Home design has always been something I’ve enjoyed. However, this past year has provided me confidence in taking more risks than I ever imagined I could. When I used to look up homes for sale, I would stray away from anything that looked like it needed work. After doing our kitchen renovation, I actually love looking at older homes and envisioning what they could be. It’s so much fun!

With my hunger for doing more home design projects increasing, I’ve been drawn to more home design IG accounts and television shows. My go-to television inspiration used to be “Fixer Upper.” (Don’t get me wrong, I still love me some Chip and Joanna Gaines. ) However, recently I happened upon “Home Town” and oh my goodness, I am hooked! I feel like finding this show was like when I found out how much I loved the Beatles in my 30s — way late to the game and so so excited. I don’t think I’ve ever binged a home renovation show until now.

I’ve literally watched so much of this show that I had a dream recently that we were best friends. Dreamers can dream right? The Napiers seem like such a genuine couple and I just love how they love to repurpose the old, create new beautiful pieces that will last a lifetime, and do DIY decor. The layering of color and pattern and the old with the new is right up my alley.

Erin Napier has definitely inspired me to take more DIY decor risks and think outside the box in order to freshen up things around the house. This especially fits with my limited budget this year.

One thing I found interesting to try was Rub ‘n Buff on an old frame. It’s a wax metallic finish which is quick, easy, and dries almost immediately.

About ten years ago my mother gave me an old framed photo of myself when I was bit older than one. It was professionally framed in the 80s, silver-ish blue, and has faded over the years.

I had recently placed it on a wall with some other photos in our new study and the color just seemed a bit off surrounded by the gold and bronze colored frames. Armed with my new found confidence and Rub ‘n Buff, I did this little project on a weekday evening and had a lot of fun. I even watched “Home Town” when doing the project. #sorrynotsorry

I looked up some tips and tricks and decided not paint the frame black before using the Rub ‘n Buff. I used the color Antique Gold and applied it with a makeup brush. And I love it. It really works well with the other photos and adds a little life back to this 80s photo.

I’ve been told this works well on cabinetry hardware as well and I kind of want to do it. However, my husband is not fond of gold and it will take a lot of convincing to get him to okay doing this in our kitchen. I think I can persuade him. It’s been done before. If I did it, I would probably paint the hardware black first to provide a more distressed brass look than gold.

I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, I’m brainstorming other fun DIY projects I can do around the house.

xx, M