Spring mantel and painted birdcage

Sorry I haven't been around this week I've been battling a nasty cold. I have tons of projects and ideas floating around in my head, but my body just doesn't want to get with the program. 

Over the past week I've been tweaking my fireplace mantel to feel more like spring. You know the drill...run around the house from room to room grabbing items then running back to the fireplace to see how they look and then eventually putting most of those items back where you originally found them! I know I'm not alone here! It's a game I play a lot!

After a couple of days this is what I came up with.

I wanted to keep it simple with just a few touches of blue and yellow. That mirror over our fireplace is actually our television so I couldn't put anything on it {like a cute little moss wreath}. Plus I didn't want to spend any money!

The birdcage I've had for years, and last week it looked like this.

After several coats of spray paint it looks totally different! I was considering selling this at an upcoming garage sale, but now I am in LOVE with it again!

Today I plan on staying indoors {out of that surprise snow that came overnight} and trying to rest. I might even pop in my Breaking Dawn dvd and curl up on the couch. Take care and stay warm!

                                                                                          Amy

Linking up this week to...

shabbynest, serenitynow, frenchcountrycottage, shabbyartboutique

Black painted interior doors

Last week I shared how our kitchen remodel was coming along and our completed pantry. I loved the look of our newly painted pantry door so much that I decided to paint the rest of our main floor doors as well.

Here are some before and after shots.
The view from our kitchen down the main hallway.

                     

The door to our half bath.

                         

Entryway coat closet.

                   

I removed the doors and all the hardware before painting. I used a semi gloss interior paint on the doors {Glidden-onyx black}. I spray painted all of the brass hinges and even the door knobs with Rustoleum Universal Metallic paint and primer in one {satin nickel finish}.

To make the painting process easier my husband fastened the  hinges and doorknobs onto pieces of wood.

To keep the doors off the floor so I could paint both sides my husband screwed pieces of wood to both ends of the door.  This way when one side was still drying we could flip the door over and paint the other side.

It took three coats of paint, but it was worth all the work. We love the look of the black doors! Plus the black hides all those dirty little handprints!

In the meantime I am still patiently waiting for our new countertops to be delievered. I'll keep you updated on our kitchen progress!

                                                                                         Amy

linking up to...

thenymelrosefamily, cornerstoneconfessions, sugaranddots, mygirlishwhims, handymancraftywoman, polkadotsonparade, housewivesofriverton, somedaycrafts

twoyellowbirdsdecor, embracingchange, the36thavenue, theshabbycreekcottage, houseofhepworths

livelaughrowe, juliakendrick, lizmarie, craftyscrappyhappy, lovelycraftyhome, serenitynow, shabbynest

mysimplehomelife, tatertotsandjello, mondayfunday, craft-o-maniac, ourdelightfulhome, diyshowoff

homestoriesatoz, abowlfulloflemons, elizabethandco