Tag: Saratoga Springs New York

DIY: Wood Spice Rack

Written by Jenna on November 6, 2013. Posted in Rack, Uncategorized. 1 Comment on DIY: Wood Spice Rack

Earlier this week, I shared my newly organized kitchen cabinet interiors where I added multiple materials to make the vertical space on the interiors of the doors super useful. One specific element that made a world of difference, as far as storage, are the 2 wood spice racks that I made from scratch.

While originally gathering materials for the project, I was on the search for pre-made spice holders. I didn’t have a specific style in mind but was hoping for wood. In the end, I didn’t find anything, so instead I DIYed them.

One of the best sponsor gifts I came away with from Haven over the Summer was my new Kreg Jig Jr. I had been eyeing a jig for a while because it makes building furniture so much easier by allowing for the screws to be concealed. When the wood spice holder came to mind, I knew this was the perfect first project for using my jig.

But before getting to that, I headed to Lowe’s for my materials. I purchased (1) 1″ x 3″ x 8′ piece of wood, which are the actual dimensions of 3/4″ x 2.5″.

And here is the breakdown of the pieces needed:

(2) Side Pieces – 3″ high x 2.5″ wide
Bottom Piece – 2.5″ wide x 11.5″ long (length to be adjusted depending on cabinet door width)
Dowel – 1/4″ round x 12″ long (length to be 1/2″ longer than bottom piece)

A picture to explain it further…

And a quick drawing to explain it even more…

This is a front on view of the cabinet and the spice rack

The first step when using a kreg jig is to figure out the depth of the wood to set the jig placement. My wood depth was 3/4″, so the jig and depth collar on the kreg drill bit were set to 3/4″. Kreg really makes using this handy-dandy gadget SO EASY!

After securing the wood and the jig with a clamp, I drilled a hole on each end of the base piece.

Once that was complete, it was time to add the (2) end pieces + the dowel.

Sorry for the lack of pictures for this part. I was so excited about my new jig I forgot to grab my camera. Anyway, positioning about 1/2″ down from the top of the end piece and 1/2″ in from the front, I drilled a 1/4″ hole about 1/4″ deep for the dowel to fit in.

Then I put the dowel in the two end pieces and connected the end pieces with the bottom piece using the Kreg screws specifically made for 90 degree connections.

After filling in the holes with paintable putty, it was complete.

I decided to add some color to the new spice holder and used Valspar Spring Sprout in Satin.

In about 10-15 minutes, this was the result…

I attached the newly made wood spice holders using a very very very strong adhesive – Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix. Basically it’s two formulas that mix together and provide a major adhesive mixture. DO NOT TOUCH IT. I carefully applied the mixture to the back of the wood holder and placed it on the interior of the cabinet. I held it in place for about 3-5 minutes until it was completely adhered to the surface. I will be honest, the wood started to slide a few times, but I was close by and slid it back into place. There are other epoxy mixtures that dry even quicker – 1 minute of less.

I was a total novice at using a jig and I was very happy with the results. I couldn’t believe how easy it was. Now I can’t wait to get my hands dirty with even more furniture projects. Boy, do I have a list!

To see how I organized the rest of this cabinet, plus more of my kitchen interiors, head over to Kitchen Organization: Ideas for the Inside of the Cabinet Doors.

How do you organize your spices? In a cabinet or in a drawer? Is this project something you think you would tackle? With every new tool, there is a learning curve, but it was fairly easy.

Kitchen Organization: Ideas for the Inside of the Cabinet Doors

Written by Jenna on November 4, 2013. Posted in Cabinet, DIY. 57 Comments on Kitchen Organization: Ideas for the Inside of the Cabinet Doors

Happy Monday! I was feeling a bit under the weather last week which is why the blog and my other favorite places to share + converse on the ‘net’ – IG, FB, etc – were quiet. I’m still not feeling 100%, but am excited to share something I’ve been working on lately… getting my kitchen organized.

For me, organization is a never ending battle. I never feel like everything completely has a home, but I’ve accepted that and continually try to work towards creating a more efficient, more organized home.

