Saving Some Green, Part 2

When it comes to making your home more environmentally friendly, there are plenty of cheap and easy things you can do that can have a big green impact- for both the planet and your wallet. We’ve already talked about installing a programmable thermostat, so now I want to introduce you to another easy install we’ve done recently: the duel flush mechanism.

Basically this is a kit you can buy at your local home improvement store that will run you about $20. It has simple instructions, so I won’t bore you with those here except to say that it took us less than 10 minutes start to finish. After a few adjustments, we were rocking our new space age toilet. Press the single droplet for errrrr…. liquid and the double droplet for when you really need to get the job done.

So there you have it, two ways you can put more green back in your pockets and on the earth. Have any of you installed any green mods lately?

Read Full Post »

Beaded Board = Instant Charm

Now that we’ve learned to tile a backsplash and paint cabinets, I’d like to share with you one more trick to help you customize your kitchen: paneling.

Mimicking the bead board and wainscoting of yesteryear, these modern MDF or fiberboard clones are perfect for adding detail in many areas of your home, from bathrooms to living rooms.

But, where I’m seeing it most these days is in the kitchen. It can be used as a backsplash, which is significantly cheaper and easier than tiling!

Or, wrap a boring island or counter with it for instant detail.

When I was thinking about my master plan (insert evil laugh) for the kitchen, I decided it definitely needed to include some beaded board in two areas: the counter and the exposed sides of the upper cabinets.

Adding beaded board paneling is super easy, here’s what you’ll need:

• Measuring tape
• Jigsaw or table saw (or the old fashioned kind)
• Beaded board panel (sold in several sizes, I chose the 4×8)
• Construction adhesive (there is a kind specifically for paneling usually with the panels in the store)
• Caulk gun, if you don’t already have one
• Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
• Finishing nails
• Hammer
• Nail set (I’ll explain this in a bit)
• Wood filler

Measure your area and cut your pieces out accordingly. Prep the surface of the wall or cabinet where you want to apply the paneling with a cleaning and light sand with a medium grit. Next, apply the construction adhesive to the back of the panel using “s” shapes.

The trick to good adhesion is aerating the glue. That means you’ll want to press the piece in place firmly, but then remove it and let the glue aerate for about 3 minutes. Reapply the panel, then put in a few finish nails to hold the panel in place while the glue dries completely. If you’re applying molding, put the nails in at the very top or bottom where they will be covered.

If the edges of the panel will be exposed, you’ll want to get a nail set. Hammer in the finish nail until it just touches the surface, then use the nail set between the hammer and your finish nail to push it below the surface. Come back with some wood filler, sand, paint, and watch those nails disappear!

Sorry for the blur, but you get the idea. I think you’ll really like the results. It’s a very inexpensive way to make a huge impact.

Eventually we’ll trim out the top and bottom of the upper cabinets for a more finished look, but for now I’m really pleased with the paint color and the texture the beaded board offers.

Read Full Post »

Tutorial: Painting (Fake Wood) Kitchen Cabinets

Let me preface this by saying that while I’d rank this about a 4 on a scale of 1-10 for difficulty, this project is not for the faint of heart. What it requires is a time investment (think 1 week, minimum) as well as a great deal of patience and attention to detail.

However, if you are tired of your ho hum builder grade cabinets…this is the perfect way to customize them for an upscale look. You may remember that I had already repainted and tiled the backsplash, so this was the final step in the transformation!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Paint and primer (more on this to come)
• Nice brushes
• Sandpaper (both fine and medium grit)
• Degreaser or TSP
• Painter’s Tape

Like any good home improvement project, it starts with agonizing over choices. In our case, I knew I wanted to paint the cabinets white, but who knew there were about 100 million shades of white? After taking a few samples home, I decided on Benjamin Moore’s White Dove (not to be confused with Dove White).

Now normally I’d take my swatch down to Home Depot or Lowes and get a color match, but this is not a job for ordinary paint. Think about the banging, food slinging, moisture, and heat that your cabinets are subjected to. As a highly visible and frequently abused kitchen element, you definitely want these babies to come out smooth and durable. After much research and speaking with several paint experts, I decided to go with a new product by Benjamin Moore, “Advance” in a satin finish.

I did come across stories of good results with BM’s Satin Impervo (both oil and waterborne) as well as Aura. There are also several specialty paints made for cabinets, but they are not always easy to find. After a recommendation from their staff, I decided to give this oil/water hybrid product from BM a shot. I purchased some nice brushes, a gallon of their Fresh Start All Purpose Primer and was on my way.

Once you gather all your supplies, the next step is to take down all your cabinet doors and drawer fronts and remove all hardware/hinges. If your kitchen has a complicated layout, you may want to label what came from where to make the re-install less of a headache. Otherwise, get out your cleaning and sanding supplies.

