Cabinet installation is still underway in the laundry room (details coming tomorrow!), but since yesterday’s post included a giveaway (we were blown away that over 25,000 of you took the poll), I wanted to share a quick update on three recent redo projects. Sometimes a project needs a second pass to get it right — or at least you hope so.
Redo #1: The cork bulletin board in the office. A few months ago we installed a cork-tile bulletin board and used a spray adhesive that advertised bonding cork to wood. Over time the tiles began to peel away from the backing. In hindsight, the adhesive directions did suggest spraying both surfaces, but we only sprayed the back of the cork outdoors and pressed each square into place. Whether that was the issue or not, the tiles were coming loose, so I removed Clara’s artwork and reinforced each tile.
I applied Aleene’s Tacky Glue to the back of each tile and added a few tiny finish nails in the corners for extra hold. The nails are so small they sink into the cork and are barely visible.
So far this approach has worked well; the tiles have stayed in place even during hot, humid weather.
Redo #2: Our red Adirondack chairs. Two years ago we bought professionally painted red Adirondack chairs with a polyurethane finish, hoping they’d resist weather and fading. They lasted longer than a single summer, but after two summers the color had faded noticeably. In photos they sometimes looked okay, but in person — especially without the pillows — they looked tired and washed out.
To restore color and protection, I sprayed three thin coats of Rust-Oleum Gloss Protective Enamel in Regal Red. It has a built-in primer and is formulated for outdoor wood furniture. I flipped the chairs to spray the undersides and backs first, allowed that to dry, then finished the rest.
The result is a bright, refreshed finish — they look nearly new again.
For now it looks like a successful maintenance step, and as a bonus the chairs now match a nearby red stool.
Redo #3: The light-turned-terrarium. I previously tried turning a small light case into a planted terrarium, but the real plants didn’t thrive. After seeing a few comments suggesting faux succulents, I picked up several artificial succulents at JoAnn and some white aquarium rocks from the pet store during a trip for Burger’s food. Clara and I filled the glass container with the white rocks, added the faux plants, and even put a little deer figurine inside — she insisted it go back in, and it was a fun, quick project we finished together.
I still have real plants that need attention, but it’s nice to have an unkillable decorative piece mixed in that adds greenery without the upkeep. Clara loved helping, and it brightened the space.
Bonus: a doorknob sign with a big duh moment. Some eagle-eyed readers noticed I painted a sign months ago for use as a “please don’t ring the bell — the baby is sleeping” hanger. I painted the background white and left it on the counter while deciding on lettering. Eventually I grabbed a red Sharpie, scribbled the message, and marched to the front door — only to realize we don’t have a doorknob on that door.
I laughed until I cried. After months of the sign sitting unfinished on the counter, I still hadn’t noticed the missing knob. I ended up hanging it over the door knocker instead, and it works: delivery people often leave packages without ringing the bell, which keeps Burger from freaking out and barking. Small wins.
The takeaway from these redos: if at first you don’t succeed, try again — and double-check the door before making a doorknob hanger.
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