The Home Know-It-All

Just Right in Black and White

Take just one look in my closet and my favorite color combination is apparent: black and white. And even though it’s my favorite pairing for clothing, I also happen to think that black and white is a stunning choice for interior decorating. Why? It’s chic. It’s sophisticated. And most importantly, it never goes out of style.

White is light, bright, and airy—but too much of it alone looks sterile. Black anchors a room and adds serious drama—but an all-black color scheme overpowers. Pairing the two colors combines the best qualities of each and creates eye-catching contrast. Want proof? I love how the black chalkboard wall and cabinetry in this HGTV story stands out among the surrounding creamy walls and furniture.

When decorating with a black-and-white palette, play with patterns, textures, and shapes for visual appeal. In a cottage-style room, for instance, you might try pairing a larger toile-print fabric with a striped print—and plain black and white materials too. This BHG.com slideshow shows how to successfully decorate in black and white regardless of what style you’re going for. And get more decorating tips from Marion Jones at the South Beach Décor blog.

Black and white looks stunning on its own, but this combination also plays well with other colors. Team it with a splash of lime green, turquoise, pink, red or even metal for a fresh style update. Get inspiration from this BHG.com slideshow. Just make sure to keep the emphasis on the black and white.

Have any suggestions for decorating in black and white? Share here.

Until next time,
The Home Know-It-All

Quick & Easy Patio Upgrades

Happy Memorial Day!

Holidays are great for sitting back and relaxing or spending time with family and friends. But if you’re like me, you like to use extra time at home to tackle projects. Here’s one worth considering today: Make some quick and easy upgrades to your patio to transform it into a summer-worthy retreat.

According to a recent American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) survey, almost 30 percent of homeowners surveyed said they will spend all their recreational time at home this summer. If you’re among that 30 percent (or if you just want a space to relax at the end of a long day), try these tips for revamping your outdoor space:

Look down. Your patio surface is the floor of your outdoor space. Before you even think about adding anything to that floor, you want to make sure it’s in good shape. If you’re starting from scratch, you can glean some patio design pointers here. Head over to Re-Nest to learn how to build your own flagstone patio or to This Old House for the scoop on building a bluestone patio in a weekend.

Do you have a patio that needs some work? If your patio is concrete, start by fixing any cracks. Got pavers? Here’s what to do to whip them into shape. Learn more about patio repair from Ask the Builder. Or get some help killing weeds from The Home Garden.

If your concrete patio is in fine shape but is rather uninspiring, snag a pointer from BHG.com and paint, dye, or stain it for some personality.

Think walls. In order for an outdoor space to function as a room, you need something to define its edges, just like walls do inside. You might distinguish the edges of your patio with potted plants, an outdoor structure such as a pergola, or even have some walls if your patio is adjacent to your home. If you have actual walls, can you paint them? Hang something from them? Gather some ideas on how to do both from Made By Girl’s fantastic patio update.

Pick the right furnishings. Comfort, versatility, and durability are keys. Look for seating with big, plump cushions. Pick ottomans that offer storage for pillows when you’re not outdoors. And make certain your furnishings are easy to clean and are made to resist rusting, fading, rot, and mildew.

While you’re at it, consider functionality. What will you use your revamped patio area for? Lounging? Dining? Both. Let intended use guide your furniture choices—like Nicole of Making It Lovely did with her new patio.

Add decorative touches. Lanterns, rugs, potted plants, curtains, outdoor lighting, and other decorative objects make an outdoor space feel like home—and add a touch of personality too. That’s why this striking outdoor dining area looks at if it’s indoors.

Looking for a bit more inspiration? Check out this quick and easy, budget-friendly makeover. Then get to work on your own patio pronto!

Until next time,
The Home Know-It-All

Make a Statement with Arches

Architectural details—wainscoting, moldings, ceiling treatments, cornices, and more—add instant flair and allow you to incorporate your personal style into your living space. One of my favorite architectural details? Arches. Simple or ornate, these curvy accents add visual interest and definition to entryways, windows, mantels, and more.

There are six basic arch styles used in home design— Flat, Gothic, Moorish, Roman, Segmental, and Tudor. They range from ever-so-slight curves to perfect horseshoe shapes, and they each speak to a different interior decorating style. Tudor arches convey old-fashioned elegance, for instance, while Roman arches are prominent in Spanish Colonial architecture. Learn more about each type of arch and see what they look like in this Realtor Magazine article.

