Cassie Bustamante

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One Room Challenge Week 3: Stretching to My Limit & Some Art

April 20, 2017 by Cassie 68 Comments

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Hey there, friends!  We’re back with a One Room Challenge Week 3 update and I might be panicking just a little that we’re at the halfway mark.  There’s still quite a bit to do around here and the kids are on break this week which means nothing is happening.  Last week before they got out, I worked on my hall and stairways a bit and designed what I think will be some of the art for this space.

Let’s dive right in to what happened.  I painted all of the walls that needed to go white, using a color match from Sherwin Williams of Benjamin Moore’s Cloud Cover which is my go to wall white and is featured in my downstairs hallway, kitchen, and dining room.  So it’s not super exciting, but you see that big white wall… it’s white and that’s amazing to me!

I know that doesn’t sound like too much, but looking back at the old wall color we’ve lived with for an embarrassingly long 5 years, it’s a HUGE improvement.  The previous color was left from the former homeowners and if I had to take a gander at the color name, I’d say “Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut” because it’s a 1980’s/90’s almond color. (And I know some of you remember that Almond Joy/Mounds commercial!)  Maybe this 1989 version will refresh you…

The stairwell is killer with its high ceiling so I used a roller extender and reached as high as I possibly could, stretching to my limits!  I need Chris home to hold a ladder for me so I can finish this area with a roller and cutting in.  Here you can see the contrast of the fresh new white compared to the previous almond color.  How have I lived with that color for 5 years?  It’s so drab and dismal!  This space already feels brighter and happier to me.

Painting Almond walls white

You might recall from last week that I plan to keep the art layout on the black wall at the top of the stairs the same, but change out the photos.  Here’s its current state:

Black Hallway Wall

I’ll be adding new photos of the kids but I also wanted to incorporate some DIY prints.  I used Picmonkey to create a couple of pieces featuring quotes from a special song.  “Central Reservation” by Beth Orton is what I truly think of as “our song.”  We didn’t use it for our wedding because I felt no one would really know it, and I wanted to go with something more classic there, but looking back, I sort of wish I had chosen it.  The lyrics are beautiful, special, happy and full of  hope.  I pulled out a couple of my favorite lines to mix into the photos.  I’ve wanted to use these words throughout my house before, and I feel like this is the perfect spot for them

Here’s the first one:

Central Reservation Lyrics

And the second:Central Reservation Lyrics

Aren’t those words just so wonderful?  When I look at them, I think that it’s my choice to just be happy with everything I have… Today is whatever I want it to mean, so I get to choose to see the good.  If you aren’t familiar with the song, give it a listen.  It’s beautiful.  It was released the year that Chris and I had our first date, 1999.  And in 2000 it was on one of the Abercrombie & Fitch CDs we had to play while we worked.  It just sort of became ours from there, and we listened to it often.  When we lived in Austin, TX, a few years later, Chris took me to see her live for my birthday, and it was my most favorite live music experience ever.  We arrived early so that we could be in the front, and we were right there.  This woman rocks my world.

OK well thanks for the unintended stroll down memory lane today!  I have some serious work to do next week!  EEK!  Check out all of the other participants here and the featured designers here.

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Filed Under: hall, making our home, My House, One Room Challenge

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Comments

  1. laura janning says

    April 20, 2017 at 7:09 am

    ah…you got me all teary eyed this morning!! Not many people recognized our first dance song but I played it anyways and everytime I hear it , we drop everything and dance to it. love seeing your progress, but not as much as you I am sure. gotta go and have an almond joy…they are my favorite

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 8:52 am

      well now i need to know your song! and i LOVE almond joy, too!

      Reply
  2. Susie says

    April 20, 2017 at 8:00 am

    Wonderful post, Cassie. Love seeing your new paint! The color is amazing and kudos for tackling that stairwell. And LVOE your printables. The new wall art will be amazing. Looking forward to next wekk already. Susie from The Chelsea Project

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 8:52 am

      thank you so much, susie! i appreciate it!

      Reply
  3. Bre says

    April 20, 2017 at 8:17 am

    Painting that ceiling must have been a pain in the butt! But it’s all going to look so great when it’s done!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 8:52 am

      i haven’t done it yet! the image just shows where i painted to.:)

      Reply
      • Brittany Goldwyn says

        April 25, 2017 at 1:29 pm

        Godspeed. I cursed myself for not just hiring someone to paint our ceiling, ha! I HATE painting ceilings!!

        Reply
        • Cassie says

          April 28, 2017 at 2:09 pm

          they really are the worst but make a great difference!

          Reply
  4. [email protected] Happy says

    April 20, 2017 at 8:35 am

    Kudos to you for painting the stairwell! What a difference that colour makes – totally brightens it up. We can do this!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 8:51 am

      it really is so much better than that almond!

      Reply
  5. Morgan says

    April 20, 2017 at 8:39 am

    I need to paint my stairwell as well and have a similar height problem. I will be very interested to see how you do it – just a regular ladder? I was thinking we would need some sort of platform scaffolding thing.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 8:51 am

      hi morgan! i asked when i was buying paint if they rented out scaffolding and there was a painter in line next to me… he told me my best bet and what he did was to use a ladder and just have someone hold it just in case, but he did that for all of his stairwells. we have a ladder and it will save us hauling and renting, so we are taking his word and going to try!

