Monday, August 29, 2011

Mmmmm...I LOVE stencils...edited at bottom...

his project is part of my current phase of upcycling my life. I've replaced my king sized bed with this one...a twin with a "built in dresser!" (lol) I live in a 1200 sq ft condo, and decided to completely re-do my bedroom to reflect a new phase of my life and to open up more crafty space. So here are the "befores," of a previously loved bed in need of some TLC. It's a solid pine, heavy piece, and I know it will be with me for many years.

Here, you can see some of the deep scratches on the one of the posts.



I LOVE wood filler! (lol)


I took the drawers outside for sanding and filling more scratches.


I did actually prime this piece before I painted because I was concerned that the knots might bleed through the paint. I used Zinsser Cover Stain, then painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Old White). Once it dried, I chipped randomly with a mouse sander, then applied Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax.

I'm tickled pink with how it turned out! The box spring with the mattress makes the bed too high, so I'll have a posture board cut this week to replace the box spring. I felt a bit like I was sleeping inside the kid's fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea" last night!




The drawer handles were formerly saucy shiny chrome; I painted those with Tremclad Hammered Black paint.



Here's the Dreamweaver Stencil I used for the little feminine touches on the drawers (LG 699, Copperplate Corners). I wanted a touch of black, so this stencil done with Dreamweaver Black Matte Embossing Paste was JUST the thing! I really like that there are two different corners to use on this stencil. I use it a lot. I'm so lucky to be part of the Dreamweaver Design Team, and this week we're partying in a blog hop with the Woodware designers from the UK.



There are so many beautiful paste colours available now...here's a small sampling...the metallic colours (gold, silver, copper) and the Pearlescent pastes are especially popular!


Here are close-ups of some of the stencilled areas on the chipped drawers:



Love it love it LOVE it! Just a perfect little feminine accent, and look at that splendiferous texture with Annie's Chalk Paint!! LOVE me my ASCP!!


Because the bed's so high, I decided to re-do a little step stool to match.

Before:


Don't you love those brassy handles!? (Ummm, I didn't...)


I used the same paint techniques as I did on the bed, and I painted three coats of Minwax Polycrylic on the steps for durability. I also painted the handles the same colour as the drawer pulls.



Here's a closer pic of the chippy finish and stencilled corners, done to match the bed.


One last picture of the first steps to my "new" room...just try to imagine the mattress being half that depth! (lol)


Stencilling is SO back in style in home decor...not the cutesy wall borders of the seventies and eighties, but as sophisticated, beautiful design accessories. I use Dreamweaver stencils often for creating greeting cards (they're on another blog, right here), and I'm enjoying them all over again as home decor accents!

I hope you'll take some time to visit the other stops along the Dreamweaver/Woodware blog hop. Every designer will be sending a stencil to a randomly chosen participant! The next stop along the hop is Kristi's place, right here. The complete schedule for the hop can be found right here.

Updated: Today is Sept. 4th., and we've drawn winners for our stencils! To visit everyone's blogs to see if YOU'RE a winner, just check this master list over at the Dream it Up Blog. For this draw, Random.org selected comment # 58 of the 62 comments left here to date.
That comment was entered by Ann who posted:
Ann from On Sutton Place said...
What a job but totally worth it. The stool is perfect. Thank you so much for sharing at the Open House party!
CONGRATS Ann...a small token of appreciation for participating in our blog hop will be coming your way, so please send along your postal address.I've posted another project for the same little giveaway, so make sure you check here too!


I'm also partying here and with these fine home decor bloggers this week too.

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by today! The comments you leave are like little gifts, and they just make my day!

I wish you a day of simple pleasures, doing WHAT you love WITH people you love!



OH! And THANK YOU to these fine bloggers for featuring my bed!

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Very Merry Vintage Style Blog Button

75 comments:

  1. So I've looked at all your stuff on here and it's AMAZING!!! Loving it, you have yourself a new follower! (Also, thanks for the nice comment on my Union Jack Dresser:)

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  2. OMG, Deborah! This is fabulous! Love the shabby chic/colonial feel of this. Just the perfect amount of embellishing with the stencil designs. Wow.

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  3. Great work on those edges. I am so glad that I got this stencil now!

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  4. I also love this stencil but would never in a million years thought about it for a dresser, you are such a clever girl!

