1 set of built ins -styled 3 different ways

Let me just tell you now that this will not be the last post about these built ins.

I like the built ins, but the challenge has been how to make them reflect "me" and "my husband". My husband didn't get a dedicated office with a door in this house, so we have carved out some space for him in the den. This space is still one of the main living areas of our house so I we aren't putting up the "decor" that he has had in some of his previous offices, but I also don't want him to feel like he doesn't have a place that is his.

The first attempt was just so so. It was better than the random tools and misplaced items from the move, but not exactly what I was going for.

I then decided to add a little color. Red and turquoise to be exact. I spray painted a large vase and "C" turquoise, brought in some red candle sticks, added a deer head silhouette that I painted and framed (to add a little of "my husband"), and moved and edited some things. I liked this attempt, but it was way more "me" and not "my husband" at all.

At this point I had pretty much decided that I wasn't going to be happy with the built ins unless I painted the backs a color. I am in the process of painting this room and all of the trim work. Once that project is done I'll move on to these. They will go from cream to bright white and the backs with get a nice color. I have already decided on the color, but I'm not going to share just yet.

(please excuse the flash, we have had terrible weather and I haven't been able to get a good pic. I wasn't going to post this until I did, but accidently hit the "post" button instead of the "save" button, so you can all see it in your reader either way. I'll post a better pic tomorrow if the weather cooperates)

Keeping all of that in mind, here is the next attempt. My goal was to mix metal tones and add a few pieces that we have gotten from over seas (this makes the room a little more "my husband").The vase underwent another painting transformation, I repainted the frame of the mirror and continued to move and edit some items. I also whipped up a small chevron painting to add a touch of color (more "me")
 

 I have been very anti-all things brass or gold, but my tastes are changing. I repainted the vase to get a brassy look by layering paint. I painted over the turquoise with brown acrylic paint and then added a gold metallic acrylic paint that I applied with a small brush in an overlapping swirl motion. It was a little to bright and shiny so I add a little black paint applied with a damp paper towel. I wiped it on and then wiped most of it off. Easy as that.

The frame for the mirror got the same gold metallic paint, just a different application. I just painted a few light layers allowing the red to peek through a bit.

I am aware that the big brown leather recliner isn't pretty. I am on the look out for 2 smaller chairs or possibly a love seat. I'm not in a hurry, though, I want to be sure that I know what I want.

Linked to:
Just a Girl - Show and Share Day