The table that took 8 months?

No....it didn't. I've just been a bad blogger. Like, really bad. Bite my lip and hope for a spanking bad, Mr. Grey?

So to make up for it, I took on a mother of a project. No, really this dining suite came from my mother :) Here it is all granny'd up for Thanksgiving. Old Country Roses china and everything.

....and here it is all modern and funkified. Dharma-style. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for the very first time. We now have a distributor here in Niagara! Simply White  with their full ASCP line and lovely staff were a great help. I am planning on taking a workshop there with the lovely owner, Brenda, mid-June.

Tada!!!!

I used Versailles on the chairs which is a taupey sage, and Aubusson Blue on the table. Very Le Francais....no? I will keep you in the loop as to whether all the paint falls off given how much my menthings use this table daily :)

Nice to SEE you, thanks for coming in and seeing if I was still breathing.

Over at Flaunt it Friday for fun!

I know what I said...

I said I hated green....but I am digging this Kijiji find everyone! Would look so ca-ute with my retro buffet and hutch. Thoughts?

Bitchin' Kitchin!

So I started this kitchen redux about 2 months ago. I have shopped, arranged for installs and DIY'd it to death yo! If you forget where I started a couple years back...let me introduce you to my green machine....and the tulip light. My fave :)



Awwww yeah. You are loving it, I can tell. Well I didn't. The rangehood was white, that spray paint experiment should go in the "Why I don't drink wine..." pile. So I decided to try again. Meet my painted countertops that lasted a whole year :) They would probably last someone else a lot longer but we cook tons and I have sons trying their hand at the culinary arts as well. No bueno.

I know, I know. Better right? But still not quite there. So I decided to bite the bullet, make a list and budget and get crackin!

Welcome to Casa Stout now babies!

The list breaks down like this:

Remove kitchen drapery/rods & paint / make drape- CHECK ($20)

Replace diningroom drapes with the ones from TV room - CHECK

Replace pendant light - BOUGHT and READY to GO ($25)
Film on Door Window for privacy - DONE ($5)

Replace vent cover - DONE ($7)

Replace counters - DOUBLE DONE ($2400)

Replace sink with undermount and install Touch2O tapset - DONE-OLA (included with counters)

Backsplash behind stove - DIY'D & DONE ($75)

Install OTR Microwave - DONE ($250)

This was all done in concert with a number of other projects. Replacing all the knobs, locks etc in the house from classy brassy to stainless. rehanging draperies and patching and painting. Changing out all the towel bars and TP holders in the house. Rearranging the livingroom (AGAIN). replacing all the broken musty vent covers in the house. Cleaning, more cleaning and oh, did I mention I have cleaned?

Here's a pic of the sink:

OMG. Isn't that tap gorgeous? Remember when I won that at the Canadian Design Bloggers event last year? I have a lot of patience darling. A lot of patience.

The backsplash is peel-n-stick stainless tile from Home Depot called Aspect. I decided on one row to keep it simple and staggered long and short grain finishes for interest. 

A new Debbie Travis Aurora pendant light in a crackled glass is slated to go in and replace the giant tulip that hangs over my head on the peninsula.

The counters are a Formica180FX product in a finish called Soapstone Sequoia. I went with a straight edge to mimic slabs of actual stone. The slabs are one piece each so no seams for grossness to wander into. Our installers were great and they spent more time installing the taps than anything else. They were cursing my name I am sure as they drove away. Which is why I tip.

This is it so far. FINAL budget for my version of a dream kitchen = $2782.00

Momma is a happy girl.

Dr. Dharma (Not Berman) - In the Kitchen

So.....remember that list? Yeah, that one. The one that was a mile long and wrapped up at about $2500 for the kitchen cosmetic redux? I have dragged My husband and I cheerily have wandered into a kitchen design centre, done a bit of online sleuthing and brought home countertop samples. Our quote will take place this Friday complete with installation measurements to be taken and the addition of a new undermount sink to be spec'd out.

Has anyone had more options put before them in their life than when they are shopping for countertops? Corian, Silestone, marble OH MY! Originally I said to myself "Self, you deserve stone." then that same chic said loudly "Not at $60-80 a square foot you do not!" So on this teensy budget what is a girl to do? This girl went to Pinterest and typed in laminate counters and found..... wait for it......

