In Part 1 of How to Build a Faux Fireplace and Transform a Room, I shared with you how we built the basic frame for my son and daughter-in-law’s new faux fireplace. With the frame built, it was time to hang the brick-looking tile. 

Locating the brick-tile wasn’t easy, but with brick in hand, we were ready for the next step. 

First, we needed to determine the layout. We needed to plan ahead so that in the end, everything would be spaced correctly. Generally, when laying tile, I start by locating the center and working out from there.

This insures that if tiles need to be cut, they are cut to the same lengths on both sides. We didn’t want a 4” cut on the right side and a 1” cut on the left. That would just be tacky. We needed to consider the vertical layout for the same reasons. 

After we had a pretty good idea where the tile should go, we simply started hanging it. In addition to the tile we also needed thin set mastic, an appropriately sized notched trowel, and tile spacers. 

The trowel size is determined by reading the packaging of the mastic and is dependent on the size of the tiles. 

We used 1/2” spacers. 1/2” for a tile grout line is somewhat unusual. Normally, a grout line would be much skinnier, especially when installing smaller tiles like ours, but, if our brick tiles were going to look like brick, we needed our grout to be fat and chunky. 

After the mastic was applied with the trowel, the brick tiles were firmly pressed into the mastic. That process was completed over and over again until we’d covered both sides of the fireplace.

With the sides completed, we started thinking about how we wanted the front of the fireplace to look. We didn’t think we’d like the finished look if we just ran the tile in rows across the front, so we tested it. We pulled out a pencil and drew tiles on the backer board. It’s a whole lot easier to erase or scribble out lines than it is to move tile. Believe me on this!

Sure enough, the look wasn’t quite right. It would have worked well with a sleek, modern fireplace, but that’s not what we wanted and in this application it just looked boring. After lots of talking, brainstorming, and drawing, we opted to offset some of the bricks around the firebox and to hang them vertically across the top. It just made the finished product look so much better!

Sometimes a little planning can save a whole lot of headaches later!

We did not tile the area where the mantel would attach. Additionally, we left a blank spot, the size of one brick, for tv cords to pass into the interior of the fireplace so they can remain hidden. If they ever decide to locate the tv somewhere else, or sell the house that hole is easy to cover by applying a single brick. 

In addition to the brick tile, we needed to finish out the firebox. Brick panelling from Home Depot was perfect. We painted it a matte black and cut it to fit the firebox. The left side and the bottom are removable giving access to the wall outlet, the cable tv cord and the cords running from the tv. The cable box just sits in the corner of the box and blends right into the black “bricks”. 

Once the tile was hung and the mastic was allowed to dry, it was time to grout. We chose a grey color that resembled traditional brick mortar. Grout is applied by pushing the grout into the crevices between the tile, then removing the excess. This is done with a tool called a float. It’s basically a rubbery trowel. Then the grout residue and haze is washed from the surface. 

This is, hands down, my least favorite part of hanging tile. In fact, I hate washing grout. It’s messy, time consuming and takes elbow grease. Though we started the grouting before I had to return home, Joseph and Jamie ended up finishing the bulk of it after I’d left. Based on our follow-up FaceTimes I suspect they now despise cleaning grout haze as much as I do! 

With the fireplace built and the tile all hung and grouted, Joseph turned his attention to the mantel. He built it out of pine, then distressed and stained it. Not bad for a kid who wasn’t going to do projects! He made his mama proud!

Finally, to add a touch of authenticity and contribute to the overall look, they added a fire grate and some logs. 

I love how it transformed their room! But more than that, I loved the time I shared with them. I wouldn’t trade that for the world!  

When he left home to make his own way in the world, he swore he’d never do home improvement projects. He’d had enough of paint and drywall, sawdust and chaos. 

When he called to ask if I might want to help him build a faux fireplace, I was excited. I always cherish time with my son and daughter-in-law and I loved the thought of helping them with a project. 

Still, even while I was buying my plane ticket, I just couldn’t help myself.  “I thought you were never going to do home improvement projects?” 

“I wasn’t. But I have a wife who likes them!”. 

