Haute Decor Gal

Haute Decor Gal is now BlessedLovedandBeyond

2010-03-28T22:57:00.004-04:00

Haute Decor Gal is now retiring and moving to: http://blessedlovedandbeyond.wordpress.com/

New projects, inspirations and a big craft room reveal is coming soon so make sure to check out my new blog BlessedLovedandBeyond!

Thank you!

Craft Room Closet: Phase 1

2010-02-11T09:33:00.009-05:00

I am still here! I am lurking on the blogs more these days than actually posting to my own. But only because we made the executive decision that all big house projects, DIY, decorating, etc. needs to be put on hold for now. The hubby was laid off and so some sacrificing is needed.

But it is still not stopping me from doing FREE or close-to-nothing projects around the house. As a "Design Challenge" for myself, I decided to create a Craft Room/Closet on a budget of $0.00-$40.00! Yup, that is my commitment and my challenge. It might not be the best breath-taking Craft Room, but in the end, the joy of winning my own challenge will be gratifying enough for me. And who knows, I might inspire one or two of you on the way.

I am not a HUGE crafter by any means but I do want to designate a space for myself to escape and create. You know that daunting feeling when you are trying to be creative at a dining room table surrounded by mess. It just does not cut it. No pun intended :)

Like any big projects, breaking them into small little projects helps with your time and sanity. I drive myself crazy with little details before tackling big details, so this helps organize my thoughts and action plan.

Phase 1: Choose Your Space, Take Inventory, Plan Your Space

1. Choose Your Space: We are blessed with a home that has PLENTY of storage space. For me, I knew I did not need (or require) a whole room, so this semi walk-in closet in our basement was perfect.

2. Take Inventory: Go through your craft room supplies and create categories. After going through and decluttering my supplies, I came up with the following:
- Gift Wrapping Station
- Scrapbooking Station
- Floral Station
- Stationary Station
- Seasonal
- Miscellaneous

You find multiples of things you thought you didn't have! I had no idea I had 11 scissors! Where are they when you set out everyone in the house on a mission to find just one?

3. Plan Your Space: Now knowing the stations I need in my Craft Room, I was ready to draw out a plan of the space and where I wanted each station to be located. Designers will laugh at my elementary school drawing here :)

I shopped my house (and my parents' house..hehe) for furniture and came up with an old desk that needs some TLC, a three-shelf bookcase, a chair, and several other misc. items such as baskets, tin cans, etc.

And that completed Phase 1 at $0.00!

Pre-Phase 1:

Post-Phase 1:

Next up, Phase 2: Choosing a Color Palette and Painting!

A DIY Christmas Wreath

2009-12-02T23:49:00.012-05:00

You might have come across some DIY Christmas wreaths being done all over blog land. One of the easiest tutorials I found on how to make your own Christmas wreath was over at Eddie Ross where this one was made. Just beautiful! Thrifty Decor Chic got inspired to do one of her own as well. A lovely match to her chic and lovely dining room!

My Christmas colors this year are gold with red accents. So I headed over to Walmart to buy an assortment of gold ornaments. I got a box of 24 ornaments for only $4!

Here is my lovely gold wreath.

Here is how I did it. I basically followed the Eddie Ross tutorial.

Step 1: Find yourself a wire hanger in your closet, gather (buy) some ornaments and a pretty ribbon.

Step 2: Shape your wire hanger into a circle and undo the end.

Step 3: Begin by threading the ornaments on the wire hanger.

Step 4: Once you have all your ornaments threaded through the wire hanger, you can close the ends. You will need pliers or scissors to do this. Snip off the extra wire with scissors.

Step 5: Hang your wreath with a pretty ribbon. I hung my wreath using a 3M hook.

Easy and lovely! I made two of these for two of my windows in my family room and now I am itching to make more. Maybe a pretty pink one for the Little Miss :)

The Thanksgiving Table

2009-11-28T23:25:00.013-05:00

It was my first time hosting Thanksgiving this year. We were only having my parents and sister over, so very low-key no pressure. But I still wanted the table to be festive - without spending a penny. Very doable with these two ideas!

First, I had seen the cutest Thanksgiving place cards over on Kimba's DIY Day. Turley Times made these adorable place cards for Thanksgiving and I knew I had to recreate (a.k.a copy!).

