Upstairs Hallway - Work in Progress

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Over the Thanksgiving break, I started on the upstairs hallway before I begin work on the second phase of the kiddos bedrooms.  I know, waaaay behind on my schedule. 

Yes, I loathe popcorn texture.  You probably already knew that if you have read the blog at any point in the last month.  Now there are only two rooms left upstairs (both bathrooms) left to do.  Don't worry, I'm not going to skip around and start on those right now.  I'm saving the bathrooms until next year.  I think.  hahaha

The top two pictures are of the ceiling before I scraped.  The bottom right is after and the bottom left is with a wet coat of primer.

Then, I installed these lights that match the energy saving ones I installed in the downstairs hallway in the spring.  The light is a bit brighter than normal fixtures because of the bulbs, but it is a hallway.  I don't need mood lighting in my hallway.  Do I?

I started to paint the walls yellow, but soon decided I didn't like it.  I usually LOVE yellow when I see it in anyone else's home, but when I try it I always end up hating it.  PS The khaki color was the starting point but it needed an update.

So, I started to repaint the walls white just like the square molding wall on the stairs.

I think this is the first time I have ever painted a wall white.  And not just any fancy color, oh no!  This is Bright White (semi-gloss).  I've been using it on all the trim and for some reason thought - Why Not?  These walls are hard to keep clean with the little guys handprints, scuff marks and bumps.  I figured I'd always have this bright white on hand to touch up if I couldn't wash the dirt from the semi-gloss paint.

As you can see, I started to replace the trim around the doors to a thicker, plain board with a large board overtop (see the left door next to the double doors).  I did this on all the doors on the first floor and liked the way it looked.  I still need to add the 1x2 top plate, but I'll do that next week when I change out the rest of the trim on the bedrooms and the closet and the window. 

But, I need your feedback.  I've always been a fan of white trim, white doors and white handrails, but now I think I want to change it. 

Reason #1 - Since I have to repaint the doors to update them from the off-white builder whiter anyway, I am thinking I may change them.

Reason #2 - A dark color handrail and door will help mask any dirt, scuffs, etc. (notice a trend)

Reason #3 - I think the dark contrast with the white would look dramatic, but in a classic way.

I thought of maybe doing an espresso handrail (maybe spindles) with matching painted doors.  Of course, I'll change out the brass fixtures to either a brushed silver or a bronze.

What do you think?  Keep it white or try espresso?  Have you painted your doors/handrails a different color than standard white or stain?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and any blog links with before and after pictures if you have seen any.

Here are a couple of pictures I found on Pinterest.  I do apologize I can't give photo credit.  I couldn't find the original source for the pictures.

Photo via Pinterest - Source not found yet

Photo via Pinterest - Source not found yet

Thanks for stopping by my friends,

Karen

Happy Dance!!! All the flooring is complete.

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Let's look back at my list of things to do LAST weekend....seven days later, it still isn't finished.

Checklist - Phase 1:

Scrape all popcorn ceiling (3 rooms)

Install hardwood floors (only room #2 left to do this weekend)

Paint all rooms (only room #2 left to do this weekend)

Baseboards and trim for rooms #2 & #4

Install new closet door guides on floor

Reinstall closet doors

Build 2 Bed Frames for older boys

Prime and paint bed frames for older boys (need a second coat)

Although I wanted to have phase one finished last weekend, I'd run into a few other tasks around the house that needed my attention and I couldn't focus solely on my list. I should know nothing ever goes to MY plan. Especially since I have no real concept of time. I always think everything will take 5 minutes.  Those DIY shows can build an entire room in 30 minutes, I should be able to do a simple list over a weekend - RIGHT?

Anyway, I was thrilled to put the last piece of hardwood floor into place this weekend. I mentally did a happy dance.  I didn't have the energy to actually do it. :)

Good news - I already have the baseboards in my garage painted. So, that last item on the list is halfway there.

Here is what happened this weekend:

Final Closet - Complete and waiting for the baseboards.

