Decor Adventures

Designing a New Blog Logo

2013-05-17T12:02:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday! What are you plans for this weekend? I'd like to get the last of our vegetable plants in the garden and hopefully get some color on my pasty white legs! This blogger needs a tan.

I'll also be doing some housekeeping here on Decor Adventures. I've mentioned before how I'm switching to WordPress in a matter of days, and so I've been spending time cleaning up my old posts, and trimming things down for the switch. Did you ever read through all of your old blog posts? It's fun! And embarassing :-)

So you might notice some things that are missing, like archives and latest posts. I'm taking things down for the migration, so stick with me! Things will look and work better soon, I promise.

This switch has given me the chance to make a directory of all my posts so I can make sure to have them all in my project gallery and the like. I'm really looking forward to have a more organized blog where I can showcase more of my projects and provide you with a better resource for home and DIY inspiration. It's the main reason why I'm switching over.

While my blog designer makes finishing touches on that part, I've been working with my graphic designer for a new logo. Now these people can be one in the same, however in my case I'm married to my graphic designer, so he gets to work for me and live with me!

I pay him with back massages :-)

He and I sat down one night in his office to work on a new look for my logo, which will basically be my header, blog button, and social media profiles. Notice I was doing some blog reading at the same time?

I spent a lot of time looking around at blogs, business cards I got at Haven last year, and web sites in general, and decided I wanted to go with a simple, sophisticated design that will work for me in various ways.

First we selected some fonts that I liked to see how they might work together for a new look. I wanted a simple logo, without any graphic elements, so that the title of my blog itself would become the "look".

There are tons of resources out there for free fonts. When you download and install them, you can see what they look like in some sample words and go from there. Many are very similar! But fonts have their own personality.

I ended up keeping the font of the word 'decor' in my title, but changed the 'adventures'. After my graphic designer/husband arranged them in complimentary sizes and spacing, we played around with color.

I have two versions of the new logo so I can use it in different ways. What do you think?

Picking a color was next. This is hard! Color says so much about you and your personality, plus I wanted something that wasn't going to be too trendy, but match the look I wanted. So we narrowed it down to a few.

Now the question is, which one do you think I picked?! Or perhaps I did a variation on one of these?

Have you ever designed a logo or look? How did you pick out fonts and colors?

P.S. By the way, hubs is available for logo design anytime. You can call him Dan and find him here. Give him a like!

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Lighting Ideas for Your Home

2013-05-15T12:20:00.001-04:00

Lighting is one of the most important elements inside the home and out. Not only does it help you with everyday tasks, and can set the mood for a dinner party on the patio or an hour with your favorite book. Like hardware on furniture or cabinets, lighting can be the jewelery of your space. Think of a photo of a room you love. Is it lit well? You can thank the lighting for that.

Recently we've been doing some lighting upgrades for our home and have spent countless hours in stores and online looking for fixtures of different types. When Golden Age USA asked if I would offer a review of their lightning collections, I was happy to. I had not heard of the company before, but was glad to find them. They have the largest selection of lights for just about every space in your home. In addition they sell rugs, mirrors and other home decor items, but the lighting selection is quite extensive.

Here are some chandeliers from their contemporary line. I notice some of these from photos that I pin! Did you ever see a light and wonder where you could get it? Golden Age USA might be your answer.

Clockwise from top left: Maxim Nexus 3-Light Chandelier; ET2 Cascada 6-Light Pendant; Crystorama 6 Light Mini Chandelier with Olde Silver Finish; Uttermost 6 Light Contemporary Pendant;

They can also make a chandelier custom to your space in any and you can view items within your budget by sorting them by price, type or material. This turquoise chandelier is make of Italian Murano glass.

Clockwise from top left: Cyan Design bella vetro chandelier in aqua; Laura Ashley State Street 8L Chandelier; Artcraft Lighting Pot Racks 6 lite chandelier; Laura Ashley 30" Daliya Capiz Pendant with Natural Capiz Shells

Since we are renovating bathrooms, wall sconces are on the top of my shopping list these days. There are many options for a variety of bathroom styles in a range of prices, many under $50. I could see these lights even in a dining room, hallway or bedroom.

Clockwise from top left: Maxim Malibu 1-Light Wall Sconce; Maxim Cilandro 1-Light Wall Sconce; Elk Lighting 2 Light Vanity in Polished Chrome and White Mosaic Glass

Pendant lights are a modern alternative to builder grade flush mount lights and come in a variety of colors, shapes, and styles.

Clockwise from top left: Maxim Rondo 4-Light Large Entry Foyer Pendant; Elk Lightning Bamboo Stem; Lights Up Walk 5-Arm Drum Chandelier Powercoat Black White Linen

And with summer here, you might be thinking of some new lights for your deck, garden or patio. Golden Age USA offers outdoor wall lights, ceiling mounts, and deck lanterns. I think I may have to pick up some of these for our backyard since we have a deck and landscape makeover going on this year. I can't wait to show you that project.

Clockwise from left: Maxim Westlake Cast 1-Light Outdoor Wall Lantern; Maxim Wharf 1-Light Outdoor Wall Lantern; Trans Globe Lighting 1-LT Stainless Steel Outdoor Wall Lantern

Do you do your lighting shopping online? You may want to. Online retailers offer the easy of narrowing your search to just the items you are looking for, sometimes have free shipping, and a plethora of items you will not find in stores. I enjoy finding options for my home improvement needs online, then I know where to go when I need to buy something.

Golden Age USA can be found online here, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Have you been shopping for lighting recently?

Which of these lights would you want in your home?

This is a sponsored post. I have been compensated for my time writing this.

All opinions expressed are my own.

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Frame Your Travel Memorabilia {A 15 Minute Craft}

2013-05-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello friends. I hope you had a nice Mother's Day weekend. My sister was in town and with her husband, we spent a few days house hunting with them. It's so fun to go see what kinds of homes are out there. Do you like house hunting? Hopefully they will find a good one and then I get to help decorate, which will be really great.

What better project for a new homeowner then some tips on decorating your home fast. I'm talking lightning fast. Today I'm participating in Craft Lightning. It's a round up by The Country Chic Cottage and 30 Minute Crafts of lots of fun crafts you can complete in 15 minutes or less. What could be better besides quick, creative projects you can do to decorate your home inside or out in just a few moments?

One way I love to change up my home decor for the season is to frame different things for the wall galleries we have in our spaces. If it's with photos, maps, a boarding pass, postcard or something else that you picked up on your travels, the artwork takes on the life of its own once you put it in a frame. Plus it's a lovely way to remember those special moments you had while relaxing with friends or families.

Here the two simple items you need for your 15 minute craft.

Empty frames - I usually get mine at the thrift stores or flea markets. It doesn't matter the color since you can always paint them, but look for glass and hanging hardware. That's a bonus and you can expect to pay around $5 each.

Travel mementos - Try postcards, letters, tickets stubs, photos or maps. Something that reminds you of your special trip is good, even a scarf you picked up or an interesting napkin from a hotel might look neat.

That's it! Plus any framing hardware you might need if it didn't come on the frame.

First, prep your frame. This can include cleaning the glass, and painting the frame if needed. If you want to use photo mats, here is a how to. Or if you want to fix frames or see different ways to use them, here are some ideas.

Next prep and put in your mementos. I found these old stamps on etsy at Anything Goes Here that I ended up framing for our living room. I just glued them on to a grey piece of craft paper for the backing then put them in the frame and hung it up.

They hang next to our large world map and a map of the Bahamas where we went on our honeymoon, and that reminds me of the different trips we've taken. I thought they would make the perfect addition to the travel wall and I love the story they tell. Who knows where they have been?

I made two frames of the stamps, the other group was different colors, so they add a bright touch to the neutral space.

