It's done and I heart it

It is raining outside, I skipped my 10k in Portsmouth, the party I was going to today was cancelled (luckily there is another one tonight that we are going to instead) and I cannot seem to get myself to go for a run in the rain...so why not finish the heart wall project?!

Here are the supplies I had handy.

• Clear ruler & protractor
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Laser level
• Random sized books and magazines
• Ironing board
• Gloves
• Scissors
• 3M Command Tape (small)
• Image of heart wall laid out on floor
• Pictures for the wall of course

After planning out the layout of the wall explained here, I ordered the images and laid them out on the floor and took a picture with my phone. This proved to be a very helpful step as I slightly altered my original design by adding a row (because it looked better in person) and I referenced the layout before starting each row on the wall to estimate what the image spacing should be.

I started with the longest row of images and set a laser level to the be aligned with the top of the first row of images. After I had the first row established, it was not really necessary to do this for every row. I think I did it for the 3rd row down just to make sure I was still on the right track. Even then, it was hard to align at exactly the point at which the top of the images should have been as seen in the photo below.

Although I did not use the ironing board, it would come in handy if I had any rows of images that were higher than the 2nd floor. I could have adjusted it exactly to the height that the laser level needed to be at.

I originally was thinking of using silver thumb tacks to put the images on the wall, but after going to both Target and Lowe's and discovering that silver thumb tacks are more rare than I thought, I went with 3M Command tape. Plus, I liked the idea of not putting a hole through the pictures or having to fill in the holes! Woo to the hoo. 

I decided that each Command strip cut in half vertically would be plenty to hold up the images. I placed each half in the upper corners of the photo. 

After placing the strips on the photo, I adhered the image to the wall. I used a cloth (or you could use gloves) to press them into place. All rows are pretty evenly spaced at 1 cm apart, but the horizontal spacing varied depending on how the heart needed to come together. This is where the layout came in handy.

Fifty seven images and 3 hours later, my heart wall was complete! 

Overall, I'm very happy with the outcome! 

Have any of you attempted this project or have plans to? How did it turn out?

Kitchen before and afters!

Here was the low-down on our kitchen when we moved in

• Green laminate countertops
• Small white fridge with several rust spots
• Overall, older white appliances
• Small microwave located in the pantry
• Faux-brick backsplash painted the color of brick
• Green walls
• Small louvered doors between the kitchen and living room (already removed in our before pics)
• Note that the pot rack and fridge in our before pictures are actually after a few changes that were of immediate priority.

Here is a pic of the kitchen before we moved in. It turns out that pictures were hiding several rust spots on the fridge.

Here are what I consider the 'before' pics.

Some 'during' pics

I reserve the Minnesota sweats for painting and working on the house.

Six weeks and a lot of pizza and chicken nuggets later...

Since these images were taken, we have replaced the stove with a stainless steel version and purchased 2 sturdy iron and wood stools for the breakfast bar.

So here is a break-down of the after state of our kitchen

• All new stainless steel appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher (not shown) and microwave)
• New matching granite on all surfaces (yes, we had to even replace the island piece which we first attempted to match)
• New under mount stainless steel sink
• New oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and water tap (I bet you could never tell that they aren't part of the same set!)
• Replaced faux brick with tumbled marble tiles
• Replaced microwave from pantry and hood above stove with a over-the-range stainless microwave
• Added 5" crown moulding above the cabinets for a seamless transition
• New design above sink to modernize the cabinets a bit
• Added pot rack near the stove to free up a TON of cabinet space and allow easy access
• Raised cabinets around 6" to open up the room and allow room for the new refrigerator and microwave
• New under mount lights under the cabinets (not shown)
• New cabinet and wall paint
• Added some chalk board paint under the pot rack for some messaging fun
• Restructured the breakfast bar to be one surface instead of 2 small levels
• Removed louvered doors between the kitchen and living room to open the room up more
• New stools for breakfast bar area (not shown)
• New mail filing system near the breakfast bar
• New brackets for under the breakfast bar

Ok, now that you have the before and afters, what do you want to know? Would you like instructions on how-to or information on where anything is from? Let me know in the comments!

Also, stay tuned for tips on not breaking the bank during a kitchen remodel. Any ideas on how much you think this one cost? Leave your guess in the comments.

L is for Lotto

As you may recall, I took it upon myself to clean out and paint the closet on the third floor of our house. The mid-project update can be found here. On a scale of easy-medium-hard, this project was medium. It would definitely have been easy if it weren't for the floor design and broken window!


Here are some before images of the closet after everything was removed. Also hiding behind some insulation was a broken window that we had repaired.

