I did it!
Kitchen is now dark red and looks fabulous!!!
I was going to paint the cabinets a dark brown, but now with the red on the walls - I think I'll keep the cabinets the way they are. Otherwise it'll be too dark in there. The kitchen shines!!
Trying to decide what color to have the counter tops done in. I love the white. I have white appliances. Do they make solid white counter tops??? (I have to get rid of this tile, grout is driving me nuts!!)
I'll have the counter tops done at the same time I get the island remodeled. Time to start looking for bids I guess. Shall I do this Spring break or wait until summer???
I've also decided to build my own shelving around the hutch in the breakfast nook. I currently am using two bookshelves for cookbooks and appliances, but there is a lot of wasted space. I think custom built shelving will utilize the space better and make it look more tied together. The book cases don't look like they belong. I'm thinking of running a shelf over the top of the hutch to make it look a little like an alcove. (I'm also toying with a collection of colorful Tea Pots on the shelf above -- but I need to see if that is going to be too cluttered. Maybe if I also incorporate them into the decor above the cabinets in the kitchen - then it might look tied together. But shelving waits until the next long weekend.
I'm loving the progress on this.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
chickening out
I'm changing my mind on the color of the kitchen.
I was planning on painting it Red this weekend (long weekend off of school). The same dark red I used as one of the colors in the bathroom.
But now I'm chickening out. I think it might look garrish rather than dramatic. Or maybe it is because I'm in a stressful period of time and don't want any more drama in my life right now.
The green the rest of the house is painted is rather soothing.
I need soothing right now.
I also could go for some classy --- toned down green would be classy looking, rather than dramatic red.
Green would be safe. It'll blend in, it'll give the room the finished look it badly needs.
But is this a mediphore for my life right now? Playing it safe, afraid to be bold and daring?
Actually I don't want to paint it at all because I'm afraid of making a decision, a commitment! But that is a bigger problem in my life.
Ahhhhh - Indecision, safe decision, bold statement at the risk of being outrageous?
Part of me says - what the heck - give it a try, it's only paint - you can redo it if you don't like it. Another part of me is saying - are you kidding, I don't want to do it the first time, let alone RE do it. Measure twice cut Once!! (choose carefully, paint once????)
So who am I?
I was planning on painting it Red this weekend (long weekend off of school). The same dark red I used as one of the colors in the bathroom.
But now I'm chickening out. I think it might look garrish rather than dramatic. Or maybe it is because I'm in a stressful period of time and don't want any more drama in my life right now.
The green the rest of the house is painted is rather soothing.
I need soothing right now.
I also could go for some classy --- toned down green would be classy looking, rather than dramatic red.
Green would be safe. It'll blend in, it'll give the room the finished look it badly needs.
But is this a mediphore for my life right now? Playing it safe, afraid to be bold and daring?
Actually I don't want to paint it at all because I'm afraid of making a decision, a commitment! But that is a bigger problem in my life.
Ahhhhh - Indecision, safe decision, bold statement at the risk of being outrageous?
Part of me says - what the heck - give it a try, it's only paint - you can redo it if you don't like it. Another part of me is saying - are you kidding, I don't want to do it the first time, let alone RE do it. Measure twice cut Once!! (choose carefully, paint once????)
So who am I?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Murder she wrote
My first 3 day weekend of the new year - so I decided to paint the family bathroom. I figured it was a small room, an easy project for a weekend.
I planned to go bold in there with red paint and wanted some texture, so the sea sponge method was chosen.
I went down to the hardware store a couple days before and picked out a selection of paint chips and brochures. I'm lucky in that I plan to use at least one of the colors in the kitchen - so I have some nearby drapes to guide my choice of colors.
It is interesting how you can get one impression of a color, but put it next to something else and other hues or tints seem to stand out. It is also interesting what a wide variety of colors can be defined as red.
I finally picked the two I wanted to use. I'm using a lighter color to be the base coat, then sponging a dark red over the top.
The first day arrives for real painting.
