Category: Office/Library

2010 Gifting: Modern Portraits

Published on by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

Are you still looking for that perfect, custom gift?  Maybe you have a really picky person or someone who has everything.  I’m pretty sure even the pickiest person would love to have a custom art piece.  Am I right?  Well, we’re just introduced our modern black and white portrait line, custom-made from your photos. 

To get one for yourself or to gift, simply send a few of your favorite photos to ourhumbleabowed@gmail.com.  Please send photos in the highest quality possible. 

Your photo will go from this:

Runny nose optional.  With a little artistic editing, your plain photo will magically be transformed to this:

Want to see that again?  Okay, here’s the original, straight from the camera shot:

And here’s a custom, one of a kind art print.

If you would like to place an order, please head over to our Etsy shop.  For a limited time only, we’re having a buy one modern portrait print, get the same for only $15.00.  Your modern portrait doesn’t have to be a print, how about stationery instead?  Become a fan of Our Humble A{Bowe}d on Facebook (and tell us before checkout) to receive 10% off your order, too!

Here are a few other gift ideas we love: DIY Silhouette Art, Holiday Gift Sets, and a 2011 Calendar.

Almost 2011?

Published on by Our Humble Abode1 Comment

That’s right, folks.  We’re only two months away from a new year.  What does that mean?  You’ll need a new calendar, of course!  Look no further because Our Humble A{Bowe}d’s 2011 calendar has been released.

This 5 inch wide by 7.75 inch tall 2011 desk calendar features a light grey faux bois background with seasonal word formed in the grain.  Days of the week, numbers and months are charcoal grey.  Each month features a different color border.


This calendar can be customized with new colors and words, so please ask!

Calendars are printed on 110 pound smooth white cover stock.  Also includes one small binder clip for binding and hanging.

The border for January is Pool Blue with Resolution in the grain.

                       February is Rose Red with Love in the grain.

                       March is Spring Green with Spring in the grain.

                       April is Petal Pink with Showers in the grain.

                       May is Mustard Yellow with Flowers in the grain.

                       June is Grass Green with Summer in the grain.

                       July is Bold Blue with Freedom in the grain.

                       August is Lilac with Relax in the grain.

                       September is Leaf Red with Remember in the grain.

                       October is Pumpkin Orange with Fright in the grain.

                       November is Eggplant with Thankful in the grain.

                       December is Icicle Blue with Merry in the grain.

If you’re interested in this new 2011 calendar, head on over to my Etsy shop and pick one up.

Mom Cave?

Published on by Our Humble Abode14 Comments

Yeah, it’s the new version of the Man Cave.  My mom cave is my nearly finished office. 

We (when I say ‘we’, I mean Ben) still need to build cabinet doors and drawers and add some finishing touches with accessories.  The bookshelf could be decorated with bright colors to add some pop to play off the neutral white and chocolate color scheme. 

I will say that it has come a long way.  Before we started, our entire basement was a concrete shell: concrete floors and concrete walls.  Add a ton of sheet rock, miles of trim, 700 square feet of tile and a few custom-built cabinets and we are getting closer.

The other wall serves as our library, and floor to ceiling bookshelves were built to suit. 

My office is my place to escape, to read blogs, and work on orders for my Etsy shop.  This is my mom cave, which happens to neighbor Ben’s man cave.  Funny how that works.

Lions and Tigers and Chairs?

Published on by Our Humble Abode8 Comments

I love Minnesota, land o’ lakes and home of Target.  I know Target stores are everywhere, but you haven’t lived for Target unless you’ve been to the Target stores in Minnesota.  What’s so great, you ask?  It seems the Minnesota Targets have the best clearance deals, ever.  Six or so months ago, I purchased this set of modern stacking chairs for $69.99 from our local Target. 

A few weeks ago, our Target had a clearance sale of said chairs, for $49.99.  I decided to buy another set, but was disappointed to find that both of our local Targets were sold out of the espresso color.  Wah-wah.  Imagine my delight when I spotted about 12 sets of chairs in a Minnesota Target on our recent vacation.  I snatched two sets (yes, four chairs.  Hey, they stack so we’ll save space, but have extra seating for parties!) for $69.96.  Yep, four chairs for the price of my original two. 

I also scored a few other deals, like this tissue cover for $3.74.  I know you are wondering why I would want a tissue cover, but I do have a plan for it.  And it doesn’t involve covering tissues.

I also got a super cool Umbra double soap pump for the kitchen for $3.49 and a new quilt for Vincent’s bed.  Stay tuned for details soon.

Trim: Office

Published on by Our Humble Abode12 Comments

While planning my office, I fell in love with a box pattern so much, that we added it as trim.  The custom cabinets Ben built were already in place, so we wanted to have the top of the trim match the top of the cabinets.

Our cabinets are 36 inches high, not including the Brazilian cherry top, so our total trim height is 36 inches.

After determining the trim height, measure each wall, marking the center.  If you have cabinets, mark the center of the area between the wall and cabinet to make the design centered on the visible area.  Then, mark the center of the height.  The easiest way to calculate the center is to add the height of the baseboard and top trim pieces then subtract that number from your total height.  For example, we used 5 inch base board, 2 inch top trim and a 1 inch thick ‘shelf.’  Subrtact 8 from 36 to get 28 inches.  Now, divide in half and mark.

To create your box grid trim, first install the baseboard.  Now you’re ready to start creating the boxes.

We wanted 10 inches of space inside the boxes, so Ben marked 5 inches each side from his center lines.  We cut 3/4 inch thick MDF sheets to our dimensions, but you can also use square stock trim.

After ripping down the pieces, Ben cut the horizontal box trim 14 inches long to allow the vertical box pieces to butt into the horizontals.  Secure the horizontal pieces to the wall, keeping level.  Once the horizontals are in, add the vertical pieces to complete the box.  After completing one box, measure from the outside of the box to the baseboard and top trim.  Cut several pieces to length, ours are 7 inches on all sides,  nailing centered on the box.  Use the additional pieces as spacers to continue creating the boxes.  Repeat, repeat, repeat.  Then, fill the nail holes, sand, prime and paint both the trim and wall.