Our First House – Page 45

Let There Be Light

Published on July 19, 2010September 12, 2012 by Our Humble Abode1 Comment

Ben has a lot of great ideas, especially when it comes to accent lighting. When we added this trim to our master bedroom, Ben got the idea to add hardwired rope lights inside. After taking the time to drill through each header, Ben had the wiring ready. Ben bought 3 to 6 foot long rope light strips from Home Depot. The lengths of the rope lighting depended on the width of the door or window they would go over. Ben plugged the lights in and wired in a dimmer switch. We love how handy the lights are, especially now that we’re waking up in the middle of the night to change diapers.

I had been planning my office for quite some time, but over looked the lighting. Ben suggested we install halogen puck lights to create task lighting. We have two sets, one on each side of the upper cabinets. The lights have two hidden switches located under my marble desktop.

I love how much task lighting I have now. It makes my work so much easier!

How To: Make a Bird Mobile

Published on July 14, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

When I was pregnant, I found this tutorial on how to make a paper bird mobile. I decided to make a little mobile to hang above our son’s crib.

I made some changes along the way, so here is the step-by-step on how to create this mobile:

1. Print the template on plain cardstock or printer paper. I prefer to lightly trace the template on my colored cardstock, giving me the option to erase my lines after the pieces are cut. Cut out one set of the template.

2. Lightly trace the pieces on the cardstock colors of choice. For this mobile, I made three sets of each bird using two different colors of green, chocolate-brown and white cardstock. Be sure to mark the wing slit and hanging hole. Cut out your cardstock pieces and erase your lines.

3. Place your template over a cut out bird body. Use a cutting board and push-pin to poke a hole to thread your string through. Use an exacto knife to make a slit for the wing to go through. Do not make a box, as shown on the template.

4. Slide the wing through the body and fold up slightly.

5. Add a very thin line of Elmer’s glue to each side of the tail on the main body. Slide the cut tail onto the body. Gently squeeze the tail and set it aside to let it dry. After the tail has dried, thread a string through the hole. Tie a few knots on one side and cut the extra off, leaving one to two feet on the other side. The length of the string should vary and will depend on the final hanging height.

6. Buy or cut a tree branch to hang the birds from. I prefer a branch with two or three small branches creating a V or W from one main branch.

7. Tie one piece of fishing line on each end of your branch. If you have a V branch, you will have three pieces. Make the pieces longer than you’ll need, allowing plenty of excess to tie a knot. Tie all pieces together at the desired height from the ceiling.

8. Tie each bird onto the branch, varying the height . Make sure each bird is secured on the branch. Once all birds are tied on, you’re ready to hang your completed mobile. Screw a hook into the ceiling, hang the mobile, stand back and admire!

Take it for Granite

Published on July 8, 2010September 9, 2010 by Our Humble Abode5 Comments

We recently revealed our new DIY dining table, complete with a dark green-black marble top. This isn’t the first (or last) piece of marble or granite in our house. In fact, we have quite a bit in 1 1/4 inch thick slabs and tiles. I thought I’d give a pictoral view showcasnig the granite and marble we have in our home.

All three of our bathrooms have granite-topped vanities.

The main bathroom granite is Giallo San Francisco:

Our master bathroom color is Galaxy Black:

The basement bathroom counters are Verde Maritoka:

Part of my office desktop has Carrera marble, while the other areas have Brazilian Cherry.

Each bathtub has a matching granite sill to rest on. Both the main and master bathrooms have marble tub surrounds, too.

The master bathroom floor is covered in white marble and absolute black granite checkerboard. The main bathroom has white marble floors in a brick lay pattern.

We decided to install granite and marble as some of our window sills to protect them from moisture.

The kitchen and dining room sills are Silver Spark:

Our master bathroom has Carrera Marble:

The half wall by our stairway has a brown granite topper:

Our love of marble extends to a few pieces of furniture other than our dining table. Two small side tables in our guest bedroom have marble tile tops.

This little table had a clear glass top, but it was easily replaced by one 12 inch square tile, left over from our bathroom remodel.

