Refinishing Ceramic Tile

October 30, 2013, 6:53 am

The main bathroom in the lakehouse will be the first room to be fully renovated, hopefully this summer. Other than the size (huge to me) and layout (nothing unusual), I hate everything about its original state. The oak cabinet doors and trim were woodsy and the vanity uncomfortably low, the gold knobs just bugged me, the pink walls were criticized by everyone who came through (and they just weren't "us"), the light fixtures were utilitarian and dated, and don't even get me started on the beige tub, sink, and portal shower. (Actually, the portal has been great for bathing Szuka, who has become a master escape artist dodging to the left or right and leaping out of the tub with surprising agility. Unlike the townhouse tub, the space portal blocks her exits, allowing me to wash her without getting kicked in the head by her giant puppy paws).

Even though we hope to reno soonish, I wanted to spruce up the room a little but wanted to spend very little in the process because every dime I spend in here takes a dime away from our dream bathroom.

There is such a small amount of tile (just between the mirror and vanity) that I contemplated just picking up some leftovers at Habitat for Humanity and redoing it. But I've tiled before and, although it's not terribly tricky, it can be time consuming. I really yearned for something quick and painless as well as thrifty and thought this bathroom would be the perfect place to experiment a little with a different kind of DIY solution, so I approached Rustoleum about trying their Tile Transformations Kit. I opted for the Solid Colour Textured Finish, but they sent me the Natural Stone Finish also, which worked in my favour.

The first few steps were easy: remove the caulking around the tile and clean it thoroughly with the magic scrubbing powder provided. Then I taped off the area and protected the surfaces with drop cloths.

Easy, peasy - no sanding! Next came mixing the two parts of the paint together. The instructions warn that this paint dries quickly (it has a 90 minute working time), so not to take your sweet time, but to not just slop it on, either. It's a two-person job: one paints the coating onto the grout and the other follows with a small roller (the handle isn't included). The instructions also warn to watch for drips and sags. Due to my own guffaw (I'll explain in a minute), every time I tried to catch a sag, I removed paint in the process and revealed the naked tile beneath. I fussed and fussed but couldn't get a smooth finish. It had some sags and too much texture. Hubby proposed that the paint might tighten up as it dries, so I left it.

The next morning I arrived at the lakehouse to see the sags had remained. I contemplated sanding and starting over, or just ripping it out and replacing the tile after all, but I figured I had nothing to lose so I added the step for the Natural Stone finish. It's basically a transparent, grey-tinted coating with flecks and glittery bits that is layered on top of the Solid Colour Textured Finish. It is supposed to dry clear, but it tinted the original colour, dulling it a bit, which was a-okay by me but different than what the instructional video suggests. I rolled that on without any trouble, hoping it would hide my goof.

Once it dried, it looked better! The finish hides the sags a little because it has some sparkle and texture, and because it's meant to look like stone, a little irregularity actually helps the rouse along. Crisis averted!!

Here's a closer look at the finish:

In real life, the flaws are much less noticeable (I tried really hard to photograph it so you could see the texture I accidentally created). Also, although it has a textured finish, to the touch the texture is smooth, not rough, so cleaning should be a breeze. I wouldn't use this finish in a space I'm putting money into because without the grout lines it's obviously not real stone, but at a glance it looks refreshed - it's a perfect cheap and easy, temporary fix. The tile is now plain and simple - definitely an improvement on the 80s tile design lurking beneath, and all done for only a couple of minutes of work. Seriously, painting this tile and the half bathroom tile, both steps, took less than half an hour total (over two days), including prep and clean up.

I am confident that the problem here was a user error. The instructions indicate the paint must be used within 7 days of tinting and I was just barely passed this timeline but didn't think a few days would make a difference. Because this paint hardens to an amazingly durable finish (definitely NOT the same as just priming and painting, this special coating acts and feels like real ceramic), I think it started to cure in the can and by the time I applied it, it was a little too firm to use. Lesson learned: follow the instructions to the letter. Even with the snag, the bathroom is coming along nicely and I can't wait to show you the (problem-free) makeover of the cabinetry next. So long yellowy oak!

I partnered with Rustoleum for this project and although I was provided the product, I was not encouraged to provide a positive review. Having diagnosed my error, I would happily try this product again because it was straight-forward and is a fabulous quick-fix for dated tile. If you decide to try this product, be sure to follow the instructions carefully, and check out this video tutorial for more help.

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Refinishing Bathroom Cabinets

November 1, 2013, 6:37 am

≫ Next: Bathroom Before + After

≪ Previous: Refinishing Ceramic Tile

Although refinishing the bathroom tiled proved tricky, modernizing the oak cabinetry was a cinch. Again I turned to the folks at Rustoleum, eager to try their Cabinet Transformations System. The colour choices were a smidge limiting (I chose Castle, unglazed) but I was eager for an all-in-one, guaranteed-to-last product.

The kit was straightforward and easy to use (with no sanding or priming!). After removing the doors fronts I cleaned the cabinet doors and bases thoroughly with the included Deglosser. This took a few hours because the Deglosser also needs to be wiped clean with a damp cloth and I tried to make sure I did a thorough job.

After the cabinets dried (1 hour), I applied three coats of the included paint (called a "Bond Coat") with a 2" angled brush. I applied the coats really thinly, starting with the backs of the cabinet doors, making sure I wasn't dripping on to the other side. Each coat took 2-3 hours to dry so this project took a few days to complete, even though actually applying the Bond Coat was straight forward.

For the cabinet frames, I found that using a small artist's brush (really love that thing for home DIYs) helped me skip the taping step and just get straight to painting. I just wiped any mistakes off with a damp cloth right away, but after practicing on these cabinets I now have quite the steady hand!

The instructions say two coats should do it but after two there were a couple of spots that needed a touch up. I had plenty of paint left so I just went ahead with a third coat. Because my doors are so ornate, it took some extra patience wiggling the paint in there but it was worth the time. I think a door with a smoother profile might not need the third coat.

After that, I skipped the optional Decorative Glaze (which is created to give the cabinets an antiqued look) and applied the included Protective Top Coat, formulated towork with the Bond Coat to provide maximum scratch and stain resistance. After it dried, while the doors were still on the floor waiting to be installed, my Mom noticed a few spots less shiny than others so, again, with tons pf product to spare, I applied a second coat but then there were new areas that were less shiny. We re-installed the doors anyway and once they were in place I couldn't see any difference in sheen. Sweet relief.

Definitely an improvement! Check back Monday for a complete reveal of the bathroom transformation (to date), including a smattering of bonus projects.

