Still vs Sparkling: Kitchen Desk Two Ways

<!-- BANNER #1 --><script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/560506?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- BANNER #1 --><i>This post is brought to you by the new Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator. Still or sparkling? Now get both straight from your refrigerator door! Store up to 31 bags of groceries with 31 cu. ft. capacity and keep fruits and vegetable fresher longer with Twin Cooling Plus®. <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B272741875%3B98564152%3Bw%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D&k4=6509&k5=560506" target="_blank">Click here to learn more</a> about the Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator.</i><br /><br /><br />Remember that fab Samsung refrigerator <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/06/hanging-out-at-samsung-house.html" target="_blank">we talked about here</a>? The one that has a sparkling water dispenser built in? Well, Samsung is hosting an <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fgo.rtm.com%2Fstillorsparkling%2F&k4=6598&k5={banner_id}" target="_blank">Instagram sweepstakes</a> and the prize is one of these refrigerators! They asked me to participate by sharing a space styled in my home two ways: still and sparkling. I had a great time putting this together!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo StillvSparkling.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/StillvSparkling.jpg" /></div><br />Since we didn't have any of our furniture yet when I took these photos, I decided to use my little desk area in our kitchen. Here's the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/06/valley-house-tour-kitchen.html" target="_blank">kitchen tour</a> if you need a refresher.<br /><center></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0576.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/DSC_0576.jpg" /></div><br />Before I started collecting accessories and lamps for styling, everything in here got a fresh coat of paint, including the walls, cabinets and floors. I found two chairs at Goodwill as a starting point and then we were off!<br /><br />(More after the jump...)<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo fDSC_0426.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/fDSC_0426.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo fDSC_0433copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/fDSC_0433copy.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I decided for the 'still' space I would go for a sort of West Elm look - a little more modern and a little organic. Still colorful, but plenty of neutrals thrown in for good measure.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0498.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0498.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Lots of wood, natural fibers and matte textures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo dDSC_0452.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/dDSC_0452.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0487.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0487.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This vintage lucite chair was only $7 at Goodwill. I threw a small flokati on top to make it extra comfy. (you probably remember it from <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-plank-walls-and-painted-mudroom.html" target="_blank">last week's posts</a> on the mudroom)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0466.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/DSC_0466.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0519.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0519.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0435.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/DSC_0435.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I lined the drawers of my desk with woven place mats from IKEA (which randomly fit perfectly in my drawers!) so that my little bowls of office supplies wouldn't slide around.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo ffDSC_0440.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/ffDSC_0440.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That cork board was a lucky find. It was just the right size to cover up one of the two (?) electrical outlets and a junction box, but not so tall that it covered up the thermostat all the way. I painted it white so it would blend in with the walls.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0459.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0459.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0478.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0478.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I bought some new hardware from Lowes and spray painted it oil-rubbed bronze, which I like against white painted cabinets and doors. I think the contrast is so pretty.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0531.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0531.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The red powder coated wall sconce is also from IKEA. The wooden frames were thrifted. I love the rounded corners!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0505.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/DSC_0505.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0508.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0508.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>For the 'sparkling' version of the desk space I went a little more preppy - sort of a Kate Spade look.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0602copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/DSC_0602copy.jpg" /></div><br />Lots of metallics everywhere. Glossy sheens. Less grays and more black and white - including this crazy chair! I sort of love how over the top it is! :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0648.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0648.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was going to spray the hardware again but brass this time, but I decided I liked the oil-rubbed bronze and opted to keep it for now.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0639.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/DSC_0639.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Other things I did include adding antiqued mirror to the cabinet doors and changing the drawer liner to a black and white striped plastic place mat that I cut to size:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0616.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0616.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0570.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0570.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0574.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0574.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0646.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/DSC_0646.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love all the shiny surfaces in the sparkle version! This little nook seriously packs a big punch!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0598copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/sDSC_0598copy.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0661.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/sDSC_0661.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0623.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%208/DSC_0623.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0614copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/sDSC_0614copy.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>So, friends, which version of my kitchen desk is your favorite? Are you on team #samsungstill or #samsungsparkling?<br /><br />To enter the give away for the Samsung sparkling water dispenser refrigerator, post an image on instagram that shares your best case for being on team sparkling or team still. <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fgo.rtm.com%2Fstillorsparkling%2F&k4=6598&k5={banner_id}" target="_blank">Here are the details on the contest</a>. Best of luck!<br /><br /><br /><!-- BANNER #1 --><script src="http://thirdparty.fmpub.net/placement/560506?fleur_de_sel=[timestamp]" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- BANNER #1 --><i>This post was brought to you by Samsung. <a href="http://r1.fmpub.net/?r=http%3A%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B272741875%3B98564152%3Bw%3Bpc%3D%5BTPAS_ID%5D&k4=6509&k5=560506" target="_blank">Click here to learn more</a> about the Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator. Thanks for supporting LGN sponsors!</i>