FORMICA 180FX

When did formica get sexy? It's like when that kid Neville Longbottom from the Harry Potter movies got sexy. You're all "Wha????". Trouble is there is only one supplier of this product in my 200 km vicinity. I tracked down their 1-800 number and found a local supplier/ installer. Price for this magic? $26 a liner foot. Hello....lover!

WARNING to this local company - I will be reviewing your business, this product and your installer. Send the best looking one you got. LOL

For an extra cost they can even install an undermount sink (with a stone ring to make it last), further install the delta Touch H2O tapset I won last year and do a slab finish to further trick the eyeballs. I have chosen this stainless 18 gauge deeper sink by Wilsonart.

For the counters I originally thought the Calacatta marble knock off but the hubs is convinced it would make our kitchen look like a public restroom off the I-95...lol. So after bringing all our samples home we've settled on this:

Soapstone Sequoia

Backsplash.... I just want a strip to meet the wall where the counter slabs end. I do not want coving or any part of the counters on the wall. I think that will give the Formica away as quick as you can look at it. So off to Home Depot to check out options. I first liked the Fasade panels, they looked easy to install and a dude at the check out swore by them. I have a coworker who has used them and she is a happy camper. But then I saw the peel n' stick stainless Aspect tiles. They come in individual tiles sold in a pack or longer sheets by the foot. I say GROOVY! Check out the finished look, like I said I don't plan on these many tiles....but it is awesome :)

Now to find out Friday how much all this "extra" means in extra dollars....I'll keep you posted.

It's time to get serious!

Obs I am not talking about blogging. I've been more absent than a 16 year old stoner in English Lit lately....but I am getting serious about a total refresh of the Mermaid Cave. Our home is now going on 11 years old and you can tell precisely by looking at the finishes done last by the builder when the owner ran out of $$$. So I have made a list, checked it 467,893 times and I am starting with a $5000 budget.

WOW! $5000 you say! Doesn't that sound like a lot of money? Nope. Try refreshing and fixing over 8 years of living-in-ness by a family of men in a total of 10 rooms (not counting what Mister has planned to overhaul the basement) on a measly $5000. It will be a challenge for sure and I had best wring out my shopping Keds and get cracking at Craigslist/ Kijiji and the Habitat store soon.

First up - the kitchen. You may remember I painted our counters. YES? Well, although they turned out pretty great, they have not stood up to my chef's expectations. Yes, I married a cook. Hate me.

Here is a listing of what is planned for the hub O ma home!!

KITCHEN


Remove drapery/rod over kitchen sink, paint Touch up paint/ mud
Replace with drapes from TVroom
Replace pendant light

Swap fridge door left to right
Apply film to Door Window & Pad doorknob
NEW garbage/ recycling containers
Replace vent cover
Install Screen door
Replace counters
Backsplash behind stove
Install OTR Microwave
Replace kitchen sink
Install tapset
Swap Kitchen Table & Chairs with Mom
Recover kitchen and bar chairs
SELL Kitchen Table & Leaf
Donate water cooler

TOTAL = $2,560.00 EST

Considering over 1/2 of my budget is already spent in the kitchen, you know I am going to be swapping, bartering, buying second hand and thrifting garage sales like a maniac this spring. I know some people spend $5000 on a sofa but I don't have that kind of scratch and I would be tearing anything more of a budget out of my husband's cold dead fingers :)   Wish me luck, here is that before shot.....stay tuned yo!!  

Countertops and Dust Rhinos

 

After a week of 80 degree days all week, we got a yuk weekend of drizzle, clouds and cold temperatures. Sounds like a drag, right? No way! How do you create your own fun at home with the DH? You paint your kitchen counters. You KNOW he was excited. 

You may remember the green countertops bane of my existence that are on every vanity and kitchen surface in my home. Well, I’ve been here for almost 7 years and it is time to banish the Leprechaun from Casa Dharma. Don’t you just love the scroll design on the green? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh.

