Sunday, July 19, 2009

Come to the light,Don’t talk to strangers at the thrift store and The Velvet Elvis Frame.

Come to the light

I SEE THE LIGHT ! Man , do I ever – in it’s brassiness ! That light just about blinds you…

I try to be very thrifty with everything I do, so lets do this light on the cheap side…..

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1. First talk extra nice to Hubby.Ask pretty please if he will take the light down, just because he love his wife and his wife doesn’t  like the color.

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2. Tape electrical stuff and spray with Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze. Go lightly child , as not to create an icky mess. Don’t forget to paint the cap and screw (doesn’t that sound like a night club drink ?)

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3. Ask Hubby to hook her back up ! Note – Hubby wasn’t mad , because I could have wanted a NEW light . A new light would have been over twenty dollars, instead of about a buck worth of spray paint.

Warning – Do Not Talk To Strangers in the thrift store. They may not share your vision on painting furniture.

It is true….While standing in line ( I always seem to bring a line, it is a FACT.) Two older ladies behind me were going on about my desk  ….what was I doing with it ? I mentioned paint and I think they were going to deck me. “Oh, but look at the wood it is so nice” the first lady said while the other nodded in agreement. “Paint ?” and I got the - if I was your mother, I am disapproving of this decision look. My thought was, you are not my mother, so there ! People , it is not an antique.

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I saw this at the GW. Since it was a mere $8.99, I gave it a second look (if it were 19.99 or more, it doesn’t get a second look –unless it is what I am looking for and a perfect fit)  I wanted this, but really it is for a child about 6 years in age. My youngest is 14…..Hmmmmm it was heavy and made from real wood. The height was perfect and size would be perfect for a TV, drawers for the remotes and such. Later on down the road when I have grandkids (much later as my oldest just turned 21)…..a perfect little desk (which will most likely be painted again !).

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I sanded this little guy down and took the knobs off .  I painted the body Apple Green from Rustoleum and the knobs lilac also from Rustoleum. 

Frame Suited for an Velvet Elvis Painting

I bought this frame at Habitat for Humanity for $4.99 – it is super large – so that is a decent price.  It really looks like it should have an Elvis on velvet or perhaps dogs playing poker……

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I had to scrub it clean and give it several coats of paint – I used a roller and a sponge – can you believe it ? (I ran out of spray paint !)

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This frame is humongous – it measures about 2 1/5 feet wide by 3 feet long.

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Here it is – I am not hanging it up until I have all the furniture and accessories done for the room.

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I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE  with this paisley print (shhhh don’t tell my hubby !) It is a decorator fabric – extra heavy and I was saving it for a chair – but thought it needed to be showcased. I had to use the whole yard of fabric. I got the fabric at Joannes and I was in there today and bought the last 1/2 yard. The have some other paisley colors too but, not any that I could use for this room.

Hugs ~ Kammy

Thanks to everyone for the nicest comments, I really love to read them and I do try to visit everyone. If I miss your blog – please give me a message and I will visit !

I have several large items in progress – one should be done tonight but, missed this post. I have lots of small things that I am currently doing. Hubby has banned me from garage sales and the thrift stores…….we will see…

I am linking this to some blog parties as follows:

http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ Hostess Rhoda

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/  Hostess Susan

http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/     Hostess Kimba

118 comments:

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Great finds and fabulous makeovers, Kammy!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Kammy, that desk is toooo cute - love the colors you used! And the light fixture - double Wow! Beautiful frame, too! Linda

claudie said...

Just read your profile. YOU are amazing!! Not sure how new you are to this, but you look like a pro!
I also live in the country, in Canada, very few neighbors, and we're on the river.
Nice to meet you, and I adore the colors you chose for that sweet little desk. My little en-suite is purple like your little knobs.
Happy Met Monday
Love Claudie
xoxo

Jo said...

What transformations! Love all of them...Jo

Sandra said...