You might be tempted to rush into painting, but let me warn you that your finished product depends entirely on this prep work. Clean your cabinet boxes and doors thoroughly and give them a good roughing up with some medium grit sandpaper/block. My cabinets had a glossy veneer which I didn’t sand completely through-I just sanded enough to take the sheen off and give the surface some grip. Be sure to wipe away the dust with a tack cloth or damp lint free cloth.

Once your cabs are clean and stripped (hehe), give them a coat of primer. For the best adhesion, let the primer cure for a full 24 hours. Patience is a virtue, my friends. The following day prime the back side of the cabinets. To save some time, I actually painted a first finish coat on my boxes the same day. Are you starting to see the pattern here? It’s a whole lot of painting and a whole lot of waiting. Once the back side primer is dry, turn the doors over and give them a light sand with some fine grit sandpaper.

If this is all getting a bit confusing, let me lay out the order like this.

Day 1- Clean, sand, prime boxes and front of doors

Day 2- Lightly sand boxes and put on a first finish coat, prime back of doors

Day 3- Lightly sand front of doors and put on a first finish coat. Lightly sand first coat on boxes and paint a second (and final) finish coat.

Day 4- Lightly sand back of doors and put on a first finish coat.

Day 5- Lightly sand first coat on front of doors and put on a second coat.

Day 8 or 9 or if you have a ton of time Day 10- Reattach hardware and re-hang doors!

Before you get started, let me detail the painting technique I was shown at Benjamin Moore specifically for the Advance paint. It’s designed to flow like oil, so you don’t want to overwork it. Put a good amount on your brush and use long strokes to spread it as evenly as possible. Let it settle itself, try not to go back and brush it too much because it will start to set up in a few minutes. The good news is that you effectively have one practice coat to see how the paint feels and flows. By the second coat, you should be a pro!

Despite all the work, the result is totally worth it. First, let’s look at those boring they-fell-off-the-contractor’s-truck boxes.

After a brief stint as a disaster area…

The kitchen came together beautifully (if I do say so myself).

I also added some beadboard paneling in certain areas, which I’ll show you how to do in another post this week. So, what’s the verdict? You likey? Anyone else thinking about attempting this?

*******Shared On The Following Blogs********

Read Full Post »

Foyer Remix

One of the best things about having a foyer is redecorating it! It’s one of the first impressions people get of your home, so I like to switch it up often. Recently I stumbled across this awesome (but in need of a makeover) mirror at Goodwill that I thought would look great in the foyer.

I love the detail in the frame, as well as the oval shape. So, I broke out the Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze and gave it a new look. I also picked up a sweet table lamp for $7 and topped it with a linen shade from Target. The lamp puts out a much nicer glow at night than the overhead light fixture, and I love the coziness it adds to the corner.

Along with a gorgeous arrangement courtesy of my husband for our anniversary, I think the new mirror and lamp look great!

Read Full Post »

Make Me Over: Kitchen

Maybe you read my post about painting kitchen cabinets and had an inkling that I might be doing some kitchen projects soon.

Well, guess what- I am!

It all started with one look at this to die for white kitch.

I love the brightness of this room, it just looks so clean and inviting. So I thought maybe I’d like to take my kitchen from its Bistro days to something a little more classic. So what does that involve exactly? Well, let’s take a look.

Since my kitchen and dining area open to each other, they really needed to be considered together.

The first step is to continue the light wall color over to the walls painted red. This is “Burnished Clay” by Behr. Because the red is so vibrant, I’ll be using Behr’s Ultra Paint-and-Primer-In-One to save on time and coats!

Next I’ll try my hand at tiling a backsplash- and after much indecision, I’ve decided on a brick style travertine.

I had been considering a slate tile, but I think when it comes down to it, the travertine has more mass appeal for later resale. Plus, it will be more neutral so I can change up my decor more easily (given my history, you know).

After tiling, I may take a break…but if I still have some motivation, I’ll say goodbye to my light maple contractor stock cabinets and hello to creamy white doors with some character. I haven’t yet decided if I want to play around with a two tone look (as in, painting the bottom and top differently-or painting the bottom only and leaving the top alone).

And, you know that boring counter I have?

I’ll be covering it with some bead board painted to match, and finish with some base molding.

So, are you a white kitchen fan, or does it scream sterile and boring to you? I think the interest comes in the details, whether it’s retro hardware, colorful accents, or textures like bead board.

Read Full Post »

Neutral Hues

There is definitely something to be said for neutrals. I have learned over the past few years of decorating the house that neutrals can be just as interesting as big bold colors. Over time, your tastes may change, and that once oh-so-lovable bright colored piece of furniture will now stick out like a sore thumb.

Remember our big red couch?

I had grown tired of its subtle chenille pattern, and it had grown tired of us. Abused by our animals when they were little, it had turned into nothing more than a large dog bed. I was yearning for something more sophisticated to fit in with our newly redecorated room. I still wanted to maintain a relaxing casual space (as opposed to a formal sitting room), so I turned to Craigslist to find a replacement.

