Master Bedroom

Dream vs. Reality

Published on September 18, 2014September 18, 2014 by Our Humble Abode23 Comments

Have you ever had an idea, and in your head, you can picture exactly how you want it? And then you start working and it looks like crap compared to your dream version? If you said yes, you’re not alone. That’s precisely the story with the bed frame we built for our king size bed.

We thought a cantilever design would look cool and simple. Something along the lines of this frame:

Though the extra wide sides seemed like a great way to bruise our calves and shins. Everything else, we loved. Great, let’s build! With so much open space opposite the bed, we lengthened the foot to accommodate an upholstered bench. After finishing most of the frame, we brought it in to use.

It’s completely functional, but clearly looks only vaguely like our inspiration. Hashtag projectfail. Perhaps if the platform were thicker or the base shorter (maybe both), it would look better?

Not that it matters because neither Ben or I are happy with the results. To make it worse, we haven’t finished it and probably never will. Hence the lack of headboard and blank bench.

What it lacks in looks it makes up for in functionality. Without a doubt, it’s better than the too tall, floppy headboard and rolling metal frame combo we had before.

With other irons in the fire, ahem, siding, we can’t justify the project right now. That can’t stop me from dreaming and figuring out what I do want.

Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose.

Construction Chic

Published on September 8, 2014 by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

Bing, bang, boom, we’ve got a door in our bedroom. Wow, that sounds very Dr. Seuss. I guess that’s bound to happen when I’m around little people all day.

As long as we’ve got half-finished projects, I’m going to refer to it as ‘construction chic.’ As in, “Oooh la la, look at those fancy exposed shims! It’s tres construction chic.” Anyway, I’m almost certain I’ve mentioned our plan to replace the old window with a sliding door.

These old windows were on their last leg. Barely able to open, fogged up, and peeling.

Wanting to take full advantage of the best views in the house, we settled on a sliding patio door and narrow balcony combo. In my dream world, French doors, but the space doesn’t allow for a door swing. From hole in the wall:

Onto a framed in hole in the wall:

Finally to a full door.

Adding 4 inches of insulation to the exterior bumps out every window and door. Windows get deeper sills, and doors, well, they get transition strips. Filling the gap isn’t difficult. I’ll have to stain and seal a strip of oak that we can nail in place.

Totally worth it to be able to see mountains while still laying in bed. Even if it has been a sort of hazy.

As a trade-off, we obviously have less privacy. In terms of window coverings, I think I’ll treat the door just as I would a window. Functional floor length curtains are my favorite. Blinds are annoying to me; can’t stand the cords.

Outside, things are looking equally ‘construction chic’ despite the sun making the painted gray look primer beige.

The ladder scaffolding standing in for the balcony is stunning. You know what else looks hot? Four different materials in this section of the front. Keepin’ it classy, Montana.

Along the bottom, Ben hung a rim joist, which the rest of the 3 foot deep balcony will extend from. Above that, a gap for the decking boards and a small space before the siding starts. Next step, caulking seams and then paint. Replacing the bathroom window (the one between the two doors) and hanging steel must happen before we can build the balcony. Until then, we’ve got the door locked and a tension rod up top so little humans can’t fall out.

With the front sections so broken up, it’s easier to focus on and get one chunk done at a time. Compared to the back and garage sides, this feels quick. At least to me. I’m only responsible for fetching tools and holding pieces when necessary.

Master Mood

Published on July 9, 2014July 9, 2014 by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

As I shared Monday, we’ve gotten started revamping our ugly bedroom.

Until now, our room has seen minimal attention in the form of white curtain panels and a coat of grayed green paint. I didn’t love the color while painting and it still hasn’t grown on me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s okay as a color. For the room? It doesn’t add anything, but it was better than the electric blue.

