tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46558060798831325762024-03-12T04:36:09.596-05:00Home on Hidden OaksHome on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-48266290816952057612015-08-07T11:23:00.001-05:002015-08-07T11:23:27.003-05:0011 tips for how to be happy in your own home<center>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, let's talk about something that has been on my mind quite a bit lately. Sometimes you get bored of your own home. It happens to the best of us. Perhaps all you notice is how the baseboards could really use a fresh coat of paint, or maybe you are dwelling on how badly you want french doors in your dining room. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I fell into this very funk a while ago, and recently decided I needed to pull myself out of it. I told myself to quit whining and complaining about all the things I wish I had, and all the things that are "wrong" with my house. I should be grateful to have a safe, welcoming home. I should have pride in all that I have done to turn my house into a home. I should be able to see past the imperfections to the <i><b>very real</b></i> beauty that already exists there. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After giving myself a much needed attitude adjustment, I began trying to think of ways to truly find joy in my home. It has helped immensely and I'm feeling much happier about being at home, and finding excitement again in the everyday. So if, like me, you find yourself in a funk, try following these tips.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Holy moly. It seems so obvious in hindsight, but for some reason I totally underestimated the power of a clean house. Mine wasn't even <i>that</i> dirty. Maybe it needed a nice thorough dusting, but all in all, it wasn't a pig sty. Once I got off my ass and gave my kitchen a deep cleaning, the site of my gleaming counter tops made me feel <i>sooo</i> much better, and gave me the energy I'd been lacking to give the entire house a much needed scrub down. Now every time I walk into my kitchen I feel inspired to start baking. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Candles go a long way towards making me feel at home. Not only do they smell good, but the flickering light is cozy and relaxing. I like to use food scented candles like vanilla in the kitchen, and clean scented candles in the bathrooms and laundry room. For the living spaces, I switch it up depending on the time of the year. In the spring and summer, I usually lean toward light, floral scents. In the fall and winter, Bath & Body Works carries my favorite fall and Christmas scents. <br /><br />So light em up! No special occasion required. Put one on the table at dinner time, light one while you are reading a book, and have one burning while you're watching TV. It'll make any moment at home seem just a little more special. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If your home is dark and gloomy, chances are good your mood will be too. Open the curtains and let the sun light filter in. At night time, turn on lamps, scentsys, and other accent lighting. The romantic glow created by these fixtures will make you want to sit back with a glass of wine and soak in the feeling of just being home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let's be honest, all I ever want to do is relax with a glass of wine, regardless of the lighting situation. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You know how some people's homes just <i>feel</i> expensive? You can't really put your finger on why, but it just seems classy? One way to give your house this vibe is to make small, but expensive, splurges. Maybe you can't afford to deck out your entire house in Pottery Barn's finest, but that doesn't mean that you can't splurge every once in a while on a gorgeous mug that just puts a smile on your face. The one pictured is by <a href="http://www.mud-pie-gifts.com/">Mud Pie</a>. They have the cutest stuff.<br /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whether you live in a 400 sq ft apartment or a 5,000 sq ft mansion, every home has strengths and weaknesses. So focus on the strengths! For example, what I <i>don't</i> have is a spacious living room. What I <i>do</i> have is a lovely fireplace that I enjoy decorating so that it makes a statement as soon as you enter the room. There may only be room for about four people in my living room, but it's cute anyway! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Maybe you've got a tiny kitchen. So what! Rather than try to emulate the look of those big, fancy kitchens you see in magazines, make it feel cozy and warm by installing butcher block counter tops and painting the cabinets a welcoming color. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWlb7A3Fwr9_FWblxIqv2D-Q47omJOyjiP8Qej1c3dtzyqZ6lp3bhDMPz2CsWaxW4V0i6te70nedkHgfX779BHgfbMGI42-_eoryVhBBXdpVdxkEux-nIAKmXs2Gj-QD-rm1ERyunuyYS/s1600/6.+Don%2527t+fall+victim+to+jealousy+of+what+you+see+online.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWlb7A3Fwr9_FWblxIqv2D-Q47omJOyjiP8Qej1c3dtzyqZ6lp3bhDMPz2CsWaxW4V0i6te70nedkHgfX779BHgfbMGI42-_eoryVhBBXdpVdxkEux-nIAKmXs2Gj-QD-rm1ERyunuyYS/s640/6.+Don%2527t+fall+victim+to+jealousy+of+what+you+see+online.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">I'm guilty of this one. I'll spend hours scouring Pinterest and find myself swooning over how amazing all the houses are. But it is important to keep in mind that most of the houses you see on Pinterest are MANSIONS that are decorated and designed by PROFESSIONALS. Most people's homes DO NOT look like that. It's easy to assume that because people are pinning these rooms, that they must actually have what is pictured. But that just isn't the case. Pinterest is a wonderful site full of creativity, but if it becomes a place where you always leave feeling envy instead of inspiration, it's time to give yourself a reality check. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Blogs too. Since I'm a blogger, I probably shouldn't be pointing this out, but what you see isn't always <i>exactly</i> the truth. Keep in mind that a lot of bloggers are extremely talented photographers. This means that they can make their homes look bigger and brighter in pictures than they are in real life. Not to mention the fact that Photoshop exists for home decor pictures, just like it does for swimsuit models. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Also it is important to keep in mind that the point of most blogs is to show how pretty your house is. So most bloggers aren't going to point out the fact that the reason that blanket is artfully draped over that arm chair is to hide the fact that the cushion was completely torn apart by the dog. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> **Ahem, see picture below.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">We all have our dirty little secrets. And that chair is Ruby's favorite place to sit, so it is literally dirty.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This closet is probably a little more fun to change clothes in than a regular closet, thanks to the fancy chandelier and gold painted clothing rods. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wouldn't know for sure though, since this isn't my house, it's <a href="http://www.beckdesignblog.blogspot.com/">Beck Design Blog's</a> house.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Seriously though, a little glam goes a long way towards making your house feel special. A fancy chandelier in a closet or laundry room will take a once boring and strictly functional space up a notch or two. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">This is another one I can't claim credit for. But I can <i>imagine</i> how much joy <a href="http://www.iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/">I Heart Organizing</a> feels every time she opens her linen closet. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Nothing feels quite so luxurious as slipping into a soft, clean bed. Take that up a notch by spritzing your sheets with lavender scented linen spray a few minutes before you crawl in. It'll feel like you're spending the night in a five-star resort every night.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Host parties! This is without a doubt my single greatest source of joy as a home owner. Sharing your space with friends and family is an immensely rewarding experience. I adore making memories with my loved ones in a space that is so near and dear to my heart. If you have a small space, host a dinner party with just a couple of close friends. Worried about the cost of a big party? Make it BYOB or do a pot luck. Whether it's an elegant affair or just having some friends over to watch your favorite TV show, you'll never regret sharing your home with others. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">And last but not least, try to keep in mind that... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Every home is unique and special regardless of size, location, or price tag. Of course we'd all love to have an amazing fire pit in our backyard that just <i>happens</i> to be on the edge of a lake. But as the song goes, we can't always get what we want. I know it can be tough, but try not to compare your home to others. You may feel self conscious that your home is smaller than all your friend's houses, but chances are good they're feeling jealous of the fact that you have wood floors. So even if you went to a party the other night at a home whose backyard was to die for (which I did), remember that your own home is special and has <i><b>very real </b></i>beauty all it's own. </span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-70133218401316936552015-08-06T16:02:00.001-05:002015-08-06T16:02:44.369-05:00Chalk Lettering Hack<center>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> In case you are wondering if I've dropped off the face of the earth, the answer is no. I'm still here! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And I am hoping to give you guys a run down of the couples shower I hosted last month soon. Remember that party? It's the one I created this list for:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The reason for the delay in sharing the party with you is because I was so busy playing hostess that I forgot to take pictures! So I'm waiting on a friend to email me the photos she has on her camera. Once I've got them, I'll be sure to share with you :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As you can see, I managed to complete most of my checklist in time for the big day. In case you missed any of it, here is a recap on the <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/03/staircase-remodel-reveal-tutorial.html">staircase remodel</a>, the <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/04/the-master-bedroom.html">new curtains</a> in my bedroom, and my <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/03/the-collage-wall-take-3.html">restyled collage wall</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I thought I'd share with you a little project I did for the shower, that made me feel ridiculously talented. (How I imagine a real DIY blogger must feel).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I created this chalk art of the easel on my front porch! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z1zdGlo-UvPoxDn5wq68qQSRf94nNndZ6awy8CKV7RI70yrIZcZe6oM0Tf9pz-ScFcwm5DXU55P1NsneNk7jSDbOZQ5NTWOAjWy1tXKRjOOBpD4Y8erHkjtGeA644ReKG1i2RGRrKf5H/s1600/chalkboard+lettering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z1zdGlo-UvPoxDn5wq68qQSRf94nNndZ6awy8CKV7RI70yrIZcZe6oM0Tf9pz-ScFcwm5DXU55P1NsneNk7jSDbOZQ5NTWOAjWy1tXKRjOOBpD4Y8erHkjtGeA644ReKG1i2RGRrKf5H/s640/chalkboard+lettering.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">The break down of how I did this was pretty simple, and required no artistic talent whatsoever.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Step 1: Pick a font you like and print out your words on regular computer paper.<br />Step 2: Using the side of a piece of chalk, rub all over the backside of the paper.<br />Step 3: Gently turn the paper over, and place on top of chalk board. I used a little tape on the corners to hold my paper in place.<br />Step 4: Using a pen, pencil, or other sharp item, trace the letters carefully.<br />Step 5: Remove the paper, and you will be able to see a subtle outline of the text.<br />Step 6: Just fill in the text with chalk and you are done!<br /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Simple as pie :) I used the same technique on the birds too! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wish I could claim credit for this amazing idea, but that would be violating the laws of creativity, so if you want to know who came up with this idea, hop on over to <a href="http://www.blesserhouse.com/2015/03/chalkboard-hand-lettering-easy-way.html">Blesser House</a> for the original tutorial.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As always, thanks for stopping by. Hopefully I'll be back soon with all the details of the party. Have a good one! </span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-3305668818116073882015-06-23T14:04:00.000-05:002015-06-23T14:04:12.105-05:00A French Provincial dresser for the Master Bedroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4rwvF_X4MhZkghLF5STy-h2gCOi5vft8rxINHkAVF6cErwe2FcRxs0AzQTlIvfdh-oq2I91H6Cn7N9Nuj9VqlGscgupi736ie87GlSdRAs15ZHKGFNh5jKpGfWOX4yaf8wLbvPh1qa8g/s1600/craigslist+junk+to+chalkpaint+jewel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4rwvF_X4MhZkghLF5STy-h2gCOi5vft8rxINHkAVF6cErwe2FcRxs0AzQTlIvfdh-oq2I91H6Cn7N9Nuj9VqlGscgupi736ie87GlSdRAs15ZHKGFNh5jKpGfWOX4yaf8wLbvPh1qa8g/s640/craigslist+junk+to+chalkpaint+jewel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have been on the lookout for a french provincial dresser for the master bedroom for years. </span></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But, of course, I didn't want to spend a lot of money. For several years, we used a dresser that Reid's dad built for him when he was a kid. I never loved the way it looked, but thought it was pretty cool that my father-in-law built it. (You can read about that, and get the full master bedroom tour <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/04/the-master-bedroom.html#more">here</a>). Then finally after several years of searching, I stumbled across the perfect dresser on Craigslist.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoyzypCFNElMtFriLXAb4yBbPO3SC8tDp1XuQRd9P8ayEabCBKQAocVum5joDQW2E_xlDpkXn32gRIp90oOVTsKf9PlTC1fTzZ1Q5IVaBVTJuosZuOgKdbbij46CjLmrVY4Y7kpkv0yLM/s1600/before2+-edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoyzypCFNElMtFriLXAb4yBbPO3SC8tDp1XuQRd9P8ayEabCBKQAocVum5joDQW2E_xlDpkXn32gRIp90oOVTsKf9PlTC1fTzZ1Q5IVaBVTJuosZuOgKdbbij46CjLmrVY4Y7kpkv0yLM/s640/before2+-edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I knew this was the one for several reasons. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. It wasn't a real antique, which alleviated any guilt I would have otherwise had about painting it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. The size.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. The price. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have to be honest though. It's been a few months since I bought this, and I don't remember exactly how much it cost. I <i>think</i> it was $180. </span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since I'd never tried chalk paint (I know, how can I be a blogger without having ever used chalk paint?), I decided to give it a whirl. Here are the supplies I used:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamG1yYmNUHOZfnryJpW9ixx9wDSxhII-AmeCVJjwDmfuVsIyDT3yxJ9Ygr0HANqSp6dQRBP2Q45eqsG5bGKYEcSDA8WAfaQ2v6sF3ULcRhE3GVvBVQgQJypHpWM4jAeKyYlGhEx2q4K0V/s1600/supplies-edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamG1yYmNUHOZfnryJpW9ixx9wDSxhII-AmeCVJjwDmfuVsIyDT3yxJ9Ygr0HANqSp6dQRBP2Q45eqsG5bGKYEcSDA8WAfaQ2v6sF3ULcRhE3GVvBVQgQJypHpWM4jAeKyYlGhEx2q4K0V/s640/supplies-edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'd done a lot of researching and read that you don't have to sand or prime when using chalk paint. After taking the drawers out and removing the hardware, I decided to give my dresser a light sanding anyway because the existing finish was very shiny and smooth, almost like a lacquer. I just did it by hand, and only spent about 10 minutes on it.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczUXcBCVg8Bv5NhtgcfGQyZUtCWzHQEs2goaEJ8i9iaAYJAyycH5EP-KjZlnb5NkQU9EqvRPhiiegcVuZ31plAxSzSDNC_i6EPt-0bNa6GGzR1XzPft6A2ZJbu4uoevHq3XjN2xEu13TN/s1600/before+drawers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczUXcBCVg8Bv5NhtgcfGQyZUtCWzHQEs2goaEJ8i9iaAYJAyycH5EP-KjZlnb5NkQU9EqvRPhiiegcVuZ31plAxSzSDNC_i6EPt-0bNa6GGzR1XzPft6A2ZJbu4uoevHq3XjN2xEu13TN/s640/before+drawers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKpabLJNEczQ30vOceg79WNndGHwAjc0m2sjqUoEI1E8VfmmR3JNJ44-mOFB81xh0U-OZgeU0fhj-qpY8Ojx9PGHqspzyOzX8sGjMF_p_6JMkSUESWWXY6er7u_uNjGSElx0Rq5p49TtI/s1600/before+no+drawers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKpabLJNEczQ30vOceg79WNndGHwAjc0m2sjqUoEI1E8VfmmR3JNJ44-mOFB81xh0U-OZgeU0fhj-qpY8Ojx9PGHqspzyOzX8sGjMF_p_6JMkSUESWWXY6er7u_uNjGSElx0Rq5p49TtI/s640/before+no+drawers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After one coat of paint, here is what it looked like. If you look closely you'll see that the floral pattern on the drawers was showing through the paint.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6qm4FOe3OiuEx1Eav6Uu8CzL7fB0_d8KOId569GFlTnY6yDexINUXJ7WU3GSb9M1tAegRVfxY7N6XN3FpDzil6HjqNLBzUuX-nUkH_PoIxCwiOAs5dRUhoh96UPFuArxs2ez2o0mz3jj/s1600/drawers+1+coat+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6qm4FOe3OiuEx1Eav6Uu8CzL7fB0_d8KOId569GFlTnY6yDexINUXJ7WU3GSb9M1tAegRVfxY7N6XN3FpDzil6HjqNLBzUuX-nUkH_PoIxCwiOAs5dRUhoh96UPFuArxs2ez2o0mz3jj/s640/drawers+1+coat+edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After the second coat, however, the paint had covered the dresser completely.</span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I had enough paint left over in that tiny little container to do some touch ups, and that was all I needed. After I finished painting, the next step was to apply the wax using the no-shed cloths. Here is where I made my first mistake. Miraculously, that mistake turned out to be a good thing. I waited overnight to apply the wax and left the furniture in the garage where it gets warm. I knew that chalk paint tends to dry out quicker than regular paint, but I didn't know that one night in the heat without wax would cause it to crackle. The crackling effect is very mild and only on the drawer fronts, but I actually think it looks really pretty. It was difficult to get a photo of it, but here is my best attempt:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWU8H5kEMBWjvmy1VFyyERqYU3ERegHkf787wb5RkgwuLCuG5u3UA3GbXdR5coFo4GAOZr4WG7MIeHersW19Vn-CiMK4tpbMPVde36cQadhVCYOZFwxbPrzqboNqEPPeavL5ZP2oJqie4/s1600/crackle+paint+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWU8H5kEMBWjvmy1VFyyERqYU3ERegHkf787wb5RkgwuLCuG5u3UA3GbXdR5coFo4GAOZr4WG7MIeHersW19Vn-CiMK4tpbMPVde36cQadhVCYOZFwxbPrzqboNqEPPeavL5ZP2oJqie4/s640/crackle+paint+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So the next day I brought my dresser back inside and applied the wax, using a circular motion. Then I allowed to wax to dry fully for about 72 hours before putting anything on or in the dresser. Then, because I am a winner, I waited for more than 5 weeks before I finally spray painted the hardware using an oil rubbed bronze color, and was actually able to use the dresser! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, what's the verdict? I'm really happy with the chalk paint. The finish is very smooth and professional looking, and it is so nice not to have to deal with sanding or priming. It was very easy to work with, easy to clean up, and the smell was not strong at all. The only down side is having to wax because you are supposed to reapply the wax every six months or so. It only took me about 20 minutes to apply the wax, so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle to reapply. I can see how it would be overwhelming to do if all your furniture was painted with chalk paint though. I will definitely use chalk paint again, and think it is excellent for furniture remodels! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, now onto the eye candy...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPpBRTSAdjA4zhWWjn8wJP8tlOckYEPUXVRR3lqMON42MUYYpZKIKsenqHEhDW5SAgtvYPYNBeXQM9yJXjl_MgKt1Tx-4tOtSIUqiVdfTdgYIUahlZwutZpvRmo9EUXUaIqrRnIg5A1Hb/s1600/AFTER2-edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPpBRTSAdjA4zhWWjn8wJP8tlOckYEPUXVRR3lqMON42MUYYpZKIKsenqHEhDW5SAgtvYPYNBeXQM9yJXjl_MgKt1Tx-4tOtSIUqiVdfTdgYIUahlZwutZpvRmo9EUXUaIqrRnIg5A1Hb/s640/AFTER2-edited.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvqtLhyphenhyphenbIdMt_NA8_-l6AiwodolUMLrtTOYlCpUj6tot3ZovuAxHNy7AX8LpTwxgpCgrmcBaP4XetyeIXFQY1dVyAnTrqTIzM6RaGN4jyy5Nl2w9ShBk9keug1IBXgs5Ggyseo9WnPZBd/s1600/AFTER-+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvqtLhyphenhyphenbIdMt_NA8_-l6AiwodolUMLrtTOYlCpUj6tot3ZovuAxHNy7AX8LpTwxgpCgrmcBaP4XetyeIXFQY1dVyAnTrqTIzM6RaGN4jyy5Nl2w9ShBk9keug1IBXgs5Ggyseo9WnPZBd/s640/AFTER-+edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There you have it. My long overdue post on my new dresser is finally finished. Oh, by the way, while this project wasn't on my <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/02/a-new-checklist.html">list of things to do</a> before the couple's shower I'm hosting in July, I'm still making progress on that list as well! I finally fixed the trim that our dog damaged in the <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/01/peel-stick-tile-strikes-again.html">upstairs bathroom</a> over the weekend. I've got about 3 weeks left to get the rest of these things done, so wish me luck! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks for stopping by!</span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-88486468094976939462015-04-09T08:33:00.001-05:002015-04-09T08:33:24.160-05:00DIY Baking Sheet/Serving Tray Transformation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7N2fAQ7OthwmsWXeIs-2Oe28U_kbp2l8bp75AZCjWcMnEGD_LsnDyJc-nKG6ephzj9kjP0bEx3F0lmAm8vQDKCFAYI09z439b6bh9EbhiWMI2A_KEZAnpJp_iKT1Anc24T8BE8RvgSEd/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray+transformation+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7N2fAQ7OthwmsWXeIs-2Oe28U_kbp2l8bp75AZCjWcMnEGD_LsnDyJc-nKG6ephzj9kjP0bEx3F0lmAm8vQDKCFAYI09z439b6bh9EbhiWMI2A_KEZAnpJp_iKT1Anc24T8BE8RvgSEd/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray+transformation+graphic.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My favorite kind of crafting is the free kind. I love turning something I already have but isn't really being used into something useful and pretty without spending any money. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Which is exactly what I did when I created this new serving tray for my guest bedroom. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWlvOvDFWqfGs6wUJIQuUg7jC2YxUviufHN0q_PkOjJCMUccQ5Dli7fhYbCaqZ5beCgpy6gy4mxMN98BYnYC4lhM8FELLaWwhUzZnxZCKfGZEAUfBq551hyQ-nYQj0Kdg9Z_rchdcjq2i/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWlvOvDFWqfGs6wUJIQuUg7jC2YxUviufHN0q_PkOjJCMUccQ5Dli7fhYbCaqZ5beCgpy6gy4mxMN98BYnYC4lhM8FELLaWwhUzZnxZCKfGZEAUfBq551hyQ-nYQj0Kdg9Z_rchdcjq2i/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray7.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-kc_v3pdG-48Ojg6g5pWXcEFkg3a6IY4IMN8Yt1ke0UzHHnk8tkKXx0ahvwUcltkGrJgjSbu-roxJxUUIwBND3MIFsSdt30EYJkyO98cQLzSB-erikQvscvYJOtgY5yoO6gSc1xUX_X1/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-kc_v3pdG-48Ojg6g5pWXcEFkg3a6IY4IMN8Yt1ke0UzHHnk8tkKXx0ahvwUcltkGrJgjSbu-roxJxUUIwBND3MIFsSdt30EYJkyO98cQLzSB-erikQvscvYJOtgY5yoO6gSc1xUX_X1/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnpXWC4I6Bg9T9XurUE1k2vqmiZjw8HUwaLr65dXLagSxmHttin7XAFL3S2Skoe5mOmCZoFtkaTS6e-GCh9RopHc6M4daRGHaTm3Tb1ec8DjesvdUKaMBkJbCbGRJVDx0_VIugd-heh-y/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnpXWC4I6Bg9T9XurUE1k2vqmiZjw8HUwaLr65dXLagSxmHttin7XAFL3S2Skoe5mOmCZoFtkaTS6e-GCh9RopHc6M4daRGHaTm3Tb1ec8DjesvdUKaMBkJbCbGRJVDx0_VIugd-heh-y/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, how did this idea come about? For the past couple weeks I've had three thoughts floating around in my mind. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Only three. No other thoughts have occurred to me during this time at all ;)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've been racking my brains for a way to use the leftover gold leaf that I purchased for <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/03/thrift-store-frames-turned-into-elegant.html">this project</a>. Waste not, want not. Or something like that. Meanwhile, I've also been thinking about tossing one of my old cookie sheets because it was stained and dirty, but being the frugal Francis that I am, just couldn't part with it. I've also been keeping my eye out for a serving tray to put in my guest bedroom to give it that finishing touch. I just didn't want to spend $40 on one so I've been picky. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then, the thought occurred to me that I could kill all three birds with one stone. I decided to use my leftover gold leaf to beautify my old baking sheet, and turn it into a gorgeous, chippy serving tray!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeISBfn5Ev9x7-zupjZRW1xOdVBKlnisgdxd8xtWZzEfSKhkZ31RCRoZty3qhqf8ec8I4407nk6EVCcWA3NBdn6jzO970tC5v6fdRmXYYYYcntqUkNYubLiL8AQzQ95rMJq3vVPDIwt_O/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeISBfn5Ev9x7-zupjZRW1xOdVBKlnisgdxd8xtWZzEfSKhkZ31RCRoZty3qhqf8ec8I4407nk6EVCcWA3NBdn6jzO970tC5v6fdRmXYYYYcntqUkNYubLiL8AQzQ95rMJq3vVPDIwt_O/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray8.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's how its done.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejXYcpavCzJHE4AlQycd4Hz8-hBZsYgvCfvV7YpUh1YAxGVI89no7vThT0dh2W8bgng9bYZ1gNUb2YJMqUjjpqyKrI_2Po2BVyJlGefml1QRpdTM3BkBfZ5jBhgAYmGI4O7F4NEa2I6qd/s1600/supplies+used.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejXYcpavCzJHE4AlQycd4Hz8-hBZsYgvCfvV7YpUh1YAxGVI89no7vThT0dh2W8bgng9bYZ1gNUb2YJMqUjjpqyKrI_2Po2BVyJlGefml1QRpdTM3BkBfZ5jBhgAYmGI4O7F4NEa2I6qd/s1600/supplies+used.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Step 1. Clean the tray thoroughly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge09ZX6CeZYfTnDCr3f19HFyy88As_VTQY9jDYXF9NtnijZHEnPdt2gE2S4kJS-X3gqh-VC5T3W0J_AekbIOL9GoWZ0l3wXIlT-Lt-vuLuAgaOqY13zwR6S-XW9UnND6OeWKIefrn8eCVH/s640/blogger-image--1548034252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge09ZX6CeZYfTnDCr3f19HFyy88As_VTQY9jDYXF9NtnijZHEnPdt2gE2S4kJS-X3gqh-VC5T3W0J_AekbIOL9GoWZ0l3wXIlT-Lt-vuLuAgaOqY13zwR6S-XW9UnND6OeWKIefrn8eCVH/s640/blogger-image--1548034252.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes, this is what it looked like<i> after</i> I'd already cleaned it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Step 2. Spray the tray with metal sealer spray.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I used the sealer because it is what I already had on hand, and I wanted it to look chippy. They make an adhesive spray as well, so if you want more of your gold leaf to stay in place, and for the overall look to be less chippy, I'd recommend going with the adhesive spray instead of the sealer. This worked perfectly for me though.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Step 3. Apply gold leaf using a craft paint brush. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4_JxuswuQS8-P1OrW7zZIYjTqdbjtdCCsGz5vwgX0WYBFmqW3eOziQV4MNs-KtSpYT7aa7KG0W61ihrTSD0xnHPlkkrOUZzO0VvnO1-v3QxjgYKqlf75giONZYNem97nmBK1iuc9yXAm/s1600/applying+gold+leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4_JxuswuQS8-P1OrW7zZIYjTqdbjtdCCsGz5vwgX0WYBFmqW3eOziQV4MNs-KtSpYT7aa7KG0W61ihrTSD0xnHPlkkrOUZzO0VvnO1-v3QxjgYKqlf75giONZYNem97nmBK1iuc9yXAm/s1600/applying+gold+leaf.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Step 4. After you've applied all over, brush off the excess gold leaf with the craft brush. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And voila! You've got yourself an adorable serving tray. If you want to apply a coat of polycrylic over the top to make it more durable you can do that as well. It won't change the look at all. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rOqFgTZs7K5zXGZaARUVrILEmjCPgPPif-ePOm2AjiH8m6ObLPU0i-qCbyQCpfJ2mewbyPNNld62sRQRelQdw4tJUgJfcbirzq_H5n3bYibhkdZooZ9VWdtHbsNo1wMYjp6te9hyNeI0/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rOqFgTZs7K5zXGZaARUVrILEmjCPgPPif-ePOm2AjiH8m6ObLPU0i-qCbyQCpfJ2mewbyPNNld62sRQRelQdw4tJUgJfcbirzq_H5n3bYibhkdZooZ9VWdtHbsNo1wMYjp6te9hyNeI0/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray9.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Metallics and chippiness are both very in style right now, so you can't really go wrong. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The total cost for this project for me was $0, but even if you don't already have the supplies, you can do this for around $15 (less if you use coupons). I found the cheapest gold leaf and spray at Hobby Lobby. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Time spent: Maybe 30 minutes, if that. I spent more time taking the photographs of it then I did actually making it. