We-Design-Day: Upcycling Old Furniture

As part of my basement renovation, I salvaged an old and ugly two piece storage unit from my parents. It was the quintessential dark wood look laminated particle board unit with ugly brass pulls. It is massive too - both pieces are just a little below waist height and about 5 to 6' feet long.



But as period as it is and as heavy and as awkward as any furniture piece could be, I saw the awesomeness that was laying with in. I needed a solution that had ample storage, was flexible in design and could house a variety of items, had a a few doors because I need to be able to tuck away some more dangerous products (like glue - nothing can be more dangerous than a bottle of glue in a toddler's hand). This unit allowed me all of that and more.

Sure, it was a little shabby and I would be it's third or fourth owner and nothing irritates me more than painting laminated wood, but I couldn't watch this gem to to the landfill!



I got ready to refinish this piece. Paint, scrappers, sander, wood filler, nerves of steal, patience of a saint and one very helpful three year old. We set to work late on a Monday morning.

After wiping away a layer of dust, I decided to scrape the chipping layer of paint that had been previously applied to the top of both units (my parents had the units sitting side by side and used the top for display). TroubleMaker kept asking if I was done scrapping as he really wanted to get painting! It took a lot of scraping to get it all chipped away but a short while later, it was done!



Now, I've painted laminated wood before and I'd used melamine paint. It was stinky, hard to work with and not something I saw myself battling again - especially with my extra special helper assisting! I wanted easy, water clean up, a primer/paint all in one and a durable washable paint. I ventured to my local big box home renovation retailer and the paint counter attendant recommended Behr Interior/Exterior Primer/Paint product. Once I'd taken the paint off the top, I got my Palm Sander and started to sand. It made no difference. I had hoped it would rough up the smoothness of the laminated covering but it didn't.

Next I got some wood filler and filled in the holes where the door handles were and filled in a couple of scratches. The product I used is tinted to simulate wood but it is also paintable so it worked perfectly! As TroubleMaker painted the back of the unit, I worked my way around the unit. Once I'd rolled on a good coat, I went back and painted in the corners. By this time, TroubleMaker had lost interest and was off riding his extra cool tricycle with trailer around!



After one coat of paint, it became obvious that this was going to take many more coats... And the surface wasn't as durable as I required. Items will be moving in and out of this unit frequently and I need it to stand up to use. This past weekend, I did the second coat and it does look much better (one more coat should do the trick) the need for a sealer became obvious.

I researched the potential possibilities and have settled on a Minwax Polycrylic Gloss polyurethane. It is suitable to put over painted surfaces and is supposed to resist scuffing... I'm hopeful that it will work!

If I had to do it again, I think I would have specified an enamel paint. As much as I don't like working with them, I like the resiliency of the finish. Design Tip Don't always take the word of the person at the paint store - the Internet is a great resource for finding the right product for your job!

I have a certain paint that I generally use for interior applications - and I buy it from the store - yes, it costs me more and yes, I have to actually go out of my way to get to a store but it is a paint that's quality is rivaled by none. That said, I do use 'cheapo' paint or paint from the local home store. This is one of those situations where I knew what I wanted and what I should've used but deferred to the 'experts' and was (again) let down.

Here are few places to check out - the have product specifications, helpful hints, online paint viewers and access to a whole host of information!

Benjamin Moore
Behr Paints
CIL
Sherman Williams
ICI
Pratt and Lambert

Please note, I am not affiliated with any of the above paint companies. I do use a few of them personally (and professionally) but paint selection and what type you use is often based on personal preference and experience.

Menu Plan Monday: Recipe Review! Pronto Spanish Rice & Beef

Last night, I stuck to our menu and made the Kraft Kitchen's Pronto Spanish Rice and Beef for dinner.

Firstly, I had read some of the reviews that said it was good, but bland... Knowing that my husband prefers it when i follow the recipe to the letter the first time, I attempted to not "enhance" the flavour.

That said, I used basil instead of oregano, added a whole green pepper and an entire small onion and I added a touch more rice (like 1/4 cup) and about the same of beef broth. Furthermore, I have a lot of cheese in the house at the moment so I grated mozza and marble to add to it and reduced the amount of parm (mostly because of cost - the parm blend we use is crazy expensive and 3/4 of a cup is nearly half the container). I also topped the finished product with a handful or two of black olives.

It was easy and quick. The taste was satisfying and I like the "all in one" meal concept on weeknights when time of the essence. All around it was a hit and will be added to the usual dinner menu rotation.