Before we can get to the fun, big impact stuff, I have some tedious work ahead of me. The two inside walls have orange peel texture, but the previous owner did a bang up job with some patches:

So I’ll have to address those areas as well as the popcorn ceiling. We’ll have guests here this weekend, so I won’t be able to get started as soon as I’d like. Once the guest room is free, we can move our stuff out of the room and I can get going. I’m aiming for a mix of sleek and modern with warm and rustic to play off each other. Here’s what I have in mind:

1. Cedar Planks, we might plank the other window wall, too. Only after replacing the window with a sliding door. Then I’ll put on a matte clear coat to seal everything that could be potentially hazardous to have indoors.

2. Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron in flat finish on the remaining two walls, to tie into the master bathroom.

3. We want to build a new bed, somewhat similar to CB2’s Dondra Bed. The basic, open platform base is the part I love. A light gray painted frame and simple upholstered headboard would off set all the wood going on in the room. Wood wall + hardwood floors + wood bed frame might be too much for one area.

4. While discussing replacement night stands, I mentioned floating shelves. Something like our entry console, but deeper with a drawer. This Slice Grey Wall Mounted Storage Shelf is close to our idea, though the dimensions would be different. Also, we’ll use cedar to build the boxes. That way, we can leave them natural to blend in with the wall. Or I might paint them to add more contrast. It depends on how it feels once installed.

5. Back when I made our curtains, my goal was to create something to close for privacy. Foolishly, I didn’t sew the panels long enough to raise when we changed the windows and trim. So, these panels will go in the basement and I’ll sew two new sets. The linen panels I made for the master bathroom have worked so well, I’m going to sew another set. This time in white, similar to these White Linen Curtain Panels.

6. To up the cozy factor, we need a rug. This Allen + Roth Rectangular Cream Solid Wool Rug looks so plush and soft, and it’s a great price for 100% wool. Unlike other rooms, our bedroom doesn’t get heavy foot traffic or dirt, so we can get away with a lighter rug.

7. There are two large mirrors in this house, both in awkward places. One in the laundry room and another at the end of the hall in the basement. I’ve wanted to frame one out to lean ever since. Creating a cedar frame similar to this Salvaged Wood Leaning Mirror is the perfect solution. It would bring the cedar to another area and add function.

8. Along either side of our bed, a Faux Sheepskin is nice and soft.

9. DIY Isosceles Lamps on the night stands. ‘Nuff said.

10. To add in some color, I want a few green accents. Nothing crazy, but this green wool blanket, the edges of our engineer prints, and a pillow or two.

Across from the bed, we’d like to add a small tv to create a little seating area in the currently unused, open space. Using the mid-century bench as a small sofa, maybe a chair, and a slim console. Those elements are still up in the air. Regardless, I’m excited to get started!

Cedar Planked

Published on July 7, 2014July 8, 2014 by Our Humble Abode25 Comments

I’ve mentioned this year’s big task, operation siding, many times. While we’re still no closer to finishing due to weather, we have made some progress inside. In the form of a reclaimed cedar planked wall.

Our bedroom has received so little attention (only a coat of paint and plain Jane white curtains) and neither Ben or I ever felt excited about it. Sad, because master bedrooms should feel like a retreat.

I never thought I’d love tattered old wood as much as I do in here. The reclaimed wood feels like a big, warm hug for the room. And the perfect starting point for a full makeover.

Okay, calling it ‘reclaimed’ makes it sound super special and old. Really, it’s just the back of old cedar siding.

Yes, our old, blue cedar siding. While the finished side had seen better days, most of the backs were in great shape.

Several months ago, I told Ben I wanted to plank our headboard wall in old wood. Being a dude, he was immediately on board. Did ya get that pun? We tossed out the idea of pallets, but we’d have to save and disassemble them. Old barn wood can get pretty expensive these days. So when we pulled off the siding, we knew we wanted to save it from the landfill and put it to use. The first step was pulling out every nail and staple. Our siding is similar to tongue and groove, so Ben cut off the edges by running each piece through the table saw. In the photo above, we had already finished one side. Our pieces are 6 inches wide once ripped down.

Most of the pieces had cupped over time, creating a slightly less than straight piece. To remove this and allow the boards to sit flat against the wall, Ben ran the blue sides through the planer. We have the 13 inch Ridgid, if you’re looking for a nice, affordable planer.

