Showing posts with label mobile home. Show all posts

Guest Bath Progress - Recessed Wall Niche



My guest bath progress slowed down the past few weeks while I tended to outdoor projects that needed to be completed before cold weather set in. I'm glad I took the time to do that, because this morning we received our first of the season snow, mixed with rain, and tonight it's supposed to freeze. 


On Monday I found time to finish the recessed wall niche, and I'm loving the way it looks.

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By Nancy at 28 comments
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Guest Bath Progress



My guest bath project made significant progress last week. On Monday the electrician installed the new light fixture. Then, on Thursday my counter top guy came and replaced the old vanity top with the new one. The plumber, who was also onsite at the time, installed the new sink and faucet, as well as the new toilet.

Just to remind you of how the bathroom looked prior to these changes, here's the before photo.


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By Nancy at 19 comments
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Creating a Faux Brick Wall with Joint Compound

 



It always feels good when a particular home improvement project is complete. After finishing the kitchen cabinet painting project, I doubt anything I do from here on will have the same impact on my satisfaction scale. However, the faux brick wall comes pretty close.




This close up of the wall shows how authentic the brick looks.



Here's how I achieved this faux brick wall.

Applied one coat of sealer/primer to the VOG (Vinyl-Over-Gympsum) wall.




Created a template with 3/4" masking tape.





Spread a thin coat of joint compound over the entire template, making sure to leave tabs of the masking tape revealed. This gives something to pull, and then peel off the masking tape. 




Here's what that looks like.





Now the faux brick wall is ready for painting. 




While they were still wet, I painted each individual brick with Folk Art acrylic paints in various colors. Also, after the painted bricks were dry, I went back in with an old table knife and added joint compound between the bricks to give the look of mortar. This is something I haven't seen anyone else do. I'm thinking about painting the "mortar" in a color that gives it more of an aged appearance. Maybe ivory, or pale gray. What do you think?




At the end of this post I've added some Youtube videos that show the process in detail, in case you're interested in learning more about creating a faux brick wall with joint compound.

By the way, the entire cost of this project, including the decorative paints, was about $20.  A definite statement in my kitchen for very little money. And, honestly, this was a pretty easy and fun project.




Hugs,





Youtube faux brick wall videos:






By Nancy at 23 comments
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Bedroom Mirror Makeover

            



One of the items in my Mega Thrift Store Haul last January was an oval mirror. While the mirror was sturdy, the finish was very worn and looked cheap. The oval shape and $5 price tag sold me, and I knew with a little paint I could transform it into my style.
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By Nancy at 7 comments
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When God Changes Our Direction

Hi Cottage Friends,

 Thanks for all your encouraging comments about my plans to purchase a mobile home. I have to say it's a lot more fun going through this process when I have friends like you to cheer me on. What wonderful people you all are!

 So, the title of my post today introduces the subject at hand. You'll remember in my last post I told you there were some maintenance issues to work out before the deal was closed. The biggest problem was the roof. My home inspector told me there was quite a bit of damage, probably from hail, and he would recommend the roof be replaced. The seller had already discounted the home considerably, so there was no wiggle room for him to replace at his cost. However, since the damage appeared to be caused by hail, his home insurance would most likely cover it, after the $500 deductible. I was willing to pay the deductible to get a new roof. Because, as you probably know, the foundation and the roof are the two most important features of a home. Well, the insurance company dragged their feet, we extended the contract a week to give them more time, but after a week they wanted more time to get an insurance adjuster out to the site, and I started to feel funny about the whole thing. If I gave them another week, who's to say they wouldn't still need more time. I just started to feel like this home was going to be more trouble than it was worth, so I terminated the contract. My realtor was about to list a newer mobile home in a nearby 55+ park for about the same price. I was intrigued, so he set up an appointment for the next day, and after I saw it I knew God had a whole other plan for me. I mean, this home is so much better in every way than the other one was. And it had a brand new roof and skylights -- just completed the day before. So, I made an offer on this sweet place.

The owners had some cosmetic changes they wanted to make to the interior, but I suggested they forego them so that I could do the work myself in my own style in exchange for a lower selling price. They were happy to oblige, so I ended up getting this home for the same price as the other one. And, the really good news is that the home appraised well.

 It's so easy when things aren't going right to question what God is up to. Especially when we've already invested money along the way (home inspection fee, application for the park fee) -- it starts to add up and we wonder why God would allow us to go that far if He really cares about us. But, that's the wrong way to look at it. God is always at work, moving the pieces, getting things lined up. And it's not just about me. There's a seller involved, a realtor, a loan officer, an inspector, and on and on. He's concerned about each one of those individuals, as much as He is about me. So, I don't question His wisdom, nor do I question spending money to get to where I am today. I'm saving money on the lot rent on this second home, on repairs I would have had to make on the other home, not to mention the amount of time it would take to bring the other home up to the standards of this one. Truly, God is wise. And God is good. All. the. time.

