March 2011 – Page 3

Thrifty Thursday: March

Published on March 17, 2011March 17, 2011 by Our Humble Abode18 Comments

More thrifting is going on. This time, not only at Goodwill. We have a new, huge store in town. Individuals rent out a section of the shop and can sell anything home related in their section, so the diversity is great. I found this white gourd shaped lamp with a broken (as well as ugly and stained) shade for 10 bucks.

It matches IKEA’s Persika vase I picked up last summer perfectly, though the lamp looks a little blue in the photo.

Here are a few things that caught my eye, but my wallet said no. This mirror is exactly the same as the black mirror in our living room. We bought ours from a garage sale for $5.00. Price comparision? $78.00. One point for Ben and Amanda, zero for the consignment shop. Really though, even at $78.00, the price isn’t bad for such a large mirror. And spraypaint could definitely modernize it.

I thought my sister would like this modern buffet. What do you think, Ash? If I remember correctly, it was $250.

How about a Versailles domed chair for $900? Similar to this chair at Restoration Hardware and half the price.

If I had the space for a tall bench, I would love something with similar function to this piece:

It’s an umbrella stand, coat rack, mirror, bench and shoe storage all in one, but for $1700, it’s not getting in my house. I saved the best for last.

Oh, I kid, I kid. That was a little ‘What Not to Buy’ moment, courtesy of Goodwill. Last week, you saw my ~~obsession~~ fondness of maps and globes, but I have never seen this before:

A moon globe! I loved it, but not $42.61 kind of love. More like $12.99 kind of love. Now that I’ve shared some items from the new guy in town, I thought I’d share some finds from oldies, but goodies. Cue the thrift store.

I found that black hanging basket for $1.50. If I ever finish organizing our entry, this will go in our closet. While my sister was visiting, we stopped in TJ Maxx, where I scored a large footed hurricane for $6.99. Has anyone stored powder laundry soap in an open container? I’d love to use a pretty glass container for storage, but I don’t know if we’ll have problems with the soap out in the open. Please share your opinions and experiences, thoughts and concerns!

Vincent picked out this birdhouse for $9.99, also at TJ Maxx. He’s a strange kid. Rather than ask for toys, he asks for a birdfeeder, or a bright orange, long handled scrub brush with a face on it. True story.

As soon as we pulled in the driveaway, we took the feeder out and hung it on our birch tree. It’s a little early, but I love the pop of color and I think Vincent will get a kick out of seeing the birds.

Also, if you’re in the need for frames, Michael’s has a good deal for you. Yesterday, I bought a four pack of 8 inch square frames for $9.99. Then, I saw they had a three pack of 8 by 10 inch shadow boxes, also $9.99. I think that’s a smokin’ deal.

Have you found any steals lately? Ready for spring and a side of garage sales? Ever stored your laundry detergent in an open container? Want to buy some birdseed? It’s for the birds. (One of my favorite commercials)

Pier 1: Outdoors

Published on March 16, 2011March 16, 2011 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1. All opinions are 100% mine.

March 20 is the first day of Spring. Can I get a “Yipee?” Sadly, I’m excited for Spring cleaning. Spring cleaning and being outdoors more often. Which got me thinking, “How about a new, fun and relaxing outdoor area?” So, I took a look at Pier 1, a one-stop-shop for all things decor. They have an amazing selection of outdoor furniture (which can also be used indoors!) and accessories. Here’s what I loved most:

In a perfect world, our backyard patio would be separated into a few zones; dining, relaxing and cooking. To create a new, relaxing seating area, I would place two Outdoor Crazy Chairs side by side. The design is so fun it would add character right away. This chair would also be really cool indoors in a bedroom or nursery. Between the crazy chairs, I would have an Outdoor Garden Stool. Pretty and functional. Nearby, this Outdoor Mocha Trunk would provide great toy storage without looking ugly. This piece could multitask as additional seating or an ottoman.

Over in the dining area, four or six White Outdoor Wicker Stacking Armchair would line our current glass-topped table. The Trellis Flatweave Indoor/Outdoor Rug placed under gives definition to the dining area. Fun Etched Ring Glassware and Short Gold Tumblers (on clearance for $2.98 each!) pair nicely. For a pop of color, I would add a few Pink Flower Napkin Rings (also on sale for $2.36 each). To create soft lighting, several Black Lanterns to hang gracefully in the trees and a large, 14 inch tall Double Wall Hurricane (clearance price of $19.98, such a steal!) on the table. Perhaps a few strands of lights overhead, too. For a little cush, one Outdoor Calliope Honey Pillow and Citron Outdoor Accent Pillow to alternate color around the table.

