I recently bought a home in California and boy does it need updating! This is the hilarious, stressful, emotional journey of one woman trying to do it all on her own. As you follow along you may interact on projects, offer advice, make suggestions or just laugh as I cut my toes on the pressure washer. Don’t worry the best is yet to come! Learning to use power tools I’ve never tired before, wiring, plumbing, furniture refinishing, landscaping and more.
This is my journey. I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m going to do it!
I like when you point out what I’m thinking! Not the poop. I couldn’t see that, but raising the T.V. (and changing bedding for guests to compliment side tables. :)
@@JoanieB-ss1vm I have a beautiful sage and cream bedding set with different textures that I hope will add to the look. I obviously have nothing in the frames and a void on the shelf above the tv. Need to think on what I’m going to do about that tv. Hate to mount it in the guest room in such a specific spot. More thought on this. Lots more to do throughout.
@@SimplyStruggling , That’s what I can’t see well. The base of the TV to make a suggestion. Mounting is another headache I’d avoid. I’d probably keep dresser as is if you can raise the TV itself?
@@JoanieB-ss1vm I did come up with a way to raise the tv. I may do it that way. I don’t want to mount it there. I’m sure I’ll make lots of changes over time. This is not the real furniture this room will have. It’s just for now sorta stuff.
@@SimplyStruggling , I like the furniture and you know I like the sage! Seems like just enough to keep things open and inviting. Plus, it looks like you have an ample closet space. Even if you keep it full of stuff stored, all guests will need is a small bit of hanging space.
@@JoanieB-ss1vm my mother mentioned that I needed a dresser for guests. All of the drawers are empty other than the ones on the cabinet. That’s stuffed with craft paints.
@@JoanieB-ss1vm it does provide a very nice calming environment I think. Anyone staying with me would probably need a space like that to walk into sometimes 😂
I slowed the playback speed down to get a better look after listening to what all you have been doing. I thought you purchased pavers, but you are making them yourself? 😮. I like the little sitting spot in the kitchen and the disappearing frilly! 😊
@@JoanieB-ss1vm I nearly took myself out with a concrete mixing extension for my drill. At that point the next time I went to Home Depot I literally filled the cart with pavers…. Then I told myself to quit being a baby and keep trying with making the pavers. So I spent the next 30 mins placing them all back neat like on the shelf. At the moment the pavers are an experiment. I wanted colored pavers. I also bought the wood plank mold pavers. But at this point I may only make my own for next to the patio and end up buying the rest. I want to do an outdoor kitchen area still plus I need pavers around the big flower box (that will be 3 tiers). Mixing concrete is a lot of work. While it does save on cost, it takes a beating on my body. Currently I have a sprinkler emergency that is putting itself ahead of all next projects. My water bill is going to be a thing!
@@SimplyStruggling , I have done that before with a cart full of pavers at Lowe’s. Ha! We had to remove most of our deck and replace with concrete. My main insistence was that it have color added which I love. That had to be added to the mixer truck so I’m not sure if Home Depot has the additive or not? It’s powder and the concrete company gave us the extra they didn’t mix.
@@JoanieB-ss1vm I’ve used the powder to change the color in some of them. I’ve also tried to use the color with the sealant. It looks too painted with the sealant. It must be mixed in to get that correct look. I haven’t seen that at the hardware store. On the bright side I can’t go fill my cart up with pavers until my left arm gets better. Did you also put the pavers all back? Idk what to do about the dang pavers. I would really like to do the quick and easy purchase of them at this point. But to your point how do I get the tint? Perhaps I can order them from somewhere?
@@SimplyStruggling , yes I did do the cart full and re-stack change of mind. lol. We did paint a corner spot of concrete that we had and it was a disaster. Didn’t last and that paint was expensive. The additive was available at the place where we ordered the concrete. I believe you could purchase there separately. Colors galore. The only reason I really don’t like doing concrete ourselves is the perfect timing factor. There are so many fun projects you are accomplishing to claim your Atta Gals. You should allow yourself grace and time to save and get what you really would prefer as you go. Did you find the Atrium Grate covers at HD?
