What Meegan Makes

vintage style, cottage living, home cooking

  • Home
  • Contact for Collaborations
  • Privacy Policy and Disclosure
  • Furniture Makeovers
  • 10 DIY Seasonal Banners
  • 15 Creative Spring Crafts

Living With White Walls and Not Fighting It

March 21, 2013 By Meegan 13 Comments

When we moved into a condo with white walls, I wasn’t really liking it at all.  It was too stark and felt unfinished.  Since most of my furniture was dark wood and deep reds, I was looking for something to compliment the white walls rather that “fight” with them.

I started looking online about different styles and colors to blend with my white walls.  After looking and getting a feel for what I liked other than reds and dark wood, I decided to not “fight” the white walls but work with them.

Living With White Walls and Not Fighting ItMy first project was painting my bookshelf.  It had a cherry stain and is made of pine.  I painted it with a flat white paint found at the “Oops” table of Home Depot for $1.  SCORE!!  After painting it all white, I decided I did want some color.  So I only painted the front and sides a light blue.  Now it stands out against the wall and blends with my new decor.

When I bought the coffee table, it was black.  I used primer, white paint, a color called Summer Sonnet by Ace Hardware.  I found a simple stencil for my table to add a little pizzaz.

Living With White Walls and Not Fighting ItThis is a view from our coffee table.  You can see that I have added layers and textures, so the white is more appealing.

Living With White Walls and Not Fighting ItThis is our tiny dining area.  I am getting use to the lighter colors now and enjoy finding accent pieces that will fill our home with color against the white walls.

Living With White Walls and Not Fighting ItI stayed with the dark decor on this piece.  It was made by my grandfather.  I love all the chips and dings in it.  By adding books, a lamp, flowers and a wooden box, adds to the texture and feel of our white walls.

Living With White Walls and Not Fighting ItThe antique cupboard was silver and has been made over a few times.  I choose to paint it with 3 colors: Antique White, Turquoise Mist by Olympic, and Hint of Olive by Ace Hardware.   After it was painted, I added a few stencils once again for character.  Using sandpaper I roughed up all the edges.  It now stands out and it is a great piece for added color.  I made a garland from book pages and twine for the front of the cupboard.

Living With White Walls and Not Fighting ItIn our bedroom, I decided to go with a more vibrant color than the light blues, greens and antique white.  By adding various pillows there is eye appeal and comfort.  The furniture was my grandparents, made in the 40s. With a maple stain they just looked “old”.  I used Turquoise Mist by Olympic with a dry brush to give them new life.  The drawers are painted antique white.

My headboard is actually a screen.  The green works well with the rest of the room.  The coffee filters hanging on the “headboard” are decorations from our son’s wedding.

Living With White Walls and Not Fighting ItAt the foot of our bed, we have a beach bench painted with BHG Teal Lake.  It is covered with an antique quilt.  The pillow is from Pier1.  The shelf is painted with the same white that I used on the book shelf in the living room.  I filled it with shells and mementos from beach trips around the world.  I also like the monograms for more texture.  The mirror is painted with various colors that I have previously mentioned.  Leaning in the corner are an antique umbrella and bamboo cane.

My solution for living with white walls: Embrace it.  Find a new look that fits your lifestyle.  Accent the white with textures, depth and character.  Besides all that.  You will get to take everything with you when you move!!

Thanks for stopping by today!!  I hope you come back again very soon!!

Learn to live with white walls without fighting it.

Also visit me on: Pinterest Facebook Hometalk Google + Stumble Upon Bloglovin’ twitter Instagram

Make it a great day!

Blogs I like to link with: Its Overflowing I Should Be Mopping The Scoop Coastal Charm Kammy’s Korner Elizabeth & Co Alderberry Hill Shaken Together Home Stories A2Z 504 Main Lil Luna Savvy Southern Style From My Front Porch LiveLaughRowe House of Hepworths Whipperberry DIY Showoff Happy Hour Projects Ginger Snap Crafts No Minimalist Here White Lights On Wednesday 52 Mantels {Primp} Made In A Day Craftionary At The Picket Fence French Country Cottage The Dedicated House Creations By Kara Redoux Debbie Doos The DIY Dreamer My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia The 36th Avenue Funky Junk Becoming Martha Knock Our Socks Off

Changing Vintage To Work For You

February 21, 2013 By Meegan 27 Comments

Sometimes we inherit a piece of furniture or accessory that kinda doesn’t fit our taste or flavor. For me, I like the idea of changing vintage to work for you.  I love the pieces that I have, and I want to keep them, but still fit my motif.