Coverage on Solid Wood vs. Melamine

This system covered wood beautifully, but was a touch less cooperative with the melamine cabinet frames. For lack of a better word, it was "slippery" on melamine, sometimes refusing to adhere neatly so the first coat was really sheer and had poor coverage. Happily, it adhered to itself well and by the third coat it looked perfect. To double check, I painted the cabinet doors that are behind our firewood cubby (you can load the wood from the storage room behind the fireplace to avoid tracking gunk through the house). They are melamine and the white really popped after the fireplace was painted dark grey. I applied some leftover Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Bond Coat and although, again, the first coat was more sheer than when I applied it to wood, it adhered perfectly. And the doors only needed two coats, because they are so smooth and plain. Photos soon!

I partnered with Rustoleum to update the bathroom cabinets but was not prompted or asked to provide a positive review of the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformation System. If you try this system, there's even a video DVD included (see a video tutorial online here) and extensive instructions with a helpful FAQ section. I would 100% purchase this product myself because of the ease of application and the uniqueness of this paint product - this is more like a mix between a stain and a paint, and it really seems to sink in to the grain to create a super smooth, professional-looking finish.

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Bathroom Before + After

November 4, 2013, 5:52 am

≫ Next: September + October are Done! Did We Have Fun?

≪ Previous: Refinishing Bathroom Cabinets

We have not yet moved from our Ottawa townhouse to our lakehouse (long story), so the lakehouse bathroom is empty and in need of accessories, artwork and even basics like soap and towels! Frankly, I didn't even have a chance to scrub the floors or shower before snapping some photos of its makeover, but after showing you bits and pieces of its transformation last week, I was eager to show you the whole room. Because it's a temporary fix until we renovate, I haven't actually replaced anything but the ceiling light fixture. We'll be installing a new towel bar as well, but otherwise the cabinetry, flooring, counter, tile backsplash, vanity light fixture - even the cabinet hardware - have all been given a simple facelift.

The cabinetry was the first to be updated, with Rustoleum's Cabinet Transformations System, which you saw a sneak peek of on Friday. The existing counter is a pale, mint-ish green with flecks of dark grey and creamy-white, so it pairs wells with the cabinetry (which is Rustoleum's Castle Grey, unglazed).

While I was removing the doors to refinish them, I removed the molding at the top of the cabinet for a cleaner look. It was barely held on with finishing nails, so it didn't need much encouragement - just a little nudge. I know other people add molding to finish off cabinetry, but I much prefer a simpler look. Nothing I can do about the cathedral door fronts, but there's only the two so I'll just ignore them and invite you to do the same.

After I tackled the cabinetry, but before the doors were re-installed, the salmon pink walls and oak trim disappeared with a coat of Zinsser primer and three coats of Glidden Easy Flow paint, courtesy of Canadian Tire and our paint-the-lakehouse partnership. In the townhouse I shied away from white walls in the only bathroom that still has a beige toilet because I worried it would make the beige "pop," but the creamier colour I originally chose only made the toilet look beiger. This time I said beige toilet (and sink and shower) be damned, I want white walls. I especially love white walls in a bathroom because it looks so clean and so much brighter. I'll love the white even more once we get some bright art up on the walls. We also removed the oddly placed towel bars and grab handles, plus the blinds and valence, so the walls are much less busy now. I'll figure out a window treatment soon, but we live in the country so it's not super pressing.

Next I refinished the tile, which was arduous but turned out alright.

I decided not to buy new hardware for the cabinetry because I wanted this makeover to be cheap and even if I spent a few bucks per knob, that adds up to about $30. Instead I used the leftover Rustoleum high heat spray paint that was rattling around in the can after I painted the fireplace doors and vents. I just made sure to give the knobs a really good sand with a fine grit sandpaper (which resulted in a cool finish I was tempted to leave as-is), and gave the knobs a few thin coats of spray paint. I love the matte black finish, especially against the grey cupboards.

Emboldened, I painted the vanity light too. I hate this style of light but I don't know what kind of lighting I want for the renovation, and I didn't want to buy something I may not re-use. I originally discarded the chrome plate it came with, but when Hubby scrubbed the paint a little during install, back on it went. Hubby reasons that it ties together the matte black knobs and all of the chrome. Okay, I'll buy it.

The overhead light is the one thing I did change, for the same inexpensive Ikea fixture that is now in the hallway, bedrooms and will eventually be in the kitchen, laundry room and half bathroom. The cohesion makes me dopey-eyed happy.

Last up, we nailed in some white quarter round where the vinyl floor was curling up. Not a pin-worthy change, but a tiny fix like this, that cost pennies and solved (okay, hid) a wear-and-tear problem, just made the bathroom look newer.

I still can't wait to renovate, but for now the space looks brighter, fresher and more modern.

It really needs some art. Soon, I think, soon.

I'm planning something with really saturated colour, like a painting I just recently made for a friend's living room.

A huge thanks to Canadian Tire for providing the Zinsser primer and Glidden Easy Flow paint, and to Rustoleum for providing the Tile Transformations and Cabinet Transformations kits.

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September + October are Done! Did We Have Fun?

November 7, 2013, 7:05 am

≫ Next: Happy on the Inside

≪ Previous: Bathroom Before + After

I skipped September's round-up of posts so I thought it best to highlight September and October's posts together - and right away - before I blink and it's December. Scary thought!

Of course my favorite post from the last two months was introducing Szuka. We had a free coupon for a puppy bath and nail trim at a pet store. They brushed out her wavy hair and she turned out so poofy. It didn't last, she's back to her scruffy self, but I had to share the adorable photo I snapped. After steadily taking allergy pills, I'm happy to report I'm no longer bothered by allergies and I've even switched to a cheaper, Costco-brand allergy pill.

Szuka has yet to meet our neighborhood foxes, who are no longer comfortable just walking in.

I think my second favorite post from the fall was the reveal of the teal velvet chair, still lovingly referred to as "the garbage chair". I've since sold a lot of our furniture: the tweed upholstered chair in the living room, some teak side tables, the maple armoire (finally!), and we will soon be selling the teak kitchen table, dining room hutch, Hubby's DIY desk and more. Moving into the lakehouse will be a chance to start fresh, but it has been weird to see some of our furniture go. This chair will be a nice bridge, and a happy reminder of Ottawa.

Even though it's furniture-less right now, I've been pretty excited about the progress made on the lakehouse. I've been able to make a couple trips there to work on it, bouncing between Ottawa and Thunder Bay. After rounding up some inspiration, I took the plunge and painted the fireplace a deep grey. I'm loving the boldness (see how I painted the doors here and how I painted the faux stone here).

The fireplace is still un-accessorized, but a quick makeover of a fire poker set left with house added at least something useful!

Paint has definitely been my biggest ally. Painting the walls, trim, patio doors, and even the wood beam white has made the rather small house seems large and airy. It's starting to take shape!

