DIY: Spraying Backsplash

So when I moved into my place I hated my kitchen. The cabinets were this light peach colour which I painted dark brown the weekend I moved in (I couldn't last a week). Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of the space then but I'm sure you can visualize the peace eyesore.

I wasn't excited about the backsplash and the floor tiles either but changing them was a project that I had to warm up to. One Friday evening, about 4 months back, I finally got the guts to change my backsplash. Now,  I didn't feel right about taking a hammer to the backsplash since the tile were in great condition. It was really only the colour that I didn't like. So I decided to spray them. A decision I wish I made years before! Love the results!!!

Kitchen before transformation

After giving the tiles a light sanding, I degreased and stubbed the tile down to get rid of any dirt. I then covered the cabinets and countertop with plastic and started priming. If you are going to try this make sure wear a mask and ventilate your space by opening windows and door. Safety first! I recommend using Restoleum spray primer. Take your time when spraying and use light even strokes. You need to build light lighters of paint, letting each layer dry in-between. If you are too aggressive with the nozzle and spray too much you can get bubbles or runs in the paint. Not a look you want to have.

I then used the same technique while using Restoleum Painter's Touch white semi-gloss spray paint. It is important to make sure that the primer has fully dried before moving on the this step. If you don't you risk the the primer bubbling up in you.

You will have to go over the tiles a couple times to make sure that that you haven't missed anything and to ensure that you get an even finish. Once you are finished BE VERY CAREFUL while peeling off the tape. For the best results I would score the tape with an exacto knife to make sure you don't peel off all your hard work with the tape.

I finished off by caulking the countertop-backsplash junction point with clear caulking just to make sure everything was sealed in.  Here is the finished product! (Note: this picture was taken weeks later after painting the cabinets a Cracked Pepper Grey and painting the back wall in Chinchilla White. Let me know how your own backsplash venture goes!

Fall Colour Trend. Not Just for Fashion!

I always find that when September hits not only do the brightly coloured hues of summer fashion leave us for another year, but so does the fresh pops of colour on the home decor front. If you really take note you can see a strong correlation between fashion and home decor. The same colour trends seem to pop in fashion and interior design from season to season. It is like the two are close cousins in a family where intermingling is highly encouraged.

While perusing Pantone's website to get some colour inspiration in preparation of my quarterly home redecoration, I came across Pantone's Fall 2012 Fashion Color Trend Report.

There are a few yummy colours that wouldn't just look great in my closet but in my home. Anyone who knows me know that I love grey, so the featured titanium is a definite favourite. I'm also loving the honey gold, pink flambé and rose smoke. I have no doubt that these will find a way into my 800 sq. ft. in the next couple of weeks!

So in the spirit of fall fashion, I left you some timbits of some gorgeous jackets, trenches and dresses you can expect to see this season and some fabulous fall decorating pallets for your home.

High/Low: Farmhouse Inspired Breakfast Nook

Style At Home's High/Low: Farmhouse Inspired Breakfast Nook. Two rooms, one style. One of them cost $4,756 while  the other $1,357.  Can you tell which one is which?

Before I dive into the cost reveal, I'd first like to comment on how closely matched these two spaces are. Besides the shade of orange on the chairs, light fixture and base of the table, the difference is hardly recognizable. Bravo Style At Home! This farmhouse inspired breakfast nook is so vibrant with its pops of orange and yellow. Not to mention that the colour pallet clings on to the last few weeks of summer while allowing a smooth transition over to fall. I approve!

Ok, without further adieux, let's get to how much it costs to get this fresh look. The nook on the left is the cost effective option coming in at under $3000 less than the look on the right. Under close examination there are definite signs. The marble top and sleek profile of the Saarinen-style table, the vintage steel and aluminum bran pendant light and the Dualit New Generation Classic two-slice toaster from William-Sonoma. That being said, the eco-option still gives you the same look without much sacrifice in style.

Now to all my fellow thrifters, I can't sign off without saying that I still feel that you can achieve this look for even less than the eco-option. Although you won't be able to replicate this exactly, mainly because you never know what you are going to get while thrifting, you can definitely get the essence of the fresh farmhouse inspired look with an open mine, imagination and a little paint. 

   

Small Spaces: Stylish 350 Sq. Ft. Studio Apartment

This is a perfect display of stylish living in a small space! I love seeing great design but I especially love seeing great design in the tinniest of spaces. It's almost like we are a whole community of small space dwellers trying to inject life into these boxes that we live in! This 350 sq. ft. studio apartment, designed by Joel Bray, shows how a studio apartment can be transformed into a fabulous home by being sectioned in to functional areas. Seating for 4, a nice cozy "bedroom" and a perfectly sized kitchen. What else can you ask for? Not to mention he's done it with impeccable style. Joel also uses great tricks to make the studio feel spacious, like the cohesive colour palette and the use of dual function furniture. This makes me feel like moving into a studio apartment just to see what I can do with it!

Watch more videos at House and Home TV

Weekend Project: Stained Side Table

I found this side table while thrifting and knew right away that I had to take it home with me. It had great line, was made of solid wood and had this neat garage style sliding door feature that made it unique! All it needed was a dark stain job and some interesting paper on the inside to hide scratches and it would look like a gem!

I started by giving the side table a quick cleaning to get all the dirt off then began my hours of sanding, (and yes, I mean HOURS of sanding!) Once all the old finish had been sanded off it was time to stain. I used Minwax Wood Finish in an nice dark ebony colour. The Minwax stain is a pretty good choice because it stains and seals the wood, so you don't have to worry about going back and sealing the whole piece.

Once I stained the whole piece and I sprayed the inside of the piece with Restoleum flat black spray paint and covered it with a grey peel and stick cabinet draw protector. I just cut the paper to size, peeled the wax paper back gradually while sticking it down to the bottom of each drawer.

This was a great weekend project and besides the labour intensive sanding it was relatively easy. It now has a home at my brother's place as his night table.

Expanding our Square Footage on Pintrest!

Eight Hundred Sq. Ft. has just joined Pintrest! I'm not quite sure why I am just being introduce to the fabulousness of Pintrest, but seriously! What a great tool! Check out my pin boards like Eight Hundred Sq. Ft. Loves, Fab Furniture, Sq. Ft. You, Small Spaces, and Framsation for bright home decor ideas and fun finds.

If you don't have an account get one pronto. It's a great way to stay organized with items you find over the internet and browse other pin boards for home decor ideas. You can also follow Eight Hundred Sq. Ft. on Pintrest for home decor inspiration and to stay up to date with fun finds like this amazingly sexy painted bias armchair from anthropologie!

No. 1 at the Box Office

I just wanted to take a moment to thank Eugenia Loukain, Mischa Balilty and the whole Blackout Fest Team for an AMAZING show! The event was a total success and the start of something phenomenal. It was a pleasure showcasing my work at the festival and it felt incredible to watch people interact with my pieces (like a mother sending her child off for their first day of school).

Don't fret if you missed the show, check out my 'Seating at the Oscars' and 'Reclaimed Movie Theater Seats' posts for the process of how I gave new life to old movie theater seats.

Jessica Gorlicky sitting in the Grace Kelly Reclaimed Theater Seat

 Sitting in the featured Grace Kelly Reclaimed Theater Seat is the talented Jessica Gorlicky of JESSGO. She specializes in fine, live and abstract art which she demonstrated at the Blackout Fest with live, interactive body paint as she answered her ultimate question: Human Nature. What's Your's?

Philippe Blanchard and Frank Rodick in Spencer Tracy and Ginger Rogers Reclaimed Theater Seats

Artist  in Alex Mcleod in Ginger Rogers Reclaimed Theater Seat

I was so disappointed to have missed the Blackout Fest workshops with these three revolutionary artist. Not only did Philippe Blanchard, Frank Rodick and Alex Mcleod talked about their stories and the choices they made to establish themselves in their field, but also shared a wealth of knowledge in a Q&A session to educate aspiring artist on their journey to success.

Author and Owner of My Beauty Bank sitting in Spencer Tracy

 

Blackout Fest Attendee enjoying Spencer Tracy

 What an amazing experience! Keep your eyes open for the second edition of Blackout Fest. Every years is a new theme featuring talented artists from all artistic backgrounds. I can't wait to see what is in store next year!

Hot for Herringbone!

So I have been having a secret love affair with herringbone everything. Herringbone hardwood; herringbone tiles; herringbone fabric. It's so sexy and timeless! It can fit in any space but imagine the personality and impact it would have in a small space. Swoon... I'm in love!

 

 

My obsession has definitely taken over!  I am going to have to find a way to incorporate this in my space somehow.  I will keep you posted on how my 800 sq. ft. will get its herringbone stamp.