Chalk Paint and an easy DIY centerpiece

I received my shipment of Annie Sloan's chalk paint about a month ago - I LOVE IT! I had this chair in my garage for 5 years - I'm such a procrastinator. It was another curbside find.  When I discovered this new paint I knew this was the perfect piece to experiment on. It distresses beautifully and makes that country french worn finish very easy to obtain. I did prime this piece last summer but that was as far as I got. Priming isn't even necessary with this paint. I gave it a coat of Old White and then a coat of Duck Egg Blue, a coat of clear wax, distressed with a sanding sponge, coat of dark wax and then finished with the clear. I gave it a new seat covered in some leftover painters drop cloth.

Here is what it looked like before - it had a really nasty cushion which I ripped off before I took the pic.

So, I have a garage full of furniture that will receive some special chalk paint treatment.  I hope I will be able to part with them. The chair above is a keeper - my new desk chair.

I also used ASCP on some new boxes my husband put together. When we make these, they are new pine which we hand distress, and apply the finishes to make them look like they've been around for years. If you are handy, these make a great DIY centerpiece for your rustic-chic wedding or event.  So pretty with mason jars, a bundle of dried flowers or you can place a plastic liner inside and arrange fresh flowers in them. They are so useful after the event. They are a really nice seasonal display for your table, or mantle - filled with moss, spring eggs, punpkins or winter sprigs, pine cones and berries. You can even use these in the bathroom to hold soaps or hand towels.

Easily distressed with Annie's chalk paint in Old White and Paris Grey.

These cast iron handles are available in my shop. They add such a nice touch to the rustic box.

Simple burlap and ribbon wrapped mason jars with hydrangeas.

We also sell these boxes on our website and in our etsy shop.  Any size/color/quantity can be done.

Want some more project inspiration?

This post is linked up to the following blog events:

Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Project Parade at DIY Showoff
Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Cool Cucumber Salad

The temps were over 100 degrees here plus humidity this weekend.  We cooled off in the pool and with this simple cucumber salad and iced green tea.  Sorry, I don't usually measure salads like this - so you can make it to your own taste.

long island cucumbers
red onion
kalamata olives (from Astoria)
greek feta (from Astoria)
extra virgin olive oil (just a little)
fresh squeezed lemon
oregano
fresh pepper

So good! and refreshing!

Where Bloggers Create

Looking for some inspiration for your creative studio? Take a peak into the spaces Where Bloggers Create. Thanks so much to Karen at My Desert Cottage for hosting this party for the 3rd year in a row!

Click here to see my creative studio. They are pics from last year's tour - a few things have changed but because I am in the middle of a number of orders - I can't show you my mess of a room right now! I promise to update the photos when it's all cleaned up!!

Wedding Details

One of my customers was married this past weekend and celebrated at the beautiful Fox Hollow Country Club. Here are some of the products I created for her special day...

Framed seating chart instead of traditional place cards.

Oversized table numbers decoupaged in a matching damask paper.

An embellished birdcage including a hand painted monogram to hold the couple's wedding cards. The watermelon pink ribbons match the bridesmaids' dresses.

A wish card box antiqued, decoupaged and monogrammed with coordinating cards, and pens.

And finally, I designed the menus - her food choices were amazing.

I am designing a whole new line of event decor which you will find on our website and etsy shop in the coming weeks. If you are looking for custom details for your wedding or special event, just let me know, I would love to create something for you!

Laundry Room Details for all of my DIY Friends

I'm still overwhelmed by the response I have received from this makeover. You've blogged, facebooked and tweeted about my laundry room. I know I love it, but I'm so happy to hear so many of you love it too!

So, I have had many questions about sources, materials, colors, etc. First off, the room dimensions are about 8 1/2' x 9 1/2' with one window and one door to the patio, one door to the mud room/back entrance.

I had researched cabinets but the costs were about $2000 and they weren't the style or height that I wanted (42" high). So, my husband built the boxes. And we purchased the doors. My husband is working on a technical how-to post for his blog, The Honey-do Chronicles.

• Wood for cabinets and trim - $250
• Stain-grade wood panels (find them here) for countertops and wood for legs - $188
• Stain for countertop - Minwax English Chestnut
• Tile floor, glue and grout $150
• All of the above from Lowe's Home Improvement 
• Electric radiant heat for tile floor from Electric Supplier $238 (but sooo worth it!)
• Cabinet paint color - Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170
• Wall paint color Benjamin Moore White Dove 
• MDF Cabinet Doors (including european hinges and shipping costs) -                                                                                                      Naked Kitchen Cabinet Doors - $266 
• Light fixture - home made for under $10 - see this post
• Sink and faucet from Lowe's $200
• Cast Iron Handles from my shop $3.50 each

• Bird tub for holding cleaning rags from Christmas Tree Shop $5.99
• Basket on shelf from Joann's $12.00

My favorite trick - concealing the "dirty laundry". I have 6 tall laundry bins from Target for all of my sorting under the long counter. And to hide everything - a simple painter's drop cloth curtain for about $20!

I put in a tension rod with a support in the middle to prevent sagging. Then, I bought a couple of packages of ring clips. Here is a closer pic (sorry it's a little blurry). The rings are great because they just slide so easy. I didn't do any sewing for this - just folded over the top till I got the length I wanted. Although there is a raw edge (which I know I will have to sew before it goes in the wash) at one end because I did cut off a piece to make a separate curtain under the sink.

We didn't replace the window (although I wanted to!) but we did purchase a new door painted in a fun new color.

• Door and hardware from Lowes - $200
• Paint color Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue HC-144

Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue HC-144

I was so happy to get the huge calendar off the fridge and out of my kitchen! Notice the dish of lavender (keeps me calm while I look at the crazy schedule).

