Do you remember this Sturbridge Village reproduction shelf I inherited?
Please do not judge me.
I spray painted it.
Suzanne (aka Suki, aka Sukie) told me, the last time she was here, that I should. So I did.
It was on that day that we got a lot of projects going, only I didn't show you yet another picture of it in its naked state, because, well, it was old news. I mean, how much can you agonize over one little shelf that didn't even cost you anything… a lot. But can you really ask everyone else to go on agonizing with you? Even for me there are limits to how many before shots I will subject you to.
I really had qualms with this one as I popped the top off that spray can. I had to take a deep breath and just GO.
I notice that the square-cut nails are still visible, and that makes me happy.
I also notice that the wall needs to be painted, and I guess if I paint that wall, I'll have to paint the others too, which is perhaps why I don't get right on that.
But after painting it (which took about 20 minutes including drying time) and carefully leaning it against a wall in the dining room (which took about three weeks), I am now proud to say that it is off the WIP list and on the wall, thanks to the ever-helpful Chief, who was game for anything.
I consulted him at every step, and I am pretty sure he had no idea why he was doing this until the very end — even after he himself put it up — when the things were up there.
“Wow, that looks really good!” he exclaimed. I honestly don't think he ever had a clue until right then…
Here's how it looked before:
It is exactly the change I wanted.
I liked the way this looked okay before, but keeping the things there meant not having that horizontal surface for serving food.
I could go on posting pictures of its dramatic, fantastic blackness juxtaposed with the perfection of those thrifted turquoise cups all day, so if you are getting bored with my shallow life you could go do something else, I won't mind.
Otherwise, I'll just keep chattering about it…I'm needing to figure out what to put up on the top shelf, of course — I just put the things on there that were below it. But for me, shelves and such are for storing things I already have, not for providing an excuse to get other things, although I fear that might happen too.
On that sideboard (which is really a desk with a funny top that no longer has its hinges, so don't lean on it or anything) is another thrifted item, a hand embroidered little tablecloth that I love with the cups. It's so sweet…
So there you have it — another spray-painting success in the land of the hacks, if I do say so myself.
Sara says
I think it's bee-you-ti-ful and I'm glad you did it! It looks wonderful with those thrifted teacups. I wish I could find a find like that! And that tablecloth is lovely too…Oh, I'm stopping at Value Village tonight on my way to choir!
Kari says
I like it!!Generally I'm not a fan of painted wood, but if you have to paint, at least black is classy and dramatic! So what's wrong with the top shelf? I like the candles there.Congrats on a lovely project off the WIP list!Kari
Rosie says
nice job – I think it looks great!EXCEPT.What happened to the cute pictures of ME that used to be on that wall?!
Cheryl (Copper' says
Swoon! Practically perfect in every way.
Pam says
I LOVE it painted black and could never tire of the beauty of those pretty blue cups contrasting with the black. :)Pam
Suki says
It looks lovely.Cleary, since I was the one that got you to just finish the thing, you should put a big picture of ME on the top shelf.
Dawn says
I love the black paint. And the cups! And isn't it amazing how long (3 weeks!) things really take to dry before you can put them on the wall?? You obviously would not want the black paint sticking to your light walls and creating even more painting chores! 'giggle'
Anonymous says
Oh my, success alright! The contrast makes the gorgeous turquoise crockery 'pop' even more. You did a great job! Your project list must be dwindling dramatically. 🙂 Linda
Deirdre says
I drew a breath when I saw that picture. It looks PERFECT! Score, Mom. Score.
Mary says
I LOVE it! It looks great! Well done you spray-painting fool! Where did you move the pictures to?
Briana says
It looks great!
patches of me says
It looks great! No guts, no glory they say. What ever happened to stripping, sanding, priming yada yada? I love that you jumped right in – what a woman! Makes me feel brave too. Mostly I think it's the men that hate to paint wood. I say if you don't like it change it. I have a paneled wall in my living room that was ugly. I hated it. Took years to get the hubs to paint it. Now *he* loves it and shows it to anyone who will listen. What a great idea … who knew?
