Hi Everyone, thank you for coming back! This is week 3 in the One Room Challenge. In case you are new here, you can start the challenge series here. This week, I think I made a fair amount of progress with my room. I managed to finish my side chairs. If you have not seen them, you can check them out here. This is how you last saw my dining room


I also finished the planks on the ceiling and I LOVE it!! Unfortunately, if you follow the #1RoomChallenge on Twitter, you know I fought hard to get the semi-gloss ceiling finish looking good. I love the way it looks here. However, working overhead on a ceiling when you are only 5'3" (on a good day) is a challenge. After the entire weekend of up and down on the ladder, I broke down and called a painter. He is here today putting the finishing coat on it. On the bright side, since I did ALL the prep work and one coat, it isn't costing very much (hey, a tip!).

Moving on, this corner (before)

Not that long ago, I told you about Me & Mrs. Jones. I reached out to her, via e-mail, for help with my china hutch. This is my hutch. I painted it a medium gray and silverleafed the back. I was not happy with it. it needed more depth and interest.



This is the real "before", long before I blogged.


Stephanie (Me & Mrs. Jones) suggested the following...use this over the paint


Here are the steps, first use 400 grit sandpaper to break the seal



I repeated this one more time (2 coats total), and now I have this



It is exactly what I wanted...and it only took ....2 tries! Sometimes things take me..... 3 tries, or is that 3 trips in the car? Thank you Stephanie! On average, how many tries does a project take you?

**Linking to***
Savvy Southern Style
Restore Interiors
{Primp}
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Tip Junkie
Project Queen
Trash 2 Treasure
A Bowl Full of Lemons
Debbiedoos Newbie Party
DIY Home Sweet Home
Funky Junk
Be Different Act Normal
Serenity Now
The Spunky Diva
Fingerprints on the Fridge
2805
Chic on a Shoestring
Miss Mustard Seed
French Country Cottage
Saved by Suzy
Not Just A Housewife

Hi everyone. I need your help! Yesterday, when the "One Room Challenge" was announced, I introduced you to my dining room. As I mentioned, I want to change the color of my lanterns.......only, I don't know which color to choose. This is where you come in....please tell me which color your like!

Here is some information about the client....me! I don't like "matchie - matchie". I like pieces that will look good in a room, but will be fine when the room changes...new paint color, etc. I am willing to take a risk (I think), but usually don't like "loud" things either. Not an easy client, or as my husband would say, "you try living with her".

Here is my lantern (dust and all)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5) All lantern images, other than mine, are from here

Can you see why this is so hard? Maybe not? What is your favorite color for my room? Thank you so much for your help...I know I can count on you!

OK, there is no other way to say it...I wish I could paint like Me & Mrs. Jones! It is one of the first blogs I stumbled across....a long time ago. I have been in awe over her techniques from day one. What type of painted finishes? So glad you asked....Old World Charm...layer by layer. For example


This "after"


Started like this


Close up...the depth of color and layers are impressive!

Me & Mrs. Jones (this piece)

How about this beauty


And the close-up

Me & Mrs. Jones (this piece)

You can't get this from an aerosol can.


My current obsession favorite; from this


Layer, layer


More layers



To this



The "Tah Dah"

Me & Mrs. Jones (this piece)

To read all about this transformation, go here. About a year ago, I painted my china hutch. I am not happy with the finish, it just looks flat (photo to come later this month). When I saw this finish, although I could not do THIS...I did send Stephanie (Mrs. Jones) an email asking for advice. Well, she was so kind and gave me all sorts of tips to add a bit of depth to my piece. I am finally getting around to the make-over. I hope to share the pictures soon. Thank you, Stephanie for taking the time!

I spray primed the chair frame



Here comes the confession, I have not picked my fabric yet, so I cannot finish my paining. I am trying not to pain it white, but rather have a pop of color. So, I will reveal the painted frame next Wednesday, week 4. Hope to see you then.

This project started because I have about 9 clear glass cylinder vases left from

our daughter's wedding last June, and I'd like to play with paint and do something with them,

But I wanted to experiment first with other, smaller, more plentiful wedding leftovers.

 Using these humble tools -- craft paint, a toothbrush, a paint brush,

 A little paint on the plate, a mostly-dry paint brush,

 I used Silver on one of them.  I like the Copper better.

 Below, Copper on the left.  Silver on the right.

 I had a practice piece that I painted inside and partially outside with an old toothbrush, using both colors.

Now Howard knows what I was doing this morning during our 2nd cup of coffee.

 Yes, this does look a little bit as if it has leprosy.  It's not a keeper.

 Finis.

 How they'd look at night, even though it is day now.  But cloudy.  The rain just stopped.

 I am not sure where the mouse went.

beach house.  Time for more paint. 

 Meanwhile, if you are interested in a frosted white glass candleholder,

or a dozen frosted white glass candleholders, let me know!

At The Shabby Creek Cottage, it is Transformation Thursday.  Click here!

At Tales From Bloggeritaville, it is Thrifty Thursday.  Click here!

No Minimalist Here hosts Open House Party Thursdays.  Click here!