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Mini Home Upgrades: Skiffers, Rub ‘n Buff Fails, and the Joy of Small DIY Wins

Writer's picture: Trisha McKinneyTrisha McKinney

They say the little things make a big difference, and that’s exactly the mantra I’m embracing this year—the Year of the Mini Project. No massive overhauls, no months-long renovations, just small, satisfying upgrades that bring a fresh feel to our home. So far, the mini-project momentum has been strong, but let’s be honest—not every project goes exactly as planned. This week, I tackled two quick updates: adding skiffers in the entryway and attempting a Rub ‘n Buff transformation in the kitchen. Spoiler alert: one was a win (kind of), and the other… well, let’s just say I’m still holding out hope.


Entryway Glow-Up: Skiffers Installed! (Sort Of)

First up, let’s talk skiffers. If you’re scratching your head wondering what the heck a skiffer is, you’re not alone. These little architectural details are essentially decorative corner blocks that sit at the bottom of door casings, adding a subtle but polished touch—think a little crown molding for the floor. Historically, they’ve been used to protect corners from getting dinged up while adding a bit of old-world charm, and I loved the idea of bringing that extra detail into our entryway. Plus, as an added bonus, our Roomba tends to knock into the corners, so the skiffers also serve a small functional purpose!


Installation? Super easy. (For once, a project didn’t fight me! But there was one little oops—check out this video and see if you can spot it! Let me know in the comments if you catch it.) If you’re thinking about adding skiffers to your space, here’s a quick four-step process:


drill, drill bits and lowes mini blue bucket




Step By Step:


  1. Clean the area (I used my go-to multi-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth)

  2. Use a spacer between the floor and the skiffer (I used a penny)

  3. Mark the holes with a pencil or chalk

  4. Drill pilot holes (I used 1/16" drill bit)

  5. Secure the skiffer in place with screws provided using a hand screwdriver






Visually? They add a tiny touch of glam that I really like, but… I do have a minor regret. The skiffers I chose are a bit on the small side compared to the baseboards, and now I wish I had spent more time looking for the perfect size. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s one of those things that makes me go hmm every time I walk by. Lesson learned: sometimes, a little extra scale can go a long way. But hey, at least I didn’t go too big and end up with entryway corners that look like mini podiums!





The Kitchen Rub-and-Buff Experiment: A DIY Gamble

Now, onto my not-so-glamorous kitchen update. With our new brushed gold kitchen faucet installed, I had the brilliant idea to use Rub ‘n Buff on the air gap and garbage disposal button so they would match. In theory, this was a great plan—no need to hunt down new fixtures, just a quick swipe of metallic magic, and voila! Except… not quite.

The disposal button turned out decent—definitely an improvement. The air gap? A total fail. No matter how many coats I applied, it just didn’t have that smooth, seamless finish I was hoping for. Plus, now I’m worried that water exposure will cause the Rub ‘n Buff to wear off over time, especially on the disposal button, which gets splashed constantly. The last thing I need is an accidental DIY version of a patina experiment happening in my kitchen.





Here’s where I went wrong—I didn’t prep properly. I cleaned both with my homemade multipurpose cleaner (1 part water, 1 part vinegar, and 1 tsp. dish soap), but I should have sanded the air gap first. That’s my next step: sanding it down and giving it another go. Skott also suggested sealing it with a top coat, which might help it hold up against water exposure. If that fails? I might have to cave and hunt down an already-brushed-gold air gap to avoid future touch-ups.


Spray paint is another potential option, but at this point, I’m leaning toward just purchasing the right finish. DIY is fun, but sometimes, it’s okay to admit defeat. Can’t win them all, right?


Mini Project Takeaways

Even when things don’t turn out exactly as envisioned, I’m still loving this mini-project approach. Each small change adds up, and I’m learning as I go—whether it’s about sizing details (hello, skiffers) or understanding the limits of certain DIY hacks (looking at you, Rub ‘n Buff). And if nothing else, these little updates keep things interesting. Because let’s be real—what’s home improvement without a little trial and error?


One unexpected benefit? I don’t feel nearly as overwhelmed as I did when I used to tackle big projects. There’s no stress, no tools and scraps scattered everywhere, and no sense of guilt when I take a break to do something else. Meanwhile, Skott is knee-deep in a big backyard project, feeling like he needs to work all day, every weekend. Watching him go through that only reaffirms that my Year of the Mini Project is the right move for me.


What’s Next?

Next on the list: figuring out the air gap situation once and for all and then moving on to painting all the door casings and frames in the main hallway (five in total). It’s a small but impactful change, and I can’t wait to see how it transforms the space.


Have you tried using Rub ‘n Buff on high-touch areas before? Any genius hacks to make it last longer? Or maybe you’ve tackled a project that didn’t go quite as planned? Let me know—I’d love to swap stories!


With a humble heart,

Trisha signature

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