Update to my Ikea Update

I am obsessed, but finally I got the look I wanted!  The last product I used was Thompson's Liquid Stainless Steel, over the Krylon Stainless Steel appliance paint.

Here we go:

 

It is now brighter and shinier than before - this matches the real stainless in my sink almost perfectly.

 

Here you can see the brush strokes - what I love about real stainless steel.

 

How many girls can claim they have a towel rack gorilla glued to their clothes dryer?  
My dryer is now a decorative element ;)


I love my tiny home.

Disclaimer:  The info on my Thompson's package said this is not for food prep areas.  I am ok with that, I think they have to cover their posterior derrieres.  I will not be rubbing any slabs of steak around on the counter top, I guess.  The interesting thing is that the top coat is the same as the topcoat that they use in the faux granite applications. 

Ikea Substitute Update

It took me long enough…. We have had a LOT to do in our little ‘sweat shop’


We have two sales reps, one in the Atlanta Mart, the other In the Dallas Mart.  We have had three shows back to back, and a lot of orders to fill,  and a couple of ice and snow storms that put us behind, but life is good!  I love having work…….But this photo screams “ALWAYS wash your baby stuff before using it!”
In my defense, I had just vacuumed AND mopped.

So it pleases me to announce “It has been accomplished…”

Remember I really liked this from Ikea:

Thought process #1            lead to # 2         then to # 3

$500.00                                 $200.00               $21.00

        

And here it is, out of my head, and part of reality.

 Well, ALMOST.   I LOVE it, but it is not finished yet



In the photo I have to say, it looks pretty good.  But up close it does not look quite like I want.  So I ordered this:



Click on the photo to check them out.

It arrives Monday, I will update you then!  Click here to see the UPDATE

Come to a party – Kim at Savvy Southern Style has invited us.  Better late than never!

Ikea Substitute

Well, I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of this:



I am READY.  Here is the before:



It really was not all that bad.  It was a warm, toasty brown formica.  I really like granite, but have been resisting UPGRADE FEVER.  So today I prepped and primed:



and now it looks like this:



I am amazed at how well it turned out, so smooth.  This is actually Krylon paint for painting plastic.  I am using it as a primer over which I will apply the stainless steel paint.  I think it is going to work!

Stay tuned……

We are getting a new name for our blog

This is not easy - but several suggestions we have had over the past three weeks were to decide WHAT kind of blog this is,

•  a business blog, or
• a design blog

I don't know!  I want BOTH!  So, I have re-named this http://www.320squarefoothome.com.  My reasoning is as follows:  I want to focus on sustainability and simplification.  However, a big reason as to WHY I am able to have my lifestyle is my business, Minkee Baby Gifts Boutique.  So MBG will still have a presence, but I guess this is more of a design blog.  Wow, I said it.

All that being said, I need help.  Can you please help me come up with a tag line?  I want it to say something about simplification, simplifying, sustainability, anything of this nature.  I am going to award a 42 x 42 inch throw (in the store they are called BABY blankets, but grown ups can use them too :) to the winning tag line.  If Minkee Baby Gifts can fit in there somewhere, even better!

So, to tempt you I present this:



Become a follower and leave a comment on this post to be entered! So easy.....

Sorry about the blog roll having disappeared - it got lost in the transfer, but I will get it up and running soon!

Ikea Stainless Steel Sink

I have been searching for a vintage sink for some time now.  I finally found one, close by, but the owner wants $850 dollars for it.

Sure is pretty

I cannot do that as that would be about 1/16 th of what I paid for my home.  I am resisting the upgrade fever......

I found an adorable substitute, AND it has the advantage of providing 'happy, happy, happy feelings' because it is just like the sink I put in the home we built in South America.  IKEA makes a beautiful European style stainless steel sink for a pittance, a mere $202.00.  However, it would cost $397.00 in shiping to get it to me.  Bummer.

 Next I thought, hey, I can get one of these babies:

take it apart, and use the TOP as my counter!  These are just $200.00 with FREE shipping on ebay!
I can get my neighbor (who owns the MOST amazing piece of machinery ever invented, A PLASMA CUTTER, to cut the sink hole, and presto:  I have the look I want!

 SO I asked my self "WHAT do you really want?"  and I decided, "The LOOK" would be fine.  I thought a little more, and ruminated, and thought.  I am going a different route.  Yesterday, after reading rave reviews, I ordered 3 cans of this:

I already have primer, and polyurethane sealer, so for $21.00 more, I will have 'The LOOK".  Obviously, I am not picky, and I really want to save money to put towards our goal of moving out of the the USA someday with our son.  (I want him to experience missionary life, this is important).  But I really want a cute intermediate home......

Stay tuned.

Keep Calm and Carry On

I found this cool website - you can create your own 'Keep Calm' poster - and it is free!  Rare find.
So I made this:

Ok, not too clever - and cannot be described as subliminal advertising either, I suppose.  Go make a better one here: Keep Calm-o-matic

Belle and Sparrow

My new friend, Jenni, and her sister, gave us a special treat; we were featured along with several talented ladies from the blogosphere in this post:  Something New {Featuring You}
Thank you!
I first met her when I came across this post tutorial about painting vinyl floors.  Who Knew?  Click on the photos below to check it out.
                

Crazy for tiny cottages

As you know, I am an advocate for smaller homes.  Mine is built on a trailer, because I WON"T BE TIED DOWN...... But for all those normal people out there, this is a viable option.



MUST get rid of stuff though - you CAN'T keep it.  Trust me, I have had it, and then not had it, and then went back to having it again, and am now on not having it.  Life is SO good.

Red and BlacK

How rich is this: