DIY painted chalkboard from old picture frames…

Another great project: DIY painted chalkboard from old picture frames are a wonderful gift or a great way to make a lovely chalkboard. It’s so easy to pick some old picture frames from Op shops these days, at really reasonable prices. It it fun as well!

Supplies needed:

Picture frames

Backing board

Chalkboard paint

Paint for frames

Paintbrushes

Turpentine

Rags, cover for table, tin or jar for cleaning brush, something to open can with eg. screwdriver

Tape, scissors

I painted the chalkboard paint on first, this goes on really easy, but make sure you let the paint dry between coats. I put on two coats, but it is really up to you how many coats you think it needs. Read the instructions on the can or spray before starting.

After, the paint had dried I painted the frames with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Old White and Duck Egg. I did put tape on the chalkboard paint to make sure I didn’t get any paint on it by mistake.

Finished Chalkboard

I hope this inspires you to try making a Chalkboard!

I hope you try this… so easy to make and don’t they look great!

Thanks for reading my post!

Andi

Dining chairs makeover – paint and recover…

Do you ever look at your dining chairs and want to change them? That’s what I was doing and finally took the plunge do something about them. To save the cost of buying new chairs; I actually like the chairs we have in that they are nice and wide, very comfortable to sit on. So I decided to paint and recover them, do a dining chairs makeover….

Here’s what they looked like to begin with…

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

First, I removed the seat and then cleaned down the wooden chair frames with water and dish washing detergent. Once it had dried I painted them with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old Ochre (my favourite colour.)

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old Ochre

It took two coats of paint, just to make sure it was covered nicely and then once they had dried I used Annie Sloan Clear Wax to protect the paint. I can’t say painting dining chairs is something I enjoyed doing, I found it quite a bit of work with all the slats on the back, but the end result was worth it.

Recover the Seat

This is really easy to do! I had already unscrewed the seat, so next I removed the old material (this had been stapled on) using a screw driver and pliers (any tool that does the job!). This took some time, but got is done! Then I used the material as a guideline to cut a new piece of material. I had gone into a local furniture/curtain/upholstery store and was able to get some off cuts for only $2.00, the piece was enough to do all six chairs. Leaving the chair padding in place I replaced the material over the it and stapled in the new material. I brought a staple gun for this project and was able to get one cheap at our local Uncle Bill (like a clearance store).

Finally, I screwed the seat back into the chair frame. Done!

Chair makeover!

I am very happy with the end result.

Thanks for reading my post! Have you tried a chair makeover?

Andi

Wooden Shelf Makeover – New Zealand

My wooden shelf makeover was a inspiration really. It was offered free on my local neighbourly, which is a wonderful site to find things in your neighbourhood in New Zealand.

Wooden Shelf Makeover

I got it to use as extra shelving in our shed, but it wasn’t that stable and a shelf was missing. It was sitting in front of our house waiting to be fixed when my husband suggested it would make a great shelf for my potted plants sitting around by the front door. I mainly have succulents in the pots because they don’t need so much watering and maintenance.

Shelf turned upside down

As you can see I turned the shelf upside down to fit in the area, but there is a electric metre box in the way so I had to move the now top shelf up. The metre reading man needs to open it to read the metre! Fortunately it only took removing some screws and sliding the shelf up. Then I tightened all the other screws to stabilise better.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Next I painted it in one of my favourite paints Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old Ochre.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old Ochre

Finally, I painted just one coat this time and there was no need to wax as I am using it for outside. Not too worried about wear and tear here.

Finished shelf

It was wonderful to get all my plants off the ground, I love how it turned out! I also used it for a time growing my lettuces, which was a great spot and super easy to pick them when needed.

Growing lettuce

It made my front of the house look so much better, much tidier and it is easier to water the plants now.

I hope my wooden shelf makeover inspired you! Thanks for reading my post!

Andi

LITTLE WOODEN BENCH MAKEOVER…

This little wooden bench makeover was really simple to do. I love this little rustic bench! It had previously been outside in my mum’s garden, so had seen some wear and tear over the years.

I wanted to bring it inside to use, but needed to give it a little makeover to clean it up. It had rust marks on it and the paint was definitely chipping.

Because, I love the patina on the bench I wanted to keep the look.

First I gave it a good clean down with the hose, especially to get rid of the spiders.

A large spider

Chalk Paint

Next, I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Old White, and gave it just one coat over the areas that had rust marks on. I left the bare wood and chippy bits.

It was a really sunny day so dried very quickly and was ready for use.

Little wooden bench painted

Painted wooden bench

Wooden bench and rabbit

Doesn’t it look so much better?

