With some patience and $10.

So I did it the right way this time! We have an armoire that I have loathed forever...I almost dragged it out to the garage sale this year just because I am so over it. It has a very country feel to it that I just cannot stand anymore. But, turns out it's a really nice piece of furniture. And I REALLY didn't want to drop at least $600 on a new armoire.<br /><br />So I decided to paint it...the right way. Started with primer, let it cure, and then three coats of black paint. This project only cost $10 for paint. The most important parts of this kind of project are using primer to start and letting each coat of paint dry fully. I painted the knobs (that I had replaced a while back in an effort to update the piece) with a bronze glaze and it makes them pop. I also filled in the grooves on the front of the doors so the beadboard wasn't quite so noticeable.<br /><br />Here's the before:<br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><img alt="" border="0" height="441" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228094749638691154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR01U8WGmK7FAX-oXsX1-vvSiYJgmZ31RddxuUrn_9fpMKcA7AbDUYGuVnWX-vg4tnnBbz-1fk50LYNjMvCkh1IRLKus4k1dFSRizvS6n9E0jDEszCXR4eE5qttGvcqK6D5_h0qhYeSU/s400/DSC04132.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" width="353" /><br /></p>Here's the after...<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" height="446" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228094757232754546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluWEMdBKuM7Orz2c1n4hhsqmFOvbVRTDTCNhh71cOzh8gN8TiJ5SE3tLINv-qPKfMwnnIDqoa6pFfxq9RkIHpoa7VpodESovRx1eIe1aAPiOI5ReaNX4nv0xbUg6bqs9qQOgihDQfm_4/s400/DSC04142.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 463px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" width="353" /><br /><p>Black paint transforms just about anything!! It still has a bit of the country look it, but I think it looks so much better now. </p>

With some patience and $10.

So I did it the right way this time! We have an armoire that I have loathed forever...I almost dragged it out to the garage sale this year j...

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Update on the kitchen!

So I realized I never updated the progress from my island debacle in the kitchen. (My first post.) Turns out, it's held up really well (crossing all fingers) -- even with a toddler in the house. :) It really looks great, and the result is just what I wanted.<br /><div><div><br /><div>I was over all the cherry in the room -- the floors, cabinets, chairs, table and island:</div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306949041673213602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx2RwPKTu6MDY76RW26PUle3Epb_-Fei2ntyzVdAGUatjjJcZMOmuB0NUG1NWfIj-GxEPe80biMq_xlxuW7kXMQUjqH2FWQeWPMZWKdRO_HO4kyunaPEHUKrnPur6vKXemu_5CVKjhmuN/s400/island.bmp" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <div>I added some molding to the island and painted it black. Here are some final pics of the room:<br /></div><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227152091273050610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8m0p6kC_fb9yk4Z6-5x9WXGM61bFxcsXeVSAC5iJkSGINDfpdQBmR7Iy7Q3mZtVffb11QteZ1K-ZDbkxfK486MJG_Jkfp1WT9gMJG-1193G9j5ph61S6NchPZas4J4RxLAWUYlA7Maw/s400/9bcc7f73-d1d5-4ea7-a3b8-5971d8f0aaf3_player.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Along with the island change, I got new black chairs and now I'm thrilled with everything. (Six chairs were $290 at Garden Ridge -- HOLLA.)<br /><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227152360435621154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzZNSYax1T4nud988Q0wLVzBAJ3s1yLQ95UJLP06Mvaw6rRt7MWx4P6TvQ56bduypKYjI9S_68jcB0pCWb64uF7wJVQsgrXK-Oie_6AQFmroLGVM7xjrHGr7EUajkhyphenhyphenavMHdoJ_NzDno/s400/71520e66-aba1-43bb-8afd-f7b9c5174014_player.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />(The flash makes it look a little gray here.) Now I think I want to add some corbels to the island too, to give it a real furniture look. All in all, not too bad -- I feel like I transformed the look of the whole kitchen for less than $330. (That's for six new chairs, paint, and a little molding.)<br /><div> </div></div></div>

Update on the kitchen!

So I realized I never updated the progress from my island debacle in the kitchen. (My first post.) Turns out, it's held up really well (...

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I can't cope.

