Checkmate

I have decided I want to paint the ceiling of my kitchen in a checkerboard pattern. I'm planning to use shades of gray so it won't be Tim Burton-y in there. Why is it that as soon as I start making progress on one project, I already have three or four new ones in mind?

Awesomeness

This is definitely one of the coolest home design items I have seen in a long time.

Ragtime

Michealangelo Pistoletto – Venus of the Rags

I really need a new rug for the kitchen. Buying a new rug is definitely not in the budget. Being a seamstress, I have tons of fabric scraps, and being a mom of boys, I have plenty of clothes that are too worn out to donate... so, I think I'll be making my own rag rug! This seems like an especially good way to use old sheets. Also, one made of old towels would be great for a bath mat!

Your glue problem solved!

Generally, I believe that in this day and age, anything and everything has been thought of before. But sometimes I still find myself thinking, "Wow, someone actually thought of that and it actually exists!". I had that reaction when I came across This To That, a website that tells you exactly what kind of glue to use under almost any circumstances. So simple and wonderful. It even includes tips to increase your gluing success! Then I find myself wondering, "What will they think of next?"

When in Rome

I'm planning to use a lot of Roman Shades around the house, and I want to make them myself. This tutorial from Martha Stewart ought to do the trick!

Bubblicious

Bath products are expensive and most of them are filled with harmful chemical fragrances and skin-irritating detergents.

Well, there is good news! You can make your own from all-natural ingredients and it won't cost much at all! These make EXCELLENT gifts, too!

From Apartment Therapy:

What You Need

Materials:
4 cups of Water
4 oz Castille Soap (like Dr. Bronner's which you can buy scented or unscented and it's totally green and can be used for cleaning around the house and your body)
3 oz of either Glycerin* or Coconut Oil (both lather well and are skin softeners)
Essential Oil (use your imagination to come up with fun and exciting combos!)
Container for your concoction (non glass is best for near the bath)
Bath Tub

(you can also add a couple-- and I really do mean just a couple, because too many could stain the bathtub-- drops of food coloring to the mix to make the bubble bath just a little more fun)

*Glycerin is any pure soap, normally a transparent bar, made without synthetic detergents. You can buy it online or sometimes at the drugstore. Pure vegetable glycerin is usually available at Whole Foods Market. If you buy drugstore or craft store glycerin, be aware that it is likely petroleum based.

Instructions

1. Mix water with castille and glycerin or coconut oil.

2. Add 4-5 drops of your choice of essential oil.

3. Mix well.

4. Pour your bubble bath into the container. It should keep for quite a while.

5. Fill bathtub with water and pour in a couple of ounces of bubble bath.

6. Take a deep breath and soak.

Case closed

This collection of awesomely revamped armoires may be just what I need to solve a few storage problems around the house!

Inspirational Attic

I have recently begun dabbling in the daunting task of organizing the attic space. After coming across this amazing attic and am feeling more motivated and inspired to get things ship shape up there!

The Stinky Rose

I planted garlic today! And the rosemary I transplanted about a week ago is so far doing really nicely in its new spot.

Planting by the book

Here it is, the middle of a dreary Southern California winter rainy spell, and here I am, dreaming of greener pastures. Or vegetable gardens, as the case may be. While I hope to some day install raised veggie beds in my front yard, I don't think I'll get it together to do it for the next growing season. I do plan to get a little kitchen herb garden in by the back door and several hanging plants going, too. And I've found the perfect tool to help me! An online Vegetable Planting Calendar to guide me about when to start seeds and when to transplant (you can find a calendar for your own planting zone on the site, too).

The Short List revisited

Paint trim for the boys' room
Paint stripes in the boys' room
Paint chalkboard wainscot in the boys' room
Clean and turn on the heater
Buy area rug for living room
Strip and paint trim in master closet
Strip doors
Hang succulent baskets on front porch
Build compost bin
Paint dining room walls
Begin door repairs
Strip door frames

I managed to complete a fair amount of stuff on my short list before my parents arrived. It is raining in Los Angeles now, and might be for most of the week, so we might not get too much done on this visit, but it is the holidays, so I'm happy to have some relaxed family time!

