The search is over . . .

**edited - Halcyon Green as a main wall color will not flow right through my house. The color itself is "revolting" against my kitchen wall color - which is what it would be touching. I use the word soft, because it is to the deep gold in the kitchen. I've actually seen this color in someone else's home and LOVED it. Frankly, it is just the wrong color for such a large space in my home with what I already got.

Back to the original post . . .

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I have finally found the perfect shade of Robin's Egg Blue. And here is my proof . . .

Don't you agree!?

This is the table I just blogged about in the last post. The "beachy" looking table isn't so "beachy" anymore! I'm dying over this color! Dying, I tell ya'! I've been on the hunt for a true Robin's Egg Blue for about 2 years now and have never found it - until NOW!

The original color is Sherwin William Halcyon Green - SW 6213. I painted the table this color because I wanted to see it "large" - does that make sense? I was thinking of maybe painting my living room walls this color. Now before you think - "dang, you are into some blue! Your tables AND walls!" The first 5 feet of the wall will be high gloss white on board and batten and the next 4 feet up would be a color. But honestly, this color is too soft for my taste. So - not going on the walls! Back to square one on the wall color.

But the table . . .

If you have been reading my blog for any amount of time {and know my love for painted furniture,} you know I stain everything after I paint it.

Special Walnut is my usual fav, but I really like Provincial as well! I mixed equal amounts of each. I brushed it on with a foam brush and then wiped it off. And I got my perfect shade of Robin's Egg Blue.

Unfortunately, I still think I distressed this one way.too.much! It looks too similar to the other blue table in the room. It's going to be a few weeks, but I'm going to repaint it the Halcyon Green. THEN, paint the table with the same stain mix. NO SANDING at all this time.

The other blue table is one shade lighter, Sherwin Williams Quietude. But it's not quite as gorgeous as the coffee table!

From this view, I really need to attach some kind of skirt to the table between the chairs. The jack you see under the table drives me nuts every time I look over there!

I have found it hard to keep the blues flowing throughout the house - there are so many shades!!!!!! So, in true Kim Tate fashion, I'm using them all! haha!

And until my kids move out, I don't see me having all the cutie stuff sitting around! All the fabulous table scapes, chotskies, breakables - they are out around here!

These kids are like animals! I'm doing good to have lamps on the tables! Even the pillows aren't safe around here!

Sniffing fumes . . .

That sounds bad!

But I am! Please, let me explain.

Everyone remember the new-old coffee table from none other than Craigs List?? Well, here she is - at the half-way point. Honestly, I sanded way too much. Really wasn't my intention. And the color is pretty, but doesn't fit into my decor. It really has a "beachy" look in this picture - don't you think? I had no intention of leaving it like this anyways . . . . . soooo, the stain is drying as we speak {and my house stinks!!} Once dry, I might re-paint and start over. I don't know - we'll see. The thing is, I'm only working on it during Big Love AND Lost - Because I can't just watch TV. I have to be doing something! I did say I'm only working on it during my 2 shows, yet I said that I just stained it - and neither of my shows were on. I rubbed stain on {and off} during a conversation with my husband. I couldn't help it - the ADHD just took over! I asked him if it was bothering him and he said no. So, I kept going and actually finished BEFORE he stopped talking! I'll show you a picture in the next few days - whether I decide to keep it like this or not. {I just need to see it in the sunny, daylight before I make anymore decisions as to what to do.}

So tell me, how funny is this . . .

Abraham Lincoln {formerly known as Hudson}

"What up Abe!?"

The fact that he actually tried it on is very shocking! I mean, this is Hudson - underwear boy! {Notice the lack of clothing?} It's amazing that he remains dressed in public! And the beard?!?! I'm surprise that didn't put him over the edge!

This boy has come a long, long way!

uhmm, yeah . . . another Craigs List find!

A week? Has it really been a week!? I've honestly haven't had much to say, but I didn't think a week had come and gone since our last meeting? I could probably make this post really long, but I'm not! I'll just try to come back here multiple times a day for the next few days! K?

So, I've been on Craigs List YET again. But this is really from a while back. Actually this is the first thing I EVER bought on CL.

A dresser.

{Picture from listing - not my house.}

Because you know, . . . I'm dresser poor here at my house. Even better - I'm antique dresser poor! I only have 1 from every decade from 1880 to 1940. Maybe a couple of decade duplicates, but apparently NOT enough.

