Pottery Barn Knock Off- Typewriter Key Art

  Let me preface this by saying this idea is 100% stolen from Pottery barn and Nikki at dream.design.create

I found this on Nikki's blog

Then this from Pottery Barn.

I e-mailed the lovely Nikki (you can too!) and she sent me her pdf with the typewriter key letters! Um, how awesome is that?! Goodness knows I couldn't have done all that myself.

Anyway, I came up with this

It is going in the loft and had to cost nothing, so I used an old canvas, my Deco-Art prize pack, paint I had lying around and made it my way.

I painted a few layers of alternating brown, gray, and tan and blended till I got the effect I wanted.

 

 Ever heard that bit of wisdom, "measure twice, cut once?"

Well, I measured four times, drew once, and it is still a bit off.

Now, while we are crafting up there the kids can practice their letters too!

I don't like it as much as Nikki's but I do like it a lot. It is above my fab table and looks great there.

Hmmm, liking that shelf? Check back next week and I will fill you in on how I made them from reclaimed wood!

Anthro Knock Off Dresser

   The airplane bedroom is almost done, but I have been killing myself trying to find a cheap or free dresser at the thrift store or on Craigslist. I just can not find one that resembles the lines and drawers of this, 

so I just have to use what I already have! This dresser is $998, are they kidding me? It is like an invitation or a little man sitting on my shoulder and whispering in my ear.

"come on, Kim......you can do that....try, try, try, try"

Then on the very morning I was about to begin, I stumbled upon this over at Jilly and Mia

These fab girls had the same anthro inspiration as me, but went in a bit of a different direction than I was planning. I LOVE it! And, I was having drawer pull issues and now, I knew exactly what to do, thanks ladies!

Oh, alright, here we go. 

This is the dresser that originally came with my nursery furniture. 

I did not want anything with the wavy lines, but I just couldn't find another, I really liked. I am sure the next time I walk into a thrift store it will be sitting right up front though!

Anyway, I gave the entire thing a decent sanding. The sanding took forever and ever, and I think I have asthma from all of the dust I inhaled!

I used some stencils and letters printed off from word.

I traced them onto the drawers and then painted them with black paint. I sanded them a bit after they dried.

I tinted some glaze with wood stain and gave everything two coats.

I let it all dry and drilled bigger holes for my cool new drawer pulls.

I used thick jute and knotted it to make the same pulls Jilly and Mia made.

I cut 24 inch pieces and tied all the front knots first, so the pulls would be the same length.

Then I wrapped masking tape around each end, threaded it through the holes and tied double knots on the inside.

Ta Da!

I heart it!

It is fine that I couldn't find a different dresser, because this is solid and will last....and it looks so perfect!

I have a few finishing touches and will reveal the room on FRIDAY! I am so excited to share, it is my favorite room in the house now!

Come on in and Sit Down

I saw the inspiration for this project in the Ballard Designs catalog, but I cannot for the life of me find the image on-line.

Then I saw some brilliant crafter knock it off and make her own. However, search as I may, I can't even find the replica.

So, I will just get right into it!

Anyway, I started with this image from Graphics Fairy.

I cut it out VERY carefully and hacked off the conecting brackets on the legs, beause I couldn't cut around them.

Then I traced the chair on an old book page and cut out pieces for the back and seat. I glued the whole shebang onto some burlap.

Then I cut out the label and used stickers for embellishment. Popped it into my blue thrift store frame and done.

I bet we can all guess what my witty husband said.

"Duh."

P.S. I am SUCH a copycat this week! All of my projects were "stolen" from other, more inventive folks.
Mission: Next week an original!

My Bedroom is Famous

Well, not MY bedroom, but one that looks pretty darn close surprised me when I was flipping through the Ballard Designs catalog this morning. This is on pg. 6 of the current catalog

This is upstairs in my house



I (smacked my husband and interrupted his newspaper reading)
was all...hey...this looks like our bedroom....
upholstered headboard,



low shelf right above it,




wall mounted bedside lamps,



wicker basket at the foot of the bed




neutral muted colors



chippy loveliness





Wow, maybe I do have a bit of a sense of style. I mean if Ballard Designs is copying me. Ha Ha
Now, to make mine look as good as theirs....never happen!
But, I am sure mine was about 20% of the cost of theirs so I will settle for it!