Another travel memento I framed was this envelope from when my husband visited France with friends while we were dating. He mailed it from the Eiffel Tower so it's has that on the postmark. Did you know there is a small post office right in the base of the tower where you can send letters?

And just like that in 15 minutes you have yourself a nice reminder of your travel adventures. I'm sure you have some frames and some trinkets to hang up. Ready, set, craft!

Linking up with Quick Crafts at The Country Chic Cottage

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Storage Cube Makeover {Free Paint Project}

2013-05-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello friends! How are you?

So, big news, I am done with graduate school classes, yahoo! Now when I say that to someone they ask me when I'm going to graduate. And the answer to that is... in about a year or so? You probably know I am in a PhD program and about a week ago I finished all my coursework requirements and only have one exam and one paper left to finish for the semester. This means I never, ever EVER have to go to class again :-) Believe me I'm super happy about this. But the graduation is a ways off since now I write my dissertation. That will take about a year if I'm lucky.

But for now I have lots more time for projects and fun around the house. So why not start things off right away with a little furniture makeover I did with some free paint?

A few weekends go Ace Hardware had Free Paint Saturday, where they have out samples of Clark + Kensington in the form of flat enamel quarts. I was looking forward to trying a new color and wanted to learn more about this {new to me} paint, so I picked up Deep Amazon.

The pieces I had in mind to redo were those typical storage cubes that they sell at Target and similar places. You can get them with doors, drawers, or shelves. I got these about 13 years ago when I lived in my own apartment and wanted versatile storage but I've tired of their brown wood color and wanted to liven them up.

First I lightly sanded them with a block sander and taped off the insides so I didn't have to paint all of the sides where the door would be.

Then I used my trusty Zinsser oil-based primer.

This is how you know you need to use oil-based primer on furniture that is not raw wood, or a surface where you can't determine what it's been covered with. Because latex primer, even kinds that say they stick to glossy surfaces don't adhere to the surface of the object you are painting. This is what will it do if you use latex, it bubbles away from the surface and doesn't stick.

So go with the oil-based stuff, don your plastic gloves and paint outside. It will save you tons of furniture makeover heartaches!

These pieces were done in the basement before it was warm enough to paint them outside. Believe me, it does stink up the house, so wear a respirator and send your family out for the afternoon.

I could have gotten tinted primer for this, and should have looking back, but I wasn't up for spending the money and didn't want to take another trip to the hardware store, so white it was. After it was done, on went the Deep Amazon.

I liked the texture of this paint definitely, but my project needed 3-4 coats. I bet that's probably not the case on walls, or if you use tinted primer, so this took a little longer than I expected.

I actually did put 2 thin coats of clear polycrylic on top of this paint, even though it was enamel, just because it was flat and I knew I'd be putting dishes on and off of it often. I bet the poly could be skipped if you got a satin or glossier finish.

I simply love the color and wish I had more to paint other items this deep green. It's just the pop the dining room needed.

These replaced the white bookshelves that used to be in that space. Now I can toss items in the drawers and forget about them. Plus they store more things than the old shelves. A win, win, win!

Did you get to pick up any paint lately? Try out any fun colors?

P.S. This post is not sponsored, supported, or endorsed in any way by Ace Hardware, Clark + Kensington, or their affiliates.

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Intro to Chalk Paint Class {Annie Sloan Chalk Paint}

2013-04-24T09:18:00.000-04:00

With the weather warming up and finishing classes this week {yahoo!}, I am really happy it's finally spring. Sunshine and 50+ degrees can only mean one thing around here. Furniture makeovers! And just in time I got to take an Introduction to Chalk Paint class this past Saturday to learn all about the amazing things I can do for my upcoming projects.

I met up with Tyra (center in the apron) and three other classmates to finally dive into the wonderful world of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Tyra is owner of Blue Sky Design Supply, a local green product home store. She is the local seller of chalk paint, as well as many other amazing green home products. {That's me, second from the left if you didn't know}.

I've used chalk paint before but have not yet had a formal lesson in what it can do. This class was the perfect way to learn about the ways to use it, distress it and wax it, among other options. Now I can finally perfect my technique and really see what chalk paint can do.

Upon arriving to class we were treated like queens! It was held right at the store, where it's fun to browse for items and see all the paint samples on display. She's even painted a desk in chalk paint and set us up in our own area for the class. We each got a box of wood pieces on which we tried some different techniques.

Donned in her Annie Sloan apron, Tyra started us off with sanding some of the pieces to smooth them out, and to get a feel of what sand paper can do to a piece of wood. It prepares the surface for painting and will remove debris.

The chalk paint display at the store is so nice, it makes you want to get every color! Plus we received some informative handouts about the things you can do with chalk paint.

We got to try different colors of the paint, both the clear and dark wax, as well as milk paint, which I had not used yet. It created a neat effect on our sample piece of wood and comes in many colors. It's the green paint in the photo below.

If' you've not heard of either chalk or milk paint, there are many similarities but some differences on the products. Both are meant for all kinds of surfaces and need little to no preparation. But they each "finish" differently. There are a lot of ways you can use and work with chalk paint, while milk paint will take on its own life and chip off your piece in an interesting way for a worn look.

We were asked to bring to class a small piece to make over and practice on. I brought two small pieces which I plan to makeover for a friend in a fun bright color. The side table was actually the table my pet parrot's cage was on when we were little. Even though it is cracked and old, it has sentimental value :-) And the frame was make from left over wood we had. My husband put it together one day.

After some lessons and work on our pieces, we were treated to a gourmet lunch that was simply delicious. With some vino and chocolate for dessert, this was about the best class I'd ever been to! Too bad they can't do that in grad school right? Wine in between lessons probably wouldn't go over so well. Zzzzzz.

These are pics of my pieces before.

We got to see some of the sample pieces Tyra has done for the store. My favorite technique, which I'm still perfecting, is the washed look. It's where you water down a second color and put it over a first color, kind of like a glaze. While it's still wet, you wipe off the second color to get a nice layered look.

Plus we learned about burnishing. I think I love it! I'm going to have to get some of that special black sand paper and tell you more about how it works.

And you'll have to come back to see how my pieces turned out. I brought them home to wax and finish, since I have all the supplies.

If you've not been to a chalk paint class, look to see if there is one in your area. You can learn a lot of things to do that you might not have expected, plus it's fun to find local crafty friends. Take a look at the Annie Sloan retailers map to find one near you.

And if you'd like to find out more about Blue Sky Design Supply, find them online here.

Have you ever been to a craft or hobby class? What about a painting class?

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Tips for Green Living

2013-04-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello friends! Hope you had a nice weekend. Mine was very fun, it included a class on chalk paint and milk paint, which I'll show you soon. It was such a fun time and I got to work on some pieces of furniture too.

But today is Earth day and in honor, I thought I'd put together a list of what I do that's good for our environment. I'm very much a green kind of girl and look for natural or recycled products in anything I buy. This includes everything from decking to hair products, but there are many ways to live in an environmentally friendly way. Here are some of my favorite tips for green living.

Side note ~ I'm aware that none of the links on the blog are working today. I installed an ad code that I hope will sort out by the time you read this but if it doesn't, let me know if you can!

1. Use re-useable shopping bags. Not only for the grocery store but for every store. It helps if you have the little ones that roll up and fit in your car or purse. That way you always have one on you even if you think you won't buy anything.

My friends and I have debates on whether you can take a different store's bag into another store. I say of course you can! My friend Stephanie, she flaunts that Whole Food canvas in Wegmans. As long as you are using a reuseable bag, it doesn't matter what it says on the outside. There are chic neutral ones at Envirosax. They have bags even your man would not be embarrassed to carry.

