A Schoolhouse Electric Inspired Bed

The bed is DONE.   I bought the bed off Craigslist back in October, and it was in rough condition with rust and chipped paint.  A little elbow grease and I turned my find into a Schoolhouse Electric style bed.   I originally did not choose black for the color, but it only seems natural to have it now that I look at it.  I asked my 3 year old what color he wanted his bed, and I was willing to paint it any color he chose.  He said black, and I asked him if he was sure about that.  He said yes, and I said heck yeah!!!

Yep, I went there.  I wrapped fabric around his metal headboard.  I will definitely go there again, if the opportunity ever arises.

Do you remember when I bought this bed?  I blogged about it here along with sharing some inspirational photos.  Although I was a fan of the chipped paint look, it tested positive for lead, so I sanded it.  I used some black paint I had on hand, which was interior house paint and then applied Polyacrylic over it.  I used a cheap brush from Lowe's, which seemed to do just fine for this bed.

And do you want to know the biggest bonus of having this bed besides the ability to sleep guests?

STORAGE.

Something our small home lacks.

And we all like before and afters, right?  Although, the before was really nice too.  :)

There's something about that zebra in the picture above that makes me smile.  I think it's the way it has collapsed over from exhaustion and is smiling.

Thank goodness Owen loves his new bed.  Now if I can only get him to sleep in it the entire night ...
xx nancy



Bedding is from Ikea and Target.  Cloud pillows made by me.  Zebra from Pier 1.  Woven basket Nate Berkus for Target.

Related posts:

Paint color options for the bed
Owen's room with a source list

One year ago:
Catalog Quilt finish
Two years ago:
Kitchen Tile


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

Wood Paneling || Tutorial

When this room reveal went live, I had many requests to know how I did the wall behind the bed.  My inspiration came from my own wood wall and Vintage Revival's.

This tutorial is not loaded with pictures (and phone photos on top of that)  because I was working hard and fast to get this room done for a contest, but it's pretty self-explanatory.  If you have questions, just send me an email.

Please read through all of the instructions before starting.

Materials:

- 4 x 8 sheets of 1/8" tempered hardwood (Masonite) cut down to 4 x 4.  Cut each panel into 3" widths.  The number of sheets you will need will depend on the square footage of the space you are covering.
- Miter saw (I used this in a bathroom next to the bedroom I was working on to make my job easier.)
- Planing saw
- Tape measurer
- Pencil
- 220 Sanding Block (or any other fine sanding block will do)
-  3/4" Brad nails and screws*
- Nail gun (I used this for the brad nails)
- Power drill*
- Paint ( I used Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White - my go-to, all time favorite white to use.)
- Paint supplies
- Ladder


Sand:

Sand all four sides of a wood panel piece.  We will be using the smooth side of the board to face the room.

Paint: 

Using a small brush, paint all four edges of the wood panel.  You do not need to use a lot of paint for this.  In fact, I was not anal about getting it perfectly white.  Some parts exposed a little bit of brown while other parts were completely covered.

Concerning the edges of the boards, you will only paint one board at time!  Sand, paint one piece, nail it up, repeat.  Once you do a few of these, you can then paint several boards at time.  See photo above. But do what is easiest for you.

Placement:

I started at the top of the wall, since I knew I would need to cut my boards in half once I reached the base board.  Pick a side to start on.  Place one board (3" x 48"),  smooth side up, on the wall so it aligns with the ceiling. Hold into place with brad nails.  I nailed one on each side and the center.  If using screws, screw them into either side, and if needed, one in the middle too.

*For this room makeover, the homeowners wanted to have as little holes as possible, so we did not use screws too.  Screws will produce a larger hole in the wall compared to brad nails.  Brad nails will secure the wood to the wall, but the wood panels can be removed with your hands. 

For my second piece, I repeated the above and then placed the board about a 1/8" - 1/4" away from the next piece.  I did not measure for exactness, so all my pieces vary.  When you get to your third or fourth piece, you will need to measure and cut to fit.

When you start on the second row, I placed my first board on the opposite side I started with.  I alternated it back and forth, so my lines would vary.  Sometimes, I would use leftover pieces and start with that first to add variety.

Repeat all these processes until your wall is complete.  If you have an outlet to work around, you will need to measure and cut around it.

