Fix and Clean

Yesterday was our 48th year Wedding Anniversary. That encompasses a LOT of team work.

Team work describes our 'fix and clean' project.


A few weeks earlier we were discussing what and how we might do to make our home more comfortable.


We wanted to 'perk things up' in the kitchen, bathroom and living room. Talked about 'what' for a couple of weeks. Did some removing of stuff, rearranging bits and pieces. Took another long look.

Decided on:

Kitchen: 

Painted wooden(thrifted and well used) pot storage shelves "Mosquito" Porch and Floor Enamel

 After 2 coats of paint

 Before and During

The Paris sign is above the top of the shelves. I was very happy with this paint, it isn't chalk paint but it goes on smoothly and dries in about an hour.

Painted trim around countertop, middle window sill (this is what started the entire project - paint had worn off the window sill)

Painted front of a leaded glass cupboard door frame in Mosquito(2 coats) 

The picture below was taken in 2007 when we first renovated our kitchen and now the cupboard door (a great vintage thrifted find that needed TLC) looks just as fresh now after painting this week.
 

Removed boxes of 'to be written up' stock plus moved many things to new 'homes'

Before cleaning the kitchen 

of stock and stuff 

After putting things away

Painted the vintage Welsh Dresser front and any areas that needed to be refreshed (first painted here in 2012). 

It feels great to have space reclaimed. Hope it lasts for awhile.

Sanded the wooden table top that DH made back in the 1970 era and applied 2 coats of clear satin varathane, re-painted the metal table legs (also made by DH in the 1970 era) Mosquito (paint had been scraped off here and there over the years).

Just to make things very real ...

Lots of fruit flies (I am guessing the late flowers plus green and some split tomatoes brought these madly reproducing flies).

You can see the painted window ledge under the fly population.

Fruit Flies are such a problem - I am using Apple Cider Vinegar in glasses and bowls with saran wrap with poked holes (catch, clean out dishes, repeat).

Steam cleaned outside of fridge, stove, microwave, sink, countertop (used hand held steamer)



Bathroom: 

I do know that the following work is normal maintenance but I thought I would include it since I have been somewhat lax in the 'normal' of maintenance this past few months and the work was done this week.

Steam cleaned one wall, floor, sink, tub, toilet

Painted lower half of one wall, window sill and one piece of molding, 3 coats of Kitchen and Bath Acrylic Latex, white, reinstalled molding.
 
Removed (always a not fun job) and replaced the caulk on the bathtub

Replaced shower liner, washed shower curtain 



Livingroom:


Re-purposed large black subwoofer (it is now a chair side-table), removed computer system, small speaker, 3 boxes of 'stuff', small rocking chair, one large hassock and chair, one small chair, one bookshelf, a wooden fern stand, a vintage green side table all to new 'homes'

Tried to repair the many peeling bits (didn't take any photos) that had developed into rather large bare spaces (from use) on the once lovely red chair and foot stool(thrift store score several months ago) (sad face)
 

(it was sort of successful but we called it 'not ok') and ... as good luck would have it my favorite thrift store had a chair I liked and a 60% off sale on furniture on Tuesday - so the plaid covered chair (below) came home with me (DGS carried out the red chair and matching footstool and then carried in the replacement chair - WOW was I impressed.

Vacuumed, shampooed and then steam cleaned the chair on the right side of the photo that Peaches sleeps on. Hemmed a throw for the chair (from a remnant bought at a church sale) - you can see the 'throw' in the photo above.

I plan remove the 'throw' when Peaches is using the chair for her naps.

Painted the roll top desk on one side and fronts of drawers with Minwax PolyShades Stain and Polyurethaned Antique Walnut Satin.

 
Painted divider front edge beside desk in Mosquito


 

Diesel has/is staying with us all week and then he is going to live with his 'other' grandparents 'up country' (lots of area to run free). He has been getting a great amount of petting, extra treats and lots of hugs. We will miss him (he has been a grand-dog with us for about 5 years).

Painted inside of front door with satin stain finish(over the years, the dogs scratched groves and removed wood and finish while trying to 'get' the mailman or anyone who knocks on the door).

Gave furniture surfaces a good dusting, vacuumed up a great amount of dog hair, opened the windows and let fall breezes blow through.



This was our teamwork 'Fix and Clean' late fall project. Perhaps we will take the idea forward.

Our reward for our first session of Fix and Clean was a lovely dinner and visit with friends who brought a bouquet plus a fruit flan for dessert. We made curry and various vegetable dishes. Good visit, good memories.
 

Thanks for visiting today.

Sharing with

Thursday
Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, My Thrift Store Addiction, Try It Like It, My Love to Create,  Sincerely Paula, Life With Lorelai

Friday
Reviews, Chews and How-To's,  Two Chicks and a Mom, Rattlebridge Farm, Chic on a Shoestring,  The Cottage Market,  A Fireman's Wife,  The Painted Hinge, How Sweet The Sound, Funky Junk Interiors, Ms. Toody Goo Shoes, Pam's Party and Practical Tips 

Saturday
Pieced Pastimes,  One More Time,  Scrapality, Strawberries and Butterscotch,  Across the Blvd, Life On Lakeshore Drive, Love of Home 

Sunday
Nifty Thrifty, DIY Showoff, Silver Pennies, What Meegan Makes,  Creating My Way To Success,  Rustic and Refined,  Eclectic Red Barn

Monday
Dwellings The Heart of Your Home, Sum of Their Stories, Normandy Life, Between Naps on the Porch, Flour Me With Love, Grandma's Briefs, Celebrate and Decorate, Home Stories A to Z  

Tuesday
A Stroll Through Life, Our Home Away From Home, Stone Cottage Adventures, Fluster Buster, Dagmar's Home, Aging Like Fine Wine, Knick of Time 

Wednesday
Gingersnap Crafts, Savvy Southern Style, Raven Would, Raggety Bits, Grandma's House DIY, The Thrifty Home, Of Faeries and Fauna Craft Co., The Essence of Home