LOVE SHACK PROJECT- BABY GOT BACK PATIO September 15, 2012

The last section of my Love Shack Project make-over is the back patio!  Like the garden side, the patio is also long and narrow, but the patio side has a smooth cement floor and is about a foot wider ( 4′ x 20′).  That extra foot gives me enough room to actually have some tables and chairs out there!

My first task was to re-hang the large wooden door so that it opens out, instead of in;  thus freeing up that previously unusable space.  Next, I used the left over exterior paint to paint the unfinished section under the covered roof, the wooden door,  and the electrical housing.  Once that was finished, I put up a few hooks so I could neatly hang the ladder, tools, and hose.

To break up the length of the patio and add texture and intimacy, I decided to build an arbour!  This was very simple.  I  bought 5 ladder trellises from  Home Depot,  and placed 4 of them ( 2 on each side) against the walls of my patio alley.  Then I connected them across the top with few lengths of redwood.  Lastly, I took the remaining 5th trellis and laid it across the top, between them, as the roof.

Next, I added  2 sets of tables and chairs, both of which I got free from Craig’s List.  They were all mis-matched colors, so I simply spray painted everything white to match.  I also spray painted my metal utility shelves, planter boxes and baskets;  and just about anything else that was going to be on the patio!  Spray painting makes matching easy, however, its messy!  Make sure you have a large drop cloth, plastic gloves and booties on your feet! ( I spray painted my feet and ruined a pair of sandals and a pedicure the first time!)

Lastly, I added some plants and climbing vines to start climbing up the arbour;  and for the finishing touch,  wove white twinkle lights throughout all the trellises on both the patio side and the garden side.

The first time I turned on the lights was amazing!  I had created my own private, magical, oasis;  perfect for entertaining very small parties!  I am thrilled with the result!

Thank you!

Here are two before pix:

And this is my pretty patio now!

LOVE SHACK PROJECT- FULL FRONTAL UPDATE August 30, 2012

This is a progress update to the front of my tiny cottage!   I found some left-over exterior paint, and after checking with a representative from the DWP regarding any safety issues; decided to paint the unsightly metal meters on the side of the house.   After a coat of metal primer and 3 coats of exterior paint, the boxes are nicely camouflaged and I am very happy!!

THANK YOU!

Here’s a before and after picture!  You can also see how nice my plants are looking!

LOVE SHACK PROJECT– IN THE KITCHEN August 28, 2012

The Kitchen has been particularly frustrating to me, because it really needs to be completely re-done with new cabinets and counters.   I’ve tried to do what I can until I’m able to do that!   Its long and narrow with one overhead cabinet and a long counter with nothing underneath!

I’ve framed some of my linoleum block reduction prints and hung them on the other side of the wall  I built;   and added curtains underneath the counter and  in the doorway to the pantry.

Here are some pictures!

THANK YOU!

xoxo

This is what it looked like when I moved in.

And this is what I”ve done so far!

LOVE SHACK PROJECT — A LIVING ROOM June 29, 2012

Now that I’ve finally gotten my art up on the walls,  I’m able to start working on the rest of the living room!   The challenge is that it’s very small!  ( 9′ x 15′)

I started by building in a wall of shelves along the far wall,  echoing the shelving in the bedroom.   I did this by taking some of the shelves I’d gotten during ” Adventures in Shelving” and deconstructing one into extra shelves to add into the others, and  connected them in the middle under the window.  That gives me double capacity for the same amount of space!

I  also created a small desk in the center of wall unit, under the window, by adding in a large piece of plywood and legs!   The whole thing is only connected to the wall at the window sill,  so it’s stable but doesn’t disturb the plaster walls!

Next, I hung a bedroom door!   I built the door frame into the giant picture frames, to again;  avoid having to disturb the cottage walls.   I found the door used on Craig’s List, along with several awesome and super tiny chairs!

YAY!  I have a living room  now!!

THANK YOU!

LOVE SHACK PROJECT– AGAINST THE WALL June 19, 2012

Feeling like a champion after my successful wall construction, I decided to  press on with my living room make-over.   Next, I needed  to devise a way to display my very large paintings, and store blank canvasses.

My  wall space was limited to 3 walls,  (one of  which had a large wall heater in the middle of  it),  and being plaster walls, not strong enough to hold a large painting!    So I came up with a plan to  build 2 large frames on the plaster walls.   I attached a  couple  of 2×4’s to the door frame,  and  ran a  flat  board across  them to hang  the paintings on.

The depth of the 2×4’s created a  small  pocket  behind the painting  for storage,  and  also hid  the  non-functioning wall  heater.   I finished  the bottom  off with  some  extra sheet rock,   so it was barely noticeable that the  wall  was now extended four inches.

YAY!  My paintings are off the ground!

THANK YOU!