Average But Inspired

Inspiring creativity with crafts, DIY, and home decor projects.

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Field Trip – Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, Illinois

Friends-

I went to my first flea market last weekend.  The Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, Illinois, to be exact.  It was glorious.

My husband was certain that I was going to detest it because I don’t like to rummage around for things to buy (I prefer for them to be neatly displayed and organized), and I don’t like to sweat (it was hot outside that day).

But he was wrong.  Even with our two children in tow (who willingly came with us because I described the day’s adventure as a “treasure hunt” (I don’t think this was false advertising – it all depends upon one’s definition of “treasure”)), I LOVED spotting cool (and not so cool) old stuff and hunting for unique things for my home.

Things like wooden stars made from scrap moulding.

Kane County Flea Market // Average But Inspired

And gigantic wagon wheels.  (I always envision my future homestead in the middle of nowhere to be filled with these.  That’s a requirement if you live in the middle of nowhere, right?)

Kane County Flea Market // Average But Inspired
And bins full of vintage-looking letters in every size imaginable.
Kane County Flea Market // Average But Inspired
And super cool wetsuits and leather jackets from the 1980’s.  (Wait, what?)
Kane County Flea Market // Average But Inspired
In spite of the millions of things to choose from, I exercised amazing fiscal restraint and only purchased ONE thing – this old, arched window frame with distressed iron scroll work on the inside.  It is going to look PERFECT in my kitchen, near my friendly little “hello” stool!
Kane County Flea Market // Average But Inspired
I was so proud of myself for getting this.  I even haggled with the vendor, which is unheard of for me!  I got it for $21, which is a bargain, in my opinion.  You can’t even get mass produced art at Target for $21!
Anyway, I am now a superfan of the Kane County Flea Market and I can’t wait to go back.  Next time I hope to be attending sans children, because our day’s adventure led to this lovely screaming fit on the way home.  Sort of a bargain hunting buzz kill.
Kane County Flea Market // Average But Inspired
Do you like attending flea markets?  What’s your best find ever?
– Bre
I Think You’ll Like this Flea Market Shopping Tips Post, Too!  

Flea Market Shopping Tips

Flea Market Shopping Tips

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How to Refinish an Exterior Door the Easy Way with Gel Stain

You might think that a post about refinishing a door is boring.  But I promise that this is not a boring topic.  Instead, this post is super exciting and about a product that has changed my life (well, my front door’s life, at least), and made my home’s entrance look amazing!  And no, this is not a sponsored post in any way, shape or form – it is simply me sharing my enthusiasm with you because I can’t stop staring at my new, old door!

You see, my home had a very sad and neglected wood front door.  My husband and I believe that the door is original to the home (built in 1927), and that it had been unloved since that time.  It was dull, scratched, worn and looking like a piece-of-you-know-what.  Not a very welcoming entrance to the home that we’ve put so much time and effort into!  But, after a few days of refinishing it during my kids’ nap time, it is now an asset instead of an eyesore.
Awesome! You can refinish an exterior door WITHOUT removing it or stripping old stain! Learn how to refinish it the easy way with this tutorial.
Before we get to the makeover fun, let me tell you that since our door was in such bad shape, we really wanted to replace it with a new, craftsman-style wooden door with windows.  But then our roof decided to spring a massive leak and leave us with a huge repair bill.  Needless to say, a new door was no longer in the budget.

How to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But Inspired
How to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But InspiredHow to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But Inspired

Because of that, I decided to simply paint the door.  But then I started feeling guilty about that.  I was thinking that Nicole Curtis (The Rehab Addict), might come to my home and beat me down for painting over the original woodwork.

Scared of that tiny but fierce lady, I did some research on how to refinish woodwork the easiest way possible.  That’s how I found out about gel stain.  This was the KEY to reviving my door.  Unlike regular stain, gel stain did not require me to remove the door from the hinges, strip the door or do any extensive prep work at all.  The easy way is my way.  Sold.