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  5. I just love this & now I'm looking around my house!!

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  6. Wowee Zowee Deborah!!! That looks like a lot of elbow grease to prep that baby. And the results....??? Fabulous!! Besides that mattress looks really comfy, so from the practical top to the decorative stenciled corners a work of decorative art. Just wonderful!!!

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  7. This turned out GREAT! Good job! I love that you had the step stool match your bed; SO CUTE!

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  8. What a lot of work Deborah !! But the finish is so elegant !! FAB !!

    hugs Diane xx

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  9. Gorgeous!! Good job :-)

    Emily
    emilysummers-designer.blogspot.com

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  10. gorgeous! I'd love sleeping in that 'Princess & the Pea' bed!

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  11. That is so much work, Deborah, but the results are fabulous. The stenciled corners add just the right touch. I'm putting that stencil on my list.

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  12. Deborah, that's just crazy good! Fantastic job!! Hey, thanks for visiting TheDedicatedHouse and the sweet comment. Have a great day. Tootles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  13. I'm so loving the stencils around the edges - beautiful. You have also been nominated for the versatile blogger award over at littlemudpies.blogspot.com. Congrats.

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  14. OMG, That bed is so cool, love the stencils.

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  15. OK...your stenciling on home decor has always been good, but Deborah...this is FANTASTIC. You blew my socks off. Great job and happy sleeping!!!

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  16. I have been wanting to redo our chest of drawers and you've definitely inspired me to give it a try with this technique. What fabulous projects!!!

    And I'm new to your blog and am now a follower. So very nice to meet you. Stop over to my blog sometime and give me a shout out!

    http://lillianchild.blogspot.com

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  17. Hi, thanks for becoming a new follower, it makes my heart happy!!! You asked about the script I use on my blog and it's called "Homemade Apple". Hope that helps but let me know if you have any more questions. :)

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  18. Hi Deborah, so much work but so worth it for the end result. I know what you mean about the Princess and the pea. I swapped beds with my Grandaughter and I feel just like the fairy tale only I don't have a wonderful little step stool.
    Love and hugs Kimx

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  19. Wow Deborah -- what a great project! The stenciled accents add just the right finishing touch.

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  20. Awesome! It all turned out beautifully! Might be silly, but I love the stool transformation the most!

    I just hopped over from Hope Studios Tutorial Tuesday - glad I did! Please visit if you get a chance: http://wp.me/pYcKQ-bP

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  21. Wow, Deborah! This looks great. It's been years since I have refinished any furniture, but seeing this is making my fingers itch for a paintbrush. Beautiful job!

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  22. very cool. good job and a lot of work

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  23. How creative and wonderful too! I admire what you are doing. I wish I had that small condo. With the RE market here so down that won't happen for a while. TFS, Deb!

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  24. I'll bet this opened up lots of needed space! I love this redo :)

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  25. Oh Wow, what a project and a stunning result, what a fabulous piece of upcycling.....

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  26. Oh my gads, it's gorgeous! I'd love a bed like that, but I'm not sure my husband would be into it... A girl can dream, right?

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  27. Oh My Goodness...what an amazing makeover this is!! I just want to hop in this bed. I have a thing for stencils too...they just add so much charm. Just became a new follower :-)) Julie

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  28. Wowzers. I think that pretty much sums it up! ;)

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  29. Beautiful work! I would never have the confidence to take on such a project!!

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  30. Wow, I just spent 20 minutes reading your blog! You are so creative! My mom is an antique dealer/fixer upper so I'm used to, and very much enjoy, a house filled with old furniture projects. You have some awesome techniques and ideas!

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  31. You constantly amaze me! Where do find the time to do all this AND have time for those darling boys!! This is wonderful!

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  32. OMG how lovely. I can't wait to see it for real Deborah. Plain, very simply stated, and relaxing. Classic elegance! Regal also comes to mind ....... ( I so see the princess and the pea story). Keep feeding the obsession and create beautiful pieces that surround you. Live the life you imagine!!!!

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  33. A beautiful pair! Can't wait to look around your blog more!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

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  34. this is awesome. and now you have a new follower :)

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  35. It's gorgeous! Hello pottery barn! Seriously... it's a great makeover and I'm sure you will enjoy it for many years to come. Thanks for linking this post up to Share the Love Wednesday!
    Mary

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  36. that looks beautiful and definitely gives you more space!
    i love the details you added, too!

