Paint Transformations

Paint is really among the quickest, easiest, and least expensive ways to transform the look of what you own into what you love.
Here are a few examples from my client's home.

Before: Blah CeilingAfter: Warm CeilingBefore: Boring BenchAfter: Cozy SeatingBefore: Noticeable DetailsAfter: Delightfully Detailed DetailsAnd my favorite paint makeover....
Before: Nice DoorAfter: Gorgeous Door!!!Are you inspired to pick up a can of paint and
transform something?

The Ol' Screen Door

One of my favorite projects for the porch redo began with a door
that was originally propped in the corner of the side porch. It was there because my client has
a love for old screen doors
and she had purchased this one to use as decoration. Without telling her my plans I kidnapped her door to give it a makeover.

(She gave me a budget and told me she didn't want to make ANY decisions!)

I dry brushed it to give it a real aged appearance
and show off the details.We purchased two sets of bi-fold doors from the thrift store. And added plywood and molding to make a shelving unit.I gave the outside a few coats of the exterior red paint
that was used on other porch projects. The interior was painted a calm gray.Now the ol' screen door is not just pretty to look at,
it's functional too.The perfect little potting shed!

Everybody Loves a Monogram

A great way to indicate where you live (along with your address) is to hang a huge monogram just outside your door.
I purchased an big wooden letter at my local craft store for just a few dollars.To make it a more significant statement I cut a piece of beadboard and framed it with MDF strips.I spray painted the beadboard frame black and the letter got a couple of coats of heirlloom white for a nice contrast.

It's the perfect piece in the perfect spot!
No wonder everybody loves a monogram.

A Side Porch: Before and After

The side porch of my clients home is where most friends
come to visit. (Before)

She wanted it warm and welcoming for visitors,
as well as a nice place for the family to relax .(Before)

There is now no doubt that it is a place that welcomes guests.(After)

New chairs with ottomans and the window table call for you to sit and relax.

(After)

Even the birdhouse got a mini-makeover.(After)

The new porch light fixture is a beautiful addition. (Before)

(After)

Just look at the detail.Now the porch better reflects the beauty of the family and their lifestyle.

A Flower Place

We really enjoyed building a few projects for my client's porches.
One project was a plant stand. We built a simple box out of MDF,
added some decorative molding to the front, and attached stair balusters for legs. To make it easy and inexpensive to change faux flowers seasonally,

I designed it with an interior board that rests inside the box. Holes were drilled into the board and it was covered with moss.

Flower picks are placed securely into the holes. If the homeowner wants real potted flowers,
she can simply remove the interior board and place them inside.But for now the faux flowers are
pretty and maintenance free.I think it looks perfect
sitting beneath the welcome sign I made.

Address This

My client shares a long driveway with her neighbors. She wanted a way to let people know which home was theirs. I thought about making something like this to show off her address, but she also asked for items that were low maintenance.I walked the aisles of the home improvement store until I discovered the electrical section. I purchased a long conduit pipe, two bent sections, and a bag of joiners. I also picked up address numbers and a small piece of galvanized sheet metal.
Mr. JofH cut the pipe and assembled the frame. He backed the sheet metal with cedar boards so the numbers could be screwed in, then hung the address from the frame with a few links of chain.I was thrilled with the no maintenance, simple industrial look and so was my client.

This Old Window

Our client had this old window that she had carefully carried home from her home state. They had added a piece of wood to the bottom so it could serve as a display shelf. Knowing of her love for the window I wanted to give it a bit more importance in her patio design.
We added simple 1x3 legs and trimmed it out with molding to make it into an outdoor end table. I gave it all a couple of coats of exterior white paint.Because our clients raise chickens I thought it was only fitting to mod podge a piece of chicken covered fabric onto luan and attach it to the underside of the window to give it more depth and interest.The window table is now the perfect spot to rest a tray and have a sip of refreshing lemonade.