2. Better yet, practice this line at the check out "I don't need a bag, thank you". I've done this at a ton of places and have probably saved myself dozens of plastic bags in the process. You most likely can carry your purchases out, especially with the large purses they make these days. Toss your items in!

3. Recycle, recycle, recycle. I can't say it enough. Even if your office doesn't do it, start a program. My husband did at a former office and recycled over 600 pounds of paper in about one year. This is tremendous!

Many towns have the Paper Retreiver which is a paper only dumpster where anyone can take paper to be recycled. Look one up by you today so when you are done with your shelter magazines, let someone else make something fun from them.

If your town or apartment complex doesn't recycle, find out why. These days many towns are required to and they will offer you free recycling bins too. Get on that train. Don't put all those cardboard boxes, tin cans, and milk jugs in the garbage. Mother Earth will thank you.

Did you know that glass is recyclable endlessly?

It can be recycled again and again without losing quality.

4. Reuse stuff. All stuff, any stuff. Open your mind to the creative opportunities of reuse. Food containers for leftovers. Boxes for storage. Junk mail for art or wrapping paper. The possibilities are endless. About 85% of the projects I've done and 100% of my furniture makeovers are examples of reusing something old to make something new. Like this cabinet turned bar. Someone else's trash becomes my treasure.

Before you go out to the store to purchase something, ask yourself if you already have something like it you can use in that new item's place.

5. Before you reuse something, decide if you need it anyway. If there is any message I preach in Eco-consciousness it is to live with less stuff. Simplify your environment and you simplify your life.
Whether it's a magazine you picked up at the bookstore, or a chotchkey near the register or an article of clothing you just bought. If you extend time, money or emotion in 'dealing with it' (finding a home for it, deciding whether or not to keep it, storing it) chances are it shouldn't be in your house anyway.

6. Green your cleaning routine. One of my favorite books is called Salt, Lemons, Vinegar, and Baking Soda and it shows you dozens of ways to clean with only those four ingredients. And I'm sure you have them all in your kitchen right now.

I recently switched to a steam mop and love that too. And we use Method products in the kitchen on that granite. Have you read their green living philosophy? I plan to use lots more green techniques in my cleaning. Do you use any green cleaning products?

Do you have green guidelines? Things you do to be friendly to the earth?

Do share and happy Earth Day!

This post contains affiliate links. This is not a sponsored post by any of the products mentioned.

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My Love of Blue and Wallpaper for Windows Giveaway Winner

2013-04-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all of you who entered my first ever giveaway from Wallpaper for Windows and for helping to make it a success! The winner of the $75 gift card is:

Andrea J. I'll contact you about your prize!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you know they have all kinds of window film colors too? Speaking of color, I've been noticing my gravitation towards styling my home with shades of blue. I think style is an ever evolving behavior. It's taken me a long time, and I don't ever want to be finished, to figure out what I love in my home and what I don't. More often than not, color is something we are drawn to naturally. This is the case with me and deep blue.

Starting with my Restless Sea {by Behr} dresser that I painted last year. It's in my office and stores lots of paper supplies and the like. I found this previously white dresser on the sidewalk just a few houses down. We actually carried it home :-)

The other major blue piece is the coffee table I turned into an ottoman. This was another curb side find. There are many treasurers in the trash for sure.

I found this blue velvet fabric at a warehouse closing sale and couldn't leave without it. I actually have 2 yards of it in grey I'm waiting to find a use for.

I always meant to change out the blue slipcover for another fabric for the spring or summer, but I can't bring myself to take it off! I specifically make a slipcover just for that purpose, apparently my idea hasn't worked.

This was a blue dresser whose drawers didn't work well anymore, so I made it into shelves. This was a piece I made over to sell; it was purchased a few months ago. Blue, blue, blue.

I couldn't help myself from spray painting this little pet horse. He's in the dining room on the bookshelves. You can catch a glimpse of the ottoman and pillows, in what color? Blue.

The living room has a blue lamp.

The foyer has a blue side table.

I guess I just love blue. Deep, dramatic blue. Have I gone too far with using the left over paint? Should I try and bring some yellow into my life? Sometimes I wonder if we have too many blue accents, so I'm trying to add variety to my color choices.

What may be my next color obsession?

How about Deep Amazon* Fabulous right? I've already painted with it, and will show you soon. *Actual color name by Clark + Kensington

Do you gravitate to a certain color or colors in your home? What are they?

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Reflections

2013-04-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've been feeling very reflective the past few days, well months really. In general I don't feel like you, my readers, know a lot about me, or my life to be honest. It's a goal of mine to change that, to let you in a little, to be more, well ..... me. Although I keep this blog as a place for you to come and find tips and inspiration to make your home beautiful, I struggle with sharing personal stories about me, about the journey in my home and in my life.

This year, even in its short 3 1/2 months, has been a trial. It was a trial on day #2. Maybe some time I can bring myself to share what's transpired personally and professionally this year, but for now I can just say I'm feeling reflective.

In two weeks I'm finishing graduate classes for the final semester. I mean FINAL! I'm earning my PhD and in two weeks I'll be ABD. That means 'All But Dissertation', meaning I've finished all requirements for my doctoral degree but my dissertation, which I'll start writing this summer. I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm more than overjoyed at this. Perhaps someday I'll write more about my graduate school journey and my career, but for now you know me as someone who scours for furniture deals at the thrift shop and owns more paint than the local hardware store. But there's more than that and I hope you'll allow me to share it with you.

My finishing classwork has allowed me to have time and focus and energy and excitement about spending time with people I care for, pursuing my hobbies, focusing on my health and just plain enjoying life.

I'm so glad I'm switching to WordPress and will be able to spend more QT on this blog! More time to write about projects that I did LAST year! More time to talk with you!

All this time is causing me to do a lot of thinking. About my next steps, about my future, about my life and who I want to be.

Yesterday I planted some vegetable seeds for our garden using this technique. This is the first time I've planted anything for my own garden in many years. Last summer I was too busy, the summer before I was relaxing before starting classes. So now with our backyard renovations {which I will show you soon}, I'm finally ready to grown some tomatoes, and cucumbers, and all kinds of good things to eat.

My life is shifting and I'm ready and excited for the next chapters. I'm glad I'll have more time with those I love. More freedom to blog about what I want, and play in the garden. More space, physical, mental, emotional space in my life for simply living, loving, and enjoying all that's get to grow.

P.S. I would imagine some of you are also feeling reflective about life after yesterday's events in Boston. I love that city, I almost moved there for grad school. My trainer actually ran the marathon in 3:39 so I hope she and everyone involved is safe and sound this day too.

Thanks for letting me share. Come back soon.

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Using Window Film and Wallpaper for Windows Giveaway

2013-04-10T12:31:00.002-04:00

Things are really moving along in my upstairs bathroom makeover. Since I have fancied up my window with a fake roman shade, I needed to do something about the privacy in there.

Even though this bathroom is on the second floor, the neighbors are close, this close. #SomeoneNeedsToWashTheirWindows

When Wallpaper for Windows contacted me about their many options in window coverings, I thought it would be the perfect solution. If you've never used window film before, you don't know what you are missing. It's a great option for windows, showers, doors and more spaces in your house where you need a little privacy.

Wallpaper for Windows has an amazing selection of products to use for your windows, showers, doors and more. Their films come in many colors and patterns. I chose the lite frost, because it would let some light in, but still give us some cover. The wonderful people there sent me one of their pre-cut sizes to use in my bathroom. Plus they trim to any size if you want something you can install and go!

They provide you all of the instructions and a credit card-like piece for smoothing later. But first, let's do the install. It's super easy.

