Pallet for Home

Well, I thought this day would never  come but I am so happy to show you my new painted foyer!!! 

Oh, before I go into this post to far, I want to apologize for missing this weeks Amaze Me Monday party.  It’s been a long weekend and by Sunday night I was completely wore out!  I honestly didn’t have the energy to sit and focus at the computer.  The good news is that for the last two nights I slept threw the entire night (minus a few trips to the bathroom).  I’m thinking the combination of finishing the poison oak medication and having this foyer done might have something to do with it!

{Before}

{After}

I know…  Amazing!!!  I am so smitten with the results.  This has been a project floating around in my head for a long time and now it’s finally coming alive!!  There is still a few things to do.  We want to replace the floor, and I still need to restain the stairwell to match the door.

The color we choose is Sherwin Williams Macadamia for the wall and Moderate White on the ceiling.  The trim is a Benjamin Moore match of Cotton Balls.  It’s soft and warn but yet still a true white.

Don’t laugh but I know that the chandy is missing a few shades.  I went to the store and bought 12 during a big sale only to get home and realize that I need 15!  I searched high and low for the 3 matching ones but never found them.  The 12 original have faded on the side facing the window over the years, so guess I just need to replace all 15 shades. 

Let me show you more photos.

This is what the room looked like on Friday when the painters left.  The colors are off in this photo but I wanted you to see the shelf.  This in not what I envisioned.  I really wanted the shelf to be an extension of the mouldings around the door.  So in less than 24 hours I added moulding and painted out the shelf.  

Trust me, I was asking myself what kind of “anal” do you have to be to repaint less than a few hours after hired professional painters leave?!?!?

But don’t you agree??? 

The shelf is truly amazing painted out in white!

   Remember the shelf and the Google Sketch-up drawing that I showed you?  Didn’t it turned out just like my sketch?!?!  Love it!

Entering from the family room.  I most definitely will be replacing those gold tacky door knobs with a beautiful oil-rubbed bronze set. 

Here is a close up of the door casing that I created all from Lowes stock molding.  This took about 2 hours to do including removing the old door casing.  What an easy upgrade with such powerful impact!    You can see the wall paint, ceiling paint, and the trim all together in this photo.

I added a stock crown moulding under the ledge and my father and I made the picture frame moulding on the front of the shelf using MDF. 

I can open my front door with pride now!  I use to be so embarrassed. 

I have a few ideas on how to decorate the sides of the door and while talking it over with my parents you know they had to add their wisdom to make it even better!  Now to find the time and the money. 

On a personal note, my son has some really big dirt bike races coming up in this month and I will be traveling with him.  I hope to keep post regularly but I am still without my own computer {it was fried in an electrical storm we had a month ago}.  Oh how I miss my computer as it was set up with all the programs that I use on a regular bases.  I’m currently sharing the Hubs lab top.   So if you don’t hear from me just know that I am out-of-town.  In fact the end of this weekend I will be heading to the great state of Texas. 

I have several pre-blogging projects that I have been want to share with you and just love  Sugar & Spice in the Land of Balls & Sticks once-a-month Before Blogging Throwback party!

In lou of having painters in the house, I thought I would share with you a little wall mural that I painted shortly after we moved into the house.

Don’t laugh now!  I never said I was an artist but I really wanted to add lil’ something to this room.  A Tuscan Vineyard, please.  I call this room the breeze way but it’s a really a pass through area between the kitchen and the garage.  Okay it’s a mudroom by most standards. 

The wall color:  the base is a golden yellow (leftover from the kitchen) and because there wasn’t enough to give it a complete coverage I used a  brown/taupe paint (leftover from the family room) to make a glaze and washed/swirled it over the yellow base paint.  Then added some random fleur de lis stamp design in copper.

To add even more authenticity to the stone arch, I added some sand to the paint.   I hope you can see it.

The mantle mounted underneath is something leftover from the construction of the house.  I distressed it with a hammer, screw drivers, and chains. 

It’s time for a change.  Once I finish remodeling upstairs, this will most likely be the  first to go.  

CLOSED

I have another fabulous giveaway to share with you. 

Heal My Sole

Recently I had the pleasure of try two of the natural Heal My Sole products.

                                                  Bug Spray                                  Citrus Foot Scrub

Bug Spray~  I couldn’t wait to try this all natural Bug Spray!  I personally must have that type of skin that attracts skin-pierce-sucking-insects because I get a lot of bug bites throughout the summer. With my passion for gardening and watching my boys ride their dirt bikes, the bugs seem to find me and my sensitive skin.  Well, I tried the bug spray the first day I got it and let me tell you…. IT WORKS.    The boys went riding  their dirt bikes one evening and I decided to go and watch them.  Let me tell you this track was a breeding grounds for bugs but with Heal My Sole Bug Spray, I didn’t have any bites.  The bugs still landed on me but no annoying bites to deal with!  What a blessing to find a bug spray that works and doesn’t have the same ingredients used to peel off paint!

