Home Improvement

Worse Before Better

Published on March 24, 2014March 24, 2014 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

We’re making progress in the family room, after leaving it nearly the same since move in.

This is what progress looks like:

Yes, at first, progress always looks like a big mess. It has to get worse before it can look better. We pulled down the old, upside down (?!) crown before installing the new trim. I forgot to take pictures, but here you can see it in the basement:

We know the previous owner liked to do things his own way, but we’re not fans of the look. Especially compared to properly installed crown via This Old House:

So, down came the old stuff, leaving small nail holes in the ceiling. Filling with joint compound isn’t difficult, just another step added to my list. Two if you count sanding.

Along with caulking seams and filling nail holes in the new trim. While I had the filler out, I removed all nails and spackled old nail holes (there were many).

Trim around the entry hasn’t gotten the full treatment yet, but will once we break the ladders out. After that, painting the last white coat and walls.

We’re crownless in parts of the dining room until we swap the door for a window with a header. At that point, we’ll run a solid piece across.

For now, and hopefully not much longer, we have a lovely patchwork of colors and textures.

I’m carving out time this week to get the trim, ceiling, and walls painted.

Reader Question: Bathroom Fixtures

Published on March 21, 2014 by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

When we remodeled the master bathroom, we chose a few less often used products that we hoped we’d love. But we had back up plans if we didn’t. Luckily it has all worked out well.

A stainless steel shower pan and countertop. Skipping a glass wall and using two curtains in place. Because they’re kind of unusual, we’ve gotten several questions: What do we think of the stainless? Is is slick/slippery? Hard to clean? Do the curtains actually keep water in? Is it cold? Now that we’ve used the bathroom for a few months, I thought I’d give my review. Here’s how the stainless shower pan typically looks:

It has water spots. Which would typically bother the crap out of me, but it only half bugs me. The whole pan gets wet at the same time, so it’s more uniform than little droplets. We’re testing out stainless steel cleaners to find one we’re happy with. So far, we haven’t found the one.

I’ve used mineral oil on the countertop, and it shines like a new quarter.

If I didn’t have to worry about the slickness, I’d use it on the shower, too. I’m afraid it’d make the pan slick and greasy. Any stainless cleaners you love? Overall, we’re really happy with the stainless function and wipeability. But it’d be nice to get rid of the water spots, even on the brushed nickel faucet.

A few scratches are on the counter, but they’re barely noticeable and just give it character.

As for the shower curtains, they work really well to keep the water in. It’s really not much different from the main bathroom tub/shower combo with a curtain in that regard. The only difference is that we have to use a suction cup/plastic loop combo to keep the convection current from pushing the curtains in.

I think the reason we have this problem is because our curtain is only two inches from the ceiling, the heat can’t escape quickly. Thus sucking the bottom in. Unlike the tub, there’s nothing for the curtain to cling to either. We have a suction cup with a hook at each corner and I sewed plastic rings to each end to keep the curtains taught while in use. It’s annoying to have the added step, but still better than having to keep a glass wall spot free in my book. If only the stainless were magnetic, we could drop little magnets in pockets to keep it closed.

As for the cold factor, the curtains do a decent (not great, but good) job keeping the shower heat in. Once the curtain is open though, even a crack, it’s freezing. Overall, we’re very happy with the updated bathroom. Now if we could just get a good stainless cleaner or polish.

Feeling Groovy

Published on March 19, 2014March 18, 2014 by Our Humble Abode3 Comments

Adding the West Elm Mobile Chandelier and vintage Longhorns added some interest to our blank entry. But it was (and still is, really) a far cry from what I’d consider finished. I mean, half torn off, waiting to be replaced crown doesn’t scream finished. In fact, it looks awful.

As do the peach, heavily textured knock down walls throughout the entry, living, and dining rooms. It looks the worst on the large 12 foot expanse. But, we did take a big step in the finished direction this weekend. Luckily, Ben and I are both fans of painted tongue and groove strips; a great cover up option for ugly walls. We’ve got a blank slate accent wall.

I’ve never had an accent wall. We started with tongue and groove planks, starting level with the entry floor, then down and up from there. Nailing into studs to secure the boards in place.

Going down was easy, just a few angled cuts along the stairs. But going up wasn’t so smooth. Being 12 feet off the floor on the right side, and 16 off the left made it tricky to get everything to the top. Fortunately Ben knows his way around a wobbly ladder. Me? Not so much.

I tried priming the wall, starting at the top, but my short T Rex-ish arms couldn’t reach. Though he thought it hilarious, he instead took over the priming and painting.

This pine has heavy grain and knots, so it has plenty of character and texture. Even when painted. But still looks neutral to allow the light and horns to be the real focal points.

Though this railing isn’t my favorite, it looks significantly better against crisp white.

We still have some trim pieces to add before putting the final coat of paint on. The angled trim pieces along the stairs are only 1/2 inch thick, so I’d like to add a cap to thicken it up.

We did this on the planked side, and it adds just enough thickness for the boards to sit against.

Crown can go up around the entry, living, and most of the dining next. Again, the lone piece isn’t the look we’re going for.

Except the back dining wall, where the 8 foot door goes to the ceiling. We’ll have to add crown there after we’ve replaced the door with a window and a normal sized header.

But, I’m willing to paint the room, even if the windows and trim will change soon. Those peach walls have been here too long. I’ll paint the dark garage door and new railing white for a seamless look.

Rug Exchange

Published on March 12, 2014 by Our Humble Abode16 Comments

Over a year ago, we added large-scale floral rug to the living room and put our old grid rug in the family room. It certainly brightened things up, but I’ve never been completely happy with the large rugs we currently own.

Especially after we bought a clean lined Mission style dining table. The floral pattern felt too busy and didn’t match the table style.

This weekend we made a simple switch. While working on the family room ceiling, I pulled all furniture out-of-the-way. Before putting it back, I tossed out the idea of swapping the grid and floral rugs. Ben and I moved the table and laid the simple rug under.

Wouldn’t you know, I love the change?!

The geometric design pairs nicely with the dining set and balances the dark wood better.

But I’m still not satisfied with the remaining rugs. While I’m happy with the quality of the floral rugs, the look doesn’t fit in with my end goal.

For the living room, I’d really, really love the Marquis Wool Rug from West Elm:

In my head, the Marquis rug with the Flexsteel Rachael sofa would be a great base for our living room.

Another light, simple geometric rug. Should pair nicely with the dining grid rug. Just enough pattern to add interest, but not enough to draw attention. And the beige/gray/cream mix can go with anything. With select rugs 30% off right now, I was close to pulling the trigger, but the 9 by 12 size isn’t currently available. Womp womp. Back to the rugs we do have. The displaced floral rug is in the family room, for now. You know, until I find something I love.

I do like the added interest and color, but I had gotten used to the simpler look.

Maybe a jute rug to calm the space? Oddly enough, I’m trying to convince Ben we should layer a cowhide rug in. He’s not into it, which is strange because this was the situation when I met him:

While this house was mostly typical plain 70’s (later installed inlay diagonal wood floors and six panel doors excluded), I’m trying to add in more rustic pieces. After all, this is Montana, even if we are in the city. Working in the dining set, Longhorns, our DIY console, and popular (around here at least) Craftsman-style trim are just a few touches so far.

I’m naturally attracted to modern furniture. The clean lines get me every time. I find I like a mix of the two a lot lately. And the cow rug could look really fun with the modern chairs and coffee table. What do you think of the options? Any rugs you love that would work well in either of these spaces?

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.