Carpe Diem!

Is it just me, or does everything happen for a reason? Aunt Irene and Lia invited Dad and I to spend the day with them, and as most of you know, I need LOTS of "Gina Time" but agreed to go even though I was in the red! While we were in San Antonio, we stopped to see Michael to see what's new, and to introduce Aunt Irene to our wonderful store! Even Dad found doors he liked!



After exchanging friendly greetings and pant hikes I found the perfect door hardware set! It had chipped white and sage paint with a keyhole and working springs! I LOVED it, but it did not have the post that connects the knobs! I showed Michael, and after some rummaging, intense sparks, frankensteinian adjustments, and lots of WD40, we had a perfect match! SWEET! He even gave me a demo on adjusting antique hardware, fascinating! The price? Let's just day cute goes a long way, Thanks Dad!



Buzzing on my great new find and WD40, we headed to Wallpapers To Go (2 thumbs up!) to browse for my new kitchen wallpaper! YAY! Man, there are still some fugly papers out there! Anyhoo, I am looking for a French Country style paper, very fresh, whimsical, and light! As luck would have it, I found a wallpaper book entitled, "French Country, Fresh, Whimsical, and Light! Ok, just kidding, but it might as well! I found some great paper, but this one was my favorite! Grab a spoon for some beans!



It's fresh, but not squeaky new looking, with the bursts of floral color throughout! The background has a subtle chipped weathered finish and blends well to the kitchen pallet. They were kind enough to break me off a piece to take home! I liked this design because;
A. The lighter color will make the room feel better
B. It's not American (chickens, apples, hearts) country, as it is French Country
C. The scale is appropriate for my small space, and the floral whimsical touches are subtle rather than the existing slap yo' mama bold stripe!

Now there is one downside to the switch, although not much of a concern, The strong vertical element does make the room seem taller, so I will loose that, but the larger fresher feel will more than compensate for that!

Upon lying on my kitchen floor planning the room, I realized the wallpaper stopping at the back door was limiting the visual definition of "kitchen" to that area. What if I carried the wallpaper around the kitchen to the opening of the den to further define the kitchen and make it bigger! SWEET! I went up to hug my walls, and I realized the walls are .....(insert dramatic telenovela music here) TEXTURED!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Aye dios mio!! I backed up slowly, shielding my eyes from the horror! Lying back on my floor curled up in the fetal position of defeat, it hit me! What if I used a wainscoting at the same height of the counter to visually continue the counter proportion around the kitchen! I would paint it buttercreme, and the top of the wall willow green, and the chair rail, baseboards and trim white! GORGEOUS!! The colors go so well together, and it will add depth, texture and color variety to the room! This is even better than my original plan! Thanks Gods of creativity!! Check out the new pallet!



At Rojo's the next day I explained my new plans for the kitchen to my usual crowd. Lia "3rd eye" Guerra was fully on board, and Dad "Blank" Garcia, couldn't visualize his way out of a paper bag! Lia also had the spectacular idea of painting the vaulted ceiling in the living room baby blue like the back porch, genius! I'm thinking I really can not carry that color to the kitchen with the willow green walls, that might not be very cohesive, BUT I could bring in a ceiling surprise with beadbord paneling on the ceiling in white to match the trim! This way there is a color surprise in the living room, and textural surprise in the kitchen! Hubba-hubba! With the green light, I thought....hmmmm, by the time I paint my entire house, it's going to be a while for me to get to the kitchen! I was also disturbed at the fact that I have changed my mind so often. What if I paint the rooms, and then am confined to my color choice to dictate the design for each space? Would it behoove me to take this project room by room, or assembly style the house? After discussion with the crew, I am going to go room by room, but there is no commitment in interior design, it's not a person you let down or disappoint, that's the beauty of it! I also know I will fair better with some instant gratification of a finished product than to spread it all out. So...Ready for another ghetto rendering? Check back soon, view 2 is in the works! Enjoy your beans!



