Saturday. My favorite little paws. My Ryan. Peace. Just something I want to remember forever.
Painting Upholstered Furniture (easiest DIY ever)
A few months ago a very nice coworker found out we had literally no furniture except a bed, table, and dresser. He gave us two chairs, a coffee table, and a TV stand that he and his wife weren’t using anymore. The white chairs had been used by their adorable dogs, so naturally they were looking a little worn. I was just grateful to have something to put in our living room so I threw blankets over them and made loose plans to reupholster them.
After reading about how to reupholster a chair, I knew I could do it but I also knew it could be expensive, especially if I made any mistakes. The blankets stayed and I kept the idea in the back of my mind for a day when we had more cash to spare.
And then a wonderful thing happened. I was on Pinterest for work (promise, look at my services page, it’s a thing) and I found a DIY for painted upholstery. Later, on my own time, I found lots of confusing and scary and unclear and mildly helpful blog posts. I decided to take a few things from each one and just do it.
Good news: it worked! More good news: I love these chairs!
Supplies:
1 squeegee
2 8oz bottles of Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Paint in Matte Chalk Finish (per chair)
1 spray bottle
2-3 sizes of sponge brushes
Sandpaper
Time:
2-3 hours plus 24 hours before they are sit-able again
(Don’t worry! You will not be painting the whole 2-3 hours. This includes drying time between coats.)
Warning: this is very easy. You might want to paint all of your furniture after this.
- Mix water in with the paint. It should be about a 1/1 ratio but it’s not a huge deal as long as you’re consistent each time you mix the two.
- Squirt the chair with water. Thoroughly. Don’t soak it but make sure it’s damp before you paint it.
- Paint. Paint your heart out. My husband read that you should paint in circles, and I admit his work looked better than mine. So paint in circles.
- Let the first coat dry for 30 minutes.
- Paint again. Make sure you’re still squirting the chair as you paint.
- Let it dry for 30 minutes.
- Paint again if it needs another coat. If not, wait an hour.
- Sand it down. This is what makes the fabric feel like indoor fabric again.
- Wait 24 hours.
- Admire your hard work. Tell all of your friends. Bask in the glory as they tell you how cool you are. Invite them over and notice you missed a spot.
Glad
Nothing super extraordinary, except it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.
My husband just said this to me and I had to remember it.
Life Lately
Wow, it’s been quite a trip! Ups and downs, good and bad. It feels like it’s almost ALL happening right now.
We moved 1,200 miles, got married, and didn’t have a home for a month, just to give you a nice surface level idea of the craziness that’s been our life 🙂
I want to be able to do this more, just sit down and devote time to creativity. Speaking of which, I made the header when I was just certain I would pass out from overexertion (that’s real, isn’t it?). I was at work, stressed out and bummed that I felt like I had no control over my life. I scribbled the words down with no thought. I ended up kinda liking it. I like that attitude better than the one I had, that creativity was a choice or something people bragged about. I’ve realized lately that it could be those things, but for me it’s a necessity. It’s like it’s something flowing in my veins, programmed into my DNA. It is my outpouring. Stuff goes in, and that comes out. I don’t know why, but I’m glad it does. I tend to keep things to myself because I’m not one for being criticized, and I talk myself out of almost everything I come up with on my own. What a shame, huh? Well, even though my brain says “what if someone sees this?” or “wait until you complete and perfect that idea” my soul seems like it can’t take being held back anymore.
So hi. Here’s a wedding picture. Hope to see more of you because this is happening now.
Inspired
My heart aches to do something beautiful.
I long to do something important.
I am desperate.
I get so caught up in the “have to” and forget about the “get to”. It leaves me tired, pissed off, and unsure of what I’m supposed to be doing. A long list of tasks or the freedom for discovery in hours without need for productivity?
I hope soon there will be a balance of both.
Also, I just have to share the wealth of inspiration that is Michelle Gardella’s blog. I read through the earliest archives just out of curiosity and it was JUST what I needed. At that time, she was in a similar spot, trying to figure out her way and her business. That’s me right now.
Spring Social Media Icons
I designed these about three months ago to make me feel better about the freezing winter we were in. I almost forgot about them and now it’s the perfect time to use them!
Have at it.
*I’m new to WordPress! Until I figure out how to add a Download feature, here is the link to the downloadable file on the website I designed them for.
Exploration: Interior Color and Lighting
Commercial spaces have the widest variety of people coming through them. All of these people have physical, mental, and emotional needs. Although most of them may not realize it, color can play a huge part in whether or not they feel that these needs are being met. To further explore and observe the use of color in commercial spaces and the way it makes people feel, I visited some commercial locations. Starbucks surprised me the most!
