Tag Archives: DIY

Confession // DIY’ing ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.

I’d be happy if I never had to look at this room again…for real!  Despite being the tiniest room in the house, it’s been the biggest pain in the you know what to fix. What’s even worse is that we haven’t really started with any of the real transformation stuff. All I’ve managed to do is chip […]

Open Post →

March 28, 2012 - 11:00 pm

Life with Kaishon - I can’t imagine!!! You are the hardest worker I know Maddylicious!

March 29, 2012 - 12:06 am

yummychunklet - The stairs do look fantastic!

March 29, 2012 - 12:27 am

Punctuation Mark - i need to get some home improvement done and I’m procrastinating about getting it done!

March 29, 2012 - 2:16 am

Tiera - The stairs look great! And your office will look great too, soon enough :)

March 29, 2012 - 7:29 am

Amy - Poor Maddy! Don’t you just hate it when you start a project that seems to never end?! Just remember, this too shall pass . . . and then you’ll be working away in your fabulous office, look at a wall, and think, “That chipping wasn’t so bad.” Okay, maybe you won’t think that last part . . . but the office will be fabulous! :)

March 29, 2012 - 7:52 am

lou - good luck with the room even though i can understand that you’re fed up with chipping. but the result will be awesome. i’m sure! heads up!

March 29, 2012 - 7:56 am

Home GIrl - Great progress…remember slow and steady wins the race. THe room that you are chipping paint in….please tell me that you are using a heat gun or a blow dryer to soften the paint before chipping?? If you do, it shouldn’t be that hard to take off. Try it and let me know if you are still having problems. Keep up the good work. It will pay off.

March 29, 2012 - 8:26 am

The Guilty Hyena - The iron railings look good as new, I can imagine all these projects need plenty of planning and oodles of patience but it will all be extremely rewarding !! :)

March 29, 2012 - 8:32 am

Cafe Fashionista - Your staircase is just beautiful, Maddy! And I absolutely adore the hardwood floors – they would be perfect for dancing! Though I truly cannot imagine the amount of work that DIY’ing a house can be – I don’t know if I’d have the patience for such an undertaking. :/

P.S. I was a huge dancer as a child (and my mom has about nine billion pictures to illustrate this – all showing me in a different recital outfit :P); but I didn’t stick with it the way I wish I had. I recently took it up again, however, and everything I learned back then is flooding back to me, and I love it. I feel free when I dance! :)

March 29, 2012 - 9:14 am

Priscilla - It looks great!!! Can’t wait to visit : )

March 29, 2012 - 10:15 am

Piper - I couldn’t agree more!!! After 5 years working on our almost 100 year home, I’m just about done with the whole DIY/renovation thing!! But look how beautiful they came out – it was worth it :)

March 29, 2012 - 10:38 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - No ma’am….I had no clue that would help! But I will be busting out the blow dryer tonight to see if we can speed up chipping the remaining part of the room!

March 29, 2012 - 10:39 am

rooth - Everything looks like it’s falling into place though. Kudos to you all for taking on this type of project

March 29, 2012 - 10:39 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - I’m not sure I have the patience for it either, but I’m taking it one day at a time. And how cool that you were a tiny dancer growing up! I’m not surprised though, you’re such a girly girl – you were born to be a dancer! :)

March 29, 2012 - 11:22 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - Wow! 100 year old house! Very cool! We saw a few of those beauties and fell in love , but we also knew that we didn’t have the time (or patience!) for such a massive undertaking. We’re barely managing with out 1930’s home :)

March 29, 2012 - 11:25 am

Piper - hee hee, maybe i over exaggerated – but we’re close – we have a 1926 house. only a few more years though until it hits the century mark :)

March 29, 2012 - 11:34 am

Tiffany B. - Love, love the stairs. I grew up in a house with a iron railing and i love it.

