Blonde Going Grey

Remember this Blonde dresser…

It went grey…

Olympic’s Zero VOC Mountaintop and Silver Charm to be exact.  I really like the Zero VOC for painting furniture.  The paint doesn’t smell…which is nice when you are putting the dresser in a bedroom…or when you are painting with some kind of viral infection that has taken over your lungs...(On a side note, when a Lowe’s employee tries to tell you that Valspar paint is low VOC and doesn’t really have a smell….don’t believe her.  It’s one of the strongest smelling paints.  Lesson learned.)

It always takes me a little bit to get used to something new living in our house.  It always feels like a stranger has moved in with us…but it’s growing on me.  I am, however, not completely sold on the top drawer handles.  I don’t love them but I don’t hate them.  I’m giving them some time.

It’s hard changing from a matchy-matchy decorating style to a more eclectic style.  I know it’s still a little matchy being grey and all but I still feel like it doesn’t “match”…baby steps. 

I had considered maybe a green or a plum but that’s just not really our style…and that’s ok.  Not everyone can be bold and daring.

Now to figure out what to add to the top of the dresser.  We are pretty minimalist people and don’t have a lot of “stuff” which means I will need to purchase some things.  I’m thinking a lamp, a fan, and maybe some frames.  Luckily I am indecisive...which will allow the paint to fully dry before I place anything on it.

What are your thoughts?  What do you think of the handles? When will my West Elm curtains arrive so I can "finish" this room???  So many unanswered questions!

(Read about my furniture painting process here!)

Blondie

Look what I found while thrift store shopping with my family this past week-end….

I'm in L-O-V-E.

My dad kept insisting that the dresser is called a “Blondie”.  I thought that was funny.

Almost as funny as my parents squished in the backseat of my Jeep while trying to get the dresser home.

Good thing they love me....

My dad doesn’t think I should paint the dresser.  Seriously, Dad?

No piece of furniture is safe from my paint brush and mini-roller.

It’s going to live in our master bedroom.  I have visions of 3 different shades of grey in my head.

What color(s) would you paint the dresser? 

Would you keep the hardware or replace it with something new?  I'm torn.

**This dresser find gets me 1 step closer to completing goal #27 on my 30 Before 30 List. 

Read more about it

here

.)**

Bench Cover

Nate's mom gave us this bench....

Unfortunately it didn't really go with the rest of our bedroom...

She really does have good taste.  I swear.

I debated on how to cover the bench.  It sat in my sewing room for several months.  I just couldn't decide what to do with it.

I thought about reupholstering it but then I came up with the idea for a cover.  I like easy. 
Covers are easy....if you don't end up in a battle with your sewing machine....stupid sewing machine.

I ordered this fabric from amazon.  Grey fabric is incredibly hard to find.

The bench is 53" wide, 18" tall, and 18" deep.

I cut three 54"x19" rectangles (top, front panel, back panel) and two 19"x19" squares (side pieces).

I then sewed the pieces together.  I'm not great at sewing so there will be not be a detailed "how to". I used what little common sense that I have to sew the pieces together.  I have no idea what my seam allowance was.  I was just trying to keep my line straight while still making the cover fit the bench. I just "Make it work!" (love Tim Gunn)

My sewing machine and I had a disagreement after I had finished sewing the sides together. 
I still needed to hem the bottom edges but just couldn't handle the fight...so it sat unhemmed in our bedroom for about a month...because I'm awesome.

I finally got around to waging war on my sewing machine hemming it this week-end and we now have a pretty bench cover...

A bench cover that fits in a little better....



What do you think?  Should I take the cover off and leave that beautiful floral pattern?
On an unrelated note, does anyone have a tailored bed skirt that they like? Do share!