DIY Fern Art and the $5 Chair

For the CWTS contest the first project I did was a knock off design of the Society Social Melrose Console. You can catch my tutorial here.

 I also knew I would need to stage a photo for this pretty little thing. In came my love for botanical art and my $5 chair that I decided to glam up for a photo. Here's how I made them:  

 Last summer I collected some ferns on our family camping trip and pressed it down in a book for months (I forgot about them). To press plants or flowers use parchment paper between the pages so nothing sticks together. Once they are pressed for about two weeks then they are preserved. I then Mod Podged it down on a white poster board and stuck it in an IKEA frame that I spray painted a dark gray. 

 Once I did this project,  I knew I would have free and unique artwork. Can't beat that!

These are projects I did while I literally waited for the paint to dry on the console table. I used an oil based paint on the wood, which is so beautiful but it takes about eight hours before its not tacky anymore. I was getting a little nervous that I wouldn't finish the project in time.You'll notice in the picture, I used a space heater in our unfinished basement to help it dry faster.

Enter the $5 chair I got at a barn sale. I roughed it up with a bit of sandpaper and Steve strengthened the chair since it was a wobbly one.

After I spray primed it I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite, watered down with a dry brush and lightly brushed it on. Dry brushing really means to keep your brush as dry as possible while painting. If I felt like I did get too much paint on I wiped some off with a paper towel. I really enjoyed this technique since it gives it almost a metallic look. It didn't take long for it to dry then I used a little Rub N'Buff on the sides to give it an antique look. I think it pairs nicely with the console table. The small pillow is from Target, Threshold. I covered the seat of the chair with a remnant of velvet fabric I had on hand.

The art and chair add some interest to the photo and now I'm enjoying a new piece of art and chair in our home. It doesn't take a lot of money to create something you will love. Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

I'm linking this post to the Best of the Nest link party.

Stay Connected

                                               Facebook    /     Instagram     /    Bloglovin