My Spray Paint Gun [Adventures]

Have you been considering purchasing a paint spray gun for your DIY projects? Well, I have been painting a lot of furniture lately, so I decided to bite the bullet and invest in one [just think of all the time I'll save... is what I thought!]. Let me begin by saying that I am not exactly tech savvy. Nor do I have any previous experience with these guns... so I was a newbie on all levels.

I opened my beautiful new paint gun and read through the guide cover to cover [ok, so I actually started to, but got confused with all of the technical terminology and decided to figure it out as I go. [first mistake]]

What ensued next will forever go down in history as what I call  "World War Peach."

 

 

I am so grateful that it was a beautiful day so I decided not to stay cooped up in my paint shop area [also known as "My half of the garage"]. I took my drop cloth [which will NEVER BE THE SAME by the way]  outside into the yard and started spraying away. Oh. My. Goodness.  It was like spray paint married a paint ball gun and they had a baby called "spray paint gun." It shot out paint similarly to spray paint, but it was thick and uncontrolled. I had it on the lowest setting [I can't even imagine what the highest setting would do!], but it was messy!

 

And as I was stressing about the mess and trying to control the situation, I managed to dump the paint. You are looking at about $7 worth of messy, icky frustration right here! That wasn't the gun's fault [yes it was. I'm totally blaming the paint gun] The spilled paint just added to the whole World War Peach experience because it soaked through and now we have peach grass...

Even the de glosser [which should have been safely out of harm's way] became a casualty.

 

And as for my shiny new gun... forget about it. It looks like a Jackson Pollock piece now.

 

I was frustrated, so I took a break and went inside to get a snack for me and my daughter. I just laughed when she chose orange sherbet. I just couldn't escape that color!!

As for the paint job... it was alright. Yes, it went faster, but it seemed a little thick... perhaps I should thin the paint next time?

 

I don't know... I guess I'll give it another try. Someday. Do you have experience with these contraptions? Can you offer any advice?! I'd love to hear it!!

Weekly [P]inspiration: Splendidly Re Purposed

 

I have a blog & shop called Salvage Savvy, so obviously I enjoy the idea of re purposing stuff. But I'm also the first to admit that at times re purposing can become something... hmmm, let's say, short of fabulous [Seriously, some ideas on Pinterest just make me shake my head in wonder... "you'll need 17,964 reused plastic spoons to make what?!! Ummm, no thank you"].   But here are some examples [via Pinterest] of re purposing at its finest, seriously good ideas, folks!

 

Like this iron gate as a pot holder. Personally,  I'm not a huge fan of hanging pot racks- but this one has me reconsidering!





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I LOVE sliding doors, so this idea of reusing an old window is [in my opinion] design perfection. I want one :)

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How cute are these pendants made from old phonograph horns?! 

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Who says re purposing in design always has to be vintage or antique décor? This is a great example of a modern approach to re purposing. Can you guess what this contemporary garden gate is made from? Old futon frames!! Genius. 

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And this garden arbor made from old doors is totally charming... 



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Here is a simple idea that is too cute-rather than investing in expensive decorative garden containers,  just re purpose plain old buckets by covering with burlap and twine. I am totally doing this!



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Salvage Savvy is in Business!!

Hello. Remember me?! I went into hiding several months ago... but it wasn't because I grew weary of you or of blogging... no, rather it was quite the opposite. I stopped because life suddenly shifted into waaaay mega super high gear: we sold our house [yay!], moved into a new [old] house [I foresee TONS of projects to share with you from this jewel of an old home, woo-hoo!] and [drum roll, please...] Salvage Savvy has leaped out of the blogger-sphere and has became a real-life store!!! Can you believe it?! [Me either]

So, here it is: Salvage Savvy's store front!! We are located in Mooresville, IN at 18 N. Indiana Street, right in the heart of the little downtown area.  Our hours are Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 6pm. [ ok, I must add this because it's buggin' me- that chain on our sign looks purple in this photograph... but I can assure you that it is not ;) ]

 

I know that many of my awesome readers aren't local, but if you are PLEASE come and check Salvage Savvy out!! It's a mix of all kinds of home décor. Some pieces have been painted, fixed up and/or repurposed, while others are gorgeous antiques that didn't need a thing done to them to be fabulous! Here are a few peeks inside of the shop:

 

 

 

 

Pretty Exciting, huh?!