That would be crown molding. I can't cope crown molding. I swear to you, I'd have that stuff around every room in our house, including closets, if I knew how to cope. (I'm kidding about the closets...kind of. Not really.) Coping is the cutting you have to do to crown molding to get the corners to fit together. Because crown doesn't fit flat against the wall, you (usually) can't cut it at an angle and expect it to match up in the corners like other wood you place directly against the wall.<br /><br /><div><div><div>This is how an inside corner looks, for example. You will most likely have to cope the molding to get it perfect like this. And I have no idea how to do it. I've looked it up a trillion times, and can't figure it out. </div><br /><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225652170563687938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73tfM1aEhFf5CTH_rgTexJZ7nJEQgRn6L-Kl7-OMXXQpqiJ5Z9wydJ5quCYWZBWpDi_uohrJRs6xy7Ja0XKLRHviAomwbgXf7s-GGxCC-7ti8Gpvobue-sAfdGBO9BDbJq-SmNqtpRhY/s400/crown.bmp" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div>Soooo...what's a girl to do when she LOVES crown molding and has no patience, and isn't going to pay someone a ridiculous amount of money to do it for her? She finds these fun little tricks: inside and outside corner pieces. Yahoo!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225654208576344850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuH7YHdnoUIdjGLs3uGMbMK7xHH-BSYzKWtwuuy4lFEcNiYZ1XFgcZdc-1HHiOpsZpt2YqXog2Os6L9YHxb2r9oqx5s6C9suJL8TmziLyUanNV0oOBxk4eijerWecNFv4r_NIpKaqb6Y/s400/inside.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225654593451395138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGvySCp_7HyencIM8UZquMCIwCwogROCWgLOU6XKgP1FHflDM2YZpAV_2n_d6QtuXjHKniZ8pzMgAmQ_RZFDg15M8JTqoFFS-M3WTfzleE93rK3_pfaJc4HNCzPvgqBbXNnS9MUrPdVo/s400/outside.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />These little corner pieces are awesome. You paint them and nail them up in the corners, then just place your molding up against them. Turns out I love the way they look too. They add an extra elegance to the room. The smaller pieces for regular-sized molding are only a few dollars each. They get more expensive for the thicker molding but are still not that bad. Especially considering the alternative -- not doing it at all or paying someone to do it!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>

I can't cope.

That would be crown molding. I can't cope crown molding. I swear to you, I'd have that stuff around every room in our house, includi...

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Don't go all the way. (Snicker.)

Couldn't resist. ;)<br /><br />Recently, three friends of mine have mentioned redoing their children's bathrooms. (FUN!) When it comes to decorating kid's spaces, many people express a hesitancy to purchase a whole set for kid's rooms -- and I wholeheartedly agree.<br /><br />Great examples of this are the sets from Pottery Barn Kids -- this nursery, for example, includes everything you could need with the boat theme:<br /><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224920899089270594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2-VJlz-LRVDe_qAU-Ue1IfsuIy3RjOiN_fXBVrZPpYmTVbMSOWI5tWpgzAjckepDJlw3S3cRo8vqyFLkBlzXemFj64vIpAaAiu51aMbceMwSCc-R2SRyjTKia5LPCnNexJNUaB-BW4w/s400/img18l.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br />It's ADORABLE. But, I think the most interesting rooms (AND less expensive!) happen when you find a couple pieces you love and work off of them in the room. Although you can definitely save some cash doing it this way, it does take more time and patience. It's all about taking your time, shopping around and finding things here and there that will work in the room. For this boat-themed room, you could use the rug, and take the colors from that to pick out the bedding -- maybe a solid or something with a stripe from another store. Then change up the textures for the window treatments, pillows, etc., while staying in the same color scheme.<br /><br /><br />For bathrooms, the same is true. Target has a great selection of kid's bathroom sets. They have everything - trash cans, toothbrush holders, cups -- even shower curtain hooks that match! Try working off the theme and getting creative with it. Take this bathroom set:<br /><br /><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224923110962787346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRfxFW_n8uVJzDjm6m2iVJt0bBy0Ab8EZmgOa_KJ2B7dYRM1baQSBm5mqdwpLXm5zGsy0XG_FRT2fw65oYHdCwb4WehJ5ORpMA-m30ZoO705SCK-C3Ij2AXCN7k1Kcq_YpUP95SHp81A/s400/41tuS7ojRGL__SS384_.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Use purple and pink towels instead of those that come with the set. Get a striped shower curtain that works with the colors and find a fun butterfly stencil or vinyl lettering and put it in fun spots throughout the room. Find a pink cup instead of the one from the collection. The fun comes when you find something in another store that works PERFECTLY with the set. You will be so excited! :) And everything doesn't have to be an exact match -- for this room, every butterfly doesn't have to look like those on the set. But they should have a similar shape or color.<br /><br />Getting the whole set is easy, and is always cute and looks great. But if you want to put your own spin on the decor and maybe save a little money, try getting a little creative with the room. Have fun -- you should have a good time decorating kid's spaces!