I used blue painter's tape to mask all the areas that are next to wall I'll be painting. I had one light switch I couldn't remove, so masked it. The other switch plate was taken off the wall and stored in a little bowl. The medicine cabinet proved to be a challenge, until I figured out how to take it out of it's hole. Since the mirror has a minor crack in it (I didn't do it!) - I'll be buying a new cabinet to replace it. Funny how unfinished it looks behind there. I got to reading a couple repair sites and they say some of the older cabinets had slots for getting rid of your old razor blades. The used blades slip right into the area behind the cabinet - out of sight out of mind. When you go to replace the old cabinets, you have to deal with this old blades. Someday those will be considered valuable antiques! My house isn't that old though - so no razor blades.
After masking I tried laying down a piece of drop cloth - what a hassle. I decided since it was a bathroom, I would just clean up whatever paint drips occured (famous last words to come back to haunt you).
I started with my base color, which looked a lot more pinky/purple than I though the paint chip showed, by it matched fine. The paint resisted going onto the wall a little bit (should have used TSP or sand paper), but wasn't too bad and would take a second coat without complaint. There were a couple fixtures on the ceiling that resisted masking, but I discovered they could be pulled down out of place easily, so my brush could do the initial edge paint with no problem. I planned to use a roller for the main portion of the wall and ceiling, but rollers can't get to edges very well. So you have to paint the corners and trim areas first (around fixtures, along mirror, around cabinets, etc...) This was the most time consuming part of the painting. Behind the toilet was the biggest challenge. If I was doing a "professional" job, I would have had to turn of the water and remove the tank - instead I just took the cover of the tank and reached back around as best I could. I know there is a big unpainted spot back behind there, but no one can see it so I'm not concerned.
The base coat went on well and didn't take too long to do. The room was starting to look pretty nice.
Day two I did the sponge painting. There was no masking to do and the edge work would be done last this time - so I started with the roller.
Wow - I thought the base coat looked dark on day one, but as soon as I put some of the dark red on it - the base seemed to get lighter. The dark red was a wicked red color, and very sloppy. The sea sponge roller was very drippy and hard to control. I got running paint everywhere. At one point there will red drips running down the white shower so bad it looked like blood.
Stepping back the room could easily pass for a violent murder scene.
I got a big old drop of paint right on the forehead as I was doing the ceiling. I appeared to have been shot.
I was worried it was going to look awful cause it was so wet and drippy in some places and sparse in others. I didn't want to over roll it cause the idea was to have blotches of base coat showing through. I finished the large sections and switched to the hand held sea sponge. This really helped. The hand held didn't hold as much paint, so it wasn't quite as messy, though the sections I daubed weren't as bright as the rolled sections, but it worked out. I would occasionally rinse out the sponge and daub over drippy areas - this pulled some paint off the wall, removing the drips and lightening the section. Continuing this, the wall began to even out for the effect I was going for. I kept at it until I was satisfied it looked ok. I intend to keep the baseboard and back of the door the base coat only - but will have to go back and paint over the "over spray, over sponging" on the edges.
I stepped back to survey the work and had to laugh a little. Still has the murder scene look to it, but would be fantastic when it got cleaned up. There was red paint on the mirror, shower enclosure, floor, me, light fixture edges, etc...
I cleaned up the sink area first - and that went pretty easily. I then attacked the shower area. By running the shower water in the flexible hose I was able to steadily rinse and scrub. I was very pleased at how easily the paint cleaned up. I did have to use a little cleanser on the shower, but mostly it was water and "scrunging."
I thought I might have to pull out the Goof Off for the tile floor, but it wiped up easily too. I learned a trick that made the job easier. I got a couple old towels, soaked them and laid them out on the floor. This did a lot to loosen the paint so it was ready to come up when I scrubbed it up later.
Cleaned up and showered (both me and the bathroom) - I headed out to the store to buy a few extras to jaz the room up. My husband installed the new medicine cabinet and one of those shower rods that curves out for more space. I have some new towel rods I'll be installing next week and I even found some nice fluffy white towels I liked (unfortunatly they didn't come in the red I also want). I am keeping my eye out for a painting to finish the one empty wall in there and then the guest/family bathroom will be done and ready. One project on the list almost checked off.
I have a 4 day weekend coming up in February - I think I make attack the kitchen. That'll be that same dark red color - but not sponge painted. I can't cook in a room where I imagine a murder has taken place. Which reminds me - has Diane Mott Davidson written anything lately? :D
I planned to go bold in there with red paint and wanted some texture, so the sea sponge method was chosen.
