As I've made my visits around blogland, I've noticed that making your own chalkboard is quite a popular project. Not wanting to be left behind, I purchased a large piece of framed art. 
I cleaned it well and then covered the "painting" with newspaper. 
I painted the frame a pretty apple green. I've been wanting to use this color on a project since seeing it at the paint party. It really is a cheerful color.
When the frame was dry I covered it. (Hint- Be sure there are no gaps where paint over-spray can sneak in and land on your freshly painted frame.)
Next, I covered the painting with two coats of chalkboard paint. I let it dry for 24 hours then I rubbed the entire board with the side of a piece of chalk to break it in.
I painted a stain on the frame. I like using these little stains that you can find in the craft store. They're water soluble and easy to work with. 
I worked in small sections at a time, making sure the stain gets into the details. Then I wiped off the excess. This gives the frame some character and the look of age. I want the piece to look like I picked it up at an expensive antique shop.
All that was left was to hang it in a prominent place in my kitchen.
My art had a brush stroke texture to it which means my chalkboard does too. I'm not sure if I love the textured look or not. 
That's something for you to consider if you're going to try this project.
And you should try it, because everybody's doing it!
Everybody's Doing It
A Woman's Prerogative
other paint colors besides satin black?
Do you remember this homeless tin shelf
that started out a deep red?
And then became a lovely tan?
Well, I changed my mind.I finally decided where I wanted the shelf,
so I had to do a second makeover.
This is what it looks like now.
I painted the fleur de lis details to show them off.
Cool Upholstery Fabrics
Isn't it hard to find cool fabrics for upholstering? It's really a huge investment! Most often the cost of upholstering is the same as buying a new piece. This is why you gotta choose it very carefully. The good news is there are SO many choices out there. Hundreds of thousands, literally....
Here are some of our favorite upholstery fabric. All are from Highland Court fabric, a division of Duralee. We like this line because it's very boutique-ish, and the patterns/colors are just sublime.
We are picking bright colors today because we want something cheerful to look at. Times like this, we can all use some pick-me-up, don't you think?
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We love this one for either a small chair or a small day bed. This pattern is called Cheaza, the pattern numberis 180512H Color 586.
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This pattern is called Heirloom, pattern number 180860H Color Tangerine
-----------------------------------------------------------------This pattern number is 180830H color 707 Tomato. We can just see it on a decorative pillow, or a pair of occasional chair.
-----------------------------------------------------------------We love, love Greek key...it's so modern and clean. This pattern number is 180826H and the color is Tangerine.
All of these fabrics are from the Philip Gorrivan collection (Philip who?) We don't know much about him, to be honest. But judging from the collection, we think it's better than Kelly Wearstler's, truthfully. She's a bit over-extended and over-exposed.
Neglected No More
Several months ago, I found a pretty little desk at the thrift store. I didn't really need a desk, but the price was right, so the desk came home with me. I stuck it in an empty corner of the family room. It needed to be painted. It was chipped and dinged and a young artist had carved a pie chart into it.
At the time I was going through my "paint everything satin black" phase. But I wasn't sure I wanted it black. And so it sat, week after week on my to do list. Then, after building my door desk, I began to think about that neglected desk. It actually looked quite nice in the corner. But if that were going to be it's permanent home, it needed a makeover that would command attention against the red wall. It need a color that would compliment it's feminine design. I took the desk outside and sanded the top to remove the pie chart. Then I used liquid sander on the rest of the piece. 
I primed it and gave it two good coats of Heirloom White paint. And for good measure, I gave the top a third coat. 
Once it was dry, I used sand paper and fine steel wool to distress it. 
It still needs some hardware. But until I can find something that I love, ribbon handles will work just fine.
My little desk is no longer neglected.
I think it's the perfect little compliment to this piece of furniture that shares it's space.
Looking Up
I love old buildings! I love the craftsmanship that went into making a building beautiful. I admire the intricacy in the moldings and trim. I'm amazed at the ornate detail in things as small as an elevator button. And one thing that I'm attracted to is the old tin ceilings. It astounds me that such detail and design was put into something that you would have look upward to notice. It is because of my admiration of the design of ceiling tins that I have manged to acquire a collection of them. I use tins all throughout my home.
I have old, authentic ones.
(The crown molding and the shelfare made using ceiling tin)
(We cut apart a tin to make the four small squares) 
I have reproductions too.
Aahhh, the beauty of a ceiling tins!Where's My Head?
to pass some more fun info on to you.
(I apologize Heather!)
Heather has a wonderful tutorial on her blog BeTasseled.
Now, with last weeks post and this one,
you have even more tassel making inspiration.
What are you waiting for?
Go make a tassel.
Ooooo La La!
Most people Spring clean. I Fall build. I don't know what it is about the Fall, but I suddenly get the urge to build items for my home. I'm not sure if it's the nesting instinct left over from having my last three children born in the Fall months. Or if it's the desire to have a nice home for the holidays. Or maybe, I no longer feel the need to work on outside projects, so I can devote my time and energy to the inside of my home. Whatever the reason, I have the urge to Fall build.
And so it was on Saturday.
that I bought months ago at a thrift store.
(You see those french doors? I have plans for them too.Won't they look great on a garden shed?
That project will have to wait until next Spring)
leaving the vintage doorknob,
and reattaching the hinges.
In the meantime, I sanded some metal legsthat we bought months ago
at that big blue box store that sells Swedish furniture.
The legs needed to be sanded
in preparation for their makeover.
Then I primed them with a good primer.
Next came a few coats of satin black.
I sanded the door where there were chips and dings.
When the legs were dry,we screwed them onto the door.
Don't those legs give it a French flair?
It looks a bit like a grown up version of the trayfrom my previous post.
I'm enjoying the combination of cream and black lately.
This beauty is going to find it's way
into the master bedroom.
I think I'm feeling a bedroom makeover coming on!
