Haute Decor Gal is now BlessedLovedandBeyond

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

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!

What is your Bible Verse?

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!

My Favorite Paint Color

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?

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.