Fall Projects?

[paula1961]

Does anyone have any started? I am trying to get started on updating our house. We are planning on putting it back on the market in March. It is just too big for the two of us. We had it on the market for a year, that was about a year and a half ago... then the bottom fell out of the market. Anyway, we bought new blinds, they are the 2" wide white ones. They're pretty. I'm going with all neutrals on paint, such as different shades of tan that will match anything. Today we got two of our doors painted and the new blinds on them, I was amazed at what a difference this little change made. I was wondering if any of you had done this recently and what colors you used. We repainted our cabinets in the spring and they turned out pretty good. It's just amazing what a little paint can do.

[gja1000]

I've been working on my kitchen a little bit. Got new canisters, then new curtains, then a new over the sink counter. I need to paint my cabinets - they are still the original stain - but they would look much better painted.

Paula, would you post a picture of your cabinets??? And anyone else with painted cabinets, post a picture too - I need some ideas!

We painted a few years ago, but most of the house is just a basic light beige. Our den and my office is painted a color that I would call, light coffee with lots of cream, and I love it!

[paula1961]

Sure... I'll post a couple. The flooring in there is also on the list of redoing. We have it, just need to lay it.

[paula1961]

The ceramic tile needs "help" too.... Any suggestions? Can you paint it?

[gja1000]

I love the two colors on the cabinets!!! The darker color is about the same color as the walls in my den and office.

I don't know if you can paint tile or not. I think you can do some sort of stencil on some of the tiles - or maybe it is a stick on pattern, I'm not sure, but I think I remember seeing something like that somewhere (don't have a clue where).

I need tile (or something) on my backsplash - mine is just painted and it really needs some help!

OK, I looked it up, I guess you can paint tiles http://www.ehow.com/how_4524744_sponge-paint-tile-backsplash.html

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/painted-tile-backsplash-stenciling/index.html

[Marilyn]

Our house is only 6 years old, but we are trying to get it ready to put on the market, too. We've had painters in this past week doing some repair and touchup. Our home is done is earth tones of cream, brown, gold, soft greens, and for a little extra touch, one bathroom and the laundry room are both purple. A kinda soft medium purple. The flavor is Tuscan, so the purple is for grapes. The walls in the living, master bedroom and master bath are glazed so a little wear doesn't show very much on them. Gayle, if you read this, our gameroom walls are burnt orange above a cream wainscoat and chair rail. Thought you'd appreciate the burnt orange. ;)

We need to change the carpets downstairs, but we will go back with pretty much what we have now. Once we get the carpets done, our furkids will be stuck in their crates while we are at work. My intent was to go with vinyl plank flooring had we stayed here. If you get really good vinyl plank, it looks so much like wood that it fools most people, and it's more durable and water resistent than laminate or wood. However, since we are planning to sell, will go back with carpet, since it's cheaper.

[gja1000]

Gayle, if you read this, our gameroom walls are burnt orange above a cream wainscoat and chair rail. Thought you'd appreciate the burnt orange. ;)
.

HEY Marilyn! That's really COOL!!! :D

[DianaB]

Your painted cabinets look nice. I'm sure that it's a lot of work to get a house ready to sell. The house that we're in now is the first home that we've owned, unless you count a trailer house!! Here's some pictures from some time ago that I posted. The furniture has been re-arranged in the living room but you can get the general idea.

http://www.4womentalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3413&highlight

I do have my red wall now, that's not quite finished. I'll post some pictures of it when I get it finished, so the blue tape isn't in the picture!! I think that I'd like to paint the rest of the living room but.......I just don't know what color to pick with the dark red that I put up and.......the living room joins with the kitchen.....which joins with a big hallway.......so once I start painting it's going to be interesting to figure out where to stop!

I think painting neutrals is really smart if you're planning on selling. Also make sure that you "de-clutter". If you need any help you know that we're always here with ideas for you!!!

[DianaB]

I forgot to mention that my glass top table that's in the pictures is fixed now. Remember that Karlie fell backwards on the table while rocking? We finally went and got it repaired. Yay!!! The glass that we replaced it with isn't as thick as it was before because of cost. I'm really afraid that she'll break it again!! I guess we'll see!