Just dresser poor.

Let me tell you about this guy. I had 2 antique dressers on each side of my bed. They had double duty as nightstands AND dressers. I told a friend she could pick one to have if she would give me a cool piece {that I really needed} that she had.

Lucky for me, she took me up on the offer and I got the groovy chicken coop table you see above {which by the way, is in the process of a major face lift!}

Well, I had to find something to replace the dresser!!!! So, CL here I come! This fellow was listed for right around 3 weeks for $150 when I found it. Nobody in their right mind should pay that much! It is obvious that it had been refinished, but then someone straight took the original hardware. Then had the nerve to replace them with the 1980's "waterbed" era looking drawer pulls {ack!?}

Uhmm, can we say REVOLTING!

So, for 60 bucks - he is now mine! And he needs a little work {in due time.}

But the problem is I don't need the mirror. For those who are about to get upset, remember - someone has already jacked it up with those ghetto drawer pulls!

Removed the mirror. Easy.

Painted it with 1 coat of left over {oil based} black paint.

After about an hour, took a sanding block to it. Wiped it off with a dry rag.

Then hung it up. Seriously people, it couldn't have gotten any easier - unless of course it was already black when I purchased it.

I hung it above my tub - that only gets used once a month when I soak all the kids tub toys in bleach. I would love to show you the whole thing, but I'm not. Only because I'm trying to finish up this room before I debut it!!!

This is why I love Craigs List . . .

So, as you know - I've been swapping rooms with Em. Finally - I will be able to make my room - MINE! I knew we were going to swap for a while, so I really never did a whole lot with my original space. And good thing, I actually got rid of a large table. And that was because my computer situation changed! Oh, yeah - I got a Mac book!! {**happy dance**}

But I still wanted some more table space other than my painting table. My husband had a great idea about looking for a sofa table. Of course I had to check good ol' Craigs List before I checked anywhere else! And the first table I pulled up was this . . .

Oh.My.Good.Lord - she is perfect! Love the color. The style is almost exact to my paint table {which will be getting a paint job of WHITE in the spring!} PERFECT!

Except for 1 thing.

The price.

The price of $252.

I was not a happy camper. People, I just bought a Mac. I don't have any dough left!

None.

Zilch.

Zero.

Nada.

Whatever I found was going to have to be on the cheap!!!

The next listing I pulled up was this . . .


Holy COW! It is basically the same table! ??? And I could paint it?!? But the price {always the kicker.}

Oh.My.Good.Lord - only $25!!!

Come to Momma!!!

And being that I have a quart of paint in the color that is very similar to the top one . . . . this project will cost me only the 25 smacks!

I need to also add - this ended up being a heavy and solid oak piece. I'm quite confident that the green table was only a pine. I got way more bang for my buck!

I love Craigs List!


FYI, I think I'm selling Emme's crib - that fantastic, pink crib. Any takers??

"Nannie's" table {and I'm officially dead meat!}

As promised the how-to on my lil' table {as I watch my life flash before my eyes.}

Here is the thing - not all people like painted furniture - especially the "beat-up" kind! Now I, on the other hand, adore painted furniture and the more beat-up the better. With 4 kids, I look like I really have nice stuff - thanks to the trends these days. And frankly, before the worn and shabby look was so big - I was a huge fan. I've loved vintage my whole life! And the chippier the better.

Here she is. Brown paint and all. Now, let us get something straight . . . . this is brown paint - not stain. There is a huge difference. I might eat these words {I hope not, but I might} but I have to confess and come clean about a pet peeve of mine.

I hate furniture painted brown.

There, I said it! Finally - it is off my chest!

Why, you ask? I really don't know. I just don't like it. I guess, maybe, if you wanted it brown - just stain it?? I don't know. I just don't like painted brown furniture. Ughh - just gives me the shivers. {As I slightly turn my head, my eyes start to roll in the back of my head, my tongue sorta hangs out and my hands draw up and do something weird!} Oh. yeah. it's that bad.

Case in point -

I think this table proves my point.