But not everything is white! We started work on the turquoise kitchen, trying out a new paint sprayer on the doors.

I even painted over the bathroom tile, using a kit from Rustoleum.

We've only made a few non-paint changes so far, lighting being the biggest. By swapping out dated light fixtures - even the ceiling fan - the space is starting to looking much more modern.

Even though we're making big changes at the lakehouse, there's still so much to do. It was fun to take a break and ogle my good friend Erica's completed den. I'm still enamored with the transformation!

Work-wise, I met my deadline for submitting my PhD! Although it met with a couple of tough reviews (but two great ones!) I am set to defend at the end of this month . . .

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Happy on the Inside

November 11, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Replacing Damaged Hardwood Floorboards

≪ Previous: September + October are Done! Did We Have Fun?

I have to show you what our master bedroom closet looks like right now, because it totally makes me smile:

It's a sneaky place to add colour, and I'm loving it. Originally I was going to leave the bedroom closet completely untouched until we saved up a little cash for new doors and a new closet organizer, but when we took possession of the lakehouse I noticed the mirrored sliding door was cracked - something I'm not sure was cracked during home inspection.

We removed the doors right away because I was paranoid about the crack expanding, shattering and showering me with shards of glass while I slept. Unrealistic? Likely. But enough for me to break out the tools and banish the doors. But then I was left looking at this:

We figured we might as well go ahead and replace the closet organizer and paint, even if we haven't even begun to look at new doors yet. But it wasn't as simple as that, because when we removed the shelving system our worst fears were confirmed: the hardwood flooring had been installed around them. This was already pretty evident, but a small part of me hoped I was just looking at it wrong. I think I just couldn't wrap my brain around it, because it took more work to do the fitment fussing than it would have to just remove the closet organizer (which was half hanging out of the wall anyway), install the floors properly and hang the shelves back up.

Luckily, the previous owner left a box of unused hardwood flooring in the garage, so Handy Hubby pried out the offending boards and installed new pieces. Check back Wednesday for a guest post from Hubby outlining how he did it - which could help anyone looking to replace hardwood flooring boards in a completed floor. For all his efforts, the closet colour choice was his: Fiesta Orange, by Glidden.

I rolled on three coats of CIL paint and primer in one and, because the trim has all been painted out white to match the walls, I thought it would be fun to paint the closet trim orange to match the walls as well, instead of having a skinny white border running above the floor.

I'd like to hang my vintage Hungarian posters in the bedroom, and I think the orange Hubby picked is an exact match to one. Fun! Now I'm shopping for a closet organizer. And then new closet doors. Oh, and a light fixture for inside the closet because blech:

Szuka is team-orange too, seeing as her favorite toy is the same hue.

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Replacing Damaged Hardwood Floorboards

November 13, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Audrey + Gem

≪ Previous: Happy on the Inside

Handy Hubby is taking over today! He deserves a round of applause for the crummy, frustrating job that was replacing some of the floorboards in our closet (which you saw on Monday had been installed around the closet organizer). Here's his explanation of how he did it:

We lucked out because the previous owner had left a box of flooring from the original job. This saved us having to colour match or try to track down the original brand. We brought it in the house the day before to acclimatize. More time is usually better though. Some companies will stipulate a week for the best results. This ensures the boards don't gap the day after installation.

I first removed the closet baseboard with a flat pry bar. Some of the paper from the drywall stuck to it from being painted, so it's a good idea to cut the edge with a knife first. I was not too worried about keeping the baseboard, as we knew we could replace it with new stuff. However, if you go slowly you can usually get it off with minimal damage.

After I got the baseboard off I noticed a roadblock. The hardwood was installed right to the drywall, actually pushing it in slightly. For those of you that don't know, wood expands and contracts across its grain as humidity levels change. For this reason, hardwood floors should be installed with a gap around the sides. This gap is covered by the baseboard (attached to the wall) and quarter round (attached to the floor).

As can be seen from the photos, there is a square of flooring that was located under the old closet fitting. This was relatively easy to pry up, as it was not pressed into the wall very much and I could pry from each end. It was also nailed down with smaller nails, as a flooring nailer probably would not fit under the closet fitting.

The rest was a bit harder. This floor had no gap around the walls, defeating my plan of inserting a pry bar into the wall gap to lift the first board. I tried for awhile, but began to destroy the drywall. I was actually carving out the drywall in order to raise the board closest to the wall. This was not going to work. There was no room for the board to rise vertically.

On to plan B, which is the way I have typically seen it done. This can also be used for removing boards in the middle of a floor. I took a circular saw (also referred to as a Skil saw) and set the blade depth to 3/4", the thickness of the floor board. I then ran the saw along the length of all the boards, as close to the wall as I could, next to the seam on the board. This basically created a 1/8" gap and cut the tongue off so the boards were not connected.

Once this was done I was able to start to pry the board from the exposed end where the square was. Because the board was no longer attached to the one next to it, it was much easier. I used a flat pry bar and a hammer.

Once the first row, next to the wall, was out, the remainder was much easier. Unfortunately I was not able to save all the boards, but I was not counting on it. This is where making sure I had enough to do the whole closet beforehand adds to the peace of mind.

Once all the board rows were out I swept the sub floor and removed any nails so the surface was clean. Using a rubber mallet (to snug the boards into place) and a 12 gauge air nailer I installed the new boards to complete the floor. I made sure to leave about a 1/4" - 3/8" gap between the floor boards and the wall to account for swelling, and the next person who wants to take up the floor. We found nearly identical baseboard, painted it orange, cut it, and installed it once the walls were painted.

Isn't Hubby handy?!? The discovery about the flooring being installed improperly by the former owner, who wedged them tight against the walls, has me worried that we could see problems down the road. It has me thinking . . . in a few years time, when we totally gut the kitchen and re-do the floors in there (and the adjacent laundry room and half bath), maybe we should just install new hardwood everywhere in the house so it's all uniform (save for the entryway and main bathroom, where I'd love a dark grey slate tile). I'd love to go with something light, maybe a pale grey-tinged bleached oak, with wide planks. The idea has me lingering in the flooring section of the hardware stores these days . . .

