From SPAZ to Spaaaaaaaaaaah with only $80

So here is the thing. I am a cheap Scot. No, really. Cheap.

I like a bargain but mostly I don't buy anything because even fabulous bargains have that horrible part of the process where I actually have to lift my wallet out of my purse. If you opened my change purse the Queen would squint from not seeing the light of day in weeks ;)

When I decide to "redux" a room, I always challenge myself to do it as cheaply as possible with the biggest TADA for every dollar.

I feel like I hit this one out of the park, yo!

Here is where we started.

10 year old paint job in BM's Straw Hat, fabulous green laminate and some quite decent cherry-ish builders cabinetry. Not HORRIBLE but not awesome. Not "rustic modern beach cottage"...like my inspiration shot.

So, like all cheap, albeit inspired, Scots....I started planning. The plan started with reusing all my former paint and transformation materials and we got to the point where the green counters were now black ala Rustoleum's Countertop Transformations and the cabinetry was going Old White (ASCP).

Greg busted out and completed painting the whole room BM's Cloud White, which is now going to be the Casa's signature colour (listen for the Steel Magnolias drawl there y'all) and then it stopped.

Like a needle on the record. Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech.

I had the inspiration, I knew what I wanted but how is a girl like me, a.k.a CHEAP, going to achieve that look for NO MONEY? So far, I was in it to win it at $75.

So, I started shopping the house for my accessories, hoping I was only going to have to incur the cost of the paneling for that wood look I wanted behind the sink. I found an old tin Spongebob tub at the Salvation Army ($2) that I painted up and distressed, I printed out a sailor/ mermaid pic for the frame I wanted to use, knew I was going to finally hang our brass door knocker and I located the spa rug and slat.

The shower curtain was reversible to a nicer, softer colour so....I almost had it. I found more shells, a few nautical IKEA lanterns I had bought years ago and a cool stainless basket for the mags I like to have nearby. Switch out the garbage can with the one from the downstairs loo, bring in the $3 table I distressed a few weeks ago and BAM. I am good, right?

Yes, grasshopper....but what about the paneling?

Cue the light tinkling of bells in the background, cause I think this is where someone's (me) Guardian Angel finally came in from having her smoke outside and realized I needed a hand. Friday night, out at a friends for bevvies and I see this ripped up building leaning against his shed. Apparently this is an old hottub enclosure that is about to be firewood....being nosey I go take a gander. As I approach the pile of crud.....I smell it. No, not that. I smell CEDAR. Yards of tongue and groove red cedar slatting jammed into the framing of this pile of walls leaning, waiting for their demise on the bonfire.

"OMG! BILL! CAN I HAVE SOME OF THIS?"

Bless my husband down to his wee boxers, he and I were up and pry barring, removing screws and hauling 3 piles of slats the next morning. I think he may have woken up to me sitting on him, clapping with glee to get going at 8am....and not the way he probably would have liked that to have worked out LOLOLOL

So, Dharma busted out her old friend Chomper. Because these slats were pretty rotted at some ends. You can see that.

Chop, saw, chop, saw, measure, chop, saw, measure, screw, chop, measure, saw, chop.

C'est FINIS! I have never liked one of my redux more than I like this one. $80, I did it myself, I got someone else to do the painting on the walls and I reused all my own beachy stuff I have hoarded around my house forever. The room feels like it grew 3 sizes that day (Grinch shout out).

I am verra proud of this lass, she did her Scots Grandad proud.

C'mon you knew there was going to be a mermaid somewhere!

Thanks for diving in!

Showing off at:

Seeking Lavendar Lane

A Stroll Thru Life

A Bowl Full of Lemons

Vintage Inspiration Party @BlissRanch

Wow us Wednesdays @SavvySouthernStyle

Flaunt it Friday @ChiconaShoestring

Eau de toilet....

I started working on the very first room I ever painted in the Casa over 10 years ago now. How I ever got ready in the morning in a YELLOW main bathroom I will never understand. Maybe I have been jaundiced for years and couldn't tell?

The original room was Benjamin Moore's "Straw Hat", which do not get me wrong is a beautiful shade of warm yellowy green, but maybe not what I would pick now as a hue I'd like to reflect first thing in the mirror....ya know?

The cabinets were the warm cherry-ish that is throughout the builder's special and the counters were the same spectacular green laminate with a scroll design that became the bane of my existence in the kitchen. BANE! Thankfully those were replaced 2 years ago now.