After a few weeks of hunting and inquiries (and some disappointments), I came across an ad for a queen size sleeper couch. I was immediately interested since I had always wanted to have a sleeper sofa, you know, just in case. I was lucky the seller had a attached a picture, which looked nice, so I emailed straight away for approximate dimensions.

The couch was a little shorter than our red one, which is a bonus since the extra floor space would allow room for a reading light. I was getting pretty excited about getting a new couch, so I made an appointment to see it. In person it was just as lovely, it even has nail head detailing. I loved that the back cushions are attached, a feature I never would have thought about before. It’s amazing how you can really learn what works and what doesn’t! I was really digging the couch and ready to take it home, but we needed a pickup truck. Thanks to a friend, we came back the next day for it in her dad’s truck.

$150 later, we have a whole new look.

From far away it looks like a textured tan color, but up close you can see a subtle pattern which includes some navy and olive. Sure I might have preferred a plain tan microfiber couch, but for $150 this sleeper sofa was a clear winner.

Now to keep my pack of unruly beasts from destroying it!

Read Full Post »

House Tour Reveal!

After some hard work, I’m ready to reveal the mostly finished version of my house (for now)!

Our Foyer

Living Room

Hallway leading to Guest Bathroom and Kitchen

Guest Bathroom

Kitchen

Dining Room

Balcony off Kitchen

Stairwell

Guestroom/Office

Ryan’s Room (top secret, this was the only shot I could post).

Upstairs Bathroom

Master Bedroom

I hope you enjoyed the grand tour, of course something around here is always changing so keep reading!

****Linked Up****

Read Full Post »

Guestroom/Office BIG reveal!

I waited until today to post this because my mom is currently in transit here from Reno, and I didn’t want to spoil the surprise!

We have lots of big changes, so let’s take a look at the journey. Here is what this room used to look like.

Wow, what an industrial looking nightmare!

After some furniture refinishing and shuffling (read about it here and here), I started to get more of a vision of how I wanted this room to look.

More moving of furniture, setting up a bed, and running cable across the room ensued.

Now, we have a relaxing functional space that oozes charm (if I do say so myself). Without further ado, here are some photos:

A $4 Goodwill chenille throw and a homemade no sew pillow sham add pops of yellow. I’m planning on refinishing the $8 Goodwill side table down the line.

The refinished desk will be functional as an office space, or if a guest wants to set up their laptop. The wooden chair came from the basement, and will eventually be painted.

I put up a mirror ($8.99 at Ross) and hooks ($4.30/ea Big Lots) for a jacket or purse to make our guests feel more at home. The corkboard I made from an old door holds pictures of us and our visiting guest (in this case my brother and I with our Mom).

But, we’re missing one thing right? Where’s the TV? Since we don’t watch TV in there, I decided to make a space saving decision and put it in the closet.

Yes, the TV is in the closet (with plenty of room to hang clothes).

So, now that you’ve seen Hotel Evans, wouldn’t you like to come visit us?

Read Full Post »

Art Galleries Are Posh

So why not have one in your living room? After painting the living room hallway, I hung some frames ready for the pictures of my choosing.

Here is the start of the gallery.

Yes, the frames are empty. My mom is coming in town this week, so I’m hoping to get some great family shots and fill in with older ones. The frames all came from Goodwill, and I spray painted them with Krylon’s Oil Rubbed Bronze (as seen here and here also).

I can’t wait to get pictures in these frames, and add to this wall over time!

Read Full Post »

Burnished Clay Walls

How neat would it be if I actually had clay walls? Unfortunately that’s just the name of the color I painted on a few walls in the house. It replaced all the SW “Totally Tan” walls.

The wall that connects the living room and dining room was in terrible shape. Moving furniture up and down had left a nightmare of knicks and gashes which needed to be spackled.

That picture doesn’t even show the half of it! When it comes to future touch ups, you can really only do it flawlessly with a flat finish paint. I’m switching from eggshell to flat with this color change. Spackling is pretty easy, you can find supplies near the paint at Home Depot or Lowes. Use a putty knife to spread some compound into the hole, and smooth it out. Scrape off the excess. I let mine dry overnight, but some compounds can be covered with paint fairly quickly after application. After it is dry, I took a very fine sanding block and went over each spot just to make sure I had an even surface.

I applied just one coat, which covered well. Here are the results!

This blank space will soon be the home of a gallery wall (like the one in our bedroom). I’ve already painted some cheapo Goodwill frames in Krylon’s Oil Rubbed Bronze, and I’m just trying to decide on the images themselves.

Here’s a little peek at that toilet paper roll wall art I made a awhile ago. Right now it’s just hanging out waiting to be painted on some drywall anchors left from those tic-tac-toe shelves we used to have up.

The tea/coffee area in the dining room…I love the color of the wood against the new wall shade!

Overall, I really like it! Depending on the light, it looks more warm and clay-like or cool and gray. Since I love both of those, it’s pretty neat if you ask me!

Read Full Post »