Via

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Audrey + Gem

November 18, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Let's Talk Trim

≪ Previous: Replacing Damaged Hardwood Floorboards

You might have noticed Dans le Townhouse has a new sponsor: Audrey & Gem. Longtime readers will know Gemma: we did a my take/her take DIY project together and have even shared our thrifting adventures (I found my seagull when we were thrifting together). Some of you even won her beautiful prints in a giveaway we did! Since then, Gemma has added some gorgeous new designs to her Etsy shop:

But don't worry, Gemma still offers her signature vibrant watercolour prints too:

Isn't she talented? I especially appreciate how affordable her prints are ($16) and that she welcomes the chance to personalize prints for people, to commemorate an event or celebrate a place. If you or someone you love needs a dose of something pretty and uplifting, take a peek at her Etsy shop here. If you're curious, you can also see some of her art in her own home on her blog, The Sweetest Digs. For Ottawa folks, Gemma has a second business too (she's one busy Mama!), renting vintage finds for weddings and events. Check out her Pieces of Love shop here.

Speaking of advertisements, you might have noticed I've scaled back on my sidebar ads. Although I certainly appreciate the perk of being compensated for the time I spend writing, editing photos and dreaming up cute projects, I just didn't feel good about promoting companies I knew little about. Now I'm trying to reserve sidebar ads for companies I personally know are completely awesome and have switched gears to do more product reviews. I still love the sweet bonus of free goodies that help nudge renovations and projects along (just being honest), but I get to see firsthand what the company's product and service are like, and report back to you. If you're going to part with your hard earned cash as a result of stopping by the townhouse (or lakehouse), I want to make sure it's for something truly great.

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Let's Talk Trim

November 20, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: A Parka Problem

≪ Previous: Audrey + Gem

One day, when we re-do the floors (whether it's some or all), I'm going to replace our trim with something thick and substantial, but with a clean and simple profile. I've started noticing trim in every picture I see.

via

If the trim we currently have hadn't been skinny, dated oak that matched our floors in no way whatsoever, I might have kept it as-is because wood trim can look lovely, especially against white walls:

Via Dust Jacket

For now, painting out the trim was an inexpensive, if somewhat labour-intensive, option to modernize the lakehouse. Soon I'll post a full how-to, but for now I wanted to talk about why I left the wood on the window frames that open, even if I painted the fixed windows and all casings white.

For reference, here's a glimpse of these three spaces (living room, master bedroom, and bathroom) before:

At first I thought I might want to stain or paint the window frames black, while painting the trim white, but I quickly decided against it because it would break up the views too much.

Matchbook

Even though I decided early-on to go all-white, by the time I got to the lakehouse to work it was too cold!! I barely had time to get paint on the door, and I needed a space heater to ensure the paint cured. I decided to just tape off the areas of the windows that I couldn't paint without removing hardware and opening them, and resolved to tackle them next spring when it's warm enough. For now, the bulk of the woody-goodness has been axed, and I'm thinking a little strip of wood isn't a crime, even in a space I'm trying to modernize.

Design Shimmer

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A Parka Problem

November 25, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: The Dr. is in

≪ Previous: Let's Talk Trim

Moving back to Northwestern Ontario sees us contemplating a long "to-do" list. Among the many unchecked items is getting prepared (again) for harsh winters. In the years since we've been gone from the region Hubby and I have lightened our winter attire. We're pretty glib about Ottawa winters and have spent the last four winters in fall-weight coats and uninsulated boots. I actually get cold easily, but it's been a weird (and stupid) source of pride for me to say, "Oh, this is my winter jacket. I don't need a hat. I'm from TBay".

I don't know why I'm a jerk sometimes. And about the weirdest things.

Maybe the truth is we hate shopping for outerwear because in addition to being skimpy, our "winter" clothes were falling apart at the seams. Begrudgingly, we recently schlepped from store to store and each bought a seriously toasty winter coat and a pair of winter boots. Hubby had it much easier: walk into store, try on three coats and pick one. Done. Walk into another store, try on two pairs of boots and pick one. And he looks as handsome as ever in his new gear. I, on the other hand, had a ridiculous time finding a winter coat that would actually zip over my hips and not be uncomfortably oversized on the top. Desperately I Googled "warm winter coats for big hips and smaller chests" with no luck. Instead, I tried on what feels like a hundred different coats until my hair became pure static and I shocked anyone in the vicinity with my electrified hands. Honestly, it also made me feel like crap about my body. When I finally found a good short list of coats that fit trimly through the torso with a little wiggle room in the hips, I decided I'd post my own list for anyone who might be having the same struggle.

One caveat: none of these are cheap coats, but I needed to find a seriously warm coat. Thunder Bay has had winter weather as cold −36 °C, with a wind speed of 54 km/h for a wind chill temperature that dipped to −58 °C. Unfortunately, Szuka has her own, naturally toasty fur coat and loves the snow - she will not accept a cold, blizzardy day Robert Munsch would write about as reason enough not to go for a walk. This necessity, and the fact that I don't spend a lot of money on clothes because I work from home and spend my days in cheap yoga pants, helped me justify the prices but I still apologize to anyone for whom these prices are totally unreasonable or out of reach. I'm not always so spendy.

Stylish Parkas for Wider Hips

The first contender was the Columbia Madraune, a 80% duck down/20% feather parka (in black or a mushroom-y greige hue). It has Columbia's "omni-heat" reflective lining that apparently reflects body heat back toward the wearer. It's soft and warm, but nipped in at the waist so it doesn't feel bulky. I found it was cut generously through the hips. I liked it (it was also the cheapest: just over $200 in-store), but was told by the store staff that while it is certainly a good parka for chilly winters, it won't do for epic cold.

My favorite was this teal North Face Metropolis parka and I think you know why!! I tried this on a million times and each time I lovingly admired the colour. It was cut boxier than the Columbia parka, but still wasn't bulky on top, even though it zipped easily over my derriere. It was also a lighter weight coat, but I read some reviews on Amazon and gals in the UK have gone gaga for it - so I think it can handle pretty chilly weather. The only drawback was that not all of it was lined, and Hubby convinced me the wind would whip off the lake and tear right through the seams of unlined quilted areas. I think he's right, but the colour!! There were actually a few styles of North Face parkas that fit me comfortably, and dozens more online that looked like they would also fit wider hips. They have a lot of stylish and colourful options and I think it's worth taking a look.

I actually bought and returned this Lole Andorra jacket. Again, the salespeople just shook their heads when I told them where I was moving and asked whether this would be warm enough. I found one review online that indicated that while the body was warm, the sleeves of the coat weren't insulated enough for extremely cold temperatures. It felt super cozy to me and the green was really pretty (it comes in grey too). I especially loved the clean lines of this coat. The problem I had with it was that it was a smidge snug on the hips. With pants it was fine, but I wanted the option to sneak some snowpants underneath for longer walks and general country-bumpkining. For a town coat, though, this would have worked perfectly.