So as it happened, I had 5 days off over the long weekend and I said to myself...."SELF, you are worthy of a new bathroom makeover!". But then my other self (am I the only one who has a few me's in there??) said...OK ShopperJo, you got $200 buckeroonies.

So here is the breakdown so far:

I rejuvinated (which means I busted out the leftover Rustoleum Transformations Kit from the kitchen, where I originally tried to cheap out on new counters) the countertop in the black stone finish. Used my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and clear wax on the vanity drawers and doors. This is an in progress type post so here is an in progress type picture, LOL.

So far, free to me and only incurred the cost of repetetive motion on my tennis elbow.

Greg is painting the walls and most of the trim BM's (pun intended...teehee....I am 6) Cloud White as I speak. That was 50 dollars....But I have big plans for that blank, square wall behind the sink!

Here is my inspiration from Me and My DIY.

Like Arnold, I'll be back.

Turnin' the tables

I was very busy this very rainy weekend. After purchasing and having a shed built within the last 2 weeks, the garage at Casa Dharma has finally realized it's glorious purpose.

My Workshop LOL!!! 










Seriously though, I have room to paint, turn up my tunes, create....and give me two solid days of rain and create I did. I put all my new workshop skills that I learned at my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint class to the test.

I started with a plant stand Q and I had rescued from the Salvation Army this spring. You have to love my model lololol

ASCP in Old White and clear waxed for protection. The relief work
on this piece makes it!

Then a pair of $3/each beauties picked up a local thrift shop....

ASCP in Aubusson Blue, top coated in Old White, clear waxed,
distressed and finished in dark wax.

ASCP in French Linen (grey), clear waxed, distressed and
finished in dark wax.

This little grasshopper is getting her learning on - WAX on and WAX off.

Partying at Funky Junk Interiors

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!!  

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

Nostalgia or NUTS?

I've been on the hunt for a really SPECTACULAR project. I have also been on the hunt for a *hi-fi* for about 5 years. In fact I started collecting records without the turntable. Seriously, I have Thriller, it has yet to be played. That is a crime against nature, I know.

So I have been searching for a bit of both. How does this grab ya?

I'm thinking yellow.....or teal......new fabric in the speaker cabinets?

I know. I'm nuts. That however does not change the fact that you want to come over, sit on my livingroom floor and play oldies all day drinking root beer ;)

I shall let you know how this unfolds, shall I?

Stairway to......

OK, calling all you DECOR DIVAS!

My sister has moved into her *new* apartment and this is the staircase to her domain. Please be aware she is suddenly single, has a daughter of 14 and is making the very mostest of a modest budget!!

This stairwell makes me think that whoever lived here previously worked in a kennell and had no training on how to remove one's shoes. That being said, the wooden steps beneath this carpet-nightmare are worn and not in the best shape...

So, my lovelies, any ideas on cheep-cheep, happy lovely ways to make this look more like the *Stairway to Heaven* instead of a waterslide to Hades?

I love you. Thanks for diving in with me. :)

A little dab'l do ya!

My main floor is where it all happens. Seriously, you have to be on this floor to get anywhere else in the house. Therefore it is the one sure place to be seen. I struggle with this space though. See, I have an aversion to green. There I said it. For all of you who love and embrace green as a colour in nature second to none.... I will send you my countertops.

When Greg and I bought our first house, everything was "1985 Hunter Green". So sexy. I was so stumped I went out and bought Hunter Green sofa and chairs to match.....oh woe is me that I don't have those pictures anymore. You would seriously cringe. Hence the beginning of my aversion to dark green. Now, you know I have a beautiful spring green bedroom (which I will be showing off this week - she got an updo) but you would know if we were next-door BFFs that I ABHOR dark green :(

Enter, what I consider to be, my dream home. The only problem, really? The ding-dong who built it used the same dark sage green countertops in not only the kitchen. Oh no. Why? When you can enjoy green with a scroll design in every room that has the need for counters? Yes, ladies and gents, all my counters are the SAME throughout the house. Green. *sob*

So, after fighting and raging against the machine for 6 years, I have become zen with the green counters in my kitchen. I had decided earlier to bring in a different shade on these fab mod finds and this past weekend I brought more green in. I figure as long as I like the pattern and shade.....meh, maybe the counters will grow on me.