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  37. Beautiful! I love on the step stool how the handles cutouts mimic the flowy stencil. I need to work on some stenciling techniques. Deb

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  38. Hello Deborah,
    I love this re-do! While I was reading the post and looking at the photos of the bed I couldn't help wondering how you climb it - and then came the stool! Fabulous! I love how you transformed it and the little curly borders are a gorgeous effect!
    P.S. Thank you so much for the sweet comment on my blouse :)

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  39. Ya- who to stencils!

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  40. Fabulous! I love stencils too. I love how you used yours- beautiful.

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  41. Very nice-- I wish I had one or 4 of these for my kids! This is jessica hopping back from paintinmyhair! I used ocean foam from Behr on the buffet & the red on the buffet--an oops color. ;) Thanks! jessica

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  42. Love it..Just wanted to let you know that I'm awarding you 'versatile blogger award'
    So do stop by and check it out..

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  43. I totally love your new bed and all of its chippy-ness!! Looks amazing!!

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  44. Thanks for stopping by Doras Cottage, I will enjoy looking at your blog!

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  45. This looks like a magical bed although it will feel safer when the mattress height is lower!
    You are very talented!

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  46. What fantastic transformations--paint to the rescue again! Thanks for sharing at Beyond the Picket Fence.

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  47. Wow, it looks great!!
    Lisa

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  48. Love it and the Princess and the Pea story was cute!

    Now climb the ladder and take a leisurely nap, Your Highness!

    Visiting from MMS Linky Party today,
    ~Suzanne in NW Illinois

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  49. You did a great job. Love how tall that bed is too. I would feel like a queen in it. My boys would just love to jump off of it.
    Thank you for linking up at Bacon Time too :)

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  50. Deborah I love the bed and step stool you did a wonderful job.

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  51. That is AMAZING! Beautiful job! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity and hard work in the DIY Project Parade! :) Love this!

    Have a great weekend!
    Roeshel

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  52. I love all your furniture transformations!! Amazing inspiration!
    Siobhan

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  53. What a lovely bed! and the footstool is really cute too. Thanks for visiting BC Good Life Wednesdays and joining the party.

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  54. hi Deborah, wow you did a lot of work! The results are lovely and it does have a fairy tale type of quality with the pretty storybook stenciling. I'm trying out wood filler for the first time today - working on a very old piece of furniture with a badly chipped veneer finish. Too delicate to sand much, so I really hope it works :) thanks for dropping by and leaving such a thoughtful comment! xo, Diane

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  55. What a job but totally worth it. The stool is perfect. Thank you so much for sharing at the Open House party!

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  56. Simple amazing work and another lovely stencil job!

    Thank you for linking to Potpourri Friday and helping to make it a success! I appreciate you and hope you wil link up again next week!

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  57. Love what you've done with that piece! Great job!

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  58. OH MY GOSH! This is stunning! Love the stenciling you did with the paste and that little step stool is the icing on the cake, er bed :)

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  59. This is like a majical princess bed. Thans for sharing at Market Mon. Plse come again!

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  60. Your bed is just gorgeous! I also heart that matelasse cover! Thanks so much for linking it up to the Tuesday To Do Party! Can't wait to see what you've been up to this week!
    Smiles!
    Jami
    www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com

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  61. Thanks for your comment! I LOVE this peice!! The stencils are perfect, the height of the bed is so fun, the drawers...oh love all of it. I aiming to try stenciling furniture next weekend... any hints or advice?

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  62. AWESOME bed. I would feel so special sleeping on it! Also, thanks for visiting Threfty!

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  63. How beautiful and practical. The stencil sets your bed off beautifully!
    Blessings, Audrey

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  64. What a great bed! So fun and practical. Hope you visit BadRabbitVintage again!

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  65. Your post is featured this week on Share the Love Wednesday--thanks so much for linking up last week! Stop by and grab a feature button.
    Mary

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  66. You have a knack for beautifying old pieces. Love the bed.
    Hugs,
    Ellen

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  67. Amazing -- it just looks fabulous. What a cute stencil!

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  68. This is absolutely gorgeous!! You should be very proud! I love that you painted and stenciled the stool too so it was all coordinated!

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  69. Deborah - Love the bed and the steps! Excellent upcycle!

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