OK, I finally got it painted white!! I still need to fill in some of the holes & the ends, but for the most part, it's done & I love how it looks. It most likely won't be long before it starts rusting through too...LOL! I used at least a dozen $1 cans from Dollar General to paint this bad boy! I have to say that they only contain 9 oz. of paint compared to other brands & the spray nozzles will make a sore finger in short order. This was easy to put together, once we decided how far the top door would overhang the side ones, he just lined up the holes of the brackets to the door, pre-drilled & then screwed them in with the existing screws from the door. This was definitely a low budge operation! LOL! In case you can see, I switched out the larger metal flowers I had on the barn door fence for some maple leafs that are made out of twigs! I just HAD to have them & bought them at the local Blueberry Festival this past weekend. I mention them because someone on here might be motivated enough to try to make them. TFL!!

I just realized that my post didn't get posted yesterday so I will try again! As I said I am right there with you! I have 12 x 12 covered deck that isn't quite finished yet but I did find an armoire for $35 at the local fleamarket that I painted last year and put up against the house on the deck for storage. I also have a kitdchen island cart painted out there. Dh just got an air compressor so I've bought a paint gun and plan to use a better quality paint on both of them. Just off the deck steps there is a huge patio that we poured last fall for a hot tub. The contractor decided to use up the concrete and it ended up being alot bigger and that put enough room for the hot tub on the other side of the door into the garage. So... I painted an old set of outdoor furniture and put it on there but it just isn't enough and I had gotten the air mattress idea from here and planned to build a daybed like I've seen on HGTV. My dh is not well so it wasn't looking good about getting it done. But he would love a place to pile up out there. After this post, I went to a local antique/thrift store and found a full size iron bed that will be perfect once I either paint it or use a marine grade wax on it. I can't wait to see it in action. The only problem is a cover for the air mattress that will look like it belongs out there. I will try to post some pics over the weekend. I plan to borrow my mom's truck tomorrow and pick up the bed. You encourage me! Alicia

Scarlett, I'm sure you can paint the trim. If laminate can be painted, surely anything can be painted. It will take prep work to get the paint to adhere, but I'll bet it can be done. Nevertheless, if you are going to put up panels, so little of the frame will show, that I doubt it would be worth the trouble to paint. Here is my niece's dorm room. Sister mixed coral, turquoise and sage green with it - successfully, I think. Out of sight, are the curtains. She used white Cameron cotton curtains from PB, which are currently one sale if you are interested. (ignore ugly throw. It is Niece's "blankie". Not stylish, but it gives her comfort away from home) Here is a link that might be useful: Cameron curtain

patty, agree that bright fabrics aren't for everyone! They will be an unexpected touch of sorts, but I am not a pastel person, or fairy. I know, this is for my daughter, but I've decided for now she's not that either! : ) kswl, totally forgot about Cath Kidston!! Thank you. I just went to her site. I like the birds and roses, as well as a couple of others. I was in my shabby chic/french country phase when I got my first apartment umpteen years ago and haven't looked back. This kind of reminds me of it so not sure I can pull the trigger. I love florals, but more chintz-like florals. Anyway, thank you so much for the option! nosoccer, you kill me!! Of course, I thought you were doing the Eye of the Tiger song a la Rocky, not Katy Perry! But they're both good.