First, measure your windows and then add half an inch on each side for a total of an inch more in the two measurements. For example, my window was 19 1/4 x 20 1/2 so I cut a piece 20 1/4 x 21 1/2. Then cut your piece (or if you get the pre-cut, you are all set).

Add some water and a few drops of dish or hand soap to a spray bottle, and after you clean your windows, spray it down with your soapy water solution.

Then you simply peel the film away from the paper backing, being careful not to let it stick to itself and place it on your window. Then you use your credit card to smooth out any bubbles in the film, working from the middle out.

Since your window is wet and slippery, the film can be shifted slightly and you'll get all the water off as you smooth.

To trim the extra, grab an exacto knife and carefully slide down the edge of the window where you want it to fit.

That part is easier than it even sounds. The trim will come right off. They say you can leave about 1/8th of an inch of space from the edge of the film to the edge of your window frame for temperature changes.

And that is it! Look at the difference in privacy it gives. The neighbors definitely will not be spying on us while we suds up.

I could see so many uses for this and the great part is that Wallpaper for Windows comes in so many patterns and colors too. They have stained glass, etched glass, and one-way films which I think are so neat. I could see them for a patio or pool area.

Wallpaper for Windows is also on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+ so you can stay in touch with their new designs and offers. It's an easy way to decorate or add privacy to any smooth, non-porous surface. Plus the film is adhesive-free, removable, re-useable, reduces glare and protects against harmful UV rays.

I can think of tons of uses for it and I bet you could too, so we're giving you a chance to win one $75 gift card at Wallpaper for Windows.com! Enter via Rafflecopter below and let me know what you plan to do with your Wallpaper for Windows products.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received free product from Wallpaper for Windows for this review. All opinions are my own.

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Easy {Fake} Roman Shade Tutorial

2013-04-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

One item I've been looking forward to making with my sewing machine is fake roman shades for some of our windows. Although I'm sure I could tackle the working shades, I had an idea to make fake ones for the bathroom and kitchen. My trip to Ikea last weekend was perfectly timed since I got to pick up some fabric and get my project off the ground.

Here are the supplies you'll need:

Decorative fabric
Liner fabric
Decorative ribbon {optional}
Scissors, measuring tape, pins, sewing machine, staple gun, needle, thread
Wood 1 inch x 2 inch
Hanging hardware

I mostly followed Centsational Girl's flat fixed roman shade project here. The only thing I didn't do was add dowels in the folds since my shades were so small.

Here is the wood strip that I purchased at Lowes. It was cedar and was about $3.50 for a 1x2x8. I had them cut it in the store to the two sizes I needed {I ended up making two shades}. Look around in the trim section though, I think there was pine that was even cheaper, about $1.10 for 8 feet. Of course I saw that after I had this cut!

To get started, you can practice with your fabric to see how tall you will make the shade. Mine were about 12 inches high and about 1 1/2 inches wider than the window on each side. Then you'll know how much fabric to cut based on how big or how many folds you want in the shade. Mine had just 2 folds each, but you can certainly make more.

First, cut your fabric. The liner fabric will be an inch shorter than your decorative fabric all around. You can skip the top edge {meaning make it line up}, since it will be folded behind the piece of wood anyway and you don't have to hem it there.

Sew your edges like usual, pinning along the way since helps to keep the fabric in place. I sewed three edges, all of them except the top which is not necessary since it gets covered by the wood piece when you hang it up.

If you choose, add a decorative ribbon along the edges of the fabric. I thought this touch made all the difference, so I chose a contrasting black ribbon and sewed it on. You could glue it on, but you have to wait 24 hours for fabric glue to dry and I wanted to get these finished in one sitting.

A close up of my corners and accent ribbon.

Once your edges are sewn and your ribbon is on, place your shade on the table and make the folds in it where you want. To remember where they were to sew them, I placed pins on the folds. The vertical ones are for the edge of the fold. The horizontal ones were for the straight line that will get sewn across the shade {see below}.

This next step was not something I would have though of, but I went ahead and did it anyway. It is to sew straight lines all the way across the front width-wise of the piece so that the decorative fabric and back liner fabric stay together while it is hung up. I did this after I put the ribbon on and after I knew where my folds would be so the sewn line would be hidden by the folds.

The lines that were sewn across the width of the shade are not seen from the front since they are the folds in the shade. Here they are from the front and back.

Once the fabric is all sewn together and the accent ribbon is on, re-make your folds in the shade, then clothespin the folds together so they stay. Then flip the whole thing over.

Carefully sew the folds on the ends of each side, making sure not to pierce the needed through the front of the fabric, only the liner.

Also, loosely sew together the folds on the backside, making sure not to pierce through the front, so that your folds don't sag once the shade is hung up. This is also not something I would have thought to do, but it makes such a difference. You can kind of see the tan colored thread here where I did that running vertically along the top of the folds on the back.

Lastly, staple the fabric onto the piece of wood. See no need to trim that top part.

All finished!

A much needed improvement from the sorry valance and blinds that were in the bathroom previously.

The black and white fabric goes perfectly with my neutral bathroom. I even updated the chalkboard too.

After hammering in some picture hanging tools, I hung up my masterpiece. Here's a tip for getting those tiny nails to stay while you hammer, hold them with needle nose pliers.

I also make one of these for the kitchen, which previously looked like this. It was a simple white valance that was put up when we moved in.

Now it has some beautiful fabric above the window and above my Eiffel Tower kitchen accessory collection. One is a cookie cutout and one is a cheese grater, aren't they cute?

I rested the wood for the kitchen shade right on top of the window frame and held it in place with three small finishing nails.

If you are still reading this far, come back Wednesday for a Wallpaper for Windows gift card giveaway! My first giveaway, as a thanks to you fantastic readers :-)

Here is the latest on the bathroom makeover. We are making progress!

~~Paint and seal the vanity~~ More on that here

~~Spray paint the mirror and sconces~~ More on that here

~~Prime and paint the window frame~~ More on that here

~~Make a roman shade for the window~~ More on that here

Get some kind of covering for the window glass

~~Put up a shelf and some art on the walls~~ More on that here

~~Re-do the towel hooks~~ More on that here

Get a new rug

Finish cleaning off the floor adhesive
Replace broken floor tiles
Replace baseboards

~~Prime~~ and paint ~~the ceiling~~ More on that here

Replace the vanity top

Select and get a new faucet for the vanity

~~Paint the heat vent cover~~ More on that here

Paint and seal the door frame

Strip and seal the back of the door

Restore the doorknob

Linking up with

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z
Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now

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Bathroom Updates: Primed Ceiling and Painted Heat Register

2013-04-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Since my bathroom makeover plan got longer recently, I've been working to make some serious progress on the to do list. For a small bathroom, it certainly has a lot of items that need attention.

Next up was to paint the heat register and repair and paint the ceiling. I am just about painting everything in the room at this point. It's such a small space, picture it with the ladder in there, paint cans, tools. This is what I'm working with.

The ceiling needed some repair around the light over the shower.

So I opened up some spackle. I use the Dap brand that goes on pink and dries white. I love a new can of spackle.

After 3 applications of the pink stuff, I sanded and then... and here's is a secret for you.... only primed the ceiling. It needed a paint job and I actually didn't get to completely paint it yet, I only primed it. I wanted to paint it the same color as the walls but we didn't have enough of that color left and I'm being ~~el cheapo~~ thrifty about this project so it got a coat of Kilz Clean Start primer. That's it.

Maybe I'll paint it someday after we replace the shower tile, but for now primer it is.

And the heat register also needed repair around the wall. This is what it looked like before. Clearly someone just painted around it when a new color went on.

I pried it off, trying to keep as much of the drywall in place as I could. This is only one of two rooms in the house that has drywall. The kitchen is the other. Besides that we have plaster. The register needed a good vacuum and sanding, not to mention a paint job.

