Painterly Projects

Hello hello! Good morning.  I'm so ready for Spring. So.Ready.For.Spring.  Don't get me wrong, I *love* Winter and cold weather and snow and all that good stuff.  But the moment Spring arrives, I am over it and ready for warmer temps, pretty flowers, green trees and grass and new beginnings.  I also love Spring because it means I can start painting again.  I have amassed a ton of painting projects over these last few cold months, and I am chomping at the bit to get started.  Here's a round-up of what I have planned.

1.  Kitchen Chairs.

I bought the black kitchen chairs at IKEA last year.  I got them because they look nice and were about $15 each.  I have always wanted to paint and upholster them, and I can't wait to get to it.  I'll paint them white. As for the upholstery, I have some cool greyish blue fabric but I'm worried about durability and stains with the kids.  I may see what oil-cloth fabric is available instead.  

2.  Dining Room Table.

This cherry colored dining table has long been a thorn in my side. I want to paint it as soon as possible. I can't decide how though - I could do a sort of seaglass green or white or a two-toned wood top with white legs.  Any suggestions? 

3.  Big's Dresser & Mirror.

Poor Big.  His dresser is a child's size dresser and while he is still a child, I think the drawers are made for a two-year old's clothes.  I have plans to buy him a larger dresser ASAP (probably the IKEA Malm dresser in brown-black).  I'm going to move his dresser into the playroom to hold a TV and Wii and move the mirror to Little's room.  I'll paint the dresser a bright color - I'm thinking turquoise.  As for the mirror, I'd like to paint it either white or pink and add some detail to it. 

4.  IKEA Rast Chest & Jewelry Box.

I love my little IKEA chest - it holds most of my workout clothes.  But it is a wee bit small.  I think I am going to move it to Big's room as a nightstand and move his current nightstand into the playroom for a side table.  I want to do a two-tone treatment on this chest for Big: paint the drawers white and the sides and top a dark stain to match his furniture. And I'll replace this chest with a larger one for my room (see 7 below).

My jewelry box needs a change.  I want to silver leaf it. I can't handle the dark wood any longer.  

5.  Living Room Side Table.

It's hard to see in this picture (look by the arm of the couch) but I bought a cute little side table at Target back in the Fall.  It's black.  It's also metal and has intricate detail so spray paint is the way to go.  I have the paint ... I just need to spray it. I'm going to paint it ... wait for it ... wait for it ... antique white. 

6.  Adirondacks.

It pains me to say this, and Jamie knows why, but I want to repaint the Adirondack chairs a bright color.  Jamie and I bought them years ago and spent an insanely hot July afternoon spray painting them in the yard.  It took forever and was pretty miserable - we were high on fumes and heat. haha. I love the white, but I think I want to paint them something fun and bright.  Emerald green? Teal? Turquoise? Sky Blue?  Something like that. They need a fresh coat of paint anyway, so it must be done. 

7.  New IKEA Chest. 

I have a trip to IKEA planned this weekend, and I want to pick up the Tarva chest to replace my Rast.  It's a bit larger all around and I think it will look amazing painted like the inspiration piece, from Ethan Allen, below.  I'm going to add some molding to the drawers and possibly around the bottom.  

8.  IKEA Step Stool.

I love this little wooden stool (see it next to my old trash can?). I keep it in the kitchen for me to reach the top of the upper cabinets and for the kids to help me cook. I bought it when I moved in and it's been in its unfinished wood state since then.  I've been mulling over color choices and am ready to commit: it's going yellow.

I cannot wait to get started!  I have a bunch of other small projects on the horizon too.  Tis the season!

See you swoon,