step it up

We are preparing our townhome to become a rental, and the one big improvement we must make is replacing the carpet upstairs and in the stairwell. We have lived with this carpet since we moved in and it is showing some wear and tear (understatement of the century). While pricing carpet, I was determined to at least explore the idea of refinishing the stairs if the wood underneath was suitable. So one Friday evening, on a whim, we ripped up the carpet on the stairs...

And the treads were in pretty great condition! We were pleasantly surprised, to say the least. Especially after finding out we were going to save over 200 bucks by not having to carpet them!

So the next 24 hours were spent pulling out every staple that was ever manufactured on earth from the treads and risers. How did I get so lucky to have them all on my stairs? Did the original carpet guys have some sort of vendetta out against me? My forarms and hands are still sore.
We did have help, though.

I used wood filler for all the nail and staple holes, any big divots or crack, and then we got busy sanding these suckers smooth.

Then the fun part arrived (not really). Paint! I chose to use paint instead of stain (which I would have preferred) due to the overspray from the white trim when these were installed. We sanded and sanded and sanded without any luck. So staining them was not an option.

I painted the risers first with basic white paint, and then moved to the treads. I started by painting (black cashmere - couldn't tell you the brand) every other tread since we still needed access to the upstairs. So our gluts got quite the workout over the course of this week! It was like the world's best stair climber machine.

I painted two coats of black and let them cure completely before I used poly to seal them. After three coats of poly (sanding lightly in between coats), and 24-36 hours to cure, I got started on the other set of alternating stairs, and used the same process.

Phew. Long project.

I still wasn't totally pleased with them, since I'm a little OCD bit of a perfectionist. See that gap in between the wall and the stairs? It just didn't look finished. We were already planning to put quarter rounds where the black meets the white to finish it off, but that gap needed some attention too. So off I went to the hardware store for quarter round and - my solution to that unsightly gap - lots and lots of caulk.

Matt cut the quarter round and we glued it into place. Like with liquid nails, but still. How's that for a shortcut? I then got busy taping off the stairs like so...

And then ran a line of caulk up a few stairs at a time.  



I think I learned this tip from Sherry at Young House Love, but if you dip your finger in water before smoothing the caulk, this process goes a lot...well, smoother. It gets rid of any ridges or bubbles or lines that you may create otherwise. I always feel like a caulker-extraordinare when I use this tip. Thanks Sherry!

Pull the tape off while it's still wet, and you should have a pretty darn crisp line!

There were only a couple of spots that I had to touch up, but that was because the wood was somewhat splintered on the sides in a few places.

Overall, I'm really happy with the end result. I think it's perfect for a rental property - no carpet to get worn down and grimy on the stairs. And it's kind of pretty too!

Hopefully the next project I post will be in our NEW HOUSE!

-Lauren

Honey Do List

It is warm and sunshine-y out, which can only mean one thing. Summer is HERE. Spring and Summer have always been my favorite times of the year, with the exception of football season. Which, in our household, is a season in and of itself. (Go Dawgs!)

With the change in temperatures and my subsequent elevated mood, I am all motivated and ready to tackle some serious home projects. I made a list of short and long term projects that we'd like to finish, and already marked a rather simple one off my list.

- Paint the downstairs - all of it -  in cooler tones. 

- Paint our kitchen cabinets. (I'm so excited for this one)

- Paint our stair rail glossy black to replace that stupid builder-grade orange-y wood. ( This is done! I did it while Matt was playing golf one afternoon this week. He was scared I would drip black paint everywhere, so I did it without him knowing so he wouldn't have to worry. :) So thoughtful of me. And he loves it! It looks really sharp.)

- Possibly paint interior doors black in our boring upstairs landing.
- Install beadboard under our bar.

- Paint bathroom vanities. (2)

- Frame out bathroom mirrors.

- Install board and batten in half balf, master bath. Heck, why not the guest bath while we're at it?!

- Install new carpet upstairs - this will be a long time coming.

- Transition 2nd bedroom into office space/guest room. (Below is what I'm thinking for the space... a lot of the items are based on what we already have in our office "nook" off the kitchen.) 

- Install single, high shelf in living room for a mini-library. (inspiration pic below)

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- possibly bring a pop of red into living room with storage ottomon to replace coffee table. (I haven't run this one by Matt yet. Suprise, honey! This is what your crazy wife is daydreaming about.) I [heart] this ikat one below, although it's completely out of my price range which, at this time, is approximately $0.

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I'm looking forward to completing some of these fun projects with my #1 guy! I'll be sure to update along the way. Happy summer!

Lauren

Showered with love

Last weekend, our community group had the privilege of throwing a baby shower for one of our very own! Little Joshua is due in May and our group is so excited. Our sweet friend, Carly, and I were in charge of decor, and so the first thing we did was rummaged through all of the beautiful loot from her wedding last October! She and her husband now have the most amazing collection of mason jars, milk glass, and other vintage pieces. I was in heaven! Enjoy!

