POTW: Spray Painting a Mirror Frame

A recent pull from The Task Basket rendered something I actually looked forward to doing, and because it involved spray paint, was best done outdoors before the weather turned. We had replaced the flat standard sheet mirror in our downstairs powder room with an ornately framed mirror. The frame had previously been painted off-white, but after spending who knows how many years in my parents’ basement, there were a few little nicks and areas where the paint had chipped. To match the white painted cabinets, I decided to spray paint the frame white. There are a few ways you can do this, but I employed my standard spray-painting method:

1. Cover the mirror with painter’s tape and plastic shopping bags. You could skip this step, and go back after painting with a razor blade and chip off all the little specks of paint … but I’d rather just nip it in the bud at the beginning.

We covered the mirror with painter's tape and plastic shopping bags, leaving only the frame exposed.

2. Lay the mirror on a flat surface outside (or in a well-ventilated area). I prefer to spray paint everything outside on an old piece of wood and a pallet I keep stored in the garage. That way I don’t have to worry about getting the paint on anything else (because it will get everywhere – wear your nastiest tennis shoes), and the fumes aren’t as bad. (Don’t tell, but sometimes I don’t even wear a mask.)

We placed the mirror (along with a frame and shelf to hit at the same time) on a raised pallet.

3. Spray the surface in even strokes. This mirror was particularly intricate and required some interesting angling to get into all the nooks and crannies.

Spray from several different angles when working with details such as on this mirror for an even coating.

4. Let dry for an hour or so and give it a second once-over with the paint. (Or would that be a “second-over” …?) Either way, hit it one more time.

If you're impatient like me, it'll be tough, but allow the first coat some time to dry before giving it a second spray to even everything out.

5. Let the paint cure overnight. After a couple of hours, you might want to transport your item to the garage or basement so it doesn’t sit outside overnight and get wet or dewy.

Painted and hung!

I’m so happy with the finished product. My trusty Rustoleum spray paint comes through for me again! Do you have a special spray painting technique, or are you thinking about giving something new life with a coat of spray paint?

Storage Tips for Your Off-Season Clothing

Given the change of the seasons and everyone’s perennial complaint of lack of storage, maybe you have a pile of stuff that’s been sitting in your closet so long that it no longer seems out of place. For me, it’s maternity clothes. Six months post-partum and I still haven’t properly stored them away.

Don’t get me wrong, I am more than ready to see them disappear for a while … but I definitely want to be able to wear them again when the time comes, keeping them in good condition in the meantime.

The first step is to wash EVERYTHING. Even if you think it’s probably clean. Seriously, just do it.

POTW Update: Revamping the Vanity

Okay … so … who are we kidding here? This “project of the week” was more like “project of the month.” It was not so much in that the project was so labor intensive that it took days and days of dedicated time to complete, but rather, it came together in parts and pieces. (Plus, throw in a Halloween weekend, and give a girl a break …)

So, you’ll recall the “before”:

Guest Vanity Cabinet: Before

A Tasty Way to Eat Your Veggies: Roasted

There’s something about seeing the rows and rows of squash varietals at the supermarket and in bushels at roadside stands that just screams fall to me. Aren’t these roasted butternut squash just gorgeous?

Roasted Butternut Squash

I made them today with the intentions of a roasted butternut squash and garlic lasagna tomorrow. I LURVE roasted vegetables, and they couldn’t be easier. I heard someone once say that roasting vegetables in the fall and winter is what grilling vegetables is to the spring and summer. The perfect preparation to bring you into season.

My Can’t-Live-Without Cooking Tool

Mini Spatula Set

Last night I was making a big (honestly, enormous) batch of vegetarian chili, and after washing it for the n-teenth time, realized just how much I rely on my mini silicone spatula. I know, it seems so bizarre that something so small could be so endlessly useful, but it truly is good for so many things. Maybe it’s because my hands are small and I have a lot of control with it.

I’m still using one I received from my Williams-Sonoma wedding registry more than five years ago, and have since added another to the arsenal. (I think it was a thoughtful stocking-stuffer from my husband a few years back.)

Backstage Cafe

As we wandered around The Madison Theater last night before the Guster concert, we spotted several establishments (Covington Chili, Rima’s Diner …) that appeared to be open only for lunch hours. Situated directly next to the theater, Backstage Cafe was a more than convenient spot to grab a seat, a beer, and a quick bite before the show.

Roll Me Over This Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, I’ve been assigned to bring the dinner rolls.  While it was quite kind of my aunt to give the “new mother” this charge, as I could easily head out to Servatti’s or Busken (maybe even Costco?) and buy a bundle of quality rolls.  I even did a little research, and found This Article from The Cincinnati Enquirer a few years back that taste-tested the best Thanksgiving dinner rolls from bakeries around town, where Regina Bakery’s butterbits rolls came out on top. (I’ve never heard of Regina Bakery, but anything named “butterbits” HAS to be good, right?)

Mama says, “Don’t bother” with Mama Vita’s

My husband and I decided to take advantage of a restaurant.com gift certificate to Mama Vita’s (fine print = redemption for lunch only) and have a rare lunch together during the workweek.   We arrived at noon, a time one would guess would be nearing the peak of a lunch rush, and the place was empty.  Not one diner. Not one worker.  We wondered if it was even open, as we waited a good three or four minutes before someone noticed we were there.  

BlogCatalog

More: New Uses for Lovely Things

Building upon the Home Office edition of More Uses,  here are two additional lovely things that I’ve put to use in semi-untraditional ways.  

(Just so we’re clear, I share these not in a braggadocious, “look how clever I am” sort of way, but rather as an inspiration to you – and myself – to discover new ways to enjoy things you already love … because what’s the point of surrounding yourself with anything you don’t adore?)