Before And After: Mod Bookshelves

Hello!

It's been a little while (sorry!) and I have been busy working...just have slacked off on the blogging side of things. Only human and all that!

But I'm here now with some gorgeous shelves to show you. Yay!!

This is my most recent project completed and I'm so happy with how it turned out!

These are going in a clients' daughters' bedroom, which is also undergoing an overhaul at the moment - fun!!

I'm not sure what this book shelf is normally called - I have seen a couple before - but I decided to call them mod bookshelves as they have a little 1950's feel to them, even though they possibly aren't that old. :-)

They turned out so good, I really love the look! See what you think...

I've styled it for a lot younger child - not having any tweenies yet myself, but I'm sure it'll look even more awesome in its' new room. ;-)

And for those interested in how I did this one, I give you...drum roll...

MY FAST SIX DETAILS

1. Give it a good (but quick) sand all over to help with paint adhesion. I used straight low sheen here - no chalk paint for this one! Then give it a good clean with a damp cloth and let dry. I get impatient sometimes...ok, a LOT, and always have the air compressor turned on when I'm working so I blow air over to help it dry quicker! I don't do this to help wet paint dry, I'd only blow dirt/leaves/dust on it and have to start again;-)

2. Lay it on its back and paint a coat on the interior, but not around the edges if you can help it. It doesn't matter too much if you get a little on the edges as we'll fix that later on. (By edges I mean the part that's left natural timber.)

3. Flip it upright and paint a coat on the exterior, again trying not to go over the edge too much. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know what the blue colour is called. ;-)

4. Once dry, give a light sand with a 320grit sanding sponge and another wipe down before repeating more coats of both colours until you're happy with the coverage.

5. When it's all dry and you're happy with your paint job, flip it on it's back and grab a mouse sander and about 180 grit sandpaper and a steady hand, and sand the whole edge of the shelves that you want to keep as natural timber. The steady hand is so you don't go off the edge and take off paint that you've just finished applying! Practice on something else that has a narrow edge first if you're not feeling confident. I used 180 grit as I needed to remove the old varnish as well as some areas where I got paint on ;-) 

6. Time to seal. For the timber edge I used a little teak oil - no the timber isn't teak, but it just gives it a little depth that clear wax doesn't. Then the painted areas got ASCP clear wax, a good buff and it's finished!

On a complete side note - after typing fast 6 up there, I saw the other day (via Instagram) that Fast 7 is being filmed as we speak!! And I know that this is of no interest to any of you - unless perhaps you're my bestie or a male who's into cars - and I am not into cars at all (more into Paul Walker perhaps?!) but I've shared this un-interesting fact anyway...because I can! ;-)

That's all from me for now, have a lovely week!!

Courts xx

Guest Post - Clair From A Cacao Life

Hi there!

There's someone that I really want you all to meet today - Clair, a friend of mine who has just recently started her blog - A Cacao Life 

If you've been reading along lately, you'll know that I've made some serious changes to my diet and exercise (from zero exercise to most days) and in the beginning phases of any big life changes - we need all the support we can get. 

Clair is a big supporter of mine, which I appreciate whole heartedly :-)

Clair lives in the same town as me and has been inspiring me with awesome clean recipes and food ideas for a while now. She's an awesome cook!! And an awesome person who happily share's her knowledge with you! I'll let her take it away now and introduce herself to you. You're gonna love her!!

Hello! 

My name is Clair, and I, like you LOVE Courtney's blog. Not only is this woman wonderfully talented, she also is the kindest soul you could find! She offered me to have a go at doing a guest post on her blog today! So bare with me!

My little blog 'A Cacao Life' is about something Courtney has occasionally posted about on her blog…clean eating, exercise and family. I feature 'clean' recipes of your most naughty foods, information about latest trends in the healthy food world, and some pics of me and my little family. I've recently had baby number 2 (Jimmy) and I'm on maternity leave from my career as a nurse.

I'm in the midst of doing the Whole30 and I'd love for you to pop over to my blog www.cacaolife.blogspot.com.au and have a peek. I love feedback- so bring on your constructive criticism! 

I hope you enjoy my blog and come back for another visit!

Cheers!

Clair xx

Thanks Clair!!

The last time I saw Clair I asked her 'What do I wear for running in summer?' to which she didn't hesitate to answer my complete exercise newbie (and probably funny/blonde!) question...'Just a tank top and some running shorts Courts' Thanks for not laughing at me Clair!! ;-)

Wanna see a couple of things Clair's been making/eating??

Try this raw chocolate and hazelnut brownie tart on for size...

 

I'm literally drooling as I type!

Or this...

as either breakfast, lunch or tea! Both guilt free ;-) Bonus!!

So if you're curious about that stuff you put in your mouth and how it's directly linked to how you feel/look and want to try out some clean recipes (eating healthy doesn't mean you are deprived!) or if you're wondering what on earth the whole 30 is that Clair mentioned, please click on over to A Cacao Life and learn more about it all...you won't be disappointed!

Courts xx

PS. I just finished a beautiful (and big!) dining table that I can't wait to show you!! Drying, drying...

     

Before And After: A Duck Egg Coffee Table

Hello!

It's back to a good old before and after today! I won't be mentioning the 'e' word at all in this post...ok, just once for those that missed my last post all about 'exercise' or the 'e' word as I'll now refer to it as. And if you did manage to get through possibly my longest post ever - thank you!

Onto today's post though, which is all about this...

A custom piece for a client that was handmade and it even has storage underneath the table top. Genius!

This has been painted in DIY chalk paint in a duck egg-ish colour (can't remember its exact name) but it is very similar to Annie Sloan duck egg. I colour matched to a frame my client has, using my Dulux fan deck. 

It was then heavily distressed and sealed with wax.

The before -

You know, I never tire of the magic that happens just by applying paint and a little know how/creativity to a piece of furniture that is past its prime. 

It's why I love what I do! :-)

And for those of you interested in how I do my heavy distressing - I always use my mouse sander with a fairly high grit paper. I used 320 grit for this one, and I go over the whole piece. If I'm doing light distressing, I just go over where the piece would naturally get wear and tear.

But for heavy distressing, I use the high grit combined with heavier pressure by me (and my now growing muscles;-) and I cover the whole piece using quite quick movements. I try to create more friction so that the paint comes off wherever it wants to but at the same time all these factors combine to make it all really smooth in one step. 

If it still needs smoothing, I'll go over with a sanding sponge, always 320 grit.

Hope this makes sense! 

Could you stand a little duck egg at your place? It's a colour that makes me think of summer and the beach and holidays...

Courts xx