Daily-Beast-cottagecharmcreations

light switch re-paint

Posted by Unknown | Labels: tutorials

With all the remodeling that's going on around here, I'm looking around at

all my light switches and plugs that are in their original 1970's cream version.

Option one: Hire an electrician to switch them all out for white ones.

Option two: I can buy all new switch plates, but the actual switches will

still be cream. . .hmmm, not really wanting a two-tone light switch either.

What to do, what to do. . .

Then I remembered that the Painter's Touch brand claims to

bond to plastic. . .perfect! Let's give it a go!

After opening a few windows for ventilation, I masked off the area

surrounding the light switch. For the first coat, I made sure all the light

switches were up, and then for the second coat, I put the switches down.

Also, make sure to shake the can really well and then spray a few

tester shots on some old paper before starting...sometimes the beginning

spits out a chalky residue.

And here it is after. . .it doesn't look perfect, but it's a lot better!!

AND it only cost me $3 to do all my switches, plugs, and heater vents!

The same process was done with the plugs. . .I just had to be careful to do

several light coats so that the paint wouldn't drip and run into the holes!

Here it is before and after.

And another before and after. . .those are my darling kids, btw :)

This is a cold air return that was scratched, and had old paint on it. . .lovely.

But guess what? The paint also works GREAT on metal!

This one I pulled off and brought out into the spray room. . .

Ahhhh . . .

I love things that looks nice and fresh and clean!

If you want to see more tips, tricks, and ideas, click here to view all our other tutorials. :)

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construction zone part II

Posted by Unknown | Labels: construction zone, wood flooring

It's here!!

Friday I was all giddy like a little girl on Christmas morning. . .

1500 lbs. of pure beauty :)

We originally ordered 5 samples from Build Direct, and they were shipped

overnight free of charge. We had a personal representative assigned to us, who

was prompt and very helpful with the various questions we had.

Shipping was quick and professional, and very reasonably priced!

Just what I was hoping for. . .I wanted a floor that looked like it came

out of an old barn, with a brownish-greyish patina.

It's called Handscraped Aspen, Chocolate Malt. . .love it!!

Now for the hard part. . .waiting patiently until hubby has some time to install,

which will most likely be in about a week!

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moss balls

Posted by Unknown | Labels: accessories, tutorials

My daughter and I LOVE to go treasure hunting at our local thrift store,

and can spend a whole afternoon browsing the isles. You never know what

you're going to find. I initially went looking for some chairs for a

customer who had ordered one of our Farmhouse Tables. . .

But then I spied some of these adorable vintage pewter dishes for $1.50 each.

SCORE!!!

Immediately I knew that I wanted to make a moss ball to just sit inside it. Fortunately for me,

the ride home passes right by Hobby Lobby (much to my hubby's dismay)

so of course we had to make a quick stop!

We grabbed a round styrofoam ball and some moss, and I already had

my glue gun at home. . .

This is a SUPER easy activity. . .just spread the hot glue on the MOSS

(not the styrofoam) and then press down on the ball, doing about a 2"x 2" section

at a time. Wherever there are open gaps, just tear (not cut) pieces and glue in place.

I love it when projects turn out as planned. . .
It's the little things like this that make me happy :)

If you want to see more tips, tricks, and ideas, click here to view all our other tutorials. :)

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new camera! wahoo!

Posted by Unknown | Labels: randomness

Now that I have my new camera I don't have any more excuses

for not posting anymore! I played around with it today with all the fun

gadgets and modes, taking dorky random pictures of my good natured family. . .

I won't post any of those pics, but here's one I kind of liked. . .

she's still my favorite piece :)

As far as the construction. . .

We got the main floor all painted, all the base ripped out, and got a call

from the shipping company letting me know that our wood floors

will be here Friday morning, can I get a YAY?!!

I've only been waiting about eight years for this, but I have a

feeling that it'll all be worth it!

I've just had to keep reminding myself,

patience is a virtue,

PATIENCE is a virtue,

patience is a VIRTUE ;)

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construction zone part 1

Posted by Unknown | Labels: construction zone, room makeovers, wood flooring

You'll notice that my posts have been few and far between

lately. Besides the fact that we've been super busy (yay for work!!)

my camera finally died and needed a proper burial. . .I know, its sad.

These pics are taken with my iPhone, which will have to do

until I get my paws on a new camera. Anyways, here's a little peek into

the project we're working on in our home. . .yes, you heard me right!

Instead of working on a clients home, we're actually working on our own. . .yay me!

This is the pile of tile my sweet son has been tearing out. . .you may need to

throw on a hard hat, because there's chunks a flyin' around here :)

As you walk in, this is the first room that you see. . .it's usually not such

a pig pen, but when there's demo going on, who feels like cleaning?

This room is getting a fresh coat of paint as well as hardwood flooring. . .can't wait!

This is standing in the same spot, but just looking forward into the kitchen.

You can see where we've ripped out all of the tile. . .the carpet's going next!

Here's another angle of the kitchen over by the dining table.

While we've loved the country finish we did on the kitchen a while back,

we've decided it was time for a new face lift as well.

Ugh. . .I promise to get better pictures next time too :(

The kitchen, dining room, and family room are all connected.

Basically, the whole main floor is getting hardwood flooring, and fresh paint.

Bye-bye to mustard walls and Berber carpet!

We have three sets of stairs that will get the hardwood treatment as well.

I'm hoping to switch out some of the dated lighting too. We'll see if hubby cooperates.

Here's a little peek of what we're doing.
I originally wanted dark walnut floors (for as long as I can remember)
but when I saw this sample of hand scraped Aspen, I fell in love!

The wall color we choose is called Khaki Shade, by Sherwin Williams,

and this beautiful Belgium rug from Home Goods will go very nicely in the family room.

We're definitely in the messy-not-so-fun stage, but I know it will

all be worth it when it's done!

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New to the farmhouse collection

Posted by Unknown | Labels: custom built furniture

Since we 've had so much fun with building our farmhouse tables, we decided to

try a few other pieces that's been waiting around in the sketch book. . .

Say hello to our Chunky Style Coffee tables :)

We wanted it to be super simple in design, and reflect a worn, timeless appeal. . .

Next in the sketch book is a shutter style headboard and platform bed, which

will soon be available on our new Farmhouse Collection website here. :)

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cheap quick fix

Posted by Unknown | Labels: before and after's, tutorials

Here's just a cheap quick fix that most of you are probably aware of,

but I thought I'd mention it here just in case :)

Lighting can be costly to replace, but can be refinished for under $10.

Here's a brass light fixture that looked like it was ready to be replaced. . .

It actually had a nice design to it, and so we decided to run to our local

Home Depot to pick up a can of Bronze Metallic Finish Spray.

All it took was a little dusting off with a dry paint brush,

and then three light coats of the spray paint (allowing each coat to dry thoroughly)

and it was done. . . I just LOVE quick fixes!

This aerosol spray can go right over metal, plastic, ceramic. . .pretty much anything.

BEFORE. . .

. . .and AFTER :)

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