Paint

Adding Stripes to a Wall

Adding stripes to a wall is a fun way to add interest to a space.

I am really close to revealing my living room and my boys’ room.  But before I do, I am going to show you a little striped sneak peek! Horizontal stripes are fun and can work in many different spaces. From my formally casual (does that even make sense?!) living room:

Adding stripes to a wall

To my playful boys’ room:

paintstripes

Stripes are much easier than they appear.  The setup is the most time-consuming part, and it does require a little math to make your striped pattern work out correctly.  I ended up doing 10-inch stripes.  I used a ruler and started from the ceiling.  I just marked off 10 inches as I ran the length of the wall.

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Then, I connected the marks (using a level) to make a straight line.

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Next, I taped over my line. *Important tip: Use Frog tape.  It’s so worth the extra money!  It helps keep your lines much crisper without the paint seepage.

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Finally, paint the lines.  I marked the sections I wanted to paint with a large “x”.  It can get confusing!

stripes.8   stripes.7

Now for a much better tutorial, check out Angela’s stripe painting tutorial at Unexpected Elegance.  I wish I had read her tutorial before I did my stripes.  The laser-level idea is genius. How-to-Add-Horizonal-Stripes-to-Any-Room-e1376961344330

The great thing with painted stripes is that it is just paint.  When you grow tired of them, you can just repaint the wall.  Keep in mind you may have to sand some before you repaint, but it is much easier than removing wallpaper! To see more on the boys’ room, click HERE.

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DIY

Make a Headboard into a Bench

See how to make a headboard into a bench!

Last summer, I got a little addicted to the local Facebook marketplace.  I especially loved the furniture category, and this was one of my purchases:

Turn a Headboard into a Bench

I thought the headboard detail was so pretty, and I bought it not knowing exactly what I would do with it.  After some time, I decided it would make the cutest little bench for our home.

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It was a really easy project (mainly because my dad did it for me). He took the bed rails and cut them down to the width I wanted the bench. Then, he used the extra bed rail wood to make the seat of the bench. We were short a little wood, so we added one more piece to keep the bench sturdy.

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(See my cute assistant walking around in the background? She’s also known as “mom”.) I painted the bench with chalk paint.

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We added a thin board across the top of the bench.  I bought the thickest foam I could find (from Hobby Lobby), and we cut it down to make the padded seat. My mom helped me cover the foam with fabric, and we used staples to secure the fabric.

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And that was it!  We now have a unique bench that fits perfectly with those small awkward spaces you don’t know what to do with.

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Are you going to try to make a headboard into a bench?

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Go create something!

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Paint

Painting Cabinets with Chalk Paint

Last year, I painted my bathroom cabinets, and it was a REALLY long process.  See how I cut out a lot of time by painting my cabinets with chalk paint.

slider-cabinets

I did it the “traditional” way, and you can take a look at that post HERE. However, considering my kitchen has (what feels like) a thousand more doors, I knew that process may not be the best solution for my kitchen.  Or my sanity. kitchenBEFORE

So, I decided to give the chalk paint method a try.  Chalk paint doesn’t require prep work or sanding.  (Although I did clean my doors considering there are 15 years of kitchen grease layered on them.)

Here’s my (I don’t claim to be a chalk paint pro) 9 step chalk paint cabinet tutorial:

1) Remove the cabinet doors and all the hardware.

This is my second to the least favorite part of the process.  My least favorite part is putting the hardware back on.  There is always a cabinet door that ends up hanging funny.

 

 cabinets.before.11  

2) Clean the wood with a cleaner to remove any dirt/grime.

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3) Tape off any areas where you don’t want to get paint.

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3) Start Painting!   Forget about sanding and pull out the paint.  I used Annie Sloan’s “Old Ochre.”  I did two coats of paint on everything.

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4) Wax. Once the two coats of paint are dry, you can begin to wax.  Since I was doing kitchen cabinets, I applied three coats of Annie Sloan’s clear wax on everything.  It’s much quicker than it sounds.

**March 2015 UPDATE**  

Although my wax has held up well, it isn’t the easiest to clean.  If you scrub too hard, the wax can be removed.  If I were to do this over again, I would use a polycrylic for a finish instead of the wax.  The reason I didn’t do this the first time around was because I was afraid of yellowing the paint.  However, the more I research, the more I find that there is polycrylic that really is clear and doesn’t yellow!

cabinets.before.17 cabinets.before.18

 5) Buff the wax. Use a lint free cloth to rub in the wax and remove any clumps. (I use old t-shirts for this.)  

