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Thursday, May 4, 2017

All That Glitters...

The garage sale with the folks last weekend didn't rid my parents of all of their unwanted stuff, but they got rid of some, and in-between customers and in the evenings we had a wonderful time together. Mom took all of the unsold items to Goodwill on Tuesday, and said that they are a lot closer to getting the house listed. We are hoping that mom and I can head down to the new house in a couple weeks and start getting it set up. She loves the heat and is looking forward to 110 degree temperatures. My perfect day is sunny, 75 degrees with a light breeze. I predict that I'll be feeling grateful anyplace there is air conditioning!


Okay - on to the New Orleans kit update...

I really thought that I'd be farther along than I am by now, but I've run into a few things that were a bit challenging. One of them was my desire to have arched doorways and the resulting structural changes and additions to accommodate them. The other was having to scrap the first chimney breast wall/bookshelf/fireplace and make a whole new everything. As is usually the case, try 2.0 was a big improvement.


I started the same way as before with some foam core. The measurements I needed for the wall were 10" H x 8" W. It just so happens that I have pieces of foam core in that exact size. I love when that happens! Instead of using another of the thicker arched doorways for the outside frame of the bookshelf, I had a much less hefty door frame. All it needed was to be cut down to the right height. I cut out a section on each side then rejoined the bottom trim to make the bookshelf frame. You see in the photo that rather than try to fit the bookshelf and the fireplace side by side, this time I opted for a stacked arrangement.


I had this fireplace - it was one of those "changed my mind" leftovers from the flower shops. I also had the fru-fru wall moldings in the "maybe, someday" drawer. I figured I'd run the crown along the top of the chimney breast to make it look more permanent, and the corner moldings would tie it into the rest of the walls in the living room.


One of the design elements I have in mind for the room is to sprinkle in some gold accents. I've had the fake gold leaf and sizing in my "just have to try this" drawer for a long time. I was happy to come across it again and the bookshelf frame seemed like a perfect piece to try it on.


There is definitely a learning curve, and to that end I had to go at it three times with the sizing/glue to cover spots I'd missed the first two times. It's the nooks and crannies that are tricky. You have to apply an even coat of the sizing without letting it puddle. I was too stingy or too generous, it seems. In the end I liked the results and can't wait to try it on other things!



I felt that the finish was a little too shiny and new looking, so I rubbed some Inca Gold gilders paste wax on to add deeper toned highlights. I really like the effect, so then I added a bit of the patina wax, too! I like the highlighting effect and that it ties into the color palette for this room.



I built a new shelf box but was able to recycle the fire box from the 1.0 chimney breast wall. I've purposely lined it with bead board painted black - I want the fireplace to be a reno that's been updated to accommodate candles rather than a fire. It's just something different to try out.


I sanded down the shiny black finish on the fireplace but had no earthly idea what to do next. I had just about made my mind up on painting it white when a blue thought came to my head. I reached into the back of the color coded paint bottle drawer to see what blues I hadn't used already.



That's when I found it! A wonderful peacock blue! I knew right then that it was no chance encounter - it was a synchronicity! One thinly brushed on coat over the sanded black was perfect! I added a coat of beeswax and I love the finish! And I love the color against the sea foam wall!


I love the gold, too! Even the gold colored light fixtures (for the first time ever)!



It took me every spare moment to get the chimney breast wall to this point, with trims and lighting installed. I have some ideas for lighted candles, so the next chance I get to play I may start in that direction.

When I think about the To-Do list I have the optimistic impression that I can finish it in a weekend. More likely, I'll be lucky to have the crown molding installed and stairs built by the end of next weekend.

I hope everyone has a festive Cinco De Mayo and a fun filled weekend to follow!

xoxoxo
Jodi

22 comments:

  1. It looks great! I particularly love the peacock blue against the sea-foam. And the fake gold leaf looks very impressive too!

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    1. Thanks Penelope! If I had realized sooner that peacock was in my drawer, I'd definitely have used it more often! It looks much better in person, too!

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  2. Isn't it great to try new things and clear out some stash (to add more, of course)? :D Looks fabulous!

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    1. Thanks, Brae! That's a big part of the mini fun, right? Getting to try so many crafts that branch you off into more mischief!

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  3. Love how it looks! Just gorgeous and so perfect when I think of your arched doorways.

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! Isn't it fun to be able to explore so many styles and ideas? Not all of them work out so good, but it's still so much fun to try them!

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  4. I was just about to say I'm not keen on gold coloured lights but these are lovely. I think the overmantle looks better with a little distressing rather than the sparkly new colour. I adore the mixture of all of the colours in this room :0)

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    1. Thanks, Pepper! I am with you on the gold/brass colored lights normally - I usually spray paint or nail enamel them. But this time, I am going to allow them in and see if in a year or two I ask myself what I was thinking, lol!

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  5. oh, what elegance with all that gold !! :-)

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    1. Thanks, Marion! We'll see how it looks in the end. Hopefully it complements all of the other elements and does not ruin them! :O)

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  6. Gold adds richness to a scene...a sense of elegance, history and perks up the blue in a lovely way. The bookshelf and the lights are a delightful addition in that rich colour and how opportunistic that you had these items just waiting for the perfect spot. Cheers, Alayne

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    1. Thanks Alayne! I will be adding in cobalt to the mix so I hope they will all play nice together. It is so much fun to be able to finally pull supplies and minis out of drawers and actually use them!

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  7. REALLY, REALLY LOVELY Jodi and your solutions are all Brilliant!
    I love the peacock blue against the aqua! I have never seen that combination used before but is looks Amazing!!!
    Love the froufrou ornamentation on the wall but I LOVE the way in which you have adapted the trims for your bookcase - WOWEE!!! The antiquing of the trims is Beautiful and I love the gold light fixtures too.
    You are making this New Orleans house look Incredible Jodi, so keep it up! ♡

    elizabeth
    p.s. Have you considered the idea of installing a light inside the bookcase? just a thought... ;P

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    1. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I am so glad I had that peacock, otherwise I'd have gone white and that is just so safe and unadventurous!

      I am considering lighting the built in shelf - in fact I almost used acrylic for the shelf so that the light would light up the bottom shelf, too. Then I worried that I would scratch or get glue globs on the acrylic and the light would just draw attention to the mistake.

      I have can lights to install in the ceiling, so when I start on all of that I may play with a light for the shelf and see if it helps or hurts. I love where your mind is going and please keep the suggestions coming! I have a basic plan, but a lot of the build is me just winging it as I go!

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  8. La verdad es que queda bonito y elegante. Buena elección.

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    1. ¡Muchas gracias! Siempre he admirado el oro en el trabajo de otras personas, pero no fue lo suficientemente valiente como para intentarlo! Me alegro de que ahora lo hice!

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  9. It looks amazing! Now I want to try gold leaf!

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    1. Thanks, Kat! It is really fun! I should have practiced and applied it to some flat surfaces first. But I get excited and think that even if I messed up a bit, it might just add some age and charm. I will definitely use it again, and may even try some copper leaf on a section of the roof when I get there - if I'm feeling brave!

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  10. Love how this is coming together, Jodi. So very elegant! - Marilyn D., Oromocto, NB, Canada

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    1. Thanks, Marilyn! It's been a fun style to explore!

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  11. Hello Jodi,
    That looks awesome! I love the color scheme of the room very much. the fireplace wall looks great and I really like the gold leaf finish. Well done!
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Thanks, Giac! I am having fun with it although I am finding myself struggling to get the fabricated stuff perfectly measured and cut. Oh well - I am learning and that's what counts! :O)

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