March Madness Day 23 - Distressed Mirror

I had a project in mind and thankfully it was completed without a trip to the ER.

I had this old round mirror and wanted to wear off the reflective back enough to have a few poppies poking through.  I took paint remover and got the black paint off the back of the mirror, then there is a reflective coating that makes it a mirror vs a piece of glass.  I researched it and found one site that you could use oven cleaner to remove the reflective coating..... it didn't work.  Another way was to use muratic acid.  I also read all the dangers of using it and the bottle has skull and crossbones on it.  I opted to not do it..... skull and crossbones were speaking to me.

Then my wonderful neighbor had some chrome cleaner that was pretty strong and he thought it might work.  His wife brought it down and advised me to make sure I used it outside.   Well his wife and I gave it a shot right inside the garage.... that enough ventilation right?  It's a big garage..... We tried it on a new mirror that I had laying around so if it ruined it I didn't wreck this old round one.  As we stood over it and watched it did nothing, we smelled nothing, no smoke, no green fumes..... nothing....  I wiped it off and some of the reflective coating came off too.  

Fast forward to that night as I'm trying to fall asleep and my throat is sore and I have a bit of a dry cough.  Coincidence.... I don't think so.  I think the warning from the neighbor to do this outside was some pretty good advice.  You'll be happy to know I did the old round mirror outside, even in the cold snow.  This one didn't come off as easy as the newer mirror so it was a couple days standing outside trying to remove the reflective coating.

Finally got enough removed to still be able to know it was a mirror but have poppies peeking through.  

This project wasn't something I would ever repeat again, both for the danger or it and I like the look but I don't LOVE it.  The frame was painted in Annie Sloan Emperors Silk with dark wax. 

Later.....

March Madness Day 22 - Another wood bowl

Wood bowls are a favorite of mine.  Every time I see them they have to come home with me.  

This bowl is a more modern version with the straight sides.

A little gray chalk paint and some craved skeleton keys on the front.  

With the straight sides it's much easier to fill with some fun jars.  Clear and dark wax for the age look....

Perfect!

Later.....

March Madness Day 21 - Chair Brightening

When I bought this chair I knew it needed to be lightened up.  So Rust-Oleum Linen White it was.
I love that white.

Here's the chair right out of the thrift store.  The seat of the chair is so rotten and isn't attached.  There is a couple holes in the round piece on the back but other than those things it's a good solid chair.  

I tried to find something to put in that circle but came up with nothing.  So the holes got patched and I painted it Rust-Oleum Serenity Blue that matched the chevron color perfectly.  

Then I added the Serenity Blue in a couple more spots.  Loved that the chevron triangle on the back of the chair so I made it stand out with the Blue accent.  

So fresh and summery now.

I also added blue to a couple spots on the legs.  And added Annie Sloan Clear Wax.  I personally do not like dark wax on white, I have dark waxed a few white items but not many.  

One more before and after look.  

Later....

March Madness Day 20 - Lanterns

Today is the first day of spring so let's show you lanterns.

The tall lantern in the back was black and the small lantern in the front was black.  

The middle lantern was found in white and left outside on my bench through the summer and winter. It even blew away a couple times in a wind storm.

Here is the black lantern.

And now all pretty in white.

Before and after....

Little deer salt and pepper shakers make white lanterns more pretty..... right?

Or maybe a raccoon salt shaker.....

Or maybe a summer wedding will make give them a perfect purpose.    

Later....

March Madness Day 19 - Red Vases

Adding a little more red to my living room with these fun vases.  I knew as soon as I found them that they were going to be mine but what I didn't know is that I'd paint them red.  

Before.....

They look good in red

Annie Sloan Emperors Silk with only dark wax.

Close up of the details

Another look at the before and after.

later....

March Madness Day 18 - Weekly finds

 This weeks finds.  Y'all know I like boxes and this is a handyman treasure.

I bought a tray like this once and loved the handles.  This one is a bit different but still the same great handles.  Adding a tray to your coffee table, dining table, side table..... wherever you set items makes a huge difference.  Trays are just as fun to me as boxes.  

This dresser took me a few days to decide and some quick bargaining talk.  It's going to be great.

Later.....

March Madness Day 17 - Child's Play

Sometimes during my finds I get to use them for my photography.  This little child's chair was bought just for that.  A little "neutral" paint so I can use it for boys or girls and it's the perfect chair for sturdy and wobbly sitters.   

Here was the before.  

I added a Fleur-de-lis to give some interest to that solid back.  

Annie Sloan Old Orche is the perfect neutral color for any clothing choices.  

I haven't added any wax yet since I don't know if it will stay this color.  Chalk paint does not have to be waxed.  I don't have many items that aren't waxed but I do have a few that get used everyday and the durability of the paint is just as good without the wax protection.  

The paint was a bit thick so the drying process cracked it a bit..... I love the age it gives it.

Here's the before and after.

Can you believe it's been 17 days already.  We are just over half way through the March Madness.  I haven't been in the garage lately and I better get out there or my last half is going to be a struggle.  

Later.....