Aqua Lamps and Some Reality

by | Jan 18, 2010 | Miscellaneus | 49 comments

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First of all, make sure you check out my giveaway that is going on through Wednesday.  All you have to do to enter is leave a comment.  For those of you who are really in love, there are some additional things you can do to increase your chances.  Good luck!
One of the reasons I chose Irish Cream for the wall color in my master bedroom is so I could paint some of the furniture and accessories in fun colors.  I’ve taken the “neutral furniture with colored walls approach” for a few years and I am ready for a change.  I had a pair of lamps on my dresser that my aunt gave me and they wanted to be aqua.  How could I say no?
They originally had a brass finish and she had sprayed them a…well, it might’ve been black, but it kind of looked like a very dark greenish color.  I purchased the shades from Wal-Mart and topped them with some light brown finials that I were no longer needed on my buffet lamps.
I painted them by hand in an aqua acrylic paint (Folk Art’s 2486 Seamist.)  It took 3 coats to really get good coverage.  The color was a little bright and the finish was flat, so I added a dark walnut stain by Minwax.  It’s just ordinary wood stain that I brushed into the the creases and rubbed off with a soft cloth. 
I am so pleased with how sophisticated and downright pretty these lamps turned out. I can’t wait to get the room together, but there is still a LOT to do.   I stripped the top of my vanity…if you’ve read my blog for any amount of time, you might be able to guess what I’m going to do with it.
I also found a great solution to my floor plan woes (that my husband actually agreed to!)  This door goes to my office and is not necessary.  We’re going to cover it up and pretend it’s not there without any construction.  I’ll give you a hint, it involves my hubby building a large headboard. 

I am really excited about the progress, but please don’t hold your breath waiting for the final reveal.  I don’t want any of my amazing readers passing out.  I’m working as quickly as my toddlers and schedule allows.

Speaking of my toddlers, I thought I would share a not-so-cute corner of my family room.  The only thing worse than the pile of toys is the beastly treadmill sitting next to it.  I’m going to put a cabinet or dresser where the rocking chair is sitting to get this mess under control, but this is the reality of life with little kids and that’s ok. 

What’s a family room if your family can’t live in it?  So, lest you think every inch of my home is perfection, know that I have Cherrios in my sofa cushions, a full laundry basket on the floor in my bedroom, a tacky beach towel as my bath mat, and a creativity bomb has gone off in my office.  Just keepin’ it real.

Miss Mustard Seed

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    49 Comments

    1. Melanie

      It's coming together. I am feeling that way about our new house. It is starting to come together. I can't wait to see what is going on with the door. I love black and I am going to paint my double mantel black. I think that it will look really good.

    2. Ellen

      The lamps look fabulous!
      smiles.

    3. Low Tide High Style

      I love the color of those lamps! And enjoy those toys strewn all over the place, one day you'll miss them and the tiny children who play with them!

      Can't wait to see the reveal…whenever that may be!

      Kat 🙂

    4. L.Duncan

      I can't wait to see the headboard! Love the color on the lamps and the last part of this post was the best! If you only knew what don't make the cut when I'm taking pictures!

    5. caroline joy

      I love this post! The lamps are awesome and thanks for keepin' it real 😉 I remember when the twins were younger (they turned 5 today!) and our decor was "toddler paraphanalia". Still have evidence that children live in our home, but it's not so much a daycare feel anymore!

    6. Karla

      LOVE those aqua lamps! 🙂 Can't wait to see what is going to happen to the vanity!!

      ~Karla @ It's The Little Things…

    7. Lynette

      Love the lamps – and I am getting up the courage to try my hand at painting a "feed sack" similar to your's.

      I called my dad and asked what his fave # is and I'm going to use his initials and our/my maiden name – it's not German but it'll be mine – so I'll love it – if I can do it! You've totally inspired me though – so I CAN do it!

    8. Rene

      Keep it coming MMS…love it all!

    9. Sandra

      I love love the color that you chose for the lamps! I am redoing my front bathroom and the colors will be brown and aqua. I can picture a little lamp on the counter in an aqua color. 🙂
      I sure do like that dresser too. If only I could get my hands on one. Very pretty!
      Sandra

    10. Megan

      LOVE the lamps!

    11. Tattered & Timeless

      Ahh reality is grand..I have a window that needs to be – gone away with- but can't remove it due to historic crap so I am wondering if we just closed it up from the inside if it would be okay?
      tammy

    12. jenibee

      It's funny – I just can't see all those kids' toys in Walnut or Cream. So thankful for the little ones that bring bright color into our lives!

    13. The Shades of Pink

      The lamps are gorgeous.
      The headboard idea sounds great (can't wait to see it).

      And I am laughing at the bright spots of toys! I have to admit I never did really well with toys in the living room. They can bring them out, but they have to go back in! (Although I did allow a train table in once!)

    14. Amy@TheLemonCottage

      The lamps are beautiful!
      Can't wait to see the headboard.
      Promise I won't hold my breath.
      ~Amy

    15. Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas

      Love the lamps and I cannot wait to see the headboard…no rush…really…take your time…
      I will wait!

      Have a great week!

