Good morning, friends! How are you?
Ok. So I've kept you in suspense long enough, I guess. I know that I promised in an earlier post that I'd share with you a couple projects that I had been diligently working on and had happily completed.
(and I'm still wondering why in the world I waited so long do start them...)
Project #1: Tired Old Outhouse
When hubby and I moved here, we were delighted to see the original outhouse sitting out in the back yard, snuggled up to a maple tree and facing the side of the barn.
(Though we were MUCH more delighted to see bathrooms inside the house!)
It was painted a deep pine green and trimmed in white - which was okay, but it blended into the surrounding landscaping and felt a little non-descript and dated. The paint was chipping and peeling from years and years of sitting out in the sun, and was sorely neglected.
But to be truthful, it was actually still very much usable. In fact, the guys who re-roofed our house last summer used it all the time - soggy toilet paper roll and all (among discarded acorns and walnuts from wintering chipmunks and squirrels, who evidently were quite cozy all winter long).
It needed a little TLC (and a fresh roll of t-paper).
I had tried to make it look a tad bit more welcoming (and not so scary) by hanging an antique lantern by the door, added a cement birdbath, and had done a little gardening around the poor thing, but it was time for a more intense make-over.
So, after a good power wash, I was ready for paint. My sister, Debbie (at houseatthelake.blogspot.com) told me about the new Behr Ultra paint her husband (who works at Home Depot) suggested. It contains a primer along with the paint.
So it takes less coats.
What a great idea!
The next issue was color.
And why, do you ask, would color be an issue?
What color would YOU paint it?
Hubby so lovingly suggested that I should paint it red..."like the barn, honey."
"WHAT??! RED? ICK! ARE YOU KIDDING?" I thought,
my eyes all squinty and mouth curled in disgust.
"Honey, I think white would be better so that it matches the house," I said out loud,
smiling sweetly.
"No, I think it should match the barn," he pressed.
"YOUR TASTE IS QUESTIONABLE, DEAR!", I thought,
controlling the urge to roll my eyes.
"Honey, don't you want it brought back to it's original state? It used to be white, you know.
Trust me. White will look better," I said out loud and
insanely sweet.
He shook his head and rolled his eyes...
Of course, I took that as him giving in.
Wouldn't you? *wink
So after only two days of painting and two coats of paint,
the project was completed!
I painted an old window frame and hung it on the side of the outhouse to give the structure more texture and interest.
And after freshening up the lantern with a new coat of spray paint, hung that back up.
And, of course, placed a new roll of t-paper inside.
The tired, old outhouse looked neat, clean, and became a trio with our house and new arbor.
It just seemed to 'fit' now. It sparkled in the sunshine.
So, during happy hour on our deck that evening, hubby so eloquently said,
"You know. It DOES look nice painted white. You were right...
.........this time."
Cue --- rolling of MY eyes....
Stay tuned for Project #2.
Sweetly yours!
~ laurie