The Patera Parka by Arc'Teryx is the coat I decided on because salespeople (and online reviews) were unanimous that this coat is WARM. It has European goose down, so it's cozy, but also has a durable Goretex exterior that can stand up to wear. It's simple enough that I can pair it with snow pants and frolic, but also wear it with regular clothes for my day-to-day comings and goings. I almost fainted when I saw the price, but I've pledged to wear this, and only this, for many, many winters to come. I already went for a long walk in it and I did stay really toasty, but the best part is this coat isn't bulky or cumbersome. Success, even though my wallet would beg to differ.

P.S. This post is NOT sponsored. I just found it incredibly frustrating to try on coat after coat obviously not designed for my body type, and if there's anyone else with a pear-ish shape I hope this helps a little. At least know I'm frustrated along with you - but there's a few good options out there!

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The Dr. is in

December 2, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Faux Fur Throws

≪ Previous: A Parka Problem

Big news: even though I hit a few bumps along the way, I successfully defended my PhD dissertation on Friday!!! It was a grueling, sweat-inducing afternoon of fielding question after question, with nary a snack or bathroom break. I didn't make it through unscathed - I have major revisions to complete, and only one month to complete them - but I did it! Soon I will no longer be able to relate to this hilarious list of "grad school problems".

photo source

It was a difficult task to both defend my work and also recognize room for improvement. I felt awkward challenging scholars I deeply admire and respect, but in some cases I felt justified standing my ground. Other times, I readily admitted that my project could benefit from their suggestions. When this experience is in my rear view mirror, I promise to share some juicier details plus a link to my finished dissertation. For now, I have a full schedule. On my list of things to do:

Eat a pan of brownies in celebration.
Make sure everyone I know updates my contact information (to Dr. please).
Get to those revisions!
Eat one more brownie.

Comic Source

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Faux Fur Throws

December 6, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: SOLD

≪ Previous: The Dr. is in

It looks like we will actually be moving into the lakehouse soon-ish. Of course, as luck will have it, it will be the dead of winter. Even with my cozy parka, I'm dreading it. Did I mention our new place has electric forced air? We plan to convert to propane heat as soon as we can afford it but for now I imagine we'll be keeping the thermostat on the cool side. I'm going to miss the inexpensive radiant heat of the townhouse. My plan is to spend the coldest winter nights bundled up like a burrito under layers of blankets. One problem: Szuka is a certified blanket stealer/eater. We're working on discouraging the habit, but if she so much as spots the corner of a blanket dangling off the sofa she grabs it and bolts, dragging it behind her. She works quietly, throwing herself down on top of it and chewing it until it's soggy. My two favorite blankets are a hand crocheted one my Mummu made and my spendy Marimekko wool one. You can imagine my horror when I see one dangling from Szuka's mouth. Plus, each is hand wash only and takes forever to line dry.

When I was contacted to review two Guillaume Luxe Faux Fur throws, available through The Shopping Channel, I greedily accepted. Cozy and machine washable? That is my new criteria.

While the special price of $49.98 seems reasonable, the regular price of $79.98 seemed a bit steep. As a wool-devotee I had no idea what a reasonable price is for a throw like this so I moseyed over to HomeSense and found faux fur throws that feel much skimpier selling for $49.99. Certainly avoiding the incredibly insane holiday shoppers who all but shoved me is worth something. Plus, after some chewing (Szuka!!!!), I can attest to the durability of these throws.

Unsurprisingly, I found Szuka on top of one yesterday morning. The edges were damp and the tag chewed to pieces. The first thing she does with every forbidden item she gets her paws on is to remove the tag. Not eat it, just remove it. I tossed the throw in the machine (cold wash) and tumble dried low. The quality is there: there was no pilling or shedding plus it fluffed up perfectly and dried really quickly. It's kept me so toasty in the evenings that I've gotten too warm. Such a delicious problem to have. I normally eschew polyester, but this feels soft and plush. Frankly, I've surprised myself by enjoying these throws so much.

Aesthetically,the faux leopard print just isn't "me" after all, but I love the beige (faux snow lynx) because it's muted and chic. It suits our cream leather sofa and doesn't look as faux to me.

Plus the beige will look lovely when I swap out the mellow assortment of sofa cushions for something bolder in the lakehouse (see below for what I'm loving right now). The grey is also a favorite of mine but if I had the cash I'd splurge on the faux mink throw with velvet trim. The "blonde" would look so retro on my teal, mid-century velvet chair. Wow, online shopping - even browsing - is a dangerous rabbit hole to fall down.

1 / 2 / 3

I was provided two Guillaume Faux Throws but was not prompted or asked to write a positive review. We put them through the wringer, literally, and were impressed with the quality and ease of care. Little Szuka is definitely guiding a lifestyle change, but I'll happily trade in my wool throw for this cushy faux fur one that's machine-washable.

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SOLD

December 11, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Curb Appeal: None to Some

≪ Previous: Faux Fur Throws

After tentatively sharing the good news last week, I can finally confirm that the townhouse is SOLD! It took longer than expected and we hit a few snags along the way, but we are finally able to move on - and move into the lakehouse. We abandoned dozens of projects mid-task there, and won't even be able to unpack until we at least tackle a few, but right now all I can think about is how great it feels to no longer be in limbo (or have to clean for showings!).

The new owners take possession in January and I promise to share the whole story then, including what we learned and what we would do differently. For now I don't want to jinx what still seems unreal. I will tell you that we ended up re-listing with a different agent, and it was a totally different experience. One commonality was that both hired professional photographers. Even though I was adamant about this, it was very unnerving to see the townhouse through the eyes of someone else. The real estate photos don't feel like my home. Between the decluttering, bedroom re-arranging and the use of flash and overhead lighting (which I only turn on under duress because I'm all about mood lighting), the space feels . . . different. The wide angle lens certainly helps to better capture our teeny abode, so I thought I'd share all of the listing photos with you.

First up: never-before-seen photos of the outside of our home. Hubby asked me not to include photos of the exterior in the house tour until we sold, so it feels like a major milestone to be able to share these. Years ago a designer was hired by the condo board to design a colour scheme for our neighborhood. Luckily I liked the blue-grey with the brick and Hubby loved the orange door, but I'm really looking forward to painting the exterior of the lakehouse, just because I can.

I'm not much of a gardener, though I did plant the little bush and the Lily of the Valley flowers by our front door. Finding mulch that matched our orange door made me unreasonably happy. Sadly, when we re-listed in the fall things were less green, but a poinsettia cheered things up (I killed the other plant - I'm not lying when I say I'm not much of a gardener).

In our backyard we did so little that the condo finally sent us a letter demanding we tidy up. The shrubbery touched the fence. Le sigh. The second photo shows the changes, which look more naked to me, exacerbated by the lack of leaves.

The second photographer captured the lovely green space behind our house (no backyard neighbours!):

Here are the interior photos from our first listing:

Here are the interior photos from the second photographer:

Ignore the curtains. It traumatized me that the photographer pushed them messily out of the way.