I totally forgot to look for them. I should probably start an order for pick up that is just little stuff like that. I am terrible about remembering when I am excited to work on other projects. At this point the weather is so hot that the thought of digging out grass, laying pavers or mixing concrete is stomach churning. Actually at this point my left arm is so painful that everything seems a big overwhelming. Maybe things will seem brighter once I have the sprinkler system fixed. I am not doing that myself.
Thanks for showing us your progress so far! Your interior is looking great! I really like all of the wall colors and the decor! All of the solar lights are really cool and your garden box is coming along nicely!
@@Kathykelly0486 no I have not. I did make a spreadsheet to figure out what materials I need but then I thought I want a deeper mantel than this would be. It has to be at least 6”D for the holidays. What do you think? How would you transition that while keeping that sleek look I want?
@@jeandavis7427 thanks for the support! Last weekend was a whole situation which did not allow for much of any new or finishing up projects. About to have the sprinkler system overhauled. Praying to be spared on my next water bill. 🤦🏻♀️
I would never be able to get an exact cut with this saw. It’s too heavy. I did get a table saw I haven’t taken out of the box yet. I want a miter saw. Not sure if I really need both tho.
I did buy the table saw. I also ordered a mini circular saw and a jig saw or not what is that thing? Looks kind of like a jig. Then of course I have the tile saw that I haven't tried yet 😂 A miter saw would handy too. I am almost surprised I didn't think about clamps before I got to that point. Almost but not quite.
@@SimplyStruggling I would remove the mantle! Chances are it was built with 3 - 2/6's or 3 - 2/4's. They probably screwed the first board into the studs and screwed the remaining boards into the first board! Then, they sheet rocked the mantel! I would remove the sheet rock that is covering the mantle! Score the drywall with a utility knife where the mantle meets the wall and then remove the sheet rock! You should now be able to see screw heads that are securing the mantle to the wall! Remove the screws and the mantle will be history! I would feel very safe doing this!
It took me about 2.5 hours to reach up enough courage to take the first cut. Of course I wasn't sure that I had installed the blade correctly. I expected it to cut in a downward angle but it cuts upwards. That is why I kept going back and forth trying to figure out how to make the cut. Then of course its pointless to position the wood if you don't have it secured in some fashion. Now I know 😂
There are 100% organic fertilizers that are pet safe! You will want to get the fertilizer with nitrogen! Clover doesn't like nitrogen, but the grass loves it! After you have applied the fertilizer, mow your lawn at a higher setting! This will help the grass compete and choke out the clover! I hope this helps!
Yes!! Thank you! Any idea what I might try in the front for that weird long grass that grows in the good grass? I’m going to find nitrogen for my lawn today! This is driving me crazy.
I have a giant raised garden bed that I am working on that I think will be a great way to cut back on some of the mowing and give me a designated place for idk yet LOL Thanks I do love the little fence.
Hello there! Perhaps you could use a paint stripper rather than using the rotary tool! The best stripper that I have found is "Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel" It will remove multiple layers of paint! It has a nice citrus smell, too! It looks like Home Depot sells it!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I need to spend more time putting the videos of what I have done together but it's hard to balance with the house, TC/MP and my real job 😂
Fun! Grape is a plant you know! 🤭 Seriously though, that will be fun to grow back there. I’m self grounded from plants too. Time to just keep what I have alive. Too hot and my rain barrel is almost empty. That means hose water they don’t like as much.
Most of my plants are for full sun but it’s too hot to be out planting them and the first initial watering evaporates so quickly. I do want to get another grape but I’m looking for a specific one. I probably shouldn’t have gotten this one but it was such a bargain 🤦🏻♀️😂 being grounded from buying plants is no fun. Love that you have a rain barrel!
