We are in the middle of a super exciting project! My sister purchased a fixer upper for our mother’s forever home and I get to design her kitchen! The thing is, my mom watches way too much HGTV and is a perpetual renovator (I come by it honestly), so I know she will be bummed if it doesn’t look like a designer kitchen. So, no pressure, right?
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
One of the reasons I’m designing it is that I’ve done kitchens before and have done a lot of research on it (read: obsessively planning our current kitchen reno)… plus, I’m generally good at bargain hunting and finding cost efficient ways to do things.
Any kind of high end countertops are a MAJOR expense in the kitchen planning process and I need to find ways to make it cost less. So, the first thing I’m looking at is alternatives to solid surface. Guess what I super, duper love? Butcher block.
Here’s a quick look at some of my favorite blogger kitchens and their awesome butcher block:
Remodelista.com, From: Remodeling 101- All About Butcher Block Countertops
Sincerelymariedesigns.com: Our Butcher Block Counter Top Review – One Year Later
Beckiowens.com, Best of Pinterest : Becki Owens
Domesticimperfection.com
The first place to ALWAYS look is for places that carry off-the-shelf sizes. Producers offer standard sizes to consumers much more cheaply than semi custom or custom sizes. The best way to save yourself money is to find inexpensive products and sizes that will work and plan the design around that. I found a few places that have reasonable offerings. I looked for four foot lengths for purposes of comparison, but several stores only had longer lengths.
*Please note that prices are current in February 2020 and are subject to change.
Obviously, what size the sections are that you are working with are important. I will let you know what we decide and definitely show you the finished product!
Have you used butcher block from any of these stores? Have you found them in precut sizes elsewhere? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Thanks for hanging out with us in DIY land and check out more great DIY and design inspiration over on our blog.
Cheers!
*Legal stuff:
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.
I have been wondering about using a paint sprayer for years now, because of course I see all these gorgeous finishes on people’s cabinets, furniture, and small paint projects. So, I did a little research, and finally settled on a small project paint gun that is inexpensive, works really well, and is very simple to set up and clean up. Here is the process and what we used to get outstanding results!
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
The first step is having a place to paint. Now these doors were unattached and I REALLY didn’t want to do prepwork inside to paint (especially because of the cats). So, we waited for a day when the wind was relatively still, and set up a clean work surface on the ground and screwed in eyelet screws into the top of the cabinet doors. Then we wired them to an outdoor arbor so they were suspended and accessible.
What you’ll need:
A paint gun: we used the Critter Paint Gun, (great design, very simple, and the best news: CHEAP!).
Paint straining bags: you can get these for a buck and change at hardware stores or buy them online: Paint Strainer Bags.
A compressor, hose, and basic attachments. We have a large Dewalt Compressor (which I bought apparently thinking we’d be framing walls and working in a commercial building environment) but we used the smaller and much more easy to wield Bostich Air Compressor for this project).
First we dry fitted everything on the gun to make sure it worked with the compressor hoses.
How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer and Get Outstanding Results
Then we used one of the paint strainers to strain the paint into the jar.
TIP FROM RAINMAN: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP. If you don’t strain the paint, little chunks will clog up the tiny tube that feeds the sprayer.
How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer and Get Outstanding Results
We realized after the first few minutes that the best method is to put the strainer all the way in and then pour the paint in. It lends some weight to the process and makes it strain MUCH faster.
How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer and Get Outstanding Results
Once the paint is in, lift the strainer out until it has all drained into the mason jar. We layed the bag down on our clean surface, knowing we would use it again, but if you’re taking a long time, you might want to rinse it with a hose between uses (we have not found a non-messy way to do this).
How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer and Get Outstanding Results
Attach the mason jar back to the gun, and make sure your air compressor is set at 30 PSI.
TIP FROM RAINMAN: USE SCRAP WOOD TO GET PSI, LIQUID NOZZLE, AND DISTANCE SET (35 PSI WITH LIQUID NOZZLE CENTERED WORKED WELL WITH THIS PAINT AT AROUND 4 INCHES FROM SURFACE).
Rainman sprayed around the edges, then into the corners, then did a good layer, spraying back and forth across it.
How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer and Get Outstanding Results
Spraying around the outside:
How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer and Get Outstanding Results
Door two: holding it steady to start spraying (this is where those eyelets and wire are handy).
How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer and Get Outstanding Results
Spray the front sides, then the back sides, and give it a little time to dry. Make sure you get any outside edges you will see.
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update; Painting the doors with the Critter
Depending on the paint and color, you will need at least two coats. We did three for good measure and for even coverage.
TIP FROM RAINMAN: LIQUID NOZZLE MAY NEED TO BE CLEANED (PICK OFF ANY DRIED/DRYING PAINT), ESPECIALLY IF YOU LET THE GUN SIT BETWEEN APPLICATIONS.
Pose for a “finished painting” photo:
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update; Finished Painted Doors
We took the doors into the downstairs shower (where there are no cats if we close the door) and where we had a rod across the middle and resecured them to the rod for three days to make sure they were really good and dry before we mounted them.
TIP FROM RAINMAN: CLEAN GUN WITH PAINT THINNER BEFORE PAINT DRIES ON GUN SURFACES.
Clean-up: Rainman rinsed out all of the paint from the mason jar, rinsed all of the tubing and the outside of the paint gun off, and then added mineral spirits to the jar. He sprayed that all out to clean the inside of the tubing and the inside of the gun. Then he dumped that out, added water, and did it again. Take the components apart and let them dry completely before you put it back together. We stored it back in the box and will definitely use it again!