The story goes like this - my Nannie gave me the table AND I had every intention of having it refinished BECAUSE most all the family heirlooms I've acquired are in the best condition of their life at this point. For obvious reasons, I normally don't paint them and spend the boo coo bucks to have them redone to beat their former glory. My grandmother has flat out told me on numerous occasions about another piece of furniture {cedar closet that is no longer in my possession} to never paint it. And I should capitalize the word "never" because that is the way she stressed it. My assumption is that same ruled applied to the table - but she never said I couldn't paint the brown table. Only the cedar closet. Ignore the fact that she has always been under the impression that I was going to have the table refinished - so why reiterate the fact that furniture should not be painted. Although she, and everyone else in my family, knows I loved painted furniture and might possible choose my fate by painting whatever I deem necessary to paint. To include this ugly, yet adorable, brown table.

Are you following me?

Now, the story goes this table belonged to my grandmother's parents and was originally a "radio." At further inspection, you can tell that they did remove something from the center and re-attach the top of the "something" back on the base {with nails that had huge heads(?).} Therefore, making this table. As far as the brown paint and the why - I'm quite certain it has to do with the original finish the table had. The brown paint was painted over a lot of "chips" and "drips." One can only imagine what this table looked like before the brown paint. {I'm sure awesome in her chippy state - but like I said, not all people agree with my "4-kids-living" style!}

I did save up the boo coo bucks and was prepared to have her done up the "right" way. But my guy said it would cost way more than the table was worth. Way more. Because it was just that Ewwgly! Do you know that word?? When Ewww and ugly meet. I've never heard it either - I think I just made up a new word!!!! That is fantastic!

Anyhoodle, so after all this time - I finally found her a home in my house and figured out what to do.

Blue. I wanted her blue. With a stained top.

My choice of color was Sherwin Williams Quietude - SW6212. I think it is the same color that Nester used on her armoire. I think. I was going to link up, but her format has changed and it would take me forever to find it. I had this color picked out for my bedroom for a long time, but just never knew how I would like it all over - so the table was a "try on color" to see how I felt about it!

I made the mistake of trying to strip the paint off the top - remember, I wanted the top stained. The stripper was probably the dumbest mistake I made that week. I should have put on a mask and got out my sander! The paint on top was sooo thin and barely there that the sander would have bumped it off in a matter of seconds. I really wanted to stain all the lips going down the sides, too. But the sander would not have been good for that!. Hence, the reason I thought the stripper was the best idea. Well, the stripper made the top really gummy and basically smeared all the paint around - one, nasty, hot mess! So, after 24 hours {to insure it was dry,} I sent my husband outside to sand the top. I would have done it, but it was only 22 degrees - he did it really fast {haha!}

After I wiped it down with a tack cloth, I went to painting the base and legs. Only 1 coat of interior latex, flat paint is all it took. And about 27 minutes {I seriously timed myself just for this post!}

The next night. I took a foam sanding block and just started sanding. This took about 2 hours. It was late and I watched 2 episodes of Criminal Minds while I did it. I basically sanded down the areas that would be worn the most if it was truly "worn" over time and not in a 120 minutes.

I normally do not do the sanding thing - only because it takes a lot of arm work. I do like the Vaseline trick - or wax - but where this one did have brown paint underneath the blue, I wanted to try to remove a little of the brown with the worn look and reveal the chips and cracks and drips.

After all the sanding, I cleaned it up with a wet rag! I know - horrible isn't it! But I wanted all the dust to be gone! As I then took my fav-o-rite color of stain . . . Minwax Special Walnut . . . and a sponge brush and I laid it on thick! I stained the top. Then I did the blue parts. I would brush it on an entire leg and then with the same wet rag I had used earlier {rinsed} I would wipe off the stain. One coat of stain. That's it. Just 1!

As you can tell, I ended up painting some of the lip/edge area that I wanted to stain - originally that is the top of the base {where the blue starts} and it was easier to paint it blue than to remove the brown paint in that area. And as much as the nails resemble shingle nails {the biggest nail head you can find,} I really do like how they are exposed!

I love how this leg looks! The dips you see are actually from the original finish - the finish before the brown paint.

I tried hard in all these pictures to really show the true color. I messed with every setting on my camera - which is now out of whack {Krista come over and fix my camera since I've now jacked it up!!!}

I still need to poly it. But it has been so wet or cold or both! I have a lot of poly jobs for the spring!

Any questions, let me know!

And here is a peek of the lamp that sits on top!

Dang, that was a long post - thanks for sticking with me!

Guess what . . .

okay, yeah - 2 post in one day? From the one who hasn't posted in forever?? But this is important!