When Lowe’s put to me to the challenge this month to tackle the kitchen, I knew it was a win-win. To start off, I took a step back to analyze how the space could be more organized and user-friendly for cooking and storage. I made a few moves of pots and pans, but what I really wanted to put-to-good-use was the insides of the kitchen cabinets. All that vertical space going unused? The ideas started to flow…

My kitchen isn’t small, but it isn’t huge either. With no pantry or extra storage for food, I’m always thinking about how to best store the food / “pantry items” in the cabinets. For the most part, we eat real food / very little processed food. That means no snacks that have to be stored for a long period of time because the food I buy has little “shelf time”. Good for me, that the food we buy takes up less shelf area. Bad for me, I go food shopping a lot.

Anyway, there is one large cabinet that all the food is stored in. It’s a large cabinet at about 30″ wide with (2) doors. Take a look…

don’t you just love peaking into other peoples cabinets??? What are they eating? What do they buy? We use a lot of coconut oil – 3 jars right there in front.

Great change, right?! Nothing from this space had to go, but instead everything was reorganized to be easier to get at in an instant.

Let me show you a bit more of what I did…

On the inside of the left cabinet, I lined the inset panel with stylish geometric patterned contact paper. Similar to what I did for my TV cabinet back in the Summer. I purchased the roll of contact paper at TJ Maxx for about $5 – what a great score.

Once I aligned the contact paper on the cabinet and pulled off the backing, I used a straight edge to trim the excess.

Once the contact paper was adhered, it was time to dress it up.

Before my interior cabinet updo, I never had a great place for spice storage, so that was a major need on my list. I looked around for pre-made styles, but nothing fit the bill just right, so I made my own. I’ll show you more on that in an upcoming tutorial, but this is the result…

For less than $8, I created 2 fit-to-size wood spice racks.

At the top of the interior of the cabinet, I added a half round piece of trim, which I then added metal screw-in hooks to.

I attached the half round piece of trim + the newly made wood spice holders using a very very very strong adhesive â€“ Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix. Basically itâ€™s two formulas that mix together and provide a major adhesive mixture. DO NOT TOUCH IT. I carefully applied the mixture to the back of the trim and spice holder, then placed it on the interior of the cabinet. I held it in place for about 3-5 minutes until it was completely adhered to the surface. I will be honest, the wood started to slide a few times, but I was close by and slid it back into place. There are other epoxy mixtures that dry even quicker â€“ 1 minute of less.

It really is the perfect spot to hang many of the kitchen utensils. Here’s the result…

Heading over to the other cabinet, the right side, I added a decorative magnetic metal sheet that I found at Lowe’s and adhered it to the inset panel with 3M 77 Multipurpose Adhesive. I sprayed the adhesive outside on a towel and then ~~ran~~ brought it indoors and positioned it. All went to plan and my fingers only stuck together a little, phew…

Having the magnetic sheet on the inside of the cabinet door has been GREAT! This large vertical spot is great to keep my grocery list, to do’s with the kids, and of course our random chinese fortunes…

For the interior of the cabinets, I took everything out and simply organized it all. Well, it wasn’t simple, but it sure was worth it! For things that could be grouped – like snacks, baking supplies, medicines, teas, etc. – I added bins and labeled them with washi tape. So easy. The bins are from ClosetMaid available at Target and they are leftovers from when I reorganized the kids rooms. They are the ideal size for a typical kitchen cabinet.

For the rest of the food items, I grouped them and organized them as I saw best for how / when I would use them. Really no rhyme or reason…

On to the other large cabinet, the space that holds ALL the dishes. Another material that I thought would be extra helpful in staying organized in the kitchen was cork. I purchased a roll of cork and double layered it, then added it to the inside panel of the cabinet interior, again using the 3M Multipurpose Adhesive.

This is such a great spot for the school calendar, plus random coupons, and reminders. I also use the cork board when following a recipe. I pin it on the board and it’s right in front ready to follow as I’m prepping.

Also on this inside cabinet, I added another half round trim piece for added storage. Right now all I have is a pin with a pen hanging, but it can be used for so many other things. Maybe more kitchen utensils???

Here is the result of my kitchen organization, with all the doors open…

Inside and out, I’m loving this space.

If you haven’t been following along with my blog from the beginning, you might not know that I redid the entire kitchen by hand (total down-and-dirty do it yourself) a little over 2 years ago. It included painting cabinets, painting the countertop, adding backsplash tile, adding decorative brackets,and more. See the before and after by clicking here.

I’m still on a path for more organization, but I feel one step closer to a more efficient space. On to the next room…

I truly love using every square inch of a space. Vertical surfaces often are forgotten as the ideal spot for storage. If you use all the interiors of your kitchen cabinets, how much more could you store?? Ask yourself.

