Finishing Basement: Faux Finished Floor

Creating the faux finish on the floor was definitely the most fun step of finishing the basement (excluding decorating it of course)! It allows you to be creative, gives you instant gratification and you can't really make any mistakes. Plus, it meant we were almost done!

We love the look of stained concrete floors, but it has to be applied to bare concrete and our's had already been painted by previous owners. Yes, we could have scrapped the floors but the faux finish approach sounded much more fun! The last time I show you the floor we had primed it and were just starting to put the base coat down...

Faux Finish…

Step 1: Choose Your Colors

We used five colors (Benjamin Moore: Autumn Leaf, Fresh Brew, Harvest Bronze, Sweet Rosy Brown, and Black).

Step 2: Swirl Paint and Glaze

Using paint stir sticks, swirl all the paint colors around a paper plate along with some glaze. Note: The glaze helps extend the paint and allows you more time to work with it. 

Step 3: Dab, Dab, Dab...

Using plastic shopping bags dab the bag into the paint mixture and then on the floor. Tip: When dabbing the bag on the floor frequently change the position and direction of the bag.

Step 4: Apply Top Coat

Two coats of a polyurethane will protect your finish while creating a smooth surface, adding shine and making the colors "pop." 

Step 5: Have Fun with It!

You really can't make any mistakes! If you don't like the way one area turned out simply grab some more color and give it another go!

Recommend Using...

Primer: Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Primer for all Projects (water-based) ...It can be used on concrete, this has become my go-to primer because it can be used on all-surfaces.
Paint: satin finish (water-based)
Finish: Bona Traffic (two-component, waterborne, polyurethane)

XO,

   Jaclyn

Thank you so much for visiting CHC! I love your sweet comments, and read all of them! Please become a Follower and a fan on facebook…

{This post was shared on Creation Corner, Finding Fabulous, My Romantic Home, Remodelaholic, The Shabby Nest, and Simply Designing.}

Our Story in a Nut-Shell

Where we meet…

Got Engaged…

Delray Beach, Florida / January 2006

Just Married…

May 20, 2006

Honeymoon…

Bahamas- Columbus Isle (San Salvador) 

Graduated from College…

Kansas State University
(Degrees: Computer Engineering and Agribusiness... You can probably guess which belongs to whom.) 

Home Sweet Home…

Roeland Park, Kansas (Moved in May 18, 2007)

It's a girl…

Angelia Bella Grace... October 8, 2008

It's another girl…

Chiara Anna Belle... April 26, 2010


It's a ...brain tumor?!?

Our lives got turned upside down last spring when my husband was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor... the good news is that it's slow growing and we have hope in our all-powerful, healing God!

The Cool Family…

Much more to come…

XO,

   Jaclyn

Just For Fun: How Mr. Cool Cleans

“Swiffer Baby!”

“She even gets into the hard to reach areas!”

Hope that gave you a good laugh!


XO,

   Jaclyn

Finishing Basement: Drywall and Beadboard

We officially moved our master bedroom to the basement last week! I was beginning to think the day would never come! I know you want to see a post on the finished product... don't worry it will soon come...but first I want to take a few steps back and show you the drywall and beadboard phase so you can fully appreciate it.


Since basements and bathrooms tend to have moisture we used mildew resistant drywall (Greenboard) on the interior walls and whole bathroom, and beadboard on the exterior walls. Luckily, unlike many of the homes in our neighborhood (thanks to some foundation work done by previous owners) our basement stays dry as long as we keep our gutters clean. 

(Please excuse the blurry photo...)

Here’s the run down…

Beadboard:
1. Measure
2. Cut
3. Screw into frame
4. Caulk seams

Drywall:

1.Measure

2. Cut (using a utility knife... score and snap)

3. Screw into frame 

4. Tape seams and corners

5. Mud seams, corners and screw holes (always wait for it to dry)

6. Sand (use a sanding block and fine grit sandpaper... at least 150 grit)

7. Mud 

8. Sand

9. Mud

10. Sand

WARNING: Seal the room, wear a mask and prepare for drywall dust to be everywhere!

Other Basement Finishing Post:

• Enlarging Window
• Window Replacement
• Framing and Electrical
• Painting Ceiling Black
• Almost Done 

XO,

   Jaclyn

Bring in the Outdoors: Terrarium (Second Edition)

This is a new and improved re-post from around this time last year. Since I haven't been able to get my hands dirty for awhile I've been getting the itch to make another one of these. So, I thought this post could inspire both of us! ...Plus, I've learned a thing or two in the blogging world this past year and wanted to upgrade a favorite of mine. This is a fun and easy project that I think you will greatly enjoy!

What You'll Need:

• wide mouth glass container with lid
• pea gravel
• potting soil
• small plants
• some accents
• a little creativity!

I used this container I found at Hobby Lobby (50% off)...

And some of these small plants I selected from a local nursery...

Step 1: Add 1 to 3 inches of pea gravel to the bottom of the container (depending on the depth of your container) for drainage.

Step 2: Add 3 inches of potting soil on top of the pea gravel.

Step 3: Time to plant! You can arrange your plants on the table to get an idea of how you want the landscape to look. Then simply plant them in the terrarium just like you would plant them in your garden. Place the taller plants in the back, mid-size plants in the middle and low growing ones like moss in the front.

...Oh, and pomegranate juice mixed with sparkling water is very wonderful and refreshing!

Step 4: Give it a nice top coat of pea gravel.

Step 5: Now for the really fun part... it's time to put your creativity in full swing! Bring on the ACCENTS! I used a garden fairy, a bird nest with three robin eggs and a monarch butterfly...

Step 6: Pour in some water and place your lid on top.

Tip: A good way to tell when you need to water is by monitoring the condensation on the glass. If there is no condensation, give it a light watering. If there is heavy condensation, remove the lid to allow the excess moisture to escape.

My mom made one also using a different container (on clearance at Hobby Lobby), with a garden fairy and fence for accents.

Here's mine nestled in it's new home...

{This post was shared on Between Naps on the Porch, All Things Heart and Home, A Beach Cottage, My Backyard Eden, Someday Crafts, The Shabby Chic Cottage, and Somewhat Simple.}

XO,

   Jaclyn