Even at their most subtle, arches are graceful additions to any home. See for yourself by checking out the simple arches framing this BHG.com fireplace and this BHG.com window seat. Lovely, no?

But arches can also make a bold statement, too—especially if they’re custom-designed. You’ll find a slew of attention-grabbing arches in this CALFinder blog post.

Want to add an architectural arch to your home? Learn about the benefits of building custom arches here. And if you want to make a DIY project out of it, consider Easy-Arch, a pre-formed metal framing arch that snaps onto your existing wood framing.

Until next time,
The Home Know-It-All

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Best Sites for Décor Deals

Many of us are working with recession-size budgets to renovate our homes. And that makes stretching our décor dollars very important. Lucky for us, there are several websites dedicated to helping us score interior decorating bargains. See for yourself. Then let us know what deals you come across.

• When it comes to finding one-of-a-kind and inexpensive pieces for your home, Etsy is the place to go. It’s an “online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade,” so everything comes directly from the maker, eliminating the middleman and decreasing your price.
• You know that your local dollar store offers great deals on everything from wrapping paper to cooking utensils, but did you know that you can also buy great interior decorations on the Dollar Tree’s website? You can’t beat a $1 picture frame, candleholder, or vase.
• If you’re a serious decorator and you’re looking for a serious deal, WishIHadThat.com might be your ideal shop. You’ll find everything from ceiling beams to marble carvings at a price that’s virtually impossible to beat.
• Fabric.com offers a huge selection of clearance fabrics, so if you’re in the market for new curtains or pillows, I’d suggest swinging by this site first.

So bargain hunter, what other sites are offering up good deals? Please, share them here!

Until next time,
The Home Know-It-All

Green Your Outdoor Power Equipment

For today’s Green Around the House Challenge, we’re headed outside.

Odds are, if you do much yard work, you rely on power equipment to get the job done. Many homeowners own gas-powered lawn mowers, trimmers, blowers, and more. As handy as these tools might be, they’re pretty darn hazardous to your health—not to mention the environment.

According to the EPA, emissions from lawn mowers, chain saws, leaf vacuums, and other outdoor power equipment are a considerable source of pollution. They emit high levels of carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides, which can impair lung function, inhibit plant growth, and more. In fact, according to the EPA, just one gas-powered lawn mower releases 11 times the air pollution of a new car for each hour it’s operated. Yikes.

Fortunately, switching to more environmentally friendly outdoor tools is easier than you might think. Propane or electric trimmers and blowers are a more environmentally friendly solution. And a number of lawn mower options—including electric and reel mowers—make cutting the grass less harmful. While you’re researching online, learn more about why leaf blowers are bad and get the scoop on four alternatives from The Daily Green.

In some areas, you may even be able to exchange your gas-powered lawn mower for an electric one. Get the scoop on exchange programs from Consumer Reports.

And stay tuned: You may have more incentive to switch soon if the Greener Gardens bill passes. It would offer a federal tax credit of 25 percent off the price up to $1,000 of an electric, hybrid, or alternative-energy mower and other lawn gear.

Of course, you could say sayonara to emissions altogether (aside from those produced in the production and transport of your new tools) by opting for good old elbow grease. In addition to a push mower, put your rakes and handheld hedge trimmers into service to burn calories and get your yard looking great in no time. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Until next time,
The Home Know-It-All

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What We’re Loving This Week: VivaTerra Misprint Collection

I’m moving to a new apartment soon and am looking for ways to spice up the bland white walls. (Sadly, there’s a no-painting policy at this apartment. But I feel the generous square footage more than makes up for that.) So imagine my happiness when I stumbled upon the eclectic Misprint collection from VivaTerra.

Every item pops with color and distinct personality. Perhaps best of all, everything is made from misprinted or smudged sheet metal, such as soup, soda, and juice cans that would otherwise be sent to the landfill because of their initial imperfections. Learn more about the inspiration behind the Misprint collection here.

There’s something for everyone in this line. If you’re an avid magazine reader like me, there’s the Misprint Magazine Rack ($89) that perfectly cozies up to any wall and stores a ton of glossies. Or if you want to brighten up your entryway and corral clutter at the same time, consider the Misprint Hooks in “Go” ($29) and “Green” ($42). Enjoy outdoor living? Then you need Misprint Hanging Lanterns ($69) to brighten up your deck or patio on warm summer nights. Heck, you can even buy a Misprint Waste Can ($35).

My personal favorite? The Misprint Kitchen Messages that spell out “Eat & Drink” ($98 for the complete set). I think these messages would be a festive, appropriate addition to my new kitchen.

