August 10, 2009

Project completion (large and small!)

OK – I’ve been blogging about several of the projects we have started (and want to get started) since June – time to deliver!

HOT TUB!

First was the purchase and installation of our new hot tub.  It’s hard to believe it’s been so long since we purchased it – I talked about it in this post – and told you about the preparation in this post.  There were some obstacles to getting the wiring connected (new GFI plug, new wiring on our panel, wrong GFI plug, sighhhh) but here, finally, is the final episode …

Because we have a very narrow entrance to our backyard, the delivery guys had to roll it (don’t worry it’s covered with a plastic protector) into position in the backyard. (I have a better picture, but there’s a plumbers butt problem that is just NOT blog-worthy – ewwww – and I still took they picture - ewwww)!

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Here we are in place – but still empty – just calling our names …

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When not in use (this doesn’t happen often) with the cover on.

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And, finally full, with the power connected and jets on (and a beverage for hubby!)

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We are extremely happy with our new toy and use it almost every evening!  The deck planning has begun!

 

MAGAZINE TABLE

This project is a prelude to the painting of my dining room table.  This is a small magazine stand/table that I purchased years ago at Michaels – one of those put together yourself jobs.  Well, years ago, I put it together and intended to give it a distressed look with several coats of different coloured paint, sanded on the edges and finally varnished.  I got a few coats of paint on – and then I guess life intruded and I haven’t done a thing with it until now.  I am using it as a guinea pig before the dining room table.  Here’s the picture book story:

Day the hot tub arrives, I decide to put the final coat of black over the white, then blue coats (all latex):
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After finishing the black coat, I let it dry for a few days and sanded it to obtain the distressed look.  After this, I applied two coats of poly varnish, the first with a sponge brush and the second with a synthetic paint brush.  The first coat of varnish resulted in bubbles in the finish.  After sanding again and applying the second coat by brush, I ended up with even more bubbles as you can clearly see below.

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After consulting a couple of experts (thanks to my sister-in-law in NB) I decided to give it one more shot.  Another sanding and then the final coat with a sponge brush and a different poly varnish:

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And here’s the final product:

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IMG_2353 CROPPED

Thanks to my Mother in law, Sister and Brother in law for the beautiful birthday flowers!

 

Well PHEWWWWW – two projects off the list – just in time for the four new ones I added :)

8 comments:

  1. It sounds like it's a good thing you got that hot tub, Donna! Perfect place to relax after taking on all those projects!

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  2. Yay!! It's such a great feeling when you complete a project -- especially when that project is a hot tub that you can sit in every evening!! Lucky you!!

    Your comment about the plumber cracked me up -- pardon the pun!! :-D

    Next time you need to varathane something, try spray varathane. You can get it at Home Depot. It's way easier to apply than regular varathane, and you don't get any bubbles. I used it on the doors & drawers of the vanity in the ensuite (I painted it dark brown), and almost 2 years later, there's not a single scratch or ding :-)

    Looking forward to seeing more of your projects :-)

    Kelly

    P.S. The painting should be on its way to Ottawa as we speak.... :-)

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  3. Congratulations and Happy Birthday.

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  4. The magazine table turned out wonderfully! What a drag that you had to work through those darn bubbles! I wish I had a spray gun of some kind... when I painted my nesting tables last weekend I was so peeved about the brush strokes across the table tops!! Argh!! I didn't write about that problem in my post... I plan on giving the table-tops a light sand and another coat of paint with a sponge brush. I'm hoping that will take out those darned brush strokes!! BUT... I plan on doing more painted furniture projects in the future... so I'm definitely(!!) considering a spray thingy!!

    You asked about my house's stucco. Well... we call it stucco. I suspect that it was once that glass/rock-bits style stucco popular way back when... but it's been painted over (not by us). So that means I can't say for certain what was used in that original painting application. We're using a basic exterior paint on the walls... nothing fancy. I AM having second thoughts on colour though!! I keep waffling between 3 different options!

    Thanks for dropping by DesignTies!!
    Hope you're well, Donna :-)
    Victoria

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  5. I forgot... we're using a basic exterior paint, but we're renting a sprayer to spray the paint on... two coats.
    Cheers!

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  6. Hi again, Donna... I'm pouting here... I tried a foam roller but for some reason (the paint??) it left a horrible stippling affect across the table top. That's why I used a brush. Anyway... I WANT a new toy!!! Of course it'll depend on the price, but I'm thinking I could get a small sprayer for a decent price.
    Enjoy your hot tub!!
    Victoria

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  7. Table looks great!! You have inspired me to finish a few projects I started.

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  8. You won't regret a hot tub. We put one in a few years ago and use it every week and sometimes, during the winter, every day!

    Visit it at:

    http://artofgardeningbuffalo.blogspot.com/2008/12/buffalo-104-degrees-and-humid.html

    and
    http://artofgardeningbuffalo.blogspot.com/2009/03/nightlights-iii-tub-lights.html

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