Still vs Sparkling: Kitchen Desk Two Ways

This post is brought to you by the new Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator. Still or sparkling? Now get both straight from your refr...

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Give Away: $200 in adorne Light Switches and Plates (and a Marbling DIY!)

This weekend's give away is a great one. Legrand is expanding its North American presence and has a wonderful line called <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne.aspx" target="_blank">adorne</a>, featuring truly beautiful and well-designed light switches and wall plates. It amazing how doing something as simple as swapping out a light switch and plate for something special can really elevate a room. Design is in the details!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0454.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0454.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />For our mudroom, I chose to replace our old school double toggle switch with a double s<a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/switches/astp1532w4.aspx" target="_blank">ofTap</a> switch. You can choose other <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/switches.aspx#.UgUPR2RASXQ" target="_blank">switches</a> that operate with motion sensors (walking by or waving your hand in front of the switch), whisper switches, dimmers, remotely-controlled smart switches - they've thought of everything. I liked the extra clean look of the sofTap and I love that there's a tiny little light that very softly illuminates the switches when they're off, which is shockingly helpful for supporting my midnight snack habit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo wallplates.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/wallplates.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />They've also covered the gamut of <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/wall-plates.aspx" target="_blank">wall plate</a> possibilities (above). You can go <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/wall-plates/awp1g2wh10.aspx#.UgUicWRASXQ" target="_blank">glossy modern</a> (like the white I have in <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-plank-walls-and-painted-mudroom.html" target="_blank">this post</a>), <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/wall-plates/awm1g2mw4.aspx#.UgUiemRASXQ" target="_blank">mirrored</a>, <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/wall-plates/awc1g2bb4.aspx#.UgUimWRASXQ" target="_blank">metallic</a>, <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/wall-plates/awm1g2le4.aspx#.UgUinmRASXQ" target="_blank">leather</a>, all sorts of <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/wall-plates/awp1g2tb4.aspx#.UgUimGRASXQ" target="_blank">colors</a>, or <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/wall-plates/awm1g3w4.aspx" target="_blank">the customizable option</a> I used here in the mudroom. That option comes with a paper mat template that you can use for wallpaper or any art project you want to create. (The tutorial for the marbled paper is after the jump.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0499.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/DSC_0499.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo aaDSC_0584.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aaDSC_0584.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />To enter to win a $200 shopping spree with adorne, visit the site and choose your favorite <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/switches.aspx" target="_blank">switch</a> and <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/wall-plates.aspx#.UgUQe2RASXQ" target="_blank">wall plate</a> combos. (<i>PS <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp9dvKTRZhw" target="_blank">This video</a> really helps the switched come to life - worth a watch!</i>) Leave a comment on this post with your choices and where you'll use your new switches. Contest ends Friday August 16 at midnight. Winner will be emailed. Good luck!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0431.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0431.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />And don't forget to click through for the marbling tutorial...<br /><a name="more"></a>I've been dying to try a marbled paper DIY for a really long time. I LOVE marbleized anything so this felt like a natural choice for my <a href="http://www.legrand.us/adorne/select/wall-plates/awm1g3w4.aspx" target="_blank">customized wall plate</a>.<br /><br />You'll need: a variety of nail polish colors (try the dollar store or CVS is having a 2 for $3 sale right now on some brands), water, a disposable container that's bigger than the paper or item that you're marbling, a toothpick or anything long and pointy (I used a long screw because our toothpicks are still packed away :)), paper or whatever you want to marble and a place to dry the items (I used a drop cloth). Also, you might want gloves, as my messy hands below will demonstrate.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0491.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0491.