@@SimplyStruggling , I love it. Rarely does it run dry and only takes one decent rain to fill 50 gallons, but we have nothing in the 10 day forecast so far.
@@JoanieB-ss1vm Weirdly I am not getting notified of comments, Dang That is super unhelpful. I wish I had more time to work on putting the pics and videos of what I have done together. Not enough days in the week I tell you. Rain isn't something we see a lot of here unless its winter. We have a great winter growing season.
@@SimplyStruggling , Don’t worry about me! I don’t keep score. :) Of course I did panic, pulled the hose, watered everything, and within a half hour we got a pop up storm that filled the barrel. 🤦🏻♀️
How much height do you need there? They make taller covers? Would that help? I see them at Home Depot. Do you plan on pavers on top of them and remembering where? If so, you might could place the tall ones on top of the existing with gavel up center and surrounding it for extra support?
Good idea. Taller cap thing then I could gravel around that so it can still filter water through when we are in the rainy season. I just need to figure out what that part is called so I can find the right kind. I’ve bought so many of the wrong ones I sorta gave up. Same with this piece of window trim
@@JoanieB-ss1vm thank you! I took a screenshot of this so I’ll remember next time I buy them. I have a bunch to replace that were/are missing. Had to dig mulch out of half of them.
It’s absolutely plagued with clover. No weed barrier under all the mulch is making it a nightmare. When I place the lumber order for the fireplace I’m 100% buying extra to build big raised garden planter boxes. The yard and wall played a big part in why I didn’t buy a new home. None of them had nice big yards like this anymore. Figured I’d go for square footage inside and out. But I’ve always had lawn care prior to this.
This not exactly the same, but here is the approach I would take to save time and money. I would NOT remove the mantel. If you were to remove it, you could create even more problems (I KNOW from experience i.e. hole in wall, not finding a stud to hold the weight). So I am not giving you the correct measurements, just examples you could use as a guide and use your own measurements and depth. I would get (2) 2x4's and place it from the floor to be flush with the mantel. You would need to cut your baseboards to add this. This would frame in the fireplace. Next I would just use Pvc trim boards (lighter) to frame the fireplace. I would get 2 larger pieces for the outer and 2 smaller pieces for the inner piece. Next, I would get some feather weight patch that comes in a bag and you mix with water (plaster). Take the patch and cover the mantel ( skim coating), existing tiles, and any space you have between your board, you may have to build up in areas and make it light in others like the mantel. You can make it really smooth, or you could have it texturd for a more rustic look. The goal is to make the fireplace and mantel cohesive, like a stone structure. Once this is dry, you can paint the mantel white, and depending on your artistic ability, you could do a chalk paint with a gray white wash or you could do stencil, whatever you want where the tile was. Paint the trim boards and 2x4' white or you could even make the 2x4's blend in with the patch and paint it one color, making the mantel appear as the focus. Also, you may see some moulding that you like to add dimension to the mantel, or you could even get some brackets to make it look intentional and forgo the 2x4s. Unless you plan on doing other projects, I think you should return the table and tile saw, and get a miter saw. You probably can have all this delivered for free from a home improvement store. Most of the stuff is shipped now a days. Also, if you go with trim and the 2 x4s you could have it cut in store and it should fit in your car. If this is not a wood burning fireplace, you should not need a screen. I hope this helps! Be safe and wear gloves! I can't wait to see what you do!
Omgosh I never got an alert to this. I need to process all of this when I am not working. I think this is a lot like my first idea I had on this. Now I am thinking all sorts of things. It would be great to do a workaround but idk if I want to settle for the drywall look. Its rounded so idk. This is giving me a lot to think about and I really appreciate you for taking the time to explain this. I really really mean that.
