Category: Current House

Because we’re not working on our concrete patio right now, I’ve been working on other small projects.  Some house related, others, not so much.  My creative moods some in spurts, and I try to capitalize when that feeling strikes.  So, I’ve created a few new prints to add to our Etsy shop.

The first print is perfect for your own kitchen, or to give as a house warming gift.  Bonus, if you don’t know forget the proper place setting, you have a reference.

Buon Appetito is an affordable print, customized to blend with your decor.  Choose from our color options or we can match a sample.

I also painted a Yellow Warbler for our home, and if you like it, you can buy a 4 inch square limited edition print to hang on your wall.

Only 50 prints are available, so get one while you can.

What do you think of the newest additions to the art family?  Any suggestions for future content?  Perhaps you have an idea of an art piece you want, but can’t find exactly what you’re looking for?  Share your ideas with us to see if we can make your dream a reality.  We love custom orders.

It seems everyone has a strong preference on which way the toilet paper should go, over or under.

{found here via Pinterest}

Personally, I’m an over person.  Ben claims not to have a preference, so he goes along with me.  At one point, he asked me who put the paper on the holder because it was wrong.  Yep, he’s well-trained.

Where is this going, you ask?  Ben and I are helping Ben’s brother Luke design his master bathroom.  After discussing the layout, tile, and vanity, we started discussing the details.  Sinks, lighting, faucets, and tp holders.  Toilet paper holders have come a long way.

Of course, they can be basic, like this recessed one.

Or slightly more fancy, like this one.

If you’re constantly running out, try a double holder.

If I wanted to drop almost 50 bucks on a holder, I’d splurge for this one.  It’s sad that I’m having tp holder envy.

If you have a paper debate raging in your home, I have a solution for you.  Warning: This is not a completely original idea.  Why not turn the paper vertically?

Not looking to spend that much on a holder?  Try turning this one or this one vertically.

 Whaddya think?  Plausible solution?

And, just because this made me laugh.

Would this be creepy to do at someone’s house?

So, which are you?  Over or under?  Do you think going vertically would solve the debate?  Do you doodle on toilet paper?  Or make origami to be found?  Have I spawned a new tp holder need in your heart?

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries, Thank You!***

Way back in April, we showed you a new print we received from an Etsy shop, The Living Room Floor.

The design is printed on thick white card stock and mailed safely to our front door.  Stephanie has created interesting, beautifully designed, detailed quote prints with a variety of funny and inspirational quotes such as It’s a Funny Thing.

The Future Belongs to Those is a great quote for an office or a kid’s room.

Looking for inspiration to better yourself?  They Always Say is perfect to encourage you day by day.

I think most men would get a kick out of the Beer is Proof print.

My newest favorite print in the shop is That it Will Never Come Again

But the Ampersand is a really fun graphic statement.

The Goods: One 11 inch by 14 inch Living Room Floor print of your choice.

To Enter: Subscribe to follow Our Humble A{Bowe}d, if you’re not already.  To subscribe, click the “Sign Me Up!” button under “Be the first to know.”  Once you’ve subscribed, leave a comment, which can (but doesn’t have to) include our Just for Fun question.

Just for Fun: Tell us your favorite quote and if it has a special meaning.

For additional entries:

1. Add Living Room Floor to your Etsy favs, come back and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is.

2. Like The Living Room Floor on Facebook, come back and leave another comment.

Contest Closes: Thursday, July 14th at 11:59 pm, central time.

Number of Winners: Three!

Ships: Anywhere in the U.S. and Canada

Other Info: We will select the winner using random.org and announce on Friday, July 15th.  Good luck!!

All  images found via the featured Etsy seller’s listing as linked above.

Last week, we took a little in-state vacation to the Bitterroot Valley in western Montana.

On our way west, we pass through or by several mountain ranges.  If you want to get your bearings, check out this mountain map.  Near the Crazy mountains, we saw a seriously gigantic house.  (Click to zoom and you can see it better)

Just before Butte, we drove over the Pipestone Pass.  It has awesome rock formations.