March 29, 2012 - 11:45 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - Well, I’m sure it still possesses all the charm of a century-old home :) That’s why we decided to go with the older house – charming one-of-a-kind features. Even though I complain about all the work involved, I know it’s going to be great once it’s all done :)

March 29, 2012 - 12:03 pm

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - The iron railing is growing on me :) I’m sure once we change the ceiling fixture, it will look much better!

March 29, 2012 - 2:23 pm

Emily - Dude I can totally relate to being over a home improvement project. Don’t get me started on the backyard project that took 11 months.

The stairs looks great though!! Awesome job Kleber!

March 29, 2012 - 4:00 pm

Elle sees - Such patience! But such good results to come.

March 30, 2012 - 9:36 am

Mindy - the house looks great! those floors look ripe for some sock skating :)

March 30, 2012 - 11:52 am

Adrion - looking good! I love the transformation.

March 30, 2012 - 3:31 pm

Bonnie - This place looks GORGEOUS. I’m in shock and awe. :)

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

March 30, 2012 - 4:40 pm

Sabine - You’re working to such a high standard, Maddy, the staircase looks amazing. The small room might take time, but I’m sure in the end your office will be the jewel of the house.

March 30, 2012 - 4:51 pm

Gloria - Haha I say throw some cute wallpaper up and call it a day :-) The stairs look great!

March 30, 2012 - 5:30 pm

Christina Lee - Oooh pretty stars. *pets* And that room is going to ROCK!

March 30, 2012 - 10:39 pm

Sarah - Wow, the stairs look amazing! Gosh I bet you can’t wait to get that room done. What a project!

March 31, 2012 - 3:55 pm

camille - i like the railings! and i think your office it’s gonna be great! you’re always so creative!

April 1, 2012 - 9:37 am

Audrey Allure - The stairs look really good! Good luck with finishing up your soon to be beautiful office space! :)

April 1, 2012 - 10:40 am

Buckeroomama - Just think when you finally have that room done up… I’m sure it will be just as beautiful as the rest of the house. What would make this (all of it!) all the more precious is that you guys did it yourselves!

April 1, 2012 - 1:52 pm

chavonne - I hope the blow dryer tip helped you out a bit. And yay for Keebler!!! A helpful husband makes a big difference :). I’ve pretty much put our home plans on the back burner due to all the traveling but I’m hoping to get back on track this summer since I’ll be off of work.

Quick Tip // Removing Paint from Hardware

We had already purchased new knobs before realizing they did not fit properly in our existing doors. We were faced with the decision to either buy new doors with standard openings or salvage the existing knobs and hinges (that were covered in paint). We chose the latter. Luckily, this project was a super simple one! A few hours in […]

Open Post →

February 29, 2012 - 1:41 am

kelleyn - Great job!

February 29, 2012 - 7:45 am

lou - hooray! sometimes it can be so easy :-)

February 29, 2012 - 8:33 am

Cafe Fashionista - Gah! That is such an incredible discovery, Maddy! I feel like I am learning all about the home buying / renovating process vicariously through you. It will definitely come in handy for me in the future! :)

February 29, 2012 - 8:36 am

yummychunklet - Great tip!

February 29, 2012 - 9:58 am

Amy - I love it when a plan comes together. Easily. :)

And for the record–I think those knobs have character (leave it to me, naturally).

February 29, 2012 - 10:12 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - I like that they have character too! The cheapest door knobs they had at the store look like the ones you’d find at the office…bleh!

February 29, 2012 - 10:36 am

JWS3 - everything is so DIY with you guys…

February 29, 2012 - 10:58 am

Sarah - Dodeline Design - Wow what a great tip! Good for you! I actually really like those knobs!

February 29, 2012 - 11:17 am

Camila Faria - You guys are so clever! And YAY for all the money you saved!

February 29, 2012 - 11:40 am

Gloria - Who knew the slow cooker had so many uses?? This is great to know!

