How to Easily Paint Trim!

If there is one thing I have a LOT of experience with...it is this grasshoppers.....painting trim.  I have literally painted all the trim in my house over two years except for a couple rooms which are haunting me.  Nevertheless, I have definitely come up with the EASIEST way to do this that really isn't so daunting.

First off, things you need:

 

1. The best primer ever, no sanding needed.  I used the water-based version.

Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 water-based primer in white.

 

2.  Next up, you need a good enamel paint.  I used this exact kind from Home Depot.

Behr Interior Eggshell Enamel.

 

3.  You know I am a Benjamin Moore snob (haha) so I would count on no other for my topcoat!

Benjamin Moore Regal Select in Semi-Gloss Finish in white.

 

4.  You need some AWESOME blue tape.  Do not buy cheap!This stuff will be protecting your floors and walls.

Scotch Blue Tape (a thick size) :)

 

5.  My go-to baby.  I refer to her as my "shortie".  :)

Wooster Shortcut 2" brush 

 

6.  Last thing you need to finish it right!  

DAP Caulk in white (I prefer the little squeezy tube so I feel I have more control)

Alright kids, we know what we need, now how do we do it?

Welllllll......

Some before shots of my guest bathroom...

 

First thing I would tell you, if you are going to paint the walls, do this first!  Then you do not need to worry about taping off trim.

     After painting my walls, my trim looked like so.  Now time for the Blue Scotch!

 

I begin by taping around the bottom along the floor very tight to the baseboards so there is no bleed through onto the floors.

I then go along the tops of the baseboards again very tightly to the wall as close as I can get to the baseboard. 

 

After taping off all the trim your steps are as follows:

Using the Wooster brush (clean between paint types)

1.  Two coats of Zinsser Primer (this can be done in one day as it dries very fast)

2. One coat of Behr Enamel paint

3.  One to two coats of Benjamin Moore Semi Gloss top coat based on 

if you think it needs two coats or not.

         

Then your trim will look like so!  Let it dry overnight after the last coat you apply.

Then, when taking off the tape, pull up from the trim so it comes cleanly off.

Ok, last step!  The caulk!  It is very important that you do this step so it comes out looking professional.

Cut the tip at a clean forty five degree angle.  I just use a steak knife.

                                
                                Before Caulk                                                 After Caulk

        

You can clearly see the difference of how important it is to caulk.

 

Tah-dah!  Finito!

Totally worth it!

How to DIY an Ombre Wall!

Things you need:

1.  Paint brush (I used my go to 2 inch rubber bottomed Wooster Shortcut)

2.  Your two paint colors (Using white as one is the best way to go to get a stark contrast)

3.  Mixing bowls (3 for each of the mixtures you will need)

4.  Mixing sticks

5. Measuring cups you can get dirty

6. Tape!  I used Scotch Blue.

7.  Spackle and 100 grit sandpaper if wall needs patching

Ok so, first thing is first, the before wall.  Yuck.  It was well worn from the previous owners so after taking down the coat rack I spackled and smoothed with 100 grit sandpaper.

You can see the spackle is wet in this picture, so I put the spackle on then taped off my trim and divided the wall into five even sections.  

MIXING THE PAINT:

So, measure out your five even sections and tape below your marks.

For each mixture, mix paint into a separate plastic bowl.

I started with my pure white on the bottom and ended with pure Glass Slipper blue by 

Benjamin Moore on top, so I only needed to mix for the middle three sections.

Bottom: Pure White- no mixing needed

Second from bottom: 1 1/2 cups pure white, 1/2 cup glass Slipper

Middle- 1 cup pure white, 1 cup Glass Slipper blue

Second from top: 1 1/2 cups Glass Slipper blue, 1/2 cup white

Top: Pure Glass Slipper- no mixing necessary

Ok, paint is mixed, spackle is dry and sanded, sections are taped.

BRING ON THE PAINT!

THE PAINTING:

For the first coat, the tape stayed on and I just began with my clean paint brush and worked my way through the colors never washing my brush, starting with the white and ending with the Glass Slipper.  Blend as you go. I did large wide strokes.

I then took the tape off.

For my second coat, I did the same thing.  Started with a clean, dry brush, began with the white and worked my way through the colors, never washing my brush.

