My Bathroom Demo has Started

My world gets rocked when my house is out of order. Today I started the bathroom remodel.  We are down to 1 bathroom.  Time is of the essence.

Before 1/2:

Before 2/2:

(you can't tell by the picture but the tile is actually a pea-green color)

During 1/2:

During 2/2:

Inspiration:

Stay tuned for the after photos!
XOXO

Furniture for Sale ---SOLD!!!!!!!!!----

If you live in Houston...you're in luck. If you don't live in Houston but want to drive here...then I guess you're also in luck!

Sale includes the following:
     1 queen headboard/footboard (Lane Furniture)
     1 metal queen bed frame
     1 nightstand (Lane Furniture)
     1 tray side table
     1 queen mattress/boxspring
     1 Waverly queen bedding including shams, decorative pillows, sheet set, coverlet, bed skirt
     1 off-white crackle finish buffet lamp

If you are interested, email me. I am selling it all for $200. I also will barter for food, wine, babysitting, a back rub...just kidding. Kinda.

-XOXO

Window Boxes

Here is my window. I would like to add a window box but I have this weird boxy, square window.  How would you add a window box?

Here are so beautiful window boxes, that might work, if I find a way to modify their installation. Any ideas?

**this box shows a modification that can be installed in the ground**

What do you think?

XOXO

Painting Metal Patio Furniture

I have this 15 year old metal patio set. Nothing special but I like it. Unfortunately, it is showing it's age and my neglect. I think it was once black or maybe a grayish-black but it had started to rust and deteriorate.  I don't have a very good "before" picture that shows truly how bad the table looked but it was ugly.

I thought about spray painting the table but then I remembered my grandfather having some of his old patio furniture "dipped" or "powdered coated".  So, I called my local auto paint repair store (I called Maaco).  I guess any auto paint shop would be willing to help, so call around.  I paid $100 to have the table painted black + 4 chairs.  I could not be happier. It took 4 days. I delivered my table and picked it up.

So, the next time you have metal furniture to paint, consider calling a car auto body shop!

Before:

After:

The backyard is still under construction, so ignore some of the background!!

~XOXO

Get Your Craft On
Home Stories A to Z

What to do with a Formal Living Room. My Craft Room!

**warning, picture overload!**

Before (as a formal living room):

After:










Byron's Desk:










Getting Power to the Island:
I had an electrical outlet added to the ceiling since my house is built on slab. This was way cheaper than busting up concrete and I don't have to drape electrical cords to the wall outlets.



*Sorry about the cat being in the photos, she is one of these cats that you don't mess with when they are relaxing. Unless you want to lose a finger or two!

Resource Guide:

Rugs: Ikea

Stools: Overstock

Cabinets: Home Depot

Countertop: Formica

Canvas Baskets: Walmart

Knobs & Pulls: knobdepot.com (I ended up spray painting them because the color does not look like the photo and I had to order special screws to fit my drawers...a real pain!!) The round knobs are cheapies from Home Depot.

Bulletin Board: Beachbrights

Desk Chair: Ikea

Desk Legs (Byron's Desk): Ikea, not online, vika fintorp

Shelves & Brackets: Ikea: The wood shelves came unfinished from Ikea, not online.

Paint: Behr Black (not sure, but very black)

Curtains/Rods: Ikea (I still need to make these look better!!)

Island: Byron made with base cabinets from Home Depot, Bead Board Paneling attached to the back and Fence Posts for legs.

Anyone want to come over and craft/sew with me?

XOXO


Linked to Get Your Craft On, A Beach Cottage, My Girlish Whims

Ikea Appliances

(original post here)

I have had several emails asking about my Ikea appliances. So, I thought that this warranted its very own post.  When I was appliance shopping I went to Home Depot, Lowes, Sears & Best Buy.  Home Depot & Lowes sometimes has great prices on appliances that have been returned or when a special order goes wrong etc.  So, I was shopping the bargains. I found several great deals but then it was always a hassle. They would not load or deliver etc. etc. So I gave up and ventured over to Sears. I felt that the prices were high and deliver was going to cost me around $500. No shit.  Also, several of the appliances I was interested in had to be special ordered.  The salesmen work on commission and one day "my guy" would be there, the other day he would not. It was just a pain.  This leads me to Best Buy. WHAT. A. JOKE.  I don't know how these places stay in business.  I waited around for a full hour for someone to help me.  Then the manager sent the kid from cameras to help me. Yes, you guessed it. I walked out of there vowing to never return.

Enter IKEA. It was easy. It was fast. Everything is in stock. Deliver was $30 (including all the cabinets). It was priced right. After about a 15 minute wait, I had the BEST sales person in the world helping me pick my appliances.

Some facts about Ikea Appliances:
1. What's online is in the stores. In-stock. Can you say "same day!!!"?
2. Ikea appliance are made by Whirlpool.
3. Ikea appliances come with a 5 year warranty.

4. I did have an issue with my stove. The clock was not keeping time correctly. I called the 800 number that came with my paperwork (it was actually Whirlpool). They sent A&E appliance repair to my house within 2 days. The repair man had to order a part that arrived at my house within 2 days and he came back on the third day and replace the clock. It cost me nada.
5. It has been six months and my refrigerator water filter needs to be replaced (at least that is what the indicator light tells me). I am not sure where to buy one. I will have to research it but I am not worried.

My appliance costs:
1. Refrigerator $1399: This is counter depth. I dare you to find a refrigerator that is counter depth for this price.

(this is not MTV cribs and yes, I drink wine from a box. we are just classy like that.)

2. Dishwasher $649: I am telling you, you can fit anything and everything in this baby. I have never owned a dishwasher that can take this many dishes. My only complaints; for the money, I would expect it to be quieter and the silverware basket could be taller.

Built-in Microwave $649: I love the look of this little beauty. It's a little complicated to use. I have to post a cheat sheet inside the cabinet door above.

(that's the "cheat sheet" taped inside the cabinet door so I know how to operate this bad boy!)

Ceramic Glass Top Slide-in Range $799: I think the oven cooks a little high. But then again I tend to over cook everything anyway. But this is my story & I am sticking to it ;)

There you go. My 2 cents. I will forever shop Ikea appliance.

~XOXO