Foot Scrub~  I have personally tried a lot different foot scrubs.  This foot scrub was a bit different from most that I have tried.   Now you know that I have had a few wild back-t0-back weeks and so to trying to find time to pamper myself was a bit of a challenge but I needed to!  I simply sat on the side of the tub and followed the simple steps to relieve my cracked, sore achy feet.  Now this scrub was different because  it didn’t have  those big Epsom Salt deposits that most have for scrubbing.  No this one it so smooth and silky, I told Mary that if I closed my eyes {and had someone else rubbing my feet} I would have thought I was in a SPA.  Seriously, it felt like I was walking on a beach.  Not that coarse Jersey sand either, you know, the silk sands of the south tropic!   For a moment I was in heaven, and I woke up with soft smooth feet again.   I choose the Citrus but the foot scrub also comes in peppermint.

Mary of Heal My Sole is offering one reader

$25.

to spend as you wish!!!

There are so many wonderful all natural products to choose from. 

Mary can even help you create a wonderful gift basket.

To Enter:

Simply leave a comment saying    “HEALING”

Additional Entries

(must leave a separate comment for each entry):

1. Visit Heal My Sole and share your favorite item by leaving a comment HERE.

2. Follow Dittle Dattle blog and leave a comment stating that you do.

3. “Like” on Heal My Sole Facebook and leave a comment HERE stating that you do.

{That gives you 4 possible entries!!!!  Please leave 4 separate comments.}

The giveaway will end on Wednesday, June  1 at 11:00 est

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good luck everyone!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But WAIT there’s more….

Mary is also extending a offer

$5 off $30

(use code: Dittle5)

just for Dittle Dattle readers till June 8th!

So this foyer project {of mine} had been dragging on forEVER!  But on Monday, the painter that I met with a while back left word with me that he could come out this week.  I didn’t hesitate to reply back with a BIG “Hell Yes”! 

Which meant that I had to drop everything I was doing  (including the other 4 projects I am working on) to get everything ready to paint.   So a quick trip to the hardware store where you would find me laying out pieces of moulding out on the floor!  Seriously, for all of those who think I’m so prepared and together.  Ha ha.  I laugh.  Laugh at the even the thought of it these days.  My mind is running wildly all over the place.  Bouncing from project to project.

Anyways,  sticking to my story, I went flying to the store with my over-all dimensions and began playing around with moulding right in the middle of the Lowe’s isle!  Now that folks is how ya Get‘r done!!!

With the help of some teenagers, holding tape measures and boards and even popping off a few nails from the cordless nail gun, I beefed up the moulding around my front door and looks pretty darn good too! 

Ya want to see???

{Boring Before}

{Wowzer After}

It’s only primed yet I think it really makes a statement.  Plus, it helps blend into the shelf above.  The cost was around $100. but so worth it!  The moulding on the side are fluted and really added to the cost.  I wish my Dad was in town because he could have made the moulding and saved me about $40. 

The painters are here right now and it’s killing me not be in the room! 

I’ll post the finished photos in a couple of days.

I am not finished with my teenage son’s room yet.  For a while now, I have been feeling like he needed some chairs or just something to sit on, and while I have been keeping my eye out for  something beckoning to be made over, I haven’t found anything.  Yet, over and over I kept seeing these sharp looking X Stools.  They are so popular and fit well with a lot of different design styles.  Do you have one in your home?

This one pictured above is from William Sonoma Home – for the astonishing price of $895!

I decided I would make a couple for the end of Austin’s bed, even though he said he didn’t like it and didn’t want it.   I figured these stools will be so flexible that I could always move them in to the “teen lounge” if he really didn’t like them after all.

Now looking at this little stool, I thought it would be easy and quick and I could finish this in a day or two!  Honestly, I started working on a pair over a month and a half ago!!! 

It all started with me wanting to learn how to use Google Sketch-Up.  I spent many many hours trying to self teach myself how to use the program.  I was so excited that I finally had a pattern that I printed off a color copy and took it over to show my parents.   After looking over my design, they quickly told me that it would be stronger if I notched the legs out at the center.  Well, I’m all for making furniture stronger when it comes to having it in a kid’s bedroom. 

Long story short, it can look really good on paper but to printout something that’s useable in terms of a pattern, then you do have to have some woodworking knowledge.  I’m working on it and hope that I can design some projects and patterns that I will be able to share in the near future.

Here is where I am now.  The bases need to be primed and painted and the tops need to be upholster.

Oh, did I mention that I don’t have any money invested it this!!!  Just using up some scrap lumber, foam off an old chair that went to the dump, and some fabric that I picked up cheap a few months back.  Love Love Love me some FREE projects!!!  Have I ever mentioned that I’m cheap frugal thrifty?

