Simple Details

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

client project update...

Last week I told you about a new favorite client, another favorite is her mom!
We've been working hard to finish up what we started over a year ago,
our project was interrupted by life.

You may remember this big ol' ~~jail cell~~ stairway between the living room and family room.
I suggested she lighten it up, literally!
It got a few coats of white paint, and every other rail as well as a couple of large and
unnecessary handrails were removed. We consulted with a professional to ensure that it
wouldn't compromise the integrity of the structure.

Carpet and tile were removed to make way for beautiful hardwood floors.
Kitchen cabinets painted white.
A new chandelier installed.
A tiny peek at her rug in the bottom right corner.

Today we're transforming this classic style pedestal table from pinky-beige to a rich stain.

Our inspiration was the Arhaus Luca Dining Table, we took the Arhaus catalog and a
leaf from the table to Guiry's Paint Store and the awesome employee tested a few
colors and products on the bottom side for us until we came up with something similar.

We're using two new Ikea chairs and two chairs she picked up from the neighbor's trash,
(not shown) wait till you see them, she is good!
We're giving them a little sprucing up today, too!

This wall on the opposite side of her kitchen had a door to the bathroom, we couldn't
enclose it fast enough! We have a plan for a gallery of these Mary Delany botanicals on black backgrounds. They've been a favorite of my client's since she first saw them, I'm so excited
for her to have a collection in her kitchen to enjoy everyday!

And you're up to date!
Watch for the table and chair reveal sometime next week!

Monday, May 6, 2013

high gloss paint comparison & review...

I didn't initially set out to compare and review

Glidden's Trim and Door Extra High Gloss vs. Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel Gloss, but I
was curious after my first experience with Glidden, painting our front door. I'm a goner for super shiny, high gloss doors, and Glidden's 'Extra High Gloss' description sold me, I wanted to
confirm whether it was shinier and glossier than the Rust-Oleum I previously had on the door.

I did a side by side comparison on a new board and intentionally chose one

with some imperfections to show how high gloss paint accentuates them,

just like it did on my 1938 door!

I used a quality nylon/polyester brush recommended in the Glidden instructions,

Purdy is my favorite.

I took a few different photos in different lighting.

Outside

Bottom Line - I couldn't tell any difference.

Both paints went a long way and applied equally as well.

Glidden is a thick self-leveling gel paint designed to alleviate brush marks and drips.

Based on Glidden being 2X the price, I'd choose the Rust-Oleum.

Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel Gloss Black

$9.48/Quart

Glidden Trim & Door Extra High Gloss

$19.97/Quart

I've had a couple questions about the paint.
Can you use Glidden Trim & Door to paint furniture?

Diane @ In My Own Style used it on this desk for her office, she did a beautiful job
if you'd like to check out her tutorial.

I've used Rustoleum Protective Enamel for this table, my bathroom vanity
and coffee table.

This week I tested the Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel on a small metal lamp shade with
nice results, I brushed it on instead of using spray paint, and was asked:

Why brush instead of spray paint?
I happened to be spraying some of our outdoor furniture today, this is a great example of

the difference in sheen between the shade brushed with Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel Gloss
vs. furniture sprayed with Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover Gloss Black.

Overall, our front door looks better, Mr. Simple has wanted a new door for awhile, but
I love this 75 year old door with its original brass hardware, and all the imperfections.
Can you see the reflection of my stenciled rug at the bottom of the door? :)

I could take it off the hinges, strip, scrape and sand it all down,
but for now I've got other projects on my to-do list!

What do you think about the paint, could you tell the difference?

Sunday, May 5, 2013

diy lacquer lamp shade...

Hey everyone, hope you enjoyed a sunny spring weekend. Anyone who lives in Colorado and

has kiddos in spring sports was busy fitting makeup games into their schedule. Remember all

of our snowy weekends? That was on our agenda, as well as a fun outing with friends to catch

a Colorado Rockies baseball game. I found time to squeeze in a quick diy lacquer lamp shade.

It was actually a test, I'm planning to do a larger one, but wanted to try it out first.

I started with an old metal shade I found in the basement, in my excitement to I forgot
to take a before photo but it looked exactly like this one I found on ebay...

I simply brushed on one coat of my favorite paint. That's it!

This is what I was practicing up for...

Bravotv.com

Margaret Donaldson Interiors

Mary McDonald

Are you a fan of the lacquered shades?

The paint review coming tomorrow, I was surprised.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

inspiration...pass it on

I can't believe a month has passed since I last shared

inspiration...pass it on

I volunteer at school on the first Thursday of every month, today was the last one for the year....seriously??? I'm a fast lane type, but I don't like the feeling of life speeding by!

Onto who I've been inspired by lately...

Mrs. Devore @ Dwellings by Devore

First, I love her profile photo on her blog!

She knocks out unique diys every week and has a talent for styling them perfectly.

I loved her marbleized tray this week...quick, inexpensive and easy to customize the colors.

Go check out her tutorial and don't miss the tour of her beautiful home on her sidebar.