To gather even more unique, fun, and creative ideas for your indoor and outdoor Fall and Winter spaces, I would definitely suggest downloading the Loweâ€™s Creative Ideas app on the iphone and ipad. Iâ€™m always checking out the FREE app for great seasonal + do-it-yourself inspiration.

Also consider following Loweâ€™s on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram as well.

Disclosure: I am part of the Loweâ€™s Creative Team and was provided with a Loweâ€™s gift card to purchase items for my project. I was also compensated for my time to use the products. No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write. All opinions are 100% mine!

Bring the Outdoors In: How To Create Fern Art

Written by Jenna on October 16, 2013. Posted in DIY. 13 Comments on Bring the Outdoors In: How To Create Fern Art

This post brought to you by Apartments.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

While tackling my foyer revamp, I gave a lot of thought as to what type of artwork / wall decor to put above the new gold ~~dresser~~ gorgeousness, as I like to call “her”. The focal wall that got “dressed up” with new wide horizontal stripes is only about 5′ wide, but whatever was chosen to display needed to make an impact. I didn’t want it to be personal pictures since we have so many around our house already, but I wanted it to be meaningful and reflect us. I even reached out to you, my followers, on Facebook asking for suggestions on your favorite Etsy shops. Even though I didn’t go that route, I now have a few go-to places for the future.

In the end, after much thought, my artwork was right under my nose in my backyard – literally. After cutting a few wild flowers and ferns for a bouquet I was putting together for our outdoor dining table a few weeks ago, I thought using the ferns as art would be the perfect solution.

Our backyard is filled with ferns and wild flowers, so I cut + collected a few different kinds choosing those that appeared to have all their leaves in tact. No matter if you live in a house, like me, or in an apartment, bringing the outdoors in allows your home to feel more organic and to be ONE WITH NATURE. A little corny sounding, but true.

No wild flowers in your back yard? Check out the wooded / more dense areas of a nearby park. With Fall in full peak, it’s a great time of year for a walk or hike.

Once I had the ferns collected – about 10 good ones – I individually laid each out on a white piece of paper (wax paper is an alternative option).

Once all were laid out, I took the stack of ferns + paper and pressed them between 3-4 hardcover, heavy books. Be sure the entire fern is covered on the paper and be sure that it all gets pressed between the book. If it doesn’t, the part of the fern / flower sticking out will wilt.

About 3 days later, I took the dried out ferns and started creating the “art”. I snagged these simple picture frames from AC Moore for about $2 and thought the minimal frame was perfect to let the ferns “speak”.

At first, I simply used the white paper to mount the ferns, but after a few days, the paper started to wilt because the ferns were still exuding moisture. I decided to use a heavier paper and cut out pieces of poster board that fit to size. This did the trick!

And then they were ready to hang…

Along with the ferns, I also pressed a few wild flowers. I love the yellow coloring. They add a bit of color to the art collection.

And this is the overall new Foyer space…

It’s so wonderful how the outdoors can be brought in, to enjoy throughout the entire year. The simplicity and ease of using ferns as art is a pretty + no-cost way to create a beautiful focal point.

As an Apartments.com Brand Influencer, I strive to share ideas + do it yourself projects not only for those who live in homes, but also easy & affordable ideas + creations for apartment dwellers. Next time you’re looking for something unique + meaningful + free for your walls, turn to the outdoors.

For more great ideas on creating a meaningful home, especially for those who rent, turn to the Renter Resources section on Apartments.com. It is filled with interesting + useful information to make your dwelling reflect you.

Foyer Reveal

Written by Jenna on October 15, 2013. Posted in Decorating. 19 Comments on Foyer Reveal

You guys have been troopers holding out this long for the final reveal of the foyer. I was waiting on a few pieces that I had ordered, and over the weekend they finally arrived. I hurriedly styled and took pictures of the space, and this is the result…

It is so fresh + updated. I’m thrilled with the result and it wasn’t a lot of work.

A new greige paint color + wide horizontal stripes + a gold dresser + a few added accents = A revamped foyer that makes a statement

Past Posts you may be interested in
gorgeous gold dresser + new foyer paint colors —> Click here
10 top greige colors —> Click here
tips + tricks for painting stripes —> Click here

Let me take a step back and show the evolution of the space over that past few years. When we moved in a little less than 4 years ago, the space was dark and the complete opposite of inviting. The mouldings were wood, the floor was a dark teal ceramic, and the space looked dated. Actually this picture (from 2011) shows it better than when we moved in with the walls painted and the chevron sisal rug.

