I’ve never been great at staying on task. When I clean or organize, I tend to flitter around from one thing to the next – halfway finishing something and then being distracted by another, then eventually returning to the first after I’ve stopped a few other places in between. These last few months have been pretty crazy. We decided to take on our master bed and bath, along with some smaller projects in preparation for something happening the end of this month, and that felt like a good amount of work. But then I was selected as a contestant for Creating with the Stars, throwing a big but beautiful wrench into the works. Now that the contest is over for me (probably a blessing in disguise) I’m racing against the clock to finish the projects I had originally planned to complete this month.
The biggest project left, at this point, is tiling the bathroom floor. I knew I was getting myself into something time consuming, but I didn’t realize how much time that actually was. At the rate I’m working right now, I’m looking at about 40 hours of hand buttering hex tiles and slapping them on the floor. Help.
But I know it’s going to be everything I’d hoped, so I feel motivated to do it. I’m already about 15 hours in, and Spotify is getting me through it.
I found a really beautiful dresser at Red Racks a while back for $30. It’s solid wood and has some wonderful details, but it was in pretty rough shape. I’m blessed to have a woodworking father who loves to help his daughter out, so my dad replaced a leg and took some warping out of the top for me (I have no idea how, but patience was definitely involved). The dresser was painted a creamy white, but once we got some of it sanded off, I fell in love with the wood. I need to get the paint out of all the nooks and crannies and get her stained. She’s going to be lovely.
I’m a huge fan of painting old things to give them new life (within reason – there is way too much painted furniture out there right now, and sometimes I want to cry for the gorgeous wood that has been covered up) but I’ve never bought something new with the intention of painting it. Our bedroom is coming along, but I needed new lighting for the bed, and I also wanted to add a bit of color. I searched high and low for some great swing arm lamps that didn’t break the bank, and while I didn’t find any in a color I liked, these lamps were a nice shape and a great price. I’ve been really into powder blue lately, it feels fresh but still calm – important for me in our bedroom, so I grabbed a few cans and mustered up some patience. Trying to get even coverage with all of the moving parts wasn’t easy, but I did my best to spray very thin coats and give lots of drying time in-between. I’m letting them cure for a few days before I try and move them, just to be safe.
While I won’t be able to show you most of my current projects until May, I am excited to be able to share the tutorials from my Creating with the Stars rounds with you in the following weeks.
I painted this wall in our living room and sadly painted back over it a few days later, so I’m hoping someone else will give it a try in an area where it can last a bit longer.
Do you complete one project at a time, or flitter around from one thing to another? Are you working on any projects at the moment? I’d love to know I’m not alone in the depths of DIY.
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
You know I'm with you on the project ADD! So many exciting things in the works here 🙂
Julia Konya says
The bathroom floor tile looks amazing!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Julia!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
I'm with you on the pandemonium – I do the same thing. Why finish one project when you can start another? 🙂 Your floor looks amazing and cheers to you for refinishing that beautiful dresser!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks! I thought you'd appreciate the back to wood approach. 🙂
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
i love that tile! lots of goodness going on over here!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Cassie!
Aja says
I'm with you on the multitasking projects and cleaning! Pretty sure it drives my husband crazy. 🙂 can't wait to see your completed tile and that beautiful dresser!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Aja!
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
I feel ya! I feel like there isn't enough time to complete all the things I need to get done. I am excited to hear your news too…must be something big! xo Kristin
Haley says
Can't wait to see all of the stuff you're working on. I'm a multiple-projects-at-a-time type of person and it keeps things exciting. If I'm bored with one thing, I just move on to one of the other things I'm working on.
Julie, Creative Little House says
I'm a project fairy too! I'm pretty proud to be staying on task with my boys room. There have been a few project in between though. Sometimes I have to tell myself finish!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I know! I get sidetracked way too easily. 🙂
Beth of designPOST Interiors says
That pains me to know that you had to paint over that wall 🙁
Amanda says
I'm too stubborn to let anyone help so I'm always overwhelmed with how many DIYs I take on! Right now I'm sticking to small DIY projects before I settle into my new home in May. Then the fun begins 🙂
hammerandheels.blogspot.com
Kari says
I can't wait to see how all these projects turn out! Especially that tiled floor. It's going to look awesome!
Kelley Brown says
Multiple projects are a way of life for me. It's the creative process working itself out! Its not ADD or scatterbrain syndrome… it's how we roll!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I like the way you think!
Autumn Beach says
LOVE the hex tile. We just did (read: had professionals do) marble hex tile in our kids' bathroom reno. I admire you for taking them on yourself. Several projects at one time is better than projects sitting on a to do list. Untouched. Sigh. Can't wait to see all of these super fun projects come together!
themakerista@gmail.com says
You'll get to them! If I didn't have deadlines, I'd still be looking at our ho hum bathroom instead of looking at a renovation mess. 🙂
Bethany DeVore says
I can't wait to see your bathroom reveal! That floor is going to be amazing and so worth all the work!
Cheryl says
Gorgeous! Love the wall design and the use of the bold green.