DIY Decor & Crafts

Squared

Published on May 26, 2014May 26, 2014 by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

Very, very slowly our living room is taking shape. While I ponder different rugs, I’m adding elements I really want. Large meaningful art, a slim linen sofa, cozy pillows, and now an oversized coffee table. Taping off the measurements really helped get a feel for the size I wanted. Square seemed the best fit, so I went big at 44 inches. I’m happy to say, I made this mostly on my own (Ben cut the top on the table saw). It’s super affordable, too. Around thirty bucks because we had the screws and a half sheet of OSB at home. So, here’s how I made it.

I started with five eight foot long 2 by 2 boards. Get the straightest ones you can find because it matters. I couldn’t find good ones, so Ben cut 2 by 4 boards in half. I cut four at 16 inches to make the legs. Another seven at 41 inches to make the rails and leg supports. Easiest cut list ever. I marked the screw placement, then pre drilled holes in the leg pieces. For this design, I needed two screws per leg going opposite directions. With only 1.5 inches, I had to stagger the screws, making one slightly higher than center and another just below center. With the holes drilled, I joined one leg to a cross support with a 3 inch long screw, going directly in the end like so:

Another set of hands would have been really nice at this point to keep the pieces tight. I attached another leg to the other side of that to create an upside down U shape. That’s one side of the legs, so I made another. Following the same process, I attached a support to each to get this:

To stabilize the legs, I added another support 5 inches from the bottom of two sides. For those legs to stay tight I added a cross-piece to those rails. I didn’t have hands to take photos, but here it is finished:

For an iron look, I painted the base with two coats of leftover bathroom paint, Wrought Iron.

It’s a simple design but makes vacuuming under a breeze, which was one of my main goals. I hate having to move furniture just to get under.

To break up all the wood and fabric, I used a faux emu leather on the top. The vinyl is upholstery grade from Joann normally $30 per yard. It was on 60% off sale so I saved big.

The OSB top we used was 3/4 inch thick, so I beefed up the edges with 1 by 2 pine. Several 1 1/4 inch screws hold the strips on. Then we wrapped the top, stapling inside the 1 by 2 edge. Wrapping completely under the frame allowed the top to sit tightly against the base.

With a subtle bumpy texture and deep camel color, I think it has a lot of depth. Perfect size, filling the open space and is centered on all furniture in the room. Plenty big for drinks, games, Lego play, and accessories. Now I’ll have to get a tray to hold accessories to make it a snap to move when necessary.

Still enough walking space between, too.

With the light weight, we can move it out-of-the-way, but it’s sturdy enough to double as an ottoman. Or a very short fort for the boys. Who knew a coffee table could have so many purposes?

Souvenir Shelf

Published on May 20, 2014May 19, 2014 by Our Humble Abode8 Comments

I’m sure you all love simple, small projects just as much as I do. If you also like personal wall art, this is the easiest, most interactive thing you can do. A vintage printer’s tray to display little trinkets and nature finds.

This idea is not my own, I fell in love with it in Lauren Liess‘ breakfast room:

Seriously, I’m hard-core in love with her new house after seeing it in Domino. How stunning is it?!? She’s a Pure Style Genius.

Our boys are always finding little rocks, sticks, and other small items. Before this, I had a full bowl on the coffee table. Sadly, that didn’t show off the mini collection. Instead, this showcases those treasures and becomes changing art.

After looking at local shops, I came home empty-handed. I found a few small painted shelves, but I wanted something wooden and natural. Etsy shop, The V Rose to the rescue. My drawer is 32 by 16 inches and in great condition.

I completely copied Lauren by hanging Ben’s first deer antlers above, to fill the space a little more.

The tray adds nice texture to the bump out wall in the living room.

Original details, the metal front, numbers, and drawer pull, are just charming, too. A simple tooth hook holds it up and then the boys helped me fill it up.

We’ve got rocks, sticks, feathers, bark, a fossil, souvenir pennies, shells from vacations. Basically anything small enough to fit.

With room at the top, we can add to our collection and enjoy our finds.

Though we have jars of sand and other souvenirs from vacations, I think this is my favorite way to display a collection. Imagine this in a kids room with Legos, doll house items, or small cars. Endless options and easy to swap out.

Hip to Be Square?

Published on May 15, 2014 by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

Lately, our living room is bugging me. The rug is too small and busy for the space.

The Earth First Natural Jute rug from Amazon is a possibility for a basic rug large enough for all furniture to rest on.

It looks thin, maybe layering a smaller rug like the Balta US Avanti Camel Rug to add cush?

That might look too formal and traditional, but I like how neutral it is. That exposed dining wall can get covered now that the rewiring is done. But this is about a coffee table. I moved an ottoman from our room into the living to see what size I’d want.

Initially, I pitched the idea of a reclaimed beam table after seeing the Emmerson at West Elm.

We still have chunks of beam left, so it would be free. It would also be extremely heavy, weighing around 150 pounds. Also, we’d be limited on the width as the beam is only 19.25 inches wide. It just seemed too heavy and small. Now I’m thinking a large, open frame square would work and look best.

The white ottoman is 4 feet wide, which feels right for the room. Substantial enough, but still plenty of room to get around. I taped out the proposed 44 inch square to get a better idea of size.

At this size, it could easily function as foot rest or a Lego/game table. I think it’s perfect, especially after seeing a large tufted leather ottoman in Lauren Liess‘ office.

The size would still allow at least 18 inches of walking room between other furniture (the couch and this little rolling ottoman).

Rather than a heavy ottoman, I’d love to find or build an open frame similar to this one:

Something metal would be ideal, but a dark wood frame could be nice, too. If I’m building it, that’s my only option really. I know I want four legs with supports at least five inches from the floor to make vacuuming as easy as possible.

As for the top, I’ve got two options in my head. Number one, reusing our old siding as a pieced together wooden top. Number two, I recently saw a camel colored 54 inch wide Emu vinyl at Joann for $29.99 per yard. Maybe stretching that over a piece of plywood could work? Add some warmth without putting more wood in the mix. What are your thoughts on the size, style, and top? I’d love to hear your suggestions!

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.

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.