TIP FROM RAINMAN: NOT SURE HOW LONG JAR GASKET WILL LAST; PROBABLY NEED TO ORDER SPARES.
Here are the doors mounted on the fireplace:
How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer and Get Outstanding Results
Here they are mounted and COVERING THAT AWFUL GAPING HOLE!
How To Use An Inexpensive Paint Sprayer and Get Outstanding Results
We had already painted the rest of the fireplace with brushes and rollers. If I had realized how easy it was to use the sprayer and how little overspray there was, I would’ve used The Critter to paint that, as well. The finish looks VERY professional, and I’ll definitely be using it to do our cabinets once we get to that point.
I’d love to see your paint projects and hear about how this little paint gun worked for you! Please share in the comments below and check out more great project tutorials and inspiration over on our blog.
Cheers!
*Legal stuff:
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.
If you follow us, about a year ago I started thinking about the fireplace (and how NOT enamored with it I was). I dug up some fireplace inspiration in the hopes that I would find something awesome and reasonably cost friendly. The thing is, we have some really pretty millwork around the fireplace, but over the fireplace is an awful TV space, meant for one of those gigantic tube TVs. Aside from the part where it a terrible waste of space, it is a complete eyesore, as well.
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
The more I looked, however, the more I realized that I have REALLY expensive taste. The fireplaces I love would require a complete gut, a big mess, and a LOT of money (like upwards of $3000 just for the fireplace surround). So, the alternative is to keep what I have and build upon it. I came up with a design that I think I’m really going to love, that’s very US, and added to it a bit. Rainman is going to kill me when he sees what I added to the project (but ultimately he’ll love how it looks).
This is what we’re starting with (the before):
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update, Before We Started
Okay, so it’s not really that bad. I should stop my crying and just stay with what I have, right? (insert evil laughter). We both know that’s not going to happen. And, is there a reason that I’m showing the whole wall and not just the fireplace? Oh yes, there is. But, we’ll get to that.
Right now, it is a very classic-ish, plain fireplace with some pretty mill-work and a crazy, giant opening up top. This is a shot of it with the cabinet doors that I ordered from Cabinet Door World. So, yeah, you can make cabinet doors (pretty easily), however, with no working wood shop currently, and very little time, I ended up ordering them instead. The quality is very good and the ordering process was easy. I got them exactly the size of the opening, so I’m sure we’ll need to do some sanding once we dry fit the hardware.
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update; Doors To Be Mounted Above
For the color we chose Benjamin Moore’s “wrought iron” and I think it will be fantastic. I’m planning on using it for the cabinets we’re moving out of the kitchen into the mudroom area, also, so this will be a good test run. Check out the tutorial on how we used a great, super cheap spray gun to paint the cabinet doors!
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update; Our Favorite Paint! Benjamin Moore, Wrought Iron
Project tip: We were painting over a semi-gloss, so we sanded with a sanding block first, then wiped down the whole thing and let it dry before painting (a good three coats because of the color!).
The cabinet hardware, from House Of Antique Hardware is still backordered, so I will update once that comes in and we get the doors up, but for now, I couldn’t WAIT to show you how amazing the fireplace looks with a fresh coat of paint! Drum roll, please.
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update; Painted and Updated
It blows my mind sometimes how much a simple color change can transform a space! (And yes, I’m planning on painting the walls… but there are more dining room projects that have to happen first, like the new doors and the stone veneer on the wall to the left of the fireplace… Welcome to my project A.D.D.)
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update
And one more, just because I’m so in love:
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update; With Pretty Lighting
Project Update:
You’ll remember that we weren’t actually done, I just had to show you the paint because I was way too excited. The most difficult part of the project was still to come: actually installing the doors over the fireplace.
A quick word of advice: If you have to work with your spouse, find something that works for you. I find a combination of wine and a mute button work best when he’s doing something for me. I throw in some compliments and thank yous about the awesomeness of his work and shut my mouth. If I have the urge to OPEN my mouth and say something, I open it and insert wine. It has worked out pretty well thus far and has yielded tremendous results.
I ordered the doors so they exactly fit in the opening. That means that in order to account for the fact that the opening is not square and unlevel areas on the mantel, the doors had to be dry-fit, then trimmed down. Now, let me tell you, this is the most Rainman-iest project in Rainman land. It also means that we couldn’t paint them until they were fitted and trimmed.
Full disclosure: I love this man.
First, was the problem of explaining why we needed to build trim above to act as a stop for the doors and fill in the dead space above when the doors are closed. It’s not that he doesn’t understand my “I don’t want a gap above the doors”, it’s just that explaining something conceptually doesn’t always translate to something concrete in his brain. So, a little while later, he devised a solution.
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update, Installing Trim Over Fireplace
“YES, my love, that will fill in the gap. It’s perfect. What’s the next step?” (sips wine)
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update, Trim Above Doors
Back to Rainman Land:
This installation involves a plumb-bob, multiple levels, obsessive measuring, remeasuring, shimming, shimming again, dry fitting, shimming again. Measuring again. Splitting the difference. Rainman muttering about the lack of squareness in the opening. Let’s just say that I may or may not have started drinking before 5 PM that day (but once again, in my hurry to slap it up there and be done with it, I’m quite sure it wouldn’t have been so downright balanced and lovely in the end).
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update, Shimming Doors
After it was shimmed (I don’t mean to undersell the length of that process), I held the doors while he aligned the hinges (more wine, more wine, more wine), and eventually, after much careful sanding and trimming, the doors were hung, and had all the clearance they needed to open and close.
