DIY

Now that the major MB remodel is done, I've been working on the DIY projects:

• I put up the window coverings for the MB. White Wood Blinds for the bedroom and grommet top curtains for the patio door.   The curtains definitely need ironing, and I'm still looking for the sheer panels for the bottom layer.  I could've done a better job of extending the rod beyond the frame.   But, I love the Espresso Wood Blinds for the bathroom.  It pulls everything together and highlights the bronze fixtures.   It looks great and makes the bathroom look even better than it did before!
• I'm clearing out the bedrooms to get ready for paint.   I'm leaning towards a greenish-blue for the walls, similar to the MB but with a little more green and less brown.  One study suggests that the best colors for sleeping were Blue, Yellow, and Green.  So, I'm trying to pick colors closer to those.  I also have to keep the colors of the hallway and other rooms in mind, in order to harmonize
• I'm considering re-staining some of my non-matching furniture.  We'll see how my first try goes....

Re-arranging has also been interesting.   I've decided to use the dressers from the bedroom as buffets in the dining room.  The cherry wood definitely goes with the rest of the furniture.  The dining room is now "cozier" since there is less open space.  Also, moving bedrooms will be interesting.   And, I'm really glad that all my clothes fit into the new MB closet.  It's great to have it all in one place and all fairly easily accessible.

All of these changes remind me that it is good to occasionally re-evaluate and re-organize our lives.  It's something I haven't done all that much of since I moved in.   The little that I did before was good and helped; and I think that when I'm done with what I'm doing now, it will really be good and will be more adapted to my currently lifestyle and tastes.

2-Sept:  Prepping for paint is a LOT of work.  And, it is disheartening to find that when I pull the tape off after the paint is dried, that it pulls off some of the paint with it.   So, I now have so much re-touching to do :-(  I did decide on the paint color - "Wild Sage".   It's okay, but, I'm not really liking the blue-tone so much.  However, I did decide to do the backs of the built-in shelves in a "Dark Truffle" brown; and that turned out pretty well.   Now the shelves look more like a "self-contained" unit rather than just being part of the wall.
Everything just takes longer than I'd like....it took two weeks to clear everything out and do initial prep and cleaning.   Then, what will likely be about 10 hours for the taping and sanding.   Painting requires two coats; so about 4 hours for the first coat per bedroom and 3 for the second.  And, that's just the walls.  But, overall, it looks warmer and more interesting than it did before.  I'm definitely going with the natural earth-tone color theme.

4-Sept:  The "Wild Sage" color has definitely grown on me.   Now that the first coat is done on the other rooms as well, it actually looks good, especially in contrast to the white trim of the larger windows in those rooms.
The re-touching didn't take as long as I thought, since I was able to just use a straight edge instead having to re-tape everything again

27-Sept:  I've finished painting the bedrooms (2 layers of paint on the walls, trim, and closet) and even completed the touch-ups and the heater grills.  I'm grateful and happy :-)

3-Oct:  I put up the sheer panels in the MB this last week.   I like them - they allow light in but still provides privacy.  And the additional white color helps tie in with the trim of the room and provides a contrast with the dark brown curtains.
I also spackled and stained the post tops of the bed stands, since I decided to remove the wood posts.  While I was going to stain the rest of the wood to make it darker, it didn't seem like the stain stayed on the already stained and finished wood.  Also, I'd have to buy additional finish; otherwise the stain makes the surface oily and there is a strong smell.

1-Nov:  I decided to use cedar mulch on the planter areas still in my front yard, mainly because it's supposed to not attract pests.  However, the color doesn't match the walls so well... the brown colored bark would likely look better.   Maybe next time.  Also, I bought 3 bags of 2cu ft cover; but, it looks like I may need an additional 3 bags to finish covering everything.

18-Dec:  I was finally able to put up blinds in the library and exercise room.   The faux wood blinds ordered online through HD are not as good quality as the ones in the store; but, they were out of those in the store both times I went.  The nice thing about these ones were that they didn't have to be cut, and they were delivered to my front door (without shipping cost).   The packaging said it was a snow white color; and it seemed to be a little more "grey" than my trim and the other blinds.    Still, after putting them up, they still look good.   My rooms have really been transformed, and I'm pleased with the outcome.  I am grateful that God has blessed me with being able to remodel.