Within that year, I stenciled the wall, tackled the staircase (no more carpet), changed the wood mouldings to white, and installed a new luxury vinyl tile floor. The result (from 2012)…

A lot of tone-on-tone cream hues. Not really my style. Hence the 2013 revamp!

Let’s take a tour of the new space…

This is the main “feature” wall of the foyer. It’s a fairly small space, with a lot going on. The foyer, office, and dining room/kitchen are all off of the foyer space, as well as the entry to the garage, the coat closet / pantry, and the laundry. A lot. As much as the space needs to be pretty, it also had to be super functional and not cluttered. It’s a high traffic area with our family coming and going throughout the day.

On the main wall is where I decided to add wide horizontal stripes in contrasting colors – a light greige with a dark charcoal (all the details can be found in this post). The wide stripes visually create a taller space and fools the eye to think the space is long. The stripes pull you in.

Even though the foyer is not a huge space, it does allow room for a piece of furniture. I found this gold “gorgeousness” dresser that is super amazing. It had me at first sight! As much as it’s beautiful, it also is wonderfully functional. The 4 drawers allow plenty of storage for the kids shoes and other misc items that never seem to have a home.

Next to the dresser, I added a beautiful upholstered ottoman – perfect for sitting and putting on shoes – as well as my favorite garden stool. A few added pillows (from other rooms in the house) + some fun accessories for the dresser, complete the space!

The rug is a recent purchase from One Kings Lane and was handmade in India. I love the pattern, as well as the two blue hues. Since I have multiple blue paint colors throughout my home, it really ties it all together.

Here’s a view coming down the stair…

For the walls above the dresser, I decided to bring the outdoors in by framing nature. The new “art” above my dresser are dried ferns and wild flowers —> for tutorial Click Here. They were super easy to create and are so meaningful to our home since they came right from the backyard.

Look who hopped in the photo session… My little kitten Samson. He’s never an arms length away.

Welcome, as you come through the front door, this is the view. The light greige color was continued around the room, but the darker charcoal stripe was only added to the main wall.

To continue the deep charcoal color in the space, I also used it on the back of the front door. Now the space completely flows since the color is used in multiple places. And just to point out, the stair railing is also a taupe / gray color, so it’s all cohesive.

It’s a great space to come home to now. It’s absolutely an inviting, welcoming spot to enter. Something that it wasn’t before…

Thanks for taking a tour of my recently finished foyer revamp! This space has had quite the transformation over the years. I hope you enjoyed! If you want to see more spaces in my home, click on over to my House Tour.

Pallets. Pallets. Pallets.

Written by Jenna on October 1, 2013. Posted in Uncategorized. 1 Comment on Pallets. Pallets. Pallets.

Pallet projects + creations have been on the ‘Hot List’ for quite a while. Crafters and DIYers love creating upcycled projects using pallets because of the unique and aged look of the wood, plus you can get them at a very low cost or even for free.

Just this morning I received an email from a follower who created this fun, interesting, and informational infograph (i heart infographs – do you?) on the Ultimate Guide to Upcycling with Pallets. Since I am always asked by readers where do I find pallets or how do I dismantle them to create something new, I thought I would pass this along…

via

Interesting, right?

I have made my fair share of pallet creations and love each of them. Take a look…

[dopwgg id=”11″]

At the same time that pallets are loved by so many and creations from beds to headboards to sofas have been made, there has also been controversy on the safety of pallets being used in the home. I recently read this article and it kind of got me thinking about the wood and where it came from and what it’s been exposed to. If you are someone who loves using pallets, it’s definitely an important read!

Funky Junk Donna wrote an entire post on everything you need to know about pallets – what to look for, how to dismantle them, and the signs of a bad pallet.

Something to think about and consider when making your next Pallet creation…

Please share… What pallet creations have you made?

Fall Mantel with Feathers

Written by Jenna on September 26, 2013. Posted in Fall, Mantels. 15 Comments on Fall Mantel with Feathers

My Fall mantel is complete and yes, it has feathers.

I’m into feathers this Fall.

