Hello my friends!
The house is rocking along, making progress here and there. After Haven, I jumped back into things, while my parents went up to their mountain house to take care of their garden. Mom met up with 3 of her brothers up there and they had the chance to catch up, which doesn’t come often enough these days. And I painted my interior doors dark brown.
After they returned home, my dad has been hard at work in his garden in Marietta as well and one afternoon while I was sitting on the porch, he came in with a whole 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes that he had just picked.
He wanted me to be sure and show off his crop of tomatoes.
Take a picture of these, he said, and show them on your blawggg. 🙂 And so I am.
While they were gone, I took time to do a few updates at the house, some painting and updating. It’s looking goooooooooood! Yes, I’m excited and happy.
Before: These are the old brass hardware that go on my stair railings that I took down to paint the walls and they needed freshening up, so I got out my Rust-Oleum Oil rubbed bronze spray paint that they nicely sent me to use. Rust-Oleum is a Haven sponsor and I got to know those girls. They have been great to send me some products to use in my house. Big thanks for that!
Freshly sprayed with Rust-Oleum (my fave oil rubbed bronze spray paint), they are now freshened up and ready to rehang.
Another update with Rust-Oleum spray paint is my vent covers for the house. They are old, yucky and definitely need an update. I could go out and buy new, but I figured with some spray paint, they will be just fine. I took the first batch outside with my Primer and favorite off-white spray paint, Heirloom White, the perfect neutral in satin.
Lined up waiting for their spraying debut.
A nice coat of metal primer and they will be ready for the paint.
Two thin coats of Heirloom White and they are looking a whole lot better.
Back on the wall, they look great now. I haven’t put screws back in the wall, but I’ll work my way through the house getting these painted and mounted again. Easy update and saves some money. I love that part!
Next, it was time to tackle those doors. I told you a few weeks ago that I was painting my interior doors black and I did it! I decided on a really deep dark brown/black like I did in my old house for the vanity. It is not quite as stark as jet black and it will have a warmer feel with my brown wood floors.
I used Valspar paint and primer in one and it really covers great. It would have been nice to cover in one coat, but it did take 2 to get it nice and smooth. The color is Fired Earth by Valspar.
My favorite way to paint doors and furniture is with a brush and small foam roller. Those foam rollers leave a nice smooth surface once it dries.
And here’s the first door after 2 coats of paint. I love them! This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I absolutely love it in this house with the light walls.
I’m not finished with this one yet, don’t worry. My door knobs in this house are all over the place, from bright brass to antique brass. I plan to replace them all eventually with antique brass lever style. Maybe a few at a time when I find the right ones.
Check out these retro ones from the 70’s. I don’t hate them, but they don’t all match, so I think it would be better to just replace them all and I do love the lever style. You know, for older folks like me. 
My hinges are antique brass too, so I’ll just stay in that family.
And just so you can see the hallway with all the doors coming off it, here you go! Imagine this with my dark wood floors and I think it’s going to look smashing. Just the way I envisioned in my head. Love when that happens!
Other side of the hallway. There are 6 doors total coming off this hallway and I finished them all. Now I just need to move downstairs to the den and finish painting that room along with the doors there. Ooooo, it’s all coming together nicely.
So, that’s what I was up to last week! As always, you can follow along with my house renovations by clicking on the house on my right sidebar, which will take you here, for all the updates.
I wish you all a very Happy 4th of July tomorrow. Enjoy and celebrate.
There’s a song I’ve been listening to on the radio that has really touched my heart lately: Steven Curtis Chapman’s Long Way Home. It’s sweet and happy and has such a nice message and it really speaks to the journey towards home that I’ve been on this past year, getting back into a house of my own. Of course, I know my “real” home is not on this earth, but as we all follow the road that will ultimately lead us to that home, this song speaks volumes to me and makes me get teary-eyed every time I hear it. I smile and cry all at the same time.
Sometimes it is just a long way home….
You probably won’t be able to resist singing along with me. So tell me what you think!
Hey, Rhoda! another inspiring post as usual. Those are fine-looking tomatoes. What variety are they?
Hey Rho:
The house is looking great. Love the picture of your Daddy with his maters. Can I have some? Call me!!!
L,
Judy
Wow! Those are some nice tomatoes! Your dad is so sweet. I love it that he is part of your blog! He’s one fine gardener and carpenter! I like the look of the dark doors!
Wow, Rhoda, your house is looking great….I love how the doors look with the brown/black color…..Your dad’s tomatoes look yummy to me!! Hope you and yours have an awesome 4th of July….
Those are yummy looking tomatoes! I only like garden ones anyway because the store bought ones are tasteless.
I like the look of the dark doors against the light colored walls. Of course the different doorknobs would drive me crazy but one step at a time.
Happy 4th!
Oh Rhoda, I couldn’t listen to that song without getting teary eyed either. So beautiful and touching, and a perfect anthem for your journey. And your dad is just the cutest thing with his tomatoes!
LOVE the dark doors, Rhoda — everything is looking good!! Looking forward to thrifting with you on Saturday. 🙂
Happy 4th!
Heidi 🙂
Those tomatoes looks great! Yum!!
Your home is looking great too. I love the dark doors so much!
Sweet, sweet daddy! My father is just like yours, he can do anything!!!!!
Great looking tomatoes!! Your mom and dad are such an encouragement for those of us who are aging gracefully. I think they have more energy than I have now in my 50s!!:) Love the Black doors…I cannot wait to see everything when the house is done. It is going to be beautiful!
I really didn’t think I would like the black doors, but they look wonderful!!
Those are great looking tomatoes!
those tomatoes doo look yummy! And great job with the spray paint! Have you tried using graffiti artist paint? It comes in a huge variety of colours and is much cheaper than the cans you get in DIY stores. I’m sure they have the same kinds across the pond! http://www.writersbench.co.uk/spray-paint/
Rhoda, it looks like you are making great progress. Love the painted black doors! We too respray painted our vents when we moved into our house… just gives it a much fresher look!
Rhoda…those doors look magnificent…I can just imagine how wonderful they will look with your floors….You had a great vision and it is wonderfully coming along….Love, love your dad….looks like he is so proud of his harvest….Love all that you are doing…your home is going to be a wonderful showplace!!…Have a great and safe 4th!
Rhoda,
The house looks amazing and all your hard work is paying off. What a blessing to have such helpful and talented parents helping you along the way.
Wish I could join you on Saturday for thrifting. I will make it one day, for sure.
My husband and son just moved from Homewood in April and we just bought a house too. Can’t wait to get it in… You’re an inspiration and I’m trying to convince him on painting the doors black.
have a great 4th
Betsy
I love the black doors. They look very sophisticated. Tell you dad those are some fine lookin’ tomatoes.
Rhoda, I love the doors, they do looks nice. I would not have thought to use a “Not quite” Black. It is all coming together VERY nicely.
Your dads Tomatoes are fantastic!!
I know you’re itching to move into the house now! Everything’s coming together so nicely!! Good job on the doors. Can’t wait to see them with the new flooring.
Your parents are absolutely adorable! And what an inspiration they are. Also, I love your board and batten at that height. I was thinking about it but was fearful. Now that I see how yours looks I am truly inspired.
Oh, beautiful tommy toes, that’s what they say down here in Virginia! The doors are gorgeous, this is a trend i’m really liking!!