Pick a Colour, Any Colour

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is kind of funny: last fall we spent so long trying to pick a colour to paint the inside of the garage (and figuring out storage) that the cold weather hit and painting was no longer an option.  Oops.  Well, we're determined to be ready the <em>second </em>it is mild enough to even start decluttering the space.  So, even though there is snow on the ground and <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/inspiration-fancy-garages.html">an ice octopus on the roof</a>, we're starting the garage plan.  And I picked a colour: a greyish seafoamy colour, kinda beach glass-like.  I love the colour of the back of our television unit - it is glass and a great pale, pale turquoise:  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8whB48F_lI1UxRQ2J7k1BWwrFh1dVLliWfg-IpCS78YXWgJPNO5Vxz0xs1V27uDVk-r5LV9g2tyb8KON0s8n7yXiDR9aPnY2HjnjAzbUw2m7Cbq26F3YrU0tqJ_baJBlSqrMWifGwo8/s1600/P1060253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8whB48F_lI1UxRQ2J7k1BWwrFh1dVLliWfg-IpCS78YXWgJPNO5Vxz0xs1V27uDVk-r5LV9g2tyb8KON0s8n7yXiDR9aPnY2HjnjAzbUw2m7Cbq26F3YrU0tqJ_baJBlSqrMWifGwo8/s400/P1060253.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm - should take a new pic of this unit because<br />the stuff at the side has been totally rearranged . . . </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivu1lR_zNJzKoMCKcITG73w4v7B0uG20OW0tWJ_DvkbE0G8eCap1F4pWhZf1vXhOS5JJOvgPB26yitqIbTlICVeuTUQ7ThxJtBjD9ikHgYW2ogUI-vos-6E3VhW7KV3Lq88ChbaPUTomQ/s1600/P1060457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivu1lR_zNJzKoMCKcITG73w4v7B0uG20OW0tWJ_DvkbE0G8eCap1F4pWhZf1vXhOS5JJOvgPB26yitqIbTlICVeuTUQ7ThxJtBjD9ikHgYW2ogUI-vos-6E3VhW7KV3Lq88ChbaPUTomQ/s640/P1060457.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2XrgtGEsXP2CdIAdzaOP98ehs-kyPVOKIPKp8E1RDitOZSVkZnrpTO5w2dFQQpyqqa7PQCThPeW72eBXYe7nnMnJC4Swabq719x9idzeYFQTiZgvBGUSBlsAlGj3ZRS2PgtNtPPQzB8/s1600/P1060458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2XrgtGEsXP2CdIAdzaOP98ehs-kyPVOKIPKp8E1RDitOZSVkZnrpTO5w2dFQQpyqqa7PQCThPeW72eBXYe7nnMnJC4Swabq719x9idzeYFQTiZgvBGUSBlsAlGj3ZRS2PgtNtPPQzB8/s640/P1060458.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbvJC8dh_bll7MKzjJgFGSCQJerXIYVsiwAiie2Glt9lFKMaB809-1RsizoobvZMvfIb8ObbE7WPLime6SxZ9agnfmX5exFXYqct1yMRK7nG_smvRAHJQjKVkdmXRzO-akMRfN_yaugk/s1600/P1060459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbvJC8dh_bll7MKzjJgFGSCQJerXIYVsiwAiie2Glt9lFKMaB809-1RsizoobvZMvfIb8ObbE7WPLime6SxZ9agnfmX5exFXYqct1yMRK7nG_smvRAHJQjKVkdmXRzO-akMRfN_yaugk/s400/P1060459.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hard to get a good pic, but this is my inspiration.  We reason that it will be cheery & bright because it is so light, but also not look dirty like a white eventually will.  Today I'm going to see if I can find a paint chip that matches.  Yay - progress!</div>

Pick a Colour, Any Colour

It is kind of funny: last fall we spent so long trying to pick a colour to paint the inside of the garage (and figuring out storage) that th...

