The Resurrection of a Cart

Granny Grant had this little cart for years.

It was originally chrome and 70's green, but then she spray painted it the color you see below when she wanted an update (Oh Granny, we are alike in so many ways...).

We were cleaning out her house when she moved and would you believe this was headed for the trash!?  Obviously not everyone has cart-love like I do.

My husband said "no way" but we all know there are times to be stubborn.  This was one of those times.

I used my electric sander on each piece until it felt smooth.  I wasn't trying to remove all the paint, I just wanted it to feel smooth so that the chipped paint wouldn't show.

I could have spray painted it without taking it apart but I don't like how pieces look when they've been sprayed and creases are painted and eventually crack.

These screws were caked with paint so I used my sander on each one to remove the paint.  Putting them in a piece of cardboard makes spraying them quick and easy.

I asked my friends what color they thought I used.  Don't you love their ideas and guesses?! 
Funny that no one said gold...

For smaller projects I like rub-n-buff or gold leaf (you can see a scrap of gold leaf from another project on the counter in this picture).

The first round of spray paint resulted in a color that was more bronze than I wanted so I did a second coat with this paint.  I really like the color.

Here's a close up.

I'm still not sure what I should put on it--y'all have any ideas? I looked online and mostly saw pictures of carts used as wet bars. 

I love the thought of having a cart in the kitchen or using it when people are over for snacks and drinks, but for now I've nestled it here.  

Simple door storage aka a boy's room essential

Happy Monday friends!  After living in 3 different houses with three boys through the baby/toddler/little kid/big kid/teenager stages, with all kinds of room arrangements, I've noticed that there are a few things that are essential to a boy's room.  

 One the simplest ones that has made the biggest difference is 

a place for all their little "treasures." 

You know those treasures, the ones that don't need to go in a keepsake album but also don't need to be thrown away...keys, locks, nerf bullets, matchbox cars, army figures.  When they were little and I helped them clean their room I would say, "put it in it's home," which meant that it was up to me to find a home for everything.   

This was especially useful when we lived in houses with no storage.  We've used these shoe organizers in multiple rooms--including the pantry and laundry room.   If you came to my house right now, you would find 5 of these.  They are quick and easy to install--the only reason this is a diy is that I use ribbons and tacks instead of the metal hangers that come with it because they scratch the doors.

Make sure to get one with the clear plastic so you can see what's in the pockets.  You can find these at any Wal-Mart or Target.

Here is where the diy part comes in.  

 Measure and cut strips of ribbon, all the same length.

Use flat tacks on the top of the door to attach the ribbons. 

Hammer them in once your fingers give out.

Cut off the excess ribbon so they won't be visible when the door is shut.

I put this one up when they were at school, but trust me, by 3:30pm it will be full of little crap treasures.

 Here's one from my oldest's closet door.

Yes, that's a molding of his teeth from when he got braces.  Sentimental, that boy.