Inexpensive Zero VOC Paint

May I introduce myself. I'm Carra and I love "the old ways" as long as they are natural. I'm practicing homeschooling (getting ready for fall), planning a garden for the first time (we've been renting until just last November) and always trying to learn about new ways to care for my family using natural medicine, green cleaners and anything I can discover to promote health and improve the quality of life for my family. I love God extremely much. If you're on a natural journey like me, let me know!

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Did you know that Lowe's Home Improvement is my favorite place for paint? Their store brand Olympic was low VOC before "low VOC" was cool.

My favorite area of the store? That shelf.... Tucked away near the paint counter in a "not too noticeable place." What can you find? Mistints! Even the zero VOC Olympic paint gets placed there. My favorite day to visit is Mondays. They seem to have a good selection then.

Completed Zero VOC "Green" Paint Projects:

• Painted the trim on the window and one entire wall in the loft playroom. - $5.00
• Painted walls in the loft playroom from aqua to a calm tattered sail - free (leftover paint)
• Painted all bathrooms a nice neutral light gray (I like to change out bathroom decor frequently so I don't like to make commitments to wall color - free (more leftover paint)
  
• Painted the lovely moss/sage/clover (hope to be baby room again) whole room - $5.00
• Splurged on full price paint for the Irish Lace in the girl's room - $25

Plans:

• Paint exterior doors (not zero VOC, b/c strong paint needed) - dark taupe - $5.00 (have it)
• Paint hallway in basement (bought two similar cream colors - plan to pour both in a bucket, mix them up and have one uniform color for the space). - $5.00
• Paint dresser that I purchased from Salvation Army Thrift Store (my favorite!) dark pink - $2.50

Wow, what a list. We moved October 31st and we have several family difficulties and losses. But on the whole, I feel pretty good about the accomplishments.

Here's the den door before I went all "mistint:"












And here is the after photo. I enjoy what a little paint can do! May all your "before and afters" be naturally healthy ones!

Love,

Risky Reno Reveal (& blog party)

I'm going to the party! I've never participated in a blog party before but this one sounds really fun! I might even put on some swanky shoes LOL.

Okay, to paint my 120 +/- years old dresser was risky. But I have to say, I am really pleased with how it has come out. Once again, here is the before:

This is a "nearly natural" project. I used Olympic black flat paint which is zero VOC, but because of the type of use- it needed a protective coat.

I read the labels of every kind of polyurethane and just could not justify bringing that into our home. What I found was a compromise product. I used "Polycrylic" made by Minwax. It still has some chemicals but substantially less than the true polyurethane.



I love the result! What do you think? BTW - just in case you had any delusions about me being "together," the reflection in the mirror is a stack of laundry to fold and two bins of tights & frilly socks to sort. At least the room is now painted.

Love,

New Blog Design & A Risky Project

I'm so excited! Pete gave me a new blog design to be all "fancy." I think it is so "me." I did the best I could with the resources I had, but I just couldn't make the blog look like I wanted. Here's the old design (in case you are new or have a few foggy days like me :-)

AND... I have a new natural project to tease you with. My great grandmother's name was "Emma" and as part of being in the family, I received her dresser when we became homeowners. It is precious to me to have things that belonged to family. I never knew her but I feel connected to that side of the family every time I use it.

So, it is old. I have pondered and pondered whether to leave it in original (peeling paint) condition or give it a makeover. I knew I would love it more if it were more visually appealing. I know I can hear the avid watchers of "Antique Roadshow" screaming - "No, don't paint the 120+/- year old dresser!! You'll ruin the value!"

I know the monetary value will probably take a hit, but this is not an investment. It is a connection to my past. And if it is a more beautiful connection - I believe I will love it all the more. So, the riskiest project yet...the "Emma dresser" before with a zoom in on the wearing paint. Check back tomorrow (hopefully) to see the results.

Love,

I dream of a china cabinet... (part two)

I'm sorry that I made you wait soooo long to see the results of our transformation (part one). This is my favorite kind of project.

• Thrifty: We bought the cabinet for $75 off craiglist
• Green and Natural: Paint is Zero VOC Olympic paint from Lowes (called Heavy Cream)
• Collaborative: My husband and mother-in-law participated in the sanding and painting

This was my first foray into "real" furniture. I admit that I was intimidated to go after such a big project. And compared to a new cabinet - $75 is waaay cheap. But if really mess this up - $75 is a significant loss to my "furnishings" envelopes. But I'm really happy with how it turned out. Thanks for stopping by!

Love,

I dream of a china cabinet... (part one)

Just so you know, I've been sad recently. Y'all know that I lost a baby almost one month ago. This week we learned that my grandmother "mawmaw" (you need to be from the south to pronounce this correctly) has a very aggressive cancer. She is not expected to live but about six months. I'm flipping between not doing anything and working like a maniac. Since I am periodically working like that - there should be several things to share soon ;-)

One project that is in its final stages is a redo of a china cabiinet. I feel like such a grown up with a china cabinet. I've had really pretty china and Christmas china and just used my top kitchen cabinets. I am so excited. Here's the "before" and Pete and I disassembling it.


Love,

Remodeling a Rental

Okay, is it silly to fix up and "remodel" a house that is not even yours? Probably , but I have a very tolerant and understanding husband. Mostly we have painted ugly wallpaper nice, neutral tones. Then I realized that there was more that paint can do.

BEFORE: Dining Room "gold" chandelier














And with a little paint: AFTER: ta da!

















Classy, elegant, neutral, very, very cheap and not too much time.

Even though I really love a beautiful room, our bodies are too precious to needlessly expose to harmful toxins. Gratefully there is a low to zero VOC paint available at a very, very reasonable cost. Lowe's Home Improvement's Olympic Paint (more or less their generic brand) is one of the best. Sherwin Williams has the Harmony brand, but by far the Olympic is the most cost effective. Happy decorating!