Read more »

Not Crummy Thrills Me

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The blogosphere is buzzing with talk of junk drawer and cupboard cleaning.  Well . . . I hate to be a braggart but my cupboards are pretty tidy.  See?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgk0wU2YfV-d4ILYNV5SoyEmDULJrv28GxI6ZlXrxsl3nJEi-tImsb36nafWFjfdipJtLQPKMltuGDUgXbY_KkInzJ5xENm2q3o5NbZpdJJ2WcqvnbQCsjyDXhC3fjmz2IP95_v68UY8/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgk0wU2YfV-d4ILYNV5SoyEmDULJrv28GxI6ZlXrxsl3nJEi-tImsb36nafWFjfdipJtLQPKMltuGDUgXbY_KkInzJ5xENm2q3o5NbZpdJJ2WcqvnbQCsjyDXhC3fjmz2IP95_v68UY8/s640/018.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPqoDI7U9vTxyR5VEzqR1GySEDwsYGcH-t6i5YrKAv6WgfmPl_-pY26ukTg7pGn6Vst-IWaywZ7gi-l-CFaJTHEzc_PljhdVWNJISlTu453kzjhkrGxZn_hgnU0jBdu2Hfvpzr8MfO48/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPqoDI7U9vTxyR5VEzqR1GySEDwsYGcH-t6i5YrKAv6WgfmPl_-pY26ukTg7pGn6Vst-IWaywZ7gi-l-CFaJTHEzc_PljhdVWNJISlTu453kzjhkrGxZn_hgnU0jBdu2Hfvpzr8MfO48/s640/016.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing was bugging me though.  Because we bought a <u>5 gallon</u> bucket-o-paint (plus another gallon) when we moved in and drenched every paint-able surface in a crisp clean white, it should come as no surprise that the inside of the kitchen cupboards got the same paint job.  But I was so eager to put stuff away, I didn't let the paint cure properly (it was soooo humid here then) and the paint came on in some spots.  See?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVTHFxuBUFmnn78HmD7xcasXJNGu-xcm__KDvEjulVry9GKwOalI5li3tD0uQSYZ2zk4aSpf0QrXFBaetLz7viQz-kP5dYymuInewXeEQAdMm7Cmzj1FLJ65suDv4q8XOsabEVyq4GT0/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVTHFxuBUFmnn78HmD7xcasXJNGu-xcm__KDvEjulVry9GKwOalI5li3tD0uQSYZ2zk4aSpf0QrXFBaetLz7viQz-kP5dYymuInewXeEQAdMm7Cmzj1FLJ65suDv4q8XOsabEVyq4GT0/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note to self: let paint dry before filling cupboards</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, along with everyone else doing drawer and cupboard makeovers, I emptied out the cupboards.  Oops.  No room to cook.  Shucks.  Pizza it is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikiZu7QES-X9_Qzfdw93WfcGgld86xTwGG2LiVzFUTOkgEAwW2S7n1NB3k692CDiP_ILQ15X69dup1dA1L2Sv1SWhVHruQiJ4WGiD8ot7-wXIFgHQ2eDGwUGmrpKlap-TlRIpB1v2n5w/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikiZu7QES-X9_Qzfdw93WfcGgld86xTwGG2LiVzFUTOkgEAwW2S7n1NB3k692CDiP_ILQ15X69dup1dA1L2Sv1SWhVHruQiJ4WGiD8ot7-wXIFgHQ2eDGwUGmrpKlap-TlRIpB1v2n5w/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> . . . And in the process spilled a bunch of sugar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1dlU6cNrYIZpyOwcqAizG3FmV9Vn2xL90qCGFVaPPzwyIgNR1w6KD1GFXl3hBhG3iEQaYxIR2ptj4o6vOEynytEfSktPXYDLqDkExrjYV7aPv34u6XQ2Iq5-hEsyS4bvWVO1DfiFDmk/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1dlU6cNrYIZpyOwcqAizG3FmV9Vn2xL90qCGFVaPPzwyIgNR1w6KD1GFXl3hBhG3iEQaYxIR2ptj4o6vOEynytEfSktPXYDLqDkExrjYV7aPv34u6XQ2Iq5-hEsyS4bvWVO1DfiFDmk/s400/024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVY-P7ni1VIwDp8WR3c5y8y4j1bhwYQuQu12u7CaTpElca2m4vGEN9oG-pH1QLCNKLhpdNswwPB_E7-8kcvVEWyMRUFm9H_RgpYPK3L3ga2humdEFOI14QofaaDjCTZNKsM969Zb73gc4/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVY-P7ni1VIwDp8WR3c5y8y4j1bhwYQuQu12u7CaTpElca2m4vGEN9oG-pH1QLCNKLhpdNswwPB_E7-8kcvVEWyMRUFm9H_RgpYPK3L3ga2humdEFOI14QofaaDjCTZNKsM969Zb73gc4/s400/025.