Projects

BACKYARD PARADISE

So we have been working diligently over the past few weeks in the backyard redo.  We really wanted to make the most use of it all spring and summer as opposed to working on and it and then fall and winter hits again!  It was a very late spring here in Denver, but finally the trees are a bloomin' and we got to enjoy a nice fire pit evening this past weekend.  Although we still have a few things we need to finish, the bigger projects are completed and below are the pictures to share.  Hope you all find it inspiring and/or useful to your projects =)  

BEFORE

We outlined the areas we wanted to put the rocks in with spray paint, and started digging. 

Some of our friends came to help, which was really nice and helpful!

The rock pile aka Wrigley's sunbathing spot!

We ended up using flagstone we found on Craigslist for a good price and went to a stone place for the gravel (

AFTER

Next step/year will be the grass!

Whiskey barrels from Home Depot

ENTRY WAY WALL

We tackled this project after getting the idea off of  Pinterest (http://www.sadalewis.com/2012/02/entryway-project-diy-board-batten-html.html).  Our coat closet is filled with our coats and when guests came, we had no where to hang stuff so we looked for ideas and found this one.  It was perfect for our space!

We wanted to add some color so we painted the wall the dark brown we wanted, let it dry, then began putting the panels up.
Measured the frame of it first.  Then added the middle boards.

Mr. Handyman

Almost finished

Elmer's Wood Filler to cover up the nail holes

 

BASEMENT BAR

We added a bar to the basement.  We tried hiring someone to do it for us, but all of the contractors wanted $700 or more to just build the basic frame and none of the ideas were to our liking so Todd took on the project.  We honestly were so much happier with the decision in the end because we built something we really liked. 

Framing it with basis 2x4's

Another view

When the contractors were building the basement bathroom (which is one of the projects in this section), we had them put in some pipes intended for a wet bar.  We did have a plumber come and connect the pipes since they were copper and didnt really have the tools to cut them and connect them.  I believe it costs under $100.  There was an esisting outlet on that wall, and that is where we connected the fridge, which we got on CL for around $75.  The lighting in the bar was either already there or we paid a little extra for the electricians that came to connect the bathroom lighting to add a canned light above the sink area)

Used plywood to cover the bar and got it ready to stain.

Used some nicer wood for the bar top then stained it.

Added a border/lip to the bar top.  Todd wanted to put baseball cards as the background to the top.

Did two coats of stain.  Started to lay out the baseball cards.


We were originally going to put a clear coat of Eposy Resin to the table top then Todd's mom, Nel suggested we get a custom fit glass to put over it instead...much better.  Called a few custom glass shops and this one cost $75.

Used some stick on tile for the flooring.  We didnt want to go crazy on it and this works great

We ended up paining the walls with black chalk board paint.  It worked fabulously .  Did two coats, let it dry for 2 days, then went over it with white chalk and erased the chalk.  I guess they suggest you do that so that its easier to erase chalk later on.