I went down to the hardware store a couple days before and picked out a selection of paint chips and brochures. I'm lucky in that I plan to use at least one of the colors in the kitchen - so I have some nearby drapes to guide my choice of colors.
It is interesting how you can get one impression of a color, but put it next to something else and other hues or tints seem to stand out. It is also interesting what a wide variety of colors can be defined as red.
I finally picked the two I wanted to use. I'm using a lighter color to be the base coat, then sponging a dark red over the top.
The first day arrives for real painting.
I used blue painter's tape to mask all the areas that are next to wall I'll be painting. I had one light switch I couldn't remove, so masked it. The other switch plate was taken off the wall and stored in a little bowl. The medicine cabinet proved to be a challenge, until I figured out how to take it out of it's hole. Since the mirror has a minor crack in it (I didn't do it!) - I'll be buying a new cabinet to replace it. Funny how unfinished it looks behind there. I got to reading a couple repair sites and they say some of the older cabinets had slots for getting rid of your old razor blades. The used blades slip right into the area behind the cabinet - out of sight out of mind. When you go to replace the old cabinets, you have to deal with this old blades. Someday those will be considered valuable antiques! My house isn't that old though - so no razor blades.
After masking I tried laying down a piece of drop cloth - what a hassle. I decided since it was a bathroom, I would just clean up whatever paint drips occured (famous last words to come back to haunt you).
I started with my base color, which looked a lot more pinky/purple than I though the paint chip showed, by it matched fine. The paint resisted going onto the wall a little bit (should have used TSP or sand paper), but wasn't too bad and would take a second coat without complaint. There were a couple fixtures on the ceiling that resisted masking, but I discovered they could be pulled down out of place easily, so my brush could do the initial edge paint with no problem. I planned to use a roller for the main portion of the wall and ceiling, but rollers can't get to edges very well. So you have to paint the corners and trim areas first (around fixtures, along mirror, around cabinets, etc...) This was the most time consuming part of the painting. Behind the toilet was the biggest challenge. If I was doing a "professional" job, I would have had to turn of the water and remove the tank - instead I just took the cover of the tank and reached back around as best I could. I know there is a big unpainted spot back behind there, but no one can see it so I'm not concerned.
The base coat went on well and didn't take too long to do. The room was starting to look pretty nice.
Day two I did the sponge painting. There was no masking to do and the edge work would be done last this time - so I started with the roller.
Wow - I thought the base coat looked dark on day one, but as soon as I put some of the dark red on it - the base seemed to get lighter. The dark red was a wicked red color, and very sloppy. The sea sponge roller was very drippy and hard to control. I got running paint everywhere. At one point there will red drips running down the white shower so bad it looked like blood.
Stepping back the room could easily pass for a violent murder scene.
I got a big old drop of paint right on the forehead as I was doing the ceiling. I appeared to have been shot.
I was worried it was going to look awful cause it was so wet and drippy in some places and sparse in others. I didn't want to over roll it cause the idea was to have blotches of base coat showing through. I finished the large sections and switched to the hand held sea sponge. This really helped. The hand held didn't hold as much paint, so it wasn't quite as messy, though the sections I daubed weren't as bright as the rolled sections, but it worked out. I would occasionally rinse out the sponge and daub over drippy areas - this pulled some paint off the wall, removing the drips and lightening the section. Continuing this, the wall began to even out for the effect I was going for. I kept at it until I was satisfied it looked ok. I intend to keep the baseboard and back of the door the base coat only - but will have to go back and paint over the "over spray, over sponging" on the edges.
I stepped back to survey the work and had to laugh a little. Still has the murder scene look to it, but would be fantastic when it got cleaned up. There was red paint on the mirror, shower enclosure, floor, me, light fixture edges, etc...
I cleaned up the sink area first - and that went pretty easily. I then attacked the shower area. By running the shower water in the flexible hose I was able to steadily rinse and scrub. I was very pleased at how easily the paint cleaned up. I did have to use a little cleanser on the shower, but mostly it was water and "scrunging."
