What do you do when you have caviar taste and a smart-shopper budget?
Let me show you what I did recently.
First, my inspiration.
These might be my all-time favorite bookshelves ever, I love the classic vibe that was achieved with the understated color scheme and the styling of these shelves.
But finding an authentic marble or alabaster piece that fits into my shelves hasn't happened so far, so I decided to make my own version until I find something better.
This is my cheapo $7.99 "art" piece I bought from TJMaxx
Here's the Before:
The first thing I did was cover it with two coats of Annie Sloan White Chalk Paint.
Then I found some Delta acrylic paints in black and cream around the house and basically began applying several coats of both colors over this piece.
How do you like my fancy art equipment?
A foam brush, a paper plate and a grocery bag to remove most of the paint off my brush before I dabble it on the 'man.'
my new "stone sculpture"
what do you think?
This is what I have on these shelves so far--
And here's the bookshelves on the other side (of the fireplace).
It's the little things we collect that add charm and coziness to our home
don't you think?
I still haven't stopped collecting the deep, sepia-colored books that I love... just for their beauty. But for now I'm keeping my shelves on the lighter side more like the shelves in this picture:
So how bout you?
What 'little thing' have you been working on lately?
xo
Leslie
I'm sharing this post with these friends:
27 comments:
first, that henry miller quote. i mean! that is like, everything, right? new eyes are precisely the ONE THING i want desperately in this world. to see as Perfect Love sees. to see the sacred in everything. to see beauty in suffering. to see grace within the paradox. second, your shelves. they are beyond. you have outdone yourself. that david bust!!!! my friend has a big one that she got for pennies. it was gold and gaudy, and before she painted it entirely white, she snapped a picture of it when it was half covered with paint, and it was the most amazing sight. so i am keeping my eyes peeled for a gaudy gold bust. your painted sculpture looks like an expensive art piece! love that. in other news, the wedding in laguna has been postponed so i may not be traveling that way til the summer. i will keep you posted. love to you, beautiful maker.
Leslie- you did a wonderful job.
There is no better feeling is there?
I re-did a $2.00 bust of David with a scary look in his eye, and I felt like I hit the jackpot.
Enjoyed visiting,
Laura
White Spray Paint blog
I hope you will think about linking this post on Thursday to our Thoughts of Home on Thursday party.
Absolutely STUNNING. I believe in transformation and you did a great job. Your shelving is also very gorgeous and you picked up the details from your inspiration! Bravo, Leslie! Anita
I love how it turned out!
I love it, great makeover.
Your shelves are so lovely, Leslie...I love your choices and styling...and the statue re-do really is wonderful! I love all of your inspiration photos, too! I am so inspired watching you make your house...your home!
Love it! We had that statue in our house when I was a child. The paint job you did on him really does look nice. I have a child holding a bunny statue that needs the same treatment. Thanks for the inspiration.
Lovely transformation, and your shelves look great. Yes, using the bits and pieces collected over the years are the best accessories for a home as far as I'm concerned. They are the layers that tell our story. It's fun to see how your are layering your new abode. The shelves are wonderful addition.
Great job on the statue! I have the same "The Thinker" statue by Rodin
Leslie,
I love your bookcases and especially your styling of them. The Thinker is amazing. I love the fact that he looks antique and the slightly rough texture just adds to the authentic final statue.
xo,
Karen
Beautiful presentation on your shelves---so hard for me to do so I love inspiration. Great job. The Thinker it's wonderful, so cool you decided to alter it. ...yay!
Keep up the great work in your home.
Jane
Great transformation! I picked up a basket statue type piece. I painted it with white paint yesterday and planned to do something similar. I use the same art supplies, but use paper towel instead of a paper bag. :)
hugs,
Jann
What a transformation. And, what a great idea to find something that is almost what you want a redo it. I will look at some of the things I pass by at TJ Maxx in a different way now.
I love your shelves. I never thought of putting a shell on top of a stack of books and believe me, I have tons of shelves. I just might be copying your idea as I do spring cleaning this month.
BRILLIANT!LOVE your shelves..............
Me? what have I been working on?I got a bug in my BONNET to make some FLOWERED headbands for hats this weekend.........
ARE you on INSTAGRAM?I posted one WHITE one with my BLOOMING CLEMATIS.............search for antique goddess!ALL ONE WORD!What I will do with them I do not know maybe GIVE AWAY a couple on the BLOG??Who knows!
Being THRIFTY Is the way to GO..........it gives YOU MORE PLEASURE in the LONG RUN!I KNOW BEEN THERE!
XX
I love how you have the books covered to look more uniform. . .that's something I've wanted to do with mine, although I go back and forth with it in my mind: Do I cover them all the same, or do I arrange them by color. Anyway, I really admire the look you've got going there, and the statue turned out great! It's quite realistic looking.
You are so smart! Love the after shot and we all need a good looking naked man in our house ~ right! I am on the search for some more things for my gallery wall that I am builidng. One of the items on my list is string art ~ the 70's really are back I guess. I found a pattern and I think I am going to do a heart. Of course I have no idea when I am going to have time but it is a thought. I also bought fabric last month to make a ruffled apron ~ all girly like. Too much on my plate this week to even think about being crafty but it WILL happen. Happy Wednesday xo
LOVE your book shelves! Unbelievable transformation!! Do you do makeovers on middle aged women? I could use one. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Leslie.
This was just the inspiration that I needed to change the appearance of a bronze statue we have of a woman with a flower basket. She is beautiful, but overpowering.
Thank you so much for sharing your time, talents and beautiful home with us at Thoughts of Home On Thursday.
Hope to see you next week too!
Jemma
Leslie-
I am so glad you are here.
Thank you for sharing this at TOHOT #4.
Your statuary looks like a high end piece after your transformation technique, Leslie! And I'm loving your built-in shelves!! Looking good!
Leslie-
I featured you on my blog today😊
So glad to see your Thinking Man linked up with Thoughts of Home on Thursday. :)
Perfect find and a perfect way to dress this up.
I love your style. I always find inspiration here!
Carla
This is simply so clever! You made this piece look intriguing (and expensive!). I love your style lady.
Happy weekend!
xx, Heather
He's sitting up there thinking about how hot he looks now on those barnwood shelves!
This wonderful technique opens up a wonderful range of possibilities.
Thank you so very much for linking up on Thoughts of Home on Thursday. You truly added a sweet sparkle of sunshine.
Love your statue Leslie, spot on! I also smiled when I saw the overhead lamp you have above your bookcase. I added the same one to our guest room bookshelf at Tahilla Farm. I wasn't so sure when I first saw it in situ...but seeing yours, it looks perfect. xx
Post a Comment