Do you ever look at your list of things to do around the house and feel overwhelmed?
I started keeping a huge list one day as I went from room to room cleaning. (It seemed like something Martha would do.) It had tasks like "touch up front door paint" , "replaced outlet covers" , "paint the living room" , "paint built-ins" , "paint everything in the house", etc. I was sure that having a list like this would help me make a plan, cross things off, and get things done.
But by the time my list had reached the bottom of the second page, I didn't feel inspired at all. I felt tired. And fed up. I threw the list away. It seemed like a huge mountain to climb, and I don't really even have time to take a shower some days...
I'm sure you've been there.
As it turns out, my sisters Emily and Abby, and my friend Sarah, are there right now--with me at the bottom of a home-improvement list that keeps getting longer instead of shorter.
And that's where this story changes. Because sometimes tasks that are difficult for one person, might be a whole lot easier for four.
And so we formed...
The Home Team!
This idea has been bouncing around in my head for over a year, and I am so excited it has finally happened.
We decided to kick off the event at my house (because I'm the boss of everything apparently.) I didn't have much notice, but I had a handful of projects that were already in the works, and that really needed to be done before the new year.
So here's the list:
>>Build a side table.
>>Finish painting the living room.
>>Spray paint the wicker front porch chairs.
>>Make new cushion covers for the wicker front porch chairs.
I was in charge of the table. To be honest it was a bigger job than I expected, even though I do have a bit of building experience. It turns out the salvaged wood I wanted to use for the legs is not going to work long term...they are crazy wobbly. But I slapped them on anyway, just for effect.
I made the top out of 2x4s and a 2x10 that we already had. I put it together using pocket
holes.
Like I said, the legs aren't going to work after all, but they look so cool with that print on them! I also need a shelf along the bottom to hold baskets of blankets or books. I guess I'll have to show you the final product at a later time!
Abby was in charge of paint. First she finished painting the last wall in the living room. It's been flat flesh-brown since we moved in, and I have wanted to paint it white forever! And now that it's done, I LOVE IT. It makes the room look twice as big. I will admit that the paneling was really hard to paint. I did each seam with a brush, and then rolled on THREE coats of the eggshell-finish white.
I ask you, is there anything more exciting than a photo of a woman painting a white wall? You're welcome.
The last project was the wicker chair makeover for the front porch. The morning of the Home Team, they looked like this.
Faded and sad.
Abby and Emily spray painted them with dark brown, and then Emily made the cushion covers.
And the after:
So much better!!!
We got all of that done in about 3 hours. And Sarah wasn't even able to make it!
The plan for next time (Emily's house) is to work from 10-4 ish. Plus we'll have Sarah!
See you next time, Home Team!
