Dare to Become Your Dream

Daring to dream, think outside the box, imagine that life could be entirely different.  Be vulnerable. Embrace uncertainty. Soar to new heights.  Think in a new way. Get out of your own way. Be brave. Seek courage. Desire to inspire. Think big. Think different. Leap. Become your dream. What are we all waiting for?

It is all seemingly simple, but amazingly complicated.

Photo Credit:1 citizenmom.net, 2 quick-reads.com

Community

“A healthy social life is found only, when in the mirror of each soul the whole community finds its reflection, and when in the whole community the virtue of each one is living” Rudolf Steiner

Oh, Spring.

I remain hopeful that you have not forgotten us.

Who Was I Kidding: You Can't Do a Bathroom Makeover in a Weekend

The joy of older houses, you never know what you are going to find until you start tearing down things!  I would say we are 2/3 of the way done at this point.  After another weekend of war with the wallpaper remains, we got the wainscoting up and paint.

We removed the old oak vanity and refinished it.  This is one of my favorite things to do!  It is a great way to add a punch of color and reuse/recycle. 
Steps for a cottage blue vanity. 

Using a fine grit sandpaper, scratch off the finish on the cabinet.  You aren't trying to get down to wood, just rough up the surface.  Pick a few spots and sand those a second time, you will get a deeper saturation of color in those places.  Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dust.

Mix one part flat white acrylic paint with 2 parts water. Lightly load with the paint water mixture a 1 1/2 inch chip brush.

Paint with the grain of the wood.  You will be able to still see the wood through the paint at this point, which is a good thing, you don't want a full coat, more of a white wash.  Allow to dry for one hour and apply a second coat.

Select your top paint color.  I used Sherwin Williams spa blue.
Mix one part paint with two parts floetrol.
Keeping with the grain apply one light coat with a clean dry chip brush.  Repeat until desired saturation is reached.  You may want to apply another white coat over the top, or just hit some areas for a more distressed look.  Allow to try for 2 hours.

Using a third clean dry chip brush (good thing these are cheap) apply a thin coat of polyacrylic matte top coat.

Allow to dry and repeat with a final coat.

 

More photos and tips to come this weekend!

The Eve Before a Bathroom Makeover

We bought our house in July.  A friend said that it looked like the previous owners got their inspiration for decor from the Cracker Barrel Store.  I couldn't have agreed more.  We have a small half bath, that has some great charm, cute window and amazing vintage crown molding.  Problem - it was COVERED in a very small, incredibly busy floral wall paper. 

I began the enormous task of getting it down last month. This same wallpaper had covered the entire kitchen as well and was nothing short of pure hell to get down.  Industrial strength wallpaper glue on plaster walls is a real treat to get down.  I ran out of steam halfway through the bathroom.  Tomorrow is the day for the finish.  We are going to do wainscoting, a vibrant spring green paint and I am going to refinish the vanity and mirror in a fun vintage robin's egg blue and make new curtains.  Our 48 hour bathroom plan begins tomorrow am.
Here is the "before"

If all goes well, there should be an "after" at some point Sunday night.  I have had a few people ask where I get my DIY decorating ideas from.  Here are a few things I use for inspiration.

Fresh Home Magazine is published quarterly.  They have great, vibrantly colored, DIY ideas.  Their website is a treasure trove of ideas and colors.  I can't ever seem to part with a new issue, and look at it often for inspiration for our house, but for art at well.

West Elm has modern and contemporary furniture and accessories.  Their rooms are really put together, but not at all fussy and have very reasonable prices.  It is a good mix of sleek danish modern ideas mixed with vintage cottage, that makes a great modern, but comfortable statement.

Better Homes and Gardens Online decor webpage and newsletters.  I still remember issues of this in my house growing up and their website is just beyond their print publication.  Check the link, you will be surprised.  They have great ideas for every room in the house.  Their weekly e-newsletter is worth signing up for...honestly.

Tonight I will sip some tea and get inspired for the makeover.  One thing I know for sure, we will have some Adele, Fleet Foxes and Avett Brothers on for deliciously fun sing-a-longs and motivation!