I smiled. Enough said! 

Initially, the fireplace was going to have a  shiplap finish with some brick accents around the firebox. However, as we looked at ideas, it became apparent that Jamie really liked the floor to ceiling, brick fireplaces. It would be more work, take more time and cost more money, but that’s the design we settled on. 

After creating a design and determining our measurements, we created a frame out of 2 x 4’s. Essentially we built walls and attached them to the existing wall. Because the entire thing would be covered with brick, it needed to be sturdy and well anchored to the existing wall.

I wish I could say I graphed out all of the framing and created a cutting list , but that’s not quite the way it happened. With a general idea of what needed to happen, and the pressure of a tight schedule, we just started and made it up as we went along. This is definitely not the way I usually work!

We built the base much like I’d build a floor joist system. When that was completed we framed the walls, attached them to the base, then to studs in the existing wall and finally to each other. At that point, we added additional framing members where I thought we could use extra support, or where I knew they would want to hang a tv. In the end, we could climb on that thing and it wouldn’t so much as budge!

After the structure was completed, we covered the framing with DensShield. This is my go-to backer board because it’s lighter and easier to cut and install than either Hardie Backer or Durarock cement board and it’s code compliant for use in tub and shower areas, without requiring an additional water barrier.

While we weren’t concerned with water infiltration, we did want a good, stable surface on which to attach the brick. This would be a lot of brick!

At this point, it would have been good to build and and install the mantel. Building it would require tools my son doesn’t yet own and thus a trip to Jamie’s brother’s house. For this reason, and the fact that they really wanted to at least start the brick before I returned to Colorado, we decided to focus on the brick work.

Locating thin brick, in stock, on a Saturday proved to the most challenging part of the entire process.

I thought we’d head down to Floor and Decor, grab what we needed and keep right on working. In reality, we had a hard time finding any place that stocked the thin brick. Stores that did, were closed on Saturday and we simply didn’t have time to wait.

Frustrated in our efforts, we did the only thing that made sense. We took a break, consumed chips, salsa and Margaritas, and evaluated our options.

We could drive to Tucson, a couple of hours away and buy thin brick. We could order the brick and wait for it to arrive in a couple of days. Jospeh and Jamie would have to finish the project because I would be back in Colorado. Or … we could use a tile from Home Depot that looked like brick. We opted for the tile.

With our hope and enthusiasm renewed, we piled into the car and drove the mile or so to the nearest Home Depot. Even Cooper, the new puppy was included in the expedition.

Our enthusiasm was short lived. The brick would continue to plague us. That Home Depot didn’t have enough. By the time it was said and done, we’d visited six Home Depot stores across the Phoenix east valley, spent hours and hours shopping, and I’d been reprimanded by a Home Depot employee for climbing a ladder. Yes, I was too impatient to wait for help. Yes, it was October in Arizona and hot. Yes, I was wearing flip flops. Yes, I am well aware that flip flops are not appropriate footwear for ladder climbing. And YES! I know he was just trying to keep me safe and do his job, but the puppy was tired, hungry and cranky and so were we!

Somehow we persevered and when we finally headed for home, the back of the car was loaded down with tile, mastic and grout.

Another Margarita and a tasty dinner and we were back at it. After all, we had a deadline.

Next week I’ll show you the brick and the finished project!

A couple of weeks ago I heard a staggering statistic. Nearly 10 million tons of household furniture finds it’s way to our landfills every year. 10 million tons! It’s hard for me to even wrap my mind around that number. It gave me renewed appreciation for the DIY community and our emphasis on up-cycling and reusing old pieces. As it turns out, we are doing more than just expressing our creativity and creating beautiful spaces, we are also doing something good for our planet. 

So last week when I was wanting to test a new paint sprayer I decided to paint a dresser I’ve had sitting in my garage. 

About 5 years ago I purchased a mid-century set of dressers for my son. We’d recently moved and he was home from college for the summer. We needed something to hold his clothing. He was very much into creating a bachelor pad, with clean, modern colors and furnishings. These dressers were solidly built with dovetail drawers and mahogany veneer. The clean lines were perfect for a coat of black paint and new, shiny chrome hardware. 