Slight hour+ delay. 
There was a warped board in the second row to last row, so I had to pull up two rows and start over. 
As I was enjoying that little fun event, I found a wall full of drywall pieces where the builder must have had to do a repair.  Instead of throwing away the section of drywall he decided to add it into the wall.   
While I was over there, I marked the wall where the pipes and the metal plates were on the wall so I know where to nail the baseboards.

Shopped to find the little cubbies and bedding for the older boys.



All rooms had the closet doors (and new guides) reinstalled.

Even if I can't do everything I plan, I'm still pleased with myself for knocking things off the list.  Hmmm, I wonder now if I could have finished if I would have used my time to install the baseboards instead of baking two batches of cookies for the kiddos?  We will never know.

I'd love to install the baseboards in the evenings this week after work, but we will see how that goes.

I hope you had a fun weekend!  Stay tuned for more updates on the rooms and the final four simple wood projects I'm getting back to doing this month.

Karen :)

Prep Work for Fun Wall Accent

Pin It Tonight (while the last box of wood floor acclimates to the house) I prepped a fun accent wall in my son's room. I was going to paint stripes or circles, but I wanted to try something a bit different.



Do you like the before picture?  Obviously it takes many tries to find the right color.

 While looking in the Restoration Hardware children catalog last week for new bedding, I found this cool drop cloth accent wall piece. I thought it would look amazing in my son's room. However, we have to think and rethink everything we do in his room due to his autism. If we hang something like this on his wall, chances are very likely he will have it ripped off in less than an hour. He has a funny little habit of collecting all the pillows, blankets and sometimes curtains from around our house.


Restoration Hardware Photo

Instead, I am going to design a wall accent like this with paint I already have on hand. Since it will be attached to the wall, he can't remove it.

Tonight (even though it is pitch black outside at dinnertime) I was able to drag myself from the warm couch and painted a square on the wall with the left over paint from the other boy room I just finished.

Tomorrow night I'll draw out the pattern and paint the first color. I have almost every color of the rainbow of paints, so the hardest part will be picking which colors to use.  Hmmmm, now that I'm looking at the inspiration photo...maybe I should have used the beige colors. 

Thoughts? Have you painted a fun accent wall? 

Hardwood Floors

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If you have ever installed your own flooring, you will know how completely exhausting it can be. 

Over the past few years, we have ripped out over 2,100 square foot of builder grade vinyl flooring and yards of beige carpet and pad....and billions of staples.  We installed travertine, ceramic and hardwood floors in the entire house.  Well, technically my husband does most of the demo and I do most of the installation - so I say we when it comes to flooring projects.

Not only is installing your own floors very rewarding and money saving, it is an excellent workout.  Twenty-four hours later I'm still sore, but it is a great feeling.

I know a few people think I'm crazy to not have carpet in the bedrooms, but I'm a fan of simple, classic looks and cozy area rugs (and a few dust bunnies).

The final room!

Here is after the carpet and pad was ripped out. 

Then the felt paper was installed.

And oh-so-close to finishing...until I ran out of wood!

But, look at the completed side.  It makes it worth the effort. 

(Note - Can't install the basebooards until the floor is finished)

So, what do you think?  Do you prefer carpet or hardwood?

The Great Bedroom Room Switch of 2011

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If you follow on facebook, you would know things are moving and shaking in the house right now. AND really, really messy as we are moving four kids in three different rooms. Everyone is getting a new room, new hardwood floors and a new paint color.

Shocking as it sounds, they all picked very neutral walls in the "grey color" family.  A big change from the cobalt blue rooms and pink/purple room. 

The oldest two boys share a room and were in room #2, but as you can see by the layout it isn't a great room for two beds if you need any other furniture. They are moving into room #3. There are three whole walls in that room for them to use.

And my daughter is moving from room #3 into room #4 which has a larger closet.

And that leaves room #2 for our youngest son.

Confused yet? Don't worry, I've added the floor plan below.

No project ever goes as smoothly as I think it will when I first start to plan it. I mean, how could it?

However, I wanted to have phase 1 completed this weekend so I could have two weekends to rebuild my pantry and laundry room before the family comes over on Thanksgiving. I don't think I'm going to finish!

