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File this under "I wish I'd thought of that first."

Jun 28, 2010

Take a mailbox full of home catalogs with over-zealous stylists, add a couple of sarcastic bloggers, and you get this:

Catalog Living

You'll laugh, I promise. It's even better than Unhappy Hipsters. —Diane

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Easy DIY: Change the color of your countertops!

Jun 24, 2010

A while back I wrote about Modern Masters Countertop Transformations for giving old laminate counters a stone look (check out that post here). And yesterday I discovered an even easier and more affordable way to change the color of worn or dated countertops. I was at Lowe's looking for the perfect spray paints for an upcoming project, and I noticed a new(ish) product: Rustoleum Specialty Countertop Coating.

Rustoleum Specialty Countertop Coating in Cobblestone. I like that this paint produces a true satin finish, unlike the old method involving 4-5 coats of polyurethane.

It's a rollable/brushable base that can be tinted to one of 16 colors. Application involves thorough cleaning and drying (but not sanding), then rolling two coats of the paint, using a brush for small areas, and allowing it to dry 3 days before use. Sounds simple. A quart can costs $19.97 at Lowe's and covers about 25 linear feet of counters.

There are always doubts about the durability of paint treatments on laminate. Online reviews for this product are mixed. A smart strategy would be to try it on a laminate scrap (probably available for free from a countertop dealer), or try it in a bathroom first, where it won't get as much wear and tear as a kitchen, and it's a smaller area should you need to redo or replace it.

This seems like an especially smart option for getting your home ready to sell. If ugly counters are stopping buyers at the kitchen door, give it a try. Then send me before and after photos!

UPDATE

One of my clients recently used Rustoleum Countertop Paint at my recommendation. Click here to see the before-and-after results of her boutique transformation.

Do you shy away from simple projects like this one because it's too hard to make color decisions? I can help. My online or in-home color consultations are $75 for the first room, $30 for each additional room in the same home. You'll get a complete, customized color palette that fits your home and your personality. It's a guide for every color decision you need to make in the room. Save time, frustration, and the cost of redoing mistakes. Want to get started? Just email me. —Diane

TAGS: rustoleum specialty countertop coating paint review modern masters countertop transformations reviews cheap affordable inexpensive ways to change counters colors staging kitchen home resale selling

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Gettin' it done: Tips for tackling the to-do list.

Jun 22, 2010

If you own a home, chances are you have a to-do list that doubles or triples in length this time of year. I know mine did. Tops on the list was a daunting project: repainting the lower half of our house's exterior. "Lower half" is a bit deceiving. Our house has a walk-out basement, which means that the west side required paint at a height of about 20 feet. The paint job was adequate and holding up, but the stock color from the siding company was never exactly what I'd wanted. And worse, I'd chosen a flat finish that attracted all of nature's dust bunnies and then left marks when I tried to scrub it.

I did the part of every job that I seem to be good at: buying supplies. Four gallons of Sherwin-Williiams Duration in the perfect bluish-black (Blackjack, matched from a Benjamin Moore chip) and a satin finish sat neatly in a box in the garage just waiting for our ambition to blossom. The two of us worked for about 13 hours from Friday through Sunday, and it's done. Crossed off that long list. And you know what? Finishing the biggest job has given me fresh energy to tackle the rest of those smaller, easier projects.

Here's a look at our crisp handiwork, and the daunting west side. Ladders on slopes, what fun.

PHOTOS: Diane Kolak, Dwelement Home Design, LLC.

Here are a few tips that help me get past the concepting, dreaming, supply-buying stage and actually get things done. Here's hoping it helps you shorten your list, too.

How to Get Things Done on the Home To-do List

1. Set deadlines for each project. Individual deadlines seem easier to accomplish than one big deadline for the whole list.
2. Schedule the projects on your calendar. And make sure everyone involved does the same. That's how we finally got out the stir sticks with our painting project. We chose a relatively event-free weekend, prayed for good weather, and inked it in.
3. Make the list do-able. Long lists of things to get done "someday" are overwhelming. Be realistic about what you can accomplish.
4. Buy the supplies. They will serve as a visual reminder to work on your project. Leave them in a place where they're in the way. You'll be reminded of your financial investment, too.
5. Break down the job into stages and write them down. Keep a separate list of steps for the current project. The entire project might seem like too much for one rainy Saturday, but maybe you can knock off stages 1 and 2.
   