Don't go all the way. (Snicker.)

Couldn't resist. ;) Recently, three friends of mine have mentioned redoing their children's bathrooms. (FUN!) When it comes to decor...

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This stuff is just plain FUN.

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218251083095906114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6CAV7PoUCPa0cd89WG90BMnuisn3xAciNt2xTzu9mrw-Orl-t2KQhyjilnWH6lbwmYlPIriLpMahMpDpb5IKgEska1q-fHojLVq-XjMEfUQvnnsCjg5kzVGeBE6R9wUwV-MmRr2hH6E/s400/uppercase_living.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div>I am looooooving the wall words that are out right now -- I found out about them when a friend started selling one version of these, from <a href="http://www.uppercaseliving.com/">Uppercase Living</a>. When you see this stuff, you'll think, "Oh, how cute!" And you'll buy one of them, put it up, and after you stop cursing (they are kind of a pain), you'll realize, holy crap, these are TOO COOL! Then you will look all over your house for spots to put more of them!<br /><br /></div><div>They are basically just vinyl cut outs that you rub and transfer to the wall. I like Uppercase Living because you can do custom orders -- they have a bunch of fonts you can use and you can go pretty large with the size. But I'm pretty sure other companies that sell these offer the custom orders as well. </div><div><br />Here are a few I've done in our home...</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218253064321668450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7BIs8imBMJtV4nWqbjcq09jOIet_f9pmLblufTCWz-UC4ARSatQxBhCwj7ZvsTHqtRXZWgQLpi1A470CA041VTrJZwRkSadabZmlZkc0TFVo-PyrkfDohLQky1aiuirhKTBttt3Qtk0/s400/DSC00678.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218253068407245618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xoLSlqatpHWWuAeLiB9BYIIOVV3UL154UENuVGAz7Sxwoy4lEJV7TF2TG6T0mtCe684IaVkQu4Iv3ZT-U-KoZ_w5Tt9LKUPy0cIkgDhB_uaDSiNKb0NwiziQTSw0PJKJ2bbacqNjAzw/s400/DSC01288.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><br /><br /><p><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218253072652769298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipXoMIEiF675oFx0X3Yg-yH_HFsQgRJ_Wdzc5QwpVawReVyblNPDRGB-OUTyyfpnADq2wFuDIEbpxw6QFfpkpPd5MzPEnmHjoxfajYDJJGXYRKE-GCfjhtZn-wXVcg69z2_0nFbFhyfw/s400/DSC03892.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218253080072972226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumf3wmmvo8KhoOsySkSy_6tm_krOVZngAZgOW0bMMCGmrmxjYNmwHm4GFbbfmyITmKaFPTtO-kz1c7-Q-H5Um_eZvWwrC8BvLnfV713p_exuBukR3IFGDTvj0Ayal8afokMTBSfWUrXg/s400/DSC03890.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></p><p>I've been using them in my client's homes too. They are just fun and cute! Just a warning -- you'll really love them (I promise) and will seriously roam around your house trying to figure out where to put the next one. Just try to take it easy with them -- you can go overboard. The nice thing about them is you can put them on other decorative items (like a tile on an easel) so they are not just all over your walls.<br /></p><p>There is another option, that will save you a little money and a lot of time. (If you are like me -- when you want it, you want it NOW.) Any vinyl signage store can make these for you too. You probably have about five of these places near you and don't even realize it. They offer a MUCH better selection of fonts and colors. And they can get them to you in a day or two, instead of a few weeks. I've found the price to be about the same, but if you mention that you will order them through a company like Uppercase Living if you can't get a better price there, they will most likely give you a bit of a discount. Getting them in a few days compared to weeks at the same cost is worth it to me.<br /></p><p>If you are interested, go to the <a href="http://www.uppercaseliving.com/">Uppercase Living</a> site and you should be able to log on to look at their catalog. You'll be calling a consultant to have a party tomorrow!! I've warned you! :)</p>

This stuff is just plain FUN.

I am looooooving the wall words that are out right now -- I found out about them when a friend started selling one version of these, from Up...

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Get creative with lighting!

