Designing Wainscot Wall Trim and Decorative Shelf for Plain Walls

Pine 1 X 4 trim was painted Behr Powdered Snow

Painted Behr Powdered Snow

Before the wall was painted Behr Basketry

Before

After

We have put so much work into our house already, but there are a few things I really need to upgrade.  My husband is now focusing on our plain stair wall.  I really can't do any decorating around the door chime, thermostat and electrical outlet.  My husband suggested we should just move the thermostat, but then we would still have a boring wall.  I bought $100.00 of pine to frame the wall and add a shelf from Home Depot.  Fairly inexpensive, but it did take two days to paint the pine 1" X 4" boards, paint the wall, cut the boards to the right length and round the shelf edge.  We will probably add small brushed nickel hooks, but I don't want this wall to get cluttered.  We are just thrilled to add some brightness to our wall and I look forward to decorating the shelf for the holidays!

Items needed:

Pine 1" X 4" trim (We spaced our boards 15" apart to fit our wall properly)

Trim Paint (We used Behr Powdered Snow)

Table Saw, Router, Nails

Length of project:

Approximately 1 1/2 days

Rustoleum Restore Solid Stain Project: Changing Quikrete Quarry Red to Rustoleum Restore Winchester Solid Stain

After Restore Rustoleum Winchester Solid Stain

Before Quikrete Quarry Red

Rustoleum Restore Solid Stain Project

For several years, I have had Quikrete Quarry Red stain on my walkway and landscaping bricks.  Every year, I have to reapply the stain.  This year, I really wanted to change colors since I painted my front door red.  The quarry red color almost looked pink next to my red door!

Initially, we chose Rustoleum's Cape Cod color and it was absolutely too light.  I immediately went back up to Home Depot and we chose Rustoleum Restore Winchester Solid Stain.  Since I already had one coat of Cape Cod, we just applied one coat of the Winchester.





Installing Hallway Windows on Old Construction

Outside View- Before

View from Outside-After

Low E Grid Window with Half Round

Before

Our hallway was dark before we added a new low-e window.  The builder didn't even put lighting in the hallway.  When we cut off the drywall, there was already a header in the wall.  Apparently, the builder changed his mind on putting a door where we wanted to add a window.  We still need to finish the drywall and put the siding back on the back of our house.  This level of our home is really starting to brighten up with all the windows we have added this month. 



Aspect Stainless Metal Subway Adhesive Backsplash Tiles

Aspect Stainless Metal Subway Adhesive Backsplash Tiles- After

Kraftmaid Toffee Maple Cabinets with Aspect Stainless Metal Subway Tile

Aspect Stainless Metal Subway Adhesive Backsplash Tiles

Before- We just had Behr Olive Paint on the Wall

www.menards.com

Installing New Windows Around A Fireplace

Outside View After

After Fireplace View

Outside View Before

Before it was dark and boring...

 

 

 

I have wanted to add windows around our fireplace for years.  I decided last week it was time to brighten up the room.  There is one store in the St. Louis area that has a large selection of windows at a very reasonable price, but it is quite a drive from  our house.  We drove to Norm's Bargain Barn in Fenton, MO (www.normsbargainbarn.com).  We purchased three windows, 36" X 74" low e windows, for an excellent price and my husband finally agreed it was time to install the windows.    We also purchased a 3 track light for over the fireplace from Lowes.   I can't wait until the drywall is finished around the windows.