Materials Needed to Refinish a Wood Door with Gel Stain

This post contains affiliate links.  To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.

How to Refinish a Wood Door with Gel Stain

STEP ONE
I washed the door to remove the dirt and grime that had accumulated over the years.
 
STEP TWO
I lightly sanded some parts of the door, focusing on the areas that still appeared to have some protective finish on them.  Then I used a cloth to remove the dust that appeared during sanding.  (NOTE: If your door has protective finish left on the entire thing, make sure to sand the entire door.  You want the surface to be in the same condition on the entire door when you start staining.)
 
STEP THREE
I followed the directions on the can of gel stain, and I applied stain to a small section of the door with a foam brush.  I had a temporary freak out when it appeared to be a really dark, solid color – almost like pudding.  I thought I’d ruined my door.
How to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But Inspired
STEP FOUR
I used my cheesecloth to wipe off the excess stain on the area to which I’d recently applied the stain.  I repeated this process until I finished the entire door.  Here you can see that stain had been applied to the right side of the door, but not the left.  Look at the difference already!
How to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But Inspired
How to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But Inspired

I breathed easy because I hadn’t ruined the door.  (Oh, and in case you’re wondering why I didn’t remove the door knocker and the lock and handle . . . I tried.  I just couldn’t get them off.)

I then let it dry overnight, and repeated the staining process again.

How to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But Inspired
This is the door with two coats of stain, but no protective topcoat yet.  Already beautiful, right?
 
STEP FIVE
After the second coat of stain had dried 24 hours, I began applying my protective topcoat, per the manufacturer’s directions.  I applied four coats throughout the course of the day, which allowed me to finish the topcoat portion without sanding in between any of the coats.  This was key to ensuring ease of application.
 
Can I just say that my door is now GLEAMING?  It looks totally amazing – almost like a new door.
How to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But InspiredHow to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But Inspired
How to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But InspiredHow to refinish an exterior door using gel stain. Average But Inspired
I couldn’t be happier, and I think Nicole Curtis would be proud.
Click here for a comprehensive tutorial on how to refinish a door the easiest way possible! You don't even have to remove the door to give it a beautiful new look! See how this blogger used gel stain to revive an old wood door - saving lots of money in the process! #gelstain #doorrefinishing
P.S. If you’re a total slob like me and get stain all over your hands during application, rub some vegetable oil on them afterwards – the stain will come off easily and almost instantaneously!

2019 UPDATES AND FAQ’S

**PLEASE ALSO READ MY NEW POST WITH MY BEST GEL STAIN TIPS & TRICKS! IT WILL HELP YOU ACHIEVE A PERFECT FINISH ON ANY GEL STAIN PROJECT.**
 
FAQ 1: How does your door look now?
 
A1: It’s now 2019 (4 years after I wrote this post), and I want to tell you that my door still looks FANTASTIC.  The only signs of wear are knicks that my family created; nothing to do with the finishes used or the finishing process.  This process has stood the test of time and is one I really believe in!
 
FAQ 2:  Are you sure it’s OK to use gel stain on an exterior door?
 
A2:  My can of gel stain says nothing about it being for interior use only, though others have told me their cans say that.  All I can tell you is that my door has stood up wonderfully!  Also, stores that sell the product list it as being safe for interior and exterior use (see Rockler’s page, for example).
 
FAQ 3:  Are you sure it’s OK to use a water-based topcoat over the gel stain?
 
A3:  Yes!  General Finishes says so themselves!  Check it out here.
 
FAQ 4:  Does gel stain have a strong odor?
 
A4:  There is an odor, but it’s not awful or overpowering.
 
This is the easiest way to refinish a wood door, and it gives results that last! Anybody can make their wood door look fabulous with the tips shared in this post. Plus, you'll achieve a long-lasting finish at a fraction of the cost if you hire a professional to refinish your door.
 