I thought I might have to pull out the Goof Off for the tile floor, but it wiped up easily too. I learned a trick that made the job easier. I got a couple old towels, soaked them and laid them out on the floor. This did a lot to loosen the paint so it was ready to come up when I scrubbed it up later.
Cleaned up and showered (both me and the bathroom) - I headed out to the store to buy a few extras to jaz the room up. My husband installed the new medicine cabinet and one of those shower rods that curves out for more space. I have some new towel rods I'll be installing next week and I even found some nice fluffy white towels I liked (unfortunatly they didn't come in the red I also want). I am keeping my eye out for a painting to finish the one empty wall in there and then the guest/family bathroom will be done and ready. One project on the list almost checked off.
I have a 4 day weekend coming up in February - I think I make attack the kitchen. That'll be that same dark red color - but not sponge painted. I can't cook in a room where I imagine a murder has taken place. Which reminds me - has Diane Mott Davidson written anything lately? :D
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Outside resources
Back to school over the holidays and I realize that the classroom eats up a lot of my personal time and resources. I find it hard not to do that extra project, work on that better idea for a lesson, try to reach every individual's child's needs with custom lessons and materials. I'm going to have to let myself be a good teacher, without killing myself trying to be the world's best teacher. At least this year.
When I start the school year, or a new lesson unit - I always do an Internet search for ideas and resources.
So I've done the same with my preparing for Christmas project. Here are some of the websites I've found that look pretty interesting:
To help me get the house under control:
http://organizedhome.com/
Christmas planning:
http://christmas.organizedhome.com/
(done by the same people who did the housecleaning one)
Christmas decorating:
http://www.amazing-christmas-ideas.com/category/christmas-decorating/
Just found this one - looks like lots of fun to explore
BHG Christmas decorating ideas:
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/indoor-decorating/
Some great ideas shared here:
http://www.christmasorganizing.com/node/43
Home Decorating - HGTV of course:
http://www.hgtv.com/
And there is so much more. How did we ever find information before Google and the Internet?
When I start the school year, or a new lesson unit - I always do an Internet search for ideas and resources.
So I've done the same with my preparing for Christmas project. Here are some of the websites I've found that look pretty interesting:
To help me get the house under control:
http://organizedhome.com/
Christmas planning:
http://christmas.organizedhome.com/
(done by the same people who did the housecleaning one)
Christmas decorating:
http://www.amazing-christmas-ideas.com/category/christmas-decorating/
Just found this one - looks like lots of fun to explore
BHG Christmas decorating ideas:
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/indoor-decorating/
Some great ideas shared here:
http://www.christmasorganizing.com/node/43
Home Decorating - HGTV of course:
http://www.hgtv.com/
And there is so much more. How did we ever find information before Google and the Internet?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Cold water in the face.
Wow - first day back to school and I am swamped with homework, papers to grade, lessons to prepare for..... It is going to be a challenge to have my own time at home to get this place fixed up.
When on Facebook today, there was an ad on my side bar promoting school choice week. While there are some less effective teachers than others, there are very few who aren't putting forth their best effort to provide a good education for kids. It really grates on me that teachers are the punching bag for what ails education and kids. I was heartened to see a new report out where parents are starting to take the blame for some of the problems.
I can't educated your child if you refuse to back me up a home with proper discipline, respect and consistency in seeing that your child does his/her own homework in a timely manner. If you throw you hands up and say you can't handle the kid, what do you expect me to be able to do? The best thing the kids of today could have is a parent who understands the job and is willing to put in the effort it takes to do it. It isn't easy, you won't be popular, but in the end you'll have done the right thing.
And lets not forget to hold kids responsible too. I see some dedicated parents and teachers trying to reach a kid that just doesn't care. Sometimes being the parent means letting them take the knocks - if they refuse to learn the easy way, then they will have to learn the hard way.
Love em, be there for them when they are ready for it - but don't shelter them from reality.
Ok, off my soap box. Time to turn back to more pleasant and productive thoughts.
When on Facebook today, there was an ad on my side bar promoting school choice week. While there are some less effective teachers than others, there are very few who aren't putting forth their best effort to provide a good education for kids. It really grates on me that teachers are the punching bag for what ails education and kids. I was heartened to see a new report out where parents are starting to take the blame for some of the problems.
