CITICASITA

CITICASITA

January 14, 2012

Closet Office Nook Part 2

It doesn't look like I'm going to finish this project this week. I can't stand up too long, my knee is acting up for some reason. Oh well, the perils of "The Third Age"!
I have a couple of ideas as to what to do with this closet. The walls need work but since I'm planning to knock it down, I don't want to invest too much time and effort on that. Sooooo, I have these lovely almost new doors I removed from the closet and hmmm, maybe, just maybe, I'll paint them to look worn and distressed and just clamp them to the wall. Maybe put a shelf on it for books. That'll be the backdrop, after all I'll be hanging a mirror or even pictures on it, so I won't even see the wall. I was also thinking of covering it in a textured, raised, paintable wallpaper. That's costly. How about just painting over it and leaving as is, since I'm knocking it down anyways. The thing with that is that one says one's going to do a thing and it'll take forever. Sometimes not at all.
I took the closet down and kept the doors. The plan is to distress the doors and hand paint them to look rusted.That is a job! I'm probably better off just painting the wall. 




I'm thinking the door will look something like this when I finish with it. Maybe in another color, like turquoise. That may be more work than just painting the wall. Oh, what to do, what to do. There are two doors to consider. Although I only really need one against the wall.
Doors removed from closet. 
I also have to paint the desk. I have a beautiful Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I ordered for my bathroom console re-do. Since I already have the paint, doors sanding paper and desk accessories, cost  for this project is zero! Soooo, looks like I have my work cut out for me. It won't be finished this week-end though, what with hopping around on a cane and all. The Doc will take care of me, I hope.
This vanity was given to me by my two sons as a birthday present years ago. They used their little after school job money for it. The one piece of furniture I love, if it's possible to love an inanimate object. It was also a thrift store find. They sure are their mother's sons!
Well, my motto is, "The only way to do it, is to do it!" So let me go and start something. Maybe fill in the nails holes on the wall. I can always sit on the bench to rest. One hole at a time!

Enjoy your week-end everyone!

Guess what, I went ahead and painted one of the doors after I published the blog. I'll just have to keep editing it. Bear with me. Nah, I don't want o write it over, too many link parties to go over again.

Dropped my glasses into the paint in the process. Hysterical! Anyways, I will be distressing it and adding another color over it and then a third. How's that for hopping around on a cane???!!! Well, stay connected and see Part 2, maybe 3. Adios...........
Update #1: Desk should be something "like zeez!", when I'm finished with it.....maybe
I love the look on these doors also.

I can only work on it little by little, as I'm resting my leg a bit. Stay connected to see how it turns out, ok?
First coat after sanding. French Blue.
I rolled a candle over the second coat. The second coat won't adhere to the area I used candle on.
Second coat is darker than the first. Paris Blue. Still to be burnished, sanded and waxed.
Two doors being worked on. The desk is another story. Rest 15 minutes, work 30 minutes and so on. Gotta do what I gotta do!
More to come.......hasta la vista, baby!!!

Smile!!
This is like painting on a canvas. I'm using an artist's brush dipped in a mixture of paste wax and Minwax Color Express Stain in mahogany.
     
I'm not smiling, I'm in pain....off to the doctor! In the mean time I have been aging and distressing this door. Five coats and sanding in between. I'm only half way done on top. Still have the bottom and other door to do. I used a stain for the rusted look. Wish me luck with the doctor. Amen...

January 22, 2012.......one door down....rehab for knee.

January 29, well, I'm back. Part 2. I have wear and tear on the knee and arthritis. Who needs it! Anyway, hopping right along still, I'm done for now. My son secured the doors to the wall and I put up some office storage I had around the house. I made my own chalk paint and painted them white with a paste wax finish.

