Living Room – Page 7

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.”

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.

MCM Bench, Version 2.0

Published on November 4, 2013November 4, 2013 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

If you’ve followed along for a few years, you may remember the free MCM couch I found. Before I rescued it, it was in the elements, used as a smoking bench. And in very rough, stinky shape. Think hazmat suit to touch the cushions gross.

So I pitched the cushions, upholstered a long, single seat and refinished the wood.

When we moved it was still in great shape. Because we have a covered deck area, I put the bench out there. Despite being covered, the elements took a toll on the poor guy. Sun beaten and driving rain doesn’t do a body, um couch, good. Time to refinish it. Again. I lightly sanded it all down and gave it another coat of Minwax Dark Walnut. In lieu of a polyurethane finish, I used Watco’s Teak Oil.

We used it on the wood kitchen counters at the last house and loved it. Minimal sanding required and it can be applied as needed. After two coats, the wood has a soft, low sheen.

When I decided to refinish this sofa, I knew he wouldn’t be going back outside. No siree. Our living room furniture needs serious help (as in replacement) and this is one small step in the right direction.

Sleek lines, dark wood, and navy upholstery. I’m channeling Emily Henderson, folks.

I’m undecided how I feel about the upholstered seat versus a removable, flippable cushion long-term. This was much easier. If I want to make a cushion, I’d have to add cross supports then plywood for the foam to rest on. And then buy new foam and sew a cushion.

Maybe I’ll get the urge to try it. What do you think? It’s actually really comfortable with a pillow as the back and keeps it looking light.

Unlike out hulking sectional. Getting a new sofa would make such a big difference in here.

Sadly, this room hasn’t gotten much attention in the time we’ve lived here. The entertainment center is new and we took out the small arch above the railing. As you can see, that hasn’t been finished. Drywall dust is a serious mess and I don’t have the patience to deal with it yet. Once I make one change to a room, I want to rework the rest of the space. Like maybe painting the railing and new color on the walls. Eventually we’ll replace the windows (these two front ones don’t match the rest of the house) and we want to build a window seat below with bookshelves on either side. And that chair needs some lovin’. Maybe a fun paint color for the frame and a neutral fabric? Suggestions?

Worse for Wear: Living Room Edition

Published on September 16, 2013September 16, 2013 by Our Humble Abode21 Comments

Hey everyone! How was your weekend? We had a blast relaxing with out-of-town family passing through. When visitors come, it’s clear our current living room furniture isn’t the best.

Our sectional is big, but the corner is kind of dead space, the chaise end isn’t really a seat, and we can’t reconfigure the arrangement. Even though we’ve only had the couch four years, it’s looking a little older. We’ve already fixed a cracked support. The spring cushions (similar to a mattress) have gotten lumpy and uncomfortable. Unless you’re sitting in the crack. Unlike our other older sofa with removable cushions and covers, we can’t flip these for even wear.

This tufted sofa from Home Decorators Collection has been on my mind. Clean lines, high arms, tufting detail, removable cushions, and all positive reviews. I wish I could see, touch, and sit on it before committing. Because I haven’t had the best luck when ordering. And a couch is a big-ticket item, so I want to be completely sure of it.

In other living room news, Ev leaned his chubby little butt on one of the drawers too many times. And bent the glide.

So our entertainment center has a hole, among other things we need to finish. Simple things like a toe kick, base board around it, and doors to hide the ugly speakers/receiver/dvd player.

Basically, all things that are only for design purposes, not function. Which always seem to take the bottom slot on our priority list. Have you ordered a sofa online, without seeing it before? Any affordable, sleek couch recommendations for me?

Going for the Gold

Published on August 16, 2013August 16, 2013 by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

Hey there, everyone and happy Friday! After a week of sick kids (and now I’m getting the same cold) I’m really ready for a weekend. While the boys have napped, I’ve worked several gold items into our house. Some serve a purpose and others are face lifted items we already had. Here’s one that is super useful to me:

A stump, slit cut in the side (using a hack saw), then gilded with Antique Gold Rub’n Buff.

Is now a handy recipe card holder in the kitchen. But it can also display a picture or store recent important receipts or coupons.

While I had the Rub’n Buff out, I used it on a plain white tray. Eyeballing it, I taped off a design and used a scrap of old t-shirt to buff gold over the rest.

Hello fun little tray!

I shall use you to control our remotes.

Because I couldn’t stop there, (addicting much?) I covered over the flourescent orange ends of this little timer. They boys got a few from the dentist, so one is living on the guest room bookshelves.

Odd, I’m developing an hour-glass collection. Perhaps to go along with my recently discovered owl turned doorstop group.

After my Rub’n Buff binge, I moved on to gold spray paint. Because why not? I used most of the can for another project. Rather than store the little left, I sprayed this little succulent planter:

And my perpetual calendar box.

Five rooms got a touch of gold in the past week. Midas touch, I’ve got it. Ha. What’s your latest addiction? Gilding everything in sight? Hour-glasses? Owls?