From Boring to Beautiful

I wonder why they don't install thermostats in more inconspicuous places.  You know, like in a closet, or even next to a outlet or light switch.  But no, mine is smack dab in the middle of my hallway.  I'm sure there are good reasons to put them in such obvious places, but it doesn't change the fact that they are not pretty and well... an eyesore.  So what can you do, except ignore that ugly eye sore unless you need it?  

Make it pretty!

I found this cute frame from where else then a thrift store for two bucks!  Here it is in it's original glory.

Bye bye creepy owl picture!  

All I did was pop out the maniacal owl picture and glass, then spray painted the frame with Rust-Oleum's heirloom white in satin.  It is the perfect creamy white color.  In only two light and even coats it covered the brassy and black frame completely, which was awesome.

Then, I decided I wanted the frame easily removable so that I can easily take it off if I need to mess with the thermostat.  The problem was that I didn't have anywhere to nail in a picture hook because the frame is plastic.  So I ran to Lowe's and picked up the 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips.  I had never used these, but they seemed to fit the bill for what I needed.  I LOVE these.  Seriously.  I never want to nail a hole in my wall again!

These could really come in handy with what I want to do with this hallway...

I would love to do a beautiful, interesting gallery hallway. Like this one at Young House Love:

{Image Via: Young House Love}

Or this one from 4 Men 1 Lady:

{Image Via: 4Men1Lady}

I love the interest that both of these bring to an otherwise uninteresting space.  In the meantime though, I'm just happy to have dressed up my thermostat...

I never knew that sentence would come out of my mouth! haha!

Finally got a handle on it!

I love my espresso, knotty alder, shaker style kitchen cabinets.  Like, love love!  But there was something missing.  Both visually and functionally.

Cabinet Pulls!

So we set out for the home improvement store to see what we could find.  We found these awesome contemporary style cabinet pulls that I remember seeing in a kitchen from the Parade of Homes last year.

{Picture taken during the 2012 Cache Valley Parade of Homes}

I loved this kitchen, and that is where my inspiration for what I wanted my cabinets to look like came from.  So we bought (32!) cabinet pulls and went home and got to work!

Here is what we did-

The small print on the pictures are: 

1. Make a template for your handle so you know where to mark the holes.

2. Use a nail set to make an indentation.

3. Now you know where to drill!

4. Use a drill to make the hole and make sure to keep it straight and not on an angle.

5. Tighten the screw on top and bottom through the hole and into the handle.

~Repeat 32 times!~

The end result after attaching THIRTY-TWO cabinet handles/pulls was this!

I couldn't be happier with the them!

But our cabinets aren't finished yet.  We bought some crown molding to attach to the top of the cupboards to give them a more upgraded, less builder-grade look!

So stay tuned for that!  

Also, we have started a painting project in our Boys' room that I'm hoping to get finished up this week.  Here is a little sneak peak!

Reversed Stenciled Lock Box

I was at my local thrift store a little while ago and stumbled upon this cute little cedar lock/jewelry box.

  It was scratched up, but the wood grain was awesome.  Then I remembered a fun thing I saw on Pinterest a while back.  Reversed stenciling! 

{Source: Welcometothemousehouse.blogspot.com}

{Source: Pinned here} 

So I got out my painting supplies and scrapbooking stickers and went to town! Here is the 

This was a fun little project that didn't take much time or effort.  My kind of project ;) Hope you enjoyed!