Faux Barn Wood Painting DIY Tutorial!

Okay guys, are you ready to revisit the Faux Barn Wood Painting tutorial!?...

I ask if you're ready, because there are about a trillion photos. ha! Even though this process is SO easy, and relatively quick... I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss anything important that you may need to know, when attempting this barn wood look on your own.

If you remember from this post from our last house where we custom built this worktable around two Ikea draw units...then you now that this is where we used our barn wood painting technique. 

At this point, if you're not into the whole "barn wood look", then you can just stain it, or paint it whatever color you want! But I love to mix different styles together, especially when they're close to each other, to add visual interest, so I went all barn-wood-crazy on this tabletops be-hind!

:)

I'm admitting right now, I am NOT a furniture refinisher/painter. It's just NOT a skill that I pretend to posses. I mean... I'll paint a small table, or an occasional frame, but I actually have most of our large furniture sent to my friend Sausha who sprays everything flawlessly, when I need something refinished really well.

I tell you this because there is NOTHING technical about how I came up with this finish. I was just messing around in the garage, pulling out cans of whatever I had on hand, until my scrap piece of wood looked juuuust right :)

I've broken this tutorial down into 4 main steps, so it's easier to follow. But the great thing about this painting technique is that it can really vary in color however you'd like! Darker, lighter, more or less 'distressed' looking. Just play around with it and have fun!

All of the Things and None of the Things + An Office Peek

I found an article the other day on Momastery and it really struck a cord with me. I quickly highlighted and copied parts of it into my notebook on my phone, so I could send it to Cason later.
Within minutes I was crying and laughing all at once, and I knew I had to share it with you too, because as women, I think we all feel these things from time to time.

Excerpt from Glennon @ Mommastery:
Explaining to your Husband how your day was.

"It was the best of times and the worst of times. There were moments when my heart was so full I thought I might explode, and there were other moments when my senses were under such intense assault that I was CERTAIN I’d explode.

I was both lonely and absolutely desperate to be alone. 

I was saturated—just BOMBARDED with touch and then the second I put down the baby, I yearned to smell her sweet skin again.

I was simultaneously bored out of my skull and completely overwhelmed with so much to do.

Today was too much and not enough. It was loud and silent. It was brutal and beautiful. I was at my very best today and then, just a moment later, at my very worst.

Husband—when your day is completely and totally dependent upon the moods and needs and schedules of tiny, messy, beautiful kids, your day is ALL OF THE THINGS and NONE OF THE THINGS, sometimes within the same three minute period.

But I’m not complaining.

This is not a complaint, so don’t try to FIX IT.

Just Put Your Favorite Lipstick on and Deal with It!

I don't think there could be a better motto for me in my life... especially this past year or so.

As MANY of you know, I'm what some would like to consider "a lipstick hoarder" ha! 

There's something about a GREAT shade of lipstick that can make you feel like a million bucks. I've always said that if there were only 2 beauty products that I could take on a deserted island, then it would be mascara and lipstick. Yeah, I know, the other stuff is awesome too, but there's not much else you'd need beyond these two super impactful tools to look fabulous in a beauty bind. 

SO when I saw this print the other day, I just KNEW I had to have it in my office.

Print: Joss & Main // Frame: Michaels

I've been feeling a lot lately like............. well, I just don't know how to finish that. Mostly because that's it! I've just been feeling. a. lot. lately.

It's like something inside said... "Okay, you're 32. Time to open up the flood gates!"

How to Apply Removable Wallpaper - An Office Update!

When we last left off, my basement office was... white. ha! But you can see all the inspiration I had for it in this post. I'm so excited!

Okay, so like I mentioned before, while shopping Joss & Main not too long ago I came across this fab, speckled removable wallpaper, and I knew I HAD to have it :) 

(yes, I have an obsession with this website, I know)

I ordered my paper from here because I had some store credit I needed to use, but Chasing Paper sells LOTS of great removable wallpaper designs, and is even a couple dollars cheaper.

So there were a few things I loved about this removable wallpaper idea: 

It's My Office, I can Overdecorate and Clash if I Want to!

Don't fret, I definitely have more cruise pics and info coming your way, but today is an office update and decorating idea kinda day!!! YAHOO!

So last time we were in this bright white office space, we were still cleaning and finishing things, but now it's pretty much done... as far as the "bones" are concerned, and it's time to DECORATE!