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-abdln9Ce54L-PZ0qUfU4-uFIUj7kElFyWmvKadZQXCtstXHu4gTrv3t9zJrZ_KaXZsX4peWQfZQ536gHx1NIyfWxaXoodGlJySriL_rncjvtL6TaW3sVpDyfJgMMfFdokELPNezmr9I/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray+transformation+graphic+two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-abdln9Ce54L-PZ0qUfU4-uFIUj7kElFyWmvKadZQXCtstXHu4gTrv3t9zJrZ_KaXZsX4peWQfZQ536gHx1NIyfWxaXoodGlJySriL_rncjvtL6TaW3sVpDyfJgMMfFdokELPNezmr9I/s1600/baking+sheet+serving+tray+transformation+graphic+two.jpg" height="506" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That's all I've got to share for today. Thanks for stopping by!</span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-55132073243736552702015-04-06T15:02:00.000-05:002015-04-06T15:02:07.411-05:00The Master Bedroom<center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYOhM_zH6bCoNabBESqRCYN7H5xZ0WhKx_PhSO3lDJ1HMDtpxUxExerBWKwbU83ul5RGZxqjLBwbVhHe1UjGWrwEpH5IbbZ_KjF9vFZtz6MnmFzPj2uQqRH3ZQq21QvtBDKOOctNHKALC/s1600/decorating+my+master+bedroom+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYOhM_zH6bCoNabBESqRCYN7H5xZ0WhKx_PhSO3lDJ1HMDtpxUxExerBWKwbU83ul5RGZxqjLBwbVhHe1UjGWrwEpH5IbbZ_KjF9vFZtz6MnmFzPj2uQqRH3ZQq21QvtBDKOOctNHKALC/s1600/decorating+my+master+bedroom+graphic.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When I first started blogging, I thought I was supposed to wait to share rooms until they were perfect. The problem with that is, nothing is ever really perfect. As soon as I'm finished with a space, I usually want to change it again within a matter of <strike>months</strike> weeks. </span></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Having said that, I figure it's about time I show y'all my master bedroom. There are still some updates I'm planning to make, but it has come a long way in the past few months. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegBlSmVX4Iq2R3igTq457Qxk7BxqxyAbCBU6AdbWDiqXaXWoiFNf5HR0pD0vmK6XFZi2vWGgDiuItzE6L1i2iT20zkS_TCbpEeMdjMxaMLhYqK1cqiLFvHyLFr0drx5R5lWcLFpUHkcnx/s1600/master+bedroom2edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegBlSmVX4Iq2R3igTq457Qxk7BxqxyAbCBU6AdbWDiqXaXWoiFNf5HR0pD0vmK6XFZi2vWGgDiuItzE6L1i2iT20zkS_TCbpEeMdjMxaMLhYqK1cqiLFvHyLFr0drx5R5lWcLFpUHkcnx/s1600/master+bedroom2edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our room isn't huge, but I've made a few changes that help it to feel more master-y. I recently bought new curtains (the old ones were brown and from a garage sale) and raised the curtain rod to the ceiling. The lighter colored curtains and the raised rod make the space feel larger, and the ceilings seem higher. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yr1_qbbhry1T6gpzv2oiZhX2U1xL0HzycN2rJlnDq-DzvrhRmfc8fQbWDODDJDLjLgBZQrYYiNdNOxZKBiQPF8xVIGqe49VRc6NAIj-Ry7DePIsMG7_GauQB4sr3-c649jYwJT61lAKB/s1600/window2edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yr1_qbbhry1T6gpzv2oiZhX2U1xL0HzycN2rJlnDq-DzvrhRmfc8fQbWDODDJDLjLgBZQrYYiNdNOxZKBiQPF8xVIGqe49VRc6NAIj-Ry7DePIsMG7_GauQB4sr3-c649jYwJT61lAKB/s1600/window2edited.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Originally, I intended to hem the curtains using a no-sew method, but once I got them up there I decided I really like the puddling effect. These are 94" from Tuesday Morning. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SIDE NOTE: I also went to Lowe's over the weekend and ordered new 2" blinds for this window. We've had the cheap aluminum mini blinds for far too long. I think that will also help dress up the space more. Originally, I was hoping for plantation shutters. Do you guys know how expensive those things are? They quoted $1,500 for this one window! Holy crap, I did not expect that. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36Bhj7iEnFHOVb1iAkNuevfaGemgWO7OncIrFZlxdScJAQ7vpU_suRQcU0fwpwyJ2f_yoYJ_A4QA4sIodVuW1H4pL9K2Sr9Noq2_396pYd-7xkWV5SDe_P_tj45dC73jNQu_sWLLbrC-7/s1600/bed1edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36Bhj7iEnFHOVb1iAkNuevfaGemgWO7OncIrFZlxdScJAQ7vpU_suRQcU0fwpwyJ2f_yoYJ_A4QA4sIodVuW1H4pL9K2Sr9Noq2_396pYd-7xkWV5SDe_P_tj45dC73jNQu_sWLLbrC-7/s1600/bed1edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Our headboard is from <a href="http://www.wayfair.com/Skyline-Furniture-Tufted-High-Arch-Upholstered-Headboard-86X-SKY1029.html?piid[0]=1703609">Wayfair</a>.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuA0xOiyG2Eq05ZLopby3Rh8G4SgT8QGrmDiIB56_2SF8GU7PmIXfkn5fEGZGXcmli8S19m9kSKtuAUb8K7xGihd1mnAxopcRfMa1jL_sJQehCY0_hEA-ZD4trrCikK5FONmu2Q1x1N90/s1600/bed+and+nightstandsedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuA0xOiyG2Eq05ZLopby3Rh8G4SgT8QGrmDiIB56_2SF8GU7PmIXfkn5fEGZGXcmli8S19m9kSKtuAUb8K7xGihd1mnAxopcRfMa1jL_sJQehCY0_hEA-ZD4trrCikK5FONmu2Q1x1N90/s1600/bed+and+nightstandsedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All of our <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/barbara-barry-reg-poetical-duvet-cover-in-cinder/213466?categoryId=12017">bedding</a> is from Bed Bath and Beyond, except for the Mr. & Mrs. burlap pillows. I get asked about those pillows more than probably anything else in my house... </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHgqDkedX77j4NfpAj2y9_baHGoBBHoXixFr3jXGBvSZpetYQrMORkQ2eJ6zuKbhwHtDko5Hv48_Xg2Xu8_iPQ6uHe4uVi-glP0by9tpVkJ3X6fUZzIbXT8Ps2EXmlofS0MYUQwMsM8kg/s1600/Mr+and+Mrs+burlap+pillowsedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHgqDkedX77j4NfpAj2y9_baHGoBBHoXixFr3jXGBvSZpetYQrMORkQ2eJ6zuKbhwHtDko5Hv48_Xg2Xu8_iPQ6uHe4uVi-glP0by9tpVkJ3X6fUZzIbXT8Ps2EXmlofS0MYUQwMsM8kg/s1600/Mr+and+Mrs+burlap+pillowsedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> They are from Ballard Designs. Click <a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/mr-26amp-mrs-burlap-pillows/310657">here</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My mother-in-law gave these to me at my bridal shower and I<i> may</i> have put them on our bed right away, even though we didn't technically become Mr. and Mrs. for another four months. I loved them so much I just couldn't wait. I still love them :) </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now let's talk about nightstands. Here's mine:</span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tQOC93H5YRMrdqNl4q4zKBpXP_vWBIgS7iD7dQQhwb6vdp127XhCjQSnEEtTEDWMpbs0ETySy3HJmVHUnwUutwM_cIp4Ttr3FMpWWiWPWYZYA1QXdmAqkaEKR4CvueakF_fc0z3ZvKv-/s1600/my+nightstand3edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tQOC93H5YRMrdqNl4q4zKBpXP_vWBIgS7iD7dQQhwb6vdp127XhCjQSnEEtTEDWMpbs0ETySy3HJmVHUnwUutwM_cIp4Ttr3FMpWWiWPWYZYA1QXdmAqkaEKR4CvueakF_fc0z3ZvKv-/s1600/my+nightstand3edited.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> And here is Reid's:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7pbpaZwyVdXZ86zu_HFfiPEWfO9Ea4LkFDxGZWExZCVcGkxkrn91zTThJXo3aLmSiQr1shpbcpW5it2qC6ulfR0-dBtOk0xIfAj1rhzLaE1A_wGXzl9xu7LZggSHZ7Sogtf4gyBHmxyK/s1600/reids+nightstand4edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7pbpaZwyVdXZ86zu_HFfiPEWfO9Ea4LkFDxGZWExZCVcGkxkrn91zTThJXo3aLmSiQr1shpbcpW5it2qC6ulfR0-dBtOk0xIfAj1rhzLaE1A_wGXzl9xu7LZggSHZ7Sogtf4gyBHmxyK/s1600/reids+nightstand4edited.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wanted to move away from perfect symmetry in this space, and deliberately chose mismatching nightstands and lamps. I wanted Reid's side to be masculine, and mine to be feminine. I also needed both nightstands to have plenty of storage (I have 55 t-shirts and Reid has 78 pairs of boxers. Literally). </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I made sure to get nightstands that were the same height, and similar in size, so they would still coordinate even though they weren't exactly the same. His nightstand is from Marshall's, mine is from Kirkland's. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think I'm going to lighten up the color of the top of Reid's nightstand soon. I've decided that the black is too dark, plus it shows every speck of dust. I feel like I am constantly cleaning it. Stay tuned for developments on that little project. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUP8I67c1MGUDHlXTcybq5ptgczshUOKjupDefdUYygvnjvcY8maoS2qsKHj1K4ui5-HqLnNcLWaVuKX8sZYljG30PAsSNPouNHpJFxXy7Jgso4SpHpOGrakYlYUjwYPMvrxF1Le8k63x/s1600/reids+nightstand2edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUP8I67c1MGUDHlXTcybq5ptgczshUOKjupDefdUYygvnjvcY8maoS2qsKHj1K4ui5-HqLnNcLWaVuKX8sZYljG30PAsSNPouNHpJFxXy7Jgso4SpHpOGrakYlYUjwYPMvrxF1Le8k63x/s1600/reids+nightstand2edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm obsessed with this <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70089584/">lamp</a>. It's from Ikea. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also, I like to pretend that Reid had that photo of me printed and framed for his nightstand, but let's be honest. I just thought the idea of a man having a picture of his bride on his nightstand was romantic, so I took the initiative there. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtSy3DBjNwhyphenhyphen9FX5xlX7R41JLzOxaf0HF2jv7glPEFdRS7bH6BkpgtLjIhlHrhyPrLGIbfx_zkmDwSqg_Xvk1SDD_YdVJag20YTvLdl-e-WbZgewOSEkGZYhyDaLVX6IMnH4HB29IAm8d/s1600/my+nightstand5edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtSy3DBjNwhyphenhyphen9FX5xlX7R41JLzOxaf0HF2jv7glPEFdRS7bH6BkpgtLjIhlHrhyPrLGIbfx_zkmDwSqg_Xvk1SDD_YdVJag20YTvLdl-e-WbZgewOSEkGZYhyDaLVX6IMnH4HB29IAm8d/s1600/my+nightstand5edited.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My lamp is from Home Goods. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6kalJT7Uzx0lOzbyExYAb14y-K0MJjpPigryJIhdujF0H-xX2UqpWbguUh7aePCkwyEOrChDorabycTFPRbzPNeKYJLsN9nURldwQUeUNkmZjoplClaI6hkNek8DQxGtJqyYsbF1nj7S/s1600/my+nightstand+up+close3edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6kalJT7Uzx0lOzbyExYAb14y-K0MJjpPigryJIhdujF0H-xX2UqpWbguUh7aePCkwyEOrChDorabycTFPRbzPNeKYJLsN9nURldwQUeUNkmZjoplClaI6hkNek8DQxGtJqyYsbF1nj7S/s1600/my+nightstand+up+close3edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The books underneath my alarm clock change constantly, depending on what I'm currently reading. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I know my alarm clock isn't gorgeous, but I rely on it to get me out of bed every morning, so I feel like it would be mean to move it just for the sake of these photos. Alarm clocks have feelings too. Or probably not</span></span>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcwcjQoGon04rcHzehy5vW7dkU0xA9bF_umcuyyohvYW5veMr9_dWwejwqHjYcCo2T-M1ENyEU55hxC2kJIFwHkKE8SWssFECLiLKfJQkOMlHBREpwz58d1VhUm9aZll_YTp7vELCpc1t/s1600/my+nightstand+up+closeedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcwcjQoGon04rcHzehy5vW7dkU0xA9bF_umcuyyohvYW5veMr9_dWwejwqHjYcCo2T-M1ENyEU55hxC2kJIFwHkKE8SWssFECLiLKfJQkOMlHBREpwz58d1VhUm9aZll_YTp7vELCpc1t/s1600/my+nightstand+up+closeedited.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCs3qMDPvl_iP-VoRErlTju6JLuRm01_jY57yFlidovNoxXiHBLkx5a9CYFTW7DYNmIRYcJM80qKBswEb2xjC6ge4ffmvPak14TG0uf2w-C_8QtwHpsgq6Xdcr8GaEFr67_EG58reuqGl/s1600/master+bedroom4edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCs3qMDPvl_iP-VoRErlTju6JLuRm01_jY57yFlidovNoxXiHBLkx5a9CYFTW7DYNmIRYcJM80qKBswEb2xjC6ge4ffmvPak14TG0uf2w-C_8QtwHpsgq6Xdcr8GaEFr67_EG58reuqGl/s1600/master+bedroom4edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This little bench at the foot of our bed will soon be getting another makeover. The original makeover was done a few years ago, and hides the zebra print fabric that it originally had. My new plan is to paint the legs a lighter color (probably white or grey), and get a lighter, simpler patterned fabric to recover it with. I'll share that project with you as it unfolds. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdw9pRGa2nhjcLvF5_jG7-kkpCWZG2i7OeemiEHnMAiLSr0GgscaHv7uIO5nB0hr0tVS3U_aOM_3hlsd_UN-AkQIuaKokms_XUkH2AjFHsRk0LQIRAJOu2IK2hk_o4BUk_habHvDym85x/s1600/pillow+talk+pillowedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdw9pRGa2nhjcLvF5_jG7-kkpCWZG2i7OeemiEHnMAiLSr0GgscaHv7uIO5nB0hr0tVS3U_aOM_3hlsd_UN-AkQIuaKokms_XUkH2AjFHsRk0LQIRAJOu2IK2hk_o4BUk_habHvDym85x/s1600/pillow+talk+pillowedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh, and isn't that pillow great? It was a wedding gift!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On the wall opposite our bed, is our dresser. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NrJ6eeEF1VRcH7rmhU8zRIXE5czuZbsLM0qZzodEdhUOQT0h9haMMeDRCr5TLN5W3mS6kSsG_hDcjH9MK7Zl6HhXEOtTzTgFp8Gc6clsJZ9X9KEbcXMjDnJbtNrcurPXqs5y60o_1SWH/s1600/dresser1edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NrJ6eeEF1VRcH7rmhU8zRIXE5czuZbsLM0qZzodEdhUOQT0h9haMMeDRCr5TLN5W3mS6kSsG_hDcjH9MK7Zl6HhXEOtTzTgFp8Gc6clsJZ9X9KEbcXMjDnJbtNrcurPXqs5y60o_1SWH/s1600/dresser1edited.jpg" height="486" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This dresser was Reid's before we were married. I've been searching for the perfect French Provincial dresser to go here for about two and a half years now, but I haven't found exactly what I want yet. Until then, we've got this. It isn't exactly my style, but it kinda makes me sad to think about getting rid of it because my father-in-law actually built it for Reid. We will hold onto it forever because of the sentimental value, but I'm also looking forward to a more sophisticated and feminine looking piece here in the future. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SIDE NOTE: The wall color above the chair rail is called Quiet Moments by Benjamin Moore. I honestly have no idea what color I used for the darker/lower section, sorry charlie. I'm toying with the idea of adding picture frame molding and painting that part of the walls white anyway. Just add that to the never ending list! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlkcpnFjTHgG58ZcmF65_hZoZ76EboJljQbl0nWlWOrwoHDqShhkvNeif5M8NGnElQQ90QL4rzAOu_pz02RuBGw6NLIHg4ASS0oLOS0AbQydLEDuVFgrOUEyGcLgMaIs8XENgzH4SH5f0/s1600/art+above+dresseredited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlkcpnFjTHgG58ZcmF65_hZoZ76EboJljQbl0nWlWOrwoHDqShhkvNeif5M8NGnElQQ90QL4rzAOu_pz02RuBGw6NLIHg4ASS0oLOS0AbQydLEDuVFgrOUEyGcLgMaIs8XENgzH4SH5f0/s1600/art+above+dresseredited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This art and the lamps are from Kirkland's. ($12 for the lamps! Holla!)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOED0A1nKB3H4gd1NG3sUk_lQl8HsrCCWqEX2gAev-Hzsgaulivum3t-9CJSUPNwqmF4bHkiNjBVn6WlaK8fqvFsKNg5tFFO4PhLXXQL6UDTNFvjAfOeJ400CCWaSU0uqUKxkAE_3s_G3b/s1600/dresser4edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOED0A1nKB3H4gd1NG3sUk_lQl8HsrCCWqEX2gAev-Hzsgaulivum3t-9CJSUPNwqmF4bHkiNjBVn6WlaK8fqvFsKNg5tFFO4PhLXXQL6UDTNFvjAfOeJ400CCWaSU0uqUKxkAE_3s_G3b/s1600/dresser4edited.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our bedroom has so many wedding pictures, its like a shrine to us. I'm a little self conscious you guys are going to think we are complete narcissists, staring at photos of ourselves all day. I guess my logic is that this is a more private, romantic part of the house so it is more appropriate to put the photos in here than out all over the living room or kitchen or something like that. Plus, we paid good money for those photos, I wanna look at them! :) </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSqx6noAXwtEe7QBKcYhCw0lpMK7RwO3aZ7MtHCXGXQ1GHnFV8BPQGI-0O6Bf85deMFIB424p-sAjQATi59IYCfSmckX4Vr-Es10XIVzT8bt07lPjh6KxLCufnc9rZGqUNp4RFn1cfSfA/s1600/dresser3edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSqx6noAXwtEe7QBKcYhCw0lpMK7RwO3aZ7MtHCXGXQ1GHnFV8BPQGI-0O6Bf85deMFIB424p-sAjQATi59IYCfSmckX4Vr-Es10XIVzT8bt07lPjh6KxLCufnc9rZGqUNp4RFn1cfSfA/s1600/dresser3edited.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've also got a lingerie chest, that was originally green and is from Big Lots. I painted it white and brown the summer before my sophomore year of college, and changed out the hardware a couple years ago. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Tfghc7Me0IllDHmkMGIe8HBwLgoxg-lmdj4T_9q4TVHWwiMEJ0DN9IBjSeslHr7AlwDGNa-oa7jgILoQakBvp3H3OjGGteBE7J-lbz86glpYAgZTRrqBp9EUxz-pVGrFYO0mZxE0KqQm/s1600/lingerie+chest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Tfghc7Me0IllDHmkMGIe8HBwLgoxg-lmdj4T_9q4TVHWwiMEJ0DN9IBjSeslHr7AlwDGNa-oa7jgILoQakBvp3H3OjGGteBE7J-lbz86glpYAgZTRrqBp9EUxz-pVGrFYO0mZxE0KqQm/s1600/lingerie+chest1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SIDE NOTE:
Reid helped me paint this for my apartment (we had been dating about 6 months). When we
moved into our house I noticed that he had painted "R loves J 2008" on the back. For
that reason alone I will never get rid of this lingerie chest. I don't
care if it is from Big Lots. It's priceless to me. :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So that's the tour. I'll leave you with a few more photos, just for fun. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5UPAFxlwSe9sNa9B_whMt3G9URXQUHzC-b-29ZQZHaKLfqqqtkA-uroIuvohtRs2HCHtkl5CRzjlIsKEANk5uqjOrEOrrLgkSeNw6bqoLmCrVZV2_aF1NPCkykZGGXljHTAFBTCTapIy/s1600/curtainsedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5UPAFxlwSe9sNa9B_whMt3G9URXQUHzC-b-29ZQZHaKLfqqqtkA-uroIuvohtRs2HCHtkl5CRzjlIsKEANk5uqjOrEOrrLgkSeNw6bqoLmCrVZV2_aF1NPCkykZGGXljHTAFBTCTapIy/s1600/curtainsedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You can sorta see the pattern on the curtains in this photo. It was really hard to get pretty pictures of the new curtains because of all the sunlight, but this one isn't too bad (I hope). </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TdPUvNsmnSP4xyDFxdhK1WZgcjSg_6PfNusCPII6fQnQwDnzAwHBKOsP-JNKYzGnZKSJICAPlxdf39MOuViymePV6yi_L1qQL2orREcag-1pK39JAuY3cppn9mRF9CVFaBjsRlc21hby/s1600/pillows+up+close+alledited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TdPUvNsmnSP4xyDFxdhK1WZgcjSg_6PfNusCPII6fQnQwDnzAwHBKOsP-JNKYzGnZKSJICAPlxdf39MOuViymePV6yi_L1qQL2orREcag-1pK39JAuY3cppn9mRF9CVFaBjsRlc21hby/s1600/pillows+up+close+alledited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I guess this photo is kind of pointless, but for some reason I thought it was pretty so I'll share it with you.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblBK4WJxKDquptFZwIpKLd1rRHAokEWR-tYTGc1QuMMRiQSV88M3YrB_pXFi3OzpNYADm0djUhyphenhyphen8S5GBMeWX9pHVK1dMkOBuWL199_6UZbBnRksXyFzrE2YOeGAbMFZw2wZhLVZt0StZI/s1600/view+out+of+the+bedroom+windowedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblBK4WJxKDquptFZwIpKLd1rRHAokEWR-tYTGc1QuMMRiQSV88M3YrB_pXFi3OzpNYADm0djUhyphenhyphen8S5GBMeWX9pHVK1dMkOBuWL199_6UZbBnRksXyFzrE2YOeGAbMFZw2wZhLVZt0StZI/s1600/view+out+of+the+bedroom+windowedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The view from our window overlooks my little flower garden. I'm very proud of it since I am notoriously terrible at gardening. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX9RXn-JN51s3Sz46_UKioxYORLY61Tn2J1mWeCFlAt1iWRcxw6WZqF_Ohq0CyH6sZIMOTz1RHaPJEWBS5In2NWwe2cFiMKXsjz3whgw1n6cA2-rs8Zuznv4Xy2x4Yu1Mi-5p2w0-2A1P/s1600/master+bedroom3edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX9RXn-JN51s3Sz46_UKioxYORLY61Tn2J1mWeCFlAt1iWRcxw6WZqF_Ohq0CyH6sZIMOTz1RHaPJEWBS5In2NWwe2cFiMKXsjz3whgw1n6cA2-rs8Zuznv4Xy2x4Yu1Mi-5p2w0-2A1P/s1600/master+bedroom3edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hope you guys have enjoyed touring our bedroom! I'll be back to share the updates to my bench, dresser and walls, as I get to them. Oh, by the way. You know what this means?!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJVSsXFSU-AhWiMvVsPHPQf_TFdac4dc1772ZhS1Ry8bMjwoR1yp4D2dzdteaLL4C3EvC7F8vJVDOITmNbI1llSTNv3MXuc7ji2y7R1s9SX20mR_jfT4NcdFszcBmPMrv2xJZit2IK5tf/s1600/couples+shower+checklist+-+4+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJVSsXFSU-AhWiMvVsPHPQf_TFdac4dc1772ZhS1Ry8bMjwoR1yp4D2dzdteaLL4C3EvC7F8vJVDOITmNbI1llSTNv3MXuc7ji2y7R1s9SX20mR_jfT4NcdFszcBmPMrv2xJZit2IK5tf/s1600/couples+shower+checklist+-+4+down.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It means I am making progress on <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/02/a-new-checklist.html">this list</a>! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For more tidbits, follow me on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/jesseadkison21/">Pinterest</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/homeonhiddenoaks/">Instagram</a>. Thanks for stopping by :)</span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-23663666387536526752015-03-27T12:00:00.000-05:002015-03-27T12:00:00.521-05:00Thrift store Frames turned into elegant artwork<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJxWZaSvsLT43uIWZAjA6twlzvv4hToGPGPH6dheKgeV7Btm74lFVOAUglgqATaYW6MqTyLN8CimBVroU87HysLZirM0L8LZQk9noZsmq-T2NlGNDySIowcmZ1mqueiYWeKa_K1DX8urX/s1600/turn+thrift+store+find+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJxWZaSvsLT43uIWZAjA6twlzvv4hToGPGPH6dheKgeV7Btm74lFVOAUglgqATaYW6MqTyLN8CimBVroU87HysLZirM0L8LZQk9noZsmq-T2NlGNDySIowcmZ1mqueiYWeKa_K1DX8urX/s1600/turn+thrift+store+find+graphic.jpg" height="640" width="388" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Yesterday I shared with you guys my revamped <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/03/the-collage-wall-take-3.html">collage wall</a>. I was determined to make my collage wall really special and was trolling the internet for some fresh ideas for art. While browsing Pinterest recently, I stumbled upon some gorgeous images of gold leaf art that left me drooling. Like this one:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4qNcYfTmtao8e4Elwa9PFqi6NImygaktflZk9LUpY6pySHMoOtm4frwjeEltLwA08_HZsL-hXhwFy-EFW1bwyx-4CqkR3cPupcAqmr-IiX3uMvtvz4uMg_uhqepAZ5xAxj3I35ZixEef/s1600/etsy+art+on+pinterest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4qNcYfTmtao8e4Elwa9PFqi6NImygaktflZk9LUpY6pySHMoOtm4frwjeEltLwA08_HZsL-hXhwFy-EFW1bwyx-4CqkR3cPupcAqmr-IiX3uMvtvz4uMg_uhqepAZ5xAxj3I35ZixEef/s1600/etsy+art+on+pinterest.jpg" height="640" width="610" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Find it <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/211445136/sold-acrylic-abstract-art-large-canvas?ref=shop_home_active_1">here</a>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I decided it would cheaper and more fun to make my own version of this abstract art. So I put on my crafty pants (the ones covered in paint) and started brainstorming. I headed to Goodwill (home of never ending bargains and eternal sunshine) where I found these beauties:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnXHxKZmeIV3VAZYUtDcxniXmouqZZg4l6od2kI5zMpJXCI6HusH_nthsNMYlas3ALdi_9M_MpU3JPcPxw5LNgwSrbQ9YlLgWR4YbMs03AANVA4nL3R9XzqaqvevW4NRp8q12bKkEMrbU/s1600/before2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnXHxKZmeIV3VAZYUtDcxniXmouqZZg4l6od2kI5zMpJXCI6HusH_nthsNMYlas3ALdi_9M_MpU3JPcPxw5LNgwSrbQ9YlLgWR4YbMs03AANVA4nL3R9XzqaqvevW4NRp8q12bKkEMrbU/s1600/before2.jpg" height="354" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They were exactly the size I had in mind and were in great condition. Plus, they were only $6 each! For frames this size, you just cant beat it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then I hopped on over to Hobby Lobby for the supplies I needed.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpe_BSijAbSpcp95RCUoAjcMd4wLHpKAiobLaJWWsTB0hLXyHP3Sm5F3J5KVhUEbw5r1yDV6VKxsl7cA16_0W_KEahnM20O8KeeiupAPpxiR5goV_ShxyWRqWqLPrB4vLJ2UcbegcWSVi/s1600/supplies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpe_BSijAbSpcp95RCUoAjcMd4wLHpKAiobLaJWWsTB0hLXyHP3Sm5F3J5KVhUEbw5r1yDV6VKxsl7cA16_0W_KEahnM20O8KeeiupAPpxiR5goV_ShxyWRqWqLPrB4vLJ2UcbegcWSVi/s1600/supplies1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohuhiaerAml9g0nfSq1oWNFUGvmxXPf8q7-kzKGCEtfm_mtqs5gGPtqIkDufNTEJ_Im5Ca2L6gQ3QT-lNy1R33WUclWXTx8xV25rE2OThH_WNBRfrbVi8VvYEd3wQ5ZLscLh7oVznqbPL/s1600/brushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohuhiaerAml9g0nfSq1oWNFUGvmxXPf8q7-kzKGCEtfm_mtqs5gGPtqIkDufNTEJ_Im5Ca2L6gQ3QT-lNy1R33WUclWXTx8xV25rE2OThH_WNBRfrbVi8VvYEd3wQ5ZLscLh7oVznqbPL/s1600/brushes.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> If you buy this pack, it works very well considering how inexpensive it is. But beware the brushes with the brown bristles. They shed and leave lovely little brush hairs in your art. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhZbABfrjuhtkbrsxGMJlwSMOo623XSCDWL3iAK91n_k_RxxIHN8bctGYR5E0XRBCM-LdQ4vWPuzGS9LwKHKejw_ioFIPzmbaZvdJlQh91rLyVw7atctpD398VskN11Uk0hsqeChPEnbj/s1600/gold+leaf+sheets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhZbABfrjuhtkbrsxGMJlwSMOo623XSCDWL3iAK91n_k_RxxIHN8bctGYR5E0XRBCM-LdQ4vWPuzGS9LwKHKejw_ioFIPzmbaZvdJlQh91rLyVw7atctpD398VskN11Uk0hsqeChPEnbj/s1600/gold+leaf+sheets.jpg" height="640" width="518" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzzzWLWUfd0egQCklT_3g7HJAq0l_lRxS5UU8zEdYDwLjjy-ClDbgGtCpkrexCnEFSLBdV-JapYoc9bJNSa-bVx6gtSNmAgY3YL50jS_Hsz0famkvhhXSdcbqewbRonScLBNiSQLsSfpe/s1600/metal+leaf+spray+sealer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzzzWLWUfd0egQCklT_3g7HJAq0l_lRxS5UU8zEdYDwLjjy-ClDbgGtCpkrexCnEFSLBdV-JapYoc9bJNSa-bVx6gtSNmAgY3YL50jS_Hsz0famkvhhXSdcbqewbRonScLBNiSQLsSfpe/s1600/metal+leaf+spray+sealer.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnNHeqTJb1Byfh9rcHClXuP4jvEp0UVOxYS6oWkQUiVIvJ0d16XX1C1TGaBC7xqc4MY7y4a29pwJyam4JQlupbfV-6K3Rc06efygo-8dxVgW2V3Wnr1dpY1Jd1uh1VivfWusmsS6pVgbj/s1600/paints+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnNHeqTJb1Byfh9rcHClXuP4jvEp0UVOxYS6oWkQUiVIvJ0d16XX1C1TGaBC7xqc4MY7y4a29pwJyam4JQlupbfV-6K3Rc06efygo-8dxVgW2V3Wnr1dpY1Jd1uh1VivfWusmsS6pVgbj/s1600/paints+up+close.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I already owned all of these paints from <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/01/custom-artwork.html">this project</a> except for the Grey Sky. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB31WapK0tiuSOcVqk1p_T_cRBBBBzAZQN-5ysrRSn4GjbApL8Q9iUyGDVR4BZmT8a_Zw4mdB33R_BDLEUqwxAv5uYwXpBy-v7OKfLi3Ud-oHZfP4oPB6wj3YvMYXHksoslb3cPf8Mf8Jk/s1600/silver+leaf+flakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB31WapK0tiuSOcVqk1p_T_cRBBBBzAZQN-5ysrRSn4GjbApL8Q9iUyGDVR4BZmT8a_Zw4mdB33R_BDLEUqwxAv5uYwXpBy-v7OKfLi3Ud-oHZfP4oPB6wj3YvMYXHksoslb3cPf8Mf8Jk/s1600/silver+leaf+flakes.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I dropped about $37 on all these supplies and then when I got home I realized I forgot to give them my 40% off one regularly priced item coupon (which I would have used on the metal spray sealer, as it was the most expensive item at $8.99). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh, and I realized I needed two poster boards (I'd only bought one) so I had to make an impromptu stop at Walgreens. What can I say? I'm an immensely organized planner. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.livelovediy.com/2014/08/diy-gold-leaf-art-round-two.html">LiveLoveDIY's guide</a> is pretty much spot on (as is her entire blog really), so I used it to get some ideas. There are a few variations in how I made mine, mostly because I wasn't using a canvas. Here's the breakdown of how I made mine:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdzpsD-YYLUCpLuW5lENeJWnt_P8NCT5_zJu8ks5mVo_6yrFDVATyrjrI_SDeLxAHm9jrm7uYEGtN7M7KdNNWupkFlnjKd5r-xOziZwHZgl-gyrSS3Ok2jdSP8jN1OePZS8FnyttPDodG/s1600/trace+out+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdzpsD-YYLUCpLuW5lENeJWnt_P8NCT5_zJu8ks5mVo_6yrFDVATyrjrI_SDeLxAHm9jrm7uYEGtN7M7KdNNWupkFlnjKd5r-xOziZwHZgl-gyrSS3Ok2jdSP8jN1OePZS8FnyttPDodG/s1600/trace+out+glass.jpg" height="570" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Remove glass from thrift store frame, and trace it out on poster board so you have a guideline for the size of your artwork.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDs9pBd5hqtpdnB9o8Zk14GCq9LoOyOPMCzKv4GWXcMAAjfELTHZIkOaEYTxe6GGtnzxB66OlSaCsrS2xughZkAQTQ7UzyNQ17WX-X2QbK7Tsk6yXnf8d1u_AbjAei5znKwrkXRU3-F_tB/s1600/apply+glue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDs9pBd5hqtpdnB9o8Zk14GCq9LoOyOPMCzKv4GWXcMAAjfELTHZIkOaEYTxe6GGtnzxB66OlSaCsrS2xughZkAQTQ7UzyNQ17WX-X2QbK7Tsk6yXnf8d1u_AbjAei5znKwrkXRU3-F_tB/s1600/apply+glue.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Apply glue to the areas you want to add the gold/silver leaf. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bonus Tip #1: Use a craft brush to spread the glue before putting the gold leaf on top. The sheets are so thin, that the glue lines will show through if you don't spread the glue evenly. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bonus Tip #2: The glue dries fast, so work in small areas.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tgD0QVLUkEjMhrAktkJ8p6v-jvFcA2ajChC99LehqogX1Q1TgLeqDAjGSpDNJmPORxtmiytZ3CfF0er026FG0y75vldW8Rl1iNy_jhJ-MnWCl4hCX8T3WU7DmAtQG4mnJgocXG2CQaoJ/s1600/apply+gold+leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tgD0QVLUkEjMhrAktkJ8p6v-jvFcA2ajChC99LehqogX1Q1TgLeqDAjGSpDNJmPORxtmiytZ3CfF0er026FG0y75vldW8Rl1iNy_jhJ-MnWCl4hCX8T3WU7DmAtQG4mnJgocXG2CQaoJ/s1600/apply+gold+leaf.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Using a different and <i>clean</i> craft brush, gently apply the gold leaf to the area with glue. It tears super easily, so I found applying it with a brush to be easier, although you can use your hands if you want. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuot7PKT3pqzVAPBiBGXWjjpZeKCwKHK48x5YhvBT2I0sWwyShBZxkH_jE8ldCgKs2r6nIo-8eN53gaIsa3QZpdMAWfxUjzBgguYn8kRURBsyghM_FwXreH9jfI3SdaOvhZFa-efYZf5rE/s1600/gold+leaf+in+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuot7PKT3pqzVAPBiBGXWjjpZeKCwKHK48x5YhvBT2I0sWwyShBZxkH_jE8ldCgKs2r6nIo-8eN53gaIsa3QZpdMAWfxUjzBgguYn8kRURBsyghM_FwXreH9jfI3SdaOvhZFa-efYZf5rE/s1600/gold+leaf+in+progress.jpg" height="640" width="574" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Before I started, I mapped out a general idea of where I wanted the gold leaf to go. For the most part I stuck with my plan, but I wanted it to look organic and abstract, so I wasn't exacting in how it turned out. You'll notice in some spots the gold leaf looks smooth, and in other spots it looks creased and wrinkled. This was intentional, but you can't certainly do it either way. I personally like the imperfection of it. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9Ab056ClDQK2RCKdEFwwg6ZdNcnze0E2YwMGBqKyq94aVlVsVpRIneJJky1y8cM1jdjJNAGswWcnCa96HwnmGOZMbbTWXCAixyGcIPrYQi-QT9o6eO_rk7U4tf-T2LQzi-jF-P2eOLjd/s1600/apply+silver+leaf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9Ab056ClDQK2RCKdEFwwg6ZdNcnze0E2YwMGBqKyq94aVlVsVpRIneJJky1y8cM1jdjJNAGswWcnCa96HwnmGOZMbbTWXCAixyGcIPrYQi-QT9o6eO_rk7U4tf-T2LQzi-jF-P2eOLjd/s1600/apply+silver+leaf2.jpg" height="534" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then I added some silver leaf flakes. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I found the silver flakes much more difficult to work with than the sheets. I really wasn't happy with how the silver was looking at this point</span></span>. I thought it looked just like a big silver blob in the middle of my beautiful shiny gold. To break up the blobness of it, I added some more gold inside the silver, and was much happier with it. (Blobness is a fun word.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SIDE NOTE: When I made the art for the second frame, I didn't have as hard of a time working with the flakes as I did the first go round. I think I was mostly being impatient the first time. Having said that, I still prefer the sheets, but I think they are both good products, and it is just a personal preference thing. </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Once the glue has dried, gently brush off any of the excess gold/silver leaf using a craft brush. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then I started painting: </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMm77IwN6lZ4Zoq5Oh86Tw9RCfTngt9yEVWrsqLTQACkz6jmfWB661_x9L4xUr2_Ghwg7TEx2iBdFyVU19kCMhvegP-ameum3R0G4RWGAITLtGdagcycyVMaH9evS4cppakkvW0NmklDT/s1600/start+painting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMm77IwN6lZ4Zoq5Oh86Tw9RCfTngt9yEVWrsqLTQACkz6jmfWB661_x9L4xUr2_Ghwg7TEx2iBdFyVU19kCMhvegP-ameum3R0G4RWGAITLtGdagcycyVMaH9evS4cppakkvW0NmklDT/s1600/start+painting2.jpg" height="640" width="538" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This was my favorite part. I had a lot of fun painting and mixing the colors until I came up with the tones and hues I wanted. I was really getting in touch with my creative side, holding an imaginary pallet with one of those little holes for your thumb and thinking in a French accent. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have the mind of a child sometimes. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But seriously, I am very proud of how it turned out. It is serene, like a misty morning :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SIDE NOTE: If you read Virginia's tutorial at LiveLoveDIY, you'll notice that she used modelling paste before she painted, to give her art some texture. I think this is an amazing idea, and really gives her art some added depth and gorgeousness. I thought about doing that to mine, but opted against it for two reasons. 1 - since my art was going behind glass (rather than on a canvas) I figured the effect might get a little lost, and 2 - I'm cheap and didn't want to spend another $12. Having said that, if I ever do another canvas art project, I'm totally going to try the modelling paste.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All in all, I am happy with the way my art turned out. But full disclosure, my poster board did warp from the paint.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nOdiyVyUw5wTyjiPVG0m4vxRf1XSCqvBEktfb5kREUh9tkBcOvFwAVZqVxWu9byM5QFWgmv0AsOUFDIOJSDmzuGDCj9t6YWmxTSyxOf0KMaPlCyZ4pHIw9QGhcukHuGA8KA7khbMMUbj/s1600/finish+painting1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nOdiyVyUw5wTyjiPVG0m4vxRf1XSCqvBEktfb5kREUh9tkBcOvFwAVZqVxWu9byM5QFWgmv0AsOUFDIOJSDmzuGDCj9t6YWmxTSyxOf0KMaPlCyZ4pHIw9QGhcukHuGA8KA7khbMMUbj/s1600/finish+painting1.jpg" height="526" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I thought this might happen, but was still bummed when it did. Luckily, once I framed the art you couldn't tell at all. So, if you are particular, you may want to buy something a little sturdier than a poster board. But, if you're cheap like me, and planning to frame it anyway, poster board will work fine. If you aren't intending to frame it, go with a canvas. Or if you are planning to frame it, but not put it behind glass, I'd still go with something sturdier, just to be safe. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I repeated the process for my second frame, but opted to have my brush strokes going the opposite direction. Then I just spray painted my frames white. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldfTpbDX7wzba68bmxPQgGS6P2_k5tNOkPrTugM2un0cnNyqPxetry1A8COyOaJpPpSZuG0HsTdXZeeDMP69DpXBpThiSo3IhMgs4aysXV462YTMTso0_qsbRyNUNUos-YyZFI8TO01TZ/s1600/spray+painted+frame+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldfTpbDX7wzba68bmxPQgGS6P2_k5tNOkPrTugM2un0cnNyqPxetry1A8COyOaJpPpSZuG0HsTdXZeeDMP69DpXBpThiSo3IhMgs4aysXV462YTMTso0_qsbRyNUNUos-YyZFI8TO01TZ/s1600/spray+painted+frame+edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And I was done! Here is the finished product:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By the way, do you know what this means?! It means I'm on my way to completing my <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/02/a-new-checklist.html">couple's shower checklist</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To read about the staircase remodel, click <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2015/03/staircase-remodel-reveal-tutorial.html">here</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, have you tried working with gold leaf before? Were you happy with the way it turned out? Thanks for stopping by!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Don't forget to follow along with me on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/jesseadkison21/">Pinterest</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/homeonhiddenoaks/">Instagram</a>!</span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-19745936793583741302015-03-26T10:57:00.000-05:002015-04-09T09:14:37.271-05:00The Collage Wall: Take 3<center>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I finally came up with an easy way to design the layout of a collage wall. Since it <strike>only</strike> took me about three and a half years to come up with it, I thought I'd share with you guys, and save y'all the time.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBfbJ8nGkUOd3qe3Wp3-E5kS9UePZA-Mn_hXEmx-YCOYksFY0OAWSVI8H78JcfjQpWCpCXsnZehqWXtqS4D_4uGFwCzZazKqnRxAbFFqsxRSI0T0TuZNQv7V0M5m4iRgtrzB9Ny6f_gV-/s1600/a+simple+trick+to+get+theperfect+collage+wall+layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBfbJ8nGkUOd3qe3Wp3-E5kS9UePZA-Mn_hXEmx-YCOYksFY0OAWSVI8H78JcfjQpWCpCXsnZehqWXtqS4D_4uGFwCzZazKqnRxAbFFqsxRSI0T0TuZNQv7V0M5m4iRgtrzB9Ny6f_gV-/s1600/a+simple+trick+to+get+theperfect+collage+wall+layout.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But before we get to all that, we gotta take a trip down </span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <strike>disaster</strike> memory lane. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">W</span></span>hen we <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/08/ive-been-pinspired-3-home-buying-for.html">first moved</a> into our house I was beyond excited to get started on decorating and I was impatient. In my haste, I made several design mistakes. Now that I'm older and wiser, I've learned to take more time with my design decisions, and I am slowly but surely making my way through our home, rectifying those mistakes one at a time. Here is the story of my first (and second) amateur attempts to create a collage wall. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">From about the time we moved in (2011) until January 2014, the gallery wall looked like this: </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ77Kd-P7zAPDoqgNgipOGUiBSRwLH5XyhCU3nqDpWTaIBGQmm6FkZaW7U_P377trW49WFcz2mPVt3bMcUzOM2HmuDAz-qIVfI8PMS2tZiwIx-cFcGwEHxE9X8EClXK5OdJSLwq3Gpdzn/s1600/Original+Galley+Wall+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ77Kd-P7zAPDoqgNgipOGUiBSRwLH5XyhCU3nqDpWTaIBGQmm6FkZaW7U_P377trW49WFcz2mPVt3bMcUzOM2HmuDAz-qIVfI8PMS2tZiwIx-cFcGwEHxE9X8EClXK5OdJSLwq3Gpdzn/s1600/Original+Galley+Wall+2013.jpg" height="516" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">There are so many things wrong with it in this state, its hard to know where to start.</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">For more pictures, visit the <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/06/my-gallery-wall.html">original post</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also, talk about #photographyskillz </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">I knew from day one that I wasn't in love with it. It bugged me pretty much from the moment I finished hanging everything up, but I just left it alone (for over two years) because I figured I had bigger fish to fry. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">That should have been a red flag right there. If you don't love something in your home, change it. Simple as that. Forget the rules of design, what is trendy or not. It is <i>your</i> home, and first and foremost it should speak to <i>you</i>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Ok, so what specifically bothered me about it? Let's break it down:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">1. See the big blue window looking thing in the middle? It was hung way too close to the stairs. It really needed to be scooted down and to the right a couple of inches, but that would have entailed scooting all the other things over a couple of inches, and ain't nobody got time for that. This is one of the things I recognized right away as an issue. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">2. Overall, it was too dark. I've been going for a light and airy color scheme in our house since day one. Obviously I haven't always understood how to achieve that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">3. The white branch art in the bottom right hand corner? This was an impulse buy. I picked it out solely to fill the space in my collage wall, and not because I loved it. It's never really been my style. Too modern. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">4. It lacked cohesion/symmetry. I've got square things, rectangular things, round things, asymmetrical things. I've got shelves, I've got wall decals, and I've got an arched window. I've got big, I've got small. There's dark, light, and every color in between. There was just too much going on, and not enough symmetry to tie it all together. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">5. Too many small items. All the 8x10 frames started to look a little puny, and I really felt like something larger would look more like real art, rather than frames from Goodwill that I had painted. (Which is exactly what they were). I bought them because they were cheap, not because they were pretty. I have since learned that it is possible to get both pretty <i>and</i> cheap, not just one or the other. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">6. The shelf. It didn't bother me for a long time, but for the past six months or so, it's been really bugging me. The curved line of the shelf is just too country cottage for my evolving style, and I really wanted cleaner lines. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">So, in January of last year, I finally decided it was time for some changes. I whipped out my handy dandy paint brush, and went to town. So now, it looked like this:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl_RrycHXUZqLY9uuyj-8T4oyKfibopFaL_6-Hxmor9Wv-dRR6P_PFfhmGEA5LeFI8u0kpgstwDrbo7LofG-pBCQrq0OLnuPHvxW4-IipUO-o6I-wV1ogopAt37JMT1JNjaDnqiiwW1WC/s1600/after+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl_RrycHXUZqLY9uuyj-8T4oyKfibopFaL_6-Hxmor9Wv-dRR6P_PFfhmGEA5LeFI8u0kpgstwDrbo7LofG-pBCQrq0OLnuPHvxW4-IipUO-o6I-wV1ogopAt37JMT1JNjaDnqiiwW1WC/s1600/after+6.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is a side by side comparison of before and after my painting spree:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpEdEKbPtXGDaKZIQau3wxb2Q7hhaiDSjEb_ejWCJHP-YTHVJbZ6nav3WniZlT8egXwHM0Q148lnYvx66xQYDhJ7U6O5O0pC2p8UkqiN3yqgtSdqaUr5lgOCDClfvDhX_KB1YtpLKYR7Q/s1600/before+and+after+update+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpEdEKbPtXGDaKZIQau3wxb2Q7hhaiDSjEb_ejWCJHP-YTHVJbZ6nav3WniZlT8egXwHM0Q148lnYvx66xQYDhJ7U6O5O0pC2p8UkqiN3yqgtSdqaUr5lgOCDClfvDhX_KB1YtpLKYR7Q/s1600/before+and+after+update+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Click <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2014/01/the-gallery-wall-gets-face-lift.html">here</a> for the full post. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The lighter, fresher color scheme made it better, and for a few weeks I was happy. But it wasn't long before it started to nag at me. I knew it still needed some help, but at that point I still wasn't exactly sure what it was about it that bugged me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I did something unprecedented. I consciously made the decision to give it some time. Not like what I did from 2011-2014, where I basically denied my feelings. This time around, I acknowledged that I didn't love it, but since I didn't know why, I intentionally chose to wait to make any changes until I could figure it out. So, for the past year or so, I've slowly come up with my list of things that bothered me. Now, armed with my newfound understanding, I began designing my new collage wall. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I came up with this:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1xJi5vZY2rR8on4yE9OLOVSbTBiyT9cTDdIyIDyl5dTiwpePD3feQ0o75vGrMI4ZNS3H73CAneZZR7xpXJfhFgWmO7jFfYkbNbs0ueMvQzxkg4wu9XFe8humFdAWHjJb4S_NMsBpHGIs/s1600/Gallery+Wall+Final+6edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1xJi5vZY2rR8on4yE9OLOVSbTBiyT9cTDdIyIDyl5dTiwpePD3feQ0o75vGrMI4ZNS3H73CAneZZR7xpXJfhFgWmO7jFfYkbNbs0ueMvQzxkg4wu9XFe8humFdAWHjJb4S_NMsBpHGIs/s1600/Gallery+Wall+Final+6edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It wasn't until this very moment when I uploaded this photo that I truly realized how much better it looks now compared to the olden days. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's
got everything that the original design lacked. It's lighter in color,
and has so much more symmetry. I replaced most of the smaller frames
with larger ones, and I got rid of a lot of the odd shaped items (liked
the arched window). I removed the items I didn't love, and replaced them
with things I had either created or purchased because they truly spoke
to me. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, on to the fun part! What is this simple trick for designing the layout that I used, you ask? Drum roll please...</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I taped off the area of the collage wall with painters tape. First I applied the tape to the wall itself, so that I'd have the correct dimensions. Then, I just removed the tape from the walls and transferred it onto the floor. Now I've got a ready made template of my wall, but it is horizontal instead of vertical, so I can move things around so much easier. Like so:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CKq9NCMsUbnmhAYu4yTpIkTRJfvWI_usqGjfKoTwaEPyC0GF3B-szbleWhlN0FGTyODIrDibHxRk2m8HKS1sBvWuRvvrKvALllKK438ff9BZ-qhrnkjUmghnE4umUB_zGKLZ-_vyrU6b/s1600/Floor+Taped+Off1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CKq9NCMsUbnmhAYu4yTpIkTRJfvWI_usqGjfKoTwaEPyC0GF3B-szbleWhlN0FGTyODIrDibHxRk2m8HKS1sBvWuRvvrKvALllKK438ff9BZ-qhrnkjUmghnE4umUB_zGKLZ-_vyrU6b/s1600/Floor+Taped+Off1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTChZWv0G_DJGYnrzHJiGXCxozHXTU_IYpP2is42bJpcgpi6QewcEJ-fLbYYjZZij2nBf0zKmb-iA8yM6DJrZcHTBAvHV8xa5PxWH40Pg7PUU9RLe3yT0hUiMHOgAntyt1nbybRVyZdZlR/s1600/Floor+Taped+Off2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTChZWv0G_DJGYnrzHJiGXCxozHXTU_IYpP2is42bJpcgpi6QewcEJ-fLbYYjZZij2nBf0zKmb-iA8yM6DJrZcHTBAvHV8xa5PxWH40Pg7PUU9RLe3yT0hUiMHOgAntyt1nbybRVyZdZlR/s1600/Floor+Taped+Off2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also, p</span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">lease ignore all the dust on the floor. That was underneath my couch, which I had to move out of the way to do this.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now all I had to do was play around with the arrangement of my stuff to come up with something I liked. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm going to show you all the different arrangements I tried. Hopefully this will help you see my thought process behind choosing what I did:</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also, note that in order for me to be able to visualize it properly, I had to stand on the stairs. I had an excellent view, but I ran up and down the stairs every minute for probably an hour. I broke a sweat. For real. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWzj6lQ4GuqcwZTFvME7d8mt8Qz-4YzCRuYFotcU8jQrpC21FLR0qWahTClgGZD3lWXm2fuO5lzAVYdzO8adZXMI2GOWfj-1rdXFoLZFjeO2LGFVf4MOkes2xzp0EJoy-dE2jV9op-hwh/s1600/Layout+Option1edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWzj6lQ4GuqcwZTFvME7d8mt8Qz-4YzCRuYFotcU8jQrpC21FLR0qWahTClgGZD3lWXm2fuO5lzAVYdzO8adZXMI2GOWfj-1rdXFoLZFjeO2LGFVf4MOkes2xzp0EJoy-dE2jV9op-hwh/s1600/Layout+Option1edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> My thoughts: Hmm... maybe a little boring? </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIjX06LSOnDNEVvlgDcq_MolV42_HU8lrqdzPM5JinuX68626WZyG_XnQH71L8-eJL-0BIk4bFF0zFMBVIuJgDNiKhhI6ryZJHd9FmgYmQm0ergICOgFDfIWgiyuJyWhiBBgZXjHd4_BM/s1600/Layout+Option2edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIjX06LSOnDNEVvlgDcq_MolV42_HU8lrqdzPM5JinuX68626WZyG_XnQH71L8-eJL-0BIk4bFF0zFMBVIuJgDNiKhhI6ryZJHd9FmgYmQm0ergICOgFDfIWgiyuJyWhiBBgZXjHd4_BM/s1600/Layout+Option2edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span> <span style="font-size: small;">My thoughts: Hmm... maybe a little too messy?</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SIDE NOTE: Ruby's head is in the top of this picture. I provided an arrow, just so you don't miss it. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS3aXKAXtybMuxBDLeb9zknaU6w22mgvkw6rcnCq5w8OlV5q_4rC3d01jjKSstqvHmoNnqf6fNFEy54Y_CmvVunYqxR6zGx7Y-voBLee5rZEugwDTeAuopoZ2YYnYufsQxY96ft1CwCdm/s1600/Layout+Option3edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS3aXKAXtybMuxBDLeb9zknaU6w22mgvkw6rcnCq5w8OlV5q_4rC3d01jjKSstqvHmoNnqf6fNFEy54Y_CmvVunYqxR6zGx7Y-voBLee5rZEugwDTeAuopoZ2YYnYufsQxY96ft1CwCdm/s1600/Layout+Option3edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My thoughts: Okay scooting that little frame over to the right by an inch doesn't really make that big of a difference. Also, I'm really not digging that white branch art. It's still too modern. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OOov4_z8cH1gbU-i8e52rAAYg-JQtVR7A8CWoHr24oic8uFpA8ni3dEiONFksiXaupKWJA_qafcVAyLgD8MPEiCTtzsAeQ-TtLPBsErvYIrDo3603jsJvGzTiJaaELiSWFs2GBhp5qzd/s1600/Layout+Option4edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OOov4_z8cH1gbU-i8e52rAAYg-JQtVR7A8CWoHr24oic8uFpA8ni3dEiONFksiXaupKWJA_qafcVAyLgD8MPEiCTtzsAeQ-TtLPBsErvYIrDo3603jsJvGzTiJaaELiSWFs2GBhp5qzd/s1600/Layout+Option4edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My thoughts: It's looking a little crowded over on the right hand side.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1OAQElyZCycqEP8I6bfxs_VMmB80Ihyk3qYBnJ4QuktrRpDkerEOAa47f9JrT-Of9BliZpaoydBchzx2dXncf3-M9p8bvDjGnQvHEeHiafjzg2qd4FzcnOlSV1MOursU7Y_EAeB3QXOs/s1600/Layout+Option5edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1OAQElyZCycqEP8I6bfxs_VMmB80Ihyk3qYBnJ4QuktrRpDkerEOAa47f9JrT-Of9BliZpaoydBchzx2dXncf3-M9p8bvDjGnQvHEeHiafjzg2qd4FzcnOlSV1MOursU7Y_EAeB3QXOs/s1600/Layout+Option5edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My thoughts: Better... but maybe a little boring? Also, the arched window is really throwing me off? It's too... <i>round?</i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVRbLjGyfL9Mz1buTJN9JtvgnTtmO99-IKn8hOnJFiwaEOCELUWaSc8OIjClfwBgxnaP5BRDIKb0CFMLQ7-2iMtiwEsbqsVSZjHmhIGKbdWriM3aUXB2ZV2qFAUCik-y9i-p2gMLmwf1W/s1600/Layout+Option6edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVRbLjGyfL9Mz1buTJN9JtvgnTtmO99-IKn8hOnJFiwaEOCELUWaSc8OIjClfwBgxnaP5BRDIKb0CFMLQ7-2iMtiwEsbqsVSZjHmhIGKbdWriM3aUXB2ZV2qFAUCik-y9i-p2gMLmwf1W/s1600/Layout+Option6edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My thoughts: OMG! I just remembered I bought an antique wash board last weekend! </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQuf2ksxMcfmk_0mYsybKVGlpcMy6PZaYgUotlm7M_72g7DOZP-Gq3xZu1Z0fD8qBOE4UiwaU479_6v3oobv18XjfopY4mzzPNLe963y4QQBOhPdyqeIBeeNRo_Hfx1Bt2pmLTSgcr1M8/s1600/Layout+Option+FinalEdited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQuf2ksxMcfmk_0mYsybKVGlpcMy6PZaYgUotlm7M_72g7DOZP-Gq3xZu1Z0fD8qBOE4UiwaU479_6v3oobv18XjfopY4mzzPNLe963y4QQBOhPdyqeIBeeNRo_Hfx1Bt2pmLTSgcr1M8/s1600/Layout+Option+FinalEdited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My thoughts: SO much better without the arched window, and modern branch art. This is exactly what I envisioned!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was super easy to hang out too, since my template was a direct mirror image of my wall. It also didn't hurt that I had a camera full of pictures to refer back to. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One little tip, that I find very helpful. If you are hanging something where the nails are going to show (like when I hung my little bike), color the nail head with a sharpie, so it blends in. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWc17y-IV_th8yuU84uePHd05phGXCpE_ku72tXr1j-AVH2kuF_Qrx4pkraIcS8EgA3feC8cJCXoxkAY7-aRsjGJPhkm6M2L0IIoON8C6G-pt2iKjXDzXxII8B-Fdq_5p74oFkkIhYXtC/s1600/BEFORE+AND+AFTER+NAILS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWc17y-IV_th8yuU84uePHd05phGXCpE_ku72tXr1j-AVH2kuF_Qrx4pkraIcS8EgA3feC8cJCXoxkAY7-aRsjGJPhkm6M2L0IIoON8C6G-pt2iKjXDzXxII8B-Fdq_5p74oFkkIhYXtC/s1600/BEFORE+AND+AFTER+NAILS.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't worry, I dusted this off after taking these pictures and realizing how dirty it was!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, here is the final product:</span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsJGnPMmkTRShTFiGMeuPzB1owbaUKYkyEN4DwK859aQAg02dmmCXEuQTglfcQBSUTjKIOGWmWnO_tHrYjLtH-4Q-Q2V_a84iKkW0IrsVZZgsuZYlU-_RrGTIQgKzOzlI8B53rJH3KfIC/s1600/Gallery+Wall+Final+3edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsJGnPMmkTRShTFiGMeuPzB1owbaUKYkyEN4DwK859aQAg02dmmCXEuQTglfcQBSUTjKIOGWmWnO_tHrYjLtH-4Q-Q2V_a84iKkW0IrsVZZgsuZYlU-_RrGTIQgKzOzlI8B53rJH3KfIC/s1600/Gallery+Wall+Final+3edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, when it comes to actually choosing the layout of your wall, the painters tape template trick really came in handy. But what about when it comes to picking out the art, frames and mirrors that will actually make up your wall contents? What actionable tips can you take away from this post?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Search for symmetry. Almost everything on my new wall is rectangular or square. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Don't fill up the wall with too many tiny things. Larger scale items tend to look more expensive.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Cohension in colors. Pretty much everything in my new wall is netural, with some subtle blues and greens thrown in for interest. Don't overdo it on the color front. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Fill your collage with items your really love, not just items that are easily available. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Take the time to come up with the perfect layout, rather than just sticking things up at random. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So... what do you think? Do you think my collage wall has come as far as I do? It's fresher, brighter, cleaner, and all around prettier :) </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for taking the time to stop by! I hope this will help you when it comes to time to design your own collage wall. Be sure to come back tomorrow. I'll be sharing a tutorial on how I made this gold leaf art out of thrift store finds:</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-38501585561693187542015-03-16T10:00:00.001-05:002015-04-06T15:30:57.534-05:00Staircase Remodel Reveal & Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> It may have taken nearly two months to complete, but we are finally done with the staircase remodel! I have wanted to do this project for about two years now, but I've been too scared to try. I'm glad we did it, because the end result is so pretty! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHfHa_xgu4G2H4joXkK0V-bHDkjXf0vgA6ZmIDEOSEi9eHycfiaT39cyNyd7AF2XHpaU9O-MRMB6PMmboHgl-E3bO4_r3JHSM1S8tQkbddkdeHn7H0ro0G50hspYlimaCFlU232hwX_qe/s1600/AFTER9+-+edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Isn't she a beauty? :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bAXQElvC-opClaeEtz8aI9G_MUFzvGJajMbgrPW5VR2KQo0JAK2xmgt5fuRL86hD6paH1dmEGq6WlhzOpkH82JIjQ8NSFQZv9SnfbnkqEPTF1UbzdmhzNnosyFYRzhqna1NNbYUafdzY/s1600/AFTER4+-+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bAXQElvC-opClaeEtz8aI9G_MUFzvGJajMbgrPW5VR2KQo0JAK2xmgt5fuRL86hD6paH1dmEGq6WlhzOpkH82JIjQ8NSFQZv9SnfbnkqEPTF1UbzdmhzNnosyFYRzhqna1NNbYUafdzY/s1600/AFTER4+-+edited.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ok enough pretty pictures for now. Let's move onto the nitty gritty!<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There
are a lot of tutorials out there that have excellent advice and
instructions on how to do a project like this. While each project comes
with its own unique challenges, my staircase had a feature both unique
