January 2014

Winner & Etsy Favs: January

Published on January 31, 2014 by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

Say goodbye to January 2014, because we’re nearing the end. But, we’ve got some good news for two lucky giveaway winners.

Myssie and Sarah Z, you get to choose your favorite print from The Smitten Collection and one text bubble cut out from me. Congrats on the new art! For all you other Etsy lovers, take a look at these great pieces I found this month:

Navy Geo print by Brittany Bass

Hand Stitched Note Card from Sarah K. Benning

Iceberg in Water photograph print at Eye Poetry Photography

Mountain Blossom Furoshiki from The Link Collective

Triangle Throw Pillow Cover by Adidit

Geometric Air Plant Cube from Sea and Asters

Laurel Wreath Necklace at Almanac for June

Leaded Glass Hanging Vase by BeeJayKay

Ampersand Screen Print from Shop Ampersand

Silk Wings Scarf by Shovava

Rose Gold Initial Pendant at Olive Yew Jewels

Black and Copper Large Cylinder Vase from The Object Enthusiast

Trifox Print by Twamies

Orb Shaped Black and White Planter from Half Light Honey Studio

Wishing everyone a happy (and warm) last day of January!

Dark and Handsome

Published on January 29, 2014January 29, 2014 by Our Humble Abode53 Comments

Hey, hey, hey! Guess what? Aside from a few small tasks (replacing the broken light switch plate and perhaps getting a runner), our master bathroom remodel is done. Finishing the vanity was our last job, and it’s ready to rock.

Ben built everything, and in a similar way to our old kitchen cabinets. (If you have questions, feel free to ask!) After talking to a custom cabinetry shop, he did make a few tweaks. The custom shop uses white melamine for the cabinet box and Blum Tandem Plus drawer glides, so that’s what we used. Because these glides are designed to be ‘hidden’, the drawer bases have a 1/2 inch lip around the sides and front. No visible glides on the sides:

Ben used his table saw to cut a channel for the MDF to fit into.

We wanted a wooden vanity to add some much-needed warmth to the room. American Walnut is a favorite of mine, with its deep, rich color. After joining the boxes together, we, um, Ben faced the fronts with walnut. I came by after and filled the small cracks and nail holes.

One of the reasons we chose a vessel sink was to have usable, full-sized top drawers. To make this possible, Ben ran all the sink plumbing down the 5 inch center of the vanity.

An access hole inside the cabinet is usable with the drawers pulled out, if we ever need to work on the sink.

For a simple, modern look, we kept flat panel drawer fronts. (Sorry for the terrible lighting, I took these at night).

For the finish coat, I decided to experiment with Teak Oil. I love the ability to recoat without having to completely sand down the wood. And the oil looks amazing, bringing out all the beautiful grain and color. See the right stack, without oil? Ashy and blah.

After a full day of dry time, the vanity was almost ready.

Modern cylinder handles finish it off. To mark the holes, I put pieces of tape near the center then measured and marked on the tape. Ben drilled and pulled off the tape. Worked like a charm.

Hey handsome, do you come here often? Oh, you do? Wanna come home with me?

Of course it took me two seconds to start organizing the drawers. Here’s Ben’s side:

And my top drawer:

When the sun cooperates, I’ll snap a ton of pictures to show full before and afters. I’m pretty sure, no, completely sure, this is our fastest full remodel. We demo’d mid November and I’m calling it done today; only 2 1/2 months.

Quick Paints

Published on January 27, 2014January 27, 2014 by Our Humble Abode3 Comments

Between finishing up the bathroom remodel and plotting our next project, I haven’t had much energy for little projects. So what I have made recently is quick and no frills. I’m talking about you, plant stand and copper vase. My two most recent home additions aren’t any more difficult. Quite opposite, actually requiring only paint and a gold paint pen. Last summer, we found several cheapo plastic planters in the attic. I wrapped one for my cabbage plant.

Around Christmas, I bought a little Norfolk Pine from Home Depot. I’m happy to report it’s still going strong and needed a larger pot. So I cut off the rolled rim, spray painted it flat white, and made a loose herringbone pattern with a gold oil Sharpie.

With dreary winter, I’m so happy to have live green plants in the house. This one lives at the top of the stairs.

Right next to my newly thrifted chrome and black vinyl sling chair. I wasn’t going to get it, but it was only $7 and 25% off. The entry closet is only a few steps away, so this is a natural place to sit to put on or take off shoes. And the lightweight frame and slim size is perfect for the area.

