July 13, 2012

Little Things


My kitchen. I spend a good portion of my time daydreaming about renovating it and trying to figure out a way to do it in two stages to make it fit my budget better.


Until that faraway day gets here, I find myself making small changes to keep me happy, like painting this formerly pine shelf white. I may have mentioned before that I hate painting furniture, which is really a shame since I have approximately 74 more pieces of furniture that need to be painted.


This time I decided to use Annie Sloan chalk paint because of all the no prep/one coat hype. Well, I have to tell you folks, I'm not even a little impressed. $40 for a quart and I found that a little did not go a long way, despite what I had read. It also did not cover in one coat. On the plus side, yay for no sanding!


I guess maybe if you are heavily distressing your piece then it's fine but if you want a clean coat of paint like I did for this shelf, then you might want to pass. Unless, like me, you'd like to have the worlds most expensive primer coat which is what I ended up with.


Even though I accidentally used my trim paint for the second coat due to an ill fated paint can lid incident, (did I mention I hate painting furniture?), it's done and I couldn't be happier! Now when I'm in the kitchen feeling fussy about waiting for a renovation, I can stare at my happy-place shelf and maybe it will help me be more patient. Although, probably not.


In other kitchen news, after every appliance company we called refused to come out and repair a commercial range in a residential home, my oven is now working thanks to my super hero hubby. He managed to fix it himself with nothing but a $20 part and his big brain. This from the guy who couldn't center pictures on the wall when we first got married! I'm amazed at how far he's come. It was a long bake-less week but I am now back in business and feeling confident in the knowledge that I married well. I mean, look at this picture. The pose, the undershirt. But he had me at bow tie.

43 comments:

  1. I love that pic of your hubby! Now I'm worried, I shelled out the bucks for a quart of that paint too.

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  2. I am sorry about your paint disaster, but I really think it came out very sweet. I love the muffin cups in the jar.

    Isn't it great when our guy can be our hero? Love the bow-tie. Nice touch! xx

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  3. I've been wanting to try out the chalk paint but like you said at $40 for a little bit of paint I kept putting it off. I might just keep putting it off a little longer.
    On a happier note I absolutely love the white shelving and the colors you have in them. So fun and very Cath Kitson of ya ;)

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  4. bummer about the chalk paint. i was so hoping you would give it a rave review. sigh. sorry for all your hassle. upside: hubs is adorbs in the bow tie. love him.

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  5. Love the pic of your hubbie and you've given me hope for my hubbie. We've been married 3 and a half years and he really hates DIY and I put all the pictures up in my house. Hopefully he'll improve with age! Sorry to hear the paint was a bit rubbish but the bookcase looks great now. Fiona

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  6. Thanks for your comment about the Annie Sloan paint. I've been toying with the idea of trying it for a looong time. Guess I'll take a little longer thinking about it. ;)

    Love the multi color cookbooks!

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  7. I am so happy to hear a review on the paint. I have a few pieces I was thinking of painting with it. I think I shall hop on down to my local paint store and see what they have on hand. The bow tie made the outfit;) Have a great weekend.

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  8. Ya'll, I made my own Annie Sloan chalk paint, so cheaply!!! Google up instructions, as there are several sites with step-by-step instructions. Basically, I mixed Plaster of Paris with water (5:2 or 3), and stirred until there were no lumps. Then mixed that mixture with latex paint, about 50/50. I used two 50cent cans of "oops" paint from home depot. Came out great. Then, I distressed and waxed with MinWax. Nice sheen. $7.00 and I've got TONS left, and enough plaster of Paris left to chalk paint the world. Google and try!!!

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  9. Totally confused now on the paint! I've read MANY blogs that rave about it. I've visited a shop that took my hubby and me to their back room and showed us how they do it, and we liked the results. BUT, we have not tried it yet....because of time and heat and well....time. Wow, surprised to hear such a negative review!

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  10. He looks like a genius to me! I can't believe he figured that out. Appliances confuse the heck out of me.

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  11. Yay for Super Hubby! and was very interested to hear your comment on the chalk paint. From what I can tell, there may be no sanding, but to get the look I would want, there is the waxing/sealing, that would take almost as long as the sanding. I have some to try and it is the CeCe Caldwells CP, a little less expensive, but you are right I will have to see how it goes. Thanks for the tip.