These were so easy to make. Turley Times did a great job on the step-by-step. I basically followed it but skipped the leaves (just because I didn't have them and was too lazy to get them). Here is my version:

Cost for this project: $0.00. I had the ribbon, vellum paper, card stock, pine cones and of course a printer.

Next, the Thanksgiving centerpiece. Again, this was super easy to make and costed $0.00! Here is what you will need:

1. Drinking Glasses
2. Beans, lentils, any dried food
3. Card stock paper
4. Tree branches
5. Ribbon
6. Vellum paper
7. Printer
8. Hole puncher

Here is what I did. I printed my Thanksgiving message (THANKS) on vellum paper. I cut circles of card stock paper a little bigger than the vellum paper. I hole punched both vellum paper and card stock and tied a ribbon through to attach them together.

I picked out some tree branches and tied the tags to them. I filled my drinking glasses with bird food (yes, bird food - I had no other dried food!). I cut out circles of card stock and placed them over the bird food - just so that we don't smell it! Hehe, so obviously this step is optional :)

I then stuck the branches through the card stock and the bird food - and voila! One of the easiest projects ever!

And here is the low-key and extremely casual (and cheap!) Thanksgiving table.

Love it!

Shower Scriptures

2009-11-18T00:13:00.005-05:00

During my Small Group tonight, we were discussing obstacles in learning and contemplating on God's Word and scripture. I am very bad with this and I can recite maybe two or three verses from the Bible at most! So a Small Group member mentioned Shower Scriptures. How great is this idea? Instead of letting your mind wander about all the things that you need to get done for the day, you are now contemplating on God's word and feeling renewed both body and mind! Such a great concept!

I am considering getting one of these for the master bathroom shower - or attempting to make one myself. Such a great idea!

Another Tablescape

2009-10-03T14:43:00.003-04:00

I love neutral colors - and I have seen many Fall neutral decor. It is interesting since my first tablescape could pass more as "Fall", but breaking away from the greens, oranges, deep reds and browns is totally okay when you decorate for the Fall.

Again, I worked with what I had around the house, with the exception of getting new napkin rings and scented pine cones from Walmart and new napkins from Burlington Coat Factory (they have a great home decor/furniture section!).

My First Award!

2009-09-22T23:59:00.005-04:00

Robin from Happy Home presented me with my very first blog award! Thanks Robin! So sweet of you! Make sure you go over to her blog and check out her bead board in her bathroom!

So what award is complete without a few rules? So here goes:
1.) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.Check
2.) Share "10 Honest Things" about myself.
1. I am scared of the dark and sleeping by myself. Thank God for hubby to help with the latter.
2. I hate oysters.
3. I would have loved to be an actress or a performer of some sort.
4. Since I missed the boat on #3, my dream job now would be to design and decorate.
5. I am easily shaken by these stupid studies they come out with every minute that makes us second guess our every decision.
6. I am not confrontational but can think of way too many times where I should have been for my peace and ease of mind.
7. I hate public speaking. It scares me to my bones - which I don't get because I wouldn't have minded being a performer.
8. I can't wait to be mother of the bride one day but at the same time, I CAN wait to be mother of the bride one day.
9. I am a clean freak - but not an organized freak
10. I think I am addicted to the blog world!

3.) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.I would like to pass this award to the following haute blogs so make sure to check them out!
The Lettered Cottage
My Sweet Savannah
Centsational Girl
Buzzings of a Queen Bee
Creations by Kara
320 Sycamore
A Soft Place to Land

4.) Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.
Check!

What is your Bible Verse?

2009-09-02T12:19:00.003-04:00

Did you know that the Bible has a special verse for your birthday?

Mine is:
1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

What is yours? Try it!

A Happy Ending and Tablescaping

2009-08-31T21:46:00.010-04:00

Thanks for every one's opinions on the table makeover. I decided on the "all black" for a sleek and classy look. To recap...
Table before:
Table after (last week):

And the table now!

I am loving it all black! I decided to use the three chairs I purchased at a thrift store recently instead of the chairs that came with the table. They gave the table height and matched perfectly. But now I am on the hunt for a fourth chair, grrr! Note to self: purchase chairs in even numbers next time!