5 years later, one dresser sits in my daughter’s room, unchanged from the way I purchased it. The other, also unaltered,  spent some time with my oldest daughter but made it’s way back to my garage several months ago. 

I dusted off the cobwebs, pulled it from the garage and got to work. 

(Please note this contains  links by which This Place I Belong can profit and some items were provided to me free of charge. However, I never recommend a product I don’t believe in.)

First, I cleaned it with A Maker’s Studio Furniture and Cabinet Cleaner. This removes any dirt, grime, old wax or residue from dust and cleaning products. This is important because I had no idea what this old dresser had been exposed to. 

Next, using wood filler, I filled a couple of spots where the veneer was missing then sanded them after the filler had dried. Because I intended to use A Maker’s Studio Rescue and Restore Paint and it will stick to anything that would have been the extent of my sanding if the existing finish had been sound. However, the finish on this piece was chipping up in several places. I simply hit the bad spots with the sander. This took less than 10 minutes. 

At this point, I should have been ready to paint. However, my brief sanding had taken the finish down to the mahogany veneer in several places. It’s been my experience that when painting mahogany from this era, color will commonly bleed through the new paint. For this reason, I decided to prime. Initially I was going to spot prime the exposed areas only, so rather than use the new sprayer, I just grabbed a brush. 

I used the Specialty Wedge Brush from A Maker’s Studio. This microfiber brush is amazing! It lays down a beautiful finish with no brush marks. When it was all said and done, because I’m a little bit crazy and sometimes don’t know when to stop, I’d primed the entire dresser with a quality, water-based, stain blocking primer. 

But alas, I still experienced bleed through on the top where the mahogany had been exposed. I coated that spot again. And again. And again. Still, I had that ugly brown mark bleeding through. If you read my post on primers, you might be wondering why I didn’t use the shellac based BIN primer since I touted it as the absolute best. Good question. I had some water-based primer left from a project where low odor was desired, and I was out of BIN. Because I’m impatient, I decided to use what I had rather than make the trip to the store to buy BIN. 

After four, unsuccessful coats, I decided I had to have BIN. Bin comes in regular paint cans and in spray cans. For small things like this, the spray can is the ultimate in convenience.  I sprayed that obnoxious dark spot and like magic, it disappeared! Finally, I was ready to paint. 

I have a paint sprayer I use when painting large projects, like barns and whole houses, but I don’t pull it out very often. I simply don’t like cleaning it. So, unless it’s a large project, I typically reach for a brush or roller. 

Still, I was excited to try this little guy. It’s the HomeRight Finish Max Super Sprayer and the good folks at HomeRight sent me one to test. 

I used A Maker’s Studio Weathered Shutters Rescue and Restore Paint. This is a chalk-based, matte paint that does not require wax! You can wax it to achieve different looks, but you don’t have to. For me, this is a huge benefit. I only had 1 – 16oz jar of the Weathered Shutters paint and I was a little concerned that it wouldn’t be enough for the entire dresser. That little jar covered the entire dresser with about 20% left over. 

For use with the sprayer, I diluted it with water by 20%. The sprayer came with several different tips and a chart showing which tip to use depending on the desired finish. I wanted a fine finish so I used the green tip. 

After I’d poured the paint into the sprayer, I realized it might have been a good idea to test with water in order to get a feel for how it works. Oh well. It was too late so I just started spraying and hoped for the best.  It was great! It laid down a beautiful finish and was so easy to use. 

I was a little frustrated because the spray pattern was fairly narrow. I wanted to be able to cover more with each pass. When the piece was finished and I was cleaning the sprayer, I discovered a little wheel I’d previously missed. That wheel allows you to control the width of the spray pattern. My impatience got the best of me again! If I’d taken the time to read the instructions before jumping right in, I would have known about that feature and saved myself some frustration. 

I loved using the sprayer, but the clean-up is what hooked me. It was so, so simple. I just pumped water through it then used the little brush provided to make sure I removed all of the paint from the little crevices and it was done, making this one of my favorite, must-have tools. 