Within the Misprint collection, you’ll also find messages for your potting shed and bedroom, too. And the collection appears to be growing, as new items are regularly added. I’m excited to see what’s next!

What’s your favorite item in this line?

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

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Best Bath Flooring

You’ve read about my fellow Home Know-It-All’s $200 bathroom makeover, so you know she replaced the carpet (ick!) with vinyl tile flooring—a much better choice for a bathroom.

(If you’re one of the unfortunate souls stuck with carpeting in your bathroom, this article can help you make it work.)

But what other options do you have for bathroom flooring? You’d be surprised by the variety on the market today. Here are a few of your choices:

Solid Hardwood
It may look fantastic, but solid hardwood isn’t necessarily one of your best choices for bathroom flooring. It’s easily damaged by water, and it can get rather slippery when wet. If you do decide to use it, be sure it’s sealed after installation, so no water can seep into the nooks.

Engineered Wood
Love the look of hardwood but don’t want to worry about upkeep in a bathroom? Engineered wood can be a great alternative. Because the top layer is real wood, it looks just like solid hardwood, but a plywood base makes it more durable. 

Laminate
Manufacturers are doing wonders with laminate flooring these days. From the wood look to the stone look, laminate flooring appears more like the real thing. Plus, it’s one of the most durable flooring options, so if you have little ones running around, this could be the best choice for you.

Sustainable
Go green in your bathroom with a sustainable flooring option. Although bamboo and reclaimed hardwood work well and look great in other parts of the house, the best sustainable choice for a bathroom is cork flooring. It feels warm underfoot and doesn’t get slippery. Just make sure it’s sealed properly to prevent water damage.

Stone
Limestone, granite, and marble are all great at resisting moisture, and they’re all extremely hardwearing. But they can get slick, and they’re up there in the price department. If you do have the money to install stone flooring (lucky you!), be sure to purchase a few bath mats to prevent falls.

Ceramic
Ceramic flooring is a bathroom favorite. It’s waterproof, fairly inexpensive, and available in a wide variety of looks, patterns, and textures. Check out the thousands of bathroom ceramic tile manufacturers here. There’s bound to be something that catches your eye.

Rubber
It’s not just for your workout room anymore. Because it is resilient, slip resistant, and quiet, it’s being seen in bathrooms more and more. Take a look at some of these possibilities.

Now what are your thoughts? Which flooring type would you choose?

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

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Fix Up Your Front Porch

If you have a front porch, consider yourself lucky. I’d love to have a welcoming veranda on the front of my house, where I can sit and watch the world go by or chat with friends.

Porches can be problematic, however, especially if they fall into disrepair. Fortunately, fixing up your front porch is easy—and the result boosts your home’s curb appeal and offers a brand-new alfresco living area you can enjoy every day.

Just follow these 5 steps to take your front porch from failing to fabulous in no time.

1. Fix problem areas. If your porch is suffering from sagging or warped boards, your first priority is to fix the porch floor.
   
   This project (which can be tackled in half a day) involves pulling up the old boards, installing new decking and trim, and sanding. Learn the how-tos from This Old House.
   
   While you have the boards pulled up, it’s a good idea to inspect the joists underneath the deck for signs of rot. If it looks questionable under there, Calfinder recommends contacting a licensed professional for an inspection.
   
   You’ll also want to make certain the porch stairs are secure. And while you’re at it, why not add some architectural detail, with help from Vintage Woodworks? You can also find inexpensive trim suitable for your porch at most local home improvement stores.
2. Paint the porch. Once you’ve fixed problem areas and sanded, it’s time to paint. First, you want to make sure you pick the right paint. Options for porches and decks include epoxy, alkyd, latex, polyurethane, and rubber-based paints. Then, once it’s time to apply the paint the porch deck, get all the step-by-step info you need from This Young House. While you’re at it, you’ll likely want to paint your porch trim, posts, and other exposed parts so they coordinate with your new porch floor.
3. Add furniture. Now comes the fun part. How many furnishings you can reasonably add to your porch will depend on its size. A big wraparound provides plenty of space for multiple seating areas. Perhaps you’ll designate one area for dining, another as an area for sitting and chatting with friends, and a third as a private escape for reading or relaxing. Even if your porch isn’t that large, you can still include distinctive seating areas—perhaps a spot for dining plus a bench or a couple of chairs near the door for relaxing. Just avoid cluttering the space with too many furnishings—you should be able to easily to move around what is there.
   
