The carpet from the downstairs is now listed on Craigslist. I've started taking it out, but not sure how much I can do by myself. Really hoping the two contractors who keep telling me they want to work will actually pick a day--and show up.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
PROJECT: Paint Fireplace White and Install New Fireplace Doors
Overview
The old fireplace doors are on their way out and will be replaced with new black (with black trim) modern fireplace doors. The original brick will be painted white to update the look.
White semi-gloss paint.
Fireplace doors:
Progress
This is the old masonry fireplace before painting:
And here it is painted white, but not yet finished. The fireplace screen and doors will be listed for sale on Craigslist, and new fireplace doors installed.
The old fireplace doors are on their way out and will be replaced with new black (with black trim) modern fireplace doors. The original brick will be painted white to update the look.
Plan
- Paint masonry with white semi-gloss paint.
- Remove old fireplace doors.
- Order new fireplace doors.
- Finish painting fireplace once doors are off and carpet is removed.
- Install new fireplace doors.
Products
White semi-gloss paint.
Fireplace doors:
Progress
This is the old masonry fireplace before painting:
And here it is painted white, but not yet finished. The fireplace screen and doors will be listed for sale on Craigslist, and new fireplace doors installed.
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| Old Fireplace Doors |
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| Old Fireplace Screen |
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
PROJECT: Hardware, Paint, and TLC for Front Door
Overview
The front door was installed really quickly after the old one went bye-bye. Long story. It's a pre-hung hollow core steel door. The guy who painted it on the exterior did a really awful job. It's bumpy and full of brush marks. I did a quick job on the inside just slapping some paint on and not taking the hardware off, knowing that the door would have to be removed and properly painted at some point. As the brass hardware will be replaced by satin nickel, it'll be a good project to do everything that needs to be done for the entry door in on fell swoop.
This is the new lockset for the entry door, which arrived on August 12.
Progress
August 12: Most products (except paint) selected, with many purchased and ready to go. Plan to purchase some paint August 16-19 when Sherwin-Williams has a sale for 35% off.
The front door was installed really quickly after the old one went bye-bye. Long story. It's a pre-hung hollow core steel door. The guy who painted it on the exterior did a really awful job. It's bumpy and full of brush marks. I did a quick job on the inside just slapping some paint on and not taking the hardware off, knowing that the door would have to be removed and properly painted at some point. As the brass hardware will be replaced by satin nickel, it'll be a good project to do everything that needs to be done for the entry door in on fell swoop.
Plan
- Remove door and hardware, lightly sand, and paint. The exterior will be a gloss black and the interior will be...well, I don't yet know.
- Replace weather strip on the bottom of the door.
- Replace weather stripping on sides and top of door frame.
- Replace hardware (hinges, entry lockset, peephole, strike plate) with satin nickel hardware.
- Pop the door back in with its new, updated look (and much improved protection from drafts and bugs!).
- Use silicone caulking to seal around the exterior of the door frame and interior window and door caulking to seal around the interior.
Products
Progress
August 12: Most products (except paint) selected, with many purchased and ready to go. Plan to purchase some paint August 16-19 when Sherwin-Williams has a sale for 35% off.
PROJECT: New Blinds for Windows
Way back, I had ordered and installed three sets of Bali 2" faux wood blinds. Excellent quality stuff. So, now it's time to get to the remaining windows as well as the sliding glass door blinds.
The Plan
The Plan
- Order Bali faux wood blinds and install in guest room, kids' room, and office. And maybe the upstairs hallways as well, as the sun comes right through there are really heats stuff up in the afternoon. Each of these windows needs to have the white trim paint finished before installing the blinds. The trim paint is almost done in the hallway, but not the other three rooms.
- Finish painting the window trim in the master bedroom and install the Bali blinds there that were already purchased and are ready to go.
- Find some replacement vanes for the family room sliding glass door verticals and pop them in. Embarrassingly, when I ordered the Bali verticals for the sliding glass door some time back, I made a mistake on the order form and the vanes were way too short. Oops!
The Product
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| Bali 2" Faux Wood Blinds |
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
CHALLENGES: Brand New Ductless Heat Pump Not Working
Spent $7,000 for a two-head Daikin ductless heat pump system, and it's not working. It's 93 degrees outside. I am not happy. At all.
Called the company and got the answering service. No response yet.
PROJECT: Upgrading to Rocker Light Switches
The whole house has the standard "old-style" light switches, along with a variety of wall plates (mostly the white ones, but many "decorator" style). Since the whole place will be updated with white trim and moldings throughout, it's time to update the light switches as well. I'll be having all the old switches replaced by these rocker switches:
And, to go along with the rocker switches, there will have to be wall plates that fit the rocker switches:
That's a fairly inexpensive upgrade that will add some value and an updated look to the house.
Trying On Virtual Color
Thinking ahead to the fun stuff, I'm trying out various virtual color schemes using Sherwin-Williams' color simulator online. These are their rooms, though you can also upload your own photos. The trim will all be white and the laminate floors will probably be about the color shown.
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| Black Bean and Swing Brown |
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