Tag: elegant

‘Elegant Swans’ pub painting

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Hi everyone! My first post in 2026! Progression photos of two ‘elegant swans’ amateur pub painting 🎨 Hope you enjoy! 🐦 🐦

We started off by painting watery white acrylic paint all over the canvas, so that the gorgeous pink, blue and consequently purple tones would flow and blend beautifully 😍 The outline of the two swans first resembled masquerade masks I thought. We tried to create a ‘love heart’ shaped silhouette as sort between them, with their curved necks, and the head / body in proportion to this. White reflections were incorporated in the waters below, as were cute green lily pads and pink lotus flowers 💐 💗 Thick brush strokes built up the white of the swans feathers, with metallic blue for definition. The beaks were gold metallic. The trickiest of all was using our small brush and black acrylic paint to mark out the delicate facial features… this is actually one of my favourite pub paintings ever! The pastel colours are lovely, and very reminiscent of our art teacher’s commissioned snowman ⛄️, which was part of the recent Doncaster’s Christmas Snowman trail.. and here is the finished piece:

For my next project, I am on with a diamond art 💎🎨 of me and my boyfriend Aaron. I also have a Highland Cow and colourful eye diamond art to complete, a chameleon cross stitch (the first I’ve ever done) and a collection of mandala/mindfulness themed designs I’m colouring with promarker pens. Travel wise, I am also soon visiting Hull with my partner… so watch this space 😜😜

Thank you as ever for viewing/reading, much love, Lauren xx

© 2026 Lauren Parr / https://unicornpostbox.com

Funky gold and purple hat/coat hanger

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Hi everyone! My latest blog post is progression photos of an upcycled hat/coat hanger, for the Children’s Air Ambulance..hope you like! 😁

I started by gently washing the hat/coat hanger, and hand sanding. I painted a metallic gold, with three coats. Also, the tip I jazzed up by painting purple, to give it a bit of character and uniqueness. To finish, I sprayed protective lacquer to seal… and here is the end result;

I am pretty pleased with how this one has turned out.. I think it’s full of elegant charm and sophistication.. Hope you agree, haha! 😆

My next upcycling project for the Children’s Air Ambulance is perhaps a girlie dressing table, and I’m also in the process of completing another diamond art 🎨 💎.. so watch this space!

Thank you as ever for reading/viewing.. All the best, Lauren xx

© 2023 Lauren Parr/ https://unicornpostbox.com

My first upholster! Progression photos

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Good evening fellow followers 🙂 My latest blog post is progression photos of a upholstered chair, I’m pretty proud of it, hope you like…

My first task was unpicking the metal staples around the brim, ready for new fabric. I sugar soaped and then used a primer on the bare wood, when dry I sprayed chalky grey furniture paint, and a crystal clear protection to seal. Next, I stapled a bottom sheet to the frame, to increase durability. The fabric I initially chose was black/dark blue, with elegant yellow flowers. I used the first bit of cloth as a template to get the right size. Upon completion however it was agreed the choice of fabric was a little too pretty, and did not match an industrial vibe wished for the new store cafe (this is what I’m working on at the moment). As it appeared more for a bedroom than a café, I unpicked the metal staples and started again! I upholstered with a plain more rustic fabric, and glue gunned a brim, adding a bit of personality with the tassels!

This has been my favourite project so far. I love the shabby chic effect, and I think it looks very classy and elegant. I love that I’m learning too. The store manager did give me a tip to pull the fabric really tight, so less loose, I completely agree however I don’t think I’ve done bad for a first upholster attempt. I’m really proud of myself, hehe 🙂 🙂

Coming up soon, some metallic steampunk effect frames, upcycled wooden spools (big project for the cafe) and a Earth map decoupaged table! Please do keep a look out… I’m hoping to sell some of my art/knitting too as sponsorship money towards my Liverpool cathedral absail, so I’ve plenty to keep me occupied 🙂

Much love, Lauren xx

© 2022 Lauren Parr / https://unicornpostbox.com