tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59199313216295989102024-03-13T13:33:07.986-07:00Armstrong Drive.Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-34493270510418385192013-05-03T17:50:00.001-07:002013-05-03T17:51:27.371-07:00Master Bathroom.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DOdG608q7zazydqdfMs_D3fRcbRZXkh7iL_TV2c9j9X6QttAo7NmOB_Jl_SFRZSZ_LroK7-ck-ASYyiVvtdl9u8ig5Zlf37f3t5ATpPrMnTdnT02VWx1smBHE7Jx7TRyZB753nrglSXa/s1600/PhotoGrid_1367626952514.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DOdG608q7zazydqdfMs_D3fRcbRZXkh7iL_TV2c9j9X6QttAo7NmOB_Jl_SFRZSZ_LroK7-ck-ASYyiVvtdl9u8ig5Zlf37f3t5ATpPrMnTdnT02VWx1smBHE7Jx7TRyZB753nrglSXa/s400/PhotoGrid_1367626952514.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXXSdj8MfPnBgzwOeodFXCn8Y2xL1gXziu4Degm066N6t-ww31_dXtR2k8NHGUG5uaacGkY2BpE2kT_Bn9_ghyte0LYA-8oFIZEhu5T3kohgVUu0clMqH-i_I4n4iIbveGmoZOrQiz-9e/s1600/2013-05-03+18.39.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXXSdj8MfPnBgzwOeodFXCn8Y2xL1gXziu4Degm066N6t-ww31_dXtR2k8NHGUG5uaacGkY2BpE2kT_Bn9_ghyte0LYA-8oFIZEhu5T3kohgVUu0clMqH-i_I4n4iIbveGmoZOrQiz-9e/s400/2013-05-03+18.39.16.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New shower curtain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxL_XferVyyeEsOD_S9Ji-r7k6cRnkOQ9aWTEOoFI6UwU9_sn-2ziQs1t7C7OPGv8jlm5l942hUKtGtA3t8QepnkchzSsGCO_gusVVpt0M-j2r27N8AznJ6Q85zA-Qx2EtXNGmOxjO9mpb/s1600/2013-05-03+18.40.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxL_XferVyyeEsOD_S9Ji-r7k6cRnkOQ9aWTEOoFI6UwU9_sn-2ziQs1t7C7OPGv8jlm5l942hUKtGtA3t8QepnkchzSsGCO_gusVVpt0M-j2r27N8AznJ6Q85zA-Qx2EtXNGmOxjO9mpb/s400/2013-05-03+18.40.02.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kraken</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL5f8yTjaLmJvCdYgumT58RWClifxCVpdLOb2UaOnEwNgQt1ow8uK6pUWjGEUA4li0pcMI0McrZu4HxAmI3UyW0sT3Tu0NTp_Q4HWF2xoBijPfXEgKtFV43VR0eY_OQ_cuMtRhhyXPner/s1600/2013-05-03+18.40.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL5f8yTjaLmJvCdYgumT58RWClifxCVpdLOb2UaOnEwNgQt1ow8uK6pUWjGEUA4li0pcMI0McrZu4HxAmI3UyW0sT3Tu0NTp_Q4HWF2xoBijPfXEgKtFV43VR0eY_OQ_cuMtRhhyXPner/s400/2013-05-03+18.40.47.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the other side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZq-G6KtAJ0jsA1Hwgygi2PpZc9W-qiCm32r3PaVlxBQTNmX9G8zpjLjhL_-Xa5f4YTFzqE6XvaKKTe4jxD3F77OVSsHjvh_JkgQK37u79qSwsHIroEwClxXt5rPT49KfdD9Q4bonCw2p/s1600/2013-05-03+19.07.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZq-G6KtAJ0jsA1Hwgygi2PpZc9W-qiCm32r3PaVlxBQTNmX9G8zpjLjhL_-Xa5f4YTFzqE6XvaKKTe4jxD3F77OVSsHjvh_JkgQK37u79qSwsHIroEwClxXt5rPT49KfdD9Q4bonCw2p/s400/2013-05-03+19.07.29.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New faucet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik0_BV_IuWXGco5pnJ4i0GFeqBp8ONNa7mMEr3ep1KrhLrIqcO__TS0ZMT-Y6tzRY9NKxJtUiuk7ddC-4UXmCLtk9IAxToBvOQvcY704p0FpWoMNAvMToU6adki1kAWlWgbAGvP1YuFM1/s1600/2013-05-03+19.08.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik0_BV_IuWXGco5pnJ4i0GFeqBp8ONNa7mMEr3ep1KrhLrIqcO__TS0ZMT-Y6tzRY9NKxJtUiuk7ddC-4UXmCLtk9IAxToBvOQvcY704p0FpWoMNAvMToU6adki1kAWlWgbAGvP1YuFM1/s400/2013-05-03+19.08.01.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarab</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PTYEKkStOID6TTRt2pm8Tso-WFFsVKucNaiDFVj7ohmq2oQHAQnm2DLJlovopHrV18GBSJksDIH5gU-NRAacSJo4uERBOQbXQZVeG13k9CVu4a0Qnc9TFqqhiprOa43ffSV8C2R7g9zw/s1600/2013-05-03+18.42.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PTYEKkStOID6TTRt2pm8Tso-WFFsVKucNaiDFVj7ohmq2oQHAQnm2DLJlovopHrV18GBSJksDIH5gU-NRAacSJo4uERBOQbXQZVeG13k9CVu4a0Qnc9TFqqhiprOa43ffSV8C2R7g9zw/s400/2013-05-03+18.42.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pony</td></tr>