 

 And I can ASSURE you that I have plenty to blog about between projects for the shop and my house- so Salvage Savvy online is back in business too :) YAY- I missed you guys!!

DIY Bathroom Vanity Ideas



You all know I love getting creative and re purposing stuff... especially when it involves saving money and results in a unique piece for your home. And that is why I LOVE all of the DIY sink base ideas that I'm seeing. It's seriously easy, and can make any bathroom look amazing. I converted the bottom section of an old entertainment center into a sink base and it was surprisingly simple [the last example on this page is mine...] be sure to check out my how-to if you haven't already!

 



This is a simple console table that has been converted. SO. EASY. This couldn't have been more than a couple cuts to complete. And I absolutely want it!

This is a smaller table and it's just cute as can be! I don't know how complicated the wall faucet would be though...



This is just too cute. Who would have thought?! And the little bike basket is filled with towels, so creative [what happens when you get a flat, though?!].



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This is one of my favorite examples, because we've all seen one of these old dressers at a garage sale or antique store. It just becomes so clean and new, I am smitten :)



 

 

Here is an example of a tiny little space with a TON of style. Who says your powder room must conform... this is a great example of getting creative.

 

 

Best galvanized bucket ever. So clever!

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Here's a great retro piece that has been converted. We are talking about some serious storage here!

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And last [but soooo not least ;) ] here is my converted entertainment center!

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Monday [P]inspiration: Light, Bright & Beautiful

Today's post is all about living rooms that inspire. These are all bright, welcoming and completely fabulous! They prove that white does not have to be boring and that a beautiful chandelier can compliment many different design styles. So sit back and Ooooooo & Awwwwe with me!

I just adore this room. Mixing elegant, contemporary and rustic is not an easy task, but this room does it flawlessly. 



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I'm pretty sure I've pinned this room about 4,628 times... but I just love it! It is filled with elegance, yet all of the natural elements still make it feel "warm."

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This room is just posh. The symmetry is fabulous, the pops of color are fun and that couch is perfection. Lovely!!

Once again, natural elements provide a balance to sheer elegance in this really cute space. That table is so great too. Beautiful.

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I just love seeing bamboo blinds paired with linen drapes. It's a great way to add a ton of texture into any room and is a beautiful, timeless look. This room is so, so pretty and inspires a TON of projects that I'd like to do...

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This is another all time favorite room that I've pinned. It feels both casual and formal which is a great combination!

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Making Accessories Accessible [and pretty!]

Accessories are just so much prettier when... well, you can find them. I basically wear the same three accessories over and over because I don't want to go digging into my "pit of despair" [any true Princess Bride fans will know this reference!], which is basically a jar with all my crap in it. I've shared so many ideas on how to get organized, yet used none of them... I'm so ashamed! Well, I hope these inspire you [and me] to get your stuff where you can use and enjoy it all.

 

You must see how awful this frame was before... so ugly. But now it's absolutely lovely! This is a great example of using everyday objects like hooks and an old frame to transform a wall into a fabulous organizational area.

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Alright. This picture is tiny. And this is as big as I can get it. But it's still a SUPER cool idea. I've seen so many busts used to store necklaces, but they are pretty pricey. This is a really cute DIY project that I really want to try!

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Here is another great source of inspiration. Mismatched frames, fabric and knobs are combined beautifully to make a great little changing area.



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 I like this idea because not everyone has wall space available, and this picture stand is a great alternative. Imagine the beautiful frame from the first photo resting in this picture stand. Oooo, pretty :) 



Move over necklaces, scarves have moved into my closet to wreak havoc and mayhem. Here are some great ideas to get them tamed too!

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Words of Wisdom: Responsibility

I love this. A friend of mine shared it on Facebook and it's brilliant.

Now, when my pre-teen daughter utters those words every parent loves to hear,

"Moooom, I'm bored."

I read this to her :)

[sometimes I need to read it to myself too... they are great words for anyone, really!]