2010 – Page 35

How To: Artfully Arrange a Bookshelf

Published on May 26, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

Arranging a beautiful bookshelf seems like a simple task. Really, it can be difficult if you’re a perfectionist and organizer like I am. I would LOVE to organize my books so they are just pretty, like by color. But, the logical side of me says, “Amanda, that is SO impractical. You NEED to organize by subject.” Yes, I am a tad OCD.

Just before our second son, Ev, was born, we worked to finish our basement. What was I doing the day before Ev was born? Not packing for the hospital, but putting together my new office! FINALLY, after a year in the making, I had an office. I quickly threw my books on to the shelves. They looked okay, but they weren’t organized.

I needed a way to make them look good and be easy to find. So, here’s is the how-to for my newly designed system.

1. I took everything off the shelves.

2. I separated all of my books into different categories: Fiction, Classic Fiction, History, Science, Travel, Biography, True Crime (guilty pleasure), magazines, encyclopedias and random (books that don’t easily fit into my categories).

3. After grouping, I arranged the books in rainbow order. Red through purple first, then white, grey, black and brown. A group of red books is the beginning of a new group. Not exactly a science, but it works for me.

4. I placed the books on the shelves where they fit best. Then I filled in with accessories based on open spaces.

I have most books vertical, but put some horizontal and one showing its beautiful cover. (Thanks, Ash!) I had some open shelf space, so I put some empty magazine files in so I have room to grow. You’ll notice I also have storage boxes to hold some of my stationery shop, Customized Stationary, supplies.

Recent Finds!

Published on May 26, 2010September 9, 2010 by Our Humble Abode1 Comment

In my younger days, I spent a lot of money on nothing. Then I met the cheap frugal Ben and my spending habits changed. It’s a good thing, Martha. Rather than buying something because I liked it, I began waiting for a sale. Then I realized Target wasn’t the only place to shop. I ventured next door to TJ Maxx and found a lot of great things, for 1/2 the price!

I recently found two of these beauties for only $29.99 each, including the shades!

Surprisingly, I didn’t buy them right away. I didn’t know where they should go because I didn’t NEED lamps. I went home wondering if I could find them a good home. Then it dawned on me. We will need lamps for our newly finished basement! So, I went back to TJ Maxx. If they were still there, they were meant to be mine. And there they were!! Sweet!

I also found a variety of awesome silver frames which now display some of my favorite photos and prints on our entertainment center. The most expensive frame was $7.99.

I really love some of the items you can find at Michael’s, too. Like this little tealight for $3.99.

And this 50% off apothecary jar for a mere $5.99. Now I need moss (and to learn how to make a terrarium).

After Michael’s I ventured across the street to Ross. I found this king bedding set for $24.99.

Again, I didn’t buy it right away. If it is meant to be, it will call my name the next time I go back. And it was there, waiting for me. The set included a comforter, bedskirt and 2 king shams, but I don’t like matchy-matchy things. I also got the black candle wall sconces from Bed, Bath & Beyond for $9.99 for a set of two, originally $19.99.

I still rarely walk out of Target empty-handed, although my trips are less frequent now that I have two kids in tow. Speaking of my boys, I got Ev this adorable Owl Bank (only $9.99!!). V already has a pig.

So, there you have my latest and greatest finds. If I could only find some cheap, good-looking double curtain rods…

Office Progress

Published on May 25, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

My office started as a concrete bunker style space in our basement. Then Ben framed in the walls and added sheet rock. Then the real fun began. I designed a full wall of floor to ceiling bookshelves and a wall with a desk, workspace and open cabinet shelving. Ben did a great job building everything!

Here is a work-in-progress shot of the bookshelves:

And the open cabinet style shelving, desk, and workspace:

Ben found a 2 inch think piece of Brazilian Cherry hardwood to make my workspace countertops. He actually had to join two pieces together to make it the right depth. Then he used a floor sander to make it smooth. Here he is right now:

Then he cut the pieces to size and added a few coats of clear polyurethane. Ben cut and installed the marble desktop, too. I’m telling you, he’s talented!! Here is my office at that stage. So ‘cited!

I also designed a wall treatment which Ben painstakingly installed along with some reclaimed French doors!

Then we painted the trim, bookshelves and cabinets white (along with the rest of the basement).

Yes, Master (Bedroom)

Published on May 24, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

We’re back to show how we transformed our master bedroom. Yeah, it’s much better now.

Ben ripped out the old carpet and installed the Pergo floor shortly after he bought the house. So, we ripped out the Pergo flooring (we both hated the hollow sound it made when we walked on it). We came up with a simple 12 inch grid pattern for the trim and added it to the walls using MDF. We also added crown moulding above the doors and windows. Ben had the brilliant idea to add recessed rope lighting (on a dimmer) inside the crown. AMAZING! Then we sprayed all of the trim the same white that we used in the other bedrooms. (Behr’s Vermont Cream color matched in Wal-Mart’s Colorplace brand).

Then we painted the room Behr’s Squirrel. I loved it, Ben hated it. Soooo, we painted the walls a lighter version of Squirrel:

Yeah, neither of us liked that one. Maybe a pale blue? NOPE! It was baby blue! Ben wanted red. I HATE red bedrooms (or rooms in general), but I was sick of painting. We agreed that the bedroom could be red if Ben painted. The red didn’t stay long. We finally agreed (and LIKED!) Restoration Hardware’s Bay Laurel paint color.

Then we got down to business! Installing 3/4 inch thick, solid red oak flooring to match the rest of the house. Here’s an action shot:

Yes, that is my talented husband. After the floors were installed, we filled all the holes and joints.

Here is what the room looked like at that stage:

Then Ben sanded the floors with a rented sander. Feel the power.

We coated the floor with Waterlox Original Sealer. We chose an oil finish to allow touch ups to be made. Here’s the after shot!

So, that’s how we (Ben and a very pregnant Amanda) installed our red oak floors in our master bedroom. The floors really enhance the bedroom and tie it in with the rest of the house.

Basement Progress: During

Published on May 20, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble Abode5 Comments

We’re back to show the progress of our basement.

First, Ben framed in the walls and moved the duct work. It ran through the middle of the ceiling and tall people hit their heads when they walked down the stairs. Next, we started hanging, taping, and mudding the sheet rock.

The Framing Process: