DIY art (reusing an old canvas)

<p>Hello there! Happy start to another week! Can you believe it’s almost the end of July already?? Unreal. Today I’m sharing another project that I’m TOTALLY in love with. I’m totally in love with the price too – FREE. <em>Awww. yeah</em>. </p> <p>When we had some of the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/pink-walls-begone.html">downstairs walls repainted</a> last month, I had to figure out what I was going to do with the large rectangles I had created with molding above the living room sofa (sorry about the old pic, I couldn’t find a newer shot):<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZvSpzAyHMEzmzLFJp57VWL4c5Jkx9y37FVJM5xnX-mYDJ0x7zXnT7bqk1WoJXwsVe3afqEDXerRZUpoGQZtD_eMdU1_lYLABnM9WscCcJVVjLlMv7K0-TC6zC0H_sWdj_3qjJmKqSv0/s1600-h/IMG_1750%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOc9nT4qOPFAA75mfalnimJWOElSo77bUbtlwPpEhBGYJlzokJdT815uErmQc3ELKuLQ6r3nKPMP3oG_rHkVd5HXLlmScZbj5a-MSWL4T6LCBH7vM_b2kDazXSiwSVZnautZTwslS4Ixs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="250" /></a></p> <p>I’ve had it up there for years so I was kind of feeling like a change, but I wasn’t sure what kind of change. Thing is, I knew if I left it as is then I did take the trim down later, I would end up with the pinkish wall color behind that molding that I would have to paint. </p> <p>So to avoid that, I took all the trim down before they painted – I figured I could put it back up pretty easily if I wanted. </p> <p>After the wall painting was done, it wasn’t long before I couldn’t handle the empty wall, so I went ahead with an idea that had been growing in my head for awhile. ;)</p> <p>I had a large canvas art print I had purchased years and years ago on clearance that wasn’t really my style anymore. I almost took it to the consignment shop a while back, but decided to keep it with ideas of reworking it. </p> <p>So rework it I did. :) I started by priming it a couple times:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFooEH5LDQP6O3SQHdl7nOEX0IeX2RK-sbIb33CYjrVUVqBfq0hEIB6HdL7mynAwcSGcr-0wXk7UDIz17izIFQN3qXZTRJdtv9UixE9MB9PSmGBkh3_6QjbiGMlxwQIsGaXgfq1E1pYw/s1600-h/IMG_1759%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="priming canvas" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsMpGn6owx06xo5CNaq0QuJHz7DBm7ZXfKXojghr_EXTiAHd-L5qbQwI46EK-Baz6lv8gpI5R80iLgEP947zCZU6L_6CZTUnzdQPs-M2AeLm9FcJNRUnQF9bIXiAFRPDb-BifWBHqPbw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="priming canvas" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Then I grabbed as many colors as I could find in my stash that worked with that room. I wanted mostly aqua and blue tones but also wanted to pull in the wall color in the room. </p> <p>So the Bub and I opened them all up (I think we used seven colors total), and I would pour paint on the canvas (totally randomly) and he would paint:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hM9SE4x45kamDg_ZtJp2Rjg1fmOI0tdVt5hoYU0VSGBgsi6UWnejLBZ0DU85S78mnadaWeBkUYGPd7Ngcfp09ZOotMAlIlyBRA-umEJmvelZ1odJU7F8DNU_5Gohw2VLZofdyXAyQOk/s1600-h/IMG_1760%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY canvas art" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavR4iIb_CgJKMi-FHRdcZVpTWF92gCHdpYQL7WhWLDaQvPUps_sA8opVcBT6ofir9od1yozhwAgP1EjT_qpC-BDPJyRuxD1zpoj3JhWSHqko8yu13r32EgLO45NjRDUBfpP8tBy6f4zI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY canvas art" width="450" /></a></p> <p>At first I thought, what in the heck am I doing?? But then…the more we poured and brushed, the more it came together. </p> <p>And I tell you what – it was FUN! We were making <strong>art</strong>! :)</p> <p>I figured out about half way in that I needed to keep a “wet edge” on my paint brush –- otherwise the paint was pulling a bit the more I added to the canvas. </p> <p>So I got a cup with water, and I would dip the brush in, then paint, and it went so much better. It kept the paint really smooth and easy to work with. </p> <p>When we were done (and it was hard to stop!!), I couldn’t have been more pleased! </p> <p>You can see on the left where it was pulling a bit, so the paint wasn’t as smooth. On the right, it’s more flowing:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Znqw4m6wxBpzftNXmd_Umb2JuRyhOBy2Aa6tVE9QqMVuWYkMooz7jR_ZJHo_z-OcJETZgyXHc7k1jNbol7qwbuYnYFA6oBehtPxhCOfx2juHCWXkeBqH-KsB0n5RmD1tKYqYDiX-xT8/s1600-h/IMG_2249%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IVSYEZ7_S6FIM2rslHc929giiv-c3zvX6K3kUT4HhZ74wuPyNma0HRfJQIw5W9LOAL4xydmn20KbpkR0SlcURXUR9z9_DwL8mFTMogFIzWQDN8SA8yfFXQhL2kejz7d67fTxuaCxZpI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOMgr2zToXpQLpN9JWmpabmCCa0DH_8d6KdctUyVM-K7p-Ukvlk6UG6Cs3MjRKDHxKTzq9ThK0yrFLqwgE-HoX3FrkG2Tm9hBpzyxEtHqohI-lMBJ5PsiqknIcOVv6Dg5CDHCLOEA9G4/s1600-h/IMG_2251%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKr2jXjsrROIx4eLURcyD_B9hZPBqoJcDGjOHtxQiyWeH5A8ntLaFgKFM58jZXUO5J6Px86SaRbjeObRvWrNFUK8JUs-dreDxwaIhYZ6gmXXWWYWssPBiwG7__FhFGUErbHBCWrB_OTA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a></p> <p>And when all was said and done, I actually like the combo of the two textures. I totally meant to do that. ;)</p> <p>I was trying to have the colors continue onto the sides perfectly, but I just ended up painting them when I was done:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3XPX5omc3aOr8r2RNm75uwoMNYAs_OiTCgE6VuDNosGCvSistT-HbliMLqD1TCqGsqB_MHknLxB6iweUAeYSkJi4OBkCdpBqTfSPx3vjiFPSX1NXt-fPyT_yg1Tq_v9257saLHHkVzk/s1600-h/IMG_2252%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="reusing art canvas" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCmJSQqXE-eR_7x3-_FqnzteSXe6YkUY50auuRPCwZoVfVtEuBdemLvvlMfKyITg1TLM9YY4vn19PE0se4OoJ8D5K0UhWwuc6AHI577LEF4d67RTyDnYdizY5874QFnvsapLgKiEYYCg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="reusing art canvas" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I LOVE how it turned out – we are <em>arteests</em>!! ;) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55rCnKpSgLpz3DnlRPQeC2l100pSxTswGump984VmzOtr2SGURaDXdPaUiwVB_dNSlySygWblkMBGZebAKnHwNyK9oE6ltMkg-nEA_mrAkx3IVNZaguKF1bLVFX7yGtdHiQxGq582jeU/s1600-h/IMG_2254%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY art blue cream" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpQpJSerlNftr_pFS7AWAkX2azZXQcrcp58EUmqEKPGOs6OL4jZE_O2Ke9fFXTOsVna8xR2Wryg0FnLBaKaUhnzCxIQPluuLkK7KXfYm8tAJk0yY2iwGq2mF2mWW8ihkxQ03geUe-rg8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY art blue cream" width="320" /></a></p> <p>The Bub thinks it looks like clouds (he kept telling me as we were working on it, which I thought was adorable). I think it looks like waves – either way I think it turned out pretty darn beautiful. :)</p> <p>I love that the texture of the original art still shows through too:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjPOOeGyHhwtUHpxM1s74ErQZ4yhefsR-03C0kVF4dMbmtFP7SuR9XzgH5D6EGVTTmItE446b6qdiHSmjBQsSsMFFmX-_o1rncBaPqagGZe6kV3JnmLFf9Tr6HKcV3FZK6PZeDYOtT8Q/s1600-h/IMG_2259%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="blue DIY art" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WgHxkQLJEERFcU8FWoEpNT4wwiXrggfFEQAtS_e6q22fczmc5d7DGBEeF5JwWskMsXjoVLuMuBegJFwQdIB9oE1pwPAQZ6W71FIpqaYI00XMi7EqvAbDU1OIX8geDWeCEmsjvmKvpAw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blue DIY art" width="320" /></a></p> <p>Of course it’s not nearly as wide as the molding was, but I think it works well on that wall. At first I was going to make another large rectangle around it and paint it out white, so it “frames” it a bit. But now I’m not sure – I’ve decided I’m going to live with it as is (by itself) for a while and see what comes to me:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFO71LKzgqOw_90r5SI7TPV1crASahvz-vnvU9abe6w7UHAlQka3Q_A5bNOFxC0jqu4X-ubO6Ii21jC6vqBwjJy3fH8Ix8U2zmpw5GacaawqsYWFJPcvmQHc_09jqC6z66EA9UzrLDSA/s1600-h/IMG_2239%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY art canvas" border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-acbIMqkBxQ9cytR3AMDVV3xZIBOxS1Mi2icDiwYcY6xeQlpxJeVLCGWblxz-GMau9wlTTy5-l60XtdicsiCqxhpSx-7eBzk-m4JLyPU__Pi7TPT2peqY1rzIsc5Romm9OY1uo0v6cA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY art canvas" width="550" /></a></p> <p>I may go ahead with the trim, I may do a couple large sconces? I’m not sure, but I know with time the right thing will pop in my brain. It may be years. ;) But until then, I’m enjoying it as is! </p> <p>I can’t believe we created this – it’s so fun to tell people <strong>we</strong> painted it. :) I know I say this a lot, but this could NOT have been any easier to do this. There was absolutely no rhyme or reason to it – we just swiped the paint back and forth, added more, painted back and forth, over and over till it was covered. (And it’s not even covered perfectly.) </p> <p>When there was too much of one color in one area, I just poured on another and brushed it in. Like I said – it was a BLAST. I truly enjoyed it. And may do it again. ;)</p> <p>Have you ever created your own art? Did it turn out how you hoped it would? Better? Worse? :) </p>

DIY art (reusing an old canvas)

Hello there! Happy start to another week! Can you believe it’s almost the end of July already?? Unreal. Today I’m sharing another project th...

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Chip It! (And the powder room plan)

<p>Soooo…remember that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-to-do-list.html">loooong list</a> I made weeks and weeks and WEEKS ago? Well, it’s still not done. Mostly done, kinda. But not done. I did get some big things off the list, and one of them was the powder room that’s been in shambles for well over a year now.</p> <p><em>Shambles </em>my peeps<em>.</em> A YEAR. Year and a half now? I thought it was less, but no. A good 18 months. </p> <p>It started out like this:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MLiLZXf9OvUM7NwW4zuH6LO_5Mj9hp54krLuGUSslA6hmW7OTb0prE8WeTSfAs1oIrFOM2c-XqVSM6PflcRms03pNZpAM4rZpbJtLMKz0C-3B-VnwegPHtIHAXdjMNyOhs8mq22oQMo/s1600-h/image_thumb293.png"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf3JvjOZPeH6gBUMNh3NCkEbOjkxWQSfq1kzchwXD0dmP5pBwGACUFm3x-3MP0Bjl8tZExtLZYPhvDJZOpLMF2s7u3dppbbDt5Ke2Q7dl2KYa9FHwT9ULsyfJ3CbhCMOfnB2s6mGptUs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>It was fine for a while, but geesh, it was SO dark. And brown. With more brown.</p> <p>And then one day <em>I could not handle it</em> anymore. The trim in here was never done to my liking (more on that in another post), and I was just SO OVER the chocolate brown. </p> <p>So I decided to take the trim down and paint it. And I got as far as the ceiling:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGJCMNN0fQ7n415Kh6Alt1zBire1Lhn-FvXkJxRMTXz9jVflS0vJPs6JTfo_h6xtYKDYOZdBYx5UI5pgdn45PBtWM5bhTpdOCcbKDLQJqKBsK95rhABDjv3C72f6Wt-aCQtDf7pMxpiA/s1600-h/IMG_6177_thumb13.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZIvzJjpZgC1N-LsXggoro_1HRlKbMhL-DAzqDvlm7ZiytMpbcrqD2yOXEROOl6XLH_1-aC56ighy5-sOwsNEV2fw8pmq8t__l5tQTQAWce4VRWjb53Y8A9A-WbmMgiyMWSmra4vlJm0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a> </p> <p>It’s sat like this (notice the fan cover missing?), with meeeellions of holes in the walls, random stencils and curiously enough, those chocolate brown walls I couldn’t stand anymore (hmmm), for about six months.</p> <p>This is because I came up with about 50 other things I want to do in this little room…so I kept putting it off.</p> <p>Then last fall I was having a party and freaked out and slapped a coat of paint on the walls. And by “slap0 a coat,” I mean no cutting in, brown bleeding through, painted around the mirror and didn’t even take it down, “slap.” </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HMUwFXffh1LTQCxidCxqWs7kjjS7bdfQ-r_TuKxBqlmrsAlrvNO5U-XqQjuZLxO8KDTd_3P2tB9BKmVw4r6QY04UDu5LykQreqZO5boL33jzJKSbeCDyana6CzRaVExZuYCBwkBmK-U/s1600-h/IMG_17494.