When the paint had dried, I moved the dresser into my dining room to finish it.  That’s when I really noticed the smell. Rescue Restore Paint is infused with essential oils. It smells wonderful, and it wasn’t long before the smell filled the entire dining room. For days I found myself drawn to the dining room simply for the smell. 

I used the Floor Tile Traditional Mesh Stencil from A Maker’s Studio and Blessed Rescue and Restore Paint to add some interest to the piece. By the way, for a limited time, the Mesh Stencils are all 50% off! The stencil used on the dresser is only $9.00 and some are as cheap as $5.00.

Because I didn’t like the shape of the original hardware, I’d intended to change all of it. When I couldn’t find anything I really loved at Hobby Lobby I just used the Blessed paint and painted the original hardware. It turned out much better than I expected and I really liked the result. 

 

The dresser is still sitting in the dining room. It smells heavenly so I’m not in a big hurry to move it out and we are trying to decided where it should live. Three of my daughters are currently pleading their cases, each vying for the dresser that was once forgotten, abandoned and covered in cobwebs. It’s amazing what a little paint, a little time, and great tools can accomplish. 

Happy Fall! 

I know! Fall does not officially start until September 22nd, but there’s something about waving goodbye to August that makes me feel like it’s fall. It puts a little bounce in my step because fall is my very favorite season! I love them all, but if I had to choose only one, it would have to be fall.

I love the transition from summer grilling to slow cooked comfort food. I love the way the air starts to feel and smell differently. I love the colors, the apple harvest and the decorations. I just love fall! 

I can’t wait to jump into fall decorating and when I do, I’ll have a couple of new items recently created using A Maker’s Studio products. 

(Please note this contains an affiliate link by which This Place I Belong can profit. However, I never recommend a product I don’t believe in.)

Remember a couple of weeks ago I told you about A Maker’s Studio and the amazing paint and Mesh Stencils that can help fight human trafficking? (If you missed that, you can read about it here.) Last Monday, we had a paint party. Actually, it was paint and wine, along with some fresh fruit and cheeses. I’m not sure which my youngest daughter liked more, the painting or the snacks, sans wine, of course. 

In preparation for that gathering, my mom and I decided to create a whole bunch of art. I thought it would be good for people to see what’s possible with these products. I also thought it would be really great for me to work with them and see how they actually perform. 

I’d ordered a whole boxful of goodies, so for a few hours last weekend, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. My mom bought some pieces and frames from Hobby Lobby and I  visited the local Habitat for Humanity store. 

Here’s what we created! 

I love the simplicity of this little picture.

I’d never gilded anything before so I was excited to give it a try. I love how this turned out. I could have used more size, (the glue that holds the gilding to the project), and the gilding would have been more solid, but I wanted this look. It just feels older, more like an antique to me.

I purchased an old cabinet door from our Habitat for Humanity store for $2.00. It’s made of pressed board and had a plastic veneer that was peeling. I pulled the veneer off, lightly sanded a couple of spots that were rough, filled and sanded the holes left by old hardware, then sealed it with a spray polyurethane. After that dried it was ready for paint. I used Rescue Restore Paint for the background, followed by one of the Mesh Stencils and ChalkArt paint.

This was the first little project I made at the Haven Conference in July.

My mom purchased this little piece of wood at Hobby Lobby. Rather than making another wall hanging, I stained it with A Maker’s Studio Gel Stain, used the Deer Stencil, attached antler drawer pulls left over from another project and created a cheese tray. This would make a really fun gift!

This was part of a wooden wall from my parent’s kitchen. It was removed during renovations. We glued two pieces together then sanded the backside. When that was finished, I stained it with Gel Stain and allowed that to dry. Next, I applied a black wash  made by mixing Preaching to the Choir Rescue Restore Paint with water. After applying it and waiting for it to dry, I applied the Mesh Stencil. I really love this piece and love that it was made from wood scraps.

This was a picture frame that my mom purchased at Hobby Lobby. We just painted the backer board after staining the frame with Gel Stain.

