DIY Shiplap Wall

I love Shiplap, and as I've said before, that show Fixer Upper! Ahhh I love it!!!

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Aren't they just the cutest and so fun to watch!?

Jojo inspired me to complete my own version of shiplap, and with the help of my talented father-in-law, and amazing husband we were successful!!

Honestly, I was so excited and wrapped up in the process that I wasn't that great at taking pictures. Plus, I felt like each picture looked the same and you couldn't really tell the difference between steps because it was so repetitive. This is a DIY that is so adjustable to your needs that you really just need the tools and you can do WHATEVER you want, and how YOU want it with your own measurements. 

I can't wait to show you the results!

Sorry for the {bad quality} real life photos. ;)

Just ignore the paint testing strips on the wall, the mess, and the fact that I was already taking things off the wall because I may or may not had forgotten to take a before picture before testing and beginning to prep. 

First, we had to paint over that tacky golden wheat color that the previous owners had chosen...no offense to them. 

I prefer a softer, more airy color. It's a light gray - almost white - color from Valspar.

Then we began the looooonnngg process of measuring and cutting wood, and nailing it to the wall....repeat.

We actually used thin sheets of plywood that you can buy from Lowes or Home Depot. 

For the spaces between each of the boards, we used nickels. 

Materials:

plywood

nail gun

paint

nickels

miter saw

table saw

skill saw

We went with 6" wide planks and alternated between 4' and 8' long. We also started from the bottom of the wall and worked our way up.

Here, I started getting anxious and wanted to see how it would look painted, so I jumped the gun a little. ;)

My FIL had the brilliant idea to do a herringbone pattern over the mantle.
Even though he was regretting that decision because of all the measurements and cuts, I'm glad he thought of it because it looks absolutely amazing!

The most difficult part was the herringbone (at first), and using the skill saw to cut and create a template of the molding around the mantle for it to align perfectly with the boards.

What do you think?

Don't you just love the end results!! 

I am so excited about it....this is officially my favorite part of the house now!

XOXO,

Jen

DIY Orb Pendant Light

If you have never seen the HGTV show, Fixer Upper, you need to add that to your 

To-Do list. I love that show! The couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines, are so cute and fun to watch, and I just love her style!!
http://magnoliahomes.net/

With that said, I swoon over these orb lights that she uses!

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I have seen them for sale for a couple hundred dollars, but that was not currently in my budget. 

I recently found this orb item at Home Goods for only $25 (say whhaaa!!) and knew that I had to buy it, especially when I received confirmation from a friend that I could DIY this baby into a my own pendant light! 

All it had was a short chain attached; I'm not sure what it's original purpose was other than a DIY project. 

I took it home and my amazing husband took off the chain and attachment from the orb. After doing this, it left a hole which we would use to secure the light fixture kit. 

I ordered a pendant light kit from World Market.

Then, my husband used his welding machine to weld it back together!

I spray painted it a metallic black color, added an Edison Bulb, my husband hung it up, and VOILA!

I love the look I got for such a cheap price too!

What do you think?!

 

xoxo,

Jen

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

We have officially completed the biggest DIY project that we've done yet and  painted our kitchen cabinets! We also added beadboard to all of the side paneling which really adds character to the kitchen and completes the whole thing!

I may or may not have thrown a tantrum or two while doing this, and there was a point where I questioned why I thought I could do this, but let me tell you, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you can do it too! 

First, let me show you some before pictures.

These pictures are from the listing when we bought the house. 

Now for the revealing...

I did a lot of research before I started and everything said that you MUST sand first. After actually completing the task myself, I will also say that you MUST sand your cabinets. There is a polyurethane film that covers them and will prevent the paint from sticking.

After sanding, be sure to clean them really well of dirt, dust, grime, and any other unwanted grossness that may have been sticking to your cabinets.

Finally, priming. We primed really heavily. 

After you prime, paint.

We used Valspar Ultra semi-gloss Bistro White.

I didn't take any during pictures because the whole process is just something that you can't really see the stages of through a lens. 

This was A LOT of work, but totally worth it! I love the difference! 

Let's look again! :)

What do you think?

Have you ever completed a DYI this big? 

I would love to hear from you!

We have several more things to update and renovate in the kitchen, and although it all won't happen over night, I will keep you updated throughout the fun process, so stay tuned! :)

Coming up:

Paint kitchen walls

Change lighting in kitchen and dining

Add pendant above sink

Add cabinet pulls and knobs

New sink

New countertops 

New backsplash

New fridge

 xoxo,
Jen

Cabinet Chalkboard

I recently completed our first DIY project in the kitchen.

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I posted this sneak-peek photo.

Ever since we first decided that we were going to buy this house, I imagined this little section of our kitchen cabinets as a chalkboard.

This little DIY didn't take long at all! 

First, I wiped it down with a vinegar and water mixture to get rid of any dirt and grime that may be on it. Then, I did a light sanding, which probably wasn't even all that necessary. 

After sanding it down, I vacuumed up all the dust and wiped it down again.

Knowing that we plan on painting all of our kitchen cabinets [and the walls], I taped off anything I didn't want to become a part of my new chalkboard.

< I somehow lost the pictures of what I taped off  >

I used a small foam roller brush for the main surface, and a small paint brush to get into the tiny crevices and corners. 

I painted two coats of the chalkboard paint, and had to let it set for 7 days before I could write anything on it.

------- LONGEST  S E V E N  DAYS  EVERRR  ------

Totally worth the wait to do something the correct way.

I love our new cabinet chalkboard.

We have already used it so much when making lists for our trips, and it's so handy! 

What do you think of it?

xoxo,

Jen

Once Upon A Lamp

I'm not happy with the current situation of our guest room/office space, and although I have somewhat of an idea in my head of what I want it to look like, the struggle is real.

One step at a time though.

There's this lamp on the nightstand that I just wasn't pleased with anymore, but I didn't particularly want to get rid of it either; I loved the shape, and as my husband would say, there's nothing wrong with it. 

On the contrary, with the help of my favorite DIY partner, the rehab was simple.

I used the fabulous Rust-Oleum metallic black spray paint.

Here is the lamp as it was...a little too silver-y. I wasn't fond of the two-tone colors that the black leather band offered.

I taped off the leather band and spray painted the rest of it.

I love the darkened appeal to it now with the metallic finish and in one full color.

I'm hoping simple changes like this will eventually make a big impact as I slowly transform this room.

xoxo,

Jen