Ben has enough black or cream leather to give this a makeover. Cream looks to light, and the black won’t look different. Perhaps black woven strips? What would you do? The vinyl is in great shape, so it doesn’t need anything…

Ignore the baseboard-less, patchy walls, and unfinished toe kick. That will happen, eventually.

While cooped up in the house, the boys and I have painted. Our entry is unfinished and boring, remember this? After discussing hooks, we decided they’d just add clutter to this small entry. But a painting is simple:

Something to fill some wall space, but it’s an awkward wall to work with.

The stairs angle up, making a small sliver at the top. In the not too distant future, the entry will probably get a makeover (new front door, tile, wall treatment, and new paint).

Another case of, “I’ll live with it until we get around to a full makeover.”

Plumbing Aisle Inspiration

Published on January 22, 2014January 22, 2014 by Our Humble Abode8 Comments

While getting copper supplies for the bud vase, I wanted to make something with basic hardware store supplies.

What do you get when you pair 8 feet of 5/8 inch wooden dowel, 6 1/2 inch copper T connectors, 1 90 copper elbow, a two gallon bucket, glue, and spray paint?

A cute (in my opinion, anyway) planter and stand.

That aloe plant is my oldest plant. I’ve had it for three or four years (the only plant I’ve kept alive over a year) now and it desperately needed a larger pot. It was looking like a male orca in captivity; confined and droopy. While priming the bathroom drawers with Kilz primer, I noticed the small 2 gallon bucket would be the perfect size. Which spurred, the hardware store plant stand. If you want to know how I made my, read on.

Here’s my cut list:

Two at 1 5/8 inch long, for the base.

Four dowels cut at 2 3/4 inches, also base pieces.

Four at 3 inches, top pieces to hold the bucket in place.

and four more at 10 inches for legs, all cut with a chop saw.

I started with two 4 foot lengths of 5/8 inch dowel and 1/2 inch copper fittings. The two short pieces (1 5/8) fit inside each side of the elbow. Attach a T to each end like this:

The four 2 3/4 inch sticks go in each hole of the T connectors to make the base.

Add the four remaining Ts to the ends for the leg attachments.

After dry fitting everything, I rolled each dowel end in Liquid Nails to secure the pieces.

And let if dry on a flat surface, with the three-inch pieces down.

While the glue dried, I asked Ben to cut the top off the bucket. I didn’t want the handle or ridges. This bucket was thin enough he was able to cut through with a sharp utility knife. To make the bucket look, well, less bucket-y, I gave it two coats of flat white spray paint.

Now, sir Aloe has a larger pot with room to grow. And I really like the mix of shiny copper and wood.

A new Philodendron is keeping it company by our back patio door.

This could easily be modified by staining or painting the wooden legs, or making it entirely from copper. Buy copper tubing and 8 copper caps for the legs and you’ve got a shiny, custom stand. All from humble plumbing parts and hardware store basics.

Let’s Get Functional, Functional

Published on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014 by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

This post approved by Olivia Newton John. Not really, because we’re getting functional, not physical. No 80’s gym gear necessary. Over the weekend, our master bathroom became fully functional in the plumbing department. That’s right, we’ve got a working shower, clawfoot tub, toilet, and now sink.

Ebay came through with a sink, faucet, and drain combo. Because we went from two sinks to one, we wanted something a little wider to make it more functional for two people.

After much debate and pricing of materials, we landed on a custom-made stainless steel counter to match the shower. Carrara marble would have cost nearly $800. While it would have been beautiful, we couldn’t justify that price. Stone or man-made remnants in this size are nearly impossible to find. Wood was a contender, until we decided to make a walnut vanity. Stainless was not only the most affordable option, but also a solid, easy to clean surface.

It’s so nice not to wash hands in the bathtub.

I’m torn about the mirror. I like the look, but it’s on the smaller side at 25 inches in diameter. Ideally, we’d have a 36 inch round mirror. At $40, it’ll stay.

I still have to cut the rope shorter and find something to ‘hang’ it from.

See what I mean about it being a little small? Do you know of any 36 inch round mirrors under $100?

We made progress on the vanity yesterday, but I’m waiting to share until it’s 100% finished. But, the walnut is amazing already. Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. day, too. Enjoy the day off, if you get it.