Thursday, June 21

D.I.Y Shabby Chic (Part 1)

Hi everyone,

In a recent post entitled  D.I.Y Wicker Revival I talked about a bunch of D.I.Y projects I wanted to get started on. This is my first post since finishing quite a few of them. So here I am, I've finally completed the project and uploaded the pictures to my computer. I started this project as a novice - so it just shows that anyone can do it.

I am a great lover of the shabby-chic look to home decor as well as furnishings so I really wanted to complete a few makeovers on some furniture I have recently acquired from thrift shops. The side table below roughly dates to the 60's and is a light wood with a few different lacquer coats. I decided to not sand back the wood as this would have been a huge task to do by hand. I also thought the lacquer would give a smoother application to the paint I was using. Also, aiding towards the shabby-chic look by allowing the dark base to come through and contrast once I had scratched back the white paint.

BEFORE

 



WHAT YOU WILL NEED

1). A drop sheet to keep the area clean

2). Paint. I used 'Winter Chic' by British Paints. It should be readily available at your local Bunnings hardware store

3). A medium sized paint brush

4). Sandpaper for sanding any rough surfaces on the furniture

5). A plain white candle for scraping against the wood grain before applying paint coats

6). A knife for scraping back wax/paint at the end of the process.

7). Get to it - happy shabby-chic-ing! :)









AFTER



An overall perspective of the finished product. For my first shabby-chic project, I think I am happy with how it looks. It's a vast improvement from the brown wood I began with.


It is sometimes hard to know when to stop scratching away the paint for the shabby-chic look. Just remember don't rush it and make sure to stand back and get some perspective during the process. If need be, do it at different intervals in time - start it and then come back to it later. It's easier to add more but hard to undo an over-zealous hand :)

A closer look at the 'shabby chic' detailing on the paintwork.


Have you tried any D.I.Y projects recently? Please feel free to comment and/or leave a link to your own D.I.Y projects or ideas. I would love to take a look!

Take care,

x.k

36 comments:

  1. I love the final look for this table. It is such a huge improvement and very chic. Great idea :D

    OutsideBeautyInsideHealth

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    1. Thanks so much Cat :) I'm happy it turned out so well. It fits into the decor of my house nicely now. Keep in touch! x.k

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  2. Kristal, it does indeed look great :) well done on your first shabbying project! I look forward to seeing more of your DIY stuff in the future xx

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    1. Awwwww thanks Matt :) your sweet for saying so. I've been working on a few more little D.I.Y type projects so expect a few more posts coming soon. x.k

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  3. they look awesome, well done on your first D.I.Y

    thank for followed, i follow you back :D

    Sacha xoxo

    www.sachasaucysnippets.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Sacha, welcome! :) Cheers for your comment. I can't wait to do more similar D.I.Y projects - they are very rewarding I think - to see an item change into something beautiful for your home. Thank you for the follow! I love your blog, especially the header, you're a great artist! x.k

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  4. Wow it looks so much better in white! (your bird is very cute btw)

    http://whatkimmididnext.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Hi Kimmi, thanks for stopping by, and your sweet comment! Haha yes I'm so in love with my budgie Angas. It's so funny how animals can have such big personalities. Your Chihuahua's are adorable too! x.k

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  5. hey lovely! i saw you over on a friends page and wanted to say I love your blog! great post!

    happy to be your newest bloggy friend/follower/stalker ;)!!

    say hi back sometime, okay?
    :) <3

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hi Jasmine - right back at you :) I love your blog and I'm incredibly envious of your recent vacation. It looks like paradise, great pictures you've taken! I've just followed you back, so we can be fellow stalkers of each other haha :D Can't wait to see what you post next. Keep in touch lovely! x.k

      Delete
  6. Hi there! Recently I switched my blog name/url from Faux Guru to The Mod Mermaid. For some reason, even though you are subscribed to my blog you can't see my posts unless you re-follow this new one. I promise this isn't spam and you don't have to refollow if you don't want to, I would just like to notify you:) You can delete this at your discretion! Thanks again! xxJess


    themodmermaid.blogpost.com

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    1. Hi Jess, I just popped over to your blog and I was able to read your latest blog post no worries. Thank you for letting me know, it's much appreciated :) Please stop by again sometime okay ;) take care! x.k