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPKRHdsez5oVEYqDj2Ejjbs1FheE7elwYztzsooFPKiSB50XRmXQUShllauHR9s6vs_bm8uKCQHh7lRnQwxdVdw8p-IxL1wi_oKDvlV8qfj_RhqU7pKrzdSTDKZLQuytOREMCBQsTFpE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfSskL2sMAm5AXE6KnLK8V-pvFQqukk0W6lHfGYuZrA26xKTThT082QzB7zHLV9JOgagIzODnYCahQ1jsmeHoY-58xXWn9g_4y8zl_ZNDjon5bGZaYSANav9NiUhKfBGdwCKZ4aEvc64/s1600-h/IMG_17504.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnptQFUjSGaM1K-5KVaty7Okw85IOf1kJFfyK2Ri_gAd01aKgCF2rj4TJvAG7cRPH-er3gK6gMYMHtdm6LFi8YbJ76siv4unGty4JLDqMK0zDHZ8Ac4R0sH4neRzv22H2xr6obYLePV6s/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="280" /></a>  </p> <p>And I thought <em>that</em> was better than the dark brown??? Oh my.</p> <p>I liked this look so much, it stayed like this for nine more months. Did I say this room has been a mess for 18 months? I meant two years. </p> <p>Anyway,  a couple weeks ago we had another party and I was SO fed up, I finally cut in and then took the mirror down and finished <strong>the first coat</strong> I started eons ago:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9GWP_Sbmxwx_47W7BoCESCR2zgRlCqUmmshADxNHBPnMydjU5JmQ2-fza6DuiBv2KCKIPSzuOwmwxT9Ef0GuKOQH3hUhyphenhyphenfrAEEMVl1qGK_Nln8DwSFR8feU0pyp84MbChYycOp0UmWs/s1600-h/IMG_19006.jpg"><img alt="blue powder room" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZWDUPLwo_JpCEGiiNKTs9Ggj21L-wYAP278GsZMC5RiENGaYQFu7r4F-q983N6YVd1s8Eh3bvyHhwIx2yF1cFuv0ibh1_iyAW0NDg0-IAsZkzYDilh45kNDAcFwd1tDeE5oEzaGg-bg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="blue powder room" width="286" /></a></p> <p>I didn’t even do the second coat though, because as I was painting I was deciding I didn’t want to keep it this color. That’s what it’s like living with me people…aren’t you glad you don’t have to? :) I mean really, it’s been two years, it’s time for a change. </p> <p>Yes, I’m serious. </p> <p>I am moving to gray/blue tones in the rest of the house and I want this little room to be FUN. So I found my inspiration for the FUN – a painting the Bub painted for me for Mother’s Day:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuhmGP6R003U5Xl9Vin2H_k-9X4edIXs-fvFDiHoHg2Zb3F6z9f4SOLVvJWwi-BJN61VeYIDpPBA7yHg9WJSIzgSKgd4_qpuitnaO4Q3Wnre5bqCcXBwlLJhBph22BD3puE82Rmj2_RM/s1600-h/IMG_19023.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvk2LzbnEAiD9Hr5TLf0nFa4bi5cx5E4pUqLcK6BnKCDS8cUL4KZry2GQQ6h2zQMrp75Mz9rNrvLycCGCRKbtQ2HvHvzqPnC9UTfGzRj6UEPskesiqkz8qF9HOLjg2UfEZvTsbygS-Kg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I know, it’s brilliant. <em>I know. </em></p> <p>I <strong>love</strong> the colors in the painting, and I am determined to use at least a couple of them. Bear with me – it’s going to be good. (In my head it is.) There’s lots more going on in here I’ll tell you about soon, but for now I need to figure out the <em>perfect</em> paint color.</p> <p>That’s where Sherwin Williams comes in. They wrote me about their new <a href="http://letschipit.com/">Chip It tool</a> and I tried it out and was HOOKED. This thing is fun fun FUN!!</p> <p>To use it on your computer, just drag this little button to the tool bar (on my computer it’s the area right next to the box for web addresses): </p> <p> <a href="<a id="tool-link" title="Chip It!" onclick="alert(&#39;Drag this button to the bookmarks bar&#39;); return false;" href="javascript:void ((function(){if(!window.swActive){window.swActive=true;window.swRoot=&quot;http://letschipit.com:80/&quot;;window.swChipRoot=&quot;http://chips.letschipit.com/&quot;;window.swfc=&quot;http://chipcards.letschipit.com/&quot;;var a=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);a.setAttribute(&quot;type&quot;,&quot;text/javascript&quot;);a.setAttribute(&quot;charset&quot;,&quot;UTF-8&quot;);a.setAttribute(&quot;src&quot;,&quot;http://letschipit.com:80/bookmarklet/src.js?r=&quot;+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(a)}})());">Chip It!