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 Outdated.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.

art changes everything.

I have been on vacation for TWO WEEKS. One week was blissfully spent doing nothing at the beach, and this past week I have used my days wisely to catch up on DIY/house projects. I keep telling husband I need to quit my job and be a housewife. I am so productive, and I have so much to post!

Today we're posting about wall art. I've done a similar post before, but this changes things up a bit. This past week, I finally cleaned out our guest room (it was the catchall room for a year). I painted and started setting up some furniture. Instead of enjoying it, I was staring at all the empty wall space. UGH! And art is so expensive, especially canvas art, which I love. So- I headed down to Michael's (my most favorite spot).

Here's what you'll need:

1. Canvas'. 12x12 are the easiest, as they are the same size as the paper.

2. Scrapbook paper! Any pattern you want.

3. 2 foam brushes, one small, one large.

4. Modge Podge

5. Acrylic Paint

Step One:

With your paint, paint the sides of your canvas. I chose a green to coordinate with the patterns I chose. The paint takes about 15 minutes to dry, and two coats looks best.

Step Two:

Generously apply Modge Podge to your canvas with your large foam brush. Place your scrapbook paper on top, and center to the canvas. Smooth down with a brayer if needed. Once dry, apply another coat on top to seal.

Step Three(optional):

Sand! You must know by now... I sand everything. I don't know what it is. Do I hate things that look brand new? Do I just love the "aged" or "antiqued" look. Regardless- my art was sanded. I used a high grit sanding block- which is very gentle. I lightly sanded the front, and then did it a little more aggressively on the side.

Step Four:

Hang! Here is the finised products on the wall. I am obsessed, and will be buying more canvas' for the rest of the house.

Happy Papering! xx