Buffet to Kitchen Island - Part 1 (Pinterest Challenge Project #3)

In an effort to fulfill my dream of having a kitchen island with seating, Andrew and I are making one from a thrifted buffet table, plywood and elbow grease. This project is going to be posted in parts because I can't stand to not share it as I go along! This whole project is part of a Pinterest Challenge I've joined, which you can read all about right here.

The first part of this project (and another dresser project waiting in the wings) is inspired by Young House Love and their post about painting & staining furniture. They've done gorgeous things, and they've broken me from my 'all white furniture' problem, indefinitely. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The overall vision we have for the island is to have this piece as the base and create an extended fake butcher block top (thank you Pinterest) and use salvaged table legs, with stools for seating. We have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore shop in our neighborhood, and it has all sorts of amazing finds from furniture, household trinkets, and even building supplies. I've never ventured in there until I started looking for a piece of furniture to make the island with. We were looking for a piece of furniture to repurpose, rather than a pair of kitchen cabinets with a counter top... we need some personality!

What I found was this:

Hideous color and gingerbread all over the place. Ugly. Andrew got it home and started tearing right into it, so I didn't get a full picture of the piece in all it's 1960 glory. We saw this piece a month before we purchased it, and I decided to go back and check on it. I kept thinking about it and figured if it was still there, it was meant to be ours. And it was still there. MINE! The size was perfect, the storage space was awesome, it's solid wood, and most of that gingerbread was half falling off as it was. Let me just tell you the amazing cost of this little piece of amazing:

Originally: $40
Blue Tags: 40% off
Total: $24.

Drywall, Paint and Trim. Oh My Gosh.

I've packed round 1 of our non-essential things, and am feeling like we should pack a 2nd round of non-essentials, since we are actually closing in 3 weeks and moving in 4 weeks.

After the pre-drywall meeting, we went to the house on a gorgeous day, just to see and take some photos before everything was done, and we found the house pretty much, well, done. The drywall and trim were up and painted, and the cabinetry was in except for a few things in the kitchen.

Super Late Update - Footings & Pre-Drywall Meeting!

I really haven't update this since January? Oops.

So, our house is almost finished. What the what. These 12 weeks have totally flown by, and I'm in complete denial that any of it is happening, despite the moving boxes, labels, checklists laying around. We are also renting our current home, so there are the occasional showings and rental applications that pop in. But this is actually happening. Like, right now.

Our timeline looks like this:

March:
Week 1: Excavation & Footings
Week 2-3: Foundation
Week 4-5: Framing

April:
Week 6-7: Mechanicals & Insulation
Week 7-8: Drywall
Week 9: Trim
Week 10: Paint

May:
Week 11: Final Trades
Week 12: Carpet & Flooring
Week 12-13: Inspection & Final Walk Through

I have to say, I thought I was going to be one of those homeowners who stops by the site weekly and takes a boatload of pictures and blogs about impending disaster or progress, but I wasn't. We live so far away, and never really felt like making the trip out there just to see piping or electrical work, so we didn't. Our friend that does live close by did stop by once in a while to send us photos of our hole in the ground, and the framing process - which were the most exciting for us anyway.

Breaking Ground & Footings:
We had our pre-construction meeting, in February and broke ground in March.

Gold Letter Step Stool Tutorial - Pinterest Project #2!

This project is part of the 14 Pinterest Projects by 2014 Challenge over at Mama's Got It Together! Each month, I'm going to link my post to the party, and show my inspirations, the how-to and my final results, all in the name of productivity! If you want to join in the fun, stop by the Pinterest Challenge page at Mama's Got It Together and add your link!

Lilly has this old step stool, that my mom bought at a garage sale when I was a little kid. It's something that you should sit on while milking a cow, or something. When we stole borrowed the stool from my mom for Lilly to use when she started potty training, it was a very blah shade of brown stain. I couldn't take it, so we painted it bright white to match everything else in our non-blah-brown house. After staring at a plain white stool for the last 6 months or so, I saw a stenciled step stool and got the idea to use her initial for the stool, just to add a little glam. Because trips to the potty require a little glam, right? 

So now she's got this...

