The Palette Muse

Creating a color-filled life

You are here: Home / DIY / $100 Room Challenge Week 2

$100 Room Challenge Week 2

45 Comments

This is my least favorite part of a new project… prepping. In week 2 of the $100 room challenge, I’d hoped to have some really cool progress photos to show you, but unfortunately we’re squarely in the middle of the phase I like to call “It has to get worse before it gets better.”

So instead of pretty photos, I’m sharing a bit of reality today. Here it is in all its glory…

Yikes! No one can accuse me of being one of those bloggers that only shares perfect pictures of their homes! Paint cans, towel racks, lots of tools, and several empty coffee cups are the only indication that something fabulous is happening.

It’s hard to tell in the photo, but the cabinets are already painted. The doors are off as the paint cures. I used the exact same cabinet painting method I recently used on my kitchen, because it worked so well. You can check out the original post on the best kitchen cabinet painting method if you’re considering painting your cabinets.

The other thing that you may not be able to see from this photo is the preparation for wall paint. The ugly old towel racks are gone, and the holes are patched.

A Word About Drywall Anchors

Speaking of patching holes, let me take a moment here to make a public service announcement about drywall anchors. Two words, people: E-Z Anchors.


Don’t ever use those cheap plastic anchors that come in the packages for hanging heavy objects. Someone someday will want to remove those anchors, and they will curse your name. And that someone may just be you, so do yourself a favor and pick up some E-Z Anchors when you buy your towel racks, curtain rods, mirrors, etc. They’re easier to install, and waaaaaay easier to remove, but work just as well.
Thank you for humoring me. Now back to the task at hand. I finally was able to remove the hideous metal drywall anchors, following these instructions from Lowes. Thanks Lowes!

Also, if you’re going to do this, wear your safety glasses. I didn’t even think about it until I was done and found a tiny shard of metal in the skin of my hand. Better there than in my eye! And yet another “Do as I say, not as I do” moment for me.

Nothing like drilling a bigger hole in your wall to remove a small hole.

And then patching all those huge holes.

The good news is the wall already looks better without all those funky towel bars.

Imagine how great it will look with a fresh coat of paint, and some artwork!

So far I’ve spent about $40, all on paint. That doesn’t leave me a lot of room for all the fixtures and accessories that I’m going to need, but I love a good challenge!

Next week: concrete countertops! I hope…

Hopefully some of my blogger buddies are having more luck with their remodels. Check out what they’re up to below.


If you missed my first post with all my optimistic plans for this room on a $100 budget, be sure to go catch up. And check back next week for more progress, and the following week for the big reveal.

Week 1 ~ Week 2 ~ Week 3 ~ Week 4

Wait. Only 2 weeks to go? I better get back to work!

About Meredith

Creating a color-filled life. Conquering my little world one DIY project at a time. With lots of coffee and chocolate. Albuquerque NM. Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ Facebook

Comments

  5. Maureen says

    I am impressed how far you have gotten! Looking forward to seeing the concrete counter tops as I hope to persuade my hubby to adding them to our bathroom in the future!

    Reply

  9. Pinterest Addict says

    I, for one, love “real” pictures of what the process is like. My laundry room is a disaster area right now! Thanks for the info about how to get those anchors out. My husband is a firm believer in using the right anchors too – but somehow he never throws out the ones that come with the package and we have thirty million of them laying around in drawers. Someday, I’ll figure out a crafty thing to do with them all. 🙂

    Reply

  10. Karen says

    Consider your PSA a success. I’ve take note and will definitely follow your advice. I hate those little whimpy things that come with screw packages.
    I think your progress this week is awesome and I’m eager to see what’s up next. I love this series!

    Reply

  13. Jeri Walker (@JeriWB) says

    This brings to mind my adventures last night in my kitchen. I was in the middle of using up a ton of tomatillos I had roasted and frozen form my garden. Everything was in that it has to get worse before it gets better phase. A couple of hours later, the dishes were done and now I’m about to go put some of that green goodness in the slow cook for some yummy chile verde later today. Effort always brings reward, even if it the messy phase makes that seem like a far-off possibility.

    Reply

  16. Jillian says

    I just moved my tv wall mount down by four inches…..I feel you on the holes in the wall 🙂 That 4 inches made a big difference though and I am so happy I moved it.

    Reply

  17. Kristen says

    Love that you showed the “not so pretty” part of the makeover. We took pictures of our dropcloths, ladders and paint brushes all there too! Very excited to see your concrete countertops!

    Reply

  20. Amy | Stow and TellU says

    OMG love your kitchen cabinet tutorial. Saved it to reference when we do our kitchen. Lord knows, I like easy and your’s looks like the easiest I’ve seen. It looks like you’re right on track with the rest of us on the room challenge. Keep up the great work! Gonna have to try those EZ Anchors, too!

    Reply

  21. Kathryn Baugher says

    I wasn’t thrilled to show progress this week, my kitchen definitely has a ways to go! lol I appreciate your real life pictures and can’t wait to see those walls painted and the artwork!

    Reply

I love to hear from you! What do you think?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Let’s be Pen Pals – Subscribe!