As you can see it's really just a big ol' blank canvas right now... but I LOVE it already! I mean all that white, and all that bright!? gimmie, gimmie!

A White, Bright Office!

So we're plugging away on the basement, and my office is quickly becoming my favorite room in the house :)  It's bright, white and thanks to a little elbow grease from Em and Jocey... CLEAN!

I love these girls. They're always so willing to help out when I need it, especially with home stuff. I hope they alway stay that way.

We took the plunge and went with polished concrete floors in this space and the kitchen area of the basement. I'll have to gather all the info from the company who did the work, but the final look we ended up going with was a white, 3D glaze (2 coats) and then a final satin top coat to seal everything. 

It's definitely raw and modern looking... not everyone's favorite I understand, but for me, I'm LOVING IT! Think how EASY it will be to clean up messes in here! Sweeping and wiping things up will be a breeeeeze.

My old office desk would have worked out okay in this space, but I wanted something bigger and more like a workspace where I could have a computer, but also spread out papers and other things that I'm working on. Plus... I need more room for pretty decor, let's get real here. haha!

While shopping at DownEast the other weekend, Cason and I stumbled across this Parsons kitchen table for only $200 and I literally RAN to the front with the price tag in hand to pay for it. That's a STEAL of a deal people!

Eeep! So pretty!!!

Oh, and see that light dangling above it? That's just waiting for a beautiful chandelier! I have yet to find one that I HAVE to have... and can afford (ha!), so until then, it will keeeeep on danglin'.

My closet to the right was something that I custom designed to fit all of my storage boxes that I have. I want to put a pretty, unique doorknob on it to make it special too.

Maybe something like one of these (?)

We installed this amazing Bazz Glam light from Home Depot in the closet, and I LOVE it! The one pictured here looks a bit like it's oil rubbed bronze, but it's actually chrome, like mine. I just included the pic because it was really hard to take a good one of mine in my closet.

This beautiful light was less than $80 and very easy to install. It's gorgeous and makes the perfect girly, modern statement that I was looking for.

Another thing we did in this space was install a dimmer. 

I have a TON of lighting in here, which I'm super stoked for, but I don't want to be blown away by crazy brightness ALL the time - hence the dimmer. It was about $23 and will be worth every penny.

As far as decor goes, I've got these two fun chairs from Joss & Main coming that will sit somewhere in the space with fun pillows, and also an oversized 4x6ft sheepskin rug from Costco that I think will help soften up the space a bunch!

I'll definitely keep you updated as things progress!!!

xoxo

Colorful Corner Reading Nook - A Blogger's Office Makeover

Whoop-de-whoop! Who's ready for another Blogger's office makeover post!?

It's taken me quite some time to get around to finally posting about this little area of my office, the corner reading/relaxing nook... but here it is!

I couldn't be happier with how it's all turned out. I love it!

Even though this basement office is quite small, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to create 'zones' in the space. Individual, specific spots where I could do different things or accomplish tasks.

Relaxing/Reading/Visitor Corner

(as seen above)

Writing/Blogging/Inspiration Spot

Project/Storage/Display Station

I think, subconsciously, when I go into ANY new project around here, I tend to have the goal of functionality at the forefront of my mind (well... at least really close behind pretty design and decor, ha!). This is probably because it's a necessity, being that we live in a small house. Even though it's sometimes harder to fit everything into the space that I want to, I've realized that it's NOT impossible, no matter what size your room is... it just takes a little planning.

small table - HomeGoods, books - Online, pen holder - World Market

DIY Custom Office Shelving

It's time for another "A Blogger's Office Makeover" post! yahoo!
If you've missed our past office project posts, you can read about them below:

  

  

One of my favorite additions to this space has been the custom work table with the Faux barn wood painted top that my Dad help me build. It's been SO awesome to work on when I'm wrapping presents, crafting up a cute card for someone or putting together my Insta-Life album.

Because I have way too much a lot of creative supplies and other papers to keep organized in this office, I knew I needed shelving storage along with the storage that my new drawers below gave me. I looked around, trying to find shelves that were functional, cute and would fit my space perfectly, but came up short. So, in true DIY fashion... we built some!
:)

DIY Framed Fabric Pin Board - A Blogger's Office Makeover

Yay! An office update (sheesh, it's about time eh?) For those of you who are new, we've been working on what WE like to call...

