DIY Console Table

So here is the honest truth.  I'm not a huge DIY-er.  Although, I try.

Another truth, my hubs, REALLY not a DIY-er or handy man in any way.  Don't get me wrong. He has other strengths, literally and figuratively.  For example, throw some football pads on that guy and he will knock other big guys over ALL DAY LONG, no one will be getting anywhere near that quarterback. Handy man, not so much.  I knew this when I married him, truth be told I was a sucker for those football pants ;)  Moving on...

When we were living in our first apartment I searched high and low for the perfect console table - inexpensive and good looking.  Nothing.  I then scoured KSL. Nothing. The next obvious answer...DIY.  So, I enlisted the help of my dad, or my mom did.  Anyhow, he did a great job (although he tells us he is not a handy man either, we think its a ploy to avoid requests such as this).  So, here is the oh so simple and dashingly beautiful console table that now graces our front room.

Honestly, SO SIMPLE.  My dad made the top.  I chose the paint color of my dreams - anyone who knows me knows how much I adore chartreuse - although I think I'm starting to move on...maybe.  We bought ourselves the perfectly sleek legs from Ikea (they have several options, see below) and shazam. Console table.

Super easy to attach.

Just some bonus info:

Dog book ends were on sale at Target (HOLLA!!).  

Framed our wedding announcement (moms idea, best idea ever)!

Amanda Nisbet's book...my FAV!

Small side table is a West Elm piece but I got it from a design friend for $40 (HOLLA!!)

 So go try it!  You won't be sorry!

DIY : Inexpensive Abstract Art

Lets be honest, everyone wants some great artwork to hang on the wall.  Something unique and, lets face it, something that didn't come from Hobby Lobby or Target.  

The problem is, either its from Target or you pay a pretty penny for it.

Sooo...I have been working on getting our guest room together and I really wanted some pretty artwork on the wall.  So I went to Hobby Lobby.  And no, I wasn't looking in the wall decor section, I went to the art supply aisle.  This is what I got:

I wanted the artwork to look legitimate, I thought the key to this was the canvas.  Thus the medium texture art canvas.

Acrylic paint that I thought would go well with the other colors in the room.  

Some gold paint because lets face it, everything is better with metallics...especially gold! The mod podge was to give some extra texture and let me really layer it all up.

Here is what I did:

1. Taped the canvas down on my work surface 

2. Watered down my brush and applied paint to canvas

3. Dried the paint with a blowdryer and added mod podge, dry after mod podge as well

4. Keep applying layers and drying and mod podging.  This will give it lots of texture and will help you achieve the look you want.

5. I wanted an ombre effect so watering the paint down was key.

6. Get some great, inexpensive frames from IKEA (several different sizes and finishes).  The reason why these are great:  they come WITH the matte.  Looks great and is such a great price!

7. Hang and enjoy!

We still need some bedside tables, lamps, and accessories to finish off the guest room, but this artwork really added a good punch of color.  Seriously, so easy, inexpensive, and fun!