Month: January 2011

Simple Solutions: Lighting

Published on by Our Humble Abode14 Comments

Along with replacing out dated hardware, changing light fixtures can make a big impact.  Before we were married, Ben installed oil rubbed bronze lights in our kitchen, hallway and dining room.  We began the phase out process of oil rubbed bronze on the main level when we installed a drum shade over our DIY dining table. 

Then we replaced the ceiling fan in the guest room for a coffee filter pendant.

Anyway, we chose brushed nickel flushmount lights.  I would have loved a semi flush fixture like the one in our master bedroom, but couldn’t due to the linen closet door swing.  Here’s what we started with.

Notice the junction box with out a fixture?  Yeah, that needed to be fixed, too.  After about 20 minutes, we had two new lights in our kitchen.  After a little work in the kitchen, Ben moved onto the hallway.

And here’s what we have now.

Our upper level lighting is much more cohesive now.  We still have a ceiling fan to replace in the boys’ room, but the rest of the lighting is either brushed nickel or white (fabric or coffee filters).  Anyone out there inspired to change out their old light fixtures?

Free Printable: Bookplates

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I think a free printable is the perfect way to wrap up our bookshelf week.  What do you think?

I totally agree!  So, here are some bookplates I whipped up in four color options, just for a little variety.

Aqua

Sun

Peacock

Finally, in honor of Valentine’s Day, Hot Pink.

Click the link to download the .pdf file, print, and stick to your favorite books or give as a gift!   Helpful hint:  Print on full sheet labels and cut on the black lines.  The final measurements of each bookplate is 2 inches wide by 4 inches tall.  If you have an editing program, you can open the PDF to add a typed name, or print and handwrite your name in.

Please note:  The bookplate design is for personal use only.  Thanks!

Office Storage: Revealed

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To continue our bookshelf week, we’ll share our office storage system and what’s inside.  Sounds like fun, no?  Well, hold on to your seats because this is a wild ride.  We’ll start with my wall o’ shelves.  Here’s an overall picture, just for reference.

First up, these IKEA storage boxes hold my assorted envelopes. 

The storage boxes to the right hold overflow and odd sized envelopes, ink cartridges, and miscellaneous junk because I don’t have drawers yet.

The large boxes at the very bottom in the center hold 12 inch by 12 inch scrapbook paper.  Below those, boxes store fabric, yarn and thread. 

In the far right column, I have a row of magazine files, some empty, some not.

Let’s take a look inside.

These two files have tutorial books, including a trim, origami, and Ben’s workout book.  Another has the boy’s baby books and other baby items like a baptismal candle.

A few more files hold mine and Ben’s baby books and cards from our wedding and showers.  To the far right is a spiral bound scrapbook.

That completes the wall of shelves, but what’s above my desk?  Glad you asked!

To the right, my stock of papers fill a row of magazine files.  I found three-ring binders that look similar to the magazine files at Office Depot a few years ago.  One keeps samples of my designs.  Another is empty but I like to keep it out so I have room to expand.  Helpful hint: The binders also work great to store cds and dvds.  We removed the pages from a four square dvd file and placed them in the prettier file and it’s great!

To the left of my desk I have a few more magazine files (gotta love ’em) storing mailing labels.  Next to those are two boxes for mailing envelopes and files.

Oh, I created simple labels for everything, too.  I know, my OCD tendencies are back, but at least it’s useful!

Above that, I have a shelf that looks purely decorative.

But I’ve got a secret.  I use those pretty marble vessels to store extra paper clips, rubber bands, and pencils.

Pretty sneaky, huh?  That completes our office storage for the day.  I want to know if you have any helpful hints or surprise decorative storage in your home?

P.S.  All the magazine files and storage boxes hail from mother Sweden (aka IKEA).  The boxes are part of the Kassett series and the files are the Flyt $1.99 for 5.  Great price when you need so many and surprisingly durable!

Amanda’s Rules in Use

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In keeping with our bookshelf theme, I’m back to share rules (more like tips) I follow that Cobi didn’t mention.

So, what are my rules?

1.  Turn ugly books around.  If you have ugly books, you have a few options to make them fit in with your aesthetic.  The easiest way is to simply turn the spines to the back.  Other options: place said books in a basket, magazine file or create decorative book covers using wrapping paper.

2.  Don’t keep all books in the same direction.  As Cobi said, place some books on their side to create pedestals.  I think it’s more natural to line books along the left side, but you can face the fronts to the right, too.  This will make it easier to balance the shelf and create visual interest.

3.  Use decorative pieces as bookends.  Put pretty, heavy objects to good use.

4.  Add art to create layers.  Place small art in front of books or hang art on the back of the bookshelf.

Find that adorable bird printable here.

5.  Hide ugly items behind books and art.  We all do this, why shouldn’t you?  It’s valuable real estate!  If you have ugly items that you need access to (not especially often), tuck them in behind a frame or books.

6.  Display decorative pieces you love or have meaning.  Not every piece will have meaning, but buy items you love.  It’s a bonus if they function.
7.  Give yourself room to expand.  Not your waistline (like I do) but with your shelves.  If you use storage boxes, leave empty ones on the shelves, this way you’ll have a place to put overflow without rearranging everything.
8.  Take pictures.  If you like an arrangement but need to move items around, take pictures before removing everything.  This will give you a reminder if you just can’t get the new arrangement right.
9.  Organize your books!  Find an organization technique that works for you.  My books are sorted by genre (fiction, biography/autobiography, science, classics, travel, history, and miscellaneous).  Then, I group each genre by color and display in rainbow order with white, black, and brown at the end.

Cobi’s Rules in Use

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Yesterday, we shared Cobi’s five tips to create a beautifully balanced book shelf.  We didn’t share many photos of our bookshelf, with those rules in mind.  Until I saw our bookshelves featured on The Steven and Chris Show along with Cobi’s rules, I never thought about the reasons our bookshelves looked good.  I just knew I liked it.  We followed almost all Cobi’s rules.  The exception being adding height to the top, ours are built-ins.

So, here’s a pictorial example of each rule.

1.  Heavy items should go on the bottom.

Large storage boxes, magazine files,magazines, and encyclopedias fill the bottom two rows shelves.

2.  Add height to the top.  Again, we can’t do that.

3.  Use books to create pedestals.

This stack of books are topped by a silver cup (desperately needing a good polish) given to me as a baby.  I have another book pedestal with a simple IKEA vase.

4.  Stand back and look for balance.

Your bookshelf doesn’t have to be completely symmetrical to be balanced.  The easiest way to achieve balance is to create a zig zag pattern down your shelf of books.  Then, fill in what’s left with decorative items.

5.  Negative space.

This corresponds with rule number four.  Once you’ve placed all of your books, you can fill the remaining areas with decorative items.  In this example, I’ve placed two wire buildings and two candle holders in the open space.  Notice they are on opposite sides of the shelf to create balance.