Pallet for Home

Okie dokie…. Here’s a project that I started a few weeks ago and just finished up over the weekend.   It all started when Sherwin Williams announced one of their fabulous paint sales and I got the “itch” to paint.  I looked at my daughter and asked her to help me clean out the dining room because I was going paint!  With all of her teenage sarcasm, she politely rolled her eyes and reminded me that I already had several projects going on that I need to finish first.   But what to do when you have the “itch”…..

I figured I would sneak in a quick paint project using up some of the left over paint I already had.  I decided to tackle the two closets in the foyer.  When you see the before pixs you understand that there was nothing quick about this project.

Yep, you read that right…. I have not one but two closets in my foyer.  One was used as a coat closet and the other has severed different functions over the years (holding Mary Kay products when I was consultant, an extra pantry in my coupon craze days, and most recently, a storage closet for some of the smaller accessory not currently being used).

What I needed to do in order to make these closets function better is to change their order.  The accessory closet is now the coat closet and the coat closet now holds the accessories.

See the nasty wire racks in the before photo?  I am slowly replacing each of them with solid shelving! 

Each closet was cleaned out, painted, and organized.

I used MDF board to create the bracket and the shelf.  The coat rod was something I had floating around, it just need to be cut down to size. 

Now the vacuums and their attachment have a home that’s easy to get to!  *If you are in need of a vacuum I would highly recommend the  Dyson!  Not only is it the best vacuum I have ever used (and I have tried many over the years from $200 to $2000) and this is the only vacuum I will ever own!  It is worth every penny!!!  Not only is it a great product but it the customer service at Dyson is by far the best I have ever witnessed.  If only every company modeled after Dyson.  Okay, I’ll get off my soap box (for now).

Closet #2

I am so ashamed to even show you the before photographs.  I am not even sure how that closet got that state?  I believe when I started remodeling the foyer everything that was in the way got placed into this closet!

Ahhhh….. look at all those lovely shelves!!!

and what did I use all that shelving for?

Accessory Closet

Here is the a little photo showing me nailing up the brackets.  I’m lazy and only paint the sides that will be seen. 

The top shelf. 

In the before photo you will see about 4 foot of space not being used.  I was going to add one more shelf to the top but it works well this way for tall lamps and candle sticks.

Organized and pretty.

It’s going to be so nice to have most of my accessories in one location and easily accessible.  I still have to store larger photo frames and mirrors in the attic.  The only downside to this closet will be the lack of exercise sense I won’t be running up two flights of stairs!

Just as I finished placing all the goodies back in the closet, my husband stated that it looks like a store.   Maybe this closet will serve as “shopping therapy”  at times when the budget is tight?!?!   

You’re right…… PROBABLY NOT.

lol

Yep, most of you guested right…..

I decided to make those tacky gold hinges a thing of the past!

I first did this paint treatment about 7 years ago in my master bathroom and the hinges are still holding up great. 

Basic supplies needed.

For around $5   I updated all the hinges in my home to an Oil Rubbed Finish. The supplies I got from Wal-Mart.

1. Lightly sand the hinges and dust off with a clean rag.

2.  Apply a coat of Rust-Oleum Black Enamel Paint.  Let Dry.

3.  Mix equal amounts of gold and bronze craft paint.  {Only a very small amount was needed to highlight all the hinges in my home.}  With a dry brush, lightly apply  to highlight.

Edit:  I should mention that I did try to paint a door handle a few years ago and it did NOT last.  Maybe with more prep work (better sanding and priming), the paint  would have not chipped.  In my honest opinion, a door knob take a lot of wear and tear and  it’s probably best to buy new.  If some one has successfully painted their door knobs I would love for you to share.
Linking up to these fun parties – go and check out all the projects!

How to replace a door knob in less than 15 minutes!!!

Really!  I replaced both of my foyer closet door knobs in less than 15 minutes including taking photographs!!

If you don’t think your much of a “handy-woman” then this is the perfect project for you to get you started.

How luck am I to have not one but TWO closets in my foyer?!?!

I have replaced all the builder grade door knobs in my home except for these last two.

{Replacing a Door Knob 101}

The only tools you will need!  

{Removing the old door knob}

Step #1~   With the manual Phillips-head screwdriver remove the two screws from the back of the knob.  Remove the front and back knob.

Step #2~   With the power screwdriver, remove the two screws from the door face.

Step #3~   Again with the power screwdriver, remove the two screws from the door latch plate.   

Total time: 2 minutes to remove 6 screws.

{Installing NEW door knob}

Step#1~   Using the power screwdriver and two wood screw, attach the latch to the door.

Step#2~   Identify the front and back of the knob.  The front of the door knob will have the long shaft attach to it and the back of the knob will have two holes for the screws.  The knobs I am installing are for closets and do not have a lock.  All the screw holes go on the inside or back of the door to keep things looking neat and tidy.

Step#3~   Align the back knob holes to the front. 

Step#4~   Using the manual screwdriver, screw in the long screws to hold the front and back door knob together. **** I use a manual screwdriver instead of the power one for this step because I find that my power one will mar up the new door knob.  If you have a long bit on your power screwdriver you might get away with using it.  Replacing door knobs can get pretty expensive if you are replacing a lot of them.  Honestly the risk is not worth it to me and it only takes an extra minute to do it manually.

Total time:  10 minutes {give or take how long it takes to get the new knob package open}

Optional:  If your door latch or face plate do not set flush in the opening then you might need to trim the opening to allow the latch or plate to set flat.  As you can see my opening has more than ample room. 

Last step~   Using power screwdriver and two wood screws, attach the door latch plate to the door jam. 

Total time: 1 minute

Now step back and enjoy your new door knob!

Opps!!  How did that photograph get in here!! 

Okay I can explain the very disorganized closet but that will have to wait for another post.  Everyone has a junk drawer…. well, I have a junk closet.  For several months the Hubs has threatening me that he was going to show you photos.  LOL.  

I promise all of the other 11 closets in my home are neat and somewhat organized.

I reused the packaging for the old knobs and will be taking them to the Restore or Goodwill.

Better. 

But I still see something that need fixing.  Can you spot it?