And our address sign was all clean and new before I got to it. Now is has lichen and dirt and looks just perfect. Actually I think some of that is dirt and green stuff that falls off the oak trees.
I faux paint furniture too. This is our chalkboard in the kitchen. Hubby made the frame out of some bland wood and I made it look like ancient pine. First I scratched it with an ice pick and poked some worm holes in it. Then I wiped on different shades of brown, gold, and yellow. Finally I used some Ralph Lauren antiquing glaze, and put a coat of wax over it. I really does look old, doesn't it?
This is a wall in our Library. The photo doesn't do it justice. I actually looks like leather. First we painted the walls a deep red. Then we used the antiquing glaze again and working in small sections, applied Saran wrap to the wet glaze. After patting it into the paint, we peeled it off and it left this gorgeous mottled pattern. I just love the irregularity and depth of this technique.
And when we first bought this house, the kitchen had horrid wallpaper, so I just painted it all off white, drew 9"x 18" stone blocks, and sponged on some grey, beige, tan, and white, painted the cracks with dark grey, and we suddenly had stone walls. It's a little dark in this photo, and the kitchen has since been all redone, but I really enjoyed it for a few years.
So here's my theory: If life hands you tatty wallpaper, faux paint it!
Hi Laura!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice message. I am so happy you did, as it enabled me to find your lovely blog!! I love that you are staying true to your design aesthetic, and creating a charming English home in the U.S...you have certainly succeeded, and I love all the creative ideas you have!
I'll be back again,
Linda
Hee heee!
ReplyDeleteI just loved your shopping post!
There is something so intersting about having a nosey at other peoples grocery shopping...or maybe I should just get out more....hmmm,
You've made me hungry now, off to rummage in fridge.
Erica
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