Peacock feathers adorn my latest wreath creation for the season, and now tall feathers (not sure specifically what kind) grace my latest seasonal mantel.

For my Lowe’s October Challenge, one of the projects that the Creative Team could tackle was giving the fireplace mantel a makeover. I was surely excited and awaiting the opportunity to give my mantel a revamp. I sent the seashells apackin’ and dug out the pumpkins, ghords, and festive favorites.

For my latest mantel, I wanted something new & fresh, but started like I usually do by shopping my home before even stepping foot into a store. It’s always such a great way to create a fresh, new look without spending a lot of $$$. Most of the elements for my Fall mantel I already had on hand, but a few elements are new like the ghords (obviously since they’re seasonal) + the feathers, which I picked up at AC Moore for $2/each. They add such a unique, spicy element to the space.

In my travels over the past months, I also picked up this super interesting black sphere, which adds an interesting three-dimensional quality to the new mantel. To add in some height, I covered 3 books with plain white paper, and topped it with a pretty candle in a geometric holder + a glass filled with gold rocks.

Yes, fabulous gold rocks.

The rocks were a quick and fun DIY project that I tackled with the kids before school started a few weeks ago. We had gone for a hike at a local lake and they collected a bunch of rocks. My nifty brain got me thinking… let’s jazz em’ up with a little spray paint! It’s ah-mazing what a little flashy gold can do…

bling bling!

Another new element in the space is the mirror. It’s not new to me, but something that I purchased 2 years ago, but has been sitting in the garage ever since. It was wood, but I wanted it white, so once again, spray paint to the rescue!

Prime. Paint. And something new + magical is born.

And the result…

For now, it leans on the wall instead of being hung. I change things so much (probably too much) that it wasn’t worth another hole in the wall.

The overall space is definitely happy + festive + perfectly set for Fall.

Some more details…

My upcycled light turned vase (now a candle holder) made this years Fall mantel. Still one of my favorite upcycle projects to date…

To add to the whole composition, I added in a few more festive elements that sit at the foot of the fireplace. I brought in my thrift-store old chest (which holds the kids wooden trains) and topped with a large pumpkin and a few wonky ghords. And instead of my tall vibrant yellow lantern sitting on the mantel this time, I brought it to the floor.

O, and there’s me, photographing the most difficult space in the world. Seriously I take 100s of shots and am never satisfied. Well I tried and I hope you enjoyed.

Hi!

And lastly, in striving to always keep it real, this is how the space around me looked at the time of photographing…

All looks perfect in the shot, but there was a bunch of craziness around it.

Moved furniture.

Laundry.

Birthday supplies.

Just keepin’ it real…

I hope you enjoyed my Fall Mantel with feathers. What adorns your mantel for Fall?

To gather even more unique, fun, and creative ideas for your indoor and outdoor Fall spaces, I would definitely suggest downloading the Loweâ€™s Creative Ideas app on the iphone and ipad. Iâ€™m always checking out the FREE app for great seasonal + do-it-yourself inspiration.

Also consider following Loweâ€™s on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram as well.

Fall Front Porch

Written by Jenna on September 24, 2013. Posted in Autumn, DIY, Fall, Seasonal. 3 Comments on Fall Front Porch

It’s officially Fall!

I was a bit sad to see the Summer end, but I have to say, with the kids back in school and a routine once again being established, the arrival of the season has actually been quite delightful. The weather also has been chilly, so it just adds to the thought that Fall is in full swing.

To celebrate the new season, I had to give my front porch a new look. After finishing it up over the weekend + photographing it yesterday, it’s ready to share + enjoy!

This seasons front porch didn’t change much. I really just added in a few new layers of color + festive pumpkins, ghords, and mums.

Take a look…

Welcome.

The entrance of a home sets the style + tone for what’s to come on the inside. I always like to evoke an inviting, colorful, and welcoming aesthetic to my seasonal & holiday front porch creations. With it being Fall, colorful pumpkins + mums were a must.

Both bring fantastic color to the porch.

I also filled my lanterns with sugar pumpkins + interesting shaped ghords.

The vertical pallet ‘garden‘ also got a revamp. Down came the vines + spring flowers and in their place went colorful mums. I planted them a few weeks ago with the kids. It was great getting them involved and we got to use my other pallet creation that I made this past summer.

