I'm still working on things:-) Here is the painted window so far: I also have started working on this window. I nailed the picket planter to the window and hope to find some small shutters. It needs another coat of paint. I think I will just use fake flowers in this planter: I can't finish the metal bed until it's ready to place in the garden, have to wait for winter to end:-) I have been painting the bed spindles with the same color I painted spindles to make garden tools to hang from the side of the bed. Got that idea from a poster here who made the tools hanging from a old rake:-) Thanks for that idea!! Also in the picture are 2 insulators that I'm making into hanging candle holders. I need to find something to put on the wire to jazz them up:-) The other white spindle holds a sign that says 'This Way To Mom's Garden". It needs to be painted with another color.

I have a very old picture frame--probably 90 years old--very ornate--in decent condition EXCEPT--someone painted it with a shiny gold paint--liked a gilded effect. I've had the frame about 25 years in a closet. Should I spray paint it white? Use as it? Try to bronze somehow? Can you get the fake gilded paint off somehow? I am grateful for any advice you can offer.

Legally, you are required to make the request for repair in writing. Include some pictures to make the situation clear. Request a response within 10 days. Send a written follow up that states that should this safety hazard not be repaired that you will be forced to have it done and deduct the cost of that from the rent that you owe. That’s the legal approach. If you’re getting a deal on rent, and don’t want to cause too many waves, you still need to document the issue and bring the condition of the property to his notice. For all defects. That protects you should he decide that he wants to blame the window falling out and cutting someone on you. Or the rot that goes down into the wall that the water damage has caused. He could blame that on you because you “never told him” about the issue. You need to notify him, even if he won’t fix it. A responsible landlord would want the opportunity to keep up his property.

It really depends on your decor but I will share one technique I've used. I strip the frame of all it's finish and then paint successive coasts of different color paints. After all coats have dried and cured I use fine grade sandpaper to remove some of the paint to varying degrees. This will leave you with a multicolor finish that will often pick up any grain in the wood. Depending on the colors you use the resulting finish can either be subtle or more pronounced.