This Project Took 8 Months Too Long

Yes, this should have been done in October with the completion of the basement renovation.  But then came some other kitchen fun and living room changes. 

So here I am, 8 months later, taking care of business.  And I'm so happy with the results, I am kicking myself for not doing it in October.

Here's what I'm talking about.

Hello Insulation and Electrical

The now defunct cold air return at the bottom of the main floor staircase.

Since we switched around the ductwork in the basement during the big dig & finish, we had to find a new spot for it.  So we did.  But were left with this.  Our HVAC guy's suggestion was to cut a 3/4 piece of plywood to the opening beneath the grill and spraypaint it black like the grill.  Easy!

He told us his idea a year ago.  So...why not get on that...???

From Homie D

I've never ever spray painted anything before.  But I've read plenty on other DIY blogs about the joys of it.

Thin coats.  5 or 6 of them.  Easy does it...don't over spray. 

One Coat

I think I got a little overzealous with the spraying.  It was thicker than it (probably) should have been.  But it went well for my first time and I only needed two coats.

Then I put it back in place.

Magic

Me: "Steve!  Look!  It's so much better!"

Steve: "It will be even better when you spray paint the grill."

Right!

More Magic

Done!

It's perfect.  And it took me no time at all.  Didn't even need naptime.  I literally put an arrowroot in George's hand and zipped out while he watched me through the back door.  I was back in the house before that cookie was gone.

I love projects like that.

So, here's my favorite part.  Before and after.

Before

After

Me:  "Steve, check out the grill."

Steve:  "Wow - it really makes a big difference."

Yes.

Another Little Livingroom Update

When I went to West Elm for the living room rug, I didn't just stop there.  A 15% discount off anything I purchase?  I'll take one of everything. 

Well, at least a rug...and a lamp.

Before

After!

It was on back order, but came in early.  I rushed over today.  And I'm in love. 

The best part?  Two pulls for two bulbs. 

One Bulb On

This is my husband's kind of light level.

Two Bulbs On

And this one's mine. 

Now we don't have to fight about 40 watt or 60 watt bulbs.  We can just play rock, paper, scissors for how many pulls to yank.  Done.

Here's the wide shot.

Before

After

We knew from the beginning of our living room project that the sorry little IKEA lamp had to go.  It was not right for the room.  And since our updating began, the pull got yanked a little too hard by one of the three kids here...so now the only way to turn it on is to feel around for the string that's tied to the metal arm and press down on it.  Not my fun. 

Then recently, when I went online to look at pictures of a house up for sale in my 'hood, I noticed their living room was totally my style.  The coffee table is just what we're leaning towards for our living room.  Then I saw the floor lamp.  Winner!  

View From the Hall

Finding the lamp, loving the rug, and having a coupon for West Elm was total luck.  We decided they were both pieces we really like and would buy even if we didn't have a coupon.  But the discount was worth purchasing them now...with the understanding our money tree would be bare for a while.

So for now, I'm enjoying the view. 

Still Need Help

And thinking about some inexpensive DIY art ideas for that future fireplace wall.  I need something colorful and fun.  Mr. Floating Console still needs to happen, too.  That's Steve's thorn. 

Until then, I'm ignoring all email coupons...

One Less Tooth

Jake's 3rd loose tooth (1st top tooth) was hanging on for dear life.

He liked to show everyone how loose it was.

But did this when I said the tooth fairy should come that night.

Then on Friday night, at his school's annual fundraiser picnic, this happened.

It's a hard look for me to get used to.

Stop growing!!

A Little Livingroom Update

Over the weekend I received an email from West Elm for 15% off.

Which turned this:

Before - 5x8 Tan Postage Stamp

Into this:

After - 8x10 Grey Jute

I've been thinking about a new rug for a while now.  I've been leaning toward something solid that wouldn't compete with the new curtains.  And neutral enough to stay as a backdrop to colorful artwork and pillows.  But beautiful enough to notice...that's the hard part.

So when my friend recently complemented our basement rugs...and then our designer-by-night suggested we repeat the basement rugs in the livingroom...I thought it was a sign.

The discount was my ticket.  Off to West Elm I went.  

Jute Boucle Rug in Platinum

George was my helper.

I Help You

I laid it out lengthwise first because the livingroom is an awkward size. 

Still Helping

But there was too much floor showing on either side...and it accentuated the narrowness.

So I rotated it widthwise.