To view this room makeover, please click here.
To view the source list, please click here.
Related:
Sharpie Wall

xx nancy

My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

$5 wall treatment || tutorial

I had many requests on how I made this "wallpaper" in Kk's bedroom.  I think I had Sharpies and projectors on the brain during Creating with the Stars at East Coast Creative due to these projects submitted, shown here and here.

Originally, I wanted to use fabric on the wall.  Namely, Ikea's black, white, and green bird print that is not longer sold in stores, but I was not aware of that until I went to the store.  I decided to use a projector and six Sharpie paint pens (please see note below).  I traced some of the pattern on the wall.  Instead of copying it exactly the way it was on yardage, I moved pieces around and traced what I liked and where I wanted them to go.  Fairly easy, but it did take a toll on my wrist and shoulder.  :)  It took me a day to do the work, but I would recommend breaking it up a little to let your arm and hand rest.  A steady hand will be your best friend to achieve good results.

*Photos were taken with my phone.  I was so focused on getting the room done during a short amount of time that tutorial photos were not at the forefront of my brain.  But I think you get the idea. *

TIP::  Do NOT use Sharpie's Flip Chart Permanent Marker.  It will bleach the wall but was easily remedied with paint. (See note below.)

I continued the process all around the window moving the projector when needed.

I really loved how it turned out.  It doesn't look like Sharpie either, and if I had some of you fooled, then your friends and neighbors will be fooled too.

Update: Vintage Revivals has been using paint pens with much success lately.  As I am not 100% sure what the markers will do later on, although I was able to cover it up with paint when I made a few mistakes,  I would recommend following Mandi's advice and using the paint pens instead of markers just to be safe.   I have replaced the word markers with paint pens for future readers.  



You can view the whole room makeover here, and the source list can be found here.

xx nancy


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

Bedroom Makeover Source List

To view this space in its entirety, including detail photos, please click here.

This is the source list for the bedroom makeover I did for a family who is adopting.  There's still plenty of room for Kk to add her own personal touches to the space making it feel more like her.  If I left something out, just leave me a comment.

Wood Wall - DIY, tutorial found here
Ceiling light- Ikea Maskros
Ceiling Paint Color - Benjamin Moore's Secret  (a really good gray!)
Wall Paint Color - Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White  (my favorite white!)
Polka dot shade- Ikea Dottevik (on clearance)
Zebra head - Anthropologie Savannah Story Bust (on clearance)
White nightstand -  owned by couple and painted in Behr's High Gloss Enamel White
Wood and white nightstand - Target  (on clearance)
Rosette Frame - Homegoods
Owl cup - Anthropologie
Blue bowl - Anthropologie
Ferris Wheel Print - Target
Power Tunes Books - owned by couple
Elephant strand on bed post - World Market in the India section
Bed frame - Thrifted, painted in Peru by Behr
Zig Zag Rug - Urban Outfitters (on clearance)
Green Pillowcase - Joel Dewberry
White Ruffle Sham and Blanket - Target
Stuffed animals - owned by couple
Quilt -   Joel Dewberry, handmade for me by my wonderful friend, Colleen, from Lucky Duck Dreams
Bird coverlet - Anthropologie (this was an in-store purchase that I could not find online)
Black and white blanket -  Ikea  Vilmie Rund Throw

Dresser - owned by couple and painted white in Behr's High Gloss Enamel
Mirror - Habitat ReStore
Vase - Anthropologie
Picture frame - Homegoods
Bowl - Anthropologie
Books - owned by couple
Pig - Ross
Plants - Home Depot

Curtains -  Ikea Vivan (I added the pom pom trim, which is readily available at JoAnn)
Bird garland - World Market
Blue planter- Homegoods
Toys - owned by couple
Chair - Homegoods
Pillow - made by me
"Wallpaper" - DIY, tutorial found here

Garland - Home Depot Paint Chips, made by me
All artwork (except one) - Free Printables under my "Free Printables" Pin Board
Brown Bird Print (far left) - Sugarloop
White Frames 8 x 10 - Michael's

To view the room in its entirety, including detail photos, please click here.

If you have questions, feel free to ask.  I hope you have a good weekend!   I am really hoping to pull out my sewing machine and sew something . . . anything!

Kk's Bedroom || Makeover Reveal

Just a few weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in East Coast Creative's Creating with the Stars.  I made it through to Round 3 when I was eliminated for my horse couch.  :(  Sad day! Since I was already in the process of this makeover, I decided to finish the makeover,  pretend I was still in the contest, and finish up the space in the same amount of time as the other contestants.  I really wanted to share my space with EC2 readers to share with them what would have been my final entry in Round 4's Home Decor challenge.

