Last week wasn’t too eventful, although every little bit helps. We are still trimming out windows and starting to paint the trim. After our whirlwind priming party, we are officially on the first coat of trim paint and it will take 2 to get that job done.
We had a great painting party earlier, so if any of you would like to come out this Friday for more painting, we’d be glad to have you. Let me know if you can make it, seems that Friday will work best for the girls who are coming. I know everyone has busy schedules!
I added one more little detail to the board and batten in the dining room. A little ledge to go around the top just finishes it all off. And paint of course. I love this little detail and we hunted down a small trim piece that would work on top.
Here is the mitered corner and how it comes together.
The fine folks at Frogtape sent me rolls and rolls of this wonderful green tape to keep our painting projects neat and tidy. It works great to keep paint from seeping where you don’t want it.
I taped off my gray walls that had already been painted and we worked on getting one coat of trim paint on the board and batten.
Sheila came back one day and we got that done in a few hours. I like to use a small roller for this kind of job.
A small roller and trim brush (yes, I need a new one, I know!) will get the job done.
And this is with one coat of semi-gloss trim paint in Sherwin Williams Pure White. I painted the rest of the walls above in Rockport Gray by Benjamin Moore. I really like the high contrast of the 2 colors together and this is going to be a fun room to decorate. Can you see my big honkin’ square Ballard’s lantern hanging here? Oh yeah, I can too!
From another angle, looking out to the porch. It’s gonna be beautiful!
Got one coat of trim paint on the kitchen windows too. This is one bright room. In fact, one thing I love about this house is all the light that comes in. I can’t stand a dark house. I thrive on light coming in and a dark and gloomy house depresses me. Some houses let in more light than others. I feel so blessed that this house is so light and airy and lets in plenty of light from all rooms. That makes me incredibly happy!
Next, we moved on to the windows in the den. They are pretty sad and pathetic. Evidently when new windows were put in this house, they never got properly trimmed out. Our way might not be proper either, but they look a whole lot better now than they did then.
There were big gaps that had to be filled in so that we could nail up the trim boards, so dad filled them in with some smaller pieces of wood.
He evened it all out so that the trim would sit flush on the windows once we got it nailed up.
Sad, huh? All it needs is a pretty surround to make it look so much better and that’s what we did. Me and my trusty nail gun at the ready! My dad is funny with the nail gun. He likes it now, but wants me to shoot it. If it is laying there and I’m not around he has used it a time or 2, but wants me to use it most of the time. Fine with me! That thing rocks my world. He claims now that he does like it and it does save us a lot of nailing time.
He got out his hand saw to make a window sill. He measured and measured this step for about 10 minutes, complaining to me that things that used to come to him so naturally, now he has to really think about them. Math stuff. I know how it is. I’m already feeling that too.
He’s so cute and after all that figuring, even though the cuts weren’t perfect, they were fine once I added some wood putty. He was aggravated with himself for not getting it perfect, but we are not aiming for perfection around here. Done will work for now. 
The window sill goes into place.
Covering up some of those gaps. That’s the idea, hide the ugly.
Then a bottom board is nailed in underneath. We are going for a Craftsman style on these windows.
And here it is all done. I went back and caulked it all and it is ready to paint now.
It will look great painted white and the walls will be Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray.
Next, we moved up to the little foyer where these tiny windows are located. They are SO rustic and rough and falling apart, so we decided to replace them with at least smoother 1×4’s that will look better primed and painted. These old cedar boards are just ugly.
Nothing pretty about this at all.
See how rough they are?
So, that’s the next job. Taking down the old and cutting new boards on the miter saw and adding a trim piece to the inside. Then I’ll caulk and paint these windows.
Step by step, bit by bit, things are coming along. I know we have accomplished a lot already, but it sure looks like there is SO much more to do. After we finish painting all the trim, we’ll start on the walls. I’ve already picked my paint colors for the most part. Since I’m not getting all new furniture and everything, I can figure out what colors I will need. I’m going with green in my office again, cause I just love it so much. And the main color will be that Sherwin Williams Moderate White, a nice warm white that I think will show off my furniture to perfection.
That’s week 6! We are still working hard and hopefully next week, there will be even more progress. Thanks for following along our journey, it’s fun to share with all of you!
Oh my! The work you and your parents are doing to make this house your HOME is simply awesome!!! I am proud for you that you have come to this place in your life and still have them to enjoy it with! Before you know it, you will have all the renovation & repair done and you will be moving in and unpacking box after box, putting your stamp on every room! And we will all be with you, every step of the way.
I love all the light coming into your house too. Mine doesn’t get as much as I would like but I definitely appreciate the light I do get. Everything is looking great and I am so excited that you are getting this opportunity to transform your house. Enjoy!
Wow! Your home is coming along beautifully! I know it must seem overwhelming but what an opportunity to make this the house of your dreams. Your dining room is looking great. One of the things I noticed right aways was all the natural light. Looking forward to see everything that you will do.
Love your dining room and all the light is wonderful. Your solution for trimming out the windows is perfect.
Lookin’ good!!
It ALL is looking FANTASTIC, those details around windows/doors are making a tremendous difference. I also love light filtering through windows – there is a connection with nature that makes me feel so much better every day. Your progress is making big strides, step by step to the finished goal – what a pair of doves your parents are – I know you enjoy them too as we all enjoy watching them on your blog. Keep it up, cant wait to log on again to see what’s new. Love and Blessings, Lady Delores.
I’ve been enjoying how little by little you and your parents are transforming this house! At the end is not just a beautiful home you’re going to cherish but also all those happy memories you are creating while working on it!
If your daddy lived near me I would hire him! What a sweetheart!!
Picture #13 is my favorite! It shows your dad’s hand.
I said it before, I will repeat. I love what God is doing in your life with the house and your blog, etc….however, when I see pictures of your parents or read about how they are helping you, I am totally blessed. I know you are too!
Don’t even know him, but I know I would love your dad! what a trooper helping you out in your new home!
You are so lucky to have you Dad and Mom helping you. Your progress is amazing with so much to complete.
I get so excited when I see your posts on your renovation, it’s like getting a new magazine in the mail! Thanks for sharing with us along the way, it looks amazing already.
It’s exciting to see all the progress you guys have made. The dining room is looking awesome already! Doing all this trim work is slow-going but will make such a huge difference.
If I lived in Alabama (instead of Illinois), I would be at your next painting party! Funny how you can get so excited for a person you’ve never ever met. I love reading about your new house and always look forward to the next post about your progress! Keep ’em coming!!
Looks wonderful, Rhoda! I am so excited about your DR coming together so beautifully – you & your parents are a great team!
Bonnie
Rhoda, your house is becoming your home. And I think it will be all the more special because of the touches that are your mom’s and dad’s. These you will treasure forever.
I would come paint if I was closer. But since I am in East Tennessee I will say a prayer that your day is fun and productive!
I love reading your blog. As I read and follow your new home progress, I flash back to the beginning for me. It was after you were on your own and your journey continues to be such an inspiration. We have very different challenges, you just inspire me, period! Life is good.
I have that math problem also, only difference is I have had it since about age five (or when I started school):)
I JUST LOVE FOLLOWING ALONG with this cottage progress. I am so happy and excited for you.
Rhoda, its looking really good. Your dining room is going to be a jewel especially when you get that fabric on the windows and all your lovely things. I know its a lot of work but week by week its becoming a beautiful home.
Loving it Rhoda…it is gonna be a beautiful home!
Whew! Lots of hard work going on there! I know the payoff will be worth it!~TJ