February 2013 – Page 2

It’s About Dang Time

Published on February 21, 2013March 26, 2013 by Our Humble Abode14 Comments

At long last, we’re calling the main bathroom (we started working on, oh, mid April) d-o-n-e. What were we waiting for? False vanity drawers.

That we didn’t make. After all these months of waiting on a few drawers, we decided they weren’t worth the effort (and the sizes didn’t work well). Because they had absolutely no purpose other than looking like drawers. Instead, Ben cut a few pieces of MDF down, nailed them in place so I could finish painting.

The rest of the room was already done. Months ago. Except the dark gray painted door. I did that in December.

Officially our first completely finished room in this house. Woohoo, we’re on a roll…hopefully. Family room, I’m looking at you; get your act together already.

A few new accessories round it out, like these two bucks for three clearance cups from World Market.

And a navy and coral Without You print to hang above the throne.

Just because it makes me laugh.

Ahh, feels good to close that chapter. Finish any long-standing projects recently?

Penny Pinching

Published on February 20, 2013February 20, 2013 by Our Humble Abode5 Comments

You know those squished souvenir penny machines? Well, I kind of can’t resist them. Do you have this problem too? If I’m visiting a place I’ve never been before, I get a penny. In an effort to display reminders of fun and happy times, I pulled them out of a bowl. And popped them in the small shadow box on the mantel previously filled with the boys’ hospital bracelets.

Not that their hospital bracelets don’t remind me of good times, but they just weren’t mantel material. A penny Ben and I made on our first official date at the Mall of America, another the boys and I made in Duluth a few summers ago, and two more from our honeymoon in Savannah.

In other fireplace news, it’s finally grouted.

Grout residue is stuck to the border trim, so a touch up is in order.

Such is life. Now I’m off to do some more work on this irresistible cutie.

And work on potty training Ev, which he is strongly resisting. Wish me luck!

Etsy Favs: Fabruary

Published on February 19, 2013 by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

Who’s ready for Etsy awesomeness? Great, here ya go.

Origami Bird paper cut art from Sarah Louise Matthews:

Faceted Iron Pyrite Earrings by Lex Luxe:

Bathtub Caddy Shelf from Peppysis:

Warm Color Abstract Painting by Mossmottle:

Sterling Silver Knot Ring from Gramercy Eight:

Butterfly Art Print at Snoogs and Wilds:

Carved Heart Cutting Board by Wood Ink:

Hawaiian Islands Layered Papercut from Crafterall:

Orchid Vines Pillow Cover by Cloth and Ink:

Black Stripe Bag at Bagy Bag:

Recycled Glass Diamond from Meg A Meyers:

Wood Cut Lampshade by Minjon Shop:

Let’s Go Anywhere Print by Jump Off the Page:

Spring Meadow Print from MT Photo Journal:

Neon Square Ring at Cyclical Industry:

Coral Color Block Pillow by Jillian Rene Decor:

A big thank you to our sponsors, Lunch Pails & Lipstick, a blog written by three stylish moms.

And Nicole AP, creator of fun alphabet art prints.

Can’t Wait for Paint

Published on February 18, 2013March 26, 2013 by Our Humble Abode16 Comments

Hello friends! Did you have a good weekend? Do something fun? Have nice weather? Saturday was almost 50 degrees, now we’re back to the thirties. Such is February. Which means we played outside and got some work done inside. A few weeks ago Ben added trim to all the doors in the hall.

Pre-primed trim immediately brightened the hall from the dark wood trim of yore.

Beefed up baseboard almost makes the vent covers disappear.

I’ve been busy filling nail holes, sanding, caulking joints, priming, and painting the new trim crisp white.

I’ve finished painting the trim and have already started taping it off in preparation for wall paint.

Before I can paint the walls though, we’ve still got a few more things to check off the to do list. First, sanding the patched area from the arch we took out and a few hairline cracks in the ceiling.

Then crown molding throughout the room followed by more filling, sanding, priming, and painting. And painting the ceiling before getting to the walls. Good grief, I want to paint those walls. Both for finished walls and the pretty details waiting. Look what we’ve got to install after paint: pretty brushed nickel sconces from Lamps Plus.

While I’m waiting to paint the walls I’ve been painting doors as quickly as I can. And I’m heels over head – head over heels doesn’t make sense, aren’t we always? Dark gray, a touch of brass (though I still want to take the sheen down), and clean white. My design color trifecta.

Only three doors left, including the boys’, which I’m dreading leaving them without.

Baby steps to a finished room. Down the line we’ll figure out furniture. I’ve got a serious crush on the Gus Modern chair from Mod Livin’. Sadly almost 18 hundred bucks for two chairs (my kids will jump on) doesn’t fit the budget, but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming. Any affordable arm chairs you like?

Love at First Sight

Published on February 15, 2013February 15, 2013 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

Happy Friday, everyone! Just over a year ago, Ben drove past a house for sale in our dream neighborhood. We couldn’t stop talking/thinking about it. At least until we walked through it. Listing pictures were limited and didn’t show much. After talking to the agent, we understood why. It was dirty. So dirty she didn’t want to show it yet. We persisted, saying we can look past it. Tomorrow marks one year since we stepped in the doors of what we now call our Mountain house. I had my little point and shoot camera, so the picture quality isn’t the best, but you get the idea.

Yes, it was dirty (in both the clutter and dirt sense), but we liked what we saw.

Well, what mattered anyway. Light fixtures, paint colors, and furniture doesn’t matter because they’re easily changed.

The layout was great. Open living areas with three bedrooms on the main level.

And our minds were racing with options and ideas.

Some rooms had been updated to fit the owner’s traditional style.

Others had been left mostly untouched.

There was no denying it, we were interested. Maybe more than interested.

It was perfect for us. A brand new dream project.

Sure, it needed/needs a lot of work, but we’re still happy with our decision. No buyer’s remorse here. Although I’d be lying if I said we didn’t occasionally we do miss our first love (house).