One Thing Leads to Another: Up-Cycled Alphabet Magnets and Fence Board

A few weeks ago Maggie, over at decorating.answers.com contacted Desert Girls Vintage about a possible DIY guest post opportunity featuring a unique DIY project.  Maggie couldn't be sweeter or more professional.  We look forward to working with her again soon.

Today I am giving you a more extended view of the DIY project I shared with decorating.answers.com. You can see that post here.  Please do hop on over and take a peek when you get a chance.

I saw an idea, awhile back, on Pinterest that I wanted to mimic:  Spray paint alphabet magnets gold.  It looked like a fun little project to make my fridge far more chic--in a playful way.  Isn't it funny, though, how one idea from someone else can evolve into something entirely unique and original?

The piece of old fence board I used to set the letters on while I sprayed them ended up the main art project and I can't wait to show you the result!

Who doesn't have a set or two of these hanging around?  Are you tired of looking at them yet?  Let's make them pretty!

Rust-oleum gold metallic spray- paint has a wonderful finish.

I didn't just get pretty gold alphabet magnets (that I am using to spell sweet words on my silver platters hung in my kitchen) but...

 a unique piece of rustic/contemporary art to hang in a child's room or nursery.

I really love how the gold is transparent over the wood grain and the character and age of the wood shows through with every letter.

I am thinking it would be perfect over a crib in an understated, rustic nursery space.  It is just the right size to span the length of a traditional crib or toddler bed, over a window or closet for impact at very little cost and effort.

lilsugar.com
Wouldn't it look right at home in a room like this?

decorpad.com
Or how about in here?

What do you think?  Kind of funky and fun right?

Let me just say another big thank you to Maggie at decorating.answers.com.decorating.answers.com  Please do drop on by and say 'hi'!

PBKids Wicker Elephant Pedestal: The Look For Less (and I mean a lot less)

I saw this little wicker elephant in my last pbkids magazine.  I thought it was cute (though I really don't like this purple room).  Mr. Elephant is going for $199 for full price (now on sale for $159.99).  You can imagine my surprise--and slightly smug expression--when I saw an amazingly similar table at my local Antique mart....

PBKids room with wicker elephant pedestal.

What did I tell you? Almost exact, right!  Guess what?  He costs $35.

Pottery Barn Kids is a great place for ideas, but not for shopping.  I promise that if you keep your eyes open you will be amazed by what you can find and for so much less...and in a kid's room that is super important.  Anyone (local) interested in this awesome find, it is at Antiques At The Barn; I'll bet it is still there (and please excuse my over-use of parentheses in this post).