As most DIY enthusiasts, I spent Labor Day laboring. But my idea of laboring is a can of spray paint and a prayer – I’m not much for heavy lifting.
Spray painting is a funny thing to me. I love it. I’m sure my neighbors think I’m nuts: bringing odd objects outside every few days and fumigating my yard. Sometimes it’s a few trips out my back door to thinly layer it on and within 30 minutes I’m happily placing said item in it’s place. Other times its “that color isn’t what I was hoping for,” “I should have bought one more can,” or “I really should have primed that first.”
It always feels so hit and miss for me. And this week was just that. I went 2 for 4. In baseball they say .500 is good, but this perfectionist isn’t down with those numbers.
Here are the projects that I’m satisfied with, and I hope to quickly fix and/or work on the ones that didn’t have such a happy ending.
If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen this fiasco that took place a few weeks ago. I was determined to find some replacements and in my excitement to get the B team looking as good as their predecessors, I forgot to take a before picture. But I found an online example of their 90’s, peachy goodness to show you.
Obviously the color makes them a little too sweet for my taste.
A little bit of my favorite spray paint certainly takes them to a modern level.
I’d say for under $10, my replacements are looking pretty good. Speaking of cheap, I sure hope you are buying your orchids at Aldi, because if you are not, you are spending way too much. This one above was on sale for $4.95. You can’t buy a bundle of carnations at Walmart for that price, can you?
After finishing my DIY abstract bench for the end of the hallway, I thought the full length mirror looked a little tired and in need of some color. I mulled it over for a while and took the two rooms right off the end of the hallway into consideration.
Our master currently has some green…
as well as Milly’s nursery.
So green seemed like the obvious choice to be a cohesive link between the two. I was hoping to find a Rustoleum color that was recommended to me, but came up short, so I went with this Valspar in Lucious Green. I was really impressed with the paint coverage and the ease of use (the button is really comfortable – if you’ve done a lot of spray painting, you know what I’m talking about). The color is a bright emerald, and I like the attention it brings to an overlooked space. My husband has dubbed it the John Deere mirror. Like anything I spray paint, I love that for $5, I can change it again in under an hour…if I’m batting well that day.
I was really honored to be featured on Apartment Therapy yesterday. If you have a minute, take a look!
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
Can I just say I am totally in love with your house! xo Kristin
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
I love the green – perfect choice. And congrats on the AT feature!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, lady!
Julia Konya says
The green is totally PERFECT. The mirror looks awesome!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Julia! I appreciate the reinforcement…sometimes those bright colors can feel a bit scary. 🙂
olivia matos says
Awesome!!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Olivia!
Sarah {Lacquer and Linen} says
I always wonder if my neighbors think I'm creating some sort of graffiti masterpiece in our backyard. haha Oh and I am obsessed with your daughter's nursery!! So cute and right up my alley!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Sarah! I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking my neighbors are weirded out. 🙂
Courtney Foster says
looks great, love the green!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Courtney!
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
I cannot get enough of that shade of green. Tractor-chic 🙂
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
1) Great choice on the mirror, it's such a stand-out now! That's the same color I did all of the mirrors in my hallway. Love it! 2) You got some great thrifted finds! I've bought several orchids at Aldi, but the last one I bought lost it's blooms after only a week or two. Bummer!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Jennifer, I've bought at least 10 orchids from Aldi and all of mine have kept their flowers for a long time! I'm sadly loosing flowers on one now, but I've had it for about 3 months.
They like a lot of light and they don't like to be near any air vents or anything that could dry them out too much. Hope you give them a try again and have better success!
Autumn Beach says
LOVE your color choice for the mirror! Emerald is, after all, Pantone Color of the Year. 🙂 And how cool that you were featured on Apartment Therapy!! Awesome.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, lady! 🙂
Erin and Laura House Envy says
Hi Gwen! Love the green! Makes the mirror pop so much! Your nursery is so cute!! Congrats on the feature in apartment therapy! Awesome.
Laura
House Envy
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, thanks so much, Laura! I appreciate your kind words. Hope you're having a good weekend!
Shavonda says
Umm first off the green is a definite winner! Secondly, I can never ever get enough of your amazing photography. And thirdly, I wish we had an Aldi:( Spray paint just has a way of making this better. I don't even want to imagine what my neighbors think of me. Everytime they see me im spraying something. Speaking of…Im off to throw some color on some lamps I treasure hunted today!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Aldi is amazing, but I don't have an Ikea (which I think I saw that you do, so I'm jealous there :))
Chelsea says
I am loving that kelly green right now and am planning a party with it (and black & white stripe!) just so I can use it somewhere. 🙂 Mirror looks great – of course! 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
We just had my son's birthday last night and it involved a lot of green with black and white. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing how yours comes together!
Melanie Knopke says
I think you have inspired me to find some mirrors (to flank my fireplace) and spray paint them a fun color. LOVE the green…
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, lady!