Since we have so much leftover paint from other rooms and projects, I decided to go paint shopping in the basement. Actually, Kevin asked me nicely if I would consider using up other paint so I thought I'd give it a try. Here is the line-up of colors that was entirely free as I got it from the basement store!

• Ralph Lauren - Haystack for the floor
• Restoration Hardware - Buttermilk for the walls
• Benjamin Moore - Monticello Peach for the insignia
• Benjamin Moore - Mayonnaise for the background of the insignia
• Ralph Lauren - custom mix for the window trim

First I primed the floor and walls. The floor took 3 coats and the walls took 2. Since this closet is not full height and I am, this resulted in several bangs of the melon and much leg cramping. 

Then I painted the walls Buttermilk (2 more coats) and the floor Haystack (2 coats). The window trim was last and also took 2 coats. By this time, I was about ready to throw in the towel and forget the floor design, but since I came this far, I decided to keep on keepin' on.

I also mentioned in the previous post that I would be adding a design to the floor. For this, I needed some inspiration. Earlier this summer, Kevin and I attended the Lotto family reunion, also known as Lottofest. Lottofest came complete with a custom flag, a program of entertainment, good food and a dance party! Those Lottos sure know how to have a good time. Anyhow, I digress.


Here is the Lottofest flag that have me the idea to design my own L insignia.

Since I wasn't about to paint a chicken on the floor, I needed to put my own stamp on the design. Here is the stamp and sketch that I went off of. The stamp is from Paper-source and the sketch is from my big book of fabulous ideas.

Then, I set out to find an L monogram that I liked. I also found this at Paper-source although Anthropologie had several options as well. 

Once I had all of this down, I decided to make the outer diameter of the design 36". To establish the circles, I placed a screw in the center of the circle and used a pencil and string to draw it out.

I sketched out the L by measuring the monogram and multiplying the dimensions by 30. This gave me the rough dimensions and I sketched out the rest by hand. I painted the background Mayo, let it dry, then painted the inner circles and the L Monticello Peach. Any wah-lah the finished product!


I also think this would be a cute idea in a kid's room or above a headboard in the master bedroom.

I haven't even gotten to the real reason for the project and that was to organize the closet! Stay tuned.

Easiest project ever

Have you ever wondered what to get someone as a housewarming gift? (Kevin's favorite housewarming gift was a garden hose from our friend Marty.) Do you consider yourself non-crafty or just not the artsy type? Well then, this project is for you! It is actually for the crafty, creative types too. 


This project also helps to solve the how-do-I-decorate-my-bathroom-without-putting-decorations-in-it problem. My great grandmother knit kleenex box covers. I make fancy bubble bath holders! To each their own.


I consider this project 'super-easy' on an easy-medium-hard scale.

Process

1. Have a romantic dinner with your significant other or a great night out with friends over a bottle of wine or champagne. Bring a large purse, or satchel, as my friend House would say.
2. Keep said bottle of wine or champagne and cork.
3. Clean bottle with soap and water (preferably the next morning so you do not get in one of those glass bottle + hard floor type of situations which will only make matters worse).
4. Buy your favorite bath salt or bubble bath. Colorful bubble bath is extra lovely. To be honest, I get the non-fancy type suds or salts from Target for this purpose. 
5. Fill bottle of wine with suds or salt. Bonus points if you had shared the bottle with the person you are giving the gift to.
6. Add a little tag with a ribbon that includes to/from info. or a personalized note.
7. Give gift and do not forget to mention, you made it yourself!

The bottles I have sitting next to my tub are from my wedding and a nice dinner Kevin and I had back in 2003. 

If the bottle brings back great memories, this project is also a nice alternative to displaying an empty bottle in your home on a shelf college style. 

There are so many reasons to go for it, so what are you waiting for? By the way, do you want to come over for dinner? I accept gifts.

Cleanin' out my closet

This is one of those projects that you get halfway through and you wish you never started! After having a lot of fun in Boston all day Saturday, I determined that I needed to tackle a project over Labor Day weekend so I decided to clean out the closet on the third floor. Easy enough, right?


This was a straightforward choice for two reasons. First, the Epilepsy Foundation is doing a donation pick-up on Tuesday and I am sure there are coats and gloves and all sorts of good stuff that others could use more than we could. Second, we have reached the critical point where a place for everything and everything in its place no longer applies because we have run out of 'places'. This just was not cutting it because I pride myself in organization and anti-clutter. What kind of self-proclaimed organization queen would I be if my art studio & Kevin's workout room, aka the third floor, was beginning to look like a place to stash stuff.


Since I was taking everything out of the third floor closet, I might as well paint it! And since painting is boring, I may as well take this opportunity to design something cool on the painted floor. Now, two days later, I am exhausted, the third floor looks way worse than when I started (see images below) and I look like I was just out on a paintball battlefield and the other team won. You have to realize, I am writing this mid-project and my smile-o-meter is only now just starting the upswing after reaching the low point a few hours ago. 

