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.


Friday, October 12, 2012

Headboard, bench, and crib upcycle.

Howdy all, it's been another week and here I am sharing some more finished projects that will be available to purchase at the upcoming craft fair.  First an old picture frame turned FULL size headboard.  I love how simple and vintage this feels...if only I had a guestroom with a full size bed to put it in :)...
 a bench in burlap stamped fabric.  This bench is HEAVY, metal, and would be perfect on a covered porch! Because it is so big I am selling this NOW instead of waiting for the fair. Let me know if you are interested!
Also, another chalkboard made from an old crib that was donated to me :) Hate the recalls, but there are soooo many fun things to repurpose a crib for.  Here's one.
More to come, but it seems as if I am running out of time and fast!  We'll see what last minute projects I will be able to crank out in time for the fair.  Hope you like!
                                                                                               Ericka :)

Friday, October 5, 2012

Hutch, drop leaf, accent table, antique desk and more chalkboards!

Just adding some more items to my inventory and giving you locals a heads up on what to expect in my booth.  First, this headboard has been painted in a gray/beige paint and distressed. The inside is done in chalkboard paint. I drew the message with a girly room in mind, but that could be adjusted to suit the girl/message of your choice.
 The hooks on the bottom are so darling with crowns behind the glass in soft pink and aqua tones.  Perfect for hanging jewelry or other items.
 This sign is done in chalkboard paint as well with two antique jars planking either side.  I went with a fall/thanksgiving message but this could be used all year long by interchanging the message and flowers in the jars.
 This drop leaf table is so adorable! I seriously have tried to find a place for it in my home but the truth is I would have to start over with my existing decor and I am just not ready to do that yet :) It only has one drop side but would be so cute as a sofa table or entry table depending on the space.  It could even work as an extra wide nightstand. It is also painted in a Gray/beige like color with a stenciled red damask pattern and a brown glaze over the top. Love it!
 And last but not least is this cute little yellow distressed round table.  Perfect for adding a soft yellow to a room. This would function well as and oversized end table between two large chairs or even as a coffee table in a small room.
 
Here is the hutch/buffet I have been working on. I can never get enough of that bright vibrant red in my life and since it is the perfect entertaining color, why not paint it on something going in the dining area!

 This is the desk I have been working on, and while it isn't technically completed (it still needs the casters on and the shelf lined) it is close enough to post I think :) This one truly looks so much better in person than sitting in my dark kitchen but those of you planning on attending the craft fair won't have to take my word for it, you can decide for yourselves! I handpainted the branch leaf thing over turquoise paint with a charcoal glaze.  The hardware on this piece is what really makes it work in my opinion.  This one would look so chic in the right space.
So there you have it, it's friday night and I think I'll be taking it easy with the fam this weekend.  There's always next week to work. Have a great weekend everyone!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Another bench, chalkboards, and sneak peek!

Oh boy, where to begin! I have been oh so busy and I am happy to show you some of my progress today.  First, I finally finished this bench, I sold its gray "twin" last week and loved how it turned out so much that I just had to make another.  This one I finished in a celery/almond like color.  Love the extra wide seat that allows for all kinds of decorative pillows. This one would be so cute on a porch with some fall decor!
 Here's a closer shot of the crackly paint and glazed goodness I just love! Loooove it!
 I have also been finishing up some chalkboards.  You might remember this one from a couple months ago...today I changed out some knobs and added the blue porcelon roses instead followed by a handwritten "Bed and Breakfast" sign by yours truly.  I love the words with the fact that the top is a headboard! Perfect!
 This one just needed some cute hardware and something written so "Let it Snow" came to mind, perfect for all winter and so cute with stockings, scarfs and hats, or ice skates hanging from the hooks!  As with all things chalkboards you could make it function for any space you wanted though.
 Oh and here is my "sneak peek" at the desk I mentioned last week...its coming right along and I am loving the metallic thing going on here. Just a few more coats of paint and some finishing touches (possibly castors) and it will be all ready for the craft fair!
I have so much more to do including a kitchen hutch/buffet combo, an oversized end table, and a drop leaf table for starters...those will have to wait until next week ;)  Thanks for indulging me in this crazy passion of mine, I am so going to take a painting/building vacation in November!