      Lou Cinda

    16. Michelle@Fromhousetohome

      Don't feel pressured, get it done when you can! I love your keeping it real bit. It's great to know that other bloggers have toys laying around just as I do. This is the kids' house too, I wouldn't want to live without their things around.
      Have a great night!
      ~Michelle

    17. Flea Market Trixie

      Love the lamps and can't wait to see your new headboard!

    18. Infarrantly Creative

      I love the lamps but I love your mess more. I see our kids are about the same age. We have the same Mickey Airplane and bowling sety 😉

    19. Heidi

      Hi!
      Those lamps sure turned out great – love the new color, it's really pretty and unique, too! The vignette you created looks great.I'm sure the bedroom will be wonderful when you're done, take your time and enjoy the process!
      I found you through DIY day, so glad I did! Hope you'll stop by for a visit sometime.
      XO
      Heidi – Heart and Home

    20. Striker

      that looks great – will be on the look out for some lamps to paint. I don't have any at the moment.

    21. Kendall@ Finesse Your Nest

      I absolutely LOVE this post! I kept scrolling down saying "I like that, and I like that…" The art, the dresser, the lamp…I even LOVE your black door! I've never thought about painting my interior doors before but I'm going to consider that after seeing yours! Thanks!

    22. Denise

      So glad I found you! I've been dieing to try slipcovers forever and I just read your tutorial. Hopefully this will give me the encouragement that I need. Great ideas!

    23. Gwen

      The change in the lamps is fabulous!

      Dibbs on the old cheerios and any change found in the couch:)

    24. Gina @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

      Although I love the decorating yumminess I find on your blog… I ADORE the fact that you are "keepin it real." You're my kinda girl!

    25. Karli @ RockyBella

      I love the new aqua lamps. Everything you do looks so great! I love the cream, brown, and aqua together. Yumm.

    26. Karli @ RockyBella

      And ohhh… I'm an loyal follower! 😉 Go Give-a-ways!

    27. Karli @ RockyBella

      I checked out CSN, I took a look around but still haven't scratched the surface. So much stuff. I'm lookin' for a new sink, and faucet- so that's what I would buy.

    28. asnipofgoodness

      I LOVE your "new" lamps, so pretty! I have to try painting a lamp, it seems everyone is doing it, I feel so left out! I love the idea that you have something no one else has, don't you? Thanks for sharing!

    29. Funky Junk Interiors

      LOVE the lamps! Your bedroom looks so light and airy. And you KNOW I am totally intrigued with this new headboard coming into play!

      Yep. Family first. I'm doing abit of better schedule planning in that regard myself, starting today.

      Take your time. We'll all still be here. 🙂

      Donna

    30. Michele Helms

      LOVE your site. We are full time ministry and we live on a crazy budget. It is awesome to get so many ideas that are within our budget.

    31. Suzan

      Great color on the lamps. BTW – my boys are 20 months apart. The toddler years were challenging but I remember them fondly. I may be the only mother that actually enjoyed 2 year olds!

    32. Marianne@Songbird

      Love the green on the lamps! And can't wait to see what you are going to paint on the dresser. But don't worry I won't hold my breath!

    33. Stephanie

      I just love the way your dresser turned out and the lamps…. they are perfect for that space. I also love the black door.
      Stephanie

    34. SueAnn

      Thank you so much for keeping it "real". I needed to hear that you had cheerios in your couch and a full laundry basket in your living room. I feel so much better now! But your house is still amazing and I love how the lamps turned out. They are beautiful. That walnut stain really sets them apart!! Love it!
      Hugs
      SueAnn

    35. Proper Prim

      Love the lamps… beautiful colour… the anticipation is killing me… I am sure you will be happy to have it totally completed… you are doing a great job up to now… looks fabulous.

      Hugs Deb

    36. Petit Design Co.

      the lamps look amazing! I love the blue color

    37. Annie @ The House That Jade Built

      I so feel you with the kids' toys! I have lots of storage baskets tucked into our TV cabinet with doors. I can then pull out the toys & tuck them away when I don't want to see them – LOVE it! However, my Mom got them one of those Fisher Price bikes that you play with the TV – no way to hide that thing!

    38. Wendy

      Love the change in the lamps! What a difference a little color does ~ it looks so fresh.

    39. pk @ Room Remix

      I love the addition of the Seamist on the lamps and they turned out great! Excited to see your headboard too (promise I won't hold my breath though :-))

    40. sissie

      I love your lamps, the dresser, the plates on the wall, I love it all. I am looking forward to seeing the finished vanity.
      You are so talented and creative and I love visiting your blog.

      Sissie

    41. MacGregor's Designs

      I think these lamps almost match the mirror Jeremy did for my client. Love them. Paint can do amazing things.

      Victoria

    42. moondiva

      Glad I read your post! I had totally forgotten the great colors of craft paint. I once made a folding screen from 3 louvered doors rescued from curbside ….used several shades of gold and metalic gold, it was beautiful. Guest couldn't believe how it was done.

    43. Christina @ The Frugal Homemaker

      Hi Marian! I know this is an older post but I would love to know how you stained the top of your French Provincial dresser. I have several French provincial dressers/chests just like that and actually bought another one at a yard sale last week. But they never seem to be grained wood on top that would stain well? did you do a special treatment? or was yours real wood?

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