Hello. I just wanted to tell you that we have the same light!! I have mine right on the entrance hallway! I need to show this picture to my dear hubby and get him to take ours down. I love the idea of painting it, at least for now. Then later on, just change it. hee hee Thank you for sharing with us.
Blessings,
Sandra

{oc cottage} said...

What an awesome busy bee you have been!

m ^..^

xinex said...

I think you should be crowned the makeover queen, Kammy. You are so talented and everything you do transforms perfectly. These are just a few examples...Christine

Dawn said...

Kammy, your things always turn out so nice. I don't find spray paiting as easy as you make it look. I guess I need to practice on a few hundred more pieces!
Dawn

Tracey said...

I love how you redid everything, especially the picture frame. I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog - you have a new follower!

Unknown said...

Kammy,
Great job on everything. I always love looking at your post on Sundays, you are so creative. I have banned myself from yard sales and thrift stores at least for two weeks,until the next community sale is scheduled to happen.
Sandy

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Wow, what a great place you have here! You are a very talented and busy lady!!! Such great transformations!
Kindly, ldh

WhisperWood Cottage said...

You've been busy! The outcomes are fabulous! And thrifty! Love 'em all!

Amy

Cindy said...

I was thrilled to see the color that you used on the deck. I know what you mean about the "you're painting THAT?" look! Hahahaha! I can do what I want to do!
The former brassy fixture is awesome!!! Thank you for showing us that. I love my helpful dear husband for the things he does for my happiness in our environment. I think that I may start referring to him as Saint Jim!

From the Old InkWell said...

Oh you did a great job on all! I would have painted the desk too! And the bulletin board - cute as a button!

abeachcottage said...

oh so wonderful makeovers and finds!

great work...

Sarah

ksarra said...

Hi! I am soooo impressed with your creativity!!! When I saw the first picture of the desk, I was thinking, "How can that be turned into something cute?" The results are AMAZING! Also think the light project was great. As for the frame, tooooo cute!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Great redos! I have several projects in the making - I need to really get busy.
Glenda

Carol said...

I would think I'd died and gone to heaven if I'd found that desk. It is EXACTLY what I'm looking for to use as my tiny little work area with my laptop. So CUTE!!!

Shari @ My Cottage of Bliss said...

As usual Kammy, you have simply outdone yourself! All fabulous finds and makeovers. So fabulous, I can't even pick a favorite. You really do have a unique and special gift of envisioning the possibilities.

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

Kammy, you make me laugh out loud :). If those ladies could see your desk now, I wonder if they'd still be giving you the "mother look". Probably--something about that generation says wood and brick are never to be painted. All of your transformations are A-mazing. Love it all! Can't wait to see your "big" projects, because to me what you just posted on would be "big" projects :).

Lori E said...

Kammy you are the sun and the moon, you are the cream in the coffee, you are the sugar in the tea.
You are the one who finds the goods and makes them perfect.
So phhhhttttttt to those ladies in the line up. They don't know nothin'.

Mommyto3andahusky said...

Love the frame! I just got a bunch of ideas from your blog, thanks! :)

Embellished Bayou said...

Awesome makeovers! I love the color green you chose for the desk and that paisley fabric is to die for! Great job!

stefanie said...

wow, really trash to treasures, it all came out amazing. what is it with older women and maple?

Barbara Jean said...

Kammy,
Love it all!!
You do such a nice job on everything.
Did you spray the desk? Seems it would take a lot of paint, but it would be hard to brush on.

Thanks for sharing all your 'craftiness'.

hugs and blessings,
Barbara Jean

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Love your desk

Darlene said...

Hi Kammy,

I absolutely LOVE all the makeovers you did. That picture frame with the paisley print fabric is WONDERFUL. Love the color of the desk. That light also turned out FABULOUS! Great job on everything.

Create in me a clean heart O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the instructions on painting the light. That's on my list for next weekend - we have the EXACT same ones - gag!

Gina @ MoneywiseMoms said...

I love that green desk! You picked wonderful colors.

