After being in public grade school education for seventeen years, most recently with eighth graders at Johanna Perrin Middle School in Fairport, N.Y., I decided to retire to pursue my creative passions. Before my departure, there was one thing I wanted to accomplish, and that was to "zhuzh up" the faculty lounge. This idea has been spinning around in my head for years. Every time I had a lunch break, I would imagine different ways to make the space better. After receiving approval to work on the space from the principal (with no allocated budget), my initial step was to enlist some help. Paula, another retiring colleague recognized for her creativity and artistic skills, accepted the invitation, and we put the plan in motion. The faculty lounge is a moderately-sized room with a small kitchenette that includes a sink, counter, cabinets, refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven. The rest of the room was filled with mismatched furniture pieces that had been collected over the years. The walls were painted light yellow and blue, and the only adornments on the walls were two large bulletin boards. It was a functional room but lacked personality and warmth. While looking over the lounge furniture to see if anything could be salvaged, I came upon the green chairs that had been there since I arrived. During my lunches in the lounge, I often wondered where they came from and how long they had been at the school. To satisfy my curiosity, I asked some of my colleagues. To my surprise, everyone seemed to say the same thing: the chairs were there when they arrived. The furthest account was from a teacher who retired after 32 years, and he concurred that the chairs were there when he began at the school. The exact date or where they came from still remains a mystery, but they had undoubtedly served their purpose. In the spirit of Marie Kondo, I expressed gratitude for their long service before pushing them out the door. Not being able to change the cabinets, countertops, refrigerator or floors. I focused on things I could change like the bulletin boards, wall paint and furniture. Starting with the bulletin boards, which were in good condition but needed to be repainted, and the outdated '70s fabric replaced. Once the boards were painted, I attached linen fabric with spray adhesive, smoothed it out, trimmed excess, tucked the rest under the frame, and concealed uneven areas with black cording using hot glue. Following that, I tackled the walls, painting them a gray-beige color to brighten the space. The faculty lounge is a perfect example of why I love paint in interior design. It can take a room like this and immediately transform it from "drab to fab" — sorry about that, I think I'm still feeling the '70s vibe from those bulletin boards. For furniture, I checked Facebook Marketplace and Goodwill. Found two chair sets on Facebook and side tables at Goodwill, all at reasonable prices. The first chair set was easy to disassemble for painting and cleaning the upholstery. I used the same color paint as the bulletin boards, adding two layers and sealing it with polyurethane for durability (which is needed especially if they need to last another 32 years). The second set of chairs appealed to me because they matched the color tones in the kitchen cabinets, and the rattan was easy to clean. After sanding the arms and legs, I applied two coats of the same paint used on the bulletin boards and the first set of chairs, then sealed them with polyurethane. The orange-reddish color on the tables had to go. I sanded them and applied a whitewash finish to the tops, then painted the bottom black. When the bulletin boards were moved to the other side of the room, a large wall area was left that needed to be filled. Keeping the lack of budget in mind, I looked at the resources on hand. From a previous project, I had cover prints of "The New Yorker Magazine" that were purchased from Etsy. In addition, there were two large blank artist canvases in storage that could be used. In order to save time, we split the tasks: I went to Kinko's to have the prints made and to find frames, while Paula took the canvases to work on creating color block art. With everything in place, the kitchen area was still not meshing with the rest of the room. To bring it together I found peel and stick wallpaper to use as a backsplash. I was very apprehensive about hanging the wallpaper, but I didn't have to be. Paula was awesome and came with everything that was needed to hang wallpaper, including a level. Yeah, Paula! We went through two rolls of wallpaper, and it took us more than three hours, but it was looking great. The next day, I returned to caulk around the sink and countertop, giving it a more realistic appearance. It was a beast of a job, but the results were next level and absolutely worth the effort. The final reveal: Kitchenette I love this wallpaper it looks so real people actually touch it to see if it is brick. The colors in the wallpaper work so well. It even makes the generic cabinets look good! Kudos to our custodial staff for cutting an old sewing machine cabinet so the microwave, and toaster oven would both fit in the kitchenette area. Eating Area If budget permits, the school now plans to acquire individual small square tables that can provide more seating options but can also be combined to accommodate large groups. Seating Areas The rattan chairs tied in with the cabinets and floor, but I needed them to pick up the color in other set of chairs. As luck would have it, I was at Good Will, and I found two outdoor pillows (wipeable) that worked with the color of the chairs and the artwork. Booyah! Artwork Paula did a great job pulling colors from the prints to create her color block paintings. Just a little reminder of where we began. Before and After Even though we will not be using the faculty room ourselves (because of our retirement), we were absolutely thrilled to be able to contribute to its revitalization. It gave us great pleasure to leave our mark in such a meaningful way before our departure. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new post as they are created. As always, I love to receive comments, keep them coming! Products used: Magnolia Cabinet Paint Black Scotch Spray Adhesive Etsy New Yorker Art Prints NextWall Peel and Stick Wallpaper

