Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Pretty New Lamps
Here are my pretty new lamps, and my coral lamp from JC Penney that came in the other day!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Fun With Spray Paint
I took some colorful spray paint to some old junky lamps today. The results are pretty fun!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Coming along
We went down to the house again yesterday just for the day. We finalized all our measurements for things. I've been picking up things here and there as I've seen them. I found a really nice wicker settee on Craigslist for $50 bucks and Marshalls had a 15% off sale the other day where I ended up getting four end tables. So I wanted to make sure that everything was going to fit!
We also met with the contractor who is fixing up the house. We know everything we're doing except the kitchen, which we should figure out in the next few days. The big question is whether we will spend the money to turn the kitchen window into a door and build a little deck off the back. It would be really nice. It's all a question of money. (What isn't?)
He also had a great idea for the hall bathroom. He suggested putting beadboard up over the tile to hide it. Then we will rip down the bath surround and put up tile and reglaze the tub. I guess I have to see how much it will all cost--whether that's significantly cheaper than just ripping out the whole bathroom.
I don't think putting beadboard up OVER tile is exactly kosher, but he seems to think it will work.
My fabric came in. It's beautiful. I think the sofas are going to be really pretty.
For color, I think we're going with Benjamin Moore Atrium White. Picking out a white paint is harder than you'd think. There are so many whites! It's confusing. But Atrium White had a tiny bit of pink in it and it seemed to warm up the place. So I think that's the winner. I want to use the matte sheen..which is supposedly a washable flat. The walls are textured and not in super great condition, so I need the flat to hide imperfections. But with a kid and a dog and cat, I need washable.
Anyway, I'm really excited. We walked down to the water again and Gideon was very excited and wanted to go in one of the canoes down there. We had to explain that they were not our boats and it was FREEZING! But we'll definitely do that over the summer. There's also a really nice walking/biking path up the street that goes through the park and the bay is just a few blocks away. Then it's just a short drive to the boardwalk...and there's the water park...and the ampitheater with all the concerts out on the lawn. There's so much fun stuff down there in the summers. I am really looking forward to this summer.
We also met with the contractor who is fixing up the house. We know everything we're doing except the kitchen, which we should figure out in the next few days. The big question is whether we will spend the money to turn the kitchen window into a door and build a little deck off the back. It would be really nice. It's all a question of money. (What isn't?)
He also had a great idea for the hall bathroom. He suggested putting beadboard up over the tile to hide it. Then we will rip down the bath surround and put up tile and reglaze the tub. I guess I have to see how much it will all cost--whether that's significantly cheaper than just ripping out the whole bathroom.
I don't think putting beadboard up OVER tile is exactly kosher, but he seems to think it will work.
My fabric came in. It's beautiful. I think the sofas are going to be really pretty.
For color, I think we're going with Benjamin Moore Atrium White. Picking out a white paint is harder than you'd think. There are so many whites! It's confusing. But Atrium White had a tiny bit of pink in it and it seemed to warm up the place. So I think that's the winner. I want to use the matte sheen..which is supposedly a washable flat. The walls are textured and not in super great condition, so I need the flat to hide imperfections. But with a kid and a dog and cat, I need washable.
Anyway, I'm really excited. We walked down to the water again and Gideon was very excited and wanted to go in one of the canoes down there. We had to explain that they were not our boats and it was FREEZING! But we'll definitely do that over the summer. There's also a really nice walking/biking path up the street that goes through the park and the bay is just a few blocks away. Then it's just a short drive to the boardwalk...and there's the water park...and the ampitheater with all the concerts out on the lawn. There's so much fun stuff down there in the summers. I am really looking forward to this summer.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sofa and Estimate
I ordered the fabric for the sofas and chair today. It was a mess, but I got it ordered. I had to find one of the fabrics on ebay because JoAnn didn't have enough. Waverly is discontinuing it.
Here are the fabrics I chose. The stripe isn't the right one, but it's similar. The green goes on the botton seats cushions of the couches. The pink is on the seat backs of the couches. The cabana print is on the chair and two throw pillows. The stripe is the cording for the couches.
I also got the estimate back from the gentleman who can do the heavy work. The more I thought about how we would do a lot of the fixing up ourselves, the more I realized it would be harder than I thought because of location and our son. So if we can make the numbers work, it would certainly be easier for someone else to do the hard stuff!
...Although I love home improvement projects! I'll meet with my dad tomorrow and talk about numbers and then I'll know better where we stand.
Here are the fabrics I chose. The stripe isn't the right one, but it's similar. The green goes on the botton seats cushions of the couches. The pink is on the seat backs of the couches. The cabana print is on the chair and two throw pillows. The stripe is the cording for the couches.
I also got the estimate back from the gentleman who can do the heavy work. The more I thought about how we would do a lot of the fixing up ourselves, the more I realized it would be harder than I thought because of location and our son. So if we can make the numbers work, it would certainly be easier for someone else to do the hard stuff!
...Although I love home improvement projects! I'll meet with my dad tomorrow and talk about numbers and then I'll know better where we stand.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Hmmm
My plan to recover my parents' old midcentury modern sofas isn't going so well.