I can't educated your child if you refuse to back me up a home with proper discipline, respect and consistency in seeing that your child does his/her own homework in a timely manner. If you throw you hands up and say you can't handle the kid, what do you expect me to be able to do? The best thing the kids of today could have is a parent who understands the job and is willing to put in the effort it takes to do it. It isn't easy, you won't be popular, but in the end you'll have done the right thing.
And lets not forget to hold kids responsible too. I see some dedicated parents and teachers trying to reach a kid that just doesn't care. Sometimes being the parent means letting them take the knocks - if they refuse to learn the easy way, then they will have to learn the hard way.
Love em, be there for them when they are ready for it - but don't shelter them from reality.
Ok, off my soap box. Time to turn back to more pleasant and productive thoughts.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Blue Mood
I'm using this blog as a place to store ideas so I don't forget what I worked out for myself.
Previously I mentioned how the over all color theme of the house was Red and Greens. I'll then be decorating for Christmas in primarily pine green garland and red accents, with white as a rest color. I'll use jewel toned glass ball ornaments to add interest and whimsy to the overall affect.
Except the guest room doesn't fit into this color scheme.
When one of my sons was using that as a bedroom, he painted the room blue. It's a pretty blue, a calm and restful blue (I think he was actually going for something a little more moody - it ended up being lighter than he planned). It's a good paint job and I ran with that color as I decorate the room. Blue stripped sheets, and light turqoise blue bedspread and curtains. I like the color for a guest room cause it does seem calm and restful. It's a break from the rest of the house. I'm not interested in redecorating the room just for one holiday. I need to build on the color that is already in there.
So as I contemplate blue and Christmas, I've come up with ideas:
Blue and white -- snowflakes, snowmen, snow globes, blue and white quilt with mittens and snowflakes appliqued on it.
I do worry about the room having a "cold" feel to it. So I need to make sure there are plenty of snuggly, cuddly things to counter act that. So maybe the snowmen can be stuffed toys, snowflakes as quilt and pillow motifs, maybe a tray of hot chocolate supplies on the table. Maybe I should change out the light airy curtain for something heavier during the winter time.
A thick blue throw rug on the floor and a plug in radiator in the corner - that should keep that room warm and cozy.
Previously I mentioned how the over all color theme of the house was Red and Greens. I'll then be decorating for Christmas in primarily pine green garland and red accents, with white as a rest color. I'll use jewel toned glass ball ornaments to add interest and whimsy to the overall affect.
Except the guest room doesn't fit into this color scheme.
When one of my sons was using that as a bedroom, he painted the room blue. It's a pretty blue, a calm and restful blue (I think he was actually going for something a little more moody - it ended up being lighter than he planned). It's a good paint job and I ran with that color as I decorate the room. Blue stripped sheets, and light turqoise blue bedspread and curtains. I like the color for a guest room cause it does seem calm and restful. It's a break from the rest of the house. I'm not interested in redecorating the room just for one holiday. I need to build on the color that is already in there.
So as I contemplate blue and Christmas, I've come up with ideas:
Blue and white -- snowflakes, snowmen, snow globes, blue and white quilt with mittens and snowflakes appliqued on it.
I do worry about the room having a "cold" feel to it. So I need to make sure there are plenty of snuggly, cuddly things to counter act that. So maybe the snowmen can be stuffed toys, snowflakes as quilt and pillow motifs, maybe a tray of hot chocolate supplies on the table. Maybe I should change out the light airy curtain for something heavier during the winter time.
A thick blue throw rug on the floor and a plug in radiator in the corner - that should keep that room warm and cozy.
A place for everything
Christmas 2010 is officially boxed up, put away and mostly cleaned up after. Now moving forward...
My unwritten New Year's resolution (for each year this past 5 years) has been to declutter the house. I have made progress, but it amazingly accumulates faster than I can unload it. There are a couple particular areas of weakness. My school supplies, as I had mentioned in an earlier blog (can't get rid of it, I might need it), office supplies (basically same excuse) and now that I have a craft room ... well, you get the idea.