I never shared this on the blog (I kinda forgot with other projects going on), but the lutchens bench that sits under the pallet got a makeover at the beginning of the summer. It used to be plain wood (natural finish with no stain) and with the desire to bring in more color to the porch, I spray painted it in a turquoise color. It sure is an eye-catcher!

It’s amazing how something can look brand new for under $5!

The other side of the front porch is just as delightful with 2 teak side chairs and a tiered table in between. The table is from West Elm. It’s seen better days and almost got tossed until I realized outside under the covered porch was the perfect next life for it.

The table is also the perfect spot to rest a cup of tea and enjoy a few treats. Yesterday a sliced apple + an apple muffin were my treat of choice.

Even though the front porch isn’t a large space, it’s so cozy. Whether watching the kids on their bikes or simply enjoying a few (rare) quiet moments, I love sitting out there enjoying our home and ‘the fruits of our labor’.

Want to see how much it’s changed? Check out these ‘before’ photos from 2 years ago…

Quite the transformation!

Wild flowers from the yard make the perfect centerpiece. Not sure if it’s because they’re from our garden or because they’re free, but either way, this simple arrangement makes me so happy.

On my apple green front door, sits my latest wreath creation that I shared last week. I love the plums & navy hues!

Thanks for visiting! I loved having you tour my new festive Fall front porch. I hope you enjoyed.

What elements have you brought in to decorate your Fall front porch?

Tips + Tricks for Painting the Perfect Stripes

Written by Jenna on September 20, 2013. Posted in DIY, Paint, Paint Techniques. 7 Comments on Tips + Tricks for Painting the Perfect Stripes

This time last week I was just about to jump into the foyer remodel. I was picking up the paint + supplies, removing everything from the space, and getting the walls prepped.

A color was chosen. The walls were spackled, sanded, and painted. Then last the stripes were added.

Straight Stripes.
Crisp Stripes.
Perfect Stripes.

I am actually really impressed with myself on how straight the stripes turned out.

Here is the result…

Now a week later, other than the styling + accessories, the space is complete. {big sigh of relief}…

But taking a step back, I learned alot about painting stripes. There are many tutorials out there – I’m sure if you google it, you will find plenty – and instead of giving you a step-by-step, I thought I’d simply give you the 411 on what worked and why. Ready for it???

Trick 1.

The # of stripes. Start out by determining how wide + how many stripes you want on the wall. I wanted to go wide (somewhere between 10-12″ wide) + I wanted an odd number of dark stripes (for some reason odd numbered things appeal to the eye better), so I created a simple drawing of my wall.

The paintable wall (excluding the base moulding) measured = 93.5″. I divided 93.5 by 9 (because I wanted 9 equal stripes) = 10.38. So each stripe resulted about 10-3/8″ wide.

Are you with me?

Here’s a picture…

I hope I didn’t lose you. Stick with me.

Trick 2.

So you got your stripe width figured out.

The next step is to make the stripes. I went with the simplest technique for creating the stripes No nifty gadgets or gizmos were used, but instead just an ordinary, everyday tape measure. Yup, I’ve got about a half dozen lying around.

Starting at the ceiling (that’s key – don’t start from the floor), I measured down about 10-3/8″ and made a mark with my pencil about every 20″ across the wall.

Then I connected the dots. I lined up the tape with the first dot at the left wall edge, then continued across the wall meeting each dot. It was fairly simple. Once the tape was in place, I checked that the tape read 10-3/8″ all the way across.

For this project, I used 3M painters tape. I’ve used it before when painting the stripes in my son’s room & I have also tried FrogTape when creating the chalkboard wall for the CCC. To be honest, I feel both are equal. Both have a magical “formula” to keep the paint from supposedly seeping under the tape. I don’t think that it works incredibly (but I have a another trick for that), so overall, I don’t prefer one more over the other. Both do the job. But, I will say, don’t cheap out (like I have in the past) and buy a generic painters tape. IT. WON’T. STICK. TO. THE. WALL. Go with the good stuff… 3M or Frogtape!

Trick 3.

So this is the best trick of ALL!! The true way to achieving the most crisp, perfect striped lines with NO SEEPAGE under the tape is to “seal it”. It sounds harder than it is. After you’ve painted, use a brush to paint over the tape edge on the side you plan on painting the striped color (on my wall it was the dark color). READ: ***Don’t paint the edge of the tape that is staying the background color because you will get a line after the tape is removed.