[paula1961]

Gayle, I'm going to check your links about the tile painting. I've been helping hang blinds today and haven't had a chance to look yet.

Marilyn, your colors sounds really pretty, I bet that burnt orange and cream look really good together. It's alot of work getting a house ready to put on the market. Are you just wanting a change or like us... downsizing?

Diana, I really like your house. Your carpet is about the same color as some of mine. I like your wood trim. Is it oak? Mine is dark walnut, which I was worried about the colors of paint I chose, but it's coming along nicely with the white blinds. Larry(my hubby) would love that wooden ironing board! He loves antiques! Thanks for posting your pics:) Know what ya mean about the blue tape, I'll have it all over before long. I still have 9 rooms left to paint:eek: Looking forward to seeing your red wall.

[Janet]

I painted the interior here last June 08 and I will never paint again. It was all I could do to walk the next day and I was so sore. It's all done in a country white (off white) and we like it. I want to change our flooring so bad, but it will be a long time probably. Just don't make what we use to and it takes longer to save up. Oh well, such is life.

I love everyone idea though. I'm really anxious to see your red walls Diana. Maybe you should do a video so you can span the room...lol.

[gja1000]

Larry(my hubby) would love that wooden ironing board! He loves antiques!


ME TOO! I love antiques! But I still iron on that wooden ironing board, no kidding. Of course, I have a nice padding on it, but it is my grandma's ironing board from the 1940's

[DianaB]

Oh, that would be great.....to scan the room when I show the red wall!!! I'll do that!! That's a good idea!!!

Paula, yes, our trim is oak and it's stained a medium color.

The ironing board has been a really cool furniture piece. I've used it as a table behind the couch and even as a serving table when I've run out of counter space. It's just been a really fun piece and yet I've always figured that if I grew tired of it I could fold it up and put it away!!

[paula1961]

When I looked at that picture, that ironing board caught my eye. I told my hubby about it and he said his aunt had one many years ago. I had never seen one until your pic. Very interesting how you have made use of it. I bet it makes a good conversation piece too.

Janet, I bet your off white looks good and I know what ya mean about flooring. We are going with vinyl squares in the kitchen. I know that's not really the in thing, but they are really pretty and affordable.

[Marilyn]

Paula, we are selling due to the taxes. Our county tax appraisal folks have gotten really carried away. They are over appraising properties and when we went to fight the apparisal, they discovered that our home is stone, not brick and said that next year our value would increase by $30,000. That will put our taxes even higher. So, even though we love our home, we are planning to sell and move to a home of similiar size (maybe a little smaller) in an older neighborhood with half the taxes. Our value is over $100 per square foot now, prior to the stone discovery. Older homes are valued at around $50- $65. We can save quite a bit by relocating. We will have to do some renovations when we move, but if we are careful where we buy and do this intellegently, we can come out ahead.

Our biggest task to get it ready to sell is to declutter. I'm trying to chip away at it, but really don't know how much will get done between now and the holidays.

[DianaB]

Personal property taxes are just awful!! When we lived in our old house we had a trailer house attached. It wasn't the prettiest but it gave us bedrooms and a bathroom for a cheap price. We had a little wooden porch that came with the trailer at the back door and Glen had moved in some old pieces of sidewalk for the bottom of the stairs. When the tax people came by they measured that piece of sidewalk and we were going to be taxed on it. Glen argued with them about it being old but it didn't matter so he told them "consider it gone" because I'll be moving it away. We were also taxed MORE because we had skirted the trailer. You'd think that they would want it to look nice and that we shouldn't have been taxed on that.

We just received something in the mail about the trailer house. They were wanting info about it. Glen called this morning and said that it had been flooded and wasn't in any shape to be taxed. He talked his way out of it this time.

[Lindsey]

I am putting down laminate flooring at the end of next month, pending approval from the condo board. They had better approve it because I bought it all already! Last Thursday night, Scott and I went out just to see what kind of budget we'd need to redo the flooring, and we ran across this absolutely GORGEOUS laminate on sale for only $0.97/square foot. So I jumped on that and bought enough for my whole place! The color is called Boston Cherry, and it's quite a dark stain but it looks great with all of my colors!
My parents have a lot of leftover tile from the cabin so I am taking that from them because it's just enough to redo my kitchen and bathroom! I am also hoping to buy kitchen cabinets, so I will hold off on that flooring until I get new cabinets installed.
I'm trying to get as much done as possible before February, because the Canadian government has introduced a Home Renovation Tax Credit, so for any renovations I do before February, I will get some money back :) It was introduced to stimulate the economy and I know a lot of people are taking advantage of it.