This is a place I, like most Americans, am familiar with. I went through the drive through every day in January to get my free coffee and I spent many hours there during the months that I didn’t have any other way to access the internet. It’s safe to say I know this brand. If you had asked me what colors are used in the space before I visited for this purpose, I would’ve answered correctly, but I was surprised at how little color they actually use. The color palette is full of dark neutrals. There is a lot of brown, a lot of wood, and some grey. The only true color is a rich burgundy that spans across the back wall in the baristas’ work space.
When I walk into Starbucks, I feel calm, warm, and ready to drink coffee. It feels luxurious. I noticed that I am more likely to order a fancier drink if I walk inside, while if I go through the drive through my mind is on the cheapest, most effective option: drip. My theory is that this is the purpose of the use of colors. They designed it to make you want to drink coffee… expensive, delicious coffee. How convenient! These people know exactly what they are doing. They are trying to appeal to the younger crowd that has grown up with the acceptance of four dollar cups of coffee, like me, but also to my father’s generation, people that have been working hard for years and have found an escape in the warm community that Starbucks seems to foster. My father loves Starbucks like no one else I know. He goes there every single day. The baristas know him, his friends, and they know all about me. So what is it that Starbucks does to make the place feel like a sort of home to both a young person and someone who is nearing sixty years of age? A big factor is the lighting. To me it feels dark, safe, and comfortable. I was surprised to see that it is actually a fully lit space. In addition to floor to ceiling windows on two of the four walls, there are lights everywhere. They are stylish, non-fluorescent lights, but bright lights nonetheless. I never would have noticed this if I hadn’t visited for this purpose. The use of so many rich colors tones the lights down so well that I didn’t even notice they were there. Well done, Starbucks.
For me and my dad, and for many other Americans, Starbucks makes us feel happy and comfortable. This makes sense, as the colors used are widely accepted as being associated with warmth and happiness. Not only does this contemporary space meet our physical needs, but our emotional ones as well.
Gail Takes Pictures
My mom has loved taking pictures since I think forever.
I did this very rough draft of a logo for her as a surprise. I had just had a heartbreaking but necessary breakup and was desperate for inspiration pretty much all the time. I was the only one in my apartment for the entire weekend. All of my roommates were gone and I had just lost all of my other friends in the breakup. I was truly alone for the first time in my entire life. Since I had nowhere to be and no one to hang out with, I went to the place where most women go when they find themselves in this situation: Target. After finding perfect corduroy shorts with tiny flowers on them and two tiny plants that brought me inspiration, I came home, opened the window to the beautiful weather and soaked up the sunshine in the safety of my room. I listened to music that made me feel like I could do anything. I took pictures of everything. The way my closet was organized, the way my bed was made, and the way the sun was shining on my computer and reflecting the silhouette of my ponytail suddenly were so important for me to remember for a very long time. Something happened. I had hope in all of this.
I sat down at my desk with graph paper and a Sharpie and this is what happened.
I’m so glad that this memory is still so vivid. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was learning how to be alone without being lonely. I was allowing my creative side to lead me and I followed whatever that process led me to do. It was the beginning of something: a draft and a subconscious thought process of the future. It was the same reason I bought shorts in November and the same reason the tiny plants got me so excited. I was living completely in the moment, but so hopeful for what was to come.
Journey to Planning: Phase One
A few months ago I realized what I am supposed to do with my career. Unfortunately I did not realize it until after I had made a bunch of huge life decisions thinking I would be a graphic designer my whole life, but at least I’m still young and able to steer my career in a new direction. With that being said, I plan to do what I can with the degree I have for now and make the most of the time and work I have put into this.
I am doing this by taking on some social media marketing clients and hopefully some design clients as well. I’ve enjoyed the social media part of my education and have had some great training, plus I can work from pretty much anywhere which is perfect for this nomadic type lifestyle I have going on for the next few months.
As for the future and my big revelation, I am going to pursue a Master’s degree in Urban Planning.
I am super excited, to say the least.
In other news, I am taking some interior design classes for “fun”. I really thought I would love it, but I have to admit, I’m not sure this is my thing! 
I guess we’ll see… I’m sure I will be able to find some sort of inspiration in the process.
Hello World!
Original, right?
I just graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Graphic Design.
I am excited to start on this adventure.
I want to start of by taking on freelance projects. A great way for me to do that is through my Thumbtack profile!
http://www.thumbtack.com/Brianne-McNeeley-Graphic-Design-Round-Rock-TX/service/790426
If you’re interested in hiring me as a freelancer, be sure to check this out. It’s a great site that helps connect designers and clients.
Thanks for reading! Come back soon, I hope to make this a cool place.
Stuff to remember 