and awful that made this project more difficult and intimidating. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIiNWp6mCPmJd25o95Z-uwC1WTUNsaG3ek3HJxBnv3pvml8Mv1YQi2oUbVXd0iZkDxdenkOuCsmcKSq_YCm2gu-eXG7Mqr24uKQ_mxFBwInweVN4sIhyepE9_WVYx3bbLEl4J2cQ4tRJV/s1600/before+edges+with+carpet+edited+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIiNWp6mCPmJd25o95Z-uwC1WTUNsaG3ek3HJxBnv3pvml8Mv1YQi2oUbVXd0iZkDxdenkOuCsmcKSq_YCm2gu-eXG7Mqr24uKQ_mxFBwInweVN4sIhyepE9_WVYx3bbLEl4J2cQ4tRJV/s1600/before+edges+with+carpet+edited+.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">The way the carpet went past the spindles and wrapped around the edge of the stairs, creating a not-so-glorious homage to the 80s was pretty hideous, if I do say so myself. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Since this was such a big project, I've decided to break it down into stages for you guys. I tried really hard to make this a detailed and easy to follow tutorial, but if you have questions, just leave me a comment! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">SIDE NOTE: In between pretty much every single stage we cleaned the stairs thoroughly. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Some before photos: </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNa0tjxnCP5lJolsrzl4NDbfJmfFgdKKYD6YL1E-vbBQ0Pu7qc1V2cqaEYl460kaH1wJDx7xJSvj7VYA04Fw66Uw7K2LyR3rhBxgKiTLTKP8Icya4-T8XM4FxXqL2rIFIGJi14JESmV43/s1600/before+1+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNa0tjxnCP5lJolsrzl4NDbfJmfFgdKKYD6YL1E-vbBQ0Pu7qc1V2cqaEYl460kaH1wJDx7xJSvj7VYA04Fw66Uw7K2LyR3rhBxgKiTLTKP8Icya4-T8XM4FxXqL2rIFIGJi14JESmV43/s1600/before+1+edited.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9PJdDKQ6OJiJJKZOqmX4wKBXdKLY7jX0UFXH5Ie0BMdwOHJL6IQ7P8SnDaSRKoD4Yl9EMK6qp9uxJV230e1DfHW8kL43cL_-EqAIgTc3g4YqZSjNWnIJhDbYGXWu611JMmfixPtYTrF_/s1600/before+2+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9PJdDKQ6OJiJJKZOqmX4wKBXdKLY7jX0UFXH5Ie0BMdwOHJL6IQ7P8SnDaSRKoD4Yl9EMK6qp9uxJV230e1DfHW8kL43cL_-EqAIgTc3g4YqZSjNWnIJhDbYGXWu611JMmfixPtYTrF_/s1600/before+2+edited.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ13wqwBSWbRECsGy4hPoTQYcX1GVAGCLrXPEHbHmCd-m9XJ5mpMtPtseSBAXWcrQGX2UAZvKD3Z8pF-z8sOZNpV0AoFlXW5ewqbqBSXIz_jdXKYKB_Nv9cuoQZIzymMBE5q8i6a8NMRh/s1600/before+edges+with+carpet+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ13wqwBSWbRECsGy4hPoTQYcX1GVAGCLrXPEHbHmCd-m9XJ5mpMtPtseSBAXWcrQGX2UAZvKD3Z8pF-z8sOZNpV0AoFlXW5ewqbqBSXIz_jdXKYKB_Nv9cuoQZIzymMBE5q8i6a8NMRh/s1600/before+edges+with+carpet+.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO2u3iIQNv2k79l_oa8LNHdY2sWqK0VoiXRkcCoVUBh7zjhVgJ_FmqBS6gvMXRerwU2qzSKjmdRsM3j5XbRfuMaXpDbouGJnFVVIh3ECIa2u68JfDeHxRDVAfI5LQeGQ42Vcq6eo_hPoO/s1600/after2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO2u3iIQNv2k79l_oa8LNHdY2sWqK0VoiXRkcCoVUBh7zjhVgJ_FmqBS6gvMXRerwU2qzSKjmdRsM3j5XbRfuMaXpDbouGJnFVVIh3ECIa2u68JfDeHxRDVAfI5LQeGQ42Vcq6eo_hPoO/s1600/after2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ugh! Those carpet edges! I hate them so much. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELTCDg6-b3dtDFNQVafHWKT8UuDkAlroJEQTE9hDAoMoqtMuY2HouytfEXWdvms6AWNIbBQ4yPZaOolZM4NyX6dlCva8skEMR8A3ueSwafZ0hDRjrBcAh8dHXdOySBHUgtiYy9BlaLsUv/s1600/after4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELTCDg6-b3dtDFNQVafHWKT8UuDkAlroJEQTE9hDAoMoqtMuY2HouytfEXWdvms6AWNIbBQ4yPZaOolZM4NyX6dlCva8skEMR8A3ueSwafZ0hDRjrBcAh8dHXdOySBHUgtiYy9BlaLsUv/s1600/after4.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stage 1:</span></u></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Remove carpet and carpet padding. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I used needle nose pliers, a razor blade, and good old fashioned elbow grease for this part. I removed the carpet in about four pieces, so I wasn't forced to carry one heavy piece all the way to the trash. At the top step, I cut the carpet with the razor blade with the intention of wrapping the carpet around the edge of the top step for a nice even transition into the carpeted upstairs area. Here's what it looked like at this stage: </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn2DopMxJb8FUK27kclZylXJ1Iqibp8-tBzR2jTvYLpsMoJiXimouXvuwxwvQ_78KRqSIgzydw5gUqIf1ajOljraQyTYWt74RucUFMoWtLdbEmTxOib_gtsaRX1Fgjbs4o2zrH8ZodgQx/s1600/carpet+removed+-+before+sanding+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn2DopMxJb8FUK27kclZylXJ1Iqibp8-tBzR2jTvYLpsMoJiXimouXvuwxwvQ_78KRqSIgzydw5gUqIf1ajOljraQyTYWt74RucUFMoWtLdbEmTxOib_gtsaRX1Fgjbs4o2zrH8ZodgQx/s1600/carpet+removed+-+before+sanding+edited.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At this point I realized that our staircase was in MUCH rougher shape than most I had seen on Pinterest and other blogs. What the heck was I going to do about all those gaps, cracks and stains? Most staircases I'd seen basically just needed a good sanding and fresh coat of paint. This was not the case with mine. But, there was no turning back now, so I was determined to figure it out! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Stage 2: </u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Remove the staples and carpet tack strips. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u> </u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To remove the tack strips, I gently wedged a flat head screw driver underneath the strips and gently tapped the end of the screw driver with a hammer until I could pry them up and off. For the staples, I relied on my needle nose pliers again. I'm guessing there are tons of staples in every staircase, but there were probably twice as many in mine because they used so many staples to secure the carpet around those stupid edges. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><br /></u></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Stage 3:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sanding. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><br /></u></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reid decided to purchase a belt sander for about $60 because our palm sander has definitely seen better days. It was a great investment because that sander made quick work of those stairs. I'd say Reid had them sanded in about an hour. He couldn't get into all the nooks and crannies, particularly around the spindles because of the size of the sander, so I followed behind him and sanded those areas by hand using 60 grit sandpaper. After we were done sanding we vacuumed the stairs thoroughly and then gently wiped them down with a damp rag. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Extra Tip: Before you sand each step, triple check that you've removed every last staple. There are so many that it is easy to miss one or two along the way, and running over one with your sander can rip up your paper and slow you down. Not that I know from experience ;)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><br /></u></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh1y53LAG4fxvhFkzAN9bxHdFvTo1SLlZ4CEgFaNHKLxHpwSURAmEcl9muUm2onbcNc-70olxzAqiTlHZpoTHQrvq-NflmiFPHFmrahsoLpVmF7Fy3oylUc9KVRNFpU_HtpUbVpWA0ELQ/s1600/drop+cloth+for+sanding+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh1y53LAG4fxvhFkzAN9bxHdFvTo1SLlZ4CEgFaNHKLxHpwSURAmEcl9muUm2onbcNc-70olxzAqiTlHZpoTHQrvq-NflmiFPHFmrahsoLpVmF7Fy3oylUc9KVRNFpU_HtpUbVpWA0ELQ/s1600/drop+cloth+for+sanding+edited.jpg" height="584" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We taped things off as best we could to minimize the mess. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichyUclJ1EjQKNKGkIxq9nNsRGIkmRqL6MqTLS5An5uLNgU_rbjSrZ0yeG6VPAPr4gMYCxmSUtp71f_HoIQqjW5lvXGGiyIKlWzgUtfqkfsYZcSmRZRlEMm9vwBFnPOpdu5JWUwASbKcrq/s1600/reid+with+sander+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichyUclJ1EjQKNKGkIxq9nNsRGIkmRqL6MqTLS5An5uLNgU_rbjSrZ0yeG6VPAPr4gMYCxmSUtp71f_HoIQqjW5lvXGGiyIKlWzgUtfqkfsYZcSmRZRlEMm9vwBFnPOpdu5JWUwASbKcrq/s1600/reid+with+sander+edited.jpg" height="640" width="496" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u><br /></u></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's what they looked like after sanding: </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7sMAzBx5d0h_JM5jSkLKh0OcwYrajbLE8pgWHhMbRqgZSkQMur8jof4pDWDXy-lpThOJNkWuBuhjiV56hQdhHrvbfTRZdXKOi-AxXSKZ0TlhOrijV9KaVg3s35pZKRX17j1yDhaUyMNb/s1600/after+sanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7sMAzBx5d0h_JM5jSkLKh0OcwYrajbLE8pgWHhMbRqgZSkQMur8jof4pDWDXy-lpThOJNkWuBuhjiV56hQdhHrvbfTRZdXKOi-AxXSKZ0TlhOrijV9KaVg3s35pZKRX17j1yDhaUyMNb/s1600/after+sanding.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It may not look like much, but they were already looking so much better at this point. Here is the difference: </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro5Lyiq5E1IQeTABfOOudYYtkCy3CvXJN4DYOlZhO9nskqw-pGy5JHbx_0HyDruGgZWWeuY4Byf8kiq9tYIRQv3omvBwsj1FdJsXSex3EgFRWjWkoT_UXR14rWHfYa6cVAB2tisROt1mT/s1600/before+and+after+sanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro5Lyiq5E1IQeTABfOOudYYtkCy3CvXJN4DYOlZhO9nskqw-pGy5JHbx_0HyDruGgZWWeuY4Byf8kiq9tYIRQv3omvBwsj1FdJsXSex3EgFRWjWkoT_UXR14rWHfYa6cVAB2tisROt1mT/s1600/before+and+after+sanding.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not to mention you could now safely walk on them without the fear of stabbing your foot with a rusty staple :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stage 4:</span></u></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fixing the Squeaks.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our stairs have always been a bit creaky, but once we removed the carpet the sound was no longer muffled, and it was pretty loud and very annoying. This was a very easy fix. All we did was add some extra screws into each of the creaky stairs to ensure that they were securely fastened to the joists. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6zvz0nSsqYG-Plyde7LC0Ioebc7bUcQB8GnVMkN2Z43sVRPGDR46WOe_DkPgdZAPvpAuQlhQ0NDk6ME7yXGV0WNzTpoI7jIZQ29ZCqpuTB9OTRERvRaI16F_98XEuc-d-tr7X0CXFTMN/s1600/screws+for+squeaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6zvz0nSsqYG-Plyde7LC0Ioebc7bUcQB8GnVMkN2Z43sVRPGDR46WOe_DkPgdZAPvpAuQlhQ0NDk6ME7yXGV0WNzTpoI7jIZQ29ZCqpuTB9OTRERvRaI16F_98XEuc-d-tr7X0CXFTMN/s1600/screws+for+squeaks.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Make sure your screws aren't too thick, or they can split the joists. #8 was recommended when we researched online, so that is what we went with. Also, make sure your screws are long enough to reach all the way through your stair tread and deep enough into the joist to get a good grip. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAvJFeTBw-D2PPlIJIlEH3CwDYySHVd27JvG4XPnzeee7sPoFVaAILaXjHQVWRi1Q0UQRY8W0mhB6Ib5YBNq-JfQyr3jG1ZGHyUH_l7nK1KZ3_RSyn1I2wOF4wW1klbzXR6uXVDjIu0Az/s1600/screws+with+view+of+joists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAvJFeTBw-D2PPlIJIlEH3CwDYySHVd27JvG4XPnzeee7sPoFVaAILaXjHQVWRi1Q0UQRY8W0mhB6Ib5YBNq-JfQyr3jG1ZGHyUH_l7nK1KZ3_RSyn1I2wOF4wW1klbzXR6uXVDjIu0Az/s1600/screws+with+view+of+joists.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In case you don't know what a joist is, here is a visual. You can see that we screwed the screws into the tread very deep so as to not create a trip hazard. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stage 5:</span></u></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Filling the cracks along the edges.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There were small cracks along the edges of the stairs that had been covered by the carpet, but were now exposed. They looked like this: </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhma_H2zk76VTJZ7U2onpL6ENGXA1JiU_J3edBoOt_9QfoUCC0vrSOLtticOs04_S39xeaC-6-FVuDeVvtt_ubWJ0m8JQ0f7k1iyQTE1faSgr2ay_YvVWdotXzRMgsWgXVDYzfdWWl79HOP/s1600/cracks+along+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhma_H2zk76VTJZ7U2onpL6ENGXA1JiU_J3edBoOt_9QfoUCC0vrSOLtticOs04_S39xeaC-6-FVuDeVvtt_ubWJ0m8JQ0f7k1iyQTE1faSgr2ay_YvVWdotXzRMgsWgXVDYzfdWWl79HOP/s1600/cracks+along+side.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UKGaSspJp2_Zt-fg7gXniHWEUE9m-sTrrwqGbeI2wir2jSOAQKM1aalM5Xd4Tw6TbzIcgiRzw6nuRguGBx_RfTupw8BkbJ3iTjXbY5agBxQmtgt77lLyMl-KvoyY7XFotX3YREnQc9Yz/s1600/cracks+along+side+bottom+step.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UKGaSspJp2_Zt-fg7gXniHWEUE9m-sTrrwqGbeI2wir2jSOAQKM1aalM5Xd4Tw6TbzIcgiRzw6nuRguGBx_RfTupw8BkbJ3iTjXbY5agBxQmtgt77lLyMl-KvoyY7XFotX3YREnQc9Yz/s1600/cracks+along+side+bottom+step.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I found a really creative idea for filling these cracks over at <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2014/09/the-happy-staircase/" target="_blank">Centsational Girl</a>. We used spray foam to fill them!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAheXHfJTIU8DlnJRNKIGiYdg3nLT7zhdkbxSOo2tgPA0it-XFuh_ZzNfgtxfioUp1papStRAwBCrBZ7qyd3HG3Y0Au3pN_khx-p-W4Rtdfr0XZk6Zh_7C1dxoR8L_2MFlnuYAmP7kxdI/s1600/foam+filler+can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAheXHfJTIU8DlnJRNKIGiYdg3nLT7zhdkbxSOo2tgPA0it-XFuh_ZzNfgtxfioUp1papStRAwBCrBZ7qyd3HG3Y0Au3pN_khx-p-W4Rtdfr0XZk6Zh_7C1dxoR8L_2MFlnuYAmP7kxdI/s1600/foam+filler+can.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">The can says for gaps up to 1 inch, but it honestly works for larger gaps too.</span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After you spray the foam, you let it sit for about 8 hours while it expands and hardens. Reid got a little excited and overfilled our gaps, so when we woke up the next morning, they looked like this: </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc5cJOX-MLK-abCb3sfj2s84k0_oZxFyyyxPtE7JsKzh5PUSFsBQ6mAV1PEUGVgMVgleNmMHgxXwmVJ7YJSfm95GNuPfwgQtBvoIqX9IGgvQkeI8m6VcVzUfigU3m8haVUuYkrAd6YAEl/s1600/foam+-+before+cutting+off+excess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc5cJOX-MLK-abCb3sfj2s84k0_oZxFyyyxPtE7JsKzh5PUSFsBQ6mAV1PEUGVgMVgleNmMHgxXwmVJ7YJSfm95GNuPfwgQtBvoIqX9IGgvQkeI8m6VcVzUfigU3m8haVUuYkrAd6YAEl/s1600/foam+-+before+cutting+off+excess.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We used a serrated kitchen knife to cut off the excess. It is important to use a serrated blade, as a smooth one doesn't work nearly as well. After we'd trimmed the excess, this is what we had:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Later on you will cover these edges with wood filler and sand it thoroughly to get a smooth finish, but more on that later. <u> </u></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Stage 6:</u> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Installing new risers.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now that the gaps along the sides of the treads were filled, we needed to focus on the larger gaps in the risers. We decided to make inserts for the risers, since the gaps were so large. I went to Lowe's and purchased 1/4" thick plywood that came in 2 ft x 4 ft sheets. They cost $8.44 per sheet. Then I measured the height and length of each riser so we could cut the plywood to size. I numbered the stairs 1 through 14, starting at the bottom, and wrote the numbers on the plywood so we would know which insert went into which step. Reid cut them using a table saw.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Measure twice, cut once : )</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then we just used my father-in-law's compressor nail gun to nail them in place. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This was my first time to use one of these. They are super cool and I am totally hooked. That's going on my Christmas list this year for sure.</span> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7KKn3GLcrOa7CFhwm7a2yh-p4Bu74fQq_SUMJm8ijbpFzKscRy2xtamCHDjky0oXi6sVjjhyLxp4Npq6CrOA8WSdXLLhOBQzgJ4vOFUEFpgIij4Ifj11B5mDsqGN3oFZtJkv5-ND9TX-/s1600/risers+installed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7KKn3GLcrOa7CFhwm7a2yh-p4Bu74fQq_SUMJm8ijbpFzKscRy2xtamCHDjky0oXi6sVjjhyLxp4Npq6CrOA8WSdXLLhOBQzgJ4vOFUEFpgIij4Ifj11B5mDsqGN3oFZtJkv5-ND9TX-/s1600/risers+installed.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><u>Stage 7:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Filling the nail holes and imperfections. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Next, we had to fill all the holes in the treads that were left from the nails, screws, and staples. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJr-f9Jxg9jJ8JIilkH3bazwGkG4gh9H1Lu2001ujtae5vuqkgQ36_gbIqGALDhkH0n0s-7gkLFhiM4kAf0R73NGJiwptItGq-Hvfv1WgWc7U9SZenuygHC-JT_J7XxrSKwAe6ZbtAg7l/s1600/screws+in+-+birds+eye+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJr-f9Jxg9jJ8JIilkH3bazwGkG4gh9H1Lu2001ujtae5vuqkgQ36_gbIqGALDhkH0n0s-7gkLFhiM4kAf0R73NGJiwptItGq-Hvfv1WgWc7U9SZenuygHC-JT_J7XxrSKwAe6ZbtAg7l/s1600/screws+in+-+birds+eye+view.jpg" height="640" width="538" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> We used the following (again, purchased at Lowe's for about $6):</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFV180obcESF2mTcLXmE5DcZllMDoGUjqUyCnprYo11iSwMYJCNGeIYJH0tyq_DcJAd1UK3Wfn3TALlzdxVUhpiu5Fr8MpiC4-wyHs5ezDMJyFSUByyqkb2hMOfLAmxyvRNywMR4_0jOu/s1600/wood+filler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFV180obcESF2mTcLXmE5DcZllMDoGUjqUyCnprYo11iSwMYJCNGeIYJH0tyq_DcJAd1UK3Wfn3TALlzdxVUhpiu5Fr8MpiC4-wyHs5ezDMJyFSUByyqkb2hMOfLAmxyvRNywMR4_0jOu/s1600/wood+filler.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We ended up needing three cans to fill all our holes. We used it to fill the nail holes, all the imperfections in our treads (and there were a lot since when this staircase was built, the intention was to cover it with carpet), and to also cover the edges that we had filled with foam. This product worked extremely well although the fumes were intense. Make sure you wear a protective mask. We opened all our windows and brought in a box fan to help circulate the air. It took about 18 hours for the smell to completely dissipate. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After applying, we let it sit for 15 minutes to dry. Then we had to give the entire staircase another thorough sanding. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SIDE NOTE: For the sake of full disclosure, I should reiterate how important it is to really fill all the imperfections in your stairs with the wood filler VERY carefully and then sand them very well. There were quite a few imperfections that we thought had been properly filled and sanded, but after we started painting they became highly visible and we had to stop painting and re-fill them and then sand all over again. Imperfections like this:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z289GO7xWbiZ2ppPfoqHSS_BLtMKRdRHtqvdOzXtKmYxAQxl3vMz1DiKztWj09-jZk9s_mss0QliRVBZfJSzKy_XaTphCJTKlq0biumZPpqnELnfus_qfn9FDy1nkgnMFXV5DXwVvfRe/s1600/painted+tread+-+before+re-sanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z289GO7xWbiZ2ppPfoqHSS_BLtMKRdRHtqvdOzXtKmYxAQxl3vMz1DiKztWj09-jZk9s_mss0QliRVBZfJSzKy_XaTphCJTKlq0biumZPpqnELnfus_qfn9FDy1nkgnMFXV5DXwVvfRe/s1600/painted+tread+-+before+re-sanding.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was such a pain to have to start back over again, but it was necessary to get a nice finish. One tip we learned when sanding: shine a light directly onto the areas with the dried filler, because it brings out all the small imperfections and makes it much easier to see what your finish truly looks like. Also, when you think you are done sanding, sand again. And again. And again. I think we spent about 3 hours sanding and once we shined the light on the newly filled spots, we realized we still needed to sand some areas better. Our stairs were in pretty rough shape though, so hopefully yours won't be as bad and will require less wood filler and patches :) </span></span><br />
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<u><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stage 8:</span></span></u><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Trimming the edges. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The exposed edges of the staircase was unfinished and rough, like this:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To make the edges look clean and finished, we attached trim pieces of poplar wood (1.5'' in size) to the edges. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaD466N_u1puCfRN0nNzgPcwYeI3OXJVoBPt2-hId87JRrynCRr0ZoL9_JGQp1r0ivUYXYCoVaaK0pDYuhEHY6qmOhDsHTPkMuRICCLUtYcu6yul1FGPUseV4RFMWnkxHhxsnvCRs9YeNj/s1600/trim+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaD466N_u1puCfRN0nNzgPcwYeI3OXJVoBPt2-hId87JRrynCRr0ZoL9_JGQp1r0ivUYXYCoVaaK0pDYuhEHY6qmOhDsHTPkMuRICCLUtYcu6yul1FGPUseV4RFMWnkxHhxsnvCRs9YeNj/s1600/trim+pieces.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFRcZ4ncIDXo1PWVpAH_LQ0Iq1KUtX_bepKv-f9scRgchEVVRi-IEwSRbK8qVby4bWHrPWGJqq9cVkRVjIyqug6uc33SL-0yWqONc3VIGeEWQNtPYZh7A49lUXrfrt5WkGWKzBP1NbDH8/s1600/trimming+edges1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFRcZ4ncIDXo1PWVpAH_LQ0Iq1KUtX_bepKv-f9scRgchEVVRi-IEwSRbK8qVby4bWHrPWGJqq9cVkRVjIyqug6uc33SL-0yWqONc3VIGeEWQNtPYZh7A49lUXrfrt5WkGWKzBP1NbDH8/s1600/trimming+edges1.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For the exposed vertical edges, we used left over plywood from the risers to cut out 2" thick pieces to trim them out. We used our neighbors jig saw for this part, and it worked much better than a table saw for these smaller, more precise cuts. If you only have a table saw, you can certainly use it for this part, but you'll just have to take your time and be more precise in order to get a good, clean cut. Once they were all nailed in place, we used more foam spray to fill in the cracks and gaps around the edges better. Again, we had to let the foam dry for about 8 hours before trimming off the excess. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08GJmf24klDWCkrekP1b8x0segbizyWY_4kudcFIGuV43BIJCzPxX0lFhdLKsXe_XER1K7vbKBnI7V8Sw_08FquvG4bkO1jJH-McqbiDTMKV3ScMvBz09G7_JLsLGljHw_VzOetK1GlQ4/s1600/edges+trimmed+out+with+foam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08GJmf24klDWCkrekP1b8x0segbizyWY_4kudcFIGuV43BIJCzPxX0lFhdLKsXe_XER1K7vbKBnI7V8Sw_08FquvG4bkO1jJH-McqbiDTMKV3ScMvBz09G7_JLsLGljHw_VzOetK1GlQ4/s1600/edges+trimmed+out+with+foam.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stage 9:</span></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Caulking.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">The foam we used was perfect for the larger gaps and cracks, but there will still lots of smaller edges that needed to be caulked for a clean and professional looking finish. Here is a good tip: once you've applied a bead of caulk, smooth it out by lightly running the edge of a credit card along it. This will remove any excess caulk and give you the best finish possible. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Stage 10:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Prime.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Clean your stairs well before priming. We used Kilz (latex) for the primer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>Stage 11:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Paint.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The painting was done in 450 steps. Or maybe it just felt that way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We wanted to paint the treads grey, but weren't sure exactly what shade we wanted, so it was off to Lowe's I went, to pick up some samples. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLM5z-xmls32gth1hfqLQIqt5qdR-dgdZfD600QdAKMAf0e9puQ_pGLld6SJfqR9BuXLttof9OBf8rEFulUYWT2R_A12BsIkRGA47XfRNLCI99KGhpLooTdyp7ZIGjK4zqb7hzvAeCNyaY/s1600/color+sample+swatches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLM5z-xmls32gth1hfqLQIqt5qdR-dgdZfD600QdAKMAf0e9puQ_pGLld6SJfqR9BuXLttof9OBf8rEFulUYWT2R_A12BsIkRGA47XfRNLCI99KGhpLooTdyp7ZIGjK4zqb7hzvAeCNyaY/s1600/color+sample+swatches.jpg" height="366" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Insert 50 Shades of Grey joke here. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EK8DuAPChClVoXVzR5RY-HNpvHLrMmx9fThlEK6_A6pM6VnvBQEX-ec4-Xa0ZtpHJgBdYvY1D1g5fQV_xzFSsUHy-Bvb_LmYpDc0GCMC0bd8cWgVHGBgb6ckZSp2ip4JppeuVO81Tsyr/s1600/four+shades+of+grey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EK8DuAPChClVoXVzR5RY-HNpvHLrMmx9fThlEK6_A6pM6VnvBQEX-ec4-Xa0ZtpHJgBdYvY1D1g5fQV_xzFSsUHy-Bvb_LmYpDc0GCMC0bd8cWgVHGBgb6ckZSp2ip4JppeuVO81Tsyr/s1600/four+shades+of+grey.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We decided to sleep on it, so we could see the color choices at night time and in the day light. Ultimately, we chose a color called Rocky Bluffs (contender #1 pictured above):</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXInrOn5AEn97O809ZsHINGg9ZjUAkk6w99og6-9vWgAroHtIM57HhjKcYOqCKjrSrjOyT8cccZFCdzT_AonvwG0r-9OwV0aFoDkSMCLZAivm21XtNyyFF_mbNz-tjVDtIg1ud6qtHNdg/s1600/color+choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXInrOn5AEn97O809ZsHINGg9ZjUAkk6w99og6-9vWgAroHtIM57HhjKcYOqCKjrSrjOyT8cccZFCdzT_AonvwG0r-9OwV0aFoDkSMCLZAivm21XtNyyFF_mbNz-tjVDtIg1ud6qtHNdg/s1600/color+choice.jpg" height="640" width="620" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We liked this one the best because it had a subtle hint of khaki in it, and we felt it tied in best with our floors and with the tan-ish color on the walls in this room. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We bought a floor-grade paint by Valspar. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf5nvB0ghlxPyP7WIRutJKPENVSzJyTd-BAVgv_slmUI8r6p9kE6VLTcTTM6cui_pcVZjElWaG7Bj7cvNFgcUxWFLOxj8XaE9Z0jO2KCEINmhHtUKUDsrhvQCKe7JNWhsfnSH0aSD4OBm/s1600/treads+taped+off+for+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf5nvB0ghlxPyP7WIRutJKPENVSzJyTd-BAVgv_slmUI8r6p9kE6VLTcTTM6cui_pcVZjElWaG7Bj7cvNFgcUxWFLOxj8XaE9Z0jO2KCEINmhHtUKUDsrhvQCKe7JNWhsfnSH0aSD4OBm/s1600/treads+taped+off+for+painting.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We taped each tread off to minimize the mess.</span> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFh142B7RgPQNw25Baglr_DUoMtMYNznUCACDjTlnQ3SP6KdWV1HaQpmPnoLIPjo_dRuoYK5MoUDEvhTe5wP9QV1xfpQtPp-smA2XNOodhI_OgSSsxX57CUjvpynejHYxygmXGu_g2TAZ/s1600/treads+being+painted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFh142B7RgPQNw25Baglr_DUoMtMYNznUCACDjTlnQ3SP6KdWV1HaQpmPnoLIPjo_dRuoYK5MoUDEvhTe5wP9QV1xfpQtPp-smA2XNOodhI_OgSSsxX57CUjvpynejHYxygmXGu_g2TAZ/s1600/treads+being+painted.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As we painted, we skipped a step so that we could still go up and down.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYEru4JmQSYOVs-pSwsDl_gpKm1DI83vI-zjfCp4S9k8mchIQrQgf91ustXlzm9wKcHzSBKptuHwY5_5DORabZfdIaPLOfEaYXOzu5PsFiyzE0GVycalc3_DLBv9qpNFjvFd2ez5iOCKl/s1600/painted+edge+by+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYEru4JmQSYOVs-pSwsDl_gpKm1DI83vI-zjfCp4S9k8mchIQrQgf91ustXlzm9wKcHzSBKptuHwY5_5DORabZfdIaPLOfEaYXOzu5PsFiyzE0GVycalc3_DLBv9qpNFjvFd2ez5iOCKl/s1600/painted+edge+by+wall.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It took three coats of the floor-grade paint to get full coverage. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Remember those edges we filled with foam? Here is a recap on their evolution:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0SMJEfo4Gxll_QYTs-LsPOWtQRtC1x_8yhbW_hKZQBsKm3XP8f5cmMsTG9P4AcUmqfzgQi4AbTUvk4sOwUXzy1IrUrMR2xN1sfx944RYk-AZqBfEVQmT_A9Apy1Vgk085MQLO4P-3cq6/s1600/evolution+of+the+cracks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0SMJEfo4Gxll_QYTs-LsPOWtQRtC1x_8yhbW_hKZQBsKm3XP8f5cmMsTG9P4AcUmqfzgQi4AbTUvk4sOwUXzy1IrUrMR2xN1sfx944RYk-AZqBfEVQmT_A9Apy1Vgk085MQLO4P-3cq6/s1600/evolution+of+the+cracks.jpg" height="213" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not bad, huh? I don't think you can tell that there was ever a crack there to begin with :)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Next, we primed the wall that the stairs are on. This wall had to be repainted from all the work that had been done on the stairs, and after much deliberation we decided to paint it an accent color, rather that the same tan that is throughout the living room. Here is it primed: </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then we painted the risers.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtuproZWS5s-DoiGlYoztvTQroPljGztRERXz7gCKzBqwBhnP6F6AhajR_wYLf7DdpwRe33zq9c4dauuA3LAK-nJUrw9ptVt98DR06mm50wGlagnUbpFVHMKK-SARFfwkho1ATZZwWrqw/s1600/riser+paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtuproZWS5s-DoiGlYoztvTQroPljGztRERXz7gCKzBqwBhnP6F6AhajR_wYLf7DdpwRe33zq9c4dauuA3LAK-nJUrw9ptVt98DR06mm50wGlagnUbpFVHMKK-SARFfwkho1ATZZwWrqw/s1600/riser+paint.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We went with Ultra White because we wanted a very crisp and clean look.</span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">BONUS TIP: Since you want the edges where the risers and the treads meet to be perfectly crisp, tape them off first. When you apply the paint to the risers, make sure there isn't too much paint on the brush, or the excess can seep through underneath the tape. After you've cut in the edges of the risers, remove the tape before the paint has time to dry. You should have crisp, clean edges. If you still have any imperfections, use a small craft brush for your touch ups. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then, simply because we were within probably an hour of being done, I decided that the oak hand rails had to go and decided to paint them. This added another week's worth of work, but the end result is worth it. We sanded, primed, and painted about 4 coats of white to get an even finish. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Update: I've gotten several questions about what kind of paint we used for the trim and railings. We used an oil based paint by Valspar, in Ultra White gloss finish. The smell is strong, so open up some windows. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After all this, there were quite a few touch ups we had to do. Spots where grey paint had gotten onto the trim, or trim paint had gotten onto the treads. All the fun little details that give you a finished a clean look. I recommend that you switch to a small craft brush for this part, its much easier to get into small corners and edges that way. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Then, the sun will shine down on your face, and the warmth from it will touch you deep in your soul. Because you are finally DONE! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Phew, that was a long post. Let me know if I left anything out, I'm happy to answer questions. Since you made it through until the bitter end with me, I'll thank you by sharing some more pretty pictures :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now that I'm all done, I am excited to start putting my collage wall back together. I've got some fun changes planned for it, and I think you guys will like them. Be on the lookout for some new projects in the coming weeks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As always, thanks for taking the time to stop by. For more ideas and tidbits, you can follow me on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/jesseadkison21/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/homeonhiddenoaks/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </span></span><br />
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<br />Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-48888160713765599252015-03-09T14:24:00.003-05:002015-03-17T13:12:13.595-05:00Apartment Love<center>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Approximately 33% of Americans live in apartments.<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I just googled that, so I have no idea if that is a reliable statistic or not).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm gonna venture a guess that most of those people still want their apartment to feel like home, regardless of the fact that they might only live there for a year or two before packing up and moving on to another place. If you search for ideas online, you'll find many recommendations to paint the walls, or even use <span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.petitelemon.com/blog/2012/04/04/for-rent/" target="_blank">removable wallpaper</a>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While those are both good ideas, what about the people who don't want to mess with the hassle of paint or wallpaper for such a short period of time? Or those who prefer to invest their money in decorations that they can take with them when they move? Is it possible? You bet your fine ass it is! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Enter Emily, my sister. Event planner extraordinaire, Kate Middleton look-alike, and design savvy apartment dweller. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You should see the out takes from this little photo shoot. Let's just say her dog did not want to sit like a lady.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When I visit her place, I am always struck by how classy, warm, and expensive it feels, despite the fact that she, like most of us, is decorating on a budget. In previous apartments, she has invested the time and money into painting the walls, but this time around she opted not to. Despite that, she has still created a lovely home using items that she will be able to take with her when she moves. Since I enjoy her style so much, I thought y'all likely would as well. Her place is bursting with little ideas and touches that just about anybody can incorporate to make their spaces look and feel loved. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> When you walk in the door, the kitchen is immediately to your left. This is probably the hardest room to customize in an apartment, because you don't have much space to bring in your own art or furniture, but she still added some lovely accessories and arranged her utensils in a grouping for a decorated look. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I should have scooted her oil thing to the left a little bit for this photo. I'm really bad at this. </span></span></span></div>