6) Sand. If you want to distress the cabinets some, use sandpaper after you’re done waxing.  I lightly sanded the edges of the cabinets and doors.

cabinets.before.19  

7) (optional) Buff. 24 hours after the final wax, you can go back and buff the wood if you want more of a sheen.  

8) Put back the hardware and cabinet doors.  

9) Enjoy your “new” cabinets!

kitchen

Would you try painting cabinets with chalk paint?

I did my kitchen in stages to preserve my sanity.  I did a few groupings a week until I have what you see above.  

*Also, I’m keeping the lower cabinets wood – for now. 😉

*UPDATE (2/21/14): The unpainted lower cabinets didn’t last long.  They have been painted.  Check out how they look HERE.  

Also, if you still want to see more about painting cabinets, this tutorial was featured in the DIY section of About.com.

*UPDATE (7/24/16): I ended up repainted my cabinets because I did not love the wax as a sealer.  To see why click HERE.

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DIY

Remove Cabinet Doors

Remove cabinet doors for an instant kitchen update!  Removing cabinet doors adds interest to your kitchen and is a great option for people who rent.

Remove Cabinet Doors - Instant Kitchen update

 

I am the middle of three girls, and I get a lot of great ideas from my creative sisters. On a recent trip to my sister’s house, I noticed she had removed some of her cabinet doors. cabinet

It made a HUGE difference. Heather is currently renting this house, so it is a great option for all you renters out there. She simply removed the doors (It is important to save the doors and all the hardware to keep your landlord happy!), and she added black paper on the back of the cabinets. It really makes her dishes pop.

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As my friend Anne (of Green Gables) always says, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” So, I went home and removed some of mine! Here’s the before:

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And after!

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My cabinet update also included paint (and I’ll talk more about that later this week), but I’m loving the open cabinet concept. I removed the cabinet doors right above the dishwasher, so putting dishes away is easier now! I saved my doors and hardware (just in case I want to cover them up again).  But I did fill the holes where the screws once were.

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I used Durham’s Water Putty to fill in the holes.  It comes in a powder form, and you add just add water to make the putty.

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I’m glad I took them off!

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If you want to know more about painting your cabinets, click HERE to see my post on how I did it! If you’re stuck inside for the next couple of days with this snowstorm, why not remove some cabinet doors?  It’s an easy and quick update. 

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DIY

Easy DIY Silhouettes

If you love silhouettes and want an easy tutorial for creating your own, then this is the DIY tutorial for you!  See how to make these easy DIY silhouettes:

Easy DIY Silhouettes

  1. Take a profile photo of the person you want to be featured in your silhouette. {I used my iPhone for these profiles since you really just need an outline  Quality is not important.}
  2. Email the photo(s) to yourself.
  3. Enlarge the photo(s) to the size you want.  I created these silhouettes using Microsoft Word, and I enlarged my photos to fit an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.
  4. Print out the photo(s) – I printed my photos in black and white.  You do NOT need a high-quality printout.  You will eventually throw the printout away.
  5. Tape the photo printout to a piece of black paper.
  6. Cut around the printout following the profile of the person pictured.
  7. Remove the printout, and you will be left with a black paper profile.
  8. Glue the silhouettes to fun scrapbook paper for additional interest.
  9. Frame the silhouette(s) and enjoy!

silhouttes

Be as creative as you wish with the color of the silhouette paper and the pattern of the background paper.  Mix and match them to fit the decor style of your home.  You can create the perfect DIY silhouettes for your family (and these also make great gifts)! Unfortunately, I was new to blogging when I created this post.  I did not realize that you have to take progress photos as your DIY projects.  However, here is a more recent silhouette project I have done with lots of step by steps photos and a full tutorial.  It is a different approach, but I love it!  It is the perfect art for my daughter’s bedroom!

Go create something!

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Paint

Chalkboard Fridge

If you have an ugly old fridge that you want to make more fun, try chalkboard paint to create a chalkboard fridge.