There are many chalk paint recipes on the internet, I used 1/2 cup Plaster of Paris mixed into 1/2 cup water and then added to about 2 cups of paint. I needed to experiment and mix really well. Amounts are optional depending on the consistency desired. More POP gives a thicker consistency. More paint gives better coverage.  I also decided not to use my vanity. Instead, I painted the work surface I already had with the chalk paint. I purchased 2 corbels to support the work surface and after painting everything white, used paste wax to buff it up a little.  After putting everything up, I decided to use a longer bench I re-purposed from my bedroom. A tool box purchased at an antique shop is being used as book storage. I have all this stuff I can use!

When needed I can switch up the computer for the sewing machine. No problem!


Heart pin cushion made by my friend who passed. thanks Anita......

My work space is done................when I get better I might add a couple of small ledge shelves I have around here somewhere. Here are pictures........thanks for stopping by.

46 comments:

  1. can't wait to see it all finished and put together!

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  2. Hi Diddie!! I'm Doni...and I'm so glad to find you! Thank you so much for joining me for Pearls and Lace Thursday! It's so much fun finding new blogs and people and seeing what you all have to share!
    I must confess...the picture of your glasses with the blue paint on them made me smile! I wasn't being mean, just had to find some humor in the fact that you thought to take a picture of it!!! I would have too!!
    You look like you're really making a great look for that space and I hope you'll share it when it's done!
    Blessings,
    Doni

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  3. I hope you are feeling better soon! Can't wait to see the finished product. I hate to admit it, but you seem to get more done when you are in pain than I do when I feel perfectly well. Thank you for the inspiration!

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    1. Thanks, I need re-hab and shot for pain. Nothing serious, thank God. Knowing someone is inspired keeps me going.

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  4. Great job distressing the door! It turned out lovely. I'm so sorry you were in pain though. Hope all is better now. ;)

    Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. Hope to see you each week.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage

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  5. It looks amazing. I love it. Such a clever idea. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  6. Are you by any chance my twin? Let's see, glasses in the paint and bad knee. hmmmm. I just had a shot of cortisone in one of mine. Hasn't worked so I am going to have to have two knee replacements. OY!! I go back to the doctor next week to start setting up that fun ordeal. yikes. BTW, love your little work space, and I know it was hard to paint with that knee. Hope you feel better.

    I am a happy new follower from Wow us Wednesdays
    Laura
    http://imsovintage.blogspot.com/

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  7. oh my gosh, what a great space! i love the magazine storage container things (what else to call them?) on the wall. this is a fabulous transformation here.

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  8. It is such a cute post, love the color on the doors. It would be like me to drop my glasses in the paint. Hope you knee is better! It really is such a cute, gorgeous work space. I like it so much I've featured it on my Facebook page. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best Party!

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  9. The finish on your door is amazing! But oh my goodness, the thought of your glasses in the paint just cracked me up! And your poor knees, oh my! Feel better!

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  10. Your doors are spectacular. A lot of work but a great reward with the finish. Nice idea for the new use of the old closet space.

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  11. I came over to follow you on the new Linky Follower and would love to have you come over and follow me too.

    Cheri

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    1. Yes, it's done. Thanks for following and sharing this.

      Diddie

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  12. Wow I love your ideas, I wish I could do renew furniture, doors and more like that! Love your ideas. I see you have the new linky follower tool, hope you like it. I was on the beta testing for it. If you're interested there's a blog hop going on for the linky follower tool. You can join us here: http://www.powered-by-mom.com/2012/02/linky-follower-party-hop.html if you want. I'm now following you. Looking forward to seeing some more the door looked fabulous. I sympathize with the knee issues eek I have knee problems due to arthritis which I got at age 25 doesn't stop us though :)

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    1. I have already been following you and am glad your following me. thanks for stopping by and sharing.
      Diddie

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    2. Yes, I've already joined up, thanks for sharing. Nope, you're right.....the arthritis and the heart problems don't stop me either! Gotta do what you gotta do!
      Love the Linky tool! I can keep up with everyone now!
      Diddie

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  13. Love your adorable blog! So glad I found you via the Linky Blog Hop. Following you now! Hope you can come visit me at http://www.eccentricleopard.com

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    1. Hi Tera, Yes, thanks for following, I have already linked up to follow you. Glad to share with you. thanks for stopping by.
      Diddie

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  14. Beautiful~ Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  15. Thanks for coming by and for following. You did a wonderful job on your new office space...love the door and the part about your glasses was just too funny (sounds like my luck).