• Mammoth Grid Calendar (necessary for a family of 6) from Calendars.com $15.99
• Burlap lampshade from Target $9.99
• Bird Box for mail from Michaels Craft Stores $11.99
• Rusty Enamel clips holding up the calendar from my shop $3.50 each

• Stone Flower Pot holding pens - from my shop - $7.50
• Cast Iron dish from my shop $13.00

My dog food pail was a big hit. I purchased the pail at Ikea for $25. Lettering is vinyl and was cut from one of those craft cutters by a friend of mine. You can find custom letters on Etsy if you don't know anyone with one of those machines. Or if you don't want to make it yourself - Ballard has the dog and cat food pails here.

• File basket from TJ Maxx $14.99

The machines are what triggered this project. My old ones died, boohoo, I swear I never overstuffed them! So, we had to shop for new ones and had to wait 4 weeks for delivery. We though this was the perfect time to start gutting the room.

• LG washer and dryer from Sears $1,254
• Nestled in the Branches Ironing Board Cover from this shop on Etsy $24
• Dog Treat jar from Homegoods $5.99
• Embossed planter from my shop $23.00
• Bird plate from Christmas Tree Shops $1.99
• Drying rack over ironing board from Ikea $30

Leftover drop cloth from another project made the perfect swag curtain.

• Iron grill over window from an Antique Shop in Cape May, NJ $20
• French Ticking ribbon tie back from my etsy shop $3/yard

Ok, so I think I covered just about everything. We have spent about $3,000 total on this whole room renovation, not bad. Of course that's doing all of the labor ourselves. So, if you have any other questions just let me know and I will do my best to answer them. Many of you told me you want to or have already begun a laundry room renovation. I hope you will let us know when you are ready to share it!

Good luck and have fun!

See PART 1 of the laundry room.

Laundry room renovation...complete!

Well almost, just a couple of things left on the "honey-do" list, nothing major.  I think my husband did an amazing job in here!  So I went with the grey cabinets and love it! This room is right off a side door entrance and also has a door to the patio. Therefore, it was highly visible to all that entered our home - and it was hideous!! I was always making sure the door was close when visitors stopped by.  Not sure if I even want to scare you with the before shots.

Here it is now...

One of my favorite features - my honey put radiant heat under the tile floor to keep my tootsies warm in the winter! The room is on a slab so it used to get pretty cold in here.

 Everything has a place.

 The planter of hydrangeas and plate are attempting to hide the valves and outlets.
Those things just hurt my eyes!

Love the sink...treating stains, potting plants, cleaning Bella's muddy paws, and my paintbrushes.

Cabinets to the ceiling were a priority to maximize storage in this room. But we couldn't find anything tall enough in the stores besides custom cabinetry so I will share what we did in another post.

The shelf and baskets are great too for the things we tend to use a lot, phone chargers, sunscreen, etc.
Under this counter are 6 tall laundry bins for sorting - all hidden by drop cloth with metal ring clips for easy sliding. No more messy, laundry to look at!

 Patio entrance, painted in a pretty shade of robin's egg.

Like my dog food pail? Put those vinyl letters on a can from Ikea. I've seen similar ones in the stores for a lot more $$. The basket holds the kids' school folders, take out menus, etc.

 This "not so pretty" calendar used to be in the kitchen. So happy to have it in here. I know it's huge but I need rather large squares for keeping track of everything. It's called the Mammoth grid!

Pretty box to hold the mail.

Drop cloth remnant made a perfect window treatment. No sew! I even left the raw edge.

That's it for now. For all of you DIYers I will share some costs, colors and sources in another post.
Edited to add: See PART 2 for all resources.

Need to get back to work now.

Sharing this post at the following parties:

Blue Cricket Design - Show and Tell Wednesday

Someday Crafts - Whatever Goes Wednesday

Shabby Chic Cottage - Transformation Thursday

Somewhat Simple - Strut Your Stuff

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday

Miss Mustard Seed - Furniture Feature Friday

Tidy Mom - I'm Lovin' it!

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Night Special

Between Naps on the Porch - Metamorphosis Monday

Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday's Treasures

Be sure to click the links above for more inspiration.

The Party Girls!

I just received the photos the photographer took at our event in NYC with the East Coast Party girls and the amazing Amy Atlas.  We appreciated all of the details which made the get together even more special. The chic stationery was provided by Two Pooch Paperie.

I'd like to introduce you to all in attendance.

Back row:
Lisa ~ Polkadot Pound Cake  - Custom baked classic cakes - great for favors and events!
Khaliah (one of the planners of this event) ~ The Party Muse -  - Specializing in children's event design.
Vanessa ~ Vanessa Grant Events - A new party planning and design company.

Front row:
Dawn (that's me!) ~ Hydrangea Home - I am now expanding into event decor - I  love weddings!
Crista ~ Creations by Crista Marie - Event styling and customized party elements.
Dawn (one of the planners of this event) ~ Bees Knees Parties - Children's event planning.
Amy Atlas ~ Amy Atlas Events - Party styling and custom dessert buffets.
Lisa ~ Amy Atlas Events - Amy's wonderful assistant.
Jennifer ~ The Hudson Cakery - Great tasting custom cakes and cupcakes for your upscale event.
Sarah ~ Dreamers Joy Events and Design - Event planning and design.
Gemma ~ BrainFry Concepts - Beautiful custom invitations.

A ton of talent in one room!!

Here are some pics of the night:

The beautiful details

Getting to know each other

Amy's Grand Entrance

Intently listening to Amy's words

Final group photo


Until the next time!




UPDATE!! Amy Atlas just posted about our event on her blog and included some of her mentoring advice for small businesses.
Check it out HERE!