June 2, 2003

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  The next chapter of The Bedroom Project saga.

  
  

  These pictures taken this afternoon. The ceiling is finished (and dried looking pretty nice, too) The walls have had their necessary repairs and prep work, and a coat of primer/sealer.

  
  

  north east

  
  

  I didn’t have quite enough primer to do all of the walls but the one that I didn’t finish will have a large piece of furniture and mirror on it, as well as the door (which is usually open)  I had enough primer to prime the parts of this wall that had repairs and the worst stains, and also along the edges of the wood trim.

  
  

  south west

  
  

  This double window will be a focal point of the room. It is (or will be) facing the foot of the bed. I have an old chest I plan on putting under it, with an upholstered top and a bunch of pillows for a window seat effect. I also envision a special window treatment here, too. But the view may not remain, since I may put an air conditioner in one of these windows.

  
  

  

  
  

  Painting.

  
  

  I have done quite a bit of painting over the years, including my very first exterior paint job (started last fall but not quite finished due to the weather we have been having) I did all of the interior of this house about 4 or 5 years ago, with the exception of this room, which was still my dad’s room then, the breezeway and the garage (yes, I am still working on that, but The Garage Project is temporarily on hold, in favor of finishing my bedroom)

  
  

  I think I am pretty good at painting. I really enjoy doing it, except ceilings, I can do without all that reaching and stretching! I learned to paint from my uncle, who was a master painter and paperhanger. When he was living, he worked on places like the Governor’s mansion and other historical places, and did faux finishes before most homeowners had any idea what they were. I would sit and watch him paint for hours whenever he worked on one of my family’s homes. He worked the old fashioned way, cutting in edges by hand with a brush, and could get a nice even straight line with a 4″ brush along the edge of a ceiling while balancing on the top of a stepladder… amazing. Never used masking tape, and only occasionally had to wipe a stray mark off the woodwork with a rag.

  
  

  So I have always painted the same way. Sure is tedious and time consuming. And since I don’t do this every day for a living, I haven’t had the practice required for such precision. I never had much luck with masking tape, there were always problems with it being too sticky and peeling paint, or causing other problems that made it seem more trouble than it was worth. But technology has improved in this area, too…So this time, I gave in (or should I say up?) and invested in a roll of that (relatively new) blue low-tack painter’s masking tape. Wow. What a difference. Of course I won’t know for sure how much I like it until I am all finished and pull the tape off, but I guess I will let you know….

  
  

  Yesterday I decided to do something I never do, and just toss out my tools rather than try to clean them. That ceiling texture paint was so gloppy and everything was just totally covered. I was using a metal roller tray I have had for maybe 15 years… it had lots of old paint residue, and was getting a little rusty around the edges. And my roller frame was in even worse shape. I had bought a second inexpensive roller frame for the texture roller, and couldn’t get the roller cover off it when I was done, so I tossed it in the trash too out of frustration. I figured I deserved some new tools anyway…

  
  

  Then last night my Carpal Tunnel was hurting so bad I couldn’t sleep. Painting really bothers it, especially with a roller. So today when I went out to get new tools, I bought myself a brand new ergonomically designed paint roller. Rubbermaid makes them, and so far it feels pretty good. It will take a few more nights in the wrist splints before the Carpal Tunnel inflammation goes down, but since I have so much more painting ahead of me, I guess I will find out if the new ergonomic design of this roller handle makes a difference. I got a nifty new plastic roller tray too, one that fits better on my step ladder, and has a built in brush rest. So I am all set now.

  
  

  Next step — windows.

  
  

  I have been researching the hardware for my window treatments, was thinking of making them from scratch, but after considering all of the options I decided to just buy some decorative rods that I found at Target for a really good price today. Now I just have to get the fabric or pre made curtains (still not sure) I still plan on making cornices for the windows in Bernie’s room, and the drapes that go with them, but one less project to do is always welcome.

  
  

  Men.

  
  

  Bernie is giving me some flack about the money I am spending on these projects. I am doing as much as I can by myself, using the materials I have on hand or can buy inexpensively, but he still doesn’t like to spend much on furnishings. I am just trying to do my best to make our home a pleasant and functional environment for us to live in…

  
  

   … can’t live with ‘em, and the bodies are too big to hide!

  
  

  

  
  

   

  • 6:08 pm
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