Hi there! Yikes…. It’s been a little while since I have been on the blog, but if you’ve been keeping up on Instagram, then you know the past few months have been a bit of a whirlwind. While 2020 was chaotic all by itself, the last few months took quite the toll on Skyler and me. For one, we totally tore up our backyard… *cringe*
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Renovating or revamping interior spaces is no small feat, especially when it comes to the kitchen. It’s so easy to get on Pinterest and gather big ideas. But it’s even easier to become overwhelmed with where to start, what to buy, and how much it will cost.
If you’ve been wanting to tackle your kitchen cabinets and have been struggling with getting started, today’s post is for you. I’ve got tips and tricks you need to take your kitchen cabinets from drab to fab for under $100! Yes, you read that correctly *wink* under one hundred dollars.
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Since I started the VIP Home segment a little over a year ago, I have received many emails from curious fans asking “why I do it.” It is a good question–a fabulous question, as a matter of fact.
Before blogging was ever even a thought, I was surrounded by all kinds of interior design, re-decorating, renovation, selling, moving, and buying–the whole nine yards. Through all of that, I unconsciously gained a love for adventure and houses of all kinds. For example: I am totally obsessed with little blue houses. If you do not believe me, check out my dream house board on Pinterest here *wink*
The main “life-event” that sparked the idea for “VIP Home” was when my family and I moved to Birmingham, Alabama and tackled a total renovation project. If you are just now joining us on VIP, be sure to take a glance back at some of the reno blogs here. Note: my leg came out unharmed after getting stuck in a wall *wink* We had a lot of laughs over it…so many that my mom took a picture to capture the moment *wink*
VIP Home not only broadens the VIP’s content from just fashion and beauty–because writing about the same thing over-and-over again gets a bit boring after a while *wink*–but writing about home also gives me the opportunity to share cool and fun ideas with y’all. In the famous words of American advertising director William Bernbach, “word of mouth is the best medium of all.”
So, to answer y’all’s question in the simplest way, I do VIP Home because the home has played a huge role in my life–from teaching me how to fix a leaking shower head to total renovation. Although I am no expert, I want to write about and share my home experiences with y’all in a fun way that makes YOU want to put more heart into your home. :)
Today, I took a break from painting my apartment to help out my parents with a few projects at their gorgeous, majorly renovated 1920’s Victorian house in Johnson City, Tennessee. Although the home is newly renovated, there are still a few things that need to be tidied up a bit before having a neighborhood welcome party. When my mom texted me that my only job was to clean the three fireplaces, I was a bit surprised because it was such a simple request. Wow–I thought–this will not take long at all! I should have time to get back to my apartment to finish painting my bathroom–*game buzzer* wrong answer.
Once I took a closer look at the fireplaces, I realized that they were in dire need of a hardcore cleaning. So, I embraced my inner Nicole Curtis–you know, the adorable, kick-booty renovator from Rehab Addict…Oh, how I love that show–and got to work on fireplace #1 downstairs.
At first, this task was very daunting because I felt like the tiles would never be pretty again, and that I was just wasting my time–BUT after spending several hours scraping away years of coal buildup (all of the fireplaces in the house were originally coal-burning), I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The once sad, dingy fireplace tiles were in the works of becoming a shinning star once again.
After the globs of coal residue were gone, I took a warm water/baking soda mixture and gently scrubbed each tile several times…using a Mr. Clean sponge–which is my favorite go-to cleaning tool. To my disbelief, there was still coal residue on the tiles…What?! After all that scraping and scrubbing…yes, after all that scraping and scrubbing. This was a bit frustrating–but I did not let that stop me! I knew that the fireplace tiles had the potential to be gorgeous again, and that was enough motivation for me to push forward and ruin my manicure. *wink*
After thirty minutes of scrubbing with my warm/water baking soda mixture, I stepped back and took a look–Wow! The tiles looked dramatically different….Now, they are so clean and so pretty! The once 1970’s yucky brown colored tiles are now a striking mix of warm terracotta hues that look amazing with the original, refinished hardwood floor. My goodness…it was so worth ruining my manicure *wink*
Making the fireplace tile beautiful again was a magnificent moment that made me realize why Nicole Curtis is addicted to rehab. I still have two more fireplaces to clean, and strangely enough…I am actually looking forward to it! I cannot wait to see what beautiful tiles are beneath the years of gross, coal residue! By the time I have the third fireplace looking all spiffy and new…I am pretty sure I will be addicted to rehab too*wink*
Hello, fabulouses, and welcome to Throwback Thursday on VIP! Phew! What a fabulous year it has been here in Birmingham–it is hard to believe that the family and I took on the project of renovating the 1981 fixer-upper only a year ago. Words cannot express how happy I am that the renovation is almost complete! It was fun trading in my high heels and jewelry for tennis shoes and a tool belt for a little while…but after a few, long weeks of ripping out and tearing up…I was happy to have my sparkly jewelry and stilettos back again *wink*
As I was reminiscing December 2012 blog posts, I realized that for an entire month–yes, that’s right a month–I wrote brief blogs about the home construction. Oh, man…that was a rough, but fabulous learning experience.
Here are a few of the things I learned from the renovation of the 1981 fixer-upper:
Okay–that is enough throwbacking for now. I must be off to bake some gluten-free brownies for my mom! I would make her do it…but she is not the best at baking desserts–no offense, mom *wink*
While I bake, check out the December 2012 archives here to see the VIP without makeup and her hair fixed. Woah! Say what?! *wink*
See, I told ya’ about the wicker wallpaper thing. Scary…I know….Check out the blog here to find out what room had this “lovely” wicker wallpaper…I kind of like saying “wicker wallpaper, wicker wallpaper, wicker wallpaper” *smile*
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