Archive for the ‘DIY’ Category

To Do

Friday, March 7th, 2008

Escrow is in its final days and we should have the keys to our little masonry house by next week. Pushing paperwork around is now the final step before handing over the keys and signing my financial life away…

So far in the process of buying our first home I have learned new words like “REO“, “vesting”, “lien”, and “earnest money”. The process as a whole has been rather effortless. I’ve initialed a lot of papers that say pretty much the same thing over and over, I’ve written lots of checks and transferred weird amounts of cash around. Overall its been less stressful than I predicted, but my patience is wearing thin to get to the good stuff – like, demo and decorating.

Below is the list of “To Do” projects before move in day:

Demo:
Kitchen floors
Bathroom floors 1&2
Built-in desk
Wainscoting in den
Wall heaters (bathroom 1&2 and den)

Fix:
Patch plaster (cracks, holes from heaters, and wainscoting)
2 leaks in roof (porch and garage)

Floors:
Refinish hardwood floors
Lay VCT in kitchen and bathrooms

Paint:
Paint the entire interior including trim bright white

Install:
New front door / back door handles and locks
Shower head in pink bathroom

It looks like we should be moving in after we get the keys in about a year…

I don’t really know how to do most of these things on the list, well except for the destruction and the painting. We will be relying on the kindness of friends and family, as well as the trusty internet to figure most of it out. Luckily spring break is coming up right after we close escrow, so I’ll have 2 weeks to make improvements without worrying about the day job. I’m shooting for move-in day to be the last Saturday of March…hopefully.

Dwell vs. Amy Butler

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

Escrow is moving along smoothly. I’m patiently waiting and fantasizing about the madness
that will ensue once they fork over the keys. Big plans are a brewing.

This is my bedroom fantasy…



I know there are less naked hookers than one might have imagined, but that color palette turns me on!
This whole bed set is courtesy of Dwell – those saucy little teases.

The main issue is cost. Theres just no f*ing way I’m forking over a $1000 for bedding. That kind of cash
should go to needy hookers and my bookie.

So for the past year I’ve been scouring the internet and beyond for that perfect yellow coverlet (since the
QUILTED SAFFRON BED COVERLET of my dreams is $348).


I saw this lovely quilt via Design Sponge from ETSY seller Loft Creations. It was already sold (only $175)
…so thats looking a little more affordable.

I’m a fan of Amy Butlers fabrics in small doses. Maybe a nice coverlet made of the Lotus Wall Flower Grey or
just the Lotus Full Moon Polka Dot Yellow could add that splash of yellow. At only $8.98 per yard, this might
be a nice little DIY quilted coverlet project. Heres a link with info for beginning quilters.

VCT Flooring

Sunday, February 24th, 2008
Most of the house still has the original hardwood floors. In the kitchen and bathrooms it appears that VCT tiles were recently installed. I’m a big fan of VCT, but I’m not a huge fan of checkerboard – especially checkerboard done really crappy. We are looking to go a little more mid century modern and a little less kitschy 50’s.

Someone didn’t do something right along the way, so there are HUGE gaps and crooked tiles everywhere. You can see the glue covered sub-floor, which is an awesome look…for me to poop on.


The Kitchen
*


*(This is the only photo I have of the kitchen…it will have to do till we actually move in.)


VCT inspiration

(Yuuummmy Eichler houses…with VCT floors.)

While VCT is typically a commercial flooring, I’ve always loved the retro feel and affordable pricing. Its tough, its shiny, and it looks great in a minimal modern setting. Perfect…..

We will be replacing the checkerboard with either black or dark gray VCT – I’m secretly leaning towards black.
There is a really helpful DIY tutorial on how to install custom VCT : VCT Installation

Below are a few things with links that I’ve been looking into for the project. It will need to be completed before moving in. Ahhhhhh!

Armstrong 12 In. x 12 In. –$30.60
Classic Black Imperial Texture Excelon® Vinyl Tile – Carton of 45


Armstrong Tile Adhesive – $16.97



Armstrong Floor Polish – $16.97

Budget wise we are hoping to spend around $300 to redo the floors in the kitchen and 2 bathrooms.
They might look a little like this…except for sexier…