My original pinspiration came from this adorable project by Shannah at Just Us Four:

Isn't is cute!? I went overboard with Martha Stewart craft paint once I saw some gold metallic I liked, so I'm sure you'll be seeing a little more of it in projects to come. Don't judge me!

Here's what I used for my project:

• stool
• letter stencil or a cut out
• craft paint
• foam stencil brush
• painters tape
• napkin or paper towel
• scissors or utility knife

I started off by giving the stool a fresh crisp coat of white paint, using Behr white Porch & Floor paint. It's the same stuff we used to refinish our staircase, so it's heavy duty. Super hard core. Toddler tough. While that dried, I printed out a girly looking cursive L. The font used is Learning Curve, which you can download for free here if you love it as much as I do!  

I put painters tape on the back of the paper, then cut out my letter. The tape prevents the paint from bleeding all the way through the paper, avoiding a wet painty mess. Of course, a plastic stencil would be so much better, but I couldn't find a font I liked in the size I wanted. So if your project permits, I'd go that route first.

Place the stencil and it's pieces where you want it, and tape it down. Use a teeny bit of paint on your brush.  Too much will paint will result in fuzzy edges and bleeding. In an up and down motion (never side to side), fill in your letter. 

I had a little bleeding on some of the edges...

But I then went back with a paintbrush and filled it in, so it wasn't so in-your-face.

I plan on doing a clear coat on top to seal it, but we're all out. I'd definitely suggest doing the clear coat, especially if the stool will be in regular use. Or, if you have my kid who beats it up on a daily basis.

I love this craft paint, and I'm working on a pair of initial pillows for our living room, so I'm sure that'll be the next project in the Pinterest Challenge!

Pinterest Challenge: Spray Painted Door Mat

This project is part of the 14 Pinterest Projects by 2014 Challenge over at Mama's Got It Together! Each month, I'm going to link my post to the party, and show my inspirations, the how-to and my final results, all in the name of productivity! If you want to join in the fun, stop by the Pinterest Challenge page at Mama's Got It Together and add your link!

My first Pinterest Challenge project is complete! Finally. Most of my projects are going to be for our new house, and as soon as I saw this, I knew it was going to be our new welcome mat. Our current house has a tiny step, which requires a special, ugly, boring, grey mat. Our new house has a giant porch, which calls for a big, cute mat. And, here it is!

My pinspiration came from Amy of And Sew We Craft...

My original pinspiration...

I originally thought I wanted to do a chevron, or a few small stripes with a red "T" for our last name - but I decided to bag that and just keep it simple. And I'm totally impatient. And don't measure perfectly. Ever.

Here's what you'll need:

• Door Mat (Mine was $10 from Ikea)
• Spray Paint (Use a full can, this half-can only did one coat. Fail.)
• Tape
• Measuring Tape/Ruler

You'll want to tape off your design first. Actually, you might want to plan ahead for your design. I couldn't decide what I wanted, so I started taping, took it off, started over, and marinated for a bit. I finally settled on stripes of random thicknesses. 

Make sure you push those edges in real well.

Shake and paint. Stand straight above your work and paint with long strokes. I tried keeping my can away from the mat about 8" or so, but it was too far and the paint didn't get in the fibers. I ended up spraying about 4-5" away. If you spray at an angle, you'll risk the paint bleeding under the tape. I had to do 2 coats to get a brighter color and even coverage, this photo is after the 1st coat.

The husbands' feet. 

After the second coat, I let it sit in the sun to dry. I totally love it!

I got a tiny bit of bleeding, I think from when my husband went crazy with the spray paint can. But I figure it'll fade with some wear once we start using it.

I have plans to make a second one for our kitchen door, probably in a different color with some more stripes, perhaps going the other direction and mixing up some more thicknesses. I also think I want to add some thin stripes on this one, just to make it a little more interesting.

Nothing like a $13 custom door mat!

Who Needs A Pinterest Challenge? Me.

If you haven't heard, and I'm sure you have, we're moving in about a month. Freaking out. I've had a Pinterest board going since we put our deposit down. It's got all these decorating projects, colors, fabrics, and all kinds of goodies. But mostly projects. Projects, projects, projects.

