Spring = Curb Appeal

Happy Spring Everyone!!!

My house is in desperate need of curb appeal. I've been wanting to go the black shutters red door route and I've decided it will happen this weekend.

I have plenty of paint left over from many other projects. So, the goal is to not spend more then $40 on flowers so get started.

I have so many visions in my head. Black door, black shutters. Red door, black shutters.

Which is the prettiest?

But get this; I never thought of painting the storm door and that was mostly my delay. I kept thinking of ways to replace it w/ out spending $300 on a door. Therefore, I will paint it.

Tomorrow I have a pretty big interview and I'm uber excited and scared though this change will help me find my way to Boston in the for late 2013. Whooeee! But tonight I will remove the shutters and maybe prime them and put some equity into the house. My goal is to be done by June. #DreamsDoComeTrue

Painted storm door. How purdy!

 

Some Feng Shui suggestions:

The colors of the door should reflect the compass direction it faces according to the Five Elements and/or be in balance with the elemental properties of the energies of the sector where the door is located. I have listed associated colors below.

• South (Fire) = Reds, pink, burgundy.
• Southwest (Earth) = Yellows or browns.
• West (Metal) = White, silver, copper or gold.
• Northwest (Metal) = White, silver, copper or gold.
• North (Water) = Blacks or blues.
• Northeast (Earth) = Yellows or browns.
• East (Wood) = Greens.
• Southeast (Wood) = Greens. 

My door faces North. Red or Blue. Hmmm, we'll see.

BTW, this is how I'm spring cleaning this year. 

Size matters!

~Rosanna

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New Inspired PB Headboard

I've been a busy bee. Work continues to take over my life. So much so, that I've even hired a cleaning lady. She will do the regular dusting, vaccuming, moping and thank God LAUNDRY!!! =D

Anyways; remember my Ikea headboard? It's cute but now I'm bored w/ it. So, I thought I would try this... Reveal coming tomorrow. See how I continue to get inspired by you!



I will get this posted as soon as I have a min. so that you see how beautiful it looks.

Stay tuned!

~Rosanna

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Kitchen $30 light update

Ikea to the rescue!!!

Ikea LEDING track light

These are small but heck, my kitchen is small and w/ 2 of these it did the trick.

This was I call the boob light. It's not bad just a bit bland. Almost blends into the ceiling. But I wanted some thing different then the same light I've been looking at for yrs. that all my friends have hanging in their houses up right now... So, I removed it.

Pretty easy to do, even on your own.

And voila! Here we have the Ikea LEDING track lighting for $15 each.

Here's what it looks like in both teeny areas.

Notice the white mini tiles on the back splash that is unfinished. It is.. I started putting them up and immediately hated it. It's just weird! I have other ideas but I have to marinate in them first.

If you have any ideas please feel free to shot them my way and of course keeping in mind that I'm looking for a bargain back splash.

Looking forward to all your thoughts and tips!

~Rosanna

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DIY Chalkboard Clock

I was sitting at home on Saturday night under the air and fan and it was still so unbearably hot and the boys were already sleeping, but I can't ever seem to sit still... I must make something!!

you probably know that PB has had the chalkboard clocks on and off... it inspired me over a yr ago to get splash some paint on this one.


On one of my GW shopping sprees; I found this neat little 10' HobLob lock for under a $1.00. Something was wrong w/ it and it wouldn't run. Well, I got it home; added a new battery, tightened the hands and used it for bit as it is...

then it started begging to be different. I gave in to it

1. I lightly sanded the clock face

2. Painted the hands w/ WHITE spray enamel
3. Painted the clock face w/ chalkboard paint

while it dried, Tequi and I chilled;

I made myself a treat specially since I've been super good about food this week

Tequi just laid as I'm thinking "AGH! get off my couch!"

once dried I "distressed" it

re-attached the hands

and


VOILA!

yes, it really was 2:30 in the A.M. I sometimes suffer of "lack of sleep".

Easy Peasy! What do you think? will you do this?

~Rosanna



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DIY Hanging Light

I've seen these on a few blogs and I couldn't help but try it *yes, I steal great ideas* =D

I've been holding on to this Restoration Hardware lamp shade for a little over 1 yr. that I got from GW for $.30 cents (I know, I can't believe I find these awesome things) so, why not put it to good use? No reason!! So, I went for it!

I picked up a lighting cord w/ the plug in that came w/ the on and off switch. I also grabbed a light bulb socket.

I like to line everything up in sequence... It gives me a plan of attack.

1. Line everything up.

2. Feed wire thru lamp shade (with a 12' cord you have lots of slack).
3. Continue to feed wire thru extra thread and thread thru socket.

14' Restoration Hardware Empire shade in Goldenrod $44

 4. Unscrew the socket and wire the ends to the socket (not to tightly, but securely).

5. Screw everything back in place (make sure it's secure but not too tight).

6. Use the screw hooks or whatever you call them =D to the ceiling and BLAMO!!

Enjoy your new haning lamp that cost under $15.

All an all, it took about 15mins to put together and hang. I'm speedy like that =D

Don't you just love the floor space? I love that I can have extra seating there and that it has the perfect mood lighting...