[Lindsey]

Here is a picture I took of one plank of laminate I took home to show my parents :) It seems a lot lighter in the picture from the flash.

[paula1961]

Lindsey that flooring looks almost identical to mine in the foyer and dining room. Really pretty. I got mine for 1.19 sq. ft. which was a good buy, you got a very good price on yours. I'm having new carpet laid in the living room Thursday, I couldn't go with wood because we bought our laminate at a discount store and they no longer have the color to match the two adjoining rooms. But the carpet is pretty, it's shag which I think is neat because it used to be popular in the 70's, now it back in style, I chose "speckled oak", the sample looked really good with the wood and our furniture.

[Lindsey]

Paula, I was just in a brand new house and they had new shag carpet on the stairs and throughout the basement and it was SO comfortable to walk on!

[Janet]

Shag carpet.... wow...I had that in our family room when we first built the house...in the 70's. I would love wood flooring, but I'm just worried about how cold it will make the house feel. It would look so nice in here and with the dogs....would be wonderful.

[paula1961]

Hey Janet... can you believe the shag carpet is back in style? I didn't know until my son put it in his new house recently. It is awesome and it is so soft to walk on like Lindsey said. Our wood floors really don't make the house seem colder.. but I always have socks on:o

[Lindsey]

I don't think it makes it feel cold either. You can have nice area rugs down, and if it's too cold wear socks or comfy slippers :) I really like it in the summer when it's hot outside and the floor feels cooler on the feet.

[gja1000]

Lindsay, I love your new flooring!!!

[DianaB]

I like it too and I think that it will look really nice in your apartment!!

[paula1961]

Shag carpet.... wow...I had that in our family room when we first built the house...in the 70's. I would love wood flooring, but I'm just worried about how cold it will make the house feel. It would look so nice in here and with the dogs....would be wonderful.

Janet, the wood flooring is nice with the doggies... but...if yours go outside when it rains. There are still the puppy paw prints all over the wood floor to clean up. I guess the plus to them is that you can just mop it up, unlike carpet that can start stinking over time.

[Tiramisu]

You are all such busy homemakers. I love reading about your projects and accomplishments. My vote is always for wood floors.

I haven't seen shag carpet in years, but my OCD personality didn't care for it. I couldn't stand it when the shags were crushed down and not standing fluffed up. Of course, the furniture indentions drive me crazy on flat carpet.

I've put all my projects on hold until the kids move out. I have such a long list that I expect it will take a couple of seasons to do!

[Blueyes]

Paula, I did my kitchen cabinets like yours, only opposite. The cabinet doors are white with color behind. We've been in this house 3 years and I've redone the whole thing, lol! Mike and I have downsized twice. I don't understand why people buy huge houses after their kids leave home... I wanted smaller and easier. As long as I have a couple of extra bedrooms for my kids when they visit, I'm happy:)

Do they still sell plastic rakes with shag carpet, lol?!?!?!

[paula1961]

Oh Betsi, you're so funny! I'll have to ask the carpet installers about the rake:D They're here now laying the carpet, I think I'm really going to like it. I'll post a pic of it later.
I know what you mean about a big house. My hubby built this one when his daughters were small. Now they are in their 30's and have their own homes, and we have a 3000 sq ft house:eek: I feel like you do... enough room for the two of us and couple of bedrooms for the kids when they visit. I would love to have a one story house. Hopefully this one will sell and if it doesn't, I'm doing everything in the colors that I like.

[Janet]

LOL...I'm the opposite when it comes to size. I would like a larger house. I grew up in a two bedroom home with 6 people. Of course Mom and Dad had their room, but us 4 kids shared the other. It was a very small room, maybe 10 X 10. Everything was crowded in there and I grew up really not liking holidays. Mom insisted everyone come to our house (and they did) for the holidays and it was so crowded and most were miserable but didn't want to upset Mom.

