Home Improvement

Ding Dong, Siding’s Done

Published on November 24, 2014November 28, 2014 by Our Humble Abode75 Comments

After months of spending weekends replacing windows and installing new siding, we’re finished. Just before the cold weather hit, allowing us to now focus on indoor remodels. Update: Here’s the exterior when we purchased the house.

It was a mis matched mess of ugly blue stain, natural cedar, missing siding, and old windows. We’ve since replaced every window and door, as well as new siding.

Currently, the steel has a semi glossy sheen to it. Nothing that’ll blind the neighbors, but still.

Eventually the steel will rust, creating a contrast. Because right now the steel is very similar in tone to the lap siding.

As you can see, we decided to cover the bathroom bump out in steel. Something to add interest and break up the upper section.

It worked out well because we plan to cover the other peaked areas the same way.

Also, the lower section wraps into the bump out near the door. The back of the pool house is all steel, thanks to the funky angles. The rest of the pool house, now that’s a different project for spring/summer.

Finally, the section around the garage doors. It follows the same line, wrapping around from the front.

We’re thankful to have the loose ends tied up. You know what else we’re thankful for? Our lovely readers. To show our appreciation, we’ve partnered up with luxury linen retailer, Frette, to offer one reader a Terry Shawl Collar Robe.

Simply leave a comment on this post to enter! I’ll announce the winner on Friday. If you’re also in the U.S., Happy Thanksgiving!

Mirror, Mirror Against the Wall

Published on November 17, 2014November 17, 2014 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

This house came with three large, awkwardly placed mirrors. One floor to ceiling next to the fireplace, which sadly, broke after moving it.

A shorter, wide one that’s still in the laundry room:

Though I don’t have pictures, the most um, interesting placement was at the end of the basement hall. Right next to the bathroom door. The first time we walked through the house, it startled me. We decided to take it down to put to better use as a large framed for our bedroom.

To start, Ben cut a piece of OSB four inches wider and taller than the mirror and cut 3 inch strips of cedar. OSB created a rigid backing for the mirror and frame. We wanted to avoid glue, so Ben used the table saw to create 1/4 inch by 1 1/4 inch grooves in the back of the frame pieces.

The notched out section overlaps the mirror, leaving about two inches on the OSB sheet.

Short nails secure the frame to the backing, leaving an ugly edge.

For added interest, and to cover the sides, Ben added a 3/4 by 1 1/2 trim piece. I wanted a 1/4 inch reveal for a layered look.

During the planning process, I said I wanted a leaning mirror. Ben prefers wall mounted, but the height wouldn’t work between our trim. So, we compromised on a slightly floating, completely straight mount. To sit flat against the baseboard, Ben secured a scrap of trim to studs at the top. This sets the mirror away from the wall, and gave a place to screw the mirror to the wall.

The cleats are about 3 inches shy of the mirror width, so they’re not obvious. Unless you are literally against the wall, as I was to take these pictures. Even then, the shadow blends in with the dark walls.

Because we had all materials, this project was free.

Filling this wall with a mirror gives function to an otherwise wasted space. With the new dressing area, the old sconce boxes make sense. Now to find the right lights that don’t look too bathroom-y.

I’m smitten.

Using the same cedar as the wall and night stands brought a small touch of the same to another wall.

I adore the way the wood (and everything else, for that matter) looks against the black walls.

Next for the bedroom: curtains, paint touch ups (note to self, don’t use the cheap tape!), fixing/changing the bed, and hanging art.

Floating Night Stands

Published on November 10, 2014November 10, 2014 by Our Humble Abode16 Comments

Why is the master bedroom usually the last finished/decorated room? Our bedroom was a mixed bag of old furniture, all functional, just not what we liked.

While inoffensive, the Ikea side tables just weren’t the best shape or size. An off-center window left a little more space on one side of the room, too. To play nicely with the planked wall, Ben built cedar night stands.

Originally, my plan was a simple double shelf, very similar to our entry console.

