Let There Be White

The kitchen cabinets are all but done. I might do one more light coat. I still haven’t decided.

Let’s look at the before…

A LOT of orange wood. Let’s look at the after…

Much Better! A weird fact. I was looking through old pictures to find the before shot of the kitchen, I found it in a folder 1 year to the day from today—strange.

The cabinets look much better, but as usual, when you paint something it makes everything else around it look worse. It was a huge project I am glad to have off my to do list. I am at least one step closer. Still on my wish list: new counters, new light fixtures, new appliances, backsplash, and under cabinet lighting.

Cabinet Painting Weather Delay

Well, October in Colorado has put a stop to my cabinet painting.  We got about 7-8 inches of snow and way below freezing temps.  YIKES

As far as the cabinets go, I have been able to finish painting the cabinet boxes inside.  It took a long time—degrease, sand, prime, sand, paint, sand, paint again.  I am pretty happy with the finish though.  I had someone come over and install crown molding on the top of the cabinets.  It makes them look much more custom-now just to paint it. 

Before Crown

After Crown

I really hope it warms up soon.  I can’t wait to be done.  This is a LONG project.

All the doors and drawers have a first coat of paint (same amount of steps as inside). Wish me luck.  Just when you think you have a SMALL kitchen….

(not all of the cabinets!)

My Big Girl Panties?

So last week I read this post from Traci at Beneath My Heart. She decided to “put her big girl panties” on and get to painting her kitchen cabinets. She encouraged me to take the plunge too. I have had all the stuff to get them done for ONE YEAR!!! Time to get busy, but here I am this morning…

“WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING!!!”

Birthday Cake Pancakes

My baby girl is turning 4 tomorrow. We are having her birthday party on Saturday, but I still want to make her actual birthday special. Leave it to Pinterest to give me a great idea. Birthday Cake Pancakes from How Sweet It Is—are you kidding me. I can’t wait to try them. I didn’t want to do a cake, we are doing one Saturday so this is perfect.

Photo from How Sweet It Is

Water Closet Makeover

Well, I am happy to say that I have finished the update of the water closet. I forced myself to focus on only one project and it worked. I don’t know about you, but once I do get the project bug my mind goes crazy with ideas. For instance a walk to the garage to grab a tool turns into 20 minutes because I get sidetracked by all the other projects I want to do. But this time was different. Any time I felt myself going in that direction I gave my self a quick reminder, and bam back on track.

So here are the results. Of course styled terrible because that is not my strong suit. I can get the bones, but the rest is a real struggle.

This room is very hard to photograph. I am standing in the shower with my back against the wall. When I say it is small I mean, IT IS SMALL.

Also, the lack of natural light gives the color a weird look, but I don’t care. It look so much better.

So lets talk budget:

• Paint-$10 ( I used sample size from Sherwin Williams. It says not to but I have before and so far so good so I went for it. If they don’t want you to use them why are they so big?)
• Towel Hangers-$18
• Caulk-$3

That is a total of $31

I will never stop being amazed at the trans formative power of paint.

I already had the trim (Habitat Resale) and cabinet (which I got last summer for $5 at a yard sale).

Lets compare

That isn’t not a true before. The true before had no trim and a cheap laminate standing cabinet thing. The floor still needs help, but that will have to be done later.

The paint on the top and bottom of the molding do look almost the same in the photo, but in person there is a nice difference.

The paint on the top of the molding is Sherwin Williams Chatroom 6171. It is a grey/green

For the bottom, I had Sherwin Williams lighten the Chatroom by 50%.

Too Tan!

Well you may remember yesterday I mentioned my first attempt at a two tone wall and how I thought I liked it.  As the night wore on it began to dawn on me that my bathroom resembled camo.  The green was looking WAY green instead of gray/green and the geige was looking very TAN.  Put them together and it looked like it was on its way hunting.

So today, I made another stop by Sherwin Williams and had them mix me up Chatroom 6171 (the grey color on top) at 50%.  You can see in the picture below the difference.

 

It is a subtle difference, but it makes the room feel much better.  It only took me about 45 minutes to re-paint, one benefit to having a small room.

Progress—Oh Ya BAby!

I am making some progress over here.  Trim and walls painted!

 

This is my first attempt at 2 tone wall.  So far I think I like it.  Now just to accessorize.

Water Closet Redo

Thanks to my husband's support, AKA HARASSMENT, I have been inspired to make this house feel like our home again. I owe him a huge thank you. It was just the push I needed and man do I feel good.

First project up, master bathroom water closet, at least I think that is what you call it. The room is TINY and has a toilet and a shower. I started here because every time I went in there I got DEPRESSED!

I busted out the nail gun and miter box and man did it feel good. I am feeling giddy and excited. It is amazing how a project on the horizon feels.

(Now you see why it was depressing. )

My plan: add molding, paint walls, paint trim, and install cabinet above toilet. I already re-caulked the shower and toilet.

Here I go, wish me luck.

Built-In Bookshelf/Computer Desk

If any of you live in a tri-level like me you know there is an awkward space in the lower level family room. See it down there, behind the dining area and by the sliding glass doors. I tried a lot of different things here and everything looked pretty bad. Not only did it look bad but it wasn’t very useful. I decided to give building some built-in bookshelves a try.

I think they turned out pretty well. As with any project, it isn’t perfect, but getting better every time.

To get started I went to Ana White’s Website and got some plans for a bookshelf. I adjusted the measurements to fit my needs and headed out to Home Depot. I have to give a huge thank you to Russ from HD he cut all of my lumber free of charge with a smile on his face! I even filled out the survey so maybe he could get some props. This is only a portion of the lumber—there was A LOT!!!

With some wood glue and my trusty nail gun I got them together pretty easy.

I added a back, removed the railing and installed them.

To make the shelves look a little more substantial and more finished I added 1 x 2 trim EVERYWHERE

Time to sand, caulk,paint, and stuff them full.

They are definitely not decorative built-ins, but I couldn’t be happier with the organization and space they have given us.

WINNERS! I Need Your Information

I still haven't heard from the following 4 winners. Please email me your address ASAP so we can get the tape in the mail so you can get crackin’ on some projects.

Michelle said...

I love the stripe down the dresser.....so simple, yet so effective and cute!!

sharin said...

I usually have some leakage on textures too. But on smooth surfaces it's great. And I love how cleanly it comes off. It makes clean up go so much faster.

Leigh Ann said...

Great projects! I would love some of this tape! :)

cheryl said...

I tried a tape made especially for painting and did not get a clean crisp edge either. My walls are very lightly textured. I am wanting to do a 12 " light gray stripe in a bedroom. I am not sure if this was the brand of tape I used...maybe I should give it a try. Love your ideas.