Current House – Page 57

Art Vs. Clutter

Published on May 7, 2014May 7, 2014 by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

Perhaps Spring cleaning has gotten into me, but I want to declutter. Nothing is safe. I’ve looked around and realized I accumulate a lot of stuff. Of course, I like it when I buy it. Then it serves a purpose, I get bored, and change things up. I went on a house wide rampage, putting everything I didn’t like, have a use for, or questioned keeping in a box. The basement is now a hoarders paradise or the makings of a garage sale.

I’ve found this allows me to really focus on the stuff I do like and not feel buried by or in things. While I love cute little things and art, they often group together to look like junk. So I’m making myself a promise not to buy things I don’t absolutely love or need. Including, but not limited to decorative accessories, pillows, art, and kitchen ware. Now I can focus on the things I do love. Like these map art pieces. They’ve floated around here, but I like them stacked together in this nook best.

Eventually, we plan to add benches beneath the window to make a long, wall to wall seat.

I’m not sure why, but I love how it feels to have art closer to the floor. It feels cozier. The fig covers part of the lower, but it’s just a nice layerd effect.

On the sides of the entertainment center, I’d love to create large art on these two foot by three foot canvases.

Neutrals, but light enough to balance the dark cabinetry.

For another simple art piece, I’ve found the perfect spot for this rusted saw.

My father in law gave it to us. He’s had it for 30 plus years, since he found it in the garage of the first house he bought. It’s meant to be a two person saw; the handle on the bottom is completely missing along with the wood for the top piece. I’d love to make a stand for it to rest in to set on the shelf above the television. Something simple like the driftwood pedestal.

Of course, this will be much heavier to prevent tipping. It’ll be a nice swap from the art and accessories I’ve had up there. One more rustic thing for the house, too. FIL is happy about this change.

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.

Don’t Have a Cow

Published on May 1, 2014April 30, 2014 by Our Humble Abode24 Comments

I may or may not have gone off the deep end with this one. Increasingly, I’ve found myself drawn to far more rustic pieces and elements than I have been in the past. Giant Longhorns, natural textures and wood tones, even manly pillows. Yes, that’s almost an oxymoron. Heck, I’ve even got a rusted saw I’m trying to find a home for. So it kind of makes sense this happened:

Done gone and framed a cute little cow. Then said that in my most Montana voice.

It all started when the boys and I went to Handy Sammy’s work on Easter to help feed the animals. He had us a ‘baby animals.’ What can I say, I’m a sucker for anything tiny. This cute little calf, Button, had the three of us cooing. Using my phone, I snapped a few photos of her and then we went home. Both boys asked to see the pictures several times that night, which got me thinking. This photo was so cute, why not get it blown up and framed?

I mean, how can you resist that little face? And the speckled nose?! Gah, too stinking cute. I emailed the photo to myself and opened it in Photoshop to resize and set to black and white. While out running errands, I stopped in FedEx Office to have a large format printed for $2.50.

Back at home, I took out a frame (the glass broke when we moved) and used double-sided tape to stick this to the back of the foam. Originally, I intended for it to hang at the bottom of the stairs near the garage door.

On a whim, I set it on the entry console. And I’m surprised by how happy it makes everyone to be greeted by a cute little critter.

Everyone in the house, Ben, the boys, and Handy Sammy, got a kick out of it and smiled. Mission accomplished. I know I just hung my Painting Well landscape, but this is a happy little change.

So what do you think? Leave it at the entry, or put it at the bottom of the stairs?

Would you like an adorable little face watching you come and go? It seems to lighten the mood and turn frowns upside down.

Natural Linen and Special Walnut

Published on April 29, 2014April 29, 2014 by Our Humble Abode32 Comments

That ugly, dirty, orange thrifted sofa isn’t so ugly anymore. Over the past week, I’ve given it a makeover and new life.

I started by removing the cushioned section from the wooden frame. The back middle leg was loose, so I glued the plugs and clamped it overnight. Then I started pulling away the dated fabric.

When tackling an upholstery project, I like to take pictures of pieces as I go. If I get stuck or can’t remember how things went together, I have pictures to go by.

Back sections always go on last, so it’s the first to come off.

Followed up with the arms.

See all that nasty stuff that was stuck in the crack? Eeew. I also found old gum on the under side of the frame.

When I pulled the fabric off, I saw the arms were barely padded. Underneath matching solid oak arms. I opted to leave the arms open because I liked the look better. A few screws, accessible from the underside hold the arms to the main frame. I’ll skip the refinishing steps, because I didn’t really follow the rules. Also, my hands were busy, so I couldn’t take photos. Basically I sanded the entire frame with 220 grit paper until I was down to bare wood. To give a rich finish, I applied one coat of Minwax Special Walnut stain, followed up with two layers of Teak Oil.

As for fabric, I fell for a natural linen. I’ve never had linen upholstery, so I’m hoping this hold up. If it doesn’t, I’m only out the cost of fabric and my time. Because my fabric has a little more stretch than thicker upholstery fabrics, I decided not to sew box cushions for the back and seat. This way, if the fabric stretches or looks saggy, I can give it a stretch without it looking strange.

I also replaced the old worn out seat foam with a 3 inch high density foam for extra padding.

Leaving the arms open is my favorite change. With little padding, the arms weren’t soft and comfortable, so this is just a better looking version. That’s one of the super Western and manly leather pillows Ben made, too.

Simple lines on the back are my second favorite thing about this sofa.

To keep it simple, I stapled a strip along the top for the fabric to fold over.

On the sides, I had to improvise. I couldn’t find a tack strip to stuff the fabric into. And nail heads looked too cluttered. Instead I stapled along the top of the fabric, then made strips to hide the staples.

Sleek and simple with a slightly rustic look. The crazy oak grain is fun and the linen compliments it without drawing attention.

Also, I’m not sure what main couch will stay in this room so I want a go with anything neutral. Ben wants leather and I most like the look of the camel toned Foxtrot from Flexsteel.

Wouldn’t the camel and linen look great together? Problem is, local stores don’t have this in stock. We don’t know if it’s comfortable, if we like the look in person, or a price. Clearly we still have some research to do before we can make a solid decision.

Giveaway Winner & Etsy Favs: April

Published on April 25, 2014 by Our Humble Abode1 Comment

Hope you’ve all had a marvelous spring! Warmer weather is such a nice change. I’ve started adding plants to our nearly lifeless yard, even. Winning. On the subject of winning, we’ve got the Easy, Tiger giveaway wrapped up.