I did not find it bland and thought it a perfect 'kid friendly' meal. Could it be 'jazzed up'? Of course - but as the recipe is written, it is good.

TroubleMaker took a picture of his dinner for the blog - I will add it later tonight when I download his camera.

52 Week Challenge: 34 Years of Magazines

While I've been embroiled in home renovations, my organizing has taken a bit of a back seat - that said, renovations are like the ultimate reorg of your home but this renovation is part of the 'big picture' renovation that started with me organizing my office/studio space.

So this week, as I put on the second coat of mud and read about installing wall paper, my husband set to sorting and purging his magazine collection...

I've mentioned his ginormous collection a couple of times since I started participating in the 52 Week Challenge. Today, he went through and photographed his collections... He has decidied to finally get rid of all the magazines. All of them. Assuming he can find someone to take them... If he can't he'll take them all to the recycling depot.

I didn't realize immediately that he was doing this. He kept making trips up and down the stairs (his studio is on the main floor, the periodicals were stored in the laundry room). I offered to help after the fourth time I saw him, but he declined... I think it was his way of "saying goodbye".

As I ventured upstairs to see how it was going, he said...



"1996 to 2011 - that's how long I've been collecting Jeep magazine."

I looked at the magazines stacked all over his studio. Fifteen years of magazines were strewn about in neat, orderly piles. No doubt sorted by year, then my month. He's very organized that way.

"Initially, they only published three or four a year so there aren't as many as I thought there would be." he added.

A while later, as I was preparing dinner he requested my presence in the studio.

"1991 to 2010 - 4WD and Sport Utility magazines."



Nineteen years. Who keeps 19 years worth of magazines?

My husband. The organized pack rat. I am very proud of him for doing this - it is hard to get rid of something. He started reading both magazines because of his keen interest in "off roading". He got his first Jeep in 1991 and his passion and love for four wheeling was born. Passions and people change and all our purging will make way for new adventures and excitement!

For more fantastic inspiration, check out the Organizing Junkie's 52 Week Challenge and get inspired today! Thanks for stopping in and we'll see you next week!

Menu Plan Monday - Trying something New

I'm so proud of me. It's Sunday, before bedtime and my menu is done! It's a shopping week so I'd like to get my act together so we can go back to saving money with Menu Planning! I've been having some trouble sticking to my plan - in part because I'm just blogging it and haven't printed one out and because the things I've been planning just don't appeal to my taste buds. My husband and I have been discussing "getting healthy" and so I'm trying to figure out how to make nutritious, easy meals that would better balance our need for weight reduction, satisfy our tastes and allow TroubleMaker to continue to grow and flourish.

August 8 to 14

Monday Pronto Spanish Rice and Beef Dinner
Tuesday Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tossed Salad
Wednesday Fish sticks and fries
Thursday Speedy Chicken Stir Fry
Friday Assorted Submarine Sandwiches
Saturday Easy Refried Bean Burritos and Nachos
Sunday Grilled Roast Beef

I'm trying a few new recipes this week - check back for reviews the day after we had them. I love recipe reviews because there are a lot of bad dishes in the world and I hope to make your finding one a little bit easier!

For more menu planning ideas, tips and inspiration, check out the Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday! Thanks for stopping by and we'll see you again next week!

We-Design-Day: Blood, sweat and more sweat

After riding the high of last week's very successful demolition, bright and (not so) early Thursday morning, I came up with a list of needed materials. I drew and redrew the reflected ceiling plan*, trying different solutions that would minimize the need for new grid pieces (don't forget, I'm all Earthy and like to reuse, reduce and recycle where I can) and simplify the work. There wasn't an easy solution so I opted to purchase all new equipment for the space so that we could connect it to the existing ceiling. We needed lumber, drywall and some fasteners. Our total spend came to a surprising $332.68! If you recall, my budget was very near this number. I also realized I made an error (who, me?!). Design Tip Just so you know, a "Dummy Knob" is just a single sided door knob. I'm not really sure of what purpose it serves but it won't work for what we needed it for! So the cost of our knobs increased to $20.97 per piece. I also decided to not get new registers. What we have is fine and getting anything new may require alterations to the existing duct work.

Building a Bulkhead

We got to try our hand at construction. I am a great planner - I see everything from start to finish but I don't always understand how to make that vision a reality. This is where my husband is great. Between the two of us, we talk through the issue and "air draw" the solution. Hence this bulkhead. I could see it in my head and I could illustrate it on paper but it was the air drawing that solidified the plan forward.