And your memo board is wonderful. I know what you mean about showcasing the fabric. It will be hard to cover it up with clutter!

the undomesticated wife said...

The light looks fab!

It's too bad you can't send those old ladies a picture of the desk painted...because it's fantastic and I think they'd agree! Much better than the before!

Cindy said...

I know just what you mean about the looks you get from people that don't get the painting- wood-thing!I saw the pic of the desk and screamed "paint it!!!"
The desk looks great and so does the light fixture.

Angie said...

People are so crazy to think painting something will mess it up. Obviously they have never transformed a piece of furniture before. That desk turned out so cute and that memo board is just FAB!

Sue said...

Simply sweet desk in the green paint! As for that light fixture- you added $$$'s to its look. Good job! :-) Sue

Blondie's Journal said...

Kammy,

You have a great creative streak and are so funny...Elvis or dogs playing poker in the one frame! lol!!

You think a lot like me when I am in a 2nd hand shop! So...can't wait to see what else you come up with!!

xoxo
Jane

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Kammy,
Your make-overs are fabulous! I love your vision, the apple green desk is my fave! I am wondering what your plan is for that frame you re-did. I used to have those same light fixtures! They were cool once, but much better with the new paint job! Come over and sign up for my give-away too! Cindy

Anonymous said...

Great job. I have a light fixture like the one you showed. Always hated the way it look. Now I think I will that your idea and paint it.

Willow

Unknown said...

One of my light fixtures is calling for the same re-do. Everything you do is just great! Love your pictures. May I ask what kind of camera you use?
Have a great week.

Charla

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Have you seen Cynthia's Cottage Design blog...she turned an old desk into a kitchen island...cute, cute!

Great transformation on that light fixture!

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

Great makeovers. Love the desk color and it turned out great.

★Carol★ said...

Hi Kammy! I became a follower today. I love your posts, not only because of your creativity, but because you're funny too!
I think everyone has or has had one of those lights, and I wish I had done something with mine when I had it.They are butt-ugly, aren't they? Yours looks super! I want to learn how to take down a light without my hubby's help, don't you? If we could learn that, there'd be no stopping us! Love that desk too. A great price for solid wood, and the colors you chose are perfect!

susan said...

Kammy-Yep, the light fixture redo (mine is the same in my back foyer)will be on my "to do" list! Pay no attention to the naysayer on the paint. Paint makes everything better. And if that doesn't, new fabric will! Thanks for visitng!

Victoria said...

Love the frame and what you did with it! It looks great.

I understand about painting wood. I paint everything and my actual Mom has a cow. ;) The desk is beautiful painted though.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Kammy!! Those are all great finds & makeovers. I have that exact light fixture that I painted too. I'm glad to see how well the new bronze spray paints look, I need to get some of that. Perfect for old light fixtures.

Love, love the little desk & the big white frame now. Way to have vision, girl! What did those old ladies know, anyway?!

Michelle said...

Nice job with the light. Who knew painting brass could turn out like that???? I need to go rescue some brass fixtures that I have designated to the goodwill box. I enjoyed this post. Especially the part where you said they weren't your mothers...lol.

Nissa said...

What a difference a little spray paint makes on that light! You've inspired me to try & salvage my own! That memo board is beautiful too!

★Carol★ said...

Hi Kammy, it's me again! I think I'm ready to make a chalkboard like everyone else, but I have a stupid question: If I am using an old mirror in a frame, do I take the mirror out and cut a piece of wood to fit? I'm certainly not painting on the mirror, right? I'm so embarrassed to ask, but hey, I need to know, right?! And if I use a silver tray, do I prime first, or just go ahead and use the chalkboard paint? Thank you in advance!

Sarah said...

What great make overs! Wonderful finds too! Great work and really, really nice stuff. :)

The Barnett Family said...

Girl....you can do wonders with a can of paint. Where do you find the time? I was disappointed about the metion of Elvis.....hoping to see his beautiful face....HUGE Elvis fan....that I am! :)Keep on amazing us with your spray can of paint in hand!

