Wednesday, October 13

Shutter bug

I'm in the process of making some changes to my guest room. I love my guest room, and there are several things I didn't want to change. In particular I like the fact that some of the decor is French. I don't want to go overboard with Francophilia, but little bits and pieces make me happy. The colors, though, were asking for a little updating. The room has been decorated with red and gold for awhile now, and I've been wanting to add some green and blue to the mix. Finding inexpensive accessories that include the right color of blue, though, has been a bit of a challenge.

Then last week I saw a wonderful post about shutters at Good-bye House, Hello Home. Leslie inspired me to think about using shutters in my guest room. What I really wanted was a pair of shutters from a French cottage. Old shutters. Blue shutters. I could just see the cottage with its old blue shutters in my mind's eye.

I followed Leslie's advice and went to my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Sure enough, I found some shutters for $3.00. Here's a snapshot of one section:




As you can see, the shutters were not blue or old. But that's okay, because I have experience with making things look old and blue. Remember my little table?


I had three colors of blue spray paint on hand, and after several coats, I had this:


Then after some sanding. . .


. . . and some wipe-on staining. . .


Je suis dans l'amour.



As I stood surveying my handiwork, my 17-year-old son walked up. "Where'd you get those?" he queried. "Those shutters look like they survived the Nazi occupation."

Touche'.

Now to find the perfect postcards to tuck in the slats. What do you think?

Update: Click here to see the guest room all finished!

**I'm joining Sarah's Before and After Party, Debbie's Before and After Party and Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest. Check out all the fun projects! And I'm linking to Weekend Bloggy Reading at Amanda's. There are always some fun links there--check it out!

24 comments:

  1. I absolutely cannot believe how cheaply you got those shutters. In the UK, they'd be really expensive, charity shop or no charity shop.

    Insane jealousy aside (who am I kidding?! I'll be fuming all evening!!), you have completely transformed them. I'm beyond impressed (again!).

    Sarahx

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think by your sons response that tells you they turned out perfect. I love the old rustic beat up look. You did a great job. Thanks for joining me today.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Richella, they are GORGEOUS! I've been wanting to get some shutters for my mantle. I haven't checked my HFH store lately. I might need to recheck there. Lovely!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love those!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I've got to get some shutters....heading to St. Vinney's today and maybe I'll get lucky.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OH!!! I love it!!
    Survived the Nazi occupation!
    LOL!
    I would have replied, "That's the look I was going for!"
    I have some French Postcards for you, if you like--really! REAL ones (Printed in France and everything!)!
    They have reds and blues and golds and reds in them, they are about 8"-10" X 5-6".
    I would love you to have them if you like them.
    See this post and look at the cards on the iron scrolly thing behind the cabinet.
    http://goodbyehousehellohome.blogspot.com/2010/04/roadside-rescue-of-cabinet-my-curby.html
    If you like them, they're yours! :)
    I wish I had your gift of distressing and faux painting!
    So happy to have inspired you--this is what blog friends do. You inspire me, too!
    Hugs and blessings as you make your home (and guest room!)
    ~me

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your shutters are awesome! It's amazing what some paint & love will do. Kind of makes me sorry for not buying the shutters I spotted at an estate sale this summer.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for the comment on my blog.
    I love how your shutter turned out.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Michele

    ReplyDelete
  8. Those really do look old. Great job and I can't wait to see the finished room.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You got the skillz, girl! They look awesome. Did you tell your son "why, you smart thing, they did survive the Nazi invasion...in France!

    ReplyDelete
  10. A success for sure. They'll look great with the cards and photos you find for them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You did a great job! Hurray for you for accomplishing exactly what you wanted! And what a great deal. I love it!

    XO,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can't believe that you bought those for 3 dollars! What a great find and they look fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ilove those! I sooo want to add some turquoise shutters to my living room...*sigh* maybe one day! lol

    ReplyDelete
  14. They look great Richella!
    I love that look and your son is quite funny!
    Great deal too!
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your son put it best!
    They do look awesome.
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love how they turned out!! Just darling! You picked the perfect color too!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nazi occupation or not, I like them!! ;) Sehr gut!!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a great project! You always come up with some wonderful ideas. People would pay big money for those! Please show us the guest room when you are finished! Carla

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nazi occupation, haha! Love them! They're beautiful :-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can't wait to see how they fit in with the room!! :) Thanks for linking up and leaving a sweet comment, my friend! Happy Weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. They turned out great! I love the color. I have some smaller ones stashed in the garage I might dig out. Thanks for the idea.

    ReplyDelete
  22. From one Francophile to another, tres magnifique!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I read every one; they make my day. If you have a specific question, please be sure your email address is attached to your profile or leave your email address in the comment; I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Every blessing!