Making the most of what one has often requires optimistic eyes. Welcome to Rose Colored Glasses, a blog all about realizing the beauty, and often hidden potential in creating home design on a budget.


Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Updated Piano Bench

Found this little piano bench at the local D.I. a few weeks back. It was in decent condition but they wanted $10 for it...I'm not one to ask thrifts to lower their prices since usually the profits are going to non-profit related causes but a manager there, who I happened to know came over and offered it to me for $5 instead. I took it. Oh and I failed to take a before pic as well, sorry. Anyway, here it is all finished with a new cushioned top complete with button tufts and a fresh coat of white paint. It's actually quite comfy if I say so myself and I love that it opens for storage as well ;)


So that makes one more down and too many more to go! Be back soon.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Wall Decor!

I found these shutters (7 of them) at a yard sale this summer and paid a whopping $2 for all of them. Did I know what I was going to do with them...of course not, but here is what I came up with this week... A simple way to add some cottage-like decor on the wall. I simply nailed them to a square scrap board, painted, added a wreathe I picked up at a thrift for .75 and voila!


Easy Peasy :) Next, the music chair, a piano bench remake, and a handpainted sidetable!

Monday, September 26, 2011

For the Love of MUSIC!

Here is the chair I just completed to go with this... table! I found this old sewing table at a local consignment store a week or two ago and almost passed it up... until something about it caught my eye. The hardware reminded me of a whole note and it just so happened that on a recent visit to my sister-in-law Holly's place she gave me some old sheet music to do what I wanted with...at that time it was for my sister Katie who is a piano teacher and was looking for ways to appeal to her music students with the decor in her music room. Instead I got to use it (she found something else).


So I did. Right away I went to work gluing the pages onto the drawer faces with wall paper paste. Then after they had dried overnight I applied a thin glaze over the top to age it a bit more. After that I covered the surface with more paste...this time Mod Podge and after it had dried applied a polycrylic protective coat in a satin finish. Of course I had to paint the hardware, and prime and paint the desk. Finally I covered the hole in front where the sewing machine would be used with a scrap piece of molding I cut to fit.


And that's it folks! I am really pleased with how it turned out. Hopefully someone at the craft fair will love it just as much :)! Up next, wall decor! Happy designing!



I'm linking this up to these parties: http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/
http://kammyskorner.blogspot.com/2011/10/trash-to-treasure-tuesday-link-party-1.html

http://www.domestically-speaking.com/


Friday, September 23, 2011

Something New!

I found this gem at a local estate sale and was lucky enough to purchase it before the person next to me did...I tell you, it's moments like those that get my heart beating! Anyway, other than the old paint it was in great condition! Just what I like, little repair work. And this is what I ended up doing to give it a new look. Like? I painted the body a satin black and then using a couple of different colors and some wallpaper came up with this painted on look. Yes, it's painted, NOT MOD PODGED. Sorry, I took these pictures in my basement...at night...but anyway you get the idea.



Oh and I almost forgot to mention that I ended up distressing it just a bit as well. I am liking how it turned out and will be taking it with me to a local craft fair coming up at the end of October.








P.S. Because of the fair...and the fact that I am no longer throwing up ;), I will be having several new pieces to show you during the next few weeks so stay tuned!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Kitchen Bench

Oh, how ugly is this photo. Well, it has taken me FOREVER to finish this bench but I am happy, no...more like overjoyed to report that this project is officially completed and going in a friends kitchen/dining area very shortly! My friend Jamee picked out the paint color...which I happen to LOVE! Then using the fabric she chose for her dining chair cushions I painted this gem on the back...twice :)

I love how it turned out and hope she does too!


Happy painting everyone!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Jack-O-Lantern Orange.

Finally something to post, or at least the energy and stomach to do so :). I painted this desk a few weeks ago but just put the hardware on today. The orange is a burnt orange even though it appears a bit brighter since I took these picks just before dark :( Anyway, I love it and think it would also work well as an entry piece decorated for the Fall Season. Can't you just imagine some Halloween decor with white painted pumkins, gothic candlesticks, and a bowl full of candy corns...oh I can't wait, one of my favorite holidays!


I am selling this piece so if you are interested in taking a closer look or inquiring more about it please email me at lemonsqueezing@gmail.com Thanks guys and can I just say I am sooo happy to be back! SOLD!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Missing in Action...

So sorry for the unexplained absence on this blog. I have been "under the weather" as of late and most likely will be for a while longer. Okay, okay, yes, I am expecting child number 3! Although I truly hate morning sickness, I know that this too shall pass and the reward will far outweigh any amount of misery I am experiencing now :) Bear with me...I promise to resurface eventually. Until then, happy design blogging!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Summer Seating.

Unfortunately I neglected to take any "before" photos of these projects so you'll have to use your imaginations. The first, a simple chair I picked up at an estate sale for $3 was given a new look with a bright yellow to go with the white desk I finished a couple weeks ago for a friend Kristen. Here's the white desk she is using as a desk/vanity for her little girl. (She already has a bright yellow mirror that will hang above and baskets will sit inside the cubbies.)

And here is a simple bench a friend of mine picked up at a yard sale early this spring, then traded for another bench so I could paint this RED for my good friend Megi. (It's going under a large window.) I can't wait to see this bold color in her space!


Well, that's it for now but check back for some upcoming projects: a dresser, the antique secretary, headboards, chairs, stained concrete, and possibly a wet bar for my basement!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

I Heart Bling!

This table was given to me by my dear friend Jamie a few weeks back. It belonged to her grandmother. It has great lines...just needed some love. I was browsing blogs last week and found these amazing nightstands at http://Redhenhome.blogspot.com . I knew I had to try it and what better subject than my little clover table! (Sorry its sideways...couldn't get it to rotate) Using wallpaper paste and tin foil squares, yes tin foil, I pieced it together, then wiped off any excess glue and applied a dark brown glaze over the top to sink into the cracks and crevices.



I still need to add the coats (Korrie recommends 2) of polycrylic and it will be ready for its intended use, a housewarming gift for a friend of mine :)


This technique was so easy, although somewhat time consuming. It makes me want to bling up my bedroom at home now.


I hope you all like...go ahead give it a try!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Perhaps my favorite project yet?

I am so happy to share a recent project I have completed for my friend Shay. Her mother found this at a thrift several years ago and picked it up but since then it has sat patiently awaiting a second life...well, today was that day. Last week I showed you this tin ceiling piece I picked up at an estate sale and faux finished to look like this.

I picked up a clock kit from Michaels and some vinyl numbers from a local store and voila, a clock! Then I added two chair legs on either side to draw the eye upwards a bit. Then of course, I scraped off old chipping paint, sanded, primed, painted, and even added some light distressing.



This is going in Shay's hallway...don't you just love it?! It sort of has a hint of cottage charm while still maintaining its simplicity with its clean lines. What a find!


So glad Shays mom snagged this piece and so glad I got to help make it beautiful again! Hope you all like! Have a great 4th of July!