1. Outdoor Crazy Chair

2. Outdoor Garden Stool

3. Outdoor Mocha Trunk

4. White Outdoor Wicker Stacking Armchair

5. Trellis Flatweave Indoor/Outdoor Rug

6. Double Wall Hurricane

7. Black Lanterns

8. Etched Ring Glassware

9. Short Gold Tumblers

10. Pink Flower Napkin Ring

11. Outdoor Calliope Honey Pillow

12. Citron Outdoor Accent Pillow

P.S. If you sign up for the Pier 1 Outdoor newsletter, you’ll get sale info and coupons for a special in-store offer March 18th through 20th. Also, if you’re in the Dallas, Atlanta or New York City area, check out the Pier 1 Tweetups

Basement Progress: Bathroom

Published on March 15, 2011March 26, 2013 by Our Humble Abode18 Comments

While writing this post, I realized we’ve never shared true before pictures of our basement bathroom. So, here is the completely blank slate we started with.

And the Frankenstein-esque vanity before paint.

For the bathtub surround, we cut the large floor tiles in half to create a large subway tile pattern. The height of our trim treatment hinged upon the height of the tile and the window sill.

We used a sprayer to prime and paint the entire basement at the same time. Here is what our bathroom (and the rest of the basement) looked like one year ago. Remember, I was due on April 1. Can you say, “Down to the wire?”

Lots of white paint!

Finally, after a year (with breaks) of renovating, we were ready to add color to our walls. That was a huge relief! We still haven’t finished everything, but here it is today.

Still to do: build drawers and false front for the vanity, ~~start~~ finish the shower under the stairs, which will also be a steam room, and hang the mirror.

There you have it, folks. Our basement bathroom in all its unfinished glory!

How long does it take for you to complete a project? Are you like us: finish 90% and then move on to something else until you get a bug up your butt to finally finish it? Or do you keep focused until the entire project is just as you’d like? I’m afraid to put anything too personal in bathrooms due to the creep factor. How have you decorated your bathroom? Any art I should know about? Share links, too, please.

Interactive Art

Published on March 14, 2011March 14, 2011 by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

While browsing Etsy, I found this cool vinyl map wall decal from Tweet Heart Wall Art. The decal usually measures 22 inches by 38.5 inches, but that was larger than I needed. After a few messages with Sunny, we nailed down my order. I got a 10 inch tall by 19 inch wide map in Brimstone Yellow. It arrived three days later!

Color me impressed with Sunny’s help and speed.

So, what did I do with this map? I turned it into interactive art for the boys bedroom.

The process was exactly the same to create this as it was this magnet board I made over the summer. The only difference was the addition of the vinyl decal. Because this was my first experience with a large vinyl decal, I rushed peeling if off and tore parts of Russia and Africa. So, I peeled those off and smushed them back down.

After making the actual map board, I made a few magnets. To make your own magnets you’ll need magnet sheets (pizza magnets work wonderfully), printable adhesive labels (I used Avery full sheets with True Block, just to make sure the magnet design didn’t show through), a printer and scissors.

Type out the continents, oceans and other large landmarks, (for my size map, I need equally small magnets, so I used 10 point font). I also created a few arrows. Then, print onto stickers, remove the backing to place on your magnet and cut to size.

Then, help your kiddos scoot the labels and arrows around the map.

When we’re not playing, the map takes center stage on the art wall, right next to the customized Made by Girl alphabet print and our free Valentine’s day All You Need is Love printable. If you’re afraid this is going to fall on Everett, don’t fear. I placed a few dots of sticky tack behind each corner to keep it firmly in place. Just a few more framed prints and this wall is done…for now.

I know. Another map in our house. It’s an addiction. To refresh your memory, here’s the other side of the room.

So far, we have painted the bed sun yellow, painted a chevron pattern on a jute rug, created free magazine art, refinished and decorated a bookshelf, and made more DIY origami art. Heck, we even reorganized the closet! The bedroom redesign we started last summer is nearly complete. What’s left? A few more art prints and a new, to-be-determined light fixture and possibly a new set of light blocking curtains.

With spring just around the corner, we are finally getting nice weather to tackle some lingering projects. What are you preparing to do? Yard work? Deep spring cleaning? Spray painting? (Me too!) Perhaps you’re a go getter and you’ve already finished a project or two?

Gimme a Giveaway: Cat N Photography Winner!

Published on March 11, 2011September 12, 2012 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

Happy Friday! And an even happier Friday to comment number 65, Stephanie M, who oddly enough, loves my favorite band, Bon Jovi! You just won a ~~brand new car!~~ $25.00 credit good for or toward anything in the Cat N Photography shop!