Let’s be honest. Sometimes neutral colors and builder paints, while nice, don’t do certain architectural features justice.
One feature is the fireplace. In many homes the fireplace is a focal point. It exudes comfort and conversation. Having a little fun with accent colors can make your interior memorable and inviting.
It is also a great place to play with bolder colors. You can really make a splash and if you want to change it in a few years, it’s less expensive and lower commitment than painting a full room.
We recently painted a fireplace for a homeowner and it completely transformed the space. Check it out!
If you’re thinking of painting your fireplace here are a few tips:
For inspiration, check out our Pinterest Board: Painted Fireplaces.
Would you paint your fireplace surround a bold color? If so, what color would you do?
Hope you don’t mind, but I, Lisa, needed a change of pace. We are happy to provide great painting info, but I needed a break. “Please, call us to paint your home.” There, now I can continue.
I was never much of a garage sale shopper until I was pregnant with our first child. I avoided garage sales like the plague. I absolutely hated the idea of pawing through grandma’s old drapes, chipped casserole pans, and porcelain cat figurines to maybe find something good. It seemed like a tedious waste of a Saturday and a test of my sanity.
My perspective changed when I saw the price tags on new baby gear. I couldn’t believe it! My sister, by this time, was a seasoned garage sale diva who offered to go with me to find deals to deck out our home. Reluctantly I joined her. Over that summer we bought a full year of baby clothes and 75% of our “necessary” baby gear at garage sales for under $300. I was hooked. We became experts…fast. I have hit garage sales every year since to find things for my kids.
Garage sales can be dangerous. If you are easily distracted or unspecific you could wind up taking stuff home that isn’t needed, that cool, or something you end up giving to the thrift store. It may only have cost you a few dollars, but that’s still a waste of money.
I don’t dilly-dally. I strategize and hit each sale with a purpose. Here are my tips for finding garage sale gold without losing your mind.
TIP #1: The early bird gets the worm…or at least the good stuff.
Going early in the day will give you greater chances of finding the items you want before someone else does. Most garage sales start between 7-8 am. I usually plan to leave my house by 6:30 or 7 am depending on the sales I plan to hit. Great furniture and baby stuff in great condition go first!
Tip #2: Get an app on your smart phone or comb Craigslist to find sales.
I use an app called Yard Sale Mapper. It is free on iTunes. This app combs Craigslist posts, local papers, and other print promotion for sales and pins them on a map. Most people who are really looking to sell stuff will promote their sale. And, looking for closely grouped pins will help you find community garage sales. (More on community sales next.) Taking a little time to find sales that list items you want will save you time and frustration.
Tip #3: Always shop community sales. But pick your neighborhoods carefully.
Community sales are wonderful! I love driving down streets with lots of sales happening at once. It’s a huge time saver. In fact, unless I research a stand-alone sale that seems to have a lot of great items, I will ONLY shop community sales. And choose your neighborhoods carefully. Stick to the nicer neighborhoods for nicer stuff. Disposable income makes for some pretty great merchandise.
Tip #4: Make a specific list of the items you’re looking to buy.
People don’t always put junk or valuable antiques out. Lots are moving, downsizing, done having babies, have kids outgrowing things, etc. You can find some pretty good stuff. Staying specific will keep you from feeling pressure to buy something you don’t love just because it’s available. Or it will help you know what items you need to snag immediately if your search has been tough so far. Items I usually find in good condition are:
Tip #5: Make a budget. Plan to pay about 30% or less than retail for each item.
This will gently encourage you to stick to your list or make decisions about what you really want. And it will help you negotiate. If you want the cow hide rug that is marked for $100 FIRM and you only have $80 left you can do your best to make a deal. If they don’t budge, it wasn’t meant to be.
Tip #6: Gather your supplies no later than the evening before.
You will be getting up early so the less you have to do the better.
Tip #7: If you have small kids, leave them at home with someone you trust. If you have a fun friend, bring them along.
I am all for having kids. I think older kids can be help with decision making and can learn the value of buying used versus new. But with little ones I find I can’t move as fast. They have pressing needs and need constant supervision. I enjoy shopping more when they are at home with Dad. I love going shopping with friends. They are great to laugh with when you find weird items, they can be spotters so you don’t have to stop at every sale, and they can help you load the car.
So, get out there and give garage and yard sales a shot! You might be surprised how well you do.
Do you have any helpful garage sale shopping tips?
We were hired to do some work at a local gym, Crossfit Pandora’s Box. If you know nothing about Crossfit, know it can be a little intense. This wall is used by hundreds throughout the week to perform handstands, handstand pushups, wall balls and other types of physical expenditure. Unfortunately the wall was getting rough and people were picking splinters in their backsides. NOT fun.
We were called in to figure out how to make the wall smooth and stand up to the beating it will receive. We chose lacquer.
Greg grabbed a laser level to make an amazing line. The line is below the point where an inverted person’s shoes will hit. This will keep the finish from chipping.
He then masked the line.
He and one of 0ur team members applied five coats of lacquer and the results were surprisingly gorgeous. I mean, doesn’t that plywood look amazing? Not to mention its super smooth finish.
We know a few Crossfit Pandora’s Box athletes who will be thrilled not to have to worry about splinters anymore!
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Notice the BEFORE photo on the left. A homeowner for whom we had done painting three years ago hired a general contractor do some work on his home. He was assured the paint lines by the contractor’s painter would be as crisp as the lines we did in his entire home. But as you can see, they were sloppy! Does that look professional? Absolutely not.
The homeowner contacted us to fix the sloppy paint work. We cleaned up the trim and repainted the line to our standards of crispness. You can see the difference between the before and the AFTER photos!
A Quality Paint Job brings a level of detail to your project most painters in town can’t or won’t. Our lines are crisp and straight. Be discerning when choosing a painter so you can be happy with the results.
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These pictures were taken May 29, 2013. (Please excuse the wall texture imperfections as those were not our work.)
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We are blessed to work in a town with so many active and retired military members and families and count it an honor to do business with you. Thank you for your service.