You May Also Like My 1920s Bathroom Renovation (we kept the vintage charm!)
 
And You May Also Like to Learn How to Refinish Your Radiator The Easy Way!  Radiator Painting Made Easy

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Updating a Basket . . . With a Broken Necklace, of All Things.

Hi, friends-

Wow.  Life has been so very busy lately.  I imagined this summer to be leisurely and lazy, but it’s been sort of the opposite thus far.  Between traveling, kids’ activities, getting my new Etsy shop up and running, and everything else in between, there hasn’t been much time for any of the projects on my idea list.

I did get around to a teeny tiny one, however – finding a place to corral the remote controls in our newish basement family room.  I updated a basket I had on hand (which was previously being used to store expired toiletry and medicine items for any guests that came to visit.  “Hi, thanks for coming to visit!  Can I offer you some shampoo that went rancid two years ago?  Or perhaps some Advil that lost its effectiveness eighteen months ago?”), in a project that took all of fifteen minutes.  The best kind of project.

Update a basket with paint and beads - Average But Inspired

So here’s the plain little basket before we got started with the beautification process . . . She was a little bit country and had a nice dust ball attached to her (check out her top left side).

Update a basket with paint and beads - Average But Inspired
I started painting with ivory acrylic paint around the bottom to give a nice two-tone look like we’re seeing all over the place these days, and then I decided to get “crazy” and put some color on the inside.  I forgot to take a photo of this part.  Oops.
Anyway, the basket looked happier, and then I got a ridiculous idea to add some straps to it – but not just any old straps.  I remembered an old, turquoise necklace with a broken clasp that I’d been “meaning to get fixed” for three years now, and I decided to see if that would work for straps.
Update a basket with paint and beads - Average But Inspired
I cut it into pieces and whipped out the trusty hot glue gun.
Update a basket with paint and beads - Average But Inspired
Fun!
Update a basket with paint and beads - Average But Inspired
Update a basket with paint and beads - Average But Inspired
I guess it’s a good thing I put off getting the necklace fixed. . . .
– Bre
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The Evolution of My Dining Room (and Paint Color Selection Paralysis)

Hi, friends-

I really hate the color of my dining room.  A lot.  It is so so so blue.  I wish I could blame somebody else for this unfortunate color choice, but alas, this is all my fault.

You see, when we bought our home, the dining room was quite heinous.  It had yellow ceilings and moulding, along with blood red walls covered with faux finish paint techniques and dragonfly fabric, to boot.  Here’s a photo with the seller’s furnishings.

I wanted the dragonflies and ketchup and mustard color scheme to go away ASAP, so I picked a color without testing it out and without thinking about how it would actually look in this room.

Decorating F-A-I-L.
You see, our dining room gets very little light.  It also has a lot of dark wood moulding and trim, which is original to the house and not going to be painted over.  We also have dark furniture, which is quite large and imposing.
All of these elements, plus the dark blue paint, make my dining room feel closed in and dreary – not at all what I wanted for a place that is supposed to host happy gatherings of family and friends!
So now I’m determined to repaint this room by the end of summer . . . the only problem is that I can’t pick a paint color!  I’m too scared to make another mistake.
Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies, Celery Salt, Gentle Cream
I currently have three testers on the wall (from the top): (1) Benjamin Moore Hazy Skies; (2)  Benjamin Moore Gentle Cream; and (3) Benjamin Moore Celery Salt.
My favorite of these is Hazy Skies, but I’m worried it might be too dark once it’s all over and surrounded by my dark trim and furniture.  So now I’m thinking maybe I should go a shade or two lighter on the color card . . . down to Ashwood or Halo.  But then I worry that it will be “too boring.”
Where is my happy medium!?!  
I guess for now I will continue to stare at my walls with looks of disgust and confusion, and stuff my face with leftover Easter candy.  (I find that emotional eating helps with almost any dilemma I am facing.)
Hopefully you’ll see a post from me sometime soon with my newly-painted, stunning dining room!  In the meantime, feel free to let me know if you like any of these colors and/or if you have any other color suggestions!
– Bre
Let’s Be Social!  Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter // Google+ // Bloglovin’

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Knockoff West Elm Brass Base Terrarium

Last weekend I got to go shopping by myself.

