Monday, January 24, 2011

The dresser with an identity crisis

So, I was trying to get all fancy, MMS style, and decorate a little dresser I had. It was pretty beat up and it had hand painted numbers on it as a workshop demo long ago. Ignoring the numbers, I was trying to come up with a new design for it.

Warning: these are not beautiful photos. When implementing a new design, I always take a picture of it to see what it looks like on camera. It helps keep me objective because then I can see what YOU see, not what I see.


I desired to hand paint a branch on the dresser so I used the real deal for inspiration. Hmmm.... maybe....


My, I was proud! This was going to fly as high as a kite!


Until I painted it. GROSS! FAIL. Now what?


Those numbers had to go. They were confusing me. So I taped paper over them and tried just the real branches instead. Nature never goes wrong, correct? Hmmm... not too bad, but I think I need to paint the dresser first to really see.


There we go! Let's try that again...


Eh... may be too branchy busy. I need to walk away for abit and see it with fresh eyes.

I walk away, come back and hate it. Too branchy busy, like they'll stab me while I flick the channel or something.


Maybe just keep it much simpler...

Walked away, came back, FAIL.

I'm wanting to give up right about now... but NEW brainstorm approaches! 


Branches with button flowers! Ya know, I really liked this.

Until I woke up the next day and didn't like it.


One more try and then this thing is heading for the burn pile. Stencils perhaps?!?


I obviously have my story mixed up somewhere because the dresser is beat up again. Whatever. You get the idea.


So what DID happen to the dresser you ask? Did it go back to fresh white waiting for another day, or did I finally come up with something that could work?


 You'll see soon in the Copy Me! Challenge we're about to post soon. MMS is nearly at 4000 so I hope you're ready!

However, the entire point of this post is, my first draft of most of anything rarely works. Especially when trying something new. So never feel bad or deflated if you feel a FAIL even the first few runs. I learned alot through trial and error!


Such as, don't try and be MMS. Welcome home, palette TV stand. :)

Do you allow failures to bring you down?
What's your biggest blunder to date? 
How did you overcome it?

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35 comments:

  1. Danielle @ Transforming HomeJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Great post, again! You always make me feel better....like now I have a third paint color on my kitchen island and it still doesn't seem right. I was just going to leave it alone, but I will push forward and find the perfect color - it is out there somewhere, right?
    Thanks, Donna

    Danielle

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  2. Angie HoldenJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Not so patiently waiting for the party!! :) And I love your thought process!! :)

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  3. Dawn,January 24, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    I actually loved the real branches with buttons. Not sure it fits perfectly withing the copy cat challenge and MMS but the idea is very clever!

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  4. Funky Junk InteriorsJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Dawn, you are so right! It was cute for perhaps a little girl's room. It had a very bedroom feel.

    Donna

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  5. Proper PrimJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    I really liked the branch and buttons also... but you are right wrong place for it.

    I love when things don't work out because it gets my creative juices flowing again... I have learned far more from my mishaps than I have ever learned from things going smooth. I love the challenge.

    Can't wait for the final outcome of you and MMS.

    Have a great day Donna.

    Hugs, Deb

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  6. Single Stone StudiosJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    I love this post. I try really hard not to let my failed attempts get me down. Last spring I bought a 5' tall wire dress form, got it all covered with many layers of tissue, tried a few painted flowers, handcut paper flowers and a few other things. It just wasn't working. I let her sit through the summer and finally one day at the start of fall I suddenly SAW her and feverishly worked for 2 days and now she is one of my very favorite projects ever. After I finished the art I wrote a poem and even got her published on a few fabulous blogs. It's good to keep pushing - even if the inspiration doesn't hit for 4 more months.

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  7. KarenJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    That's something that I still struggle with,I guess its a process.

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  8. banclothingJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    I love this post... it is SO true for so many of us. Thinking outside the box takes a lot of trial and error.

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  9. venetia flowersJanuary 24, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    I was sooo excited about your post. Followed every word expectantly and then I get to the bottom and ??????????????????????

    I'm still holding my breath - hurryyyyyy!

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  10. Tonia Lee SmithJanuary 24, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    I love using nature in decor.

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  11. Twinkle TerriorJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    i think it looks adorable! agree with Tonia...nature inside is spectacular

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  12. Ali @ Honey and Maple SyrupJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    I can't wait to see what you did with it!

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  13. Dana @ Cooking At Cafe DJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Soon we'll be revealing our (pretty much NO budget)new kitchen. And, boy, did we mess up and paint over a lot. But, in the end it will be all worth it.

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  14. UnknownJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Donna, I think it is great that you are posting about projects that don't work out. I don;t want to say failure because they are just a bump in the road. But they remind readers like me that not every project comes out perfectly the first time.
    Traci

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  15. UnknownJanuary 24, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    I hope that means there is hope for me! I love your trial and error process!

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  16. LyndaJanuary 24, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    I've had a dress form for 5 years...It's been gold...now covered w/black dress...still waiting for an idea...sometimes it's a long process...

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  17. JanetJanuary 24, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    I really enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for sharing your creative process with us.

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  18. CathJanuary 24, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    WOW you must have a lot of paint!

    Dealing with failures is not one of my strong points although I have learned a great deal over the years.
    When I fail at something, I need time to rant, yell, cry, be alone, etc. Then I need time to round up my thoughts for a new plan of attack. That sometimes takes hours, days or even months. I grab both boot straps and jump back on the horse with a new spirit and determination.

    To me, nothing in life is a mistake unless it is repeated. Rather they are learning experiences that make us stronger and more interesting.

    Anxious to see the finished product.

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  19. Miss Mustard SeedJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    I like the Pallet TV stand much better. It's so unique and totally "you". I'm glad it came back. :)

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  20. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    I think both you and MMS have BIG challenge on your hands... so hard to come up with something out of your design esthetic. It doesn't quite fit or feel right, cause it's not you. But, then you see something that isn't you and you love it... so then it becomes a part of you and your world grows. That's what I love about blogging. I admire you both for taking on this challenge and I'm so excited for both of you. I hope we get to see those posts soon!

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  21. Liz BradleyJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    I love it when great designers show their mistakes or road blocks. It makes us feel not so inferior!
    Thanks for the refreshing real life!
    Liz
    http://mylovelylittlelulu.blogspot.com/

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  22. NickieJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Now I don't feel so bad about switching the living room up 3 different ways this past weekend! Can't wait to see the final design. I love the real branches and buttons too.

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  23. Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.comJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    haha to funny. You just reminded me of me and my changes to projects. But I am not gonna lie. I liked the last one with the branches cut to open with the drawers and the buttons...lol..Can't wait to see what the final product. I am sure it will be impressive.

    Deb
    http://dejarenew.blogspot.com

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  24. coastal femmeJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    Making mistakes as one goes, comes with creativity but in the end Donna you were true to yourself. I liked the pallet TV stand better and I agree the small dresser(though darling)was more appropriate for a bedroom.

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  25. Jill @ Craft in a Northern TownJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    Thanks for the great post! I'm kinda new to this whole process, but am betting on some big mistakes once we start the decorating process in our new house.

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  26. KoleinJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Keep it REAL!!! I love this post!

    And actually I like the middle branch thing! Cute!

    Can't wait to see what you did with your little white prototype!

    xo
    ~K

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  27. Patricia @ 9th and DenverJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    I like the FAIL.

    We all FAIL. but we don't all show it to the bloggy world!

    Thanks for showing the way, Donna-- you're such a good little mentor.
    Can't wait to see the 'copy-cat' version~
    Pat

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  28. Job SearchJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    It is an Inspirational Blog. I really like that you Implementing a new design in this little dresser. You decorated so well. You give very good lesson to all of us that people should be very creative. Nice stuff!

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  29. SueannJanuary 25, 2011 at 5:16 AM

    Of course I have had failures and I try not to let them get me down. I tell myself that this is not a failure, just a new way of leading me to another direction...a new way of doing thus and so. I find them exciting and earth moving sometimes. Because the whole piece shifts onto a higher plane. Wonderful!
    As will be your dresser
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  30. DebbiedoosJanuary 25, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    Plenty oh blunders here. No way do I let them get me down...I laugh it off, and try again...usually with success the second, third time around.

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  31. Amy ChalmersJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    This was fun to read...I was getting mildly horrified as the branches kept trying to get on the dresser...wasn't working IMHO too. Love your honesty about success and failure. It proves its no biggy when things don't go right.

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  32. Comeca JonesJanuary 25, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    I love the the palette tv stand better but

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  33. hilary@oldhousetrueloveJanuary 25, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    fabulous post donna! i am always throwing the towel in way to early... must stop doing that... thanks again for sharing your wisdom! and yes... it is wisdom :)

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  34. bjJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    Loved this...now I don't feel like such a DORK !

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  35. Amanda LeeJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    This post made me laugh out loud :) I'm sure the dresser turned out great, but I'm glad you're not MMS, because you really rock it as FJI!
    ~Amanda

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