We have been busy at the house. Mom and Dad took a break last week and went to the mountains for a few days. Not really a rest, a break from working on the house. They have a full garden at their NC mountain house that they take care of every year. Yes, they are amazing!
Before they left, Dad worked on trimming out some of the windows that needed some help. Whoever trimmed out those windows sure didn’t know what they were doing, so we are helping them along and making them look better. All the windows in the house will not match, but they will look fine once they are all painted out white. White, the color that unites. They will still be quite rustic, but I can live with that as long as they are white.
Me, I’ve been caulking. And caulking. And caulking. Takes a long time to do that, but it will make a big difference in the painting process.
The kitchen windows got an additional trim-out on the inside and they look great. Did you know you can use baseboard molding inside a window too? Yep, be creative with that molding, you can mix it all up. Might not be the proper way to use it, but it works for me. It hid all those ugly boards and made this window so much better. That was my idea!
Here’s a reminder of what they looked like before…..
And now! So much better. Again, when they are painted white, they will be loverly.
In the living room, I wanted to get those ready for the painting party on Saturday. See that big gap there?
I caulked all those big ole’ gaps and they will look better painted out too.
There are 4 huge windows in here. All the carpet is up in the whole house now.
Down the stairs. That carpet downstairs will stay, since it is brand new.
Dad worked on trimming out that middle window, which was naked of trim.
And this room across the hall, which will be my new office, had no trim on the window. It was just boxed in with sheetrock. So, dad worked his magic on this one too.
And now it looks like this. He added a little windowsill in here and I can set some plants there. Love that!
The masterbedroom with no carpet. Yippee!
Look how grody these grates are! Yikes, aren’t they bad? I know, I could go out and buy all new ones, but I think I’ll DIY these. We are going to take them all down, scrub them down and get all the dirt off, spray them with spray primer and then give them a nice coat of Rustoleum Heirloom White. They will look brand new when I’m finished with them. Rustoleum was nice enough to send me some prime and spray paint. I’ll show you all of that when I get to it.
It’s so hard not to jump ahead to the pretty stuff. Like paint! I love paint. Looking at paint chips gets me excited. You too?!
That color on the right, Sand Beach, was one of the colors in the HGTV Green Home and it is a beautiful color, but I think I’m going with Moderate White and Bright White trim. I decided to try light walls in my main living areas and I think I’m going to love it. Moderate White has just enough warmth to it so it will have a good feel, I think. I had bright white trim in my Birmingham house and even though I usually go for a little more creamy white, I did like the bright white. It seems to make colors pop even more. It’s hard to photograph colors accurately. Moderate White looks much warmer in person than in this pic.
Do you like bright white trim or something more creamy? I’m pretty sure I’ll go with a bright white.
I will be buying all my paint next week. I got a great promotional opportunity with my ad network and Sherwin Williams, so that is very exciting.
(Missi (Havoc to Heaven), Phyllis (not a blogger, but has a booth at The Classy Flea), Sheila (Plum Doodles), Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) and me.
In the meantime, these angels showed up on Saturday and miraculously all the trim got primed by lunchtime! Can you believe that? My dad was very excited about that part. That will get us further down the renovation road. These girls were great and we all had a fun time chatting and painting. Sure made that work go faster! I can’t thank them enough for their time.
I have to give a huge shout-out to RustOleum. They are sponsoring Haven and after I begged the RustOleum girls for spraypaint and primer, they came through in a BIG way!. Sent me a case (4) of this wonderful Zinsser BIN primer, which is great stuff. It is oil-based and sticks so well. It covered up that stained woodwork and now we’ll be ready to add some glossy white trim paint.
Sheila, busy painting in the dining room.
Connie (Sensible Redesigns) had to leave right before lunch, but that girl worked magic in one bedroom and down the hallway. She’s fast! Missi did a great job too and they flew through the bedrooms painting trim.
My dad was there too, priming away.
Sheila, Susan, and Missi in the master bedroom.
Phyllis priming the doors.
Here it is after priming, already looking so much better, don’t you think?
Can’t wait to get rid of that dark blue, but priming the trim really makes it lighter already.
In the living room, those big windows look really good now and that railing looks better in white.
One wall in the dining room, with the Rockport Gray I’m going with on top.
My mom is a doll and she was in charge of getting lunch for us. I called in pizza to go and she picked it up and brought along a nice salad and peach cobbler for dessert.
We all sat in the living room, ate lunch and chatted. It was so nice to have those sweet ladies stop by and help us. I’m sure we will do another paint day soon!
I had to share this sweet pic from last week. My dad’s favorite spot is in his swing and this is what we see frequently. His fave napping spot! He’s so cute.
So, that’s our last week’s progress. We’re getting there, slowly but surely. Thanks for being out there and following along. I love to read all of your comments on the house progress. Your comments keep me excited and raring to go! I can’t wait to get this house painted and on to the floors.