This wooden Hobby Lobby piece was stained with Gel Stain before the Mesh Stencils were applied. When the paint dried, we stapled the silk flowers into place. Did I mention that I love fall decorations?!

This solid oak cabinet door from Habitat For Humanity only cost $1.00. One dollar! I simply filled the holes left by the knob and painted. The Mesh Stencil fit perfectly on the raised panel. So cheap and so easy!

Hobby Lobby sells canvas boards for just a few dollars a package. We painted the canvas with Rescue Restore Paint then washed with Metallic Silver ChalkArt paint. The wreath in the middle is one of the  A Maker’s Studio Clear Stamps. I used part of a Mesh Stencil to write  “Love”. The hanger is a partially finished piece of bead work from my mom’s craft cabinet and we used old buttons to attach it.

 

My youngest daughter created two t-shirts using Rescue Restore Paint and letter Mesh Stencils. The “Elvis” was a practice, on one of Grandpa’s old t-shirts. Sometimes he’s the premier Elvis fan. Other times he fantasizes that he IS Elvis!

This was her second attempt. The quote is from the tv show, Friday Night Lights. There are dozens of quotes that could go on t-shirts or wall art.

Last but not least, these are some of the projects created at our paint gathering. Didn’t they do a great job?!

After using the products, I’m just as excited as I was when I was first introduced to them. I look at everything in my house and wonder how it would look with paint and perhaps a Stencil!

You can see more creative and inspirational projects at A Maker’s Studio Facebook Page.

Of course, if you’d like to have a paint gathering, live or virtual, or learn how you can purchase these products at a discount, just let me know!

Happy Creating!

(Please note this contains an affiliate link by which This Place I Belong can profit. However, I never recommend a product I don’t believe in.)

His movements were nearly imperceptible. With one hand he reached into the bucket and ever so slowly removed a handful of sunflower seeds, his young, great-niece, eyes wide, watching in raptured amazement. Cautiously, he extended his hand to little buck. Unsure, the buck hesitated before reaching for the seeds. 

Her eyes danced with excitement. Barely able to contain herself she whispered, “I want to try.” She’d been tossing apple pieces to the deer all afternoon. Some, like the little buck, were bold. Others remained cautious. Two young fawns had inched their way closer and closer, drawn by their desire for seeds and apples. 

For a young girl growing up in the expansive metropolis of the Phoenix area, the experience was captivating. The next day she would return home to her family. Life would resume it’s normal cadence with family, school, and extracurricular activities, but just maybe, every now and then, as she goes through her daily activities she will stop and remember the serenity of a mountain cabin and the magic of deer that eat out of a hand. 

As I watched my dad and my cousin’s daughter, I was thankful again for the beauty around me, for the wonder of God’s creation, and for the rain that finally came. Time and time again it speaks to my soul, never failing to stir feelings of wonder and awe. 

That was the scene playing through my mind yesterday as I created a throw pillow for my dad’s bed. My mom had ordered a deer stencil from A Maker’s Studio. If you missed the introduction to A Maker’s Studio, you can read about it and it’s amazing vision here.

We will be using the deer stencil as part of my parent’s kitchen update, but I couldn’t wait to give it a try. 

Blank, canvas pillow covers can be purchased from A Maker’s Studio for only $10.99, but I didn’t have one on hand and I’m impatient. So, I pulled out my old Viking sewing machine, rummaged through my fabric stash until I found a scrap piece of muslin. After a little measuring, a little cutting and a  little sewing, I had a very plain, very simple pillow cover. 

Then the fun began! 

I ironed the cover, making sure I had smooth surface. I placed the cover on the counter, smoothed it, then applied the deer stencil. At this point I decided it would probably be a good idea to place a piece of cardboard or something between the layers of the cover to prevent the color from bleeding through to the back. 

I reached for the closest thing I could find, the packaging for the stencil. I slipped it into the cover and positioned it directly underneath the stencil. 

Using A Maker’s Studio Gel Stain and their paint spreader, I carefully applied the stain to the stencil. I used stain rather than paint because I wanted that rich brown color. I simply dipped a corner of the spreader into the stain and pulled it across the stencil until I’d covered the entire image. 