You can read ALL about our office makeover so far here, and specifically more about our most recent projects, which include our custom worktable with faux barn wood finish and DIY stenciled storage boxes.

    

Today, I'm sharing my large framed fabric pin board!!!

I'm seriously in L.O.V.E with this piece and couldn't be happier with how it turned out. A big huge thanks to one of our favorite, long time sponsors, Orange Blossom Shop, for making this fun project possible!

Shauna and Courtney were beyond patient and accommodating when I asked them to create this larger-than-life frame to house my new pin board in. In true House of Smiths fashion, not only does it keep me ultra organized, and serve it's purpose of storing all of my decor madness and ideas, but it's beautiful as well! The perfect backdrop for a Home DIY bloggers office

:)

So here's how we did it:

DIY Stenciled Storage Boxes

It's DIY time, who's ready!?

Today I'm going to share with you how to fancy-up some regular ol' storage boxes for your office or work space area, and I've even got a VIDEO tutorial! Double whammy!

Before we get to all the video goodness, I just wanted to show you a few pictures of the project, with a couple of quick tips. I did include the supply list shot on the video, but just in case, this is what you'll need:

Office Supplies - All The Pretty Little Things

I just had to pop in and say,

Ooooh yeah baby...

When something inspires me, I feel it only right to share it with my closest friends. (wink)

Alice Supply Co. - White Tool Box & Scissors

This is exactly the kind of stuff that I would LOVE for Mother's Day gifts. A bit frivolous, uniquely-adorable, and also useful! If you HURRY you can snag them for an awesome price over at Joss & Main tonight, before the sale is up. I bought mine and they shipped lightning FAST! Otherwise, you can purchase these colorful, fun items on their site Alice Supply Co.

See Jane Work - Colorful Penciles, Large Paperclips, Ocean blue art Storage Boxes.

People... you will DIE when you see how adorable all these classy storage containers look in my office...Eeee! The quality of these boxes are top-notch, and the See Jane Work website is full of adorable, trendy office items.

World Market - Decorative Carnival Cups

They come in a set three, and are... perfect.

Perfect for what, you ask? Anything and EVERYTHING! lol.

Okay, that's all. Carry on with your day.

:)

Wire Basket Storage with Decorative Frame Labels & An Office Update

You know when you feel like you have a hundred projects in the works, and they're all about 90% done, and then you get so stressed out trying to figure out WHAT project to get back to work on, FIRST... that you end up just FREAKING OUT one night on your poor husband, and start ugly crying about how you just wish you could focus on one thing at a time, instead of "project jumping" around!?!?...

.

.

.

Oh good, I'm not alone.

;)

We're slowly plucking away at things on our "to-do" list, for my office makeover, while we're waiting on an accent chair I ordered, that won't be here till the end of May. Some of you might be thinking... "You're waiting on a single CHAIR, to finish up your entire office?" ... the answer is, yes... I am. And the reason why, is because the chair looks like this:

Gah! I know. Not really a "House of Smiths" color per se, but I'm trying to throw in a few pops of "fun-ness" into my creative space... and I just kept coming back to raspberry PINK (because I LOVE it!) At first I thought I'd just use a small accent piece here or there, but then while discussing this pink chair for the 5th time in ONE week with my poor husband, Cason finally rolled his eyes and said... "Holy CRAP, I've never seen anyone so scared of a pink chair in my whole LIFE! Aren't we suppose to be taking risks this year!?!?"

AH! He was right! It was just the push I needed to head over to the computer and click the "BUY" button.

And even better, I found it on sale over at Joss & Main that day. Guess it was meant to be!

Faux Barn Wood Painting Tutorial

Okay folks, are you ready for the Faux Barn Wood Painting tutorial!?...

I ask if you're ready, because there are about a trillion photos. ha! Even though this process is SO easy, and relatively quick... I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss anything important that you may need to know, when attempting this barn wood look on your own.

A Blogger's Office Makeover - Custom Office Worktable using Ikea Drawers

Since I am planning on having my Faux Barn Wood Tutorial posted on either Monday or Tuesday of this next week, I thought it would be good to cover the actual construction of my new worktable for our Blogger's Office Makeover, beforehand!

So here's how we went about building this custom worktable: