(Not Really An) Ikea Hack

A few months ago I embarked on a trip that would go down in history. A trip that would change my life. A trip that would alter my dreams and make one hell of a dent in my savings.  This trip?

I couldn't believe I hadn't been there until that moment! I felt like much of my life had been wasted. I loved every minute of it. I was lucky enough to go with my best friend, Rachel. You'll remember her as my partner in crime for this beadboard wallpaper makeover. She's a seasoned Ikea shopper and she showed me the ropes.

One thing she picked up was this Bekvam Kitchen Cart. It was the perfect size for her tiny kitchen and with raw, solid wood construction the possibilities were endless.

Sorry for the dark pictures, they were taken in my basement/winter workshop.

We had already applied wood conditioner which is why the top appears darker.

We stained the top with some left over dark stain I had and painted the bottom with MS Tailor's Chalk. I love the way it turned out. We also decided that we hate painting anything with slats. It's the worst! I must invest in a paint spray someday. Someday far, far away.

I LOVE the mason jar light she made. I will have to talk her into doing a guest post tutorial for us. 

 

Well, that's all for now! I'm off to dream of Ikea as I drift off to sleep!

Sincerely,

Ashleigh

PS Linking up to:

20 X 200

Affordable Art? Is that real? If you don't have money spilling out of your pockets and you respect and want to see good looking art hanging on your walls...THIS COULD BE FOR YOU. I mean your childhood crayon drawings are free and one of the most beautiful things your mother has ever seen, but that's not what I'm talkin' out.

At an art fair a couple weeks ago called Pulse I passed a booth handing out free tote bags full of mysterious goodies, so obviously I picked one up and they happened to be from this company called 20 X 200.

you have to check them out

Catch your eye? Hope so!

Sincerely,

Sarah

Coffee Table Makeover

Hello! I hope everyone is having a great week so far! I know it's only Monday but I feel like this week is dragging on! I'm feeling a little  stressed right now. I have a big project due and a 45 minute presentation to give. Thankfully coffee is aiding me in my efforts. Anyway, on to the show!

I mentioned before that I got to catch up with my cousin Jill over spring break and it was awesome.  I also got to spend some time with this coffee table!

I know some people might see this coffee table and say kick it to the curb. But I know all of you, like me, would say, "Look at those gorgeous details! Hand me the sandpaper!"

This thing was pretty rough. Jill has two little boys and they sure did a number on this table.

I'm not sure why little kids are obsessed with putting stickers on things. But one time, my little brother put a sticker on his forehead and wouldn't let anyone take it off. Part of that sticker was on his head for almost a month hahah.

I thought this little one-eyed frog was kind of cute. But I had other plans for this table top.

Bye-bye, Mr. Frog!

I had to bust out the big guns on this guy. The top coat on this thing was THICK. I ended up using a belt sander. That was an experience. I was actually sore for a couple days after this. But it was totally worth it! Look at the beautiful wood grain that was hidden under that thick topcoat.

I stained the top with dark walnut. I couldn't believe how beautiful it came out.

Look at that handsome thing!

Oh.... and the coffee table doesn't look bad either ;)

We lightly sanded the sides and then wiped them down with deglosser. The top was finished with a couple coats of satin poly. I wanted it to have a more natural finish that way when it did get banged up, it would blend in better.

I distressed the bottom to bring out some of the details. And remember, Jill has little boys. This thing has got to be able to take a few cuts and bruises.

I'm totally in love with everything about it. The paint color is Cornbread by Martha Stewart. Jill loves bold, bright colors and this coffee table fits the bill perfectly.

I couldn't get great pictures because I had to squeeze it into my living room.

Thankfully Jill quickly snapped a few pictures of it in her space for me!

I love it! Jill is so much fun to work with and I can't wait to collaborate on more projects with her!

Sincerely,

Ashleigh

PS Linking up to:

top notch displays

I was so happy to have my family in town this weekend!

It was my brother's spring break, so they paid the Big Apple a visit!

They all really wanted to go ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza..and guess what's nearby?

Anthropologie!

All of these are made up of dyed wine corks! Can you imagine how long that would take?

...and across the street is J. Crew. I love the lines that the coffee mugs make!

Such amazing craftsmanship. Hope this inspired!

Sincerely,

Sarah

An Impromtu Post

I've been reading A Beach Cottage for along time now. It was one of the first blogs I bookmarked and read every day. So when Sarah started a "club" with "challenges" I knew I had to join in on the fun.

Now let me tell you, this last challenge was HARD ;) Buy a little something for yourself? Go shopping? How could I ever do that?

Well it was tough but I managed. I started off by buying myself flowers. The challenge was to buy lotion or something of that nature, but I've got enough of that to stock my own Body Shop so flowers were my alternative. They were springy and smelled good and they were only a few dollars so I couldn't help myself! having them in my bedroom makes it just a little easier to peel myself out of bed in the morning :)

Even Liam enjoyed smelling the flowers!

Then, I spent the afternoon shopping with some awesome girlfriends and picked up a few little things for myself.

Spring is almost here! I just know it!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely, 

Ashleigh