So I had the opportunity to head out of town for a few days to make over a bedroom for a couple who is adopting three siblings, one of whom is Kk.  This couple has been trying for over 10 years to have children of their own.  Kk is the youngest out of the three.  I made over one of the couple's guest bedrooms into a space for Kk as part of my entry for Competing with the Stars.  I did not let my elimination in Round 3 stop me from finishing Round 4's theme Home Decor, and I am so glad I continued on!  The space is so bright and airy.  There are not too many personal touches in the space due to time constraints, as I am one who likes to sew and create things with my hands.  But on the bright side, this also allows Kk to add her own personality to the space when she comes to her new home.    I finished this space in 5 days, which I have discovered to be too short of time for a makeover.  :)  Yes, I am the turtle when it comes to home decor races.

You can find the full makeover at U-Create Crafts.  I hope you guys love this space as much as I do!!  I really didn't want to leave the couple's home and head back to mine!

Source List post can be found here.



I'm also sharing with: Gingersnap Crafts, Whipperberry, House of Smiths, Today's Creative Blog, 

How's it hanging? || Home post

Just a little living room update.  Before you are all like, "Girrrl, why did you add more brown???" just bear with me here.  Using what I had on hand, I took some things from other places in my home and placed them into my living room.  Also, Young House Love has a great post about "the middle."  So just refer to their post for understanding "the middle."

My curtains came from my bedroom.  I have plans to paint the entire panels in white and then add a graphic print on top of that.  I have no clue how this will turn out, but I don't mind taking the risk.  I've painted on curtains before, but only on a portion of them.   Before I paint them though, I have plans to shorten them, so the hundred feet of draped curtain panel on the floor is gone.  I'll also remove the grommets and use clips instead for hanging.

I kept this antique dresser I found on Craigslist.  My original plan was to experiment using Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint and resale it, but I decided to keep it and as is.   On a side note, I did end up buying  AS Chalk Paint but not to use on this piece.  I'm thinking - new knobs?

I bought my clock from Kirkland's a few years ago on clearance for $15.  Though I do like its pattern, it reads a little more traditional to me, and in order to break up all the traditional items in my home, it needs to be painted. (Remember- I discovered my style is transitional.  I like modern with a touch of traditional.)  I'm thinking of using my hello logo in the header of my blog that I designed and having the center be black with bright neon clock hands.  What do you think?  I think it could look pretty awesome.

wow.  Check out that overstuffed library cabinet over there.
I would like my two sitting chairs to look more like the photo below.  I just want to sink into my comfy chair and toss the upholstery into the wash.  I would love to add these pillows to my chairs, if I slipcovered them white.   But you may have remembered the day I cursed slipcovers.  Wouldn't metal zippers down the back look pretty cool?  Yeah, they would.

As for my coffee table, I purchased the Pottery Barn piece off Craigslist several years ago.  It is so heavy and solid.  If my son is able to jump up and down on it, then I think it could handle anything else that comes it way.  What I dislike about this piece, which was not an issue pre baby, is the glass.  It was in mint condition when I bought it, and after having Owen, the glass has seen better days.  I'm soooo tired of wiping glass.  So tired.   My plan is to cover the top with a thick piece of wood and stain/white wash it .  My only concern is will it become too chunky, too boxy, too heavy looking for the space?  It is something I will not know until I place wood on top of it.  Sometimes, I just can't visualize things.  TIP:: Glass allows light to pass through and can make a room feel more spacious than it actually is.  But this is my goal:

source

The rug.  Oh, the rug.  Rug. Rug. Rug.  I just cannot make up my mind about that darn rug!  I blogged about rugs here.  But after looking at this photo, I realized my 8' x 10' rug is actually a little small for the space.  Personal opinion probably, but now it is something that is going to bug me for awhile.  Can you relate?

As for the ceiling fan . . . it has to stay.   For now.   It gets really hot and humid here in the South, so we use it all the time.

So here's the progress.

Don't forget to enter my Facebook giveaway.  Thanks for stopping in and have a great weekend!  If you live in the Northeast, please be safe.  My prayers are with you.



Relevant Links

A new(ish) credenza for the living room
The before photos of my living room