31 Days of Building Character:Wood Floors

Welcome to my first post in a 31 day series.  Throughout the month of October I  will be sharing 31 simple ways that we have given our newly built, builder grade, spec home character. 

To kick this series off, I am going to share the huge project that has been underway in my home over the last week.  This transformation has been the biggest character building improvement yet.  

We went from builder beige wall to wall carpet to this...

31 Days of Character Building

This year, I have committed to the 31 day linky party hosted by The Inspired Room and The Nester.  If you are crazy (like me), and have a topic that you are passionate about, please join us.  

My topic for the entire month of October will be:  Building Character.  I will be sharing 31 simple ways to bring character to your home.  

I look forward seeing all of you every day this October!

Before and After: Dining Room Makeover Video

I often get emails asking me, "What exactly is an Online Design Consultation"?  The answer to that question varies.  My Design Plans vary from an entire room re-design to updating/re-arranging a space depending on the needs of the specific client. 

Here is an example of an Online Design Consultation that I provided for Sarah's Traditional Dining Room. Sarah contacted me for suggestions on updating her dining room using the furnishings she already had.  She wasn't looking for a big change, just a fresh look.

Check out what she did in her dining room following the consultation:

(click on the frame to view the video larger)

My goal is to help "Real People" create a home that is stylish, functional, practical and unique.  My plans are personalized to the clients abilities/skills (project tolerance), budget (large or small), and lifestyle. 

Who's ready to get started?

For more information and pricing, please click here.

You can also see what my clients have said about my design services by clicking here. 

Glossy Black Finish Vs. Rubbed Black Finish (And a Tutorial)

Recently, I shared my technique for the perfect PB worn black paint finish in this video tutorial.  

Click here if you missed it. 

The PB worn hand rubbed finish is beautiful and timeless. However, depending on the piece and the design of the room sometimes I recommend a glossy black paint finish. Like this:

  I use the glossy black technique for furniture transformations in formal spaces and on pieces with curves 

(such as French Provincial furniture). 

It's basically the same as the aforementioned technique using glossy paint without the distressing step.  A sponge brush/roller works best to avoid brush strokes.  

Glossy paint is not your friend if the piece has a lot of imperfections.

My "Go To" black paint is Martha's "Silhouette".

These two pieces were on their way to the curb before they ended up in my "furniture studio".  My client was ready for a new look and they no longer fit into her decor.  In a last minute decision, she sent them to me for the glossy black treatment.

Here they are After:

She was so happy with her last minute decision to transform the pieces.  

I, on the other hand, wanted to keep them.  Has that ever happened to you?  Have you ever fallen in love with a project you worked on for someone else, and mourned the loss after you were finished with it?  

Linked up to:

The Stories of A 2 Z

Not Just A Housewife

Tutorial: How to Get a Custom Front Door (And a New Window) for $100

(After)

Anyone who knows my family knows where they can find us after 6:00pm.  Right here, on our front porch.  Every night.  All year long.

One day I got to thinking... If I switched out the front door for a full glass door,  we could enjoy the porch from inside as well.  Sounds easy, right?  

Just order a new door, remove the old one and plop it in.  

 After the door guy at the "Home Improvement Store" composed himself he explained to me that I would need to hire a professional installer to remove our decorative molding and re-build the entire door jam to accommodate a new door. 

He also mentioned full glass pane doors like the one I had in mind cost $1000 and up 

(10x my budget for this project).  

Here is my $100 solution:

(Before)

(After)

Instead of replacing the door, I had a glass insert installed in the existing steel slab door.  

For $100.

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

No professional installation required. 

First, I removed the door by unscrewing the hinges.  Then I covered the opening with a tarp while I ran the door up to my local door and window supplier (where I pre-ordered the glass insert).  

I brought a can of Krylon black spray paint with me.  I asked the window company to spray paint the inside of the grid before applying it to the glass.  I knew I would be painting it black and did not want the white back side of the grid to show from the opposite side:

After I screwed the door back in place, I gave it a coat of primer.  Then, a coat of black exterior semi gloss paint.

Now, we can enjoy this:

from inside... 

Not only did we acquire a great new view but the natural light we get from the new window is fantastic. 

 

According to Murphie, this was the best home improvement project ever. 

For information on my affordable online design consultation service, please Click Here.

Thanks for visiting.

Linked up to:
Stories From A to Z
Just A Girl
Abode Love
Under The Table And Dreaming

Enchanted Makeovers

A few months ago, I was introduced to Enchanted Makeovers through a friend.  That night, when I went home and pulled up the website,  I was totally unprepared for the emotional journey ahead of me.  This incredible organization was founded by Terry Grahl, a talented designer who closed her decorating business to devote all her time and energy to making over shelters for abused and neglected children and women across the country.

While checking out the website, two "before and after" videos in particular affected me.  I would like to share them with you.  Although this is a national organization,  the shelters in the following videos are in the Detroit area.

(Grab a box of tissue).

This one is a shelter for abused and neglected girls:

This project was a shelter for abused women...

I will be participating in an Enchanted Makeovers project this fall in the Detroit area.  The project is an 18 room makeover and the creation of a sewing room for a Detroit shelter, Alternatives for Girls.  

Here is a video on "Alternatives for Girls":

If you live in the Detroit area, they are in need of volunteers to paint rooms and furniture.  If you do not live in the area or you would like to help in another way, here is a list of items needed for the project:

~20 brand new pillow protectors

~5 sets of brand new white twin sized sheets

~30 brand new twin sized mattress pads

If you would like to donate any of these items or participate in the painting, please contact me at theyellowcapecod@yahoo.com for details.

You can also make a general monetary donation to the organization via the Enchanted Makeovers website.  

Thank you in advance,

Sarah

Video Tutorial: How to achieve the Potterybarn Black Finish

Before sharing today's exciting DIY project, I wanted to announce that my E-Book "DIY Interior Design For Real People" is currently available in a gigantic bundle of 76+ DIY related E-books ($34.95 for the complete bundle) for the next five days only. Please click here for details.

Have you ever longed to achieve the perfect black paint finish?  Like the worn black finish on Potterybarn/Ballard Design Furniture?   

Well, I have.  After years of trying different techniques,  I finally got it down.  Just in case anyone else has the same longing, I put together a quick video tutorial.  

This video demostrates my technique for turning thrifted furniture pieces into Potterybarn quality furnishings with the perfect worn black finish.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 
MY STEP BY STEP VIDEO TUTORIAL

The furniture piece used in this tutorial was not a thrifted item.  It was actually a client project that was in pristine condition (it definitely did not stink :)  )  

It still however, represents the basic painting technique.

Do you have any secrets for getting the perfect black? 

For information on my affordable Online Design Consultation Services please Click Here.

Linked up to:

  Coastal Charm

Not Just A Housewife

The Stories of A to Z

Miss Mustard Seed

Under The Table And Dreaming

Redoux