First Haircut with Lots of Squirming

We've had a lot going on here at the old abode.  Birthdays, peninsulas, door makeovers, spring cleaning, and lots of yardwork.  We are busy, but a good busy. 

To get ready for his birthday party, Ryan had his very first haircut. He squirmed so much that it really didn't look like he got much done...but that's ok. 

Ryan's party was this past weekend, and that deserves it's own post including the best cupcakes made by our friend Tina.   Here is a little preview...

Nana came into town just to celebrate with us!  We had such a great time hanging out. 

Here is our update on the peninsula.  It is almost complete...all we have to do is decide on the paint color.  We'd love to hear your comments on paint color ideas!

we added base moulding and trim to complete the look

here it is from the outside

and here is is from the inside

That's what has been going on over here. Check out Ryan's Sunshine Birthday party.

Hollow Core Door Makeover

Hello there friends.  Our newest project has been such a fun one...and a huge improvement for very little cost.  Our house is chock full of those chinsy hollow core doors.  Initially, we were going to replace them with the nice white doors, but wanted to try and update the current ones first to see if we could live with what we have.  I'll walk you through the steps we took to dress up closet door in our dining room.  We love how it came out, and the only money spent was on primer (we had extra left over), wood glue ($4), trim ($25) and paint (white semi gloss left over from house trim - Martha Stewart Popcorn color matched to Behr) - and we chose to update the hardware for $8.

Before pic taken during a walk through prior to closing on the house.  You can see the awesome yellow trim paint color that was on every single inch of wood trim throughout.  Lucky.



Eric removed the door and all its hardware.  I mapped out the trim pattern on the door with a sharpie, t square, measuring tape.  I chose to do a nice and simple 4 box pattern inspired by a solid wood door in our kitchen.




Once I had the pattern sketched on the door, I took the measurements and used my miter saw to cut the trim pieces. 



I used Elmer's wood glue to secure the trim to the door.  Nail would not have worked because of the nature of the hollow core of the door.




Once the trim is on the door and is exactly where it should be very gently set some heavy flat items on top of the trim to ensure that the trim is securely adhered.  I used books and storage boxes to do the trick.





And, here she is all finished!




I am so pleased with our new glass hardware.  I love the contrast and the sparkle.




Before and After


Special notes to make it easier if you want give this project a whirl....it helps to lightly sand the door prior to priming it.  The primer was an essential step because of whatever finish was on the door originally.  It stain blocked the door, covered my sharpie marks without issue and prevented the final finish from chipping and peeling. 

 Now. I am off to work on our bathroom door next.  Wait till you see what I have planned!

UPDATE 4/27/12 ***

Click here to read Hollow Core Door Makeover Round 2 

DIY Kitchen Peninsula

We finally tackled the kitchen peninsula.  While I was visiting Eric's moms house with the boys a few weeks ago, I really loved having an eat in kitchen.  Last weekend we did it!  You'll see below the before pictures, during and after shots.  We haven't had a chance to do the finishes on the cabinet yet.  We are going to paint the bottom cabinet some undetermined color and add a back and sides of some undetermined material :).  Still to be decided.  The cabinet was purchased at Home Depot from their unfinished stock cabinets and the top is made from hardwood oak flooring. 

Before pic.  The tape on the floor is the outline of the cabinet and countertop.  We lived with it on the floor for a few days to see how we liked or disliked the flow of the kitchen with the potential peninsula. 

Here I am securing the stock cabinet to the 2x4s that were sunk into the floor underneath.



Eric assembled our new table saw!



my assistant

Here it is, assembled and getting stained.  We chose a medium stain with a warm red base called Red Oak - Minwax.  I love the contrast of the warm wood against the stainless steel and slate tiles. 
 Note the angled corners which were Eric's idea. 

All finished waiting for the stain to dry so we can protect it with poly.

We are scouring Craig's List right now for countertop stools.  We are going to do 2 saddle seat stools for the front and the inside and 2 high back stools that the booster chairs can fit into for the far side where the boys can sit. 

We can't wait to use it!

Guest Room

With the visit of some family a few weeks ago, I decided that it was time to tackle the guest room.  It was our saddest room but since it was hardly ever used, we just kept the door shut so we didn't have to look at it.  Here are some of the before and after shots...

We originally wanted to go with a yellow called Anjou Pear - Sherwin Williams.  We got it up on the walls and I have never been more uncomfortable in a room in my life!  It was just awful in this space.  You can see where we started trimming out the walls with it in the before photo above.  The color we ended up with is called Granite Boulder - Behr.  It was left over from when I wanted to go grey in the kitchen.  It makes the room feel really cozy and relaxing. 

The curtains are left over from my living room project.  They go great with the wall color and are double lined so they keep the light out quite nicely for guests that want to sleep in. 

One of my favorite projects in the room so far is the birds on the wall. 

I found a pattern on pinterest and made the birds with some left over scrap material.  Owen and I found some sticks outside and I screwed them into the wall.  The birds are attached with a glue gun. 

Now, I need to figure out what to do with the headboard for the bed and lighting. 

house stuff at a bit of a standstill

Hey friends and family...it's been a bit since I've posted an update.  We have been busy with lots of things, just not much with the house lately.  I've been doing quite a bit of painting which you can check out here.  The boys are good - Ryan is able to stand up now on his own, but no steps yet.  Eric has made a prediction that Ryan will take his first steps on or before Feb. 5th.  I think it will be more likely that he will walk closer to his first birthday in March.  Let me know if you want to get in on the pool.

This is what I found waiting for me this morning :)

We have some guests coming to stay with us in a few weeks - so my goal is to get the guest room painted before then.  I am still deciding on the color - Anjou Pear (Sherwin Williams) is on the short list as well as a light grey and a neutral.  I'll post pics when I make some headway.  It, as well as almost all the other rooms in the house is also paneling which requires a base coat of primer (I use Kilz).  So, I am sort of dragging my feet because I HATE priming.  Did I mention that the guest room is also drop ceiling which also needs a few coats of primer.  Wish me luck!

Paris Rooftops

On the last day of our honeymoon stay in Paris, we climbed up to the top of Notre Dame one chilly and overcast Sunday morning.  Lots, and lots of stairs in the tiniest spiral staircase.  It was amazing to see the architecture and disturbing gargoyles, and most of all, the view of the Parisian skyline. 

Here is the painting that I just finished of that view of Paris.  



Paris Rooftops
24x36
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas



Christmas Recap and A Visit from Popi and Charlotte

Sadly, the holidays are behind us and the Christmas decorations are all packed away for the year.  We had such a wonderful Christmas and New Year.  Now that Owen is almost 2, he is beginning to understand the magic of Christmas.  Here is a recap of our Christmas and a fantastic visit with Popi and Charlotte.

Our new tradition is to have fondue on Christmas Eve.  We had a cheese fondue for the main course and a chocolate for the dessert.  YUM  The bread is from the best little shop in Phoenixville called Soltane.

Owen's letter to Santa...written up-side-down by Daddy while Owen added his own personal touch. 

Our stocking hung by the chiminy...

Ryan deciding which present to devour first.

Owen playing with his new toolbox from his God parents, Ray and Dana.  He LOVES it!  I did have to quarentine the hammer due to some unfortunate hammering of his baby brother.

It was a really fun Christmas!

Popi and Charlotte took us to dinner at Molly MacGuires and Ryan settled right up to the bar :)

Ryan got himself into a stand all by himself...well, with a little help from Charlotte.

Owen loves his new search and find books from Popi and Charlotte...it keeps us reading for hours.