So as I was setting the table for a dinner party, I stepped back and realized that I had created my very first tablescape! I didn't realize how using simple things from around the house can transform the look and feel of the table. Here are some close-ups:

I used my fine china and stainless steel silverware over silver chargers, but to counter-balance the elegance, I used sisal place mats and quirky glassware. I added variations of candlelight for coziness and mood, and a centerpiece with fruit to give the table life. I placed a basket to hold the extra silverware for a rustic element. And the sunflowers add color while complimenting the earthy tones.

If you haven't tuned in to the art of tablescaping, you are definitely missing out on letting your creative juices flow. You can scape whatever you fancy - rustic, elegance, chic, quirky. The possibilities are endless! Can't wait to do some tablescaping for the holidays :)

"No Soliciting" Sign

2009-08-29T01:56:00.012-04:00

Linking to Kimba's DIY

---------------------------------------------------
I can't take credit for this idea as I have seen it somewhere in blog land but can't remember for the life of me whose idea it was. Please let me know if it is yours so I can give you credit :)
320 Sycamore made this cute one for her kitchen:

I remember seeing a "No Soliciting" sign with the same idea.
Here is my version and a step-by-step tutorial of how I transformed this:

into this:

Step 1: Choose your frame. I liked the design on this one and also the fact that it was bare wood and ready to be used. I got this particular frame from Walmart. But you can use any frame, in any shape, in any condition for this super easy project.
Step 2: I took it apart and sanded very lightly.

Step 3: And, you guessed it, Heirloom White Spray Paint comes next. I actually ran out as I was spray painting but it ended up being a blessing in disguise. I liked the fact that it was not a perfect coverage and some of the wood showed through.

Step 4: While the frame was drying, I painted the glass portion of the frame with chalkboard paint.

Step 5: Once everything was dry and ready, I used a piece of leftover jute rope (couldn't find anything else at that moment) and hung it on my front door. Ta da!

And as the seasons change, so will the messages...but for now, it is a message for the solicitors :)

Now go visit 320 Sycamore for more great chalkboard ideas!

Design Intervention - A Table Ending

2009-08-26T21:58:00.015-04:00

This is a semi-makeover since I am calling on your opinions on how to "finish" this makeover ending.
I found this table and its 4 matching chairs on Craigslist for $40. It came with an extra leaf for extra seating so I thought that was a good deal. We desperatly need seating in the breakfast area.

The table was yucky maroon with lovely off-white legs. I think the legs and the curvature on the chairs is what appealed to me.

My original inspiration for the table came from this picture:

So when I started sanding the table, I was so bummed to find out that the top was not wood but plastic! Okay, so obviously now a stained wood top would no longer work. Uh!

Then I knew that we have plans to paint our kitchen cabinets white (hold your breath, some day!) - so I need a bit of contrast in the space. Hence, I decided to paint the table black.

And here is the play-by-play:

Step 1: I first wiped down the table to clean off any dirt, grease and dust.

Step 2: The paint job on the table was horrible. I was peeling it right off. Got lazy and decided to use paint thinner. Paint thinner took forever so I decided to sand right away. I really should have stuck to just peeling the paint off. But I got to use this lovely lady (yes, my tools are feminine):

Step 3: After hours of sanding, I got impatient and decided it was time for the primer. I used a gray primer since I was painting the table a dark color.

Step 4: After priming, I spray painted first with Rustoluem Black - Flat. This was a mistake and it made the table look like charcoal. I then went out and purchased Black semi-gloss paint. The table started to look much better.

Step 5: Finally for durability and protection, (since this will be a high traffic piece of furniture), I used Wipe-On Poly.

Here is the before again:

Here is the after:

Now, I need your help on how this happy ending should play out for this table. As you notice, I left the legs as-is. My husband likes it this way but I am not completely sold. I would like to paint the legs black as well. What do you think?

Second, what should I do with the chairs? Should I paint them all black as well?

You all are so talented and I know I can count on your great ideas.

I am still not completely finished with the top of the table as I have a little bit of "personalizing" to do to make it my own. Here is a sneak peek.

Can you read what it says?

I will be back with hopefully the final reveal of the whole set.

Quick and Simple - Glass Jars

2009-07-24T23:25:00.010-04:00

So I was itching for a quickie project because God knows the big projects will take FOREVER to finish and I need a "quick fix" of accomplishment.

As I was about to throw away these glass jars, I heard them cry out to me (insert drama here). "Don't throw us away! You can doll us up and use us again." Hmmm, am I really getting to a point where glass jars are speaking to me?