Suzanne in TX said...

Kammy--you make me want to run out and buy those paint colors. Have you been to my home lately? I have those same brassy light fixtures sprinkled around--Love that color you chose.
Hey, your desk and frame are both marvelous. Can't wait to see what you have to come...

Sharlotte said...

Great transformations! Your light fixture is so pretty - looks brand new! I love the cool color of the child's desk - looks just like summer! And the frame? Wow, what a great idea! Hm...you're very inspirational!

dawgyah said...

I just bought a can of that rubbed bronze paint with no plans. I just liked the color. Hmmm, I have to turn off the electricity in the kitchen today....might be a good day to paint the light fixture.

Signing Out said...

The desk looks so pretty! I love the memo board, too.

Jane

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Girl, where do you find the time for all your projects? I'm tired just looking at them. I love the light fixture 1000 times better now. I love the color. And the desk turned out too cute. But my favorite is the memo board. I love, love, love that paisley fabric. Bravo to you & your makeovers.
Kim

Helen Joy said...

Awww Husbands just don't understand how lucky they are that we don't want to shop at Macys or any other retail store like we do at thrift shops.
All three transformations are pretty spectacular! You are very very talented!

Blue Creek Home said...

Oh no...you will have to sneak out to garage sales and thrift stores now??? Don't you hate when you get banned!!
Your light fixture make-over is great.
Rhonda

Rhonda said...

I love what you did with the light! Very creative thinking! It looks fab!

I love the frame transformation! I'm gonna be looking for one now! Love the fabric too! Beautiful job!

Kelli said...

You have a great sense of color!! I love everything you made over! Impressive. Thank you for the inspiration!!!

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

Kammy,
You are one talented girl! I am going to have to stop sleeping at night to keep up with you! I love the way you painted the light. I have that same light in my littlest guy's room, and I might have to do what you did! Great idea.
I love the desk! So colorful and cheery!
And I LOVE the framed memo board. Absolutely gorgeous! You could sell these for a lot of money!
Thanks for sharing all of your creative ideas.
Blessings,
Traci

bj said...

O, girl....I am lovin' the makeovers here. You really did well..just love that message board.

Bonnie said...

Kammy, everything looks great as usual! I love the colors you choose.

What is it with people, mostly men, and anything made of wood? When did it become so sacred that painting it is a sin against nature? Geez. You never hear "But it's plastic, just look at it, why would you want to change it?"

One more thing, check out my last two posts. It's cosmic that we both mention velvet Elvis!

Rhonda said...

Hi Kammy
wood on paint is just unpatriotic to lots of people - it is as controversial as politics and religion.
Even so - that little desk was just made to be painted apple green and lilac - great job and I can't wait to see the whole room.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Wow!! You are so busy...at least you are FINISHING your projects. ;) I was soooo excited to see your lighting fixture redo...we have an awful one just like it!! Now I want to paint it too. :) Thanks for the visit.

Kathleen said...

Great..
Great...
and Great!
I love all your projects!
They look wonderful..
I have 4 little grandkids..I hope you like the "distressed" look..you know like after a Tonka truck is slammed all over it! LOL
Hey did you get white napkisn yet??

phillips phamily said...

Beautiful makeovers! Love, love, love it all!

Designs on 47th Street said...

Kammy, you are simply amazing, and I mean that! You did some great makeovers. I'm very impressed and can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Sharing with Sherri said...

Kammy,

I love your redo on your light fixture! I have the exact same light, and now I want to do the same thing with that beautiful bronze paint!
However my hubby is not being as cooperative as yours was about taking the light down!! I'm afraid I will have to resort to bribery...Oooo I just hate that!

Your frame and desk turned out great too btw!!

Thanks for the inspiration!
Sherri:)

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Great finds...awesome blog....love all your pictures....

Nicole A. said...

Seriously awesome transformations! The light one is absolutely amazing! It looks completely different! Love it!

podso said...

I love them all, but especially the brass light transformation!

Decor To Adore said...

