Dealing with outdated technology when it messes up your decor

We ditched our land line years ago. For the most part, that's not a decor issue. Most phone jacks are small and near the baseboards - so not very noticeable. But our house is nearly 50 years old and we have a wall jack in the kitchen. It's rather unsightly, but I didn't know what to do with it. So, even though it didn't work, I kept a phone hanging there ; ) I figured that was better than just leaving it empty...

But over the weekend I decided I'd had enough! Paint, of course, was the answer. It's metal, so I primed first (didn't bother with sanding).

Then I gave it two coats of the wall paint.

I hung a photo partially over it, and now it blends into the wall. It's no longer that noticeable, and doesn't detract from my decor. An easy, free fix!

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Making do when you can't afford new

My bed frame (a platform) is a zillion years old. It's made of some sort of chipped wood, I guess, and covered with laminate pieces. Not really my style anymore (OK, it's not really a zillion years old, but it is nearly 30 years old and my tastes have changed), plus the laminate pieces keep falling off. I've put them back on using various methods, but they never stay, and then new pieces fall off. I finally decided the real solution is... paint! As pieces fall off, I paint the wood with gray paint I have on hand (it's floor paint, but it works). So the cost is free! It's darker than the laminate, but it's in my bedroom, close to the floor, and partially covered by my comforter - so it doesn't really stand out to anyone glancing in the room, unlike the bare wood.

 

 

This is the actual gray color of the bed frame. Do I still want to replace the frame? Yes. But will this do in the meantime? Yes!

 

Spring!

It's supposed to be 61 degrees tomorrow! And I have the day off from work. I'm hoping to get some spray painting done : )

Adding a little fun color to the shelf in my office

When I painted this shelf (that I bought for $1!), I debated painting the chunky little legs a fun color.

And today I did it!

I used some blue craft paint I had on hand. I mixed in a little white craft paint to make it a shade closer to blues I already have in the room. I just used a small foam brush and gave them a quick coat of the blue. It's a subtle bit of fun color, and I love it!