The Fierce Glamour

Archive for projects

Apartment Therapy: Black & Gold Nightstand Redo

August 17, 2011 Michelle Project ReDo, projects

I blame SW for this whole project! After coming back from a visit with her, I had the urge to redo, rearrange, and redecorate! Thus, the kitchen and the guest room have gotten little makeovers. The guest room has been the biggest focus , as it really is like storage. It started with rearranging, which really makes a world of difference. Then I saw this……

I’ve seen it in person and its gorgeous! The inside is a pretty gold and lit up its quite a stunner. Now, I can’t afford this and/or replace the fan that is in our guest room… BUT I loved the idea of black/white stripes and gold! We have my old desk and night stand and once I saw this I had my idea for painting the furniture. I started with the night stand.

BEFORE

The handles were orginally the same wood color, but in an effort to change them up I spray painted them. The new plan is black with a white stripe and brassy gold knobs. And that’s just what happened….

I removed the back and painted on two coats of black flat paint. I chose to place the stripe in the middle of the drawer a 1/3rd from the top and bottom. Then, I taped it down for my stripe.

I used a white flat paint. I prefer the look of flat paint…can you tell! It dried and I installed two brassy gold round knobs I found at Home Depot.

AFTER

I’m absolutely in love with this piece! It’s currently being used a entertainment center. The guest room is still in a state of reorganization but with the nightstand and desk being redone I’ve gotten super motivated to make it into a chic office/spare bedroom! The desk is currently in the painting process too. Look for it soon!

Total Cost for Painting Nightstand AND Desk:

Paint brush $2

+ One Gallon Black Flat Paint $7

+ One Pint White Flat Paint $5

+_Six Brassy Gold Knobs $7____

Total= $21

Old pieces looking chic and brand new….priceless

One comment guest room, nightstand, project, project redo, redo, stray dog

Gilty Reflection

May 16, 2011 Michelle I Made It, projects

In my last post I told you I was going to share a little bit of our home with you, Welcome!

I’ve been working on some projects around our house to finish up rooms and class up the place if you will. My latest project has been a clothespin mirror! Huh?! What?!

A Clothespin Mirror. Here was the inspiration:

Photo via Country Living

I originally saw this a few months ago on another blog but managed to track down the original source/directions. I fell in love with it instantly, even knowing I had the perfect mirror for it!! II’ve had an ugly old hand me down oval mirror with a four section wood frame. I’ve lugged it through two different moves and tried to paint it black to make look better. Didn’t work, so I shoved it away in the closet for a future project. It has been in the back of my mind waiting for the right moment and with all the little projects I’ve been doing lately, it was time!

Of course, I only took a simple cell phone picture of my before plan:

That’s the unfinished frame and unfinished clothespins, of course the blue is painters tape covering the mirror itself.

I went to my local craft store and picked up a 100 pack of clothespins and some craft paint. I wanted to make a statement with my new mirror so I chose Americana paint in Aztec Gold. I have to say I surprised myself with this color choice. I used to be anti-gold anything but decided to challenge myself. I figured the Aztec Gold would be a little more shiny/yellowy that just regular gold.

I put about 6 or 7 coats on the frame. (black is hard to cover!) Then I painted two coats to the front, sides, top, and bottom on all of the clothespins. After this I realized, I’d painted the spring portion of the clothespins. It looked bad, so I spent a few hours hand/toothpick scraping the paint out of approximately 75 springs. Then I layed out the clothespins and pulled out my glue gun.

The final product!

Upclose Detail

In the Hallway

What do you think? I’m absolutely in LOVE with it! It turned out better than I could have ever imagined! The gilded gold color is gorgeous and the whole thing just made the hallway shine. I think it might be one of the best projects I’ve ever done. Best thing: it cost about 5 dollars! All I had to buy was the paint and clothespins!

My original inspiration with directions: http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/crafts-with-clothespins

2 comments diy, I made it, inspiration

Our Apartment

May 13, 2011 Michelle inspiration, projects

a·part·ment

[uh-pahrt-muhnt] Show IPA

–noun

a room or a group of related rooms, among similar sets in one building, designed for use as a dwelling.

a building containing or made up of such rooms.

Structure. Building. Apartment. Home.

Our home is a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment. When we moved in. It was a mishmash of his and her stuff. Throughout the six months, I’ve been slowly weeding through the unnecessary clutter and getting down to pieces we love. All with Mr. T’s permission, of course.

It’s taken about 9 months and I have completely finished 4 rooms of our home. (Two bathrooms, the master bedroom, and our dining room)

I’m currently working on our living room and adding small touches at a time. A vintage lamp first, an upolstered ottoman/coffee table next. (I made it, you’ll see how I did it soon!)

All that being said, in the upcoming weeks, I’ll be showing you a few parts of our apartment, diys, and even a few tips and tricks.

Can’t wait to share a little slice of our heaven with you!

One comment apartment, decorating, home

Dress it Up DIY: The Rose Peace Dress

April 7, 2011 Michelle Clothes, designer, fashion, projects

See this dress? I love this dress. I own this dress. I got it on sale at a major discount since the button was missing. It is the Judith March Peace Sign Dress. (You can buy it here and here*)

(Photo Source)

It is something isn’t it? The back has so much going on that the front is very simple. One rose on each side of the neckline and then just a simple navy front. Me being me, I couldn’t leave this busy, beautiful dress alone. I wanted to add a little more glam.

Hello, rhinestones! Simple little ones in the middle of each rose was the plan! Here’s how I did it:

I used irridescent colored stones, gluing them in by holding the setter on it for about 45 secs.

They are slightly noticeable, which is exactly the way I wanted. The light has to catch just the right way to notice them.

Slight Shimmer!

I haven’t had a chance to wear this dress yet. I’m hoping someone will have a summer wedding or party that I’ll get to wear it too. Thanks for tuning in!

To see more from Judith March, visit: http://www.judithmarch.com/

*Full Disclosure: I work at this store. I paid for this dress with my own money and did not receive a discount. It was already on sale. There has been no incentive or encouragement to write about this dress. I just love it!

No comments diy, judith march, rhinestones, rose dress

Project Redo: Match my Mirror

March 13, 2011 Michelle projects

**WARNING: this is a picture heavy post!**

I bought this lovely little mirror at Canton a while back for a measly $5. I’ve been in love with it ever since.

I mean, look at the detail on this thing!

Not knowing much about silver, I’ve also wondered if it was pure silver. It was just so dingy.

Turns out its not. So I decided to paint it bright blue, to match our bedroom color. Hello, Anita’s All Purpose Craft Paint in Island Blue.

Now, I love to redo vintage items, but I know some people in my life (Hi, Mom!) would be shocked and horrified at the thought of repainting/repurposing vintage or antique items. If you are one of these, stop reading now. But…it did turn out awfully cute!

The final product!

Finally in our room! Its not in this spot anymore. Its sitting on my jewelry chest right now and looks fantastic! Maybe one day I’ll get up the courage to show you our room…its got some cool projects in it. And I think it looks pretty good!