Supervising

Which works out much better.

What Holes?

If anything, it might be too close to the wall, but the laminate has two ugly holes where the old mantle used to be.  So for now, I'd rather have the rug to the wall instead of looking at the holey-footprints.

The future plan for the livingroom includes a fireplace and built-in on either side.  So I'm thinking the rug would work lengthwise when that happens...or I will find another room where this rug can live.  And I will love it just as much as I do now...or more...

A few other before & afters:

Before - Future Fireplace Wall

After - Better Coverage

That lamp is next.  Purely functional these days. 

Before - Too Small

After - Much Better

Once that console is gone and I have a floating cabinet system under the wall-mounted TV, I'll be a happy girl.

So here's my new view from the dining room. 

Getting There

It's the right color, soft on the feet and has already passed a few "uh-oh mommy" (read: dropped food) tests from the kids. 

We'll keep it.

Deck Is Done

It was actually done early last week. 

But first we had to wait for the paint to cure before replacing the BBQ and furniture.  Then it rained on and off here and there. 

Neither is conducive to taking "after" pictures. 

So here's my new view for the past week:

Before

After

It's amazing what paint can do.  I'm surprised every time. 

Steve and I painted our deck these colors in 2007.  But it was so.  Much.  Work.  And that was with one kid.  With three, it would be close to impossible to a) keep them away from the work area  b) get the job done if only one person worked on painting at a time  c) who wants to work like a dog if we asked family to take our kids for a couple days (at least not THIS kind of work).

So instead, we hired College Pro.  Two guys, two days plus a morning of touch ups.  They did a good enough job for how much we care about this deck. 

Scraped & Sanded

 

Half of the work was prepping the site.  Patching & sanding the railing, scraping & sanding the deck floor. 

Then came the priming.

Primed

And this is the point when I had my a-ha idea of painting the shed white like the railing instead of my kitchen cabinet grey color. 

A-HA

It ended up turning out quite nicely.  My husband has said on a number of occasions that was a great idea.  Score.

After

Here's the view from the backyard looking at the house.

Before

Primed

After

In these pictures, it almost looks like the before shots just have maple keys scattered all over the deck floor.  Ah, no.  I swept those million up.  That is actually multiple layers of paint peeling off and random brown, mint green and bare wood colors showing through. 

Major Peelage

At least now, there's no peeling.

Much Better

That's lookin' pretty orange.  It's not quite that shocking in real life. 

What might be shocking is the shed.  In a good way.

Before

After

Also shocking is that Virginia Creeper vine.  I fight with it often to keep it from growing up the shed on it's way to our brick wall.  Great for greening a fence.  Bad for people who don't tame it.

So, with the BBQ reattached, the furniture back up and the flowers in place, we are liking the view. 

Summer-Ready

We spend time out here dreaming of our next deck...which will probably be a short-term goal instead of long-term... 

Failing Support

If you touch that concrete, the whole chunk falls off in your hand. 

Rotting Wood

If you touch this 2 x 6, it's spongey.  And it turns into mushy dusty slivers. 

Hence, our decision to not spend any more money on this deck.  She's done.  She's still alive and kicking - safely - nothing's falling down or off or through the floor.  But we've got dreams of a shed-less wider & shorter deck with a corner sectional and low table for optimal relaxation. 

Sorry, Packer picnic table.  I may have to find a new fan family for you...

Let There Be A Blind

I'm finally less exposed at night.  In the kitchen.

When I got the banquette cushion upholstered, I also sent along some complimentary fabric I purchased from Tonic Living to make a roman blind.

Get ready for far too many pictures of a window.

Here's where we were last week:

Before

Here's where we are today:

After

I know.  You almost have to squint in these pics to see the difference.  But it's there.  And in real life, it's huge.

Here's a little view up close.

Before

During

After

(Yep, those are last week's flowers - best $5 I've ever spent at Loblaw's)

The funny part is, the shade sat in my dining room for a week.  But installation took me 5 minutes.  There were pre-drilled holes in the wood bar at the top...I didn't know they were there until my superstar step-father-in-law told me to look for them.  And he gave me two screws.  Love him.

From the Dining Room

So a quick job completed at the height of witching hour (read: while 3 kids were eating a "starter" watching Spongebob before dinner) turned out to be my smoothest project with the most impact. 

Next comes some artwork on the walls.

And then I'm posting some major before and afters.  For reals.