That is what is SO great about paint!  Paint is my best friend lately.  It is fun to change up and turn something into what fits in your own space.  Woo!

I am REALLY lucky in the fact that I own quite a few pieces of furniture that were my grandparents.  This shelf is one of those pieces:

Changing Vintage To Work For You

As a child, I remember Grandma’s china, tea sets, and odds & ends sitting on this shelf in her dining room.  Then later in life, it hung in my Mom’s home holding tea sets, and beautiful plates.    I, on the other hand decided to hang it in our bedroom.  I have been trying to refresh the colors in our home to lighter and brighter tones.  So that meant this shelf needed some refreshing as well.

 

Changing Vintage To Work For You

I went to Home Depot to look for some paint and ended up at the “Ooops Table”  I found a can of Glidden flat whitish/creamish color for $1!!  I painted just about everything: Bookcases, my kitchen shelves, a lamp, a clock, and anything I could.  I mean for $1, how could I go wrong?  By the time I got around to painting this shelf, I had barely enough left to cover it.  But, it was just the right amount I wanted and needed.

 

Changing Vintage To Work For You

With a dry brush and scraping the whole can of paint, I came up with this look.  Prefect for some of our sand and shell collection, rather than china or tea sets.  The sand and shells go along with the rest of the motif in our home.

 

Changing Vintage To Work For You

I LOVE how you can still see the wood grain through the paint.  I also sanded the edges for a worn, vintage look.

 

On some of the bottles I placed tags labeling where we had gathered our sand and shells. I purchased the tags from Wal-Mart.  Using my stamps I created labels.  Easy!
Changing Vintage To Work For You
Doesn’t she look great?  Bringing in a touch of my family’s heritage and history,  along with things that I enjoy collecting.  Probably one of my favorite things to do-use vintage family pieces, then add my own style and taste.
What have you been working on lately? I have been moving furniture and painting-so I can share my “new” office with you very soon!!  Yay!!
Thanks for stopping by!!  I look forward to your visits and comments everyday.

Thanks for following me and I hope we can stay connected:

Pinterest Facebook Hometalk Google + Stumble Upon Bloglovin’ twitter And now I am on Instagram!!

Make it a Marvelous day!!
Changing vintage to Work for you
Linked with: Its Overflowing I Should Be Mopping Cowgirl Up Coastal Charm Kammy’s Korner Elizabeth & Co Alderberry Hill Shaken Together Home Stories A2Z 504 Main Lil Luna Savvy Southern Style From My Front Porch LiveLaughRowe House of Hepworths Freckled Laundry Whipperberry DIY Showoff Happy Hour Projects Ginger Snap Crafts No Minimalist Here White Lights On Wednesday 52 Mantels {Primp} Made In A Day Craftionary At The Picket Fence French Country Cottage The Dedicated House Creations By Kara Redoux Debbie Doos The DIY Dreamer My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia The 36th Avenue Funky Junk Becoming Martha

A Can of Paint Makes All The Difference

January 17, 2013 By Meegan 13 Comments

I just love me a good can of paint, don’t you??  I think a can of paint makes all the difference.  What about you??  I want to show you how paint can make a difference in the look, feel, and balance of your home.  It doesn’t even take much time.  Just a little creativity.

 

Here are a few samples of what I mean:

 Paint makes all the difference

My Book Shelf

Paint makes all the difference

Our Bedroom

paint makes all the difference

Jen’s Home

paint makes all the difference

My Vintage Craft Cupboard

paint makes all the difference

My Thrifted Coffee Table

paint makes all the difference

Our Bedroom

Oh My Goodness!!  What a difference!

A Can of Paint Makes All The Difference

I love paint because of the fresh look, but also because of the minimal cost in the long run.  Not everyone can buy a new home, or afford to make over a room.  Start out by going to your local home supplier and purchase a quart of paint.  A quart goes a long way when you are painting furniture.

