There is light. Light at the end of this tunnel. And this week, I think we both began to see it.
Although the house also felt a little chaotic this week. Lots going on.
We had a larger crew this week, working on a variety of projects.
Trim
Papa Bear and Ryan dominated trim work this week. Dom.in.ated.
They added quarter round to each room on the first floor. Then Ryan got everything caulked really well so I could paint. It makes it appear more finished.
I did work on painting the dining room quarter round and will work on the living room trim next (none of which is painted). I’m thrilled with the dining room trim.
In case you are wondering, I do not tape off the floors when I paint the quarter round. I hate painters tape with a passion and prefer to cut in with a brush. If I get paint on the floor, I just wipe it up before it sets.
The doorway to the kitchen was also unfinished before, but now it’s all trimmed out.
Never, is the answer. But luck was on our side.
My dad and Ryan mimicked the look of the old trim and I think they did a great job. I got a coat of oil-based primer on it, and I need to work on painting it next week.
More paint
I have been working on painting the built-in shelves in the living room.
I hate painting cabinet doors. One of my least favorite projects. (Along with painting trim, actually.) But it will be worth it in the end.
Everything looks really nice in crisp white. This built-in was truly one of my pet projects. I love seeing it all come together like I imagined.
I also got another coat of paint on the stair risers. It’s coming along, too.
My mother-in-law also came over to help me paint trim in the kitchen. She’s a painting machine.
I matched the color of the cabinets to semi-gloss Valspar primer-and-paint at Lowe’s.
There are four doorways and three windows in the room, so there is lots of trim. But, it’s coming along nicely.
Countertops
I’ve also been sealing countertops like crazy, and they are officially installed in the kitchen now. I put on one more coat today for good measure.
I’m considering marrying these countertops, I love them so much. Super happy with how they turned out.
Now that countertops are in, Ryan and Papa Bear can finish the window trim, which will make a huge difference in the look of the room.
Basement
Ryan and I painted the floor in the basement this week and put another coat of white on the walls. We chose a light greige color and it looks really nice. We still DEFINITELY need to do another coat on the floors, but we had a major issue with the paint drying. The humidity was horrible and it took almost 5 days for the floors to fully dry. (CRAZY!)
We used Dutch Boy floor paint in satin for the floors.
While there’s still some work to do, the floors look much better than “before.”
At least it’s brighter and cleaner now. I can now dignify the basement with my presence for laundry. 😉
Besides laundry, the major function of the basement for us is storage. (Have you seen all my Christmas decorations?)
So, Ryan built some hard-core storage units this week, too. That boy doesn’t mess around. These puppies are solid. They should fit the majority of our tubs o’ junk.
The plan is to begin bringing some of our crap over to store in the basement. This will help us clean out our current basement a bit, to look a little neater when we show it. (It’s a disaster right now.)
Electrical
My father-in-law has also been taking on The Great Outlet Swap of 2011. I like white outlets and switches, so he’s swapping them out for us and making sure they all work.
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Freckles Chick says
So much eye candy transformations every time I read one of your reno posts. It amazes me how much you guys accomplish.
And here I thought I was the sh*t for painting a couple of basement doors & some trim. Pathetic me.
Michelle @ Ten June says
This is seriously one of my most favoritest posts that I look forward to every week out in the blog world. You guys rock the DIY world!!
christi @ burlap and basil says
kim! wow! ya’ll are moving along so quickly. the countertops look amazing … you are going to cook some delicious meals in there and share them in your beautiful dining room!
Amanda @ Little House on the Corner says
Wow, so much going on!! But I must say, those countertops are BEAUTIFUL!
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
it’s coming out so great! I know how time consuming it is to do finish trim work like that.
Oonafey says
I love those shelves Ryan built for you! What an amazing husband you have. (Not that you didn’t already know that, of course)
I think the back of the kitchen door should be yellow to match the dining room drapes! Jenny at Little Green Notebook did a post back on the 8th about painting interior doors yellow and now I am desperate for a yellow door in my kitchen! Alas, my kitchen will be yellow (someday), so a yellow door with yellow walls would look a bit ridiculous. Let me live vicariously through you (more than I already do).
Everything’s progressing so nicely and I am so impressed at what hard workers you guys are.
lyndsay @ Mr and Mrs says
omggg my head is spinning with everything you have completed. i am going to have to number my comments.
#1- i don’t envy you painting trim OR cabinets…my two least favorite jobs!! but they look amazing…seriously.
