Le Chateaux ...

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!  We had a fun-filled weekend, for sure!  Let's see, we hosted a small gathering to celebrate my sweet and handsome hubby's birthday:

  

ate WAY too much:

and played on the beach with awesome friends (Jax loved "flying" into the water) ... oh to be young and "simple" again:

I'm sure you'll agree that it went by much too quickly!

Well, I must give a *HA-UGE* thank you to all of you who commiserated with me by admitting that, you too, also suffer from "DJS" in my recent post !!  I'm just glad that we can all suffer together ... aren't you?  I look forward to sharing many other decorating ailments in the future (as well as my made up Chinese proverbs)!  LOL

I'm keeping it simple today by sharing another chalk paint redo.  Some of you will gasp when you see that I painted over such a pretty piece (in fact, I was almost afraid to share the before pic); however, as much as I loved it, the parrots needed to fly back into the woods. 

After adding a coat of AS Old White, I then added two coats of Chateaux Grey.  

Even though it's called "grey," it really is more green, which is why I chose it ... I wanted to compliment the green in my accent chairs; which, I'm not sure why I did that because I have a tiny feeling that these chairs will be moved, covered or magically disappear before my very eyes in the near future:

Of course, I pulled out my sandpaper and distressed it a bit here and there to expose the Old White (is chalk paint the easiest to distress or what?!):

I then painted the hardware Old White and then added a bit of Gold Leaf Rub 'n Buff:

I love how it changes colors, depending on the light.  I'm hoping that you can see how it looks more green here:

versus how it looks more grey from this angle: 

I'm enjoying the new look ... again, sorry parrots ... enjoy your freedom!  And, while my paintbrush is still wet, I'm going to take a peek around and see what else needs a facelift.  Hmmmmmm ???

Have a great day!

I'm off to party at these fabulous blogs:

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday

BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday
Thrifty Decor Chick/Before and After Party
Shades of Amber/AS Chalk Paint Party
Perfectly Imperfect/All Things Furniture

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Come Sit a Spell ...

What fun(!) ... blogland is rockin' and rollin' this week with the Blogger Block Party!  I'm looking forward to being inspired by everyone's projects, recipes and fun party ideas!  I'm joining Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for her Drop Cloth Party, along with Kim at Savvy Southern Style for her Porch Party.  Welcome to our porch ...

It's not a very large space, but we enjoy it (admittedly, not as much as we should)!   The loveseat, rockers and coffee table were a gift from my sweet parents:

I love barn stars and thought a large one would be perfect above the fireplace (which I recently painted Old White (chalk paint), followed by a bit of distressing and clear wax).  I also enjoy mixing all types of elements together:

And, okay, the secret is out ... I can't take full credit for my painting transformations!  I have a 5 year old painting partner who likes to wear Spiderman pjs:

I did a reverse "relax" stencil on the fireplace ... choosing red to tie in with the cushions:

Pretty cream and apple green pillows are from Wal-Mart:

I spray painted the coffee table Rustoleum Biscuit to tie in with the fireplace:

I scored the oversized striped lumbar pillow from PB last Fall for only $14 (normally $34)!

The wire bird cage (turned candle/seashell holder) is from HomeGoods:

Here's another little sitting area, which sits outside of our kitchen:

I also painted the accent table Old White (chalk paint):

Annnnd, I made the curtains by purchasing one 9 x 12 canvas drop cloth and cutting three 30 x 106 length panels.  My sweet friend is going to sew the "rough" sides up for me.  I love how they make the porch feel more like a *room*:

Well, friends, that's it ...

... thanks SO much for stopping by!  I'm also joining these fun gatherings, too:

Fingerprints on the Fridge/Feature Yourself Friday
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk Interiors/Saturday Nite Special
Shades of Amber/AS Chalk Paint Party

Becca

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Please Make Room on the Bandwagon ...

because my large tuckus and I are climbing on!  (lol)

Yup, I *finally* painted my first piece using Annie Sloan's chalk paint! 

BEFORE (last Fall):

AFTER:

Admittedly, I decided to play it safe my first go round with this paint and chose Old White, followed by a bit of distressing and clear wax.  I love the bit of sheen the wax gives you after buffing:

BEFORE:

AFTER:  Once again, I decided to keep the top in its original dark-stained state. I also painted the mirror white earlier this Spring; however, I did dry brush a bit of Old White on it to tie it in better with the buffet.  Alas, I already have changes for this wall ... can you say gallery?!  The wheels are a' spinnin'! 

Here are a few pics of the tabletop as it appears today:

A refreshing change, for sure ...

... although, I need to start delving into other colors!

And, would you just look at my poor, pitiful *frozen* kitty, who has clearly passed out from all of the paint fumes that have been invading our home lately! (lol)

What oh what to paint next ?!  Hmmm .....

And, I just have to mention that I'm super excited because, not too long ago, I told a friend of mine (who owns a wonderful local consignment shop) about chalk paint.  Well, lo and behold if she didn't then go and out and decide to become a stockist ... yippee!  She just got her first inventory of paint, which I got to see up close and personal the other day ... can't wait to explore more!  Once she gets her online system up and running, I'll be sure and pass along her information!  All of you living in South Carolina and/or neighboring states will now have a closer place to purchase chalk paint! 

I'm off to finish getting my porch and patio ready for the super fun blogger block party!

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up with my creative buddies:

At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday
Fingerprints on the Fridge/Feature Yourself Friday

DebbieDoos/Summer Paint Party
Thrifty Decor Chick/Before and After Party
Shades of Amber/AS Chalk Paint Party
Perfectly Imperfect/All Things Furniture

Becca

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