The Closet Under The Stairs: Planning the Revamp

I've been trying to figure out for weeks how to make the most of the space under the stairs. It's an area I would love to utilize, but it's also not the most user-friendly. The slanted ceiling and lack of overall area make this little nook hard to work with. I started brainstorming for ideas on ways I could update this poor little area while not completely draining my bank account either.

A few months ago my poor little closet was home to a tornado of odds and ends from Christmas supplies to everything that hadn't yet been sorted through during the move in process. It was sadly made into the "doesn't have a home yet" storage locker. 

I knew I needed to take everything out and start from scratch, and trust me when I say it wasn't a pretty sight. For the time being, I placed a set of drawers I got for free from the couple that sold me my little dining table. It has worked for a while as an in-the-meantime storage solution, but it doesn't do much for me in the appealing aspect. It's time to tackle this space and spruce it up a bit from it's not-as-cluttered, but-not-nice-on-the-eyes state that it's currently in.

I apologize for the horrendous photos. They were taken back before I believed in busting out my camera for project photos... and this area is obviously less than stellar for a photo op. The weird small doorframe and layout will make blogging this project quite a challenge.

I came across multiple storage solutions, many of which definitely caught my eye. I browsed closet systems and wall shelves, but ran into the same two problems as usual: 1.) this is a rental. The least amount of holes I put into the walls, the better. and 2.) The money tree growing in the backyard has whittled down to a dried up shrub. Then I came across Jen at iheartorganizing's closet space and instantly fell in love. I decided that I, too, would be going the same less-expensive route and updating my poor little closet with Ikea's Algot System.

 

Next I mapped out the area and the supplies these snazzy little containers would hold. Since I don't have my own home office and craft space (sad face....) I decide that this would be the best place to hold all of my random odds and ends! Right now they are stashed in random drawers and places around the home. It's time to create my own space.

I am so giddy at the thought of starting this project! After calculating out all of the costs for supplies, I will be spending a mere $190 on the entire system. That's for 2 large frames, 2 small frames, 8 small mesh baskets, 6 large mesh baskets, the tops to the frames, and the plastic bag holder I will be using to hold my wrapping paper! I compared this to the slanted Algot system which is for area's like this, but at $168 without any baskets or secondary storage, I would easily pass my chosen basket system in cost. Plus, I love being able to alter the layout to fit my needs! This space is long overdue, and I am so excited to see it start coming together.

Annie Sloan Coffee Table Hack

This week has been a busy, yet exciting week! I've had so much going on but it's been so wonderful and eventful. I finished my classes, and had an interview for a huge potential job offering. Fingers crossed that life keeps heading in this great direction!


To continue forward with my somewhat-overwhelming, yet amazing week, I decided to try my hand at my first Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project! I love my home. I love all of the little improvements and additions that have been made in the short 4 months since I moved in. But I am a woman of change. The chocolates and creams and neutral color palette has warmed my soul... but I've been wanting to try my hand at lightening things up a bit. Starting with my poor black Ikea Hemnes coffee table that's been scratched and burned to bits!

Did you notice those light splotches from this photo back in October? Yeah... those are burns in the table. And it has bothered me for months! After many weeks of searching on Pinterest, I decided to give Miss Annie Sloan a chance. Since there are no AS stockists near me, I went online and found the closest shop that would ship the paint, and placed my first order. I received it within one day!

I wiped down the table with a soapy sponge and cloth as directed on the package, and went straight to work! The reason I gravitated towards this paint... no prepping, no sanding, no priming... just painting. Yes, it's expensive. But so worth it! I started by painting the top of the table in Coco, and the bottom half in Off White.

Chalk paint is made to see brush strokes to give the furniture a weathered look. The coverage was fantastic, even over my black table. If the table was wood grain I would have only needed one coat, but to make sure the black didn't peak through I decided to add a thin second layer.

Next was the hardest and most intimidating part for me.... waxing! At first I tried to apply clear wax to the top of the table with a microfiber cloth. I ended up not very pleased with the result. It looked splotchy and you could tell where I was trying to rub the wax into the paint. The blending was... well... not there. So I set out to buy a waxing brush from my closest crafting store. The one I purchased is 2 inches.

I found the best way to work with the wax is to put a little on a paper plate and dabbing the waxing brush onto the plate. A little goes a long way with the wax. Even the little bit on my plate ended up being too much for the top of the table.

I added a small amount to my wax brush and started working it into the table in circular motions.

When you begin working the wax into the table, it will leave little wax pieces behind. This is normal. don't fret.

I worked in rows, going up and down the coffee table. Afterwards I could see the overlapping parts in the circular motions I had made so I knew that the entire table was covered.



 Lastly, I busted out my microfiber cloth and wiped down the entire table in the direction with the wood grain to take off any excess wax. Some parts looked a little darker than others, but after some drying it disappeared! 

 

After the table set, I readded my décor! My favorite part about this table is the slight change in coloring depending on the amount of light in the room. It looks great during the day, and just as gorgeous at night with just a little lamp light!

 

 

I haven't yet waxed the bottom half of the table, but I'm thinking it needs to be done in dark wax rather than the clear wax I used for the top. Maybe add a little distressing as well? What do you think? I'd love some input as to what direction to take with the rest of the table. For now I'm happily using my new and improved Annie Sloan table!