Checklist - Phase 1:

Scrape all popcorn ceiling (3 rooms)

Install hardwood floors (only room #2 left to do this weekend)

Paint all rooms (only room #2 left to do this weekend)

Baseboards and trim for rooms #2 & #4

Install new closet door guides on floor

Reinstall closet doors

Build 2 Bed Frames for older boys

Prime and paint bed frames for older boys (need a second coat)

Phase 2 -

Build Bed Frame (platform) for youngest son

New ceiling fans/lighting for all three rooms

Build desk for older boys

New closet organizer for older boys

Decorate, Accessorize and figure out what else needs to be done

Here are a few before pics and progress pics:

This was the color of room #3 (before)

Built 2 bedframes, primed and one coat of paint (using room #2 as a painting room)

Original color of both boy rooms, see the ceiling has been scraped and the carpet removed

New color of room #3 and the during of the bedframe

I'm going to need to kick it into high gear if I'm going to finish this weekend.  Wish me luck!  :)

Popcorn Ceilings are My Enemy

Pin It Today I spent four hours scraping popcorn from a small 10'x10' room. If you have done this before you know it is very time consuming and messy work. However, this ceiling had a multi layer paint amour trying to conceal it which hindered the water penetrating the layer of popcorn.  Normally, it would only take about two hours to scrape this size room. 

How do my arms feel after scraping for four hours? Like jello. But, now I'm resting up for an entire day of installing hardwood floors because these arms are going to be screaming using the heavy hammer to nail them down. But trust me, I'm not complaining. The finished product is always worth the work.

If you have never scraped popcorn and are thinking about it you need to understand two important things. 1) It is VERY messy and 2) I'm a bit crazy when it comes to these things. What may not be a big deal to me may not work for you.  I'll let the pictures help you decide.  Neat freak folks may want to brace yourself.

Finished Ceiling   (I'll prime it in the AM before I start the floors)

Here is the ceiling after I started to scrape without water.  If you try to add water to a painted ceiling like this before adding the holes (where the popcorn was knocked off) you will be wasting time and water.

It took me a half an hour to just get an opening started (spraying water and scraping)

It is starting to come along, but very slowly

Sometimes the angels are singing and you can get a piece going (adding water at the edge on the ceiling)

 

Use the drywall trowel at a 45 degree angle pushing away from you on the ceiling, kind of like scraping ice from your windshield but over your head (sorry warm climate people for not understanding this reference).  Be sure to keep it flat.  If you use too much pressure on an edge or if you aren't at the correct angle, you will rip the drywall paper or create a hole.  You can always go back and patch, but you want to avoid it to save your time.  Start slowly until you get the hang of it.

By the way, this was my less used arm after only about 12 square feet.  I couldn't even touch my phone to take a picture after that.

Be prepared for a horrible mess.  If you aren't planning on ripping out carpet, you will need a tarp or plastic and a drop cloth over it.  Leave a towel on your ladder to wipe down the excess water that will run down the walls.  Also leave a towel at the doorway where you can kick off your shoes.

I think of it as an awesome arm workout...for four long hours.

These are the tools you will need - drywall mud trowel, ladder and water sprayer (it is over by the dresser, I think they can be found in the lawn and garden or bug spray area of the hardward store)  If you try to use an ordinary water bottle, it will take you a long time.

Ready for the leg workout tomorrow.

Sweet dreams :)

Special Note:  If your house was built before 1978, please have a test done on the material before you remove or disturb.  Lead paint and asbestos could be used in the ceiling materials and/or paint of houses built before the law changed.  My house was built after that and all of my previous houses (built before 1978) didn't have popcorn ceilings.  I think it was more popular in the 80's and 90's for this texture.  Better to be safe, so if you are uncertain, contact a professional. 

Woven Jar Cover Tutorial - Giveaway!

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A couple of weeks ago, I posted a Restoration Hardware Knock Off of a woven vase (above).  I promised to add a tutorial if you wanted to learn and I had several requests.  I'm going to try my best.  I'm pretty sure a video would be better to explain, but here goes.... 