I'm about to buy something else for Em's room . . . .


Oh yeah, baby! Another Craig's List find {thank you Jamie!} I mean seriously - do you think I could find 'only' a chest for sale again?? And it matches my dresser and night stand? Did I say "my dresser and nightstand" . . . I meant EM'S! That is what I meant. For her, NOT me! Let's just get that straight! As a child, I would have hated something like this. I'm being for REAL! And I would have really hated it EVEN MORE with the finished look I'm going for! haha! Something happens to you after you have 3 boys and finally that girl comes along!

I will not deny . . . .

I get teary eyed when I think of the ballet class she WILL be going to. I hope she doesn't have other plans because I hate to ruin them.

The doll house we will build together is going to be magnificent. {You guys should see the one my aunt has/had . . . Debra do you still have that lil' Victorian Jewel??}

I'm determined to make pink her fav-O-rite color . . . O - well goodness me, it is! {without my help!}

. . . man, I hope her free will isn't too strong - OR we're gonna have a problem {okay, so I'm totally just kidding!}

But she will have the best doll house ever {with some working lights IF I CAN HELP IT!}

The day I woke up with a hole in my sock . . .

I know you guys are wondering about that title . . . don't worry, I'll get to that! But I need to preface this post with "I hope you like pictures! Because you're gonna get 'em!!"

I've been so determined to be one of those mom's who doesn't let herself "go." Oh, you know the ones. I'm not even going to describe WHAT I'm talking about - because just in case you are one of those . . . well, I really don't want to hurt feelings here - I promise! But here is the thing, it is hard enough when you have 4 kids {ages 4 and under} - there is no way I'm adding to the mix "an unhappy me." I shower and fix my hair AND put on make-up almost everyday of the week. I try to keep a trendy do and I try to wear somewhat trendy clothes. Yes, I have about 10 pounds to go before I'm where I want to be . . . . but I honestly care for my {vain} self. That is all there is to it.

So, if you are one of those moms who puts your needs last, . . . . do yourself the favor and love you! Seriously!

I could do a whole post on that alone - but I'm going somewhere else with all this today {maybe another day!}

Back on track here - anyhoodle, yes - trying to keep me alive in the thick of it all and I realize I've been neglecting my house!? As I said in a post last week, I really hated this house . . . and it was driving me crazy! So, I've made a deal with myself to focus on her at least 1 day out of the week! Every week - I have to take a day to focus on the needs of my home! I'm not talking about cleaning either. I'm talking about finishing projects! Because I'm sure you can image how many I have! I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that all of my free time {which is not much} is spent painting. All.the.time. But one day {a week,} I will be working on my house/my home that I'm slowly learning to really love.

Anybody remember this post???? I just read it for the first time since then and I cracked myself up! So, if you haven't read it - go do it . . . . it's worth it! I also just realized that it was a year ago today that I bought that joker?!?

Okay - for visuals . . . here is the budget buster herself on July 26, 2008 . . .


And here she is today, July 26, 2009 . . .

I'm only half way through - so don't get too excited.

Now let me explain the hole in the sock title. Friday night I went to bed with socks on. I don't sleep in socks usually, but I was that tired. {Not only did I fall asleep with the day's socks on, but make-up too! Yuck, I hate that feeling!} I can go through some socks - doesn't matter the brand, I walk/run holes in the heels of my socks. I'm flat-footed and I know that has to do something with it. When I woke up on Saturday morning, I came downstairs and when my right foot hit the tile floor in the kitchen . . . I knew there was a hole in my sock!!! That ice cold floor touched my foot through that hole. I thought to myself, "today is a good day to paint!" Why you ask? You see, I don't use tape or drop clothes or plastic . . . I just wipe up drips with my socked feet. I always have. But only with socks that have holes in them!


Lonnie and I have painted so much over the years - walls and furniture. And I always have socks with holes - that I refuse to wear but hate throwing them out. They are good for dust rags! {Or wiping up paint!}


So, as random as it was - before the kids woke up - I brushed my teeth, poured a gigantic glass of OJ and started painting. {I didn't even wash off last night's make-up!} I thought while I was in the mood - it's Saturday - I HAVE to show love to my house some how today - let me get started!

