Family Room – Page 7

Top Twelve: Geometric Rugs

Published on May 28, 2013May 28, 2013 by Our Humble Abode1 Comment

Happy Tuesday, are you happy for a four-day work week? Have a nice long weekend? We stayed home and spent most of the weekend working on a deck in the back. You know, between taking care of the kiddos and waiting for rain to let up. More on that soon.

Here’s a new once a month feature, Top Twelve. Each month I’ll round up twelve of my favorite items in a themed category. Could be sofas, light fixtures, heck, even recipes. Because I’ve got area rugs on my brain, here’s a group of fun geometric rugs.

1 Trellis from Rugs USA

2 Ananda Trellis at Rugs USA

3 Star Trellis from Rugs USA

4 Kinetic Scales from Zinc Door

5 Fallon Points at Zinc Door

6 Lappljung Ruta from Ikea

7 Flat Weave Stripes at Overstock

8 Tangier Dhurrie at Target

9 Castleberry from Home Decorators Collection and this similar one at Target

10 Magical Thinking Triangle Chain from Urban Outfitters

11 Moroccan Wool at Overstock

12 Nava Trellis from Rugs USA

Three, nine, and twelve are my favorites. Actually, when I upholstered the chairs, chose a neutral fabric for a few reasons. One, I couldn’t find an upholstery grade fabric in a color I loved. Two, I’d like to add color and pattern in easier to change out ways. Like a large painted top to turn the too small foot stool into a usable coffee table.

And perhaps a new rug. If I can ever pull the trigger on one. Rugs USA’s 65% off sale is super enticing. That star trellis rug for $262 is pulling me in. 100% wool and looks soft and cushy. Think it would look good in here?

P.S. Last day to get 40% off any order in our shop.

MCM, Modernized

Published on May 20, 2013May 20, 2013 by Our Humble Abode14 Comments

Hello and happy Monday, if there is such a thing. On Friday I shared the blow-by-blow of my five dollar chair refinishing and upholstering process. Starting with these 70’s dark stained orange vinyl covered wood beauties.

And here they are now, after an overall sanding, clear coat, thick neutral fabric, and satin nickel nail head detail.

Once I started sanding the wood down, I saw how blonde the wood was. And liked it. A lot, for a few reasons. Lighter felt more updated, less reminiscent of the Brady Bunch kitchen color palette. The pale wood also contrasted with the dark slate fireplace, instead of blending in. After going through the trouble to sand to the unfinished wood, I didn’t want a dark stain that wouldn’t be an obvious change. Also, I’m leaning toward natural finished wood, for a little variety.

Even though the chairs are neutral, I’m super happy with the go anywhere colors and subtle patterned fabric.

To bump up the comfort and color, I plan to find or sew lumbar pillows.

That little footstool will get an update and jolt of color sometime soon, too. Because paint is easier and cheaper to change than upholstery and stain. These chairs work great in the family room. Comfy, but light weight and open. Can’t forget the price, either. Only $32 spent on the chairs and materials ($18 for the fabric and four more for the nail head – we had the rest already).

I might fix the back of the seat because you can see the puckered fabric. Not perfect, but not terrible for my first rounded corner cushions.

How’s that for a Cinderella story? What do you think? Have any plans for the upcoming long weekend?

Thank You, Spring Cleaning

Published on May 8, 2013May 8, 2013 by Our Humble Abode13 Comments

I swear I can thank spring cleaning for my most recent thrifty finds. First a Drexel dresser for the boys’ room and now two chairs and a foot stool.

I found the chairs at Habitat for Humanity ReStore for five bucks each. Sold! They’re solid wood and should be easy to refinish and upholster. Because one has a giant tear in the seat.

Oh, and the orange vinyl isn’t my fav.

For now, the chairs will live in the family room, replacing the Target slipper chairs, which are in the living room now. I’ve been looking for arm chairs with a smallish frame. Ideally I’d stumble upon something like this for a fraction of the price. But I’m not holding my breath.

Until that magical day happens, these are okay. You know, with a little lovin’.

Surprisingly comfortable, the small footprint of the chairs fits nicely in the walk path perimeter room. A little more depth would be great to feel more lounge-y. Eventually (when our kids stop wiping grimy hands on everything) we’ll man up and buy adult furniture.