Mrs. Pickles says
You have such pretty things. *sigh* It's a pleasure just seeing them so nicely arranged with contrasts and coordination and all kinds of happy housewifely aesthetic things going on…As regards the top shelf, could you lean a picture against the wall there? Or is it too high up?
Pippajo says
You know, every time I think I've stumbled across a new idea, decor-wise, the very next time I turn around I see I'm really not very original after all!Just this last weekend I was looking around our living room and thinking, "Hmmm…I think it needs a few black accents," which is odd because up until now I would never have DREAMED of using black in my house.Go figure.Your shelf looks absolutely lovely. I like it a lot.And, if it's too hard for you to choose between your daughters for a photo on the top shelf, you may have one of mine. Just to make things fair.
Esther says
That looks just stunning, Leila. Love the black and the colour of those cups are just beautiful. Well done. It's amazing what a difference a simple thing like a change of colour can make.
Barb says
The shelf looks wonderful and so do the cups. I love that turquoise blue.The top shelf definitely needs a little something, maybe some seasonal items to give it some visual weight.
Sue says
Very good decision. I love your colors and your style!
~Missy~ says
I think it looks terrific!! I need to start finding some deals on spray paint!! Might make a world of difference around here.Like the candles on the top shelf, but I see what you mean…it needs some…balance (for lack of better word)…got another good color going in the room that you could showcase there??what kind of flowering branches were those that were in the before picture??
~Missy~ says
on a side note…I noticed a picnic table on the side bar…there is a table out in my yard identical to it..only difference being a bit more of the same turquoise paint still on ours ;~)Yours didn't happen to have a red color under that lovely blue-green color did it? I should snap a pic of ours!
Leila says
People, you need to focus. The pictures will be put up in their proper place. For now they are in a stack on a horizontal surface of my choosing.Missy, the branches are quince from the enormous bush outside. You have to wade through poison ivy to get to it and it looks just terrible 50 weeks of the year. But for two weeks in the spring it's glorious…and they make a nice display for Easter, don't they? If you get the right branches, they are pink…otherwise, white…don't ask me why the diff……and that picnic table is from a yard sale long ago. It's seriously hurting at this point. Under the blue is just bare wood. I really love the chippy paint, though 🙂
patches of me says
… an added note.I agree with you – I love the square cut nails – and that they show up after painting.That color of cups on the black shelves are stunning! I do really like the way you have the framed pictures showing from behind the branches … perhaps you'll find another place for that.
Carrie says
Love it!
Anne R Triolo says
I also love it! And it's super fun to have little (or not VERY little) turquoise accents all around your house. Such and unexpected, delightful surprise!
Alice says
I LOVE the turquoise on black combination… but you could probably have guessed that from the color of my apartment walls (hey, a basement calls for bright color!).I suspect the quince has two different colors because one less hearty variety has been grafted onto a heartier variety… we have a rose that blooms with two different varieties due to overzealous pruning. (The variety that was grafted on is called "Handel." How delightful is that?)
Decadent Housewife says
It really comes to life with what you've done to it. Love it!
Faith says
I love your chairs! May I ask where you found them and if they are STURDY?I love your home.
Leila says
Missy — my little picnic table does have red paint (dark red) on the legs!Faith — the chairs come from Eastern Butcher Block — but I think other stores have them. They are extremely sturdy. One (10) of the few pieces of furniture I ever bought NEW (albeit on sale, of course) and worth every penny for the family meals we have eaten in peace (you know — it gets so tiring when chairs tip over, fall apart, are too low for kids, etc.).
Rona's Home Pag says
I love the update. A fellow blogger told me to stop by my local Goodwill to find a shelf. I'm even more inspired now after seeing your shelf.
Shannon @ Some Fine says
those teacups! I love them!