Thanks for ready my post!

Andi

LATEST PALLET COFFEE TABLES FROM NEW ZEALAND

I wanted to show you my latest pallet coffee tables I have made here in New Zealand…

Are any of you like me, love pallets and have them stacked around the place waiting for the next project?

Wood pile

Wood pallet stack

The pallets have been there so long the nasturtiums are growing through them.

Rodeo has to get in the shots as well!

The tables were two completely different designs, mainly due to the size and designs of the pallets and what inspired me at the time.

Farmhouse Style Pallet Coffee Table

Unfortunately, I only took this photo of the finished unpainted coffee table. What was I thinking?

I painted the sides and legs Annie Sloan Chalk paint Old Ochre. I love this colour! It is a very neutral and goes well in any room.

Finally, I used Annie Sloan Clear Wax and Dark Wax on the table. First I rubbed on clear wax, then dark wax. It is always a good idea to put clear wax on first, because if you put on too much dark wax on it comes off easier. Dark wax is really hard to get off if you put it on first, it is like a stain! I put on alot of wax, rubbed it in well and buffed it with a soft cloth. I tend to rip up old flannelette sheets, as they are lovely and soft.

Pallet Coffee Table leg was cut off two headboards

I love how well the table top came up so well with the wax!

Pallet Coffee Table with shelf

The next table was totally different with a shelf. You can see the pallet was smaller than the first and a different design.

Once I nailed all the boards on the table I covered the nails with wood filler before painting it.

This pallet coffee table I painted with Resene Paints (acrylic paint), white grey and black. Then sanded down to give a rougher look and showing some of the natural wood underneath.

I managed to get the pile down by making these two pallet coffee tables and quickly sold them. That is another thing having the space to store the projects made!

Check out my previous post; Pallet coffee table easy to make post here

Thanks so much for reading my post!

Andi

Little sad old cabinet – needed chalk paint makeover

Little Sad Old Cabinet – Needed Chalk Paint Makeover

I loved this little old cabinet as soon as I saw it at a Thrift Store, but it needed a chalk paint makeover. The great thing about it was it was only $20.00, but unfortunately the top half of the back was broken and there was borer in the back. It was probably why it was so cheap!

The first thing I did was remove the broken top part of the back.

I washed it all down with water and dish detergent. Some of the old hardware was broken, so I removed it and brought some cooper knobs at a local building recycling shop. My husband Tom replaced the back with a piece of wood he cut down to size and nailed on.

Borer

I treated the whole cabinet with a borer spray to be on the safe side. I don’t get put off by furniture with borer, because some old pieces do have borer. It is easy to treat with a spray and or a borer bomb, just follow the instructions carefully.

When I removed the hardware there were two holes and I filled in one of the holes with wood filler, as I only needed one hole for the replacement hardware.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old Ochre on the outside of the cabinet. I ended up giving it two coats of paint, then gently sanded it in some areas to show the wood underneath. It had a lovely texture and dark colour I wanted to show through.

I painted the inside of the cabinet with Duck Egg Blue.

Then I put Clear Wax on all the surfaces, inside the cabinet and outside and rubbed it in as I went along. Finally, I rubbed Dark Wax on some areas of the outside, highlighting rougher areas of the paint and wood.

Copper Hardware

Winter Roses from my garden

This is my favourite chair, picked up from a Thrift store for only $35

This Maiden Hair Fern is really old, it was my grandmothers. I have only just been given it, but quickly managed to nearly kill it!

I love the colour and the crackle aged lines on the pot.

Thanks so much for reading my blog!

Andi

Inexpensive And Easy Daughter’s Bedroom Makeover With Chalk Paint

A very inexpensive and easy way to do my daughter’s bedroom makeover was using chalk paint.

Pre-teens Makeover Bedroom update with One Room Challenge @house beautiful

My daughter Serah has turned 13 and as a teenager wants something different. She is very keen to pick out and help paint some furniture for her new room. We brought new colourful bedding, curtains and a rug for the floor. Next came some furniture…

Little Pine Wooden Shelving Unit

I brought a little pine wooden shelving unit, to use as a bedside table, for only $5.00 at a Thrift Store which I decided to paint in a combination of Annie Sloan Chalk Paints, Old Ochre and Coco. These are very neutral colours which look great in any room.

The shelving was in good condition and just needed a wipe down before painting. No sanding was needed, as the chalk paint sticks really well to any surface. One of the reasons why I love painting with it!

After Serah and I gave it a couple of coats, I let it dry for a day before putting on the Annie Sloan Clear Wax and Dark Wax. I rubbed the dark wax lightly on top of the clear wax. Then gave it a good buffing with a soft cloth. I buy old flannelette sheets for about a $1.00 from Thrift stores and cut them up for this purpose.