See?!? My curtain pushing job on the dining room window, his on the patio doors. Why does this bother me so?

I'm a little sad to say good-bye to the townhouse. This was our first home and we spent a lot of our time working together on projects (you can see the before and afters, including a few befores I recently added, in the townhouse tour). I've grown tired of some of my design choices though, because they weren't all made for us in the first place. So, although I'm a little blue, I'm mostly tickled pink to start fresh and to see a different young couple call this home their first!

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Curb Appeal: None to Some

December 13, 2013, 7:48 am

≫ Next: Fade to Black

≪ Previous: SOLD

Now that I can finally show you the outside of the townhouse, I wanted to share some photos of the teeny, tiny little spruce we gave it. As you know, with condo rules we couldn't change much: the door colour, exterior colour, mailbox colour, trim colour, lighting choice, door style - they are all part of a master design scheme. Don't feel sorry for us though, because that also meant that exterior care and maintenance were up to the condo. Every spring they cleaned our gutters, inspected the brickwork, made necessary repairs, etc. - we even got a "free" roof. Although it was unnerving the first time I heard a stranger stomping around on the roof, and spotted a ladder propped against the bedroom window, this perk far outweighed our lack of creative input.

This is what the townhouse looked like when we first toured the property in 2009:

Looks like someone hated gardening more than me!

The next spring, I made the left side "flower bed" (if I can call that dirt-heap a flower bed) deeper and planted a small yew bush, which I refuse to prune. Lily of the Valley flowers (my favorite!) were both mailed to me by my mother-in-law and pilfered from my grandparents' garden and transplanted to the right. We also swapped out the dated brass door hardware for a pretty brushed silver handle and lock (obscured by the condo-issued brown storm door). The house certainly looked more loved after our efforts, but I guarantee Martha Stewart would feel embarrassed for us. Sadly, by the time we went to sell years later our little spruce had faded. The orange mulch had turned blah and the salt had wreaked havoc on our lawn. The colourful mat, which was originally teal, turquoise and orange (look at me coordinating) had become disgusting. Even the mailbox was looking worse for wear.

We didn't do much to get the exterior ready for sale but we did plant some grass seed, splurge on fresh mulch, buy a crisp new mat, and add a colourful potted plant. Oh yes, we also restored the mailbox with a quick blast of black spray paint. I still refused to prune my yew.

During our original sprucing, I customized a craft store wreath with my Mummu, a devoted crafter. I added teal-grey eucalyptus (the same colour as our exterior), plus gold and coppery glittery bits. It's wintry and thus not condo-approved, except between November 15th and January 15th, but I hung this baby all year round as my little act of rebellion.

P.S. can you believe that the second set of exterior photos from my post about selling our house were taken in November? Just weeks ago? Now the ground in Ottawa looks more like this:

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Fade to Black

December 16, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Canine Cut-Ups

≪ Previous: Curb Appeal: None to Some

It might seem like my mission is to paint everything deep grey . . . Can you blame me? Since a coat of charcoal grey made our dated fireplace look so much more modern, I now want to paint the exterior of the lakehouse a similar shade. Maybe even darker - almost black. It would pair so crisply with our existing white trim (and a turquoise door, of course).

As a reminder, below are some photos of our exterior, sans snow. It really isn't offensive, but I don't love the faux stonework. What bothers me most is that the side and back of the house, even the garage, have beige siding that looks cheap and totally clashes with the wood and stonework. A coat of deep grey (on everything, including the guesthouse exterior) could unify the myriad of materials.

A new roof will have to wait.

The only problem is that I skipped masonry paint for the fireplace makeover because a paint + primer was enough for an interior application. For an exterior application, I'm worried I should stick to actual masonry paint for the faux stone, but the few brands I have tracked down so far come pre-tinted and none have a shade as dark as my inspiration pictures. As a plan B, I spotted this house while walking Szuka:

It's more muted, but I've really become enamored with taupe and bright turquoise. It's also far easier to track down a more mellow grey or taupe in paints designed for masonry.

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Canine Cut-Ups

December 20, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Making Bank

≪ Previous: Fade to Black

In between bouts of feverishly working on my dissertation changes I've been tackling packing. I'm really looking forward to unpacking because it's a chance to get organized. Things were so tidy the first year we lived in the townhouse, but then we started cramming stuff into random places and I've been struggling to keep on top of it ever since. The downside to packing is being confronted with just how much stuff I have. I've been filling box after box, but I haven't even begun to touch the things we actually need and use!

Some guilt is setting in about the amount of stuff I've accumulated, but the one thing I never feel guilty about is art. In fact, I'm about to order an absolutely adorable collage from Etsy. For all of the puppy-lovers out there: Canine Cut-Ups . . .

Each unique collage is made from 10 to 20 hand-cut layers of paper. The artist, Patricia, happily accepts custom orders and can create a cute collage for any American Kennel Club breed. I've requested a Komondor on a bright turquoise background. I'll share more photos when I receive mine and get it framed.

And yes, life has become a little bit Szuka-centric!

This post was not sponsored, I am just so touched by the sweetness of these collages that I seriously want one of eachhung in a huge grid on a white wall.

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Making Bank

December 25, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Thirteen Favorites of 2013

≪ Previous: Canine Cut-Ups

I've heard a lot of people say that Christmas really snuck up on them this year. I don't know if this is a competition, or if there is a prize (if there is, please let it be this), but I think it might have snuck up on me the most. Since I've stopped celebrating Christmas I just don't even think about it. I was in my own little world all month and then today I woke up and all the grocery stores were closed (crap). It's Christmas! For my Christmas-loving readers, I wish you a merry one. For anyone else who doesn't celebrate Christmas . . .

. . . you might love this list. Number 10 resonates most with my currently-at-work Hubby.

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Thirteen Favorites of 2013

January 8, 2014, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Bracket Racket

≪ Previous: Making Bank

I'm so excited that a new year has begun! As a grad student my "new" year has typically started in September. This is the first time, in a long time, that I get my fresh start with the rest of the world, in January. 2012 was nutty (spending four months in Hungary contributed greatly), but then 2013 saw even bigger things happen for us: the townhouse sold, we bought our dream lakehouse (which I started designing in my head immediately), I successfully defended my Ph.D. dissertation, and our home is a tiny bit crazier (and messier) thanks to the addition of our incredibly lovable pup, Szuka. Handy Hubby and I also celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary! This little blog has seen tremendous growth again, thanks to all of you stopping by!! I've been flattered by many kind features of my projects and spaces - I even had a chance to create another DIY for a great magazine.