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Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-1151564159599685492013-04-21T11:30:00.000-07:002013-06-01T15:54:36.809-07:00Race to the Finish Line.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Poor neglected blog. I just don't have a lot of motivation to wrote posts, for a few of reasons.<br />
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There's the fact that the internet is inundated with design blogs, and while I never really intended to be a full-time blogger, I've become somewhat jaded with the whole blogging thing as a result.<br />
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Then there's the fact that I've been super busy applying for grad school (I was accepted, yay!) and trying to finish up my project at work before I leave.<br />
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Added to that, we are moving so I can be closer to campus.<br />
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Soooo, I have been finishing up projects around the house in preparation for moving out. I love the house, but I've started to emotionally divorce myself from it. It's somewhat liberating to be making these updates that I'm not going to be living with long-term, because I want it to look nice but it doesn't need to suit my personal taste.<br />
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So here's the To Do list:<br />
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<strike>Replace faucet and broken soap dispenser in kitchen</strike><br />
<strike>Plants for raised bed garden</strike><br />
Finish painting inside trim white<br />
<strike>Touch up exterior paint</strike><br />
<strike>Paint front door</strike><br />
<strike>Paint back door</strike><br />
<strike>Repair flooring in master closet</strike><br />
<strike>Replace faucets/pop-ups in bathrooms</strike><br />
<strike>Repaint kitchen</strike><br />
<strike>Repaint master bathroom</strike><br />
<strike>New satin nickel toilet paper holder for master bathroom</strike><br />
<strike>Replace light fixture in master bathroom</strike><br />
<strike>Replace light covers in closets</strike><br />
<strike>Move old light fixture from master bathroom to laundry room</strike><br />
Clean grout through out house<br />
Repair shed door<br />
Touch up paint on shed<br />
<strike>Stain bathroom cabinetry espresso</strike><br />
Fix rotted eave<br />
Organize garage<br />
<strike>Repair torn window screens</strike><br />
<strike>Clean and paint air vents</strike><br />
<strike>Remove knife racks in kitchen</strike><br />
Remove cat shelves<br />
Trim large oak tree<br />
Patch hole in laundry room ceiling<br />
Replace range and dishwasher?<br />
Powerwash patio?</div>
Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-42684397627742014432013-01-06T16:08:00.000-08:002013-01-06T16:08:09.833-08:00Living Room, January 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnwuZs9QeXIApgBzDJgm5NpXPsNpD6ye4lqmtSjXt74QINpWtLqiOb6x09R0ZiZ_f3MoUNLTMXm-JzeMpg2mxKBVTRsD_2iVkZhFpUJTyt8_gXfg2TI8QO4Mf7gDom4gmQZed8hlAZSbL/s1600/2013-01-06+15.16.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnwuZs9QeXIApgBzDJgm5NpXPsNpD6ye4lqmtSjXt74QINpWtLqiOb6x09R0ZiZ_f3MoUNLTMXm-JzeMpg2mxKBVTRsD_2iVkZhFpUJTyt8_gXfg2TI8QO4Mf7gDom4gmQZed8hlAZSbL/s400/2013-01-06+15.16.50.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD3Mduzpi-PkTtTvjKu86rjcwqMQZj7GPGvdWqzQFB006bhao2N6vpDushnsxvjfBUc1zx7fGXVRH5JOqgHHA1GpSUneTDgLmLUoUUebINHmHJ0M1QnXWA3GFubQx9wniMqktnJbLAjxs/s1600/2013-01-06+15.20.