So I listened to the glass jars, and took their caps to some black spray paint.

I hot-glued some leftover ribbon from another project on the jars

Then I chose a font I like, and printed out labels on cardstock paper (I chose white and brown here to match the ribbon)

And then ugly glass jar, became a pretty-cutey

And the best part of it all, they stopped speaking to me! Don't they look so cute and cozy in this romantic corner in my kitchen? I love them!

The Message Board Bed Makeover Reveal

2009-07-21T00:36:00.012-04:00

It has been incredibly busy over here at Haute House :) But I finally got around to finishing my first furniture makeover; what I call the Message Board Bed. I have to pat myself on the back for this one because I never thought I have it in me to do a furniture makeover. But I can do it, you certainly most definitely positively can too.

Let's recap.

Remember this oh-not-so-interesting dorm room bed?

It has been transformed to this:

Here is how I did it, step by step:

Step 1: Set-up your work area. By then, I had finished the footboard and was moving on to the side base boards.

Step 2: Sand your surface. For the footboard, I had done this manually with a regular sand paper (medium grit). But for the base boards and headboard I decided to do something different, per advice of hubby and used this varnish stripper.
Tip: This stuff is strong! Wear gloves, wear a mask, and use in ventilated area.
Tip: If I had to do this all over again, I would not have used the stripper and sanded manually. In the end, I felt with the mess and clean-up this created, it didn't save much time and effort.

Step 3: Lay on stripper thick as to keep a bubbly surface.

Step 4: You can use brush to spread the application evenly but be careful to not brush it too thin. The directions say to leave on for 30 minutes but this stuff evaporates quickly - so I only left it on for about 5 minutes for it to work through the varnish.

Step 5: Scrap away the varnish (should come off really easy now) with a flat knife.

Step 6: Prime surface. I used white primer here.

Step 7: Spray your surface with chosen paint color. In this case, I used blog land's favorite spray paint of all time, Heirloom White by Rustoleum.

Spray paint away!

For the message footboard, I followed all the same steps above (except manually sanded instead), taped off the inner section and painted it with chalkboard paint. Tip: I would have preferred to use chalkbaord spray paint instead but at the time I couldn't find any at Lowes.

I really need your opinions on what you think of my first furniture makeover. Do I pass as a wanna-be designer?

Remember...

2009-07-09T14:15:00.010-04:00

I call this post "Remember..." since I have started several projects around the house and I am ever-so-slowly doing one thing for each project, here and there. I wanted to show you some progress on some of them.

Remember our basement bathroom remodel? Well, the colors of this decorative pillow really appealed to me so I decided to do a burst of some of these bright colors here and there. I haven't done any of that yet, but I thought to show you the pillow anyways because I think it's just so purdy!

I also decided to switch out the light green bath rug with this brown and beige one.

I still have to put my cream shower curtain here to finish the look.

Remember the light fixture that I purchased? Well it finally went up and made it itself a home to complete the vanity. What do you think?

Remember my great thrift store find, the three black press chairs? Well two of them are sitting pretty in my sunroom...for now at least.

We never got around to finishing painting the sunroom so hence the two random colors.

Moving on...

To the exterior of the house. Our front door looked really worn out and bland. It was a faded color of teal green and not to my liking. So we found some brick red exterior paint and voila. Much better and brighter.

(Side project - still need to spray paint all the gold fixtures and door handles)

And since we are outside, here is my little front porch. It's still a long ways to go before coziness and ice cold lemonades

Great thrift store find!

2009-06-28T23:24:00.004-04:00

I found this black press chair - love it! And I think it's perfect the way it is, no new paint needed or distressing. It's the right amount of distressed :)

What if I told you that I paid $25, for THREE OF THESE? That's right, I got not one, not two, but THREE of these black beauties for only $25 total! If you do the math (or pull out the calculator like me =) ), that's just around $8 a chair! And they are in great sturdy condition. Woohoo!

So the possibilities of how to use them are endless. I could use all three to make a little dining room set for the breakfast area, or use them separately around the house. What would you do?

Furniture Makeover - Part I

2009-06-28T23:01:00.009-04:00

As part of the guest bedroom remodel, I decided to give the ugly dorm room twin bed a makeover.

