Monthly Archives: January 2014

House Updates {part two}

House Updates {part two}

We’ve been working with white paint a lot. I have a whole paint station set up in the basement and a room full of doors that need to be painted.IMG_1582

I don’t think I’ve hit “I hate everything about paint and never want to paint a piece of trim again,” but I know I’m getting close – and my motivation is slowly decreasing. So the doors aren’t painted yet, but the third bedroom is 100% done.

IMG_1504IMG_1505IMG_1507IMG_1508IMG_1511

Isn’t it pretty? I’ve started storing things in the closet (suitcases, bags, and Christmas decorations) but I’m trying to leave some room free since this will eventually be a guest bedroom. Also, painting the closet white was a huge pain, but makes a HUGE difference. I know I won’t want to paint the other closets in this house, but I think I will grit my teeth and bear it because it makes such a huge difference! Just for comparison sakes here is the before of this room…IMG_1125IMG_1126Before & After

I’ve also started a few other projects. One of them is this bookcase.

IMG_1559IMG_1560

I bought it at Walmart my freshman year of college – so that makes it 5 years old. It has been with me in every place I’ve lived since then and is beat up and ugly. The top had started to chip off and it just looked gross. I forgot to take a true before photo, but trust me, it was bad. I started with coat of primer and then two coats of paint.IMG_1563IMG_1566IMG_1573IMG_1576IMG_1577

I’m not sure if this is where it will stay. I really want a table like this in our entryway, but this beautiful new white bookshelf will do for now! I need to find something to fill the top two shelves though. I’m sure I’ve got something in this mess…

IMG_1579

The 2nd bedroom is always one step forward and then 3 steps back. Right now we’ve been walking backwards for like 14 steps…

Here is one last update before I leave you… The scarf holder is up!

IMG_1580

I also feel like I should mention how much we love our new couch. We hosted Betsy’s birthday celebration on Friday evening and spent the whole evening on the couch eating yummy food and watching Netflix.

IMG_1568IMG_1555IMG_1556

Happy Wednesday! I hope you’re working on little things around your house that make you love it even more (assuming you love where you live).

Love, KJ

Project: Paint Trim White

Project: Paint Trim White

Phase two took over our home last week. Phase two and a few other projects (insert sneaky side glances here). I’ll get to the projects later.

Paint Trim Phase 2

We tackled the rest of our basement and wow! It makes a huge difference! Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of work. There is a long process of prep (which I’ll cover in a few jiffy’s) and the 13 corners and 4 doorways made it a lot more work than just the small 3rd bedroom with 6 corners and 2 doorways.

How to Prep Trim for Paint

I’m going over the steps to prep trim from my own experience. I will be covering the actual painting later on. It’s tricky with carpet, but we figured out a trick that I think is amazing and it works really well.How To Prep Trim For Paint

You could tape off the hardware if you wanted, but since I am also painting our doors it was MUCH easier to pull the doors off and take the hardware with it.

How To Prep Trim For Paint

This is a step you really don’t want to skip. You don’t believe me? Look at the picture below… That was after two rinses and starting again. Yuck!How To Prep Trim For PaintHow To Prep Trim For Paint

Caulking was really important for us because our trim was never sealed to the wall. I learned this the hard way in the 3rd bedroom. There is a slim crack between the trim and the wall – after you pull the tape off there is a very distinct black gap between the trim and the wall. It was not nearly as “clean” looking as I’d hoped, but no worries, I fixed it.How To Prep Trim For Paint

Sorry about that sidetrack. Caulking is important for really clean lines. And I love those clean lines. It’s also T I M E  C O N S U M I N G! This was by far the longest step besides painting (including dry time). It’s important when you caulk that you wipe the caulk off with your finger or a damp rag. I found the most success with a damp rag – more wet the dry, but not drippy. It worked great and my hands stayed clean.

How To Prep Trim For Paint

Allow for the caulking to dry completely (dry time will be on the caulk tube) before you start taping. I went ahead and taped everything around the trim besides the carpet. It took a lot of time, but was worth it for me. I’m not an expert paintbrusher and the safety of the tape made painting go a lot faster.

After the tape is on then paint away!

How To Prep Trim For PaintHow To Prep Trim For Paint

The ledge wasn’t completely finished when I took these photos, but we got the trim done on Friday morning – right before our big delivery!

The Now

WE BOUGHT A COUCH! It’s our first big purchase in the new house! We love it and it looks so good in the basement!

We’re happy couch owners and we will soon be happy rug owners! I can’t wait to show you that.

Today starts our week with my littlest sister so we are busy busy.

Happy Monday! Are you tackling any big projects like painting your trim white? I hope so, because it’s exhilarating!
Love, KJ

Five On Friday

I have been following blogs that participate in “Five on Friday” for years and I’ve always wanted to join in but just haven’t. Well, today’s the day!!

1. Project: Paint Trim White {Phase 2}

The next phase of painting trim is in process! We are painting the rest of the basement trim this week. There are 13 corners and three doors – it’s a BEAST. But everyday I’ve made it a step further and that feels good. We are getting a NEW COUCH delivered this afternoon so I’m hopeful that the trim in the living room will be complete by 3:15.

2. January Birthdays

My little sisters birthday is the 10th, Mike’s birthday is the 17th, and Betsy’s (my sister in-law) is today! They are all one week apart so we’ve had LOTS of reasons to celebrate. Happy Birthday BETS!

IMG_1325(x)

3. Homemade Meals

I made a homemade meal this week! This is a small victory for me because I’m hoping that these next few weeks that number will rise. I’m not big into cooking but I’m trying to learn. This is what I made.

4. Making the Bed

Lately I’ve been trying to set little goals for myself since I’ve been spending a lot of time at home playing house wife. One of those goals was homemade meals and that is why my first homemade meal this week was a big deal. Another goal has been making the bed everyday. When Mike and I lived in Sterling it was something that never happened. I always feel better when our bedroom is clean (it feels more like a getaway from work) so making the bed helps me accomplish that. I’ve only missed one day this week!

IMG_1445I’m also in the market for a new duvet/pillow covers and in the process of designing a headboard!

5. Part Time Babysitter

Next week Mike and I are playing “guardian” for my littlest sister! We have her for a whole week and we’re both so excited. It’s going to be nice for me to have more of a schedule and I know I will be excited for the week after to RELAX.

IMG_2564This girl is gonna be a hoot next week!

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG

Happy Friday!
Love, KJ

Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Pinterest

1 2 3