Why limit marble to counter tops when you can have a marble table lamp like this:

Just to recap, we have 4 countertops, 3 tables, 6 window and tub sills, 2 shower surrounds, 1 lamp and we haven’t remodeled our kitchen.

Why do we have so much marble and granite you ask? We love the timeless look, durability and we can get remnant slabs for a great price. And, it’s almost easier to work with than wood.

Fruits of Our Labor

Published on July 6, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

I know I have said before that Ben is obsessed with fruit trees. In the four years we have been married, he has planted 17 fruit trees throughout our property. Sadly, because we had a very rough spring, two peach trees and one pear tree died. Ben is on the search to find replacement trees with no such luck.

Most of our trees are combination trees. There is one main trunk with 3 to 5 varying types of fruit grafted on. We now have 7 cherry trees, 3 apple trees, 3 pear trees, and 2 plum trees.

We have gotten a few pears, apples and cherries from our trees last year, which were the best fruit we’ve had. I’m most excited for our own cherries. There are many small cherries so far:

Here’s a close up:

I can’t wait to taste them!

We have a lot of apples waiting to be made into apple crisp, too:

Have you planted any trees? If so, any fruit trees? What’s your favorite type of tree?

Where’d Ya Get That?

Published on July 1, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble Abode33 Comments

Here’s a source list for items in our house. If you have questions about anything, just ask!

Living Room:

Paint: Wicker Chair by Olympic and Behr’s Vermont Cream color matched in Wal-Mart’s Colorplace brand Rug: Flor Sofa: HOM Furniture Chairs: Dolce Lounge Chair from Target End Tables: Dror by Target Lamps: TJ Maxx Curtains: Target Throw Blanket: TJ Maxx Pillow Covers: Hand Sewn Fabric from Joann Bird Candleholder: Target Picture Frames: Wal-Mart, Target, Michael’s Artwork: Custom made by me Front Door: Home Depot Floors: Original Red Oak Hardwood

Living Room Other Side:

Rocking Chair: Lay-Z-Boy (is now in the basement) Desk: Repainted hand-me-down Desk Chair: Target Black Picture Frame: Target Large Frame: Target

Chair: Hom Furniture Mirror: Garage Sale-only $5.00! Candle Sconces: Linens N Things Pillow: I made it. Here’s how.

Entertainment Center:

Entertainment Center: Custom Built by Ben Door Hardware: Home Depot Modern Bar TV: 32″ Vizio from Costco Silver Picture Frames: TJ Maxx B Monogram: Target Candle Holders: Target Clock: Restoration Hardware on Ebay Tall Blue Vase: Crate and Barrel Short Blue Vase: TJ Maxx Wooden Sculpture: Target Magazine Files: IKEA painted Green Books: Used, Barnes and Noble Print: Made by Me Hour Glass: CB2

Dining Room:

Paint: Mistinted version of Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage (The paint is from Wal Mart and they used the light base. The formula for one gallon is B-37, E-39.5, and T-37. This is the color used in our basement, too. It can look more green in some light) and Behr’s Vermont Cream-both color matched at Wal-Mart Dining Table: DIY Table Chairs: World Market Rug: Flor Curtains: Hand Sewn from Fabric From Hancock Fabrics Fruit Bowl: Thrift Store Plates: Linens N Things and Target Candle Sticks: Target Light Fixture: CB2 Curtain Rod: Wal-Mart Floors: Original Red Oak Hardwood

Guest Bedroom:

Paint: Restoration Hardware’s Sea Green, color matched to Behr and Behr’s Vermont Cream Headboard: Free from an apartment tenant Floral Bedding: Ross Sheets: Linens N Things Blue King Pillows: TJ Maxx Striped Pillow: Hand Sewn from Fabric from Joann Picture Frame: From my Great Grandma Photo: Forsyth Park Fountain taken on our Honeymoon in Savannah, GA White Nightstand: Built by Ben Lamp: Target Clock: World Market Candle Sconces: Bed, Bath and Beyond Curtains: Wal-Mart Curtain Rod: Target Apothecary Jar of Shells: Michael’s Pendant: DIY with coffee filters

