II found this dresser at a local antique shop and paid $35.00 for it.  The previous owner had made a feeble attempt to paint it, and I do mean feeble.  It was in rough shape.  After working on the poor paint job for a couple of hours, I decided it would have to be super shabby.  So I distressed it....a lot!  

However after the painting and distressing, I knew it needed something to perk it up.  I found the perfect graphic at www.thegraphicsfairy.com.  My next problem was how to make the image large enough and how to transfer it onto the dresser.  Once again, the graphics fairy website came to my rescue. I looked under the post called "14 dresser makeovers".  In the post there is a link to the website called posterblocks.com.  Just follow the directions for enlarging the image and how to transfer the image.  One thing the post didn't mention was the type of pen used for the final step.  After a few phone calls, I found out, she used a paint pen.  I used a black oil based one by Sharpee. I purchased a fine and medium point.  Once I had the image on the dresser, I lightly sanded the entire surface.  This gave it an aged look and removed the chalk residue left by the transfer method.  

I still have to get new drawer pulls.  Should I get glass pulls or something else?  I am not sure yet.  I will post new pics when I decide.  Isn't it divine?

This is the before pic.  Plain huh?

More DIY Pillows

Pillows are a great way to spruce up your home and add a fresh look to any decor.

 The first two pillows were made by printing an image directly onto the fabric.  The burlap shabby chic flowers were made with Tim Holtz's shabby flower dye cut and then lightly frayed.  Two different fabrics were used for contrast.  The others were stenciled on burlap.

Burlap pillows

Pillow Love

I saw a tutorial of this lovely DIY pillow on www,thegraphicsfairy.com.  The three images were printed from my inkjet printer directly onto the fabric.  I used a piece of card stock and attached the fabric by lightly covering the entire surface of the card stock with glue from a cheap glue stick.  For my printer the fabric has to be on the underside of the paper when it is inserted into the machine.  For the pillow base, I bought a remnant from my local fabric store.  I centered the large piece of material and stitched each side onto the base.  I played around with the image pieces until I got them the way I liked them and then sewed them on with a zigzag stitch.  I made a couple of loops in some jute and glued it down.  I put the three flowers on top of the jute and then used hot glue to attach them.  Isn't it beautiful?

Living Room Redo

I have had a major decor dilemma.  My dear husband got himself a new 55 inch tv for Christmas and wanted to put it above the fireplace.   Well, I had my fireplace installed and designed my mantle because I wanted to decorate it!  Silly huh?  Don't get me wrong, I love how it warms my entire house it such a short time. And of course,  I love the coziness it gives to the entire room.  But back to my dilemma.  So today I reclaimed my mantle.  I moved the new tv across the room and placed it on my newest piece of refurbished furniture.  Once I got started, I ended up redoing the entire room.

( I even touched up the paint on the walls.). I really feel that the rearrangement of the furniture opened up the entire room. I love, love, LOVE IT!  

Vintage occasional table with bell jar cloche.

Antique Bench

 Old Singer sewing cabinet with vintage luggage and antlers 

Vintage French chair

Coffee Table

Mantle

Cane back chair.

I went on a little antique hunting trip on Saturday and bought a lovely depression era dresser (pics later) and the owner threw in a lovely cane backed chair for free.  Someone had spray painted it white and the upholstery was terrible.  I decided to paint it ASCP Old White and then recover the seat with a quilted remnant of black on cream toile.  I distressed it and hand waxed it with clear wax.  I love it and really want to keep it but I posted it in my Etsy shop, ChicColors.  

Books, boxes, and architectural pieces.

I love to decorate with books and now they are the hottest trend. They can be used with any decor style.  Boxes are a really great base for starting a decor focal point.  I also luv to throw in some old architectural pieces to add a little flare.

DIY Drapes

I really debated as to whether I should puts drapes in my bedroom.  My sister, who has excellent taste and seems to know the latest decor tips said, "no".  My daughter, who is also an awesome decorator, said the windows took away from the finished look of the room.   So, I decided to go with the drapes.  I chose a black/off-white ticking pattern in a heavyweight fabric.  I used black grosgrain ribbons at the top as hooks.  I made them extra long so they would "puddle" on the floor.  I love them and really think they add a finishing touch to the room.