Cleaning Spree

This weekend I plan on doing a clean sweep of the downstairs - go through all the kitchen cabinets, drawers, nooks and crannies in prep for repainting.

Plus, make Eric is homemade [as requested] yellow cake with chocolate frosting and strawberries. Then, spending tonight hanging out with Mike and the gang.

Going to power through until yoga at 11 -- happy weekend all!

SOLD

The fan is set to sell on Saturday to a nice woman in Concord! I've gotten emails on the table and wine fridge too -- so hopefully I can start clearing out and cleaning up. I've got a big pile for Goodwill piling on my chair.

It was night 1 of Sailor learning to sleep not-on-my-bed. Tugs needs to be less dependent about sleeping on me so I can get a good nights sleep. At a whooping 50lbs she is just getting too big [and too hot in the summer] for sleepovers. She did manage to give me the "It's 5:30am - let's go running now" jump this morning.

Confidence

E and I had a chat last night where he convinced me that the "remodel" is possible.

Eric: "The light bulb is not earth shattering technology, Em. We can build it. It'll be fun."

Hope.

With those words in mind, I started snapping some photos and listing some downstairs furniture on Craigslist.

Progress.

The Table and Chairs + the Wine Fridge are listed (sorry Liz and Jimmy ... I know it was a present but it sucks energy and living alone I throw the wine in the fridge bc there is ample space ..). Hopefully I'll get some bites. I hope to sell the fan I replaced and the monster TV at Eric's soon too - aka, extra cash for my "war chest."

This weekend I'm determined to make progress on the refurbing of the chair at the Ranch. I'll make sure to take pictures.

Over a year and it's time to "re" my downstairs

It's been over a year and I'm already tired of my paint choices. In retrospect, 3 colors was a bit much for a loft, but I loved the green and light yellow and hoped it would all look wonderful. But, it the high ceilings, I think it's more like a fun house now.

So, time to "re." Repaint, remove old stuff, redesign my original plan. There are 2 pieces missing from my downstairs:

1. Curtains - this will be my next "DIY" project with the sewing machine. My next trip to mary jo's will be a big one. These curtains/rod combo are my inspiration.
2. New Media Stand - I've been suffering the IKEA one I've had since I moved into my own place and needed one quick, but, it's time to upgrade. In the spirit of "more storage" which is a must when loft living, I've been eyeing a buffet turned TV stand.

Repainting will take the most time to decide on a color -- am planning on hitting up the local Ben Moore this weekend for some samples to paint on the walls to see how they look with the light/space. Definitely going grey though - it will look a lot more subtle with the grey-blue color I have on the stair walls and upstairs.

There is also another little project I'm thinking of for the wall behind the couch, but, I'll save that once I ask my resident handyman if it's "possible." He did say last night that we can try and make the pendant lights I've been eyeing from pottery barn - and I quote, "that would be a fun project." Whoaaaa who!!

DIY Kitchen Chalkboard

My "throw-away" chalkboard is complete. Big thanks to E for showing me how to use the power tools!

Directions:

1. Take used door molding and cut to size of plywood. Cut the corners at a 45 degree angle. Use wood filler and fill in holes and sand down as necessary.
2. Sand down plywood to hang-touch smooth.
3. Wipe plywood down with a wet cloth and let dry.
4. Paint the molding with desired color (fire engine red!) - I used 4 coats.
5. Paint the dry plywood with standard black chalkboard paint (bought from Lowe's). - I used 4 coats.
6. Let completely dry.
7. Nail the molding to the plywood from the back. Put nails every couple of inches and make sure they are sturdy/long enough to go through the plywood+molding.
8. Attach hooks on the back and wire sting 10 inches from the top.
9. Hang on wall.

Next project - curtains!

Hot Hot Hot

Summer will be gone before we know it and we'll be right on our way to complaining about the cold. Eric, Sails and I have been adventuring out as much as possible between swimming at the Ranch, venturing out to hike, and gardening the 8+ foot tomato plants.

Looking forward to getting back out on the Lake mid August and all the birthday's coming up!

Happy Birthday America

What a great time at Wen and Brad's Engagement Party!