the one... with a mid week project

I have had this little project on my list for a while now and for some reason one night last week, after I got home from work, it seemed to be the perfect time.

Yep I spray painted 'hi' on my front door mat.  So simple!

I typed up 'hi' on the computer and printed it out.  I then cut out the letters using a cutting blade.  I then grabbed a can of spray paint I had in the garage and some newspaper.  I layed the paper out on the veranda table and used sticky taped to hold the paper on the mat.  I sprayed in short bursts to prevent bleeding underneath the paper.

I love it and it should hopefully put a smile to everyone's face when they walk up the front stairs.

Lisa xo

the one... with the front entry revealed

I've said it before but I love my front entry.  It feels so inviting.

Before the renovation I never used the front door and now I love walking up the front stairs and through the newly painted door.

Yes, that's right the door is painted.

I have decided to go with white for now.  I'm still deciding if I want a bright yellow door so until I decide it's white.  It's better than the pink door.

The other good news with the front entry is the entry floor has been painted.

I had originally purchased concrete paint to give new life to the slab of concrete beside the garage and create a secluded patio (that's the plan).

The light got a clean and the entry is now complete.

Welcome home.

the one... with the favourite

I'm in love with my new front stairs.

Lisa xo

the one... with the new screen door

This little diy project is now complete and I couldn't wait to share it with you.

Here it is before the makeover all taped up ready to be hit with the white semi gloss paint.

And here it is back where it belongs.

It was a little tricky trying to screw it back in place on your own but leaning it on the foot always helps.

Doesn't it look white!

It's funny, you don't realise how white it is until you compare it to the cream trim beside it.

I still have to replace the screen mesh but I'm liking it for now.

Next is choosing what colour to paint the front door... white... grey... aubergine... yellow... ??

the one... giving new life to a screen door

In a different time I chose cream security screen door for the front door.  I got the security after I was broken into.  I ended up using the insurance money to get better security so prevent it from happening again (sorry to say it happened again a few years later).

Anyway, with the new paint colours chosen for the cottage, the window, doors and feature trims will be white and the cream security door just doesn't cut it!

I was thinking what I might do with it - remove and replace was what came to mind. Until I mentioned this to dear Dad, who suggested I remove the old mesh and spray paint the door white.

Now why on earth didn't I think of that??  Great idea Dad!

So this is the diy project I did last weekend.

I had to get moving on this before the painter started because I wanted it ready to re-hung when all the painting was done.

I got out my drill and took the door down and carried it out the back to get started.

I first gave it a hose down and a good clean with an old towel.  Nothing special here, just wiped every nook and cranny on both sides.  This took a little while and it didn't help things when Charlie decided he needed to sit on my lap.

Once it was all clean and dry I taped (don't you just love that I have purple tape!) up the handle and hinges then I got out the spray can and had some fun.

This is what I used.  The women at Bunnings said I should only need 1 can but I grabbed a second, just incase (glad I did).

I've given both sides a coat of paint and popped it out of the way in the garage while the painter is still working on the house.  I did keep a bit left in the can just incase there is a need for any touchups.

I think it's looking good.

 

What do you think?

 
Lisa xo

the one... with the new stairs

I promised a few more photos of the front stairs so here they are...

I normally use the back door to enter but since the new stairs I've been using the front door.

I love my new stairs.  

the one... with the best from July

Here are a few favourite posts from July.

my search for a new front porch list

they are finally gone

I love banana bread

the clean up

lots more house photos



the one... with the new stairs

The new front stairs are complete!.

This is what I had in the morning.

Here is how they looked in the afternoon (actually I had to wait until the next morning to take the photo but I can tell you they looked just as good in the dark).

What a difference.

the one... with the new front light

I finally have a light on the front porch, no more tripping up the front stairs.

Actually, I have always had a sensor light there but it hasn't been working properly since I moved back in and it was look well passed its used by date with all that rust (I guess that's the salt air).

I shared with you a few lights that were on my short list but guess what... I bought something completely different.

I did buy a light similar to the original short list but all week I kept second guessing my decision and I figured that if I'm still thinking about it the day before the electrician is coming that I have the wrong light!

So with the electrician booked for 10am on Saturday morning I headed out early that same morning to visit a couple of stores.  The first one had what I wanted but not in the colour I needed.  They could order it in for me but I wouldn't have it that day, so on to the next place...

The next store wasn't even open yet so I had to wait in the carpark for 10minutes.  As soon as the sign was switched over to OPEN I was walking through the door.  I headed straight to the back of the store with the sensor lights and there on the wall was the one I wanted and yes they had 1 left!

To top that... they had 30% off.  I saved $30 on the light and got the one I wanted.

I think this style and colour goes better with the style of the cottage and will go well with the new colour.

This photo was taken in the first shop but it's the same light and I got a better price that what you see there

What do you think?

the one... with the new front stairs

I am so excited, the tradie has been booked to build the new front stairs.

As you can see from the photos below, the original stairs are the old school type with metal handrail and concrete steps which are all starting to crumble from old age.

The new stairs will be made from timber with a breadloaf handrail.

I can't wait til they are built and I'm really looking forward to painting them to match the new house colours (more on that big job soon).

I'll be back with the after photos.

the one... with the light search

The electrician is booked to do a few small jobs around the house including replacing the front porch sensor light.

I have doing a bit of online research before I hit the shops and have found my top 3 contenders:

$49.98 from Masters

$54.98 from Masters

$69.95 from Beacon Lighting

Now to decide which one...  What do you think?