The first part of this transformation began with my need for a filing cabinet to help me become more organized. After researching new cabinets that were wooden and stylish but also cost-prohibitive, I went to Goodwill where I found a metal cabinet (not my first choice) for $2. The drawers worked, but the outside was a mess. For $2, I decided to give it a try. After cleaning it and removing the lock and drawer, then filling the gaps with bonding agent, the post concluded with me sanding and applying a primer to prepare the cabinet for the next stages. This brings us to this post and the completion of our transformation. Let's get to it: Recap of last post cleaning-removing-bonding agent-sanding The wooden cabinets I had found online had molding around the edges. In an attempt to replicate the look, I asked my husband to cut some trim pieces that we could attach to the front of each drawer. As soon as I placed the pieces on the drawer, I knew we were heading in the right direction. To adhere the trim, we used a liquid glue (products used will be listed at the end of the post) and then filled in the corners with spackle, leaving it to dry overnight. The next day, after sanding and prepping for painting, I opened up my beautiful blue color choice (all products used will be listed at the end of the post). I used a brush for the first coat, then switched to a roller to get a smoother finish. To seal the cabinet, I used a clear wax. I ordered new handles much better than the pulls and feet to make it look more like a furniture piece.   I must admit that I prefer the refinished metal cabinet over the wooden cabinets I initially wanted. Now it's time to organize. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Products Used: Zinsser Bullseye 123 Primer Liquid Nails Adhesive Dap- DRYDEK Heavy Duty Spackling Annie Sloan Aubusson Chalk Paint Annie Sloan Clear Wax

Recap of part one: I purchased an antique door for our new pantry. Even though my brain was telling me not to purchase the door, my heart won out and I purchased it anyway. This decision led to a large amount of work, which included stripping, sanding, and repairing, resulting in a large amount of time invested. Hence, that's why there is a Part Two. With the door sanded and ready to go, I felt like it needed something to elevate its appearance. I chose to add molding around the glass at the top and the panels at the bottom, giving it the finished look I wanted. After applying two coats of Kilz paint as a primer, I then painted the door in a blue shade that complements the colors in my home. Although I hope that my pantry will remain organized (a girl can dream, right?), I wanted to block the view in some way. To achieve this, I found gold wire mesh sheeting at a local big box store that coordinated with the accents in our kitchen. By cutting out four rectangular shapes with wire cutters and affixing them using the remaining molding from the glass front, I achieved the perfect amount of coverage while still allowing light into the pantry. The finished pantry door. I am in love with everything about it. The color, gold mesh, doorknob, and especially its uniqueness. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.