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.S. See more kitchen pics <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/kitchen-before-after.html">here</a> and <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/inspiration-splashes-of-red.html">here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ta da!  Nice new paint job.  Everyone is doing pretty liners and fun colours.  Not crappy is good enough for me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHV8xlM_WomLS5bxTFkIdbJ-zuHa_8mjOeQJ6c2_vpwagLXu9WZqcyHX0h1iTw1J-C1I5xEllkDc6oY2IY2oUwtBiR6ooO50b4-Ejew4herLLeg1Jccn89Ovp4KMN1okH14HwDTjbzkKw/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHV8xlM_WomLS5bxTFkIdbJ-zuHa_8mjOeQJ6c2_vpwagLXu9WZqcyHX0h1iTw1J-C1I5xEllkDc6oY2IY2oUwtBiR6ooO50b4-Ejew4herLLeg1Jccn89Ovp4KMN1okH14HwDTjbzkKw/s640/021.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - fresh new paint!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As an added bonus, we fixed some random gap-action (aesthetic prob only) with some caulking.  See?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12b4hf27TojS-HcK8WfUfvhvvsx_qPtpMbotKwC1zLymLmwp4EAqc1YOXam0VjZkPIyuX3AGygvvS99pFQsH21VOkab7_pAANhFFBIHxDebqvwkyx7YemnPVdk3tugumLDBxdR_4Gvhw/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12b4hf27TojS-HcK8WfUfvhvvsx_qPtpMbotKwC1zLymLmwp4EAqc1YOXam0VjZkPIyuX3AGygvvS99pFQsH21VOkab7_pAANhFFBIHxDebqvwkyx7YemnPVdk3tugumLDBxdR_4Gvhw/s400/028.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQp4sPLWvuhv4fARIeT_FrdDpstwNzDh9QEqUeWA-NIRsVg8UVFGdlohGi4-L-dMZIFMSL2Q6eFW0CCv7ZzhsmdHf8iVR_WWcMtBgOgCvqmC3fKcyF6rqCiBjDlGVgW-CQBAm7Y8XAwk/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQp4sPLWvuhv4fARIeT_FrdDpstwNzDh9QEqUeWA-NIRsVg8UVFGdlohGi4-L-dMZIFMSL2Q6eFW0CCv7ZzhsmdHf8iVR_WWcMtBgOgCvqmC3fKcyF6rqCiBjDlGVgW-CQBAm7Y8XAwk/s400/030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - hooray for caulking</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46GJpN-7Ghffm-Os0w1hHkPYdQoce_Hot8GolNwAn-9xnYxUBmHR7mnnKE58xuvQBN0EpRd0CbPXJ8bUmhxY0yYFU-xOmrdjuDy-p_dAjC582HvErwmwjMqRV50cA_uXC13Km3bx5N3Q/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46GJpN-7Ghffm-Os0w1hHkPYdQoce_Hot8GolNwAn-9xnYxUBmHR7mnnKE58xuvQBN0EpRd0CbPXJ8bUmhxY0yYFU-xOmrdjuDy-p_dAjC582HvErwmwjMqRV50cA_uXC13Km3bx5N3Q/s400/031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With flash - is it any clearer?</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And that's it!  Hmmmmmm, the no longer crummy but maybe not note-worthy project is kind of a theme for me (see <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/before-after-diy-painted-microwave.html">here</a> for my microwave spruce).  In general we've been doing little teeny jobs around the house.  Like <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/evolution-of-powder-room.html">the half bath spruce</a>.  I can't do any super involved projects until <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-office-before-in-progress.html">my exams</a> are finished (one more month) because I don't want to get distracted.  Have you done any simple jobs around your home recently that may not have sizzle but have tons of steak (in your eyes, at least)?<br /><br />Once spring rolls around we're tackling the big bad basement and the garage.  Huge projects we've put off.

