November 2013 – Page 2

Etsy Favs: November

Published on November 15, 2013 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

Consider this an Etsy holiday gift guide, too. Because everything here would make a great gift.

Deck the Walls:

Sol Print by Rachel Levit

Flamingo Gold Print at The Smitten Collection

From the Garden by Clare Elsaesser

Modern Numbers Clock from Uncommon

Our You’re My Lobster Cut Out

Stay Warm and Cozy:

Vintage Turkish Kilim Pillow at The White Pepper

Turkish Beach Towel from Turkish Linens and Towels

Tribal Design Throw Pillow by Palace or Hut

Charcoal and Black Swiss Cross Pillow at Sassy Stitches by Lori

Geometric Wool Pillow from Scout and Whistle

Mustard and Plaid Antler Pillow at Reagan’s Brain

Orange MCM Pillow Cover by Geometric Electric

Accent Your Home:

Cheese Markers from Nelle Design

Vintage Everlast Forged Aluminum Glasses at Pendleton Market

Wood Succulent Planter by Cattails Woodwork

Gray and White Dot Tea Towel from Milkhaus Design

Butting Deer Bookend by Design Atelier Article

Accessorize Her:

Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal Shirt from T Shirt Market

Starry Night Post Earrings at Cute Pendants

Fox Brooch from Silk Purse, Sow’s Ear

Citrine Nugget Necklace by Julie Garland

Silk Ikat Clutch from Kilim Decor

Accessorize Him:

Thin Men’s Wallet at Jack and Bee Designs

Men’s Moose in Snow Shoes T Shirt by Zen Threads

With so many wonderful shops, artists, and great items, Etsy is a one stop online shopping destination. And you’re supporting people and small businesses over the holidays. Skip big box stores and buys something unique and personalized this year. It’ll make the small guys so, so happy. Check out past Etsy Favs for more great ideas.

Console-ation Prize

Published on November 14, 2013November 14, 2013 by Our Humble Abode8 Comments

Our entry is rocking a new look and organization (potential). Just in time for winter.

Though it’s very, very far from done. Our split level entry is cramped, so slim storage is key. The little accent table wasn’t offering much in that department.

After seeing a stack of old siding in the pool house, I knew what I wanted.

Using coarse sandpaper, I took off the super rough texture and most of the blue paint. I asked Ben to cut the tongue and groove off the old boards. He did, then built a 36 inch wide by 6 1/2 inch deep by 7 1/2 inch tall rectangle.

Wanting the imperfections, I left the nail and old staple holes, and blue paint in the knots. Using my new friend, Teak Oil, I coated the shelf and let it cure.

It darkened the cedar a little, adding warmth and bringing out the character. And these knots, I’m smitten.

We used screws directly in studs to hold this bad boy up. Now for the fun part, accessorizing.

Because this shelf is only 6.5 inches deep, I bought a small desk lamp at Target. Right now, it’s purely decorative, as there are no outlets in the entry. Hopefully soon. The cute hexagon paper mâchê tray is too deep. Looks like I’ll have to make another.

A light, but sturdy ottoman (Target clearance!) is the perfect perch for putting on or taking off shoes.

I’m working on a mitten drying system to sit on top of the shelf. The ottoman would look nice with a fun fabric. And we’ll need hooks for coats and purses. I really wish I wasn’t afraid to stand on a ladder over stairs because the peach paint and textured wall drives me friggin’ bonkers! I’ve planted a cover up idea seed with Ben, so we’ll see if it grows or dies.

Chewed Paper

Published on November 11, 2013November 11, 2013 by Our Humble Abode3 Comments

I remember making paper mâché in elementary school. It’s still just as fun. Recently, while checking out Target’s dollar spot, I spied a cute hexagon tray. For a buck, I had to have it. I think I’ll use this one in the kitchen, to hold our oil bottle, salt, and pepper. But I got a two for one special by using this tray as a paper mâché form. I dug out a few sheets of newspaper, mod podge, an old brush, and got to work.

To protect my tray, I wrapped it in aluminum foil and 1/2 inch-ish strips of paper.

Laying all strips in the same direction, I mod podged one piece on, then covered it with another layer.

For each following layer, I rotated my strips to cross the last.

After about 10 or 12 layers, I called it quits and let it dry.

