Home Decor Compromise

Not long ago I took a poll on Facebook and Instagram asking followers what they'd like to see more of on my blog and social media pages. Many of you commented that you wanted to see more of my home. I'll be honest...I have been reluctant to share a lot of our home! Let's just say that it's very well lived in! One room I haven't shown you in years is our family room. It's rarely in any condition to be photographed. Not only that but...

There's a TV above the fireplace and speakers in the walls (not my choice!)

I call it my home decor compromise. I have a pretty laid back husband who doesn't complain (too much) about the excessive amount of pink decor in our home or the fact that he sleeps under a pastel floral quilt every night! So...I put up with the bulky electronics and ugly wall speakers in the family room and he puts up with my growing collection of girly throw pillows. It really is true love.

I must say that decorating the mantle around the TV is a challenge. I do my best. Recently I picked up a set of wonderful old books from a fellow vendor at Camas Antiques. The 15 volume set is called "My Lady's Library." They were the perfect color for the mantle and the bindings are beautiful.

I am pretty sure this is the 1895 version of Fifty Shades of Grey. One of these days I'll get around to reading it. I'll let you know if it's as scandalous as it sounds!

Boots showed up to join me for my little photo shoot this afternoon. I just love his handsome blue eyes! He's just as sweet as he looks.

If you follow along on Instagram or Facebook, you may have caught a glimpse of this little art board I created for a Downtown Camas fundraiser called "Little Art Camas." 

I used painter's tape to paint the stripes in Annie Sloan's Paris Grey and Old White, then created the raised relief with a stencil and VP Antico from Artisan Enhancements. Once dry, I lightly sanded the stencil relief, then added a Bio Savvy stain glaze in Dark Walnut. Finally, I applied gold foil with Artisan Enhancements Leaf and Foil Size and sealed the entire piece with AE's Clear Finish.

All of the local artist's works were displayed gallery-style last night for a very fun event. A very dear, long-time friend of mine showed up to buy this piece after seeing it on Facebook. 

I hope she got to take it home with her!

Thank you for your sweet visit!

Best Wishes and Blessings,

Amanda

Hutch Confession

I had every intention of painting this hutch to sell. It was intended for my Christmas display at Camas Antiques. At least, that's what I told myself. But deep down in my soul, I am pretty sure I always knew I was painting it to keep.

I discovered it at a church rummage sale. It stopped me in my tracks. I quickly let the grandma worker bees know that I was purchasing it...no hesitation.  They were annoyed that I was dismantling their display so early in the day. Alas, they would have to find another place to show off the teacups they had for sale.

I took my time on this one. The back paneling was removed and painted in Annie Sloan's Coco Chalk Paint® followed by a stencil design in a mixture of Old White, Antoinette and Scandinavian Pink. The stencil is the Lotus Paradise Floral Design from Royal Design Studios.  I absolutely love this stencil design. It might just pop up on a wall in our home one day!

The entire hutch was painted in Annie Sloan's Old White, lightly distressed and sealed in Annie's Clear wax, then carefully accented in both Dark and Black wax. During the process, I shared my trick for painting around all of those pesky glass panels along with some waxing tips in videos on IGTV. 

You can view those videos here.

I nearly cried when it was time to load this beauty into my truck and haul it to the store. I don't usually become attached to pieces of furniture...I really don't! I just couldn't bear to part with this one. Maybe it's because with every brush stroke I was subconsciously giving myself permission to keep it.

But I didn't have a backup plan for my display. There was no time to makeover another hutch to take it's place. My pink Christmas display came together beautifully and the hutch was my focal point, just as I had planned. I put a ridiculous price on it and prayed it wouldn't sell!

Two weeks later, with a smug grin on my face I waltzed into the store, loaded up my hutch and said Merry Christmas to me!

No guilt, no regret. It was meant to be.

If you're looking for more pretty hutch makeover inspo, check out these posts:

The Caravan Hutch

Art Deco Darling to English Cottage Chic

Charming Patina for a Possum Belly Repro

Cinderella Cabinet Makeover

French Country Cottage Cupboard

Thank you for your sweet visit!

Happy New Year!

Best Wishes and Blessings,

Amanda