Throughout the year, I search for Christmas decorations at Good Will. In fact, some of my best finds have been made during the summer months. For instance, I once came across a basket filled with greenery that caught my eye. While others may have seen a dingy basket of greenery, I saw a collection of materials that could be used for my Christmas decorations, all for the price of $2.99. The basket, which was in perfect condition, not only contained holiday picks but also had floral foam blocks and moss. The only thing I had to do was clean everything up a bit. Out of curiosity, I decided to check the prices of these items to see how much I saved. I found all the products on the Michaels website. The hyacinth basket was priced at $18.99, the individual pinecones at $0.99 each, the two types of pine tree branches at $7.49 and $4.49 each, the magnolia leaves at $13.99 each, the red berries at $4.49 each, the floral foam blocks at $10.99 each, and lastly, the moss at $24.00 for the largest bag. Altogether, the total comes to $157.30, resulting in a savings of $154.31. This experience reinforced my belief in carefully examining things before passing them by. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.

Today, I began decorating for the holidays! My decorating style has changed over the years. Before, I would spend hours clearing a room and then bring in holiday decorations. However, I got tired of having to pack and unpack everything. Now, instead of removing items, I prefer to try to work them into the holiday theme (little secret: if something can't be worked in, I tuck it behind the couch or in a drawer. Don't tell anyone). I recently applied this approach to two large Pottery Barn vases that sit on my mantle. I currently have pussy willows in the two vases. Not only are they beautiful, but the neutral color lends itself to adding other elements. Armed with holly berry stems, fir-pine sprigs, and additional pussy willows, I got to work. There really is no right or wrong way to do this. I placed one stem in at a time, stepping back periodically to see how it looked and tweaking if needed. Next, I added pine sprigs around the rim for balance. Remember to walk around the vase to make sure all angles look good. When everything was done, I took stems out and placed them where there might have been empty space. The last thing I did was tie a bow on the vase. I will not lie; it took me more than an hour to do each vase. I think the result was worth the time put in. I guess I still spend a lot of time decorating, but at least I will not have to drag things back in. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.

With my annual holiday party coming up, I took Friday off from work with all intentions of cleaning. But as it happens, I got sidetracked. Sometimes this happens to me (a lot really). It started by tweaking one holiday decoration, then another and another, and another until a few hours had gone by and no cleaning in sight. It looked great though, and I checked that off my to-do list! I will not be giving you any cleaning tips (Ha Ha), but I will share what I did! Starting on the outside I tweaked my flower boxes. These were the easiest Christmas flower box I have ever done! I bought greens from Wegmans, laid them in the bottom, placed the lantern in the middle, added three holiday stems from Michael’s on either side of the lantern, and topped it off with ribbon. Voilà! Time to back inside it is cold. Inside I started with the Newel Post. It is the first thing you see as you walk in the house. So welcoming! These are the vases I had been working on, along with the finished mantle! All the stockings are hung by the faux chimney with care! These are the vases I had been working on, along with the finished mantle! All the stockings are hung by the faux chimney with care! These were such a find! I got them at the after Christmas sale at Target. They are the perfect color and style for my living room. In the dining room I tied a bow around the lantern and added a candle. This guy has been with us forever! I used to have him outside sitting on a sled every year. You can tell his gloves used to be a brighter green. He’s earned his stripes and now has a permanent spot in the house every Christmas! I am going to leave you now. I had better get back to cleaning. If you liked this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.

My mother-in-law gave us an amazing vintage music cabinet that was originally used to hold sheet music and vinyl records. We were excited to receive the cabinet and brought it home with us. However, I painted the cabinet with blue chalk paint, which I disliked, and since I was unsure of how to use it, I decided to store it away. A few years later, I was looking through a magazine and saw a cabinet that had been transformed into a stylish bar. The article made me think of our cabinet and why I couldn't do the same. Guess what? That is exactly what I decided to do! After getting the cabinet out of storage, the first thing I did was fill in the decorative florets on either side. They did not fit in with the vision I have for the cabinet. I chose black chalk paint (all products used will be listed at the end of the post) this time as it goes better with the style of the cabinet. The paint dried a little lighter than I wanted, but I resolved that by adding black wax to darken the color and seal it. Although I liked where the piece was going, I needed some type of wow factor. Initially considering a mirror on the cabinet's back but opted for gold leafing instead because of the cost.   It is best to work in one small area at a time. Once you brush on the adhesive, you need to wait 45 minutes before placing the sheets on. The small area above took two hours. I loved the final result, but gold leafing is definitely not for the faint of heart. If you haven't guessed it, I am turning the cabinet into to a bar. Alas I have run out of time and energy. Stay tuned for Music Cabinet Redo Part Two! P.S:  If you haven't guessed it, I am turning the cabinet into to a bar. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new post as they are created. See below for product information. Products used : Annie Sloan Athenian Chalk Paint Annie Sloan Black Wax Metal Leaf Adhesive by Cratf smart Gold Metal Leaf by Art minds