What great transformation! I smiled about the story with the anti paint ladies. :)

Tootsie said...

you are one busy lady!!! your projects turned out wonderful. I love the color of the desk!!! I am thinking that maybe some paint is in the future of the ugly light fixtures here! thanks for the idea

Cindy said...

Your light looks great now, & your desk looks divine! Love that paisley fabric and it looks so good in the repainted frame. Everything you do looks so good! Funny story about the ladies in line, you are so right, though. Most people don't understand painting things to bring out their beauty! You did good though!! Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting, you're a sweetheart! Hugs, ~cindy s~

DesignTies said...

Wow!!! All three transformations are fantastic!! I can't decide which is my favourite... I think the bright green desk with the lilac knobs :-) Although the bulletin board you made with the paisley fabric is really pretty. And that brass light fixture couldn't look any better than it does now :-)

Thanks for your comment on our new blog design. I love that you said it's sassy :-)

Kelly @ DesignTies

Paula said...

I love all your thrifty finds! The desk looks lots better paitned :) I have to get on painting some yucky brass stuff in the new house too! Thanks for stopping by yesterday!

Suzanne in TX said...

Me again--just had to let you know I bought the Oil Rubbed Bronze paint at WallyWorld today! Projects, here I come. Thanks for sharing!
S in TX

Shannan Martin said...

I bow to the Queen of craftiness. LOVE all of these projects! That Apple Green color is perfect. Do you spray paint big items like that, or brush?

Gwen said...

he he, I wonder if some of my really ugly ceiling lights would look better with a new coat of paint? I wonder if the landlord would care? I mean, they have looked ugly for 32 years....how much uglier could I make them? But, big but here, I would have to dust them before painting. That ain't gonna happen.

I always enjoy your posts so much. I got a huge frame this weekend too.

Gwen said...

I forgot to add, if I listened to the people shopping around me at thrift stores, my house would be almost empty. Some people just have no vision!

Anonymous said...

OMG! I'm thrilled I found your blog! It's fabulous, and sometime later this week, when I have some time, I'm going to start at the beginning and read and gawk at everything on your site! (It will be my treat to myself!)

And, girl, you have it all looking like a pro!

Grins,
Pamm

The Pleasures of Homemaking said...

The desk looks wonderful painted! I'm sure if those ladies could see it they'd agree! The light fixture looks soooo much better painted!

Manuela

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Kammy, you rock! Fabulous makeovers. I reall liked all of these projects. laurie

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

You know I loved these!!! :) Thanks for the visit!

Joanna said...

Fabulous! I just love what you have done.

Unknown said...

Kammy, I'm sure I have told you this before, but I totally look forward to your posts and scroll down very slowly reading every word and loving your furniture transformations! Oh and your light... Oh and thank you for inspiring me... I have a brass light in my kitchen nook... the only reason its in there is because I haven't found what I want up there yet, so I am going to get myself a can of spray paint pronto! Thanks Hon... I can't wait to see what you have brewing right now...! Your the best!
I hope you have a fun rest of the week!
~Really Rainey~

Anonymous said...

LOVE that frame! You were right to use that fabric in it. It just POPS!

Katie said...

All great projects! I especially love your color choices on the desk.

Kim @ Twice Remembered said...

You.are.amazing! I loved reading about all your projects, especially the light and inspiration board. VERY nicely done!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, I love every single project!! So glad you didn't listen to the old ladies at the thrift store. ;)

E said...

You are amazing! Wow.
I love them all. But, I will definitely be showing my mom that light makeover. She has those exact brassy ones. Yuck!
They look so great painted black!

Feel free to check out my blog, it's brand new and still in the making...But, the link is http://oopsicraftmypants.blogspot.com

Kendra@My Insanity said...

Amazing the difference a little spray paint does on the light fixtures, isn't it!

I too get the horrified expressions when I talk about painting wood. Mine are from my parents and my husband. *sigh*

I really love your memo board! I think I have a few big frames around here that are begging to be painted.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Everything turned out fabulous! I love the fabric and the frame! AMAZING

Unknown said...

