So far, so good...

First of all, I just have to say what a great guy my hubby is.

He's agreeable with most ideas that I come up with.

He now appreciates the virtues of  old, "white", and chippy

 when it comes to junk scrounging and furniture hunting.

(whitewashing the huge mirror at 10:45pm)

I've been single minded these last few days

in transforming the living room.

Notice the change in the fireplace insert;

 heat resistant white spray paint.

Small changes here with painting the accent lamps white

and changing out the shades.

Then putting my PB knock off book bundles under the lamps

 instead of the covered ones.

This was Friday when I first tried out the demijohns

in place of the urns with flowers.

One of my goals was to minimize all the brass accents in here.

I still have a huge brass octopuss of a chandelier.

You know the saying,

"The 80's called and they want their chandelier back..."

uh huh...

This is how it all started last Tuesday.

whew...was that last Tuesday?

I have painted so much furniture this last week,

it's been a blur.

Then I broke free to hunt for fabric

 for new added pillows for the damask sofas.

These sofas are so comfortable and I really love them.

I've thought about the idea of slipcovers,

but this room is formal.

I have two other living areas that are casual,

and this one I want to be "casual elegance",

with a Country French flair.

So next I have a pillow project...

These are before photos of two other pieces I painted this week.

More tomorrow with the progress I've made.

It's all coming together, and I'm lovin' the changes.

I'm Joining Marty for TTT

love ya'll,

Vintage Inspiration Friday #45 Just getting started...

This week I threw out a spur-of-the-moment challenge

 for you all to give me some inspiration

in changing up my Living Room.

Wow...!!!

You all addressed many of the things that were bugging me,

but that I just hadn't done anything about.

Fresh eyes and some great advice have yielded so many ideas.

I have a mile long list now of things that I can try,

 and a roadmap to actually get to where I want to be,

instead of just thinking about it.

The first thing I did was spray paint my two brass lamps;

a few coats of Satin White by Valspar,

and a coat of Minwax liquid poly with a little dark stain added.

(spurred on by Nita, I knew this would be the start point!)

(still needs distressing)

Once they were white the dark end table looked wrong...

only way to remedy that was to do the unthinkable;

paint out those tables.

I always keep a gallon of my tried and true Behr two-in-one paint on hand.

(Creamy White)

Never know when you'll go nuts and start a huge project!

My biggest gripe in this room has been the dark wood coffee and end tables.

Just so not me...

I just knew I wouldn't be happy until I painted them.

They are heavy, huge, and clunky,

but have a lot of frenchy charm with the yummy details and curvy legs.

The dark wood just obliterated all that.

One of my helpers.

 (oh Mom, no pictures...)

Before shots from last post.

I had to take a deep breath and just slap on some of that paint;

no going back.

I actually tried the idea by Ahrisha

about leaving the tops stained,

 (love this look and have a few pieces downstairs with this)

but they are just too dark,

and I decided for all white instead of a stripping project.

(not a stripper..te he)

So here's where I am right now,

I have to do my stain "glaze" (any type of dark oil based stain)

and wipe on poly on the coffee table.

The end tables are finished.

I thought about going the ASCP route,

but I have other pieces in here

 with this same paint technique and I'm really happy with it.

I have absolutely no gray or blue anywhere around,

and even though I love that look,

it wouldn't work for this space.

Oh how I love seeing that detail, now!

Painting more furniture pieces,

finding fabric for some new pillows to add to the sofas,

buying new shades for the chandelier and accent lighting,

finding some heat resistant spray paint for the fireplace insert.

Whitewashing the mirror above the fireplace...

on and on...

(painting the clock...?)

but I'm excited with what's ahead!

I have to apologize for being a poopy hostess for the party.

I got about halfway through visiting,

and then the holiday crowd overwhelmed me.

You all had some wonderful Patriotic decor,

I just grabbed a few examples.

Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to join in!

Love you guys!

Jeanine the Queen of Chippy Shabby,

always puts together a wonderful holiday display,

Her July 4th entry way is vintage at it's best!

Richard at My Old Historic House puts on a fabulous

patriotic display with his wire stands, furniture and gazebo.

Tee, from Brown Eyed Belle has such a fresh vintage display for the 4th,

 with gorgeous Limoges plates and just picked hydrangeas.

And check out Kim from Starshine Chic

She has the sweetest patriotic teddy display;

an inspiration from Bethany Lowe Designs.

Thanks again for all the help,

I have plenty on my plate for awhile to see this get where I'm envisioning it.

I'll keep you posted on the progress,

Hope you'll join in today

(please direct people back to this post with a button or link.)

 I'm joining these great parties this weekend:

(Links on the sidebar)

love ya,

I'm committed...

...or should that be,

"I need to be committed"?

You all gave me some fabulous ideas

and inspiration on my last post!

Hopefully, I'll share what I've accomplished for VIF,

 tomorrow afternoon.

now...to work!

Keep a good thought for me.

I haven't regretted painting anything white so far...