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She turned this wine bottle into a soap dispenser. Too cute! <br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Just past the kitchen is her dining room: </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyHL-eckLefTfwCuOElFNjxuhV6w3k7DWlTWylFC9TPCCFtmT3e2xl2IRTTDiq2BXqhsyYMrOX-p467qgo2KjIKcMQ_5KEZALc8ZuyK9XYwqpJRWZDoyrqFLGXZU07-GBBa2D1AdlI_5x/s1600/dining+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyHL-eckLefTfwCuOElFNjxuhV6w3k7DWlTWylFC9TPCCFtmT3e2xl2IRTTDiq2BXqhsyYMrOX-p467qgo2KjIKcMQ_5KEZALc8ZuyK9XYwqpJRWZDoyrqFLGXZU07-GBBa2D1AdlI_5x/s1600/dining+room.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This table was our grandma's, and Emily restored it a few years back. I think she bought that mirror at Kirkland's, but don't quote me on that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm sort of in love with her china cabinet. It is so sparkly and gives the space an elegant and sophisticated flare. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On the wall on the opposite side of the dining room, you will find this:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Emily created small vignettes or groupings on her shelves, which gives the impression of visual organization. You hardly even notice the speaker on the bottom shelf. (Side note: Any time she has guests over, she will turn that speaker on and softly play background music. It's like you are in a classy hotel or something. I'm telling you, the girl's got hosting skillz. I think she's been an event planner for too long, she just can't help it.) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just beyond her dining room is her living room: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The couch is from Gallery furniture.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think that store may only be in Houston though, so sorry to all you out-of-towners. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The map canvases are from <a href="http://bedbathandbeyond.com/">bedbathandbeyond.com</a>. Emily informs me that their online stock is way more impressive than what they have in stores. I shall have to keep that in mind. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am completely obsessed with this ottoman. Those tufts, those nail heads. Swooning! She found it on sale at <a href="http://www.grandinroad.com/" target="_blank">Grandin Road</a> for $199. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On the wall opposite the couch (the same wall the TV is on) is this little shelf. During the holidays, Emily uses this shelf to hang their stockings. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just to the right of this main living space is the guest bathroom:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This may be my favorite room in her entire apartment. It is difficult to translate into photographs, but this space just <i>feels </i>luxurious. Very cozy, almost spa like. Which is odd since I usually associate spas with light and airy color schemes. Regardless, I'd totally take a bubble bath in here. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Something I'd like to point out. Notice that she used a rug rather than a bath mat in here. I think rugs are so much more luxurious than bath mats, mostly because of their size. This rug works perfectly in her space. </span></span></div>
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Isn't that little wire tub so adorable?<br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO5RlcHTZ138PvQCVCMUMr66YQUsf5cOQ3-VjBNdo-wBWlvhb232ngy7RG0qOpSZYKHYFMg7kBzgW-QeT3jFwoLCiPF-CKEjM-bJXutz1u5QXyiSS7knHKHRvKf1AuukS0qSv7G2VzTV-/s1600/guest+bath+details2edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO5RlcHTZ138PvQCVCMUMr66YQUsf5cOQ3-VjBNdo-wBWlvhb232ngy7RG0qOpSZYKHYFMg7kBzgW-QeT3jFwoLCiPF-CKEjM-bJXutz1u5QXyiSS7knHKHRvKf1AuukS0qSv7G2VzTV-/s1600/guest+bath+details2edited.jpg" height="640" width="616" /></a></span></span></div>
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The sparkly glass tray with soap, lotion, and body spray is not only pretty, but also convenient for guests. I also like how it lends a touch of femininity to a somewhat "heavy" space (what with the dark counters and cabinets and lack of natural light). Speaking of lighting, I'm a big proponent of using lamps in bathrooms whenever you have the opportunity. The warm glow is much more forgiving than harsh overhead lights. <br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The artwork pictured above was created for her by a friend, and I'm pretty sure that is a quote from a love song that is meaningful to Emily and her boyfriend's relationship. Some band called Minus the Bear. Maybe. Not sure. I'm really bad with pop culture. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Okay, now imagine yourself crossing back through the living room/dining room to the other side of the apartment. As you are about the enter the bedroom, you pass through a little hallway. Really its more of a nook than a true hallway:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is the kind of space I feel like most people would just leave empty, or at the most stick a picture on the wall and call it a day. The fact that Emily took the time to furnish this area makes it feel so much more... whats the word. Special? I'll go with special. It's almost like a little foyer into the bedroom, and gives the illusion that you are entering a new wing of the home. Does that make sense at all? And again, that lamp light is oh so cozy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I didn't realize until right now how many family heirlooms she has scattered throughout her apartment. What's with that? I don't think I have ANY. I'll have to pick that bone with my family later. I digress. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Welcome to the bedroom. Despite the fact that it isn't very large, it really feels like a <i>master </i>bedroom. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnb4KkMDm5dNn7BWg8PqxZ-6qdxl47fs3ZKGuuE7Q8RYr-rYiQJIg0X7_LH8w6xet9NqDKcrZLxxVZtAD0FAz7zdxioZj19TAcJ-No9SN_AN2baVMHXfLHkh5ZbCuIGgA-twyroGt2yph/s1600/bed+pillowsedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnb4KkMDm5dNn7BWg8PqxZ-6qdxl47fs3ZKGuuE7Q8RYr-rYiQJIg0X7_LH8w6xet9NqDKcrZLxxVZtAD0FAz7zdxioZj19TAcJ-No9SN_AN2baVMHXfLHkh5ZbCuIGgA-twyroGt2yph/s1600/bed+pillowsedited.jpg" height="640" width="612" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All those pillows create such a lush, and again, expensive look. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY81CCQwjpEPWp9ztScl5KbWayFIqbbp4tHyv2SsFOxvrrwd0ucczPx_1AojbOKEzhw6i8j2BXHPnAPu6fg6DkcF4vQXhyphenhyphendcCN5PIn6hG1jh00rqme3CMUP7zKszo0dAreyoaxKti1LnXG/s1600/art+above+bededited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY81CCQwjpEPWp9ztScl5KbWayFIqbbp4tHyv2SsFOxvrrwd0ucczPx_1AojbOKEzhw6i8j2BXHPnAPu6fg6DkcF4vQXhyphenhyphendcCN5PIn6hG1jh00rqme3CMUP7zKszo0dAreyoaxKti1LnXG/s1600/art+above+bededited.jpg" height="640" width="624" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The art above the bed is from a garage sale, and she purchased the frame seperately. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6miAuLZOE1-S_4DXVy2fA0cI2rZeLEnh9uMG91YdkpQe_tVNsWGaumN-ymiEePp1T7CxpMsFeusJ7BlOE7UlALkcl29atRpUra9IfuWGmx5AQqz9D9OxxIYe4U07H3qukzt6szTf8fIZJ/s1600/bed+pillows+and+art+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6miAuLZOE1-S_4DXVy2fA0cI2rZeLEnh9uMG91YdkpQe_tVNsWGaumN-ymiEePp1T7CxpMsFeusJ7BlOE7UlALkcl29atRpUra9IfuWGmx5AQqz9D9OxxIYe4U07H3qukzt6szTf8fIZJ/s1600/bed+pillows+and+art+edited.jpg" height="640" width="474" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bedding is called Waterford, from Dillard's.</span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">**Update: The bedding style is Ophelia, the brand is Waterford. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is the room from the opposite corner. She has a large mirror propped in the corner that is functional, but also gives the room a bit more visual space. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The side tables were found at a garage sale as well. The headboard and dresser (which you can see in the reflection of the mirror in some of the photos) are again, both antiques passed down from family members. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfPQAK4flGZlfWkSMkZ0T-D39CGgEaSmJbCsvNbPWWWufPVG0mgyHY70xUdalHQiaXpqhtFZ4-uQJgNP-b3PjYYloTkfyYvhF1F6HPBREEoKvjTUnvPZc_t_WuhieGeU3QcYAJRvu2q4q/s1600/night+stand+1edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfPQAK4flGZlfWkSMkZ0T-D39CGgEaSmJbCsvNbPWWWufPVG0mgyHY70xUdalHQiaXpqhtFZ4-uQJgNP-b3PjYYloTkfyYvhF1F6HPBREEoKvjTUnvPZc_t_WuhieGeU3QcYAJRvu2q4q/s1600/night+stand+1edited.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since this lamp is a little bit smaller than the one on the other nightstand, she was smart to set it on top of some books to make it taller. It is important to keep scale in mind when you are purchasing your accessories. If they are too small for your space, sometimes they can look cheap. If they are too big, it may start to look crowded. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last but not least, is the "master" bathroom: </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoU5CV470JdCW5XVj_XPf6tfki0IKDA9RH2P-K7cO2kuSr_nVqLurdFpurALLAJnkGDAnyUSRSCOMxj9KkKNgjwfkPg8eGj2isEGtWJi1HIGtoBb1Zu4Jme8VFULus1biXMSIqCAmcH6nn/s1600/master+bath+1edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoU5CV470JdCW5XVj_XPf6tfki0IKDA9RH2P-K7cO2kuSr_nVqLurdFpurALLAJnkGDAnyUSRSCOMxj9KkKNgjwfkPg8eGj2isEGtWJi1HIGtoBb1Zu4Jme8VFULus1biXMSIqCAmcH6nn/s1600/master+bath+1edited.jpg" height="640" width="626" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The blue and green color scheme ties in with her bedroom, creating a cohesive flow. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, what did you think? I hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of my sisters home as much as I did and that this gives all the apartment-dwellers out there some inspiration for turning their places into homes. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuxFdI8h_54Z-1nX9E4IJOAyu3O7BmLbUJoBJfAftH8BwTBdAwQkpLvJTiQPleKl-L7EMJO5orWKzmeFzMYPV7PD7LEhIcuBy9hDx1lA_vZ1E6CQMgGWX1MupIY8xizWO2W7IYxJ7sn-l/s1600/entire+apartment+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuxFdI8h_54Z-1nX9E4IJOAyu3O7BmLbUJoBJfAftH8BwTBdAwQkpLvJTiQPleKl-L7EMJO5orWKzmeFzMYPV7PD7LEhIcuBy9hDx1lA_vZ1E6CQMgGWX1MupIY8xizWO2W7IYxJ7sn-l/s1600/entire+apartment+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks!</span></span><br />
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-24316112098836700552015-03-06T10:59:00.002-06:002015-03-17T13:12:35.384-05:00Tutorial for Creating Oversized Printables<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPPkgVyqo6IL7zAr0ROrrytVkz1jDpECDehibDaqnHd2nFwmcjU_k5SNak6wsrPNKZ7wIM6s8W65jBAZUB2h0T1FKbVf3iW_YOa0XRdlJ-nDTefQou9-cdwiLtv72ay-Mp2W4zyyLthfA/s1600/how+to+create+printables+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPPkgVyqo6IL7zAr0ROrrytVkz1jDpECDehibDaqnHd2nFwmcjU_k5SNak6wsrPNKZ7wIM6s8W65jBAZUB2h0T1FKbVf3iW_YOa0XRdlJ-nDTefQou9-cdwiLtv72ay-Mp2W4zyyLthfA/s1600/how+to+create+printables+graphic.jpg" height="640" width="570" /></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As much as I like to think of myself as a talented DIYer and home maker, let's be honest. I have many moments of self doubt, when I think I'm kidding myself for thinking I could ever hold my own against all the talented home decor/DIY bloggers out there. I've gone weeks without so much as making my bed, and there are rooms in my house that I deliberately haven't shared here because they just aren't gorgeous. One of those rooms is Reid's man cave.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Really this is just a spare bedroom, but it feel like an actual cave since it has the worst lighting ever. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwQd8MoHxQsMz5xMTBqD4-R4gQ13CiMpNaSOq_W-gXKiCeW4FWleVYGlQZxp_Z1cWM1Hyinz8L5fPrrJZ73XaZPYzKX1V9H6tIW0L45py8V6f8qEFmbqGDQMa6xmMb6JF1NVhOerknsOn/s1600/side+by+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwQd8MoHxQsMz5xMTBqD4-R4gQ13CiMpNaSOq_W-gXKiCeW4FWleVYGlQZxp_Z1cWM1Hyinz8L5fPrrJZ73XaZPYzKX1V9H6tIW0L45py8V6f8qEFmbqGDQMa6xmMb6JF1NVhOerknsOn/s1600/side+by+side.jpg" height="574" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The reason this is the only picture you've seen of this room is because there really isn't anything else to see. This room ain't pretty y'all. Also, talk about a million dollar view, amirite?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, anyway, back to the point of the post. I wanted to do something special for Reid for Valentine's this year, and I had the idea of creating custom artwork for his man cave. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SIDE NOTE: I am forbidden to decorate anything in this room, and have been told on more than one occasion that this is his space and he has full creative control over it. It took me a while to convince him to let me paint the walls. Therefore I knew I was taking a risk by creating art for this room, but since the art was themed after his favorite (and masculine) hobby, I thought it would be allowed. No birds or white gravy boats in this room, I promise babe ;) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is what I came up with:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kKasocGM3PCVtyAX2uhTv1WyhqwxufuvgTFkUp8dyJioyKKAIp1upzINwOPuoI1wtdYqBR0KgrYmGdCkur_GAv0NU3NcEUShe1Arp9O5L9dd5IY8b1n3T-vbNW2tq-U_2V-i9cJDy4QY/s1600/Reid's+cigar+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kKasocGM3PCVtyAX2uhTv1WyhqwxufuvgTFkUp8dyJioyKKAIp1upzINwOPuoI1wtdYqBR0KgrYmGdCkur_GAv0NU3NcEUShe1Arp9O5L9dd5IY8b1n3T-vbNW2tq-U_2V-i9cJDy4QY/s1600/Reid's%2Bcigar%2Bsign.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, I am not a graphic designer by any means, and I am sure there are people out there with a better eye for this kind of thing than me, but it is fun to dabble and learn. Also, I don't have access to Photoshop, so here is how I made this using a free website.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">First, things first, go to <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">www.picmonkey.com</a> and select "Edit".</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT99WMTyOofDRCig-DulcVRcDuiIFiGe1us05pD6K0kwbHgDJ6dYRKS-PxuxuBZcvfpps12ipkF3I5EOsD6t0DBPuKo68XOJoBYmSQcCP0DPfrS9OZtmrygTNNI_0WKtCHvfA4ecCFhWfB/s1600/picmonkey+home+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT99WMTyOofDRCig-DulcVRcDuiIFiGe1us05pD6K0kwbHgDJ6dYRKS-PxuxuBZcvfpps12ipkF3I5EOsD6t0DBPuKo68XOJoBYmSQcCP0DPfrS9OZtmrygTNNI_0WKtCHvfA4ecCFhWfB/s1600/picmonkey+home+page.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Then open any JPG file that you have saved, it doesn't matter what it is. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9JHvYhJHsanPbS6f2qMeKv-Ly0OY5SUo_Xmk84SG0v8Tfm6_MubTPhB2TMPJfOjc5xde-5KdP6XZYNnFauNTmY881DX_QungWTPEWGGFiR9dewjxOmkzPbcKGX7NIA8m4BWwLqx3B6G_/s1600/open+a+JPG+file.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9JHvYhJHsanPbS6f2qMeKv-Ly0OY5SUo_Xmk84SG0v8Tfm6_MubTPhB2TMPJfOjc5xde-5KdP6XZYNnFauNTmY881DX_QungWTPEWGGFiR9dewjxOmkzPbcKGX7NIA8m4BWwLqx3B6G_/s1600/open+a+JPG+file.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It can even be a photo of your house from Christmas 2013, it doesn't matter because the next thing you are going to do is change the canvas color.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3nZ2A-nOuTwTHKIWK7UzDaINZQGFoh5mAYW93t3AniMRCjzU1yg00WY_4zAabDZnx_c8V9LMJ9pnhbYWmN0EMzNY8gh2jt-MUs6shGw13ND3K0rCB9_JTzUP2E6QcAjCAXchfniEQTwd/s1600/change+canvas+color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3nZ2A-nOuTwTHKIWK7UzDaINZQGFoh5mAYW93t3AniMRCjzU1yg00WY_4zAabDZnx_c8V9LMJ9pnhbYWmN0EMzNY8gh2jt-MUs6shGw13ND3K0rCB9_JTzUP2E6QcAjCAXchfniEQTwd/s1600/change+canvas+color.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You can choose any color you want, but for this particular project I went with black. This will serve as the backdrop for whatever image you choose to create. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also, please note the ad for Pottery Barn at the bottom of the screen shot. What do these advertisers think they're playing at? Try advertising for The Dollar Store. That's more likely to get a click out of this penny pincher. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This next step is probably the most important for making sure your art prints out the way you want it to. You have to resize the file:</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1UQlk8rrArng8OJeIpuV2WoEcg9Bh1sZwsi04xlBHnwI2Qu3HvgB-1XR8jxGLtERNDenzf7mZJUT-5gRaEJ0ZPcy3HWZVhyphenhyphenLmujc-Nb-NWbqo6qi-MYkA2HY0ewRqI21aYAyCC3H_GOf/s1600/change+canvas+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1UQlk8rrArng8OJeIpuV2WoEcg9Bh1sZwsi04xlBHnwI2Qu3HvgB-1XR8jxGLtERNDenzf7mZJUT-5gRaEJ0ZPcy3HWZVhyphenhyphenLmujc-Nb-NWbqo6qi-MYkA2HY0ewRqI21aYAyCC3H_GOf/s1600/change+canvas+size.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Now I think the advertisements are just mocking me. How could they possibly know that the AC in my car has been out for 2 years and only three of my doors open? The struggle is real y'all.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Before you chose what file size you want, you have to know what size you want it to print. I knew I wanted to use a 24 x 36 inch frame, so you have to choose dimensions that are proportional to that, otherwise when your art prints, it is going to be stretched out and not look right. So why not just go with a file size of 24 x 36 you ask? Since my print job was going to be large, I had to use a large file size so the image won't look all pixel-y and fuzzy. A file size 24 x 36 might look the same as a file size 2400 x 3600 on your computer screen, but in print it will look totally different. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then, from there it is just a matter of playing around with the program and designing your art. Any time you see the orange crown symbol (pictured below), it means you need a paid subscription in order to utilize that particular feature. There are still plenty of great features you can use for free though.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHIx_PqobdIajNYFvUjXaFbf0zPWqvHyuuYuI5AxRirjMpKrG0aZxcjT1OhauDeQh5uV9Emdv5K3xVoPtg2nCD5w63uaIRxEVIhh86XHuEDbHuorIbRHWMWUrqomLZMRW7Nf0SA_GUouv/s1600/premium+symbol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHIx_PqobdIajNYFvUjXaFbf0zPWqvHyuuYuI5AxRirjMpKrG0aZxcjT1OhauDeQh5uV9Emdv5K3xVoPtg2nCD5w63uaIRxEVIhh86XHuEDbHuorIbRHWMWUrqomLZMRW7Nf0SA_GUouv/s1600/premium+symbol.jpg" height="526" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now THIS ad is more my speed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The best way for you to really learn how to use Picmonkey is to just play with it, but here are a few highlights of the basics:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUKP7Paj372F3nzohBoiNlXAjRIE_AdWSJEPiPbjvprF3jnj9cxYvYYHVoYrEn6mZ46SfLeYP4u2OM-odJuM0latDDIPtLJlkzVRxtSMwt6kRVmQn-MTro1woRbTBCcpcNaFqg8yQ9xyI/s1600/highlighting+the+basics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUKP7Paj372F3nzohBoiNlXAjRIE_AdWSJEPiPbjvprF3jnj9cxYvYYHVoYrEn6mZ46SfLeYP4u2OM-odJuM0latDDIPtLJlkzVRxtSMwt6kRVmQn-MTro1woRbTBCcpcNaFqg8yQ9xyI/s1600/highlighting+the+basics.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">#1 the symbol in the top left hand corner that looks like a square. This has a lot of tools that work best for editing actual photographs, although you can use them for graphic designs as well. You can crop and resize, adjust the brightness or contrast of a photo, as well as edit the sharpness and rotate your image. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">#2 the symbol that looks like Tt. You probably guessed this is where you add text. There are a ton of awesome fonts for free, and an entire slew of other fonts you can use if you upgrade to the paid membership. You can adjust the size, color, placement, and direction of any text you add as well. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> #3 the symbol that looks like a butterfly. Here you can add all different kinds of shapes. Anything from boxes, circles, arrows, and lines to more complex things like labels, stars, flowers, and snowflakes. Here is a screen shot of just some of the various shapes you can add:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw3ySr-tGkO4e-TUJpf5IaY8z-kTg7EQIaFUQLSdTxwBAKvsO43ilUvO1fNtVZ5Z_qdXhiBuw4FbEXmC0PqaTxz8PrBsaD59SV4yxTG6c20E9GGHiW821saAJawqmt5pCtMCHDZ8mGhwf/s1600/various+shapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw3ySr-tGkO4e-TUJpf5IaY8z-kTg7EQIaFUQLSdTxwBAKvsO43ilUvO1fNtVZ5Z_qdXhiBuw4FbEXmC0PqaTxz8PrBsaD59SV4yxTG6c20E9GGHiW821saAJawqmt5pCtMCHDZ8mGhwf/s1600/various+shapes.jpg" height="640" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> #4. This is where you can add various filters and textures to your art. You may notice that the sign I made for Reid's man cave has a slightly uneven, almost streaky quality to the coloring. This is where I found the effect I used to give it that look. I used an effect called "Paint" and then played around with the coloring until I was happy with how it looked. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They also will add seasonal things depending on the time of year. If you want to create a holiday themed printable for your home, this is a great place to start. So, that is just a brief overview of some of the features of Picmonkey I use regularly, although the program is capable of much more than that. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ok.. now you've got the art finalized, now where do you go to get it printed? I did a lot of research on that very thing, and found that you can get your large photos printed for next to nothing if they are black and white, but it was a little trickier if you wanted them to be in color. I got mine printed at a FedEx office (formerly Kinko's) that is right around the corner from my house. It cost me $40, which was a little pricier than I hoped for, but I wanted it to look perfect. I'm sure it would be much cheaper for smaller prints as well. I bought the frame from Target for $24.99. Similar frames at Michael's and Hobby Lobby were $70 AFTER being on sale. Uhh, no thank you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Believe
it or not, I tried really hard to take a good photograph of this, but
it was hard! There was a glare off of the glass and you can totally see the room reflected. Sorry I suck at this, I promise I'm trying!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So what do you think? Have any questions for me? I hope you found this helpful!</span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-64328655758284599342015-02-27T10:11:00.000-06:002015-02-27T10:14:23.743-06:00A New Checklist<center>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Our good friends Melissa and Jay are getting married in October, and I am really looking forward to hosting a couples shower in their honor at our home in July. This is a picture of them at our wedding in 2013. Melissa was one of my bridesmaids :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm using the months between now and July to freshen up our home to make it as welcoming and lovely as possible for the party. So, me being me, I made a checklist. Please don't remind me that I still haven't finished <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2014/11/home-improvement-goals-progress-report.html" target="_blank">this checklist</a>. I know, I know. Some of the things on my new list are also on the old one, so if I manage to make it through my new checklist, there will only be a couple things left on the original one. Does that make sense? Moving on. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think this list is pretty ambitious considering both Reid and I have full time jobs, but I like goals and staying busy, right? That will be my new mantra when I start feeling discouraged and lazy. The good news is, I do have a head start on the first thing on my list..</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Eeks! I am super excited to share this project with you guys! Hopefully it will be soon! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />I've got approximately 4 months to check all these things off the list. I'll keep your guys apprised of my progress! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wish me luck :) </span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-48461938910860281322015-02-09T08:00:00.000-06:002015-03-19T15:51:31.543-05:00Guest Bedroom Reveal<center>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8yAOHY6IY2YepVM7P8-qMgcMt4QKGAfHY_xq03-V-5KIzpPXkhtQhLQ4QpkymzViCJ3picqAzbu4L-lnqs2EXdpb0gBtnwzO1anhgIEafrCcvIXIe8q4oLsGyDjEvIea0tVXBVgWBORA/s1600/ideasforacolorfulbedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8yAOHY6IY2YepVM7P8-qMgcMt4QKGAfHY_xq03-V-5KIzpPXkhtQhLQ4QpkymzViCJ3picqAzbu4L-lnqs2EXdpb0gBtnwzO1anhgIEafrCcvIXIe8q4oLsGyDjEvIea0tVXBVgWBORA/s1600/ideasforacolorfulbedroom.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nearly a year ago (geez time flies) I gave you guys a sneak peak of a little <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.com/2014/03/fabric-fun.html" target="_blank">fabric project</a> I was working on. That fabric was for some pillow covers in our guest bedroom. This is one of those rooms that I have hesitated to share with you guys, because in my minds eye it isn't really done yet. I think its pretty cute and presentable, but I have at least ten more ideas floating around in my brain that may or may not actually come to fruition sometime this decade. So I decided that I should go ahead and share it with you, and if I decide to make more changes later, you'll get to come along for that as well :) So here it is, as it is today:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Welcome to our guest bedroom! This room is chock-full of DIY projects and bargain finds. For example, those white curtains are actually shower curtains! I loved the look and they were cheaper than actual curtains. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I had a lot of white, yellow and grey decorations left over from my apartment days, and I didn't want them to go to waste. I decided to incorporate them into this room, with some other fun colors tossed in to keep things bright. The style in here is a little more vibrant, colorful and whimsical than I usually am drawn to, but I think it still flows with the rest of the house and is fun and welcoming. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> My mom and I had a lot of fun picking out fabric to cover these pillows. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The wooden headboard and side tables were some of my best garage sale finds to date. I spent $10 for all three pieces! They were the very first thing I painted after we moved into our house :) </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These canvases were on sale at Kirkland's for $12! How could I pass them up when they were so perfect for this colorful and fun space?</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxf-2FddeQ9bqHd-5X4_lxYGOs1qGMnT2_zYV8s3j2s9WEwcMZf3pJqCfLS0_OZv4Dmetq_gxJJyDzbLBa1ltPmsMFW-ZM_7jyNtXNGRy1CFlsJuevSHY9CAQSyHzC0Vn-cBuBmr-oC9h/s1600/backside+of+pillows+with+text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxf-2FddeQ9bqHd-5X4_lxYGOs1qGMnT2_zYV8s3j2s9WEwcMZf3pJqCfLS0_OZv4Dmetq_gxJJyDzbLBa1ltPmsMFW-ZM_7jyNtXNGRy1CFlsJuevSHY9CAQSyHzC0Vn-cBuBmr-oC9h/s1600/backside+of+pillows+with+text.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since shams for euro sized pillows (the big square pillows) cost an arm and a leg, I decided to make my own. The blue chevron patterned fabric that I loved so much was about $7/yard. To keep the cost down I used cheap solid fabric for the backs of the pillows. The solid pink fabric was on sale for $1/yard. The contrasting color is both fun and affordable. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYQwBorMnJ9UO4tWoV0ScOBKlN02PUvUSIkKGHq4so8AuS7bOcZPbzODzMPv7PQOlf4ftR7rRqfbpZI6m5aeBpAAa832RkR2BiByscqgf0Gz_dY4wTpsRtB0-rlyp2RW8AuF1w4fJ1oY9/s1600/guest+bedroom+chair+and+windowedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYQwBorMnJ9UO4tWoV0ScOBKlN02PUvUSIkKGHq4so8AuS7bOcZPbzODzMPv7PQOlf4ftR7rRqfbpZI6m5aeBpAAa832RkR2BiByscqgf0Gz_dY4wTpsRtB0-rlyp2RW8AuF1w4fJ1oY9/s1600/guest+bedroom+chair+and+windowedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This art is also from my early days as a DIYer and way before I started blogging. This was created using the famous "<a href="http://andreasnotebook.com/2010/06/melted-crayon-art-on-canvas.html" target="_blank">melt crayons using a hair dryer</a>" method that you can find on Pinterest. I already had the canvas and the frame, so this was another one of my $0 projects. I like to think my DIY abilities have improved since then, but it is still a fun project, and it reminds me of the time in my life when Reid and I were engaged, so it's a keeper :) I bought that chair when I still lived in my apartment. The color scheme in my apartment bedroom was grey and yellow. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX9uS8Kf3uBS-n3ci1lRkdKOTBhgKjqq0cHd1jeW6ypd_vaG6X9ffyiG8VHL4o8tREpIwZZJAkhDYhKzRuEzS_c0bDVJ2mZy88NZqVjpe3G1keM4CrkXZIiPsczzt76UwiZFrXY0qgkd1/s1600/guest+bedroom+chair+up+closeedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX9uS8Kf3uBS-n3ci1lRkdKOTBhgKjqq0cHd1jeW6ypd_vaG6X9ffyiG8VHL4o8tREpIwZZJAkhDYhKzRuEzS_c0bDVJ2mZy88NZqVjpe3G1keM4CrkXZIiPsczzt76UwiZFrXY0qgkd1/s1600/guest+bedroom+chair+up+closeedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tucked underneath the night stand are a couple of baskets with magazines in case my guests decide to read before bed :)</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwxmxW2I4y8hoe-mMZKuZerY239tTTrMht0MArViUgVvxr_vLcDdr2S_RGfRZ-hPFqf0pQ7UBkHtexk2QQIjUF-et1WSbhyAeW97yG7AxbLBpIf65Py0OUIGwwXF2oH5PUpZbnJNUZbb8/s1600/guest+bedroom+night+stand+left+up+closeedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwxmxW2I4y8hoe-mMZKuZerY239tTTrMht0MArViUgVvxr_vLcDdr2S_RGfRZ-hPFqf0pQ7UBkHtexk2QQIjUF-et1WSbhyAeW97yG7AxbLBpIf65Py0OUIGwwXF2oH5PUpZbnJNUZbb8/s1600/guest+bedroom+night+stand+left+up+closeedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aLPFLX6jBEn4HofAJlyHoqgemzru7O82vppniqOWjO-5emlxjuOcgXRMtFq2sW48g6QeQ0m1r2mEEP1KAQftSzj0NI8dX1d53MPCcKw9YMid4clNLqwrLRLSzozwFMqU4IZ5lh8D4fdD/s1600/guest+bedroom+its+kind+of+fun+to+do+the+impossible+signedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aLPFLX6jBEn4HofAJlyHoqgemzru7O82vppniqOWjO-5emlxjuOcgXRMtFq2sW48g6QeQ0m1r2mEEP1KAQftSzj0NI8dX1d53MPCcKw9YMid4clNLqwrLRLSzozwFMqU4IZ5lh8D4fdD/s1600/guest+bedroom+its+kind+of+fun+to+do+the+impossible+signedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love this quote by Walt Disney. I made this printable for free using <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">Picmonkey</a>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do you recognize the large white frame? It looked very different when it made an appearance in <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/11/on-third-day-of-christmas.html" target="_blank">this post</a>. I filled it with leftover fabric from my pillows. The "be our guest" art was another free creation I made using <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">Picmonkey</a>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuemcupR2y4Fn1PV0liARbanR4MXwpPTgkdSJzVafs_ONE6cRmAcXGiuHkje-z88cKgYKkGPXJ75yMo11AUiojz6_z8-SRW_osPMYXQNdk5QScT6PSmpYEoC4AaCkcSn20UHtoOCjik2AO/s1600/guest+bedroom+wide+angleedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuemcupR2y4Fn1PV0liARbanR4MXwpPTgkdSJzVafs_ONE6cRmAcXGiuHkje-z88cKgYKkGPXJ75yMo11AUiojz6_z8-SRW_osPMYXQNdk5QScT6PSmpYEoC4AaCkcSn20UHtoOCjik2AO/s1600/guest+bedroom+wide+angleedited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On the wall opposite the window, I have a couple more colorful pieces of art hanging. They are simple and clean, yet work well in this space. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT7bWLMmyw8EWla2b7nEHXNcr_BysH-tWfg6iVd9Hb1UXCXUM5vTKJNcGpxz-t-HEdYboDDVi_wNp4rC_OlKKy0tAAgGHGL_QjdB25409CY_btJDakLsfyS-9GHIqsu7_N6pu33SczBnl/s1600/guest+bedroom+from+doorway2edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT7bWLMmyw8EWla2b7nEHXNcr_BysH-tWfg6iVd9Hb1UXCXUM5vTKJNcGpxz-t-HEdYboDDVi_wNp4rC_OlKKy0tAAgGHGL_QjdB25409CY_btJDakLsfyS-9GHIqsu7_N6pu33SczBnl/s1600/guest+bedroom+from+doorway2edited.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">From time to time I toy with the idea of painting the walls. Other times I feel like the color is too much and I want to make it more muted by adding in greys and whites in place of the pinks and oranges. I've also considered repainting the furniture with more subtle shades of blue and grey. And still, other times, I think the bright colors are fun and a little unexpected. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What do you think? Are the bright colors too much for you, or do you think they are fun? Thanks for coming on over, I hope you enjoyed your stay ;) </span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-73693837845721945342015-02-06T10:23:00.002-06:002015-03-19T15:44:36.116-05:00Creating FREE wall art using repurposed materials<center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvcYpJw53BsJlB88Z-kaxkb2jtdoAnzS7squCe4d_Bv0JvtlE3lQWJKdDtYihMGbvD5YIG8y7hO5HampE1EzuXW_v6VE3UJeJi1QzSJCCDJ9AldlqZ-obL4TGubivdsjadAaXPDP5DSWG/s1600/how+to+create+awesome+wall+art+for+free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvcYpJw53BsJlB88Z-kaxkb2jtdoAnzS7squCe4d_Bv0JvtlE3lQWJKdDtYihMGbvD5YIG8y7hO5HampE1EzuXW_v6VE3UJeJi1QzSJCCDJ9AldlqZ-obL4TGubivdsjadAaXPDP5DSWG/s1600/how+to+create+awesome+wall+art+for+free.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you've read my blog before, you'll know that for the past three years I've painted several rooms and quite a few pieces of furniture, not to mention countless lamps, picture frames and accessories. As you can imagine, I've accumulated quite a few of those free paint stir sticks that you get when you buy a can of paint, and for whatever reason, I've never thrown any of them away. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMOcQqOlOUs0eZ3jB4M0kAk2JG5ylGn2WLRsyL_N7vZPZ_XDd_EoZdD3BjafgcVvMNT9BEEwCji5cnc_ka5pPw4AyGj1hrxQYjCQIkY1VhSnX6eLnQ4Kew2I59RUSy8GtJ_liHkJI7uEr/s1600/sticks+in+a+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMOcQqOlOUs0eZ3jB4M0kAk2JG5ylGn2WLRsyL_N7vZPZ_XDd_EoZdD3BjafgcVvMNT9BEEwCji5cnc_ka5pPw4AyGj1hrxQYjCQIkY1VhSnX6eLnQ4Kew2I59RUSy8GtJ_liHkJI7uEr/s1600/sticks+in+a+group.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For about a week now, the idea of doing something creative with them has been hovering in the back of my mind. Since they are covered in paint used for various projects throughout my home, they were already the perfect colors to coordinate with my decor. Also, the exposed raw wood has a rustic feel that I love. I also really love how they "tell a story". I can look at them and be reminded of when my friend <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/09/a-feminine-vintage-bridal-shower.html" target="_blank">Hannah</a> and I painted the laundry room, or of my very first paint project in the new house. They are a reminder of my journey as a homemaker. I just had to decide how I wanted to use them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Way back in 2013, I shared with you guys my <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/08/guest-bathroom-reveal_1.html" target="_blank">guest bathroom mini makeover</a>, and the story of this <strike>not so</strike> lovely wall art. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuv-K1M08FynIgXa5pbpCRfRrGhk6j8YAryPXca1rXRQv-ZczLOG8hBj6PTRmQrC9Yzqq5sEJOA6_Zex0O42ZvR5TRlRHQthOV99ALcx2VXbpxz_WrzalVWuzTWqixSJCF4K4SfgpKlIu/s1600/first+update+to+the+art+back+in+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuv-K1M08FynIgXa5pbpCRfRrGhk6j8YAryPXca1rXRQv-ZczLOG8hBj6PTRmQrC9Yzqq5sEJOA6_Zex0O42ZvR5TRlRHQthOV99ALcx2VXbpxz_WrzalVWuzTWqixSJCF4K4SfgpKlIu/s1600/first+update+to+the+art+back+in+2013.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I purchased this artwork right around the time we were buying the house (I think it may have actually been on closing day, but I can't remember for sure). I don't really love it at all, but I think I was just so excited about having a home that I was just buying up things left and right. I had visions of a light and airy "spa like" bathroom with touches of blue. I guess because this art had blue in it, I thought it was a good fit. Blame it on my home buying high. Regardless of my reasoning, it didn't take me long to realize I had purchased a dud. So I painted and distressed the gold frame, which made it marginally better, and then I just lived with it for three years, never really loving it but just kind of ignoring it. Which leads me to....</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You guessed it! I transformed it into a more rustic and industrial piece of artwork that fits my style so much better. And I did it for completely FREE! My favorite price to pay for anything :) Here is the breakdown:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">First, I removed the "renew" thing from the middle because I wanted the art to be a flat surface. I wedged a flat head screwdriver underneath it and gently tapped it with a hammer until it popped off. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then I played around with my paint sticks until I had an arrangement that I liked. I really wanted to do a square pattern, but I would have had to make more cuts, and I just didn't have enough paint sticks to make it work. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Once I was happy with the layout, I flipped the sticks over and labeled them by row, so I would know where they belonged. Some of the rows I had to use an entire stick, plus a little piece of another stick, so I labeled those "A" and "B" from left to right. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then I had to cut the sticks to the correct length. Most of them were thin enough that I could just score my line with a razor blade, then bend them to snap them off. A few of the sticks were heavier duty, and we had to trim those using a hand saw, but still, a very simple process. We attached the sticks using a nail gun, and we were done! Easy peasy! The entire project took less than an hour. Originally, I was planning to add one of those round towel holders to it, to make a custom towel holder for my master bathroom, but it just didn't work well in my space. Also, Reid was really against the idea of hiding most of the beautiful wood with a towel, and preferred the idea of keeping it simply as art. I really wanted it to be both functional and pretty, but ultimately it was best served in my home simply as some pretty wall art. If you decided to do a project like this, you may have a place in your home where it could also serve as something functional like a towel holder.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What about you? Have you created something beautiful with free supplies that have been tucked away in your garage? I hope you have enjoyed this free little project. Thanks for stopping by! </span></span><br />
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-44413645059149514092015-01-30T09:57:00.000-06:002015-03-17T13:15:16.504-05:00My 17 Favorite Accessories<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not for the first time, I find myself at a loss when trying to name my home decor style. Is it farmhouse, shabby chic, rustic, or country cottage? And what the heck is with my new tendency to be drawn towards minimalistic design? I think the truth is, my style is a combination of all those things with the added fact that I try to do it all for as little money as possible. Whatever you want to call it, I've rounded up a list of my top 17 favorite accessories for achieving a rustic/cottage/farmhouse/shabby chic look! Enjoy! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Baskets and Buckets</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wooden and wicker baskets have a natural feel, and metal or wire baskets and buckets have a rustic feel. They serve the dual purpose of being pretty and functional, and often times they are very affordable. What more can I say? </span></span><br />
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<a 1="" href="http://shop.magnoliahomes.net/collections/organize/products/essential-wire-basket" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5g2qpFe_PO17fZG2hsYZEM9Dhyphenhyphen6Fe6jDDnK6SYA2qMdZQx6DP_sraHFe9Tdn112EVulzDAUZJ9OiJU08UCs9YD1t7sqwGfJj1LofrKnGfT-GZQbpngZ4h3KHjHYephEhHfshxk-OWUCZv/s1600/milk-crate-baskets-3.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Source: Magnolia homes. Click <a href="http://shop.magnoliahomes.net/collections/organize/products/essential-wire-basket" target="_blank">here</a> to see more. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> An arms length away from the shower in our guest bathroom. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Xs5BbPa_HUcCRaWORXc-QdoT1p_Uwxp8_azbsYZdrEaVWaApmx4myNURoRFn0fYPne0afxtvEJZLrkPtFXqObznGvQFJx5nhymmukSJAhpfxAhIPo8UudKj8pDHOiWD2gwPThVorz-dd/s1600/bucketnexttosecretary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Xs5BbPa_HUcCRaWORXc-QdoT1p_Uwxp8_azbsYZdrEaVWaApmx4myNURoRFn0fYPne0afxtvEJZLrkPtFXqObznGvQFJx5nhymmukSJAhpfxAhIPo8UudKj8pDHOiWD2gwPThVorz-dd/s1600/bucketnexttosecretary.jpg" height="640" width="436" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The bucket next to our secretary houses all the dog toys. When we have parties, I usually tuck it into a closet. But for the regular day to day, it is a great place to keep the toys together, and its low enough to the ground that the dog can get her toys anytime she wants to. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. Candles & Candle sticks </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Think of creative ways to use candles in your space. Maybe as a centerpiece, or as a filler inside a cake stand. Personally, I try to not only pick out candles that smell amazing, but ones that also have the right look. White is always my favorite. As far as candle sticks and holders go, stick with metals, whites, woods or even glass if you want to achieve that country/rustic/farmhouse look. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. Throw Blankets</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Blankets add warmth and texture to a space instantly. Personally, I love displaying my collection of blankets because they are all different colors, thicknesses, textures, and even patterns, yet they all are within one cohesive style. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Throw Pillows</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There is no easier or quicker way to give your couches and chairs a custom look. I like using burlap on my pillows for its natural, casual look.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">SIDE NOTE: That throw blanket is covered in quotes from famous novels. My mom gave it to me for Christmas, and it was such a thoughtful gift and perfect addition to my library! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. Table runners</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Having your table constantly set is one of those things that is great in theory, but not in reality. Most people sit at their tables on a daily basis, so it just doesn't make sense to keep it set at all times. Even if you don't sit at your formal table regularly, leaving dishes out for weeks on end means you have to wash them before you can actually use them since dust has likely accumulated. A great alternative to setting your table is using a nice table runner. Pair it with a simple center piece and your table will look both loved and decorated, but it will still be functional.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. Antique scale</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is probably the one accessory that without a doubt screams shabby/rustic/farmhouse. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. Metal Wall Art</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You just can't go wrong with metal. Hang it on your walls, and your space will instantly take on a rustic/farmhouse charm. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYysqKn-WmE218nbUtBm_Me86DMPHqSHlpSms9894l_SwSEsRcPTb8DhOV5P9wJT5u03XSMPuHF-UN5E3kcISMcXQnXApHVatZM4JkTFsIGXXSsetbea1wEmVyNDZbuRmRI7h7jqi5nla/s1600/today-is-a-good-day-sign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYysqKn-WmE218nbUtBm_Me86DMPHqSHlpSms9894l_SwSEsRcPTb8DhOV5P9wJT5u03XSMPuHF-UN5E3kcISMcXQnXApHVatZM4JkTFsIGXXSsetbea1wEmVyNDZbuRmRI7h7jqi5nla/s1600/today-is-a-good-day-sign.png" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is another lovely Magnolia Homes find. Click <a href="http://shop.magnoliahomes.net/collections/decorate/products/today-is-a-good-day-sign" target="_blank">here</a> for more info. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">These metal scrolls gained popularity a few years ago. You should be careful because they can get to be "overused", and it is important to only use them to finish off an already pretty space. I think its a little silly to place one over a TV, because it just creates visual clutter and the TV isn't exactly something you want to draw more attention to than you have to. That being said, used wisely, I think they can make a great addition to some spaces and create just the right finishing touch. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">8. White Dishes</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A country kitchen is incomplete without white dishes. I absolutely love displaying mine in my kitchen. Any white dishes will do the trick, but my personal favorites are pitchers, teapots and gravy boats. Why I love collecting gravy boats is beyond me, but they are so cute and I just love the shape of them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A gravy boat tucked inside my secretary. (SIDE NOTE: The placement of my secretary was intentional. It is between my dining room and my living room. Putting it here served two purposes. One, it filled what would have otherwise been an awkward space, and two, I could use it as a place to display and store some of my dishes, since my dining room is too small for a formal buffet or hutch).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">9. Worn out Books</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Old books have a mystery about them, as if they've actually lived the lives the pages inside them tell. They add instant charm to any home. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you don't have old books, try covering your new ones with coordinating paper.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">10. Birds</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When you think of a farm, you probably think of animals. So if you want to create a farmhouse feeling, incorporating a few animals into your decor is a good idea. My personal favorite is birds. A lot of people like pigs, which I think can be really cute too, but I personally would keep them to the garden, just because there is something distinctively inelegant about a pig. But that is just me :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Do you spot the concrete bird on the right hand side?</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is in our master bedroom, which I have yet to share with you guys in full. It is coming one day, I promise. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">11. Cloches</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you don't know what a cloche is, think of a bell shaped dome, typically made of glass, that you set on top of stands (or any surface) and can put things inside of. A cake stand is a kind of cloche. I have tons of them in my house, and can usually buy them for next to nothing. Two of my favorites are from Marshalls and Goodwill and each cost less than $5. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">12. Bar Soap</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Displaying bar soap creates not only a clean feeling in any bathroom, but it feels natural, which maintains that rustic/shabby style. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8_NwQZx1cLwvwaY5bsjFCaE7ZUHR2Y6MozkKQiQT7nrlH2CT74NTMDGtBjxzaN8uXN8DMFlfwJxpIOPMg-MvYa-vCn2MQRQdiwyY9d5zulOs0wvEKiO_d8eKyEF1JZt8N90zV0iCxI_g/s1600/soap+on+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8_NwQZx1cLwvwaY5bsjFCaE7ZUHR2Y6MozkKQiQT7nrlH2CT74NTMDGtBjxzaN8uXN8DMFlfwJxpIOPMg-MvYa-vCn2MQRQdiwyY9d5zulOs0wvEKiO_d8eKyEF1JZt8N90zV0iCxI_g/s1600/soap+on+display.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tCDIekk-7UGF9PfWlKeGw2gulDBj2-cuZuM3nwlbHDo7XLngEfc5I0y2BRxMfnLkl3GM_6vviBpFYedWDVpO96vcYGd4uZ3b_NeT6_mTcpHct1RiWnIELOHlo8s0t45HZDIw5SZB3-Lg/s1600/soap+-+hometalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tCDIekk-7UGF9PfWlKeGw2gulDBj2-cuZuM3nwlbHDo7XLngEfc5I0y2BRxMfnLkl3GM_6vviBpFYedWDVpO96vcYGd4uZ3b_NeT6_mTcpHct1RiWnIELOHlo8s0t45HZDIw5SZB3-Lg/s1600/soap+-+hometalk.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">I found this image <a href="http://www.hometalk.com/518941/making-toiletries-part-of-your-bathroom-decor" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">13. Knobs/Hardware</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shabby/country/rustic style and antique hardware go hand in hand. An excellent online resource for these kinds of things is <a href="http://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/" target="_blank">House of Antique Hardware</a>. I fell in love with their site the moment I found them. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmVxKLvZhZ0fCAFvxmYKp_3Er_tw81hfqFpzCJ6krJc-LCY0MzHWCpFgUAOmvAfeEa9TqcD6E00kVvXpxro9cLRDyfuJAEMxoagIbtTSsgehzqmuqpijCNYw_P-XvyKX0fTvghZlrJ6jM/s1600/antique+doorknob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmVxKLvZhZ0fCAFvxmYKp_3Er_tw81hfqFpzCJ6krJc-LCY0MzHWCpFgUAOmvAfeEa9TqcD6E00kVvXpxro9cLRDyfuJAEMxoagIbtTSsgehzqmuqpijCNYw_P-XvyKX0fTvghZlrJ6jM/s1600/antique+doorknob.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">14. Wooden Kitchen Utensils</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They are made of natural materials, and the colors are just lovely. You can always store your other utensils in a drawer ;)</span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFl9TnhUOHTMPEBubhRpVOXy-kJQmUPEYkts9F5zyO6SC94ectkLeRI68jdSXyjZWfHb-Dpyb9laIoLuavoHlqLzebu2_cxUpu899-AqHzc-YZ5Outokm8-TYKIiOxDhMjhh9VC-gxm6V/s1600/wooden+kitchen+utenstils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFl9TnhUOHTMPEBubhRpVOXy-kJQmUPEYkts9F5zyO6SC94ectkLeRI68jdSXyjZWfHb-Dpyb9laIoLuavoHlqLzebu2_cxUpu899-AqHzc-YZ5Outokm8-TYKIiOxDhMjhh9VC-gxm6V/s1600/wooden+kitchen+utenstils.jpg" height="640" width="438" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Source: <a href="http://vintagemellie.blogspot.com/2014/02/whats-your-style-series-kitchen-edition.html" target="_blank">Vintage Mellie</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">15. Wreaths</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Create the feeling you want before guests even enter your home by welcoming them in with a wreath. <a href="http://www.the36thavenue.com/handmade-fall-wreath-tutorials/" target="_blank">The 36th Ave</a> has a great roundup of gorgeous wreaths. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I personally love incorporating more color into my wreaths, but there are tons or adorable rustic looking ones too. Like this one from<a href="http://www.livingandlearningwithluisa.com/2015/01/21/faux-fur-winter-wreath/" target="_blank"> Living and Learning with Luisa</a>:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2iFGl7X8VgU_I5nsuokpxZJP_G_e8gg7hHQTp29255Wqsmfw5YDfJbEsDKB7e-p2OaENR1adsOVe9myv7CuqMW-8VJazjQlwBdvGGa53QhilfakZAkgZ17DSxaPg9YNaif7dxfjuxRVJ/s1600/Faux-Fur-Winter-Wreath-681x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2iFGl7X8VgU_I5nsuokpxZJP_G_e8gg7hHQTp29255Wqsmfw5YDfJbEsDKB7e-p2OaENR1adsOVe9myv7CuqMW-8VJazjQlwBdvGGa53QhilfakZAkgZ17DSxaPg9YNaif7dxfjuxRVJ/s1600/Faux-Fur-Winter-Wreath-681x1024.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Or this one from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/93952197/similar?ref=error_page_redirect" target="_blank">The Creative Gypsy</a>:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">16. Lanterns</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lanterns are versatile. Whether you decide to keep them empty, fill them with candles, ornaments and snowflakes during the holidays, or wine corks, they have the a unique shape that is pleasing to the eye and come in some may different finishes and sizes, that its hard to have enough! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6l06cGu6b_kP65p9P6NmRzoaAjCwuPEFKAZwWR6d6JylvY48KYD4lIqOj9RxYLV4fcadNktN0gk-hS8j60YY9ZkFmY5uMCOkwm1DlKvSSgmM7TTZzFoc4MSyRrcZJ_g9hiNvoeIaTVx-/s1600/lanterns2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6l06cGu6b_kP65p9P6NmRzoaAjCwuPEFKAZwWR6d6JylvY48KYD4lIqOj9RxYLV4fcadNktN0gk-hS8j60YY9ZkFmY5uMCOkwm1DlKvSSgmM7TTZzFoc4MSyRrcZJ_g9hiNvoeIaTVx-/s1600/lanterns2.jpg" height="400" width="302" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">17. Moss</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Perfect for spring and summer, it is natural and its texture will add depth to any vignette. It is wonderful to use as filler too! <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/359967/marthas-home-yours-moss-gardens" target="_blank">Martha Stewart </a>is the queen of indoor moss gardens.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou8Wd8FXVR_oBybHluRTJyDeqJu3M5rzCHqgwh4CW85sQTJ3amv9kqDI4PkDYCRU3NssZoFP5XzKc2g4aBIWsfDLIndHomwTCIx3Yegq-W3nfqQw3EvgKvW6Iomt-Ya7oRlTaZa5jwYB_/s1600/moss-garden-martha-0811mld106442_vert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou8Wd8FXVR_oBybHluRTJyDeqJu3M5rzCHqgwh4CW85sQTJ3amv9kqDI4PkDYCRU3NssZoFP5XzKc2g4aBIWsfDLIndHomwTCIx3Yegq-W3nfqQw3EvgKvW6Iomt-Ya7oRlTaZa5jwYB_/s1600/moss-garden-martha-0811mld106442_vert.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing accessories for a farmhouse, country cottage, or even shabby chic home is the materials the accessories are made of. If your accessories have a natural element to them (like wood or greenery), are made of metal/steel, or are white/very lightly colored then you are on the right track! If you prefer a slightly more elegant or chic style, look for glass and crystal elements. By all means, you should mix accessories that encompass all those elements to create a beautiful and intentional space. Stick to those general guidelines but use your creativity to branch out and make your style your own! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_Mg1H-YXKK7rzmhk_4MC8GntcpZdgtmvHJiFDsTKQNwvxSD9jfkHDV9LfJAJof-yIbs7EU5eUBivYkzW1hhmi7E5mwgO0TE3u5muQRxeIPV5qEcZ1-uXn16pK4SbUx0mf9YzGLJCwrsv/s1600/larger+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_Mg1H-YXKK7rzmhk_4MC8GntcpZdgtmvHJiFDsTKQNwvxSD9jfkHDV9LfJAJof-yIbs7EU5eUBivYkzW1hhmi7E5mwgO0TE3u5muQRxeIPV5qEcZ1-uXn16pK4SbUx0mf9YzGLJCwrsv/s1600/larger+collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What about you? Do you have any favorite accessories that I left off my list? Have fun accessorizing! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtVW-f87y1se7x4-B1cw-Czxi-w_dnZvd7RZPoIgdunU2THaAeqBuI0kBttQA4FcFfKpJZr3W0LW_lb4iuv0R6NN3GyLUy_t0CDJsQS8ERSs3BtnWIiv5nE8K-GSYQjhyH8C86xZcIVcw/s1600/signature1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtVW-f87y1se7x4-B1cw-Czxi-w_dnZvd7RZPoIgdunU2THaAeqBuI0kBttQA4FcFfKpJZr3W0LW_lb4iuv0R6NN3GyLUy_t0CDJsQS8ERSs3BtnWIiv5nE8K-GSYQjhyH8C86xZcIVcw/s1600/signature1.png" /></a></div>
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<br />Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-53975425217557699292015-01-26T10:33:00.001-06:002015-03-17T13:13:37.513-05:0016 Affordable Flooring Options<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When it comes to affordable ways to update your home, most people don't automatically think of flooring. But there is good news! Now it is possible to make your floors beautiful without spending thousands of dollars. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My little old blog started picking up steam after I shared with the world the transformation of my <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2014/11/affordable-flooring-upgrade.html" target="_blank">laundry room floors</a>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1HI0zJjm0qmOKgygz3LjlBOJTULJvpDrmyCK3Qu3y4MxHBfkEbgfWB8XfARK5gBYpbXrjeFb5fmvSuxyBD4LBr-d-KAl5dVYReuaM6Sr1DIsXQwny_ioeXeJ3hBTx5GcZMeVRWKqp55g/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1HI0zJjm0qmOKgygz3LjlBOJTULJvpDrmyCK3Qu3y4MxHBfkEbgfWB8XfARK5gBYpbXrjeFb5fmvSuxyBD4LBr-d-KAl5dVYReuaM6Sr1DIsXQwny_ioeXeJ3hBTx5GcZMeVRWKqp55g/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And, not long after that, I used inexpensive materials to transform our <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2015/01/peel-stick-tile-strikes-again.html" target="_blank">guest bathroom floors</a>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6d8OQwZHgVUUYBOAk_fUdZ5iCaXM3xCgtNGWLPQSQWiEtJKKBKMYeSvxk-lcctlP6bjJur17CflhNUlSOsdQn1YPrAjHBtHf1gtP0dBW7BvIEGLGbqNUebM5GN9nSUi9hfi-ysklDCyu/s1600/floors+after+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6d8OQwZHgVUUYBOAk_fUdZ5iCaXM3xCgtNGWLPQSQWiEtJKKBKMYeSvxk-lcctlP6bjJur17CflhNUlSOsdQn1YPrAjHBtHf1gtP0dBW7BvIEGLGbqNUebM5GN9nSUi9hfi-ysklDCyu/s1600/floors+after+2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">These posts generated so much interest that I thought it would be a good idea to share with you guys some other awesome flooring transformations that were completed on a budget. The best place for me to do my research? Hometalk! For those of you who don't know, Hometalk is sorta like Pinterest, but only for home decor. So there is no fitness, recipes, fashion, humor, but there is tons of AMAZING home ideas. From paint to flooring, gardening to organization, if you need home inspiration, Hometalk is a great place to go searching for it! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just click on the photo below and enjoy reading about some truly ingenious people who have transformed their floors on a budget. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.hometalk.com/b/7011091/16-affordable-flooring-ideas" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSEPh3IZcabzpS3p9qLl7yDvPhm-byCt4lf_vKq2eFHAl4zH5r0M2oBbkUIWy4mXbSCoNXGQrX1hoGmA28wtv1WHgR51dBU0nziCCU3PPjnHs8MScE19eyr72o1DqnVom2LyPnBbPzb_W/s1600/affordable+flooring+graphic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Enjoy, and good luck with your flooring DIY!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- Jesse </span></span></div>
Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-37572873586105963872015-01-23T09:57:00.000-06:002015-03-17T13:13:49.415-05:00Painting the back door black<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The notion of painting a door black is not a revolutionary one. The idea has been all over Pinterest and blogs for a while now. I think it is a great idea and for many homes it can really make them feel classy and expensive. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When I noticed our back door was really starting to look worn, I thought that painting it black would be a great solution. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPY_mADze6fwvJ5oEwX0AnMn0mu9-DY5Jr0HxC_O1lKcfTAaO5UVCRc83moOOk7VmIDFmwcwW8-XdhDTPUWHuWFhHzZcAlv3RletRRZVH8SiLFW_th1bUJEp3vT6A9CkLDije1Yx_i56W/s1600/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPY_mADze6fwvJ5oEwX0AnMn0mu9-DY5Jr0HxC_O1lKcfTAaO5UVCRc83moOOk7VmIDFmwcwW8-XdhDTPUWHuWFhHzZcAlv3RletRRZVH8SiLFW_th1bUJEp3vT6A9CkLDije1Yx_i56W/s1600/before.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jl6geVT9gaaOPUgnTmpDD4yO2k0tVWU77x5hjy6aNwskhv-o4fozq3vbNUeAPhOASLknWGYdycizUElC3DOC6_No44BJEEo2BKojf7HjSJrnd-NT2LMYRKPuWWGU4qILa3IK9ruJ0GR9/s1600/beforeupclose1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jl6geVT9gaaOPUgnTmpDD4yO2k0tVWU77x5hjy6aNwskhv-o4fozq3vbNUeAPhOASLknWGYdycizUElC3DOC6_No44BJEEo2BKojf7HjSJrnd-NT2LMYRKPuWWGU4qILa3IK9ruJ0GR9/s1600/beforeupclose1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Scratch marks from our dog. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FSAolE6oms3HSCvxf-2P2gh5no3sfmtQlQC8fWwuRAu3ba6naHFyYJTgFd0va_RomRKRDbWoWmmdzMm5VPl7D-xiRKAXsbBBCBOuTdXEzjdmB4aHRi3vggFvFJMdjJmuRrW4R3RPtgMg/s1600/beforeupclose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FSAolE6oms3HSCvxf-2P2gh5no3sfmtQlQC8fWwuRAu3ba6naHFyYJTgFd0va_RomRKRDbWoWmmdzMm5VPl7D-xiRKAXsbBBCBOuTdXEzjdmB4aHRi3vggFvFJMdjJmuRrW4R3RPtgMg/s1600/beforeupclose2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> General dirt and grime build up.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I stopped by Lowe's to pick up the following:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8a8ZqG9TkH-nQY4hDg7FFDBJodiWZVuB2CCv5xBrrtht4-SX15uzTwc_rOdXmXwYPUE4TnoOIMfF1rV-uy9S6jsS2rllIDMeBf_wbnCE6aGLll9vHD-LyCB8vX7SMKpv4dwJo7va3rWN1/s1600/paint+brush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8a8ZqG9TkH-nQY4hDg7FFDBJodiWZVuB2CCv5xBrrtht4-SX15uzTwc_rOdXmXwYPUE4TnoOIMfF1rV-uy9S6jsS2rllIDMeBf_wbnCE6aGLll9vHD-LyCB8vX7SMKpv4dwJo7va3rWN1/s1600/paint+brush.jpg" height="640" width="363" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAtx8UwsVL4lJs2lwxPnvzUdZCCaX9d0yg-gU-wglqsqLXtkLJzzEBiwp8RyMa7imtaZ_6Q0YcOYjQQt75AYFb_15ujkQwD4KIZM4NBpwDYMvPvs-IqMiJ-tHx_cwRjj_MdrxH9t0SQHI/s1600/paint+can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAtx8UwsVL4lJs2lwxPnvzUdZCCaX9d0yg-gU-wglqsqLXtkLJzzEBiwp8RyMa7imtaZ_6Q0YcOYjQQt75AYFb_15ujkQwD4KIZM4NBpwDYMvPvs-IqMiJ-tHx_cwRjj_MdrxH9t0SQHI/s1600/paint+can.jpg" height="640" width="449" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">As far as the actually painting went, I didn't need to do anything special. However, the prep work and the clean up work was pretty extensive for this project.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I started by cleaning the door very thoroughly using an all purpose cleaner. Once I was satisfied that it was clean, I taped off the glass. It took a while because there is so much glass on my door, and I wanted my lines to be as clean as possible. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvvi37rHet9oMozizQHwERwa8djJboqrYR-4cFpKdaRxb3T7x_3mrTQNBnSGRCxVWjjW4naxhP_xh69JVJPO26G8NYnrRPNdA0pvFM2VfvqnDoGb42QJGMKiLS8sr0TbSjSftaYiCWEaN/s1600/tapedglass1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvvi37rHet9oMozizQHwERwa8djJboqrYR-4cFpKdaRxb3T7x_3mrTQNBnSGRCxVWjjW4naxhP_xh69JVJPO26G8NYnrRPNdA0pvFM2VfvqnDoGb42QJGMKiLS8sr0TbSjSftaYiCWEaN/s1600/tapedglass1.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then I started painting! I opened the door while I was painting and while it dried so that the edges wouldn't stick. (SIDE NOTE: Since this was an exterior project, I waited until we had some nice weather. It's been really cold here lately, and I didn't think the paint would cure properly if I applied it in 40 degree weather. The day I painted the door it was in the 60's and sunny.)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBxrif7HA3jeOUMHbgsJPEkzG7nzKnovW5tGRBMYdlTb-J82PJEdCBkk6DgQH-wYbsNQkKcmmpz4arTUex038JoZWsAYQ6YzYWuEgvoOef_FjLOIQwUAkwhmIkpLMPrN1Fe2_Q2hSiGgX/s1600/painted+with+tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBxrif7HA3jeOUMHbgsJPEkzG7nzKnovW5tGRBMYdlTb-J82PJEdCBkk6DgQH-wYbsNQkKcmmpz4arTUex038JoZWsAYQ6YzYWuEgvoOef_FjLOIQwUAkwhmIkpLMPrN1Fe2_Q2hSiGgX/s1600/painted+with+tape.jpg" height="640" width="372" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It took three coats to get a nice, even finish. After the paint had dried, I used a razor blade to score the edges of the tape and make peeling it away easier. Then I had to go back over the glass with q tips to get the edges as straight and clean as possible. I had to do a few touch ups around the door knobs and edges of the glass where the paint peeled off with the tape. So far it has held up very well, but in hindsight, it probably would not have hurt to sand the door first. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Here's the finished product: </span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnEVTx5k7AoLbzjlxVvtm7NQA8-nqjfwD1w_ifQG6UFCqYclwxgfecNZECWYqkXotxW1mbbFoLJjeKv1awC_pyQSTVUMLcu__KavcmNJtU10rxmkQm8v0ra93WzaQyUBOkx1nr4QMW20S/s1600/after1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnEVTx5k7AoLbzjlxVvtm7NQA8-nqjfwD1w_ifQG6UFCqYclwxgfecNZECWYqkXotxW1mbbFoLJjeKv1awC_pyQSTVUMLcu__KavcmNJtU10rxmkQm8v0ra93WzaQyUBOkx1nr4QMW20S/s1600/after1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After I was done painting, I let the door stand open for about 2 hours before closing it. It takes up to 30 days to fully cure, and since there was no way I could leave the door open that long, I just waited until I was sure it was dry. The paint hasn't stuck at all, and I've opened and closed it countless times since then.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidw2SO3BheVPchV_eKGkAzCgT2-sSot348vOMPlSM_QjWHmkkPQlWx-7LSqblbSNBW3mIA1ONYp0huttDUJiRCkrAsMQZkwUwyc0qYj_mYkL-pDwZialFtF7KYA-NZxyfEVXgzw3fMBR3T/s1600/after2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidw2SO3BheVPchV_eKGkAzCgT2-sSot348vOMPlSM_QjWHmkkPQlWx-7LSqblbSNBW3mIA1ONYp0huttDUJiRCkrAsMQZkwUwyc0qYj_mYkL-pDwZialFtF7KYA-NZxyfEVXgzw3fMBR3T/s1600/after2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawCk9VO4qxxXdUvuW1lHTetN8q1z3i0DKS41nSljfomsFwDd2R9xfKrwS_net7JnVzs3veRFUAKZ2unePAomakGuEWdlO2VlDdyn5E22Jbo6GI8kEBS5FEx27tEAxTGijwOdbQ5euK0Uw/s1600/before+and+after+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawCk9VO4qxxXdUvuW1lHTetN8q1z3i0DKS41nSljfomsFwDd2R9xfKrwS_net7JnVzs3veRFUAKZ2unePAomakGuEWdlO2VlDdyn5E22Jbo6GI8kEBS5FEx27tEAxTGijwOdbQ5euK0Uw/s1600/before+and+after+Collage.jpg" height="550" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">All in all, I think it was a success! It definitely looks cleaner, fresher and shinier :) I probably could have gotten away with a sample size of paint because my little quart is still nearly full. Anybody have anything they need painted high gloss black? If so, I got the hook up!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesse </span> </span></span></span></div>
Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-82861019066190009892015-01-20T09:37:00.001-06:002015-03-25T14:34:14.479-05:00Custom Artwork <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lately I have found myself gravitating towards more modern and sophisticated design and wondering what the best way to incorporate these elements into my current home is. I want to keep the majority of my home the same as it currently is because not only do I still like it, but I don't have the money to do a complete overhaul. While perusing Pinterest a few weeks back, I ran across <a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/clouds-at-sunset-giclee/239657?redirect=y" target="_blank">this beauty</a> from Ballard Designs. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51HGB-G1SYwu3Rh_xk3HDxLBCDPbpLxB2pBrlD1Omcb86tqcDSbe13lRqMILZULVGgUBxf06JzTJsmFCA7fFoCuwwn6HQDs1hhMirAMNrdmgM5LERg6okxGx7eb5CCAFbw4NPERupC03x/s1600/inspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51HGB-G1SYwu3Rh_xk3HDxLBCDPbpLxB2pBrlD1Omcb86tqcDSbe13lRqMILZULVGgUBxf06JzTJsmFCA7fFoCuwwn6HQDs1hhMirAMNrdmgM5LERg6okxGx7eb5CCAFbw4NPERupC03x/s1600/inspiration.jpg" height="393" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I instantly fell in love with this art for its sophistication, and thought it would still go well with my existing decor. The only downside, it cost $449. Just a tad above my budget. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I decided to try to recreate it. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>The supplies I used:</u><br />A 4 x 4 blank canvas (I received mine as a Christmas gift, but it was purchased at Michael's using a 60% off coupon, and only cost my mom $30). </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Various foam and small bristle brushes ($7 at Lowe's)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Two small foam rollers (already owned from previous projects)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Acylic Paint ($12 at Michael's)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">paper plates (used as pallets) </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">tape measurer</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">pencil </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Total cost: $49 (Although for me, it only cost $19 since the canvas was a gift)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here are the colors I used: </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9neFG-Qq6EeYNV6q8YduNqe4RKtQL3XTpnoMeGiAPJ_kHpCs1MKkMoKs9_hPUYObEId5VG3nv9Phu9I3Ve38tqO20YseidHiska3rTYGEAsYrWfwF6ao4ycEP9VKjHQxKeCHUBBxTA4yz/s1600/colors1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9neFG-Qq6EeYNV6q8YduNqe4RKtQL3XTpnoMeGiAPJ_kHpCs1MKkMoKs9_hPUYObEId5VG3nv9Phu9I3Ve38tqO20YseidHiska3rTYGEAsYrWfwF6ao4ycEP9VKjHQxKeCHUBBxTA4yz/s1600/colors1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Rhht6cjxGyOmmyOzW2P7dVKrngsyOs9LFQ35rsi9Ur5eU5MvvVomvalZy3ThmqfshFFHR0ntgRqQumdnZGZMczEEkwa1-qIgJwlyJ2SqUJY2fah6-lyXTKMhVFXIqiFu9pY8F3Trh9VL/s1600/colors2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Rhht6cjxGyOmmyOzW2P7dVKrngsyOs9LFQ35rsi9Ur5eU5MvvVomvalZy3ThmqfshFFHR0ntgRqQumdnZGZMczEEkwa1-qIgJwlyJ2SqUJY2fah6-lyXTKMhVFXIqiFu9pY8F3Trh9VL/s1600/colors2.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><u>The Process:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Step 1: Lay out canvas on a work surface in a well lit area. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqI0hkkeuXC-X-qjoA9SuI41cYwCp3Kl6jij_XitCkHBp-byNd6Jo4ho-9AuYq6TAKx-qhy7dTg4U12Yg9hEYkNgBzZGmMEcy7uPhjXtsOMIcyawCdThUlHT8TPT1oJNA_z_B2X6jdeBE/s1600/blank+canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqI0hkkeuXC-X-qjoA9SuI41cYwCp3Kl6jij_XitCkHBp-byNd6Jo4ho-9AuYq6TAKx-qhy7dTg4U12Yg9hEYkNgBzZGmMEcy7uPhjXtsOMIcyawCdThUlHT8TPT1oJNA_z_B2X6jdeBE/s1600/blank+canvas.jpg" height="400" width="371" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Probably not necessary to list this step, but it never hurts to be thorough. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anybody else think this is the perfect opportunity for a Big Lebowski reference? No? Just me?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Moving on.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Step 2: Prime. I've been instructed that its best to prime with either a pale blue or a pale pink so that the end result isn't too bright. Since I didn't have enough of either color to prime the entire canvas, I used a combo of both colors as my primer. I didn't prime the edges of the canvas, but should have because it took several coats of paint to get the edges painted. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCTwzDcczuFRTBMml_oL6sAC6phwEG-PiZjagBog6R-xKpajPdDLcCOx5eNtQIrBns5UiNWJzBxKbnnNSAKFb6CYronObhDfrMqm_E-ebwI-62gmp_L7vpPZbNaufFzzqMwjIhaYtF1Bv/s1600/primed+canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCTwzDcczuFRTBMml_oL6sAC6phwEG-PiZjagBog6R-xKpajPdDLcCOx5eNtQIrBns5UiNWJzBxKbnnNSAKFb6CYronObhDfrMqm_E-ebwI-62gmp_L7vpPZbNaufFzzqMwjIhaYtF1Bv/s1600/primed+canvas.jpg" height="350" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Step 3: Find the center of your canvas. This really comes in useful when doing Step 4, next.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbc_5NLdwd2lrJI8ot2rJm6zx5pq_kWOw1_U5zBaq6DKGCptLObd1OoY31QqfiSplIE19GP4TfqijD44Mg6N8YC_zBKAyzgBJZIRBMkyrDgEKw2K0AoDlj0gbIOQxgSb56KaOm5HnbLed/s1600/center+of+canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbc_5NLdwd2lrJI8ot2rJm6zx5pq_kWOw1_U5zBaq6DKGCptLObd1OoY31QqfiSplIE19GP4TfqijD44Mg6N8YC_zBKAyzgBJZIRBMkyrDgEKw2K0AoDlj0gbIOQxgSb56KaOm5HnbLed/s1600/center+of+canvas.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Like so. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Step 4: Create</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a base coat with your basic colors to define the shape of your painting. You'll be able to go back in and add dimension and texture later on. (SIDE NOTE: To be honest, from here on out it all became guess work and trial and error, so by all means, please deviate from my instructions as much as you want if you decide to do a similar project!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tfNrE8Mrx0pyJ622wCceEjA1sxCexMA4v0CxfffaD5W4elfz2Ycg7TcxWKu7hHCz6uCpfxCYz_w3DCLZBTUE0IqvmlGmyQQcC9Ov8k5EzRWqDWwhYC6y7T1jWXqObSYjn4LBv6iZGRDi/s1600/painted1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tfNrE8Mrx0pyJ622wCceEjA1sxCexMA4v0CxfffaD5W4elfz2Ycg7TcxWKu7hHCz6uCpfxCYz_w3DCLZBTUE0IqvmlGmyQQcC9Ov8k5EzRWqDWwhYC6y7T1jWXqObSYjn4LBv6iZGRDi/s1600/painted1.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Also, sorry the pictures aren't great. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We all know I'm a terrible photographer, and it was really hard to fit in one shot. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Step 5: Begin playing with textures and dimension. It became painfully obvious to me at this point that my painting would never look exactly like my inspiration that I found on Pinterest, so I decided to embrace that. I'd used my inspiration as the basic form of my painting, but my shapes and colors were going to be different, and that is okay. I was still determined that I'd end up with something sophisticated, which was the entire point of this project anyway. Here's what mine looked like at this stage:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUD_Gh1lFA6SJb7A2a7KL4xuNvCBwhTDRrbypgq5tdYQVN2kLDPncJaRaJAxtS_4v1Ae2sHR5VOekpBmfjVcfpjDRsaK_jsjMWCyfnA8FdKQzDwTAqNL8Yx_L8npJNQBr_aQaYARw-bYNy/s1600/painted2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUD_Gh1lFA6SJb7A2a7KL4xuNvCBwhTDRrbypgq5tdYQVN2kLDPncJaRaJAxtS_4v1Ae2sHR5VOekpBmfjVcfpjDRsaK_jsjMWCyfnA8FdKQzDwTAqNL8Yx_L8npJNQBr_aQaYARw-bYNy/s1600/painted2.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doesn't it kinda look like the ocean meeting land from space? Funny since the inspiration artwork kinda mimics the idea of clouds (to me, anyway). Not exactly what I intended, but not a problem either. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Step 6: Add your finishing touches. For me, this meant blending the dark edges so they faded more gradually into the other colors, adding additional texture to the lighter blues, adding pops of metallic gold using small brushes, and using a foam roller to lightly coat the entire painting with a very light gold. Last but not least, I painted the outside edges of the canvas a dark blue to make the entire artwork look more polished. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtV5cOgVoO6FTjb5AlR1egQd0jAf1_XRdJn2S7mraxZ2D1mob2q9745_O_JwPCmnW5fKec4YRIduRtdlE8h3UQB_WoUD7npB7Re0nXg-xQbCUju1k8BM8HaJpZGYBiOT0OQWnQeVPeoCO/s1600/step+by+step+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtV5cOgVoO6FTjb5AlR1egQd0jAf1_XRdJn2S7mraxZ2D1mob2q9745_O_JwPCmnW5fKec4YRIduRtdlE8h3UQB_WoUD7npB7Re0nXg-xQbCUju1k8BM8HaJpZGYBiOT0OQWnQeVPeoCO/s1600/step+by+step+Collage.jpg" height="188" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Here is the final product:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGADybcxfci05_nrdwhXNy2C6B8leeGT_W9ceZrw5fNf-vHljnWA-UlE2kQN782BcYZjluEEme3Tj4phk6EeMv0tWKFzQgUI3Uk8jv4F7_gEm3eS25bZz9sHxnYIygYxAE38Sv7Jcd4UYS/s1600/dining+room+side+view2edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGADybcxfci05_nrdwhXNy2C6B8leeGT_W9ceZrw5fNf-vHljnWA-UlE2kQN782BcYZjluEEme3Tj4phk6EeMv0tWKFzQgUI3Uk8jv4F7_gEm3eS25bZz9sHxnYIygYxAE38Sv7Jcd4UYS/s1600/dining+room+side+view2edited.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm happy with the way it turned out, especially since this was my first time trying a project like this. Originally, I was considering placing it above the mantel in my living room, but when I saw it in this space, I just knew this was its home. It is over sized for this room, but it just looks so elegant! Nothing like massive artwork to trick people into thinking you've got money! ;) It really takes our formal dining room up a notch. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As I said earlier, by no means is mine an exact duplicate of the artwork I originally was inspired by, but I'm really okay with that. So if you want to save $400 and have a one of a kind art piece, try making your own. If you hate it, you can just paint over it and start again! Good luck in your artistic adventures, and as always, thanks for stopping by.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jesse </span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-62981647223691295012015-01-16T10:06:00.001-06:002015-03-17T13:14:10.327-05:00Picking the Perfect Grey Paint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">NOTE: This post is not endorsed by any company or brand, this is simply my opinion of a great product! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I will be the first to admit, that picking out paint, particularly when it comes to neutral colors, is really hard. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">More than once I've gone to the store for samples or swatches only to end up having to return multiple times because I was unhappy with my selection. Those whites, greys, tans, taupes and greiges all looks so similar when you see them in photos on Pinterest, but in reality the colors are completely different depending on the house, the room, the lighting, the time of day, and about a million other factors. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, when I fell in love with Tinman by <a href="http://brands.sherwin-williams.com/kwal/about-us/" target="_blank">Kwal </a>while on a Southern Living home tour with my mom and sister, I was afraid that the beauty of the color wouldn't translate in my home. The room in the house tour that was painted that color was bright and airy, with lots of white furniture, whereas the room I was eye balling it for in my home had really awful natural lighting, and was full of dark, bulky furniture. Nevertheless, I was determined to try it out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZn_LbAkvBAFUZ5F7bslhWKnfwKCLLFjR0Z5R9w6nelDOs9AUGlSFozz2XEh2oO2AWsBRkr_5nXjiFNB_jDBp0-Anw6yWy_R2loqamiiexaHBj0XgkRHPgc5t6pgczkEhwxZKD-NdSlxQ0/s1600/tinmaninshowcasehome1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZn_LbAkvBAFUZ5F7bslhWKnfwKCLLFjR0Z5R9w6nelDOs9AUGlSFozz2XEh2oO2AWsBRkr_5nXjiFNB_jDBp0-Anw6yWy_R2loqamiiexaHBj0XgkRHPgc5t6pgczkEhwxZKD-NdSlxQ0/s1600/tinmaninshowcasehome1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCOZoOoVCBJq0xQlTbm81whG8XIxB4Jy9U6UFVAkp0wuoW71Xh0t21szemP2p4Ebzd5uiT_q94mkfl7b-EkJI4jTG0IpfuGzkycHI77a7BFID6IrNZXW0CyEDP3KEqcRIPU9zIUz2rbb3/s1600/tinmaninshowcasehome2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCOZoOoVCBJq0xQlTbm81whG8XIxB4Jy9U6UFVAkp0wuoW71Xh0t21szemP2p4Ebzd5uiT_q94mkfl7b-EkJI4jTG0IpfuGzkycHI77a7BFID6IrNZXW0CyEDP3KEqcRIPU9zIUz2rbb3/s1600/tinmaninshowcasehome2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The two pictures above are of the room in the showcase home with Tinman walls. Swoon!!! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhltQLMD5BBjWMz-RngW6BRgixJNNlWWR-Q-SaJfaUzvaxxubyjC3FFoujgacGzqXVif1idpEcs9wPV76p_6z7yaOkiAErorvggFZ1OgRu9hNhlmbRGe34f4Kjqh5j-YKmBHhof4YeBI0/s1600/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhltQLMD5BBjWMz-RngW6BRgixJNNlWWR-Q-SaJfaUzvaxxubyjC3FFoujgacGzqXVif1idpEcs9wPV76p_6z7yaOkiAErorvggFZ1OgRu9hNhlmbRGe34f4Kjqh5j-YKmBHhof4YeBI0/s1600/before.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My hubby's man cave was the same neutral tan color as most of my house, but the walls in there were super dingy and really needed a refresh. (SIDE NOTE: When the old owners of our home put it on the market, they painted the entire house a fresh, clean neutral. Sounds great, right? Well, for some odd reason, they chose a matte (flat) finish paint, and it is impossible to clean and shows every single bit of dust and dirt. Do yourselves a favor, and paint interior walls with a satin finish paint. It is so much more durable and much easier to clean.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Okay, back to the man cave. I've never shared this room on the blog before because it is the one room in the house that Reid has complete creative control over, and I'm not allowed to "girl it up". It's decorated with surfing posters and his snowboard hangs above a massive television. Not very blog worthy, but it makes him happy so its a good room :) When I found the tinman paint color, I knew if would look great in that room and after weeks of me asking him, he finally gave me the go ahead to paint it! He trusted me that a fresh grey color would still look manly.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0I3pFfgJrWZTCp7FMXE0bbpQTT-fEylqbs6zYwWzO9aRARnujslzKiL-cK-86k6p7xczojQwpxR_HJmkSQ9YEM1rlCV_DR6KTk7PllkDuEiyP2GeWSVNY6tE09Vw59H3bf2Fn7YwxAYU/s1600/side+by+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0I3pFfgJrWZTCp7FMXE0bbpQTT-fEylqbs6zYwWzO9aRARnujslzKiL-cK-86k6p7xczojQwpxR_HJmkSQ9YEM1rlCV_DR6KTk7PllkDuEiyP2GeWSVNY6tE09Vw59H3bf2Fn7YwxAYU/s1600/side+by+side.jpg" height="358" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Guys, I am head over heels in love with this paint color! It looks great in all types of lighting, and is the perfect blend between neutral and fresh. It's not too dark, and not too light and it doesn't have any hints of blue or purple in it. I'm convinced that it would be the perfect choice in any room! I only had to do one coat and a few touch ups, and I don't think there is a single drip mark. It is by far the easiest paint I've ever worked with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">On an unrelated note, I am dying to replace that window with a big huge window. This room honestly gets the worst natural light. It's a big room and that is the only (tiny) window. Does anybody have any experience with a project like this? I wonder how much it would cost. Hmm...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So anyway.... If you've been toying with the idea of painting a room in your home a lovely neutral gray but haven't taken the plunge because it is difficult to pick a color, then your search is over! Tinman by Kwal in a satin finish was the right choice for me, and I think it could be the right choice for you too!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks for stopping by,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jesse </span></span></div>
Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-47429267179820372982015-01-08T15:04:00.000-06:002015-03-19T15:48:53.884-05:00Peel & Stick tile strikes again!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">In November I shared with you how I transformed the dated linoleum floor in our laundry room using <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.com/2014/11/affordable-flooring-upgrade.html?view=sidebar" target="_blank">inexpensive peel and stick tile</a>. It turned out to be one of my favorite projects to date not only because it made the room look so much better for such little money, but also because my hubs and I had a lot of fun doing it together. So, I decided I should do it again in a different room :)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm51ybenP9bSa0XS5vhaC7p8pcgV497bGbHfvsNCahmbL7C_1eDqfwoihIYJtrZHstjNdQAM-GNUQvswVE0UBn9j4QpXdN00U2aeMZ3aK9aWBRa2eke0b9OdMl3K5aJCVbbWr5e-rUYPD/s1600/another+amazing+transformation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm51ybenP9bSa0XS5vhaC7p8pcgV497bGbHfvsNCahmbL7C_1eDqfwoihIYJtrZHstjNdQAM-GNUQvswVE0UBn9j4QpXdN00U2aeMZ3aK9aWBRa2eke0b9OdMl3K5aJCVbbWr5e-rUYPD/s1600/another+amazing+transformation.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">About a year and a half ago, I shared with you our <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/08/guest-bathroom-reveal_1.html?view=sidebar" target="_blank">guest bathroom mini makeover</a>, and to answer your question, no, I still haven't forgotten what a pain in the ass that "mini" makeover was. Although the mini makeover definitely helped bring that room into the 21st century, it was still a long way from perfect. (As a matter of fact, it is still a long way from perfect, but baby steps). The main thing about that room I still hated was the toilet. I'm pretty sure it was as old as the house (26 to be exact) and it was showing its age. The bowl was stained and gross and though I tried all the Pinterest hacks out there for cleaning a stubborn toilet, none of them did the job. I got the Kohler Devonshire toilet for Christmas, and I'm in love with it. I'm in love with my new toilet. Don't judge me.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pDso2sy_5zBf-7GpiA3JF4OePS1N5ncwiwJU54AZJQhT46xo7Ubh8jKLsejRRX-XoLFgnEbvBvKSWB4u3A4dCR3lfbf2xpEoGFXHpy4A840Wiom7Wif8FvXkSoYWaVwtWFv1tjGaJr_1/s1600/new+toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pDso2sy_5zBf-7GpiA3JF4OePS1N5ncwiwJU54AZJQhT46xo7Ubh8jKLsejRRX-XoLFgnEbvBvKSWB4u3A4dCR3lfbf2xpEoGFXHpy4A840Wiom7Wif8FvXkSoYWaVwtWFv1tjGaJr_1/s1600/new+toilet.jpg" height="400" width="278" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ain't she purdy?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But, it didn't really make sense to me to install a new toilet and not do something about the hideous floors while I was at it. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBImiNSXcqvps8hMkv-L-KMqHKexOicDkmbXw5ifLoBLVTlcadlMfvoIqz59wFKRbUejLRS71t7yhhSta2tx27-VmtcfEipE_XL22XdNMaPPhTsMWLTRcmDr3Am9b25nkriMuTmPMU29g/s1600/upstairs+bathroom+floors+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBImiNSXcqvps8hMkv-L-KMqHKexOicDkmbXw5ifLoBLVTlcadlMfvoIqz59wFKRbUejLRS71t7yhhSta2tx27-VmtcfEipE_XL22XdNMaPPhTsMWLTRcmDr3Am9b25nkriMuTmPMU29g/s1600/upstairs+bathroom+floors+before.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">See what I mean? Pretty hideous. So I picked out some wood-like peel and stick tile. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is the name of the stuff we put in, and it is from Lowe's. It's slightly more expensive than the fake tile that we put in the laundry room at about $2 per plank (versus 88 cents per tile in the laundry room), but still significantly less expensive that real wood or tile. We had a box of 30 planks and only used 26 of them. So that's about $50. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And in my personal opinion, the results are truly beautiful. See for yourself:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since this bathroom is upstairs and used primarily for guests, the shower doesn't get used very often. I'm not sure how well peel and stick would hold up in a bathroom that gets daily use, but in my opinion, even if it only lasts a year, you've gotten your money's worth because its just so cheap! It's really a smart choice to hold you over until you can afford a bigger make over. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We started the project around 1pm by removing the old toilet, and had the new floors and new toilet and the entire room put back together by 10pm that same day. Honestly, the toilet took more time to install than the floors because we were newbies at that. Not to mention, it was fun! Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon/night :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For more information on how to install peel and stick tile, see my previous post, <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.com/2014/11/affordable-flooring-upgrade.html" target="_blank">here. </a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So now all that is left to make this room complete is new counters/sinks, new lighting, new faucets, framing the mirror, and <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/?view=sidebar#!http://homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/10/im-getting-little-antsy.html" target="_blank">repairing the door frame that my dog chewed up</a>. Yup, I still haven't done that. Again, please don't judge me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What do you guys think? Have you fallen for peel and stick as hard as I have?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As always, thank you! I hope you enjoyed your visit!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> -Jesse </span></span></div>
<br />Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-10066896138565405212014-12-04T09:55:00.000-06:002015-03-17T13:15:05.614-05:00Christmas has arrived<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I can't believe it's Christmas time already! My Christmas decor this year is similar to how it was last year, but I have made a few small changes that I thought you'd enjoy.