Friday, September 28, 2012

A little of this, a little of that...

 
It's that time of year again...the time when I drive myself and my family crazy with endless trips to the hardware store and every waking moment I can spare outside painting, sanding, cutting, building, pricing...you get the idea. It's time for the annual Minico Craft Fair :).  I have a love/hate relationship with this fair because it draws in an insane amount of locals with vendors from so many different places.  The last two years I have shared a booth with my good friend Alyssa who makes beautiful soldered jewelry.  Our stuff compliments each other well and we get to split the entry fee so we keep doing it!  The reason why I hate the fair is for obvious reasons, it means I have to work like a dog the weeks prior, so that's where I am at today, 4 weeks out on a friday night trying not to fall asleep staring at my computer screen.  Here are a few of the "smaller items" I will be taking with me. I'm not going to post everything on here so if you are local you might want to hit the fair early in case there is something that sparks your interest...the last two years combined I have come home with 2 items unsold...like I said, there are an insane amount of people at this craft fair.
 Here is a board sign I just finished for someone as a wedding gift, this will not be in the fair but you can be sure some signs like it will be :)
 Here's a little shabby table with a chalk board top. It just needs a bowl of  bright yellow lemon drops!
 Another little sign that will eventually be holding some long peppermint sticks!
 This was once an armoire door and now it holds to wire baskets...perfect for a kitchen holding fresh fruit and veggies or above a toilet with towels and TP...or the traditional floral arrangements somewhere else.
 Here's another door I painted and glazed and hung two antique jars on...still deciding on what wording I want on it...ideas?
This one is much simpler and definitely has a country vibe to it with its shabbiness and old antique tall jars against the dusty blue gray painted board but sometimes its the simplest decor that makes the biggest impact and I can just see these jars paired with some freshly cut daisies in them...love.
Next week I will share one, possibly two more headboard footboard benches and a desk redo that has taken me in a direction I have never gone with a piece of furniture...just wait!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Headboard/Footboard Goodness!

Just wrapping up another project this week with this headboard and footboard turned into a bench. These benches have been making their way into the DIY/CRAFT world for a few years now but they are so charming I couldn't resist building another!
 Here is what the headboard and footboard I used looked like before assembly.  Lucky for me I have an exact duplicate set to make another one out of...or use for something else :).
 I wanted to do something a little different. Gray has become the new tan and you see it EVERYWHERE these days but what you don't see all that often is a rustic gray look so that's where I decided to take this piece. By adding some deep walnut wood stain over the paint it gives it that beautiful glazed look and I love how it seaps into all the cracks and crevices for added visual appeal.
 In keeping with the walnut glaze I stained 2 x 4's for the seat in the same wood stain.  In this photo below the seat still needs to be screwed down and a coat of poly but you get the overall idea :)
I'm loving how it turned out, hope you do to!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

A little bit of sunshine...

I have had this cute little cabinet sitting in my shed waiting to be finished for almost a year! Maybe that's why I can't find any "before" photos now.  Picture the ugliest metallic gold ever and you've got it :)
 This is it sitting pretty drying after a coat of primer, some mustard paint, and a dark walnut stain rubbed on and wiped off.
This would make the cutest seat with a cushion on top sitting under a window or would also work great as a bench in an entry or mudroom with a shelf with hooks hanging above. It's always nice to have a little bit of sunshine in your life...or your home for that matter :)  Happy designing all!

I think I'll link this beauty up to www.missmustardseed.com for her friday furniture linky party!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

A Door/Hall Tree!