 Now my son has several choices to make…..

1. What color to make the base? White or Silver
2. Which fabric?  Pattern or Solid

What combination would you choose?

Come back to see the finished X STOOLS!!

Hello! 

I really hope everyone had a wonderful and pleasant weekend.  Our weekend was filled with sunshine here in the Carolinas as the weather popped backed up to 90 degrees after a nice mild week of temps in the 70’s. I think the hot weather is here to stay and we finally kicked on our air-conditioners.  If you know me, that’s huge because I’m cheap {hey, I call it like everyone else see it!}, besides, I moved south years ago to get away from the cold Northern weather.  I say bring on the HEAT! 

Poison Oak Update:  I am feeling much better {thank you for all well wishes}.  It’s down to a mild scratch and not that rip-roaring-tear-your-own-flesh-off feeling anymore!!!  And if you follow me on Facebook then you know that I have been bitten by the garden bug this week.  I have been planting, replacing, moving, and finally got my veggie and herb garden cleaned up and planted.  All of this should have been done months ago.  Can I get a Oh Yeah!!! for the slacker? 

As for this weekend, I’ve been busy with a few projects over in my Dad’s workshop so I can’t wait to show you some finished projects!!!  It’s going to be a great week! 

Tracey from Cleverly Inspired made this Large Library Art.  I love the simplicity of it and anyone could do this!!!

An old once Coffee table Turned Stool by Meg and Mums.

Don’t you just love getting something for FREE?  Fab Rehab Creations picked up this table and turned it into a stylish French Coffee Table.

Can’t grow flowers?  How about making them with a Red Poppies Flower tutorial from Jaqs Studio!

Chicken Salad Pockets by Cozy Home Scenes.  These sound so yummy and easy to do!

Home Frosting shares another great project…. Burlap Canvas Monogrammed Banner! 

Design a Rug for under your Fire Pit by Second Chances by Susan.  So clever and a great way to add some color!

