Saturday, August 16, 2014

Movement...

 I am happy to report progress has been made!
I may have not gone about it in the most logical of methods but it got done none the less.
 
 The best way to tackle it would have probably been to first empty the entire space thus providing ample elbow room to pull out the carpet, sand the floor, paint the floor, paint the walls, and finally paint all the trim. With several batches of company expected throughout the month and no other adequate gathering location in the house I went at it like a patchwork quilt...one block at a time.
 
 Here's a shot mid way through on a day when company was expected...not picture perfect but at least we could sit down!
 
 The worst part about such a patchwork painting project is it requires a lot of shifting of stuff...around and around, seemingly over and over again. Case in point was dear hubby's bookcase of "treasures." Three times  I shifted this thing and in order to do so most everything had to be removed.
 
 Each time this was done in the early morning hours while dear hubby was still sleeping as he doesn't like his "treasures" disturbed. This photo would send shivers down his spine for sure!
 
 I was ever so careful however,
 
 and put everything back just so.
 
By the time he awoke it was locked up tight and he was none the wiser. How in the world he thinks the bookshelf shifted from spot to spot throughout the process I have idea but that's a question much better left unasked!
 
One of the things I kept thinking about before I started in on the renovations was how nice it would be to start fresh in this room, it was going to be my blank canvas upon which to paint a cottage living environment. As such I had early on decided to paint the walls white...easy peasy right?
 
One would think so but after a quick peruse of the white paint chips at the hardware store I was in a quandary. I honestly had no idea there were so many whites out there. I brought a bunch of samples home and for days haggled over the numerous variations being too pink, too green, and eventually just too darn confusing. Add to that the simply divine names they attach to these chips...how in the world was I going to choose between Cotton Fluff, Falling Snow, and Dew Drop?

Luckily, fate intervened!
I stumbled upon the most wonderful thing in the paint department at Walmart one day...

Glidden's "Grab-N-Go" paint line.
Not only is it pre-mixed and self priming but it comes in a limited palette line of colors one of which happens to be plain "white." Just what the doctor ordered!!!

 
After the walls I was so in love with white I couldn't stop.
The heater grates got a coat and...
 

...the tables legs too.
 

But why stop there? I had read about this amazing Bulls Eye Primer that allowed you to paint literally anything without having to strip or sand it first.
With that in mind I just kept going all along the table top...
 

...and up to the tippy top of the lamp!
 

Now when I come down the stairs in the morning this is the view I see.
So far so good....
I'm pleased and so is the rest of the family, especially the boys.

Dear hubby and the boys think they have died and gone to heaven now that the TV and gaming paraphernalia have taken center stage. Very cool and macho, huh?
 

Well for the moment perhaps but I've got some plans to "Selina Lake" it up a bit.
 

A whole list of plans in fact!
 

Mollie Makes might make an appearance or two as well!
 

Look at this patchwork chair pad for instance, don't you love it?
 

Or a calico lampshade?
 

It just so happens I've got one ready and waiting for some fun inspiration!
 


Friday, August 1, 2014

Advances.....

 
"If one advances confidently
in the direction of his dreams,
and endeavors to live the life
which he has imagined,
he will meet with a success
unexpected in common hours."
~Henry David Thoreau
 
 
As a Tasha Tudor fan I have read this quote many times over.
Its message is always inspiring and probably one of the many little nuggets that factored into my belief that I could transform our living room into a summer cottage retreat.
First advancing steps taken, however, have caused my confidence to drop
quite significantly and left me wondering...
what have I gotten myself into?