In our original plan, we wanted to plane both sides to a smooth finish. Unfortunately, the cedar had different plans. It gummed up and dulled the blades really quickly. On to plan b. Installing the planks as is to paint over. To secure each piece to the wall, we marked out studs, drawing a line up with a level. The arrows show each line:

Using the 2 1/2 inch 16 gauge nails, we nailed into each stud on the top and bottom. Rather than butting the boards together, we used nickles to leave a small gap between each board.

This process was super quick and we had a nearly finished wall in about two hours.

Once we finished, we put the room back together, including the curtains. And we absolutely loved the wall. Old holes, bits of tar paper residue, and all; no painting necessary.

One of the quickest, biggest impact projects we’ve done. Let’s plank all the walls now! And the first thing we’ve done in our room that has made me downright giddy to tackle more.

Because the rest of the room certainly needs help. A lot of help. And this was just the project to motivate my ass.

Next up, scraping the popcorn ceilings. Fortunately I have experience in this department and it was surprisingly fun to do. It’s the patching after that sucked the big one. But, but! (and mine is a big one) if I want to work on the rest of the room, it must happen first. I’ll be back with the rest of the plan for the room soon. Until then, let’s talk old wood. That’s what he said.

Two Year Check Up

Published on May 5, 2014May 5, 2014 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

This month marks two years of living at this house. Like last year, I’m taking you on a room by room tour to show you the changes. Here’s the plain entry the day we closed:

Recently, we installed a tongue and groove accent wall, new front door and window, modern light, giant Longhorns and cute art.

We now have a bright, light filled happy space we’re not ashamed of. Especially because this is the first impression. We still have to replace the uneven, stained tile and railing, but this space is nearly complete. The living room had great potential, but it felt too traditional for us.

Much of this room is still subject to change, but it’s functional and more ‘us.’ Painted light gray walls modernize it, while still feeling warm.

Coffee table plans are in the works, and I want to find a new rug and chairs. Art, too.

But the modern twist on a rustic/Western style is coming together. The newly finished sofa is perfect in here.

Hopefully a leather sofa will replace this one, but it serves the purpose until then.

Our dining room has seen some progress, but it’s not looking so hot these days. Though it really didn’t look to great when we bought this place either.

A window replaced the door, and we’ve got one sheetrock-less wall while we deal with electrical changes.

One of the least changed rooms is the kitchen. Maybe this winter we’ll have some updates to tackle.

Aside from removing wallpaper and painting, no action going on in here.

In the adjacent family room, we’ve refaced the fireplace, added an insert, built shelves for a little nook, painted the walls a soft beige.

This room is one of my favorite places to relax and enjoy the back yard views and wildlife.

Our first remodel here, the main bathroom, was a full tear out. Though it was one of the most recently updated spaces, the dark, showerless layout didn’t work for our two young boys or guests.

Replacing the tub with a tub/shower, it now functions for kids and adults.

Across the hall, the small guest room was very dark. North facing, small window, and a wall of 70’s oak shelving sucked the light and life out.

A new egress window lets in more light while the white shelves and happy yellow walls add cheer.

A beige box of boring wasn’t really a happy place for two little boys.

After asking for their suggestions, I scraped off the popcorn ceiling, painted the walls a pear green, and filled the room with color and kid friendly decor.

The master was completely opposite from the boys’ room starting point with obnoxiously bright blue walls.

So far, I’ve only painted over the shocking blue. Soon, we’ll get new windows.

The biggest interior project from the past 365 days is the master bathroom remodel. It was a dated yellow and red room of yuck.

Now, its our updated sanctuary complete with a walnut vanity, clawfoot tub, and pretty slate and marble tile.

A few big inside changes, but our landscaping saw the most attention last year. I’ll get to that in another post. We’ve been adding plants and greenery!

Sometimes, progress feels like it moves slower than a turtle, even though we’re most often working on something. It’s nice to look back to see just how much we really have done; to be reminded of our excitement at closing. And look back at the ugly and plain space we inherited.