2014, starting with a 1600km move across the province (next week!!), is sure to be amazing. I'm so excited for the huge changes around the corner: finally moving (which involves down-sizing, simplifying and really getting organized), tackling some big-scale renos in the lakehouse, finding a job, making time to indulge in more crafts, re-naming and re-designing the blog, watching Szuka grow up to be a 100 pound bundle of love (she's 65 pounds now!!), and sharing it all with you. They say grad school is like hitting the snooze button on life but now I am ready to wake up. I want to linger in 2013 for one more day though, and share my favorite and your favorite (i.e. most read) posts and projects of the year.

1. Custom matting? Pass!
When I bought some beautiful enamel paintings in Budapest I skipped the custom matting and just painted the cardboard backing on each a dark grey before slipping them into inexpensive Ikea frames. Easy-peasy and still one of my most favorite mementos from the trip.

2. Vintage Hungarian Posters
Scratch that. The enamel art is clearly my second favorite memento, because my mid-century Soviet-era posters take the cake (and made me finally love the townhouse kitchen). For anyone looking for their own, I purchased mine from Budapest Poster. My Mom has yet to frame hers but when she does I can't wait to show you the gems she picked out.

3. DIY Cord Bracelets
The winter saw me keeping indoors (where it's warm), tackling a lot of smaller crafts that veered away from home stuff, like dying a dress, making sparkly necklaces out of shell casings and crafting rings from felted wool. I loved these projects and hope to make time for more. I think you liked them too because some of my DIY jewellery posts were my most popular. The jewellery project viewed most was definitely the easy knotted cord bracelets I whipped up with my dear friend Erica.

4. Felted Fix
I also loved this adorable repair for a damaged wool sweater. I'm still itching to try a bolder pattern or design, just for fun.

5. Framed Agate Art
Speaking of little craft projects, this super simple framed agate art was a win. Combined with the enamel art hung between the patio doors and dining room windows, and new (brighter) dining room art, this row of agates above a new-to-me vintage teak cabinet (scooped up only days after finally tracking down a bar cart), really helped complete the dining room. Happily, the bar cart found a new spot and all was good.

6. A Laundry Room to Love
Before we sold the townhouse, we wrapped up a few projects. I shared some of these projects, like sprucing up a half bath (including painting it pale turquoise!), adding curtains to hide the washer and dryer in the laundry room, creating a minty corkboard area on the basement door, painting a curbside coffee table mint too, adding the tiniest bit of curb appeal, and de-cluttering for sale (which included swapping the bedrooms back), but I was so swept up in talking about lakehouse projects I forgot to keep you in the loop about some other makeovers! Soon. In the meantime, from those I did share my peek into the laundry room was by far a favorite. The painted turquoise floors, creamy greige walls and re-purposed bed linens saw my vision (inspired by a front porch) finally realized. Doing laundry became FUN! The thriftiness and feasibility of this makeover even earned unexpected attention from Apartment Therapy. I'm proud to show off my real spaces with real drawbacks and shoestring solutions (small room, small budget!).

7. Fireplace Fix

With a makeover like the lakehouse fireplace update, it's easy to understand how townhouse projects were quickly forgotten. It took some convincing, but even Hubby is now smitten with the lakehouse fireplace. I can't wait to move in and decorate! All that I had to work with when I snapped the "after" photos was a set of fireplace pokers (which I also made over - cannot leave me alone with a can of paint).

9. Bathroom Spruce: Make it Work
The bathroom (although much refreshed for now) also needs a little accessorizing, but de-oaking it on a dime was definitely a highlight. A full reno is imminent, but I just could not live with the antacid pink walls and wood-wood-wood. It was a real challenge to make over the space without spending much money or replacing things. Most bathroom spruces I see at the very least swap out the lighting, cabinet pulls, add new tile (even if it's peel+stick). But I really, really wanted to save my pennies for a gut job so I made do with what I had, painting pretty much everything - from the existing knobs to the vanity light and tile, nothing was safe.

9. Garbage Chair
Soon I plan to show you all the pieces of furniture we sold in preparation for the move, and what we'll be making work in the new space. Definitely in the "keep" pile is my garbage chair, recovered in velvet after many sleepless nights spent clutching fabric samples. Bonus: the leg/arm problem doesn't bother me anymore!

10. Turquoise Kitchen: So Close I Can Taste it!
After mooning over turquoise kitchens, we bit the bullet and painted our cabinet fronts!! This post got a lot of hits but it was such a teaser with no finished "after". Unfortunately we had to leave the lakehouse and come back to the townhouse before making any more progress in the kitchen. It was painful!! After settling in, the kitchen is first on the list! It is absolutely in shambles and totally unusable right now. I still need to paint the cabinet boxes, remove the upper cabinets, figure out a backsplash, replace the counters, sink, and faucet, and build some open shelving. You know, nothing major ;)

11. Happy Days
Yep, "unfinished" is definitely the theme for the lakehouse, but that doesn't make me any less excited about the progress we made. I'm taking more design risks (see above), but even though the walls have been painted my signature gallery white, I'm adding more colour in unexpected places like the bedroom closet. We just bought a closet fitting that I can't wait to install. I haven't edited my closet at all while packing because . . . ugh. I'm going to pass the buck and have future-me do it during the unpacking. In the end I hope for a stream-lined, organized wardrobe with only things that fit and look great (aside from my these-can-get-dirty-I-live-in-the-country-now clothes).

12. Embroidery Success
Although I started it in 2012, it wasn't until July that my embroidered scrap of cloth magically morphed into a pillow. I have been sent too many emails to count, by folks asking for a how-to. Finally posting a tutorial with a fresh new project is high on my list of things for the new year (embroidery is definitely a curl up by the fire in the winter craft).

13. Money Talks
Last year, as promised, I started my Money Talks series, talking frankly and openly about tricks and tips we use to make our wallets healthier . . . and the ways in which we fail. The posts are challenging to write because it's difficult to open up, plus I'm not an expert so I take the time to do some research too. Because everyone seemed to love them (they've each received a ton of hits), I'm going to tackle a few more money topics this year and first up will be mortgages! I'll be sharing our tips - and asking for yours. I also want to work toward being really transparent about what renovations in the lakehouse cost, where we splurge, where we save, and how we make it happen financially.

I hope everyone's 2013 was fabulous, and I wish you nothing but amazing things for the year to come!

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Bracket Racket

January 10, 2014, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Finally . . . Painted Baseboard Heaters!