</a> "><img alt="Chip_It" border="0" height="29" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-byEn1uGDPLs/UAi1EO8sagI/AAAAAAAAWGU/y5V1SRaJg0s/Chip_It%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Chip_It" width="79" /></a> </p> <p>It’s a lot like the Pin It button for Pinterest – it takes two seconds. </p> <p>And then wherever you are online and find a photo you love and are inspired by, you can click that little button and “paint chip” it. They’ll give you five to 10 Sherwin Williams paint colors pulled from the photo. How cool is that?</p> <p>IT’S <strong>AWESOME</strong>. You can upload personal pics, like I did using a photo from our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/back-from-break.html">recent vacation</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-if-Fug2II-c/UAi0bk5lY9I/AAAAAAAAWFg/c5CjPaIVeec/s1600-h/chipit24.jpg"><img alt="purple sunset" border="0" height="309" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-USVsd3MNjxc/UAi0cGGPi4I/AAAAAAAAWFs/EmQB49ZX_j8/chipit2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="purple sunset" width="550" /></a></p> <p>Or you can just use any photo you find while surfing the Net. This is one I found on Pinterest, and loved because of the colors specifically. The Chip It tool does all the work for you:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PwxJVOqQTSE/UAi0cVJ3MKI/AAAAAAAAWF0/BKG6oK6IbsQ/s1600-h/chipit36.jpg"><img alt="orange, blue, green playroom" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V1UBUx8mlQg/UAi0c6qgqqI/AAAAAAAAWF8/Rf82z5adrpQ/chipit3_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="orange, blue, green playroom" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I love the Navel, Parakeet and Lagoon colors! I have had SW paint decks for years, and I’ve never seen those colors once – funny how you don’t see how well colors work until they are next to each other. I absolutely LOVE them together! </p> <p>So I used a photo of my son’s <strike>Picasso-like talent</strike> art to Chip It again – and it pulled out a perfect reddish pink color:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3DTvxEAPuAK4DrIMVtPotAX7hLGcmBAWj-3f-KQPm_h-AcKwo42tlEinZDBHhPzxEQtRcYcGRAxTWS0kfqAlI-n9pryZtHAX4gJU2cv-d_JCeurAHZwkvfHEIA5gwfHQN9PH2XZXotA/s1600-h/chipit4.jpg"><img alt="Sherwin Williams chip it" border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwo8ptGWSeQY40OGncc8vOERbU7c2ozXLRn5FaXT6NrmRL_m9SD7b97xuHgQDVtJy7MDxcSnHb6wTZ5qar0viZDp98tXbKqnHZ6qVcX2WO-3-lrZDIpK6aaU2b2jDNfR2rmBBz7Nwsob8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Sherwin Williams chip it" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s the Fireworks color and it’s not too red, not too pink (this is a room the hubby and kiddo use after all). I’ll have to take a look at in the room to see how it works, but I thought the Chip It pulled some really pretty colors from the art. </p> <p>Isn’t that fun? I’ve been using this tool for a few weeks now and am so excited to keep going – it will be PERFECT to use while surfing Pinterest. Can you imagine?!</p> <p>So, do you think I’m crazy for the blue/reddish idea? I swear it will come together…I’m willing to place bets. ;) At this point, I’m just happy that after three years I have a bathroom that has a fan cover and looks presentable, at least at first glance. Don’t look too close, please.</p> <p>I’ll update you soon on the rest of the plan for this room! I’m REALLY excited about it! :) </p>

Chip It! (And the powder room plan)

Soooo…remember that loooong list I made weeks and weeks and WEEKS ago? Well, it’s still not done. Mostly done, kinda. But not done. I did g...