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD3Mduzpi-PkTtTvjKu86rjcwqMQZj7GPGvdWqzQFB006bhao2N6vpDushnsxvjfBUc1zx7fGXVRH5JOqgHHA1GpSUneTDgLmLUoUUebINHmHJ0M1QnXWA3GFubQx9wniMqktnJbLAjxs/s400/2013-01-06+15.20.07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some mediocre cell phone photos of the living room in its current incarnation. I'm not overly fond of the rug, but it was free and is easy to hose off when the dogs track in mud. And new 8' x 10' rugs are prohibitively expensive. I'm going to take down the <a href="http://mioculture.com/paperforms/ripple-paperforms.html" target="_blank">Mio wall tiles</a> and put up a 2013 <a href="http://www.stendigcalendar.com/Stendig_Calendar/Welcome.html" target="_blank">Stendig wall calendar</a> above the couch. There's painter's tape on the back door, because once the weather warms up again, I'm planning to paint it black.</div>
Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-59421757736006310342012-11-03T21:25:00.000-07:002012-11-03T21:25:08.531-07:00Guest Bedroom.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUWLCq44AobFXPoT-xJQq72sVx84aYPaWuU4hTSKiL91J5r0N9Hn67jxDKISxOhPnAV3i1KWAJwe4-XVY45p2vRF_YM2mqTQOaz1ToZrWXANPFWIvLTO08h_6F0Nc9a5V_sCl9GCyZeni/s1600/2012-11-03+14.19.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Figured it was about time for a post, and I've never really featured the guest bedroom before. This room is also where my husband sleeps when he has shift, since he goes to sleep super early the night before, and acts as his second closet for all his military uniforms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3goQ_q6QtNnFRKNFFgVPlqZi5gNhpMWCXEjvj005aTEQWMvZoGPFgilp_p8K_C_mlOaY6f47xbWdEoUrXozmi5xbxw6JblAVUc_8RKELvPR89IhNnzNYiCvHjHQz5yX6r6aQzUGuF-lgZ/s1600/Old+Guest+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3goQ_q6QtNnFRKNFFgVPlqZi5gNhpMWCXEjvj005aTEQWMvZoGPFgilp_p8K_C_mlOaY6f47xbWdEoUrXozmi5xbxw6JblAVUc_8RKELvPR89IhNnzNYiCvHjHQz5yX6r6aQzUGuF-lgZ/s400/Old+Guest+Room.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest Room Before - previous owner</td></tr>
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So this is the room as it was staged before we bought it. I know it doesn't look like it, but that particular shade of beige had that icky Bandaid undertone to it that I always bitch about whenever I mention it. And I repainted it beige too, but my beige has no pink to it.<br />
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We don't use this room for much, and I don't spend a lot of time in here, so my main goal was to pick an unoffensive, easy to work with color that I wouldn't have to repaint if we sell or lease the house. We found out while replacing the outlets that it used to be fire engine red, so thank god they painted that. If there was ever a color I hated more than Bandaid flesh tone on a wall, it's red.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksRIVFr0lj_4EHcD_ANyh5639rOpl8BBGU2DAMO4HywGMMBTMrzDH849gFTEZBtmm65zNvWkUgyvZLaViI5SGkjKe37HeYRHftJGB74SZXJVCBfuLnjWwfB0DVNzKopf2FPxfUBTbfq11/s1600/2012-11-03+14.24.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksRIVFr0lj_4EHcD_ANyh5639rOpl8BBGU2DAMO4HywGMMBTMrzDH849gFTEZBtmm65zNvWkUgyvZLaViI5SGkjKe37HeYRHftJGB74SZXJVCBfuLnjWwfB0DVNzKopf2FPxfUBTbfq11/s400/2012-11-03+14.24.19.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphyphenhyphen4mvYcsiDOQuhStDCXNkWJjH6NXOdCdcqqIhUZ0tGF2uEck2WDk4pPEHFKBOk4CXJRoOAT30bOS7-ipjfmPFvWbg4MZ2Q0EakSDqQ1f1t2PO04qXiNcSwdvOSlbyOOGrMMDeOgsotq8/s1600/2012-11-03+14.19.