6. Know when to H.I.D. Hire It Done! Some jobs really are best handled by professionals. Consider your time, your skills, and your deadline. The cost often pays for itself when you consider time off of work, equipment rental/purchase, and the cost of redoing things that don't turn out right the first time. Not to mention domestic harmony.
   
7. Just do it. Sometimes remembering how good it feels to accomplish something is enough to spur you on for more. It's mental momentum.
8. Have a party. There's no better reason to finish projects than the prospect of visiting friends, and it's a fitting way to celebrate your accomplishment. Cheers!

Are you a do-it-yourselfer who needs some creative direction? My services are perfect for homeowners who like to complete projects themselves. I'll assess your needs and your personality, then make design plans and recommendations that you can execute on your own time, as you can afford it. Whether you need a complete design plan for a room down to the last detail or just a little advice, there's a way I can work with you on your budget. Check out my variety of interior design services in the Traverse City area and anywhere in the world with eDecor Plans. Just email me. —Diane

TAGS: to-do-list how to complete finish cross off accomplish self-discipline tips when to hire a professional sherwin-williams duration exterior paint benjamin moore blackjack black jack

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Easy DIY: Hose Holder Made with Recycled Wooden Spools

Jun 16, 2010

One outdoor job I really hate is winding the hose after I'm finished using it. (Unwinding it isn't so fun either, after that hog-snake incident a few years ago.) Of course, I could make the job easier with a hose holder. But they always seem to be overly ornate and fancy, calling undue attention to utility. Put a grimy hose on it, and it sort of ruins the effect, right? You've seen the standards, like these:

Or worse yet for hiding critters like snakes:

Photos: Sources unnamed to prevent any of you from buying one of these.

No thanks! I'll take this easy DIY option from the brilliant editors at Sunset Magazine. It barely even calls for instructions.

Photo: David Fenton for Sunset Magazine.

Antique wooden spools are attached to the siding with screws. Wind 'er up, and you're done. You can find spools at antiques stores, flea markets, barn sales, farm auctions, and the like. Or if the search frustrates you, check eBay for plenty of options, most selling in sets for under $20. Click on the Antiques category, then search for "spools." Make sure to check dimensions. These come in all sizes and scale can be deceiving in photos, so if you aren't careful you might end up receiving tiny bobbins. This set fits the bill, complete with chippy red and blue paint, currently at $9.99 and ending tonight. Or check out Traditions in Thyme for a large selection of spools and other original primitive antiques. —Diane

TAGS: primitive antiques projects hose storage winder bracket easy diy recycled upcycled reclaimed vintage antique wooden spools bobbins

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Ritual: Summer Camping, the Stylish Way

Jun 09, 2010

About this time of year my husband starts carefully planning his pitch to get me interested in camping, just a few times. It's not that I'm not interested in the outdoors— quite the opposite, actually. I love hiking, biking, canoeing, swimming, picnicking, and pretty much any summer outdoor activity. On a nice day, I'd rather be outside than anywhere else. But at the end of such a perfect day in the fresh air, I like to climb into a nice, cushy bed under an actual roof. Waking up with damp hair and a freezing nose on a flattened air mattress that smells like tires isn't really my idea of fun. Neither is a power bar for breakfast.

So I propose that we kick our gear up a notch and get one of these vintage teardrop camper trailers:

PHOTOS: E.Spencer Toy for Sunset Magazine

It's a model of efficiency and style, with a comfy bed in the main compartment and a kitchen under the back hatch. The whole thing is so small you can haul it with a compact car. Wilds of Michigan, you've never looked so good.

See more stylish camping options at the Sunset Magazine slideshow.

The good news is, I'm busy! The bad news is, I'm busy! As in, too busy to blog regularly. I'll still throw you guys a design bone when I can, but for the next couple of weeks I'll be busy churning out ideas and plans for budget-minded clients near and far. In the meantime, consider how I might tack your project onto my list. I'll be taking on new work in a couple of weeks. Just email me! —Diane

TAGS: stylish camping campers retro vintage airstream teardrop camper trailers sunset magazine

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