Garage Laundry Nook: Part 2

As a good portion of the U.S. has been sweltering in this unbearable heat; we’ve continued to work on the garage laundry nook area while taking many water and puppy breaks. Wait. What? May I introduce little Tollach, better known as Tolly, our 9-week old maltipoo puppy.

He’s a cutie, but when he naps we’re back in the garage.  A lot has happened in one week in our garage. The new wall has been taped and mudded, the cabinets and wet clothes hang drying area are installed, the ceiling and walls primed and painted. Isn’t it amazing how paint improves any area? 😉

Goodbye 2014 :: Welcome 2015

Happy New Year! We’ve been enjoying a long and lazy holiday break. I finished my last project for the year just in time for Christmas: 16 quilted table runners for family and friends.

Quilted Table Runner

Over the past year, George and I learned a lot of new tricks and techniques, received much appreciated advice and made a few friends while doing what we love: creating, building and crafting. I am honored to share a few of my favorite blogs with you; knowing you’ll find something to enjoy from their posts as much as I: Fox and Finch Antiques, Hello, Scarlet, and Ol’ Perly Jenkins.

I look forward to attempting new projects this new year. I did not realize how “crafty busy” we had been until I looked back over 2014. Indulge me as I share a few with you:

Well, I have three, actually 😉

Salvaged Wood Shelf

DIY Farmhouse Night Stand

Architectural Wall Art

By far, the easiest project!

DIY Necklace Holder

Though, not a 2014 project, this was the most viewed one for the year.

Pallet Kitchen Island/Work Table

Anyone see a pattern here? I guess we like creating with wood. 🙂 I’d love to know your favorite 2014 post or project.

Here’s to a fantabulous New Year to you and yours! – – Joanne

Family Room: Fireplace Built-ins

The second set of built-ins are in! Yay! To help control and hide toys, games and other “stuff” we ordered two  Barker cabinet sets. Located in Oregon, Barker builds customizable wood cabinets with high quality hardware at reasonable prices. We ordered two-door sink base cabinets.

George cut and routed tops for each, which I stained a dark red mahogany, then added three coats of polyurethane.

In order to fit the built-ins snug against the fireplace brick, George had to cut both mantel ends off.

Talk about trepidation! But, as usual, he did a fantastic job! 

With Thanksgiving and a business trip looming, George put together the cabinets and built the upper shelves. While he was out of town, I painted the cabinets, shelves and trim with two coats Glidden Gripper Primer & Sealer (love this primer) and three coats Behr Premium Ultra White, sanding between coats.

A fireplace surround and TV mount are our next projects – but after the holidays. 😉 We found many DIY ideas online, but really liked the simplicity of Cameras & Chaos‘ wall mount plans. George got an early start on the wood “wainscot-like” TV cable channels.

Family is coming to our home for Thanksgiving, and I wanted this room available for overflow. We screwed the last screw, pulled off painter’s tape and stowed the tools, paints and hardware this past Sunday.  We moved the furniture back in and filled the shelves. Just to see how far we’ve come, we started with this . . . 

BEFORE

. . . And have updated to this . . . 

DURING

Whew! Just in time for turkey!

Have a great Thanksgiving! – – Joanne 

 Family Room: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

 

 

Bedroom Revamp Reveal

Finally!  Our bedroom revamp is a reality! I’m still looking for door hooks and one chest needs a few replacement knobs. But, basically we are d.o.n.e! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by to take a look.

 

Family Room: Fireplace & TV & Built-in Shelving

We’re back to working in our Family Room. It’s been a while. We plan to add three separate shelving/built-ins. We’ve built, primed and painted the first section (on a back wall) over the last two weekends. 

Why three sections of built-ins? It’s amazing how much “stuff” we’ve accumulated over the years – and what I can’t, won’t ever part with:

An iron doorstop gift from dear friends, wedding tobacco jar gift, my children’s books and clay bowl, my great grandmother’s ice cream churn, my other great grandmother’s wood sewing box

Budget White Kitchen Makeover – Part 2

My sister has narrowed down the idea choices for her budget white kitchen makeover. Sort of farmhouse modern.

With consideration to salvaging what we could and adding extra storage, we drew up a basic plan (amateurs).  😉 

 

She chose Behr ‘Bleached Linen’ for the cabinets and ‘Salt Glaze’ for the walls, white subway tile for the backsplash, Mohawk laminate flooring and Wilsonart ‘Typhoon Ice’ premium laminate counters. These choices are moderate – but it all adds up very quickly!