This room has 3 full length walls in full view, and because of this I want to install wainscoting throughout the room in the same colors of the kitchen. The opposite wall of the bed is large and there is no room for furniture, so as an alternative to art, I plan on hanging various sized mirrors with different colored ribbons to the wall. The ribbons will have a Trompe l'oeil technique that will look as though the ribbon runs through the mirror, and these will balance the headboard. My good friend Maria "Where's My Check" Mendoza had graciously submitted this artist's rendering of said mirror.



I also want to install crown molding in the room to add some more architectural "frosting". The headboard as you know is going to be my new old doors, and I will have an antiqued chest next to the bed to hold guest's books, personal effects, and perhaps a cup of tea. I will use antique door hardware to replace the existing, and I am on the hunt for a corner whitewashed curio with a recessed light for the opposite side of the bed to house guest towels, soaps, and his and her toiletries. An antique style fan will replace the small dated one, and new bright light window sheers will bath the room with natural light, and finish the room. I want to wallpaper the closet to really capitalize on the cottage feel, and bring a pleasant surprise to guests! Accents like wood hangers, candles, and light dimmers will further enhance the ambiance of the room, and make it feel cozy! Damn, I could rent this bitch out!

All this would not have been possible if I had "Gina Time" eating cookies in my PJ's, and napping the afternoon away! Not that I will ever replace THAT, but still, a small lesson for me none the less!

Armed with my new game plan, Lia and I headed to Austin to shop for backsplash tile and bedding. We went to Bed Bath Beyond, and I was on the hunt for king pillows and sheets. As I browse through clearance, I find the exact same quilt set I purchased from Wal-mart in a queen for $19.99. I didn't think much of it, but after no luck looking for sheets and pillowcased, it dawned on me! I could buy the queen set, and use it as fabric to make king shams and throw pillows! Ironically, I was JUST telling Lia how disapointed I was that I could not purchase additional shams and such from walmart, and now I have the same thing, for less than if I went out and bought substitutions! Gotta go to grandma's to get that sweat shop started! Tipsy from my super genius idea, I found hypoallergenic fluffy king pillows for only $9 each! God loves me! (sniff) In regards to tile backsplash, I found a bulbous ceramic tile border I really like, it is uniform in color with a shallow bas relief of a floral pattern that will surround "to be found"
tiles. I also found a more simplified version. This will frame the back of the range, and I am quickly coming to the conclusion I need to do something about my dated countertops....well see!!

Kitchen A Go-Go!

Again...
I have blue carpet.
Not much you can do, especially if your wallpaper ties in with it!
Now, I have thought to keep the wallpaper in my kitchen because it really does give the house a country cottage feel, BUT it is really dated and in poor shape. Upon Lia's generous offer to help me re-wallpaper, I am looking for a "French Country" paper, that will enhance the cozy feel of my kitchen, and bring color and pattern to the space as well! I am really excited to add this to my home improvement plan! New paint, new wallpaper, this is AWESOME!
Look closely my friends, this may be the last time you see my kitchen this way!!





So, getting back to my porch, I ran into an old friend on myspace from high school! After catching up over the past 10 years, it turn out he owns a tile laying company in North Austin, White Flooring! Again, I load my pistol of subtle request. I asked for his help with my back porch, and laying the brick tile, and he gladly agreed to come help, he will even bring all his tools so I don't have to rent them! WOW!! The catch? He is moving to Atlanta soon, so I have to get the money for the supplies quick! Stand by for The First Annual Brick Laying BBQ Extravaganza!! Gil, make me some shirts!!

BAD FLOOR NO MORE!

You Can What?....

Why is it, when a friend just HAPPENS to mention a skill, or experience of a craft, JUST in passing, your ears perk up, and you file it away in the vast cubbyholes of your brain? As always, you know I say this for a reason....
My good friend Lia "Requesting Stock In My House" Guerra, now knows not to mention these things in front of me!
There we were at good ol' Rojo's with my new friend Aunt "She Even Bought Me A Taco!" Irene, and I loaded the pistol of subtle request.
"So." (smiling as I lean back in our booth)
"Hm?" (Lia with a mouthful of potes)
"You...uh....know how to wallpaper, eh?"
"Maaaaaaaybe" (Lia slowly drinks her coffee in anticipation of the inevitable request to come.)
"That's a fine skill to have....FINE skill."
We all nod in agreement and sit in silence.
"You know,...."
Aunt Irene accepts a coffee refill for the showdown!
"I sure could use that skill for the kitchen, shame I don't know how to wallpaper though."
"Yup, shame."
Lia sips her coffee enjoying me squirm!
Aunt Irene shews off our waiter Chewy for his own safety!
I pause at a loss, have I asked too much already, when will she break? I'm going for it!
"Yea, what say you and I....uh...um....maybe if your not busy...uh..."
-"Yes Gina, I would be glad to."

