cheap stoop

Here is a project I did in just a couple of hours to make over my front stoop. I had a wooden bench, primed white, that a friend gave me about 5 years ago. All it took was two cans of lime green spray paint and about 1/2 a can of clear coat to make it look like new!

Next, I had a wrought iron plant stand from my wedding (also 5 yrs ago) that was also painted white, but it had started to rust. I decided to paint it black. This only took 1 can of spray paint. (I used the other 1/2 can of clear coat from the bench.)

After I did that, my stoop still looked really plain, so I went to Home Depot and purchased one small yellow flower pot, one petunia plant, and a bag of Miracle Grow potting soil so I could have a small plant sitting on the bench.

I also purchased a Gerbera daisy already planted in a nice pot and placed it on the plant stand.

Total cost of my small DIY porch project? (Not counting gas expense, sales tax, or time):

bench from a friend = FREE
2 cans green spray paint + 1 can clear spray paint = $3.44 each x 3 = $10.32
Plant stand = FREE
1 can spray paint = $3.44
flower pot = $5.99
petunia = $2.99
potting soil = $6.49
Gerbera daisy arrangement = $12.99
Total: $42.22

Hi, my name is...

Reading others blogs is interesting to me and I like to talk (a lot), so I figured it wouldn't be hard to start one. I figured my first blog needs to be one that tells who I am and my purpose in creating it.

I am a recent Interior Design graduate, who hasn't had much luck getting work in my field since the economy tanked right after I graduated. So, becuase of that, I work full time as a buyer for a Medical Supply distributor. I love my job and I am grateful for it, but because I am a creative person, I need an outlet. So here goes...

On the weekends, I love to collage and paint furniture, flower pots, canvases, on paper, (and other things that aren't bolted down) and would do more of it if I had the time, space, and money. I also read tons of design magazines and that allows me to live vicariously through others' design work.

I am learning how to be a better cook and gardener (very much so part-time), so I will probably throw posts in here and there with recipes, and helpful hints about those topics as well.

I will try to show as much of my own work as possible, but if I come across interesting or helpful articles in the many magazines I read, I will post those as well.

Welcome to my little blog...I hope you enjoy!