A Young Man's Room: The Make-over

This post is going to have a lot of pictures...a lot...so be prepared!

My son has been away for the summer and I thought it would be a perfect time to give his room a make-over.  It's funny how his room has had the most changes through the years.  But then again, he has had the most changes.  First it was the nursery room, then the little boy's room.  The next transformation was the 'tween to teen room.  Now it is time to make it the young man's room.  

First, I needed to have an inspiration for the room.  A couple of years ago, we went on a family vacation to San Felipe Mexico.  It was one of the best vacations we ever had.  We spent a lot of time collecting shells and my son has always treasured those shells.  I decided that the shells would be my inspiration.  

I loved the white, grey and tan shells.  He also loves teal so I knew I had to have that color as well.

Now for the best part!  Before and After Pictures!!!  Yay!

BEFORE:  As you enter the room

AFTER:  As you enter the room now.

BEFORE

AFTER

I painted the walls a grey color, called Old Driftwood by Better Homes and Garden paint.  The paneled wall and all trim I painted Swiss Coffee by Behr paint.  Let me just say, primer makes painting a much less painful task!  

I updated the ceiling fan by taking it down, tearing it apart and spray painting all the shiny brass oil rubbed bronze.  I then changed out the light kit.  I love, love, love it now.  

BEFORE:  The ceiling fan ...well...actually this is in another room but it looked the same.

AFTER:  The ceiling fan now!

I made new curtains by re-purposing the existing curtains.

BEFORE:  The window and curtains.  

AFTER:  The window and curtains now!

I also decided to put a little detail in the room by adding a paneled wall.  I used a plywood sheet of 1/2" thick MDF and cut it into 4" strips.  Then with some measuring and cutting I used my new favorite tool (the nail gun) and installed a board and batten panel wall.  I think it adds a nice detail to the room.  

His closet needed so much needed attention.  He had a broken door, broken handles and it was very unorganized.  So I repaired the door, replaced the handles, built new shelving, and repainted.  I also added some detail around the closet.  I think it looks much better now.

I think I am going to do this to all the closets now! I am in love!

Close-up of the detail I added to the closet.

Hopefully he can't break these handles now!

To complete the make-over, I added new bedding.  It was a Wal-Mart find and comes from their Homestays collection.  It was very very reasonably priced.  

It was a lot of fun doing this make-over and I am very excited to see his reaction when he comes home.  I hope he loves it as much as I do!

I can do it!

Just look at her!  She looks feminine but yet tough as nails! I love it!

Women in my family have always been strong and tough.    My grandmother was a "Rosie" during the war.  My own mother was the strongest woman I have ever known.  I never have felt as strong as them, but then something happened in my little noodle head last year...I realized I can do it!  

So guess what I did?  I'm so excited!  I laid a tile floor. all. by. myself!  Yep...all by myself!  Do you see me flexing my muscle like "Rosie"?  I can do it!  And it wasn't really all that hard!  

Here is the picture of my finished floor.  Now, admittedly it isn't that big of a space, but I still did it!  

So if you are going to lay a tile floor here are some of my tips:
1.  Make sure the surface is prepped and ready for tile.  You will have to do a little research to find out what you need to do to prep.  Most likely you just need a clean smooth surface.  
2.  You will need "thin set" to use as the glue to attach the tile to the floor.  There are different kinds out there depending on what surface you are tiling.  Just do a little research to see what you need.  I discovered that I needed one with polymers in it...most flooring surfaces do.  
3.  When mixing thin set or grout make sure the mixture is about the consistency of peanut butter.  And mix only what you can use in about 20-30 minutes.  

Spreading the thin set isn't all that difficult.  First you just spread it around, as if spreading butter.  Then use the grooved part of the spreader and hold it at a 35 degree angle and make the grooves.  Use spacers to ensure the tiles are nice and straight.  Thin set must cure for 24 hours...and no walking on it!

When you tile, you will have to use a tile saw.  You can rent one if you don't already have one or can borrow one from someone.  Cutting tile is fun.  Just remember to make sure the saw tub has plenty of water in it.  Also, slow and steady wins the race when cutting tile.  

Spread the grout into all the grooves using a float.  Makes sure all the grooves  are filled in well.  After  20-30 minutes you can use a tile sponge to clean up all the loose grout.  This is where the "magic" happens!  It will look so wonderful!  After an hour, you can wipe down the tile again to get all the haze off.  Stay off of the floor for another 24 hours since the grout needs time to cure.

I am so excited that I did this!  Now on to the kitchen floor!

Window Shopping

I have had an obsession with found objects for quite some time now.  I like getting things for free or just about free.  It started in high school when I found an old jar in a friend's barn.  I fell in love with it and they let me keep it.  I still love it.  


Then there was the time I went for a walk in my neighborhood and found an old rusted steamer trunk on the street corner ready for the trash pick up in the morning. The hubster thought I was crazy when I dragged it home.  It is one of my faves.  


Last winter, I was trolling through my local favorite antique store, The Barn.  I just love that place.  It's not like most antique stores you see today, all shiny and commercialized.  Its, well...a barn.  Its dusty, creaky and full of the best stuff!

I am in love!

I found a pair of old farmhouse windows there, that I knew I had to have.  Just look at them!  My heart is all fluttery.  I absolutely love the latch and how worn it is.  They wanted $14 for each of them.  I went and talked to the owner and was able to gleefully walk away with both of them for $10!  I love that place!

I just keep thinking of all the hands
that have used this latch!  Priceless!

I immediately knew what I wanted to do with one of the windows.  I have had this little idea in my head for years now.   I was finally able to let the idea jump from my imagination to fruition.  Let me just say two words...LOVE IT!

My new fireplace screen!

To make my fireplace screen, I constructed two shutters.  

I cut the boards the same length
 as the window and then two boards
the width of the shutters.

I used a ruler as a spacer between the boards

Two finished shutters!

Then I painted them.  First with primer, then the paint.  Of course,  I used spray paint!  I actually think I would spray paint just about anything.


Next, I screwed hinges onto the shutters and attached them to the window, being careful to make sure the hinges opened in the correct direction.

I made sure the hinges were narrow
enough to fit on the window.

I drilled pilot holes first,
so as not to damage the wood on the window.

One finished shutter!

Here is another picture of my finished product!

 And another!

I am as giddy as a school girl!  Now my brain is thinking of a use for that other window....hmmm...