What do I love about Lia? Many things, but the best? She is JUST as excited about my project as I am!

"SWEET! Chewy, another round for my friends!!"

Aunt Irene continues to rave about the salsa, and all is right in the world!

Small Update....

YAY! I am excited about painting the house and have purchased a LOT of painting equipment! Upon prepping the back room, I found myself sweat'n to the oldies, and I had not even BEGUN painting! I thought about it, and as we ...well... ALL of you know, I HATE heat! So, if I am in no hurry, why don't I wait a few weeks when the weather is milder, and be comfortable while I paint! This job is going to be bad enough as it is, who needs to be in Dante's 7th level while your doing it? SOOOOOO! Now I actually have a few days to go see family and friends before I start! (That and woo the masses with my baked goods in a planned persuasive tactict to lure them into helping me with my project! EEEEEEE-xcelent!! Anyone for dark chocolate cheesecake brownies? Anyone? Anyone? First one's free! Anyone?

SUCK IT IN!

The Dawn broke slowly through my french country toile drapes and caressed my face with early light. I slowly opened my eyes, blinking as I came to. They suddenly bugged out as my heart raced, realizing today was THE day! Christmas? No, BETTER! I was going to get my antique doors today! Hooray!! I hurriedly prepared my personal effects and raced to Lia "Always Down For A Taco" Guerra's to scoop her up! We stopped at our favorite haunt, Rojelio's, for some breakfast tacos and coffee, de-lish! I highly recommend the rizo, potes and egg, or to my more traditional friends, chorizo con huevos y papas fritas taquitos deliciosos! Oh, and they have sugar in the glass pourer my A.D.D. friends, no time wastin' tiny packets here! My sweet-tea guzzlin' brother appreciates that! Anyhoo, full and very caffeinated, we drove off to San Antonio, in my air-condition-less car! Man that Lia sure is a trooper! She smiled as her glasses fogged in anticipation! Hoping Michael was still employed, and remembered our agreement, I made him one of my peanut butter marshmallow creme chocolate fudge brownies, (you got a little...yea, right there...ok) as a token of my appreciation. We pulled up and he was there waiting! YAY! He even cleaned up the doors, and fixed the glass! They began loading the welcome door in the car, and it was too long!! It was going over the driver's seat! NOOOOO!! With his signature pant hike, and toothy grin, he remarked, "Looks like you're gonna have to come back!"
With a furrowed brow, quickened pulse, and steel gaze, I whispered between clenched teeth,
"Like Hell!"
I donned my leopard skins and pounded on the drum betwixed my legs, shouting,
"HEAVE!.....HEAVE!......HEAVE!!....

After an awkward silence and strange looks, we gently eased the door further into the car. Lia and I moved our seats up as far as we could. I thought to myself, "So this is what little blue haired biddies see when they drive, hmmm." Now Gina "Drumsticks" Garcia really didn't have much of a problem, but Lia "Legs" Guerra was not fairing so well. Let's just say, she was pushing up her spectacles.... with her knees....yea.....
Regardless, we were both in high spirits over our steal!



We returned to the house to unload the doors, and Dad was there waiting to help! Now, the leaded glass doors were no problem, but that welcome door is solid oak, and no joke! Even Dad, recently released from his Han Solo frozen state of shock, could not lift the door by himself! I was about to bust out the drum and skins again, but was politely asked not to, so we slowly maneuvered the doors inside successfully. There is some bad news though, I discovered as we were unloading a leaded glass door, that one of the glass diamonds was cracked. This really isn't all bad, as the age and flaws are what I desire. I was not satisfied with my original paint color choice, and wanted something with a richer saturation, so after countless hours choosing, I came up with a new set. With Dad and Lia at the house, I opened up the new paint colors, and WOW, what a difference! I LOVE the creme, and the green is exquisite, but yet again, the brown is not quite what I had in mind, but after slapping it around, I began to appreciate its warm claytones for what they are, not focusing on the pre-concieved vision I had in my head. The colors are very warm and look great together! I even recieved the thumbs up from the crew! These colors are WAY more country cottage! Enjoy your new refried beans!