#2- that piece from REstore is AHH-mazing. seriously, the drama it adds to that whole room is so cool!
#3-those countertops are making me swoon. they look even more amazing sealed with that sheen!
#4- i think i would leave the door white on the inside. i am all about a colored exterior, but i dunno, there is something crisp and clean about white on the inside!
Carrie @ Hazardous Design says
Wow, wow, wow!!!
It is looking great! So exciting to be able to follow along and watch your progress.
Kristen says
So exciting to see how everything is coming together!! Also very inspiring! I LOVE the kitchen counter tops!! Not gonna lie I’m very jealous of those storage selves in the basemen too…
alexandjess says
Lookin’ amazing, as usual! I particularly love the built-in now that is painted.
PS. we should make a team, because i would choose painting the cabinet doors over the trim, any day. I’ve got a windowsill of my own waiting to be painting, hopefully I’ll get inspired this weekend.
Leigh says
Kim, there are so many great things in these posts I never know which to comment about.
1. LOVE the countertops- making me rethink mine (don’t tell John)
2.I hate painting trim and wish I had matched the kitchen ones to the cabinets (mine are the same as yours).
3.didn’t know you can (should?) paint quarter round
4. Christmas storage shelves rock
5.Ryan and his dad can come build me holiday storage and fix my outlets
6. I think the door should be chalkboard!!!! I just painted my classroom door with it and am doing the pantry this weekend. You could get it color tinted if you wanted.
Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
And this was a crazy busy week for you? Wow….you never cease to amaze me.
Those counter tops are amazing…scratch that your whole kitchen is amazing.
I feel you pain on painting cabinets. Paint, dry, flip gets really old really fast.
But you are almost there, you even have storage!
Jennypenny says
Lovin’ the countertops! You guys are rockin’ it!
DecorandtheDog says
I feel your pain on painting trim. I painted every.single. trim board in our house. Painful.
I’m in love with your kitchen..seriously in love…
longbrakeliving says
Everything looks awesome, but I love the stairway (the stuff my dreams are made of) and the basement the most. It’s crazy what a difference paint can make!
jen @ homeinthecountry says
Another amazing week.
Those stairs are so fantastic, and the countertops look great in the kitchen!
I think you guys should come over and redo my kitchen next. Please. 🙂
MV says
Looking good – I love the countertops!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
I’m always in awe of everything you all are able to accomplish. This house needs to be featured in a magazine!!
LizzieBeth says
Oooo, so you guys are participating in the Great Outlet Switch of 2011 too? EVERY. SINGLE. OUTLET in our house is beige. And upside down. We actually purchased a contractor’s bag of outlets because we have so many to replace.
The place is looking fantastic Kim! I cannot wait to see it with furniture. And your 29847937 tubs of Christmas lights 😉
LB
Liz @ It's Great To Be Home says
I’m blown away YET AGAIN this week! You truly are a painting machine, and everything is looking fabulous. The basement alone would be progress enough for me but you guys did so much more! Loving it.
Jenny @ DIY Newlyweds says
Every week, I am so impressed with how much you guys get done! The house is looking amazing!
Comeca Jones says
Wow you guys got soooo much done! It looks great!
Melinda says
You guys rock. How proud you must be of the progress you made this week. I saw on TV (can’t remember which show) that you should take a picture of the wall with your door that needs painting. Print it out at least 8×10. Then cut out the door. Now you can slide paint chips behind the hole and quickly decide on a color. HTH
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
Wow, you really got things pounded out this week!! I’m so glad you guys are seeing the light, because it’s really coming together. Your kitchen is killing me. It’s so gorgeous!!
Lisa says
Great job on all the painting. It looks like a lot of work, but you’re lucky to have family to help. I can see why you are engaged to your countertops. That wood is gorgeous. I also love the look of your stairs. Keep the pics coming!
Emily says
Do you guys have a move-in date in mind? Your stairs make me gasp everytime I see them, you’d think by now I’d know how much beautiful to expect. But nope, gets me every time.
Awesome work this week, Woodward!
Heather says
Can’t believe how much you guys have gotten done. It is turning out great. Is it weird that I love to paint? I don’t know why but I enjoy painting, too bad I don’t live closer.
Alli (and Tommy too!) says
You have been busy! But it’s all coming together and it’s amaaaaazing. Your basement is inspiring, just a coat (of more, probably) of paint completely transformed the room!