Duck Egg Coffee Table

At Haven, I was fortunate enough to win a sample size of Duck Egg from ASCP.

I knew exactly what I was going to paint with it!

Do you recognize this coffee table?

No.

Because it used to look like this.

I painted and stenciled it a few months ago and it's had absolutely no.interest.

That's ok. Sometimes it happens. But instead of sitting around waiting for it to sell, I decided to use my new paint as an opportunity (especially after talking with Cassie from Primitive and Proper, who had the same problem with a dresser she did). Thankfully, ASCP doesn't require any sanding or priming. So I just painted right on top of the old finish and then distressed with sandpaper.

I even left the same paper in the drawer.

 The legs and corners on this piece show the perfect amount of distressed detail.

I alwasy get email from people asking me what tools and paint I use. Thanks to the people at Purdy, I got to try their amazing new XL Elite brush! This is a great brush. The paint goes on so smooth and cleaning was a snap.

If you're just starting out painting furniture for yourself or as a small side job, I would definitely recommend getting a good, quality brush. It's an investment at first, but the Purdy brushes last and the paint job is amazing!

So thanks ASCP and Purdy for giving me the chance to redo this amazing table :)

It's for sale in the store if you're interested!

Don't forget to check out Facebook Feature Friday today!

Serenity Now
Miss Mustard Seed
DIY Showoff

Thrifty Thursdays: inspiring a room renovation

Sorry this is so late today! It's been one of those crazy days.

I managed to squeeze in some time to stop by the local GW near my house.

I picked up a few new finds!

ok.....so between this picture and my finds last week....can anyone guess what room we're doing next??

That's right.....the laundry room!!!

That little shelf started me wanting the whole room redone!

Yes, I've gone off the deep end because my dining room still isn't done and neither is my kitchen! But hey, life would be a little less exciting if I didn't have 1,356 projects going on at once!

So here is the before of the laundry room.

Ugly, boring....you name it. Doing laundry was depressing.

Still is. because I've only done this to it.

Well there you have it. My laundry room makeover.

Just kidding.

I'm just getting started. And it's all because of this $1.99 shelf!

Wow, that shelf sure snowballed into a whole room!

Have you ever done that before?

Happy Anniversary!

We're off to celebrate our anniversary :) 3 years ago today I married this man.

 

It was the hottest day of my life. I had ice packs strapped to me under my dress. But it was the best day. I married an amazing man.

We are total opposites. He is the daredevil, I am the "safe harbor". I am loud, he is quiet. I am thrifty...he is not :)

But I wouldn't have life any other way. Happy Anniversary.

Here's to many more.



Facebook Feature Fridays!

I LOVE seeing my readers' complete projects! I want to showcase YOU and YOUR hard work!!

I am starting a new series on my facebook page called Facebook Feature Fridays.

It's pretty simple. Do have a project on your blog that you've completed and you want everyone to see? Send me the link! I'll be featuring projects every Friday on my facebook page. I'm even working on a pinterst board to highlight them as well.

I'll be taking submission each week, all throughout the week!
So email me at lisa(at)beforemeetsafterblog(dot)com with some before and afters, building projects, recipes, room re-dos, you name it!

If you're proud of it and you want to shake what your momma gave you, then email it to me!

(don't make me post some of my own projects because my awesome readers didn't send me any!!!) sheesh. How awkward.

discount bedding (Swanky Outlet)

Swanky Outlet is one of my amazing sponsors on my blog. Today I wanted to show you some of their summer bedding collections.

I usually have a down comforter on my bed, but in the hot Altanta summers, that's not an option.

 Coverlets are a great choice to be stlyish, but not hot. This Barbara Berry Coverlet should do the trick!

Many people think coverlet's have to be boring or white.

Swanky Outlet carries many different colors and styles of coverlets. You know I just LOVE that turquoise one!

If you don't want to give up your existing comforter, coverlets can also be used in conjunction with your current bedding.

I just love the look of this gray coverlet over the bed and the comforter folded at the bottom!

 Are you getting ready to send your child off to college? Swanky Outlet also has great options and ideas for dorm room bedding.

Join their facebook page for the latest ideas and discounts!

Where do I start....HAVEN 2012!

I have written this post over and over again and I STILL can't find the words to truly describe the Haven 2012 Experience. So I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.

I am tired and energized at the same time. It was like no other.

The friendships were real. (Andrea, Ange, and I)

Me and Anna

Michelle and I

The inspiration of the women (and a few men) in the room was energzing.

The sponsors and swag were out of this world. I came home with so much stuff. I feel guilty.

(There is something else BIG I came home with, I'll share later I promise!)

And I got to meet some of my idols.

(Miss Mustard Seed)

(the lettered cottage)

Ana White

(The Haven Team)

I squealed. I talked too much. I sweated. I DIY-ed.

This recap doesn't even cover the information I learned fom Advanced Painting, Photography and Styling, Carpentry, and Advertising and PR. That's another post for another day!  I feel so energized and ready to hit the ground running with some changes around here. So I hope you'll stick around. And welcome to all my new Haven Maven Friends!



It's here!!! It's finally here!!!

Today is the day I leave for Haven and meet up with all of my blog friends! To say I'm excited is an understatement!

Hubby surprised me with a ticket way back in October. I've been counting the days since then!

I've fretted over what to wear, packed and repacked, and chatted with my friends about where to eat and what to do. I'm so excited it's literally in my backyard.

I was so worried about leaving hubbs that my fridge now looks like this.

You'd think I was leaving for a week, but it's only 3 days! To get the full experience I'll be staying at the hotel, so I'm not sure how much you'll hear from me.  (I'll be too busy shrieking and flipping out when I see some of my bloggy idols!)

I can't wait to report back to you! Any of you going? Make sure you say hi!

white dresser re-do

I always love furniture make over's for kids! This one was pretty special because it was for a little girl who was getting her very own room for the first time! Her mom came to me and wanted this dresser repainted white. It had gotten dingy over the years and was turning yellow.

But with a fresh coat of white paint and handles, it looks brand new!

You can see the definite difference in the paint color here.

 I gave this dresser a light sanding, then used primer and just basic white paint.

I finished it off with a coat of polycrylic so it won't yellow. 

So there you have it! Another Before Meets After!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I can't wait to share with you tomorrow what I've been up to!