I'm back among the living! Yay! Thanks for being patient with me. :)<br /><div><div><br /><div>Anyway, I find an often overlooked aspect of decorating is how we use lighting. This includes lamps and general light fixtures, but I'm talking more of accent lighting. I have a few favorites that are cheap and easy to install.<br /><br />The first is dimmer switches. OH, they are a must! First of all, they save energy. I have never, in more than four years, had to change a light bulb in a fixture with a dimmer. But the best part of dimmers is the how you can change the mood of the room with the lighting. I hate bright lights, so I am in <strong>love</strong> with dimmers. And they are so, so, SO easy to install. You'll need to turn off the light at the fuse box. (VERY important!!!) Then unscrew the wall plate, remove the old switch, match the smooth wire to the smooth wire, the bumpy one to the bumpy wire, and screw in the ground wire. It is actually easier to do than it sounds. (I'm not lying -- try it!)</div><br /><div>This is a typical dimmer switch:</div><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216022191039005202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWcG_QHWYDpHFk_VIwp2Tq4o4nRgT_3GM4eWAX9QgtxuEGUr8LG3MCxGdmJAeVFN5PdZJ7vLMS63yzdg9iCEw7J-ZjJP3sf_IAK4GhKiamNd9MnmeMYjS2S2rO9kBNwfJR5xGNpRV7Lg/s400/dimmer_switch_plate.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div>You can get them at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. The most basic versions are what I use and are only $7 each! They get fancier and more expensive, but you really don't need the extras. I love them in the kitchen, the bedroom, and especially the master bathroom. A dimmer is a MUST on cold, winter mornings when it's still dark outside and you want to wake up <em>slowly</em>! </div><br /><div>Another favorite lighting trick of mine is using rope lights. These can be used inside and out, and I because they're not particularly pretty, I suggest using them above cabinets and furniture or inside furniture. These are fun because they are flexible, easy to move to the shape you need and don't burn hot -- you can put them virtually anywhere. I use them above our kitchen cabinets and also tucked into the top of furniture. Plug them into an outlet that operates with a switch, and it makes them especially easy to use.<br /></div><div>Rope lights come in a ton of colors, but for inside, I recommend clear or white:</div><br /><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216023836179049730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmgSOtpfPU8cWyDgXV5IqXm0CSrURb8po-6N9lHkxgqQaTXW2DdGU9idi2MGqvYXLBY48mJe5VlGPB1Xqa4Ndhzhyphenhyphend24o1xqAGnP9rCQF6fV29Xk_jjXYYPul-cr4l-MhBinOCPdljFI/s400/LED-Rope-Light-with-Voltage-of-12-to-230V-BL-CHG-01-.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />They even come with little plastic hooks you can use to hold them into place. Rope lights come in a variety of lengths -- two feet, four feet, up to 20+ feet. The longer versions can get expensive, but the shorter lengths will run about $10 or less.<br /><br /><div></div><div>Finally, you can create mood lighting anywhere in your home with simple accent lights:</div><br /><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216025497504812546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroaEo0Yhi6bc48sRZmFGW-w32GZRQlvDLmUSuuNW8CeeE3-k6guEeo_4NfjkM8l-P0qWI_78IO1KTs6dPmpEHaYkVqdrhE6hWRWPH6UgDtQi4Lmfh1juA-GVthHwav6RBxSCcm90EYzE/s400/63401.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div>I have used them in corners, behind furniture, in potted plants (they make them specifically for plants). They are great for highlighting art, or just adding subtle mood lighting around your home. These tend to burn hotter than the others I've mentioned, so just be sure to check them and make sure they are not near anything that could catch fire. Accent lights like this one usually cost less than $10 each. </div><div></div><div>So run to Lowes, check some of these out and try them yourself! I <em>dare</em> you to install a dimmer and tell me it wasn't easy! (Just PLEASE make sure you turn off the switch at the fuse box!!) :)</div><div></div><div></div></div></div>

Get creative with lighting!

I'm back among the living! Yay! Thanks for being patient with me. :) Anyway, I find an often overlooked aspect of decorating is how we u...

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Being sick SUCKS.

Hello all!! I was sick as a DOG last week, sorry I haven't been able to post! I swear I will get on in the next day or two. Thanks for being patient with me! I know you are all waiting with baited breath for the next installment... :)

Being sick SUCKS.

Hello all!! I was sick as a DOG last week, sorry I haven't been able to post! I swear I will get on in the next day or two. Thanks for b...

Read more »