#SprayNewLife Vintage Stereo Upcycle

OK nothing and I mean NOTHING gets me as excited as when I find a piece of furniture that I know would KILL with a facelift.  This was one of them.  A $15 Facebook marketplace find and some elbow grease and voila!! I give you the newest addition to my living room!

I hunted for quite a while for one that had great lines.  I knew I wanted it to be white so with that in mind it had to have detail that popped.  This was it for me. Here is the before pic:

So when I was invited to participate in Rustoleum's #SprayNewLife campaign and contest, of course I said yes because spray paint makes everything better!  I knew the stereo would be the perfect piece for this campaign.  Just LOOK at those crescent moon handles.  Seriously gaga over here!

Here is a bit of a visual diary of the process but I am including all the steps below because maybe this inspired you to go hunting for a vintage piece that you can give new life to.

And because I know a zillion of your will ask, YES...I spray painted the fabric speaker covers.  I just unscrewed speakers from back and went to town.  It took a LOT of paint to cover the orange, but I kept adding layers til it covered.

The steps are listed below but check out my project and more right on the Rustoleum website here: Vintage Stereo Upcycle

Vintage Stereo Upcycle 
Difficulty Level: 1

Estimated Time: 3 days including dry time

List of Materials:

Rustolueum Painter’s Touch Ultra Coverage 2X Blossom White

Rustoleum Primer Painter’s Touch White

Rustoleum Metallic Gold

Drill & bits (to remove hardware and speakers)

220 grit sandpaper & sander

Tack cloth or rag

Mask for sanding

Do something great for the earth and your wallet!
Make something old new again and bring new life to a vintage stereo with a Rustoleum Painter’s Touch Ultra Coverage 2X.

1. Prepare piece by sanding with fine grit (220) sandpaper. Remove any dust with a damp rag or tack cloth.
2. Remove hardware and speakers from the inside.
3.  Place stereo on drop cloth/cardboard on top of an old pallet. Keeping it raised up makes spraying around the bottom of the stereo easier.
4.  Shake primer can well then spray stereo using slow back and forth motions, slightly overlapping for even coverage. The primer allows better paint adhesion and a longer-lasting finish. Allow primer to dry for one hour or 48 hours before applying paint.
5.  Shake Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover 2X in White Blossom for one minute. Apply paint in the same manner as primer. Recoat within one hour or after 48 hours.
6.  Spray hardware colour of your choice. This project used Rust-Oleum Specialty Metallic Spray Paint in Gold.
7.  Allow project to dry at least 24 hours before handling and reassembling.
8.  Reassemble hardware and speakers inside stereo.

For more DIYs & inspiration, come on over & find me on Instagram here >>> COCONUTSANDCAFFEINE

Fluorescent Light Fixture Makeover

I am so excited to share this with you because I made a promise to myself that if I need to know how to do this, then others might appreciate my insight on how we tackled it as well!

We moved into our 1969 bungalow 11 years ago and for 11 years I looked at a truly retina-burning HUGGEEE fluorescent light fixture in our basement.  We didn't switch it out because it was actually inset into the ceiling, so that meant repairing a massive hole in the ceiling or finding a way around it and McGyvering it.  I opted to unleash my inner McGyver and this is the end result.

I will share the steps with you as my hubby and I join forces (I definitely needed extra hands to install this) to make a massive change in my Woman Cave Lounge.

Here is what the lovely gem looked like BEFORE...you may needs sunglasses.  Ohhh, my!

This was while I was getting ready to start my WCL reno.  And the moment I decided the nasty fixture needs to die.

 We ripped the old fixture out and started making plans for the new one. We measured the opening in the ceiling and built out a box to fit right back into the hole with 1/4" plywood. The frame is made of 1 x 2 pine. The frame fits the size of the hole and the plywood is attached to the top of the frame.

I wanted to do something that would easily give me a longer fixture length look but I didn't like anything in the stores.  I scoured Amazon and found these cute brass hanging sockets.  You can find them HERE and they are SUPER affordable which was important because, well, budgeting!!! :-)

I measured out the spots on the new box for light placement.  I decided on 3 hanging pendants because it filled the spot well. We drilled the holes for the wiring to go through. Also we predrilled holes on the frame to screw the fixture in the ceiling when it was time to install it. I used Rustoleum Chalked Spray paint in the color Charcoal to paint this out.  It was super easy to use and I love the finish it provides.  

Hubs mounted the lights on the new light box.  He did a great job! 

Hubs wired it in for me while I played foreman...just kidding, I totally helped, and then we installed it and screwed that bad boy up!  At this point I am beyond elated because it is looking DOPE!

I found these killer Amber Edison lightbulbs too which was by far the cheapest spot to get them.  I have since ordered more for other parts of my home.  They look SO great!! 

Once it was installed we added small trim around the outside, which I also sprayed with the Rustoleum Chalked Paint.  NOTE:  I usually am wearing pj's and Buffalo check flannel when I do my DIYs.  It's my signature move.  #lumberjackchic 

I think the total came to just over $100 for materials but when I compare the cost of ripping out the re-drywalling the downstairs, well...this was WAY more appealing!  I love how it turned out!! 

Thanks for stopping by! I realize that my next share needs to be WAY more detailed so bear with me as I settle into this process. 

**This blog contains affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. I never recommend anything unless I wholeheartedly stand behind it and believe in it.  It is of no additional cost to you. 