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  12. Wow, my husband would never pose for my blog. You did marry well, LOL. Glad to hear the paint isn't all that. I've seen lots of home made mixes that would be cheeper to try. I am excited to be painting my antique glider and chair tomorrow! Not with chalk paint though.

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  13. Your little paint re-make has large impact! And your cookbooks and cupcake liners look darn cute on it!!

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  14. I just adore your pics!! (especially the winking owl :) In case you are still looking for that perfect paint, I have just found a new product for furniture that an artist friend of mine uses! The product my friend uses is CAROMAL COLOURS ... it is pricey. However, there is absolutely no prep work other than a clean surface. Gorgeous colors to chose from, as well as an array of finishes that you can create. Now, if you prefer a more "pristine" look (rather than distressed) - RECLAIM is the ticket! I plan to use this next month by painting my kitchen cabinets. It bonds to anything (even plastic!), primes, finishes and seals all in one! I can hardly wait to begin the job! Check out their websites :)
    CaromalColours.com
    RECLAIMbeyondpaint.com

    Happy Saturday!! :)

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  15. The shelving unit turned out great. I didn't want to fork out the money for "real" Annie Sloan chalk paint so I googled how to make chalk paint and came up with a muuuuuuuuuch cheaper version that worked great and I have enough of the filler left over to use change any can of paint for the rest of my life...lol Great picture of your hubby! Enjoy your weekend. I hope the weather has cooled down a bit. Patty

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  16. i love that cookie jar and every little thing about your kitchen. i'm glad you said that about the paint, i often wonder if that's all just a bunch of hype or really worth the $$. i think I will stick with Lowe's for mine : ) and hooray for super hero hubbies!

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  17. A: The bookcase turned out amazing! It looks so fresh- you did a great job!!!

    B: So glad your oven is working again, I can't imagine my sis without access to a working oven. Go HUBS!!

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  18. hooray for a happy shelf. it took me 10 years to finally re-do our kitchen, we went through three major renovations and the kitchen was the last. i am so happy we did it and i kicked myself in the behind for having waited so long. Hang in there, it is the small touches that make the wait easier. I ditto the chalk paint, i bought some for our bathroom cabinet, though i love the color, the cost was too much at $50 a can, ouch!

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  19. GREAT POST:)
    Your blog is so wonderful and Im following...I hope you follow me also:)

    If you want some cute swedish decor inspiration...check out my new post:)

    Have a great week.

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
    (sweden)

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  20. LOL- LOVE the bow tie guy! I'm with you- I think ASCP is good for some items but NOT if you want a more refined finish...and although you don't have to prep--by the time you are done smooth sanding and double waxing you have used up the same amount of time. I was beginning to think that I am the only person in the world that feels this way- xo Diana

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  21. Your cupboard looks great! Sorry you didn't love the paint:( I have read that the whites don't cover with just one coat. i just bought some paris grey and old white and I am very excited to try it out. I saw some pieces painted with the stuff yesterday and I love the finish.

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  22. Your shelf looks great. I understand your frustations...I'm right there with you. Hubby is a doll. I admire you two.
    xo, Cheryl

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  23. Oh how I love this post! And your hubby is definitely a keeper. Way to go guy! Handy men are all the rage. :) Kit

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  24. ha-ha! Glad to hear you are back in baking business. I've read where others are making their own chalk paint by mixing in plaster of paris to regular old paint. Definitely a much cheaper option. I hate painting furniture, too. One time I was doing a bookshelf in the kids room black and ran out of paint halfway through -- never even bought more to finish it so the inside shelves remained unpainted. The kids hated it but I figured all the books and stuff would hide the fact that it was an unfinished job. After a total room redo, the bookshelf was hauled away. :) Hope your day is great. Tammy

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  25. I want to offer you some encouragement regarding your kitchen remodel. Mine was awful! But we saved and waited over 10 years and now it's more than I imagined. Hang in there it is so worth it! If you want tosee my kitchen here is the link http://mamasuehomeschoolingmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/kitchen-remodel.html

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  26. I hate to paint too. I didn't think there were many of us in the world. EVERYONE seems to love to paint their furniture. Yes, I'd say he is indeed a keeper!
    Brenda

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  27. Ha!

    have a giveaway goin' on here:
    http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-sale-giveaway.html
    and hope you win!

    michele

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  28. Your home is coming along beautifully, so warm & inviting. Oh and thanks for keeping it real about the chalk paint, I ran into the same problem!

