Budget DIY Chair Makeover - From Drab to Fab

This is a super simple DIY that had an amazing outcome. Did I mention this was all done with Rust-Oleum spray paint for about $5 a can? I bought the bulk six packs so I could have leftovers for other projects. Just look at this before and after picture!

These were bar stools that that came included with our house ;) We used them as patio chairs for the bar area on our back porch. They were already pretty rough looking, but being outside in Florida made them pretty gross. Here are some more before pictures:

 The first thing I did was take them apart. This was very simple, I just removed the screws! 

I then cleaned them with a bleach, soap, and water mixture. After they dried I prepped them for spray painting. I swear I am not a spokeswoman for Rust-Oleum, but they always have my favorite stuff. I used their hammered spray paint and their fabric and vinyl spray paint. I am super obsessed with this hammered spray paint and use it for 90% of my crafting projects. Basically everything in my house is this hammered color.

 Then I sprayed my little heart out. I did two coats of each and I used about 4 cans of the fabric spray and two cans of the hammered spray. I am known to be pretty heavy-handed with spray paint (just ask my husband) so you may use less. The fabric spray went on smoothly and I definitely recommend it for any of your projects.

 

 Pretty awesome right? Well, it has been about six months and the chairs are still looking brand new! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I will leave you with some more before and after pictures. Bye for now! 

DIY Tipi/Teepee Garden + Garden Update

We have officially finished the walk-in Tipi garden! Well, we still a few minor adjustments to make, but for the most part it is complete. Here is how it all went down...

First we prepped the desired site by loosening the soil and removing the grass. I chose the area on the left side of the screened in porch, and also near a hose, for the garden site.

Next, we dug the holes needed for the garden beds.

Then we laid the landscape fabric in order to prevent weed growth.

After filling the beds with dirt and spreading mulch throughout the walkways, we prepared the tipis. For this we used wood, chicken wire, metal poles, zip ties, and a staple gun.

I then added some bulbs I had from the front yard garden and planted white marigold and purple zinnia seeds.

Here is the look of the garden as of now:

I used some left over stained pallet and fabric paint to make the markers for my vegetables. I recommend practicing first before painting on your final product. I did not, as can be witnessed with my markers. We then cut the markers with a table saw.

How cute are peas? They are my favorite plant so far. Just look at those tendrils!

The black beans are called Cherokee Trail of Tears. These beans have an amazing history and were carried by the Cherokee Tribe on that harrowing walk. Learn more here and here. I also have red bush beans and the Italian Rose beans are quite the lookers. I also have peas, slicing cucumbers, and a pickle cucumber hybrid.

I have hot peppers that include Hungarian Wax, Chili, Cayenne, and Poblano.
I am also waiting on the plant form of red and green Jalapenos, called Biker Billy Hybrid. These were some that my husband killed =|

 Here are the Sweet Peppers, Zucchini, Summer Squash, and Eggplants.

I also have 20+ strawberry plants, Loganberry, and I am super excited about the Seedless Concord Grapes.

I will update soon on my container gardening progress.

Happy gardening!

Faux Carriage Garage Door Curb Appeal

One of the fun and rewarding projects my husband and I completed was our garage door. This project added major curb appeal to our drab gray door with old-style Florida-retiree sunrise/sunset window inserts. I’ll stop describing and let the picture do that for you.

As you can see, our plastic lights were also done for and we seemingly had a dent on the door.
On top of the gray, we had an off-white trim around our home that only added to the dreariness. Like I stated previously, this is our first home and I am a full-time student; meaning, we are strapped for cash. We clearly could not buy a new door and also paint our entire house.

The First Problem: The drab gray.

The Solution: PAINT! We purchased the most pure white paint without gloss that we could find, from the Po (my affectionate nickname for the Home Depot :P ). The one we found was BEHR 1-GAL.ULTRA PURE WHITE EXTERIOR PAINT for $30.97. We also painted our off-white trim to match. The best part is that we did it all with one gallon! For price considerations, the paint brushes cost about $7.

The Second Problem: The ugly window inserts (ugly in my opinion and only because they do not go with our theme).

The Solution: Pop them out! The inserts popped right out and all that was needed was a stepladder and screwdriver.

We were then left with beautiful square windows! If you do not have windows Home Depot also sells Faux Windows for $99.

The Third Problem: That ugly “dent”.

The Solution: That “dent” was actually not a dent and was caused by a broken hinge on the door. We purchased the new one for about $5 which looked like this:

The Fourth Problem: Those ugly lights! They were original with the house (2001) and plastic. In Florida, plastic probably lasts 1/4 of the time it does elsewhere. See for yourself.

The Solution: We were really liking the pure white theme so we purchased three Hampton Bay brand, metal and glass outdoor lights at $39.97 a piece.

The Last Problem: We needed to add a little spunk to our garage door.

The Solution: We purchased a faux garage carriage door kit. Here is the link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-Black-Traditional-Decorative-Garage-Hardware-Kit-10011/203233029

The final product:

Before and After:

Of course you do not have to go to the extent we did, but any of these changes will add some major curb appeal to your home.

Happy crafting!