First, tie the end of the yarn to the peg board (original post I used twine which is harder to do than yarn-this post I used hemp, but I won't ever use that again too rough and not stretchy).  The hemp is very heavy and sturdy, but it is hard to move over the pegs and not easy to learn this project.  I would suggest you use yarn to learn the technique.  If I had tried to learn with twine or hemp I would have given up immediately.

You are going to loop the yarn between peg 1 and 2.  Wrap over peg 1 counter clockwise and up and over peg 4, clockwise.  Repeat this for approximately 8 or 9 rows (determine the number of rows by holding the pegs up to the jar, wine bottle, your own neck for a scarf, etc).

Loop back down the pegs to the starting point.  You will have one on each end that will only have one row of yarn and it will alternate each time.  This is correct.

After you have two rows of zig zag yarn, you are going to loop the bottom yarn up over the top yarn with the hook as shown below.  When you have both sides complete, push the row to the bottom of the pegs and start another row. 

You will keep repeating the rows and the looping until you make the length you need.  You will need the yarn to be able to stretch completely around the jar so you can stitch up the seam.

When you have enough rows, take side "A" and place the loops onto side "B".  Bring the bottom row up over the top row. 

Cut off enough of the yarn to loop up and back down the seam.  Run the yarn through the beginning end loops and the ending loops to stitch them together.

Wrap it around the jar, adjust the tightness.

I'm giving away this sample hemp woven jar.  If you would like to have this wonderful textured handmade piece for your collection of vases or candleholders, please comment below (and follow me here or on facebook).  Hopefully, one person will comment to win.  If more than one person comments, I'll use a random number generator to select a winner on October 30, 2011 8pm CST.

BEWARE!!!  If you have any questions about this post and comment, you will be entering to win!  Hahahaha

Thanks to each and everyone of you who follows this blog.  I like you because obviously you have awesome taste in blogs.

Easy Homemade Toaster Strudel

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Okay, it isn't really a "toaster" recipe, but it reminds me of those little refrigerated ones you buy at the store.  Only better.  Since it is now Fall and officially time to start eating every apple treat known to man without fear of judgment from others, I made this.

What you need to make this extremely easy dessert/breakfast:

Dough-

Phyllo Dough (1 roll) Room Temperature

Melted Butter

Filling-

6 Granny Smith Apples, peeled and sliced

1/2 Cup Sugar

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon (I may have added a bit more, but I love cinnamon)

1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg

Pinch of Ginger

Tablespoon Flour

Combine all the filling ingredients and simmer on stove top (low/medium heat), stir often.

While the filling is cooking, lay out a sheet of the phyllo dough and lightly coat with butter.  I used the full sheet, but you can make individual mini strudels if you prefer.  When you are about halfway finished with the 1 roll of phyllo, place the cooked apple filling into the middle of the dough.  Spread around.  I left about a half inch at the edge without the apples so they wouldn't escape.

Finish layering the dough (coating lightly with butter).  Cook the strudel at the temperature on the box of Phyllo for approximately 12 minutes or until golden brown.

You can also add a glaze on top, but the apples were so sweet I just added a sprinkle of powered sugar.

Sorry I didn't have more pictures to show you.  It was just something I threw together one evening last week on one of those beautifully chilly nights.  This will warm you.

Ideas for Upcoming Projects

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The last few weeks, facebook had the blue end table (below) on the side of my page advertising a website that sells furniture. 

How did facebook know I would really like it?

Well, I did.

I went onto the website to check out their products and fell in love.  However, there were problems. 

 A) Most of the pieces I liked were sold out and B) Many of the pieces were several hundred dollars. 

I tried to PIN the stuff I liked onto Pinterest, but their website did not allow such activities.  :( 

Anyway, you can check these out at http://www.onekingslane.com/

Aren't these distressed pieces amazing?  Too bad they were sold out...I may just need to use these as inspiration pieces and create some of my own.

So, to answer the question.  Yes, I posted these here so I could pin them for future reference.  I hope it isn't a problem?  :)