Not Crummy Thrills Me

The blogosphere is buzzing with talk of junk drawer and cupboard cleaning.  Well . . . I hate to be a braggart but my cupboards are pretty t...

Read more »

I Wish I Had Spindles

Because then I'd paint them like this:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakYpcljwLHcRxQmMMb7CctyTKOU0hkjiPsGEoF8l7SjLoKsiMLqEc7Na6GqWI25OwNxwG8L-Rt5d9ZyksKTMBWksZluO_EQUMNfOqoOOG6xSmfO24ZeuOVzqcRxbsmPV4LNbdXgRvUI8/s1600/turquoise+spindles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakYpcljwLHcRxQmMMb7CctyTKOU0hkjiPsGEoF8l7SjLoKsiMLqEc7Na6GqWI25OwNxwG8L-Rt5d9ZyksKTMBWksZluO_EQUMNfOqoOOG6xSmfO24ZeuOVzqcRxbsmPV4LNbdXgRvUI8/s320/turquoise+spindles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo<a href="http://www.livingetc.com/decorating/Hallway_decorating_ideas__WATCH_OUR_VIDEO_article_302107.html"> source</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

I Wish I Had Spindles

Because then I'd paint them like this: Photo source

Read more »

White Tulip?

<span style="font-family: inherit;">This summer I scored this vintage “tulip” table base at a yard sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Yes, it’s most definitely a knock-off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Yes, I would love a Saarinen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>But this one was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">$5.00</b> and that fits much more nicely into my budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The base needs to be refinished and it needs a new top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I was planning to repaint it white (just freshen it up, basically) but then the mail came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just</i> opened the February (February!) issue of Canada’s Style at Home and saw a RED tulip table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Hmmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I’ve got plenty of time to make up my mind because this is a summertime project for me, but I’m curious:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thoughts on painting this table a colour other than white??</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSosyxnH_0xljRqtGPIWBjYl1Wn4cpDneH-z8HryIGnSk_6cdHPTAb_N69ShtU8HgZ1EJ3Ico5L1IaNIEI0ukWt6MfdBjovS5Q7KYOjfFRQdGVdqN536qQBLWxYBYdgTdYfVfJtfsh8A/s1600/P1050593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSosyxnH_0xljRqtGPIWBjYl1Wn4cpDneH-z8HryIGnSk_6cdHPTAb_N69ShtU8HgZ1EJ3Ico5L1IaNIEI0ukWt6MfdBjovS5Q7KYOjfFRQdGVdqN536qQBLWxYBYdgTdYfVfJtfsh8A/s640/P1050593.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cost less than a sandwhich.<br />Don't mind the ratty basement-fixing it up will be a summer DIY project.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0rP8j47qhmeucPg-wmNqZNRqUmEb7bZUIw13eYFv0jeeR_8CuUORz4ApYikvToznGzAI5-xnw-I40yq-85aiLE14izUYDaWa4V7Sfw5LDQIEkkMbThaxz3tLVSiJrSzd6dwbuRGmPrc/s1600/P1060518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0rP8j47qhmeucPg-wmNqZNRqUmEb7bZUIw13eYFv0jeeR_8CuUORz4ApYikvToznGzAI5-xnw-I40yq-85aiLE14izUYDaWa4V7Sfw5LDQIEkkMbThaxz3tLVSiJrSzd6dwbuRGmPrc/s400/P1060518.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canadian Style at Home February 2011</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: black;"></span>

White Tulip?

This summer I scored this vintage “tulip” table base at a yard sale.   Yes, it’s most definitely a knock-off.   Yes, I would love a Saarinen...