As a mother of small children, do you know how precious that time was?

I was actually able to browse around and go into stores with breakable merchandise.  It was so liberating and SO INSPIRING!!!

A direct result of that shopping trip was this project . . . my knockoff West Elm Brass Base Terrarium.

West Elm’s Brass Base Terrariums are beautiful.  They come in two sizes – small and large – and are priced at $29.50 (small) and $59 (large).  The interesting thing about the West Elm terrarium is that it looks like the bowl is almost tipped on its side, as opposed to being straight up (like mine).  West Elm also sells the succulents to go inside of the terrarium at $12.50 a pop.

I love the low-maintenance nature of succulents and I wanted one of these terrariums.  But I wasn’t about to lug one around the mall with me, nor was I about to pay $42 for a terrarium and one succulent.  So yeah, I decided to try making one myself.

West Elm’s terrarium definitely looks nicer.  But I think mine is okay, too.  And for just $7 all in (like, with the plants), I’ll take it.  And since my glass bowls aren’t tipped on their side, these can be used for taller plants as well.  Bonus!

The best part was that this really and truly was a snap to put together.

Here are the materials I used:

  • Mini glass bowl from Dollar Tree
  • 4×6 piece of wood, cut to size
  • Sandpaper
  • American Accents spray paint in aged bronze
  • Acrylic paint in bronze
  • Elmer’s ProBond Advanced glue
Here’s how I put this together:
 
STEP ONE

Determine the desired size of your wood base by placing your glass bowl on top and deciding how large you want the bottom square to be.  Measure and cut.  (Ignore all the junk in my garage.  We just finished a renovation and had to store a bunch of stuff in there.  It’s normally not this messy!)

STEP TWO
Sand your wood block all over and then spray paint it.
STEP THREE
Once the paint has dried, coat it with a layer of bronze acrylic paint.  This will make the color look richer and your base piece look less like a piece of wood and more like a bronze block.  (The block on the left has acrylic paint on top whereas the block on the right does not.)
STEP FOUR

Once the paint has dried, apply the glue to the bottom of your glass bowl.  Affix to the wood and follow the package’s instructions for proper adhesion.  (NOTE:  the glue does not dry clear so be sure not to apply too much or it will squeeze out the bottom of the bowl and leave a visible glue ring around your bowl and base.)

STEP FIVE

Once the glue is dry, add your plants and enjoy!

To get a look closer to West Elm’s terrarium, I should have cut my base pieces smaller.  I’m just going to say that this was my creative spin on the project – ha!
– Bre

Helpful Gel Stain Tips & Tricks for a Perfect Finish

Over the years I’ve used gel stain on many home maintenance and furniture makeover projects, and I’ve learned a lot!  Gel stain is an amazing tool for reviving wood, but it can be tricky to use if you’re not prepared.  Because of that, I am sharing my most helpful gel stain tips and tricks that […]

How to Paint a Countertop to Look Like Marble!

I LOVE a good home transformation experiment, and today’s post showcases an amazing one!  I’m going to show you how to paint a countertop to look like marble.  I painted my dated granite countertop in my powder room and I achieved a convincing marble finish!  And guess what?  You can, too! Before we dive in, […]

My Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Review: Luxury Vinyl Plank Pros and Cons

Last month we installed Tranquility 5mm Copper Ridge Oak luxury vinyl plank flooring from Lumber Liquidators in our living room and basement.  We replaced white carpeting in the living room and some composite flooring in the basement that had been damaged when our furnace leaked.  Because vinyl plank is increasingly becoming a popular flooring choice, […]