living room

Ketchup and Mustard

Published on August 22, 2012October 9, 2012 by Our Humble Abode12 Comments

Going on in our living room.

See what I mean? Of course it won’t stay like this forever. Painting will happen, probably white for the sides with yellow for the backs. While we’re liking more modern and industrial element for this house, I wouldn’t call this look industrial. More like unfinished. More trim work, framing out the cabinets, and building doors to cover the cabinets still to come.

Let’s not forget the drawers at the bottom for ample storage.

The shelves are stationary, support cleats holding each in place.

Ultimately, these cabinets will have a similar look to the kitchen cabinets we built. Wrapped at the top with crown molding, shaker style trim on the sides, and shaker doors. Instead of glass inside, we’ll use fabric to help cut down on dusty electronics while allowing heat and sound to escape. Oh, and to hide the ugly speakers.

Speakers are ugly, but the cords are even uglier. Fortunately, Ben is a cord ninja. A one inch space at the back of the shelves makes tucking cords behind easy.

Drilling a hole just above the center shelf runs the cords along the back shelf (out of sight) through a hole, down the wall, to the TV.

Now I’ve got to go paint shelves so we can actually use them and get the bookshelf out of here. You know, between caulking/filling holes/priming in the bathroom, scraping wallpaper in the kitchen, and taking care of two crazy kids. No biggie. Haha.

What do you think? How do you store your electronics? Or hide cords?

{Silver} Dropping In

Published on March 6, 2012March 26, 2013 by Our Humble Abode24 Comments

Since we finished the sheet rock work in the kitchen, we’ve needed to paint the living room. I procrastinated because I don’t like painting and once I started on the living room, I’d need to carry the color down the hall. On Thursday, I picked out a paint color, Silver Drop by Behr (color matched to Glidden) and got started. Nothing like selling a house to get your butt in gear, right?

I started by taking the pictures down and repainting the trim, just to cover any areas where the original tan color may have seeped under.

I filled about 50 nail holes at the same time.

Using Frog Tape, I taped off all the trim. There goes a whole roll.

The boys decided to make a fort out of the rearranged furniture.

Then I started rolling. And rolled, and rolled, and rolled. And that’s when I remembered why I usually make Ben roll.

After doing paint related work all day, I finally finished just as Ben was getting home. When I asked him to start peeling tape he didn’t understand. I told him I had just finished the second coat. He was amazed I had done it alone.

It’s lighter than I would usually go with, but I thought it might be better for resale.

The hall feels so much brighter.

I’m not going to bother hanging pictures before we move. It’s not worth the effort. So I’ll stare at blank walls for the next month or so. It already feels strangely sterile.

You’ve seen our most recent painting adventure. What is your favorite gray color? Do you prefer light or dark colors?

Good Mood (Board): Living Room

Published on November 29, 2011October 9, 2012 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

We’re participating in Cassity’s Good Mood (Board) series, this time working in the living room.

Yesterday, Cassity, Beth, and Ashley shared their mood boards. Today, I have the privilege to post along with Allison from House of Hepworths and Cristin from Simplified Bee.

Before we share our mood board, take a look at our inspiration photo.

I’ve had this bookshelf saved for several months now, and I still love it. The styling is fantastic, and that sunny yellow back is divine. To get a similar preppy and happy look in your home, stick with bold yellows, neutral gray, oil rubbed bronze metals, white ceramics, and nature inspired elements. Here’s our interpretation of it:

Paint the walls First Snowfall by Benjamin Moore (1618) or Silver Crest (1583) for a soft blue. Or neutral walls painted with Heaven (2118) or Gray Owl (2137) will make the yellow pop even more. Delightful Yellow (335) or Sunburst (2023-40) are perfect yellow accents.

For the major pieces, I like to stick with neutrals. This tailored sofa from World Market has clean lines, which should translate well over the years. A bluish-gray patterned rug adds a pattern with out being distracting and taking attention away from yellow accents. Keep a few light weight chairs, like these wishbone chairs, for additional seating to pull around the room.

Storage is a necessity in any living space. Ikea’s Expidet storage system is cheap, good-looking, and easily customized. Back the unit with thin plywood or MDF painted a sunny yellow for a splash of color you can change out with a coat of paint.

Give this side table a coat of oil rubbed bronze spray paint for a darker finish. An industrial metal and wood coffee table on casters not only provides warmth, but you’ll love being able to move it around easily for large gatherings or game nights.

Give the room your personal touch with accessories. Carry the bold yellow throughout the room in splashes, like these chic lamps. Etsy is a wonderful place to shop for hand-made home accessories. A bird pillow cover from Joom is cute and cozy. Balance the cute with a gray designer pillow from Milk and Cookies, another Etsy favorite of mine. Or try our your sewing skills by making this felt circle pillow. While I love hand-made accessories, CB2’s rise pillow is great, too.

Last but not least, deck your walls with nature inspired art. Our bird, tree, and feather gallery wall has all the colors of the inspiration: black, white, yellow, and blue. Hang a deer head above the fireplace or in a corner for a dose of fun.

For more mood board fun, check out Design Dump and the rest of the mood boards tomorrow.