In keeping with my simplistic style, I didn't go all out quite like I did last year, but the holiday spirit is still definitely present in our house! I thought I'd start by sharing with you guys our holiday living room.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />If you'd like a recap on my holiday living room last year, click <a href="http://homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2013/12/on-5th-day-of-christmas.html?view=sidebar" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now onto how it looks this year! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The biggest change in our holiday living room is the way I hung the garland on the stairs banisters. This year I went with the "swag" and I think it looks fancier this way :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> My little santa collection is displayed below the stairs :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I love the holiday season so much, and it is always so warm and welcoming to come into this room :) Have your trimmed your tree and decked your halls already?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jesse </span></span></div>
Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-39614446048779701912014-11-19T08:00:00.000-06:002014-11-19T08:00:02.628-06:00Home Improvement Goals Progress Report<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last October I made a list of eight things I felt I could accomplish within the next year. Read about that <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2013/10/im-getting-little-antsy.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I thought it might be useful to do a recap and see where I stand on these projects. Here we go:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Finish framing the half bathroom mirror. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This project is done! Read about it <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2013/11/framing-bathroom-mirror.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. Paint/stain the cabinets in the master and half bathrooms.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is done too! The half bathroom cabinets are pictured <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2013/11/half-bath-progress.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but I still haven't shared the master bathroom with you guys! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. Staircase remodel. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Still haven't started on this one. The more I think about it, the more I want to hire a professional to replace the railings because they really aren't sturdy enough for my peace of mind. I have visions of somebody leaning on the railing and then crashing down. :( </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Hang chandelier in master bedroom.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We'll we did hang the chandelier, just not in the master bathroom! It's new home is in the <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-evolution-of-our-loft-space.html" target="_blank">library</a>! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. Paint the kitchen</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Done! And I still love our <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-kitchen-is-painted-finally.html" target="_blank">color choice</a>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqGeE5QOf5JAUaBO7mMjrO9jef4wEeF9jEJf1vZkzwQmAyaqx-opBcDTnuxQebxFortoOuDmw1zN30aswWsLzieOYrw0kBr67aOyBZfLLfz_jD0h4OgQaG00M6b_N9xBAHU-LjPHRnQ8X/s1600/stoveside1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqGeE5QOf5JAUaBO7mMjrO9jef4wEeF9jEJf1vZkzwQmAyaqx-opBcDTnuxQebxFortoOuDmw1zN30aswWsLzieOYrw0kBr67aOyBZfLLfz_jD0h4OgQaG00M6b_N9xBAHU-LjPHRnQ8X/s1600/stoveside1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">6. Paint the master bathroom</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is sorta done. We did buy a new can of paint and were able to patch that one spot so that it matches the rest of the room, however I still really want to give the entire room a totally new color. We're working on that room right now and thinking of creative and inexpensive ways to spruce it up. I'm hoping to share it with you soon! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">7. Neutralize the gallery wall</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Done! See more <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-gallery-wall-gets-face-lift.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBgEmFZ4gUSk2-TrwZi3YBPP8K3hQ1Nr82yZ0mDeaODSXmAdhrY4y_HxFwYY0F5xGHaSG2wOJ4yWGwVEoOgqSTJF9_wQDtpdD4ek05JBzJncAmJ-hlhTe6wVdNbozvj6NUItsBZngbSPt/s1600/after5-very+similar+to+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBgEmFZ4gUSk2-TrwZi3YBPP8K3hQ1Nr82yZ0mDeaODSXmAdhrY4y_HxFwYY0F5xGHaSG2wOJ4yWGwVEoOgqSTJF9_wQDtpdD4ek05JBzJncAmJ-hlhTe6wVdNbozvj6NUItsBZngbSPt/s1600/after5-very+similar+to+4.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">8. Fix the door frame in the upstairs bathroom </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This hasn't been touched. It still looks like this:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHit3UzfVr01NzIDst7suydbsseE_i73Zesyjzjm-5fjvQUa-NAWGzY0PJhlLF3twxrlVDrcHQASspO1A78shFtpUdbY_UyU9aeZQmJp1HDJB0lp3PHhP8-XGlrFwQgO1qHLwDwp-gwxh/s1600/ruby+damage.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="pinme" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHit3UzfVr01NzIDst7suydbsseE_i73Zesyjzjm-5fjvQUa-NAWGzY0PJhlLF3twxrlVDrcHQASspO1A78shFtpUdbY_UyU9aeZQmJp1HDJB0lp3PHhP8-XGlrFwQgO1qHLwDwp-gwxh/s640/ruby+damage.JPG" height="640" width="478" /> </a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I guess we got 5 1/2 out of 8 projects done, but it doesn't really feel like we made that much progress because the biggest project (the staircase remodel) is one of the projects we've yet to tackle. In all fairness to us, we did have to deal with the "little" problem of replacing all the plumbing in our home over the summer which put a big hold on all other projects. Suffice it to say, our house was in complete shambles for well over a month due to that project and we still haven't completely put it back together. Replacing all the plumbing in a house is a messy (and expensive) project. Let's hope I can get the rest of this list checked off soon!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What about you? Did you accomplish all your home improvement goals this year? As always, thanks for stopping by!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jesse </span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-15095850621582761032014-11-17T09:04:00.001-06:002015-03-17T13:14:45.964-05:00Thanksgiving Tablescape <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bZCSSp359ou9DySEfGn_TeMaaF0gkGnV4e7f7NgeJKgZGyqcmPgFQt5XLioBakM2HFt-5_JL0-b-n06Spk0dUmlcZNZbBOTGImZ4obWZAu_cJiTRFJChLxWIx0JCbPqUU889bZHet3s2/s1600/cover+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bZCSSp359ou9DySEfGn_TeMaaF0gkGnV4e7f7NgeJKgZGyqcmPgFQt5XLioBakM2HFt-5_JL0-b-n06Spk0dUmlcZNZbBOTGImZ4obWZAu_cJiTRFJChLxWIx0JCbPqUU889bZHet3s2/s1600/cover+shot.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I love hosting parties and dinners in our home, and Thanksgiving is one my absolute favorite events every year. It's the one time of year both mine and my husband's families get together, and its the true start of the holiday season. Obviously having a wonderful meal planned is key to any successful Thanksgiving gathering, but it is of equal importance to me to have my home look the part! I just love a welcoming home during the holidays! For that reason, I put a lot of thought and care into designing my tablescape this year. I decided to keep my tablescape simple for a couple of reasons. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reason #1: If the centerpieces are too tall, you can't see the people sitting across from you, which just isn't practical for conversation. Like so: </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLN0jVUwKOXpeXa29XP-yKICpxz8sUYPGFGFXQGwJXBeNgsiZPlTRZJRFJzctSgXf-dXZuN7XawmKEGG6APiyZvEH3jM2QZwnTFj15ojl-uYpJXjREvtq00ZB_u2PKvwdlPw4qUFofjHT/s1600/too+tall+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLN0jVUwKOXpeXa29XP-yKICpxz8sUYPGFGFXQGwJXBeNgsiZPlTRZJRFJzctSgXf-dXZuN7XawmKEGG6APiyZvEH3jM2QZwnTFj15ojl-uYpJXjREvtq00ZB_u2PKvwdlPw4qUFofjHT/s400/too+tall+2.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMM1GkuubZ599TVHjRj7xhwV6q6wH7OdigI48hEzVpeqJk0pyr0sxL7erdm5SujNSFl2-XcNdKgqT7nMSGoz-kU1U6h4vRe2ksGgfZV852f_lX0B0dm-33bq10lBuFsnDZMYtuKtFJnBj/s1600/too+talljpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMM1GkuubZ599TVHjRj7xhwV6q6wH7OdigI48hEzVpeqJk0pyr0sxL7erdm5SujNSFl2-XcNdKgqT7nMSGoz-kU1U6h4vRe2ksGgfZV852f_lX0B0dm-33bq10lBuFsnDZMYtuKtFJnBj/s400/too+talljpg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As gorgeous as both of these tables are, they are really only for show. How could you ever carry on a conversation with somebody sitting across from you?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reason #2: If the centerpiece is too long or too bulky, that doesn't leave any room to set the food. For practicality purposes, there needs to be space to set the gravy boat, rolls, and salt & pepper shakers even if you serve the majority of your food buffet style. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivW_d2rXBtPW_v_x2Vj41oTwxdgESOZLoUTjlYTk1WDLiGd18MrG8xhPeKbPzt6jFFJkPPrCEn3Lw4iNV1KQuE8xlIWhpiwgSWmO4rcM6MRKokE5XTVuwqFPQyK-Bka1BxeDf7WUlRi8b/s1600/too+long+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivW_d2rXBtPW_v_x2Vj41oTwxdgESOZLoUTjlYTk1WDLiGd18MrG8xhPeKbPzt6jFFJkPPrCEn3Lw4iNV1KQuE8xlIWhpiwgSWmO4rcM6MRKokE5XTVuwqFPQyK-Bka1BxeDf7WUlRi8b/s400/too+long+2.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrov0Lg0nay064RmeTQgITNKQWOwW7fXprn2O2YxEDUdVghvkD8nowfCDXaSBo2aJlz0cnsMlTBeX-7ukbOTXgbYqvUqqxR_gHOzVcwcVpJE0b33tO_QPjghZ3b7uiHIS6-NtR9xGGSQ6u/s1600/too+long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrov0Lg0nay064RmeTQgITNKQWOwW7fXprn2O2YxEDUdVghvkD8nowfCDXaSBo2aJlz0cnsMlTBeX-7ukbOTXgbYqvUqqxR_gHOzVcwcVpJE0b33tO_QPjghZ3b7uiHIS6-NtR9xGGSQ6u/s400/too+long.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While these centerpieces are unarguably gorgeous, who wants to have to walk to the kitchen every time somebody needs some butter for their roll? Not me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Which brings me to our Thanksgiving tablescape. It's practical but in my opinion still special. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6_uzKP1CqrCPXj0fNN9ikkJ5w_-DH1HJ-dIz3CXg9e9rvMD069AhYmFtxmxUQV94Zp8FpScjwvEEo1AACRkUzR2w9Pq68QLXBhQCVPXU_M5HvPlXPZWOclfSDgB6F8y6FT1MYDAHdR7t/s1600/entire+table+birds+eye+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6_uzKP1CqrCPXj0fNN9ikkJ5w_-DH1HJ-dIz3CXg9e9rvMD069AhYmFtxmxUQV94Zp8FpScjwvEEo1AACRkUzR2w9Pq68QLXBhQCVPXU_M5HvPlXPZWOclfSDgB6F8y6FT1MYDAHdR7t/s1600/entire+table+birds+eye+2.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVmEXq7zegLO6EsTCOXFQHfor1EFJEIyUM16RCaFXhCdooGO1mRSQc8q4V2ZFo-9XSgzHec2mhzqgHz9nh-fUmSti1UIvJxtz8S1gwYAt1MZqCcecKE7RKKVzlgriYC7DSzfFgpCmnIqU/s1600/candle+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVmEXq7zegLO6EsTCOXFQHfor1EFJEIyUM16RCaFXhCdooGO1mRSQc8q4V2ZFo-9XSgzHec2mhzqgHz9nh-fUmSti1UIvJxtz8S1gwYAt1MZqCcecKE7RKKVzlgriYC7DSzfFgpCmnIqU/s1600/candle+up+close.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I like to stick with unscented candles at the table so the smell doesn't compete with the smells from the food :) </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTu421a8dUHm7i0bulbcosc3Xo6DUevsqQ2y5rBuj5ZT2rbC0ZWPMuZNkXSwoHFyVwIYfnPpzl27jrdGWvqVGYgN4kyPENqPXHX20Z_p7uojHF1A5h5clVr0VzCnxtmVlLTRS6t0y32zhe/s1600/table+runner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTu421a8dUHm7i0bulbcosc3Xo6DUevsqQ2y5rBuj5ZT2rbC0ZWPMuZNkXSwoHFyVwIYfnPpzl27jrdGWvqVGYgN4kyPENqPXHX20Z_p7uojHF1A5h5clVr0VzCnxtmVlLTRS6t0y32zhe/s1600/table+runner2.jpg" height="640" width="494" /> </a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm in love with my new table runner that was a custom made gift :) So simple and beautiful any time of the year. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiy4FXo7flojNDOjDcjG_JhGhXBEELDntbd9ki_EgxUkvVwDGEpJr0Rijw96VK8dBzHsZXLssbpWp2ixEozJpxX77AOMy_ru5jyaaYQKJPVDXAooFcuy9qO0v87d-O5FIJPktbBL76yuP/s1600/gobble+til+you+wobble+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiy4FXo7flojNDOjDcjG_JhGhXBEELDntbd9ki_EgxUkvVwDGEpJr0Rijw96VK8dBzHsZXLssbpWp2ixEozJpxX77AOMy_ru5jyaaYQKJPVDXAooFcuy9qO0v87d-O5FIJPktbBL76yuP/s1600/gobble+til+you+wobble+1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I created these silverware holders out of spare construction paper I had and glued the edges together using mod podge. I created the labels using <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">picmonkey</a>. Here's an even closer view:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0RzBGKLpM1NSedq9156VaYgYef6mJwEOX0nvoqmtEL14LrKFkZkhmf4Z_BnlYblHmGHxAC-3aNkna9qmLZWcTWNz07GDholw97LqRjq4hIOM1LnxkTncFWuQBcGSO3OegoCtEDXM6ehs/s1600/gobble+til+you+wobble+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0RzBGKLpM1NSedq9156VaYgYef6mJwEOX0nvoqmtEL14LrKFkZkhmf4Z_BnlYblHmGHxAC-3aNkna9qmLZWcTWNz07GDholw97LqRjq4hIOM1LnxkTncFWuQBcGSO3OegoCtEDXM6ehs/s1600/gobble+til+you+wobble+2.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuu1sF_OOOEqkrT-6i54BkAghCebNTpIvG-DSuUPDnfMkYaDK8yUf4FVvvYRaI4jej_3AmsHzxfXC32kBUQwiVGGxjDiH_o6uA7pxn0lV_hAaFQU4elnCqlNlyz9f6VcqjtEoedBWMw80/s1600/mostly+entire+table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuu1sF_OOOEqkrT-6i54BkAghCebNTpIvG-DSuUPDnfMkYaDK8yUf4FVvvYRaI4jej_3AmsHzxfXC32kBUQwiVGGxjDiH_o6uA7pxn0lV_hAaFQU4elnCqlNlyz9f6VcqjtEoedBWMw80/s1600/mostly+entire+table1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For my centerpiece, I set my candelabra into the blue, wooden, rectangular box I had and filled it with faux leaves and pine cones from my yard. It's both compact and beautiful. If you don't have a box like my wooden one, you could always wrap a shoe box in pretty wrapping paper and fill it with candles, pine cones, leaves or other pretty items. Not only is it pretty, but it keeps the centerpiece small, leaving plenty of room for the food!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3Tm4hzV3IRVf1knJFwbeyjntu3HbIAjGV1cuE8dwfFAx9dHlTAVo3rze4Da41-u1-9AVobBSCz5Fwj8vzhmF2bedSCeKXZofHgvglYHMT-4rpwu-Hou5zFudZm0e4HD3_A2Hc1S8X6JN/s1600/place+setting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3Tm4hzV3IRVf1knJFwbeyjntu3HbIAjGV1cuE8dwfFAx9dHlTAVo3rze4Da41-u1-9AVobBSCz5Fwj8vzhmF2bedSCeKXZofHgvglYHMT-4rpwu-Hou5zFudZm0e4HD3_A2Hc1S8X6JN/s1600/place+setting.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MHUwLlLZe4_ymoQdQwKftcpVpX3jzCtlEfbiOf4Y4TYmkr1XdoT4ez-1lzplD38JwW8Qm4XyREJ_r-BcWZnii9i9gB932oiy-SlEg0O1Awwl-v8b_xufNmWzf9BNw2J4RfLm3cJUQkHH/s1600/table+runner1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MHUwLlLZe4_ymoQdQwKftcpVpX3jzCtlEfbiOf4Y4TYmkr1XdoT4ez-1lzplD38JwW8Qm4XyREJ_r-BcWZnii9i9gB932oiy-SlEg0O1Awwl-v8b_xufNmWzf9BNw2J4RfLm3cJUQkHH/s1600/table+runner1.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsug7uyioUOVySfr-7PReJyJkgaBdIluuI1wd0b-4N-DiczWGBtQPf4YEn-9ukgRG85NDenn6_hgwLdQzPBfx67Ct2YHio_6HW3FCIkTDAjLXv9aLw-N14OlO38fFoWiKBCgPrsfysY2u/s1600/centerpiece1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsug7uyioUOVySfr-7PReJyJkgaBdIluuI1wd0b-4N-DiczWGBtQPf4YEn-9ukgRG85NDenn6_hgwLdQzPBfx67Ct2YHio_6HW3FCIkTDAjLXv9aLw-N14OlO38fFoWiKBCgPrsfysY2u/s1600/centerpiece1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLUCIilI_Q2bAnphd9JSBVQM8zXp21iLmXZs2nOrdhzDHbhTS0I5Az8M0PqMeeo4iLDJXmft7j0eFpH7QkknYcmFz7UP-B5gwrhP-cduaU9Y-nSTe-EKIXacnKuUk5A_YqNzIWR4uxCaV/s1600/entire+table+birds+eye+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLUCIilI_Q2bAnphd9JSBVQM8zXp21iLmXZs2nOrdhzDHbhTS0I5Az8M0PqMeeo4iLDJXmft7j0eFpH7QkknYcmFz7UP-B5gwrhP-cduaU9Y-nSTe-EKIXacnKuUk5A_YqNzIWR4uxCaV/s1600/entire+table+birds+eye+1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How are your Thanksgiving plans coming along? Can you believe its only a week and a half away?!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks for stopping by!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jesse </span></span></div>
Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-52744837258398175032014-11-10T08:24:00.001-06:002015-03-19T15:57:32.640-05:00The Evolution of our Loft Space<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is a truth universally known but rarely spoken that everybody has at least one room<strike></strike> in their home that they desperately try to hide from any and all visitors due to its.. let's just call it "lack of appeal". I try to keep that in mind when I'm drooling over the beautiful blogs out there with their gorgeously clean and decorated rooms. Don't think we haven't noticed that you've never shared with us what is behind the door to the left of your living room. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Or maybe I'm just hoping I'm not the only one who lives half her life in a decorated and clean space, </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and the other half in a hot mess express. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Anyway... In my case the forbidden room is the <strike>garage, master bathroom, man cave,</strike> loft space. Let me take you through it's many glorious stages. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's what the room looked like when we first bought the house in 2011. Just your average loft space, nothing fancy, but nothing particularly wrong with it either.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We shoved our college furniture left overs up there (No home is complete without a collapsible pink chair, a wobbly desk and orange curtains, amirite?..Luckily I don't have any pictures from this stage, so you're spared the damage to your eyes) and pretty much ignored the space for a year or so because we were too busy tackling other rooms in our house. Meanwhile, our dog Ruby decided this was her bathroom, and proceeded to *ahem* "use the facilities" while we were gone to work. Since we couldn't afford new carpeting, we forked over $200 to have the carpets professionally cleaned and used a gift card that we got as a wedding present to buy a rug from Bed, Bath and Beyond. Then my wonderful husband had the grand idea to buy me a chair from Ikea for my birthday last year, which brought my lovely loft space to this:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QmMUIjLHVtTr7N472056qSAzg-8K0DmV1sDyp7ZoycvKHhZxhwNFHGeGPjkfS2CwxucytOSivSURtYDoqmWSky0tca5kb1F-O4keoHtCVoIpifjZzvm2FhlJC17YNkmhbFplof509byC/s1600/single+chair+and+two+shutters.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QmMUIjLHVtTr7N472056qSAzg-8K0DmV1sDyp7ZoycvKHhZxhwNFHGeGPjkfS2CwxucytOSivSURtYDoqmWSky0tca5kb1F-O4keoHtCVoIpifjZzvm2FhlJC17YNkmhbFplof509byC/s1600/single+chair+and+two+shutters.png" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I remember being REALLY proud at this stage, even though this was the only thing in there (besides my old ottoman and, of course, the orange curtains). That tells you something about how bad it must have been before. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Christmas 2013 rolled around and I managed for the first time to fill it with enough stuff to make it feel like a finished (albeit mismatched) room. Read more about that <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/11/on-third-day-of-christmas.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I'll wait. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Once the Christmas decorations were put away and my blue chair was back downstairs in its usual spot, this room went back to being not only mismatched, but also mostly empty (although my hubs did get me the second matching chair for Christmas!). Despite it's unfinished nature, I found myself sitting in that nearly empty room for hours on end curled up with a book. I found the space oddly peaceful and really enjoyed the light that comes through the window at sunset. This led me to the idea of using the room as a library. Seeing as no library is complete without bookshelves, I began hunting. It wasn't long and I'd scored these (for free!): </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Aren't they gorgeous in all their 1980's fake wood glory? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seriously though, they really are gorgeous now and I'm in love with them:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I just gave them a good sanding and painted them with a semi gloss white paint. Then I applied gift wrap to the back of them with modge podge because I'm too cheap to invest in actual wall paper. Total cost for these was about $30! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One of my favorite furniture redo's to date, although I still really love my <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/06/my-new-secretary.html" target="_blank">secretary</a>. (Side note: If any of you are interested in a post about how I did the wrapping paper backing, let me know!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After we got these monsters upstairs, I spent a few days rearranging the furniture until I found the best layout. Then I dug through my closets and came up with some accessories and artwork I could use in the space. Next I used a gift card to buy some lovely curtains from Target. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Keeping with the library theme, I chose my favorite book quotes and created my own artwork using <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">picmonkey</a>:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcJ05W1Tvl3PHRyKAtNYF9BQtZiP6Ac6DpM9qOSHIPnV7huS0nGRerfmr9xvbyvBxMe6pSCNNLcEsf7qD87IMIij1T4XiWHxPJ01IqsuZubnYcv89tL96QhptXRIgM9ojpWKpH7-UYH4O/s1600/hp+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcJ05W1Tvl3PHRyKAtNYF9BQtZiP6Ac6DpM9qOSHIPnV7huS0nGRerfmr9xvbyvBxMe6pSCNNLcEsf7qD87IMIij1T4XiWHxPJ01IqsuZubnYcv89tL96QhptXRIgM9ojpWKpH7-UYH4O/s1600/hp+art.jpg" height="400" width="326" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I bought the frame from Goodwill for 99 cents. I'm thinking about spray painting it... wait for it... </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">white! I know your shocked. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Anyway, all this fun stuff brought me to this point:</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCXrnTsjggnakpcakStNLTiuLOt2IwZiOoaH0TilDOELN2WBkRu1gB1xvlBAV_xb6Tfim0Ui2dPpcePf2_TI7X1OYh-Z2cAZ4oHg9QRYkbhyib-Dx2tJwbbKDB9ZPg38xRwHYKqM0hEV9/s1600/loft+space+ALMOST+finished.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCXrnTsjggnakpcakStNLTiuLOt2IwZiOoaH0TilDOELN2WBkRu1gB1xvlBAV_xb6Tfim0Ui2dPpcePf2_TI7X1OYh-Z2cAZ4oHg9QRYkbhyib-Dx2tJwbbKDB9ZPg38xRwHYKqM0hEV9/s1600/loft+space+ALMOST+finished.png" height="397" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At this point, I finally began to feel like this room was actually going to work out, but I knew I wasn't quite there yet. The curtain rod needed to be raised, and that builder grade flush mount light fixture had to go. I also felt like the ottoman looked too big and bulky, but thought setting a tray and some nice accessories on it would make it feel less imposing and make the entire room feel more finished. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0dutxhkku98JNnFyowyM40Be3XQ6tpCAD5ViJ2QXsE2qKnOjbcZcx7zy5SCFYC0HqROFqiUPMkRaBaSN1bBJa2t4lwASQrt-ujX7u2es2-fJIxC2d21GccYwbdArc_UsWCtpH6HgJU5j/s1600/new+chandeleir+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0dutxhkku98JNnFyowyM40Be3XQ6tpCAD5ViJ2QXsE2qKnOjbcZcx7zy5SCFYC0HqROFqiUPMkRaBaSN1bBJa2t4lwASQrt-ujX7u2es2-fJIxC2d21GccYwbdArc_UsWCtpH6HgJU5j/s1600/new+chandeleir+up+close.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So we hung this bad boy! You may recall from <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.com/2013/10/im-getting-little-antsy.html" target="_blank">this list</a> that we purchased this light fixture forever ago with the intention of hanging it above my husband's night stand. After years (yes, you read that right, <i>years</i>) of indecision I decided it wasn't right for that space, but after much deliberation I thought it would work well in my library! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is the finished space! It's amazing what a difference it makes raising the curtain rod 6 inches! You may also noticed that I pulled the chair in the corner out just a few inches. I think it makes the layout flow much better :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WEX03T_AfTCaw_pl2zpzsYykiNIx5aHggS57zjz8VE8OyC1tfVlnGhLTlooStVOd_WEqDi7Qtv8MdcDGYr3mvtFygUy2ULr6JO9vsUYlTXjbquqN_5MJOZ14kxswLkvUi20W3faPIZad/s1600/art+in+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WEX03T_AfTCaw_pl2zpzsYykiNIx5aHggS57zjz8VE8OyC1tfVlnGhLTlooStVOd_WEqDi7Qtv8MdcDGYr3mvtFygUy2ULr6JO9vsUYlTXjbquqN_5MJOZ14kxswLkvUi20W3faPIZad/s1600/art+in+library.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All in all, I couldn't be happier with the way this space has turned out. I never thought I'd actually get to have a library in my home because it seemed like such a luxury. Here's the cost breakdown and location of where items were purchased:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Curtains: Used a gift card (Target)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Curtain rod: It's really old and I don't remember </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rug: Used a gift card (Bed, Bath and Beyond)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">White chairs: Both were gifts (Ikea)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Book shelves: free from a friend (wrapping paper to line the backs and paint approx. $30)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Round side table: free from a friend</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lamp: was a gift (Kirkland's)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shutters: one from a garage sale, one from an antique store in Houston - total $46</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Artwork: It's a Thomas Kincaid, and was a gift </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Light fixture: $149 (Lowe's)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ottoman: $70 about 4 years ago (Homegoods)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tray/books/candle on top of ottoman: Total $50 (Homegoods)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Items on bookshelves: most were things I already owned, but the few items I purchased were about $8 from Goodwill and TJ Maxx.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Brown pillows: came with my couch about 5 years ago (Star furniture)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Burlap pillows: $12 each (boutique shop called HeartWorks in College Station, TX)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The total cost for this room was about $365, but since I purchased the light fixture, shutters and ottoman years ago, I only spent about $100 recently to pull it all together! I hope you enjoyed touring my little library, and I hope you come back soon! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks for stopping by!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jesse </span></span></div>
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Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-31275245678839917512014-11-03T14:29:00.000-06:002015-03-17T13:15:57.746-05:00Affordable Flooring Upgrade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE4EoCJIhyphenhyphenDtDcKv4lEHfcWtEmBZ6voxWogqmJYaTikA0qlwkracEvaMV4_R3bzrHFaoMrlN7ZZ9aALjCmfng71suJE8kdlrZp043CBPN7pxGUabv7oiUBCpVheEMJGKgmltMvYb910dn/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE4EoCJIhyphenhyphenDtDcKv4lEHfcWtEmBZ6voxWogqmJYaTikA0qlwkracEvaMV4_R3bzrHFaoMrlN7ZZ9aALjCmfng71suJE8kdlrZp043CBPN7pxGUabv7oiUBCpVheEMJGKgmltMvYb910dn/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When we purchased our home, all the flooring had been tastefully redone, with the exception of the laundry room and the upstairs bathroom. Those two rooms still had the original 1980's linoleum. They were pretty damn ugly. Behold...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WkOeHJhDxPItZACIJOXPwtVRWaYApuzO8p2Wy41bjqA2stTdhDuUNPbZXRWURNPXwu4d4CnTHkVCFud3wbZWCf9FR92ime0NbusyS8eFyC4U96h7RjDTy5AxI4nbF5qn5fM2iSWe_jwi/s1600/before+EDITED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WkOeHJhDxPItZACIJOXPwtVRWaYApuzO8p2Wy41bjqA2stTdhDuUNPbZXRWURNPXwu4d4CnTHkVCFud3wbZWCf9FR92ime0NbusyS8eFyC4U96h7RjDTy5AxI4nbF5qn5fM2iSWe_jwi/s1600/before+EDITED.jpg" height="640" width="515" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The laundry room even had brown stains that I couldn't get off for the life of me. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6TNCSJVn2jmjetdNXM0Eh9O79XPtjY0kQrYtXMSjteA157dVJ1ykdyO3XDSt_IyuMhvqLpSlrW6wIUMgHzSE9l9m9f8psAlSo5b_djZuWSy6Lg37_eKTSlIvR0eDR7xa_z0zl0INulIV/s1600/ugly+stains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6TNCSJVn2jmjetdNXM0Eh9O79XPtjY0kQrYtXMSjteA157dVJ1ykdyO3XDSt_IyuMhvqLpSlrW6wIUMgHzSE9l9m9f8psAlSo5b_djZuWSy6Lg37_eKTSlIvR0eDR7xa_z0zl0INulIV/s1600/ugly+stains.jpg" height="640" width="516" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As hideous as the linoleum was, I couldn't bring myself to do anything expensive in the laundry room because, after all it was just a laundry room. I consider painting the floors but was afraid that as soon as I tried to bring the washer and dryer back into the room I'd scratch and ruin my newly painted floors. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then a couple weeks ago my mother in law suggested peel and stick tile and I thought it was the perfect solution for our laundry room. When I went to Lowe's and found tile that almost perfectly matched the existing tile in both our downstairs bathrooms, I figured it was meant to be. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZNW4vIoRS9fwiJO3oP9SWDdjHRZpec06eO9uvFxU3HCJhl9b2D2FFwXGgymYaNdwGfM6M5dIOmObuhGaWo_Vsimlcr7S1whjqOUDoQwBVXxHSCy_8AMNSj0DuIqr8SC7shbX-HF3EyFI/s1600/half+bathroom+with+peel+and+stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZNW4vIoRS9fwiJO3oP9SWDdjHRZpec06eO9uvFxU3HCJhl9b2D2FFwXGgymYaNdwGfM6M5dIOmObuhGaWo_Vsimlcr7S1whjqOUDoQwBVXxHSCy_8AMNSj0DuIqr8SC7shbX-HF3EyFI/s1600/half+bathroom+with+peel+and+stick.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">See what I mean? It blends in perfectly with the tile we already had! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4EDlGIAbbpJ65FAlLyVhSE8YxO7q1kOgpLe8OMx4VWpnAGrVNFP-IacC7XHPlLOmyRUboClaHSqRHvCuH-3JrUm1XcE8cp5LKq_9UZUmjxc2BGwbgfhK76i9seDrH1MkBSJBxjfnlbqb/s1600/half+way+done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4EDlGIAbbpJ65FAlLyVhSE8YxO7q1kOgpLe8OMx4VWpnAGrVNFP-IacC7XHPlLOmyRUboClaHSqRHvCuH-3JrUm1XcE8cp5LKq_9UZUmjxc2BGwbgfhK76i9seDrH1MkBSJBxjfnlbqb/s1600/half+way+done.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This really was such an easy and affordable project. Here's the breakdown:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Clean floors thoroughly and allow them to dry.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. Find center point of room and begin laying tile from there.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. When you get to the edges/corners, trim the tile to the size needed using scissors or a razor blade.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. For tricky edges (around door trim, etc) create a template out of paper and trace it onto the back of the tile before cutting it out. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At 88 cents per tile, this project cost us a grand total of $38, and took less than 4 hours! Not bad for a brand new floor. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD46VpANhKN_DPcQH6G8RlOfZYR6BLrpLfIOtc6t5PZwctoZLVtVnD3MPJGzReUe2R7X58Pj9-uQskpGxpVCATSov41K3wMk_YrCiSO3lFCXOw1710JO0uELxjq1AC80LnjoYU5Tjw2mIm/s1600/done+with+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD46VpANhKN_DPcQH6G8RlOfZYR6BLrpLfIOtc6t5PZwctoZLVtVnD3MPJGzReUe2R7X58Pj9-uQskpGxpVCATSov41K3wMk_YrCiSO3lFCXOw1710JO0uELxjq1AC80LnjoYU5Tjw2mIm/s1600/done+with+rug.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do you have any creative ideas for updating your floors on a budget? As always, thanks for stopping by!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Love,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jesse </span></span></div>
Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655806079883132576.post-55733142943212680702014-08-27T16:25:00.000-05:002014-08-27T16:25:08.607-05:005 DIY Projects that Increase the Value of your Home<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">There are probably thousands of DIY projects out there to make the space you live in more beautiful or more functional. But if you are on a tight budget like me, you may be looking for inexpensive things you can do on your own to not only make your home more beautiful, but also more valuable. Here is a roundup of my top 5 favorite DIY projects that I've done to my house (so far) that will undoubtedly help me sell my home for top dollar down the road.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kaTpuQ_X9H7ZM7USfRt5OgNeOzeXGyHNSWgrhxBD0oNp7cbjPjjyG0iy2hvt2dTgUDgJhXuEO3xwnL2F8gnMIqs89QTYMqZsfJZkmTmM_KvUcIEthEQIEGxMiuOa5mbFFN81MWmOqdHJ/s1600/5+diy+projects+to+increase+your+homes+value.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kaTpuQ_X9H7ZM7USfRt5OgNeOzeXGyHNSWgrhxBD0oNp7cbjPjjyG0iy2hvt2dTgUDgJhXuEO3xwnL2F8gnMIqs89QTYMqZsfJZkmTmM_KvUcIEthEQIEGxMiuOa5mbFFN81MWmOqdHJ/s1600/5+diy+projects+to+increase+your+homes+value.jpg" height="593" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5. Framing Builder Grade Mirrors</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Framing a large mirror is a simple and inexpensive way to make a room feel custom rather than builder grade. Read about how we framed out bathroom mirror <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2013/11/framing-bathroom-mirror.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQhrWm-tvkAeKoxXwZE9wMhSJefDnIR3qhZRxLoC0mMtpzUAQVZfWFgzOk-zk8qBIrIesQLVcEtsnDKNKFoW5gdtCPJ5vMobtUCbpl5ub4XfGgrwgdM9XBpbS4xkuXbQ7jc6btSUei6tn/s1600/bathroom+mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQhrWm-tvkAeKoxXwZE9wMhSJefDnIR3qhZRxLoC0mMtpzUAQVZfWFgzOk-zk8qBIrIesQLVcEtsnDKNKFoW5gdtCPJ5vMobtUCbpl5ub4XfGgrwgdM9XBpbS4xkuXbQ7jc6btSUei6tn/s1600/bathroom+mirror.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">4. Spray Paint Doorknobs </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If your house is equipped with brass doorknobs and fixtures, by far the cheapest way to upgrade them is to spray paint them. Read how easy this is to do<a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/ive-been-pinspired-1-door-knobs.html" target="_blank"> here</a>. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk1GQxg7A4svc2Hww68JM_IfgJaEMgvOShFmPwNwvGVlR4XhaluRVRGPjuVypdgdoAoV3DjNpMbVeMdq2z5D90LmAd-kMowi9IxYpC6v8EWYR8hVQjM7Wo3C33iyNXe7leVTUN4gPaT9U/s1600/bedroom+knob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk1GQxg7A4svc2Hww68JM_IfgJaEMgvOShFmPwNwvGVlR4XhaluRVRGPjuVypdgdoAoV3DjNpMbVeMdq2z5D90LmAd-kMowi9IxYpC6v8EWYR8hVQjM7Wo3C33iyNXe7leVTUN4gPaT9U/s1600/bedroom+knob.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">3. Remove Popcorn Ceilings</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I must admit that removing popcorn ceilings is a mess, and I'd be lying if I told you we were finished with this project in our home. Actually, we are just getting started! The transformation is totally worth the work and mess however. <a href="http://www.viewalongtheway.com/2011/04/how-to-get-popcorn-ceilings-out-of-your-life/" target="_blank">Here</a> is the tutorial I followed and it is so easy and so inexpensive!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. DIY Patio</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If your yard doesn't have a patio, I highly recommend adding one before putting it on the market. This doesn't just make the yard more aesthetically pleasing, but it also makes it more functional. Function = value when it comes to real estate. We saved thousands of dollars by installing the patio ourselves, and the result was well worth the effort. Learn more <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2013/10/diy-patio.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk02pTFPwUKxZVi8E4ptqSvwmLTNV1aVb-8lpKPpP5M2ZXosN2TU5ZrQypocudW234bDToRYzynhSplybaWwuDq47DDXaxmrvTyfKaJV61nUgvcdDKActBemyBLvQ-yFjNFsh824rj4krI/s1600/patio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk02pTFPwUKxZVi8E4ptqSvwmLTNV1aVb-8lpKPpP5M2ZXosN2TU5ZrQypocudW234bDToRYzynhSplybaWwuDq47DDXaxmrvTyfKaJV61nUgvcdDKActBemyBLvQ-yFjNFsh824rj4krI/s1600/patio.jpg" height="400" width="325" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And the #1 DIY project that has added value to our home is....</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. Painting the Kitchen Cabinets</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, its a well proven fact. When most people see a dated kitchen, they see dollar signs $$$$. The good news is, we took years off our home just by painting our oak kitchen cabinets, and it cost us less than $100! I'm so in love with our kitchen now, and it doesn't hurt to know that our house is more valuable because of it now! Read more about that project <a href="http://www.homeonhiddenoaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/kitchen-remodel.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgNY60WAd6Nk1cLLK3kuvcS0yLJOF1BWmfKtsp4QFnysq_55pJDJm53PKprOn5RLtq0m9hJG0lhyGO_pT_hoNfxr3a7mddgB_m6YBL5AwW-jcmYfdVr1ILlGMLeQ3TRsnmR3RWWRXSUYg/s1600/painting+kitchen+cabinets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgNY60WAd6Nk1cLLK3kuvcS0yLJOF1BWmfKtsp4QFnysq_55pJDJm53PKprOn5RLtq0m9hJG0lhyGO_pT_hoNfxr3a7mddgB_m6YBL5AwW-jcmYfdVr1ILlGMLeQ3TRsnmR3RWWRXSUYg/s1600/painting+kitchen+cabinets.jpg" height="368" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All of these projects are easy to do without any special skills or tools. Some take more patience than others, but when the time comes to sell our home, the return on investment will make it all worth the effort! Have you done any projects around your home that have made it more valuable?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As always, thanks for stopping by!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jesse </span></span></div>
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<br />Home on Hidden Oakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11402457296717998277noreply@blogger.com0