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update, Doors Dry Fitted
Now, we are waiting on it to be not blustery weather so we can take the doors down and paint them. And then we will actually be done.
Update: Finally painted!
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update; Painting the doors with the Critter
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update; Finished Painted Doors
I’m really fond of drum rolls, so let’s do that again. Here’s a shot with the doors on and DONE!
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update: Doors On And Ready To Hide The TV
And one with the doors painted, on, and CLOSED. WOOT! (Can’t see the TV, can ya, Russ?)
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update; Doors Painted, On, and CLOSED
It may seem like a small thing to other people, but this project has been on the list for a long time. It’s just a matter of making it a priority and having the time to do it. But, of course, that makes each little change that much more awesome!
Here is the breakdown:
Project Cost:
Benjamin Moore Paint and supplies: $96.66
Two Cabinet doors: $149.57 (delivered)
House of Antique Hardware 2X Pair of 9″ Smooth Iron Flush Mount Spear Strap Hinges: $43.94
Total: $290.17
And just for fun, let’s see that before and after one more time:
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update, Before We StartedThe Dark and Moody Fireplace Update: The After: Doors above the fireplace, fresh paint, and a new light fixture
It sure is amazing what some doors, paint, and a light fixture can do to a room, right??? And, here’s a shot with what it looks like with the dining table and chairs (which will soon be replaced, but that’s a story for another day!).
The Dark and Moody Fireplace Update, Dining Room With Updated Fireplace and Light Fixture
I would love to see before and afters on your own paint projects! Thanks for playing with us and, of course, cheers to all of your updates in the New Year and check out more project awesomeness on our blog.
*Legal stuff:
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.
I know you’ve been stalking those beautiful Charcuterie Boards on Pinterest and Instagram, don’t lie. I too am LOVING the whole concept, and we recently hosted a Black Friday Party and just SLAYED the appetizers, presentation and all. I’m going to show you what we did, where we got our supplies and show you how they all came out- you can totally do this!
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
So, one of the things I was wondering when I gathered all of the goodies to make the boards (which we MOSTLY did with platters, but it’s the same concept) is if they would actually get eaten. To my surprise, people REALLY did dig in and eat just about everything but the garnish!
And, you know what’s so COOL? I got almost everything for the boards from Costco (and since Sams carries many of the same things, I’m betting you could shop this same list there).
The other coolest thing: I gave her all of the stuff and my daughter made all of the boards so I could finish cleaning and setting up the rest of the party. It’s so awesome having artistic kids!
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
Step One: You don’t actually need those $200 boards. Use different cutting boards and platters you already have. Have some antique silver or pewter platters? Those work, too! I have a ton of little ramekins that I use for sauces etc every day and these work PERFECTLY in this instance to hold sauces or juicy things that you don’t want soaking the surrounding foods (nobody likes soggy crackers).
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
Step Two: Shop your list!
Get something to put all those dips and goodies on: We shopped Costco for crackers (we like Carr’s Water Table Crackers), Hawaiian Rolls, Artisan Breads, mini Naan bread, Stacy’s Pita Chips etc. These are to make little sandwiches and sample sauces, cheeses, and meats.
Salty foods: Black, green, and kalamata olives. Cocktail dill pickles, marinated artichoke hearts, stuffed tomatoes/peppers (Costco has a Charcuterie platter with these already made!), marinated mushrooms, and heart of palm.
Fresh, colorful foods: Cherry or grape tomatoes, cranberries, grapes, kiwis, strawberries, blueberries and pomegranates. Try to find good ones that are in season!
Cheeses: Costco has an artisan cheese section by the wine. Get an assortment of stinky cheeses, soft cheeses, marinated mozzarella balls, etc. Try some new ones!
Meats: In the same section as the cheese there are artisan and fancy meats: pepperoni, prosciutto, and smoked salmon. I went WAY overboard on meat. Keep in mind how big your platters are!
Garnish: Herbs are great for garnish to add a little green in places that need it.
Sauces and Dips: We used tzatziki, hummus, spinach dip (Knorr vegetable dip with fresh chopped spinach instead of cooked), cream cheese and red chili pepper spread (for the salmon).
Crunchy foods: We used pine nuts, but you can do little bowls of walnuts, pistachios, etc, also.
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
Preparing: It’s really tough to time this right, but with a little common sense, you can get these out just as your guests are arriving.
Tip: Not feeling creative? Use a picture from Pinterest and copy the board (the greatest form of flattery!).
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
Start with your crackers and room temperature items (black olives, nuts, etc). Then move to cutting the cheeses and meats (when you’re done, stick them back in the fridge to keep them cool until you’re ready to add them to the platters). Next add the cold fruits, the cheeses and meats, and finally the cold sauces and dips in ramekins.
The last thing you should be doing is toasting your bread just before the guests arrive!
Tip: Use clean, white flour sack towels to wrap over your warm rolls to keep them warm and moist until people start digging in!
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
Arranging: The idea is to keep sets of complementary foods next to each other. On the smoked salmon platter we had the chili jelly and cream cheese and water crackers nearby to build a little sandwich on.
If you have something especially unusual or you just like labelling things, you can make little Alice in Wonderland signs “Try me on a cracker with red jelly and cream cheese!” These cardholders on Amazon are super cute and reusable!
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
Displaying: I like using all of my serveware! If you have cake stands, etc, get those out and put your desserts on them. It gives the table different heights and depths.
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
For fun centerpieces (that don’t take up a ton of room) check out these wine bottle cork fairy lights to put in your saved wine bottles- at about fifty cents apiece you really can’t go wrong! It gives the table some additional interest, height, and color!
