Wednesday, June 15, 2011

A new direction

This is my first attempt at using Windows Live Writer…so please be patient with me!

In my last post, I showed you the new-to-me couch in my living room.

couch 004

Of course, that one new piece of furniture started a domino effect! I had to change the orientation of the rug. Of course I have to rearrange my pictures. Naturally I will need some throw pillows. But most importantly, I need *something* to cover the now bare space of wall above! (Can’t have that cable jack staring me in the face, now can I??)

My first thought was to put a bookshelf there, but then I remembered this little chest of drawers that I picked up at a (very cold, very wet) auction on Memorial Day.

map 002

No one else seemed to want it! I scored it for $20. I thought the shape was fun and unusual, and it is actually a great height for a small entry table or buffet.

Or maybe…for my bare wall??

I had a specific idea in mind for this piece. I purchased this map from Amazon (about $6, including shipping), and I mod-podged it to the top. Knowing that mod-podge tends to create wrinkles, I purposely crinkled and wrinkled the map before I put it on! The body of the cabinet I painted in a creamy white “oops” Valspar paint (the same paint that inspired my bathroom makeover here).

map 005

The map originally had a glossy finish, but the matte finish mod-podge toned that down, and I liked it much better. Then I used Minwax Jacobean stain mixed with Martha Stewart glazing medium over the whole chest—map and all. It gave great “age” to the map and everything else! I used the original hardware, painted with oil-rubbed bronze spray paint, but then roughed up to show some of the original brass underneath.

Here’s what it looks like now!

map 013

The map looks more vintage-y with the glaze (and the wrinkles!)

map 014

Then I had fun playing with a few accessories….

map 018

I picked up these two HUGE chippy baseboards at an architectural-salvage shop in Salt Lake City. I didn’t know Salt Lake had an architectural-salvage shop! It was probably better when I didn’t know…

decoupaged chest of drawers

I have three of these cool scales now. I think Ballard Designs want $300 for theirs. I didn’t pay over $20 for any of mine!

decoupaged chest of drawers

The left side of the scale holds two doorknobs and a wire flower frog. The right side has an old brush. I purchased them all at a great antique shop in Salmon, Idaho, on my way home from Montana. I spent a delightful 20 minutes and $28 there!

decoupaged chest of drawers

The succulents in the little wheelbarrow I bought from a local lady who makes delightful arrangements in “found” objects—like tea cups, gravy boats, or other unusual dishes.

decoupaged chest of drawers

So the real test is…what does it look like in my living room?

Well, what do you think?

decoupaged dresser

This is the “new direction” I am referring to (also a nod to the map on the top!) Is this as good as / or better than a bookshelf?

decoupaged dresser

(Still not sure what to put above the couch now. But I may have the glimmer of an idea…)

map 029

What do you think?

map 032


and featured topsy turvy tuesdays

Linking up to these great parties here


and
36th Avenue

56 comments:

Cassie Bustamante said...

that is such a unique piece and it looks perfect there!

Full Circle Creations said...

Love it! Love the map on the top and the scale! Great job! I'm completely jealous of your finds!

Holly

kathie said...

That piece is amazing & I LOVE what you did with it!! The map is such a creative touch & it looks great in your space :)

Elle said...

Looks great!
Much lighter and brighter :)

Elle
http://homeofspoot.blogspot.com/

Ruffles n Raspberries said...

You entire makeover is awesome! I LOVE the new side table, and how you made the map look even older. That side table is a GREAT peice of furniture, I'm loving how unique it is!

Darling @ Junque 'n my Trunk said...

You are right! You scored...I too love the fun shape of this dresser. Good job.

Carol said...

I love the shape of that peice and you have made it the perfect fit!!!

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

It looks really cool in your new living room! The map top is so neat!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

LOVE the new chest of drawers. It looks great in your living room.
I have tips on windows live writer if you'd like. are you pc or mac?
gail

Unknown said...

I really love what you did with that dresser! Wow......I am getting ready to re-do a dresser right now. We live in a log cabin with LOTS of wood. I was going to paint it with a black paint and some texture but now with this inspiration I so am thinking this will be so much better! And with all the wood tones this lighter tone will be better.............
Thanks so much for sharing!
Lisa

Deanna@SentimentalRedo said...

It turned out beautiful. What a fantastic idea to age it with the glaze. Must put it on my ideas to try list!

Andrea . Charcoal and Crayons said...

Looks amazing! Love the map top... such a great idea.

Cheap2Chic said...

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE it! A friend recommended Live Writer to me and it's so much easier isn't it? xx

SkinnyMeg said...

That chest of drawers is so freaking cute! I love the shape!! I miss Live Writer, i had to give it up when I got a mac and it sucks. Blogging on it was so much easier!

Anonymous said...

This is a great addition! What a wonderful idea--crinkling the map first...those dang wrinkles (when you don't want them) can be so frustrating! I've wanted to do something almost exactly like this with the cheap, orangey oak veneered vanity in our main bath.

-Teresa

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

This is one stellar piece of furniture...that map looks so expensive on the unique chest!!! Wow...you did another wonderful job with this. You will love Live Writer when you get used to it...I couldn't blog without it. You can make your pictures any size by clicking and stretching them!!!

Unknown said...

I think you have a phenomenal talent....that is what I think. This chest is absolutely gorgeous. Seriously..... my goodness. BUT, that succulent is going to die on you. It has been over watered!!!! Back off on the h20!!! lol ;)

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I love it! I love the map you put on the top, I love the color, I love that you used just the right amount of glaze~it looks awesome, Korrie!

I didn't know Salt Lake had an architectural salvage place, either! Just that one the guy (George?) and his brother run. Their hours are insanely unpredictable. I've only been there once, and the rest of the time they were closed, even though the sign said they were supposed to be open.

