And when I say ‘chevy’ I don’t mean the truck. It’s short for chevron…an uber-easy pattern to recreate on any piece of furniture.
Let’s take this little area on the second floor landing that recently got a makeover (ok…ok…it got a new chair, a relocated sidetable & a couple framed art pieces).
I really wanted to add a little more personality to the space…specifically to the sidetable with a bit of chevy-infusion. Looks pretty dull here, huh?
So I whipped out my trusty ‘chevron’ tools: some Frog Tape, scissors, a bit of Benjamin Moore sample paint, a paint brush and some fine grit sandpaper.
As you can see, I didn’t attempt to make the chevron pattern evenly spaced or perfectly angled. I just applied the tape in a zig-zag type pattern and used the handles of the scissors to rub the edges of the tape make sure I got a good seal. Obviously, every girl knows that leakage is not your friend.
Then it was as simple as applying one thin coat of the tan Benjamin Moore paint to the exposed side table.
After it dried, it still looked a little, well, fresh. And I wasn’t really going for fresh. I was going for personality.
So out came my trusty sandpaper for a quick wipedown. I did a few strokes in the direction of the grain to expose a little more white from the underneath coats.
Not so new-ish anymore 🙂 It’s what I call worn-out-chevy…minus the old dog smell and the rusty bumper.
Definitely adds a little personality to the space, right?
Now to tackle that too-big-and-too-blah-pillow.
Enter TJMaxx and my $7.
Cute, right?
I love how such a simple thing like a new pillow can add a little spice to a space. It can infuse color and personality but also make a welcoming little invitation to all who need a rest at the top of the stairs (ahem…me).
So that’s wrapping up this landing…no more news on this one…I know that the last several posts have outlined the wee makeover. But in the end I am so happy with the outcome. It really makes me smile everytime I lug my swollen body upstairs. It’s come a long way from the black-formality that once took centerstage, hasn’t it?
Now onto more important matters…like why the heck it takes an hour to dry and straighten my hair but only fifteen minutes to redo a sidetable…what’s up with that, yo?!? Shoot. I might as well just give up personal hygiene altogether and fully pursue furniture painting. It would be so much more gratifying! So tell me…what do you enjoy more – renovations or grooming? I think you know my answer 🙂
Love the table! But that pillow is AMAZING!! What a great find!!
I am so impressed with your taping skills! That must have taken a lot of patience. It looks terrific; such a nice touch. And I love the pops of color in the pillow…gotta love our friend TJ!
That space looks 100% improved! Much more interesting.
LOVE that pillow! Love!
This area has so much more personality now and only because of a few small changes. The end result is more inviting and visually interesting. Great job!
~Erin @ Cultivating Home
Is there a special trick in applying the zig zag pattern ? I have a table that I want to do this to on the top and would love some tips. What a cute idea—-your energy is amazing! Liz
Hee hee! This post made me laugh this morning! Love the mini makeover. Amazing what a difference can be made with a little elbow grease! As for reno or grooming…at least with reno, it lasts for a long time. With grooming, you have to wash it and start over the next day!!! Have a great day! Bonnie
Honestly I’m a little over chevrons but I have to admit your table looks more cheerful now. However, I LOVE the pillow – great find!
Love the makeover! Definitely think you made a good call on roughing up the table top a bit- So much more character! The pillow is also gorgeous! I can’t believe you found it for seven bucks! 🙂
TJ Maxx is my home away from home…love that pillow! Great find!
very very nice amazing how just the right touches can make something stand out so nicely! Great job!
The redo looks great! If I never had to do my hair again it would be just fine. I have short hair and I still hate to dry and flatten it!
That pillow is FAB! It totally makes the whole space!
Love it and that TJ Maxx pillow is so Pottery Barn!
I am dying to see pics of the nursery (hint hint)
Whichever will score me a pillow like your TJ Maxx find. That little gem is… well, a gem! Seriously – perfect for your space!
this transformation looks more like you…you know, b/c strangers who read your blog can totally tell.
That’s why the ponytail was invented!