Read more »

DIY Painted Useless Table

Around here we call small, ocassional tables like this a "useless table" because we thought they were pointless until we realized one could be a perfect receptacle for stuff we drop down when we enter the house.  The irony is, we can't live without it now.  So we'll say, "Just drop it on the useless table," but with love, not scorn.  I picked up this solid wood antique piece for $8.00 at a yard sale this summer.  But with our wood cabinets, wood floors, wood side tables . . . just too much wood.  Plus it had paint splatters and tons of scratches and marks.  So, I painted it!  Scroll down for before and after pics, plus shots of the process.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r8idRZiAJqSQ_VFFAvtcaZA3IioM_GhnmR54B0_WE30e_q1KOHgvVI-_ZpFUQZIvbWijkk51jz-F4kTJZcAYH9fyhlBdsHRt9XJZJ_DkFhT_TMRWZyvsl5CqF0ldYSTjh4eHfl1kv1Y/s1600/527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r8idRZiAJqSQ_VFFAvtcaZA3IioM_GhnmR54B0_WE30e_q1KOHgvVI-_ZpFUQZIvbWijkk51jz-F4kTJZcAYH9fyhlBdsHRt9XJZJ_DkFhT_TMRWZyvsl5CqF0ldYSTjh4eHfl1kv1Y/s400/527.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Before"<br />The pic is blurry because I was buzzing with anticipation.  <br />Or I was buzzing from the 2.2kg of danish shortbread we ate in 2 weeks.  </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRFJwaLsxDNBqDpy4u_XsTEvwqRoBXhqeq-MbTkvwJrPoyVh_RUdCWbo8eGgZUwWC084hx9pvQuawtOgl8ChNxbcfqozNWBs9aZysjcqhTXeca3LzhJc2tdjsr6ycKbaZhmccgsmOWTA/s1600/614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRFJwaLsxDNBqDpy4u_XsTEvwqRoBXhqeq-MbTkvwJrPoyVh_RUdCWbo8eGgZUwWC084hx9pvQuawtOgl8ChNxbcfqozNWBs9aZysjcqhTXeca3LzhJc2tdjsr6ycKbaZhmccgsmOWTA/s640/614.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"After"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLHmigddvOxbRo8wl_gT0ZAng9uAVDuRi7z71wKF56xrTbVpSoHwCE9GWy8YM1KMVuk8IgM0I4t-5ETPIfr9qo4yCefIgwdhjW6aP1qL2Q2-3sGgitn75PkkoBhDCB0rTUsHgNU7V7HU/s1600/618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLHmigddvOxbRo8wl_gT0ZAng9uAVDuRi7z71wKF56xrTbVpSoHwCE9GWy8YM1KMVuk8IgM0I4t-5ETPIfr9qo4yCefIgwdhjW6aP1qL2Q2-3sGgitn75PkkoBhDCB0rTUsHgNU7V7HU/s640/618.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0ZV0ghNyM2_OIrS8hxYjG3XXW5xb0-lD6iLzckI-dCaDgyIWTEwsGPk0npf5TOlrIXiN86ydvMaW1Id0z1I5Gp087I65X8_mrv1lacVr7fyJltONyQr5FcG_dP_Ozp8Qao8RauG3cnM/s1600/619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0ZV0ghNyM2_OIrS8hxYjG3XXW5xb0-lD6iLzckI-dCaDgyIWTEwsGPk0npf5TOlrIXiN86ydvMaW1Id0z1I5Gp087I65X8_mrv1lacVr7fyJltONyQr5FcG_dP_Ozp8Qao8RauG3cnM/s400/619.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Process:</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First we sanded the piece using a belt sander.  We went through about two belts because the finish was so gunky.  Shoulda cleaned or chemically stripped it first.  In any case, I followed up with chemical stripper and hand sanding where the belt couldn't reach.  Then we cleaned the surface and taped off the pattern.  I applied left over paint from painting our walls (and trim and doors!) with a brush and wiped with a rag for a slightly white washed look on the top.  The rest of the piece got two opaque coats plus a bit of touch up.  I waited 24 hours in between coats.  I plan to add a clear coat to protect the natural wood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RTaexjNRerrQV_6Yz4PR9dG_GB2th6qvHA4auwERC8wbG0ln-7ApgXqbrzBgh9J17zqWltuuGlr0_PBf9pnwRWbga7k5GvqqY58JIecubLRqOxpWEAkj_DB1gVpbC1zeFWtRRxu_feA/s1600/550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RTaexjNRerrQV_6Yz4PR9dG_GB2th6qvHA4auwERC8wbG0ln-7ApgXqbrzBgh9J17zqWltuuGlr0_PBf9pnwRWbga7k5GvqqY58JIecubLRqOxpWEAkj_DB1gVpbC1zeFWtRRxu_feA/s400/550.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCtjEJ12RVraO8bTuyeN3JsZpZcNQ3iQkKCvydcX5QSAtbZVX3aQ9pCcOSf5ZJRMZgRnhUPuTSTmIyfRJEqsyF_ansohAnPtRq_Cq8EznAm9jtw2aoJJ-JUoGxIEFlZP_P5BB70lXrqM/s1600/554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCtjEJ12RVraO8bTuyeN3JsZpZcNQ3iQkKCvydcX5QSAtbZVX3aQ9pCcOSf5ZJRMZgRnhUPuTSTmIyfRJEqsyF_ansohAnPtRq_Cq8EznAm9jtw2aoJJ-JUoGxIEFlZP_P5BB70lXrqM/s400/554.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNxjGhEJ63PMR5X9YheaplvI0P6c4FQEfUbTRQxuDNKKA-7NaWu9TlQ2l_-9xEd5ee6cm7K-_m6xQYPvz6OAwgABxyaiW5emfRscob_CzTEDl-noxoMmmTVFKH0V6hjSxKb3isJZwLsU/s1600/557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNxjGhEJ63PMR5X9YheaplvI0P6c4FQEfUbTRQxuDNKKA-7NaWu9TlQ2l_-9xEd5ee6cm7K-_m6xQYPvz6OAwgABxyaiW5emfRscob_CzTEDl-noxoMmmTVFKH0V6hjSxKb3isJZwLsU/s400/557.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>