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  7. It looks so nice. A few years ago I painted some old furniture grey ("I was in an everything needs to be grey and neutral"-phase), now I want to paint them again! but white instead, it also lightens up a room a bit more than a boring grey color ;)

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    1. Hi Ellis :) I adore your blog! I very much agree with you in that the packaging for the Benefit moisturisers are adorable. I really enjoy reading your posts. Yeah I went through that phase too and wanted to paint all my furniture white - luckily my mum didn't mind hehee ;)Thanks for the follow! Please stop by again soon x.k

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  8. wow it looks lovely, especially with the things you've put on top!
    Such a creative idea too :)

    Love, Elizabeth xx

    http://butterflyboo.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Welcome Elizabeth :) Thank you for your comment! I will be posting some similar D.I.Y posts soon, so please have a look if you are interested. I LOVE that you love Made in Chelsea (I do too!) hehehee! Keep in touch! x.k

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  9. thanks so much for following me! Keep in touch, I am also now following you!

    http://missbitchxox.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi there :) Thanks a bunch for your comment! I love finding new blogger buddies :) keep in touch x.k

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  10. Love this!!!!!!! Thanks for following me :) I followed you back. Your blog is so pretty!! I cant wait to see more :)

    ~Leila

    www.abuilool.blogspot.com
    I Follow back ; )

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    1. Hi Leila :) Thanks so much for your kind comment and the follow. Your a star :) Please stop on by anytime - would love to hear from you. x.k

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  11. aah i love your babushkas! i'm obsessed with them!

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    1. Hi Rachel :) Happy belated birthday for Sunday! Hope you rewarded yourself with those carbs and tiny dog cuddles :P The Babushka's are adorable right?! They are actually cooking measuring cups I use for baking etc. Thanks so much for commenting - keep in touch! I love your blog :) x.k

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  12. it looks so cute! i love reading DIY blogposts :P
    check out my DIY rainbow shorts? xx

    http://skinnyfoxx.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-rainbow-shorts.html

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    1. Hi Steph :) Cheers for your comment! I really love reading D.I.Y blog posts too - they really inspire me to try different things. Your blog is STUNNING by the way! You have a new follower in me :) The D.I.Y rainbow shorts are gorgeous, I love the stud detailing. Keep in touch x.k

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  13. Great post! This looks amazing x

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  14. Hi Stefany :) Thanks so much! Your blog is gorgeous - I love your blog header (I'm obsessed with typewriters haahah). x.k

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  15. I am OBSESSED! this looks amazing. have you ever seen the shabby chic line at target? this totally could be apart of it ;) love it!

    hannah / 17inheart.com

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    1. Awww thanks so much Hannah :)Yes, I always gravitate towards shabby chic decor whenever I'm in a shop, especially the Target collection. I can't wait to start a few more projects :D Keep in touch!

      x.k

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  16. I. Love. This. Great job doll! It is a wonderful feeling to see the finished product of a project! Thanks for the follow! XO

    Beauty Asylum

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    1. Hi Jessica,

      Awwww WOW thanks so much! I agree, I love seeing a project transform from drab to fab :D

      x.k

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  17. I love the outcome, I am a big fan of shabby chic ! <3 I don't think I'd be as good as you tho, hehe !

    Fashion and Cookies
    If you want we could follow each other on gfc, bloglovin and facebook !
    Fashion and Cookies on Facebook
    Follow me on Bloglovin
    Twitter

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    1. Hi Vale,

      Now following you on all platforms :) Thank you for visiting my blog! I'm a novice when it comes to DIY so I think you could do it for sure :)

      Keep in touch okay,

      x.k

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  18. That is a pretty amazing job! I wish I had the patience to go through with things like this. I will always, always put it off. The life of a serial procrastinator. Sigh.

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    1. Hi there Megan, welcome!

      Thanks for the encouragement! Oh wait, I'm the biggest procrastinator as well.....I had been planning on doing this DIY for ages and then finally one day I just decided to get on with it. It only took one day :) Since then, it's inspired me to take on a few more too. Cheers for visiting my blog, please come back again soon ;)

      x.k

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  19. I love how you've transformed the table! Love the chic style.

    Just found your blog, now following.

    Hope you can take a minute to check out my blog too, maybe follow back?

    Laura xx
    http://laurasallmadeupbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Thanks Laura :) Cheers for the follow also :)I'm now following back!

      Hope you come back and visit again soon :)

      x.k

      Delete

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