Current House – Page 84

Rockin’ Around the Clock

Published on April 11, 2013April 11, 2013 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

Last week, spring seemed to have sprung. Temps in the high 60’s and sunshine. So we made hay. Not literally, but we got work done while the weather cooperates. Landscaping the back yard. Montana is dry and our lot is essentially a dirt pile, so we’ve decided to use rock to help cut down the dust. Boy, our house gets dusty quickly!

Boulders from our property at the base make a natural retaining wall.

Close to the pool house, we have to build stairs to connect to the stairs to nowhere.

After lining with weed-proof plastic, we layered large crushed limestone.

And filled in the gaps with small crushed limestone, meeting up with the stream and waterfall. Later this year, we can add plantings to soften the slope and add interest.

Over the weekend we tested the waterfall. (More about it soon). And love it. The sound, the look, it’s relaxing.

Once we get rest of the rock on the hill, we hope to pour our concrete patio. Because right now we’ve got a dirt/mud pit.

Who’s excited to spend more time outdoors? I don’t know it I’ll want to leave the yard once we’re done.

Patterned Bedding

Published on April 9, 2013April 9, 2013 by Our Humble Abode21 Comments

Whew, these last few weeks have been busy, filled with doctor and dentist appointments, visiting family, finished off with a flu-filled weekend. Clearly some things were more fun than others. My mom, sisters, and I did a little shopping during their visit, stopping in TJ Maxx. I saw a blue and yellow damask quilt and bought it for the guest bedroom.

But when I got it home, I didn’t love it. Heck, I barely liked it.

Maybe because it is too feminine for the room. Or a busy pattern in a small space. Was I just that used to seeing the white?

While I love the idea of a fun patterned quilt, I don’t think this one works in this setting.

Now that I look around, most of our beds have clean white bedding. Because it’s easy? Maybe, but white can go with anything. What type of bedding do you use? Do you prefer pattern or a solid color? Would you keep this quilt?

Gimme a Giveaway: TTDD

Published on April 5, 2013June 17, 2013 by Our Humble Abode54 Comments

This giveaway is closed. Thanks for entering! See who won here.

What’s TTDD? Through the Doggy Door, a new Etsy shop stocked with upcycled leather key chains and brightly painted ceramic goods.

And one lucky winner will get to choose 25 bucks of goodies!

Need a key chain? Choose from adorable, funky key chains shaped like mustaches:

Mushrooms:

And even little dogs:

Or add a burst of color and quirk with brightly painted birds:

A metallic gold bunny:

Even a colorful camera:

To sweeten the pot, the winner will also get 75 dollars to spend on goods from our shop. Maybe you want an everlasting bouquet of spring tulips:

Or a trio of butterflies in your favorite colors:

What better way to add a pop of springy color, right?!

The Goods: A $25 gift card to Through the Doggy Door and $75 credit good for or toward anything in the Our Humble Abode shop.

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

Just for Fun: Tell us what you’re doing to put a little spring in your step. Adding fun colors to your home or wardrobe? Enjoying the great outdoors? Buying fresh flowers for a quick pick-me-up?

For additional entries:

1. Like Our Humble Abode on Facebook.

Contest Closes: Thursday, April 25th, 2013.

Number of Winners: There can be only one.

Ships: United States residents only, please.

Other Info: We will select the winners using random.org and announce on Friday, April 26th. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Colorful Frames

Published on April 3, 2013April 3, 2013 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

Spring is slowly making its way to Montana. Our weather this past week has been b.e.a.utiful, hovering in the mid sixties. Despite the nice weather, it doesn’t look like spring…yet. To me, nothing seems more spring-y than colorful florals and leafy greens. I already added flowers, but splashes of green would really help. Last time I stopped in Home Depot, I picked up a can of Rustoleum Leafy Green spray paint to use on a clock and a frame in Handy Sammy’s room. Then I thought, “why not try it on a frame in the family room?”

The mat and print are neutral, so the punch of green is fun, but not overwhelming.

I think a set of colorful frames filled with black and white art would be awesome. How are you adding color to your home? Do you have a color you can’t seem to resist lately? Not sure if you’ve noticed, but I can’t seem to stay away from greens, of any kind. Don’t believe me, just look at Handy Sammy’s room. While I’m talking about his room, here’s a look at the slightly modified, rehung to cover the electrical junction boxes gallery wall:

Two thicker backed frames (the square feather on the left and the bird on the far right) cover the boxes completely. The set is centered on the wall now, too. Ahh, I love that new room look. When I walk down the hall, I always take a few seconds to poke my head in and admire the complete-ness. Okay, I’m off to spend more time with the fam, possibly including a round of mini golf. Maybe even some landscaping.

On a Safari

Published on March 26, 2013March 26, 2013 by Our Humble Abode13 Comments

Okay, this should be the last of the guest room/Handy Sammy’s room chronicles. Why? Because Ben installed the trim and I got it and the walls painted. Meaning, this room is finito. At least for a while. After much debate and help from you, we settled on Safari from Benjamin Moore, color matched to Glidden Duo.

Ben said the darker color, Honeymoon, looked like (and I quote) “calf scours.” No cow poop on the walls, thank you. Lighter Safari it is. Though the color is a tad brighter than I expected.

Ben and I are happy with it, but more importantly, Handy Sammy likes it. But, it is fun and warm. Still dark enough to make the trim stand out.

Speaking of trim, I painted it off-the-shelf white Glidden Duo in eggshell. Then gave Frog Tape a chance for redemption by taping off the trim before painting the walls. And I cringed while doing so, because I had painted the trim the day before. But, I also used the Duo to paint the bookshelves, and it seemed to harden quicker and be more durable than regular Glidden.

Wouldn’t ya know it, I made it through the entire painting process without one swear word. Yes, the tape came off clean without tearing off the trim paint. Hallelujah. Maybe the paint and primer combo helped. Or the lower sheen could have been a factor. I probably pressed lighter on the tape, too. Whatever the reason, I’m happy. This is probably the most accurate picture showing the color as it is in the room.

Because I already had the pictures down, I filled the nail holes. The bird, tree, and feather gallery wall fits well in the room (covering the old sconce covers), so I think I’ll rehang it.

I asked Handy Sammy his opinions but he wasn’t much help. He said having a comfy bed and place to relax was all he needed. What do you think? Rehang the gallery wall, or go with something new? What do you think of the color?