Bathroom Makeover by The Shabby Creek Cottage

The Shabby Creek Cottage Bathroom Makeover

After months and months of slowing working on the bathroom, it's finally done! It's amazing how much work goes into getting such a tiny interior space designed. This bathroom is just under 25 sq. ft. and was completely gutted, including the sub-floors and walls. It's taken a long time to get it all back together, but that's always to be expected when you remodel without credit and do everything yourselves. So, without further ado, let's see all that we accomplished with a $600 budget. 

See the rest of the Bathroom Makeover Reveal and all the highlights & photo's click here: The Shabby Creek Cottage

This is Gina... She is the Author of The Shabby Creek Cottage Website We began our journey of remodeling my childhood home in early 2009. We lived here for nearly 5 years before we finally got down to ripping out walls and installing floors. It's been quite a journey, but it's long from over!

Kitchen remodeling for the Jetsons

Guest Post by David Coeyman

Kitchen remodeling has gone hi-tech.  The home theater system, which used to be located in the den, has found its way to the kitchen, in modern times.  The modern kitchen takes the place of the living, dining room, and den – combined.  It has become the central hotspot of the house for large parties, small group gatherings, or simply hanging out with the family.

Women have known all along that the kitchen is the heart of the home, but with the Sci-Tech boom, men are now more freely accepting of roles that they can take in the kitchen as well.  Of course, men may feel that their kitchen role might just be to party and watch the game.  Regardless of gender, the kitchen is a social gathering for both men and women, as we all love to talk while food is being prepared, and to snack while watching the game.

It starts with the most simple form of entertainment, known as the breakfast bar, also called the kitchen island.  The breakfast bar provides just a little extra preparation space, and is often used for eating quick meals, but has now been tapped in with USB ports and LCD televisions.  Kids can plug in to their music while doing their homework and charging their mp3 players.  If they need to rely on the Internet, they can simply log-in via the kitchen island.  No longer is the breakfast bar just that extra space for preparing food.

How does your hi-tech kitchen help you?  Well it’s easy!  Modern technology has allowed us to clean with the push of a button.  For example, dishwashers these days can clean your dirty tableware with 170 degree steam, in less than 15 minutes.  Remember when glass-tops were only available in electric stoves?  Well not everybody likes electric stoves; in fact, most cooks prefer gas stoves to their electric counterparts.  Now, glass-tops are available on gas stoves with retractable burners.  The burners can be retracted to be flush with the glass-top, making cleanup a cinch!  This leaves the stove with a sleek and modern look.

We know it’s not only about practicality, it’s about entertainment.  Touch screens have invaded the kitchen, and can control nearly every appliance.  New recess lights allow you to change colors to set the mood in your kitchen.  LCD televisions can also be found in the range’s vent hood.  What a better time than to watch the Food Network while sautéing garlic scapes and zucchini in EVOO also known as extra-virgin olive oil, while your girlfriends, keeping you company, aren’t missing the show!  LCD televisions can even be found on the refrigerator door!

As the modern family is living in a smaller home than they did 10 years ago, space must be used wisely.  When remodeling your kitchen, think about the heart of your home.  Where should it be?  Where could it be?  The kitchen is an ideal spot!  The kitchen is the den, the living room, the family room, and the dining room combined – keeping the party all in one spot!


If you are ready to take your kitchen from the dark ages to modern day, Aspect contracting is available to assist you with any kitchen remodeling in Maryland inquiries.

Reluctance to paint that brick fireplace?

I sent my friend’s in Kansas a new brick paint kit, one that I have used for the last few years. They were very pleased with the results and I wanted to share with you their photos and thoughts.  

“Everything turned out great!  My wife and I were a little reluctant to use paint on our fireplace.  The brick paint kit had everything in it and it was very easy to use.  We should have done this a long time ago. Our friends and family are extremely impressed and can’t believe we did it ourselves. We can’t wait to install the Heatilator Fireplace Glass Door that you recommended. The whole room already has a new feel to it. We will send you more pictures when it is complete. Thank you so much.”

Here is what I sent them:

Color Themed, Matte Finish, looks like brick paint kit with instructions.

