Saturday, May 10, 2008

50th post!!! (a project to share)

Several weeks ago, the Nester posted about her favorite paint color, and as she was showing pictures I saw one of a door that she hung above her couch. Now, her door is a 6 paneled one with two tones on it, and it looked really nice in her house (maybe it wasn't her house, maybe she just had the pic, I don't know.) Anyway, I was inspired! When we remodeled our kitchen, we took down a wall that had two doors in it. I thought I could combine that door idea with another project that I saw on tv.

Here is the door in its original state. It was this brown stain on one side and white paint on the other. I wanted the brown side since I was going to paint it chocolate brown. I cleaned it off, took off the doorknob and hinges, then painted it. The brown paint I chose is called "chocolate sprinkles" and it is Behr paint from Home Depot.
I found some French words that I really liked and wrote them in a script across the door with a white colored pencil. Then I took some white primer that we had leftover from the remodel and traced over the pencil. Then I let it dry.
It's hard to tell with this light, but I then took some of the brown paint and mixed it with water and drug that wash over the words. Then I rubbed it off somewhat to give it an antique-y look. Then I mixed some gold sparkle paint that I had from the craft store (Folk Art Metallic Champagne) with some water and drug that across the whole thing. There is a fine sparkle to the door that glows in the light.
We hung it in the HUGE EMPTY space I had above my king-sized bed. We have had that bed for almost 4 years and I have never been able to find something that didn't seem dwarfed by the bed. The door was a great solution! Thanks, Nester!

Oh, the words? I know you want to know about the words. Well, they are a French translation of some verses from 1 Corinthians 13. The love chapter, right? I thought it would be appropriate to have something romantic above our bed, but I didn't want to have the words written in English. That might have been a little cheesy. This is the part I saw on tv. A woman on TLC's Moving Up had the same French verses painted on the wall above their bed. I took two ideas and made them mine. It cost me $8 for the quart of chocolate paint, and two lunches at CiCi's for the husband and his friend to get it put up today.

I am so excited about how this turned out! I actually have another door in the attic that I might need to use on my dining room wall that is huge and empty (I have posted about that before.) If I ever do anything with it, I share that too.

Oh, Happy Mother's Day! I heartedly wish that to all of you out there! Have a wonderful day!

45 comments:

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Wow!! What a cool project. I love what you did. Since I don't do crafts...I wish you lived near by and I could commission one :-)

Hunny Bee said...

That is so awesome!!! I also have been trying to come up with an idea to fill the space above one of our couches. My idea (which I stole from Martha Stewart) is a bit different, but similar in hanging something really large to fill a space. She used a quilt hung over a curtain rod as a headboard for a bed. I'm gonna do it with a favorite quilt above the couch. I'm considering trying to find a way to incorporate your idea, too, though now that I've seen it. Brilliant!

The Nester said...

Girl! That looks absolutely fantastic! You are so lucky that you can do that writing--you were an art major right?

Nice work! Really really beautiful!!!!

PS you better believe that was my door that I painted in the photo!

Anonymous said...

How neat!! You are soo creative! and yes, your blog is now letting me leave a message!

I made your 1 pt. muffins tonight; very yummy!

Hope all is well! Hope we can catch up Wednesday!
Kristen

Caroline said...

You crafty cat! That is the coolest idea. I'll stow it away in my notes to self for our next home! Lucy just doesn't have enough wall room for that kind of project right now.

Anonymous said...

Not a stamper - but most certainly a talented crafter! Thanks for this additional, beautiful idea! Too bad I sent my FIL away with that old front door this morning!
Karin

Unknown said...

Love, Love, Love it! Gonna' Steal, Steal, Steal the idea!
Thanks for the inspiration! Great choice of scripture...somehow I don't think it would look as romantic in german though would it? I'll have to ponder that.

Rebekah said...

That is very cool. Love it

Debbie said...

Sissy, it is absolutely beautiful!

Sissy said...

Did you all see that I got a comment from the Nester? Aren't you jealous? Or may she comments on your blogs all the time...

Gotta confess though, I actually know her a little bit and emailed her about my door project. So proud that she liked it though...

Yes, I did major in art in college, in case anyone else wanted to know the answer to that question.

Alison said...

It's beautiful, Sissy!
And your bed is gorgeous, too.
Hope you had a good weekend!

Lula! said...

I am so loving this! Your penmanship is perfect, too. This is such a great idea. Maybe God has shown you a new career? Through the Door with Sissy? (Lame, I know...but...) Thanks for posting about this.

