Monday, July 25, 2011

Grout Schmout

Today I spread the grout over the tile. 
Do you know what that means????

The next, and final step is to seal the grout and then I am done with this project!!! 

Yes, I still have to stain the chairs but I will consider that a different project so just roll with me here

I only got pictures of the completed project because Joe was at work still so you'll just have to use your imagination on the actual process. 


 First I spread the Haystack colored grout


Then I wiped it off


Yes...that was it. Very simple and unexciting huh





I have also completed to dried flower/feather arrangements and one will go right in the center of this beautiful table. I will have pictures of that as soon as the grout is dried and sealed!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Table Tiles!

This evening we started tiling!!! YAY!! 

First, Joe removed the last bits from the old tile by chiseling away. 

Then it was time to come up with a design...

We used porcelain tile from Home Depot called Montagna Belluna. The decorative pieces and square plain pieces are 6x6, the long rectangular pieces are approximately 3x12 and the smallest pieces are approximately 2x2. 

I didn't have a design planned, so I just started placing tile to see what happened!



FINALLY! About 45 minutes to an hour later, I had our design complete! 



The most frustrating part of the whole process was after the layout was complete. I had to take all the tile off the table so that we could lay the mortar. 


Of course I had to lay them out on the floor in the right pattern so that we didn't forget the order...


Now time for the mortar...


Joe spread the mortar while I laid the tile back in place right behind him



SUCCESS!!
Here are some pictures of the finished product. OK, it's not finished. We still have to put the grout over the tile and then seal the grout but we have to wait 24-36 hours before our next step. So here are pictures of the almost finished product...






Tomorrow is another day full of more project work. Can't wait to share it with you!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Turnin Tables

Yesterday I started sanding and staining the kitchen table now that the center tiles have been removed. 

I think it is coming along nicely...I really like the color



Needs to be a little darker...


I'm sure I was getting a little buzzed off the fumes...but I don't care...I was on a mission! 



There it is...I like that color!


Now I just need to add the polyurethane layer and then start tiling the top. We had 5 tile samples for the top of the table...surprisingly we both picked the same one as our favorite!! You'll just have to wait and see what color it is!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Destruction!!!

This evening I got to be a one woman wrecking crew. If you need to let off some steam...I have the way to do it! 

We began working on the table project tonight. All we got done was the removal of the tile top. It may not have been the correct way to remove tile but I really enjoyed myself!

But first, a reminder of what it started as...




My method of tile removal was simple...I took a hammer to it! I just banged away until it was done. Take a look







Clean up was not near as fun...but we did it




Now, some pictures from this weekend that I haven't posted yet...

I spray painted a piece of batten molding to go along the seam line between the color changes of the large chalkboard area


I also spray painted the existing plate covers and wall air return to be a brighter white. Some were white and some were beige but they all needed a little freshening. 


Here is the completed and installed molding above the tall chalkboard


There is a Zombie magnet on the wall there


Joe and I also cut some molding for a frame around the smaller chalkboard...unfortunately we were off by just a touch and need to get another piece to complete the frame...but here is part of it!!



And here are just a few more pictures of the area as a whole. We were having some friends over on Sunday, so excuse the items on the table and countertops. 

The center of the table here has a new beautiful vase that Joe's mom got us. I will have to get a close up of this later on.




Items left to complete...table obviously, flooring, countertop restoration and stenciling (instead of a mural - thanks to Michelle's inspiration from Dream Home DIY)

More to come tomorrow!

Amazing Opportunity

I have a wonderful, lovely and obsessive relationship with Thirty One. 

Thirty One is more than a purse...it is a faith based company that offers financial freedom to women but beyond that it offers a family, friends and amazing support. 

I have never had so much fun with a company in such a short amount of time and I have never been so excited about new reveals. 

Thirty One's National Conference was this past weekend, and while I was not able to personally attend, I have heard the stories and seen the pictures. It was amazing. Thousands of consultants attended to learn new ways to manage and grow their business, meet other wonderful ladies and witness the brand new product kick off. 

I watched the product introduction online last night through our consultant website and I must say that I am more in love than ever! They have awesome new patterns, new styles of bags and a new MENS LINE!! I am continually amazed at the response of this company...they listen to their consultants and their customers and act accordingly. If there is something wrong with a product...they jump on it to fix it. If something sells well, they make it more available. 

Above all, Cindy, the founder and CEO of Thirty One, is a follower of God and bases her business off of that. As said above, it's more than a purse...she made that known at the conference. She and her husband work together to spread the love of God to their consultants and it is more than obvious that God is at the center of their lives and their marriage. 

What an amazing opportunity I have been given to work with such amazing people in an amazing company. I am still new to this but I look forward to the coming years and I am super excited about National Conference next year in Atlanta...I will be there for that one!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Making Much Progress!

Joe and I have accomplished a lot (or at least what I think is a lot) over the weekend. 

First, I did not surprise him by picking out a color paint for the kitchen. I left the green and the blue both on the wall so when he got back from Detroit we could decide together...how sweet right! Haha
The winning color was 

PEACOCK PLUME!!!

It definitely is not too blue, which was my concern. The color has a really nice tint of green to it. 

So we got straight to work on painting the rest of the kitchen and dining area.


Then we decided to take the color into the hallway...very daring I know! 
We like to live on the edge



Got down in the nooks and crannies behind the appliances. There was some nasty stuff back there behind that fridge...we quickly took care of the dust bunnies before they could continue their reproduction and take over our house. 


Appliances were moved back into their positions - I couldn't take any more crowding in the room that wasn't necessary!



Then it was some time for some fresh air. 
There were some things that we decided to spray paint instead of buy new. 
The things we painted black I used a Krylon Spray Paint on that works on plastics, metals and woods. 


First I sprayed the existing doorbell cover. I forgot to take a before picture, but it was white with an ugly gold ring around it. A few quick sprays and that was taken care!

Next I painted a few covers black that were going to be in our chalkboard area. We decided that we wanted those to blend in verses standing out white on that black background. 


Here is the black on black we were going for!


Our doorbell cover back in place and standing out nicely



Then it was time to make some changes to the lights!! One of my favorite parts!! 

We changed the kitchen light, dining area light and hallway light. All have an oil rubbed bronze finish to them and look awesome in the new kitchen! 
 


 
Tomorrow I will reveal the partially trimmed chalkboard as well as some more daring spray paint adventures...just go with me on that! 
There is still a lot of work to be done...the countertop, cabinets, table/chairs and flooring! The countertop and table/chairs are the project of the next week. We will see how it goes!