Paint Archives - Graceful Order

Leftover Paint Storage

September 18, 2014 · by Maria · 4 Comments

You know that feeling when you are sitting on the couch, relaxing, feet up, and getting a neck massage? And then the person massaging your neck won’t stop asking if they can also massage your feet? Well, neither do I. But let us subtract the massage for a minute and continue with the rest of the visual. So you are sitting on the couch and you look at the wall and notice that there is a scratch on the wall. Well you actually didn’t just notice it, you have been looking at it for 8 months and every time you sit down and see it, you tell yourself ” I have to paint that little spot on the wall. I will bring in the paint can from the garage when I get a chance.” Sound familiar?

Every home gets nicks here and there from moving furniture, kids playing, and even cleaning. Which is why you shouldn’t clean. Did I just write that? I meant, which is why you should have a different system for leftover paint storage, other than the paint cans in the garage.

I have mentioned before that we haven’t painted the interior of our home for almost 10 years. Recently, I painted the boys bathroom, our master bathroom and the dining room but all the existing paint was in pretty good condition, we just wanted to update the colors. I was able to push off painting for as long as I did, thanks to this system (and good quality paint, of course).

My tip: I always store a little bit of the paint from each room, in these small Rubbermaid containers. Any airtight container will do, so the paint doesn’t dry out.

I take the leftover paint can and fill up the little tub. The paint cans will go into the garage when I am done. I won’t be using the cans unless I need to paint a whole wall. Who wants to deal with opening up rusted cans of paint just to touch up a small area on a wall? Not I.

I label the container with the name of the paint color and the room it was used in. When I am done I store them all inside a closet the house.

If you have a playroom you know that it is not “if” the wall gets scratched, but “when” the wall gets scratched. And when they do, have a “paint stash” and little brushes close by to fix the problem. If it’s a really small nick, I have even used a cotton swab to paint over the area.

So grab one of these tubs and fix that little annoying scratch so that you can finally relax on the couch. It will be one less pain in the neck. And then you won’t need the massage.

Am I alone here, or do these little things annoy you too?

-Maria

The Painted Smile

February 25, 2014 · by Maria · 9 Comments

I love the color green and had painted the boys bathroom a celery green about 7 years ago. The paint held up well, but I was getting tired of the color and it started to look dull. After years of cleaning the walls from little marks here and there, it was time to make a change.

I went into Sherwin Williams and took a whole bunch of their paint samples. I brought them home and placed them side-by-side. I then chose what I thought was the perfect shade of blue for my kids’ little bathroom. I chose an appropriately named color, it’s called Watery.

I also purchased some rollers, a tray and a paintbrush for edging. I was excited to start!

As soon as I got home, I realized that I purchased the rollers thinking that we already had the roller frame (or poll) in our garage. I couldn’t find it.

I was so anxious to start, that I decided to paint the bathroom with a paintbrush. It seemed like an excellent idea at the time. I would take advantage of my toddler’s nap time, and I would paint a room. With only a small paintbrush. Genius. Interrupted.

I start painting the first wall and my arm starts to hurt. I start losing steam ON THE FIRST WALL. This isn’t good. The small bathroom starts looking like Versailles from my vantage point.

I start convincing myself that the WHOLE bathroom didn’t actually need painting. I convince myself that only one wall should be painted. I convince myself that the contrast between the blue and green is actually better than re-painting the whole bathroom. I convince myself that broccoli actually tastes better than cake.

But deep inside, I know the truth. Cake tastes better than broccoli . I must finish the project that I began.

Also, my husband was out-of-town and groveling for help, like with my Master Closet Remodel, wasn’t an option. You can read about that “adventure” HERE.

So I kept going and positioned and re-positioned our ladder “cirque du soleil style” until I finished. My paintbrush and I were done. We did good. We were rock stars.

I love the new color and I want to share some pictures with you. What do you think?

I did end up leaving a small nook at the very top, in the old green shade. I added some blue pots to bring in some blue from the walls. Not sure if I love the green nook yet. Maybe I should go ahead and paint that too. I have to wait and see. Its a small area that I could paint it really fast, even with a paintbrush.

I hung up the towels and the shelves. (The photograph does not accurately show the color. There is no natural light in this bathroom, making good photos a challenge.)

I purchased the towels from Frontgate and I love the quality. They are holding up well and were a perfect match to the new color.

The shelf and a more accurate picture of the color.

Since my husband was out-of-town, he had no idea that I was doing this.

As soon as he got home, I proudly told him that I had painted the kids’ bathroom…using only a paintbrush. No roller.

He smiled.

But I knew this smile. I have given this smile before (Usually to my toddler, when he rushes in to tell me that he has “decorated” my bedroom. I smile and excitedly say “YOU DID?!” and inside, I immediately start crying).

There is no joy in that smile. Only fear. My husband was afraid.

You see, according to him, he loves my decorating, but my DIY projects…

He says they either culminate in total success or…fear. I think I have a pretty good batting ratio. His opinion has no basis. None that I would admit to.

Regardless, I was hopeful that he would love it as much as I did. It would make the fact that I didn’t feel my right arm, almost worthwhile.

And…He loved it! The smile was no longer forced. He really liked it and so did the boys.

Even this boy.

