Pinterest Challenge: Brass Etagere

For those of you who are big Young House Love fans like I am, you are probably familiar with their Pinterest Challenge series. I have wanted to link up a project for so long, but never got around to it in the previous editions. I'm proud to say I actually completed a project, photographed it, and wrote a post in time for this season's challenge!

I've been crushing on brass furniture lately, which I mentioned when I was swooning over coffee tables. I've also been seeing some great hacks of the Ikea Vittsjo pop up all over Pinterest. Our living room is fairly long, so it lends itself to having two distinct seating areas. On the left, I decided we needed something with more height, and I also wanted a place to display accessories and make our house feel a little more lived in.

One day when I wasn't working, I went out to Ikea. I never go to Ikea on a Saturday if I can avoid it, so it was nice to head over there on a weekday morning. After spending some time wandering through the showroom, I went downstairs and grabbed my Vittsjo. Only I didn't think about how huge it was....60 lbs and a little over 7 feet. Although I was encouraged to ask for help per the sign by the box, I  stubbornly wrestled the box onto my car myself and made my way to the checkout.

Sorry about the crummy iPhone pic!

Then I had to get it into the car by myself...good thing I have Fiona, because this thing was huge. I could see people around me looking skeptical, but I was able to fit the whole shelving unit in the car by folding the front seat down. Honda should seriously be paying me for the number of times I show people how much cargo room the Fit really has.

Anyway, I managed to get my new Vittsjo home and in the house by myself (woooo girl power). Then I went to work trying to figure out what color gold spray paint I should use on the piece. Some people spray painted theirs, some people used Rub 'n Buff, and some people gold leafed their's. I went the spray paint route for time's sake. I originally intended to buy Krylon's Gold Leaf based on Kate's recommendation on Centsational Girl, but they were out, so I ended up buying another Krylon color instead.

First I put together the frame, and then took it down to our backyard and spray painted it. It took a few coats, and I had to do some touch up after I brought it back inside and realized that I had missed a couple places. I let it dry for a few days and then brought it upstairs and added the glass shelving, and added accessories...which continue to change on a regular basis.

I'll be honest, I'm not in love with the color. I think that I will go over it with Rub'n Buff when school slows down a bit. But for now, I'm still really liking the look in our living room.

Oh, and if you're interested in the sources for the objects on the bookshelf, here's a rundown of what they are:

• Books: Young House Love, Inspired You (Miss Mustard Seed), 100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life (Jonathan Adler), Design*Sponge at Home (Grace Bonney), The Death and Life of Great American Cities (Jane Jacobs), Cupcakes and Cashmere (Emily Schuman), Domino, The Things that Matter (Nate Berkus), Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (Jenny Slate), How to Hepburn (Karen Karbo), The Gospel According to Coco Chanel (Karen Karbo), Pottery Barn: Photos, Let's Get Comfortable (Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams), Furniture Styles (Vintage)
• Fashion Print: Figure art print by Leigh Viner 
• Milk glass dish: vintage (similar)
• Blue telephone insulators: vintage. I have a bunch of these for sale, so contact me if you'd like one. 
• Blue and white vase: my mom's house (similar)
• Glass apothocary jar: Homegoods (similar)
• Ikat bowl: Anthropologie (similar)
• Gray box: Homegoods (similar)
• Brass elephant: DIY - Plastic elephant from Michael's spray painted gold (similar)
• Flower print: West Elm (similar)
• Green dish: Anthropologie (similar)
• Small plate: Vintage (similar)
• White Owl bookend: Homegoods (similar)
• Silver Revere bowl: Vintage (similar)
• White ceramic horse: Target
• Brass bowl: Vintage (similar)
• Empire State building: DIY - puzzle from Michael's, spray painted pink
• Blue and white plate: Target (similar)
• Magazines: Check out what subscriptions I receive

Did any of you participate in Young House Love's Pinterest Challenge? Make sure you check out the projects of the other hosts: Katie from Bower Power, Megan from the Remodeled Life, and Michelle from Decor and the Dog.

Also linked to: Miss Mustard Seed