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
These little porcelain ramekins are awesome and we use them for individual dipping sauces all the time. They have been super hardy and durable!
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
As you can see, I use the platters as a centerpiece and layer around them. We almost always have deviled eggs (because they’re MY favorite) and adding pies makes for a fun evening paired with your favorite wines and spirits. That beautiful wooden cake stand comes with a pretty glass dome and I use it all the time! The egg plate and four bowl server are both from Pottery Barn, but unfortunately I don’t think they’re available anymore.
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
For more ways to use your saved wine bottles, we have a Great Wine Bottle Post on upcycling! And those low white porcelain serving bowls with the bread and crackers are one of my new favorite brands: Dowan on Amazon, their stuff is sturdy, well made, sourced responsibly, and sturdy!
Charcuterie Boards: Easy Appetizers For Holiday Entertaining To Wow Your Guests
Do you have favorite goodies that you serve around the holidays? If you have combos you love on charcuterie boards, I’d love to hear about them in the comments section below!
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.
I’ve been sneaking Christmas decor out of the closet, but I guess I’m not super stealthy. The thing is, I don’t have a lot a lot of energy, and I really have to pace myself. So, if everything but the tree is up before Thanksgiving, so be it. This is my favorite time of the year, and the little white twinkling lights just give me the Christmas feels! So, here is what I have done so far:
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
The exterior: If it was up to me, we’d be done. I have wreaths with red ribbons and window candles with automatic light sensors and flickering flames (for about $5 each, I thought these were a steal). Okay, maybe some lighted garland around the porch would be cool, but, we’ll see. Clark Griswold is already harassing me about adding more lights, but I’m standing my ground.
Classic Christmas Decor: Wreaths with red ribbons in the windows and window candles
This is a great example of the unpredictable weather in Coastal NC: My roses are still blooming, my hydrangea leaves haven’t wilted yet, my Christmas stuff is out, and there are still tons of leaves falling.
Classic Christmas Decor: Individual window wreaths with red velvet ribbon, pink roses, and a stacked stone garden.
This is a close up of the basic wreaths: Very basic but should hold up well outdoors, and they were cheap enough that it won’t break my heart if they’re ruined. They’re perfectly matched with the window candles!
Classic Christmas Decor: Window Wreaths and Flickering Window Candles
This is a great example of “be where you are.” I am not in love with my fireplace set up currently, but it’s where we are, so I just decorated the crap out of it. I am REALLY proud of my garland I put together, with a willow/eucalyptus garland combined with a basic fir garland (if you don’t have any of these, go to Michael’s after Christmas when they’re pretty much giving them away. They’re on racks on the wall and I got the basic lighted garlands for about $5 each. The faux silver dollar eucalyptus and preserved roses arrangement I added as an afterthought and I love the combo. (Check out our great post on how to preserve roses!)
Classic Christmas Decor: Eucalyptus/Willow Lighted Garland, Christmas Eucalyptus and Preserved Roses Arrangement, Classic Candlesticks and Candlebra, and Classic Oversized Ethan Allen Vase with Faux Cranberries
This awesome Ethan Allen Vase I use for every season with different stems because I ADORE it! The faux cranberries make a gorgeous, simple seasonal arrangement (tip: open them outside and let them air out a little… they have a heavy chemical scent but are beautiful once they’ve breathed a little they’re great!).
For the story of why our turtle inspires us, check out the story on Our Instagram!
Classic Christmas Decor: Our Ethan Allen Vase with a faux cranberry arrangement and our trusty Mr. Turtle the tortoise feeling festive!
And finally, I’m still in work on these faux eucalyptus mixed garlands, and there is a great garland tutorial on our blog so you can make your own much more cheaply than buying them! And I’m just loving the cool led cork-bottle fairy lights, if you’re looking for what to do with all those bottles you saved.
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
I would love to hear what you think about our Christmas style in the comments below! Do you have any Christmas decor traditions at your house?
Check out more of our decor and project inspiration over on our blog. Cheers!
*Legal stuff:
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.
Unless you thought ahead last year and swept Michael’s post-Christmas sale you’re probably in the same boat as everyone else- seeing all these gorgeous Christmas displays on Instagram and Pinterest and wondering how they do that (and how do they afford it?!). The secret is, they don’t usually buy pre-made garlands (or at least some don’t), because they’re crazy expensive! They make their own. Well, guess what? Even if you don’t have the gift for arranging greenery (I DON’T EITHER), you can make a beautiful garland that will impress all your holiday guests!
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
I was checking out the Balsam Hill site and their eucalyptus garland is on sale for $119. Ha. I need six to do my stair and upstairs hallway railing. Quick math: that’s too expensive. So, I decided to transform the Mixed Pine Lighted Garland that I got a couple years ago from Michaels (on sale at the time for 50% off because I procrastinated long enough). They’re currently on sale for about $20.
Step one: Check to make sure the light kit is working (ask me why I put this first) and then lay it out on a flat work space (like the dining room table).
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
Step Two: Flatten out all of the branches evenly on both sides of the garland. Nothing should be sticking up or hiding underneath.
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
I found the Eucalyptus Garland on Amazon for about $10 each. They come looking flat and sad, but fluff nicely once you mess with them a little.
Step Three: Lay the eucalyptus flat on the fir garland. The foot of the garland should be lined up with the female end of your light kit if you want to drape them naturally (in this picture the plug end that goes into the wall is at the bottom of the picture).