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphyphenhyphen4mvYcsiDOQuhStDCXNkWJjH6NXOdCdcqqIhUZ0tGF2uEck2WDk4pPEHFKBOk4CXJRoOAT30bOS7-ipjfmPFvWbg4MZ2Q0EakSDqQ1f1t2PO04qXiNcSwdvOSlbyOOGrMMDeOgsotq8/s400/2012-11-03+14.19.24.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from door - bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6iXiqeqGNYl940D1EQ7aHXKhn_bz4UDza9lOz4prMRWHvsOWfZMK2tfXW__Hl8VR4-_Hgz0Ncr_K05wxr0cOX3uePQ2VeEWNBW-Iwma5EIqjUWd7wVhP6lULfmokxOiuTXCFNR1yztlK/s1600/2012-11-03+14.20.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6iXiqeqGNYl940D1EQ7aHXKhn_bz4UDza9lOz4prMRWHvsOWfZMK2tfXW__Hl8VR4-_Hgz0Ncr_K05wxr0cOX3uePQ2VeEWNBW-Iwma5EIqjUWd7wVhP6lULfmokxOiuTXCFNR1yztlK/s400/2012-11-03+14.20.21.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contessa and Squid by Omar Rayyan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUWLCq44AobFXPoT-xJQq72sVx84aYPaWuU4hTSKiL91J5r0N9Hn67jxDKISxOhPnAV3i1KWAJwe4-XVY45p2vRF_YM2mqTQOaz1ToZrWXANPFWIvLTO08h_6F0Nc9a5V_sCl9GCyZeni/s1600/2012-11-03+14.19.53.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUWLCq44AobFXPoT-xJQq72sVx84aYPaWuU4hTSKiL91J5r0N9Hn67jxDKISxOhPnAV3i1KWAJwe4-XVY45p2vRF_YM2mqTQOaz1ToZrWXANPFWIvLTO08h_6F0Nc9a5V_sCl9GCyZeni/s400/2012-11-03+14.19.53.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from window - refinished dresser</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIuwWaBQfC-JLCVzx8PbTShCzLCsA21pNBfRATcbIQ4b2jCYHaO9sTcWqzG5dy2gSDjs1szPsaywezJPq1SFJ_lKS-svQy4sj3Gh7xImbvuG9mk1_HTKy0KvTisBfinljz-C6tdT7ERL2/s1600/2012-11-03+14.22.40.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIuwWaBQfC-JLCVzx8PbTShCzLCsA21pNBfRATcbIQ4b2jCYHaO9sTcWqzG5dy2gSDjs1szPsaywezJPq1SFJ_lKS-svQy4sj3Gh7xImbvuG9mk1_HTKy0KvTisBfinljz-C6tdT7ERL2/s400/2012-11-03+14.22.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from closet - chair and window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-84926805670708387402012-09-29T15:20:00.000-07:002012-09-29T15:20:50.149-07:00Landscaping.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sometime at the end of my last semester, I came home and my yard looked like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Tt7-Qv3aac6SldBJx6p_CpIiUsEG0SpogFk9CiNfHG5XNbBZbwTuT09_HFMWOdFixo-BD9R9KT0hVWw1wYl2eFRy87JYxMJKNrX1coGmgjkI9lJ1_7D6sZl1bQhey3RYESU5ZF57_tb3/s1600/IMG_20120420_174314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Tt7-Qv3aac6SldBJx6p_CpIiUsEG0SpogFk9CiNfHG5XNbBZbwTuT09_HFMWOdFixo-BD9R9KT0hVWw1wYl2eFRy87JYxMJKNrX1coGmgjkI9lJ1_7D6sZl1bQhey3RYESU5ZF57_tb3/s320/IMG_20120420_174314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iHGXgZqupCsEwWgEmWWotDDIQVstVgjSGAu3NirPFXAUdoK6SMVEt8RGICtMa1bPKvQNNK6OnpN5AoU0VvREpTnpt_oNHGNTo97OZksVyqmdhN0k_9jgSOfS1I-A7JAyEPM-15k08yHS/s1600/IMG_20120420_174551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iHGXgZqupCsEwWgEmWWotDDIQVstVgjSGAu3NirPFXAUdoK6SMVEt8RGICtMa1bPKvQNNK6OnpN5AoU0VvREpTnpt_oNHGNTo97OZksVyqmdhN0k_9jgSOfS1I-A7JAyEPM-15k08yHS/s320/IMG_20120420_174551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I had been bugging Husband for awhile, wanting to redo the landscaping; take out some of the grass and replace with something more drought tolerant. Husband was resistant to my suggestions until our neighbor the
landscaper said he was planning on doing exactly what I've been wanting,
and then suddenly Husband was more than eager to rip everything out.<br />
<br />
You can see in this photo I borrowed from Google Street View that the landscaping that was there wasn't bad, it just wasn't what I envisioned in my yard. If you've ever raised St. Augustine grass in a drought zone, you know