It always amazes me what paint can do. I look forward to seeing more. Your parents are so sweet, and such a blessing. Love the photo of your dad napping… that is one hard working man! How wonderful to have friends to come and help. Thanks for sharing this step in the journey =)
Oh girl, you are really killing me. You’re really killing me. These house updates are like cliff – hangers. I can’t wait for the next edition. I love how your house is coming along. You are truly loved by your folks and good friends that help you out. That photo of your dad napping was so sweet. I am super excited for you and can’t wait to see more of your house. I may not want it to ever end, although I know you do!
I’m sitting here in the rain of Oregon living through your renovation so keep those posts coming girlfriend. We’ve been in our house for 20 years and I HATE my dark woodwork! I can’t get my husband on board with paining it so hurry up and get those doors done so I can show him how super it looks.
I’m so happy you have a house. You were so wonderful while you were living with your folks, but there are people who need a place to call their own. Can’t wait for you to have yourown home again.
Rhoda, love all the updates on your house, so many ideas & directions for others decorating. Like others, I eagerly await your updates about house (love, love, love decorating and remodeling) . I am still amazed at your parents, they are precious, know you give thanks for them each day. Picture of your Dad resting is priceless! Please tell your parents they are becoming famous on your blog – wonderful people! Thanks again for sharing remodeling updates! You have wonderful friends to help you with painting, inspiring to know about the good people in GA. From a middle GA. fan of yours.
Rhoda,
It was so much fun painting all your trim out it was a breeze with all the carpet and flooring out. Your house is going to be amazing. So sorry I missed the lunch that peach cobbler sounds real good, maybe next time.
Connie (painting its what I do 😉
Your dad needs his own blog! No, both of your parents do! Mom could show pics of her peach cobbler and Dad could give gardening advice! I can see it now! A spin-off blog! They are just the cutest. At the very least, I would love to see them do a guest post!
I love everything you are doing on your new home. It is such an inspiration to get great ideas from. Thanks. I wished that I lived in the south so that I could come and help you paint. Great job ladies.
Rhoda- everything is shaping up nicely. It’s always the finish work that makes a room look great. What nice friends you have to help you. I’m afraid your parents are going to miss you when you move into your new place. They may come stay with you. lol Blessings Paula Lusk
Oh- How I wish I were close enough to give you help painting. I really LIKE painting trim…weird, but true! You have come such a long way! I pop in every post but don’t always have time to comment.
I am glad your Dad and Mom got to get away for a few days-although it sounds like they worked their butts off up there, too! Hope you are having a great day- back to yard work for me- xo Diana
Your making quick progress! What a difference the trim painted white makes. I can’t help but think this house must already be so special in your heart. You are working so hard with your parents, they must be so proud and cherish every minute!
Hi Rhoda! Oh, your house is certainly coming along and everything is looking great! How nice of the gals to pop in to help with the painting. I know they really sped up the progress! Your little mother and daddy are so cute and how wonderful that they are able to help you so much. I’m so proud for you!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Oh I love these posts — for so many reasons…
Your design solutions are brilliant — such helpful hints on doing things that are both aesthetically and economically pleasing.
Your parents and friends helping out — fills my heart.
That your hard work ( both in writing this blog and renovating a house) is getting acknowledged. Thank you Lowes, Sherwin Williams, Rustoleum, you picked the right girl to feature your products.
Bonus pictures of your mom and dad! Go team Rhoda!
WOW, Rhoda! What a difference that white trim makes! In searching for our next home I’m amazed by how many have plain wood trim. All those homes look so dated and drab. White trim is a miracle worker for sure. Can’t wait to see what you do next. And, I love how hard your parents are working to support you. Our family is like that too! What a blessing.
You’ve already accomplished so much! It’s really fun to see the process. It’s coming along beautifully!
You are blessed with wonderful parents and great friends! I can see how beautiful everything will be when you’re done. Great job.
It is coming along! I love Susan’s pink floral painting pants, that girl sure dressed well for a priming party:)
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
I love reading all the updates…how nice of your friends to lend a hand at helping! You have such beautiful furnishings that I can hardly wait to see you get all moved in & decorated! Your parents are wonderful…the photo of your precious Dad napping is just priceless!! Blessings!
Looks awesome , Rhoda! I love the bright white trim also and have it in my home too. I love your dining room wall!!! Your Dad can make anything look better, can’t he? Love the pic of him asleep in the swing……you are very blessed with wonderful parents just like me!
Bonnie
Hi Rhoda:
The house looks great and the pics are good too…so great that you have all those great people helping you – can’t wait to see all the finished rooms! ! ;-))
I would print the photo of your dad in black and white and hang it in your office. That is a priceless photo of good Christian father who is continuing to give his all to his daughter. You are one blessed daughter.