4
Happy Wednesday from the bitter cold state of Minnesota! As I type this post, it is -2°, but “feels like” -20° with the windchill. It’s days like these that leave me questioning why we moved back here from Arizona (where highs are in the mid-60s today). Then I remind myself that in the summer, it’s 119° in Arizona, and I feel a little bit better… not much, but a little.
It’s the second week of this month’s $100 Room Challenge, and as you may recall, I’m creating a cleaning closet. I always feel like the first steps are kinda boring, but they are essential for creating the space I’m hoping for in the end.
The very first thing I did was clear out everything from the closet… every. single. thing. All the gift wrapping items, the holiday baskets, the 284 hooks (I kid. I think there were only 12.) and the shelving. Everything gone! Please note that this closet is impossible to photograph due to its location. I either need to go down the basement stairs, up the other staircase, or around the corner into the kitchen, and it’s hard to get straight on.
I think the wire shelving had been installed to withstand a 9.4 magnitude earthquake because it was seriously anchored to the wall. I actually had to watch this youtube video to figure out how to get the wire shelving anchors out. Hint: It doesn’t just require a screwdriver like you would think, you need a pliers and a little oomph. I was left with a whole lotta holes in the walls that needed to be filled in. Yay… not.
The closet was in rough shape. There were black marks all over the bottom of the closet, and it was begging for a new coat of paint.
Last week I told you I had reached out to a stencil company, but I never heard back from them, so I decided a simple coat of fresh paint would do wonders. I had 2/3 of a gallon of paint left over from the kids’ bathroom, so I used that.
Seriously, paint is magic! I love how it can freshen up a space.
The Budget… So Far
Painting:
- Roller Head: $4.77 (Do you notice that I buy a new roller head every time I paint? I cannot stand rinsing out all the paint, and even when I do, I never feel like the roller does well after it’s been used… anyone have a good tip so I don’t need to keep buying them???)
- Paint: FREE (Used leftovers from the kids’ bathroom)
Joint Compound: $5.68 This was a bummer. We actually had a ton of joint compound, but it got moldy, so I had to buy more. I just don’t think applying mold to walls is in good taste.
Total: $10.45
That’s where we’re at this week: Clutter cleared. Fresh coat of paint. $10.45 spent.
Enjoy your day… and stay warm!
Erin
Week 1 // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4
Want to Follow Along with Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry?
Subscribe!
Social media more your style?
Facebook // Pinterest // Instagram // Twitter
You Might Also Enjoy:
4
last week i went to a free home depot painting and repairing drywall workshop (if you have a home depot near you, you should check out their free clinics as there is typically 1-2 each weekend!) Anywho they guy covered how to clean paint rollers. There is a 6 in 1 paint scraper – link here http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-IN-1-Painter-s-Tool-DSX-G6/202038672 that does help with cleaning.
Where the curved part is where you rub the roller against to get off excess paint. You just run some water and a drop or 2 of dawn and keep going until paint is squeegeed (sp) from the roller. I will be trying this method out this weekend after i tackle 2 rooms, but will most likely youtube proper procedure so i don’t go crazy wasting my time.
Thank you for the tip! I didn’t realize Home Depot did clinics for adults. My kids have gone to a couple though. I will definitely check them out. Thanks for the link to the paint scraper as well. I will look into it and probably watch a couple Youtube videos as well so I would know how to use it!
It’s already a big improvement. There’s something so satisfying about clearing out a space and putting on a coat of fresh paint. Curious as to what organization system you’re going to put in there. Those things are fairly pricey so I bet you’ve got a special trick up your sleeve!
Those organization systems are SO expensive. They are “on sale” at The Container Store for $75-$100. Can’t do that with my budget. Buuuuuut… You should see all the bins and baskets I picked up in the dollar section at Target today… much more affordable for this girl. Now to figure out how to use/arrange them. My favorite part!