And thus it begins! I am set to wash the room, calk the gaps in the basebords, putty the holes, and sand the rough spots this Tuesday, and then I will be set to prime on Thursday! With the kaleidoscope of various paint samples adorning my house, I have no choice but to paint this puppy pretty quick! I am going to do some brainstorming on the headboard, now that I know the weight on that door. I don't want to secure it to the studs, and am thinking of perhaps a platform that will be hidden by the bed...we'll see...

The Guest Room

Yea, told you it was going to be a good one!

So, to finish up with my idea of the back guest room. I am going for antiqued country charm, with sweet, warm touches to make my guests cozy! What better way than with patchwork quilted bedding? So, I shopped around a while, and found a steal at Wal-Mart! Yea, good old Wally-World came through!





I love the feminine touch of the flowers, and was uber excited when I found these perfect sheers for the windows, they almost match the back of the quilt!



The harware is whitewashed like the doors!



I can't wait!

So as most of you know (and am running from!) I am painting the interior of my house!
HEY! HEY! WHERE YOU GOING?!

I said I am painting...now don't get me wrong, if you would like to come by and
A: help paint
B: keep me company
C: bring food
D: change CD's

You are all more than welcome every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6pm - midnight for the next...oh....6 months.

I have blue carpet.

yea.

But it really works with the house, I have to admit, and is in such good condition, Gila-Monster slept on it in the living room...PRE AKELLO! Now THAT'S comph!

So I am quite limited to my color choices, but want color on the walls, not new-white!

Enjoy your beans...



Now THIS is funny...
Dad was hanging out at the house, and Lia and I were all excited to try out the paint samples to make sure they were as perfect as we imagined. So there's Dad on the couch, and we ask him in true "Trading Spaces" fashion,

"Are you ready to see the new room color?"

Dad grunted and didn't even look up. As most of you know, he is not quite the "visionary" when it come to the home.

He tried to crane his neck around us to see the TV, until...

I got the brush and began slapping the paint on the wall!

I now know where my intense eye twitch comes from!

As we proceeded around the house to mark every wall, Dad never moved, I think he's still in shock to be honest with you....
Yup...Still in the same position!

Well to our dissapointment, the tan and lime just didn't cut the cake, but the creme is PERFECT!! So, back to the drawing board for me!

As You Were.....

My good friends, there are times in one's life that you truly realize God loves you, and yesterday was my day.....
It all began with a vision.....
A vision of a warm, sweet, cozy back bedroom, with the quintessential bed and breakfast elements my home is know for. WELL!

Whoa G! Wait a minute, what about the porch?

I'm getting to that, hold on!

Anyhoo, I am always on the hunt for new things, and Lia Dad and I found this AWESOME antiques place in San Antonio. No, not the "couldn't fetch .50 at the Falfurrias La Pulga" either, but soleful, historical, original antiques. Well, I found these georgous old doors there, but just admired them, I did not get prices. Well when Lia "always brings the measuring tape" Guerra and I found ourselves in SA, I thought, why not?
As most of you know I have a passion for old houses, especially doors, and I have often thought how I could incorporate them into a design, and then....



EUREKA!
I would use them as a headbord in my back bedroom! But not the usuall raised pannel on it's side, but multiple doors of various heights to give that quirky a-symetrical feel!
GENIOUS!!