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

I love the wrinkles in the map. I just did a post on imperfect beauty. I love the aged finish as well. Nice.

. said...

I think it turned out gorgeous! I love the map idea. And I think it's a great alternative to a shelf. :)

Amy Kinser said...

Girl, you have amazing talent in spunkying up furniture. I love the map idea. It looks just great.

Can't wait to see what else is up your sleeve.

I love the picture of Jesus on your wall.

driftwoodesign said...

I had seen your chocolate label table a few days back and envied the natural wood look. I also like this new entry cabinet you did. I appreciate all the elements you brought together to find the end results.
Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD

Anonymous said...

It looks just perfect there and I love the shape. The scales are great - and I'm absolutely loving your coffee table, serious envy.

x

Comeca Jones said...

Great deal I love that piece.

Kelli said...

Love it! Love everything about it...the map, the style of the front, the black knobs. L.O.V.E. it!

MulticoloredPieces said...

Just found your very fun blog--love what you did to the chest of drawers! thanks for sharing.
best, nadia

Cynthia said...

This looks great! The map adds the extra touch.

SImple and Serene Living said...

I love this and it has given me an idea for a chest of drawers that I have been putting off refinishing.

Isabel said...

Im in love with your dresser! It could not look more wonderful! Love your livingroom!!!

CoopDeVilla said...

Wow, that turned out great. Did you put the glaze on after the mod-podge? Just wondering because I love the effect. Thanks for sharing your darling living room.

Eleonora Boiserie & C. said...

beautifullissimo!

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

This is SO great!! Can you tell me briefly what steps you took to paint it? Did you sand first? Prime or just paint? I'm always curious as to how others do things! Thanks!

The Painted Parlor said...

Wow is all I can say!! Ok i have a couple questions, what auction did you get this piece? Ive been wondering how to find out about local auctions. Not that you want friendly competition, maybe we could go on a girls night out!! Haha! Second, where is the architectural salvage yard in SLC? I'd LOVE to go :)

Julie

Aroura said...

I can't believe you found a map for that cheap that has such great colors on it! The whole project turned out fantastic!

cpcable said...

What a beautiful piece! You really did an amazing transformation.

said...

Spectacular! I just love the transformation and it looks amazing in your living room!

Isabel said...

Korrie, thank you for being so kind to leave comments on my blog, you are a great person! I used to want to be a computer engineer but changed my mind and now I'm getting ready to go to nursing school! I have always wanted to be one, but I was afraid to fail. A few months a go I heard the quote "If you don't try, you have failed already" and it has changed the way I see things!

wisp said...

I love it!!! I love the old-timey look you give to things. :) The map is such an awesome idea, too! Whenever I look at your blog, I look around and think, "My furniture is dumb." xD

outjunking said...

I am so impressed I decided to follow #474. I have bookmark this so I can study closer.
Lisa

Kim @ Too Much Time said...

This is awesome! I so love the map and all the wrinkles and vintagey look! It is so funny that one piece of furniture can spur a whole room redo. This is looking so nice and those scales are amazing, what a score for you! I need to go snoop around here and see what you have been up to!


Kim
www.kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com

reFresh reStyle said...

It looks great, love the map. What a nice living room!
Debbie

Sue said...

Your chest turned out wonderful! The glaze absolutely brought it to life. I've never had great luck with the Mod Podge- too many wrinkles that showed up after smoothing. How come everyone else's stuff looks great and I hated my projects? LOL
I wouldn't blog any other way than using Writer. When I updated to Windows 7 with my new computer, the new version of Writer downloaded. It was a bit of a change from the XP version, but an easy change, all the same. It is so much better a format than Blogger. I've used it for over 2 years now.
-Visiting from Linda's party.
:-) Sue

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

Looks great! It is an intersting shape...so glad you saw the potential and took it home :) Laurel@chippingwithcharm

Honey at 2805 said...

The chest is so nice, interesting shape and perfect color. The map adds so much character and interest and is truly one of a kind. Thanks for the inspiration.

Susan said...

This piece is gorgeous. I love what you did with it.

Decor & Harmony said...

Really great transformation your living room is coming along quite nicely. That was a steal for $20 bucks :)

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Love the dresser. It has a beautiful unique shape and the map on top makes it so interesting.

Ido said...

I'm amazed, the chest of drawers looks great, I love it, I have always loved maps, this would look fantastic in my library hehe!
Have a great first day of summer, I'm still turning on my heater in the morning, I'm in the Ogden area, are you close by?
XXX Ido

Twice Nice said...

Gorgeous! I think it looks terrific in your room, and it has a gorgeous shape to it. I've been checking out the different map projects I've seen and am dying to try one of my own soon. Very inspirational!!
Deb

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Love the table.
Not a bad price on the map too. Those scales were so popular in homes back when I was a kid. I'm sure they'll start popping up at flea markets and yard sales now.
I can't help it, but I'd buy a set of scales if I saw them, now.

Your living room is coming along a lot faster than mine did!
Pat

Jess said...

GORGEOUS! I love the use of the map!

http://rebelchildjess.blogspot.com/

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

Oh my! genius! it's sooo pretty Korrie! Super job.
gail

Brandi said...

stunning dresser! the details are fabulous and i just love the map!

Ashlee Marie said...

I love it! I am just a LITTLE obsessed with maps. This turned out just gorgeous, and I'm featuring it tonight on Topsy Turvy Tuesdays! Thanks for linking up!

Nifty & Thrifty said...

I may be getting myself into trouble as well. Where might I find the architectural-salvage shop in Salt Lake City?

Decor To Adore said...

What an absolutely adorable DIY! Well done.

I hope that you will stop by and enter my giveaway.

Happy Monday!