WINDOWS Archives

HOW TO DECORATE PICTURE WINDOWS

October 29, 2020

picture windows and ledges are valuable real estate for fall decor

We are in year three of replacing our windows. The expense of our new windows is like having a fourth child in college along with our other two. Windows are pricey, but just like education, they are an investment (in our house).

We decided to replace a few of our twenty-year-old windows with picture windows.

We love love, love the unencumbered views the picture windows offer. The line of sight does not stop with a grid. Before there were picture windows there were these on the windows. That decision is what ultimately lead to the decision for new windows.

With four strategic picture windows in our basement, living rooms and dining room we appreciated the additional light and views.

But… you knew there was going to be a but…

With the holiday season, I try to include the basement in the pumpkins and twinkle lights. But usually, the basement gets the decor leftovers.

But that freshly painted window ledge was begging for a little something to celebrate the fall season.

As a Realtor, I see spaces like niches and ledges as valuable real estate in tiny bungalows and condos. My dad only sees clutter.

HOW TO DECORATE PICTURE WINDOWS

One thing you need to know about me besides this– is I love to shop my house for the tiny spaces and corners. You know the little corners of the house that get overlooked or forgotten.

I found everything I needed to add a little fall decor to the new windows and ledges in this bin of unwanted fall decor items.

The windows needed a little fall decor and I was happy to give them some much-needed attention.

The key to decorating windows is you want it to be a relatively low profile in the window so it doesn’t distract from the views. Or the squirrels who love to camp on our front deck and drive Chloe and Elliott crazy!

Oh and that lantern? I snagged the last one in the Hobby Lobby clearance section.

And, then I needed to show a little love inside the dining room picture window. This the ledge where all of the mix-matched pumpkins and acorns land.

It’s like the Island of Misfit Toys, but the window ledge is more like a peninsula.

And if you are curious about how to clean your windows you can check out Bob Vila window cleaning tips.

HOW TO PAINT VINYL WINDOWS

May 20, 2019

one of my favorite projects and yes the windows still look great

The decision to paint our brand new vinyl windows was the result of a huge mistake. I ordered the almond trim color windows instead of the white trim package.

I know. To appreciate the after we must revisit the before.

With white casings around our kitchen windows, the almond window trim package was a huge mistake. It was my mistake and there was no way to pin this on my husband. And, those mismatched almond windows against the white window moldings were the motivation I needed to learn how to paint vinyl windows.

The bigger challenge was to solve the problem before I told my family the mistake. The odds were in my favor that no one in my family would notice the mistake. #wink

I searched online for solutions and told no one in my family. I have done this before like on these cabinet pulls.

HOW TO PAINT VINYL WINDOWS

My first attempt to paint the vinyl windows was unsuccessful. I used a paintbrush and white primer and just painted over the almond color vinyl trim.

But with the visible brush strokes, paint drips, and the crank handles (which is what I loved about my new windows), the paintbrush application was a fail.

I shut down the project site and drove to Home Depot.

NEXT STEPS

I grabbed a few cans of Rustoleum paint +primer spray paint at Home Depot. I used matte (flat), but I think that is a controversial decision.

In general I prefer a matte finish.

Rustoleum paint +primer spray paint for vinyl windows

STEPS TO PAINT VINYL WINDOWS?

Lightly sand the vinyl trim
Clean the window to remove any dust or bugs

Neither do well around spray paint.

I used a spray primer for the first coat and finished with coats of the primer + paint.
Next time I will just use the primer + paint combo spray paint.

The primer and paint combo provided great coverage and meant one less step to screw up the window finish.

The spray paint went over the window crank like the first coat of a new bottle of OPI nail polish; a smooth finish with instant glam.

You guys I was so happy at this point because… the windows looked so good.

As soon as I stepped away from the window I knew I had used the best technique to paint vinyl windows for my skill level and pay grade.

Fast forward a few years with a remodeled kitchen this is the same corner.

The spray paint adhered to the vinyl with a smooth finish. There was a bit of overspray onto the windows, but it was an easy cleanup with a razor blade and window cleaner.

PAINTED VINYL WINDOW UPDATE

WEATHER

Over the years I read articles about the reasons a homeowner should not paint the vinyl windows. The reasons included temperature fluctuations during the year.

Living in Colorado we know temperature swings. The only issue with my vinyl windows was the occasional pasta sauce splattered from an aggressive pot scrub or the one time I forgot to put the lid on the blender.

The vinyl window trim has yet to show wear and tear. In fact, I am in the process of painting a few other windows as we get ready to refinish our wood floors.

WARRANTY

Home Depot installed a few of our windows (well their subcontractors). I asked the sales guy if the warranty continues if the windows were painted. He answered my question with – over 65% of customers end up painting either the interior or exterior vinyl trim.

I did not paint the exterior side of our window trim, but I might on our next paint job.

After six or seven years the painted vinyl windows look great. And the crank window that I was so nervous to paint? It looks great and is used quite a bit in the summer.

I am so pleased with the results of my painted vinyl windows.

how-to-spray-paint-vinyl-windows-everyday-edits

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Before you go I would if you pinned this project for others to see on Pinterest!

Dutch Door Envy

March 23, 2019

I am obsessed with Dutch doors. I love the idea of fresh air rolling in while the lower half of the door stays shut; closed off from critters (or leaves) wandering into the kitchen. And, I mean like legit fresh air; not the fresh air scent candles or Febreeze. I mean fresh air that rolls in with a breeze.

I really want a Dutch door for the back door that leads from the kitchen to the back patio. A door where the solid, lower half blocks the view of every bunny or squirrel that my dogs see at their eye level. We currently have a full glass door. The dogs see every bluebird and squirrel that ventures onto the patio. This time of year, with more daylight and activity in the backyard, I have a serious case of Dutch door envy.

But first! A very brief history recap of the Dutch door. Dutch doors were popular in the northeast when the Dutch immigrated from the Netherlands (Holland). Their original purpose was to keep farm animals out and keep young children inside.

And, those two sentences could be a sample from my freshman American history class. Direct and to the point. Only later did I learn how to add run on sentences and runaway thoughts to my paragraphs.

Apparently, many Dutch doors are installed for today’s version of farm animals; our dogs.

I love this photo of this dog. I also love the second door leading into the house. A friend of mine has this double entry and she uses it as a little indoor dog house. It’s so cute!

Sidenote: What the heck is on the roof? Looks like an HOA violation in my neighborhood!

Source: Pinterest

In Colorado, we do not have the humidity or the bugs that love the humidity, so Dutch doors would work here. We have a glass back door leading to the backyard and I think a Dutch door would be so practical. We could listen to the water fountain on the back patio and keep the dogs inside when there are wildlife sightings (or howling).

Here’s another…

I love the shutter on this door. Not likely in my house since we just removed 90% of the shutters on our windows to get more light and enjoy the views. I love the hardware on the door too!

Source: Pinterest

Here’s another Dutch door. I love the mudroom too!

Source: Pinterest

I am obsessed with the hardware on this door. I don’t know if I love the shade on the upper half (it looks a little busy with the glass panes), but the hardware adds so much character!

Finally, here’s a Dutch door with an exterior glass door. We currently have a glass door with a wrought iron security door and I prop mine open all the time. I don’t love this option because the propped door distracts from the Dutch door.

What do you think? Are Dutch doors popular where you live?