      Reply
  6. Cristy @ W. Collective Interiors says

    April 20, 2017 at 9:02 am

    Painting thoes stairwell walls is so hard! I have one to do that I’ve been putting off for years! My mother in law painted it many years ago by taping a paint brush to a pole to do the edging! It looks amazing, but I’m sure I could never do it as well as she did!

    Reply
  7. Emy says

    April 20, 2017 at 9:08 am

    Paint never ceases to amaze me. For our stairwell, we rigged up a special device. Get ready for it: a paint brush duct taped to a paint pole. It dripped a ton, but it got the job done. I’ve also used paint pads for high spots but they don’t get into the corners very well.

    I’m getting work done by letting the kids have sleepovers. The rule is that if they want to be able to invite people over again they have to leave me alone. It’s working so well. “Don’t annoy mom.” 😉

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:13 pm

      you are smart! i think i am trying to make up for all the time i was a crappy mom working… 🙂
      and i had heard that, but i feel like i can do better on a ladder. or die. we’ll see.

      Reply
  8. Jennifer Griffin says

    April 20, 2017 at 9:17 am

    The white paint makes a HUGE difference! I’ve never noticed that cute detail along the side of your stairs, love that character! Hang in there!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:12 pm

      isn’t that detail fun! i only painted part of it when i did it a while ago because i wanted that design to really show.

      Reply
  9. Jen @ Noting Grace says

    April 20, 2017 at 10:37 am

    Cassie! You are not alone – I had a slight hyperventilating moment when I realized the to do list versus the amount of time left to complete everything! Our stairway looks almost exactly like yours and it’s was quite the chore to paint! I am so excited to be doing this ORC with you again – can’t wait to see the final reveal!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:10 pm

      i know! halfway… say what?!?!??!

      Reply
  10. Dannyelle @ Life is a Party says

    April 20, 2017 at 11:41 am

    Your white walls look great -so bright and fresh. And, your song lyric prints look awesome.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:10 pm

      thank you so much, dannyelle!

      Reply
  11. [email protected] says

    April 20, 2017 at 11:56 am

    A fresh coat of white paint really does wonders! And I agree those are wonderful words

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:09 pm

      white paint, black paint- you can’t go wrong with either!

      Reply
  12. Jessica | Petal + Ply says

    April 20, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Just something about clean white! Looks great. One perk of our low stairwell (maybe the only plus) was being able to paint it standing on the steps. I can’t imagine trying to paint a high ceiling in a stairwell!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:09 pm

      i know! i love white walls! 🙂 and that would be lovely if i could reach!

      Reply
  13. Katrina says

    April 20, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    It’s so exciting seeing everyone jump into a project they’ve been putting off and already so much happier a few weeks in! I’m so doing the next one, I think it will be the kick I need to wrap-up those projects (rooms) Love that you’ll be adding in some artwork that has special meaning 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:08 pm

      it really is the kick in the pants i needed! i hope you do it!

      Reply
  14. Erin says

    April 20, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    I loved the flashbacks and those song quotes are so wonderful. Love this post. I know the spring break stall, Finn was on break last week… major stall.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:08 pm

      we’ve been having fun and are traveling this weekend, so i have no regrets, but next week i will be scurrying!

      Reply
  15. Jen @ RamblingRenovators says

    April 20, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    It’s amazing what we learn to live with. White walls make everything better! Good luck with getting those last few inches painted.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:07 pm

      oh i know!!! we just put blinders on!

      Reply
  16. Amy says

    April 20, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    What a difference paint makes! Looks great and love your quotes!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 20, 2017 at 7:06 pm

      thank you, amy!

      Reply
  17. Kristin Cadwallader says

    April 21, 2017 at 8:09 am

    I love that you have put so much thought into your wall art. That’s what makes a beautiful home in my opinion. I hear ya on the stair painting, I am having the same issue with the ceiling going up the stairs. I might ask Dave to finish it…I hate ladders, ha,ha! xo

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:41 am

      thank you, kristin! i don’t like ladders either, but i want it done right and chris just isn’t the best at cutting in…

      Reply
  18. Tee @ Beauteeful Living says

    April 21, 2017 at 9:53 am

    Those words are beautiful, Cassie! This is going to come out so great!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:41 am

      thank you so much, tee!

      Reply
  19. Lizzie Ravn says

    April 21, 2017 at 11:52 am

    Glad I’m not the only one panicking, haha. You’ve made so much progress already though. The white is so much brighter – it looks great!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:40 am

      yeah, panic mode for sure. i am freaking out about how to drill for knobs on doors!

      Reply
  20. [email protected] says

    April 21, 2017 at 1:03 pm

    We have the same issues! We have a very cream-yellow tint to our loft area (above the stairs) but it’s so high up… definitely need two people around for painting and ladder holding. Lots of progress girl!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:40 am

      it’s such an awful color, but you can easily just see past it on a daily basis. until you paint it and realize what you were missing!!!