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
This is what they look like up close:
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
This is what it looks like part way done:
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
Step Four: Starting at the base: Pull each eucalyptus branch away from the base and wrap the fir branch (that is directly below it) into the elbow, wrapping it across to the other side. Do this on the other side as well. This will make an X of fir branches over the eucalyptus.
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
Step Five: Once you’ve made Xs everywhere there is a eucalyptus branch, go back and arrange the leaves. You’ll see that on each branch there is a short leaf and a long leaf. Put the short leaves on top of the fir branches you twisted and the long leaf underneath.
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
This is what it will look like:
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
Here’s one more: (Don’t mess with it more until you get it up where it’s hanging, because it will move around a little once you get it hung).
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
Step Six: Hang your garland. I hang it on my railing with the flat part against the railing (the part that was laying on the table) so the fluffy side is out. I use the wire from the end of the garland to secure it to the top of the post but your method will depend on the size of your posts, etc.
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
Step Seven: Do your final fluffing! Here’s where you eyeball it and move leaves around if it looks a little thin in some places or too full in others.
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
More arranging:
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
Step Eight: Plug it in and enjoy!
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
Lighted and ready! (Those FABULOUS Wine Bottle Cork Lights are super reasonable and lots of fun).
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
And now I’m ready to go Christmas tree shopping!
How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price
I’m totally psyched I have this (mostly) done and that each strand costs only $30 to make.
Do you repurpose old decorations? Please share in the comments below! And, of course, check out more great content on our blog!
Cheers!
*Legal stuff:
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.
One of the things I get the most compliments on at our house is my giant, black and white canvas gallery wall. It is always a work in progress (sort of like arranging built ins) because I add to it on a regular basis. In fact, this wall has been in work for upwards of eight years!
We have five kids, and three of them are now grown: in college or graduated from college and newly in the work force. That definitely makes me feel old sometimes, but it helps me tremendously to have photos of the people that I love (AND MISS) in a place where I get to look at them on my way up and down the stairs, every day!
The problem with canvasses, obviously, is the cost. Regularly priced large, custom canvasses easily run into the hundreds of dollars. I can’t afford that, but I LOVE the look.
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
I can tell you that I’ve paid about $20 for each of my canvas prints and check out the awesome results:
Giant Family Canvas Gallery Wall On A Budget
Giant Family Canvas Gallery Wall On A Budget
Giant Family Canvas Gallery Wall On A Budget
Giant Family Canvas Gallery Wall On A Budget
Giant Family Canvas Gallery Wall On A Budget
Giant Family Canvas Gallery Wall On A Budget
The trick is PATIENCE (and having downright adorable children): getting on the email list and waiting for sales. Easy Canvas Prints is awesome because it seems like they are “having huge sales” all the time. I’m not sure why it’s not just the price, but whatever. They also generally have free shipping if you purchase a few so I’ve done them in sets.
The other thing is… Once I had a huge order (a Christmas order for grandparents and parents) and one of the canvasses was damaged and one of the others looked as though it was smeared. I emailed them and they reprinted the ENTIRE ORDER free and set it right back out the next day. Their customer service is top notch and I’m always surprised how quickly they print and ship. I am a very happy and loyal customer!
I’ve also had quite a few color prints done and the detail and colors are spectacular.
Giant Family Canvas Gallery Wall On A Budget
I have various color prints all over the house, too, but I’ll admit, the black and white wall is my favorite.
Tip: If you have them where you REALLY want them, use 3M double sided mounting tape on each corner so they won’t wiggle around when people walk by. But, that stuff stays, so make sure it’s really where you want them before you commit!
I use Easy Canvas Prints to print canvasses for grandparents and parents, because there’s nothing they’d rather receive then great photos of the people they love!
Do you like color or black and white canvasses better? Let me know in the comments below! Cheers!
*Legal stuff:
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
This site also contains affiliate links through //Commerce/Sovrn. //Commerce or our Publishers may be compensated when you click through links on our site.
Even though we are currently living in balmy, soup-pot-climate North Carolina, my extended family hails from Southern Vermont. Sometimes, missing home, I get on Zillow and start searching properties up North. Although I’m quickly dissuaded when I visit during sub-zero winters, there’s no denying the charm of New England, and specifically, Vermont homes. One of the features I noticed during a late night search a few weeks ago was the complete awesomeness of the dreamy, warm fireplaces in Southern Vermont.
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
Fireplaces in Vermont have some intangible things that set them apart, from the primitive originals to the new build copycats, I think you’ll love them, too. Check out the gallery!
*All photos are listing photos from Zillow and belong to the respective listing agents.
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; Rough hewn beam mantel, exposed brick, cast iron door, firewood stacking cutouts, and a local slate hearth
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; raw brick with brick hearth and a crisp white mantel that ties in to the white wainscoting in the room
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; amazing assymetrical wood mantel surround with a tall fireplace, against a brick wall and framed by rough hewn beams
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; fireplace with a view, tall fireplace with local granite mantel and surround
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; everything in one place! Crisp molding framing an assymetrical raw brick fireplace and hearth with cast iron doors
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; gas fireplace insert in a brick surround and milled white mantel, against reclaimed wideplank floors, rough hewn beams, and toile
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; the exquisite details of yester year! Extra tall fireplace with wooden mantel and gray slate surround and hearth. Flanked by antique builtins and shelf nooks. Stunning!
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; Greek revival with cast stone mantel, natural granite surround and brick interior
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; Greek revival with cast stone mantel, natural granite surround and brick interior surrounded by exquisitely crafted molding details
Mashup Monday: 10 Inspired Southern Vermont Fireplaces That Will Have You Planning Your Renovation; Even the outdoor fireplaces promise romantic evenings
I struggle with choosing between the deep/tall primitive style and the cast stone mantel! I’m sure either one could really define the style of a room, though.