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Make mine bleached

I have a love affair with wood, but I don't like the golden wood tones that come along with wood that is clear coated or lightly stained. Do I have lots of golden  wood tones in my home?  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwngJsX-3htTBPeicF4GZWOL29yHt1aqXX3TCAbtn0roIjbELYMCE5_vE6U5LtZynAL-0Q2ujdXSZbKairo8SvPHbSROn31huEJ88njYe4FS-3GWC-L8XOM6M_2HUZ9KKgEHZHAyCbsAgS/s1600/DSCN8244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwngJsX-3htTBPeicF4GZWOL29yHt1aqXX3TCAbtn0roIjbELYMCE5_vE6U5LtZynAL-0Q2ujdXSZbKairo8SvPHbSROn31huEJ88njYe4FS-3GWC-L8XOM6M_2HUZ9KKgEHZHAyCbsAgS/s640/DSCN8244.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /> Yes, history looks after that because my home was built in the 80's when oak was the standard for hardwood floors and furniture. When all your furniture is handmade with love, it's difficult to get rid of it, so I accept my golden tones as period pieces. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2i1UvvCgSNn_IiXEFtv433kusNZ6JuvAnpZJVLePf3Z-bZ1elyvrn-0gzR5srLoNP169crvW6nHHTjcWSl3ZExO-OZOYxXof-CL0bKTvf7P6xpNXlhc9JLa6g2xBCPp_ep_mpxucrmGq/s1600/441433732534.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2i1UvvCgSNn_IiXEFtv433kusNZ6JuvAnpZJVLePf3Z-bZ1elyvrn-0gzR5srLoNP169crvW6nHHTjcWSl3ZExO-OZOYxXof-CL0bKTvf7P6xpNXlhc9JLa6g2xBCPp_ep_mpxucrmGq/s400/441433732534.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />As I've renovated  the upstairs portion of my home, I moved to natural maple flooring  which is about as warm as I can stand.<span class="text_product_detail"> This beautiful cardboard/ brown paper bag colour is very popular right now, and it is a warm tone that isn't too overwhelming. </span>  <span class="text_product_detail">The great hardware makes this chest look distinctive and sophisticated, but it's not mine!</span><br /><br /> When I designed my summer home, my mantra was think driftwood.  Everything there is new, but looks bleached and old!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HYYW7zJfirhsYeuFJ8WM8Sakir5RY2KN5lJfoAQT3jt2hOvdCovs_Eh4g90ndOM8gtbi758AMeo5HxYecH6ePPiUbvBxVgItuC1z-qo86B9BJYiQuXbwyLl6M3zfldJxCm_9EkTjTSdF/s1600/DSCN0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HYYW7zJfirhsYeuFJ8WM8Sakir5RY2KN5lJfoAQT3jt2hOvdCovs_Eh4g90ndOM8gtbi758AMeo5HxYecH6ePPiUbvBxVgItuC1z-qo86B9BJYiQuXbwyLl6M3zfldJxCm_9EkTjTSdF/s400/DSCN0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> There are alternatives for people like me - naturally weathered wood, bleached wood, wood that has whitewashes or gray washes. These tones seem to go so much better with today's modern interiors.  Let's explore the options....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyab5Yo5m1gt5VwdC4xqFzIMGVA5Eho7RkPxu20XxPWmhckSjIsc0fw7xCpH5aiIgmiZRXWWLYKyDMJexceQNxqI8pHjAFWnmz1VrG5K102466zwvHIwl4r9PImHYdSd5yYOMLs9md3Y60/s1600/DSCN8199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyab5Yo5m1gt5VwdC4xqFzIMGVA5Eho7RkPxu20XxPWmhckSjIsc0fw7xCpH5aiIgmiZRXWWLYKyDMJexceQNxqI8pHjAFWnmz1VrG5K102466zwvHIwl4r9PImHYdSd5yYOMLs9md3Y60/s640/DSCN8199.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />When you make your own furniture you have more options to get the look you want. This new bed made from oak doesn't have a hint of yellow or orange in sight.  I controlled the warm tones by using a  greenish grayish wash before the final semi gloss clear coat.  The  old mid century modern dresser was stripped and treated in the same way,  but I rubbed more of the wash off  so the two pieces didn't look like a perfect match -  I like harmony  with  variety. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QZyL6BMTfha2iyctU0bWjxLgqxcqx1Sj7_8-f4RpH2Z0-UBJT_z1LGC-vsv-7L3oEuIJ3Hh2ZORR4zmiI-RDlNWqTI07MRRNeNvyjWa28bvV2ybFFE3SuvhiEMPEjUnR1kjjdl205huO/s1600/the+designer+inside+gray+wash+natural+wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QZyL6BMTfha2iyctU0bWjxLgqxcqx1Sj7_8-f4RpH2Z0-UBJT_z1LGC-vsv-7L3oEuIJ3Hh2ZORR4zmiI-RDlNWqTI07MRRNeNvyjWa28bvV2ybFFE3SuvhiEMPEjUnR1kjjdl205huO/s400/the+designer+inside+gray+wash+natural+wood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thedesignerinsider.blogspot.com/2011/03/perfect-chest.