L is for Loft Space Makeover

Another peek into our home today and we're up on the second floor in the loft space.  Two weeks ago I shared the backstairs and upstairs hallway space and that leads us to the front stairs and loft space.

To be honest this makeover really only needed paint and a new light fixture.  Unfortunately I don't have a before picture of the light but it was straight from 1984 with smoky glass and actually came down shortly after we moved in 18 months ago because I couldn't live with it.

Today the space is bright and fresh and clearly the highlight here are those exposed wood beams which are about 275 years old.  (Our house was built around 1740.)  I painted the walls Benjamin Moore simply white and the trim is London Fog.

That one horizontal beam makes the perfect ledge for books.  I used the kids diy book ends from Emma's build it birthday party here to hold up the books.

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U is for Upstairs Hallway Makeover

Today I'm sharing the upstairs hallway and backstairs makeover.  I've been slowly making my way through our home room by room and after living here for 1 1/2 years I'm finally giving some attention to some of those in-between spaces.

Most recently I tackled the back stairs leading to the upstairs hallway because, as you can tell from the before pictures above, they needed a little love.  Worn, grungy and dark, these stairs are the preferred route up to the kids bedrooms and weren't very enticing (we have a front stairs too but it's out of the way).

Some fresh paint, some stripped paint and a new railing and it's magical once again.  (Funny what a $5 new return vent cover can do for appearances.)

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S is for Spilling the Beans Q A

Something out of the ordinary today - I was asked by Porch to do a question and answer style post.  And since I rarely talk personal here's your chance to get to know a little more about me!  

If you haven't heard of Porch yet they are an online network where you can find the right professionals with referrals for all your home projects.  It's a grand home improvement network for those projects that are beyond DIY, Porch helps you find reputable peeps.

For this Q & A I'll be answering a few questions here and then you'll want to click over to the Porch Advice Blog to read the other juicy half.

What's your DIY weapon of choice?

Sliding compound miter circular saw

My real weapon of choice is my hands, they're invaluable to me so don't drill through your pointer finger ever!  It really hurts and the nerve took 2 months to come back.

Words of wisdom for someone remodeling on a budget?

Use what you have first and foremost.  I always shop my house first including my basement which is full of cast offs and wood scraps.  Lots of things can be transformed into something else with a little imagination, maybe rebuild it or add some paint.  I like to pretend there is a zero budget, collect everything I have and can use for the remodel and then make the purchases that I really want.

What's the weirdest thing you've collected?

Railing spindles.

No project plans yet but I'm holding on to them because they're so skinny, twisty and spindly.

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