Restoration Hardware Recreation Disaster... well almost!

If you are like me... you may love Restoration Hardware but you do not love the prices!  To be honest I'm kind of sick of them.  I've decided to take matters into my own hands and recreate some of their looks.  

Restoration Recipe: 

Restoration Hardware Price: $2990 

WPG's Price:  $450 


Time: 4 hours

Tools you may need:
Hammer
Screw driver
Phillips head screw driver
Wood Glue 
Electric sander
Sand paper (in 220, 100 & 80 grit)
Damp old towel
Blower or vacuum
Mod Podge
Newspapers
Ralph Lauren (or another brand) acrylic metallic paint
Foam brushes (disposable)
New knobs



Start:  Find some old dressers for a great price - that are in pretty good condition!

Prep Work: 

1.  Start by taking off the old hardware
2.  Sand the old finish off.  For the new paint to stick, it can't be shiny.  Any small areas, fold use the sand paper.  If it is looking real scratchy then you need to use a lighter sand paper grit.  The lower the number the more coarse, so use a higher number if it is scratching.  Click here to answer any sanding questions you might have!
3.  Get out the blower!  I loved using the blower to clean our all of the drawers and get rid of the old spider webs and any bugs that might be in the dressers!  Plus it got rid of the sanding residue... :)
4.  Wipe down the entire dresser with a damp cloth to get the rest of the "sand" off. 

This is also the time to make any repairs - for example I had to reattach the backing in some areas on one dresser.  I also repaired two of the legs with new screws and some wood glue (tie the area tight with string & let it dry for a while).  

Why not Paper Mache...

I decided to Paper Mache the dressers so they would look more like "metal" after the paint...  This was also my first time to Paper Mache - I loved it by the way!

1.  Cut strips of newspaper or any other paper you want to use
2.  Apply the Mod Podge to the area you are going to apply the paper (one section at a time)
3.  Place the paper over the "glue" and then spread more Mod Podge over the paper and smooth out the air bubbles. 
4.  Continue this over the entire dresser. 

This was the result - which looks really cool! You leave it like this!  But just apply an acrylic sealer over the paper so it will last! 

 

  
Time to Paint! 

1. Get your painting supplies out!  I used Ralph Lauren's Metallic Paint in RL - 03
2. I like the black sponge brushes because they are easy to use & give a pretty good finished look. 
3. Apply 2-3 coats until you cannot see the wood or in this case the paper through the paint.

And here it is... The Duck Tape Dresser!

I think it could have been cool if I had done larger pieces of paper and smoothed the wrinkles better.

The Pretty One: 

So........  I tried it out with just paint on the other dresser. 

It looked MUCH better!  :)  Now I just have to add the knobs... and re-do the duck-tape dresser!

In the end, I decided a paper mache dresser looks cool but just not with the paint over it (or at least not the way I did it).  I definitely think this replaced the Resoration Hardware nightstands because I made them myself, saved a ton of money and they will still give the same look to any room! 

Let me know your thoughts?  Which one do you like... be honest?

Only one more project to go before unveiling the completed WPG master bedroom! 

Thanks for stopping by!

My List is Full... and I'm happy about it!

Happy Friday Everyone! 

I'm ready for some projects!  No out of town trips - just me and a huge list of fun things to do.  Two projects are included in the previous Master Bedroom post and then the other is a dining room project.  Hopefully I can get all of it finished for you guys by next week! 

DINING ROOM INSPIRATION:  Black Crow Studios creates graphic wallpapers and murals in a new way!  They have a very edgy touch and are creative to say the least!  I'm using this inspiration pic for my dining room walls - stay tuned for the before and afters!  

Hope you have a great weekend!

Huge Project in the Works!

The reason I fell off the grid for a bit...

So I've been having a little trouble finding the pieces of furniture I need to complete the upcoming wp's!  I don't want to keep you out of the loop so I want to show you my plans for the room!  Here is my inspiration board!

I have loved this trellis pattern by Kelly Wearstler for SO long but it is like $120/yard so there's no way I"m getting it!  But if everything goes as planned in my DIY project (fingers crossed) I will have this pattern in my bedroom soon enough!  More to come on how I recreate pieces for this space...  

Images: 1.  Benjamin Moore (BM) Revere Pewter, 2.  BM Kasbah  3. BM Patriot Blue  4.  BM Ebony Slate 

5.  Kelly Wearstler's Trellis (Available through Schumacher)   6. West Elm Velvet Curtains  
7.  Image via The Decorista  8.  Image via Not On The High Street   9.  Restoration Hardware Zinc Nightstand  

10. Restoration Hardware Italian Hotel Satin Bedding  11. West Elm Pillows  

Thanks for stopping by! 

-Weekend Project Girl  

A Penny Saved... is a Penny Floor!

I know... very cheesy...  but I had to do it!  On a serious note, this floor is incredible! You could install this floor in an entryway, bathroom or a playroom and cover with a durable high gloss epoxy! I'm getting really excited here! 

Have a great weekend!

-WPG

 Images via Revolver

The Big Reveal... a DIY Present!

 

Here it is - my own paper project.  I loved the hyperfocus and OCD-ness that was necessary to complete this project!  While I cannot take credit for the entire design, the technical ability to complete something like this was all me!  The inspiration came from Julene, who does an amazing job illustrating and gave me a great idea for a 4 year anniversary present.  The quote is by Warren Buffett who is my my boyfriend's "investing" idol.  I like this quote because it means two completely different things and is important to both of us.   
 

"Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."