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheDesignerInsider+%28The+Designer+Insider%29">The Designer Inside  </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is another example of a washed gray finish that allows the wood grain and imperfections in the wood  to shine through. While it is more traditional in design, the overall look of  this piece  would allow you to use it in most rooms. Give chests like this a chance in your  bedroom, bathroom,  hallway, foyer or living room .<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1VrCGuwCpwmqDJsU0FBuf9xFlAC-5dCurZz3pXtL7QRoVOh2m3n1e8_zTHdZSC8-9wytcFeuocrPkbOSyXecbQtiuAAv5hF5HRqM-sLfcA6PHMwKdAPv_WTx4GeF79wC7lOiv_OaH-z6/s1600/037072545196.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1VrCGuwCpwmqDJsU0FBuf9xFlAC-5dCurZz3pXtL7QRoVOh2m3n1e8_zTHdZSC8-9wytcFeuocrPkbOSyXecbQtiuAAv5hF5HRqM-sLfcA6PHMwKdAPv_WTx4GeF79wC7lOiv_OaH-z6/s320/037072545196.jpeg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.thedesignerinsider.com/shop/article_C03029/Bleached-Sideboard-Bookcase.html?sessid=nBQBxCcB9vqc7JaVBeuSQB0XZP2luMltaIsKUT06zOxRrR2KTXOIHs6gJqseiUvY&shop_param=cid%3D131%26aid%3DC03029%26">The Designer Inside  </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> This traditionally designed sideboard  made from mango wood  could be used in any room decor. <span class="text_product_detail"> Mango wood is a hard, dense wood that has been seasoned and kiln dried. If left unfinished it has  hues of green brown and yellow which can be interesting .   Because mango  is quick growing,  hard and harvested after the tree has stopped giving fruit, it is  considered the wood of the future.</span><br /><br /><span class="text_product_detail"> </span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/29652/Global-Living---Bluefish-Home---Showroom-eclectic-dining-room-atlanta"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/29652_0_8-1000-eclectic-dining-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/atlanta" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Atlanta Interior Designer</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/globalliving/global-living" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Global Living</a></small></div><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;"> I'm in love with the cool tones in this room, buy I would like to see a little more variety in the various wood tones used.  The bench could easily be removed and then the sideboard which is beautiful, could shine. </span></small><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/235520/1512-Dolphin-Terrace-traditional-hall-los-angeles"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/235520_0_8-0520-traditional-hall.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/hall" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Traditional Hall design</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build/orange-county" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Orange County Design-build</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/mclose83/spinnaker-development" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Spinnaker Development</a></small></div><br /><small> <span style="font-size: small;">Everything here is light and airy. The floors seem to go on forever.   It is truly  a room that would let you breathe. If I built a new home this would be my floor choice. </span></small><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/771932/Coastal-Modern-by-Tim-Clarke-eclectic-dining-room-"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/771932_0_8-8601-eclectic-dining-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/randomhouse/random-house" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Random House</a></small></div><br /><small><span style="font-size: small;">White always looks so fresh when paired with bleached or toned wood.  You have to be careful when you choose lighter woods because they are easily overwhelmed by stronger colours. </span> </small><br /></div><div>How do you feel about bleached, washed or otherwise light woods? </div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><br /><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/searllamasterhowe/searl-lamaster-howe-architects" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;"></a></small></div>

Make mine bleached

I have a love affair with wood, but I don't like the golden wood tones that come along with wood that is clear coated or lightly stained...

Read more »