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Colorful Cactus & Candles

Published on November 22, 2013November 22, 2013 by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

Last year, our Thanksgiving table was neutral; white, gray, copper, wood, and a dash of gold. This year I went completely opposite. Bright colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and gold.

I found orange and white stripe napkins at Pier 1 for 98 cents each and that set the color scheme and tone. Fun, festive fall colors, with a twist.

In place of flowers, I bought three 3 buck cactus from Home Depot and potted them in cheap glasses. Bonus, I get to enjoy them for more than a week.

To get a little more color, I painted the inside of each glass a different color. Plain acrylic paint so I can wash these out.

But it’s such a fun, happy, cheap way to add a pop. Same story for these confetti candle holders I whipped up. I had the glasses from last year (from Dollar Tree) and used the same acrylic paint to make dots.

Again, these are not permanent. Hot water and soap will clean these off.

A few mini pumpkins add more color and a fall touch.

The centerpieces are simple, because we need plenty of space to eat our feast.

I covered the table with kraft paper, then set out a DIY runner. More details on that next week.

Have you settled on a Thanksgiving color scheme?

Oh, and the winner of the Spruce book giveaway is Jackie! Congrats!!

Eames Inspired

Published on November 20, 2013November 20, 2013 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

In addition to the new shelf, our entry is getting a little much-needed organization. For my next mini project, I took inspiration from the Eames Hang-It-All Coat Rack.

No, I didn’t make a coat rack, though hooks are on my to do list. Instead, I made a cute, colorful round ball sculpture.

We had the live edge wood in the garage, and I found 1 1/2 inch wooden balls and a thin wooden dowel at Hobby Lobby, both 50% off.

A few coats of acrylic craft paint on each ball, using the Eames color scheme as a reference. A little wood glue in the ball hole to hold the random length sticks in place. Then, I drilled holes in the wood base and glued the stick in. The bit I used was slightly bigger, but toothpicks to the rescue. After the glue dried, I sprayed it all with a few coats of clear gloss.

Oh, I bought a new bulb for the lamp, too. Now you don’t see the ugly, too long CFL sticking out.

It’s a fun little piece with happy colors. And the grain of the live edge is amazing.

But it has a purpose. Oh no, this space is too small for a bunch of decorative only nick knacks.

The real purpose is a hat and mitten drying rack.

Now, when V comes home from school, I have a place to put mittens out to dry. Because this is out in the open, we don’t have to look for missing gloves in the mornings. In addition to coat hooks, I want a bin for mail, we need an outlet for the lamp, and I want to recover the ottoman seat in something more colorful.

Demo More

Published on November 18, 2013November 18, 2013 by Our Humble Abode11 Comments

Squeeee! It has begun. Master bathroom reno. It’s on like Donkey Kong. Our shower pan finally came in, so we can start tearing into this project. What looked like this on Friday:

Looks like this now:

Which is super exciting. Even though we’re down one bathroom, this is a good thing, Martha. Our once super closed off shower:

Was carefully torn apart to not damage the plumbing and electrical in the wall.

Ben had fun taking the sledge-hammer to the old tile.

I didn’t get pictures of the shower base, but let me tell you, it was gross. Even with a liner, the poured concrete and tile base leaked. This is the second layer of plywood below the shower.

Which is exactly the reason we waited for our custom stainless steel shower pan. One piece means far fewer places to leak. Exactly the reason we waited for our custom stainless steel shower base.

In about five hours, Ben took out the shower, mirror, toilet, and vanity.

The floor, however, wasn’t as quick. Tiles came up, but the OSB underlayment was a bear. Think tiny pieces.

And we discovered something unexpected. What we just tore out, was a remodel! There’s capped off sink plumbing and an outlet behind the shower walls.

Plumbing came through the floor to feed the sinks, too, so we’re not sure where exactly the tub or shower was before.

We, okay, okay, Ben will have his work cut out for him. Plumbing and electrical to deal with before things will start looking better.

But, this is exciting. So is the stack of tile, lights, and supplies in the garage. Have you started a winter project? Or a bathroom remodel?

Etsy Favs: November

Published on November 15, 2013 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

Consider this an Etsy holiday gift guide, too. Because everything here would make a great gift.

Deck the Walls:

Sol Print by Rachel Levit

Flamingo Gold Print at The Smitten Collection

From the Garden by Clare Elsaesser

Modern Numbers Clock from Uncommon

Our You’re My Lobster Cut Out

Stay Warm and Cozy:

Vintage Turkish Kilim Pillow at The White Pepper

Turkish Beach Towel from Turkish Linens and Towels

Tribal Design Throw Pillow by Palace or Hut

Charcoal and Black Swiss Cross Pillow at Sassy Stitches by Lori

Geometric Wool Pillow from Scout and Whistle

Mustard and Plaid Antler Pillow at Reagan’s Brain

Orange MCM Pillow Cover by Geometric Electric

Accent Your Home:

Cheese Markers from Nelle Design

Vintage Everlast Forged Aluminum Glasses at Pendleton Market

Wood Succulent Planter by Cattails Woodwork

Gray and White Dot Tea Towel from Milkhaus Design

Butting Deer Bookend by Design Atelier Article

Accessorize Her:

Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal Shirt from T Shirt Market

Starry Night Post Earrings at Cute Pendants

Fox Brooch from Silk Purse, Sow’s Ear

Citrine Nugget Necklace by Julie Garland

Silk Ikat Clutch from Kilim Decor

Accessorize Him:

Thin Men’s Wallet at Jack and Bee Designs

Men’s Moose in Snow Shoes T Shirt by Zen Threads

With so many wonderful shops, artists, and great items, Etsy is a one stop online shopping destination. And you’re supporting people and small businesses over the holidays. Skip big box stores and buys something unique and personalized this year. It’ll make the small guys so, so happy. Check out past Etsy Favs for more great ideas.

Console-ation Prize

Published on November 14, 2013November 14, 2013 by Our Humble Abode8 Comments

Our entry is rocking a new look and organization (potential). Just in time for winter.

Though it’s very, very far from done. Our split level entry is cramped, so slim storage is key. The little accent table wasn’t offering much in that department.

After seeing a stack of old siding in the pool house, I knew what I wanted.

Using coarse sandpaper, I took off the super rough texture and most of the blue paint. I asked Ben to cut the tongue and groove off the old boards. He did, then built a 36 inch wide by 6 1/2 inch deep by 7 1/2 inch tall rectangle.

Wanting the imperfections, I left the nail and old staple holes, and blue paint in the knots. Using my new friend, Teak Oil, I coated the shelf and let it cure.

It darkened the cedar a little, adding warmth and bringing out the character. And these knots, I’m smitten.

We used screws directly in studs to hold this bad boy up. Now for the fun part, accessorizing.

Because this shelf is only 6.5 inches deep, I bought a small desk lamp at Target. Right now, it’s purely decorative, as there are no outlets in the entry. Hopefully soon. The cute hexagon paper mâchê tray is too deep. Looks like I’ll have to make another.

A light, but sturdy ottoman (Target clearance!) is the perfect perch for putting on or taking off shoes.

I’m working on a mitten drying system to sit on top of the shelf. The ottoman would look nice with a fun fabric. And we’ll need hooks for coats and purses. I really wish I wasn’t afraid to stand on a ladder over stairs because the peach paint and textured wall drives me friggin’ bonkers! I’ve planted a cover up idea seed with Ben, so we’ll see if it grows or dies.