Subtle White Ombré Barstools

We have moved four times in four years. That's a lot of opportunities to clean out and take furniture inventory! Every space has been so different from the next, so we have loyally stuck to Craigslist, thrift stores, and flea markets for our furniture. While renting our apartment, I find myself not wanting to spend a whole lot on furniture, knowing that one day, when we are home owners, the space might call for something completely different. Of course our bed, our couch, and a few vintage pieces from my Grandmother are going to be perfect in any home we end up in. But the odds and ends--like barstools--I opt to go cheap and DIY. 

We've never had a high counter until moving to Denver. Its so great to have a large tall space! This counter serves as a multi purpose area, housing messy painting projects, candlelit dinners, and a catch all for the daily movement through our little home. I found these rather plain barstools on Craigslist for $10 when we first moved in. I had been putting off painting them for a year, literally, because I demised the fact that I would have to sand them down and strip the coating. One of those projects I always put on the end of my to-do list...

From the Archives: DIY Retro Fan

Last summer we gave dusty Hawaiian Breeze (the fan formally know as...) a makeover. For a mere $6 this fan got the spray painting it needed to be an item I actually like having in my home. Don't get me wrong though, a dusty fan is still a saving grace on a sticky hot day--but how much more pleasant a retro looking fan is sitting on a shelf ;) You can visit this archived post HERE for the full run down on how to do-this-yourself just in time for hotter days.

Metal stand: Spray paint fixer upper.

Anyone can work a can of spray paint. This is no secret DIY fix by any means, but the transformation that a $3.97 can of paint can make is just too good to not share (and to remind you that you can do this to those furniture items or nick nacks in your home that just need a little color to make them like new again!). I have been in the market for metal fold up shelves and rack or coat hanger like pieces. These pieces will serve as my display furniture while I do trunk shows and house parties in Denver and surrounding Colorado areas for MidiQueen Handbags. In my opinion, these shabby chic and garden/bakers shelves are very over priced, even in a store like Tuesday Morning (I saw one for $59.99.... not cheap!) Are these in high demand, because not only are they priced higher than what I believe they are worth, but very hard to find?
Cue in Goodwill. And Craigslist. Still ever so so so faithful to me. Providing me with things I need when I least expect it for the fraction of a cost. While I was searching for a little retail escape last week, I stumbled upon a flower pot stand (or at least, that's what I think it is). It was $20, which is still more than I would have wanted to pay, but know that a percent of that money goes towards helping people in the community with work and life opportunities made it all worth it. At first glance, the gold combined with forest green screamed at me, but I saw past that because the structure and design was all that mattered when a can of spray paint would come to the rescue. And when I was walking around the store holding the rack, woman were eyeing me and even said "oooooo good find." (That always makes your heart sing a little.)
On to painting. I decided to go with aqua satin. It is a vibrant choice, but the rack is dainty and thin. Kristina, the designer of MidiQueen Handbags, is based out of Ventura, California. She has a very vintage feel combined with beachy boho chic. This aqua blue not only fits the be achy aspect but it reminds me of colors from a vintage home. I have another shelf I am going to paint ivory satin, to compliment the overall feel of her collection, and that will be my neutral element.

This is the BEFORE. Hard to see with my camera phone (the DSLR died on me just as the project was going to get started, so bear with me...)

Scuffed the metal up a bit so that the primer would stick.

Cleaned off the dust and sanded paint.

Ready to be primed.

Priming. Only took 20 minutes to dry before painting (and did not care as much about the evenness of the primer because it just needs to make the paint stick, not look pretty). When spray painting, hold the can upright at about 10-12 inches away from your to be painted object. Move the can in  back and forth horizontally, evenly overlapping your paint application. It is better to spray multiple thin coats for an even look without puddling or dripping. (It isn't pictured, but a mask and protective eyewear is important too).

Painted, and dry, and ready for a photo shoot!

Bag shown: The Weekender, MidiQueen Handbags

Pretty blue stand ready for handbags to be displayed. Is it not just adorable? If I had a daughter, this would no doubt double as a dress up rack, adorned with costumes, scarves, sparkles, and anything that hangs.