The Pipestone Pass leads into Butte.  I love the train bridge set into the hillside.

Continuing on through Butte, we drove alongside the Tobacco Root mountains.

 

The weather was abnormally cold, but we went to Lake Como.  Another Montana lake surrounded by mountains.  We have also had tons of rain, so the lake was especially high.

A dam runs along one end.

Ben decided to fish.

The boys really got a kick out of throwing rocks in the water.

 

Unfortunately, Ben didn’t catch a single fish.  His cousin did, though.  Sadly, it was about the size of a minnow.

Enough with our personal lives, how about something home related?  I wanted to visit the Daly Mansion, but we didn’t have a chance, so I’m sharing pictures I took when we toured the house two years ago.  I’m guessing not much has changed.  Sadly, photos of the interior are not allowed.  Following along last week’s garden theme, I thought it would be fun to share photos of the inspiring gardens.

The long tree-lined gravel driveway is stately and inviting.  I’m sure this looks amazing in the fall, too.

A circular turnaround is anchored by a small rose bed.  Large evergreen trees flank either side of the doorway.  Symmetry works it’s magic again.

A large wrap around porch with potted plants adds charm and color.

Mature peony plants in full bloom and other small flowering plants add splashes of pink.

I love the mix of green shrubbery and flowers along the side garden.  The architectural details are incredible.

A sunroom and long, narrow arbor extend along the left side.

{photo via Daly Mansion}

A crew was prepping for a wedding and the arbor doubles perfectly as an aisle or archway.

{photo via Daly Mansion}

A covered porch and car port balance out the sun room on the opposite side.

The backyard and porch have an amazing view of the Bitterroot mountains.

A stone retaining wall and grand staircase leads from the main house down to the lawn.

{photo via Daly Mansion}

Beyond the lawn is a beautiful swimming pool, complete with more flowers, a diving board and bathrooms.

{photo via Daly Mansion}

If you’re planning a visit or find yourself in western Montana, visit the Daly Mansion (as well as Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake if you’re the outdoorsy type).

What was your favorite part of the mansion grounds?  I still love that arbor.  And the peonies.  I would take a large porch, too.  Do you like to tour old mansions or homes?  I do.  Which has been your favorite and why?  The sheer architecture?  The story behind it?  The insanity?  Perhaps it’s haunted?

I don’t think I’ll ever run out of favorite items from Etsy.  Seriously, check out this month’s line up.

Dog Hand Shadows print from Louisest Art.  This would be a fun touch in a kid’s room or play room.

For the nature lover, this original oak art piece from Katie Creates.

The colors in this By the Bay print by Jessa Mae just make me happy.

I’ve seen Perennial Moment by Paper Moth pop up all over.  And for good reason.

Horses are just so pretty.  Kiss Kiss print from Tailed Blue Photography is stunning.

For the artist in your life, why not buy a unique colored pencil necklace from HuiYi Tan.

Trying to be more eco-friendly?  This no bottle shampoo and conditioner by Ethnically Engineered packs a one two punch by eliminating plastic containers and is made of natural preservatives.  I want to try it.

White ceramic dinnerware is classic.  Add a modern twist with a Geo Bowl from TimBSOB.

Add warmth to the table setting with beautiful wooden salt and pepper grinders made by Teal and Gold.

For the manly man, try this concrete soap dish from Obelisk.

These floral napkins by Charlotte Handmade would add pizzazz to any summer party.

You may get a strange look or two when you pull out this panda measuring tape from Feltmates, but it’s totally worth it.

I really loved the owl, too.

Back to concrete with this set of three mini planters from Rough Fusion.  I must make something out of concrete soon.

For summer travels, buy a travel journal from Making This Home, also from Montana.

I love these earrings from Samantha Kay Jewelry, though there are a lot of great items.

Even though we’re a few days late, it’s never too late to do some shopping, right?  Have you added something(s) to your Etsy favs that I might like?  Share a link in your comment.  If you have an Etsy shop, please share it, too.