The Nursery Chronicles: Day One & Two - Woodwork & Painting


OK! So here's the goal! We used Valspar's "MAN CAVE" for the bottom wood color. Matches really well to this picture. (and the name makes it hard to pass up!) And we used Olympic's "Skyhigh" blue- for the top....again, matches perfectly to this picture! (And yes, I want this bedding! but it's pricey! we'll see.....)




My wonderful, dedicated, husband, and our baby's father... measuring out the walls for the wood molding we're putting in today!

A few weeks ago, I just got a "head start" and taped off the baseboards and such. Today we decided to paint the baseboards the same color as the molding, so I have to re-tape off the edges. The left side tape is the *NEW* placement for the tape. The left side is what I had to take off. 
Thank goodness this room is small!!!

There is probably a better way to paint baseboards...we're still unsure if we're replacing all our carpet, or just the stuff in the hallway...so I'm being careful just in case. 
This should be interesting.

We added tiny molding for the 3/4 inch 90 degree angle on top, so the panels we're adding that are just under an inch thick, won't stick out too much against the baseboards. 

We've owned this compressor/nail gun set from Lowes for about a year now, we loveeee it! (I think it was $99)...which is worth it if you plan on using it for more than one day. Rentals are expensive, and most of the time they're complicated to use.

Here's how the baseboards look. Remember, we are about to paint them, so the joints will look much better.

Here's what it looks like so far!
 (with orange wood putty in the corner,  of course)


More or less, this is what it will look like, just sanded, painted, and nailed in place.






Me & Tate (19 weeks pregnant)




The Jack & Jill bathroom, don't mind the laundry hamper :)










The lighting stinks, but it's a grey :)


We feel the blue really makes this a nursery :)














Here's how the money broke down for this project:

Woodwork COST: 

One 10 foot wood panel: 1"X 5 1/2" X 10'= $7.00 (We used 11)
+
One 8 foot wood panel: 1" X 5 1/2" X 8' = $5.00 (We used 2)
+
One 8 foot baseboard panel addition = $2.99 (we used 4)
+
Nail gun (Already had it.)
Nails (Already had it.)
Wood filler (Already had it.) 
Sander & Sand Paper (Already had it.)

=Wood total: $99.00
_____________________________________
Paint Cost:

Two gallons of paint (One grey Eggshell finish, One blue Eggshell finish) = Roughly $60.00
+
Two tray liners = $2.00
+
One Roller-edger = $3.00
+
Two extra wool rollers (We already had it.)
Blue Painter's Tape (We already had it.)
Plastic drape for carpet cover (We already had it.)

= Paint total: $65.00
So....
_____________________________________

Total for entire Project: 
$180 including tax! :)
Honestly, throughout this entire project, we kept saying things like "I can't believe how professional this is turing out....This is so easy!... I can't believe it was under $200 to do..."

 AH! We're so excited over here!


Be Blessed! 
The DIY Wifey,
 

Front door makeover in progress

And the nesting continues... :)
Today's project was finishing the front door problems.
Problem #1: the hardware needs replacing. 
And...
Problem #2: the door needs repainting (obviously)

Here are some pictures!

...this is the only before picture I could find... If you notice the door handles, I spray painted black. They started chipping quickly. And, it made the not-painted area really stand out, unfortunately. The den behind the dogs was our office, but with baby on the way, we're turing this room into a play room with Ikea storage units and bright colors :) kid friendly!
I ordered the hardware for the door through bay. $49, plus $15 shipping. It got here in one week. :) Lowes, my favorite DIY store, sells them for about $120. So, we saved about $45.00 by buying it online. :) SCORE!

..the door is off the hinges, yes, I did this alone. don't scold me. I'm a pregnant woman on a mission.

The door was WAY heavier than I thought, so it made it to the den...no big deal, because we're putting tile in here in the next few weeks anyway.


 gross.
 it looks lighter when the paint is wet, but trust me...it's a great color.
 this is the first color that was "premixed" so I bought it for $8.00 verses the $14 I spent on the second color. WORRRRTH it.

 Instead of taking off the hardware, AGAIN, I just taped around it, and used a small brush for that area. wah-lah.


..
.
...
...


 AFTER! Not too shabby, eh?



Next, I'll get a new door mat and some decor for outside. bye bye succulents. We're graduating to shrubbery. :) 

That's all for today folks!


Be Blessed! 
The DIY Wifey,
 

3 years, and too much $ later...

My kitchen counters have been gross since before we moved into this foreclosed home.
The tile is great, 
the island is huge!,
but...the....
GROUT.
is.
so.
dirty.
I never could have anticipated my home ownership high being a clean grout color, no stains...
but, here we are. :)
My dreams have come true!
[I might be "nesting" for this wee little boy I have in the oven!!!]

What I've tried (and it's failed me):
1. Oxy-clean
2. Bleach
3. All-purpose cleaner
4. Magic Eraser 
5. hiding it with stuff. (place mats, center pieces, coffee makers and mixers.)

What ended up working ---and took 1/2 the time:
1. Grout stain (paint-like consistency)  $9.30!!!!

Here are the results!

Before:

 After:


 After: (I forgot to take a before photo of this area! woops!)


 Before:

After:

After much dismay, and frustration over feeling like my countertops will never look clean...
Here we have it! 

I hope this encourages you all to try something new ...even after many failed attempts!  

Be Blessed! 
The DIY Wifey,

 

Vintage Nursery Inspiration

Don't you just LOVE the colors and mis-matched picture frames?
Photo Courtesy Spearmint Baby



That changing table is my dream changing table. I've already bought the hardware, months ago, but finding the perfect dresser is another story. Thankfully, my mother in law has this exact one, in maple wood. :) she.made.my.day. :)
Photo Courtesy Baby Lifestyles


I can't pinpoint what makes this nursery magical, but it is...magical. :)
Photo Courtesy Veranda 



This may be my project for this pregnancy. I ABSOLUTELY LOVEEEEE THIS QUILT!!!!
Photo Courtesy My Blessed Life


We're doing letters, I've started collecting wire, wooden, rusted, painted...bold, thin,...you name it...we're going to have a variety of vintage ABC lettering, with high chair moulding. :)

Photo Courtesy...also Endless Crafting: Sarah's Nursery






Be Blessed! 
The DIY Wifey,