≪ Previous: Thirteen Favorites of 2013

When the lakehouse kitchen facelift was temporarily and indefinitely abandoned, I lost steam finalizing some plans. Now that we have a moving date and can resume kitchen work soon, I'm hurrying to make some decisions. I originally planned to pick up some inexpensive Ikea Ekby Bjarnum brackets that we'd pair with custom-fit, handmade shelves for a sleek floating look. I then changed my mind, worried that it would be too difficult to neatly fit handmade shelves into these brackets. They're meant to pair with Ikea melamine shelves, which are manufactured to be identical.

via Ikea Spotting

When I spotted this photo, I fell in love with the Ekby Lerberg bracket, also from Ikea:

via Houzz

The brackets are powder coated steel, sold in white, which would look great against white walls with white shelves. Or I could paint them a bright colour! Or silver! Or copper! Unfortunately, before I could scoop up an armload, Hubby took one look at them and shook his head no. With the super thick, solid wood shelves I'm dreaming of, and my hefty Pyrex collection, these are too flimsy. Better safe than sorry, I suppose. But I'm running out of time to find some super sturdy, modern brackets. Hubby has approved these Richelieu brackets from Home Depot:

I don't know that I love them, but then, I don't know that I don't. With white shelves and white walls I think they will disappear and if they guarantee my vintage casseroles won't perish in a spectacular fall, then I'm game. Unless someone knows of a more attractive bracket of Herculean strength?

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Finally . . . Painted Baseboard Heaters!

January 13, 2014, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Go Big or Go Home

≪ Previous: Bracket Racket

I don't know why I put off painting our baseboard heaters. It was on my to-do list for four years but didn't get done until just days before we listed the townhouse for sale. Why did we live with the drab griege metal for so long? Why did none of you stage an intervention? In the end it was a really simple project, although it was as tedious a job as I imagined:

It was summer, so the heat was already turned off. (Step one was easy!).
I quickly pinned up the curtains with giant safety pins.
I taped off the wall and floor with painter's tape.
Finally getting to the nitty-gritty, I lightly sanded the metal with fine grit sandpaper.
Before painting, I quickly wiped down the heaters with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
Next I applied a thin coat of Tremclad Metal Primer (I used white), using a small paintbrush.
I let the primer dry overnight.
Finally, I applied two thin coats of Tremclad Metal Paint (I used semi-gloss white).

Our baseboard heater covers were incredibly difficult to remove and some parts were fixed so I opted to paint them in place with a brush (a small roller might have worked too). I had to be careful about painting the parts we flip open when they are in use and this took some extra time and fussing. With heaters that are easily removed, a metal spray paint could make light work of this job. I tried a different method for the half bathroom heater: metal primer followed by the same latex paint we used for the walls and that seemed to work just as well, although the semi-gloss paint proved easier to clean and dust.

I painted the heaters in the office, guest bedroom, master bedroom, master ensuite, hallway, dining room, and living room. My before & after photos are sloppy, and in some cases non-existent, because I was hurrying to get the house ready for sale in only a few days. Hopefully you can get the idea from these glimpses. It will be fun, like a spot-the-difference game. Or maybe more like Where's Waldo. Ready?

Remember when I showed you photographs of the framed enamel art? You could see the beige heaters behind the teak and tweed chair.

Now they blend right in, mostly hiding behind the sheers but the piece that always peeked out is no longer an eyesore!

When I showed off my newly minted table, the baseboard heaters ruined the shot.

But now . . .

I even photographed the velvet chair in the same spot, because I didn't think twice about the heaters.

The guest bedroom photos were always ruined by a long row of beige, to the right.

Happily, when I photographed the bedroom swap, the heaters were already white.

The photos from the listing show just how long the baseboard heaters are. They were terribly noticeable when they were beige.

The office (with no sheers to hide them), showed off the heaters rather clearly.

But in the real estate listing photos, you can barely see them!

My post about the townhouse being sold has many more real estate photos that plainly show off the freshly painted baseboard heaters. I'm so happy I finally painted them, but I'm so irritated with myself for not doing it sooner, when we could enjoy them! I've heard more than one time management expert say that the key to productivity lies in tackling the most dreaded items on a to-do list first. I think I need to take that suggestion to heart.

Note: we do not have electric baseboard heaters. Our heating system was converted to radiant heat from electric heat. Our baseboard heaters are never hot to the touch. We have only one remaining electric baseboard heater, in the main bathroom, which we turned on for the first time this winter. It was painted before we moved in and we've experienced no problems so far - even though, unlike the others, it does get very hot to the touch. I'm pretty sure electric baseboard heaters can be painted, but I really can't speak from much experience. Anyone care to weigh in?

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Go Big or Go Home

January 20, 2014, 5:00 am

≫ Next: Lever Love

≪ Previous: Finally . . . Painted Baseboard Heaters!

We have moved. Officially. Actually. Completely!! Since buying the lakehouse in June, our lives have been in limbo. What we thought would be a quick sale of the townhouse turned into a drawn out, deeply disappointing experience that, for a long time, had no end in sight. We tried to stay positive, but sometimes we just felt so glum. Some of our family members were insatiably curious, repeatedly asking when we'd be moving. We didn't know how to explain to them that each time they asked, it stressed us out. Even when we eventually did sell the townhouse, we were unconvinced we'd actually move. We were so sure we'd hit some kind of snag. On Wednesday, with the closing date days away, we headed down the driveway to fetch our rented U-Haul truck. I mugged out so badly on the ice that I sliced open my hands. When we started loading the truck an hour later, my bleeding cuts slowed my packing contribution but I refused to let anything get in our way. We were so close. The kitty who looked like he was manning the front desk at the U-Haul pick-up did much to lift my spirits. I laughed a little too heartily about Counter Kitty all day.

We hired a young guy from the local classifieds to help but, even with an extra set of hands, loading all of our possessions took more than 16 hours. The loading bled into our travel day which, coupled with inclement weather, turned a two day drive to our new home into a three day marathon. Hubby deftly navigated the giant the U-Haul truck and towed a car carrier with Charlie. Szuka and I inched behind in our Versa.

We filled (to the roof) the 26 foot U-Haul truck you see above. It was so full, we had to push everything back and pull the loading door down quickly to close it. I don't think anything really shifted during the journey because it was wedged in so tightly. Where did all this stuff come from?!?

Happily, on Sunday we finally reached the lakehouse and unpacking happened so smoothly! The house was just as we left it, except for two important changes: my parents had spent three days clearing a winter's worth of snow from the driveway and had trudged deep into the yard to string white lights on one of our trees. Such a sweet sight. With their help, plus the help of a friend, we shoved a lot of our stuff in the garage so we can start getting organized without feeling walled in by boxes. When the last box made its way out of the U-Haul, we felt like a giant weight had been lifted from our shoulders. We had finally moved on, and were finally home. I'm looking forward to unpacking, getting settled (getting organized!) and tackling the lakehouse. Life is good.

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