Tutorial Tuesday: Homemade Spackle 7/20/2010

Here's a favorite household tip I gleaned from my Grandpa Roy. One of the many tricks a military family learns having to constantly move from place to place :). This recipe was a life saver when we moved into our first dinky dingy apartment and the entire place was covered with holes from previous tenants. It seems to work best on small nail holes (no matter how many) and thin wall cracks. Of course it won't restore the integrity of the wall (when you find that super spackle that does, call me! ), but it will at least look nicer. 

Homemade Spackle

2 Tbs salt

2 Tbs cornstarch or flour

4-5 tsp water

-STEP 1: In a small container, combine ingredients to make a thick, pliable paste. 

Some people like to add paint at this point, to match whatever wall they're patching. My experience has taught me that painting after is more reliable. For some reason, the pre-colored paste looks slightly off when it dries, in which case you'll just repaint it anyway. 

So save the headache, unless you're totally awesome and it turns out for you. In which case, I'd be jealous, but I digress...

-STEP 2: Fill hole and let dry. 

I just pat it on with a finger.

Still wet, just after application. Fortunately, the apartment walls are textured to hide the abuse of many tenants, so the lumpy-ness works.

-STEP 3: If necessary, smooth with fine grade sand paper. Surface can now be painted to match the rest of the wall. 

Oddly, my lumpy paste matched the wall's texture and color, so I didn't need to do any finishing. Very nice!  

Oh my, a way to upgrade the look of your holey walls and save money? I think I shall swoon! After I hang some shelves.... which you got a peek of in the photo above. Shelves to be revealed later :) 

Happy spackling!

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Makeover Monday: Virtual Broom Closet

Bim!

Select the drill bit and the bit of wall to mangle.

Bam!

Drill holes (check with a spirit level) and tap in wall anchors.

Boom!

Place fixture and secure with screws. 

I've had this for a while and it's a relief to have it finally up on the wall! I originally went to the store to get a broom and mop organizer, but there was none to be found. After several trips, I pretty much gave up. However, on my way out of the store that last trip, there was this "small umbrella holder" in the clearance section and my cheap little heart went all aflutter. I had found my organizer!

Booyah! 

A virtual broom closet, which is really the unused space near the fridge where my swiffer, dust pan and broom used to tumble all over in an unsightly heap. It works just as well as this one. At least I think so.

Many thanks to Tresa @ Reese Dixon whose post made me aware of these wonderful things in the first place!

I think this counts as a makeover and a peaceful space post, don't you? It's made such a difference in keeping things orderly in our tiny kitchen. I like it! 

Ta for now, beautiful people!

Peaceful Space Inspiration: Little Changes That Make a Big Difference

Today's post is focusing on the little changes that we've made around our little home. The changes are so minor but make a big impact in peace of mind and the overall feel of a space.

I finally put up my plant hange to add a touch of happy (isn't that what all plants are?) to the kitchen/dining area.

Great suggestion, Res. I really like it there.

I changed out the light switch plate in Toa's room. This is from his old nursery in Arkansas. It has so many happy memories attached to it, like the friends who gave it to us and our grand plans as we welcomed our Baby Boy home from the hospital.

You knew it was coming, right? My new addiction, happy growing things. These are all the plants Mom and Dad got me throughout their visit.

Right to left (oh yeah, we're pretending we're Japanese. Don't you feel international?):

Random pretty plant
Azalea bush (to save Mom-mom's Toababy from falling through that gap in the railing!)
African violets
Random tropical plants (what can I say? I like to do my research),
plant box with vines and Mother in law's tongue- a very tough leathery thing (hey, I didn't name it!)
more random pretty plants
an Aloe plant (yay! I finally have one!)
and my die hard African violet from Arkansas.

Continue to the left and up.....

Oo la la!

Spider plant. I miss Mom!

Aren't my plants gorgeous? Thanks to my visiting bro for putting up the hangers and to Mom for being our placement consultant!

Another flea market find that I just fell in love with. A wrought iron coat hanger. LOVE it! Thanks, Dad :)

Of course, I just had to get it on the wall. It now graces the tiny bit of walking space in the living room I like to call, wait for it...... wait for it.....: The Entryway.
Oooooohhhhhh.... Sounds so grand, doesn't it?

In reality, it's the path you'd naturally have to take if you wanted to move forward when coming through the front door, but hey, a girl can dream!

I love the look of it.

More on how the rest of 'The Entryway' is being transformed later. Do you have some tiny adjustments that can be made to make your space more lovable? Don't wait! Get it done so you can enjoy your home! You'll be so glad you did.

UPDATE: 7/29/2010
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