Affordable Masonry & Prefab Fireplace Glass Doors with video.
For more fireplace ideas check here.

Saturday Link Up at Be different act normal 
Sunday Link Up at Craft Envy

I Proved My Husband Wrong In One Afternoon

My husband didn't trust this was going to look as good as it does. Proving him wrong and getting this masterpiece.  I love being right.  

I used this beautiful color themed paint kit a combination of taupe, tan, beige and cream. What do you think? Check out more here:

Fireplace Paint Color Kits

Heatilator Fireplace Doors - Redo it yourself with quality

Fireplace glass doors offer a safe window into our fire, keeping ash, smoke and excessive heat inside the fireplace, where they should stay.  They are made to tolerate the high heat of the fire, to which they are in close proximity.  The glass doors improve general fireplace safety, protecting the immediate area around it, facilitate ease in caring for the hearth, and add elegance to the look of a fireplace.

Glass doors are able to stand the heat of fire because of a special heat treatment process, which shields the glass from the high and near heat of the fire.  Thus, glass that has been heat treated can tolerate much higher temperatures than can normal glass.  Glass treated in this manner is made to last and any worries regarding the safety of glass doors in such close proximity to excessive heat can be calmed.  Safety of glass doors does not end in their treatment; fireplace glass doors add safety to the whole area in proximity to the fireplace.

Fireplace glass doors are one of the greatest additions to fireplace safety and comfort of recent times.  Protecting the immediate area near the fire from excessive heat as well as from burning embers, glass doors provide a neat partition.  The glass doors manage to control the size of the fire and the temperature of heat in the room.  Glass doors are created to slide open or closed effortlessly.  Thus, glass doors will easily slide closed to allow you to contain excessive heat of the fireplace when needed.  If the fire suddenly gets bigger than expected, closing the doors will reduce the flame by limiting air to the oxygen-hungry fire.  It is wise to remember that while we have learned to control fire by containing it in a fireplace, the elements still can wield their unpredictable powers over us. 

Even in the fireplace, a burning ember or a flying spark cannot be completely controlled.  Fireplace glass doors will control this, and ensure that no leaping sparks manage to burn either your rug or your friend who happens to be sitting near the fire!

Fireplace glass doors are also a desirable style element and keep the hearth tidy.  Extra embers and sparks will no longer leave burn marks on rugs nearby, no longer leave extra gray streaks or piles of ash to clean.  The embers and sparks will burn their lives out inside the fireplace.  While keeping the area neater, the doors dress up a fireplace – the right finishing touch for an image of an elegant fireplace.  Glass doors framed by a mantel and a modern fireplace make a strong impression, commanding the attention of all who see the room.  The frame the glass doors provide into the fire creates a picture that will complement any of the framed art pieces on or above the mantel.

Seemingly minor in the scheme of the fireplace, glass doors prove quite useful in the safety and care of your fire.  Adding the defined look that glass provides, fireplace glass doors prove to be the most chic of all the tools used to control and care for your fire.  Glass doors will improve the look of your fireplace, simultaneously giving you clear control of the fire burning inside it.  

UPDATE: Your one stop shop for Heatilator Fireplace Doors

MORE ON WHAT I RECOMMEND HERE:

Heatilator Special Z-Decor - Video

Fireplace Doors for Heatilator Fireplaces

Measuring your Fireplace Door

An Amazing new look on a previously painted brick fireplace

Color Theme: Twilight Taupe

Thank you very much for the amazing product that allowed us to renew our existing fireplace for a fraction of cost. It is used to be wall of white paint over the bricks and looked boring and ugly. 

Yes, it took me 5-6 hours and several layers to apply the base coat but it was well worth it. The second, third and fourth steps were easy and quick. I should mention that as I was applying coat after coat I liked how the fireplace was starting to change.  It worked like a magic. 

The last coat changed the look completely and gave us an amazingly looking new fireplace. Everybody who comes to our house can't believe that it is just several steps of painting and have to touch the bricks to prove it themselves.

Thank you for the amazing idea for the Brick-Paint Kit !

The Sickler Family

Related Articles:

Should I paint my brick fireplace?

Who would have thought painted brick could look this good?