Which one of these is your favorite? Please share in the comments below! And, of course, check out more great content on our blog!
Cheers!
*Legal stuff:
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.
It’s that time of year again! The rest of you up North are probably enjoying cooler temperatures and those of us down South are decorating for Fall and still sweating our butts off. Anyway, by putting out my Autumn inspired decor it gives me hope that we will soon have cooler temperatures. Check out this awesome, easy entry table set up!
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
Here is the breakdown on the big pieces:
The demijohn is from Pottery Barn, but you can get an Imax Recycled Glass Demijohn quite a bit cheaper (but watch Pottery Barn for sales and free shipping)! The glass pumpkin cloches are also from Pottery Barn (I picked them up around March last year in their clearance section and they were a steal!). The lantern is also from Pottery Barn that I bought about ten years ago.
Fall Entry Table Decorating on a Dime, from Pottery Barn, Michaels, and Amazon!
The other item you’ll see here is the linen tablerunner that I recently picked up, which gives it the right subdued hue and backdrop for a whitewashed pumpkin arrangement!
Fall Entry Table Decorating on a Dime, from Pottery Barn, Michaels, and Amazon!
Then there’s the EVER versatile Faux Eucalyptus Arrangement that I use in pretty much EVERY season because it just works! It doesn’t get much easier than flattening out the leaves and arranging them a bit in a recycled florist vase. Simple. Easy. Classic.
Faux Eucalyptus Arrangement: Fall Decorating
What are you doing for Fall Decorating? Where do you stand on the neutral pumpkin debate? Let us know in the comments below!
Thanks for stopping by and check out more DIY and great projects on our Blog! Cheers!
*Legal stuff:
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.
A few years ago we had a pool installed and had NO idea what we were doing. You don’t know what you don’t know, right? Never having had a pool before (other than the above ground one the previous owners put up and we were tearing down), I really had no idea. We did an okay job, but if I had it to over again there are a few adjustments I would make. As for the finished product, I was ultimately happy and here’s what we ended up with:
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Our pool, after it was installed, finished, and very swimmable!
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.
We loved the pool, so here are the basics of what we learned and some tips along the way of what to do, and of course, what NOT to do.
Hardscaping: Hardscaping around the pool is your friend. The more, the better. You need more than a three foot apron. Insist.
You know what happens when you trim your grass? It all goes in the pool. I know you keep seeing all those super cool paver designs with the grass in between on Pinterest. Or the pool coping that runs right up to the edge of the grass. If you don’t have a landscaper and a pool guy, HARD PASS.
No matter what kind of hardscaping around the pool you do, do MORE. I know some people love the jungle, tropical look around the pool, but I don’t like it. Think: snakes and leaves in the pool. When we moved into our new place the pool was surrounded by gardens and bushes. I came face to face with a giant snake sunning itself on a branch by the pool without even realizing it. Then I asked Rainman, very nicely (and I’m sure very calmly), to get out the napalm and make the greenery go away.
Can you believe how overgrown this was??? NOT relaxing.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Overgrown areas around pools create habitats for snakes and the potential for more leaves and debris in the pool.
Also, think about where you live and how hot the surface will get. Concrete is okay where we are, even though it still gets VERY hot. If it’s in the budget: the best pool surface for hot climates is light travertine. It’s beautiful and stays cooler.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Travertine Pavers from Poolpricer.com
When we installed our pool one side had tiered decks and a slate patio, all connecting to the pool coping. With the exception of the grass running up to the pool on the outside, it was awesome!
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Tiered decks, patios, and pool coping
I’ve had so many questions about our awesome (and durable) deck chairs, shown above. You can buy them from Amazon with matching blue cushions.
2. Lighting: You need at least two in the pool. Period. Pathways around the pool should also be lit in the evening for safety.
Think about night swimming (with teenagers this definitely happens). You want well lit spaces where no one can get lost in the shadows.
If you can, get more than two. Think about the shadows that each light will cast. Shelves or tanning ledges create shadows, as do depth changes. If you plan on using your pool in the evening, get more lights.
We discovered after our pool was installed that there was an additional light we could’ve installed that came with the kit. If we’d have known that, we would’ve paid extra to have it put in. We only had one light and it was in the shallow end, so there was a shadow in the deep end, and I was a nervous wreck watching for drowning kids.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Pool lighting from Leisurepoolusa.com
3. Depth: That depends.
What are you planning to do in it? If you’re planning on diving you need an eight foot deep end. Some areas (like our current home) won’t accommodate deep pools because of the water table. If you only wade, you really only need a 4-6 foot pool.
I’ll admit I miss our eight foot deep end (the new pool is only six feet deep). We used to watch the kids and their friends have diving and trick competitions off of the big diving board and it really was a fun time.
The pool we installed had a graduated deep end with the ability to rope off the shallow end (which was still sizable) for younger kids. It was a handy set up for kids of different ages.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Diving boards should have at least an eight foot deep end
4. Do I need a dedicated vacuum port?
YES. So, if you’re unfamiliar, hoses for vacuums either run off of their own port, or theres a port inside the clean outs (the flapper windows on the side of the pool). It’s more work for the pool contractor, so if you don’t ask, they’re not going to offer the dedicated port.
Why the dedicated port? If you don’t have a separate port for the pool you can’t vacuum the bottom of the pool and run the skimmer at the same time. That means that you either have bugs on top of the pool, or debris on the bottom. We have gotten around this by unhooking the vacuum about 45 minutes before we want to swim. It sure would be handy to be able to use both though.