 Today I spent a little time looking at photos of the cottage in Oregon. It's a darling place, and I'm satisfied with the work I put into it. I could look back with regret at having left it, but here's the thing: it's only a house. Really. It's just a house. I believe strongly that life is so much more than material things, and that possessions don't bring happiness. What matters is relationships. The number one relationship in my life is Jesus Christ. I would not be where I am today if not for His sacrifice. I was a mess before He rescued me. That was way back in 1973, and a lot has happened since then. Some good things. Some not so good things. No matter, though, because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He never changes. Circumstances change, but He never changes. That's why I have confidence that as I continue this journey -- this life changing journey -- He will not let me fail. I may stumble, I may even fall. But He will not let me stay down. He will always lift me up. He will always see me through. I know this from the Bible, and I know this experientially.

 Many of you have told me you're praying for me. I can't tell you what that means to me. Prayer is powerful when we're praying to the One who holds everything together. He hears us, He responds to us. He is infinitely interested in each one of us, and He never gets bored with us. Isn't that amazing? I think it is. To think that our Creator is excited to spend time with us? Wow! Thank you, Lord!

 My closing date is next Friday, June 5, and I take possession on June 10. Then the fun begins. I've been pinning ideas for updates I want to make on the home. It's pretty dated -- think 90's Hollywood lights in the bathrooms, mauve and blue countertops in the kitchen (and baths). Thankfully, it has descent wood cabinets throughout, and they can be painted. I know how to do that. And countertops? Well, there's a plethora of things that can be done to them, from painting them -- to full replacement. 

I'm happy that most of the VOG walls have been redone.


The VOG still remains in the kitchen and bathrooms. So, one of the first things I'll do is remove the battens, smooth them over with drywall compound, and paint over the oh-so-lovely vinyl wall covering. 


The oh-so-lovely VOG in the kitchen.

There's a charming little enclosed patio just off the entrance that I can't wait to get my hands on.


The paving needs some work, but picture this with loads of flowers in containers, and some climbing roses or other flowers. 

I think just adding pea gravel to the existing pavers would do the trick. Look at the patio "floor" in this photo. It's basically the same pavers as the ones in my home with pea gravel added.
Source

 So, what do you say? Want to join me on this adventure? We'll stop for breaks along the way, drink some iced tea or lemonade, and soak up some Colorado sunshine. It'll be fun.

 Hugs,




By Nancy at 26 comments
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Living Large In Small Spaces - Paradise Cove Mobile Home

A mobile home redo that's smart and chic is this week's featured small home. The owner, who had down-sized from a large home to live full-time in her vacation mobile home, purchased the mobile next door when it came up for sale. Remodeled, and decorated in global boho style, it's now used as a guest house for her adult children and friends.




Welcome to the seventy-first post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".


Located in Paradise Cove of Malibu, California, this 600 sq ft beauty began life as a fairly common mobile home. Just to put things in perspective though, the NY Times calls Paradise Cove "America's Most Glamorous Trailer Park". First developed in the 50's and then expanded in the 70's the park's mobile homes today range from $400k to over $4m and space rents run from $1500 to $3000 per month. 

 I say let's put real estate prices aside for the next few minutes and allow ourselves to be inspired by the interior transformation of this 1 bedroom, 1 bath mobile home. 

 Before the remodel the home seemed dreary and cluttered.


The after photos reveal a breathtaking makeover. Old sliding doors were removed and replaced with larger doors that allow for more natural light, not to mention fabulous views.  Bar stools were placed outside near the deck rail to take advantage of the top rail's 14" depth -- great for holding plates and drinks.




The floors are white wash oak laminate. Walls are covered in wallpaper called "Peacock Feather".

 A sectional really makes sense in a room this small. It allows for better traffic flow and helps the space seem larger.



The custom floating cabinet under the TV houses media equipment and provides storage to keep things tidy. 




The new streamlined kitchen is bright and nicely appointed.


Floating shelves instead of upper cabinets open up the kitchen. Counter to ceiling tile gives the wall a clean, sleek look.





The floor to ceiling cabinetry on the right side of the kitchen conceals a pantry and refrigerator.




While the bedroom is minimalist in content, the layered textiles and warm wallpaper keep it from feeling stark.




Bedroom built-ins have double rods, drawers and a washer-dryer.



The bathroom is stunning with dark blue custom vanity, Caesarstone vanity top, and brass fixtures, and hardware.




Much of this particular remodel specified custom materials and work, but I can see how a project like this could be done in a budget-friendly way. Can you?


Interested in seeing more mobile home transformations? Here are some previous Living Large In Small Spaces featured mobile homes:
Whisper Cottage -  Geneva and Buzz's single wide mobile home remodel


Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series

 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours and small living ideas in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.

By Nancy at 31 comments
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