So, upon entering the warehouse, we were greeted by Michael, the gruff jaded manager of the joint, and he remembered us from last time! We shared some laughs and I began to shop for doors. Now, perhaps I am the only one who wasn't aware that nice antique doors run.....oh say.....$400 - $2,000 EACH!! WTF!! As I reluctantly realized I was going to have to join the mass populous and "faux" (cring!) some new doors, Michael pops back in to see how we were doing and proceeds to inform us about how his jerk boss and him got into a fight, and the boss thinks Michael is ripping him off! He then asked if I found anything I liked. I showed him the wonderful door I fell in love with, it even has "welcome" on the front! But for $400, it was more like goodbye! He gave it a once over while I shared my surprise at the prices of all the doors.
"Yup, they don't come cheap" He remarked. As I gazed lovingly at the peeling paint, he says out of nowhere
"How about $108?"
Now as most of you know, and have seen from the previous pic, I have MASSIVE eyeballs, and they just about twitched out of my head when I heard that!
"I'm sorry....dollars?"
"Yea, the old man thinks I'm ripping him off, I'll show him rip off!"
"Yea!" I exclaimed,
"The Bastard!"
"Anything else you like?"
I looked at Lia, and her glasses had already fogged due to the excitment!
"Well....There are these doors over here....."

Now, let me explain, these doors I found are SO nice, they didn't even have a price, and as my Dad says, "If you gotta ask, you can't afford it!" These were tall thin european style doors with the original diamond leaded glass inserts.......yea....
I walked him over, and was waiting for the;
"Darlin', I'm being nice, but this aint no chairity!"
He looked them over, gave a Chris-Farley-down-by-the-river pants hike......looked at me....looked at Lia.....another hike.....
"Well....hm...let's see....these here are nice doors....."

By now poor Lia could'nt see a thing with all the excitment, and she boldly bellowed;
"$200 for the lot!"

I held my breath, the anticipatory hopeful sweat beading on my forrowed brow! The air was thick and heavy with the situation! The intensity gave me mini eye spasms! Lia was blind, I was twitching! Did she go to low? There's no way he would agree!

"Alright"
"$200 cash saturday afternoon"

OMG!! Did this just happen? I'm getting like $1,100 doors for $200 cold cash! NO WAY!! Thanks God, and you too Lia with your blind bold ass!!

So, pending his jaded butt is still employed, I am going to go get my treasures Saturday!! And ladies and Germs, these pictures do no justice to the masterpiece THAT IS....my headboard..
Enjoy....

STOP THE PRESS!!

My good friends, there are times in one's life that you truly realize God loves you, and yesterday was my day.....
It all began with a vision.....
A vision of a warm, sweet, cozy back bedroom, with the quintessential bed and breakfast elements my home is know for. WELL!

PLEASE HOLD AS WE ARE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED AND YOU WILL BE REWARDED WITH THE MOST INCREDIBLE BLOG ENTRY KNOWN TO MANKIND! Well, at least the amateurs...

Thanks for your support!

-Mgmt

Porch Beans!

TO THE PORCH!!

So skylight is in, and the porch calls my name again! Although, by THIS time, full of confidence at my previous endeavors, I begin to finish the design of the back porch, and decide if I am going to do this, let's go all out! I plan on a Savannah Garden style, with country reclaimed elements, and charming whimsical touches! So the plan is to cover the slab with Chicago reclaimed style tumbled brick, to add a water feature, and window boxes to the windows for a more outdoor/indoor feel.



I want to replace the swing for an antiqued French daybed, complete with peeling paint and rusted joinery! I would enclose my mattress with the "don't pee on me kid" cover to protect against rain, and would have linens and pillows all topped with a mosquito netting to add to the romatic feel. The screen framing would have a 6" footer for me to house my herb garden, and outdoor canvas in a green botanical toil will have matching ribbon ties for insulation for the plants in the winter, and privacy. I would put 2 area rugs to define the dining and lounging spaces, and would train ivy on the house wall to further capitalize on the outdoor feel. Topiaries, a coffee table, 2 chairs and a side table for coffee and books by the bed would complete this transformation. The best part? My great grandmothers stove will be my side table, and my Grandma Chavella has graciously brought it down for me to care for! Thanks Grandma! As you all know, I work the night shift at work, and have PLENTY of time to sketch, although have not successfully smuggled the all important T-square to my cube, so my renderings are ghetto at best, but hey, you get the idea. Kind looks like a children illustration, I know, but just look at the details!

