January 2014 – Page 2

Thrifty Hits

Published on January 17, 2014January 17, 2014 by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

Thrifting recently has been very hit or miss, mostly miss. But, I have found a few decent items. This rug was originally from Target, I think around $15. Unsold clearance goes to Goodwill, so I snagged this cotton rug for two dollars. The teal is a near perfect match for the curtains and art, so score.

In other bathroom news, here’s a peek at the beginnings of the American Walnut vanity. Only the ends have wood right now, but it’s exciting to see. And oh so handsome!

Back to thrifting, here’s a Dwell Studio for Target pillow I found for three bucks:

The floral design is okay, but I’m smitten with the black and white striped back with yellow edge.

This rug was in a consignment shop.

Some fringe is missing, but the colors are so lively. Thirty five dollars, for a vintage 4 by 6 rug. My sister asked me to keep an eye out for a colorful, boho-ish rug. A quick text and she told me to get it.

It’s thin, but a rug pad can help out a lot. Hope she likes it as much in person. While at the same shop, I found tons of heavy metal printing letters. I got one for each of my boys.

Maybe this American Insects page will go in the boys’ room, too?

Ev loves the beetles. Me too, dude. Only on paper though. No live bugs for this girl. He is my go to bug killer, that helpful little guy. Any favorite finds you’d like to share pictures of? Feel free to link here or share pics on our Facebook page.

The Copper Tone

Published on January 16, 2014January 16, 2014 by Our Humble Abode5 Comments

Some of my creations are a way to use left over materials. Whether fabric scraps, left over wood veneer, or in this case, wood ends.

Ben kept these scraps from the Bubinga counters, but had no use. While cleaning out the garage last weekend, he brought them upstairs and set them in our wood pile. Knowing I could make something, I saved them from a firey death. Of course Ben accused me of hoarding, but it’s worth it. After seeing these beautiful jewelry blocks, I knew what I wanted to do. I cut a 1 3/4 inch cube (because my pieces were already 1 3/4 inches, which also happened to be the width of the tube strap) and bought a 1/2 inch copper air chamber and copper tube straps, both found in the plumbing aisle. Add a few screws, a tooth hanger, and we’ve got a chic, industrial, wall mounted bud vase.

If you want to make your own, start with a wooden cube, dealer’s choice. Because the Bubinga is super dense, I used a small drill bit to make pilot holes for the screws. Both front (for the strap) and back (for the hanger).

Short screws hold each in place. I couldn’t find copper screws, so I used brass instead. I might get a copper leaf pen to paint the heads.

A small nail hangs the vase on the wall, but I didn’t like the slight lean it gave the piece. A few sticky back felt dots bumped up the bottom to hang parallel to the wall.

If I han’t already hung the astrological cut outs about the toilet, I’d want three or five of these instead. Loving how the copper popped against the dark bathroom walls, I hung it in the little space between the shower and bathroom door.

A cheap, colorful carnation brightens this dreary winter.

Now I have an excuse to keep fresh flowers in the house. Sometimes, small projects like these are my favorites. Simple, affordable, and brighten a room. What do you think of this DIY vase?

Not Welcoming Welcome

Published on January 14, 2014January 14, 2014 by Our Humble Abode12 Comments

We’ve been busting our butts to get the master bathroom done, but other areas of the house are completely neglected. First impressions are important, and this is that we’ve got:

Not completely untouched. We did remove a small arch that was over the railing, along with a few pieces of crown that were around it.

Our friends wanted the Tiffany style Fleur de Lis light, so we gave it a new home. So really, at this point, it looks worse than it initially did. Hopefully this summer we’ll replace the windows and front door for something more energy-efficient. I’m hoping to cover up the knock down texture with a wall treatment, too. New crown while we’re at it.

The light box is centered on the dividing railing, which kind of makes sense, but also kind of drives me crazy. Moving it over about 6 inches would center the light on the window and door.

Speaking of lights, we ordered the Mobile Chandelier from West Elm mid-December.

When we placed the order, it said the fixture was back ordered until January 20th. Now it says April 1st. Fingers crossed it’s still January, though I haven’t gotten an update. While we have the big ladder out to hang the light, we’ll get this big, bad bottom dude up:

My grandpa got these Longhorns in the late 50’s, then gave them to my mom before he passed away. I told my mom I had the perfect place for them, so she gave them to me.

Perfect sculptural, manly addition to the entry. They’ll fill up the wall without looking busy, and I love the sentimental value.

Our little console is still working well.

Man, I really want to paint over the peachy paint. Sadly it makes the most sense to wait until we’ve replaced the windows. I’d rather not climb a high ladder more than I have to.

& Here’s Some Art

Published on January 10, 2014January 10, 2014 by Our Humble Abode25 Comments

Thank you so, so much for all the support and sweet comments about the curtains and bathroom progress! You are all so wonderful.

Not sure if you have this same problem, but finding bathroom art is tricky. Anything with eyes seems creepy. And I wanted something large for our back wall. As usual, I made something.

A giant, simple ampersand on a white canvas.

I’m having a hard time deciding if I like how simple it is. Or if it’s just boring… Thoughts? A colorful, abstract painting would be really awesome.

However, I know I love the Astrological sign art above the commode. Originally, I made these to live in our bedroom, but they looked puny. After hanging the Carried Away art, the stars stayed in the closet.

When I pulled the set out again, I thought I’d change the frames/mats or both. I think I’ll hold off, because I like the black and white. Especially with the patterned towels.

Above the tub, I took a less traditional approach with vintage arrows. Handy Sammy had them and they’re an interesting addition.

To hang the arrows, Ben drilled two tiny holes in the shaft of each. I marked the center of the space, then set two 2 by 4 boards on the ledge to give my height and keep them lined up.

I started nailing in the bottom of each, then leveled each arrow before nailing in the top, then tapping the bottom nail in the rest of the way.

The fletching has seen better days, but I like the character each arrow has.

There’s the bathroom art. Until I change something. What art do you have in your bathroom? Wishing everyone a happy weekend, too!

Real Deal Teal

Published on January 8, 2014January 8, 2014 by Our Humble Abode26 Comments

When I decided to paint the tub and bathroom walls Wrought Iron, I knew I had to add color with accessories. I’m too much of a color lover to have a completely neutral space. One big addition of color is in curtain form.

Boom, teal curtains. With the World Market curtains off the table, I searched for other teal curtains. With zero luck. So I took to the fabric stores. I’ve used this same linen blend fabric for pillows and loved it, so that’s what I ended up with. Also, because the tub in now in place of part of the vanity, I can hang the curtains wider that I had before.

Sewing the panels was a similar process to our living room curtains. Rather than adding ribbon back tabs, I kept a rod pocket. Other than that, same deal. This bright burst is just what my color craving heart desired.

And looks especially striking against the dark walls, if I do say so myself. (Don’t mind the outlet, we have to change it out for a white one.)

Because the fabric isn’t thick or stiff, the panels hang nicely behind the tub. We can easily close the curtains for privacy, too.

I love how accessories can take a room from basic to you. Which is why I’ve already started hanging art and shopping the house for the perfect pairings. What do you think of the bright curtains? Do you prefer neutral spaces, or color filled rooms?