How ’bout that footstool/ottoman/side table for $8? After a quick search, I saw many similar stools for sale, some as high as $300.

The cane top has damage, but the wood is in good shape. I’m considering cutting a larger piece of plywood to set on top, making this footstool a round coffee table.

What would you do to these pieces? Sand and stain? What type and color fabric for the chairs? We’ve got cream leather in the basement that I think could look nice. Thoughts?

Think Green!

Published on April 24, 2013April 24, 2013 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

We’re teetering on the edge of spring here in Montana. Just a few weeks ago we had sunny filled skies and near 70 degree temperatures. So far this week (and most of last) we’re lucky to reach the 40’s while the snow falls. Welcome to Montana, I suppose. Minnesota and Wisconsin folks, I feel for you. In an effort to usher spring sooner than later, I’m adding fresh green to our house. The more, the merrier, starting with this mint, cream, and emerald-green color block pillow from Jillian Rene Decor.

Jillian was sweet enough to make me a custom pillow. So wonderful and perfect. Everything in her shop is so great, so check it out. Next to the sofa, I’m trying to green up my thumb with a grass-like succulent and a few clay critters.

More greenery on the mantel, this time a planter from Wal-Mart with two bunches of fake succulents.

And finally, my newest art obsession, right in my home; “Heavenly” by Annie Bailey of MT Photo Journal.

Annie lives in Montana and takes beautiful photos of our state. Most Montana photography is wildlife, not my style. Or taken in Glacier National Park or some other mountain area. Which is pretty, don’t get me wrong. To me, that’s not what Montana is really about. This is Big Sky Country after all.

(Ignore the unfinished ceiling, please) Annie captures the essence of Montana, with interesting compositions and vivid colors.

Immediately upon opening the package, I popped it in this cheap frame. Soon, hopefully, I’ll convince Ben to make me a beautiful wooden frame, but I can admire this lovely until then.

So there you have it, two of my favorite Etsy shops. Now, let’s get to spring, shall we? Any new art you’re loving lately?

Sandstone Cove

Published on February 28, 2013March 26, 2013 by Our Humble Abode25 Comments

Do you remember my itch to paint? I’ve finally scratched it. Monday included priming and painting our newly installed crown. Tuesday I edged the ceiling – Ben will roll it after we finish patching a few hairline cracks. Yesterday I put two coats of Behr’s Sandstone Cove (color matched to Glidden) on the family room and hall walls. Good news! We love the color.

Rember the peach-y walls of yore? Here’s a refresher.

It changes from beige to gray depending on the lighting. And makes the white trim stand out. With nail holes patched, we’re assessing our art. Ben says I hang cluttered groups and would like to see simpler, larger pieces. I’m thinking the 2 foot by 3 foot frame could look nice hanging on this wall. Perhaps I’ll change out the art, but the boys like to find places on the map, so it might stay for them.

The hall gallery is gone, at least until I can figure out a way to simplify it. For now, the Montana and Minnesota watercolors will hang just above the thermostat.

Yesterday wasn’t all smiles at the new paint though. After three days of painting, I had a problem and a frustration meltdown happened. I completely blame this:

(Yes, I realize this is a first world problem and I’m a major brat) Unfortunately, in at least 20 spots, my Frog tape peeled off the trim paint. Wop wop. Worst of all, I don’t know why that happened. The tape wasn’t stuck on forever, the paint was dry, I peeled it off when the paint was still wet at an angle. It doesn’t make sense. I’ll have to sand the areas, touch up the semi gloss trim paint, then the satin wall paint. Inevitably the touch up will be obvious thanks to a sheen difference. Unless you have suggestions. After my meltdown, Ben cheered me up by installing our new sconces from Lamps Plus.

Ahh, so pretty and simple.

Love a touch of satin nickel.

Even better, the low profile means fewer bumps and bruises for the adults in this house.

Overall, I’m thrilled with the brighter, sleek look. And a warm, diffused light. I give these sconces two enthusiastic thumbs up. Check back tomorrow for a light-ning giveaway!

P.S. Lamps Plus kindly sent us two sconces after we featured them. We’re psyched to Lamps Plus wanted to team up with us.