Check out the full board right here: This New House

I am notorious for pinning and never getting to accomplish a project, and typically pin what I like to look at. But this board, I've really tried to keep it to things that I'm actually going to attempt to incorporate into the house. Since we're moving with a toddler and having a new baby at the same time (we are insane), I really want to finish as many 'decorator' projects as possible, just so I can have a somewhat cozy and homey place to get it together while we unpack and really get settled in, instead of living with naked walls and builder beige paint for months and months.

Obviously, I need a shove to get myself in gear, so I've joined the 14 Pinterest Projects by 2014 Challenge over at Mama's Got It Together! Take that, Pinterest projects! Each month, I'm going to link my post to the party, and show my inspirations, the how-to and my final results, all in the name of productivity!

If you want to join in the fun, stop by the Pinterest Challenge page at Mama's Got It Together and add your link!

{Wow Me Wednesday} Link Party - Features, Part Two!

This should've been up yesterday, but my scheduled post never posted. I always have that problem with Blogger. Arg! And I wanted to post this earlier today, but we had an absolutely insane afternoon. So how about a little Saturday night list of features instead.

If you missed my first installment, you can check it out right here.

If you were featured here, please grab the button and show it off!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.twotendesigns.com" title="Two Ten Designs" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShjTqPF8N6Q/UWXPUKm1r8I/AAAAAAAADKs/47Sh0vYHKQM/s1600/featuredonbutton.jpg" alt="Two Ten Designs" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

If you'd like to pin these amazing projects, I've disabled pinning from these images because that wouldn't be nice Pinsmanship! Please remember to pin from the original source, and while you're there... drop them a comment and spread the love!

Amanda from Butter And Other Good Things has these amazing dip-dyed mugs using craft paint...

Easy Fabric Flower Tutorial from Sarah at Life On Virginia Street...

This Baby Carseat Cover is adorable! From Christine at I Dig Pinterest and I Did It Too...

We Like to Learn As We Go shows off an amazing Doily Lantern Bowl!

Rebecca with The Crafted Sparrow has a Simple & Fun Earrings Tutorial...

Cute Crayons from Tamara at Etcetorize...



Sour Cream Coffee Cake from Rebecca at Beurrista...

YUM.
Have a fantastic finish to the weekend everyone!

Wow Me Wednesday & Other Features!

There were over 800 projects linked to Gingersnap Crafts {Wow Me Wednesday} Birthday Link Party! That's 800 entries of win, folks. She had over 40 hosts, and as one of these hosts, I'd like to share with you a few of my favorites today, and a few more on Friday.

If you were featured here, please grab the button and show it off!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.twotendesigns.com" title="Two Ten Designs" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShjTqPF8N6Q/UWXPUKm1r8I/AAAAAAAADKs/47Sh0vYHKQM/s1600/featuredonbutton.jpg" alt="Two Ten Designs" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

If you'd like to pin these amazing projects, I've disabled pinning from these images because that wouldn't be nice Pinsmanship! Please remember to pin from the original source, and while you're there... drop them a comment and spread the love!

Terry from Forever Decorating shows you how to make this amazing Longitude/Latitude pillow...

Ashley at Cherished Bliss shows you how to make your own laundry detergent. I make my own, and totally love it! Give it a try!

Semi-Homemade Mom's Kelly made me drool with this Waffle BLT with Fresh Herb Spread...

Crochet Dreamz made these to-die-for Crochet Baby Sandals...

Melissa over at Redfly Creations shows us how to make Sisal Coasters...

Tieghan from Half Baked Harvest brings in dessert (uh... yum!) with these Homemade Blizzards with Reese's Peanutbutter Eggs...

Don't forget to check back Friday for the rest of my favorite picks!


Features, features, features everywhere!! It's been such a busy and crazy week here, and there's so much I need to update you all on! I want to share that a few projects of mine have been featured this week...

JAQ's & My World Made By Hand have both featured my Perfect Projects for Spring post...

And Someday Crafts, Suburbs Mama and Find It, Make It, Love It have all featured my New Mom Comfort Gift Bag!

Thank you ALL so much for sharing my work!