long session of Google Images, I found exactly what I wanted!

This tutorial is awesome.

Gorgeous Shiny Things

It is so easy. My table literally took me 20 minutes to do (granted I only painted the top...)

 

Here is my finished product

Since I was using the technique on a surface that is used a lot for paint, playdoh, dinner, etc, I decided to seal it with 2 coats of furniture wax. Not only did it make the colors richer, but it gives it a really nice smooth seal that is much easier (and less stinky) than polyurethane varnish.

 

 

DON'T BE AFRAID TO TRY NEW THINGS!!

 

 

                                -Amy                                   

What's the hang up...?? - Hanging wall art properly

It's been a while since I have written a blog. I have been a little busy with school, work,...oh, and having a baby!  Anyway, I guess I only write when I have something to say anyway.

So today's topic is actually an Interior Design tip.
I have been into two houses this week for design purposes and the homeowners both had the same problem.  I would say it's a pet peeve, but it's not like it really irritates me because most people just don't know better....or maybe they like it the way it is, who am I to tell anyone else they are wrong!
The issue at hand is wall art and how it is hung.

The biggest mistake you can make when hanging art is hanging it too high. The two houses I went to this week had 15 foot ceilings. With high ceilings, many people feel that they need to fill the space. In reality, the general rule of thumb is to hang pictures so that the center of the piece is at eye level.
Now eye level can vary as you can see below. So the best thing to do is average it out. If you are a short person, hang it a little bit high, and likewise if you are tall, hang it lower.

 

 

Here is an example of art/accessories being hung too high

 

 

http://renewedspaces.blogspot.com/2012/07/top-decorating-mistakes.html

 

WRONG

 

 

 

RIGHT

 

(This is actually a pretty good blog on this exact topic) http://consideryourselfathome.blogspot.com/2011/07/dont-hang-me-too-high.html

 

NOW, there is ALWAYS an exception to the rule. Photo groupings are one of those exceptions.
If you have a smaller grouping, its always ideal to keep the center of the grouping at eye level like this:

 

 

But a larger grouping can go all the way to the ceiling as long as there is some order. Notice how these frames coordinate and the pictures are all equally spaced apart

http://thescreamingmeme.blogspot.com/2010/03/eyeballing-your-art-groupings.html

 

Then again, sometimes there are no rules as long as the arrangement is visually
appealing!

http://luv-decor.blogspot.pt/2013/02/detalhes-gallery-wall.html

 

 

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/classifieds/real-estate/placing-art-is-not-a-science-its-an-er-art/nWKjZ/

 

 

Anyway, I'm sure you get the idea. As I said, this is the biggest mistake you can make, the second is scale....but we wont get into that one :) I absolutely love photo groupings. If you are planning on taking on a photo wall, remember to lay it out on the floor BEFORE you hang it to figure out the most appealing arrangement. Remember, asymmetry is OK....don't be afraid of it.

Here is one of my favorite blogs on this subject. Wall Art Wednesday by Laura Winslow Photography. http://laurawinslowphotography.com/blog/2013/07/17/diy-home-decor-and-wall-ideas-wall-art-wednesday-laura-winslow-photography/

 

 

Thanks guys!