What kind of vacuum? Look, you need a vacuum unless you’d like to spend HOURS a day vacuuming your pool. I’m not exaggerating. We have tried several different kinds of vacuums, but my favorite by far are the suction vacuums. Generic types are available (comparable to the Kreepy Krauly), complete with hoses, for less than a hundred bucks and I bought a Complete New Generic Suction Vacuum Set annually to replace dry rotted hoses, etc. If the vacuum is still going strong, but your hoses are cracking, you can buy replacement hoses instead of a whole new set for less.
I know there are some slick and EXPENSIVE motorized vacuums out there, but I just can’t convince myself to trust the electrical cord sitting in the water. No thanks.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Suction vacuum hoses and a CLEAN pool!
5. Yes, you want the salt pool.
If you’re having a new pool installed, it’s probably about the same cost as the regular chlorine pool, anyway. Did you know that the salt pools are not actually salty (like the ocean)? The salt runs a chlorinator. The water is silky smooth and doesn’t bleach out swimsuits or turn hair green.
I don’t know if it’s true of every salt pool in every climate, but we added salt A LOT. However, the chemicals seemed easier to balance in the pool, and I had teenagers to haul salt from Lowe’s about every two weeks.
Our current pool is chlorine and I hate it. We will probably convert it before next season to salt as I’ve spent a small fortune this year trying to get the green out of my daughter’s hair, and it would probably be cheaper (not to mention more enjoyable) to have the salt pool. I’ve also found the chemical balance in the chlorine pool to be much more finicky and I spend quite a bit more on pool maintenance (with a pool half the size!).
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Silky smooth salt pool
6. How big does your pool need to be?
Everyone’s needs are different, but we went with the biggest size the installer had available. With four growing kids (at the time) and half the neighborhood swimming in the summer, I was psyched we got a pool that big. At 20X40 feet, with a 10X10 side bump-out, and 36,000 gallons it was a whopper and I loved it.
Your contractor can offer guidance on the size and shape of the pool that’s right for your family. Consider lots of options: depth changes, deep ends for diving or slides, tanning ledges, extra long thin pools for lap swimming, etc.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Enjoying a neighborhood sized pool
7. What kind of inground pool should you install?
Well, this is sort of the million dollar question! There are three basic options for in ground pools: vinyl, fiberglass, and gunite. You should research this before you contact pool companies because if you don’t know what you want, many pool contractors “specialize” in one type (read: they have experience or make more profit off of certain types) and they will talk you into that even if it’s NOT the best kind for you.
Considerations: Size matters with respect to cost.
Gunite is the Daddy Warbucks pool. If money is not a concern, this is usually the choice because it is generally quite a bit pricier than the other options. They are awesome because they are hand poured in special concrete you can literally configure them ANY way you want to. These are more expensive than either of the other options regardless of size.
For a very small pool, it may be slightly cheaper (and MUCH faster) to install a pre-molded fiberglass pool. These are handy, stay clean, are quite durable, and are easy to repair if something happens to the finish. If your dogs go into your pool, these are a better choice as they are less likely to tear than vinyl pools.
Once you start looking at very large pools (like the one we installed) fiberglass pools get way too expensive. We went with vinyl and we loved it. Remember, you do have to budget every decade or so for a new vinyl liner as they warp, tear, fade, or just wear out over time. At about 5K a pop in our area, it’s no small thing.
Tip: If you choose a vinyl liner, SKIP THE EDGE DESIGN. They’ll ask you what design you want around the edge and what color the rest of the pool should be. Make it all the blue you choose with NO EDGE DESIGN. Trust me. It was the first time our contractor had the request, but if your liner lasts a long time, the thing that dates it and makes it look old is the stupid design around the edge. I went with a deep blue and it looked awesome. No outdated edge design, just beautiful blue all the way. For a gunite pool and a fiberglass I’d do the same thing. Any kind of decorative trim at the top ends up looking dated.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Blue vinyl pool with no edge design
8. How do you find a contractor?
You can look on the internet, but I recommend asking a friend. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone with lukewarm feelings about their pool contractor. They either loved them, or hated them. So, if you ask, you’ll find out.
Beware of companies with prices that seem to good to be true. In the town where we had our pool installed, there was a contractor who quoted us 10K less than the contractor we ultimately chose. After doing more research we saw that there were no positive reviews because they never actually finished pools. They would be in and out of a property for months and sometimes YEARS (then when they were sued for not finishing the job they would open up under a different name and go straight back to work ripping people off).
The company we chose did ONE POOL AT A TIME. We gave them a small deposit to secure our place in line and, once they started, they were at our property every day from start to finish of the project.
They’ve continued to be available for questions and troubleshooting every time I’ve contacted them since then for the last eight years (even at our new house with a pool they didn’t install!).
For those of you in Eastern NC I highly recommend Crystal Coast Pools at (910) 330-0969. I’m not a paid affiliate, but we think they’re great!
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Great, well designed pool by Crystal Coast Pools in Eastern NC
9. How much does it cost a month to run a pool?
Running a pool pump seems to cost about $200 a month in Eastern North Carolina. That doesn’t include the cost of chemicals, shock, chlorine tabs, or salt. In our salt pool (36,000 gallons) we usually spent about $150 a month on chemicals during the summer and about $200 to open it, balance chemicals, and buy shock for the summer.