I think it's funny when you take things off the walls like this, you get to see what color your rooms used to be. This bathroom was yellow and a light blue previously {which we found cans of in the basement when we moved in}. I spackled around it too.

The register itself got a Krylon Brilliant Silver makeover to match the mirror and sconces. Their silver is my favorite, it's a great color. The register went from drab to fab. I like how the color blends in with the paint. This wall color is Flint Smoke by Behr. We have the same color in our bedroom.

I can't wait until the floor goes from drab to fab too. It has way too much adhesive and paper backing from the vinyl floor I ripped out. I'm still trying to get it off.

Two items off the list. OK, one and a half, but progress none the less. Here is where the bathroom stands today:

Bathroom Mini Makeover Plan

~~Paint and seal the vanity~~ More on that here

~~Spray paint the mirror and sconces~~ More on that here

~~Prime and paint the window frame~~ More on that here

Make a roman shade for the window

Get some kind of covering for the window glass

~~Put up a shelf and some art on the walls~~ More on that here

~~Re-do the towel hooks~~ More on that here

Get a new rug

Finish cleaning off the floor adhesive
Replace broken floor tiles
Replace baseboards

~~Prime~~ and paint ~~the ceiling~~ More on that here

Replace the vanity top

Select and get a new faucet for the vanity

~~Paint the heat vent cover~~ More on that here

Paint and seal the door frame

Strip and seal the back of the door

Restore the doorknob

How is the progress on your projects these days?

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Guess What? We Have a Roommate!

2013-04-02T07:30:00.000-04:00

I have the most exciting news! After more than 13 years of living in Florida, my sister is moving home!

I'm simply over the moon :-) My only sibling, Angela, is 13 months older than me and got married in December 2011. She and her husband Rob have been working and living in Orlando for the past 6 years, and she's been there since she graduated from college in the late 90's.

She works for the mouse. You know which one. While some people see this ~~house~~ castle as a vacation spot, she's there for business. But it's still fun, especially when you get the inside scoop on the workings of WDW.

But as fate would have it, Rob finished his degree in December and landed a new job here in {still cold} upstate New York, where the rest of our family is. It's so exciting!

While Ang stays at her job for a while in Orlando, Rob has moved in with my husband and me. We've got plenty of space and I'm happy to have him. I'd pretty much do anything to get them back home.

Our first order of business was to clean out the guest room. Wardrobe, dresser and all. My winter blankets are still looking for a home.

What used to be my extra craft space, yoga studio, and clothes drying area is now a bedroom for my brother in law.

We tried to rearrange it for a comfy live-in room. It went from this,

to this. And Rob moved it even again. Whatever he likes is good with us.

They drove from Florida and arrived at our door one late Friday night, luggage and all. Weary travelers for sure.

Rob loves plants so he brought his soil, containers, and everything. He even gave me one. Let's pray it lives. I'll have to have him guest post on here about plants. Sounds like a good plan?

While we loved vacationing with these two, including a recent trip when we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, we're so glad to have them here. In this pic while we were in the hotel, I told them to pose before we were headed out to the gym. I believe this one is called 'Stretching.'

It's a blast to have a sibling close in age to you and our husbands get along so well. My sister is my best friend :-) And now I get to have her home with me!

Over the past 3 weeks we've been showing Rob the sights. Including the St. Patrick's Day parade. We have a huge Irish community where I live and had a blast, even though it was chilly.

House hunting will be next and as soon as they find a place then my sister can move up here too and I get to help decorate. I know she already wants to make tons of crafts she's seen on Pinterest for their first house. I'm in!

Until then, our cupboards are looking a little more, well, magical.... And that's 100% alright by me :-)

Have you ever had family move in with you for a while?

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More on the Bathroom Makeover Plan

2013-03-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Quite a while ago when my hubs went out of town I decided to do a surprise makeover in our main bathroom. I got a few things accomplished that weekend, and more recently make a totally comprehensive, includes-every-upgrade-I-could-think-of, all inclusive plan about what to do to that room to give it a shiny new look.

Until I added to the plan today. I forgot a few things!

I'm adding paint and seal the door frame, strip the back of the door and the hardware, seal the door, and paint the heat vent cover. Oh and the floors if we're really including everything although those are way down the road. That's about half the list! Ok, not really, but about a third.

Here is where I started, what I've completed so far, and *new items:

Bathroom Mini Makeover Plan

~~Paint and seal the vanity~~

~~Spray paint the mirror and sconces~~

~~Prime and paint the window frame~~

Make a roman shade for the window

Get some kind of covering for the window glass

~~Put up a shelf and some art on the walls~~

~~Re-do the towel hooks~~

Get a new rug

Finish cleaning off the floor adhesive
Replace broken floor tiles*
Replace baseboards*

Prime and paint the ceiling

Replace the vanity top

Select and get a new faucet for the vanity

Paint the heat vent cover*

Paint and seal the door frame*

Strip and seal the back of the door*

Restore the doorknob*

Now the door refinishing might have to wait until our basement bathroom is done since we'd have to totally remove the door, take the mirror of and all that jazz. Same with the floor since we have to take out the toilet to repair the floor.

The door frame inside the bathroom is not original to the house, and in fact is that oak color trim that pretty much nobody likes, so I'll paint it white to match the window and the future baseboards. You can see the original wood trim on hubs' office in the distance.

Isn't that poster hilarious? We have it there since our guests get a little rowdy. Just kidding! It's from Kennedy Prints.

And this, much to my continued embarrassment about this space {you know we have a shell sink} is what the back of the doorknob looks like.

I've got to restore that pronto. The front of the doorknob is unpainted thankfully. See the back of the door is painted white? And there is a large mirror on it, so I'll take off the mirror, strip and refinish the door, the replace the mirror.

And in that pic you can see the heat register which also needs a makeover. And the missing baseboards from the ongoing floor remodel.

It's quite a list! But I'm working on it. Who knew a simple surprise makeover could yield 452 to-do items?

I also wanted to show you new photos I took of my DIY jewelry holder. I made it a few years ago before I had a fabulous new camera and knew about the magic of lighting. Here is the tutorial and new pics at the bottom, like this.

Have a lovely weekend! I hope your project list is shorter than mine :-)

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How to Paint Lighting While it's Still on the Wall

2013-03-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Another part of my upstairs surprise bathroom makeover was to re-paint the sconces on the wall and the mirror to match.

Now I know there is an easier way to do this - paint sconces {like take them down and outside} but I didn't have time or patience for that. I wasn't up for that whole electric disconnection thing either. I simply sprayed them as is. Right on the wall. Here's how.

Wait, first the before and before the before pictures. When we moved in these lovelies were shiny gold. Dated, not my style so I gave them some Oil Rubbed Bronze love. Also while they were on the wall. And a new mirror to replace the dated cabinet.

An improvement, but with the black hooks, gold faucet, and silver shower hooks, there was too much color variation going on with the metals in there. The mirror actually came in that oil rubbed bronze color and I like it, so I painted the lights to match, but it was time for another update.

First, I took out the bulbs and took off the shades, then I taped around the sconces, where it met the wall with painter's tape.

This will take a few minutes, but it's worth it. You don't want to get spray paint on your wall, it's oil based and that wont work if you need to paint over it with latex.

Then I taped on scrap paper and brown paper bags around the lights.

See that hole in between the lights? That's where the old mirror cabinet was before {see above}. The mirror actually covers it exactly.

Then I sprayed. Now IF you do this inside, please, please make sure you wear a respirator, evacuate all other people from the house and open the window! I never would spray anything else inside, but this was kind of a must, so I did it in short light spurts and set the fan on to move the air outside.