Have fun, be creative, and make your home a cozy place to be.  Try new colors.  Colors you have been longing to try, but don’t just have the courage to use.  Give it a try-just one small tester can even will work.  If you don’t like it-paint over it!!  That’s part of the fun and creativity as well.

Thanks for coming by today.  I love your visits and comments.  They make me smile everyday.

Make it a terrific Thursday!!

signature

I share little bits and pieces of my blog and life on: Pinterest Facebook Hometalk Google + Stumble Upon Bloglovin’ twitter Instagram  

Sharing this post at some of these amazing blogs.

 

The Best of 2012-My Botanical Pillow

December 27, 2012 By Meegan 2 Comments

It’s time for another “The Best of What Meegan Makes-2012″….

Best of 2012-My Botanical Pillow

Don’t you just love pillows???  I REALLY like them!!  I pretty much look at them in any store I go into-TJ Maxx, Pier 1 Imports, Home Goods, Target, and even Wal-Mart.  You just never know what you are going to find!

While I have been changing the colors throughout our home, I made a couple of “Botanical” print pillows.  They looked great, but I needed something different to go along with them.  Something I created.

So, I began searching and looking.  Then the creative juices starting flowing!!  I knew that if I could make this:

Best of 2012-My Botanical Pillow

Then I could make another style, too!

Best of 2012-My Botanical Pillow

I found just the right green to go with my other pillows-Yep, you got it-It was on SALE!!  I got to work and made a pillow from an old pillow that was navy blue (That was not going to work anymore) and from this fabric.

I started cutting out the shapes and sizes I wanted.  Using Fabric Glue, I began to create my own design.  I really like using felt.  There isn’t a bias, or fraying, and you can cut anywhere or way you need to. It also adds texture to your projects.

Best of 2012-My Botanical Pillow
Pin It

Doesn’t she look just great with my other pillows????  I am REALLY pleased with how it came out!!  I have used these pillows in my living room, TV room and bedroom.  Yeah, I guess you could say I pretty much love them!!

I would love to see some of your ideas, too!  Let me know what you come up with.

Thanks for following me and joining in on my blog!  I am having such a great time, and I hope you are, too!!

To follow my blog by email,  just below the comments check the box that says, “Notify me of new posts by email”.  Simple!!

Let’s Stay Connected:

Pinterest Facebook Hometalk Google + Stumble Upon Bloglovin’ LinkedIn twitter

Best of 2012-My Botanical Pillow

This post is linked to some of my favorites on my blog roll.

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Recent Posts

  • Best Rattan Bedroom Choices
  • Ten Summer Beach Essentials
  • Thrifted Basket for Entertaining
  • DIY Patriotic Mantel
  • 10 Comfortable Patriotic Dresses

Purchase Beautiful Home Accessories for any style

Thrifty Style Team 2nd Friday Monthly

International Blogger Club-The 3rd Monday of Each Month

Fashion Trends for Over Fifty

DIY Bicycle Rim Halloween Wreath

Create and Decorate Pumpkins With Sea Shells

Fall Tablescape in Lavender and White

Vintage Bicycle Rim Wreath for Fall

How To Make a Faux Pumpkin Centerpiece

Glittery Welcome Embroidery Hoop Wreath

70+ Crafts and Decorating Tips for Fall

Top Ten Tips and Tricks for creating a Cottage Style Home

Pineapple Pecan Coffee Cake with Caramel Glaze

Raspberry Cream Sandwich Cookies

Cream Cheese and Shrimp Cocktail Dip

PERMISSIONS

What Meegan Makes and all it’s content, pictures, ideas, etc. are original ideas and copyright protected.

Using content including but not limited to: designs, original ideas, photos, posts, etc. is prohibited.

Please ask permission before using any content from my blog for any reason and if there is any question.

Search

FEATURED ON SHABBILICIOUS FRIDAY MAGAZINE

FEATURED IN EVERYTHING HOME MAGAZINE

FEATURED ON HUFFINGTON POST

FEATURED ON HUFFINGTON POST

MY OWN RECIPE WAS FEATURED

FEATURED ON GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Designer Insights from Terry’s Fabrics

Copyright © 2026 ·Beautiful Pro Theme · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · WordPress · Log in