Then “burnish” (push hard) the tape into the wall so it makes a good seal.

To help with remembering which side was which, I added a small piece of tape to the stripes that weren’t changing… the background color.

Then came the paint. I’m sure you know how to do that. No trick there…

Last and final tip…

Trick 4.

After the second coat of paint remove the tape. Yes, while the paint is still wet.

sorry for the mucky picture, it was late at night when I took these pictures.

And you’re done. Those are the 4 easy tricks + tips I have for painting stripes on walls.

Fairly manageable, right? So do you think you would try stripes now?

Have you ever seen the stripes I painted onto window curtain panels? They are still my most favorite curtain panel to date…

Anyway, let’s get back to my foyer. Want to see more pictures of the crisp, straight, and incredibly perfect lines?

And there you have it. The crispest lines you’ve ever seen and it was so easy. Are you ready to paint stripes on your walls? I’m thrilled with the result.

I have a few things I just ordered to finish up this space. Here’s a peak…

With the new gold gorgeousness, a.k.a. the new gold dresser, these new elements are going to be just right to finish up the space.

Once they arrive, I will share the big reveal. Until then, be sure to get your stripe on this weekend.

Where are you going to add stripes? Do you have stripes in your home already?

Foyer Progress + Painting Made Easy

Written by Jenna on September 18, 2013. Posted in DIY, Paint, product review. 38 Comments on Foyer Progress + Painting Made Easy

As of 9:00 last night, the painting of the walls + the stripes are done. Now that’s a big checkmark off my list!

I have one more element in the space that needs a last coat of paint, and then the painting part of the Foyer Remodel will be complete. A few styling magic tricks to follow and the space will be completely fresh and new.

Taking a step back though, I have to tell ya that the painting process wasn’t too grueling. Before venturing into a painting project, I’m always a little leery about how long it will really take. From removing everything in the space to spackling the holes to painting the edges to finally painting the main walls, it ends up being double the time than originally estimated. Plus I’m usually tuckered out over the days to follow from all the bending and lifting.

Thankfully the painting part for this project didn’t take long at all and it took exactly the amount of time that I estimated. Why? Because of a handy dandy tool that I used called the Paint Stick by HomeRight.

When I was at Haven during the middle of the Summer, HomeRight was one of the vendors. Since they have a wide-range of painting tools, I gravitated right in their direction. I was awestruck by the huge selection of paint sprayers, but then I saw the Paint Stick. A minute-long demo later sold me. I had to try it.

Once I had it in my home a few weeks later, I was psyched to get started.

The process of putting the Paint Stick together was fairly easy. Within about 2 minutes, the stick was in place and I was ready. One point I will mention is that the first time pulling up the inner tube, which draws up the paint, was difficult. I had to use some womanpower, and then got it! I initial thought I was doing it wrong and didn’t want to break anything, but it just needed some muscle.

Once I put the paint cover onto the paint can, I was ready.

BUT, before I could begin, I had some prep to do. The good ole’ prep work…

Since the main wall with the stencil was slightly raised, I gave the wall a quick overall sanding. The ‘before’ wall color was eggshell and the stencil design was the same color but in a high gloss finish. I was a little reluctant how the new paint would take on the high gloss and thought sanding over the design would cut down on the sheen, allowing the new paint to adhere better.

I spackled all the holes. Those dang holes. There were more than I thought.

Then painted all the edges and corners of the room. Instead of taping the ceiling and all the mouldings, I decided to just “cut-in” with an angled brush and I have to tell you, it was so much easier and the result is so much better. The usual steps I take are: tape, paint, remove tape, and do touchups. None of that was needed this time. My angled Purdy brush was awesome. I bought a new one for this project and it was $10 well spent and saved a ton of time.

At last, it was finally time to paint with the Paint Stick!

I stuck the Paint Stick onto the port of the cover and drew the paint up. I was ready…

And away I painted…

Bye Bye Stencil. It was nice knowing ya.

My new Greige color, Benjamin Moore Gallery Buff, is gorgeous and my new handy-dandy paint tool, the Paint Stick, made it easy!

Once the base color was done, I was able to start the stripes. Check out my tips + tricks for painting the perfect stripes.