it's finicky and impractical. Alas, it's what we inherited when we
bought the house. I have dreams of a grass-less yard one day, or at the least replacing the St. Augustine with buffalo grass that won't wither in the Texas sun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjg9xIIibi5Y0dckaZYTrdPssOAPzgdC1JvqYD6yuADC2rJtNLCOtp3WKPUzXQdCK4ZwoQRJiiJ6G7-lLmxVZOTPIAHYmaNTnyYmdU4NjJiDRuVH0Evhq0zdeFwHTs2MMj_0WBzf6rejn/s1600/google+view+house+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjg9xIIibi5Y0dckaZYTrdPssOAPzgdC1JvqYD6yuADC2rJtNLCOtp3WKPUzXQdCK4ZwoQRJiiJ6G7-lLmxVZOTPIAHYmaNTnyYmdU4NjJiDRuVH0Evhq0zdeFwHTs2MMj_0WBzf6rejn/s400/google+view+house+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Landscaping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We expanded the plant beds and bought a ton of native/drought-resistant species, like bulbine, salvia, lantana, agastache, and ponytail grass. A fire ant colony built its nest in the agastache roots and killed it, unfortunately, but I plan on getting another one. It's been about four months now, so what's still alive is pretty much established.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0twr7hehvPaaTpHVsCu7lvgiRwvF6GFW4PqsJjdEE_1zh3eazexGeWhjW86shc3CFamDxB0Xsjynvx-n3An9kSeN7J0QFFx-Ub6gYnsWqxiYVDcCfTT85TtGa5tl_A1SJ8Ylrp4VaZzn1/s1600/IMAG2136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0twr7hehvPaaTpHVsCu7lvgiRwvF6GFW4PqsJjdEE_1zh3eazexGeWhjW86shc3CFamDxB0Xsjynvx-n3An9kSeN7J0QFFx-Ub6gYnsWqxiYVDcCfTT85TtGa5tl_A1SJ8Ylrp4VaZzn1/s400/IMAG2136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Currently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Overall I'm pretty pleased with it. We finally hit our second planting season, and I have a few more plants I'd like to add in. I also want to sow a bunch of wildflower seeds for next year. Technically we are still in a drought, but we had a decent amount of rain last night and as I'm typing this, it sounds like more is coming. I still desperately want to paint the exterior trim and siding, but that's a whole different project.</div>
</div>
Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-76118946363731684672012-06-05T12:05:00.000-07:002012-06-05T12:05:12.718-07:00Moderncat.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am signed up for Moderncat emails, because sometimes they feature pretty awesome cat products, like scratchers or beds or bowls. Of course, most of it is ridiculously expensive, but a girl can dream.<br />
<br />
Last week I got an email with my dining room post from Saucy Dwellings, featured <a href="http://www.moderncat.net/2012/05/31/simple-and-elegant-diy-cat-climbing-shelves/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+moderncat+%28moderncat%29" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
<br />
Kind of cool, I guess, although they totally ignored the comments about those IKEA shelves coming out within a few days of install because she ripped one out of the wall. Which reminds me that I should do an updated post on the dining room.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-44226071447006608072012-05-17T14:33:00.000-07:002012-05-17T14:34:22.738-07:00Armchairs, Part One: Strip and Stain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I've been planning on redoing our living room armchairs since we got them. I love the shape of these, but I really don't know anything about them. The brown vinyl is really not my thing though. It also has some nicks in the vinyl and odd black staining on the seat of one of the chairs. Initially I wanted to have them professionally reupholstered, but then we had some unexpected expenses (*cough*stupidmoneypitcar*cough*) and there went my chair upholstery fund.<br />