The Music Cabinet is complete. It was a lot of work, but the final product was worth it. This is what took happened: In the last post, I painted it with Annie Sloan Athenian Black Chalk Paint and added the gold leafing to the back.   To make it a bar cabinet we needed to create storage space for glasses and wine bottles. We replaced the larger boards with thin slats then added three shelves. Two of the shelves, along with the bottom of the cabinet, had quarter rounds added to them to hold bottles of wine. I liked the hardware that was on the cabinet, so I painted them black and added gold antiquing wax to them. I am extremely pleased with the finished product. Taking the time to work it out has definitely paid off in the end! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.

My husband had asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I said I would like to celebrate with my friends and family. The guest list totaled seventeen which left us wondering how we could accommodate everyone (my birthday is in February no sitting outside). We eventually figured it out and had an amazing evening of fun, food, friends and family. Let's see how we did it! This is our dining room. I love it, but it would not hold seventeen people! This is our family room. No room here for seventeen people either unless you move all the furniture around in your house. We moved the family room furniture into the dining room. I have to say I am loving the wall color and chandelier with this furniture! Then we moved the dining room furniture into the family room. We added another table and chairs, which pays off when you refinish furniture and have seventeen chairs available to use. The seating was taken care of, leaving the menu which my husband was in charge of. It consisted of lasagna, roast pork tenderloins with cherry sauce, Greek chicken kabobs, maple mashed sweet potatoes, asparagus bundles wrapped in bacon, and tossed salad with homemade honey mustard dressing. He also baked two cakes, one chocolate and one white cake (the white one is my favorite). I know, right!! It was a perfect birthday celebration surrounded by my family and friends. The next day we moved everything back, rested and reminisced about the night before. Not everyone would want to move furniture to accommodate a large crowd, but for us it was the perfect solution. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are

I tackled my linen closet today. It is one of those things I have put off and put off and put off! Maybe I was hoping elves would come along and do it for me. No such luck! I call it a linen closet, but it no longer resembles one. It has become a catch-all place with a few sheets thrown in. I really try to avoid it if I can. When I do go in there, I grab what I need and get out quick. My plan of avoidance was foiled when someone left the linen closet door open. I came upstairs and got a full-frontal assault. The view was not pretty and could no longer be ignored! So began my Sunday of cleaning, painting, and organizing my linen closet. This is the door that should have remained closed. The idea of all of you seeing this mess made me cringe. But, for the post's integrity, full disclosure was necessary. The first thing I did was remove everything inside. Much better! After emptying everything, I thoroughly cleaned the space. Then, I removed the shelves, making sure to number each one as a precaution in case they fit only in the original spot. Following this, I painted the sides and shelves with white paint and the back with gray chalk paint. Then, I added shelf liner from the Dollar Tree to all the shelves. This prevents scratching and looks nice. After all that work, it was time to have some fun! I picked up some baskets and storage containers at Home Goods. I already had these glass containers. I tried to use them for sugar and flour at one time, but they did not keep moisture out and the sugar lumped together. I fished them out and put soap, Q-tips, and eventually cotton balls will go in the third one when I get to the store. Here it is! So much better than it was before! I am not under any illusions that the linen closet will continue to look like this. But if the door should be left open, there are pretty things to distract your attention, so maybe you won't see the mess? Whoa, I am definitely naive. Oh well, for now, I am just going to look at my beautiful linen closet and take in the moment. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.