I love it. But I also love the before. So where did you put the chair and tall table from before? I WANT THEM! 😉
What a fantastic before and after. Who needs $200/yard Schumacher fabric pillows? That pillow is perfect!
renovating. Fo Sho. 🙂
I’d have to go with renos! The new landing looks great. I might have to give the chevy a go somewhere in this house of mine.
You are so creative! Personally, I think I preferred the side table without the chevron pattern, but overall the vignette looks great!
LOL! Leakage is definitely not your friend! 🙂 Leaving out the old dog smell was probably a good idea, though a rusty bumper might actually look cool. The chevrons and definitely add some personality to the space!
Oooh, I LOVE that pillow!!! It definitely added that color and spice the corner needed. Makes the chair wood pop – so nice!
Love! A job well done 🙂
I LOVE it. You inspire me (especially that gorgeous chair)!
That little corner makeover looks fantastic!
hey kb,
I have to say, it looks 10x better then the before! I love the pattern on the table–how super clever 🙂
That pillow is adorable too!
So proud of you momma for finding the “umph” inside you to complete this entire task…I’m 33 weeks pregnant and need a good burst of energy to do such a thing 😉
The seemingly smallest touches can add so much. The pillow change is the biggest impact.
I love it! Especially the pillow!! Is that YHL art work?
Hi Ashley –
Yep – it sure is YHL artwork. It was a gift from Sherry when she came to visit about a year ago! I love putting mementos up of special occasions – like visits with friends or vacations or even cheesy bits of when Jeremy makes me feel loved 🙂
XO – Katie
That table “update” is perfection! I hate when people paint something only to scuff it up to make it look “antique-y,” so naturally I cringed when you whipped out the sandpaper… BUT it looks amazing! Not overly done at all, just enough so it looks natural. I love it!
Love that pillow!! What a great pop of color in an otherwise monochromatic space. I really like all the small detailing you took the time to do that really enhance the space. I am a huge fan of repetition so the cheveron and the chair back make me smile!
Can’t wait to see how little Will’s room is coming along.
That pillow is yummy. The chevron is a really cool idea.
The pillow makes such a big difference! Every time I look at your landing it makes me want to paint my railing, too.
I’ve had short hair forever because I hate the drying time for long. I find decorating/renovating MUCH more enjoyable.
Love the new little nook.
What a cute little space! The little details like the pattern you did and the pillow totally make it. How creative!
Renovations for SURE!!! The transformation looks great. The pillow is just what the space needed.
I LOVE the painting project, but I have to say I prefer the first look of the landing. All the new pieces are great, but the first one looked more polished (and vintage-mod-whimsical… and if you’re getting rid of any of the previous pieces, feel free to send them toward Houston!).
I totally understand being ready for a change, though, and appreciate the inspiration to tackle some of those spots that could use some refreshment!
I love it! A little tape in a zig zag pattern and you’ve got something fabulous! I also love how the pillow bring in some color. For me, neutral is nothing without some color, so now this space looks perfect (well for now until you want to redo it again)!
So cute, it adds so much fun to such a little space:) Love it!
I liked the first look of your landing, and wasn’t totally sold on the new setup…until you painted the top of the table and added that FAB pillow (so jealous you scored that pillow for $7!). Now I think it’s perfect and I really do like it better than the original setup. Nice job!!!
I am loving that pillow. What a difference a little pop of color can make!
hush your mouth!!!!!! could it get any better???? seriously, when i hit the lotto…you and me, ALM & Will… are going on a Southeastern tour of TJ Maxx and Goodwills and redo-ing my whole house 🙂 hahahaha!
Of course we will be traveling in style in a U-haul and staying in Motel-6s hahahaha 🙂
LOVE the tabletop treatment and the new pillow!
I tried to make my own chevron and painstakingly made a pattern…but the paint I used ended up peeling and ruining the beautiful pattern in the end 🙁 Glad you had better luck!
I just recently found your blog and I have to say I LOVE IT. Between this and YHL, I am really inspired to work on my apartment. This project is going to the top of the list!! Love it!