Bob Vila's Key West Weekend Give-Away with the Unico System

With our hectic schedules and never-ending to-do lists, who out there couldn’t use a vacation? Strolling on the beach...

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Solved! What To Do About Black Mold in the Bathroom

Q: I just went to clean our rental property after the tenant moved out, and I found black mold in the bathroom. Yuck!...

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How To: Remove Paint from Trim and Molding

Walls framed by baseboards and crown molding exude unmistakable character and polish, most notably in historical home...

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Buyer’s Guide: Pressure Washers

Nothing says “clean” like a great pressure washing! Everything from decks and driveways to patio furniture and window...

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So, You Want to... Build a Carport

Need a place to park that fancy new speedboat? A carport may be just the ticket! While it’s not quite a garage, a car...

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Settling right in…again

Madison is home again and settling right into a project.  She’s knocking out the wall between the two closets in the small bedrooms on the main floor.  This is part of my master plan to create a jack and jill bathroom in this area.  I’m not taking that on any time soon but I don’t mind if Madison tears out the wall now.  It’s good to have her home and I’m glad she is interested in tackling some DIY projects.  FINALLY.  She has realized that it would be a good idea to learn some skills before venturing out on her own completely.

She was so antsy to get settled into her own space that she started this project a bit prematurely.  Day 2, she decided to take the bedroom in the basement instead of the tiny bedrooms upstairs.  She was going to use one of the two small rooms as a bedroom and one as an office and place to play and record music.  The large bedroom downstairs is big enough for everything.  Using that bedroom was suggested BEFORE this closet project started but girl couldn’t make up her mind.

Whatev.  That wall has to come down eventually anyway and we don’t currently use those rooms.  ALSO, Madison moved home just a week before Wes and I left on vacation so I let her run with her plan.

We arrived back home yesterday from our R&R and NOW I have to deal with things…like the mess of drywall that is still laying on the floor.  I still have so much to teach that girl.   It’s important to clean up and finish the job – regardless of  how ill conceived a project might have been.  😉

I’m glad I have a few more years to teach her these important life lessons.

The post Settling right in…again appeared first on Sawdust Girl®.

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Don't Run Your Boiler Without This One Key Component

The average homeowner rarely gives the boiler a second thought—until there's a problem. Fortunately, as the engine th...

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How To: Get Rid of Crows

The bald eagle may be our national symbol, but virtually every American has encountered the crow. These highly intell...

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How To: Get Rid of Crows

The bald eagle may be our national symbol, but virtually every American has encountered the crow. These highly intell...

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How To: Stake a Tree

Most new trees do just fine on their own. In fact, the movement they experience from normal wind and weather helps th...

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What Type of In-Floor Heating Is Right for You?

Spring has arrived at last. But don't let the warmer weather fool you into forgetting all about the challenges of win...

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TD Bank Rolling Renovation Home Tour & 3 DIY Tips

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with TD Bank & HGTV Magazine.

I recently returned from Lexington, South Carolina, where I presented at the Rolling Renovation Home Tour on behalf of TD Bank and HGTV Magazine. I spoke about how to create a home you love on a budget with DIY, and today I’ll highlight a few of my tips for you. First of all, the purpose of the TD Bank Rolling Renovation Tour is to help spread the word that TD Bank can help your renovation dreams come true with a home equity line of credit. They’re giving away prizes and setting up their traveling “glass house” at various locations throughout the Eastern part of the country, and I had the opportunity to hang out at their tour stop in Lexington, SC. I’ll also be presenting on May 29 at the Ft. Lauderdale Home Design & Remodeling Show, along with DIY host Jason Cameron who will be at the show that weekend as well.

Here’s a look at their glass house. It was set up to look like a real kitchen inside, which was really neat to see.

Now, let’s talk DIY. I firmly believe that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a home that you love. Learning DIY skills is not only empowering and fun, but it can save you so much money. My presentation included several of my decorating and DIY tips, but a few of my favorite basic tips are:

See things for what they could be, not for what they are.

Here are some examples of seeing things for what they could be rather than for what they are. This console table was pretty ugly when I first laid eyes on it, but I knew I liked the size and detailing, and that I could transform it to look totally different.

Console Table

Here it is now:

 Entryway

Here’s another example. This basic bookcase got a fun makeover for our playroom.

After:

Bookshelf Makeover

This basic IKEA Billy bookcase also got a whole new look. After:

IKEA Billy Bookcase Makeover

Never underestimate the power of paint.

It’s a relatively inexpensive change and can make a dramatic difference. The projects above are a great illustration of this point, but here are a few more examples. This was our family room when we moved into our home. Dark, dated, and that brick made the room feel even darker.

I whitewashed the brick fireplace which instantly brightened the room. It was an inexpensive fix.

It’s never too late to learn new skills.

I decided four years ago that I wanted to learn how to use power tools and build furniture. I had never even touched a power tool before, but it’s never too late to learn! The resources are available, all you have to do is research, practice, and give it a try. I taught myself how to use the tools, and then I saved thousands of dollars building things for our home. Here are a few of the projects I’ve built in the last few years.

DIY Wood and Nailhead Headboards

Entryway Bench

DIY Outdoor Table & Benches

Ultimately, DIY is a great way to save money while also creating a unique and personal space, and pouring your heart into making your home a reflection of your family. I hope to see some of you in Ft. Lauderdale on May 29!