Okay. Currently I am stuck on your kitchen cabinets. I am only 5’2” and mine go to ceiling. Top shelf is a waste even with a step stool because I still have to lean in and then make sure I get it down to the counter safely. Anyway, I’m wondering if you might like warm strip lighting shooting up which would give the illusion of height? You could have it shooting down from lower cabinets as well. If you need a photo of what I mean if I’m not making sense, let me know. It’s a cheaper alternative as well.
So I thought about doing a sleek backsplash above the cabinets with lighting focused on the tiles. Agreed I will never be able to reach the top of the cabinets even with a step stool. That’s 9 feet 😂 it is useless space. It just looks funny plain like this.
@@SimplyStruggling , Maybe you could do the lower section and then display a couple on stands up top with a few statement pottery pieces. Not junked up of course.
@@JoanieB-ss1vm sadly most of my pottery doesn’t match this place. It would be a nice place to put just the right pieces. I’m going to have to part with so many of the pieces I’ve collected. I do think it would be nice to be able to display some pottery in the kitchen somehow but would it go well with the more modern industrial look? Is that even really my look? (Modern industrial) I need to get a video out that shows what’s been done so we can see the direction of things. I thought about a wine collection up there. I don’t drink often but don’t mind investing in wine.
Your existing fireplace mantel should be easy to remove. Normally for installation, a metal bracket is screwed into the wall studs and then the fireplace mantel is secured to this metal bracket with screws. If you look on the top of the existing mantel, towards the back, you may see the screws that are secured to the metal bracket! If so, remove the screws and the mantel should come off! Hope this helps!
I’ve been waiting to bust into the mantel until I ordered the lumber/ hardware etc. I’m still trying to figure out how to build this out so I can order the lumber. Now I’m thinking I almost need to remove the drywall to know what I need because I have no idea what’s actually under that.
Thank you for taking us on a tour of your place! I am not sure what your color preferences are for the interior walls! Personally, I like lighter gray tones! For instance, you could paint all the main walls light gray and then paint the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms different gray tones (keeping the same tone throughout the house) This will add some contrast between the walls and the ceilings. Everything looks really white now! For starters, painting the interior walls will make a huge difference! I will do some research on the fireplace surround and let you know!
Thank you. This fireplace has me stressed out. It’s going to look amazing but I just don’t know what I don’t know. If that makes sense. I am painting it a light Greige. I’ll have something out soon that shows what I’ve accomplished so far. I have a photograph project coming up that I bet you will be helpful with too!
Right fireplace first then either backsplash, cabinets, lr lighting & fans been painting before/after work and on lunch a couple days a week. Painting is so not fun 🤩
Have you thought about making a mood board for ideas for each room? Pinterest has ideas you can look at too. Does your friendly neighbour have a small trailer you could borrow to pick up your d i y buys?
My friendly neighbor is older and unless he happened to be going there and I knew it, I wouldn't want to burden him. I also tried reaching out to the neighborhood group to see if anyone wanted to make pickups for me for a little extra money thinking commuters but no takers. I only thought of Pinterest as I was making the intro video. Its a good idea.
A kreg jig would be your best friend if you don't have one. I have built living room tables, dining tables shelving, China cabinet lots of things that had I not had the kreg jig would have been harder and took longer. It really is a lifesaver. I'm so excited for you, I can't wait to see what you do with your new space.
I know and ugh even if I got the same color this house is from 2008 so you know they wouldn't match. This is whole video of its own. I was testing stuff on one cabinet. A different one needs refinished pretty badly. Some are in decent shape but near the sink they need fresh varnish.
I am about to share the plan for the fireplace in its own short video. Going to do this for each project so I can keep the ideas straight… at least I hope I’ll have great suggestions.
To start those listing photos were too much. It was staged oddly. It was incredibly boring. Ugly old prefab floors throughout. 9’ ceilings but the cabinets only go up 8’. The next one will show the empty house before I moved in to show the sort of blank slate I’m working with. I did start making videos too. It won’t be all snapshots for long. Thanks for following!