So...I wanted bigger...and I still do, even though it's a nice size 3 bedroom home. Trouble is....I keep getting stuff. I want to get rid of so much stuff, but just don't know if I'll regret getting rid of it and end up buying it again.

If I could just win enough money to fix it the way I want it I'd be satisfied...at least with the house.

[Blueyes]

Janet, I grew up in a small house with 6 people, too. My dad worked at night so I shared a bed with my mom and the boys shared the other one.

Mike and I built a big house a couple of years after we got married, and lived in it for 24 years. I had to get rid of SO much stuff to fit in to our next house! Now I get rid of things as it accumulates so I don't have clutter...not that clutter bothers me...I just need to keep my life as simple as possible:rolleyes:

[paula1961]

Ok girls.. here's a pic of the new carpet. After the installers left, I called in the inspectors to make sure it was installed properly:D
Lucy looks like she is peeing but I promise she's not.

[gja1000]

Hi Paula! I really like the carpet!!! And the inspectors look like they are doing a great job! :D

[gja1000]

I grew up in a tiny 2 bedroom house with five people - only I was the step child........

My step sister moved out shortly after I moved in (at age 5) and my step brother had the second bedroom, so I slept on a rollaway bed that we kept in the hall during the day and I had to roll out every night. There was a tiny tiny closet in the hall with 2 drawers where I kept my stuff. When I was 13 my s-brother went off to college and I got the bedroom, but had to vacate every time he came home! :mad:

Everyone I knew lived in a similar house, so I really didn't know much else existed.

When I got married (the first time) we built a 3 bedroom house, about 1500 sq ft, I think. It was nice, but got sold in the divorce.

Then Gary and I got married and moved to Austin. I was in school so we bought a little 1200 sq ft 3 bedroom house. We have just stayed in it, but 8 years ago, Gary built on 800 sq ft more, a den, an office, and a BIG closet. We'll probably never sell this house, unless the neighborhood just gets really bad. Right now it is a funky little multiethnic neighborhood and we have known some of our neighbors for 24 years, and other neighbors change every six months!

I don't have too many projects I'd like to do, cuz I'm not much into my house - but I would like to paint the kitchen cabinets. They are the cheap original ones in the house that was built 28 years ago. My daughter says I need to get rid of my butcher block formica counter tops, but I still love them. They don't show a THING! :D

Betsi, you should post a picture of your cabinets since they are opposite of Paula's - I really need to do something, but not sure what to do. I like Paula's and I'd like to see yours.

We will need to change out the tub in our bathroom sometime, as it is fiberglass and has some chips in it. I'd like to do some more rock work in the front yard - get rid of more grass = less watering. I'll do that sometime, not sure when. :p

[paula1961]

Gayle... it's easier than ya think to paint your cabinets and inexpensive too. We put a coat of Kilz primer on first, I should tell you that our cabinets have like a plastic coated finish on the doors. After you primer, put two coats of whatever color of paint that you like and YooHoo! New cabinets:) I never thought I would like doing stuff like this because everything costs so much, but I must say that after I got started painting, well an example would be.... my stepdaughter spent 10,000 on a new kitchen and we couldn't afford that so I found some paint samples at Lowe's, started a project and now I am starting to redo alot in our house. We have spent about 40.00 on paint and primer for the kitchen, can't beat that:)

[Blueyes]

I'll take some pictures tomorrow, Gayle.

[Blueyes]

Your carpet looks great Paula! I LOVE to do stuff to my house...paint, wallpaper, blinds...I can do it all:p

[gja1000]

I'll take some pictures tomorrow, Gayle.

Thanks Betsi! And thanks Paula for the encouragement. I know my kitchen would look much better with painted cabinets!!!

[DianaB]

Paula, I really like your new carpet!!! I love the color!!! I saw some shag carpet somewhere and they've improved it to where it won't mat so bad. That's one thing that I remembered about the old shag. BTW--I had one of those plastic rakes for my shag too!!!!

[Janet]

Love the carpet Paula, the color is perfect.