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />By the way, I think most anything can be marbled with nail polish - the possibilities are pretty endless. Flower pots and vases, finger nails (obvs), picture frames,  jewelry boxes, chair legs. There are lots of tutorials floating around the web that show all sort of cool ideas. I loved this one <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2013/02/diy-marbling-with-nail-polish/" target="_blank">on Design Mom</a>.<br /><br />So, to start, fill your container with a bit of water. If you're marbling paper, you'll only need about an inch of water.<br /><br />Take off all the lids to your nail polish to make the process go faster. You'll need to work pretty fast so that the polish doesn't start drying.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0510.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0510.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Pour your colors in rings, one on top of the other. There's no right or wrong way to do this. Just pick colors and pour. If you pour slowly, the nail polish shouldn't sink.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0503.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/DSC_0503.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0512.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0512.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />After pouring your rings, use a toothpick (or a screw) to pull the color. You're not mixing it - you're just going to move the colors around gingerly. Don't over-swirl and don't take too much time to do it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0517.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0517.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Then drop your paper onto the pattern, press softly to make sure the surfaces fully connect, and then pull off the paper and flip it around quickly but carefully to make sure the paint doesn't run. And then put it down to dry on your drop cloth.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aaDSC_0518.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aaDSC_0518.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It will be a little wet at first, but it dries quickly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0522-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0522-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Now, don't swirl again - the new pattern will be soft and completely lovely, so just get your next paper ready and dip it. I got at least three dips from each round of pouring. And I usually ended up liking the second or third papers the very best. The paint will be thinner and more dreamy-looking.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aaDSC_0521.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aaDSC_0521.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0531.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0531.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I ended up doing three or four rounds of paint pouring (I'm swimming in marbled paper if anyone wants any:) ), but these were the ones I like the best for the switch/wall plate application. I had to pick ones that had more interesting perimeters since the middle was going to get cut out for the switches.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0535.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0535.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0543-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/DSC_0543-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aaDSC_0548.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aaDSC_0548.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0551-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0551-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I ended up going with a darker pattern because I liked how it looked with the wall color.<br /><br />The customizable wall plate comes with a paper template that I used to trace out the hole for the switch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0569.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0569.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />You just remove the sticker on the plate to expose the adhesive and then place your art paper.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0579.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0579.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then I used a razor blade to make the edges fit perfectly. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aaDSC_0584.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aaDSC_0584.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I really love how the wall plate turned out. It looks so pretty with the orange chairs. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0573.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0573.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The finish on the papered plate is actually pretty solid because nail polish is an enamel (and this was a first-dip paper - so there's lots of polish on there), but I might paint on a clear coat later if I feel like it needs it.</div><br /><img alt=" photo aDSC_0431.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0431.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now, go enter the give away and make your own marbled wall plates! :)</div></div>