Buying shock and chlorine: We kept having problems with the stuff from the big box stores and the nice lady at the pool store recommended Zappit Pool Shock. It works much better and is cheaper. I buy my own shock and chlorine tabs (I purchase big buckets once a season online) but also found a local pool store that does free water samples. Then I don’t have to mess with trying to guess what I need to add and how much (they sell me the chemicals). It’s way easier.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Diving in a salt pool
10. Is caring for a pool a lot of work?
Yes. But, if you actually use it, it’s well worth it. If you’re not up to it, consider that even in NC where costs are relatively cheap, pool maintenance contractors charge about $75 an hour to care for your pool for you, plus the cost of chemicals, etc. If you don’t take care of it, then you have an expensive frog pond to deal with in the back yard.
11. What kind of fence do you need and pool safety equipment?
When you are interviewing pool contractors, find one that knows the local codes and will include those items as part of the installation. Many municipalities have rules on pool fences, self closing gates around the pool, door chimes leading to the pool, etc. The pool contracter should be knowledgeable and willing to complete the process for you.
In addition to the required items we like to have a pool safety ring on hand and when smaller kids are swimming we use the float ropes that mark where the shallow end transitions to the deep end. If we are having any kind of an event where we have lots of kids swimming I post responsible teenagers at two corners to act as lifeguards. It’s important to have a healthy fear of swimming pools and to create a safe environment for your family and friends.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Diving boards and safety lines
12. Do you need a pool cover?
We never invested in a pool cover at our old house because we didn’t have big trees and there wasn’t much debris blowing into the pool. I just assumed that the grueling process of turning green swamp water into clear blue water was a necessary part of the Spring-pool opening process (which took no less than a month, several hours a day, sweeping algae and messing with chemicals). What a pain.
Then when we got to our new house, there was a cover for the pool in the shed. With lots of big trees we thought it would be a good idea to cover it. So, we covered it the first winter, winterized the pool with chemicals, and crossed our fingers (this isn’t a fancy cover, it’s basically just a gigantic tarp held in place by water bags and a layer of water on top of the tarp). When we uncovered the pool in the spring, after siphoning off the water on top of the tarp, we peeled it back to find: crystal clear water. Now, our current cover is the ugliest pool cover I’ve ever seen (it looks a lot like a giant, black trash bag), but until we budget in a new safety cover, it’s working fine and I’d never go back to spending a month opening the pool.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Pool cover during our deck renovation
Ugh, it’s so ugly. I have my eye on a safety cover because I have nightmares about someone falling onto the pool cover and getting trapped. Hopefully we’ll get that into the budget soon.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: The old pool waiting to turn green in the spring
13. Do you need to bury your wastewater/backwash line?
For those of you who already have pools, you’re like, duh of course it needs to be buried. Well, no one offered to conveniently run a waste line out to the ditch behind our house, and every time we backwashed the pool we pissed the neighbors off. Yup. We’d turn it on and it would shoot out at the fence and eventually settle into a mud pit right by their gate. We tried using temporary attached hoses but they usually worked themselves loose and then created a bigger mess than before (while also soaking us in the process). I had to time backwashing the pool around their mowing schedule to keep the peace in the neighborhood.
So, bury your backwash line.
14. Should you add extra features like cooling systems (for very hot climates), heaters (to extend pool season), or integrated hot tubs?
Look, I know they cost more money, but if you’re already laying out the money to install a pool, you should get what you want. If you’re a lap swimmer and can extend your swimming season a few months a year, then get an insulating cover and a heater. If you live in the deep south, get a cooling system or you won’t want to be in your hot tub of a pool in August. The biggest thing to remember with all of this is that it’s WAY, WAY cheaper to do during the initial installation than to add it after the fact!
POOL TIME!!!
So, here’s the fun part! This is our pool installation process in pictures (and I’m stressed just looking at it).
Most pool contractors will require a current survey. We blew up the survey and made copies so we could draw the shape and size of the pool on the survey. Then we measured the size we wanted and spray painted the lines on the grass to see what it really looked like in the yard. The kids fake-swam across the pool and decided it was big enough.
You’ll need to call the dig people and make sure you aren’t running into any problems where you want to install it (those of you that have septic systems- do you know where your tank and drainage field are?- plan accordingly!).
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Digging the pool
After the pool contractor dug out all that dirt, me and Rainman built a retaining wall at the back of the property so we could use some of the dirt to level the yard (that previously had a steep angle of bank). Of course, we did this to save money, and it was some of the most back-breaking work we’ve ever undertaken.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Installing the new retaining wall
The retaining wall and dirt leveling took a while, and the contractor didn’t need to remove too much as we offered the excess dirt for fill to neighbors. Soon, the walls were framed with the metal band, plumbing and electricity installed, the floors smoothed with the concrete mix, the vinyl liner installed, and WATER!!!
Tip: If you call the local fire department, they will sometimes fill the pool cheaper than off of garden hoses (OOPS, our bill was $500 that month).
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Filling the new pool
Once the dirt was all leveled out, and the pool filled, the concrete coping was poured around the pool.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Concrete coping installation
After the pool was finished, we added an eight foot privacy fence on top of the retaining wall for a secluded paradise in the back yard.
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: Adding a privacy fence
And finally, a finished pool the whole family can enjoy (complete with extended decks and hardscaping)!
Pool Planning, Design, Tips and Considerations: A pool the whole family can enjoy!
Thanks for coming along and sharing our DIY journey!
Do you have things you wished you’d known before you installed a pool? Please share in the comments below!
Check out more of our great DIY, decor, and inspiration posts on our Blog. Cheers!
*Legal stuff:
I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.
Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.
Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.