We are not big fans of the fridge that came with our house.  It’s old, glossy black, and just hard to maneuver.  It opens towards the cabinets, and not only are you squashed, but you have to be on your knees to rummage through the fridge.  However, my husband and I are too practical to replace it right now.

fridge.2

I decided the only way to make this thing work in the space was to paint it.  Luckily my husband was okay with this idea – especially since it will eventually become the garage fridge. First, you need to clean your fridge with a cleaner.  You want a clean surface for the paint to adhere to

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After you have a clean surface, the fun can begin!  I taped off the edges (I wanted crisp lines – even if I was painting black over black).  And, I used a small roller for this project. fridge.4

I gave the fridge *two coats of chalkboard paint.  While the first coat dried, I covered the roller and pan with foil so it didn’t dry out.

*I would suggest using a primer before the chalkboard paint – especially on a glossy surface like my fridge.

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I gave the fridge the second coat with the roller and left it alone for 24 hours.

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The next day, I treated the chalkboard paint with chalk.  You cover the entire “board” with chalk and rub it in with a rag.

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Now, my fridge was ready! I wanted the top to be our family schedule, so I printed out the days of the week along with a cute little design to go on the side.

week.1 week.2 week.3

***You can download the PDFs here:

week.1

week.2

week.3

 

 

Then, I covered the back of my printout with chalk.

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Next, I taped the printouts onto the fridge.

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And I traced over the printout with a pen.

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You’ll get a faint chalk line of your lettering or design.

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I used a chalk pen on my design and days of the week. (See more about the chalk pen in this post.)  This way, it’s a lot harder to wipe it away (you actually have to use water to remove it).  On my weekly schedule, on the other hand, I just write in with chalk and can easily wipe it away every week.

fridge.2

I followed the same technique with frames for the lower door:

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Here’s the result!

fridge

More to come on the rest of my kitchen!

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Paint

Spray Painting Furniture

Spray painting furniture is an easy way to update tired, worn pieces.

When we first moved into our current home, we needed a new dining room set.  Unfortunately, dining room sets are expensive, so I began looking at second-hand shops for used dining room sets.  While visiting my parents, I fell in love with our dining room set in a little antique shop.

Furniture Makeover with Spray Paint

Unfortunately, it was 250 miles away. My amazing parents loaded up a trailer (and their two vehicles – a truck and an SUV) and brought the set to us. The chairs have some amazing detail, but they were very worn and beat up.

chair

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Luckily I had one last 60 degrees in late fall before all this crazy weather (snowpocalypse and polar vortex) hit the midwest.  Do not try to spray paint in cold temps.  Just do not try it.  I have done it before, and the results are not pretty. With the warmer temperatures, I was able to spray paint the dining room chairs.  With a little spray paint (and some new fabric), these chairs look refreshed and updated: chair.3

chair.4

I used Valspar’s Color Radiance spray paint in black matte.  The coverage was great, and I love the finish. I also lightly sanded the corners to add a {slightly} distressed look.  This way my kids can use the chairs without me worrying about nicks and scratches. It just took a few hours of my time to update the chairs.  Spray paint is great for pieces where you’re looking for a flat finish.  The makeover was easy and inexpensive! If you want more details on when to use spray paint on furniture (and tips for applying it), check on this post on painting furniture with spray paint:  

I also love using spray paint to update old dishes!  They make great decor pieces – just don’t use them for food…  

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DIY

Chalkboard Lettering

This DIY technique allows anyone to create perfect chalkboard lettering!

I love chalkboard art, but free handing lettering drives me crazy.  I am an impatient perfectionist, and I have discovered a way to quickly create pretty chalkboard lettering every time…

Perfect Chalkboard Lettering

I will walk you through the steps of creating perfect chalkboard lettering, and it really is easy!  I also have a video tutorial where I share the same technique, and I share that towards the end of this post.

  • Begin with a chalkboard. I made a mirror into a chalkboard, but I wouldn’t always recommend this. Instead, I would suggest cutting a hardboard or some thin wood to put in the frame. Make sure the board is smooth so you can create a nice, smooth chalkboard finish.

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  • Print out lettering for your chalkboard.

I combined two fonts to make this type art for my dining room, and you can download the (2 page, letter-sized) PDFs here:

Print

giveus

giveus(2)

diningquote

  • Cover the back of your paper with chalk.

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  • Tape your printed type just as you would read it (chalk covered side down) to the chalkboard. Using a pen or pencil, firmly trace the type with a pen or pencil.
  • Remove the paper, and you will see a fine chalk outline.  Using chalk (or a chalk pen), trace and color in the lettering.

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These chalk pens are great for chalkboards you want something a little more permanent.  However, I recently began using china markers instead of the chalk pens because they look more like chalk and are permanent!