I attacked the craft room as my New Years activity. The basic mantra for highly organized people is "a place for everything and everything in it's place!" Well, I'm starting at the very lowest level, a place for everything. The week before I bought a shelving unit from a teacher supply store going out of business and had a hunky neighborhood teen lift it out of the truck and put it into my craft room closet. I also bought a couple sets of plastic storage drawers and a few organizers. I then proceeded to unbury my work table - putting things away, trying to group like items in a logical fashion.
It quickly became clear that I also needed to apply mantra #2 to my mess -"Put it away, throw it away or give it away." This is what you need to do if you have too much of everything in the first place.
The biggest space holder in my craft room is my fabric. I liked how my mom stored extra fabric in her closet on the shelf in a laundry basket. Easy to get to, easy to tuck away. When I originally organized mine (a couple years ago), I ended up with 4 laundry baskets, 3 boxes and a couple of extra bolts. In that time, I have purchased more fabric for projects that haven't been done yet. Hmmmmm, I realized that I am stocking up - but not getting things done cause I couldn't find things when I needed them. This isn't working.
So I pulled down all the baskets and boxes and began sorting. I now have one basket of muslin - so it is easy to find for the many various projects that always come up requiring muslin (crafters and seamstresses would understand). I set aside a photo box for small pieces of interesting fabric I could use in making cards. And then the remaining fabric was divided into 3 piles: Supplies for specific projects (these were zip-bagged with all notions and patterns), yardage I had vague ideas for-but not specific patterns yet, and finally the rest to give away. Muslin and yardage now sit happily on the closet shelf, give away is bagged up ready to deliver to the thrift bin, and I have project "kits" ready for me to work on. This went a long way to clearing and organizing that room. I have also vowed not to purchase anymore fabric until I complete the projects I have on hand (unless an emergency gift comes up - gotta have a clause like that).
Thrilled by my progress I pulled out the sewing machine and completed 2 of the projects right away.
I still need to organize the stamping supplies, but already I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and I am enjoying the sense of accomplishment that comes of finished projects.
My unwritten New Year's resolution (for each year this past 5 years) has been to declutter the house. I have made progress, but it amazingly accumulates faster than I can unload it. There are a couple particular areas of weakness. My school supplies, as I had mentioned in an earlier blog (can't get rid of it, I might need it), office supplies (basically same excuse) and now that I have a craft room ... well, you get the idea.
I attacked the craft room as my New Years activity. The basic mantra for highly organized people is "a place for everything and everything in it's place!" Well, I'm starting at the very lowest level, a place for everything. The week before I bought a shelving unit from a teacher supply store going out of business and had a hunky neighborhood teen lift it out of the truck and put it into my craft room closet. I also bought a couple sets of plastic storage drawers and a few organizers. I then proceeded to unbury my work table - putting things away, trying to group like items in a logical fashion.
It quickly became clear that I also needed to apply mantra #2 to my mess -"Put it away, throw it away or give it away." This is what you need to do if you have too much of everything in the first place.
The biggest space holder in my craft room is my fabric. I liked how my mom stored extra fabric in her closet on the shelf in a laundry basket. Easy to get to, easy to tuck away. When I originally organized mine (a couple years ago), I ended up with 4 laundry baskets, 3 boxes and a couple of extra bolts. In that time, I have purchased more fabric for projects that haven't been done yet. Hmmmmm, I realized that I am stocking up - but not getting things done cause I couldn't find things when I needed them. This isn't working.
So I pulled down all the baskets and boxes and began sorting. I now have one basket of muslin - so it is easy to find for the many various projects that always come up requiring muslin (crafters and seamstresses would understand). I set aside a photo box for small pieces of interesting fabric I could use in making cards. And then the remaining fabric was divided into 3 piles: Supplies for specific projects (these were zip-bagged with all notions and patterns), yardage I had vague ideas for-but not specific patterns yet, and finally the rest to give away. Muslin and yardage now sit happily on the closet shelf, give away is bagged up ready to deliver to the thrift bin, and I have project "kits" ready for me to work on. This went a long way to clearing and organizing that room. I have also vowed not to purchase anymore fabric until I complete the projects I have on hand (unless an emergency gift comes up - gotta have a clause like that).
Thrilled by my progress I pulled out the sewing machine and completed 2 of the projects right away.
I still need to organize the stamping supplies, but already I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and I am enjoying the sense of accomplishment that comes of finished projects.
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