Pompom & Pinecone Garland DIY

OK so let me start by saying, technically these are NOT pinecones, but they are cones from my daughter's Hugh Jass evergreen tree, which I think is a blue spruce.  They are cones...they work.  Where I live the pines are few are far between, so I subbed in the next best thing! Real pine cones would be FAB!! 

Let's carry on shall we?

Ok so I have been obsessing over all the Pompom things this Christmas and everything is RE.DIC.U.LOUS.LY overpriced for my budget, so when met with a challenge...Martha comes out to play in the sandbox.  

I am feeling over the top creative this holiday season and because we all need a bit more glitter and fuzzy things in our lives, I decided to make this garland.  My kitchen window was looking sad and lonely and this was the perfect accoutrement. 

I bought this yarn a few years ago at Michaels and found it in my stash and throught it was about right for the task.  And Ohhhh, those pompoms are sooooo fluffy!

I didn't resort to rocket science.  I wedged a piece of thin jute between my center fingers to tie the pompom, then wrapped my hand 40 times (It sounded logical in my head) and then tied it off, cut the loops, then gave it a good jhuzzing (aka: fluffing) and trimmed it into a pretty shape.  

Onwards to the bling.  Glitter...the glue that hold my life together.  #notkidding

So I dug in my craft box for glitter I already had and found my Martha stash.  I got this a few years ago, and honestly, I am not even sure it is still in stores.  Since copper is the hot trend right now and the perfect compliment to the teal yarn, the choice was easy.

 *CAWWWW, CAWWWW*

 I simply brushed on some white paint...I had Behr Swiss Coffee for another project so I cracked open the can, brushed paint on the bottom half(ish) of the cones and then while the paint was still wet I sprinkled the magical glitter over the paint.

 I propped the cones up on a little piece of wood I had to dry.  

So here is the deal on assembly:  I made 7 pompoms and 6 pinecones.  I roughly measured the length of garland to my window so it went across the top and down both side. I used a thin jute string.  I spaced out the pompoms evenly on the jute, and simply tied them to the main piece of jute string I cut. I grabbed some thread from my sewing box for the cones, because jute was too heavy to tie around these as they are more delicate.  I tied the thread around the cones, knotted twice, then tied one cone between each pompom.  EASY, PEASY! That's it.  

I hung it above the window, giving it a little bit of a drapey swoop in the centre.  I think it is a fun addition to my holiday decor and it really took no time at all.  Because I had all the materials in my stash, this project cost me nothing, which to me is winning!  :-)

Do you love to create your own holiday decor?  I'd love to see what you are making.  If you have a blog post, drop your link to your creations below in comments.

Stay weird,

Wendy

Chalkboard DIY

OHHH, don't you just LOVE those moments when you stumble upon a most gorgeous find for less than a cup of coffee?  I nabbed this baby at ReStore (it was hiding inside a hugeee cupboard there) & knew exactly what I wanted to do with it right at the store:  A Chalkboard!

I took it apart and gave it a good cleaning and was ready to dig in.  

I wanted to use the actual print itself for the chalkboard, so to seal it in and give an awesome base to paint on, I brushed on a coat of KILZ.  

I still had a lot of Cascadia FAT paint left from redoing my SIDE TABLE, and with Christmas coming, this frame was screaming to be painted in this color. I did 2 coats on the frame.

If you have never tried FAT Paint before you should check them out HERE because their colors are AHHHMAZING!!  I am semi obsessed with all things FAT right now.  #sorrynotsorry

This is hands down my favorite chalkboard paint: RUSTOLEUM CHALKBOARD PAINT, which you can get at The Home Depot or Lowes if you have one close.  Clean up is super easy!

This is 2 coats of chalkboard paint. 

After everything dried I used a sanding block and gave the frame a light sanding, focusing on the edges and places where things would naturally wear off over time.  That keeps it authentic looking. I love seeing the original gold peek through. I then sealed the entire frame with MINWAX CLEAR PASTE WAX, then buffed it out after 5 minutes.  I used FAT Patina Wax in the nooks and crannies to give it even more depth and warmth.  LOVE.  IT! 

I prepped the chalkboard, then reassembled and I am ECSTATIC over how it turned out. This might not be it's permanent home, but I had the space here to hang it up and I could not wait! I am SO excited to start decorating for Christmas and include this in the mix!

**CUE ANGELS SINGING**

Do you have a chalkboard anywhere in your house or have you wanted to add one to your decor?  I'd love to see yours too! Drop a link to your blog below in comments and share with me.

Cheers,

Wendy

Indigo Blue Dresser Mid Century Modern

I loved this piece the minute I laid eyes on it. Great lines but it needed some jhuzzing(yes that's a word!) up!  I have been a bit on the blue train lately and thought this would be the best compliment for this dresser.  Here it is in my garage, as is after purchase.  

This is the blue I chouse, from Behr, called Indigo Ink.  It is really just incredibly rich and pigmented. *SWOON*

I sanded the dresser lightly, and taped off the sides so I didn't have to be so tedious with my brush strokes around the edges.  I used 2 types of painter's tape here, but hands down the SCOTCH BLUE is the best, IMO. 

I gave the pulls a fresh coat, too.  This is the first time using this gold paint, RUSTOLEUM PURE GOLD. It is a softer and more warm option. I also sprayed the dresser legs in this gold, which I think looks incredible.

How INcredible is this color??  

This lighting is SO BAD here, but I don't have a spot quite yet that I can stage pieces and has great light so it is what it is.  I am truly in love and happy with the overall effect of the dresser.  :-)