When I Was Your Age

Grocery Store Decor

Here's my solution to boring switchplates...I was lucky enough to buy a house with the original black and white tile in the bathroom. Boring

switchplates aren't for me. This one was super easy to make. Black beans and white beans from the supermarket, a glue gun, some polyurethane to finish and my black and white bathroom has a black and white lightswitch unlike any other. This template was an unfinished wooden switchplate that can be found in any craft store. An even easier solution is to glue over the existing switchplate. Just remember to leave enough space for easy mounting with the screws.

Cheap Tricks II

These tricks are so easy and add tons of punch.

First is the paper Lanterns. They're a super inexpensive lighting option. I love them for their many and unusual shapes. And...most importantly, they're a blank canvas waiting to stand out under the quick hand of a glue gun and some embellishments. Here we used fabric daisies but scrapbook flowers or gems would be great, too. Paper lanterns are found in so many places these days, but a wonderful resource is Pearl River Trading. They offer them in tons of colors and tons of sizes. The wallpaper border was a snap, too. Heavy card stock and a color copier. A little spray mount and it's done.

Recycle and Reuse Part 2

Before and After...

I love these old metal chairs. These green and white ones above aren't the old, old ones that you find in antique stores and flea markets. These were bought several years ago from Restoration Hardware. But, like all metal chairs that sit out in the elements for a while, they show their wear and tear after a while. The chipping paint wasn't the bothersome part, though. It was the color. The pale green no longer worked for me and I wanted something more dramatic. Which, of course, like everything else leads to thoughts of paint.

Repurposing these for our front porch wasn't difficult at all. The prep was the most time-consuming (and boring.) The whole project took about an hour and a half. Not bad.

If you're going to tackle a similar project, a few things to keep in mind. First, clean your chairs thoroughly to remove grime and other unwanted stuff on the surface. If you're dealing with terribly rusty chairs, do a little light sanding w/a medium grit sandpaper (150) and use one of the many rust primers available. Also, work in the shade. Enamel spray paint doesn't react well to sun while it's wet and drying. Finally, do your project outside or in a garage w/the door open for ventilation and make sure there's little or no wind.

After the chair is cleaned, tape off the parts that you don't want painted with painters tape and newspaper. If you're painting the entire chair one color, you're in luck and your prep will be even easier and faster.

Use a high quality, high gloss spray paint in the color of your choice (I used a Rustoleum product). Best to use a few light coats than one heavy. Enamel spray paint can sag and look really unprofessional if it's applied too thickly all at once. Let each coat dry thoroughly. Finally, remove tape and paper and admire your work.

I love the new look of these new chairs. I've paired them with one of our Summer Camp tables which, like the chairs, was painted in a color I could no longer use. The same paint as I used on the chairs gave this table a whole new look. Black enamel high gloss paint has a look all of its own. Try it.

With a Little Paint and Imagination

Not to suggest that you attempt this on your first try but it's not impossible. A little forethought and some guts. This is the fireplace from our old house in New Jersey. I do miss it. When we moved in, the original mantel was white brick. Nothing to speak of. This new mantel was built by my husband and I did the painting. I went through lots and lots of sketches before I landed on this design.

Our new house in Rhode Island has a very non-descript fireplace that I will happily tackle before next winter. Just brick. No mantel. As a matter of fact, the entire house that we just moved into is a complete blank canvas. Just waiting for color and imagination. Stay tuned.

Recycle and Reuse

Recycling isn't just for bottles and newspapers. These chairs were destined for the dump when they were colorfully resurrected. Prior to the transformation they were dated and drab. White lacquer finish and nubby-beige-circa-1980 seat cushions. A little sanding, priming, painting and polyurethaning did the trick here along with the addition of a finial on top. Recovering chair seats is easy (how-to demo coming soon).

For less ambitious folks, use decoupage decals instead of handpainting.

Got Boring Shades?

Window shades are a necessary evil, especially in childrens' rooms. But they needn't be boring. Paint them to coordinate with the room. A beautifully painted window shade can even stand alone -- no other window treatment needed. If you don't have artistic talent, buy a stamp or do as above and paint a checkerboard. Checks are a neutral style that coordinate well with other prints.Cotton shades are easier to paint than the plastic/vinyl type, but they can be painted, too. Just make sure you get the kind of craft paint that works well on a plastic surface. Finish off the look with an interesting shade pull --- a tassel, a cluster of glass grapes, etc.

Hats Off To This Mirror

Spruce up an old mirror. This one went from blah to beautiful with a little paint, less-than-perfect vintage flowers from an old hat and craft store birds. Vintage

flower hats are found in most flea markets and lots of antique shops. Some of the flowers are in a little crushed from age but useful, nonetheless. Remove them from the hat and spruce them up by holding them over the steam of a tea kettle (careful not to burn your fingers!). They should pouf back. Use your glue gun to attached the flowers to mirror frame (if you can find Wood Glue sticks, all the better). Insert/glue craft store birds or other items in between flowers. If you can't find vintage flower hats, you can always go to your local craft store, grab an inexpensive pre-made bouquet, pull the flowers off and glue. E-mail us your own version.