The red is only the base coat. I had gotten it mixed several months ago - Poinsettia SW 6594 - but it is a Behr paint. I don't like Sherwin-Williams - actually I'd say that I hate Sherwin-Williams paint. Awesome colors to choose from, just crappy paint. {Just thought I'd get that out there.} I don't know how "distressed" this one is going to end up looking like - my table is REALLY beat up! So, I'll probably only do a glaze of some sort on it {next week on my day of house love!}


I'm not kidding when I tell you that this room just started unfolding the past few months. I found this fabric and had to have window treatments made! I love the colors - and that peacock fringe was a steal!


Now actually, the paintings that I got from Kijsa started it all! The minute I saw them, I had to have them! BUT I had no idea where I was going to hang them! After I got the fabric, the ball started rolling!


I also was in love with some of the dishes that Southern Living has - and what do you know, the long teal ones are on sale as we speak!? I found these frames at Hobby Lobby {1/2 off custom.} AND they worked GREAT with my table {that I have not finished either!}

I swear the only thing left is some satin poly! But we use the table 5 times a day for meals and snacks . . . . not to mention the daily laundry that gets folded on it! Just kinda hard to find some time we aren't using it to coat it, ya' know?!


I have to show you how beat up it looks now. Lawson likes to "push" his chair up to the table. Never mind that he usually moves the table and the chair is only on 2 legs by the time he thinks it is far enough!


I have to say that I love the distressed/vintage/antique/beat up look! Fits right in here. With 4 kids, it's gonna look like that - intentional or not! haha - That Nester was on to something with her motto of "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful."


I did run out of paint! I only had a quart because I just knew that would do! Uhmmmm, almost. When I saw how low I was getting, I started choosing what I would paint with the current quart. Since I am using Behr paint {Home Depot's brand,} I'm not too concern of a new quart not matching perfectly - but the fact that I've had it for about 6 months and I had opened it, made me be a little choosy.


The only major spot that needs paint - under the shelves!

And the only spot that needs paint removed . . .


For the record, that was whoever painted it before me!!! I'm not saying I don't get paint in spots it isn't suppose to be, but I have sense enough to wipe it off!

I do have to spackle this hole since I did put drawer pulls on the top drawers. And yes, I bought these about 9 months ago - Hobby Lobby half off of $3.99 each. That's right folks - $2.00 for each knob!!! Wasn't it just 3 years ago when you couldn't find a cute knob {especially glass} or drawer pull for under 10 smacks?? They are everywhere now!


I also finally gave some love to my mantel . . .


Now, somebody out there has me linked on their side bar that did this - who are you that gave me this idea?? Your pictures burned an image in my head, but I forgot to bookmark you!!! Speak up! I'll tag you!



GOT TO LOVE SOME moose moss! I totally forgot about this stuff - and these hurricanes sit empty most of the time!


Of course I have no idea why I'm concerned with the mantel . . . in a couple of months there will be a ghetto TV hanging above it?! And for laughs, because we all know how vain I can be - here are some pictures of myself!


I was actually taking pictures of the hurricanes, when the frame of the gitisimo mirror got in one of the pictures. Once I saw it, I was trying to get a better picture with the hurricanes and the frame of the mirror! Somehow I kept getting me, too?!?


So, I couldn't help myself - I started smiling and clicking. After all, I'm a vain mommy of 4 kids {who is trying to show some love to this home!!}

I know, I know . . .

it's been awhile for some art - so here goes - something just a little different - for your viewing pleasure . . .
we have the above bedding . . .
check out the way too fabulous fabric {how cute?} . . .
As you can tell, I was trying to get a little fancy with these ever so crappy camera skills - please tell me you heard the sarcasm dripping off my lips?!
See all my groovy embellishments? That is my specialty, you know?
Don't you love how the paisleys wrap around the canvas?? Now, I know the paisleys don't match perfectly - that was the look I was going for! We wanted simple, people!
I must admit - not only was I taking pictures of the painting but what it just "so happens" to be sitting on . . . recognize it? Maybe you do - maybe you don't . . .
People, it's phase 1 of the table! Hey, cute painting . . . wait a minute - what the freakin' heck?? Do you see that? That!! That right there! See it?
THAT stinkin' crystal is out of place - how the heck did that happen!! Easy fix - Brooke, I swear I'll fix it before you get it!!!
Even with that jacked up crystal, that is one cuteness of a painting!!! And I'm totally diggin' that table - it's not quite finished! Just wait till the big reveal!