Current House – Page 60

Worse Before Better

Published on March 24, 2014March 24, 2014 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

We’re making progress in the family room, after leaving it nearly the same since move in.

This is what progress looks like:

Yes, at first, progress always looks like a big mess. It has to get worse before it can look better. We pulled down the old, upside down (?!) crown before installing the new trim. I forgot to take pictures, but here you can see it in the basement:

We know the previous owner liked to do things his own way, but we’re not fans of the look. Especially compared to properly installed crown via This Old House:

So, down came the old stuff, leaving small nail holes in the ceiling. Filling with joint compound isn’t difficult, just another step added to my list. Two if you count sanding.

Along with caulking seams and filling nail holes in the new trim. While I had the filler out, I removed all nails and spackled old nail holes (there were many).

Trim around the entry hasn’t gotten the full treatment yet, but will once we break the ladders out. After that, painting the last white coat and walls.

We’re crownless in parts of the dining room until we swap the door for a window with a header. At that point, we’ll run a solid piece across.

For now, and hopefully not much longer, we have a lovely patchwork of colors and textures.

I’m carving out time this week to get the trim, ceiling, and walls painted.

Feeling Groovy

Published on March 19, 2014March 18, 2014 by Our Humble Abode3 Comments

Adding the West Elm Mobile Chandelier and vintage Longhorns added some interest to our blank entry. But it was (and still is, really) a far cry from what I’d consider finished. I mean, half torn off, waiting to be replaced crown doesn’t scream finished. In fact, it looks awful.

As do the peach, heavily textured knock down walls throughout the entry, living, and dining rooms. It looks the worst on the large 12 foot expanse. But, we did take a big step in the finished direction this weekend. Luckily, Ben and I are both fans of painted tongue and groove strips; a great cover up option for ugly walls. We’ve got a blank slate accent wall.

I’ve never had an accent wall. We started with tongue and groove planks, starting level with the entry floor, then down and up from there. Nailing into studs to secure the boards in place.

Going down was easy, just a few angled cuts along the stairs. But going up wasn’t so smooth. Being 12 feet off the floor on the right side, and 16 off the left made it tricky to get everything to the top. Fortunately Ben knows his way around a wobbly ladder. Me? Not so much.

I tried priming the wall, starting at the top, but my short T Rex-ish arms couldn’t reach. Though he thought it hilarious, he instead took over the priming and painting.

This pine has heavy grain and knots, so it has plenty of character and texture. Even when painted. But still looks neutral to allow the light and horns to be the real focal points.

Though this railing isn’t my favorite, it looks significantly better against crisp white.

We still have some trim pieces to add before putting the final coat of paint on. The angled trim pieces along the stairs are only 1/2 inch thick, so I’d like to add a cap to thicken it up.

We did this on the planked side, and it adds just enough thickness for the boards to sit against.

Crown can go up around the entry, living, and most of the dining next. Again, the lone piece isn’t the look we’re going for.

Except the back dining wall, where the 8 foot door goes to the ceiling. We’ll have to add crown there after we’ve replaced the door with a window and a normal sized header.

But, I’m willing to paint the room, even if the windows and trim will change soon. Those peach walls have been here too long. I’ll paint the dark garage door and new railing white for a seamless look.

Welcome to the Jungle

Published on March 17, 2014March 17, 2014 by Our Humble Abode11 Comments

I’ve been on a serious plant kick lately. Mostly because I’ve kept several alive and that has given me a reason to branch out. I’ve had this Aloe plant for three or four years, making it the easiest plant to own in the world.

My succulents are thriving. Again, it doesn’t take much effort. In fact, they’re better when left alone.

Even my little Norfolk Pine has fresh green tips.

If I surround myself in lush green house plants, it’s almost like winter isn’t happening. Last week, I saw Home Depot had 10 inch tropical plants on sale for $9.88. Sold and sold! I spotted a Big Leaf Philodendron and took it home. I still have to find the perfect planter and place, but I love this huge dude.

My what big leaves you have! They’re not kidding when they call it ‘Big Leaf.’

And I thought the Fiddle Leaf Fig had big leaves.

The Fig has found a home in the living room, seemingly happy basking in the bright sun. I found mealybugs on it a few weeks ago, but learned rubbing alcohol kills them. To get in the small crevices to kill the eggs (eew), I sprayed it twice daily with 1 part rubbing alcohol and 2 parts water. So far, the little buggers haven’t returned to feast.