So here are some updated photos of my main floor kitchen and dining room. Of course, I also had to flip the table and paint the skirt/legs to match my new cabinet and buffet :) Thanks to my neice Casey for being a trooper and helping me do a number of projects this weekend.....all of which I will be boring you with in great detail!

Does this happen to you too?

Wow, I went shopping for drapes and hardware. Came home 2 hours later, giddy from finding everything I needed for 5 windows for $70 (Yes, bow to me) and *puked* this allover my kitchen table. Seriously, why do my projects always end up allover my table? You with me?

Anyway. I digress. I had bought 3 panels for the kitchen/dining room. One to alter for over the kitchen window and 2 for the dining room. The rods I chose were cream to match the new-to-me furniture I've refinished for the space.....so onto the kitchen window. Wait......are those chips? Cracking? Since when.......ugh.......alright.

Get the paint.

Paint, dry, alter drape panel, hang rod and put up new lovely cafe curtain......





I love you cafe curtain. Meet your parents? Why I'd love to!

So, after rediscovering the kitchen table, Casey and I flipped that sucka and got down to business! Outside? Who goes outside to paint in 110 degrees? Pbbbbbbtttttttttt!

SO! Here is a shot of the kitchen. New green curtain, new green rug, same white range hood. Hey, like all of God's creatures my kitchen is a work in progress.





The barstools above will be painted out soon and boy do I have some goregous fabric to do those up right! (Yes, I am wringing my hands together and twisting my moustache:)

Like I said we are all a work in progress. I have decided a little dab of green in this space is good. I have yet to complete the barstools, switch the range hood, find a 6 foot hole to dump that water cooler in and buy new kitchen chairs that aren't plastic but for now......I am pleased. I am one with my green countertops.....ommmmmmmm ommmmmmmm ommmmmmmmm.

I wanna ROCK!

Long story. I ended up at home this week with what I thought was chicken pox. Not the pox, hot tub folicullitis. So much less sexy. Plah! However, I ended up at home, contagious with nothing to do. Hmmmmmmm...... except getting to a few promises I made around here to this guy.

Quinn is a rockhound. He scales trees like a spider monkey and is constantly weighing down his pockets with shells and unusual varieties of stones he finds on his many adventures. A while ago (about 6 months or so but who's counting) I ordered and received a wall mural for his *new* bedroom. Quinn was moved into the old master bedroom when Greg and I renovated the two upstairs rooms into one. Quinn also channels Frank Sinatra.

So, with time on my hands and a husband who is off for the summer.....the going was tough so the tough got going.

I have been creating as cloffice for Quinn for a few weeks, it's still a work in progress as you can see. But we're getting there.

The canvas!

The crazy nightstand idea I got from a recycled set of kid's drums. Hey....the theme is ROCK!

One of the artists. This mural went up in a little over 2 hours. The shrinkage factor was a bit daunting and I'm not thrilled with the overlap but all in all a pretty good effect for the price.

Seriously, we need new linens, drapes and a single panel drape for the cloffice....but good things come to those that wait :)



We put up some shelves and a corkboard to organize all his booty!



I'm determined to make this cool! For the coolest 9 year old around.

You are the apple of my eye!

After much chatter and much more ado.....I introduce these gals back into the blogosphere! They got a few new coats of Rustoleum's "Heritage White" and a splash of apple green oddly named "Dill Pickle" from Benjamin Moore. The wallpaper was a special order from Benjamin Moore, it was a bit expensive ($30) and I have a lot left over so expect to see more of it :)

And here is the buffet in his new nook, finally the view to the familyroom is impeded a bit! Open concept is awesome when your kids are small but as they start to grow and blot out the light, well.......they lose their appeal....lol

Here is my niece and partner in this painting crime, Maya. She rocked this out with me. She dares to try....just like her Auntie. We're a good team.

What the corner looked like before. Don't hate me for my bad IKEA and my husband's "working outside flip flops".....

hey, we take care of the important things around here.......

The OWL is for all those bloggers addicted to them. I bought "Frederick" as Maya calls him for 50 cents at a yard sale this morning on the way back with the kids from a charity pancake breakfast. Spraypaint and away he goes.....right to centre stage. He is turquoise for Sunny at Life in Rehab and Pam at Becolorful....cause I promised some damn turquoise! Muah!

So what do you think?

BEFORE BUFFET:

and AFTER:

BEFORE CHINA CABINET:

AFTER....ma lovely.......who made it to the big time y'all!