Faux wainscoting almost complete!

I adore my tool box & my power tools. I love even moreso my husband teaching me how to use his pneumatic nail gun & air compressor as he had one foot out the door on his way to the airport (traveling for business). I'm taking my chances that he doesn't remember I started a blog & I am going to put it out there....during his increasingly more frequent business trips I have a whole slew of DIY projects planned. This dining room make over is just the start of many as I am on my way to cottage chic-ing/country chic-ing/junk yard finding/funktifying my new construction home. Wish me luck!

I digress, after painting & priming the walls I added a flat trim piece much like a chair rail. I wanted a vintage wainscoting feel without hiring a carpenter nor removing the baseboards (the latter being a DIY chore I greatly dislike). So, I purchased at my local big box hardware store what they call "craft" boards. 1/4" thick & 4' tall boards. I then attached these to the wall with liquid nails. Resting on top of the existing base boards.






And used painters tape to hold them on & level until they had a chance to dry.



After the adhesive did it's magic, I removed the tape & started caulking.









Finally, it was time to prime the boards.









Luckily I had a sample of the trim paint (left over from the home builder). I took it to the paint store a purchased a way too expensive can of trim paint. Now that the room is prepared, all that is left to do is paint the silky finish trim paint all over the wood & walls. The plan was to finish before my trip, but it will have to wait because it is off the DC I go. Updates to follow soon!

Faux wainscoting in progress

Primed walls, check!
Painted top portion, check!
Started top rail of wainscoting, check!



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Cottage Chic-ing a dining room

Goodbye green dining room. 1st steps in adding some cottage chic charm in the works.
1st prime the walls....









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What to do when you can't find the right size drawer pulls?

The vintage desk I purchased to use as a vanity in the girls suite had funky drawer pulls. I intended on painting them. I lost one of the pulls while working in too many painting projects in the "workroom" (aka garage). Really I think tidy hubby threw it away, but I won't go there. Nonetheless when the local hardware store did not carry the correct size nor a face plate to cover the already there holes, I was at a loss. Until I decided, "who needs a drawer pull when you have lovely vintage ribbon"?



Started with the painted drawer.




Brought ribbon through existing holes.





Tied the ribbon inside in knots to hold it there snug.




Then added an additional lenght of ribbon as a bow. Top drawer is complete, middle drawer is before the additional bow.




And waaaahla! No charge drawer pulls. I could easily change them out for the season! Loves it!


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How do we choose which project to tackle next?

I have a laundry list of projects I want to tackle. I also seem to have some form of decorating ADD. I jump around from room to room, project to project (always conjuring up new delightful ideas) much to my darling husbands dismay! I thought maybe if I actually wrote and recorded (for the world to see) my list of "to-do's", it might somehow make me miraculously become an excellent project manager..... doubtful.

* find or commission a 8' long farm table to be used as a desk in the girls suite.

* decide on window coverings for the new girls suite.

* choose window covering for the rest of the house.

* paint my craft room.

* paint the dining room.

* paint the sitting/piano room.

* paint the kitchen.

* paint the kitchen cabinets.

* paint the master bathroom cabinets.

* add picture molding to the dining room and sitting room.

* add wainscoting to the kitchen.

* crown molding in the kitchen, on the kitchen cabinets, in the dining room, in the sitting room.

* find a fabulous chandelier for my office, the sitting room and the entry.

* paint already owned bookcase (decide where it goes).

* create linen slipcovers for craigslist find wingback chair set.

* create two end of bed benches for the girls suite.

* paint the porch floor.

* speaking of floors - replace office carpet with wood floor & paint.

* all the while shop for new finds, make products for our etsy store, and find time to walk the dog.

Considering the list was supposed to be enlightening, all I can say is.... am I for real? Clearly I am on the verge of being committed.

Deux Maison is going to Red-Chair!

School is out for our girlees tomorrow..... the weather has taken a turn for the good. Coming to New England from California 65 has NEVER felt sooooo good! So, Cris & Michelle (with girlees in tow) are headed to our favorite store, Red-Chair Antiques in Peterborough.

If you don't know it, check it out here:redchair-antiques.com

Of course, we cannot forget to stop by a new venue that the not new store www.whitehomecollections.net is putting on..... a great once a month sale.

whitehomemarket.com

I have no idea why this is of any interest to you... other than you should want to come with us!

We will make sure to update you on our hunting progress. Maybe even get permission to give you a peek inside the alluring, elegant and unique Red-Chair!

Maybe we can find Tulle Lu La a lovely crown?

Old desk turned VANITY!

I recently gave an old painted desk a re-fresh. I have (ALMOST) completed it... and I wonder why it is my dear hubby forbids me to bring any new projects into this home. I am determined to complete all of my unfinished darlings, only so I can get onto bigger and better things.... Painting my kitchen black, putting in hardwood floors in my craft space & adding wainscoting to the walls in a few rooms. I digress.

I found this desk during a recent visit to Cattail Farm Antiques in Maine

visit them here: http://cattailfarmantiques.com/

With a bit of black paint, sanding and trusty Briwax.... this is the new and improved version of the Girlees Attic Suite Vanity for their odd shaped bathroom.

The only trouble is, I lost one of the handles in the messy "workroom".... now I am on the hunt for replacements.... since they are of odd spacing I am having to come up with a new solution. I am trying to use an alternative so that I do not have to patch the holes and start fresh.... because as a DIYer - you know that with patching comes -sanding, painting and more work! I want to be onto another project already!