Year: 2010

This Thing Sucks: Vacuums

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A few years ago, we installed a central vacuüm system.  If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.  It is so choice.  We upgraded from a canister vacuüm, you know, the kind you drag around behind you, smashing into all of your walls on the way?  Yea, we hated it.  And it didn’t clean very well because it was old.  Ben researched central vac systems and decided he could install one in our house.  I was definitely on board.  Anything to make cleaning easier and more enjoyable, right?

Back then, our basement was unfinished, so installing the PVC piping was relatively easy.  Ben ran the ‘plumbing’ and wiring from our predetermined outlets to the vacuüm itself, which is located in our attached garage, cutting down on the noise significantly.

Our central vacuüm system consists of four outlets, one vacuüm, one 30 foot hose, and attachment heads.  We opted not to install dustpan receptacles in our kitchen because we just get the vacuüm hose out and clean the whole house at once.

We have one centrally located vacuüm hook up on each level.

You can see an extra outlet at the end of the hall, to the left of the door.

The central outlet in the basement is hidden in the toe kick of our entertainment center:

Our 30 foot hose reaches most areas, but not quite all, so we installed one additional outlet at the south end of each level.

The vacuüm hose package we purchased includes the hose, a rug cleaning head, a hardwood cleaning head, and several small brushes and crevice tools.  This vacuüm makes cleaning the miles of trim a breeze because of the reach of the hose.  Vacuuming the stairs has never been easier, either thanks to the light weight hose.  No more lugging a heavy vacuüm up and down the stairs.  No more changing bags, just dumping the 12 gallon canister occasionally.  And, it is easily stored in a small hall closet with other cleaning supplies.

Helpful Hint:  To help decide the length of hose you need, keep your furniture placement in mind.  That will shorten the reach of your hose.

Where’d Ya Get That?

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Here’s a source list for items in our house.  If you have questions about anything, just ask!

Living Room:

Paint: Wicker Chair by Olympic and Behr’s Vermont Cream color matched in Wal-Mart’s Colorplace brand    Rug: Flor  Sofa: HOM Furniture    Chairs: Dolce Lounge Chair from Target    End Tables: Dror by Target    Lamps:  TJ Maxx    Curtains:  Target    Throw Blanket:  TJ Maxx    Pillow Covers: Hand Sewn Fabric from Joann    Bird Candleholder:  Target    Picture Frames:  Wal-Mart, Target, Michael’s    Artwork:  Custom made by me    Front Door:  Home Depot    Floors:  Original Red Oak Hardwood

Living Room Other Side:

Rocking Chair:  Lay-Z-Boy (is now in the basement)    Desk:  Repainted hand-me-down    Desk Chair:  Target    Black Picture Frame:  Target    Large Frame:  Target 

Chair:  Hom Furniture     Mirror:  Garage Sale-only $5.00!    Candle Sconces:  Linens N Things    Pillow:  I made it.  Here’s how.

Entertainment Center:

Entertainment Center:  Custom Built by Ben    Door Hardware:  Home Depot Modern Bar    TV:  32″ Vizio from Costco    Silver Picture Frames:  TJ Maxx    B Monogram:  Target    Candle Holders:  Target    Clock:  Restoration Hardware on Ebay    Tall Blue Vase:  Crate and Barrel  Short Blue Vase:  TJ Maxx    Wooden Sculpture:  Target    Magazine Files:  IKEA painted Green    Books:  Used, Barnes and Noble    Print:  Made by Me    Hour Glass:  CB2

Dining Room:

 

Paint:  Mistinted version of Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage (The paint is from Wal Mart and they used the light base. The formula for one gallon is B-37, E-39.5, and T-37.  This is the color used in our basement, too. It can look more green in some light) and Behr’s Vermont Cream-both color matched at Wal-Mart    Dining Table:  DIY Table    Chairs:  World Market    Rug:  Flor    Curtains:  Hand Sewn from Fabric From Hancock Fabrics    Fruit Bowl:  Thrift Store    Plates:  Linens N Things and Target    Candle Sticks:  Target    Light Fixture:  CB2   Curtain Rod:  Wal-Mart    Floors:  Original Red Oak Hardwood

Guest Bedroom:

