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Sufferage ephemera from the 20s

Easy Update: Caulk Re-Do

Sometimes it's the smallest details that make something look polished and "done". Definitely the case in the latest easy update we tackled: Re-doing the caulking on our kitchen backsplash.

Granted, this wasn't a project we really set out to tackle initially - The wood backsplash that came in our kitchen is not exactly our idea of dreamy, and it had to come out to lay down our countertop. Since that went in, we sort of just had it tacked back in place with the nails it had in it as a stop-gap measure before our "real backsplash" (aka: tile) came to fruition.

Makeshift dining chair sawhorses.

Well, it's not coming as quickly as we had hoped based on other projects that have taken priority. So! Rather than continue to have the random wayward water spill around the sink drain down behind the cabinets, we decided just to caulk it on the bottom and keep things dry until the "real" version gets put in down the line.

Safety first - Avoiding flying caulk scraps.

The builders did a pretty horrendous job of being tidy with their caulking job, so I scraped and sanded as much of their remnants off that I could without doing too much damage to the wood itself.

White now, but will dry completely clear.

Then once the nails were tapped back into place, a layer of clear caulk went down, followed by a swipe with one of those fantastic triangular squeegee tools (sort of similar to this).

See the line of where the caulk was previously? Yikes!

Now really, builders, how hard is that to make tidy? If I hadn't had to clean up their job, this whole thing would have taken about 10-15 minutes. Since I did, the job ran Nate and I about 40 minutes, but hey, under an hour for turning something irritatingly messy into something I can live with is pretty great.

Boo!

Our pumpkins this year!

And Tucker's costume this year - a Punk!

Taggin' the hood

Easy Update: Basket as Side Table

I'm going to post two "projects" this week that I'm calling Easy Updates. Quick switch-outs or updates that take only minutes but make a pretty big aesthetic difference.

First up, using a basket as a side table. I fell in love with this guy at Michael's this weekend (when I was 'just browsing'... whoops), and lucky for me, I randomly hit upon the 50% off baskets sale. Sold!

I knew just where this new addition was going to land - I stuck a technically outdoor plant stand in a corner of our living room that just doesn't float my boat, and it was time to switch it out. Funny how just the one change takes it from a little hodge-podge to interesting and warm (well, in my humble opinion anyway).

Before...

...After

It's insides are empty for the moment, but I'm thinking it may be the perfect spot for our board games and puzzles that are currently taking up precious shelf space in my [someday-when-I-organize-it] sewing room. I wouldn't have paid the original price of $50 for this basket, but at $25 it was the perfect addition for this switch-a-roo/update.

Before...

...After

Random Round Up: Home

With no sporting events to attend and no major plans, Nate and I stuck close to home this weekend and are better for it starting off this work week. Nothing like a couple naps and some extra puppy snuggles to get'cha ready to face a Monday.

Japanese Maples in our yard are starting turn from maroon to a brilliant red.

I was totally drinking the Christmas koolaid at Michael's... Love!

The neighborhood's all dressed up for fall.

Stormy Skies

Early morning MRI for Nate means latte and fashion mag in the waiting room for me.

Blaze of Glory

What to do with a dated fireplace and no desire to spend the money on a full facelift? Why the Botox of the craft world of course: Spray paint.

Presto-change-o, an upgrade in a bottle:

Not horrible, but dated and, well... gold.

We spend the most time in this room. Time for a change. (Husky v.ball on tv!)

High Heat spray paint?! SOLD.

We won't hit this temp, but good to know.

Off, outside, ready for a makeover.

Three very light coats and some dry-time later...

...Popped back into it's home and ready for action!

So much better and less... gold.

I'll have to figure out what to do with the inset still-gold trim around the edge since it isn't removable, but even if I never come up with a solution for that the result is pretty fab. I love that the fireplace is matte but the spray paint is a semi-gloss, allowing there to be some textural interest even though it's all the same color.

Funny how making something LESS of a standout is just what the room needs sometimes!

P.S. This is getting tagged with the 'Quick Craft' category too because the actual spray paint took about 10 minutes. The taping/foiling took about 15-20, and the dry time was of course 24 hours to allow for off-gassing before it came in from the garage. But super fast for this high of an impact. Love it! Spray paint strikes again!

Window Seat Complete!

Okay nearly, but the total structure is FINISHED, and all that's left to do is make cushions. So, so exciting - It looks like it was always meant to be there! Couldn't have wished for a more perfect outcome, and all thanks to my Dad's amazing carpentry skills and patience.

Ready to get inundated with pics? Here we go...

Tucker supervises as the last piece goes in.

Adding trim

Good thing those dogs are around to make sure we're on the right track.

Strength Testing Committee

Trim finished and ready for filler and paint!

Pre-finishing touches

Next up: Wood filler

And some plaster to smooth out corners.

So scary to do this part...!!

Gotta get ugly before it gets good.... I hope...

Now the pretty begins - Paint going on!

Vertical trim pieces to cover bench-segment seams.

Could it be...?? It's DONE!

Magic!

And look at those corner seams - Gone!

And just to save you from carpal tunnel, a little [way] before and after snapshot:

 I can't believe it's really finished... Seems almost like magic that something I saw in my mind's eye pretty much from our first viewing of the house with our realtor has come to such (freaking awesome) fruition.

Shall we review the list once again?
*Build & Prime
*Paint
*Rip out carpet underneath structure (and eventually put in flooring - can't WAIT for that)
*Remove baseboard trim from wall and place on bottom of bench (we went with new in the end)
*Fill holes and touch-up paint
*Adhere vertical decorative (and seam-hiding) trim to body of bench
*Adhere trim to front lip of seat cover
*Make cushions

Only one item left, and that's all on me.... So you can bet that will take a minute or two to get done. But y'all will be the first to see the results! I'll keep you posted.