Painting Tips #1 - Eliminating Starting Points in Paint Strokes

Here is one way to properly paint corners and edges and eliminating the starting point of brush strokes.

A short video I made for my readers:

Start and inch from the edge, push brush to edge, and pull back in one smooth stroke to opposite end of furniture piece. This can also not only be used on edges but in corners.

Also if you get a chance check out one of my favorite new make over at Modern Jane.

 She used Plumage by Martha Stewart. I can't wait to pick me up a quart of that.

HERE

My names Ethan, I use toilet paper as a seat.

OMG. Look at the cuteness of my child. 

The other day we were playing"shop" with cans of beans and our mini metal grocery cart. Well, that wasn't very smart because when they got mad at each other and fussy they threw the cans. End of that story.

So instead I got out all the toilet rolls and we played; 

Put the toilet paper rolls in the cart, push it around the room, then get fussy and not hurt each other game

Afterwards little Ethan watched his sesame street and used a toilet paper roll as his little seat. 

Sweet-Sweet Baby...  :)

Ethan, for the past 5 days has been jumping/climbing out of his crib. Resulting in me waking about 2-5 times a night for 30 minute increments. If your a mom, you know what this means...

I literally ripped my face from my pillow this morning in sheer exhaustion.

Even, naps have been challenging... and nap times are when I get anything and all done. (painting, designing, cleaning...)

I've heard great things about that crib net, and a couple scary things. I wondering if I should just stick a single bed in there and make the leap but, every night that I've been putting his crib mattress on the ground he cried at the door upon his baby gate... for a half an hour.

Suggestions?... I'm pretty desperate for a quick solution.

"Desperate" is kind of an understatement... whats a word more extreme then desperate. 

Brasso Turtorial.

Since forever I've been painting hardware. A reader mentioned I have to try Brass-o.

Um, YES-O!

I'm hooked.

It's like $2.00 at home depot! I used it on my dingy sad bar cart and now it shines with it's original chrome. Brasso removes 80%-90% of the crud left from years of wear. I'm so excited about this stuff and at the same time feel silly I'm *squealing* over something that's been around since my mom was a kid. 

Even more excited because I've been looking for ways to increase the quality of my furniture. 

1. Being I switched to a new paint line by Benjman Moore. Its the advance line for base boards and cabinets. You can scratch a nail on it and there wont be any sort of indentation. $50 a gallon but, worth the money!

2.-ly THIS! brass-o yes painting hardware looks great but, not as authentic as the real deal. This takes more effort but, people will be so much happier to have something that gleams with beauty. 

3. I plan on using more high end textiles and wall paper.

Let's begin this short tutorial with a simple self explanatory photo:

Most turtorials I've seen using brass-o they simply lather it on. When I did it I was like,

WHOAAaaaa.. Stinka-roonie!

Brass-o smells to high heaven, it gave me a instant head ache and moved my project out doors

Do not let your kids around this stuff

Problem soved when I simply put my hardware in a plastic bag, added a few drops (really, only a few)  and massaged it gently for a few minutes.

Brass-o cream will go from white -> to brownish -> to light blue

I let it sit for about 40 min 

Scrub that puppy clean with out water

After scrubbing it down (few!) scrub it again in water.

And, again with a multi purpose cleaner, what ever you have laying around

If you don't it will leave a dry film

Convinced yet?

I am... 

I used it for the first time yesterday.

Sold!

Best Backsplash Ideas For Your Kitchen

Hi everyone, I am Jessie, the author of Mix And Chic blog. I love blogging about stylish and inspiring interiors and always feature cool home decor products and anything interior design related. I was excited when Chantal asked me to write a guest post on her lovely blog.

Today I will be sharing some of the best backsplash ideas for your kitchen. Let's take a look.

Adding patterned tiles is a great way to create a beautiful decorative element in the kitchen.

Backpainted glass are practical and looks great especially with a bold splash of color in a modern kitchen.

 Brick tile backsplash are a classic, especially when laid brickbond pattern.

Mirrored backsplash, another great alternative to add light and brightness in a kitchen.

Marbled backsplash, a classic choice for timeless beauty.

Turning photograph into printed vinyl that sticks on to the back of toughened glass as backsplash is fun and unexpected.

Stainless steel backsplash is germ resistant and is perfect for any professional kitchen.

via

Which one is your favorite backsplash option?

The Modern Cottage Shop!

Here is the shop I've been promising photo's of. It's Alison's baby. She has been gracious enough to include me in the collection of furniture along with a handful of other up-cyclers. For now when you walk in it's going to be a ton of amazing furniture, with a diverse selection. Down the road the plan is to make mini rooms with all of our stuff, including vintage sofa's, chairs ect... This is going to grow fast and I'm so excited about it.

I will be working there hopefully every-other Saturday.

Stop in for a visit!

311 S. 7th Street, Downtown Tacoma open Saturdays 12-4pm

Looky What I Got.

We all know this picture!

From the ever so wonderful blogger Jenny Komenda, Little Green Notebook.

We'll look what I got, and a 4 drawer dresser to dress it on!

Exact color.

It's not going on these dressers (below), these are for my long wall thats challenging to decorate.

Score, from my friend Patience :)

In mommy matters: Ethan has been putting on his rain boots all day. Both boys just love being Mr. Independent and trying to put on any shoes, even mine.

Time to decorate.

Don't Judge Me.

First please let me begin this telling you I begged a few people to help me design the exterior of my house. I maybe good at interiors but, I fallen off the horse on this one. I'm very open to any suggestions anyone has. I need help!!

Ps. I rent.

Plant Choice

Look closely at this symmetrical plant arangiment infront of this home. In my "design" if you can even call it that pictured below I've layed it out with colored markers.

Hydrengeas - Blue Marker

Long Row of Defining Box Hedges - Deeper Green Marker

Two of what ever these are on either side of my house - Neon Green Marker

Inspiration pictures

1) Numbers on the side of house, black pots Naval blue - Sherman Williams paint for the front door

2) Bold numbers above door keep the original color of pots, Naval blue Sherman Williams for the front door

2) Yellow front door, Big numbers

Wow, I'm impressing my self at how TERRIBLE I am at this. This is my house. It's white, it's what I'm working with. Send me leads, pictures direction. I'd be SO happy to get any input.

clementineandolive@yahoo.com