Paint:  Restoration Hardware’s Sea Green, color matched to Behr and Behr’s Vermont Cream    Headboard:  Free from an apartment tenant    Floral Bedding:  Ross    Sheets:  Linens N Things    Blue King Pillows:  TJ Maxx    Striped Pillow:  Hand Sewn from Fabric from Joann    Picture Frame:  From my Great Grandma    Photo:  Forsyth Park Fountain taken on our Honeymoon in Savannah, GA    White Nightstand:  Built by Ben    Lamp:  Target    Clock:  World Market    Candle Sconces:  Bed, Bath and Beyond    Curtains:  Wal-Mart    Curtain Rod:  Target    Apothecary Jar of Shells:  Michael’s     Pendant:  DIY with coffee filters  

Guest Bedroom Other Side:

Mirror:  Found in the Trash-from Target    Bedside Carafe:  Two Glasses from World Market    Shell:  Target    Artwork in the Hall:  Family Tree made by Me

Main Bathroom:

Paint:  Behr’s Vermont Cream and Restoration Hardware’s Lilac    Vanity:  Built by Ben out of Maple    Drawer Pulls:  Home Depot    Countertop:  Giallo San Francsico Granite Remnant    Vessel Sink and Faucet:  E bay    Mirror:  Reused from Remodel    Light Fixtures:  Home Depot    Picture, Frame and Mat:   Michael’s    Glass Box:  World Market    Soap Pump:  Target    Lotion:  Bath and Body Works    Candles and Jars:  Target  Purple Towels:  Target    White Towels:  Linens N Things   

Main Bathroom Shower:

White and Grey Marble Tile (also on floors):  Home Depot    Faucet:  Delta at Home Depot    Shower Curtain:  Target    Towel Bar and Toilet Paper Holder:  Home Depot

Master Bedroom:

 

Paint:  Restoration Hardware’s Bay Laurel and Behr’s Vermont Cream   Bed:  Custom Built by Ben    Coverlet:  IKEA    Pillow Shams:  Linens N Things    Throw Pillow:  Hand Embroidered by Me    Nightstand:  IKEA    Lamps:  Home Depot    Clock:  World Market    Pictures:  E Bay    Picture Frames:  Michael’s    Curtains:  Wal-Mart    Curtain Rods:  Wal-Mart   

Master Bedroom Other Side:

 

Mirror:  Michael’s    Upholstered Bench:  HOM Furniture

Master Bathroom:

Paint:  Behr’s Vermont Cream and Restoration Hardware’s Bay Laurel    Curtains:  Wal-Mart    Floors:  Absolute Black and White Marble from Home Depot    Toilet:  Kohler Highline from Home Depot    Vanity:  Built by Ben    Countertop:  Galaxy Black Remnant Ben Finished    Shower Curtain:  Target   Towels:  Target    Towel Bar and Toilet Paper Holder:  Home Depot    Clock:  Gift 

Boy’s Bedroom:

Paint:  Ralph Lauren’s Riesling and Behr’s Vermont Cream    Crib:  Garage Sale    Dresser:  Hand Me Down    Curtains:  Wal Mart    Curtain Rods:  Home Depot    Crib Blanket:  Crocheted by Me    Sheets:  Target    Crib Skirt:  Target    Rocking Chair:  Family chair    Storage Bin:  Tuesday Mornings    Mobile:  Made by Me    Owl:  Made by Me    Silhouette:  Made by Me    E and V:  Hobby Lobby    Pillows:  Made by Me

 Bed:  Hand Me Down Painted Red    Bedding:  Target    Stuffed Animals:  Kohl’s     Pillows:  Hand sewn by me      Footprint Art:  Inked Feet of my Boys    Artwork:  Canvas Painted by Me    Bookshelf:  Hand Me Down   

Office:

Paint:  Benjamin Moore’s Raisin and Behr’s Vermont Cream    Cabinets and Shelving:  Custom Built by Ben    Countertops:  Brazilian Cherry and Carrera Marble    Desk Chair:  IKEA   Desk Lamp:  Target    Storage Boxes and Magazine Files:  IKEA    Curtains:  Hand Sewn from Fabric from Hancock Fabrics    White Marble Vases:  Restoration Hardware    Small Blue Vase:  Target    Little Bird:  Felt Pincushion from Etsy    Picture Frames on Shelves:  Target    Map Frame:  Michael’s    Map:  Art.com    Light Fixture:  Home Depot    Magnetic Tins:  IKEA   

Office Bookshelves: 

 

Chair:  Target    Accent Table:  Target    Picture Frame on Table:  Target   White Vase:  Target (was a reed diffuser)    Storage Boxes:  IKEA    Brown Frames:  Hobby Lobby   Art in Brown Frames:  My modern portraits   Drawing Figure:  IKEA    Rose Candle Holders:  Michael’s, Big Lots and Ross    Bird Art:  Custom Painted by Me    Orange Clock:  Hobby Lobby    Wire Buildings:  Target    Butterfly Artwork:  Custom Made by Me    Globes:  Garage Sales and Target    Vacation Jars:  Hobby Lobby filled with vacation items    Books:  Barnes and Noble, Thrift Stores and Garage Sales