The difference of the second coat was that where the tape was I "X" brushed the two colors to try and make the gradient a little smoother.  I was going for a gradual ombre, not a stark definition of each level of color.  After "x" brushings I smoother it out by again, doing long wide strokes.

I followed by doing a third and final coat exactly the way I did the second coat.

Any questions just shoot me an email!

Hope you enjoyed!

Peace, Balance, Gratitude,

Lanna

Baby Sprinkle!

We decided to throw my sister a baby sprinkle for her second baby which is going to be the first girl baby in the family...yay!  

For the party we decided to do a literal theme for the "sprinkle" and have sprinkles everywhere!

This was the sign I created for the entrance to the sprinkle!

I began by creating a banner for Lennon, my future niece.  (Cutest name ever, right?!)

I always start banner making by purchasing really cute scrapbook paper, which for this occasion was white with multicolored dots.  I then purchased sparkly glitter letter stickers and gold ribbon. 

First, cut out a triangle template in order to trace and cut out the little flags for the letters of the name.

Then, stack all the paper triangles and punch out the holes for the ribbon so they all match.

Be sure to get thin ribbon so it fits easily through the holes.

Finally, thread the ribbon through, stick on the letters, and that's it!

I purchased the multicolored hanging banner from Target.

For the center pieces, I used Mason Jars and filled them with sprinkles and simply cut roses from my backyard and stuck them in.  I also hot-glued gold ribbon around the top for a little added sparkle.  :)

Since it was 86 degrees outside the day of the shower, I decided it would be best to let my 8 month pregnant sister open presents inside haha.  Therefore, I set up my mantel for presents!  

I made this banner by using the letter cut out thingy at my school and hot gluing it to gold ribbon so it almost looked like the letters were floating.  I also brought in the dot theme by hanging these little dot banners from Hobby Lobby on either side of the mantel.

This detail was a big hit!  The sprinkle rimmed glasses were one of my favorite things of the "sprinkle".  It was so simple too!  You literally dip the rim in corn syrup and then dip it in a plate of sprinkles.  Yep, that's it and it adds such a cute detail if I do say so myself haha.

So for the food, of course we used lots of sprinkles!  We got her favorite cookies from a local bakery that are made with loads of sprinkles.  We also made chocolate covered strawberries and pretzel rods that we sprinkled as well.

My sisters MIL is such a talented cake baker and decorator that she can literally make anything!  I sent her this idea and she more than delivered.  Yes, it was just as delicious as it was beautiful!

And that, my friends is how we made this Baby Sprinkle happen!

Hope you enjoyed!  Tell me what you think!

Peace, Balance, and Gratitude,

Lanna

Guest Vanity

OK, so I must admit, I have a problem.  I HATE 90s oak.  Like, cannot stand it.  Therefore, I have a personal vendetta to cover it all with paint.  After painting many things such as trim, vanities, bookshelves, cabinets, etc. white, I thought it was time to incorporate a new color.

First, let me show you the original, boring, blah, builder-grade vanity.  Yep, you got it, it needs some live-in-ing up!  

These two tools I use for EVERYTHING.  This is my go-to primer that I absolutely LOVE!  It does wonders and the best part is.....NO SANDING.  It seriously sticks to anything.  The Wooster Shortcut 2 inch brush I have used for trim, vanities, cabinets, furniture, anything and everything.  It moves so easily and fits perfectly in your hand.  This is my favorite brush by far and a lot of the time you don't even need to use a foam roller on the top coat.

So here is what she looked like after brushing two coats of primer on.  As I have said before, yes, primer makes you think, "Oh, God!  I shouldn't have done this!"  Trust me, it will be OK, continue to paint.  :)

For my paint, we chose a beautiful deep gray called "Chelsea Gray" by Benjamin Moore.  I purchased only a pint since I was just doing a vanity and made sure I got semi-gloss so it would be more stain resistant.  Always use semi-gloss when painting over wood.  Period.

One coat complete!  Almost done!

Two coats done and new hardware on!  Oh yeah, and I cleaned the counter.    :)

Done and gorgeous!  My husband and I love the color!  Highly recommend Chelsea Gray from Benjamin Moore if you are looking for a deep gray.

What a difference!

Thanks for reading!

Peace, Love, and Balance,

Lanna