And that little one on the table was three bucks at Home Depot. It’s a Peperomia and has sprouted three new leaves in the month or so I’ve had it.

The plant cart has a few additions too, since the tulips have bloomed and died back. My cabbage (looking rather scraggly without the lower leaves) and Christmas Cactus have a sad orchid (clearance find, hope I can nurse it back to health) and a colorful Croton.

Low light plants are harder to find, but this Philodendron and Climbing Aloe have been happy for a while now.

The way the Philodendron leaves unfurl is really interesting.

My tiny snake plant is going strong, too. I hear these things are nearly impossible to kill, but I’ll be the judge of that.

Do you have a favorite houseplant? Something easy and low maintenance I can add to my growing collection?

Spring Special Giveaway

Published on March 14, 2014March 13, 2014 by Our Humble Abode73 Comments

Spring is almost here! Let’s shout it from the rooftops. To usher in Spring in style, we’ve partnered up with S & S Babee on a fun, completely custom coat giveaway.

Jenna makes these adorable children’s duffle coats:

Talk about cute! Each coat is made to order, letting buyers choose the exterior fabric. The custom coat includes heavyweight outer fabric (corduroy, twill or fleece) and fully lined with flannel or quilting cotton for extra comfort and warmth. An optional fleece interlining is available for a thicker, winter coat.

Fun, coordinating prints line the coat with a zipper closure and toggle button accents.

Available for spring/fall or winter, these are perfect for any kiddo.

The Goods: One custom-made to order Children’s Hooded Duffle Coat from S & S Babee. Winner can choose size, exterior fabric, and spring/fall or winter coat.

To Enter: Leave a comment, which can (but doesn’t have to) include our Just for Fun question.

Just for Fun: Tell us what activity you’re looking forward to doing with your little one this spring.

For additional entries:

1. Like S & S Babee on Facebook, then leave another comment to increase your odds of winning.

2. Like Our Humble Abode on Facebook, and comment again for three total entries.

Contest Closes: Thursday, March 27th.

Number of Winners: Just one, chosen by Random.org.

Ships: Free anywhere in the United States or for and $18.00 fee in Canada.

Other Info: We will select the winners using random.org and announce on Friday, March 28th.

Rug Exchange

Published on March 12, 2014 by Our Humble Abode16 Comments

Over a year ago, we added large-scale floral rug to the living room and put our old grid rug in the family room. It certainly brightened things up, but I’ve never been completely happy with the large rugs we currently own.

Especially after we bought a clean lined Mission style dining table. The floral pattern felt too busy and didn’t match the table style.

This weekend we made a simple switch. While working on the family room ceiling, I pulled all furniture out-of-the-way. Before putting it back, I tossed out the idea of swapping the grid and floral rugs. Ben and I moved the table and laid the simple rug under.

Wouldn’t you know, I love the change?!

The geometric design pairs nicely with the dining set and balances the dark wood better.

But I’m still not satisfied with the remaining rugs. While I’m happy with the quality of the floral rugs, the look doesn’t fit in with my end goal.

For the living room, I’d really, really love the Marquis Wool Rug from West Elm:

In my head, the Marquis rug with the Flexsteel Rachael sofa would be a great base for our living room.

Another light, simple geometric rug. Should pair nicely with the dining grid rug. Just enough pattern to add interest, but not enough to draw attention. And the beige/gray/cream mix can go with anything. With select rugs 30% off right now, I was close to pulling the trigger, but the 9 by 12 size isn’t currently available. Womp womp. Back to the rugs we do have. The displaced floral rug is in the family room, for now. You know, until I find something I love.

I do like the added interest and color, but I had gotten used to the simpler look.

Maybe a jute rug to calm the space? Oddly enough, I’m trying to convince Ben we should layer a cowhide rug in. He’s not into it, which is strange because this was the situation when I met him:

While this house was mostly typical plain 70’s (later installed inlay diagonal wood floors and six panel doors excluded), I’m trying to add in more rustic pieces. After all, this is Montana, even if we are in the city. Working in the dining set, Longhorns, our DIY console, and popular (around here at least) Craftsman-style trim are just a few touches so far.

I’m naturally attracted to modern furniture. The clean lines get me every time. I find I like a mix of the two a lot lately. And the cow rug could look really fun with the modern chairs and coffee table. What do you think of the options? Any rugs you love that would work well in either of these spaces?