Small Projects – Page 17

Simple Solutions: Lighting

Published on January 17, 2011 by Our Humble Abode14 Comments

Along with replacing out dated hardware, changing light fixtures can make a big impact. Before we were married, Ben installed oil rubbed bronze lights in our kitchen, hallway and dining room. We began the phase out process of oil rubbed bronze on the main level when we installed a drum shade over our DIY dining table.

Then we replaced the ceiling fan in the guest room for a coffee filter pendant.

Anyway, we chose brushed nickel flushmount lights. I would have loved a semi flush fixture like the one in our master bedroom, but couldn’t due to the linen closet door swing. Here’s what we started with.

Notice the junction box with out a fixture? Yeah, that needed to be fixed, too. After about 20 minutes, we had two new lights in our kitchen. After a little work in the kitchen, Ben moved onto the hallway.

And here’s what we have now.

Our upper level lighting is much more cohesive now. We still have a ceiling fan to replace in the boys’ room, but the rest of the lighting is either brushed nickel or white (fabric or coffee filters). Anyone out there inspired to change out their old light fixtures?

Office Storage: Revealed

Published on January 13, 2011 by Our Humble Abode21 Comments

To continue our bookshelf week, we’ll share our office storage system and what’s inside. Sounds like fun, no? Well, hold on to your seats because this is a wild ride. We’ll start with my wall o’ shelves. Here’s an overall picture, just for reference.

First up, these IKEA storage boxes hold my assorted envelopes.

The storage boxes to the right hold overflow and odd sized envelopes, ink cartridges, and miscellaneous junk because I don’t have drawers yet.

The large boxes at the very bottom in the center hold 12 inch by 12 inch scrapbook paper. Below those, boxes store fabric, yarn and thread.

In the far right column, I have a row of magazine files, some empty, some not.

Let’s take a look inside.

These two files have tutorial books, including a trim, origami, and Ben’s workout book. Another has the boy’s baby books and other baby items like a baptismal candle.

A few more files hold mine and Ben’s baby books and cards from our wedding and showers. To the far right is a spiral bound scrapbook.

That completes the wall of shelves, but what’s above my desk? Glad you asked!

To the right, my stock of papers fill a row of magazine files. I found three-ring binders that look similar to the magazine files at Office Depot a few years ago. One keeps samples of my designs. Another is empty but I like to keep it out so I have room to expand. Helpful hint: The binders also work great to store cds and dvds. We removed the pages from a four square dvd file and placed them in the prettier file and it’s great!

To the left of my desk I have a few more magazine files (gotta love ’em) storing mailing labels. Next to those are two boxes for mailing envelopes and files.

Oh, I created simple labels for everything, too. I know, my OCD tendencies are back, but at least it’s useful!

Above that, I have a shelf that looks purely decorative.

But I’ve got a secret. I use those pretty marble vessels to store extra paper clips, rubber bands, and pencils.

Pretty sneaky, huh? That completes our office storage for the day. I want to know if you have any helpful hints or surprise decorative storage in your home?

P.S. All the magazine files and storage boxes hail from mother Sweden (aka IKEA). The boxes are part of the Kassett series and the files are the Flyt $1.99 for 5. Great price when you need so many and surprisingly durable!

It’s a New Year!

Published on January 4, 2011 by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

To kick off the new year, we’re sharing our revised to do list.

Here is our list from June:

1. Remodel our kitchen.

2. Pour a new concrete patio.

3. Refinish our hardwood floors.

4. Finish part of our laundry and close the ugly out.

5. Complete our steam room/shower.

6. ~~Clean and stain our fence~~. Build gates.

And some of our smaller projects:

1. Repaint our interior doors and replace hardware.

2. ~~New dining table and chairs.~~

3. Update bedroom and ~~hall light fixtures.~~

4. Finish drawers and doors for basement office, entertainment center and bathroom.

5. Touch up paint throughout the house, fill any cracks with caulking and maybe repaint our living room, hall and dining room.

6. Spray paint our end tables and create new tops.

7. ~~Fill in areas with landscape rock~~.

8. ~~Grout our bathroom seam to prevent leaking.~~

9. ~~Paint front door outside trim white.~~

10. Install a master bathroom fan.

I have crossed off the things we have completed, but we still have so many things to finish (or start!) Here are the most recent additions to our never-ending to do list, starting at the entry:

1. Even out front walkway.

Notice where the pavers meet the concrete…tripping hazard.

2. Build/buy a storage bench and recycling center.

3. Organize entryway and coat closet.

4. Repaint living room, hall, and kitchen.

5. Build a buffet table.

6. Buy or make a new light for the boy’s room.

7. New night stands with storage for the master bedroom.

8. New art for the master bedroom.

9. Get a mirror for the stairwell.

10. Buy, find or make art for the entire basement, including one large piece behind the couch.

11. End tables for the theater room.

12. Decorate the theater room entertainment center, without altering the sound… That is tough. (Finish and hang the sliding doors for the entertainment center)

13. Organize our laundry room, add shelving, and finish the walls. A light switch (and not a pull chain) would be nice.

14. Make a bed and headboard for the small basement bedroom.

15. Buy and install sliding closet doors.

16. Hang curtains and more art for this bedroom.

17. Convince Ben to donate the headboard for the queen sized bed and switch beds from room to room.

18. Convince Ben to get rid of the rarely used exercise equipment.

19. Find a reasonable furniture layout for the large basement bedroom.

20. Clean out the bedroom closet and donate anything we don’t need or use.

Things I’d like to change, but may not:

1. Repaint the backs of the entertainment center shelves.

2. Repaint master bathroom.

3. Make a cool, modern spoon rack.

I’m sure there are plenty more things that I’m missing, but this should keep us busy for now. Do you have long lingering projects looming over your head? I would love to have the doors and drawers done for our basement that we finished nine months ago.

How To: Cloth Napkins

Published on November 24, 2010October 9, 2012 by Our Humble Abode7 Comments

This is a very simple, eco-friendly project. Cloth napkins would make a great addition to a kitchen and dining inspired gift. Add a set of napkins to a set of pretty dishes and it’s a great, usable gift.

To make a set of napkins, pick a pretty quilting or linen type fabric. To get 4 napkins, buy 1 square yard of fabric. Cut into 18 inch squares. Fold opposite sides in about 1/2 inch. Iron to make a nice crease. Then, fold the other sides in 1/2 inch or so, ironing to crease.

Fold opposites over again and press to crease. Pin in place to hold the shape. Iron opposite sides again and pin.

Set your sewing machine to a close straight stitch. Allign the edge of your presser foot with the edge of the napkin and sew. When you reach a corner, keep the needle down, raise the presser foot and turn 90°. Continue sewing until each napkin is complete.

Simple Solutions: Hardware

Published on November 10, 2010November 10, 2010 by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

Is your kitchen boring? Do you have a piece of furniture that needs a quick and cheap update? Simply change or add new hardware.

Our entertainment center had oil rubbed bronze door pulls. I grew tired of the dark hardware, so a quick change of hardware made a big difference.

The new, modern style brushed nickel hardware gave the doors a quick face lift, all for about $12.00.

New hardware is a simple and often very affordable option to update furniture or cabinets. Consider it jewelry and accessorize your home.

After I repainted our pantry, I decided it was time for new handles, so we removed the original boring white knobs and replaced them with the same sleek brushed nickel handles.