<br />
Then I realized I could just paint them with vinyl spray paint. It would help fill in the nicked areas, since it contains actual vinyl particles in it. And it's way cheaper, at least for now. Except then my white vinyl spray paint was out of stock on Home Depot's website (the only place I could find it that wasn't ridiculously overpriced). Now it's discontinued. Seriously?<br />
<br />
But I decided I didn't want to paint them white anyways. I think I want a light sandy beige, because I'm going for this natural sort of neutral thing in the living room now. Since vinyl spray paint is generally used for automotive and boat upholstery, it tends to come in a lot of shades of tan, so that should make it easier to find the particular shade I want. <br />
<br />
Still haven't actually gotten the paint, but I had to strip and restain the arms first anyways. Which is really the point of this post. The arms were also not in the greatest shape: some mystery paint on the legs, along with a weird and obviously intentional pictogram thingy scratched onto the arm of one chair. And a somewhat garish orange tone that really didn't work well with the 70's drab brown vinyl.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl2nzw5SV_phlCaHYkw4WRSbyhxgiMhj1-z74-0p_MTBwLuAxc0KAkIZhkyeZoPmmaor7FIS8vsBhe0VteGvSn7jmZBnM2b6Nxo1116m3HESzWYskrPYxGYoSLQ87LStgNfRh-Fols5hE/s1600/3881872155_ff1cf92ba9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl2nzw5SV_phlCaHYkw4WRSbyhxgiMhj1-z74-0p_MTBwLuAxc0KAkIZhkyeZoPmmaor7FIS8vsBhe0VteGvSn7jmZBnM2b6Nxo1116m3HESzWYskrPYxGYoSLQ87LStgNfRh-Fols5hE/s400/3881872155_ff1cf92ba9_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I stripped them, which didn't end up doing a whole lot, then sanded them down with a mouse sander using a medium grit then a fine grit sandpaper. This was definitely the most time consuming part, due to the serpentine shape of the wood. I actually really liked the bare wood, and if I were keeping the brown or going with a darker color for the upholstery, I would have simply treated it with some oil and been done with it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBWyHPyHQlud1iwlCbsGpk-APAVxfiWD3khdLC9X0z3dB0NMVdIOo6znWnCPiEyC0arNu_-8UDERFSRu8V4U1jYBY7KOPlga1zfvOLZZMZ82s6WsPBeyKykbluRxpn9iRJO3CZBIOqJ6X/s1600/IMAG0763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBWyHPyHQlud1iwlCbsGpk-APAVxfiWD3khdLC9X0z3dB0NMVdIOo6znWnCPiEyC0arNu_-8UDERFSRu8V4U1jYBY7KOPlga1zfvOLZZMZ82s6WsPBeyKykbluRxpn9iRJO3CZBIOqJ6X/s400/IMAG0763.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stripped and sanded</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rest was pretty straightforward. Treat with wood pre-conditioner (this is to help the wood stain evenly), allowing the wood to absorb for 5-15 minutes. Afterwards you are supposed to wipe off any excess with a rag, but the wood completely absorbed the two coats I put on.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2xNfhhZmbvriteaOa7Ogs_HnUV9KzOwLRvuLWGgvy0sCHIzSG31cvAFZ9VjyK-ub_hyZcC1gIRGK5godP37xu3ITSwvz5AFSWoHcvm6NpwqEXj9LVrRENtNx9ErRTMvyo_L6e-t24zUl/s1600/IMAG0764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2xNfhhZmbvriteaOa7Ogs_HnUV9KzOwLRvuLWGgvy0sCHIzSG31cvAFZ9VjyK-ub_hyZcC1gIRGK5godP37xu3ITSwvz5AFSWoHcvm6NpwqEXj9LVrRENtNx9ErRTMvyo_L6e-t24zUl/s400/IMAG0764.