You'd think the spray would go all over but it won't.

This spray paint was Krylon's Brilliant Silver, which I'm in love with. It has these amazing silver flecks in it and is such a deep, truly brilliant color. It's my go-to silver.

Replace your shades, bulbs and you're done! The mirror was painted outside, since it came off the wall.

See what I mean about the silver? Brilliant. These look like they came this way.

Again - wear a respirator! Even when you paint outside.

Here is the latest in the Bathroom Mini Makeover Plan

~~Paint and seal the vanity~~
~~Spray paint the mirror and sconces~~
~~Prime and paint the window frame~~
Make a roman shade for the window
Get some kind of covering for the window glass
~~Put up a shelf and some art on the walls~~
~~Re-do the towel hooks~~
Get a new rug
Finish cleaning off the floor adhesive
Prime and paint the ceiling
Replace the vanity top
Select and get a new faucet for the vanity

And happy Friday! I hope it's warmer by you than it is by me, brrrr!

Linking up with

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

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Bathroom Updates {Painted Wood Trim}

2013-03-20T07:30:00.000-04:00

It was snowing again here yesterday - boo! And today is the first day of Spring right? I hope it comes to these parts soon. How is the weather by you?

I don't 100% mind that it's not all springy outside since it forces me to get things organized inside before I want to be gardening in the backyard all afternoon. And I've got tons of organizing to do like in the bathroom.

While I was tearing up the floor and painting the vanity in my mini surprise makeover, I also updated the window and hung up some things on the wall finally. When we moved in I put up a simple valance {80's I know} and hung up some hooks on the wall for our towels. Since the room is so small, the back of the door didn't work; the wall was a better idea.

It was never a permanent solution and I was never in love with it either. Just one of those things you do when you move into a place and want to get some function going on.

To update the hook situation, I had hubs make me a piece of wood to put them on and attach that to the wall. He made this piece with our router. Which, by the way, can make all kinds of things, I'll have to show you soon. The hooks are from Pier 1.

During my mini makeover I took off that terrible valance {I love the fabric, just not the fluff} and took down the blinds. My update was to patch and paint the dated wood. It's not original to the house, and it's seen its day (a few decades ago), so I was A-OK with painting it.

A few coats of oil-based primer and latex paint later, I had white trim. Aside from the kitchen and basement, this is the only place in our house where we have white trim. The rest of it is original 113-year old beautiful wood. I actually would have used chalk paint on the window frame like I did on the vanity but I didn't have any white at the time.

I think it goes well with the new hooks. I'll be looking to make a roman shade and cover that window otherwise somehow. I'm thinking window film maybe?

I also added a chalkboard and shelf {from Target} on the wall where we previously had nothing. I'm contemplating hanging another shelf and getting a smaller piece of art, but this will do for now. It always takes me a while to decide!

That blue liquid is mouthwash. Looks pretty right?

So next up will be a spray paint job on the mirror and sconces. Come back to see that soon!

Here is the latest:

Bathroom Mini Makeover Plan

~~Paint and seal the vanity~~
Spray paint the mirror and sconces
~~Prime and paint the window frame~~
Make a roman shade for the window
Get some kind of covering for the window glass
~~Put up a shelf and some art on the walls~~
~~Re-do the towel hooks~~
Get a new rug
Finish cleaning off the floor adhesive
Prime and paint the ceiling
Replace the vanity top
Select and get a new faucet for the vanity

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Bathroom Vanity Makeover {Chalk Paint Makeover}

2013-03-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

Our upstairs bathroom, which is the main bathroom in our house, is on the list next for a makeover. And it has a loooooong to do list. One weekend while my husband was out of town, I did a mini makeover of sorts {planned} and it turned into me ripping up the floor {unplanned}.

These are things I do for fun :-)

One item I wanted to do in the makeover was to paint the vanity. Enter the before, it needs paint. Or demo. Paint was in doable in a weekend. This is a picture of the room before we moved in.

I remember this day actually because we were sanding the floors and I was cleaning the bathroom. I should have had industrial size bleach, ewww.

Although what do you think of my gold faucet?! And shell sink?!

Part of my makeover was to paint the vanity with Annie Sloan chalk paint. In graphite specifically, which is a dark charcoal grey. This was the first item I painted with chalk paint, so I was curious to see how it would come out.

This is the only good close up I have of the vanity. It was when we discovered the secret drawer in the bottom of the vanity. Bonus extra storage.

After taping off the floor, and assembling my supplies, I got to work. This was at about 9:00pm one night. That's what happens when I do surprise makeovers.

This was after one coat. Sorry this picture is blurry. I watered down the chalk paint just a little since I like the way it goes on that way better.

This chalk paint performs miracles. It goes on so easily and covered so well.

After two coats of paint and two coats of polycyclic (I used the water based kind), I had a completely new vanity.

You can see this was also during the time I was ripping up the floor. I sprayed the hardware in satin nickel, they also look brand new.

I like how you can also see the wood grain shape under the paint.

After I painted this I stood back and thought that the room would look 1,000 times better with a new floor and a new vanity top. So you can guess what's up next on the bathroom makeover to do list - new vanity top. We have to find a new one first, and get a new faucet.

But I'm so pleased with the vanity. My husband came home and thought I replaced it. Ha! I wish. Maybe some day we'll get a smaller one, I think this one is a little too big for the room but this is a budget makeover and we are also working on the basement bathroom.

An improvement? Definitely!

Have you used chalk paint, what about in a bathroom?

Here is the latest:

Bathroom Mini Makeover Plan

~~Paint and seal the vanity~~

Spray paint the mirror and sconces

Prime and paint the window frame

Make a roman shade for the window

Get some kind of covering for the window glass

Put up a shelf and some art on the walls

Re-do the towel hooks

Get a new rug

Finish cleaning off the floor adhesive

Prime and paint the ceiling

Replace the vanity top

Select and get a new faucet for the vanity

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The Painting of the Green

2013-03-17T11:54:00.001-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Are you Irish, are you going to a parade today?

We are and it's at a friend's house right on the parade route, so that will be fun. I'll try to Tweet some pics.

Of course St. Patty's Day is all about green, and how fun for the green lovers that Emerald is all the rage these days. I even stopped at Ace Hardware yesterday to get some paint on free paint Saturday.

Guess what color I picked?

It's called Deep Amazon and is a very rich teal-ish green color. I can't wait to try it out. Not exactly Emerald, but perfect for what I have in mind. I've got some of those modular storage cubes that might get some Amazon on them before the day is over.

It's funny that I'm talking about green today because I love the color but realize I don't have a lot of it in my home. I'm going to have to change that. I certainly pin a lot of green inspiration, like this.

Eclectic Family Room by Atlanta Interior Designer Cristi Holcombe

And this. I'm head over heels for this dress by The Hunted Interior. Isn't it perfect?

Green can even be brought in with plants, if painting isn't your thing. I wish I could get my plants to grow like this.

Source: Uploaded by user via Decor Adventures on Pinterest

If you are the crafty type, you can paint yourself some green boxes like The Aestate did here.

Aside from the storage cubes, my other green project is this buffet I acquired last year, which is getting a coat of Florence by Annie Sloan. It's currently in my foyer waiting to get the doors put back on.

But I definitely need more Emerald in my life. Do you like green? What is your favorite shade?

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Stylish Alarm Clocks

2013-03-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was daylight savings time and on Sunday I spent a few minutes updating the clocks all around the house. I even figured out how to adjust the one on the stove hood. How tricky are those right? It only took me 2 1/2 years to figure out :-)

At night when I went to fix my ancient alarm clock at my bedside I pressed the wrong button and couldn't get it off. Now you must know, and you can snicker all you want, the alarm clock I've been using was a gift at my high school graduation.