Why paint a brick fireplace?

An Awe Inspiring Redo

I just completed the entire redo of our brick fireplace and surrounding wall.  
The wall is pretty large so it took my some time and a lot of elbow grease
but in the end it looks beautiful.

We chose Twilight Taupe and also painted the inside of the fireplace.  
I am glad we chose Brick-Anew instead of just painting the brick all one color.
The brick still has depth and texture and it is a one of a kind wall.
This has been money well spent. Thank you for a great
product!!

Nichole W

Huntersville, NC

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Enjoy The Romance Of A Fireplace

A peek into human history will reveal that even in the pre-historic period, people were using a fireplace to keep their caves warmer during chill weather conditions. But, as civilization grew, there were many innovations and the types that are being used now are classier and easier models. It is true that we get many benefits from fireplaces. Every person aims to get a specific benefit but the common thread that binds all these people is the love of fire. Let us look at some of the points about fireplaces and how to have them:

- You can not find a person who does not agree with the fact that a fireplace provides a perfect romantic setting, coziness and comfort to one and all. Especially during winter, when chilly weather conditions prevail, you can throw your blanket away and still feel the warmth provided by the fireplace.

- Before the modern days heating was invented, it was the traditional or classic fireplace that was being used. Even now, you can find such traditional arrangements and chimneys in many of the homes. Wood is burned in them for producing heat and warmth to the people living in these houses. But, only if ventilation via the chimney is quite efficient, you can have optimum benefit from this type. The chimney should also be cleaned periodically. Some people make it a point to clean these chimneys once or twice a year.

When it’s time for annual fireplace maintenance, chimney sweep or do it yourself?

Regular maintenance and cleaning of your fireplace takes a little time but it will pay off in the long run allowing your fireplace to run at it’s maximum efficiency safely. First things first, an annual inspection of your fireplace/chimney is recommended by all local municipalities no matter where you live. Even if you have taken good care of your fireplace, animals can build nests, leaves can fall inside the chimney, vapors could accumulate and things you cannot see can also happen causing a possibly bad situation, maybe even hazardous.

Check out the Chimney Institute of America, it is a non-profit educational organization existing to provide chimney and venting safety resources to you, the homeowner. 

“The primary job of a chimney service professional is to aid in the prevention of fires related to fireplaces, wood stoves, gas, oil and coal heating systems and the chimneys that serve them. Chimney sweeps install, clean and maintain these systems, evaluate their performance, prescribe changes to improve their performance, and educate the consumer about their safe and efficient operation.”

When cleaning your wood burning fireplace, avoid chemicals and abrasive cleaners. For the glass, handles, and exterior surface, a soft damp cloth will work perfectly. “If you notice streaks or dirty glass, you can use a standard window cleaner such as Windex. Using a soft cloth, simply clean the glass while it is cool.”  

If you decide to clean your chimney yourself, the first task is to clean the creosote, the source of most chimney fires, out of the chimney. Running the proper-sized chimney brush up and down from the top of the chimney is the best method. First, seal off the fireplace opening in the room. 

Moisture is the main culprit in masonry chimney failures. Brick, concrete and mortar seem hard, but they are permeable to water. While you are up on the roof cleaning out the creosote, inspect the cement chimney crown. Brush away any loose pieces. If it is still basically intact and just has some cracks and pits, coat it with a elastomer crown repair material. You can select a brush- or trowel-on material. It stays flexible and seals better than mortar. 

A deteriorated/loose flashing can be another way for water to enter the chimney. Installing new flashing is best, but most homeowners find it much easier to use a flexible flashing repair compound. It is brushed on over the flashing. Next, inspect the mortar joints. Remove any loose mortar and fill it with mortar or a concrete-colored elastomer sealant. Finally, seal the entire chimney exterior with a water repellent. Be sure to select one which allows the masonry to breathe so moisture does not get trapped. 

There's no “one-size-fits-all” rule for how often to clean your chimney or what to use when you do it. It is always best to contact your local fire inspectors office and ask what they recommend before deciding on anything where your families safety is concerned.  

(information obtained for this article are merely recommendations by homeowners, not something that should be attempted without careful consideration.)