February 29, 2012 - 1:35 pm

The Guilty Hyena - A tidy little restoration project :)

February 29, 2012 - 1:53 pm

Elle sees - I had no idea about the knobs…I figured it was a One Size Fits All deal. Glad you figured out how to rework em

February 29, 2012 - 3:23 pm

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - It usually is, but since our house was built in 1939, some of the features are no longer considered standard. So the holes on the doors didn’t fit the new standard knobs…go figure! I thought changing the knobs was going to be a breeze…

February 29, 2012 - 3:46 pm

Tiera - I love DIY fixes like this! And I’m so glad you guys are having success with all the home improvement stuff you’re doing on you own!!

March 1, 2012 - 2:22 pm

Krysten - So helpful, thanks!

March 1, 2012 - 5:21 pm

Sabine - What a fantastic trick! I guess you not only saved money, the old ones might also look much prettier.

March 2, 2012 - 1:45 am

Angelia Sims - Excellent tip! I love those door knobs. Glad you were able to salvage them. :-)

Just Keep Chipping

I’ve been told that things are never officially “done” when it comes to home improvements.  But one thing’s for sure, a fresh coat of paint does makes a difference and it’s one of the simplest ways to change up a room.  Unfortunately painting hasn’t been that simple for us. The paint is cracked in certain areas of the house, so […]

Open Post →

February 24, 2012 - 2:54 am

Tiera - Oh my gosh, this sounds like the most tedious process ever! You’ll feel SO accomplished when you’re done, and I can’t wait to see it!

February 24, 2012 - 4:53 am

Sabine - Oh Maddy, I’ve done this, and dear, it is a LOT of work. But it will be so worth it – and it looks like you’ve got some helpful hands for support :)

February 24, 2012 - 6:30 am

Buckeroomama - Kudos to you guys for taking it upon yourselves to do this! It’s going to be doubly satisfying once it’s done, knowing that you did it yourselves (without pro help, that is). =)

February 24, 2012 - 6:31 am

Pink Ronnie - Love how you make a room like that look good!
Have thoroughly enjoyed catching up on your blog posts and also love the blog revamp!
Ronnie xo

February 24, 2012 - 6:46 am

Life with Kaishon - Can you get a machine for it?
Some day you will look back and laugh at how much craziness it took to get the house up to par!

February 24, 2012 - 7:46 am

Amy - If I was there I would totally help you–it’s definitely a job that requires moral support. Just remember, it will be all kinds of fabulous once it’s finished–good luck and happy chipping!

PS-Your “crack is wack” killed me! :)

February 24, 2012 - 8:53 am

yummychunklet - You’re off to a great DIY job! Kudos!

February 24, 2012 - 9:44 am

Mindy - thats a lot of chipped paint! you got a lot done, and now the fun part of putting the room together can start!

February 24, 2012 - 9:50 am

The Guilty Hyena - The lazy me would be tempted to hire a sandblaster machine, but nothing beats the traditional diligent process of using our own hands, and helps when you have a few helping hands !! and cranking up some music to go along with it !! It will all feel satisfying when you’ve sat in the office chair gazing out of the window. :)

February 24, 2012 - 11:45 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - There has to be an easier way to do this, but we are still figuring our way around how to do these kinds of things. I’m hoping we’ll find an easier method for the next room because that’s a big one!

February 24, 2012 - 1:39 pm

Camila Faria - Oh WOW, so many paint chips. Be careful not to drown!!! ;)

February 24, 2012 - 6:38 pm

Gloria - “Crack is whack” made me burst out laughing :-) This looks like HARD work! I didn’t even realize you had to chip old paint off like that – I would’ve guessed some kind of paint thinner would be in play. Shows how much I know, haha

February 25, 2012 - 2:56 pm

Elle Sees - now that you’re an expert, come to my house and chip away!

February 26, 2012 - 1:03 pm

Meg Sullivan - You all are so ambitious! and nice that you have good help. Can;t wait to see the finished product.
Meg

February 26, 2012 - 10:13 pm

Bonnie - I don’t think I would have the patience to do this. Kudos to you!

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88