Mid-Point Update: The InBeTween Project

Well, we’re halfway there! Although, the room isn’t quite halfway, yet. Here’s a recap and few images.

Recap

Here’s what we’ve done so far and what we still have left:

• Paint her bedroom SW Crushed Ice; it’s not blue, but my choice was to do something a little more neutral
• Paint trim and doors SW Alabaster
• New faux Roman shades in a fun, colorful pattern
• New bedding and soft goods using a variety of colors and patterns
• Slip cover for the bed
• Add bias tape trim to the slipcover
• New rug
• DIY extra large bulletin board
• Narrow display shelves for the snow globes
• Lots of fun art
• A new desk and desk chair in a clean, contemporary style
• Update the bins for the cubby
• A second chair for reading
• Fun lamps and accessories
• Hang shelving for snow globe collection
• Hang art
• Schedule photographer
• Reschedule photographer

It may not look like it, but we got a lot done last weekend! And this weekend we will be wrapping up a couple of projects, including the fabulous DIY bulletin board made with that stunning coral colored velvet!

Pearls of Wisdom from Weekend Warriors

The weekends tend to be the time that we attack the projects. My hubby is a regular 9-5 kinda guy and my ‘tween uses her room for school from 9:00am to 4:00pm everyday. So, Saturday and Sunday are our big project days. Last weekend we spent a few hours Saturday painting and on Sunday we worked on a few DIY projects.

Gilding the Lily

Instead of buying our girl a new bed, I decided to have a slip cover made for her current bed since it’s only a few years old. To create the new slipcover, I bought a plain canvas “duck” fabric in a neutral color. I knew this was going to be pretty plain, so I decided to add some bias tape trim.

Normally, I would have the work room add this when they make it. This time, I decided to add the trim after it was finished. I decided to take this approach because

1. The workroom I planned to use was squeezing me in as a favor
2. I had the trim before I received the fabric and didn’t want to risk losing my spot in the workroom queue
3. I am experienced at sewing and adding trimming

So kids, don’t try this at home… or if you do try this at home, follow these steps:

1. To calculate the amount of trim you’ll need: measure the length and width of the bed and multiply the length by 2.
2. Add the 2 numbers and additional 2 feet for the box pleating in the corners if you have it.
3. Convert those measurements to yards and add 10% for waste
4. Using a ruler and straight pins, pin the trim 1″ from the edge all the way around the slipcover – and this is important – while the slipcover is on the bed (or chair or sofa or to whatever furniture you are adding the trim)
5. Remove the slipcover and apply the trim.

You can either use fabric glue or stitch witchery to apply trim if you don’t have a sewing machine – or the time and skills to sew. Sewing the trim in place is the most permanent and stable solution. That being said, I don’t have the patience for sewing, so I used stitch witchery 😜.

I think it looked really good when I finished! It definitely added some color and sophistication to the the slipcover!

Shelving an Idea

I bought these really cool shelves from a new vendor I discovered called Shelfology. I needed something narrow, but long enough to look balanced over the cubby. I also needed plenty of space for the current quantity and any future globes we might acquire.

With these three 36″ shelves, we should have plenty of shelf space left to have some fun styling!

Know Your Paint!

With brushes in hand, my husband, my daughter, and I tackled the trim paint. I am an experienced painter. I have pretty much painted every surface in the past 3 houses I have owned… at least once. To say I’ve learned a few tricks over the years is an understatement. The most precious pearls of wisdom I have regarding painting trim is a) know what product to use and b) know how to use the product.

What product do I use? Trim and doors require enamel. You should never use latex paint on your trim and doors. Why? Latex wall paint is rubbery (latex = rubber), so it won’t function properly on trim. For trim, you need something with a hard finish, like enamel (think finger nail polish). I always use Sherwin Williams ProClassic Enamel, but I really wish I could get my hands on some industrial strength enamel like they use in the theme parks… I digress.

How do I use this product? Enamel requires multiple THIN coats of paint. I repeat: MULTIPLE THIN COATS. In fact, you will probably apply 2-3 coats of paint and a 4th “touch-up” layer.

Enamel is thinner than latex paint, but it dries slightly faster and does not level itself as well as latex paint you would use on your walls. What does that mean?

• You will see more brush strokes
• It will drip… a lot
• It is less forgiving
• It will go on very thin
• It does not “hide” well
• Brushes or sprayers are the preferred method of application

When you are working with enamel and using a brush, an important consideration is that the first layer will be relatively transparent. That is the nature of the product. Don’t try to layer it on thickly! In fact, you really want your brush to be relatively dry compared to wall paint.

Sounds like a pain? Yeah, it kind of is, but the good news is that the second and third coats have better adhesion and go on relatively quickly. In this project we did 2 coats on the trim, but the doors required 3 coats and a touch-up!

A Reprieve

Last week I announced that I knew I wasn’t going to make the November 22 deadline because there was delay with my fabric and that caused me to lose my place in the workroom queue. Apparently, I am not alone and the very generous people at the One Room Challenge have extended the deadline to November 29th! Whoopee!

I just found out that my workroom will have everything ready by the week of November 19th. I was able to schedule my photographer before he leaves for the holiday on the 20th, so I may just make it! If I don’t have professional photos, I’ll at least have a few really great iPhone photos I can share of the completed space.

Next week I will be sharing the bulletin board (really, this time I will), a couple of other DIY projects, and some styling tips! I can’t believe we will be closing the chapter on this project soon!

If you want to see what the other One Room Challenge participants are up to, you can click the image below and visit the blogging page. See you next week!