Custom Pantry 3

Alrighty! Last week I showed you the progress on my new pantry and it looked like this....

Remember how I promised to show you my big idea for inside the panels? Magnetic chalkboards!

After doing the research I decided against the magnetic paint offered by a big name paint. The reviews kind of made me nervous; there weren't enough happy reviewers.

Not knowing exactly what I would find, I headed to Lowe's for sheet metal and chalkboard paint. I found a couple knowledgeable staff people and came home with my supplies: 4 squares of sheet metal, double-stick mounting tape, and chalkboard paint.

I had already measured the panels, but did it again just to be sure, fixed myself a mocha, turned on the Christmas music, then got to work.

The metal was easy to cut using tin snips. I had to roll the unwanted piece up and away from the panel in order to cut all the way up.

Probably would have been a good idea to wear gloves.

After cutting all the panels I moved outdoors to smooth the edges. I did this with a small, handheld metal file. I also tapped lightly along the edges with a hammer to flatten those areas that became notched from the snips.

Back inside and time to paint. The paint guy at Lowe's recommend that I prime the metal before using the chalkboard paint, which I did. Then, I applied three coats of chalkboard paint. The paint dried quickly, so this took hardly any time at all. Truthfully, it was fully covered after two coats, but I thought three might last longer if we were going to do a lot of writing and erasing.

When the paint was fully dry, it was time to attach the panels to the pantry. I elected to use double-stick mounting tape rather than glue in case I didn't want the panels on my pantry forever-and-ever-amen. This way I can remove them fairly easily if I decide to do so.

The double-stick mounting tape went on the wood first and after revealing the sticky side, c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y I pressed the painted metal panel to the pantry starting at the bottom and working my way up.

One of my panels went on alittle cockeyed for some reason and I had quite a time pulling it off for repositioning. The metal is thin, bending easily and the tape is super sticky, so I ended up with a slight bump. If you try this, make certain of your position before pressing to attach the panel.

On this side, I only used the metal panels in the middle section. I applied the chalkboard paint directly to the primed wood of the lower sections.

I like the contrast of the black paint and the red cabinet.

Still to be done to call this project finished are handles for the large pull-out shelves and some trim. Guess I'll have to write another update!

Custom Pantry 1
Custom Pantry 2

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And now for this commercial message.... If you like my pantry and need some cabinets, let me know. My son-in-law, Adam, is in the custom cabinet making business and would be glad to talk to you about your kitchen cabinet, bathroom vanity, and/or furniture needs.

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Thank you for stopping by A House and Yard!

Painted Nightstand

31 Days of Order - Day 26

I am happy to show you the little nightstand I painted. Here is what it looked like before.

I picked up an oops quart at Lowe's in a lovely berry knowing at the time I could certainly use it for something! This is the first time I tried painting furniture, so I kept it simple. It seems that practically everyone is using chalk paint, which I had never heard of before I started blogging. Awhile back I wrote down a chalk paint recipe from somebody's blog. My apologies to whoever it belongs to; I honestly can't remember where I found it. The recipe is as follows:

1 part dry plaster of paris + 1 part water and mix together, then stir into 3 parts paint of your choice and mix well. It blended like a dream. My paint was a semi-gloss latex.

I removed the hardware. After cleaning all the surfaces, I lightly sanded the entire piece.

I used a good angle brush for the corners and curvy parts, and a foam roller for the flat areas. The first coat was very light, so I went over it again for full coverage. The paint went on excellently, covered well, and dried quickly. I let it sit over night, then the next day I used Johnson's paste wax for a nice sheen.

Now - I know that practically every chalk paint project I have seen gets a light sanding after all this for a distressed look. Well, please don't stone me, but I don't really like how that looks. So, I didn't distress.

Without further ado, here's my redone piece....

The little knobs I picked up at Pier One on clearance. $0.98 each! Oh yeah!!

So, there you have it! I have moved it into my room and will continue putting together 

the pieces for my own little study nook in my room.

Thanks for visiting today!

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This post is part of my 31 Days of Order series. See the rest of the posts here. 

To find other bloggers also writing for 31 Days this month on a variety of topics, click here.

Linking to....

    

     

A Space of My Own

31 Days of Order - Day 2

One very important aspect of order in my life comes from having a private space of my own. In this space I like to read, study, pray, and write. It needs to be a quiet place, free from distractions. This is where I connect with God, get focused, or simply sit still.

In our old house my space was in the school room. Since I only have one student left, we didn't feel the need to dedicate an entire room to the school stuff. This hasn't been a problem. Silas gets his school done very nicely at the dining room table. However, it left me without a room.

We have been in our house - what - 9 1/2 months now and I still haven't carved out a quiet corner for myself! I've been a nomad in my own home. I've carried my Bible and notebook from the sunroom to the living room  to my bed, the dining room and back again. What is my deal? It's time! A designated space is imperative to my spiritual and mental well being.

My little corner will be in our bedroom. At the moment there are books stacked on a cabinet beside the bed.

This is the destination and it is in dire need of attention. Since this picture was taken all but two boxes have been removed and the lawn chair replaced with a well-worn recliner.

The chair faces the TV which is nice if I want to watch a message on DVD during my quiet time.

The plan for ordering my quiet space includes this little guy. 

It was in Silas' room, but he put it in the shed. I'm going to try my hand at furniture painting. 

It's place will be next to the recliner so I have a spot for a lamp, 

my books, pencils, markers, and a cup of coffee.

What's the point? It is important to have a space that you consider your personal sanctuary. True - God is with you wherever you decide to be. The advantage to having a designated place is conditioning. You know that when you go to that spot, you will meet God. You will pray. You will be renewed in spirit. You will be changed. It's already comfortable, you know what to expect, and it's easier to focus.

Don't have a space yet? Get one!

Do you have a special place in your home where you like to read or write or study? Where is it? If not, what could you do to make one? Please leave your comment below.

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The rest of this week I'll focus on some of my goals for getting things in order. Remember - I told you I'm not an expert. I'm writing this because I am in a process and maybe you are to. We could all use the moral support. Thanks for reading!

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This post is part of my 31 Days of Order series. See the rest of the posts here. To find other bloggers also writing for 31 Days this month on a variety of topics, click here.

Showers of Blessing Baby Nursery

I had so much fun helping Steph decorate Azariah's room!

She had some great ideas and we got to work a couple weeks before he was due to arrive. Today I will show you what we did on the wall where the crib stands. In the next day or two you will get to see two more projects that Steph did herself.

So many pictures! Here we go!

We started out by changing the room color from bleh....

...to a soothing gray. Trim and interior doors were freshened up with glossy white.

Next up, the wall decal. While Steph prepared the decal by applying pressure to ensure easy removal...

...I measured, centered, and made sure it would be level. 

The blue tape line is the height of the crib.

The tape not only shows where we wanted the decal, it acted as hinges...

...allowing me, with Adam's help, to peel off the backing. This was a tricky process.

Some of the black lettering wanted to stick to the backing, so I had to replace the backing

for the stubborn letter and rub it again in order to make it stick to the front piece.

After the backing was peeled off, we guided the decal gently into place on the wall 

and rubbed out the air bubbles.

After removing the tape hinges, it was time to peel away the front portion,

leaving the letters behind on the wall. This also involved some backing up

and rubbing letters that wanted to stay on the paper rather than the wall.

With the decal in place, it was time to add the cloud. 

For this I used craft paint to mix a dark gray and a sponge.

Steph chose an assortment of paper to use for the raindrops.

While I cut the raindrops in varying sizes...

...Steph arranged them on the wall temporarily using a circle of tape on the back of each drop.

After much arranging (and rearranging), she settled on this.

To attach the drops to the wall, Adam and Steph used spray adhesive.

Removing only a couple at a time, they sprayed the backs and reapplied them to the wall.

This is what baby Azariah sees when he lays in his bed.

Time to assemble the crib, which had already received a fresh coat of paint.

Big brother helped, too.

Ta da! All ready for Azariah.

Don't you just love how the rain drop blessings fall right into the bed?

This beautiful crib was built by Azariah's dad, Adam.

All it needs is a baby...

...oh, there he is!

I am sure he is lifting his hands in thanksgiving to God for his cool space!

 There is more to Azariah's room reveal that I am excited to share with you.
If you haven't read Azariah's incredible story, you can find it here.

Thanks for stopping by today!

I am linking to...

Things I've Done Thursday @ Bear Rabbit Bear

 

Illuminating Blogger Award and Bathroom Update

I want to thank CJ from Food Stories Blog

for nominating me for their Illuminating Blogger Award

because of my illuminating, informative blog content!!

According to the rules I am now supposed to share with you one random thing about myself,

so here goes....one random thing....ummm, well....

Whenever I am asked to name one random thing,
I can't think of anything and always have to ask a friend.
So, my friends, you may comment, but please be nice. :-)

I am also supposed to nominate five other blogs for the

Illuminating Blogger Award.

Here is my list.

Please visit each of these blogs. Look around. Leave an encouraging comment.

These Broken Vases

Hopscotch

Maybe It's Just Me

Surviving the Chaos

Turning Forty, and Other Irrelevancies

And now, the promised Bathroom Update!

You may (or may not) recall that our downstairs bathroom started out as an
awkwardly, large space that opened directly off the front door.
Brian enclosed the bath, made room for a foyer and a closet.

I had intended to get the bathroom painted before the girls' graduation party,
but that didn't happen.

Last week I tackled it while Silas was at camp, since he is the one who uses it most.

This cool shower curtain came from Target. I LOVE Target's selection of shower curtains!

The paint is Furry Ottertail from Color Place, however I used Walmart's Better Homes and Garden's line of interior premium paint in the eggshell/satin finish.

The little cabinet will get a paint job before reattaching it to the wall behind the toilet.

I'm not too fond of the brown on brown we have going here,

so the plan is to experiment with the chalk paint I've heard much about.

Another issue I'm still trying to decide on is the white cabinet. To paint or not to paint? 

The creamy sink top looks funny to me over the white vanity.

What were the previous owners thinking?!?

I'm toying with the idea of using the same blue from the shower curtain.

Or a really dark brown....or something else. I don't know yet.

What do you think?

Don't forget to visit my blogging friends and
thank you for stopping by today at
A House and Yard!