After using the entry shelf, I decided I wanted a single shelf, as the lower would be another surface to fill. I tossed out the idea of a basic shelf with black brackets, but Ben thought it would look off. We agreed a floating shelf would look great and blend best with the plank wall. There are many ways to make a floating shelf, but here’s what we did. For the base, we bought four heavy-duty right angle brackets. Look for something with a consistent width, as this will determine the shelf spacing. Mount the brackets into studs with the 90 degree angles to the outsides.

Using scrap cedar, Ben built a hollow, tight-fitting box using the brackets as spacers.

Then, the box frame slides over the brackets.

As a bonus, cords tuck inside the shelf, hiding away the extra length.

My nightstand is 24 inches wide and centered on the area between the bed and wall. I hung a small square print to add interest to the grouping.

To make up for the slightly wider space on Ben’s side, we built his at 30 inches wide. It’s mounted the same distance from the bed as mine. A wider print fills the space nicely.

Now to finish painting the room and get longer curtain panels.

And we should get the outlet properly mounted and covered. Ahh, there’s always something.

His and Hers Tasks

Published on November 7, 2014November 7, 2014 by Our Humble Abode13 Comments

Good news, everyone. The siding is 99 percent finished! Ben took the last three days off work to get everything done before this weekend’s cold snap hits. After starting with the most tedious part, everything went up smoothly and mostly without incident. With much hemming and hawing, we decided to wrap the bathroom bump out in steel. During install, Ben was on the scaffolding while I was at the bottom pounding each panel up. While pounding a panel in place, a prybar fell off the scaffolding and on my arm. A string of four lettered words spewed out of my mouth. Other than that, no problems.

Lower portions were a breeze by comparison and Ben had most finished by day 2.

We know this siding choice is different. People seem to love it or hate it. Fortunately, several neighbors have come over to tell us how much they like it. They could love the steel, or just that it’s finished.

Regardless, we’re thrilled. Both with the look and that we’re almost done. To finish off the outside corners, we’re waiting on five pieces to cover the edges. You can see one by the front door.

While Ben was siding (and didn’t need my help), I was inside painting trim and a few walls. Here’s a peek at the first coat in our bedroom. As the McDonald’s slogan goes, “I’m lovin’ it.”

Hopefully tomorrow we’ll get our siding trim pieces to wrap things up. Once that’s finished, we can take down the scaffolding and get working on kitchen plans. Wishing you all a fun and productive weekend.

Siding of Steel

Published on November 3, 2014November 3, 2014 by Our Humble Abode17 Comments

On Friday, Ben got the call we’ve been waiting for. Our steel siding is done and ready to pick up. Hooray, we can actually finish the outside of our house! However, we did stray slightly from our original plan.

Using corrugated rust steel was always the intention, until we started weighing the pros and cons. Corrugated is more rigid and larger panels mean quicker install. However, the 40 inch wide panels can make some cuts more difficult. All exposed screws must be lined up to keep it looking nice, too.

So, what’s the other option? Standing seam steel, that has a board and batten look. These panels are 13 inches wide, which is better for intricate cuts and are easier to shimmy into the channels. It is also secured with hidden fasteners, so there are very few exposed screws. Standing seam was actually about 30 cents cheaper than the corrugated, but the hidden clips bump the price up another 50 cents per square foot. After talking with the company, measuring, and giving them our cut list, we placed our order. Then patiently waited for it to be manufactured and tackled a few loose ends inside.

Having never installed steel siding, we thought it best to start on the less visible back side. Which also happens to be the most difficult area with angled cuts, windows and doors, and a few light boxes, too. Overall, install went really smooth. A special steel cutting blade (we bought ours with the steel) makes cuts quick and even. Channels surround the windows and doors, allowing the steel to tuck inside for a tight seam.

Every two feet or so, clips snap on to the steel, and then get screwed into the wall. The next piece covers the edge and the process repeats.

Even with the learning curve and funky cuts, the back took less than a complete weekend to finish.

Ben kind of freaked out the guy when he picked up the steel by jokingly asking, “If I leave this outside, it won’t rust, will it?” Our plan is to see how much it weathers over the winter. If we want to quicken (or even) the process, we can spray it with water.