I'll wait until you finish laughing at me. Go ahead, it's crazy I know!

It even had a cassette deck that you could wake up to. Ancient I tell you.

Well I pressed the wrong button and couldn't get it to turn off, so I'd had enough!

I'm getting rid of the cassette-playing alarm clock and now I'm going to look for a new one.

In stead of the same old red digits on the plug in option, I'd like to bring some style to my morning wake ups. Here are a few favorites. Any that you like?

What type of alarm clock do you have at your house?

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Upstairs Bathroom Makeover Plan

2013-03-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello friends. I'm coming off a few days of entertaining family from out of town. More on that (and an update about it) soon. Major news there, which has a lot to do with our house. What could it be?

In the mean time, we're still making progress on our bathroom makeovers here. Not only have we torn apart the basement bathroom, but I've been working on a mini makeover of the upstairs bathroom too. It's bath ~~month~~ half-year in this casa.

Last you saw the upstairs bathroom I had just discovered our first old house buried treasure - my exact words for it - when I tore up the old vinyl flooring.

The treasure was original white hex tile. It's amazing! And although it still has some old adhesive on it that needs to come off, I'm making progress on getting it in tip top shape.

This bathroom is pretty much a disaster. It's small, it's dated, it's just plain ugly for the most part. That's why the mini makeover is underway. One weekend when hubs went out of town I decided to spruce it up.

I like to give people surprise makeovers when they go out of town :-) Look out!

And while I was so excited about that hex tile discovery of the century, I haven't had the chance to show you the other sprucing up I've done in there.

Here is my plan for the makeover. Some of this has already been done and I'll show you ASAP. Some of it is still on going. I never said I was fast at surprise makeovers, just that I like to do them.

Bathroom Mini Makeover Plan

Paint and seal the vanity

Spray paint the mirror and sconces

Prime and paint the window frame

Make a roman shade for the window

Get some kind of covering for the window glass

Put up a shelf and some art on the walls

Re-do the towel hooks

Get a new rug

Finish cleaning off the floor adhesive

Prime and paint the ceiling

Replace the vanity top

Select and get a new faucet for the vanity

Gosh, this list is getting longer my the minute, I better get stated.

In order to save you the trauma of seeing this bathroom in it's oh-so-fabulous before state, I'll spare the repost of before pictures. You can see them all here.

But since no makeover plan is complete with out seeing what I'm working with, this is what I'm working with.

Maybe that list needs to be longer? More bathroom makeover coming up soon.

Do you have any to do lists going on these days?

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I Know What I Don't Like

2013-03-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

It will be three years this June since we've lived in this house. Our first house, the first place I've really gotten to decorate and create things, and unleash my style on all the rooms within.

Over that time I've done many different types of projects. Some furniture, some painting, some window treatments {finally}. Along the way I feel like I'm fine tuning what I want our rooms to look like. What I want them to be, how I want them to feel.

I've always been the girl whose taste changes every few months. It makes me so nervous to decorate! Will I like the color in a few weeks? Should I take a risk with some bold pillows? Can I afford a different rug?

Believe me, I struggle with decorating. But I love the journey. What I've discovered for sure is what I don't like.

Take this pink for example, honeysuckle, I should say. It was the color of the year and all so I tried it out. I mean it looks so fabulous in the pages of House Beautiful, it must look good in my house too right?

No.

I repainted that stool within weeks. I even got a pink and white fabric for my office chair. I just didn't love it with the green chair that is in there too.

So recovered it.

Remember long ago the cranberry I painted in my apartment's kitchen {before I knew how to take photos of course}. What was I thinking? I'm so over the red-ish colors. I don't know why either! I basically have eliminated them from everywhere.

These blue chevron stripes I painted on my side tables in the living room? Covered.

I think I got over the chev trend pronto, I just didn't want them there anymore.

I got this pink paint sample too and I've never used it. I don't know why I picked pink! Apparently I have some kind of pink and chevron aversion?

This red chair and table? I've sold the table and the chair is up for grabs too. You want it?

This was a long ago picture, it looks completely different in that room now, thank goodness!

Maybe I didn't pick the right colors? Maybe I just don't like red?

Whatever the reason, I'm glad to know what I don't like anymore. It's helping me get closer to what I do.

Do you ever figure out what you don't like?

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Bathroom Shower Inspiration

2013-03-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

Since we're in the middle of a total remodel over here, I've been trying to figure out exactly what we're going to use to put the basement bathroom back together. Flooring, tile, lighting, paint. That means lots of Houzz, lots of Pinterest and lots of window shopping for all sorts of things.

When we took this project on Mr. Decor Adventures said he'd be in charge of demolition and construction while I was in charge of design and sourcing. Hmm, what if I wanted to put up the drywall? I'm sure he'd let me ;-)

So I stay clean and comfy on the couch pinning things all afternoon while he gets old tile parts in his hair and gives me looks like this when I try to take pictures.

{I'm going to hear about it for that one}

But things are moving right along since we had the foundation repaired, we can make progress on the floor and walls. Next up we call the plumber to fix some things.

Our bathroom will be "three piece" as they say on Love It or List It. With a vanity, toilet and shower. For the shower we'll be framing out a larger rectangle than was there before, so we are thinking of a glass door.

birch & lily

There are so many beautiful examples of how you can configure the doors. Sliding, hinged, or double-hinged are all good options. And the modern simple look is definitely my style.

Brooklyn Limestone

We've even considered one where the glass wall is stationary and you walk into the space like this.

New England Home Magazine

Toronto Interior Designer Avalon Interiors

Our shower area will be pretty close to this photo below when we are finished. The walls will enclose the shower and of course we'll have the curb to step over once you are getting in. Well, this is what we are thinking of for now.

Better Homes and Gardens

I also like the idea of a seat in the shower, however I'm not sure we'll have room.

Better Homes and Gardens

New York General Contractor Prestige Custom Building & Construction, Inc.

I especially like the tile in this shower.

Seattle Interior Designer ID by Gwen

There are definitely pluses and minuses when it comes to the glass panels. Can you think of more? What else should I be thinking of?

Pros

Contemporary look

Opens up the small space

Can order it locally

Cons

Price

Need to clean it a lot

Can we install it ourselves?

Which of these do you like the best? Do you have a glass wall in the shower?

P.S. See more of my bathroom inspiration here and here.

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News and the Foundation Before and After

2013-03-01T14:23:00.000-05:00

First off, thanks for the comments on my Habitat workshop. It was a lot of fun to be able to share my furniture makeover tips with some local friends. Tomorrow they are having a workshop on green products for your home including on chalk paint and since I don't even know much about it, I'll be there. Watch me on Twitter to see updates.

Second - news of the month - get ready (oh and Happy March) - I'll be switching to WordPress in about a month! I cannot wait. I mean, can NOT wait! It's about time I make some improvements in this joint right? I know that most of you are not able to leave comments and aside from needing a new look, I'm noticing more and more of the Blogger platform getting a bit wonky, so I'm switching :-)

But what I'm really here to talk about today ~ and hold your excitement ~ is my 113 year old basement foundation. Which is why I had to tell you the good stuff upfront.

You know I'm renovating our basement bathroom. It's the second room in the house that we've town apart in the same number of years. The first was our master closet.

This time we've taken out the 80's and are bringing in some of our own style. Well as soon as we get some walls up we'll have style.

After we took out the toilet, vanity and shower and then took down some walls we started ripping up the tile floors. We were actually really excited to take out the old walls since it has allowed us to see the foundation hidden behind the once-finished bathroom.

And here's what we're working with.

Hold the phone House Beautiful, I'll be right there.

