End Tables Sighted + Other News

I love seeing what other people do with furniture that I also happen to have. I found this blog through a quick google search, and look- those are my end tables!!!  (And how awesome are the colors in this room- I love the lime green - teal combo).

via mid-century MODERN LOVE

Although one of mine is looking a tiny bit different now :) I'm finally putting on coats of polycrylic and polyurethane. (The difference between the two, I just learned). So I'm hoping, if it's not too humid this week, the coats will be dried, sanded, reapplied and one table will be complete. I am so excited about these tables, y'all. Even my husband likes it- despite the fact that he gave me a quizzical look when I tried to explain my vision.

In other news, my patio renovation is also nearing completion. Although, I'm beginning to think projects around my house are never truly complete- anyone else feel this way? Anyways, I have a few finishing touches I want to add- lighting, pillows + cushions, and maybe some more plants. Pictures of that will be appearing here soon.

Some girlfriends and I saw Magic Mike on Friday, haha I know, - at the Drafthouse of course. (I've become such a movie snob these days- I will ONLY watch movies there). True to form, they had some entertaining, prequel videos:

Classic SNL- great laughs for your Monday (ignore the fact that it's backwards....)

Don't Talk, Don't text....

Happy Monday all!

End Tables Sighted + Other News

Let's Talk Paint

On Sunday, I went to Lowe's (my favorite of the two big box hardware stores..) to look for some paint. It is for this project, which is coming together quite nicely :) First I looked at the spray paint section, and was utterly disappointed by the lack of color options. I had really hoped that a hardware store would have a better selection of spray paint than Michael's, where I had also been to that day. Frustration settled in as I realized I would have to hand/brush paint this project if I wanted a decent color *sad face*. I finally narrowed my choices down and picked samples of Valsapar paint:

Gypsy Teal

Danish Blue

I sanded. I primed. I painted with the Danish Blue paint using my purdy brush. Meh. I loved the color, but I wasn't getting the evenness or color saturation like spray paint. I think the important factor here was the quality of the wood I was trying to paint- it is a plywood/oak (maybe?) consistency, which made every. brush stroke. visible. NOT the look I was going for...

On a second trip to Michael's, for some other craft supplies, I wandered over to the art supply section and was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon the mother load of spray paint:

Liquitex

I have used other paint products from Liquitex and love their quality, so I was quite happy to see that they 1) make spray paint and 2) that Michael's now carries it!!  It's a little on the pricey side (as far as spray paint goes) at $12 a can, but with a Michael's coupon from my phone, it dropped it down to ~$7, which was a little easier to swallow. Plus I found a color I LOVE.

This paint is usually used by grafitti artists... but I decided to try it out on furniture anyways. My project is in the last stages of drying, but I'm hoping to give an updated with pictures of a COMPLETED PRODUCT later this week!!

Let's Talk Paint

Gold Leaf + Furniture: Part I

I'm not sure when I decided that gold was such an awesome color to have on furniture. I used to think it was kind of tacky, and only belonged in stuffy estates. No more, I tell you!

If you remember, a while back, I scored two awesome end tables on craigslist for $50 (I am still excited about this!!). Originally, I was going to paint them with a white or black lacquer. That was before our coffee table arrived and I discovered that the stains on the end tables + the coffee table top almost nearly matched. AND I loved it. There were only two problems: 1) There was some damage on the table legs- nicks & scrapes- where the stain was uneven or coming off, so I really wanted to re-stain them; and this lead to problem 2) The tops of the side tables are laminate, meaning I can't re-stain the tops (or I could try, but I don't think it would end up looking right).  I really did not want to leave the tops as is, with a new coat of stain on the rest of the table... because that would probably look off too.

For a while, I thought about painting the tops.  Sort of an inverse of these (because I've found it nearly impossible to find any images of painted table tops, with wood stained bottoms):

Pink Postcard via Pinterest

Perfectly Imperfect via Jill on Pinterest

Modg via Apartment Therapy

Or, like this (ahem, after further googling, this was the ONLY image I found that depicts what I'm trying to accomplish):

via Rachel Bishop Designs

Anyways, after deciding the end tables would be stained with some sort of painted top, I had to decide on a color. I didn't really like idea of a black, gray, or white top (it doesn't go with the overall look/feel of our sofa + coffee table). I was leaning toward a shade of blue or green, but as much as I love these brightly colored pieces:

via Centsational Girl

via House Candy L.A. on etsy

via Nice Thing on etsy

via Young and Broke on etsy

(almost the exact same table!!) via Mint Home on etsy

I wasn't sure I could commit to having such a dominant accent as a permanent fixture in our living space (even if it was just the table top I was painting). Decisions, decisions....

Gold Leaf + Furniture: Part I