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After wood conditioner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then three coats of stain, wiping off any excess with a rag. If I want it darker, I can apply more stain. I used a roughly 1:1 ratio of Minwax Dark Walnut and English Chestnut. I thought it would have more of a red tone to it with the English Chestnut, but it really didn't seem to pick up much at all. That's okay though. I like how it looks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfynanjs05mJ9yjdDzOlgEL3RElYV7WSkYcfdxWNxO1p5VcYBw-GS_6gC5Y2-VMA-NUrw-FZsViR6O_a2NTIKRSB2j7mTUN2SzzcZQBCaAAOUbTWh2Y38BaSzjmraVwaDAU3_i_LvRFSw/s1600/IMAG0765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfynanjs05mJ9yjdDzOlgEL3RElYV7WSkYcfdxWNxO1p5VcYBw-GS_6gC5Y2-VMA-NUrw-FZsViR6O_a2NTIKRSB2j7mTUN2SzzcZQBCaAAOUbTWh2Y38BaSzjmraVwaDAU3_i_LvRFSw/s400/IMAG0765.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stained</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And the grain really came out pretty lovely in some spots.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsJ41TLezIWfQparTiKIgFYkOE_k8ldAdScfPvSO93Qf_f_1jK7ozKsrJGQzxjx4RSI-RKP1T3PUKMWoTonPSh3V4GtiWNYYDA_eoIvd9HUZR_AbBG8V9GswzjPuuW3Hk5jc9udMw0VNT/s1600/IMAG0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsJ41TLezIWfQparTiKIgFYkOE_k8ldAdScfPvSO93Qf_f_1jK7ozKsrJGQzxjx4RSI-RKP1T3PUKMWoTonPSh3V4GtiWNYYDA_eoIvd9HUZR_AbBG8V9GswzjPuuW3Hk5jc9udMw0VNT/s400/IMAG0766.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-73915248335850111512012-04-24T17:19:00.000-07:002012-05-19T08:54:41.485-07:00Fireplace Renovation, Finale.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We finished this a couple weeks ago, but I'm just now getting around to posting. Lots of stuff going on around here lately, including my mother moving in for a couple weeks since she's about to close on the contract to sell her house, and us ripping out nearly all the landscaping in the front yard to redo it (which I will get around to posting pictures of soon, hopefully). Oh and it's my last semester of undergrad. Yeah, sh!t's been insane.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kiKQ2cqHSDL1Rm1oCYqnXxRtJMK1HgUbnLqr4W9EXfdh9GgQb8MwUfz4mhHpkxj9S8T9-Qf7duRzf9AekxtYgC3UbveXeBhGgV66ob3QH9ZX28L2SqqHCr7U0Cbp5_0hIr6p4mHTgEOm/s1600/fireplace2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kiKQ2cqHSDL1Rm1oCYqnXxRtJMK1HgUbnLqr4W9EXfdh9GgQb8MwUfz4mhHpkxj9S8T9-Qf7duRzf9AekxtYgC3UbveXeBhGgV66ob3QH9ZX28L2SqqHCr7U0Cbp5_0hIr6p4mHTgEOm/s400/fireplace2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before. Not terrible, just kinda boring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVX7OTJ9e7a4TOqqK2YjwP2iiHSXbQoYlTRQTwg7IhiGR0AbXbL0nmNMFSEvvsqgngv0hmtn43P8hJq1ijGs2T5w0dzhiKFMvxXeApoR5Kls_p8z7H4qoV2LF4rwq_G_CVzly8vzPFYTO/s1600/IMAG0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVX7OTJ9e7a4TOqqK2YjwP2iiHSXbQoYlTRQTwg7IhiGR0AbXbL0nmNMFSEvvsqgngv0hmtn43P8hJq1ijGs2T5w0dzhiKFMvxXeApoR5Kls_p8z7H4qoV2LF4rwq_G_CVzly8vzPFYTO/s400/IMAG0073.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After trying to remove the paint. The orange tint is dried on Citristrip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumeYT7yNRdxSemRzfO_OwpjvFen2punreujjPC0UGSMheIIzCC10OOeXYbj-7koYqkImoD_Ks28C4lgzV2LIVG9QLGV2vnpw2hTfUUca0-clitMl_SalnM3vJ_7-7RpVREEM5EtEYJTcZ/s1600/IMAG0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumeYT7yNRdxSemRzfO_OwpjvFen2punreujjPC0UGSMheIIzCC10OOeXYbj-7koYqkImoD_Ks28C4lgzV2LIVG9QLGV2vnpw2hTfUUca0-clitMl_SalnM3vJ_7-7RpVREEM5EtEYJTcZ/s400/IMAG0220.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down to the frame.