Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Before and After - Knife Block makeover!

I have been just itching with craftiness lately!  Maybe it's the warmer temperatures, or the extra dose of sunshine we've had, but I just feel like I need to make or create something!  Which is funny, because I don't really "create" things normally.  I think of myself as being crafty and artsy, but it rarely gets past ideas in my head or merely oohing and aahing over others amazing skills. 

I don't know if it's just being busy (busy?  phsaw!  I only have 5 curtain climbers!) or not ambitious enough.......I think it may be a touch of both - but it's more likely that I'm afraid.  I think I'll mess it up because I don't know what I'm doing. 

Well
- I've resolved that this year I'm going to change that!!  I will make the time and I may have some disasters, but I will try and I'm certain there will be beautiful things to come!

I am SO inspired by all the crafty, DIY, home decorating bloggers out there!!  Once I visit one site I see another amazing project and another....and before I know it I feel like I've opened Pandora's box of craftiness!!   After lots of blog "stalking" I've finally tackled my first project of my own. 
(I can hardly call it a "project" since it was so simple.  But, I am just tickled with how it turned out!)   I've completed a couple things now, but this post is my first "before and after".  =)


Ohh, the magic of spray paint!!  I recently discovered Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze ("ORB") spray paint through Thrifty Decor Chick (like I mentioned here - with a little unashamed gushing).   I've taken on a couple projects now and I'm thinking I'm in love!  I now look at everything through ORB glasses to see what transformation's might be possible - things in the house, things at Goodwill, things at other people's houses, lol!


We were given this knife block for a wedding gift 12 years ago and only recently did I learn that my dear husband h.a.t.e.s. it.  Can't stand it, despises, detests........really doesn't like it.  I don't really understand the animosity toward an innocent little block of wood, but I was resolved to find a compromise to my practical need to have daily easy access to the knives and scissors - and maybe he could stop hiding it in cupboards, pantries, basements, etc.

Then, one glorious day I came across this awesome post at House of Hepworth's where she painted her knife block with the fabulous ORB spray paint that I'd been wanting to use already!!  Ohh, it was meant to be!!  So as soon as I could, I got my tushie to Menards (the only place in town that carries it). 

The next day when the hubzy was at work (I wanted to surprise him) I got things going.  I emptied the knife block and took 1000 pictures.  I already knew this was going to be amazing, so I thought I'd better at least try to document it like those DIY blogger geniuses I envy.  ;)


I set up my fancy paint station (read: a plastic dropcloth thrown over a clothes rack in the laundry room and a box from Aldi's to contain some of the spray).


Ooh!! And since I was down there with camera in hand I wanted to show you a recent Goodwill find - a $20 laundry sorter for $5!!  Totally off topic, but I love it!   =)


Anyway, I started spray painting - nervous that I wasn't painting enough......nervous that I was painting too much and was going to have drips......


But after it was finally dried (or at least mostly and I couldn't stand it any longer) and I brought it back upstairs............tada!!!

Oh, how it makes me smile!!!  I know it's just a silly little knife block, but it looks completely different!  I couldn't believe how a little spray paint and a bit of an afternoon brought peace to our home.  ;)  The hubzy is much happier about it being on the counter now!  And while I didn't hate it before, it looks like it fits in so much better in the kitchen.  And I haven't had to play "hot and cold" to find it once!!  ;)



I'm really happy with how this turned out and am glad I went for it.  What do you think?  I've got my eye on a couple things to transform next and will let you know how they turn out - good or bad!  =)   For now, I'm linking up to a couple of my favorite linky parties.......Thrifty Decor Chick Before and After party and Tip Junkie - both amazing places to get lost for hours in a crafty vortex find all kinds of inspiration!  ;)

Tip 
Junkie handmade projects

And some more new ones.........



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18 comments:

Val said...

Great idea Mara! I can't stand my block...it's so bulky. Total eye soar... way to make it into something beautiful:)

Marixa said...

I think it turned out great! It looks perfect! I'll have to think about ways I can do the same. I've also been wanting to try the ORB. thanks for sharing!

Mara said...

Thanks Valerie! I have to credit HoH with the idea - but I l.o.v.e. how it turned out! =)

Thank you Marixa! My husband is now on the hunt too for things to try the ORB on! =) He's done a couple things himself I need to post now!

And thank you both for stopping by!
~ Mara

Rust-Oleum said...

Mara, amazing job! Your knife block turned out so well and thank you so much for using Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Metallic Spray in Oil Rubbed Bronze. We love finding fans of the product!

I just told a few people at our office about your project and they are now thinking of giving their knife block an updated look. Keep up the great DIY work :)

- Rust-Oleum Scott

Rust-Oleum said...

Oh, and we've featured it as a Project Idea on our PaintIdeas Facebook page :)

facebook.com/paintideas

- Rust-Oleum Scott

Mara said...

Thanks Scott!! Thanks for making a great paint! =) I'll be posting a couple more ORB transformations soon!

~ Mara

kara@elements-interiors.net said...

I LOVE this!! I would love for you to share it at my Linky Party!

*ENTER LINKY PAR-TAY Here! *

xoxokara

Mara said...

I'd love to Kara - thank you! Thanks for stopping by! =)

~ Mara

Tammy @ Type A said...

thanks so much for sharing this at my party. it turned out great, and i love the laundry bin! hope to see you next week!

Maggie said...

Great job, and yes all those craft blogs get the craft juices flowing.

Mara said...

Thanks for hosting it Tammy - I'm sure I'll be linking up next week too! =)

Thank you Maggie! Glad you stopped in!

Allison @ House of Hepworths said...

It turned out great! I'm glad I was able to inspire. And I'm a little jealous that Rust-Oleum left you a comment! That is so cool. I've been trying to get a deal with them forever! They are hard to contact. Lucky girl.
Thank you so much for linking to my project and blog.

MojoMama said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I have a some extra spray paint sitting here, I may do the same thing to MY knife blog! I've been thinking of redoing my whole kitchen anyway! Girl, you are brilliant!!

http://dojocrafting.blogspot.com

Mara said...

Allison, so happy to have found your knife block inspiration!! =) The Rustoleum comment was so surprising - I couldn't believe they found my blog! I felt a little almost famous! ;)

MojoMama, let me know if you do your knife block! I'd *love* to see it!

Kara, thanks for the reminder and for hosting the party! =)

Ten Cow said...

It's soo funny that I came across this from Somewhat Simple - just last night I was trying to figure out what color I should spray paint the knife block. I guess I got my answer. I hope Walmart carries this kind of spray paint!
Thanks soo much!!!
-Mariesa

Mara said...

Hi Mariesa! I love this paint! It's definitely my go-to and has looked awesome on everything so far. =)
I've heard that some people have found it at WalMart, along with Home Depot, Lowe's, and True Value. I called around to save myself gas and time, and even though we have all those stores nearby, Menards was the only one that had it. Good luck finding it! =) I'd love to see it when you're done!

Tru said...

I have a knife block just like that. I've been tempted to paint it, but wasn't sure if it would hold up or not. I kinda miss the holes once in a while. Does the paint chip off?

Mara @ Super Savings said...

It's been a few months now and I haven't noticed any chipping so far! I would think you could add some sort of protective finish to make it a little "tougher" if you were worried about it though. And I figured if it does chip off due to a "miss" (which I do too, lol), I could always touch it up with a little spritz of the spray paint. =)