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  29. I loved scrolling through all of your trip posts. I, too have been on vacation. Not nearly as fun as yours though! I love the Farmer's Market book, thank you. I went to the farmers market on Saturday and have been making all of our meals from it (with a little help from Whole Foods). Yummy ideas in that book.
    I have been wanting to try the ASCP but haven't because it is so expensive. I love how your shelves turned out.
    Love what you said about your husband, especially the end. Love the pic, too. :)

    ~Shanon

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  30. yay for your painted cabinet. i completely understand the feeling about painting furniture. we bought six kitchen chairs about 3 years ago with the intent of painting them...and today they look exactly like they did when we first got them! ha!

    i think the pic of your hubby is great...so glad that you got your problems fixed!

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  31. Hi Jen- Thanks for visiting my blog and I'm so glad your found the roman blind tutorial. You and I are in SO the same boat re our kitchens. I can daydream of nothing else, and I just keep trying to make little changes tide me over. I also have a BUNCH of wood furniture pieces waiting in the garage to be painted and refinished. Now I'm parking in the driveway, thinking if I keep the work in my side of the garage it will motivate me to work harder. nope, not happening yet.
    Love your blog. I think I used to have a sidebar section called Creative Jens and you were listed there. I'll add you to my reader and keep up with your kitchen progress :-)
    jen

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  32. (((((((((((((Jen)))))))))))))))


    I have just spent the most blissful time reading YOUR writing...catching up with the posts that I have missed and now my heart is so full. I LOVE, as you know, how you write - how your words flow and reveal like your mind and heart. You are so very very talented Jen.

    I am thrilled you had such a great time on your trip! So deserving!

    And my goodness, your family is precious.

    As are you.

    Keep writing girl.


    xo,
    Kim

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  33. (((((((((((((Jen)))))))))))))))


    I have just spent the most blissful time reading YOUR writing...catching up with the posts that I have missed and now my heart is so full. I LOVE, as you know, how you write - how your words flow and reveal like your mind and heart. You are so very very talented Jen.

    I am thrilled you had such a great time on your trip! So deserving!

    And my goodness, your family is precious.

    As are you.

    Keep writing girl.


    xo,
    Kim

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  34. hi jen,

    always a treat to read your posts. like we're sitting over a cup of coffee with a treat or two ...

    adoring your cool style as always!

    happy summer wishes

    xo
    elyse

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  35. Hello - very enjoyable and inspiring blog, I will come back here again. Looks like you enjoyed London!
    Marcyanna
    http://theviewfromthecottage.blogspot.co.uk/

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  36. Interesting about the Annie Sloan chalk paint. Geez, for $40/qt. it should not only cover your furniture nicely, but clean your kitchen, too!
    ;-)

    I love that owl figurine (? - or is it a cookie jar?) on the shelf.

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  37. I'm glad to hear your comment about the Annie Sloan chalk paint because it seems to be the "in" thing now. I have to agree with Melanie that for $40 a quart, you would expect more! The little owl is adorable!!

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  38. matt has fixed his car and some of our appliances for cheap buying parts online & reading the how-to. Google is our friend--
    xo
    kara

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  39. Reading this brought me Joy - he had me at Bow Tie too cute!!
    Love the owl on your newly painted shelf is it a knock off or the one from Anthro- whichever it is adorable.

    RaNae

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  40. I used a recipe from no minimalist here's blog (sherry)
    here is the link

    http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2011/09/make-your-own-chalk-paint-for-400.html

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  41. you are so funny...love this post! i'm right there with you about the kitchen renovations and painting. i have never tries annie sloan paint, and i don't think i'm about to now!! ;)

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  42. Oh thank goodness! I was beginning to think that I was the only one on the planet not impressed with the Annie Sloan. I just can't justify the price and for those like me who paint furniture to sell, you then have to roll that price into the furniture and the buyer doesn't get a good deal. I've been happily making my own for some time now.

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  43. Can you do a post on your aprons? It looks like you have some cute ones. I'm a big fan of bringing back the "classy & Cute" aprons. Where did you get yours and if you made them, where can we find the patterns?

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