Rejuvenation at it's best

Lighting Fixture Facelifts

It was a must for me to keep the chandelier that once hung in “ My Boutique II “ , which was one of my last business adventures. Call me nostalgic, wanting to hold onto a faded memory. That same chandelier was installed above my dining room table at home, replacing the builder grade light fixture.  It became apparent that the chandelier did not blend it to it’s new surroundings, a facelift was definitely in it’s future. 

Plain Lowe’s chandelier

Applied Old Ochre ASCP, distressing allowing the original black to peak thru just on edges.  Candelabra sleeves gilded with Modern Masters silver metallic paint. Found these really great burlap lamp shades at Hobby Lobby for only $7~ each. And lastly,  but the most important accent, a Lowe’s ceiling medallion that only cost $20~ was embellished with the same finishes with an exception of  lots more silver gilding to bring out the wonderful leaf like details.  So pleased with the final result, looks as if it were purchased from a high end lighting store. 

Of course, I couldn’t stop there. As I took inventory of other light fixtures in the house, determined to enhance them to their fullest potential one at a time. Next on my list was the kitchen’s awful florescent grade light overhead, that has absolutely no ambiance what so ever. I unfortunately did not take a before shot, was too anxious for it to be removed. But if you close your eyes, I’m sure you can visualize a white plastic florescent light, that will be donated to my local good will store. 

Replaces old florescent fixture

The best part of all,  this happened to be the original dining room fixture that was builder grade installed, that I had replaced. A rust brown simple fixture that I’d saved in my attic just in case I moved and wanted to have it reinstalled (of course taking my favorite chandelier with me). 

Recycled fixture was refinished with ASCP in Coco and a touch of dry brushing with Old Ochre and clear/dark wax, and Modern Masters silver metallic paint. Once again, I choose the plain rust colored ceiling medallion from Lowe’s costing only $10~ applying same painting techniques. 

Before…Above Bar/Island

Final End Result

Surprisingly the expenses spent rejuvenating these fixtures…were less than $150~. And that’s with me purchasing a brand new fixture from Lowe’s for $50~ to replace light above bar/island area.  Retouching new fixture to match it’s counterpart.  Of course, I used existing leftover ASCP from other projects,  just a little of Annie Sloan’s chalk paint goes a long way.

(Small disclaimer…extremely difficult capturing photos of light fixtures hanging from a ceiling with an iPhone that'll do justice.)  

First Day of Fall 2013

The first day of fall, it's a must to be outdoors soaking in the changing temperatures, the natural light has a certain FANTASIC glow. 

Time to liven up the front entryway...

Every Fall display has to have pumpkins, flowers, and a touch of home grown sugar cane. 

I even chalk painted the front door and trim.

Custom mixed a couple of ASCP colors to achieve a patina look. 

Nothing fancy, just a simple facelift. 

Very pleased the end result...

A lil love goes a long way...

START TO FINISH

I am so fortunate to have a master carpenter, none other than my Dad, at may disposal 24/7.  He turns my sketches into a reality for me. I'd been desiring to convert my daughters bedroom into office space.  Empty nest syndrome was staring me in the face crying out for a change.  So my Dad began constructing my design to fit one wall of the room with my built in requests (capable of moving if need be later on).  

Starting from scratch...

Oops, I always forget to take the before shots. I just get so excited and can't wait to get started painting.

Began painting with ASCP in French Linen. 

My desire was to acquire a bit of distressed but yet chic look. Choose to paint the panels with ASCP in Graphite, then an overlay of ASCP in Old Ochre.  Before the Old Ochre could dry, I began to rub aggressively in one direction using my small soft sanding block. I'm sure there's a name for this technique, just something that came to me, I took chance and love it's outcome. 

Added a light coat of ASCP in Old Ochre very lightly all over cabinet.  This second layer changed the look completely.  I thought I'd do this only in certain areas but had to continue throughout the whole process to unify the look I'd desired. 

Everything fit on one wall, looks like I did ok on my measurements, no room to spare though.   I've squeezed my rustic iron & glass desk between both new pieces. Both pieces were designed around my window view.  (Which makes it difficult to capture a photo without a glare)

The top half is narrower in depth with adjustable shelves, great triple grooves carved in sides, my favorite detail. 

Left side has lots of character, glass doors to be installed soon. Love how my Dad captured my sketch so well. Furniture turned out sweeter than I'd imagined. Love my pullout drawers (great storage) they can be removed and utilized elsewhere if desired. These drawers were painted in ASCP Old Ochre with a dark wax sealed on top. 

There was one thing missing to pull the whole ensemble together...a custom valance covering the window but yet accenting as a focal point between the two pieces. Tried this small one, but needed to be tweaked a bit, so back to the shop for adjustments. 

Needed a lil muscle for this job, batted my baby blues at my husband, he could't resist to assist me.

Custom valance after making adjustments, Lowe's carries great appliqués to choose from, adding that lil extra touch. 

Choose not to have a back on furniture so that the deep Mountain Smoke wall color would add depth tying in the monotone look.  New hardware, and a custom deep file cabinet drawer. 

The creme'de la creme ! My new office space squeezed delicately onto one wall.  Now for the fun part of organizing and adding those lil touches.  

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Couldn't stop with just me...converted the closet in my new office space into a cozy hidden desk area for my husband, just close the doors and it's secretly tucked away.  

Thanks to my Dad for once again spoiling me with his many carpentry talents. 

And for my new love of ASCP.  Just couldn't of achieved this look without it. 

Till the next adventure. 

Day 1

Today, I am learning how to create a blog profile, my experimental phase. It can't be that difficult, I'm creative...I got this !