Mud Trouble

Once we patched all the walls and erected the bulk head, we set to mudding the walls. I am most definitely the one with the "touch" for this job but the boys always help me. It took me a while to figure out why the full bucket of drywall compound was disappearing so quickly. I soon learned that TroubleMaker had his own method of applying it - thick, thicker and thickest!

The Weekend's Work (new floor)

We learned some helpful stuff along the way. Design Tip When you are patching a dropped ceiling, ensure that you line up the holes on the t-bar. We learned this the hard way... Thankfully, I had bought enough to rebuild the old ceiling (I had hoped to reuse what we took down). Having done it once, I wouldn't be afraid to do it again but it is fairly labour intensive. Having said that, it certainly is easier than hanging drywall!

New floor with ceiling grid

The floor was a labour of love. We decided to install it over the existing carpet. We patched the area where the walls once stood and laid it down. Over all, I am happy with the look of the floor and the decision. To take up the carpet and patch the million Hilti nail blasts to the concrete would have added time and cost to the renovation. It is a bit spongy but I'm hopeful that once we get the furniture in place, it will lose some of that soft feeling. TroubleMaker loves the new floor and has spent plenty of time dancing around on it!

I'm extremely proud of the work we accomplished over the six days. Although I had hoped to get the room fully finished by the time I went back to work on Monday, I've come to realize that there was far more work involved then I initially thought. Adding to my upcoming expense and time line are refinishing the walls. As we removed the baseboard, much of the paint peeled with it (and yes, we did "cut" the seam) and TroubleMaker thought it a good idea to try and rip some of it off! I look at this as a good thing - I wanted to real customize the studio and this will give me the chance to do it!

Next week, I'm going to go over some important information about refinishing furniture. As you may recall, I'm refinishing a hand-me down cabinet for a fabulous Upcycled Interior Chic project.

Thanks for stopping in and come back soon!











* A reflected ceiling plan is much like a 'floor plan' but it looks up, instead of down.

Menu Plan Monday - Back on the Wagon

I've been slack lately with a good many things... Menu planning, my participation in the 52 Week Organizing Project, blogging in general, housework, eating healthy... I'm just sitting back watching the world run by and the summer zoom past.

I'm not exactly sure where I got derailed but I'm completely off the rails.

There hasn't been a menu on our fridge since the first week in July! I haven't really organized anything in three weeks (although I did move the stuff from Week 28 twice in the past two days) and I just remembered I was going to wash towels and sheets today...

What I have I been doing?

Eating dinner in front of the television, trying to not sweat my face off, remodeling our basement and preparing to start a new job. I've also been staying up way too late chatting with friends, starting blog posts (but not finishing them) and daydream shopping on line. Pssssttttt! My fellow Canadians, did you know that Amazon.ca is FINALLY starting to sell some of the wicked cool stuff in Canada that they've offered for years to the US shoppers!?

On Sunday morning, my husband very bravely offered to go to the store and get a few groceries... So in two minutes, I sat down and planned a menu on the back of the grocery list and off he went.

Guess what?

I tossed the grocery list and receipt when I put the groceries away. What were we having? I don't remember. Neither does my husband. And if I ask TroubleMaker, he'll just tell me macaroni. So it will be another pieced together, use up stuff in the house menu. I dislike "winging" it. I am not a fly by the seat of their pants kind of girl. When it comes to food, I am very serious and without a menu, I'm LOST!

So here is another "toss together in 2 minute menu" that challenges my brainpower late this Monday night... For more organized and less chaotic menus, check out the Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday and borrow a bit of sanity today!

August 1 to 7
Monday Crispy Breaded Chicken Breasts with Caesar Salad
Tuesday Homemade hamburgers and chips
Wednesday Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Thursday Crock pot roast beef sandwiches (? - don't know if I've got a roast to make)
Friday Hot dogs and smokies
Saturday ~unknown~ my parents are moving and my husband will be helping - don't know when he'll be home
Sunday grilled chicken breasts with bbq vegetables

Crispy Breaded Chicken Breasts
For a long time, I've been seeking an alternative to commercial chicken coating product. I don't like the tasted, don't like the chemicals and all the salt! Through trial and error, I've come up with one that we all agree is tasty, light and super easy to make. I hope you enjoy!

2 to 3 cups corn flakes
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp pepper
dash or two of Chipolte seasoning
1 tsp basil
pinch of nutmeg
1/2 tsp oregano

Place all ingredients into a large ziploc bag. Squeeze out all air and crush with a rolling pin until very fine crumbs remain.

