Monday, February 28, 2011

Frugl February: repainting your kitchen cabinet knobs


before: HEINOUS!

Well I had just had it with my heinous brass cabinet knobs in my kitchen. HAD IT I tell you! And I couldn't bring myself to purchase 75 (yes, seventy-five) new ones for at least $3 each. I couln't even do that math. So out f necessity (or cheapnessity) came invention. Lighting Bolt! I ran to the hardware store for paint.I found this "Anodized Bronze" finish at Ace (whatever that means, but it looked nice) and went to work!

I removed all of the knobs, re-screwed them onto a couple of big cardboard boxes so they would stay stable, took them out to the garage and primed, then painted, then painted again. Within about 2.5 hours I had what looked like brand new kitchen cabinet knobs... for about $9.50.
It probably would have taken me longer to go to Lowe's, pick new knobs out, drive home and replace them. Now for the price of a salad and iced tea at Panera Bread I have new (to me) kitchen knobs, and I must say I also got a highly impressed husband thrown into the bargain. Excuse me while I pat myself on the back!
The best part is, there are so many spray paint finishes out there specifically for metal: if you can live with the shape of your knobs than you can have whatever finish you want. I have seen chrome, polished nickle, brass (blech!), oil rubbed bronze, copper... it's an awesome, super cheap way to update your kitchen with practically zero investment. Even the time investment was small: I finished mine during the baby's naptime and had them back on the cabinets before my husband came home for work. And I cooked dinner too. Thank god for crock pots.
I used this link for some advice, it was great.
After: AWESOME!!!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Wishing for spring already

Oh this is bad. i am already thinking of things to wear... for SPRING and SUMMER! This always happens to me after the new year. So my plan is to resist any new winter shopping and save up for cute new warm weather duds... an especially good investment here in the south since come March we can have these glorious days in the 70s (or 40s, it's march after all). Check this out from this cute site

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Frugal February: DIY Board & Batten Shutters

I am in love with board and batten shutters. I have a traditional brick southern house and the most hideous plastic black shutters are stuck on there, totally ruining the effect of beautiful windows. Since one of the shutters keeps falling off, I am determined to replace them with something more charming and more sturdy.
Then I priced them out.
We would need 8 sets.
Some are up to $300 a set.
I can't count that high. Hey I have a Disney Cruise to pay for; i can't be spending money on shutters!
Then I just happened to see this post on Firefliesandmagnolias.com. Check it out.
Talk about saving some serious cash!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Have a Heart for Valentine's Day

I saw this adorable tutorial on Tatertots and Jello and had to try it. It took about an hour and a half (naptime!) but really is cute. The hardest part for me was getting the burlap to stay put. The easiest and most addicting was the coffee filter part. They look like carnation petals. I've been looking around the house to see what I can cover in coffee filter flowers. I am thinking a big ball topiary in a white distressed urn.
Lauren