Feature Wall, Loft 'Wall' and Store Furniture

I think I mentioned last week that I wanted to do a feature wall for the loft but I didn't want to do wallpaper.  So I started looking into painted versions that were a bit more elaborate than one color different than the rest of the walls.

I'd been to Hobby Lobby on Thursday and picked up a few shades of blue to go with some that I had already.  I dug through my paint and found the colors I'd used for the Craftsman Cottage.  Then I put them all on a piece of MDF and labeled them.

The Craftsman Blue had too much of red undertone.  I needed blues that had a slightly yellow tint to them if that makes sense. 

I put them next to my floor and the couch I plan on using in the loft.

I tried the coffee table I plan on using as well.  The bronze metallic was a thought if I wanted dividing lines but I decided against it.

I went with the Chocolate Brown, my custom color, the custom color I got on sale, the Midnight Blue, Colonial Blue and Blue Fog.

Then I drew out the design.

I managed to figure out where I wanted my colors.  Then began my painstaking process of painters tape and paint.

It's not perfect but I do like how it looks.

I also painted the ceiling.

I went through my stash and found the cube shelves I had because I want to use them for a bathroom/bedroom wall. 

I also found some tiles that mimic onyx and my granite contact paper.  I also have some paper that came with a kitchen kit.   I like how they look with the stone floor paper.

I think maybe the tan lowers and creamy white uppers?  With granite countertops.  I'm not sure though. I think maybe something darker... and then the tan for the uppers?  Still thinking about that.

The tiles I thought would be really nice in the bathroom.  I splurged on one of Jodi's shower kits.

I think it'll work pretty well.  I left space for my shelves.  I'm going to back them with some pebble glass.

That's about as far as I got on the Downtown Loft this weekend.  I worked on it a good part of Saturday.

Sunday I decided to do another dry fit of the walls for the bookstore and realized that my second floor was a touch too narrow so I added some wood to widen it slightly.  

While that was drying I decided to paint the fake door.  I used black and then added gloss varnish over the top.  I like how it looks.

I also went through my scrapbook paper and wallpaper again trying to find something for the bookstore and I think I found something.

The stripes make me dizzy so I think the muted flower pattern is better.  And I have more of that too.

I decided I liked the idea of black doors for the interior.  And that I wanted the store shelves, counter and window tables to match.  So I got to work on those.

The window display tables I built out of House of Miniatures kits for Chippendale Lowboys.

Once I got them assembled I painted them and added the hardware.  Then varnished everything and glued the drawers in.

I like how they look.  And painted furniture would be easier to keep up than stained considering beeswax was the go to polish back then.

Then I started on the bookshelves.  

I was painting and varnishing for quite a while.  

My idea is to take my sconces and rather than put them on the wall I'll add them to the divider between the shelf sections.  They're brass like the drawer handles, so they'll look nice.

That was as far as I got today.

But I'm excited for next weekend when I can do more.

On a less than happy note, Keli found an account on Instagram that has a ton photos that don't belong to the poster.  They are not credited and I know that they don't belong to the person whose account it is because some of them are Keli's and at least one is Brae's.  Some belong to past Creatin' Contest entrants and there are at least two by Robin Carey. So I suggest you all go and check out this account and if you recognize your work or someone else's inform the folks you know and report the account to Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/aramesh_021/