   What kind of furniture you pick is up to you. With protected front porches, you can pick furnishings that are designed for use indoors or out—although outdoor furniture will last longer. Plan to store furnishings out of the elements during winter months to further extend their life.
4. Accessorize. The same fundamentals that you use when decorating an indoor space apply with outdoor rooms too. Accessories will take your front porch from impersonal to warm and welcoming. Start by adding some throw pillows or chair cushions in playful patterns and colors.
   
   What other touches can you include to make this space feel like home? For personality and privacy, consider hanging curtains around your porch. Use an outdoor rug to delineate living spaces. Or paint your own right on the porch floor, like Nicole of Making It Lovely did. A lamp rated for outdoor use or hanging lanterns allow you to extend your time on the porch past sunset. And the little touches—candles, a framed photo, a side table for perching drinks—make a difference too.
5. Add plants. An outdoor space (or indoor space for that matter) isn’t complete without plants. The easiest way to add fresh foliage to your revamped porch is by placing a few potted plants next to seating areas or hanging pots from the porch ceiling.
   
   But the landscaping in front of the porch matters too. Go lush, like in front of this porch. Or keep things simple with a few carefully selected bushes and perennials. Either way, the right plantings will draw the eye, and your welcoming front porch will keep it there!

For one more dose of inspiration before I go, check out what you can do with a tiny porch and $20—see, enlivening your outdoor living spaces can be cheap and easy!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

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And the winner is ...

Sarah!

Congratulations, Sarah, on winning a brand-new ScumBuster® Xtreme Cordless Power Scrubber! Sarah’s comment was randomly selected as the winner thanks to the help of Random.org. If Sarah had the cash to spend on her bathroom right now, she said:

“If I can't magically triple it in size I would buy new curtains, rugs, and paintings so it matched and was less boyish.”

Sounds like a game plan to me. The ScumBuster might not help with the boyishness, but it sure can help chase away any grime left over from your bath’s bachelor pad days.

Keep reading and check back often—we just may have another contest for you soon!

The Home Know-It-All

Know When to Grow

After a long, barren winter, there’s nothing quite like spotting the first sign of spring: A bright-colored tulip or daffodil peeking up through the ground. But sometimes, Mother Nature throws in one final freeze, wreaking havoc on your brilliant blooms.

That’s because certain plants withstand spring frost better than others—and timing is everything. Typically, it doesn’t make sense to plant everything at once. Here’s what you need to grow at the best times.

Find your frost date. Not sure what your average last spring frost date falls? It’s an important date that’s worth memorizing—especially if you’re planting flowers or veggies that aren’t frost-tolerant. This Mother Earth News story will point you in the right direction. And also check out this spring frost zone map courtesy of BHG.com. Or contact your local extension office for specific answers.

Pick the right plants, and plant accordingly. Some super-hardy vegetable plants and transplants—such as peas, onions, turnips, broccoli, cabbage, and spinach—give freezing temperatures the cold shoulder. You can plant these sturdy plants well before your final frost date—even in early March, depending on where you live.

Other vegetable and flower varieties—including kale, lettuce, arugula, cosmos, pansies, petunias, and morning glories, for instance—are resilient enough to withstand a light frost (but not much more), so they can be planted a couple weeks before the final frost date. For a list of frost-tolerant plant varieties, check out this Fine Gardening article.

Tender, warmth-loving plants and transplants—cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, impatiens, nasturtium, periwinkles, and zinnias, to name a few—should absolutely be planted after the last frost date, when the soil has had a chance to warm up a bit. These plants can be harmed or killed by below-freezing temperatures.

To find the right plants for your locale, see what plants survive and thrive in your neighborhood during early spring. And always check growing requirements before buying seeds or transplants.

Squeeze the soil. Even if the final spring frost date has hit, you’re not in the clear to begin the rest of your planting quite yet. Your soil should also be in good shape. That’s where the “squeeze test” comes in handy. If the soil holds together so well that you can roll it into a snake shape, it’s too wet and contains too much clay.

Take cover. Protect blooming plants from a late frost with suggestions from this Learn 2 Grow article. For instance, cover plants with a clean bucket or plastic plant pots. Or loosely drape bed linens or burlap over the plants (securing the corners with bricks or other heavy objects). Be sure to remove the cover every morning so plants can breathe. And remember that these methods only provide a few degrees of protection. So if the temperature plummets big-time overnight, you may be out of luck.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

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$200 DIY Bathroom Makeover: The Room Reveal

Today’s the day I finally get to share with you the results of my $200, two-weekend bathroom makeover! Check out last Tuesday’s post for the lowdown on my self-imposed challenge. And then peruse the rest of last week’s posts for info on material selection, room prep, painting, and vinyl tile installation.

