Yesterday’s reveal of my bold green bathroom makeover hopefully had you itching to dip the brush into the paint can and get started.  As you saw, paint is one of four easy and inexpensive ways to update and completely transform your bathroom.  And while I get that it can feel a bit daunting to go bold with your color choice, I hope hope you can see from yesterday’s collab with BEHR Paint that going bold with just the right color can be one of the best design decisions you make.  

While painting walls is pretty straightforward, it’s the cabinetry and doors that can get a bit tricky.  So I’ve laid out a few easy steps I take whenever I’m tackling a paint project like this.  Check them out below, and tell me, do you have any home DIY projects you’re looking to tackle?  Truly, MKR

No. 1…Remove the cabinets from the hinges, as well as all of the knobs.  This step will make your life a lot easier when you go to sand the surface (which is a must-do). Skipping this step will give you a headache later, so it’s definitely worth your while. Be careful to keep track of all hardware as you do so, as you’ll need it to restore the cabinet doors to their hinges. 

No. 2…Sand the entire area of the cabinet doors.  You’ll want to do this in order to sand down the edges and smooth out the entire surface for the new paint. Don’t go crazy with the sanding, just an easy smoothing of the surfaces will do.

No. 3…Start painting.  Generally, I use at least two coats of paint for cabinetry.  Cabinets and doors tend to chip easier than the rest of the room simply because the amount of natural use they get so wear and tear will show quickly.  I’ve found that two coats of paint cover the surface well, and I always keep a can of touch-up paint on hand for when nicks do happen.  And when painting with bold colors, I paint them all by hand.  You’ll really want to take your time with the blue painter’s tape to appropriately line the edges (check out this great blue painter’s tape how-to, or get your most OCD friend to help you here).  By focusing on perfection on this step, you’re less likely to run into any mess-ups you’ll have to fix later.  And one major tip I have for mess ups is to simply keep a small bucket with cold water next to me as I paint by hand.  Being able to act fast using cold water and either paper towels for small spots or a hand towels for larger areas allows you to fix any oops moments.  

No. 4…Place cabinet doors back onto their hinges and secure. After the paint has completely dried (please do not rush the drying process), remove the blue painter’s tape and secure your cabinetry back in its place. 

No. 5…Add statement making knobs to finish the look. Lastly, place your updated selection of knobs, or as I consider it jewelry, on the newly painted cabinets. I scored some stunning hardware, which compliments the paint color to perfection. 

I’m a firm believer that a rug can make (or break) a room.  A great rug can instantly add much-needed dimension and grounding to a space.  But just as quickly, when sized too small, a rug can dwarf a room and cripple its design appeal.

When selecting the right rug for your space, you’ll need to consider color, texture, and most important of all: size. 

Rugs, unfortunately, are notoriously expensive, and the sticker-shock of a pricy piece can steer even the most confident buyers away from the right rug.  And while rugs need to stand the test of time (read: foot traffic), it’s important to invest in a rug that’s high quality.  

Some of my favorite sources for rugs include Scott’s Antique Market here in Atlanta, and online at Lulu & Georgia and One Kings Lane.  Selecting the rug can feel so intimidating, and the purchase is nothing to rush or skimp on.  Good news, though?  Once you settle on the perfect rug, it’s an investment piece that you’ll enjoy for years and years to come.  Below, I’ve outlined a few quick tricks and things to keep in mind when selecting the right rug.  And if you’re looking for specific sizing specs + diagrams, this one is really great to reference. Good luck!  Truly, MKR

No. 1…When choosing a rug for your dining room keep in mind size.  The rug must be big enough for the chairs to slide back and still be on top of the rug.  

No. 2…For a living room rug, consider how you can “anchor” the space with the rug.  Either stay consistent with all furniture legs on top of the rug, or only the front legs of the chairs and sofa.  Consistency is key here; you don’t want some to be all the way on top of the rug and others to be drifting off of it. 

No. 3…If you find yourself with a rug you love, but is too small think about layering which also adds texture, depth, and style.  Start with a large jute rug or sisal rug and layer a smaller rug, preferably with a different shape on top.  If your top rug is the same shape place it diagonally across your bottom rug.  Some of you may remember I layered this faux cowhide rug (which is the best faux cowhide I’ve ever, EVER seen) on top of a large jute rug in our most recent One Room Challenge project at the WOM office. 

No. 4…Avoid a round rug if you’re styling a rectangle or square room.  I have seen round rugs done well in foyers and dining nooks, but end up looking a bit awkward in other spaces.  The only exception to the rule; drawing attention to the center of a room by adding a round rug under a table or object that is the rooms main focal point.

No. 5…Consider placing small rugs at high-traffic areas like the base of your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and doors, but be sure to include a rug pad to keep it from slip sliding all around.  

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