Shabby chic-ing jam jars

So what I was going to talk about was my little DIY project I had last summer. During my usual browsing on Pinterest I came across these beautifully painted and distressed pastel Mason jars which I immediately fell in love with and quickly decided I needed a few (or many!) in my house.

First challenge was to actually get hold of the jars. It sounds like an easy task – not so much! Mason jars are non-existent here and the classical jars called “Norgesglass” are not much sold other than online auctions, and they turned out to be bloody expensive! I was actually wrecking my brain there for a while when Söstrene Greene came to the rescue. Lovely glasses with patterns, in different sizes and not very expensive.

Second challenge was to find out what paint to use. Online it said “chalk paint” – what on earth is that? I went to Chlas Ohlson and asked for assistance, but other than spray paint they had no advise to offer. I finally took the chance on buying a small kit of acryllic paint. You may guess that was a monsterous fail. The paint had no coverage and by the second coat it all just flaked off. Very frustrating and a jar was wasted.

Then I ventured downtow to a shop called Panduro Hobby which immediately could inform me that what I needed was plain, ordinary furniture pain. That’s it. http://www.pandurohobby.no/Catalogue/20-Mal-Tegn/2010-Vannbasert-maling/201015/1/271001-P-Vintage-Paint-Mouse-Grey

What was even better was that it was sold in small jars. I bought a white one and to get different pastel colours I used a small amount of my very pigmented acryllic paint.

Then I took some sand paper and lightly sanded the pattern and the top edges and used some hemp string. Must confess I think they are super adorable and I could easily have made loads more. However. there might be a limit as to how many pastel jars with fake flowers I can keep around the house. Or IS there…!?!?

Pretty pastels

Bit behind on the blogging due to computer problems.
But here is a close look at the kitchen table colour and a few pretty items i bought at Nille to go with it.

Inspirational Tuesday

Here are a few more inspiring pictures I have found on Pinterest:

What a gorgeous, gorgeous litttle workplace! I want it all, the desk, the chair and the lamp!
Source. aufeminin.com

As previously mentioned, I am considering painting my living room furniture. As my book cupboards have glass doors, I really want to use some kind of window foil to make it more neat. This is my fave of what I’ve found.
Source: vindufolie.no

I would love the dresser and the mirror in my bedroom!
Source. TheHomesIHaveMade on Flickr

Kitchen table: From IKEA to shabby chic

I love IKEA. It’s accessible, it’s fresh and it’s cheap. Only problem is that once in a while I do get slightly tired of the stuff.

For the longest time I’ve been fond of light and wodden furniture like pine. But the past few years my taste has more turned to white or light pastels which is a lot harder to find and especially at IKEA. So after a few months of glaring at my wooden kitchen table, it struck me: Why not just paint it instead of throwing it out to start searching for a new one?

So after a few rounds of considering cream or a light grey colour for the table, I decided to go for blue as it’s one of my fave colours. Next step was to chose which one, did I want a greyish blue, a baby blue or a light teal colour?

After several helpful inputs on Instagram and Twitter, I opted for the midle left colour.  Then I was ready to spend the Pentecost weekend, sanding, priming, two coats of painting and a light sanding of the edges and voila!

Now,  I’m afraid I don’t remember what the colour was called but the brand was Lady Interior, with a silky matt finish. And I couldn’t be happier with the result, I loooove the colour!  I could have easily gone mental and painted more things in my house with the same colour, but unfortunately (or luckily?) I only managed one small ladder before I accidentally spilled the bucked and had to throw out the rest of the paint.

Oh well… bring on the next pastel I say – I got more IKEA in the house! 

Inspirational Tuesday

There are few things more relaxing as browsing Pinterest and look at pretty and inspiring pictures is you ask me! Here are a few of my faves:

I would love a big mirror like that with loads and loads of candles. Imagine that as therapy for winter!
Source: teagreenchandelier.com

I’ve been looking for one of those shabby chic signs. They used to have them at one of my fave stores but not anymore. Boo!

Source: ofeliashusblogg.blogspot.co.nz

I’m thinking about painting the shelves and cabinets in my living room grey and I love this brownish colour – not too cold.
Source: 24homes.blogspot.nl