Great projects. I agree that the desk NEEDED to be painted. Good choice. And I have some polished brass fixtures I need to paint too. I just have to get that down on the list so I can get to it someday. Thanks for the motivation :)

Delightful Dwelling said...

Wow, great makeovers. That desk looks awesome in green and that memo board is just gorgeous.

Richella Parham said...

Okay, Kammy, you've outdone yourself this time. These projects all look great! First of all, I'm kicking myself for having ever bought new light fixtures to replace outdated brass ones. Your spray-painted fixture looks awesome. And I'm so glad you didn't listen to those gals in the thrift store--you knew what you were doing with that desk! But, oh, the bulletin board. Oh, my goodness. Now that is beautiful. Way to go!!

Scooper said...

That memo board is to die for. Looks like it's from a pricey boutique!

Kristi said...

Wow! I am so thrilled that I stopped by today. I've been thinking about painting my brass chandelier black but thanks to you, I'm rethinking the color! The frame is gorgeous and I'm so glad that you didn't listen to the line ladies.

stephanie h said...

WOW! I love all of them!

Its So Very Cheri said...

I LOVE IT ALL-especially the light transformation.

Come by for my GIVE-A-WAY this week by 10 pm Fri.
and then check out our newest addition.

Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

Kimberly said...

Wow! I am impressed with all of those projects!! Love the colors that you used on the desk.

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

This is my first time here, Kammy! I just LOVE your blog and these projects. I will be buying that bronze spraypaint today. Anna

Anonymous said...

Hi Kammy. Just wanted to say thanks for stopping by yesterday. I love all your transformations. The light fixture made a huge difference.

Sabrina said...

Love both pieces. You did an awesome job! congrats.

lil mama said...

Love the green desk! The color is fabulous!!! And the frame redo is so cute!

Adrienne said...

a little paint goes a long way! it all looks great. the framed paisly board looks like a decorator piece.

Missie said...

Great projects! I've got some of those gold lights, and now I have an idea what to do with them. Keep painting the wood, it definitely looks better than before.

Its So Very Cheri said...

I linked to your light project today.

Cheri

Its So Very Cheri

Diane said...

Great before and afters!!!!!

Amy {The Red Chair Blog} said...

Wow, all of these transformations are wonderful! Funny how those ladies responded to painting wood. As you mentioned, it's a very cute piece, but not an antique. I love your French memo board in the Elvis frame turned white frame. Great!

Its So Very Cheri said...

Oh I am thrilled that I am the first person to link to you. You will always remember me that way. If you link back to me let me know. I would love to do a project where we decide on something and link back and forth and then we can send both of our readers back and forth to each other-what do you think???
Cheri
itssoverycheri

randee said...

absolutely everything looks fantastic & i love your blog & your style.

thanks for stopping by to visit -

The Stylish House said...

Kammy,
Wonderful transformations! I get a kick out of remaking things and seeing what I can do with a bit of creativity rather then money. Love your blog!!!! Have a great weekend.
Cathy

Unknown said...

I am so impressed! I hope you will join me for Crock Pot Wednesdays at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com.

Unknown said...

I meant to mention that I have the same light in my entry...only it's white:) I actually have another one that I had cut in half to use in the entrance stairwell. THAT is probably the most expensive fixture I have in my home:(

Nicole ~ said...

Kammy, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your transformations!! You are so good, and have great visions!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, Nicole

Marla said...

Very cool makeovers. I never thought about painting those light fixtures. I may try this. Marla

Christina said...

Love your projects. Yep, lots of people don't get the painting wood thing. Weird. I love painted wood.

Love the makeover on the velvet Elvis frame.

Free Art Printables said...

Great DIY's they looks awesome!

Anonymous said...

I love the light makeover particularly since I have the exact same "glow in the dark" brass pieces myself. Time to go do some sweet talking. Oh heck -- it's easier if I just do it myself (haha)