Before I show off the results, I wanted to share a few details about the finishing touches:

Cabinet Hardware
After the cabinets dried for a week, I attached the new door and drawer pulls—a quick and easy 5-minute task. Fortunately I saved the screws from the old pulls, because the trim on the top two drawers was thick enough that the new screws were too short. Saving the old, longer screws saved me from making another trip to the home improvement store, right.

Window Treatment
As I mentioned last week, I scored a fabulous deal on this great Spencer II Roman Shade from JCPenney. My bathroom window is a bit too wide and too shallow for an inside mount, so I went with an outside mount positioned just above the trim at the top of the window.

First I measured to determine bracket placement, ensuring there was enough space for the window hardware above the trimwork. After marking the placement for the first bracket, I predrilled holes and then used a screwdriver and mounting hardware to secure the first bracket to the wall, above. I did the same with the next two brackets, checking to make sure they were level before completely fastening them to the wall, right. The brackets on the window treatment fit over the wall hardware. Once the window treatment was in place, I extended the shades and marked where I could cut the excess length from the cords, right. Raising the shades again, I trimmed the excess cord and retied the decorative cord caps. 

The Results
I’m thrilled with the outcome of my little bathroom remodel project. I got a lot of mileage out of my $200 and was able to complete the project in two weekends. Are there additional changes I’d make if I had more money to spend on this room? Sure. A new faucet, medicine cabinet, and wall art would be nice touches. But overall I adore my revamped little bathroom. The colors are soothing and warm up the diminutive space. The vinyl tile floor is attractive, comfortable underfoot, and much more practical than the old carpet. The vanity cabinet appears almost brand new thanks to several inexpensive coats of paint and new hardware. And the double Roman shade looks lovely, softly filters light during the day, and provides complete privacy when both shades are lowered.

All-in-all, my self-imposed bathroom makeover challenge was a success! Now it’s time for you to tackle your own—and when you’re finished, we want to hear how it turned out.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Related post:
The Ultimate $200 DIY Bathroom Makeover
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$200 DIY Bathroom Makeover: Installing Vinyl Tile Flooring

$200 DIY Bathroom Makeover: Installing Vinyl Tile Flooring

As I mentioned in last Wednesday’s post, the decision to go with vinyl floor tiles stemmed from my tight budget for my bathroom makeover. But ease of installation (and the good looks of the Armstrong vinyl tiles I picked) will have me returning to vinyl tiles when I make over our family bathroom.

Though they’re super easy to install, careful planning and a steady hand for cutting is crucial for a professional-looking outcome.

Here’s what I did:

Step 1: Remove the old carpeting.

Step 2: Prime the floor. Since I was tiling a bathroom, I followed the manufacturer’s suggestion and primed the floor with the same KILZ I used for the woodwork and allowed it to dry completely.

Step 3: Mark a grid. I measured two feet from the longest wall toward the center of the room and marked with a pencil. I did this again at the opposite end of the longest wall. Next, using a straightedge and pencil, I drew a line connecting the two points. (If you’re working in a larger room, use a chalkline to snap straight marks.) I did the same on an adjacent wall so that the lines formed a T, right.

Next I did a test placement of tiles using the T as reference lines. It was quickly apparent that I’d have too many cut tiles in visible spots so I adjusted my reference marks accordingly and did another test fit of all the tiles, left.

For more about planning tile placement, check out these tips from Hometime. They work for vinyl and ceramic tiles—you just don’t have to account for grout lines if you use vinyl tiles.

Step 4: Set the tiles. Start in the center of the room where you’ve marked reference lines. Check the arrows on the back of the tiles and align all tiles in the same direction. Work in quadrants from the center of the room out and install all the tiles in that portion of the grid before moving to the next. Make sure to firmly position each tile as close to the adjacent tiles as possible; don’t leave any gaps. Then just peel off the backing and press the tile onto the subfloor. Really, it’s that simple!

Step 5: Cut tiles as needed. You’ll likely have at least one row of tiles that require cutting. First mark where you need to make the cut. To do that, place a loose, full tile on top of the last full tile next to the wall where you need to cut. Place another tile flush with the wall so that it overlaps the full tile. Mark the loose full tile. This is your cut line. I positioned a straightedge on the cut line and used a utility knife to make the cut, right. Since I have wimpy arms and hands, it required several passes with the knife before the tile was cut through.