Cane Headboard

My other great find at a local Thrift Store up this lovely cane headboard for only $15.00

I painted the cane headboard Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Emperor’s Silk, which is a really beautiful red. I used a smaller paint brush on this as it was important to get in all the little areas. Only one good coat was needed and no wax is required on cane surfaces.

We brought some handy baskets for storage on the shelves and a new bright red lamp.

It was great to see how well the room came together and Serah was very happy.

Thanks for reading my post!

Andi

EASY UPCYCLE FOR AN OLD TV CONSOLE

This old TV Console I brought for $10.00 on Trademe.

Simple repairs needed

One cabinet door was broken and a shelf was missing, it was just not looking so good. But sometimes you can see the potential in a piece. Especially if it is made of mahogany wood and you have two cans of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old Ochre and Coco.

I started by removing the glass doors, which was easy to do. Then unscrewed the plastic door tracks and filled in the screw holes with wood filler. I took off the broken door and cut it down to replace the shelf that was missing.

Finally, I removed all the hardware and place it aside to paint.

As this was such a large piece I used a paint roller to do the first coat. I mixed together both paint colours in the paint tray. They went on easily and if any drips I lightly sanded down when it had dried.

It was such a beautiful day to be painting outside!

For the second coat I used a brush and still using the paint tray I poured the two different colours in side by side. I painted one colour then the next, combining the colours, painting it smoothly over the surfaces. After paint had dried I again light sanded any drips and made sure it was really smooth.

I decided to use Annie Sloan Clear Wax on all the surfaces and Dark Wax only on the front trim.

Using the same hardware, but I painted and sanded it down. In New Zealand hardware is really expensive compare to America, so I try to use the same hardware when possible.

What a transformation, it came out far better than I expected.

Thanks for reading my post! Hope you have enjoyed it!

Andi

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint – Art Deco Cabinet

As soon as I saw it I knew Annie Sloan Chalk Paint would look wonderful on an old Art Deco Cabinet that I found in a local Napier Second Hand Furniture Store.

One of the wonderful things about living in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand is the Art Deco town of Napier.

Napier Earthquake

It had a devastatingly large earthquake in 1931, but after the earthquake the town was rebuilt. The buildings were all beautiful Art Deco Buildings, which remain to this day.

In February each year the whole town of Napier becomes an Art Deco Festival. People come from all over the world to dress up in deco style clothes. The city is totally transformed for a few days. It is such a fun time, our family love dressing up and being part of it. It is like going back in time.

I was really excited to find an old Art Deco Cabinet and Drawers for a good price.

As you can see it needed a really good clean with water and dish detergent. Then some little holes and deeper scratches I filled with wood filler, to tidy the surfaces up.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint has so many great colours to choice from but I think my favourite are Old Ochre and Duck Egg Blue. They look beautiful together and the design on this piece of furniture lends itself to having two different colours on it. I ended up having to paint two coats of each colour and then gave it a gentle sanding after each coat had dried. Just to smooth any rough areas of paint. It is easy to get little drips here and there and sanding gets rid of them.

Then I finished it off with Annie Sloan Clear Wax. (No Dark Wax this time.)

I kept the original hardware on as they were in such good condition.

The end result looks amazing with these colours.

If you enjoyed this post please leave a comment, would love to hear from you about your favourite Annie Sloan Chalk Paint…

Andi

PALLET COFFEE TABLE – EASY TO MAKE

I want to show you this amazing pallet coffee table. My 15-year-old son, Thaddeus, made for me with the help of my husband Tom, they found it easy to make.

To start with they got a great pallet that was already rounded on the sides. I have found lots of different places here that give away pallets for free. Just check they are in good condition and have HT (Heat Treated) stamped on them. You don’t want ones treated with chemicals.

The great chunky legs where cut off an old dinning table.

They had to purchase a few boards from the local hardware store to fill in the gaps on the pallet top, It was possible to get them cut to size to make it easier. Next they sanded it down where needed on the top and sides. Leaving some rough added character.

It was really exciting to see the result of using a pallet. They did a fantastic job of making this table for me. I love it!

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I then painted the sides and legs with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Old Ochre. I did a couple of coats of paint, but left areas of dark brown legs unpainted to show through. Just because I love the contrast between the dark stain on the wood and the Old Ochre Paint.

I waxed the top and sides with Annie Sloan Clear Wax and next Dark Wax. Was quite heavy in places with the Dark Wax, especially over the rough areas of the wood.

Was so very please with amazing pallet coffee table!