Gilding

Four things I love: 

-gray

-metallic

-triangles

-pizza (bacon + jalapeño pizza all day, everyday). 

One of these loves was not incorporated into this side table (though if you think of a classy way to incorporate pizza into a piece please let me know ASAP!). I have wanted to try this ombre, metallic, triangle design (much like a Dandelion) on one of my pieces for a while and when I found this side table for $5 at a local thrift store I knew it would be the perfect guinea pig. She was totally solid, had beautiful lines, and while the green wasn't terrible the haphazard glaze job over the green was no bueno.

I painted the inside cubby a slightly lighter shade of gray to add a bit of depth, kept that fabulous handle, and created my own triangle sponge out of a sanding block. When I sponged on the first few triangles I had some serious doubts, but I decided to keep at it and I really love the way it came together. Say hello to Dani!

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Playing in the background:

• I was watching Drew Barrymore's, Ever After. Other than Anastasia, this may be the movie I can quote best. "A bird may love a fish, signore, but where will they live?!" Where, indeed...

Branching

Spring has officially sprung in The District! This means its time to bring out my fluorescently pale legs (shaving regularly), buying the SPF in bulk, Middle School tourists crowding the Metro, mowing the lawn, and no longer being able to use the cold as an excuse not to exercise. I'm beginning to realize Spring may not be my favorite season...

Give a warm welcome to Olive! Olive was a lucky find when my friend gave me first pickings before their upcoming estate sale. As you can see from the pictures below I had to strip the stain before painting. Unfortunately, I didn't figure this out until after my first coat of paint which promptly turned a brownish, yellow, green, blue. *Note to self: test out a small area before cockily painting an entire piece and having to strip all the hard work you've done.

One of my favorite furniture bloggers, Reeves at The Weathered Door, did an amazing video on stripping furniture if you need a quick tutorial! Check it out below.

Once I stripped the stain off I decided to put a protective coat over the wood in case there was any residual stain just waiting to yellow my paint job. I also wanted to ensure that I had a bit of chipping because why milk paint if you don't chip?! Olive is painted in Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint color, Mora. She is a gorgeous light blue with undertones of gray and green. 

Consider this my olive branch to Spring.

Playing in the Background:

• Jamestown Revival, Utah...  yes, still. Loving this album.
• Serenda Ryder, Harmony

Mapping

"Though she be but little, she is fierce." - Shakespeare

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Betty. The name Betty brings to mind a classic girl next door from the 60's who defies tradition to see the world à la Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. I think we all have a little Betty in us. I know I certainly do. There are few things I love more than jet setting to a new destination. 

Though this shelf has a classic mid-century shape I wanted to do something a little unconventional and I'd been eyeing this Cavallini paper from Paper Source for quite a while. I taped off the bottom of the legs, gave her a couple coats of this fabulous mint green, and mod podged the pages and map on the back. Because the map was noticeably smaller than the backboard I simply grabbed a few pages from my favorite illustrated vintage dictionary to go around the edges as a border and ended up really digging the look. 

I love when hiccups turn into happy accidents.

I don't know why I worry so much when things don't work out like I'd originally planned.
I think the dictionary pages bordering the map are such an interesting contrast.

Is there anything cozier than a stack of vintage books?!

Playing in the background:

• Jamestown Revival, Utah
• Børns, Candy