Sky's the Limit!

Donde Esta Frijoles?

So Gina, where is the beautiful bean footage of the trim? Well, as luck would have it, my finances took a turn for the more immediate opportunity. As my fellow San Marcosians well grumbly remember, we had the "STORM OF THE CENTURY" and my house, as well as my car experienced heavy losses! MAN DOWN! MAN DOWN! Oh, sorry....still suffering flashbacks...
Well, do to my Dad's extreamly effective networking skills, we aquired a great roofer (enter name here) that offered to install a skylight for free due to the many jobs he aquired thanks to Dad! Wo-Hoo!! The catch? He will only install from the roof, we would have to finish the inside, because he is not insured for the interior of homes. Sounds like a deal to me! Yet again Dad dons his trusty cape and away he goes with his trusty drill! Now my Dad has a LITTLE problem with directions,....he doesn't believe in them, and then gets all worked up when the product fails...hmmmm, hand me the directions Dad. As I assume my normal duties of handing over tools, dad proceeds to make the inital cut into the sheetrock, that was intense! I still have insulation particles in my hair! Poor Dad even had to manuver in the attic late in the afternoon in the summer! I KNOW at least 2 of you that are having your own horrible flashbacks right about now! Everything goes great, but why are there 3 large extra parts left over? Upon further inquisition, it turns out the roofer has NEVER INSTALLED A SKYLIGHT BEFORE!! And worse, just like Dad, DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE DIRECTIONS!! So here comes the rain. Dad and I take small comfort that the skylight is above the tub, so at least the leaks will go down the drain! Well, looks like bubbalicious and calking go a looooong way, no leaks!! Now my tiny dark bathroom is bathed in natural light all day long, YAY! Thanks Dad! Enjoy the beans!

Murphy's Law

So Gina, where is the beautiful bean footage of the trim? Well, as luck would have it, my finances took a turn for the more immediate opportunity. As my fellow San Marcosians well grumbly remember, we had the "STORM OF THE CENTURY" and my house, as well as my car experienced heavy losses! MAN DOWN! MAN DOWN! Oh, sorry....still suffering flashbacks...
Well, do to my Dad's extreamly effective networking skills, we aquired a great roofer (enter name here) that offered to install a skylight for free due to the many jobs he aquired thanks to Dad! Wo-Hoo!! The catch? He will only install from the roof, we would have to finish the inside, because he is not insured for the interior of homes. Sounds like a deal to me! Yet again Dad dons his trusty cape and away he goes with his trusty drill! Now my Dad has a LITTLE problem with directions,....he doesn't believe in them, and then gets all worked up the product fails...hmmmm, hand me the directions Dad. As I assume my normal duties of handing over tools, dad proceeds to make the inital cut into the sheetrock, that was intense! I still have insulation particles in my hair! Everything goes great, but why are there 3 large extra parts left over? Upon further inquisition, it turns out the roofer has NEVER INSTALLED A SKYLIGHT BEFORE!! And worse, just like Dad, DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT THE DIRECTIONS!! So here comes the rain. Dad and I take small comfort that the skylight is above the tub, so at least the leaks will go down the drain! Well, looks like bubbalicious and calking go a looooong way, no leaks!! Now my tiny dark bathroom is bathed in natural light all day long, YAY! Thanks Dad! Here come the beans!

CRACK!

Now, unfortunately my trusty crew and I are in fact....Human, let us travel back to previous blog referencing my lengthy rant involving humans always being wrong...... Enter S.N.T.C aka Say No To Crack!


Now how to rectofy this mishap....How about trim pieces that would be thick enough to compensate the brackets, and nestle flush with the joist and beadboard! This would also strengthen the boards stability, as well as be asthetically pleasing, nice! So off to the Acme store yet again with crew in tow! We found a great trim, (let's not discuss price shall we?) and we set to experiment with trimming for the bracket allowance. Like the boards they are to support, each bracket is unique and must be hand trimmed, there goes my next 2 weekends......

Beautiful Bean Footage!!

Hmmmmm...

