Current House – Page 61

Honing Skills

Published on March 10, 2014March 10, 2014 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

Many times, the little details and changes make a surprisingly big impact. Like this small change that brightens our living room.

Do you know what it is? Here’s a hint:

And now, look on the bright side.

This weekend, our weather was incredible. Almost 70 degree high yesterday, though we might get snow tonight. Ben took advantage of the nice weather by cutting marble remnants to replace the chipped laminate table tops. It’s a super dusty task, so it’s best to work outside with a mask on.

When we bought our hall bathroom slab, the guy tossed in a few scraps of Carrara marble. Two of which were the perfect size for these tables. Free pretty marble is free for a reason. These pieces were chipped, scratched, and had a few starter cuts. For that reason, I decided a honed finish would work best.

Ben used a diamond blade saw to cut the rectangles, then a right angle grinder for on the edges, and followed up with sandpaper on an orbit sander to smooth the top. The honed marble feels a little more rustic and used.

Glad I bought these $15 tables years ago, because the bases are super sturdy and pair nicely with the marble. Sure beats the peeling fake walnut veneer.

And the new lamps look great on there, too.

Now I need to finish my patched walls, pick a paint color, and go to town on this room.

Gimme a Giveaway: Britt Bass

Published on March 7, 2014 by Our Humble Abode92 Comments

Don’t you love when you find an amazing artist, bursting with so much talent you can’t decide which item is your favorite? I know I do, and that’s exactly what happened when I found Britt Bass.

She has amazingly fun, colorful abstract paintings that will wake up any room. I smile everytime I see the Navy Geo print in our bathroom.

Britt’s other prints are just as fantastic. Amy print:

Pink Polka Dots:

Summer print:

The Goods: An 11 by 14 inch or 12 by 12 inch print of your choice from Britt Bass.

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

Just for Fun: If you were to name a painting/paint color/band/street, what would you choose?

For additional entries:

1. Tell us which Britt Bass painting you like best in another comment.

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: Anywhere in the US or Canada, eh.

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

Fauxrarra Marble

Published on March 3, 2014March 3, 2014 by Our Humble Abode13 Comments

Winter is still here in full force, which means I’ve been stuck in the house. A lot. So I’m forced to keep my self entertained, often involving a project. Precisely why I’ve painted this table top for the third time in less than one year. Third time’s the charm, right?

See, as I flipped through the new West Elm catalog, I kept imagining the Reeve Mid-Century Coffee Table in our house.

Then it dawned on me, I already have a similar clean lined, handsome wood, brass footed table. The big difference? It didn’t have the beautiful, sophisticated marble top. Instead it had a bold chevron top. At the time I painted the stripes, I loved the added pattern. Now, I’m kind of over it. Not over it enough to paint over it, oh no, that took too long to do.

Ideally, I’d have a real marble slab, but I’m afraid the folding base design couldn’t handle the added weight.

But the other side, a minty green, was fair game.

I painted three coats of eggshell white latex on it and then started my faux marble paint treatment.

Using a few gray and black craft paints, I watered each color down. I didn’t measure (and don’t have pictures) but I’d guess it was 1 part paint to 2 parts water. Super runny and I barely mixed each color, which helped create a more natural variation. A feather worked best to apply a thin, free-flowing line of watery paint. Immediately after making the line, I used a 2 inch angled craft paint brush to stipple the paint. Just after stippling, I followed up with a damp paper towel, blotting to blend the paint and soften the edges.

Some areas are much lighter and more blended. A few other veins are darker with black patches. If I didn’t like how one area looked, I used my damp cloth to wipe the paint away and start over. Once I finished, I coated the top with satin Polycrylic for a protective finish.

The sides are painted to match. Carrying the marble paint to the sides helps give a more realistic effect.

Maybe I just needed a change, but I’m enjoying the lighter, more subtle top.

I think it balances the base better and lets the interesting leg shape shine.

Not a bad result for a free project and 10 dollar base. What coffee table tops do you like best?

Winner & February Etsy Favs

Published on February 28, 2014 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

Last day of February! Can I get a woot woot?! That means we’re another month closer to spring. And it seems we’re all over winter. But it also means we get to announce the Kilim Decor giveaway winner.

Isis, who’d love to visit Paris, you get to choose your favorite pillow from Kilim Decor!

And I get to share my favorite Etsy items I’ve added over the month. How adorable is this Children’s Hooded Duffle Coat by S n S Babee:

Asphalt Planter Vase from The Good Machinery

The Print Your Own Art option from Clare Elaesser

Dipped White and Natural Wood Tray at The Vintage Vogue

Stag Beetle Pillow Cover by Created By Storm

Soviet Opera Glasses from The Things That Were

MCM Wall Sconce at Theia Luminaries

Large Brass Moravian Star Himmeli from Hruskaa

The Decision Giclee Print by Kai Samuels-Davis

Mountain Home Quote Pillow Cover from My Sweet Reveries

And my Britt Bass Navy Geo print in our hall bathroom.

Off to shovel the walk. Hope you all stay warm if you’re stuck in the dead of winter, too!

Put it on a Pedestal

Published on February 27, 2014February 27, 2014 by Our Humble Abode15 Comments

Sometimes, putting a completely ordinary item on a pedestal transforms it into a sculpture. A shell, log slice, or in this case, a piece of driftwood.

I’ve had a love affair with driftwood for a while now. This fall, I collected several pieces from my father-in-law’s ranch to make something. I drilled several tea light holes in this large piece to create a centerpiece. Usually it stays on the patio table, but I brought it in to take this picture.

After seeing Dr. Vogel’s giant sculpture, I really wish I hadn’t drilled the candle holes in that piece.

It could have looked really neat as a similar large sculpture. Instead, I used a smaller piece from my collection along with a 1/4 inch oak dowel and a scrap of 2 by 4.

After sanding the board, I measured 2 inches from each end and center on the wood before drilling holes. Then, I set the driftwood on the board and made marks to line up with the holes. With the holes drilled, I put the dowel in and made a mark where I wanted each cut.

Wood glue securely holds the dowels in the holes, and then I painted the base white. A little more glue in the driftwood and I’ve got a sweet little sculpture.

It’s interesting and different from all angles, which is really fun.

I thought it would stay in the guest room, but I really like it on the shelf above the bar.

It’s a reminder of a fun day spent with our family. And adds a lighter object to break up the books and picture frames.

I’d love to find another large piece to make an oversized sculpture. Not sure where it’d go right now, but I’d find a place. For items you can’t or don’t want to drill into, epoxy would work well, too. Just be sure your base is heavier than your display item so it won’t tip. Do you have anything on a similar pedestal? What do you think of this easy way to display simple items?