Perhaps some of you have seen something like this on Pinterest, that's where I originally saw this idea and once I laid eyes on it I knew I had to make one! It just so happened that I was given, yes given an old door not to mention a twin headboard and footboard, so I was all set to go.  Here is a pic of the door and the footboard cut in half and then screwed together.
 It is amazing what a little paint and some wood stain can do, yes? I painted the piece white in a chalk paint and then after it was dry lightly sanded and applied a deep walnut stain as a glaze.  I also ended up adding 3 matching coat hooks along the top.  I loved how a wreathe looked hung on it as well though if one didn't want to hang coats and bags.
 For the seat I simply cut some scrap wood and stained it in the same walnut stain I wiped on the white paint.  It is still drying and needs a coat of poly and some screws to hold it in place but other than that is ready to go...I feel like I say this alot, but I really wish I had a place for this one in my own home!
I am hoping to complete one more of these in time for the craft fair in October.  It will be the same concept with a twist so keep checking back so you don't miss it (Think nature) :)
I'm linking up to this weekends parties at www.funkyjunkinteriors.net and www.missmustardseed.com and homespunhappenings-tammy.blogspot.com

Friday, August 10, 2012

Chalkboard Headboard

Another lone headboard, another one turned into wall decor. This time, however, I decided to change it up a bit...
 I purchased this antique molding shown below a couple months ago and finally found a use for it today. I cut it down to size as well as a piece of scrap board shown here.
 Here is is put together and painted in Banner Red complete with a built in chalkboard and a collection of shabby hardware/hooks.
 This would make a perfect piece in a casual entry or mud room. Ooh I could also see it in a kitchen with aprons hanging on the hooks and the menu written above...so fun!
 Love that there is a handy ledge for the chalk to rest. 
Well, it's onto the next project for me. Happy creating/designing out there! I'm linking this up to Saturday Night Special Party!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Latest Upcycling...

The last few weeks have been so busy with family reunions, birthdays, and so much more but somehow in the chaos of it all I managed to get a few smaller projects completed and sold. 
This chair was missing one of the ladders on the back...no biggie just filled in the holes and gave her a lovely coat of white with a new burlap seat.  She will be sitting pretty at the outdoor wedding where she will be making her debut...I also finished another like this one and one painted black.
 this oak coffee table was screaming for a makeover and just in time for the owners family reunion hosted at her home.  After the black paint and distressing it was a complete transformation!
 Another headboard turned to decor project.  I have several more of these to get finished in time for the craft fair...better get on that!
 And last but not least, Shala came to me wanting/needing an antique or older styled queen headboard.  I didn't have one that size but I did have a mission style queen...so I took out the slats and repositioned them like this photo below...

Then I gave her a coat of antique white paint and some metal ceiling tiles...and of course some shabby distressing...perfect!

I have so much more to do but I've got to be honest it has been alot harder finding the time for my projects now that I have 3 little boys to take care of...and let's be honest they are hard work but the most important thing to me so please be patient as the projects continue, ever so slowly :)

I'm linking this post up to Donna's linky party here. 

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Kid Friendly Book Storage

My good friend and our local children's librarian came to me with this piece that belonged to her father.  It had originally been used as a truck box in the back of a truck bed to hold tools.  I am so glad she thought of me when she saw it and gave me first dibbs!  It is sooo cool and the possibilities are endless!  She told me she saw something similar to it once at a library convention hanging on the wall with books inside, I loved the idea but waited a week or two before I made any decisions on it but I kept coming back to the book storage idea and so I decided to go for it.

 Oh yeah....my kids are LOVING this and so am I!  I am reworking a part of the basement for a more kid friendly space and this is included on the wall along with a bench seat below for reading (and reaching) the books placed in the various cubbies.  Below the seat are baskets full of more books because well, I yard sale alot and there tends to always be childrens books for sale and it seems I have a hard time passing them up :)  As you can see I ended up painting it black and handpainted the word "read" in a type kind of font.


I am loving how the room is shaping up but it's not quite finished yet!  The seat cushion is still a work in progress and I am on the hunt for a fun, bright colored, kid friendly area rug as well.  When those two things come together I will be more than happy to share the room reveal :)  Oh and a great big thanks to you Valerie!!!