make it work.

Do you ever "window shop" for things, and then end up buying items you have NO IDEA what you will do with? I do- constantly.

This table was one example. While putting around an antique store, I saw her (and her price) and immediately purchased her and stuffed her in my car. Then, at home, I am staring, thinking "Where the eff am I going to put this?!" My first thought was my tiny hallway, but she was just too... curvy (that's more kind than fat, right?)

Either way, she got primer and a glossy coat of black, and some rustic green knobs from Hobby Lobby. Here she is before her makeover:

 

And after:



 

 

 

 

 

I found the perfect spot for her in our living room! By found, I mean I moved things until it happened. My little diamond in the rough!





deck the halls.

For some reason, I am not as grinchy this year as I used to be. So I've been in a decorating mood. Yesterday I undertook the task of making myself an ornament wreath for the front door.

I have seen these online over and over. They are AMAZING. And premade- they're expensive. So, obviously, I googled until I saw how to make my own. This was veryyyy time consuming, but so worth it.

Supplies needed:

1. Foam Wreath Form
2. Hot Glue
3. Ornaments- Small, Medium, Large. I used probably 120 ornaments.


Step 1:  Start by removing the metal hanger from the top of the ornament. I did this as I went, starting with my perimeter ornaments. Then, hot glue to the outside and inside.

 

 

Step 2:  Keep gluing! There really isn't any better way to put this. I literally just glued, held it up to my eye level, and kept gluing where needed. Use the medium and smaller balls when needed.

 

 

 

Step Three:  Hang! In loooooove.

 

 

 



 

 

Here is a little (before) preview of the next project. I found her at an antique shop (the same one I got my night stands!) for an amazing deal, and I am transforming her for our living room:

 

 

 

 

I will also be sharing photos of all our Christmas decor! Have a great Thanksgiving!



sandy.

Winter has unofficially begun in New England. Barely after our rebound from Hurricane Sandy, our temperatures took a nose dive. I believe while I sit here, the temperature is 40. Heat wave.

As most know, frigid temps are not ideal for outdoor painting. But to keep my sanity, I fight on! IT IS, however, great for getting some indoor updates done, and some crafts that don't involve deadly fumes!

I've been on the hunt for furniture for our guest bedroom. While waiting for my car to be inspected, I was putting around my favorite local thrift store, and scored a pair of nightstands for $60.00 . Went home, used materials I already had (including hardware) and, BOOM! New guest bedroom nightstands.

 

 

 

 

The paints are: KILZ Spray Primer, Krylon "Ivory" in Satin, Rustoleum in "Granite. The knob is from Hobby Lobby and matches my yard sale chair. I can't wait to paint the next one.

I was also in desperate need of something pretty and sturdy to hang my necklaces on. This is what I came up with:

 

Unfished wood, spray paint, pretty knobs. TADAH!

Will be posting updated guest bedroom and half bathroom photos, soon!

 

autumn.

Today is a fun DIY post for holiday wreaths! There are so many ideas out there, but I've been really loving the yarn wreaths.

So here is what you will need:


Styrofoam Wreath Form

Fabric flowers

 

Yarn (colors of your choice)

 

 

Take your yarn, and begin wrapping your wreath. I wish I could give you advice on the easiest way to wrap this, but I haven't found it yet. I'll keep investigating!





 

Here is what it looked like once the wrapping was completed:



 

 

 

Now it's time to add flowers! This part is easy- just hot glue them on! I bought flowers with sticky backs so I could play with their arragement first.

 

Isn't she pretty?! $13.00 total! Here she is on the front door of my best friends apartment, along with the one I made for myself. I added a fun "WELCOME" banner to mine!



neglect.

Wow! I am terrible at updating lately. Here are a few of the projects I've been working on lately- some for friends and family, and some GREAT finds that are for sale over at Konstantine Designs.


This was one of those amazing finds I was speaking of. I am HORRIBLE at taking before pictures. I really do have the best intentions, but I just get so excited that I forget and then... well, hence no before picture.This was your regular old, outdated, dark wood nightstand. In need of a good clean and some paint. I got this at a yard sale for $7.00 . Yup, true story. Painted the body a beautiful glossy turquoise, and the drawer faces a slate gray. New hardware, and BOOM! Gorgeous nightstand. It is killing me not to keep it. This is a SALE piece.

 

 

This one I actually managed to take before photos of! I got this lovely chair from the same yard sale. For $3.00 . How can you beat that?! This beauty got a nice glossy black on its body, and a new paisley patterned fabric on the seat. This project took 30 minutes, and look how gorgeous it is, now! This is also FOR SALE (sadly for me!)

Next was a table for my best friend in the whole world. She had inherited these outdated Ethan Allen table from her parents, when they updated their decor. She wanted something fun with a bit of pop in color.

No staging on this one... oh well! Gave the entire table one coat of this amazing red and then coated all but the drawer face in black. I did this so that when we did the distressing, red would peek through.


I am working on some amazing chairs for our sun porch, which I am so excited to share with you!  They involve sewing, so they are taking a bit, but the transformation is going to be insane.


What are you working on?

you'll always be my konstantine.

I have opened up shop! An Etsy shop, that is.

Please visit to see all of my restored/original goodies for sale, and tell your friends!

konstantine designs.


xxx

obsession.

In January, Grant's uncle passed away. Recently, now that things have been settled, Grant brought me home a dresser. A big dresser. I sat and stared at it for days. I was sort of uninspired. I am not sure if it's because of whom it belonged to. Then, while at my local Benjamin Moore store to get some things, I was browsing the colors and came across "Covington Blue".  And I immediately bought it and went at that dresser. Here are some befores:

Dark. Outdated. Some surface issues. As always, start by cleaning. Remove all your hardware and drawers. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Did I mention I love TSP?

Next- prime with trusty Zinsser Cover Stain. Let dry for at least two hours! This is important!

Paint. I used BM "White Dove" and that lovely "Covington Blue". I decided I wanted the blue on just the drawer faces, to add a little... jazz. All my furniture paints are BM Metal and Wood Enamel in High Gloss. Painting the drawer faces took some patience, and some touching up. Started with the blue, and things got sort of messy. At one point I thought, oh my god- this looks awful. As always, once two coats were done, it got a bit better. Then when I went back in and touched up the white, it got even better.

Then- you know what's coming- I sanded. And then things looked AMAZING. Added new hardware (never underestimate the power of new hardware) and boom. I wake up every morning, gaze at this piece and tell it I love it. True story.



Obsession.