To cut irregularly shaped tiles I had the best luck making a paper template. Once I got the template to fit properly, I placed it on a loose tile and used the utility knife to make a freehand cut in the proper shape. Then I did a trial dry fit of the tile before removing the backing paper. In some cases I had to make subtle adjustments before the tile would fit as I wanted.

Voila—a new floor!

Tomorrow I’ll walk you through the finishing touches and do the room reveal!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

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$200 DIY Bathroom Makeover: Wall, Cabinetry, and Trimwork Painting

With the unpleasant work of removing wallpaper and carpet (check out Thursday’s post for details) behind me, I was ready to paint.

Painting Walls
Once I picked paint colors (I went with an eggshell finish for the walls and a gloss for the woodwork), I followed my fellow Home Know-It-All Julie’s advice on tackling interior wall painting. Then it was time to move on to the cabinets.

Painting Cabinets
Mindful of my self-imposed time constraints of two weekends to finish my bathroom makeover, I tried to streamline the cabinet-painting process without sacrificing the end result. Here’s what I did:

Step 1: Remove hardware, doors, and drawers. I was able to eke out enough space in the tub and in front of it to place all of the doors and drawers surface-side up in preparation for painting. In drier weather I would have set them up in the garage, but with damp springtime conditions I didn’t want to risk extending primer and paint drying time.

Step 2: Clean all surfaces. I mixed a bit of dishwashing detergent in hot water and gave all the surfaces a good scrub. Any all-purpose cleaner should do the trick. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry completely.

Step 3: Sand the cabinets. Some folks suggest sanding the entire surface. To save time I just ran my fingers over the surfaces to find any rough spots and sanded only those places. If you have the time, sanding the entire cabinet will result in an even better finished surface.

Step 4: Prime the surfaces. Since only my immediate family ever sees this room, I decided to prime and paint the exterior surfaces only and skip the door and drawer interiors. For past projects I’ve always used KILZ as a stainblocker/primer. I was happy to learn it’s now available in a low V.O.C formula.

I used a foam applicator to brush primer on the cabinet base first. (Watch for drips!) Next I primed the faces of the doors and drawers. Here drips seemed to appear after I’d finished one drawer and moved onto the next, so I kept checking previously primed surfaces to smooth out any that appeared before they had a chance to dry. Even though the primer could be recoated in 30 minutes, I gave it overnight to dry before applying paint.

Step 5: Paint the surfaces. Just as with the primer, I painted the base cabinet first, applying a thin coat to minimize drips. I used a small foam roller to apply paint to the flat surfaces, right. Moving to the doors and drawers, I applied paint to the flat surfaces with the same small roller and then used a small foam applicator to work around the raised moldings. In all I had to apply three coats of paint to the cabinets and allowed several hours of drying time in between coats.

Step 6: Allow curing time. While most paint dries to the touch in a matter of hours, it can take a week or more for the finish to completely harden. (Check the label for the waiting time before you can wash the painted surface; that’s a good indicator of how long before the paint fully cures.) Though I reattached the cabinet doors and drawers about 12 hours after I applied the last coat of paint, I left them slightly open for two weeks so they wouldn’t stick.

If you’re planning to paint high-visibility cabinets—such as those in a kitchen—and want a glass-smooth finish, take the time to read these detailed pointers from This Old House.

Painting Trimwork
Sadly, the only trimwork in the bathroom is an extremely basic profile baseboard molding and a similarly basic window trim. Not having enough cash in the budget for new trimwork, I applied the same cabinet paint to the molding. Since I was going to install new flooring and had already ripped out the carpeting, I didn’t need to worry about protecting the floor. My concerns while painting the molding were achieving a nice finish and not marring the freshly painted walls. I started by using a plastic hand-masker tool to protect the walls, but the paint tended to seep underneath and onto the wall so I quickly abandoned that approach. Since a week had passed since I had painted the walls, I decided to tape them with painters tape. This technique gave me a crisp edge between the trimwork and the wall.

Check in on Monday to learn how to install vinyl floor tiles. We’re almost done—and then it will be time to see the great $200 bathroom makeover results!

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Related post:
The Ultimate $200 DIY Bathroom Makeover
DIY Bathroom Makeover: $200 and 2 Weekends
$200 DIY Bathroom Makeover: Wallpaper and Carpet Removal