This is my very first furniture makeover and wanted to "practice" on a piece that didn't cost much and in this case, costed NOTHING. We picked this up from a neighbor who was foreclosing on their home and was giving away several items for free. While I am not fond of its bland style (or lack of), I figured this will do for a designer wanna-be on a budget :) And I am just imagining how much nicer this bed will look with new and soft bedding.

So, I am doing this bed makeover in three sections - 1) Footbard 2) Headboard and then 3) the frame sides.

Here is the whole bed before:

Here is the footboard before:

After sanding, priming and spray painting, here is the footboard after:

I decided to do a "message-board" footboard to personalize our welcome for each of our guest. So what you are seeing as the black paint is actually chalkboard paint!

More pictures and a tutorial post to come!

I made me a topiary!

2009-06-17T00:15:00.010-04:00

I finished my third diy decor on my project list. Remember when I said one project a month? Yeah, right! I am already itching for the next project!

So to recap, here is Kara's version of the topiary: Here is Melissa's version of the topiary:
And here is my version of the topiary:
What do you think? This was super easy! You can get decorations on how to make your own from either Kara's post or Melissa's post or see my directions below.

I actually didn't need to use hot glue as I used the ends of the stem of my fake greenery to puncture the Styrofoam ball.

Materials:
1. Two 6 inch green Styrofoam balls from Michaels. Each one was $4.99 and got to use my 50% off coupon
2. Greenery I already had
3. Planter I already had
4. Spray paint I already had
5. Tree branch - I already had :)
6. Bag of moss ($1 from the Dollar Store)
Total: $8.48!

Directions:
1. I spray painted my planter. It was a light oak color and decided to spray paint it espresso
2. I worked my way around the green Styrofoam with the fake greenery
3. I filled the planter with another Styrofoam ball and covered the top with moss
4. I got a tree branch from my yard, plopped the topiary on it and then stuck it through the base Styrofoam ball inside the planter, and done!

Seriously, this was super easy and idiot proof for people like yours truly. And most importantly, super cheap. So go make yourself a topiary!

My Version of the Jute Wreath

2009-06-05T18:10:00.004-04:00

So, I finally got done with one of my projects on my project list. What do you all think? I might change up the hanging ribbon to a lighter shade or try out the burlap like Kimba had on hers.

If you want directions on how to make one (and it's so easy!), Kimba has a tutorial on her blog.

My Favorite Paint Color

2009-06-04T23:55:00.005-04:00

Melissa from 320 Sycamore (one of my favorite blogs by the way) is hosting a My Favorite Paint Color party.

I hope I am not too late in joining, but I had to share my all time favorite paint color: Valspar's Gold 4.

We have used this color twice so far in two of our previously-owned homes. I plan on using the same color again in our family room. Can you tell I love it?! You would think I would be sick of it by now, but...I don't know, it's like the fourth family member that moves with us wherever we go!

I love it. I love its warmth. It's one of those colors that, whether in sunlight or not, still maintains its warmth and brightness. We are definitely in need of major warmth in our current family room. It's open and nothing is bringing it in, so this color will be perfect to get some coziness back.

Happy Paint Party!

Spray Paint Fumes - what do you do?

2009-05-31T23:52:00.004-04:00

A little update to my paint question: Trina from Fabulously Frugalicious (love that blog name by the way!), recommended DutchBoy new Refresh paint that contains Arm & Hammer to lessen the fumes and lingering paint odors. Click here for her review. Thanks Trina! I am definitely considering this brand for our next paint project.

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We have spray painted the cabinets in our basement bathroom (where there is no ventilation) without wearing gloves or face mask. Then today I spray painted a planter (for the topiary project) in one of our unfinished basement rooms, again with no ventilation.

Since I know you ladies use spray paint alot, what precautions do you take when you do your projects? And are you worried about over-exposure to these fumes over time? Is there non-toxic spray paint you buy? Do you avoid the rooms where you have painted or spray painted and if so for how long? What about taking precautions with kids in the home? Any tips and suggestions are welcomed.

I am not feeling dizzy or anything, but I did have to go outside and take a fresh breath and I just felt heaviness in my chest a bit afterwards. From feeling this, I am definitely spray painting outside from now on with face mask and gloves at least.