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  16. i love the work
    you're doing
    and thanks so much
    for the LF follow

    now following back!

    alison

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  17. Following you via the LF blog hop. Hope you can follow me back. :)

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  18. So pretty! Found you through Linky Followers blog hop. Hope you'll come for a visit and consider following.

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  19. I like where you are going with it! I'm a new linky follower too!

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  20. So glad I found your blog. I'm now following on the new Linky tool. Follow back so we can stay connected with this great new tool. See you soon, Lori

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  21. Your nook looks great.I am now following you on Linky.I would love it if you followed me back. I really enjoy meeting new Bloggers.

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  22. Pretty nook! Just stopping by from the Linky Party Hop. I hope you will visit www.laughterandgrace.com and follow back.

    Thanks!!

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  23. Found you via the Linky hop and have become your newest follower. Looking forward to reading your future posts. Hope you have a chance to visit and perhpas follow me back.

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  24. What a lovely little nook you've created!
    Thank you for joining us for the first "Cowgirl Up!" linky party! We'd love to see you again next Tuesday!

    ♥Linsey

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  25. I'm a follower from the Linky Follower Blog hop! I hope you'll follow me back!
    http://dreesthings.blogspot.com/

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  26. How pretty, love the door! I'm following you with the new Linky Follower (via the LF Blog Hop). Will you follow me back?

    Shasta
    intheoldroad.blogspot.com

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  27. Hey-I'm now following your lovely blog on Linky Followers. I'd love for you to follow back!

    -Sarah @ Adventures of Our Fami-Ly
    www.adventuresofourfamily.com

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  28. Thanks for leaving a lovely comment on my blog. I'm following you back with GFC and the new Linky tools - it's just nice to see the numbers go up, isn't it !
    I love your work space, very colourful and cosy.

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  29. Hello - I am your newest Linky Follower. Please stop by TheStuffofSuccess and follow back. Thanks and have a great evening. Athena

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  30. Stopping by from the Linky Follower Party Hop!

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  31. It looks amazing! Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday!
    Feel better soon!

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  32. Coming from the blog hop, love your distressed doors! Following your Linky.
    Audrey

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  33. You must be so happy with your office nook all done pretty like this.

    I am actually coming to your site from the FOLLOWERS linky blog hop, and ** I am following you. ** Will you follow me back?? ** Thank you so much when you do.

    There is also a party on our blog today, where you can feature 'your best creative work'.

    Use this link to do both: http://www.FineCraftGuild.com/party/
    Have a happy day! Hope to seeing you around!!

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  34. this turned out wonderful! i'm definitely a new follower! have a great night! xx

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  35. Your ideas are amazing! Looks beautiful! We loved having you at our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." Come back next Saturday and share more of your great ideas! -The Sisters

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  36. That turned out beautiful! I'm considering transforming a closet into a little office-ish space. This inspires me. Thank you for sharing with air your laundry Friday!

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  37. Hi Diddie, what a wonderful post, you've done a fantastic job with distressing those doors, they look amazing, I love what you've done with your 'office nook' - a great idea! Take care Sharon

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  38. Wow, that is awesome! I can't believe that used to be a closet. I am a new follower visiting from the Shady Porch. Vicky from Mess For Less

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  39. Awesome nook! I love what you did with the door. I would like to redo some cabinets to look like the door in your first inspiration picture. Would love to see a tutorial on how to do that!! No pressure, or anything :)

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  40. I'm your newest linky follower from TDC-stop by for a visit!

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