      Reply
  21. Stacy G. says

    April 22, 2017 at 7:52 am

    Oh my gosh! You are a Beth Orton fan. Me too! Conceived is one of my all-time, favorite songs. Her voice. The words. Everything.

    I think there is nothing quite like fresh, white walls. They make everything seem possible. I’ll be back to see week 4!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:39 am

      YES! i adore that album!!! she cries your name is a fave song, too! so many good ones.

      Reply
  22. Diane Rath says

    April 22, 2017 at 11:23 am

    A newly painted wall IS a huge change! And those quotes, along with the photos of your kiddos are what’s going to make your space beautiful for you every single day!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:39 am

      even from almond to white… it’s so refreshing!

      Reply
  23. Lindi says

    April 22, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    Beautiful words! I love the idea of framing them in your gallery wall! You’re giving me ideas for my own gallery wall… lol.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:38 am

      thank you, lindi!

      Reply
  24. Sarah says

    April 22, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    Looking so good! I want everything painted white too!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:38 am

      if only i could take a sprayer to it all!

      Reply
  25. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    April 23, 2017 at 8:54 am

    I absolutely love that you’re incorporating lyrics from a song so special to you!! And woohoo to fresh white walls!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:37 am

      thank you, shelley! i still need to get them printed… feet dragging.

      Reply
  26. Carol, The Red Painted Cottage says

    April 23, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Your staircase reminds me of the one in our previous house. We always had someone paint it because it was too tall. The quotes are very beautiful!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:36 am

      it is a challenge but i am too cheap to hire. 😉

      Reply
  27. Carol @ CAD INTERIORS says

    April 23, 2017 at 8:40 pm

    Great lyrics… it will make awesome art! Hey, but I like Almond Joy?! 🙂 The white looks awesome.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:35 am

      i love almond joy! just not almond colored walls etc…

      Reply
  28. Katie @ Little House of Four says

    April 23, 2017 at 11:06 pm

    I feel you on painting stairways, they are a beast! Our basement stairway needs to be painted, but I did it once and dread doing it again. Maybe if I’m real nice I can talk my husband into doing it for me, haha. I’m loving the black wall with the white frames too!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2017 at 7:35 am

      they totally are a beast!!!! my husband will paint if i ask, but i do a better job so with all those edges up there… i am doing it!

      Reply
  29. Stephanie @ Casa Watkins Living says

    April 25, 2017 at 10:54 am

    Loving the progress Cassie! The stairwell looks amazing! It did before, but I love the difference now. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 28, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      thank you! i am anxious to get this space complete!

      Reply
  30. Amy says

    April 25, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    I totally forgot about Beth Orton! I love her! Now I need to go listen to her again. I remember being obsessed with this song. Another folksy/90’s singer I loved was Mary Lou Lord. She and Beth Orton are similar to me somewhat. I loved Beth Orton’s collaboration with the Chemical Brothers from the 90’s…called Where do I begin?

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 28, 2017 at 2:08 pm

      i don’t know if i ever listened to mary lou lord! i will have to check that out!

      Reply
  31. [email protected] says

    April 25, 2017 at 9:58 pm

    Okay, so this is almost freaky because I have almost the exact same situation where we have the last vestiges of the yellowy paint that was all over the house when we moved in (also 5 years ago) in our stairway and upstairs hallway, and the stairway looks just like yours with that impossible to get to high wall. I’m very impressed that you’re going to get on a ladder and paint it! I keep thinking we need to just hire someone, because I’m too scared. Anyway–yay for the end of the almond paint!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 28, 2017 at 2:07 pm

      i will let you know how it goes on the ladder this weekend. if you don’t hear from me, it didn’t go well.

      Reply
  32. Creatively Homespun says

    April 28, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    Woof! That is a high ceiling! That is how our stairway from the 2nd level to the 3rd is… SOOOO SCARY! It’s lookin’ good though!!! We are almost there!!!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      May 4, 2017 at 11:33 am

      thank you! i can’t believe we have one week left!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. One Room Challenge Week 4: DIY Black and White Photography - Cassie Bustamante says:
    April 26, 2017 at 9:33 am

    […] talked a lot about new art for this space with the DIY quote art I am creating as well as some fun new gold foil art.  You may recall I mentioned swapping out the […]

    Reply
  2. One Room Challenge Week 5: DIY Rope Stair Railing, Painted High Stairwell Walls, and When to Call the Pros - Cassie Bustamante says:
    May 3, 2017 at 8:52 am

    […] ladder so that I could paint the top part of the stairwell.  I painted the rest of the walls a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn’t safely reach the highest points of the walls, as you can see […]

    Reply
  3. One Room Challenge Reveal: Our Black & White Stairway and Hallway Makeover - Cassie Bustamante says:
    May 10, 2017 at 9:18 am

    […] that wall, I added new photos I shot of my kids and had printed at Costco.  I also printed two DIY pieces of quote art I created with lyrics from a special song.  For all 4 luster finish 16×20 prints, the cost […]

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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