I thought it would be a cheap way to get some cool couches, but it turns out that recovering sofas is only cheap if you know how to sew. Which I really don't. I took a few classes last year, but I've already forgotten how to thread the sewing machine and I have no faith in myself--even though I know cushions are EASY. I want welting. And welting is a little harder.
Plus, it's hard to justify when I can go to Value City furniture and actually buy a couch and a loveseat brand new for what it would cost to recover the old couches.
I haven't decided what I'm going to do, but it's kind of annoying.
I thought it would be a cheap way to get some cool couches, but it turns out that recovering sofas is only cheap if you know how to sew. Which I really don't. I took a few classes last year, but I've already forgotten how to thread the sewing machine and I have no faith in myself--even though I know cushions are EASY. I want welting. And welting is a little harder.
Plus, it's hard to justify when I can go to Value City furniture and actually buy a couch and a loveseat brand new for what it would cost to recover the old couches.
I haven't decided what I'm going to do, but it's kind of annoying.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Wallpaper and Fabric
An easy way to get beadboard in your bathroom?
I love this fabric by Waverly but even with a 50 percent off coupon, it's still more than I want to pay. Apparently, there's a Walmart in Ashland that still sells fabric. I'll have to take a look.
I love this fabric by Waverly but even with a 50 percent off coupon, it's still more than I want to pay. Apparently, there's a Walmart in Ashland that still sells fabric. I'll have to take a look.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Clever Outdoor Shower Idea
I have a lust for outdoor showers. This summer we made a "ghetto" outdoor shower in our backyard from a garden stake, a water hose and a nozzle. We even covered it with a shower curtain, but I still felt too weird to really shower out there.
So I really want a nice, outdoor shower at a beach house. And a heated one would be even better! But I don't know if it's in the budget to run the hot water out of the house..we shall see. There are a lot more pressing things to take care of first.
So I thought this idea was pretty clever. This person has rigged a tankless gas water heater through their outdoor shower. It looks cute and seems very economical.
So I really want a nice, outdoor shower at a beach house. And a heated one would be even better! But I don't know if it's in the budget to run the hot water out of the house..we shall see. There are a lot more pressing things to take care of first.
So I thought this idea was pretty clever. This person has rigged a tankless gas water heater through their outdoor shower. It looks cute and seems very economical.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Ideas
Right now I'm leaning toward an IKEA kitchen with the white Applad or Stat cabinets. Stat looks a little more beachy/country with the paneling. I might be able to mix and match them. Stat cost a little more, and we are trying to be VERY frugal.
Stat cabinets
Applad cabinets
Countertops will be dark. The contractor said he'd seen 24 inch granite tiles locally with bullnose edges, but I'll also look at the Ikea countertops when we go up.
Floors will, I think, be black and white checkerboard. I'd really like something like Marmoleum, but the best bet might either be sheet vinyl or ceramic tiles. Water damage from any possible flooding is an issue.
White appliances. We're trying to find integrated washers and dryers to actually put under the cabinets like many kitchen in Europe have.
I did a mock up today of the space, but a lot of layout choices will come down to the cost of moving electric and plumbing. If we can't afford to do much, I think I still have a pretty workable plan.
Bathrooms I'm thinking white beadboard with subway tiles. Very simple, light and bright!
Stat cabinets
Applad cabinets
Countertops will be dark. The contractor said he'd seen 24 inch granite tiles locally with bullnose edges, but I'll also look at the Ikea countertops when we go up.
Floors will, I think, be black and white checkerboard. I'd really like something like Marmoleum, but the best bet might either be sheet vinyl or ceramic tiles. Water damage from any possible flooding is an issue.
White appliances. We're trying to find integrated washers and dryers to actually put under the cabinets like many kitchen in Europe have.
I did a mock up today of the space, but a lot of layout choices will come down to the cost of moving electric and plumbing. If we can't afford to do much, I think I still have a pretty workable plan.
Bathrooms I'm thinking white beadboard with subway tiles. Very simple, light and bright!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Before: Kitchen
Fridge and space for a dryer. But not the washing machine. That's on the other end of the kitchen!
Water heater in the closet/pantry
Living room. Kitchen on the other side of the wall. Should we knock it down, or a part of it down?
Looking out toward the hall
Space for a dryer beside the fridge and next to the door to the garage
Window with AC unit and baseboard heater. I don't think we can block this. Place for a table and chairs?
Space for a washing machine. Right next to the sink?
Yucky old baseboard heater. We will replace this.
Cabinets and sink and space for washing machine
Counter, stove and fridge
Water heater in the closet/pantry
Living room. Kitchen on the other side of the wall. Should we knock it down, or a part of it down?
Looking out toward the hall
Space for a dryer beside the fridge and next to the door to the garage
Window with AC unit and baseboard heater. I don't think we can block this. Place for a table and chairs?
Space for a washing machine. Right next to the sink?
Yucky old baseboard heater. We will replace this.
Cabinets and sink and space for washing machine
Counter, stove and fridge
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
