Who knew a can of bronze spray paint could be such an important part of interior design?
Steve, our resident fixer-of-all-things, applies his deft spray can skills to just about anything. (Joanna Gaines, eat your heart out.)
For instance, this letter used to be silver but the Official Smith Decorating Metal is bronze. And so Steve applied some bronze spray and all is right with the (decorating) world.
We liked this TV cabinet except for the fact that the legs were silver. No problem-o!
The legs have now been bronzified!
Back before we knew that tile refinishing was a thing, we thought we were going to have to keep the pink tile in our hall bath forever. So we figured we’d just embrace it and make it sort of vintage and so our fixtures were silver when brought them.
But then we had the tiles refinished which allowed us to put the vintage theme behind us go with our “regular” style. Steve got busy and transformed the silver to–you guessed it–bronze!
This mirror has been in the Smith bathroom for as long as I can remember–decades and decades. But, it’s silver. (I’m observant like that.)
So Steve got creative and just sprayed the little feet bronze to tie it in with the theme.
Voilà !
But his greatest accomplishment was the ceiling fan in our kitchen. We found the style and finish we wanted but it was around $500 which was not in our price range. But then Steve happened to see the same fixture in silver on sale for $95.
He took the whole light apart and sprayed every piece. You’d never know this used to be silver.
(Supervised by Belle)
he is cooking dinner for my arrival home from work.
One of our favorite fast and easy recipes is diced potatoes with Kielbasa. (You can also get these same potatoes with seasoning on them.)
Potatoes and meat is the basic recipe but it can be changed a few ways. Last week, Steve added onion, diced red pepper, corn and a few shakes of Montreal Steak Seasoning.
You can melt a little cheddar over this or even top it with fried or steamed eggs.
Easy and delicious.
for the season apart from putting up our tree and arraying the front porch with a little bedeckment. (Spell check does not like that word but I do–so it stays.)
In the midst of a busy, joyful, and sometimes stressful time, Steve and I wish you a Christmas season that is peaceful and bright and replete with a plethora of festive colors. (With maybe even a touch of bronze thrown in for good measure.)
What about you?
What things have you done to your house that utilized creativity over cash?
Where are you on your Christmas to do list? Barely started? Just about done?
Do you shop online or in stores?
What is the most stressful part of the Christmas season for you?
Ah, yes, the can of paint or spray can = it certainly does wonders. Great job on all those areas. Spellcheck is so notorious for changing words that I had not used. Many times I forget to go back and check and then I have to write another text to tell the person what I really meant. We have not lived in our home (it was newly built) for about 21 years and so about 4 years ago my husband painted the whole first floor – made himself a scaffolding to help out. But at our age, think that won’t be happening again. A very Merry Christmas and may the Lord bless your New Year, to each of the Smith family.
Sharyn,
That is quite an accomplishment to paint an entire floor. Kudos to your husband for taking on such a task. As you said, as we get a little older, those jobs become a little less doable.
I know. Spellcheck changes the most mundane words into the craziest ones. Where does it come up with that stuff?
A blessed Christmas to you, as well.
Bronzified – I like that word. And I really enjoyed your comment “Spell check does not like that word but I do–so it stays.”! I’ve got probably 75% of my shopping done (mostly online), and still have some decorating I want to do. It may or may not get done, and that’s okay. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your week!
Sue Ellen,
“It may or may not get done, and that’s okay.” Those words right there are the secret to contented happy life–not stressing over things that aren’t really vital. Christmas will be celebrated with or without the extra decor!
Sounds like you’ve made good progress on your shopping; enjoy this beautiful season!
Merry Christmas to all the Smiths! and a Happy Happy New Year!!
Lesley,
Right back atcha. Hugs to all! 💖
I really love the bronze touches!! So updated…nice work Steve!
I still have a few stocking stuffers to go and then I’m done!
I’m always looking for ways to utilize creativity over cash. A friend gave us his landscape blocks this summer (SO many!!) and I laid them all, one by one in two different areas. He’s re-doing his yard and so are we. It saved us a ton of money and he didn’t have to figure out how to get rid of them. Win-win!
The stress of Christmas for me is the spending, even though we really don’t spend a lot in comparison to what I know others spend and whether what we get for people will be liked and appreciated. Silly, I know. I just really want to please people.
Lee Anne,
Wow. Kudos to your for laying those blocks. That is NOT an easy task! But as you said, definitely a win-win.
I’m like you. I get a little stressed when it comes time to give and receive gifts, worried that people will like what I bought and worried that I will be able to express my appreciation for what I’m given, since I’m not a real dramatic sort. I appreciate your transparency in sharing this (just wanting to please people) because I think many of us can relate to it.
I like the bronze touches everywhere– a good color that flows and yet, stands discreetly out in the general decor.
I am racking my brain for some lunch idea–I have leftover potatoes so will mix it with evap. milk and cooked onion and some feta heese. Grandma Clemm did that and I always loved it. Ruth
Ruth,
Hmmm. Somehow I never pictures Grandma using feta cheese since she was more of a down home cook. I guess she was ahead of her time!
Everything you make is so good; I know your soup was thoroughly enjoyed.