[paula1961]

Thank you for compliments. The color of the carpet is speckled oak, I think the room turned out pretty good. Here's a pic after we got the furniture back in there today. Pretend that you don't see the babies crate, I hate those being in there but that's where they are used to sleeping at night.:)

[paula1961]

There should be a table with a lamp on it in front of the window between the sofa and chair, but hubby has a small TV on it in the corner:rolleyes: He will have help this evening and will get the big TV moved back in the living room. Then my end table and lamp will be where they belong again. Isn't it funny........ Men and their TV's and Women and their computers:D

[judy]

This is a great thread! Lindsey - I love your floor. Paula - I love the cabinets and the carpeting. The dogs too! I think the house will sell easily. It's lovely! Diana - I have the same ironing board, which I use as a sitting stool in the kitchen. It was my mother's. It's painted yellow at the moment, but I am going to change it.

I am organizing the closets, cabinets, the pantry, etc. I want to feel like the house is mine at last, and I realized that everything needs to be put exactly where I want it. I have not felt like I am home yet. I need everything organized. I guess I may be a bit OCD, but I don't have much stress because I am so organized. I am doing one job every day or so. The basement needs doing too. I learned today when I went down there to check the oil level. I put boxes down there for storage, and it smells moldy. The cartons are damp. They need to be moved! I have to make room somewhere, or else, put some of it out in the garbage.

I spent about 2 weeks feeling totally overwhelmed by the prospect of reorganizing my things, but then I just started doing it, and it's fine. I was going to do the pantry today, but....However, the day is not over yet!

I'm also getting a new floor for the downstairs. Jessie told me today about Home Depot's Allure vinyl planks that supposedly look just like wood, and are so easy to take care of. They are a bit pricey, but I have been saving. Has anyone heard anything about them? I hate the flooring I have now. It's beautiful, but much too high maintenance.

[Janet]

Paula it's beautiful and has such a homey feel...I love it. I pretty much like my house....for the post part, but I really wish I had different furniture and flooring.

[paula1961]

Thank you Judy and Janet:)

Judy, this thread has been a fun one for me. Everyone just starting joining in with their ideas and pictures and suggestions. I loved it!

[gja1000]

This really HAS been a fun thread, Paula! Thanks so much for starting it!

[Marilyn]

I'm also getting a new floor for the downstairs. Jessie told me today about Home Depot's Allure vinyl planks that supposedly look just like wood, and are so easy to take care of. They are a bit pricey, but I have been saving. Has anyone heard anything about them? I hate the flooring I have now. It's beautiful, but much too high maintenance.

Vinyl plank flooring is what I wanted to put in our living room and bedroom. Whenever you mention this to people, they freak out at the thought of vinyl flooring in a living room. They remember the old vinyl tile and that image is just stuck in their minds.

The new vinyl plank is very different than the old vinyl tiles. The good stuff is beautiful. It is very difficult to tell that it is not wood unless you get down on your hands and knees. It's more moisture resistant than either wood or laminate which makes it great for people with pets.

I have a good friend who works for Jung Tile (pronounced young) and she sells all kinds of flooring. She strongly recommended the vinyl plank. If you go to a good flooring store, they have a lot more to choose from than Home Depot, you may want to check and compare quality and pricing. HD may have what you will end up wanting, but a flooring store should have more to choose from and sometimes their pricing is comparable, especially if they know you are shopping around.

Please keep us posted!!

[Blueyes]

That sounds good, Marilyn. I like vinyl flooring...it looks so realistic these days. I would like to replace my kitchen and long hall with fake slate.

[Janet]

Just curious....is the vinyl in plank pieces or just looks like it? What if someone was to spill or a dog was to pee on it? Wouldn't it go between the planks?

[Blueyes]

Mine is in planks, I think most are. I don't think anything goes in to the cracks:confused:

[Janet]

What keeps it from going in between?

[DianaB]

That's what I've wondered too.

[judy]

They are waterproof Janet. I think because they stick together underneath the wood looking part.

From Home Depot:

Easy GripStrip installation Lays directly over your old floor; no floor prep or messy glue needed! Looks and feels like real wood feel the knots! Completely waterproof. Perfect in high moisture areas basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Warm comfort and quiet under foot. Install an entire floor cleanly, easily in just a few hours. 25 year residential warranty.

Also - from Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFv3vBGgLNk