Confession: What the heck do I do about the cord that hangs on the wall? my 12yr old hates the white cord against my BEHR creamy mushroom paint... does that make this project a fail?

Don't forget to follow me. I have some pretty cool projects coming up and I can't wait to share! So, be part of my crazy parade =D

~Rosanna



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Show me some love and follow me, I'd love to have you along for the journey and get your suggestions =)

Update Vintage 1953 Table Fan

I have always been so addicted to vintage electric fans... My love affair started many yrs. ago in H.S. I've collected many and I've sold many more on CL. This is one of 3 that I've been holding on to but after some research since the metal fan craze is being reignited, I decided to update it.

This is how my 1953 Knapp Monarch Jack Frost 10" Desk Fan looks after sitting in my basement for over 10 yrs. I found it in an old condemned farm house in Mt. Pleasant after graduating from H.S. (oh the things I've done for the love of vintage).

After many trips to RH, PB and Target I thought it time to start working on my VERY old pieces. So, little by little they're finding their way out of their hiding spot. 

Here's the one from RH that drew my attention. Allaire Desk Fan Brushed Nickel

Retails for $99-$149 OUCH! *crossed eyes*

I took it apart, taking pictures along the way so, if I didn't remember where all the screws go I'd still have a reference "a picture is worth a thousand words". 

I couldn't remove the blades for some reason and so I wrapped it up in a grocery bag since I wanted to keep them "original" anyways. 

I taped all the metal functioning parts w/ Green Frog tape. Can you see some green on the cord? 

 I sprayed. Let dry. VOILA!!

Before and After

What do you think? Maybe next time I should paint the blades too. I've seen the blades in BLACK and the fan SILVER. Or maybe I can paint the fan BLACK w/ WHITE blades? I think that's all I can bring myself to do since I'm not a fan of bright colors, been there done that. I'm in LOURVE w/ earth tones. BROWNS, MUSTARD, GREEN, WHITE etc. 

  

Have you ever re-done a vintage fan before? will you walk away form one now?

~Rosanna

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Small Brown Bathroom Upadate

HERE

Wow, this bathroom has been quite the ordeal. I never seem to be satisfied w/ any changes I've made here. So, I did a bit more this time around.

THIS is where the journey begins.

To this.

Curtain search has begun =D

My sista Jenny recommended that I paint the ceiling the same color as the walls to widen the room.

I considered crown molding, but it breaks it up and I'm thinking it's more for a very tall ceiling... right?
Jenny was right, painting the ceiling as well as the walls draws your eyes up wards and gives the illusion of a taller room. Hmmm, I might have to try this trick in the kitchen and living room.

BTW, this is BEHR prime & paint; color Ethiopia. I could lick my walls... it's so MOCHA!

The mirror which, I moved over from the dinning area; sanded, primed, painted white and VOILA! It's gorge!

Ceiling Paint

The sink vanity are all new off the shelf at Lowe's for $39.00. I used a credit I had w/ them and still had enough for bathroom condiments.

These are some left over knobs I had from another project. How much fun are these?

The faucet was a a Moen $20 find that once I opened was broken. So, there goes another drive to Lowe's w/ receipt on had to find a replacement. My luck they didn't have the save one and wanted to stick me w/ the normal $20 faucets... Hmm, not happening. So, I worked my magic and was able to score even a better one off the shelf priced at $120 for guess... wait for it... $20 WHOOPEE

That was a fun project. Time consuming for someone who doesn't know much about plumbing, but I loved the painting and decorating as usual!! =D

So, what do you think of my chocolate teeny bathroom?

~Rosanna

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Sick, Shmik! it's dresser makeover time

So, I'm still under the weather. Some strange bug has hit me and my throat is dreadfully painful. I can't talk, swallow, turn my head, bend down... All and all it's been miserable. 

But I decided months ago to paint my bedroom dresser and I did! Oh Lord what a painful task if was and although I had tears in my eyeballs half the time, I forged ahead and got it done. As well as I could do!

In a week or so when I'm feeling better, I will touch it up again and make sure it's all in order. 

Here's the before; I don't think it was terrible, but in such a small space I needed to brighten it up and it does make a difference. 

Did you notice I left the top black? That was Jacobs idea. He's such a great helper =D Love him everyday more and more!!!

I spy paint on my wood floors. I will scrape it off tomorrow

Do you think I should go w/ brushed nickel or glass knobs? 

Or these?

I've been looking everywhere for some interesting knobs and can't seem to find some. Not even on Etsy. 

These I found at Uneek Glass Fusions and I would die for them, they are $24 each that's almost $300 for the 12 knobs I need OUCH!! But they sure are darling... 

Either way knobs will be on hold until next weekend, but if you know of any place I can get some cool knobs please leave me a comment and include the link.

BTW, do you think the antique WHITE looks too shabby? =D

Thanks so much for looking. Looking forward to your comments.

PS: please follow me and tell me what you think. I love hearing from you fellow bloggettes =D

~Rosanna

Thank you for visiting!!
Show me some love and follow me, I'd love to have you along for the journey =)