Glamorous I tell you. We have another wall in the laundry room, which I've never actually showed you, that is similar so we expected this. The problem with this wall is that parts of it are coming apart. And this is our house's foundation so it has to get fixed.

Aside from the water challenges and calcification {that white powdery stuff}. We think it's from the chimney but we're not sure.

Old foundations are not supposed to be patched like this. It looks like someone smeared cement over the surface of the wall and that's not how it's done. I know at least that much. The stone needs to 'breathe' and by covering it up you're not allowing it to do what it needs.

Since this basement bathroom is next to a closet down there, we decided, well had to, tear apart the closet too. On the far side of the 2x4s is the bathroom, the room this photo was take in is the closet.

The wall in the closet looks like this.

Here next to the glass block windows, all of that stone is missing. Not good since water can just walk right in.

There is an old covered up vent on the wall. Overall it's just damp and dark. Like a typical old basement. So we had it cleaned up and re-mortered.

And here it is today. A before and after of foundations if you will.

I think it looks really neat! Like a rustic wine cellar right? We've always talked about making that closet into a wine cellar, maybe we can now. Here is the wall in there. {You can see the wine cooler poking out a bit, hint hint}.

Not the most exciting of projects, but one of those that has to get done.

Do you have any not-so-glamorous projects going on at home?

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My Habitat for Humanity Furniture Workshop

2013-02-27T09:28:00.000-05:00

Hi friends! I was away this weekend on a much needed vacation to a warm sunny place that begins with an F and ends with a LORIDA. To visit my sister :-) We had a lovely time, I must post some photos soon.

Speaking of photos, I have a bunch for you today of my recent workshop at Habitat for Humanity. They are doing a winter workshop series and I got to open things up on February 9th with Furniture Makeover Basics. I talked with folks about why redo a piece of furniture, what to look for in used pieces, and what types of products to use.

Here is John, who I worked with to set up the workshop. He is introducing me here, although I have no idea what I was smirking at over in the corner!

They set up a great area in the store with chairs right in between the appliance for sale.

Of course no winter morning is complete without Tim Horton's coffee and donuts, it keeps folks happy. Around these parts, Tim's is the king of coffee, we love it! Habitat supplied these refreshments for attendees.

I bring bunches of supplies. Pretty much all of the materials I use in some fashion. That way I can show people what the cans of paint look like and they can see what type of brushes and sanding blocks to use.

If you've attended one of my workshops, you'll notice I do audience participation. Now don't get scared if you ever come to one, all it involves is getting to see what different products look like on wood, so I hand out little pieces that are painted or stained different ways.

I also make a handout, so people can easily remember the tips and product names that I've shared.

These ladies were looking at photos I handed out of some of my own furniture that I've redone. This is of the laminate cabinet turned bar. They loved that you can paint laminate.

Here was my demo of Annie Sloan chalk paint and wax. This was the part that made the news story.

Here is the news story video if you didn't get to see it.

I definitely show my eco-friendly products like Citri-Strip People always ask about what to do if you have children or need to work indoors, and Citri-Strip is a great product that lets you do that.

After the workshop was over we took a tour of the store with Evan the store manager, and I chatted with a few attendees about what they could do with the items available for sale.

It was such a great time. I'm very thankful to be able to share my talents with so many people. Thank you to all the staff at Habitat for Humanity Buffalo for having me and assisting with the workshop.

And many thanks to Mr. Decor Adventures for being my photographer extraordinaire :-) This Saturday March 2nd is their second workshop on green products to use in your home, including chalk paint. I will be there!

This post contains affiliate links.

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Everyday Winter Mantel Decor

2013-02-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Today I'm going to give you a break on seeing our bathroom get demolished {although if you miss it, don't worry there is more to come soon, I promise}. I thought I'd show you our winter fireplace look.

This is what I call everyday decorating. It's after the holiday season, before the spring, just simple neutral decorations on the mantel.

I've kept up the marble framed paper since I simply cannot get enough of it. I'm thisclose to putting up on the wall permanently. Don't tempt me! It would be the first thing I've actually hung on that wall since we moved in. And marble paper - you're the front runner!

I tend to shop the house when I change things up after the holidays. I have mostly white, grey or metallic accessories, so I brought some together for this look.

The gold arch, metal fleur de lis, and artichoke were all thrifted. The pen on paper in the white frame is a drawing by my artist husband. Isn't he good? It's of a fountain and gardens from his first visit to Paris.

The frame at the far left end was a gift from our in laws at Christmas. The frame was made from the old wood of the barn in the photo. It's on land near where they live and belonged to a family member. I thought that was such a sentimental gift, plus the texture of the frame is wonderful. We have to find a permanent place for it soon.

Plus way there at the end is my friend the horse. I love this little book end-like shape he is. I thrifted it, so there is only one, but it's adorable. Notice how I've made that a verb - thrift ? :-)

I've kept the mirror and wood in the firebox and the bear rug is leftover from Christmas, but I thought they go so well together for these cold months. The chair is a move from the guest room. I love it here in the foyer. You might have caught it in the curtain post.

Just next to the fireplace is the rest of the foyer. The sunburst mirror, glass console table and grandpa's suitcases are still holding down the fort. Although I am thinking of doing something to those back walls sometime soon.... any suggestions? Stencil? Wall paper? A different mirror? Accent wall color, hmmmm? You might be able to tell what I'm leaning towards on my walls Pinterest board. Any guesses?

That's what the foyer is looking like these days. Simple, neutral, and filled with items I love. What could be better in home decor?

Have you done any everyday decorating these days?

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More Bathroom Demolition and Renovation Surprises

2013-02-18T12:33:00.001-05:00

We're continuing our work on the basement bathroom renovation. A complete renovation, that is. Starting with such an UG-LY before as we've had...

You need to completely renovate right?

We've taken out the toilet, shower stall, and started on the wall tiles, so now we're up to the rest of the room and the floor.

We hammered away at the wall .. and for clarification when I say we I mean the hubs... Down came the grey and pink striped flowered tiles. I wonder what year these were put in?

And since that will all be coming out, we've gotten to see the foundation wall behind it. Remember this is in the basement of our 113 year old house.

I see a little bit of it here.

Looks like the 2x4s will have to go too, there's mold :-(

But we knew that was coming since the floor tiles were coming up. {This is a before picture of the same corner}

There used to be a long mirror on the wall. This photo was from the day of the inspection.

But the mirror came down too and look what we found underneath. Flowered wallpaper, nice. I've kept some for the scrapbook :-)

But that wasn't all we found. Check this out.

Open light junction boxes.

Oh my word! It's worse than the cardboard holding up the shower floor.

I tell you, amateurs! This is not how a light box is supposed to look. Let alone behind a long mirror. It's like someone decided "Let's leave the wires exposed and put a mirror over this to cover it up."

*I'm shaking my head in disbelief*

Once that mirror was down, we got to take down the tile along that wall where the toilet and vanity used to be.

And of course that lead to the floor coming out. Some of it was easy to get up ~~my contractor~~ my husband told me, some of it was not. So he borrowed a hammer thing to get it out.

Hubs, leave a comment and tell the readers what you used to take out the tile that was set on the concrete will you? :-)

Look, more foundation wall.

We've contemplated leaving those walls up and putting wainscoting over them, but ultimately decided they needed to go and we'd start fresh.

Floor almost gone...

Close up of floor. See the cement floor? We're still not sure what we'll do with it. We've discussed polishing it or something, but we're up in the air. We have to get all the adhesive off of it first and see what we are working with.

With that part done, we've got lots more to do like taking down more walls, figuring out what we'll do in terms of flooring, get an electrician in. Lots of decisions but it's all very exciting.

I've started a bathroom inspiration board on Pintrest, come see it here and of course you know there's more bathroom renovation up next. See you then!

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