Four months: Video update

Here is what we have accomplished in four months of home ownership. I feel like it doesn't look like much has been done since the last update, but I feel like I've been working like crazy!

The Short List

Here's what I hope to get done before my parents come to visit/work again in 2 weeks:

Paint trim for the boys' room
Paint stripes in the boys' room
Paint chalkboard wainscot in the boys' room
Clean and turn on the heater
Buy area rug for living room
Strip and paint trim in master closet
Strip doors
Hang succulent baskets on front porch
Build compost bin
Paint dining room walls
Begin door repairs
Strip door frames

And yes, I am laughing at myself as I type this. There is just no way. But one can hope!

The List: Backyard

So, my original List was woefully inadequate. Thus, I'm making a new one! One section of the house at a time, starting with the backyard because a couple of things back there are currently priority #1. The List is somewhat prioritized... although once I get past the first few things it is hard to know what will feel most important.

Finish assembling playset and put in wood chips Make composter Finish clearing out dead vines, runaway trees Make raised garden bed
Plant ornamental landscaping, including privacy screen vines
Fill in holes, backfill along play perimeter
Reseed grass
Build shed
Paint clothesline poles
Install pavers under clothesline area
Prune fig tree
Create seating areas
Create hanging planters

We actually have a friendly little squirrel who hangs around. Maybe we can get him to pitch in?

The List

We're plugging along, but the multi-tasking is getting a little overwhelming.

I'm going to have to get a little organized... (this is the short list)

In the boys' room:
Strip and paint window and door frames
Paint stripes on the accent wall
Chalkboard paint the wainscoting on the accent wall
Strip and paint the baseboards
Install roller shades
Make and install curtains
Purchase and install ceiling fans
Paint and install crown molding and chair rail

In the grown-up room:
Strip and paint baseboard in closet
Install closet organizer
Paint and stencil ceiling
Strip window trim
Paint walls
Paint and install crown molding
Strip and paint baseboard
Select, purchase, install ceiling fan/light fixture

In the dining room:
Paint ceiling, walls, trim
Strip and paint window trim and baseboards
Paint and install crown molding
Purchase secretary
(Buy a piano?)

In the living room:
Select paint
Paint ceiling, walls, trim
Strip and paint window trim and baseboards
Make hall tree from old door
Purchase flat panel TV stand and additional DVD storage
Rug

In the entryway:
Select paint
Paint ceiling, walls and trim
Stencil frost and hang mirrors
Rug

In the front yard:
Break up the ground
Plant wildflowers
Hang plant baskets
Make porch swing

In the back yard:
Finish assembling playset and put in wood chips
Make composter
Finish clearing out dead vines
Make raised garden bed

That should keep me busy until my kids graduate from college.

All moved in

After 6 1/2 weeks and two working visits from my parents, this is where we're at!

Nearly one month after closing

I have been working mostly single-handedly on the house for the last couple weeks. Luckily for all of us, my mom and dad are back in town now and we've been getting so much done since this video was shot. I'll be posting another one soon when we're all moved out of the apartment!

And now it's up to me!

With the incredible help of my dad and mom, we accomplished a huge amount in just 11 days... and only one trip to the Emergency Room (dad got a splinter from some plywood that went clear through his finger! Yikes!) I'm taking over from here and things will be much slower going, but I'll be plugging along!

What a difference a week makes

We're one week into home ownership, and this is what we have accomplished so far. I'm very lucky to have a super helpful family and a licensed contractor for a dad!

Fast Forward to CLOSED

OK, so I skipped a bunch of stuff... but we have closed on a home! Here's a "before" video. We've already gotten to work and I'll be posting progress videos as we go along.