Heather said...

It looks AWESOME. And, yes, I did go buy my quart of "chocolate sprinkles" right after I read this post the first time this morning. You know how I am about paint. How can I not buy it when it's called "chocolate sprinkles"?!

angela | the painted house said...

Resourceful AND beautiful--don't you love it when those two qualities come together?

Thank you for sharing your project!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Wow, this is incredible! I love the idea of that scripture in the bedroom, and you did a wonderful job! I know you are so pleased!!

Joy said...

I love projects that involve a door! I use doors a lot in my projects. Your door turned out beautiful. Great idea!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I love this! It's gorgeous. So glad the Nester pointed me to your site today. -Julia :-)

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

I clicked over from Nester...that door is incredible! I love it...so unique and elegant.

Melissa Stover said...

i love that idea! i just can't believe your handwriting is so neat.

Darla said...

VERY VERY cool!

Debe said...

May I second all that has been said above!! I am so green with envy, that is just chocolatey delicious and sweet, too. How lovely to be so talented!

Anonymous said...

This is awesome!

Blanca

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful. I get so many ideas from bloggers and decorating shows.

I found you through The Nester.

Anonymous said...

It's me again. :)
I was trying something different other than using my real name. There's another Amanda, now, so I thought I would start signing my name as my blog name.
Well, I did, but it didn't hightlight for you to be able to click on it to see who I am! So, I'm going to try it again! :)

Busy Little Quilter said...

ok, so this is embarrassing! Evidiently I don't know how to do this without using my real name, which is Amanda.

I guess I really should have tried this on someone that I knew instead of someone I just met! Please forgive me! :)

Becky said...

Gorgeous project!

Kimba said...

What a fantastic job! I love it! I'm going to steal it! The idea not the actual door, of course. I'm so glad Nester linked to your blog because now I can read the whole thing.
Kim

Melissa said...

wow! I can't believe how beautiful your writing is~it turned out so well! Thanks for sharing your great idea~

Runner Girl said...

Oh my goodness!!!!!!

Screaming Meme said...

I love it! Great job! Meme
screamingmeme.typepad.com

Jo said...

I love your door. Gives new meaning to the term "french doors" ;-)
May I ask how you (or your hubby) hung the door? I've been thinking about hanging a door above our king size bed too, but I don't know how to secure it to the wall.

I found your blog through The Nester's link.

Tiffany said...

That door is G O R G E O U S!!!

Jessie said...

It looks beautiful!
Can I ask how your husband hung it?
I have a big heavy mirror I want to hang.
Thnaks

troubling stars said...

So, I stole your idea and am putting a Shakespeare quote on an old coffee table I have that needed some lovin.
Oh wonderful, wonderful, and yet again wonderful wonderful, and after that out of all whooping!

- As You Like It

How's that for a joyful reminder? PS Also stole the idea to put it in French - the language just caresses things with class, doesn't it?

Amy Jo said...

Cool idea! I also have some really big spaces to fill. I want to ditto the question of "How in the world did you hang that up on the wall??" Keep creating and sharing!

Kira said...

I linked you from the Nester. Very cool, we have the same King Size dilema. I may need to copy you :)

Anonymous said...

I came over from Nester. Awesome piece of art!

Sissy said...

Well, I need to ask my husband how he hung it, but I know he used those wire hanger things that you stick into the wall and they curve up behind the wall to hold it in place. You see them on tv. I will find out in more detail for you!

Little Lovables said...

That is absolutely gorgeous!!

Kristi~The Slipcover Girl said...

I found you through the nester! I love the door...esp. in french! Absolutely gorgeous project!

Amy said...

I LOVE what you did! I have been looking to do something over my bed as well, but wasn't quite sure. I will have to think about this. Thanks!

bj said...

WOW...this is just fantastic!
Just beautiful and I love it...
I wonder if you would mind taking a look at my blog and posting of an old door...I would love to hear your ideas on what to do with it.
Thanks,
bj

Amber said...

Wow! It looks fabulous! :) Isn't it amazing what you can do with old things and some creativity? A perfect solution for your space and a one of a kind touch. Love it!

Anonymous said...

Wow!! T is beautiful!!! What an excellant idea!!! What did you do about the door knob hole (if anything?)? I can't see it in the picture hanging above your bed.
I have a door & a teenage son with a large space above his bed!!!!
Maybe writing his favorite quote???
Blessings ~
Susan

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

That is a FABULOUS idea! I love it!