The fun part about doing a thorough closet cleaning is the random stuff you find. Amongst my favorites this time around were:

• My first license and passport. My passport looked like a mug shot. They very clearly told me I was not supposed to smile. Luckily, the rules have changed. 
• $3.39. I am actually making money on this project so far!
• My calculus book from college. This made me feel really smart for a second...did I really learn all of that?!
• Ornaments that I had misplaced
• Kevin's red tie. Oooooh, my favorite!
• My cheesehead. Just in time for the season!
• Satin wedding shoes. Yes, of course I tried them on in my painting clothes!
• My wedding bouquet. Gardenias and mini-calla lilies. 'How many lilies should I have?', I inquired. My florist replied, 'Enough to be proportional with a tall girl. I will decide.' You did good Gene!
• A broken window behind the piece of insulation that was tacked over the window. Well, at least I have $3.39 for a broken window fund.
• My materials science and engineering course books with my professor's monkey sketches. Totally random, I know. Also, totally hilarious!
• A piece of wood with names carved in it. 

The previous owner's must have salvaged the piece of wood when they finished the third floor. To me, this is one of the perks of owning a 110 year old house. Imagine the history! This may have been from the guys that built the house or kids that lived here once. I am not sure I like the idea of a guy named Wimpy building my house though! Hopefully, this is one of those ironic nicknames, like 'Tiny' for a 400 pound beefcake type.

Wedding shoes and bouquet

Lost ornaments!

Calculus and materials science and engineering. I totally remember this stuff and use it everyday.

Stay tuned for the before and afters. The floor design that is in the works will not disappoint!

I can build you that

One night I was reading a book and Kevin was reading 'The Family Handyman' magazine. He turned to me, pointed at the page and said, 'I can build you that.' It almost did not matter what it was or where it would go, I was going to love it! And so Kevin's first woodworking project was born; a floating box shelving unit for our entryway. It was sort of our solution for what to do when you do not have a mud room, but you have mud.


Prior to the floating box, we had a metal shoe rack from a big box store; I cannot remember which one. It was pretty flimsy and 2 pairs of Kevin's Shaq-like shoes was about all it could take. We needed a place for more shoes and boots in the winter as well as a place to stash scarves, gloves and small shoes. Therefore, the entryway was just the place for the floating box.

Materials required

• 1/2" birch plywood
• Table saw
• Wood glue
• Nails
• Ryobi hand-held router
• Toe molding
• Wood filler putty
• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Semi-gloss paint in your color du jour
• 3" screws
• Shed (hey, I'm just making a list according to Kevin's instructions)

A how-to guide according to Kevin -


Here is my color coded design.  I got it from 'The Family Handyman' magazine.  I color coded it so that it would be easier to keep straight.

I basically cut out all the pieces as shown in the drawing first. Then I assembled it in my shed. I used 1/2" birch plywood.  Not the best wood you can use, but pretty good.  Especially for a first timer.  It's not too expensive, so if I messed up, it wouldn't cost as much to fix.

It's a little bit like a box inside a box.  You build a simple 1/2 plywood box, glue and nail another layer on top of the first. I got an inexpensive Ryobi hand held router so I could flush-trim the edges that didn't line up perfectly.

In the end, I added a decorative front edge using some toe-molding I had left over from another project.  I simply glued and nailed the toe-molding to the front rim, then the router to trim it flush, because it was slightly wider than the rim.

I used wood filler putty to fill in any cracks or gaps between the wood.  I sanded it all down and rolled on some paint that Marie had gotten.

I then screwed the whole thing to the wall using 3" screws into 2 studs.  Marie put some baskets inside to hold shoes or whatever.

It looks great and is extremely handy.


Marie here again -


Some after shots. The baskets are from Pottery Barn. Less expensive alternatives can be found at Target.

For those of you that are interested, Kevin drew out his design in Microsoft Visio. Being the techy geeks that we are, we like to have everything planned out and visualized in advance to make sure it all fits together right! Of course, this is not a necessary step, but fun for us. If you think this is detailed, you should see the wrap-around deck schematics that Kevin has in the works!


Anyhow, I digress. After the floating box was constructed and primed, I decided to paint the coat rack above the box and the box itself a matching color. The hallway is a very neutral color, Latte from Restoration Hardware, so I decided to spice it up a bit with a peach shade by Benjamin Moore.

Now we have a place for shoes, coats and winter gear. The other added benefit of the floating box is that we placed it so that we could put our boots and larger shoes beneath the box. All in all, it was a very successful first woodworking project. Now the question is, what's next?