When I lifted the stencil, a beautifully detailed deer image remained. The entire painting process took less than 15 minutes!! 15 minutes and the results were amazing! I love this pillow! 

Cleaning the stencil proved to be as easy as using it. I simply placed it in the kitchen sink and gently sprayed it with the faucet sprayer. The stain came right off. I then laid it on a dish drying mat, adhesive side up and left it to dry. 

That was it! It took longer to take photos that it did to paint the pillow. 

Now my mind is full of all kinds of possibilities! 

I love old wood. It has character, patina, and a history. I always imagine it has a story to tell.

Our family used to have a big, old, barn. It sat on the land that ancestors homesteaded in Indiana in 1834. Sometimes, I would look at the hand hewn beams and imagine those who had built it generations ago. First, the trees would have been felled. They did not have chain saws. The work would have been backbreaking, accomplished with only the sweat and effort of men and beast.

Once felled the trees would have had to be relocated to the building site, where the painstaking work of shaping the logs would take place. I would imagine the community gathering together to lift the mammoth beams into place. My mind would picture the roof and walls complete and animals safely sheltered in the stalls while a blizzard howled. I’d see a distant relative patiently milking a Jersey cow all the while talking gently to her as her big, soft, brown eyes, gaze lazily back at him.

The barn is gone now. Time and weather had taken it’s toll. The good wood was harvested to be sold or re-used and the remaining structure was burned. Even the footprint left by the structure is gone, erased by new grass and with it, all evidence of it’s existence.

But I see it still. When I look, I see the barn, standing strong along with the farmhouse that used to stand next to it. I see the people who lived and loved and struggled there. I see young children running and playing, older children pumping water from the well. I see a grandmother picking beans in the garden and a wife working over a hot stove in the summer kitchen. I see men toiling in the field behind a team of horses and a plow, or forking hay from the haymow with snow piled high against the exterior walls.

These are the stories kept and guarded by old, reclaimed barn wood. Wood reclaimed from barns isn’t the only reclaimed wood. It’s come from old, one room school houses, factory floors, demolished department stores. The sources are as numerous as the stories they could tell.

Reclaiming it. Re-using it. Repurposing it. This  resonates within me. It honors those that first fashioned it from a tree in a forest into the useful thing it became. It honors the stories, maybe long forgotten, but there still the same.

Once, reclaimed wood was inexpensive and easy to obtain, but as decorating trends have changed and evolved, the demand has increased, prices have risen and inventories have dwindled.

I’m a purist. In my mind, there’s no substitution for the real thing. By definition, new wood does not have the same history. It’s devoid of stories and the patina possible only with time.

I’m also a realist. It’s not always practical nor affordable to use real, reclaimed wood, and some projects just don’t need it. So, I learned how to get that barn wood, aged look with minimal effort, minimal expense and no harsh chemicals.

Next time you need barn wood for your project, give this a try.

Make the solution:

Tear fine, steel wool into pieces and add to white vinegar. I generally make about 1/2 a gallon at a time. To do this, simply  add 1-3 pad of fine steel wool to the vinegar container. (I usually only use one.) You could also combine them in another sealable container. Stir or shake and allow to “steep.”

After half and hour or so, this solution will work to age wood. Simply apply the solution to your wood with a paintbrush.

And that’s it folks! Really. That’s all you need to get that reclaimed barn wood look.

But, here are a few tips to help you get the look you’re really after. They almost blend in with the aged picnic table.

1. The longer you allow the solution to “steep”, the darker the treated wood will become. The solution used in these photos has been “steeping” for approximately two months. It also tends to become rustier in appearance with time.

2. The stain will darken as it dries on the wood. It takes a little time for the color to develop.

3. If you want your project to be more rustic, the wood can be distressed prior to staining. Here are some of my favorite ways to do this:

•           Lay the wood on gravel and walk on it.
•           Place a chunky chain on the wood and bang it with a hammer.
•           Scratch with a stiff wire brush.
•           Use a wire brush wheel for a drill to create circular marks in the wood
•           Use a wood burner, or propane torch to add burn marks

4. The solution reacts with tannins found in the wood and different woods contain different amount of tannins. If your wood is not coloring like you want, try brewing strong, black tea, and applying it first. Allow it to dry, then add the staining solution. The solution will react with the tannins in the tea, that have now soaked into your wood.