After letting it dry for 24 hours, I used a utility knife to cut the edge. I slipped in a few places and some corners don’t quite line up. But it’s a fun little project. I painted the inside gold and the outside navy.

I’ve got plans to jazz up the entry, so this dude will come in handy.

And I can make more. I might try one with prettier paper and skip painting… Have you made any paper mâché recently?

Oh, and the Spruce book giveaway will end this Wednesday, so go enter to get your hands on an awesomely useful book!

Paint, Tassels, Plaid & Zippers

Published on November 8, 2013November 8, 2013 by Our Humble Abode3 Comments

This all started with Nate Berkus and his pretty pillows. Specifically, this one:

For some strange and irritating reason, our Target doesn’t carry most of Nate’s line. This pillow included, so I’ve never seen it in person. Or his amazing task lamp. Anyway, I loved the look of this pillow and set out to make something similar. I started with white cotton fabric, Martha Stewart gold craft paint (the label says it’s good on fabric), a small paint brush, and a yard stick. Using my yardstick, I eyeballed the spacing and painted X marks.

They’re super rough and not exact.

Then I cut pieces for the envelope back closure and sewed, right sides together as usual. Except I stopped about 1/4 short of each corner. Tassel time! I placed the tassel inside the pillow (remember, what’s on the inside will become the outside) and hand stitched the tassel in place. Voila, a somewhat Nate-esque pillow cover.

While looking for upholstery fabric for the bench, I saw a row of wool plaid. All 50% off. This was my favorite:

But I also really liked the softer, fuzzier pattern on the inside. So I made a reversible pillow to get both looks.

Because this is reversible, I didn’t want an envelope back. I found this magenta zipper in my bin and loved the bit of color it would add.

Paired with a Target clearance yellow striped throw, this bench is a pretty cozy nook.

Spruce & Giveaway

Published on November 6, 2013November 6, 2013 by Our Humble Abode54 Comments

If you thrift shop, garage sale, or antique shop, I’m guessing you’ve run into the same situation I have. You see a piece of furniture with great lines, but terrible, horrible, no good, very bad upholstery. You love it, but it’s complex upholstery isn’t an undertaking you’re comfortable with. This exact situation happened to me just a few weeks ago. A disgusting chair with great bones. Atrocious fabric riddled with cat hair, but neat shape.

Even though the chair was only five bucks, I didn’t get it. Why? Fear. I’ve never upholstered something this intricate before. And I worried I’d screw it up. So I walked away. But the very same afternoon, I got the perfect book in the mail; Spruce, a Step By Step Guide to Upholstery and Design by Amanda Brown.

Amanda is an expert upholsterer, with her own shop, Spruce in Austin. She even writes an upholstery basics column on Design Sponge. Basically, if you want to learn upholstery, Amanda’s your gal. This is exactly what I needed! In Spruce, Amanda covers everything, soup to nuts. Or should I say, springs to piping. Seriously, this book is a one stop reference for all things furniture. If you need to tie springs, no problem.

Upholster a wingback chair, step by step with picture and text explanations? You bet!

Or create a custom tufted ottoman. Whatever your needs, this book has you covered.

I stopped in the thrift store the following day, armed with a new book and confidence, but the chair was gone. Womp, womp. I guess I’ll have to do something to this eight dollar number I found a month or so ago.

While not entirely hideous or in bad shape, the shabby paint job must go. I’m debating colors. I could paint it black for drama and a fun fabric. Or a bright color paired with a neutral fabric.

Upholstering around the arms should be fun. Probably not as terrible as I’m imagining.

Watch the book trailer to learn more about Amanda and Spruce. Love that she’d rather update an old piece of furniture than buy new. Then check out the Spruce Ugliest Chair Contest. You can add your chair for a chance to win prizes, design recommendations from Amanda, and a signed Spruce book. And a few social media links, too: Facebook: Storey Publishing, Spruce Upholstery, #SpruceBook Twitter: @StoreyPub, @SpruceHome, #SpruceBook

Blog Tour:

Monday, 11/4 Bromeliad

Tuesday, 11/5 How About Orange

Thursday, 11/7 Inside Storey

Friday, 11/8 HGTV’s Design Happens

Monday, 11/11 Seventh House on the Left

Tuesday, 11/12 Making It Lovely

Wednesday, 11/13 Our Style Stories

Now, how about a giveaway? One lucky US reader will get their own Spruce book. Just leave a comment on this post to enter.