1. Truly Amazing 2. Turn a Dress into a Skirt 3. Wine Bottle Garden Border 4. New to You? 5. DIY Ottoman Tray! 6. Upcycled Picture Frame 7. daisies, lemons and lace 8. Pedestal Love 9. Trellis 10. How to Embellish Die Cuts 11. One Hour Layout 12. Parmesan Crusted Chicken 13. Upholstered Bed 14. Custom Guitar Picks {Super Teen Gift!} 15. i'm blue 16. Mod Paint Chip Art {w The Crafty Scientist} 17. the beading loom 18. Old Box Couch 19. Giveaway Etiquette? 20. flamingo beach tote tutorial 21. design with marbles : ) 22. Vintage Milk Can 23. decluttering cubby 24. Laundry Room Update 25. Hand Stenciled Fabric 26. Simple DIY Garden Bench 27. Cupcake Love GIVEAWAY 28. junk style garden 29. Guts & Glory 30. chicken wire frame 31. window shutter 32. Simple DIY Art 33. Camera Display Shelves 34. shirt dress tute 35. Crochet Floral Bouquet 36. Simple Ice Tea 37. Thrifty Finds for the Living Room 38. Lavender Daffodil Crochet 39. Funky Nightstand 40. Sweet Shoppe Invites 41. tiffany blue, black and white too 42. Summer Mantel 43. Home is Best printable 44. lemon lane cottage 45. Ham & Brie Corn Muffin 46. Puff Paint Tee 47. Rock style makeover 48. Vintage picture tutorial 49. Happy Chair and More 50. Knock-off Pier 1 Letter Balls 51. Healthy Sloppy Joes 52. one year later 53. Flaky Pastry Dough 54. Chalkboard Transformation 55. clay tags 56. Argyle Changing Table 57. Wall Mounted Bookcase 58. Kitchen lighting additons 59. My Weekly Schedule 60. Painted Birthday!! 61. Personalized Name Signs 62. Dressing Up Our Scriptures 63. A Son Sign 64. LWYL Summer Mantle Makeover 65. Jeri 66. Freezer Paper Stenciled Princess Shirts-Bedazzled 67. Grilled Pork Souvlaki 68. Patio Before and After 69. from curtain to hair pretty 70. Quick no sew Bedskirt 71. 5 Drawer "Beauty" 72. Sleek Retro Dresser 73. Tiger Butter 74. Coke Crate Vignette 75. Creamed Peas and New Potatoes 76. Dog Treat Jars 77. Window Upcycle 78. Pretty Bricks Quilt 79. Kindle case makeover 80. Summer Lantle 81. Fishtail Cottage 82. Linky + Craft Goodies! 83. Bath Before and After 84. Diann @ The thrifty Groove 85. Old Dictionary=Old Glory 86. Scrolls and more scrolls 87. 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies 88. Watermarking Your Photos 89. Tin Foil Dinners 90. Sweetheart's Six Pack 91. Get That Summer Glow 92. 30 hairstyles in 30 days 93. Spray Mist 94. DIY Kitchen Cabinet Plate Rack 95. All GiRL! 96. Big Wall, Lots O' Frames. 97. Upcycled Storage Containers 98. Easy Pineapple Coconut Cake 99. Ladder from Ikea Sofa 100. help make bracelets for orphans 101. Knitting Round-Up 102. Kitchen Tuscany Style 103. Family Fingerprint Specimen Art 104. Guinea Pig Cartoon 105. KooKooCraft art doll Elizabeth 106. Paris Market Bag 107. Japanese Temari! 108. Patriotic Wreath 109. Sneak Peek to giveaway 110. Inspired Vinyl 111. {floral friday photography} 112. {relaxation eye pillow} 113. Life-n-Reflection 114. French Designs On Art Canvas 115. diy mm fonant tutorial 116. Minnie Mouse cake : ) 117. Strawberries Romanov 118. Heavenly Bacon Quiche 119. Organizing Recipe Index 120. black. elegance 121. Pretty Quilt 122. Strawberry Cheese Tart 123. Soft Sweet Light Rolls 124. SmokeHouse Melt 125. Blue and White 126. Shutters Redo 127. Summer Wreath! 128. Little Blue Chair Reveal 129. Oreo Cheesecake Pretzel Bites 130. Homemade Super Balls 131. Graduation Gift Idea 132. The Small Stuff 133. The simple things on Loblolly 134. The Writing on the Wall 135. DIY Kitchen Paneling 136. Week 8 - Treasures 137. Ribbon backdrop tutorial 138. Upcycled Toy chest 139. DIY Sunburst Mirror 140. Lime Tilapia Fish Tacos 141. Old window turned hairbow holder 142. How To Create Buttons For Your Blog 143. Stale Bread Bird Feeder! 144. Jellied Chicken 145. Party Time 146. You'll Get a Charge Out of This 147. dishwasher detergent great for hard water 148. Fun Hair Bows! 149. baby dress and mary janes 150. Tack and Twine Balls 151. TP roll organizer 152. be a Wise Optimist 153. 365 Things We Love About You 154. Decorative Shoe Rack 155. Baby Gift Tutorial 156. zipper make up bag 157. 'Sweet' Teacher/Friend Gift w/Printable Tags 158. brownie pie 159. Candy Bouquet Tutorial 160. Candy Neon bag DIY 161. chalkboard labels 162. Do you see spots? 163. Summer Checklist Gift for Teacher 164. Beauty at every turn! 165. Decorative Shoe Rack 166. Mini Terrariums 167. FREE sign of pure bliss 168. Little Love Letters 169. Vintage to FABULOUS 170. another tote. . . . 171. Bday Bash Ballon Wreath 172. Dates Bread 173. Patriotic Welcome 174. The Royal Treatment 175. French Hardware Sign 176. Blooming Bench 177. Rocking chair makeover 178. The Mustard Ceiling DIY Ikat Fabric 179. Graduation Caps 180. Chicken Dumpling Soup 181. COOK-a-doodle-do 182. Shabby chic chalet sign 183. Karie Finding Beauty 184. Git r dun! 185. Coffee Filter Wreath 186. Easy DIY Wall Art 187. Scrap Book Tree 188. bubble bread 189. Laundry Room Sign 190. Time for a Picnc! 191. Spraypainted Flats 192. Wooden Name Letters 193. Birthday Crown 194. homemade choc pudding 195. Summery Skirt 196. Time in a Vintage Bottle 197. Blooming today 198. Crochet Cozies 199. Kids Drawstring Backpacks 200. embellished tee 201. Toy box 202. Luminous Redesign 203. rolled flowers tutorial 204. Toddler Textbook 205. Amazing Box Cake Restyle! 206. Succulent Chair 207. sideboard redo 208. Most Delicious Cake EVER 209. Pink Spray Paint Letter 210. Wind Dancer from Baby Blankets 211. Chocolate Chip Cookie Bake 212. DIY Headboard 213. Adding Patina to Concrete Birdbaths 214. shopannies@ yahoo. com 215. Craigslist Find 216. Chippy Shutter 217. green hutch 218. Roadside Find to My Kitchen 219. Screened Porch Reveal 220. French Toast Stars 221. Dinner for two at sunset 222. Fairy Garden Tips 223. Bloom!! 224. Sweet Birthday Banner . . . 225. Wedding Cake Tutorial 226. Letters for the Playroom 227. Ruffled felt wreath 228. {Damask Stencil Tutorial} 229. Tootsie Time 230. Cute Dresses From T-Shirts!