Still figuring this blocker thing out, forgive me! Anyhoo, there is the porch, complete with concrete slab that I once painted, and is now unforgivingly peeling off! The plan? I wanted to paint the woodwork a crisp white, and paint the particle board a sky blue. That suggestion thanks to my interior design partner in crime Abby "Goat Feet" Smout, (a long, painful, and outrageously funny story) who advised if you paint an outdoor porch ceiling sky blue, wasps and hornets will not nest there!



So off I went to get high quality outdoor paint, and GOOD GOD, it is EXPENSIVE! $20 a gallon! Bollocks! So I HATE to trim paint, ask my brother, his fireplace still endures the wrath that is my unsteady hand! So my plan was to go crazy with the white, and then tape off the ceiling joists and saturate the recessed particleboard to "hold the particles" down! Genius!
Uhhhh.... NO!!
I unfortunately have since burned that picture in a ritualistic ceremony involving a chicken and eye of newt, but let's say, no amount of paint on this planet could hold those particles down! Watching dollars waste away on the particle board, I thought, "Wait a tick! How about I rip beadbord panels to nestle in between the joists and paint them blue after I cut them, and no taping would be required!! SUPER GENIUS!!
Off I went to the Acme store to get the boards! Now, this is no surprise to my fellow design students, but to others, measuring is an exact science, and no, you don't know how to do it right, there should be a class, no a SEMESTER on how to measure correctly! As you probably divulged from my grossly overdeveloped forshadowing, I measured just a hair off, resulting in my initial call to Pops, my hero and savior! Out he comes in a cape with the circular saw to the rescue!! Now as most of you already know, anything manmade is wrong. I don't care who you are, or what you use, it is ALWAYS slightly askew, and ALWAYS not in your favor! Why do I say this with such fervor? Whomever or WHATEVER initialed those ceiling joists, never met a level, measuring tape, or corrective glasses, sucks for me! Poor Pops had to cut each and every panel individually, and mind you there are 3 panels a row, with 12 rows! Yes my mathematically challenged friends, that is 36 panels! Enter Lia Guerra, my close friend, muse, culinary confidant, and cheerleader, always there to pick up a nail, and hand over a hammer! Mind you all these panels must be secured to the particle board, but you cant hammer them into the particalboard, or you will compromise the integrity of your ceiling, so I came up with purchasing metal brackets to screw into the joists and press the panels into the ceiling! All they need is paint! Ok, so 6 brackets a panel and 36 panels....lets see....216 BRACKETS!!! AAAUUUUGGGGHHHHH!!! I had to buy a gallon of paint just to shake and bake them in! Roll that beautiful bean footage!

The Porch!

BY POPULAR DEMAND!!

Hello all! As most of you have asked, I decided to FINALLY post all my ideas, plans, mishaps, and rectifications on a home improvement blog. I hope you enjoy my excitement, satisfaction, and disappointments! By all means, if you know something I don't, PLEASE fill me in! I have never had a blog, and unfortunately am computer illiterate, so please bear with me!

As most of you know, I current live in my Dad's house, and am planning on purchasing the house from him. There are some changes I want to make before I am saddled with the mortgage, and will not be able to make these changes! I do have a little backtracking to cover to get us to present day, so hang on!

One fine day I went outside to water my plants on the back porch, and was greeted with a splendidly cool and crisp summer evening! I excitedly went inside to make a cup of coffee to enjoy ouside at my bistro table, and upon my return, I realized I had to drag out my chair cushion to sit on (my fuzzy cats LOVE to sleep on them), and after that, perturbed my coffee was losing steam, sat down to a filthy table (again...Fuzzy cats), and as I was contemplating going inside for cleaning products, was kamakazied by a fleet of mosquitoes! After slapping myself pink, I glanced disappointedly at my lukewarm java .Frustrated, I went inside, poured my magnificent brew down the sink, and announced aloud (mostly for the cats to hear) that there is no reason I have to go through such hoops just to enjoy being outside on my *&$#^$#$!porch! I decided then and there to enclose my back porch! Wow, the thought of my table always being set and clean, cushions awaiting my presence, and no fuzz 'n bugs, PRICELESS! And thus the design was born!