By the way, that smile gets me every time. Even when he uses toilet paper as streamers in my room.

Of course, I found the paint roller pole the next day. God has a sense of humor. I am sure of it.

– Maria

Breaking out the Spray Paint

September 12, 2013 · by Maria · 5 Comments

This isn’t really a tutorial. Its more like an idea that you can apply to many things in your home.

Before I was introduced to how easy it is to spray paint an object, I would purchase gold picture frames when I was tired of the silver. I would want to replace weathered doorknobs instead of just repainting them and so on…

When you get into spray painting you start walking through your home (with a scary look in your eye) looking to see what’s next. What will you transform next?

I think everyone should have basic colors like an Silver, Gold, Antique Bronze, White, Heirloom White and Black in their spray paint arsenal.

In this case I found the perfect mirror for my master closet but the color was wrong.

So I took it outside with a can of Rust-Oleum Silver Metallic and lots of paper to cover the mirror.

And I went to TOWN!

As soon as it dried I put it up in my closet and it was perfect!

So look around your home. Is there a patio set that you have been wanting to replace but didn’t want to spend the money? It is a lot less expensive to buy 3 cans of spray paint than a patio set. Maybe you have grown tired of some picture frames; give them a refresher coat!

Door knobs also get lots of use and the finish starts to wear quickly. I need to touch up mine real soon.

So that’s it! Just an idea to break out the spray paint. As you read this is there anything you have in mind to tackle next?

Until next time,

Maria

By the way, always spray paint in a well-ventilated area!

Master Closet Organization

September 9, 2013 · by Maria · 33 Comments

Getting shelving installed in the master closets has been on the “honey-do-list” since we moved in 9 years ago.

In the meantime, I had a mix-matched “system” of shelves that were on clearance at some point and I tried to do the best with what I had.

Earlier this month, we finally gave ourselves the green light to move forward with my closet. My husbands closet will wait a bit.

Here is a before picture.

The shelves were dark and made the space look smaller and as you can see I didn’t have enough shelves for my things. It was organized chaos. Nothing “Graceful” going on in there!

I got everything out of the closet. The perfect opportunity to get rid of items that needed to be tossed or donated. Needless to say my room was a mess for days.

I knew I wanted to paint the closet walls since I had chosen white cabinetry. My husband tried to “sell” me on the idea that we should leave it white. He is smart and avoids having to pull out the big ladder.

I told him not to worry for one minute. I would paint the closet all by myself. ALL. BY. MYSELF.

So he helped me by patching up the holes in the closet, which were many.

As soon as that dried, I happily embarked on my painting project!

The color that I chose was Behr’s Graceful Gray. It really was my favorite gray and the name was a total coincidence!

I have painted walls on my own before so I wasn’t at all intimidated. I painted the bottom of the wall and then pulled out the ladder and started on the trim.

And then…I ran out of steam with two walls left.

So I did what any sensible woman with a good amount of self-respect does. I walked into the kitchen and sighed (really loudly) for my husband to hear and he immediately turned around and said “are you done already?!”

And that’s when I whined…ALOT. I am not above whining.

And it worked. He loves me. That man loves me.

I kept doing the trim but he helped me with the roller which was great because my arms were hurting so much! So we were done in no time.

We just waited until the next morning when the cabinetry was scheduled to be installed. I couldn’t wait!

I was so happy to see it come together!

I left a big space on top of the small dresser (from IKEA that we had previously to the install) so that I could add a big mirror and bring a little charm to the closet!

The dresser looked like part of the cabinetry that had just been installed. I was so happy that it was a perfect match!

I found this little tray for rings and I thought it was perfect.

And it looked great alongside the little plant from IKEA.

Time to add the clothing!

I added them in a color coordinated manner which is how I had the closet before. It takes a while to do initially but it makes the closet look so much better and its easier to find what you need.

All my hangers are from Crate and Barrel. I am not a fan of felt hangers. I prefer smooth hangers so that clothing slides off easily. These are slim, plastic and really inexpensive.

Shoes that were rarely worn I placed in these boxes from Target. They are from the Threshold line.

The rest of my shoes are in the very center of the closet.

I did have to get rid of some of my shoes in order for them to fit but it pushed me to purge items that had been taking up space in my closet for years!

Am I the only one whose feet have grown after having kids? I used to be a size 7 and now I am a 7 1/2.

I wanted a chair or a bench to sit on while I put on my shoes and this one was large and small enough for the space. Also, it is extremely light-weight and easy to move about.

In the top I have a couple of bins. I labeled the shelf instead of the bin.

One has belts.

Small scarves or fabric belts.

My purses also have their own spot.

I folded over some of them in order to fit more per shelf.

I now have a belt rack attached to the cabinet.

This frame was definitely the finishing touch. I had it for years tucked away behind a couch and I spray painted the frame to match the rest of the closet.

The quote says “One shoe can change your life” by Cinderella. Shakespeare didn’t have any shoe quotes.

In the other end of the closet, I put away boots, chunky scarves…and other things that Miamians buy just for looks. 🙂

That’s the closet! I am so happy with it! I waited to have it for so long and now I am that much more appreciative for it!

My husbands closet is next.

I think he should leave it white.

So what do you all think? Share with me your thoughts on the master closet…

Happy Organizing,

Maria