What a Coat of Paint Can Do {Family Room Update}

Hey there, everyone!  Whew, we made it to Friday!  It's been quite a week around here and will wrap up with a high school football scrimmage tonight (yes, Friday night lights around here!).  Tomorrow, we take the boys and friends up to Lake Rabun for a last hurrah on the water before school starts on Monday.  I, for one, can't wait to prop my feet up with a chilled beverage, how 'bout you?

Anyway, on to a fun project update!  Remember this forlorn little guy??

I scored this little wooden desk a loooong time ago for a song and he's done good work for me as a side table in our family room.  I couldn't believe all the stuff I found when I cleaned out the drawers, but that's another post all together!

This is a cool little piece, but had some chips in the wood here and there and the top has a nice long crack in it-- all of which adds character and made me feel fine about painting instead trying to repair/refinish.  I also wanted to get rid of some of the BROWN in my family room.  It was a wood piece on hardwood floors, next to a dark brown suede sofa.  Blah!!  So in my ongoing quest to lighten and brighten the family room I tried some left over paint from the kids bathroom redo two years ago. But I knew right away it was too light-- I wanted lighter, but I also wanted a pop of color. 

One coat of Martha Stewart's Salt Water and I knew I was on to something! No, I didn't prime (bad painter/blogger/diyer).  I usually am diligent about that, but I can also be impatient, and I was on a timetable before we were leaving town, soo... no primer.

I also decided to recycle the hardware.  Turns out it was 2 different sets of knobs!

I didn't care-- nothing a coat of brassy gold spray paint can't disguise!

And here's the new and improved little guy...

Okay, sorry about the lamp cord hanging down... (bad blogger/diyer/photographer) but what do you think? 

I turned it with it's back against the wall instead of against the arm of the sofa and that's opened up the space some, too.  I love the way the room feels so much brighter now!!  I have another painted piece under the window that I will match up to this one so that will help, too.

Ahh, much better. :)

Let me know what you think!  Happy weekend, friends... any projects on your list or will you be chillin' like me?

Linking up at Mrs. Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday
and the Weekend WrapUp at Tatertots and Jello
and at Susan's Metamorphosis Monday {Between Naps on the Porch}
and Beth's Tutes and Tips Tuesday {Home Stories A to Z}!