MCM Bench, Version 2.0

If you’ve followed along for a few years, you may remember the free MCM couch I found.  Before I rescued it, it was in the elements, used as a smoking bench.  And in very rough, stinky shape.  Think hazmat suit to touch the cushions gross.

Free Outdoor Couch End

So I pitched the cushions, upholstered a long, single seat and refinished the wood.

Outdoor Bench After

When we moved it was still in great shape.  Because we have a covered deck area, I put the bench out there.  Despite being covered, the elements took a toll on the poor guy.  Sun beaten and driving rain doesn’t do a body, um couch, good.  Time to refinish it.  Again.  I lightly sanded it all down and gave it another coat of Minwax Dark Walnut.  In lieu of a polyurethane finish, I used Watco’s Teak Oil.  

Watco-Teak-Oil-for-MCM-Sofa

We used it on the wood kitchen counters at the last house and loved it.  Minimal sanding required and it can be applied as needed.  After two coats, the wood has a soft, low sheen.

MCM-Sofa-in-Living-Room-Arm-Detail

When I decided to refinish this sofa, I knew he wouldn’t be going back outside.  No siree.  Our living room furniture needs serious help (as in replacement) and this is one small step in the right direction.

MCM-Sofa-in-Living-Room-Overall

Sleek lines, dark wood, and navy upholstery.  I’m channeling Emily Henderson, folks.

MCM-Sofa-in-Living-Room-to-Dining

I’m undecided how I feel about the upholstered seat versus a removable, flippable cushion long-term.  This was much easier.  If I want to make a cushion, I’d have to add cross supports then plywood for the foam to rest on.  And then buy new foam and sew a cushion.

MCM-Sofa-in-Living-Room-Angle

Maybe I’ll get the urge to try it.  What do you think?  It’s actually really comfortable with a pillow as the back and keeps it looking light.

MCM-Sofa-in-Living-Room-Detail

Unlike out hulking sectional.  Getting a new sofa would make such a big difference in here.

MCM-Sofa-in-Living-Room-Back

Sadly, this room hasn’t gotten much attention in the time we’ve lived here.  The entertainment center is new and we took out the small arch above the railing.  As you can see, that hasn’t been finished.  Drywall dust is a serious mess and I don’t have the patience to deal with it yet.  Once I make one change to a room, I want to rework the rest of the space.  Like maybe painting the railing and new color on the walls.  Eventually we’ll replace the windows (these two front ones don’t match the rest of the house) and we want to build a window seat below with bookshelves on either side.  And that chair needs some lovin’.  Maybe a fun paint color for the frame and a neutral fabric?  Suggestions?

Gimme a Giveaway: Girl and Parrot

If you’re looking for fun, affordable art, check out Girl and Parrot.

An underwater painting like All the Cool Kids is a conversation piece.

Elephlower would be really sweet in a nursery.

I Picked You Something is moody and light, all at once.

Or for something simple, Gray Feather.

Like what you see?  Here’s how you can enter to win!

The Goods: One $30 shop credit good for or toward anything in the Girl and Parrot shop.  

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

Just for Fun: Do you have a favorite Etsy shop?  Feel free to leave a link, including your own!

For additional entries:

1.  Add Girl and Parrot to your Etsy favs and leave a comment.

2.  Like Our Humble Abode on Facebook, and comment again.

Contest Closes: Thursday, November 28th, 2013.

Number of Winners: One lucky duck.

Ships: Anywhere on earth, so international folks can get in on this action.

Other Info: We will select the winners using random.org and announce on Friday, November 29th.

Top Twelve: Thanksgiving Goodies

Happy Halloween!  I’m headed out the door to help with festivities at the school.  Should be fun to see all the little kiddos in costume.  You know what else is fun, planning a Thanksgiving feast.  Here are my favorite Thanksgiving essentials:

Top-Twelve-Thanksgiving

1.  Storage Cutting Board from West Elm

2.  Threshold Double Old Fashioned Cheers Tumbler from Target

3.  Hammered Glassware from World Market

4.  Barsk Wine Glasses from Ikea

5.  Happy Chic Gold Wine Decanter at JCP

6.  Hand Painted Dotted Dinnerware from West Elm

7.  Leather Cord Cuffs for Napkins

8.  Pavillion Dove Napkins at Crate and Barrel

9.  Rose Gold Flatware Set at West Elm

10.  Wood Bark Pedestal from World Market

11.  DIY a similar Painted Metallic Runner

12.  Maybe use the holiday as an excuse to get new head chairs like the Baxton Studio MCM Shell Chairs on Amazon

Have fun trick or treating tonight and we’ll see you back here tomorrow with a fun giveaway.

Carried Away

Often, I get carried away.  Start cleaning the kitchen and then go organize the rest of the house.  Wipe up the bathroom floors and end up cleaning it from top to bottom.  So it’s no surprise I got carried away when I met Ben.  Head over heels.  That phrase doesn’t make sense.  Aren’t we almost always head over heels?  Anyway, I knew when I met him I needed to know more.  It’s only fitting George Strait’s Carried Away was our first wedding dance.  And now we have those words on our wall.  I used Bombshell Pro to create these black and white designs.

Carried-Away-Art-Prints-Ben-Lyrics

Carried-Away-Art-Prints-Amanda-Lyrics

I thought I’d paint the design on old canvases.  Then I took the easy way out.  Engineer prints to the rescue.  Again!  By formatting two 16 by 20 inch designs on one 2 foot by 3 foot page, I paid only $4.50 for the two.

Carried-Away-Art-Prints-Above-Night-Stands

Back in May I bought two acrylic frames for three bucks each and finally put them to good use.  The old astrological sign cut outs were too small, so we’ve got new bedside art.

Carried-Away-Art-Prints-Above-Left-Night-Stand

I’d love to hang the art lower, so new, shorter lamps are in order.  Just have to find the perfect ones.

Carried-Away-Art-Prints-Above-Right-Night-Stand

Simple, sweet, and sentimental.  Ben chose his favorite line.

Carried-Away-Art-Prints-Left

And I chose mine, which happened to follow his.

Carried-Away-Art-Prints-Right

Do you have song lyric art in your house?  Favorite sentimental art you’d like to share?

Gimme a Giveaway Winner & Etsy Favs: October

Hey, hey and happy Friday!  How’s your day so far?  Hope it’s good.  I know I can make one day better and that the winner of the Jacaranda Designs and Retro Menagerie giveaway.  Julianne, enjoy your new jewelry and art!

Deer Antler Pillow Cover at Sewn Natural

Snug Vase from Snug Studio

Infinity Ring at Tinahdee

White Modern Vase by Carriage Oak Cottage

Small Brass Frog Dish at The White Pepper

Reclaimed Chevron Table from The Honey Shack

Abstract Watercolor Painting by Linnea Heide Art

It’s Ok Banner at Secret Holiday Co.

Yellow Plush Fox from Laura Frisk

Porcelain Railroad Spike by Red Raven Studios

Plaid Wool Blanket from Oh This Nose

Twig Modern Wall Hook at Studio Liscious

Skull Planter by Brooklyn Global

Paris Photograph-Head in the Clouds from La Paperie & Print Shop

Now I’ve got to get working on the boys’ Halloween costumes.  What creative costumes have your kids requested?  We’ve got a ghost pirate and a s’more.