I also had been drooling over the tutorial from Jenna at SAS Interiors. Her tips came in mighty handy!! Her product kit and mine differ because we have a different option up here in Canada but the tips and tricks were priceless. Here is my kit, the Countertop Refinishing Kit. The one Jenna used was a Countertop Transformations Kit. That kit costs $249 CAD.So when I saw a deal on at my local Home Hardware from $199 to $149 CAD, I said “Self, get thee to HH.” This kit is enough to cover 50 sq ft. My kitchen counters measured 43 sq ft. Here is where you hope the manufacturer
is not pulling your chain!

I chose to use the black finish to match the almost-stainless appliances and my new greige hoodfan. Here is
where we started on Saturday at 9 a.m.

No one could have prepared me for the ICK-Factor during the removal of my appliances. Um, note to self. Do that more than once every couple years, yo! Bunnies, meet dust-rhinos.

There is a major investment of time and inconvenience involved in this project. I don’t suggest this one for anyone with little patience or little kids. Kidding….but not about the patience part. Oy vey. There are a lot of steps, mucho drying time stops and starts and it is picky-picky. However, that being said, if I can do it. You can do it.

First up, clean, tape, protect cabinets and sinks etc.  Then onto scuff/sand your surface area.

Then it is on to the base coat. Dry. Second base coat. Dry. Now 3pm.

Then it is time to put on your stonecoat finish. This is messy and does not look so hot. Hang in there.

Second coat on at 7pm. That’s looking better, right?

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnddddddddddddddd…………………….now we dry. Overnight.

Wake up at 8:10 a.m. and stumble downstairs. Thank all that is holy for a man who makes coffee in the morning. Get yourself together, Dharma and start sanding the surface of your new stonecoated countertops, cause that sounds fun on a Sunday before noon, right? Right? This was my idea. Sand.

The stone flecks in the paint are exposed and they range in colour and size. The effect is pretty realistic really. I was a bit surprised how good it looked.

Now the fun part. Clear coat, dry, clear coat and leave it alone for 24 hours. Order Chinese food

We decided to put the appliances back before the end of the day. Here is a bit of a sneak peek. We have paint touchups and silicone to complete tomorrow. Then back to reloading my kitchen with crap.

A reminder of our Before and After:

And I’m dust rhino free to boot, I won’t have to clean under the appliances for another 4 years.

It’s Saturday night…..what are you doing?

This chic is knee deep in stonecoat covering the bane of my existence. We all know that it’s not easy being green.

Be back soon. Back in Black

Grey, gray or greige?

Have you ever had or do you currently have one of these? Or something similar? I think I put up evidence of this in a post from last year.

You know the one thing that does not go with your faux-stainless steel appliances that you got on sale as floor models? Right. Well, I do. I call him Hank. As in Mr. Hanky. As in gross.

I have thought about begged for an OVR microwave. $400. I have thought about dreamed of switching out this hood for a stainless one but as aforementioned, my appliances aren’t exactly stainless either. $250 for something that will not go….what is a girl to do? I know.

When the going gets tough, the tough IMPROVISE. Or Disaster DIY….

Have you pitched a tent or are you just happy to see me….Hank?

Well, I did manage to find some Rustoleum “Hammered Metal” in stainless but the darn trigger gave up….it was back to the paint stash. Quinn did give his feelings on the whole “We can’t use the “heavy metal” paint son.” issue.

But…after consulting the stash, we did find a water based latex spray that may or may not endure. We shall see. Grey, gray or greige. You decide. Krylon has yet to let me down. Yet.

Alright Mama! Bust this sucka out! See my cheering section? LOL

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm…….does this look spotty to anyone else? Where is my brush?
Remember sweep with fine spray strokes. Sweep! Sweep hard!!!!!! (Canadian curling joke)

………………..DRUMROLL PLS……………………………………………………………

Seven years. Seven years I have lived with Hank. Hank is now gone, I christen thee, Hansel the Handsome. I’m just hoping Hansel lasts until I get my dream appliances. Hey, a girl can dream.

I’m gonna link this up to a few paint parties through the week, I’ll be posting links as I do

Thanks for diving in at the Mermaid,

Dharma

Linking up to: Thrifty Decor Chick's Spraypaint Party