You can also connect with me here:

Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

The post TD Bank Rolling Renovation Home Tour & 3 DIY Tips appeared first on Erin Spain.

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Genius! The Free Kitchen Hack for Every Squeeze Bottle

Alton Brown, the Food Network chef behind Good Eats, is a man who loves his mustard. He's penned more than a dozen re...

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Kobalt 24V MAX Power Tools Pricing Released

Side Table Makeover with FolkArt Milk Paint

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Plaid®. All opinions are my own.

Let me tell you a story about this sad little table. This table is a survivor from my husband’s bachelor days.

It somehow has managed to stick around through the years, first as a nightstand at our very first apartment as newlyweds, then back and forth between bedrooms in our various homes, then stashed in a closet, and finally, relegated to the basement. But this little table has been rescued from the depths of our musty basement and given a new life. Today I’m sharing our side table makeover with FolkArt® Milk Paint. This is what our formerly sad little table looks like now.

Here are the products and supplies I used on our sweet little side table:

• FolkArt Milk Paint in Monument Gray
• FolkArt Bonding Primer & Sealer
• FolkArt 1.25″ Milk Paint Brush
• Sanding Block

About FolkArt Milk Paint

As a member of the inaugural team of Plaid Creators, I was able to visit the Plaid Headquarters here in Atlanta and play around with lots of new amazing products hitting the market. One of those products was FolkArt Milk Paint, and I couldn’t wait to get home and play around with it some more. This paint is awesome, and it’s brand spankin’ new and launching this month.

FolkArt Milk Paint is perfect for vintage items and raw wood, but can be used on finished wood too if you use the Bonding Primer first. The milk paint is extremely versatile and can be used on several surfaces, including walls, furniture, unfinished wood, metal, concrete, and masonry. It produces a beautiful flat finish, and brushes like a stain but the finished product looks like paint. The thing that sets this particular milk paint apart from others on the market is the fact that it is premixed and ready to use, is casein based, and will not spoil like the powdered milk paint mixes. It’s non-toxic, durable, and can be used to create a variety of looks, from distressed and aged to a smooth finish. It’s known especially for its durable and velvety smooth finish. It comes in 33 gorgeous, rich colors.

FolkArt has also come out with a line of milk paint brushes which are designed to work with their milk paints, and the bristles have natural “flag” tips for the best performance possible, and rounded edges to reduce brush marks.

Side Table Makeover Tutorial

Step 1: Prep

Since our side table was previously stained and sealed, I lightly sanded it and then brushed on the FolkArt Milk Paint Bonding Primer and Sealer.

Step 2: Paint

I allowed it to dry according to the directions (approximately 4 hours), and then brushed on a coat of the Monument Gray Milk Paint in the direction of the wood grain.

Step 3: Second Coat

I allowed the first coat to dry for about 30 minutes, then lightly sanded and brushed on another coat.

Step 4: Topcoat

I sealed it with another coat of the Bonding Primer & Sealer as a topcoat.

I absolutely love this cute little table now.

For more information, ideas, and inspiration, be sure to connect with Plaid on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube!

 

So tell me, which color of milk paint are you dying to try?

You can also connect with me here:

Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

The post Side Table Makeover with FolkArt Milk Paint appeared first on Erin Spain.

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So, You Want to... Waterproof Your Basement

Unless your plan is to install a swimming pool in your basement, you probably cringe at the idea of water trickling i...

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How To: Get Rid of Grubs

They don’t care who you are or where you live. You won’t see them coming, and by the time they make their presence kn...

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Master Bedroom Sputnik Chandelier from Lucent Lightshop

I recently showed you our master bedroom makeover which I finished as part of the One Room Challenge, and the focal point of the room is this stunning brass Sputnik chandelier.

This was a custom light fixture designed for the room by Sarah at Lucent Lightshop, and she outdid herself with this one! First of all, Lucent Lightshop has a great selection of gorgeous Mid-Century style lighting to choose from in their online shop, but they also do custom lighting. I described to Sarah exactly what I wanted for the room, showing her some inspiration photos and discussing exactly what size, shape, finish, etc., I envisioned for the room. She made it come to life, and it turned out exactly how I pictured it. She also went above and beyond to have this light fixture finished and shipped to me in time for the One Room Challenge reveal, even though the timeline was super tight.

I knew I wanted a statement piece, and I wanted it to be large-scale since our bedroom is quite spacious. This chandelier is about 3 feet across and two feet high, and it’s the perfect replacement for our ceiling fan, which by the way was not an easy sell for my husband to get rid of. We compromised by getting an oscillating floor fan, and as soon as he saw the type of light I was envisioning for the space, he was on board. Turns out he loves it too.

Sarah also made the smaller Sputnik in our entryway. She was amazing to work with and I can’t say enough good things about her and her shop. If you’re looking for Mid-Century style lighting, Lucent Lightshop is my absolute favorite source. The prices are super affordable compared to other shops, and the quality is amazing.

You can also connect with Lucent Lightshop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Disclosure: I partnered with Lucent Lightshop for the One Room Challenge, and they generously provided the light fixture for our room. All opinions are my own.

You can also connect with me here:

Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

The post Master Bedroom Sputnik Chandelier from Lucent Lightshop appeared first on Erin Spain.

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