Another Kitchen Project: Cabinets

Ideally, I'd love new cabinets.  Simple white ones from Ikea would be perfect.  However, I am once again working with what I've got, which are the most basic, simple cabinets installed in 1968 (the year my condo was built).  I've had many disasters with painting them so far. I began by painting them with two samples of Sherwin Williams paint.  Why, do you ask?  Because I didn't know that it wasn't REAL paint, and it was much cheaper and two tiny containers was enough.  However, it didn't stick, and I had to remove all of that paint and do it over.  NIGHTMARE.

So the next time I chose a brighter green, which I now regret.  It looks fine, but isn't quite right in my opinion.  So I'll be repainting soon (a relative term for those that know me well).  Before repainting I want to add some interest, and I plan to do that by installing molding around the basic square cabinet doors.  Click here to go to Better Homes and Garden's site for ideas.  I plan to do something simple and easy, and took this picture for inspiration when I was walking around Home Depot. It's simple and easy, and I like the design (minus the weird bottom piece of wood, which I will be omitting.  I'll also be going with a different color, as I'm way too lazy to glaze my cabinets to add antiqued dimension.

Painting Vinyl Flooring

I not so recently began a project to reinvigorate my kitchen floor.  I have a tiny kitchen, and though I would prefer tile I am unable to move out my fridge, stove, and dishwasher on my own, so I decided to work with what I've got.  This would be some nasty vinyl flooring.  It is made to look like tile, though it has yellowed over time.  I found a great article from DIY Network on how to paint vinyl, and stencil it.  I'm not too into stenciling, so I just ignored that part. 
Basically, I started by cleaning the floor with TSP, sanding the floor, and cleaning that up.  I then KILZed the floor.  My next step is using the Glidden porch/floor paint I had tinted light gray. Below is the poor quality, taken at night on my iPhone during shot photo. 

One coat completed, one to go.

It already looks so much better.  Once the trim and door are painted which instead of the original off-white, it will look much better.  The cabinets are a bright green, soon to become a more toned down sage green.

Ballard Designs

I am a HUGE fan of Ballard Designs.  I devour each catalogue I receive and cut out inspiration ideas.  I looked through it today and found a few ideas that anyone could DIY in no time.  First up is the wine barrel plaque.  I'm not a fan of wine, but I think this would be cute in a kitchen.  For $15 (or free if you have one lying around) you can get a large clock at TJ Maxx or Marshalls that has a plastic cover over the hands.  If the frame is black you  may not have to paint it, but I would recommend you paint the plastic cover and frame with black chalkboard paint.    After the paint has dried, simply stencil your words, lightly applying the paint.  Voila!  Though not quite the $169 teak wood version, you have something that looks similar for much less.

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=12875&fromNewSearch=true&mercadoResultId=2

The next idea that caught my eye was a laundry sign.  I love laundry rooms.  So much, in fact, that I think I will do an entire post on laundry room ideas next week.  Get excited!  Anway, back to Ballard Designs.  I've seen this idea put into practice with tracing and an overhead projector, especially on large projects.  This project could be done with a home printer, however.

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=12857&fromNewSearch=true&mercadoResultId=2

Bathroom Ideas

My tiny bathroom has a toilet and a bathtub/shower. There isn't any room for shelving or shelving units, so when I came across this in a Better Homes and Gardens email I got excited. It would be the perfect place for my pretty bath oil, towels, and a candle.

http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/storage/bathroom/bathroom-storage-ideas/?page=2

Right now my walls are painted dark brown, which I love, but my high ceiling is white.  I've been afraid that painting my ceiling the same color brown would make it a little too cave-like.  Enter the idea of stenciling from Three Men and a Lady.   Check out what she did on her bathroom ceiling.  White and dark brown would be perfect in my small space!  The only question is whether or not I'll take the time and make the effort to do it. 

 

Supplies

I've always been a fan of See Jane Work.  The company specializes in designer/adorable/affordable office supplies.  I was perusing the site today and found two items that you could make at home for very little money.

First up, Day of the Week clips.  All you need for this one are clothespins, glue (or decoupage) and markers (or a color printer).  I think these would be handy for grouping your to-do-lists, coupons, etc. by what day in which you will need them.  For a tutorial on decorative clothespins, visit http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/crafty-clothespins/.

http://www.seejanework.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=102&idproduct=3111

Second on the list is the pencil cup.  This can be made by recyling used tin cans, or by purchasing an empty paint can at any hardware store.  Simply wrap the can with cute paper (I recommend cutting scrapbook paper to fit) and either tape or glue the seam closed. Turn the seam to the back and you are all set!  To simply purchase these already made, click on the links below is each photo.

http://www.seejanework.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=102&idproduct=3046

Painting Inspiration

I'm in the process of painting my bedroom, and it hasn't gone as expected.  I want a blue/grey color, and found the perfect shade in Behr's French Grey.  The problem?  It looks great in the can and on the sample, but on the wall it appears baby blue. 

I have been searching online at other paint sites, and while searching I came across this amazing master bedroom with open bathroom.  I'm in love. 

 

 

Source: http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Bedrooms/Cottage-Master-Suite-with-Open-Bathroom/detail.esi?oid=14218491

Home: Bathroom

Bathroom time.  The shabby chic lover in me adores the pictures below:

I tiled my bathroom with the tiles below:

I love this sink:

An idea to steal:

This doesn't even feel like a bathroom.  Note the mirror placement to increase the light in the room.

The more sensible part of me loves the Pottery Barn look (pic from Brown Design Inc.), as seen below:

This sink is from Ikea with a handmade stand.

Nice tile:

I would not be opposed to using this shower:

I like the sink, and love the baskets of clean, fresh towels:

This is a creative bathroom.  I'd remove the pink, but otherwise like it.