The practice of law can be described as:
a) Dry.
b) Logical.
c) Stressful.
d) All of the above and then some.
What if I told you I had a simple solution to help alleviate some of a) – d)? And all you need is a can of Annie Sloan chalk paint, some sandpaper and about three and a half hours on a Sunday afternoon.
As I pleasantly discovered, DIY-ing is a restorative practice, and certainly cheaper than therapy. As my favourite advertising book, The Do-It-Yourself Lobotomy, would say, the opportunity to access the creative side of your brain and truly empower your creative resourcefulness has a welcoming, calming effect on your psyche that will also make you a more valuable lawyer/copywriter/Don Draper.
Touchy-feely stuff aside, DIY is a fun, mindless outlet that will get you in good stead come Monday morning, and has the added benefit of looking great in your home too.
Prompted by an upcoming visit from a friend, I realized our guest room desperately needed some attention. I put my DIY skills to the test and embarked on a new side-table project to complete the redecoration. Here’s my rough-and-ready guide to a creative afternoon:
Step 1.
Find some old side tables on the side of the road. Ca-ching.
Step 2.
Decide on your new colour scheme. I went with Annie Sloan’s Old White.
Step 3.
Remove and spray paint the old brass hardware a brighter gold.
Step 4.
Paint on two coats and let each dry completely between applications, about 30-45 mins. Grab your sandpaper and have at it. This will bring out the grain in the wood and give your item the perfect rustic-vintagey look.
Step 5.
Once you’ve achieved your desired texture, apply a good layer of wax (sold alongside your paint products) to ensure the chalk-like consistency doesn’t keep coming off. Once set, re-attach the refreshed hardware.
Step 6.
Finish the update with a new West Elm bedspread, Diptyque candle, fresh roses and voila! Guest room makeover complete.
PS. How satisfying is the the before-and-afters?
Emma Gregg is in-house counsel at Travelers Canada, and
Precedent’s design columnist. Read more of her tips for DIY decor.