Pier 1 Imports Catalog Furniture Pier1ToGo Product Details - Fuzzy Teal Papasan Pad

Pier 1 Imports Catalog Furniture Pier1ToGo Product Details - Fuzzy Teal Papasan Pad 
I had been looking for a new cushion for my Papasan Chair and was pleasantly surprised to find a soft and "fuzzy" version--finally~!!! These chairs are fun, but lets face it, we have to be able to clean them easily too. I have found over the years that fuzzy, or nappy fabrics, like velours, velveteen, etc., hold up better to everyday use as far as dirt is concerned. Not only do they not show every little bit of schmutz and smudge, but are also easier to clean. Usually a moist white washcloth with a tiny bit of soap, or Spray-and-Wash, works like a charm.

Cabinet doors, part 2

Here you see the 'high-tech-tools' used to create the design in the joint compound!

It is important to remove the tape from the doors before the compound dries since it will break and chip when hardened or the tape will stay on your door permanently.

Cabinet doors

After painting the edges sage green, letting them dry for a day, then taping them off with painters tape, and applying drywall/joint compound to the middle, (removing the tape immediately before compound dries), and doodling a pattern that pleased me into the compound, I started playing with the paint finish.

I painted the swirly patterned compound in a very light sage green and after letting it dry, I went over it with the same dark sage green that I had used on the edges of the doors, using a dry brushing technique and a rather small brush. That didn't turn out well. The brush covered to much of the non-raised areas with the dark green, leaving blotchy and messy looking. Therefore I used a bigger and wider brush and tried again.

That was better. Still not pleased, I applied a layer of HIGH GLOSS Polyurethane, knowing that it would pool over the SEMI GLOSS Latex Paint. After letting this dry for several days, I used the soft/yellow side of a damp kitchen sponge and dipped just the edge of the sponge into the light sage green, and rubbed it all over the door. Then I repeated the process with the dark sage green, which gave me the desired effect. The 'pooled'
HIGH GLOSS showed up in three different colors. Dark green where the HIGH GLOSS coat covered, light green in the pooled, and a medium green in the pooled areas. Last touch is putting on new knobs and "Voila," a pretty new face lift for old beat-up cabinet doors.

I still have to put the old hinges on (which do not look pretty nor match), until I have the budget for new ones, that is, if I can find some that I like.

REPAINTING, REFINISHING, and RE-TILING

Repainting, Refinishing, and re-tiling the sideboard is today's mission. Above and below are shots of the sideboard before the make over. My children and I made this mosaic out of cut up paint chip samples. The problem with those, however, is that they roll up and I did not anticipate this. I used construction paper before for similar project and that worked well.   

I was a little sad to cover up my children's artwork, but it just would not fit with my new, and much calmer, theme.

Above is a view of the front, before the refinishing. Below is the "in progress" shot.

As you can see, all the colorful art is covered by glass tile, which I snatched for only $ 3.98,- at LOWE'S. The paint is by Dutch Boy, which has a build in primer. I will put on the second coat today, and tomorrow I plan on refinishing the front of the doors.

Mirror Furniture

Mirror furniture are back! If you have browsed through some of your local high-end furniture stores, or if you been at Pier 1, T.J. Maxx, or even Ross', then you have seen the mirrored vanities, coffee tables, end tables, and night stands. The problem with those pretties is that the mirror pieces easily get damaged. One time of accidental bumping into the said piece can ruin your entire investment since these furnishings will cost you a pretty penny. So why not make your own? Except you want to use small pieces and use the mosaic technique. This way if one of them get damaged, you can either life with it (since it want be so noticeable), or carefully replace the damaged piece. The picture above shows one of the two closets I am working on. I have to finish the other two closet doors today and then the adhesive needs to dry for 48 hours before grouting. After that, I wills sand and repaint both closets.
Also, I made a Walmart trip yesterday, because I ran out of Mirror tile, and I was surprised to find that the prize for a 6pack of 12x12 mirror tiles are only $ 8,54.- rather than $ 9.99.- which I had quoted you all yesterday.

 Here is another example of what you can do with mirror tiles. I my youngest daughter's bedroom- some 'free-form' walart with which she happily helped. Tomorrow I have some more to show you. YES, I am a sucker for mirrors ;)

Mirror Tile Mosaic

Mirror Tile Mosaic is not only for flowerpots and small ‘futsy’ (my term for small cutsie stuff) things, but can be used on walls, furniture, and structures like posts, outside daybeds, and the facing of steps/stairs. Mirror Tile is easy to get, easy to use, and inexpensive. You can buy Mirror Tiles in any home improvement and hardware store, but I found that WALMART, consistently, has the lowest prize, about $9.98. -   The tiles can be used whole or, as in this case, cut into the desired size and shape with a glass cutter

 Above: this is a glass cutter (the other end of the cutter is a metal ball, designed to know against the glass AFTER cutting it, to make the break). These little tools are available at any hardware store like LOWE'S or HOME DEPOT

 Above: Omni Grip is the adhesive that I like to use. You could buy a cheaper MIRROR TILE MASTIC, but I also often work with tiles and heavier pieces, which are kept from sliding down by using the stronger OMNI GRIP.

Above: This is a puzzle, but you decide what shape and size the puzzle pieces are, and what the puzzle looks like ;)

 This is a Tupperware gadget I use to 'butter' the back of each tile piece. Doing it piece by piece, rather than spreading the adhesive onto a large area on the wall, art, or furniture, gives you better control and allows you to take breaks or resume project at a later time without risking the adhesive to dry before applying the tile. I also have used small paintsticks, old butter knifes, and old credit cards, they all work well for mosaic tiles.

 Since the adhesive tends to dry out when not in use for a few weeks, or months, I like to use a piece of plastic wrap, which I press directly onto the adhesive before I put the lid back on for storage, this keeps it from drying out.

 When starting my 'Puzzle,' I like to find pieces with finished edges and finished corners, it makes for a cleaner and more professional look in the end.

 If you like a 'wilder' look, you can also use a hammer and simply smash them. This gives you a lot of sharp-pointed triangular pieces. I recommend to do this in an old cardboard box to keep the pieces from flying everywhere.

 Sorting your tile/mirror pieces makes the process easier.

 Mirror tiles are sharper than ceramic tiles when broken or cut, so be careful that you do not slice your fingers, especially if you like to work without gloves. ALSO, no matter if you use a hammer, or glass cutter, there are a lot of tiny sharp splinter which could cause injuries, so clean up and using protective measures are very important. Shake out any towels, blankets, paper, etc. outside in an area where no one walks bare foot.
Enjoy being creative with your Mirror Tile Mosaic!

From BOLD & BEAUTYFUL to calm & serene

COLOR OVERLOAD

As I have proclaimed before, I love color, but after 10 years of bright orange, red, fushia, gold and sunflower yellow, I am ready for a change. I want to lighten, brighten, and De-clutter. I started by moving our HUGE couch into the family/kids/work-out-room and moved the futon from there to the living room. I must say, after only one evening of sitting on this thing, I am determined to find a more comfortable seating solution as soon as I can afford it. Until then, this will have to do. Here are some "Before" shots.

 This colorful large couch was in my living room, but it goes well with the existing color scheme of the "Play room!" 

 Here is the less than comfortable futon, now in my living room. As you can see, there is a lot of space left on both sides, which is the space the big colorful couch filled before.

 Here are my hanging oriental lanterns, which I still love, but will find other homes for them in my bed room and in my garden, possibly also in my bathrooms. This is a good idea not only because it is pretty, but it comes in handy when the electricity goes out, which happens from time to time here.

More on my living room make-over tomorrow, until then--choose JOY!