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I also created this video using the same technique for transferring an image: 

 

Since I shared this tutorial over 5 years ago, I had a friend create this gorgeous custom piece. 

The chalkboard mirror lives on!

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Decor

Dining Room Reveal

This dining room has changed a lot since I first posted this years ago, but it is fun to look back and see how far this space has come!  Decorating is definitely a journey.

Are you ready for it?  My dining room reveal! Here is the before…

diningroomWALL1

And the after…

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Since we eat most of our meals as a family in our kitchen, the dining room is reserved for our guests.  I wanted it to be special, elegant, and pretty – especially since it is one of the first rooms you see when you walk into our home.  It is pretty frilly (and maybe I’ve been watching a little too much Downton Abbey), but I did throw in some straight lines (the clock and the hutch) as well as more modern prints (window treatments and rug) to offset the ornate antique dining table set.

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I will break down all the individual projects in future posts – my dining room table, (painted) chairs and buffet, wall art as well as post a tutorial for the wall treatment. Speaking of the wall, it is my “faux wallpaper” treatment (I used vinyl decals as stencils for the flowers).  I LOVE wallpaper, but I can’t commit.  Wallpaper is expensive, and I am afraid I will grow tired in a few years.  Paint is much easier to change and less expensive.

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{The paint color for this room is Valspar’s Woodlawn Colonial Gray} *I ended up toning down the wall a few months later (because I can’t ever stop according to my husband).  Although it was fun, I grew tired of the boldness of the wall. And if you follow my blog, you’ll see that it continue to change!

DRwallupdate

Decor

He is Constant

He is Constant.

I’ve been an emotional mess lately all summer.

As a lot of you know, we are selling the house we built nine years ago.  I know I’m too attached to this house, but I have trouble separating myself from all we have experienced here throughout the past decade.

Not to mention the countless hours of painting (and repainting) and all of our DIY projects.

Now, not only are we moving out of our first home, but we’re leaving our community – our church and our friends.

We’re moving because of a wonderful opportunity we received – my husband’s dream job!  I’m so excited for him and our family, but I still grieve leaving…

About a month ago, I was running my little two-mile loop.  Our house sits in the back of the neighborhood, and the loop takes me past walking trails, a baseball field, a soccer field, a sledding hill, ponds, and a beautiful church.  (You can see why we’re going to miss this place!)  The church sits in the center of the neighborhood and resembles the beautiful white-steepled church found in most Thomas Kinkade paintings.

So, I was running my loop and crying.  I told you, I’m an emotional mess.  I was crying because I was talking to God (maybe even whining a bit) as I was remembering all my boys’ practices at the baseball field, I was remembering the 4th of July parade my kids participated in, I was remembering the preschool all three of my kids attended/attend, you get the picture…

While I was running (and crying) I happened to look up and see a beautiful bright moon.  I noticed the moon was following me and I heard  God say to me, “Sara, I am constant.”

Now I was really sobbing (and still running).  I made it halfway through my run and turned around to head back home as I always do.  I looked up in the sky and noticed my moon was gone and I was mad.  “Where are you now, God?!”  It was right at the moment that I looked ahead and saw the most beautiful and amazing sunset light up the sky behind the church.  I knew what God was telling me.  “Look at what wonderful things I have ahead of you!”

 

church

The sun went down, and I looked up to (once again) see the constant moon {our constant God} was following me home.

sincerely, sara d.

Decor

Waiting…

Waiting…

Remember the storage unit we rented? Well, it’s come in pretty handy with my flea markets finds… And, look what I found today! Bed So, please stick around and wait for me while our house is on the market. Good stuff is coming, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

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Home

Moving On

Moving On – Hopefully Soon! All my projects have come to a halt for a while. Any extra time I have is now devoted to cleaning, organizing, donating, and storing. We’re selling our house. It’s funny because just a few weeks ago I was deeply grieving leaving our first home. There are so many memories here – all three kids were born here (well, not actually here…in the hospital…but you know what I mean), we had (and have) some of the most amazing neighbors/friends here, and we’ve experienced joys and sorrows here. It’s been the perfect home for our family for the past nine years. However, I’m over it now. That’s what 31 house showings with three kids can do. I’m ready to sell, buy our new home and get back to my projects! We’re praying our house sells quickly, and I’m excited to share with you as I create, design, and paint our next home! Until then, I’ll be making numerous trips to storage in an attempt to make our home appear full of endless space which I hope translates into the perfect place for someone else… STORAGE
Moving on…
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