When I decorate I always try to work with and use what I already have.
Many times those things don’t always go together because they are the wrong finish or color…so…I paint.
Many times those things don’t always go together because they are the wrong finish or color…so…I paint.
Cabinet before:
Cabinet after:
To paint this cabinet here’s what I did
(all with a paint brush for all the nooks and a small roller for the larger pieces):
1. Wipe cabinets clean.
2. 2 coats of Zissner’s No Sand Primer.
3. 2 coats of basic black in semi-gloss Behr.
4. 2 coats of water based Verathane.
Cast iron bird before:
A new coat of spray paint after.
Estate sale mirror before:
A new coat of spray paint after:
When my husband and I were first married we were living in Hawaii in a converted studio that was once a carport on the beach. We were poor college students. I danced on the canoes at the Polynesian Culture Center and my husband counted coconuts in the back warehouse to sell to tourists. Working for minimum wage we had very little money. Despite that I wanted to spruce our humble adobe up. I found these two prints and figured I had to work 8 hours to be able to afford them but it was worth it. 11 years later I’ve schleped them around only to collect dust in the closet but they have great sentimental value to me.
Before:
Wood filler in the joints, new piece of glass from ACE Hardware and some black spray paint…
Gold frame before:
Spray paint + DIY art on the computer =
After shot images by: Wondertime Photo.
Item sources here.
Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!
Nothing like a can of spray paint.
i am so loving all the fun shades that spray paint is coming in! i love all the transformations you made with spray paint…i bet your finger ached for a few days after you sprayed all those puppies!
Love it.
So with that kind of primer (Zissner’s)….you don’t have to sand AT ALL???
I lOVE it when people reuse, repurpose, and re-beautify (not a word, but who cares) their stuff! Gives me hope that my junk can look great some day too! Thanks for the inspiration.
SUCH a fabulous job. I really dig that big mirror!
The changes look amazing! I love those prints over the toilet. Tell us more about them!
The changes look amazing! I love those prints over the toilet. Tell us more about them!
The changes look amazing! I love those prints over the toilet. Tell us more about them!
The changes look amazing! I love those prints over the toilet. Tell us more about them!
The changes look amazing! I love those prints over the toilet. Tell us more about them!
Awesome!!
you create great spaces
you create great spaces
you create great spaces
you create great spaces
you create great spaces
So GREAT! Question: we did a similar project this weekend with our kitchen cabinets. Wiped them down, used the Zinsser No-Sanding primer, and then Valspar Kitchen and Bath Enamel. After countless coats of primer and/or paint, the doors and surrounding wood looks like, well… doo doo. Any ideas of where we went wrong??
Thanks!
I love your bathroom makeover, its beautiful and all your little touches make it one of a kind!!
This is sheer GENIUS, Michelle! I am so impressed and inspired!
I am tempted to spray paint my children and post before and after pics. Spruce ’em up a little, ya know?
Gorgeous. What font did you use for your “Wash Your Hands” sign? I am dying to do my own rip off the Keep Calm… but can’t seem to find a similar (enough) font.
Ditto, Amanda! :0)
Paint can fix anything! I’m already a believer. But, what I love most about this post is that the insides of your cabinets look very similar to mine 🙂
you have truly inspired me to paint my bathroom ceiling and I cannot wait!
I’m with Emily…your blog gives me such house envy and it’s so nice to know that behind those cupboard doors is just a little bit of chaos. 🙂 If I could just keep all of my chaos and clutter behind closed doors too…
Love that bright yellow bird! Once I discovered the joy of spray paint, I learned to look at objects for shape only and not worry about their color. Great job on your bathroom!
The wonders of paint! You have done some great things to your bathroom, it looks great!
I am wondering what brand of white spray paint you used on your mirror. All the ones I try seem to be off-white and I would like a bright white. Any suggestions?
Angex
This turned out beautiful! Great job on the stencil ceiling! WOW!
Where did you get your soap dispenser?
Annie,
Soad dispenser is from Target.
You have been such an inspiration to me! I just moved to a studio in NYC and have used many of your ideas to decorate! THANK YOU! Your house is absolutely precious and I love seeing all of your new transformations!
Amanda,
Try the Calibri font.
I absolutely love your makeover. Your combination of colors is always awesome. Keep up the great work.
BRAVO!! another amazing accomplishment! You are SOOoooooOOoo talented! My RGL is bursting with pride!!!
Looks amazing! And that ceiling… wow!
oh my gosh, that is so romantic about you and your husband working together at the polynesian cultural center! do you have any fun photos of you dancing on a canoe?? so cute!
The update looks great!
Fun shower curtain!
I’ve been waiting to see the results of this because I need to redo my downstairs half bath. I love the gray, black, white, with a pop of yellow color scheme. I’m totally stealing the ‘Wash Your Hands’ picture idea. LOVE it! I don’t think I’ll be able to find a fancy frame up here though. Considering the state is only 50 years old, there are not many antiques up here. You would laugh at what people call antique.
http://mooseinmyyard.blogspot.com/
Thanks! I will definitely give Calibri a whirl. Now to invent/find a fitting quote….
where did you get the international signal flag prints? they’re so cute!
Gorgeous redo. I love seeing how you gave new life to what you had!