HAMM DECOR: Doggone Good House

First, let me apologize for the late post....almost a MONTH since my last post.  Big dummy- AHEM, I didn't even think about the school year winding down for the Hamm House and all that goes into the shut down of a normal schedule...apology accepted? Good!  Let's move forward.  I think you will like this one.

We are BLESSED to have a nice, double-door pantry to put "stuff" and food inside.  The glorious, glossy WHITE pantry that is EVIL for an OCD mom.  Lots and lots of wiping fingerprints and sticky goo.  Did I say L. O. T. S? Something had to be done.  PINTEREST: "white pantry doors"....solution: paint them!

Problem: The Pantry and Weird Open Space

Second apology entry here:  When I took some of these before pics, the concept of a blog was NON-EXISTENT.  So, the lighting may be poor.  Above, you see the offender or offensive areas- weird space to the left of the pantry and glossy white doors.

THE NOW:

Okay, yes....I skipped the process pics (again, blog wasn't in my thought process) AND yes, the space appears decorated, like BAM, insta decor.  Of course, it wasn't that simple.  

Here's a breakdown....I used Glidden Exterior Pain- Martha Stewart Color: Silhouette paint to paint the doors.  Yes, I painted inside and outside of the doors.  (Matter of fact, I intend on doing this to ALL of the interior doors this summer.) Yes, I left the doors hung while painting...because the other thought of taking them down and making the painting easier....well, wasn't in my brain space.

I also made the wreaths that are on the doors, post for later, maybe?  Both of the wreaths were actually made for our front entryway doors, but then....the artificial plants were not holding up well in the direct sun....so there ya' go- pantry door.  Okay- let's proceed...

 PANTRY, DONE!  CHECK....Onto weird space....

We have two dogs, Sketch and Trace.  Quick background- being a creative person, I had to have an artsy namesake for the dogs.  Sketch is a 22 lbs. miniature schnauzer and is a gorgeous silver color; hence, the name Sketch- like the color of graphite on white paper.  Trace is a maltese.  Four and a half pounds of ferocious, flesh-eating, ankle biting, little dog man of a beast- not really...but, don't tell him that.  He's pure white, like tracing paper.  Together- Sketch and Trace.

Both dogs, obediently sorta comply to go into their kennels when we are not home, for their safety, of course.  I had been using the black wire kennels for years for the boys.  Where were these placed?  In the weird space.  Seriously, what else was going to go there anyways.  So why the change?  Well, you have two different sized kennels.  OCD kicks in.  Enough said.  Also, Sketch can see EVERYTHING, which means LOTS of barking.  Bark at the squirrels, grass, dust that floats in the air when the sun shines in....get me?  Makes us nuts and surely cannot be good for ole' Sketch's anxiety.

SOLUTION:  Built in dog kennel...

As you can see from the time stamps on my phone, I was searching for over an hour of what I wanted to accomplish.  I loved these two.....and the search was on.  

 

I measured said "Weird Space" and came up with 36" wide and 24" deep.  Not an unusual size, but enough to have to "hunt" for something to fit in the space.  I knew that I wanted to find an item that was cheap.  Something that could be restored.  I went to Goodwill, Salvation Army, asked friends on Facebook, Craigslist...you name it....searched it. I couldn't find what I wanted. 

I headed out for a two day business trip.  Honestly, this is where I get my best ideas.  I'm not sure if it's the energy from conferences or the drives.  In this case, it was a 6 hour round trip.  Plenty of time to think.  QUIET time, no kids, no dogs, no hubby....

WHAM!  BAM!  It hits me....kitchen or bathroom cabinet can go there!  I know the measurements are appropriate for such.  Heading home, I stop at a builder's warehouse.   THEN.....in unicorn and glitter fashion, the cabinet magically LIGHTS up in ALL of its glory....THE CABINET FOR SAID WEIRD SPACE....unfinished and FITS perfect.  P.E.R.F.E.C.T!  I am in LOVE...

SKETCH AND TRACE HAVE TO BREATHE!

I made a template of what I was wanting on cardboard.  We have found after MANY mess-ups, this was a necessary evil.  More so because I want Big Daddy to read my mind during project time AND well, no person should have to do this...often ever....BUT, when Big Daddy does- whoa! baby....

We decided to do 2" circles for the front of the kennel/cabinet doors.  Big enough for air and comfort, but not to big that Trace could crawl out....and believe me, that's a possibility.  Gabe uses the template to drill pilot holes.

 

This drill bit/circle thingy is used for the 2" circles.  This thingy is the BOMB.  You can buy them for $12 at Lowe's.  

If thingy bothers you, you may not want to continue with this blog.  Gabe went to work....circle thinging in ALL of his amazingness....

WARNING:  Circle thingy slowly and steady OR you will BLOW out the backside of the cabinet door.  Thank goodness it was the back.  Also, I knew I could fix it if it were going to mess up the design.

Big daddy with the glorious doggy door...

 

TIME FOR STAIN

I asked Big Daddy to take off one of our cabinet doors to take with us to Lowe's to match the stain.   Normally, I have NO trouble matching a color.  Seriously, I have most fan decks of paint and stain memorized.  I'm NOT kidding....but I was so serious about this investment, that I wanted it to be perfect.  Purchased the stain, sanded the inside of the circles....let staining commence. 

I was so excited during this process I forgot to take pics.  I know, apology THREE.  Y'all, staining is THE EASIEST thing to do.  Open can (I use AND prefer the Rustoleum stains), dip in old tshirt rag, wipe in circles, seal with polycrylic.  Yep.  That easy.  Took me two and a half days to allow for drying and curing.  One of the hardest things I deal with- HURRY and wait.

THE REVEAL

Kennel is in it's place.  All cut, stained and coated with polycrylic.  Dog beds are washed and placed inside. I didn't stain the inside.  I left it raw for now.  We wanted to see if the dogs were going to scratch around in here first.  After many decision, we went with the ole' hook and latch on the front to secure the doors.  This is not my favorite, but it works.  When you see everything all together, the latch is not even a focus. On to the DECOR....

Sketch and Trace enjoying their new kennel :)

DOGGONE GOOD HOUSE

Here's the finished product.  All decorated and amazing!  The Beach sign (it lights up, too) is my favorite.  It's from Hobby Lobby, along with the "Love" sign.  I purchased the lamp and shade from Wal-Mart- hey! We live in small town USA and I am NOT ashamed to say Wal-Mart is rocking in my house.  The seahorse picture is from Home Goods.  Topiary- thrift store....I know, I'm a lucky gal!  Don't know about you guys, but I LOVE IT and I know my fur babies do tooooooo!

It's been a LONG hot day, off to bed...Night!