5. Multiple coats will result in a darker finish. For a subtle finish, “steep” the solution for only half and hour and apply only one coat. For a darker finish, allow the solution to “steep” longer, apply strongly brewed black tea before applying the solution, and apply multiple coats.

6. Experiment and test on a piece of scrap or the bottom of a project before applying to the entire thing. You can create everything from a soft, subtle gray, to a more rusty look, to ebony. Because this is permanent, make sure you are creating the look you want.

7. After the wood has thoroughly dried, you can seal it with wax or polyurethane. If using polyurethane, use water based as oil-based products will yellow with time, changing the look of your project. Annie Sloan offers the most well known wax product. It’s not inexpensive but a little goes a long way. If you can find it locally, you can save the shipping charges and several companies are now offering comparable products. I often see them at Vintage Markets and antique stores. Rust-Oleum offers a wax alternative that is supposed to be easier to use than wax while still providing  ultra-matte protection that looks unfinished. It can be brushed on, or they also offer a spray can version. (In the interest of full disclosure, I haven’t tried the Rust-Oleum product yet. I am looking forward to testing it on my next chalk paint project.)

8. The solution can be brushed, wiped or sprayed on.

9. Any steel, such as nails and screws, can be used in place of the steel wool. Steel wool just breaks down more quickly, and the finer the steel wool, the quicker it will breakdown. If you’re impatient like me, stick to the steel wool.

10. When your stain has steeped to the desired color, strain it through a paper towel to prevent continued breakdown of the steel wool and the solution will not continue to darken.

10. Have FUN! This stuff is fun to experiment with!

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When it comes to linens, I’m a purist. I like white. My bath towels are white. I still use flour sack, cotton towels exclusively to dry dishes. I prefer white dishcloths and white washcloths to remove my make-up and though I have some patterned sheets, my favorites are white. I just find that they are easier to keep clean and there’s something satisfying about bright, white linens snapping on the clothesline!

Before you protest, let me explain. While whites will show stains more readily, unlike some colors, whites can be washed in piping hot water. They can also be bleached to kill germs and eliminate that musty, mildewy smell that develops when a wet towel is left in a heap on the bathroom floor (not that my kids would ever do that!)

None-the-less, white can also pose some challenges. Not too long ago I was changing a bed for one of my daughters. I don’t normally do this. All of them are more than capable of changing their own beds, but for some reason that I’ve now forgotten, I was doing it. I was shocked to see her white sheets looking gray and dingy. They weren’t just a little off-colored. They were really bad!  In fact, I was ready to toss them into the trash can and head to Target. The Shabby Chic percale sheets at Target are my all time favorite. If you’re looking for sheets, you can read my recommendations here.

The only problem was that the sheets were not that old. They still have plenty of life in them. They just looked terrible. Because throwing away perfectly good sheets seemed wasteful and waste really rubs me the wrong way , I decided to see if I could actually revive them.

Thus began my quest to whiten and brighten whites. I’ve always felt like I had reasonably clean whites. I separate my laundry and soak and bleach my whites. But this was something different. This was going to force my laundry game to a whole new level and I hoped I was up to the challenge.

I started with a visit to Google.  I found lots of suggestions and as you might guess, some of them were contradictory.

Suggestions included: vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, Borax, Tide Brights and Whites, Oxi-clean White Revive, Original Oxi-clean, Bluing, Rit White wash and good old fashioned bleach.

I decided to start with things I had on hand.

Step 1 – Oxi-Clean

First, I filled my canning pot with water and Original Oxi-clean, added the sheet and brought the whole thing to a boil. When it was boiling good and hard, I gave the sheet a couple of stirs, turned off the fire and left it to soak over night.

