The Adventures of Hello Dobson / Home Sweet Home

  • Design Trends: Library Lights/ Laminate Bookshelf Makeover

    Design Trends: Library Lights/ Laminate Bookshelf Makeover

    There is one trend that has been creeping up in just about every blog and magazine, bookshelves. Besides the obvious use for books, you wont just see this shelving in home libraries anymore. Many homeowners have chosen the bookshelves as a focal point in hallways, above cabinetry, or even a cozy nook. The fun doesn't stop there! When it comes to highlighting your bookcase, there are many lighting accessories that will add an illuminated glow to every shelf. 

    My Laminate Bookshelf Makeover:

    I recently had the opportunity to makeover a small space and inside was this monster laminate bookshelf from the 80's. I knew the cabinet offered great storage and weighing over a ton, this piece was basically a fixture. I wanted to give this space a bookshelf display with library lights that would update the piece significantly. I knew it was time to paint! 

    Supplies:

    1 can Zinsser Oil Based Primer

    1 can Behr Marquee Ultra Pure White ( Paint + Primer)

    1 Can Gold Spray Paint

    3 LED Cabinet Lights + Transformer and Cord

    Before

    During: We removed all hardware and spray painted it gold, along with the chrome library lights we purchased at Ikea.

    After: We finished off the cabinet by adding library lights and small trinkets for a fun styled look.

    Let us know what you think! Thanks for reading!

    XO,

    Blair

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  • DIY Dalmatian Spots Ring Dish

    DIY Dalmatian Spots Ring Dish
    Today's DIY is such a simple and fun project inspired by cutest blogger Spray Paint and Chardonnay. I created my dish for a quick birthday gift in under an hour!
    Materials:
    - Small Bowl (I found this one at Target) 
    - Sharpie Permanent Marker (I made one pink dish and one black)
    First, Make sure you wipe down your dish with some rubbing alcohol or with soapy water and dry well. Once clean, begin your dalmatian spots with a sharpie color of your choice.
     
    Continue making spots until the entire dish is covered. Be careful to not smear your sharpie spots as you rotate the dish.  Lastly, bake your dish in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes to seal it. Once the dish has cooled, simply trace the rim with the gold leaf pen.  This part can be a little tricky!
    (If you make any mistakes just use a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol to remove sharpie)
    Let the gold completely dry and then fill it with small jewelry! I wrote a happy birthday message on the bottom of my ring dish and gave it away as a gift :)
    Enjoy!
    XOXO, Blair
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