DIY Painted Useless Table

Around here we call small, ocassional tables like this a "useless table" because we thought they were pointless until we realized ...

Read more »

DIY Painted Microwave

Can you see the missing paint?  You can click on the pic to make it larger. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHH7Gwm4VhYIh7n0G_PPKIuZJeXedYxOvfdIruR08BnCvSD_diexCkzOhZ3MR41-ow0YF9dHLuxaehv8_peoy_3IKZddGf_gj7pPxu8esgSkGF3EverVIZ3JxmufC17sEnc7eSf0lcqE/s1600/P1050722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHH7Gwm4VhYIh7n0G_PPKIuZJeXedYxOvfdIruR08BnCvSD_diexCkzOhZ3MR41-ow0YF9dHLuxaehv8_peoy_3IKZddGf_gj7pPxu8esgSkGF3EverVIZ3JxmufC17sEnc7eSf0lcqE/s400/P1050722.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our microwave has sentimental value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Odd, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It belonged to my husband’s paternal grandparents and it is one of the few things he has of theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Unfortunately, it got really banged up in a series of moves and was missing paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It works perfectly, so it felt wasteful to scrap it in favor of a new model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  But </span>I couldn’t bear to put it in our spruced up kitchen as is, so I decided to paint it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I agonized over bright yellow and pink swatches, considered chalkboard paint but finally decided I didn’t want to draw attention to it or spend any cash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span><br /><br /><strong><u>How to do it:</u></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First, I removed the cover and brought it out into the garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I didn’t touch the plastic front or functioning parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I lightly sanded the metal cover, cleaned thoroughly and let it dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Then I used metal primer I had on hand before painting it with the soft grey paint used in the half bath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Two coats later, I was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The result?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The micro is no longer an eyesore and will suffice for now.  It won't win any awards for fanciest D.I.Y. project, but it blends in and doesn't look like it fell off the moving truck--which is what I want from a microwave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jaFD9dv-VS2hYrtCoCwWrJk-ZUd0Q_AZCLBdePJR7gD8pfTfPd0kbHRLMq2iOQqxmM2pAU4eEPlE6tZW20yeFeABYrpriSrJ0C1B52UHx_J9z-DZeiGRJ8GukwlzsbGAhZI3z_ViI6g/s1600/P1060025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jaFD9dv-VS2hYrtCoCwWrJk-ZUd0Q_AZCLBdePJR7gD8pfTfPd0kbHRLMq2iOQqxmM2pAU4eEPlE6tZW20yeFeABYrpriSrJ0C1B52UHx_J9z-DZeiGRJ8GukwlzsbGAhZI3z_ViI6g/s400/P1060025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left"></div>

