furniture makeovers Archives - Page 3 of 16

Technology, social media and apps change faster than I can keep up with these days. Just when I’m getting the hang of one thing, something else pops up to send me in a tailspin. For the last few years, I can honestly say that I haven’t jumped on the newest things to come my way just because they are the newest thing to come my way. Yes, I’m a blogger so those things are important, but since I’m a DIYer, I don’t spend all day long sitting at my computer. I try to put on my blinders and do what I need to do to better connect with you.

But a few weeks ago, I did discover a new-to-me platform that I thought was really neat. It’s called Snapguide, and it is a iOS app and web platform that lets you upload step-by-step how to guides. It’s essentially a mini blog, which I think is amazing for those of you who do tons of projects but don’t want to have your own blog. Think of it as Pinterest, but with step-by-step pictures and instructions – and YOU get the “credit”!

Now, Snapguide has been around for a few years (remember, I wear blinders), but I’m just now getting the hang of it. This week, I teamed up with Glidden on a new pre-mixed paint product called Grab-N-Go and posted a Snapguide on a cute little dipped paint chair that I made in just a few minutes (literally!) for Zack’s new room. I embedded that guide below so that you can see how it works.

Check out How to Create a Dipped Paint Chair by Lindsay Ballard on Snapguide.

I don’t know that I’ll spend a ton of time over at Snapguide, but I think there are a lot of valuable guides over there. It’s mostly the DIY/makers/crafters that are over there, but I’ve also seen recipes, gardening tips, self-publishing guides, and technology hints. I’m sure that it doesn’t have the number of users that you can find on Pinterest, but I love having the step-by-step instructions available without having to search for something that may or may not have been pinned from the original source….

Back in March, my world was totally changed when my only favorite sister moved here from Orlando. It had been been 19 years since I had lived within a two day driving distance from anyone in my family, and now my sister is about 30 minutes away from me door-to-door. To say that this is one of the best things that has ever happened to me would be an understatement. My kids are thrilled that “Aunt Leigh Leigh” can just stop by for dinner any time, and I am thrilled that we are able to spend so much time together after 19 years of trying to catch up over quick weekend visits.

Like many people, Leigh Ann has gone gaga for Pinterest and has found some adorable projects that she wants to recreate. The thing is, though, that Leigh and I couldn’t be more opposite in our personalities. She’s the numbers girl and I’m the creative one, so she was nervous to even attempt these projects. So, we’ve had a Sister Craft Day where I’ve helped her put together the projects that she had in mind, and I have tried to teach her some things about crafting. She’s now making cute little canvas signs for herself and her friends.

But, Leigh has never painted anything before. So when she found a $40 headboard on Craigslist that she wanted me to paint, I said, “How about I teach you how to do it?” She wasn’t thrilled (to be totally honest), but she agreed. I had just gotten a HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish HVLP paint sprayer in the mail, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to use it. This isn’t the type of sprayer that you’d use for huge areas, like walls, but it’s perfect for things like furniture and cabinets.

I set up plastic sheeting in my garage and got her headboard prepped for painting (using a deglosser to remove the shiny factory finish instead of sanding it). Don’t you wish you had a big sister to do all of your prep work? Ha! Then, to try out the sprayer myself, I used it to apply a primer coat (Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3).

I have a few other paint sprayers myself, and the Fine Finish Max felt different to me than the other ones. It was much lighter weight to hold in my hand so my hands didn’t get fatigued. I did have a hard time using it the first time because you are supposed to hold it 6″-12″ away from the item you are painting – much closer than my other paint sprayers. But, once I got the hang of that, it was really easy.

After the primer dried, it was Leigh Ann’s turn. I gave her a quick set of instructions (basically just overlap the strokes by about 1/3 and use your legs to move up and down instead of your bending your wrists), and I turned her loose. Since she is not a DIYer, I had no idea how it was going to go.

As it turns out, Leigh Ann was a beast with that paint sprayer!

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How to Create a Dipped Paint Chair {Snapguide}

A Paint Sprayer That Even a Non-DIYer Can Use {and a Giveaway}