DIY: ceiling fan update

As I have said in the past, I am not a big fan of ceiling fans and how they look, but think that they serve a very important purpose.  Its just very hard to find any that are simple but slightly modern/classic.

I didn't want to buy brand new ceiling fans for our guest bedrooms, when we had some decent ones that were already here.  So, I did a little bit of DIY work on them and it was so easy!

Supplies:
existing fan
sand paper
paper towels
windex
paint (I used gray, surprise, surprise)
small foam roller (great to find the ones in which the packaging is also the paint tray!)
clean flat open working space

{Step 1}
Disassemble your fan.  Please use caution when working with electrical wiring!

{Step 2}
Take fan blade apart from the arm bracket that connects it to the motor.

{Step 3}
Lightly sand the side of the fan blade that you are painting as well as the edges.

{Step 4}
Wipe all blades clean of dust with paper towels and windex.  (Windex is the cure for everything.)

{Step 5}
Arrange the fan blades on a non stick surface.  (I used the empty thin Elfa boxes)

{Step 6}
Use your paint and roller to lightly apply 1 coat to the edges first, then the intended surface.  Let dry.  Repeat 1 more time for a total of 2 coats.

{Step 7}
Reassemble your fan blades/brackets and re-install fan.

Here is our finished fan.  The very dark gray paint (same as we used on the front door) looks so great.  Its not black... but isn't too light or dramatic.

The next idea/experiment is to try to fashion a different "globe" to the light... This could easily be done with a longer threaded rod/attachment system and a small drum shade from Target!  Eventually I will get to that.  Its not a top priority.  Getting boxes out of my house and becoming organized is the priority.

Have a great week friends!
Katie, H&H

mom's special gift

Some of you may know that my mom has been working on a special gift for me.  When we first bought the house, mom asked if she could design one area in our house for me on her own, as a surprise.  I had no hesitation asking her to please design the "Design Studio" (as we have now deemed it) in the back house.  And she was tickled and hoping that this room would be what I chose for her to help with.

I gave her a "program", which in the design world is a needs/wants list for a project, quantitative and qualitative.  The list included a twin bed for spill over guests and the occasional nap whilst designing beautiful spaces ;), lots of storage, a desk and a layout table.  I wanted it to be fun yet sophisticated, warm and inviting, etc.  She told me multiple times that she kept going back to the "program" to guide her in her process and selections and ultimate final product.  

The room was revealed to me on our move day after several days of "install" by mom and her two sisters.  Upon seeing it I of course cried, with tears of appreciation and love for my sweet mom who knows me so well and does so much for me and David and everyone around her.  I am so very lucky, there aren't really any words.

Still to come are a glass desk and a kitchen type work island, but I couldn't hold it in any longer.  I wanted to share with everyone how amazing of a design eye Reanie has.  She and I could do awesome things together one day ;)  I am so excited for her.

So without further adieu, here is Reanie Marchand's masterpiece.  

{Two items of note:}

~ Item 1

The necklace in the small white frame has my grandmother's (Reanie's mother) "Faith, Hope, Love" necklace with all of her PTA pins (turqoise and grey) strung from the chain.  Mom always used to tell me that when her and her sisters were little, at Christmas time, Grandma would label their presents with Faith Hope and Love.  And none of them knew which one was which until Christmas morning.  She was a stinker.  I miss her sweetness.  I am so happy to have this with us.

~ Item 2

My talented Aunt Connie expertly made all of the drapes, roman shades and the twin bed cover.  She truly is an artist with her hands, the sewing machine and fabric.  And my other sweet Aunt Joanie, helped all along the way with the install and keeping my mom sane throughout the whole process ;)

sneak peak

We've officially moved in.  All in all its been a lovely time.  This first week has been about simply moving boxes in, unpacking, getting boxes out of the house, taking large amounts of items to Goodwill and getting ready to start making it pretty, as David calls it.  We still have more grand ideas to come.  Despite my Type A personality and perfectionist tendencies, here are pictures of our house, turned upside down, shaken, not stirred.  I keep telling myself this blog is about the process, the journey, and to show this part is just one of those steps.  So here its.  Enjoy!  More craft, construction and design projects to come!

Welcome!  [we re-painted the wooden door.  Its a great door.]

Living room Friday before we moved in.  [Ahh.  So calm.]

Pretty kitchen. [Backsplash order pending!]

Master. [so clean]

elfa! [love me some organization.]

[in progress]

{living room to kitchen}

[living room}

{kitchen}

{front bedroom/office}

{laundry room & chalkboard!}

{back bedroom/nightmare}

{master bedroom}

[I had to make the bed up at least for this one...]

{master bathroom}

There you go.  Obviously there is more to come.  {i.e.  back deck, landscaping, DIY project for old ceiling fans.. yes! those fans again, and other design projects I have up my sleeve and or have stolen off of pinterest.  www.pinterest.com  -  Helping women feel completely inadequate yet inspired at the same time.}