DIY Painted Microwave

Can you see the missing paint?  You can click on the pic to make it larger. Our microwave has sentimental value.   Odd, I know.   It belonge...

Read more »

Our DIY Cred

We used to think we could DIY anything.  Really.  Anything.  Before our townhouse occupied most of our time, we repainted my car (it needed to be done, due to a blue hatchback/silver car/monster rust/no cash conundrum).  Before you wander over to the spray paint aisle, all inspired, know that we even used professional equipment.  Without the accompanying professional results, or timeline (it took us weeks).  Our "before" pics and progress shots were all taken with a disposable camera, but I can share a rough approximation of the before and awesome shot of the after:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuMyZYg-tZQNvIn7zdlp7fpS8nLyWtkffmEXUWlxxbIjl-VDxOy0xYGgqW1YpjjuuFLhkKekqldI7UHnYCUVCZp3RlRC39qwRaglh8AGeBZV18k01ij-zQLeGOOsF7ueSOIQuihGORT0/s1600/088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuMyZYg-tZQNvIn7zdlp7fpS8nLyWtkffmEXUWlxxbIjl-VDxOy0xYGgqW1YpjjuuFLhkKekqldI7UHnYCUVCZp3RlRC39qwRaglh8AGeBZV18k01ij-zQLeGOOsF7ueSOIQuihGORT0/s320/088.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmQuAAteD8bP6ijhW_m5Ii-vFQMjTuL71U1KgctoY7N0_-WQ80o1-hC58bkAKnComaS15z8nI-zyiZOs8ZzG_fuTR8zm_UEDUtbXdzKMKTh27yOTYOkwwe5h2SqAXBaBH9cvrSdqLN3Y/s1600/P1020563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmQuAAteD8bP6ijhW_m5Ii-vFQMjTuL71U1KgctoY7N0_-WQ80o1-hC58bkAKnComaS15z8nI-zyiZOs8ZzG_fuTR8zm_UEDUtbXdzKMKTh27yOTYOkwwe5h2SqAXBaBH9cvrSdqLN3Y/s320/P1020563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hot car, right?  If you like your '92 grocery-getters fierce and affordable.  This little guy's name is Charlie, he's a '92 Dodge Colt.<br /><br />Here are our tips:<br />1.  Don't do it.<br />2.  But, if you must, don't use a spray gun outside in a field - rent a booth unless you want more bugs trapped in your paint than a piece of amber<br />3.  Go to an automotive paint store and buy all the proper gear.  If they say don't wrap up the parts you don't want to paint with garbage bags, just don't do it<br />4.  Spend the next four years sanding (rope in lots of family, friends, strangers -- there is enough work to go around)<br />5.  When you're finished sanding, sand some more (get allllll that rust and old paint off)<br />6.  Insert steps as instructed by professional<br />7.  Drive around in your fancy pants car<br /><br /><strong><u>UPDATE</u></strong> - I was able to "digitize" (ish) my old pics, check out shots of the progress and Charlie in silver <strong><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-evidence-of-painting-charlie.html">here</a></strong>.

Our DIY Cred

We used to think we could DIY anything.  Really.  Anything.  Before our townhouse occupied most of our time, we repainted my car (it needed ...

Read more »