Natural Selections: Driftwood

So I know the buzz is all about pallet wood right now, the current love affair of the DIY world. But for me, pallet wood is just that, a love affair. It's like when Zack Morris would start dating someone new... It would be all good and well, but we all knew he would end up with his first, true love, Kelly Kapowski. Well folks, my Kelly Kapowski is driftwood. Though I may venture into the pallet wood trend for a while, and enjoy doing so, I will always come back to my first love, driftwood.

Here are some of my favorite uses for driftwood.

via OceanSwept

via S.R. Gambrel

via All Driftwood Furniture

via The Rubbish Revival

I mean seriously, these people are artists.

Driftwood out.

Chalkboard Fireplace

via Jamie Scott

I warned you about my chalkboard obsession... But really, how amazing is this? It may not be hot, but dang, I think this is just as cozy as a real fire. And oh so charming. This will be happening in my bedroom. Look for a new post in a few months. 

Oh, and look how freakin' cute this one is! I die.

via Joanna Gargiule on Pinterest

Rustic Winter

via Gary Heller Photography

I am really inspired by rustic winter landscapes right now. Too bad 50 degrees is about as "winter" as we are getting in Georgia at the present. No rustic snowy landscapes here, folks. Hence, I sit and wanderlust over these beautiful, albeit digital, scenes. What is inspiring you in the middle of this winter season?

via Lisa Russo Fine Art

via First Light Photography

via Clancy's Classics

DIY Chalkboard Trays

Let's dive right in, shall we? Today's project, the first project of the Sail South Home blog (yay!), is one of my favorites: Chalkboard Trays! Who doesn't love a good chalkboard nowadays? I'm on a bit of a chalkboard paint craze. Bottles, vases, furniture, walls, and yes, TRAYS! Virtually anything can be made into a chalkboard. Tack had a tough time convincing me that French Bulldogs do not make very good chalkboards....

In all honesty, these little diddies are super easy to do, but they are a bit time consuming. 

What you'll need: 

An old tray (or 10)

Chalkboard Paint

Paintbrush of your choosing

And chalk, of course.

Simply start with an old tray (or 10) and wash them down with some soap and water. After they are completely dry, it's time to start painting! If it makes you more comfortable, you can trace out your tray with painter's tape or just freehand it. I seemed to prefer diving right in sans painter's tape, myself.

As for the paint, I prefer the Rust-O-Leum chalkboard paint over the spray version. It is just thicker, more durable and to me, is easier to work with. 

It works best if you paint multiple thin layers, allowing the paint to dry completely in between coats. It may take a couple hours for one coat to dry, so be patient! It will pay off, promise.

 Once you have the paint applied to your liking, let it dry for at least 24 hours before you season it (i.e. rub it down with a piece of chalk and wipe off with a cloth).

And then, viola! A beautiful chalkboard (or 10)!

Now what to do with all of the beautiful chalkboards you've made? Give them to friends and family for gifts! Pictured below are the trays I gave to to my sweet neighbor friends for Christmas this year. 

Feel free to shoot me any questions about the process! Or, let me know if you would like to order some from me.

Peace & Blessings, ya'll!

The Blog is Back!!! (...and better than EVER!)

After taking a little hiatus from blogging (in order to get married, buy a house and complete a long list of other grown up-oriented things), I am back to blogging! And on a very new blog we like to call Sail South Home!

Oh, and not only is Sail South Home a blog, it is also the place to buy vintage, hand made home decor & gifts! My super interior-decor-savvy mother and myself will be launching an Etsy shop in the coming days (more info. to come, of course)!

In the meantime, please enjoy our daily musings of natural and coastal inspired decor, hand made projects and really just a little Southern babbling. Can't wait to share this new venture with you all!

Peace and blessings,

Morgan