Give Away: $200 in adorne Light Switches and Plates (and a Marbling DIY!)

This weekend's give away is a great one. Legrand is expanding its North American presence and has a wonderful line called  adorne , feat...

Read more »

DIY Plank Walls (and Painted Mudroom Floors!)

We are making some great progress on <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/06/valley-house-tour-mud-room.html" target="_blank">the mudroom</a> this week! Before we moved in and tackled the space, the room had <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/08/progress-in-mudroom.html" target="_blank">plant shelves aplenty</a> and highly textured walls.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0622.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%209/DSC_0622.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's still a work in progress, but I love the direction we're going in here. The room is completely flooded with light all day long, so I decided to go dark and dramatic on the walls and the floors.</div><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_0679.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/DSC_0679.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the full break down...</div><a name="more"></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">A couple days ago we headed over to Lowes to have the wood cut for the wall planks. We decided on 1/4" melamine boards because they're inexpensive, light and easy to hang. Lowes has a pretty generous lumber cutting policy. Usually they'll do all your cutting for free (even many multiple cuts like with these planks), but sometimes they'll charge 10-25 cents per cut. We cut my stack of five 8x4' melamine board ten times, so it wasn't that expensive to have the wood cut quickly and precisely. I had all the boards cut to be 6" wide and 4' long.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6080.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/IMG_6080.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The installation part is a breeze. You'll want a miter saw, a nail gun, a handful of nickels, a level, a hammer and maybe a nail set if you want to see no nail heads. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0434-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0434-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So to start, just use a level to hang your first plank up against the ceiling and then stagger the next plank underneath and maybe cut it down a little too so not every plank is the same length. You'll have lots of different lengths to choose from before long though as you hit corners and doors/windows. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6350-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/IMG_6350-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used a couple of nickels to space out my planks before I nailed them in. Worked like a charm to create a small, consistent sized gap between the planks. And to make my nail heads more flush with the planks, I just tapped the nails the rest of the way in with a hammer. I didn't set mine in yet though because I don't mind seeing the shadow of the nails in the planks. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo ssDSC_0426-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/ssDSC_0426-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">To fill in the plant shelf area above the closets, I sort of framed out the space with 1x2's and just nailed in the planks on the frame. I probably should have just drywalled in the space, but this worked too.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sIMG_6371-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/sIMG_6371-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">One of the great things about using melamine board is that it can be cut with a razor blade. If you score it over and over again, it actually cuts pretty easily. It was nice to not have to pull out my small Dremel saw or some other tool to cut around light switches and electrical outlets.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6353.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/IMG_6353.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6356.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/IMG_6356.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The room isn't finished yet. I'm still working on the built-ins part of the room, so the planking doesn't go all the way around the space yet. I got anxious though and decided to paint what I have done so far (the brown melamine was hurting my eyes). So I took off all the switch plates again and threw on a coat of paint.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0446a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/DSC_0446a.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've been using Benjamin Moore's Onyx on our doors (you can see it here in action on the louvered doors below) and I decided to go a couple shades lighter on the walls in here. The color is called Day's End and it's a really pretty charcoal with blue undertones. It looks navy for part of the day, which I'm digging.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6381-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/IMG_6381-1.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The brown side of the melamine board takes paint SO well. The white side sort of deflects paint in the same way most IKEA furniture does, so I'd stick with the brown side even if I was going with a light paint color. I just brushed the paint on so I could get into the cracks between the planks easily. </div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6376.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/IMG_6376.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On Monday night my kids had a sleepover with their cousins at my sister's house so I took advantage of their absence and painted the floors. I decided I wanted to try a sort of medallion pattern in here, but wanted it to be not as busy as <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/07/on-painting-floors.html" target="_blank">the laundry room floors</a>.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6407.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/IMG_6407.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I marked out my idea with painters tape and then painted most of the tiles the same color as I painted the kitchen floors (post coming there).</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6416.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/IMG_6416.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And then I filled in the medallions with black paint.</div><br /><img alt=" photo aADSC_0456.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aADSC_0456.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This whole area will get reworked when we do the big kitchen renovation in a year or two, so I'm fine with this temporary fix on both the walls and the floors. I spent only about $50 on wood and supplies and I love how it's looking.</div><br /><img alt=" photo aDSC_0466.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0466.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo aDSC_0422.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0422.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here are those freshly sprayed closet and cabinet doors. Man, I love that <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-best-and-easiest-to-use-spray-gun.html" target="_blank">Critter sprayer</a>!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0679.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/DSC_0679.jpg" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo aDSC_0436.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0436.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I also used the Critter to spray the chairs in here, which are all a similar style, but were thrift store finds on different days over the past couple weeks. </div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0669.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/sDSC_0669.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And actually, the bright orange-red chair was a garbage room find from when we lived at the loft. I should dig up some before photos - it cleaned up really well with that new coat of sprayed paint.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo aDSC_0644.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/aDSC_0644.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Remember that mirror from <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/powder-bath-updates.html" target="_blank">the powder bath</a> in the brownstone? It fits perfectly on this little wall. I always love having a mirror by an exit door so I can verify I don't look like a complete fool before leaving my house. This came in handy earlier today when I noticed a big smear of black paint on my forehead as I was leaving to pick up the kids. Daughter-embarrassment dodged!</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 1DSC_0615copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/1DSC_0615copy.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Lots and lots to do in here still, but, you know, it's progress!</div></div>

DIY Plank Walls (and Painted Mudroom Floors!)

We are making some great progress on the mudroom this week! Before we moved in and tackled the space, the room had plant shelves aplenty a...

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