My thoughts

Overall I thought the Paint Stick was a great product. It made the process of painting the main section of the walls a breeze. I only had to fill the PaintStick up twice for my entire foyer. It’s not a huge space, but a decent size. The up-and-down on a ladder when using a regular roller was eliminated and the bending over to reach the areas near the lower part of the wall wasn’t necessary. The other nice part of the Paint Stick is that the paint can be used directly from the can. There is no need for messy trays + there is no waste. How many times has someone stepped in paint and/or paint drips all over? Plus there is never a way to get all the leftovers from a tray back into the paint can.

I will say the cleaning up process wasn’t as easy as simply throwing away a liner and roller, but it wasn’t too bad. Overall it took about 15 minutes. I actually started cleaning the supplies without reading the directions – shame, shame on me – and it took much longer than it should have. If you follow these directions, it’s fairly simple!

Would I use it again?

You bet and I would suggest you try it too! You can pick one up at your local Lowe’s. When picking up the paint + supplies for this project, there was a huge display in the paint aisle.

So guess what… HomeRight is super great and is giving away (1) Paint Stick EZ-Twist to one of my fabulous followers. Want to make painting less daunting and have it take way less time than ever before? Then enter now >

This Giveaway is Over. Stephanie Whitacker is the official Winner. Please keep on the lookout for more giveaways coming up soon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: HomeRight has chosen to partner with me to share their products with you, my wonderful readers and followers. I was provided with product to review and was compensated for my time to use the products. No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write. All opinions are 100% mine!

Gone with the Beige. Hello Greige!

Written by Jenna on September 16, 2013. Posted in Paint. 17 Comments on Gone with the Beige. Hello Greige!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend! Did the early signs of Fall start creeping through in your neck of the woods? It did here in Upstate NY and we enjoyed the slight chill + sun by doing a Fall favorite, apple picking. All day yesterday I was baking away.

Aside from the outdoor fun, I also got my groove on with the foyer. I shared on Friday that my next room remodel is the foyer / entry / mudroom… In my home, all the same space. It’s not huge, but an inviting space that I wanted to give a new look. One of the most playful new elements in the room is the addition of wide horizontal stripes. But before the ‘wow’ factor could be added, a new fresh coat of pant was needed.

The ‘before’ space was a beige-y color (in eggshell) with a tone-on-tone (in gloss) stencil design on the main wall. As of late, I’ve been veering towards cooler colors and the beige hue was too orangey, especially next to the new blue walls of the office and the powder room. Instead of touching up the beige walls, I chose a new color that was a mix of gray + beige, known as greige!

For my walls, the depth of color didn’t change, but the tone certainly did. It was amazing painting over the beige because the new grayer hue (that has a tinge of blue/purple undertone in it) made the old color look very orange (something that I never realized before). It instantly works a lot better with the adjacent spaces.

I’m adoring greige hues because you really can’t go wrong. Whether a space has cooler or warmer tones, the ‘greige’ will go in that direction.

My advice: If you are wanting neutral, go with greige! While I’m in the midst of finishing up the walls + stripes, I thought I would share with you my Top 10 Favorite Greige Colors…

Colors Include:
1. Sherwin Williams Mega Greige
2. Valspar Woodrow Wilson Putty
3. Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies
4. Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan
5. Behr Granite Boulder
6. Glidden Martha Stewart Sharkey Gray
7. Benjamin Moore Gallery Buff (that’s my color!)
8. Valspar Bay Sands
9. Behr Mineral
10. Sherwin Williams Perfect Greige

All of these colors are a perfect mix of beige + gray = greige, but keep in mind when choosing the ideal hue for your space that every color has different undertones (red, blue, green, etc). The best step for choosing the right color for your space is to select a few samples and test them out. Don’t forget to try the same color on different walls and also look at them at different times during the day. As the light changes, the color will too.

Here are a few spaces with my favorite Greige Colors…

Valspar Woodrow Wilson Putty (interesting name…) on the walls of the living room by Bryn Alexandra

Sherwin Williams Perfect Greige on the walls of the dining room by 2 Vintage Sisters

Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies on the walls of the home of Kirsten Krason

Behr Granite Boulder on the walls of the dining room by Sappy Apple

Now that I’ve got my new greige paint color on the wall, I am ready to add the bold + dynamic stripes. More on that later this week + I’ll be sharing a new handy dandy tool that I just discovered to make painting a bit less daunting – Holla! In the meantime, enjoy and be inspired by the new greige colors I shared.

What is your favorite color greige? Do you have a greige wall in your home?