Pour about 1/2 of the mixture into a large pie pan. In a separate bowl, whip one egg with about 2 tbsp of milk.

Dip chicken pieces (I only use boneless, skinless chicken breasts) into milk/egg mixture. Piece meat several times, turning to coat. Transfer to pie pan filled with crumbs. Turn and coat well with coating mix.

Transfer to an open baking rack placed on a lined cookie sheet. This step is essential to getting the crunch all the way around the meat.

Repeat with all chicken.

Bake in a 400 to 425 degree Fahrenheit oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is done (pieces with bone will take longer).

Serve hot with a fresh salad or other sides of your choice.

This recipe will do two to three batches of breasts for us (about 6 large breasts). I store in an air tight bag in the cupboard and I've yet to have it stale, however, we eat chicken at least once a week and would guess I use it up in about 2 months.

We-Design-Day: Mr. TroubleMaker, take down that wall!

Today, excitement happens! Today is Day One of our scheduled six day basement renovation. It is the culmination of six years of planning, 2MB worth of drawing’s, 25 shopping trips, 42 hours searching Kijiji for used items to reduce costs, scope creep, scope reduction, budget cuts, budget additions followed by more cuts. We’ve had a baby, three job changes and one career change but finally, after seven years in our home, we are ready.

Our “Crew” consists of five bodies. Our “boss” is a three year old, hammer swinging terror affectionately named “TroubleMaker”. The labourer is my super patient, extra awesome husband to whom I affectionately call “Hunny Bunny” but because that is neither macho or indicative of his role, we’ll just call him “The Thinker”. The brains of the group is truly my husband but since I’m the designer and manager of this little project, I’d take the title but I know full well that any issues we run into and all the hard stuff will be thought out and planned by my husband. Although the cat and dog have no official role, Max will not like the renovation at all and will likely hide and the cat will do her thing to supervise and get in the way by climbing all the ladders and give us hell from the top rung.

Before the wall came down

We assembled all of our gear prior to starting. Over breakfast, TroubleMaker and I made a list. A list of the tools we needed and the steps we'd take to bring the wall down. Don't forget your safety gear - hearing, eye and body protection. Sure you're doing it at home but that's all the more reason to wear the proper personal protective equipment!

Pry!

Our son is a machine. He was right in the thick of everything and being a great "halper". He pried, he hauled, he hammered.

The boy and his tools

It was difficult to convince him that he did not need to take any other walls down. He rationalized to us that the other walls were old and therefore, should be replaced. Perhaps he was reading his Dad's blog about things getting older and wearing out!

TroubleMaker Helping

It took us about 5 hours to get it all down and hauled out of the basement. We are right on and maybe even a little ahead of schedule!

Taking it down

One comment I will make is that it took an amazing amount of brute force to get it down. We've noticed a few "funny" things with the construction in our home... It, in most aspects, is great however there are a few things that are "amateur handyman" about the place. The 6" spikes used to nail the wood together... The patch job of the 2x4's used to build this wall are a story themselves. More than half of them had been sawed through at some point before being made into the wall. To compensate, another 2x4 was butted up against it and nailed in place (again with 6" spikes) for stability. The ceiling varies up to 4 inches depending on where you measure it and it all slopes downhill!

Finished Product

Tomorrow is "Day One" of construction. Now that we've got a better view of what we're up against, it means a trip to the home store to get supplies. We are going to piece the carpet and lay our wood floor over it and we are faced with enclosing the handyman special bulkhead and rehanging the entire t-bar ceiling in the studio space. I had hoped to be able to patch it but do to the gross difference in the height, the only option is to remove it and rehang it flush to the adjacent space.

Remember earlier when I said that my awesome husband would likely think us out of any dilemma? Well, he did. I was confused on how we'd move the light switch. It will be re-installed in a few weeks when my step Dad comes and does some electrical for us but we needed to move it in order to take the wall down.

Try as I might, I didn't know how we'd get the wire out of the wood. I was prepared to get a saw and carefully saw through the wood until we broke through to the hole the wire was in. It didn't seem like the safest solution but the only one I would know how to do.

Thankfully, "The Thinker" was there and talked me out of it. Turns out it was a simple turn of a few screws and viola, the wires were disconnected from the box and slipped through. Betcha that saved us a trip to the emergency room!

Although we'll be completing the bulk of the project in the next few days, I'll be featuring each portion of the renovation on the upcoming We-Design-Day features. Thank you for stopping by and we'll see you again next week!