Guest Bedroom Other Side:

Mirror: Found in the Trash-from Target Bedside Carafe: Two Glasses from World Market Shell: Target Artwork in the Hall: Family Tree made by Me

Main Bathroom:

Paint: Behr’s Vermont Cream and Restoration Hardware’s Lilac Vanity: Built by Ben out of Maple Drawer Pulls: Home Depot Countertop: Giallo San Francsico Granite Remnant Vessel Sink and Faucet: E bay Mirror: Reused from Remodel Light Fixtures: Home Depot Picture, Frame and Mat: Michael’s Glass Box: World Market Soap Pump: Target Lotion: Bath and Body Works Candles and Jars: Target Purple Towels: Target White Towels: Linens N Things

Main Bathroom Shower:

White and Grey Marble Tile (also on floors): Home Depot Faucet: Delta at Home Depot Shower Curtain: Target Towel Bar and Toilet Paper Holder: Home Depot

Master Bedroom:

Paint: Restoration Hardware’s Bay Laurel and Behr’s Vermont Cream Bed: Custom Built by Ben Coverlet: IKEA Pillow Shams: Linens N Things Throw Pillow: Hand Embroidered by Me Nightstand: IKEA Lamps: Home Depot Clock: World Market Pictures: E Bay Picture Frames: Michael’s Curtains: Wal-Mart Curtain Rods: Wal-Mart

Master Bedroom Other Side:

Mirror: Michael’s Upholstered Bench: HOM Furniture

Master Bathroom:

Paint: Behr’s Vermont Cream and Restoration Hardware’s Bay Laurel Curtains: Wal-Mart Floors: Absolute Black and White Marble from Home Depot Toilet: Kohler Highline from Home Depot Vanity: Built by Ben Countertop: Galaxy Black Remnant Ben Finished Shower Curtain: Target Towels: Target Towel Bar and Toilet Paper Holder: Home Depot Clock: Gift

Boy’s Bedroom:

Paint: Ralph Lauren’s Riesling and Behr’s Vermont Cream Crib: Garage Sale Dresser: Hand Me Down Curtains: Wal Mart Curtain Rods: Home Depot Crib Blanket: Crocheted by Me Sheets: Target Crib Skirt: Target Rocking Chair: Family chair Storage Bin: Tuesday Mornings Mobile: Made by Me Owl: Made by Me Silhouette: Made by Me E and V: Hobby Lobby Pillows: Made by Me

Bed: Hand Me Down Painted Red Bedding: Target Stuffed Animals: Kohl’s Pillows: Hand sewn by me Footprint Art: Inked Feet of my Boys Artwork: Canvas Painted by Me Bookshelf: Hand Me Down

Office:

Paint: Benjamin Moore’s Raisin and Behr’s Vermont Cream Cabinets and Shelving: Custom Built by Ben Countertops: Brazilian Cherry and Carrera Marble Desk Chair: IKEA Desk Lamp: Target Storage Boxes and Magazine Files: IKEA Curtains: Hand Sewn from Fabric from Hancock Fabrics White Marble Vases: Restoration Hardware Small Blue Vase: Target Little Bird: Felt Pincushion from Etsy Picture Frames on Shelves: Target Map Frame: Michael’s Map: Art.com Light Fixture: Home Depot Magnetic Tins: IKEA

Office Bookshelves:

Chair: Target Accent Table: Target Picture Frame on Table: Target White Vase: Target (was a reed diffuser) Storage Boxes: IKEA Brown Frames: Hobby Lobby Art in Brown Frames: My modern portraits Drawing Figure: IKEA Rose Candle Holders: Michael’s, Big Lots and Ross Bird Art: Custom Painted by Me Orange Clock: Hobby Lobby Wire Buildings: Target Butterfly Artwork: Custom Made by Me Globes: Garage Sales and Target Vacation Jars: Hobby Lobby filled with vacation items Books: Barnes and Noble, Thrift Stores and Garage Sales