Flower Power: Part Deux

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It’s officially summer and my roses have gotten the memo.  I love roses.  They bloom multiple times a year if you cut off the dead flowers.  They get a bad rap for being difficult to care for, but they are actually easy.  Simply water, fertilize a few times, and cut off the dead flowers.  Enough talk, though.  Here are the stars of this post:

I’ve got all colors, purple…

Red…

Peach…

White…

I saved the best for last.  This rose starts off orange-yellow, but turns bright pink as it opens more.  It’s amazing! 

Furniture Feature: Dining Table

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Before we could bring our new table in, we had to remove the old set.  Then, I added a few more Flor tiles to the existing rug.  Because our old table was round, the four square by four square rug was the perfect size.  The rectangular table needed a rectangular rug.  When I order Flor rugs, I always order a few extra squares of each design.  This came in handy.  I cut the dark brown squares to fit with the existing design.  Then I taped them together because I didn’t have extra Flor dots.  After about ten minutes, our ‘new’  rug was ready for the table.

Ben and I carried in the new table base, but the top was far too heavy for me to move.  With a little help from a friend, we had a new table.  Enough talk, here’s the completed table:

The overall size is 4 1/2 feet long by 3 feet wide, which fits perfectly in our dining room.  The chairs tuck under neatly, fitting close the edge of the table, leaving two feet of walking space on all sides.

The apron is set in 1/2 inch from the legs, giving the base a polished look. 

I love the clean, modern Parsons style legs paired with the more traditional marble top. 

It’s a perfect balance of modern and traditional.  The dark wooden chairs are comfortable and stylish, but still add warmth.

I wanted to show the marble off, so here’s an artsy shot:

I am 150% in love with our new table.  What do you think?  What is your proudest DIY project?

Adventures in Building a Dining Table

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Some of our recent posts show changes we have made to our dining room.  I have hated our dining table for the past year or so, but Ben loves our table.  It’s solid oak and the price was great.  The problem?  The table measures in at a whopping 4 foot diameter.  The pedestal base makes it impossible to push the large chairs within 6 inches of the table.  Our small (9 foot wide by 10.5 foot long) dining room is even smaller. 

After discussing a new table with Ben and looking around town, the search died; we couldn’t agree on a table.  We discussed building a wooden table and painting it white.  But how to make it sturdy enough?  Back to the drawing board.  Then, Ben had a great idea.  Why not build the table out of steel?  It’s cheap, durable and rigid. 

Ben went to the local steel supply warehouse to see what he could find.  He found three-inch square steel tubing for the legs and three-inch ‘L’ pieces for the rails.  Score!  The supply yard cut the pieces to length, too.  Ben left $58.00 poorer and 100 pounds heavier, ready to start welding.

We decided on four outer legs connected by a 1/2 inch inset apron with a cross support.  Pass about 4 hours and we had this:

Here’s Ben touching up some areas:

Ben is so amazing, he even added feet!

Add some spray primer and three coats of gloss white Rustoleum spray paint and we had this:

And this:

Because we plan to sell our entire dining set, we began searching for new dining chairs.  The plan is to have 4 matching chairs at the table at all times, with these stacking chairs  available for larger groups-we already have two. 

I loved World Market’s Loft Chairs (see below), but at $100.00 each, they are a little out of our current price range.   

 After some online searching, Ben found these:

They aren’t quite as good-looking as the Loft chairs, but the price was definitely right and they are nice, solid chairs.  The chairs are discounted because they are discontinued.  We were sold-we bought four.  World Market offers 10% off your entire purchase if you open a World Market credit card, so we got an additional $14.00 off!  Here’s our receipt.  I love when stores show the amount you’ve saved.  I really love when the amount saved is more than the amount spent.  Check it out:

Yep, we spent $125.96 and saved $154.00!!  Amazing!

We went to our local granite and marble yard.  We found a dark greenish-black marble with white swirls.  It’s b.e.a.utiful and it’s a remnant!  Ben helped cut the slab at the granite supply- it was too heavy and large to cut at home. 

Then he hauled the 4 1/2 foot by 3 foot cut piece home and polished the edges using granite specific polishing pads on a right angle grinder.  Here he is, hard at work: