Just Call Me Mrs. Vila
Alternative Title: This Weekend I Lost My DIY Home Improvement Virginity
I did it. I bit the bullet and began my first project in the new house. And the coolest part was... I actually finished it too.
Here's the rundown:
What: I decided to paint two of the doors in our lower level. One was a closet door and the other leads to our utility/storage room.
Why: Aside from the completely tacky hardware that was gold, silver, and chipping away; the door itself was in desparate need of some good 'ol tlc. Let's zoom in, shall we?
Blech!
How: First, I spent about two weeks perusing DIY websites like this one, this one, and this one. I used some advice I received in Grad. school about researching, "you know you've read enough when ideas and concepts begin repeating themselves." After visiting these three sitesabout 9 times each I felt confident I knew all the supplies I needed and the steps I needed to take. So I got to work...
I sanded the doors and used Elmer's Wood Putty to fill a few major dents and holes in the wood. Then I primed the doors using Oil-Based Primer. The primer only barely covered the surface and it was not even at all however, the reading I did prepped me for this so I wasn't panicked.
I applied three thin and even coats of latex, interior white paint (again, per the advice of my friends, you know... The DIY websites mentioned above). By the third coat I felt confident enough I had applied enough paint.
The final step was to purchase new hardware to match the other hardware on our exterior doors in the lower level. The doors are secured and so far, the paint is still secure too. phew
A few things I learned:
- Oil-Based Primer is m-e-s-s-y. I was absolutely covered in it and it doesn't come off skin very easily (and I pulled out a few hairs while removing the paint form my head, how on earth does it get there?) I definitely still had specs of paint on my arms on Monday when I went in to work. It's cool though, I acted all tough and said, "oh, that's just from a little DIYing I did this weekend." I'm pretty sure I impressed at least 3 peopleincluding myself.
- I can actually start and finish a house project. I know this sounds silly, but I know myself, and I sort of wondered if I'd become bored and want to move onto the next thing. Much to my delight, this was far from reality. I felt super motivated to have it finished so the doors could go back into place and we could move on with our lives =).
- Now that the project is finished, Mike and I both think it's way too white in our entryway! I'm sort of bummed about this but it definitely is a step up from what we had before so I do feel like my efforts were worth something.
And, just to document... Mike didn't help one bit. Not even when I reattached the doors. It was truly all me from start to finish (he offered but I can be pretty stubborn and refuse help from anyone when I'm in the right mood). I'm happy to have this first task under my belt. I won't be as hesitant to begin others and I know it can only become easier from here. Well... hopefully.
I did it. I bit the bullet and began my first project in the new house. And the coolest part was... I actually finished it too.
Here's the rundown:
What: I decided to paint two of the doors in our lower level. One was a closet door and the other leads to our utility/storage room.
Why: Aside from the completely tacky hardware that was gold, silver, and chipping away; the door itself was in desparate need of some good 'ol tlc. Let's zoom in, shall we?
Blech!
How: First, I spent about two weeks perusing DIY websites like this one, this one, and this one. I used some advice I received in Grad. school about researching, "you know you've read enough when ideas and concepts begin repeating themselves." After visiting these three sites
I applied three thin and even coats of latex, interior white paint (again, per the advice of my friends, you know... The DIY websites mentioned above). By the third coat I felt confident enough I had applied enough paint.
The final step was to purchase new hardware to match the other hardware on our exterior doors in the lower level. The doors are secured and so far, the paint is still secure too. phew
A few things I learned:
- Oil-Based Primer is m-e-s-s-y. I was absolutely covered in it and it doesn't come off skin very easily (and I pulled out a few hairs while removing the paint form my head, how on earth does it get there?) I definitely still had specs of paint on my arms on Monday when I went in to work. It's cool though, I acted all tough and said, "oh, that's just from a little DIYing I did this weekend." I'm pretty sure I impressed at least 3 people
- I can actually start and finish a house project. I know this sounds silly, but I know myself, and I sort of wondered if I'd become bored and want to move onto the next thing. Much to my delight, this was far from reality. I felt super motivated to have it finished so the doors could go back into place and we could move on with our lives =).
- Now that the project is finished, Mike and I both think it's way too white in our entryway! I'm sort of bummed about this but it definitely is a step up from what we had before so I do feel like my efforts were worth something.
And, just to document... Mike didn't help one bit. Not even when I reattached the doors. It was truly all me from start to finish (he offered but I can be pretty stubborn and refuse help from anyone when I'm in the right mood). I'm happy to have this first task under my belt. I won't be as hesitant to begin others and I know it can only become easier from here. Well... hopefully.
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