The next morning I drained off the excess water and washed the sheet on hot with Tide detergent. When the cycle was finished, I hung the sheet on the line and let it dry. At this point, I could see significant improvement.

Step 2 – Bleach

Next, I repeated the wash cycle with hot water and Tide, but this time I added bleach. Normally, I would have used bleach the first time, but my research informed me that bleach can interact with body oils and actually cause yellowing. Bleach is an effective whitener, but only after oils have been removed from the fabric. How did this fact escape me for so long? I’d been using bleach incorrectly for my entire adult life!

Step 3 – Rit White Wash

At this point, the sheet was looking pretty darn good and I probably could have stopped there. However, during my quest, I learned about a product called Rit White Wash. My local Walmart didn’t have it, but I’d found it on Amazon.

So, though I was happy with the sheet, I decided to try the Rit White Wash just to see if it could get even better. And guess what? It did! I can’t believe I wasn’t familiar with this product. It did such a phenomenal job!

So, what about those other suggestions?

Vinegar. Vinegar is an effective anti-bacterial and anti-fungal solution and it’s cheap. It also eliminates odors, softens clothes and does a pretty good job at whitening.  It’s all natural and safe to use, even around small children.

However, the reviews on vinegar are mixed. Some think you can’t get a high enough concentration when using it as a wash additive. Other’s swear by it. Some claim in helps keep your washer clean and functioning well. Other’s claim the acids break down it’s rubber components. Though the jury is still out on vinegar, I’m inclined to give it the benefit of the doubt. I like it as a household cleaner. If you’ve used vinegar as a laundry whitener, let me know how it works for you.

Borax. Borax is a natural mineral found around the world. It boosts your detergent by raising the PH level, or softening the water. Though I did not use it on this experiment, years ago I used to make my own laundry detergent and Borax was one of the key ingredients. I’ve also used it to soak cloth diapers. It’s relatively inexpensive and it really does help your clothes come out whiter.

Tide Brights and Whites. I’ve never tried this product but the reviews are excellent so next time I need to whiten a dingy, old sheet, I think I’ll give it a try.

Oxi-clean White Revive. For my test, I used plain ‘ole Oxi-Clean. I already had it on my shelf and at the time I didn’t realized Oxi made a special formula for whites. Like the Tide Brights and Whites, I’ll try this product next time around.

Lemon. Lemon is actually an effective whitener and has the added benefit of being all natural and safe.

Baking Soda. I can’t imagine this hurts, but I’m not sure how helpful it really is.

Bluing. I really wanted to try this, but after step three, the sheet looked so good it seemed pointless. Like the Rit, it wasn’t available locally, so I did order some from Amazon. Next time I’m whitening, I’ll give it a try too.

It took a little effort, but I’m so glad I didn’t give up on those sheets. They are as good as new, but more importantly, I’ve learned some new things about whitening clothes! After my success with the sheet, I can’t wait to tackle the rest of my whites!

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It’s June and I’m back in Arizona. Yep. Arizona. In June. 105 degrees of dry, suffocating heat. I miss the cool breeze blowing off of my mountain and I remember why I no longer live here. But some things are worth braving Arizona in June. Like family.

My niece graduated from high school on Tuesday and today we joined in the celebration of her and her achievements while recognizing the importance of this milestone. It’s the start of that transition from child to woman. It’s new independence. It’s leaving the nest and chasing dreams. We are proud of her and marking this event with her is worth the trip. Even Arizona. In June.

Tuesday my nephew will turn 16. Another milestone. Another celebration. We will be here to share in it.

Friday we celebrated as my daughter-in-law turned 25.  We gathered with her family and played volleyball in the pool before sharing a meal. We laughed and exchanged stories with the family that welcomed my son as their own. Two families, united by the love of two people, celebrating one kind, smart, beautiful woman.

That’s what family does. We laugh. We celebrate. We share.  Even in Arizona. Even in June.

It’s been two and a half years since Jamie became a part of our family by way of marriage to my son, Joseph. I look around their home today and so much of the decor are things used for their wedding or received as wedding gifts. Their home is comfortable, stylish and inviting and Jamie is kind enough to let me share some of it with you.

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