My Project List

2009-05-29T14:35:00.005-04:00

I have found some great ideas for DIY decor from all these wonderful blog ladies. I think I will limit myself to one project a month for now so I don't overwhelm myself! I want to do every one of these and more!
A topiary by Kara:

Michelle's chalkboard:

Cabinet Door Makeover by 320 Sycamore's sister:

Frame Display (keys or any other sentimental item) by 320 Sycamore:

Photo Display by Kimba:

I also did my version of the Jute Vase and took the idea from Kimba - here is hers:

These are the projects that I am hoping to tackle and share with you once they are done. They seem fairly easy but you never know, a designer wanna-be like myself can mess anything up! Hmm, I am thinking I will start with the Chalkboard Frame =)

The Basement Bathroom Reveal

2009-05-22T23:19:00.012-04:00

I always appreciate a good before-and-after. So here is my paying-it-forward to those who love them just as much :) This was my first official Do-It-Yourself remodel ever and I am so proud of it! Especially due to the fact that I strictly stuck to a budget of under $150! Woohoo!
So let's take a look at the "before" picture (insert gasp here):

And (drum roll please)! The "after":

Let's take a look at all the details:
Wall Paint - Gleaming Tan (Valspar) from Lowes - $18
New cabinets - after sanding, priming and two coats of espresso brown paint and two new knobs (paint $16, two knobs @$1.90 each - all from Lowes):

New mirror $30 - Walmart:

Hand Towel Holder, Toilet Roll Holder and Towel Rack came all together from Walmart for $20!

Sink faucet from Lowes $30 - yet to be installed. I am willing to wait for a skilled plumber to do this for me :)

Towel basket with my angel :) The basket and the angel are items I had around the house - the bath towels were from Big Lots for only $3.75 each:

"And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them" - love it:

My proudest accessory. Remember my DIY jute vase? Here it is, all prettied-up with some fresh flowers:

Rug and Shower Curtain - Pottery Barn - purchased with a gift certificate so I consider them "FREE"!:

I still need to get a new light fixture and get the new sink faucet installed. And make up my mind about the bath rug and shower curtain. Add some DIY art to the walls and it's finito! When I have a really REALLY after picture I will definitely share :)

UPDATE 5/29/09: After searching high and low for a vanity fixture that is decent looking and under $25 (remember the whole being-on-a-budget thing), I found this one for $22.50 with free shipping on Amazon.com! What do you think?

I couldn't decide on the bronze finish or the brushed nickel finish. I finally decided on a bronze finish to match the wall and the mirror. We will see how it turns out!

My First Major Do-It-Yourself Remodel

2009-05-19T12:38:00.002-04:00

The idea of remodeling anything scares me because I am no professional. But, who can seriously afford dropping thousands of dollars on remodeling right now? So the wheels in my head started turning and I began reading up on do-it-yourself projects - the cheapest way to go.
First, I found this great idea on Thrifty Decor Chick's blog. She is awesome! Seriously, she has so many great decor ideas and shows you how to do them, while all at the same time saving some serious cash!
Anyways, I had so many empty glass vases - and had no idea what to do with them. So I grabbed one, a glue gun, and jute rope.

Two hours later, I got this! What do you think?

This was a practice one but I am still so very proud of my first DIY project:)I am doing several more of these with different sized vases to create an arrangement - for my new bathroom :)
Okay, so on to the big DYI project - the UGLY BLAND BASEMENT BATHROOM!
Something came over me - I had to change this bathroom. It is white, boring, ugly ugly cabinetry - just blah! But again, not much cash to drop on a huge remodel so I had to get a little creative. And thanks to the world of blogging, you can find great ideas on just about anything!
So I made a trip to Lowes (scary thought), picked out paint color for the walls, spray paint and spray paint primer for the cabinets. Painting cabinets = SAND, PRIME, PAINT. This is what the blog world taught me :) And here we go:
This is the bathroom before. Horrific, look away, look away!

I started by removing all the hardware (fixtures and such) and removed the cabinets.

Next, after I cleaned the cabinets with soap and water, I sanded them down. This was my VERY FIRST time using a sander. I didn't even know what a sander was last week!

This picture shows the difference between the sanded-down door and the original.
Next, I primed the cabinets with spray paint primer. Since I was painting the cabinets a darker color, I got a gray tinted primer to hold the color well.

And here is the bathroom so far.

Compared to its horrific state before, I think it's looking great already! There is still a lot more work to be done - put last coat on the cabinets, install the cabinets, get new light fixtures, faucet, mirror, accessorize, etc. So stayed tuned for the big reveal!