I made a simple pennant for baby Joshua's room and attached scrapbook paper on the back so each member of our group could write blessings and scripture over the sweet baby boy. 

We had quite the spread of food! It was absolutely delicious. Thanks Anna and Marianna!

The cake was inspired by this one on pinterest and our good friend Sophie made it come to life! We were so pleased. I made the mini pennant for a simple and easy cake topper. 

The room really came together beautifully.  

And the happy parents-to-be were not only surprised, but felt loved, and that was all that truly mattered. Mission accomplished!

 Can't wait to meet you baby Joshua!


-Lauren

Baby Cakes

My community group is hosting a baby shower for one of our girls this weekend! We assigned each couple an age range, like 0-3 months, 12-18 months, etc. and bought gifts accordingly. We also decided to buy diapers for each age group and added a little special touch to each one...

It must be hard for new mothers to find a spare moment to spend time in the Word. But what a vital time to be doing so! They are sure to need an extra boost of encouragement at times. 

We put a special piece of scripture on each diaper, in hopes of encouraging her in a way she is sure to see. :)

 Imagine the smile it may bring to her face during those 3am wake-up calls!


-Lauren

Spring has Sprung!

It's here! It's here!

These 80 degree temperatures have been downright good for my soul! I have been itching for a year-round wreath for the front door for a while now but haven't really had any inspiration until now. 

I covered the wreath form in jute and wrapped a few pieces of scrap lace around it... I made some (springy!) yellow flowers and pinned them on for some color. I just love the idea of being able to interchange the flowers with each season or holiday. Hooray for easy!

Happy spring!

-Lauren

a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

My hubby picked out the perfect window at our favorite little salvage yard several months ago.... and when I was contacted by a local church asking for a donation towards a silent auction for a summer mission trip, I knew that this beauty would be put to extra good use!

I made a similar piece for my sister-in-law for Christmas, except we built the frame, and I knew this window would make the perfect backdrop for a photo display! 

I stained the clothespins in "ebony" stain by Minwax, and I love the weathered look that so wonderfully compliments that original paint on the window frame. 


I hope it proves successful for this local youth ministry's fundraiser! 


Once I pick up a few more windows like this, I will be adding them to my shop. Be on the lookout! 


-Lauren

Sharing here:

a little reminder - wall art

Matt and I have been followers of Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" for quite some time, but have buckled down more seriously in the past six months. We have started using a spreadsheet to keep track of our monthly budget, so that every.single.dollar is accounted for in that one document. 

It has helped us see where exactly our money is going, in what areas we can cut back, and precisely how much money we are able to apply to debt at the end of each month. Talk about motivation!

If you follow Dave Ramsey, you know that his catch phrase is this: 

"Live like no one else, so that you can live like no one else."

In short, if you live meagerly, frugally now... pinching your pennies, watching where your dollar goes...

In the future, you can live like no one else. 

For Matt and I, living like no one else in the future will mean 

... providing a comfortable (but not extravagant) lifestyle for our family 

... putting away money for college

...saving for an inheritance for our family ("A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..." Prov 13:22) 

... giving more generously to causes we believe in ("There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy..." Deut 15:11)

... and saving up for an adoption one day ("Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." James 1:27)

As a reminder, I made a piece of art that we will see every.single.day. before we leave the house.

I hope it serves as a daily reminder to be good stewards of our money and time...

...and helps us to remember all of the great things that we are working and sacrificing for. 

Lauren

Sharing here: 

lovey dovey

With Valentine's Day just right around the corner, it is hard to ignore the many cutesy crafts and yummy treats making their way around the web.

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Valentine's Day always seemed so pointless to me while I was growing up. But it's way more fun when you're married!

I'm already made a sweet little gift for my Valentine, but am looking forward to whipping up a few yummy treats for him too!

Happy day-o-love!
Lauren

Trash to Treasure

Last weekend, I got a hold of this cabinet that's been sitting in our half bath for the past 4 years... it was almost tossed out by a good friend during a move, but Matt (being the broke bachelor that he was at the time) decided to save it.

I'm glad he did! She's been screaming at me to lighten her up for ages, and I finally obliged.

I absolutely love the antique, rubbed brass handles on the white drawers. LOVE! Matt likes it too... I convinced him that the white is much more appropriate in our "UGA" themed bathroom. :)

Lauren

Subway Art

Check out these seasonal printables!

 

I am in L-O-V-E. I'm really looking forward to matting and framing each of these. That dreamy blue of the winter art may be the only thing that gets me through the cold months of January and February. Mmmm.

That's all for now!
Lauren