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeW_gAOsd-0ptjPPzHMRYTZlPodEPiQFKBr0t0gToaWzWMvvFkjqnmfEMRfM5lReIUSu_ny1ZalMkvOtKFzyBfaNGh19VgDasFPJCZbGbVMDhAt2LE8qBvjJo0GiSHUjlQE6PuHzNXeO4/s1600/IMAG0242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeW_gAOsd-0ptjPPzHMRYTZlPodEPiQFKBr0t0gToaWzWMvvFkjqnmfEMRfM5lReIUSu_ny1ZalMkvOtKFzyBfaNGh19VgDasFPJCZbGbVMDhAt2LE8qBvjJo0GiSHUjlQE6PuHzNXeO4/s400/IMAG0242.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New MDF, before we decided to replace the tile also. Legs are 1.5 inches wider on each side.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxg6naSrMCp0jhyphenhyphenJhyqlZdaVH0KBid6LdCPkxc6eU4ZPV90h-sONBfmk1kP7PnRfhohvviAQvOea9aSrmKOE8l1kbEN1o9s71Vql_6nBe0qkGsqBswdRKd4B26UJzwLWEoENgJDX2dYopP/s1600/SS100636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxg6naSrMCp0jhyphenhyphenJhyqlZdaVH0KBid6LdCPkxc6eU4ZPV90h-sONBfmk1kP7PnRfhohvviAQvOea9aSrmKOE8l1kbEN1o9s71Vql_6nBe0qkGsqBswdRKd4B26UJzwLWEoENgJDX2dYopP/s400/SS100636.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mantle #1. I hated it, the proportions were wrong. And it was ugly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgajdUKwNgo6niabtccflKMHeWa_eS2G6q6iZV6dzfQSGjSfUkfCAKnNa1UPssclffSIW_pZBIfDDO6WdxNt5A51w83qpNBptJRnNtamGtrYZNFUik6POnP_UEbi_pe-_NZecPcNcDZbe/s1600/IMAG0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgajdUKwNgo6niabtccflKMHeWa_eS2G6q6iZV6dzfQSGjSfUkfCAKnNa1UPssclffSIW_pZBIfDDO6WdxNt5A51w83qpNBptJRnNtamGtrYZNFUik6POnP_UEbi_pe-_NZecPcNcDZbe/s400/IMAG0253.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New 2" x 2" travertine mosaic tile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRra5wXIcCUbX1lFOt8i8pGUAu8d1dWrm2JlrPzRfjHDJkczsUM3JGT9UdbYbojUVtSbfGMtpviscA7k3CLkIW2-C_YokHr0oBjR2NeRRuozvbjHN4LBlp7odP4Zjskeji5MZ9xcF5TWj/s1600/fireplace+tile+grouted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRra5wXIcCUbX1lFOt8i8pGUAu8d1dWrm2JlrPzRfjHDJkczsUM3JGT9UdbYbojUVtSbfGMtpviscA7k3CLkIW2-C_YokHr0oBjR2NeRRuozvbjHN4LBlp7odP4Zjskeji5MZ9xcF5TWj/s400/fireplace+tile+grouted.jpg" width="400" /><span id="goog_830662161"></span><span id="goog_830662162"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tile after grouting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb3Q2QDzesGr-8ckMvA-Amzwz05J86hnV8OxJfdDVo2nyK3jKX0GxqHyqGEqmLfSBjzqwALjrzFoqSYExpA6aNWqR-65nnMPJKMfsJ4F3Jg72HEL-ZJ3tcosaREPtVt77ehR_rflIY5xB/s1600/IMAG0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb3Q2QDzesGr-8ckMvA-Amzwz05J86hnV8OxJfdDVo2nyK3jKX0GxqHyqGEqmLfSBjzqwALjrzFoqSYExpA6aNWqR-65nnMPJKMfsJ4F3Jg72HEL-ZJ3tcosaREPtVt77ehR_rflIY5xB/s400/IMAG0272.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using painters tape to decide if I wanted to do detail trim on the front.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsiz2h-G-0gYRJOeIFqillEMS2U7oFpUafQ02Nm5nVhMRA0wJzg1ObbplKzSeHUTyVbLRxhjnI8lWvr0RtsUktZEfJLGq0lme7Ep67wuF4OYjtBGzFCvd764WGnjzHDD2lm9aXyck8pFQ/s1600/IMAG0719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsiz2h-G-0gYRJOeIFqillEMS2U7oFpUafQ02Nm5nVhMRA0wJzg1ObbplKzSeHUTyVbLRxhjnI8lWvr0RtsUktZEfJLGq0lme7Ep67wuF4OYjtBGzFCvd764WGnjzHDD2lm9aXyck8pFQ/s640/IMAG0719.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished fireplace!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ta-da! Sure it took 5 months instead of two weeks, but overall I'm really happy with how it turned out.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-30464238676897242872012-03-24T14:46:00.000-07:002012-03-24T14:46:12.246-07:00Midas Touch.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, I primed Shiva, then gave him a coat of gold Rub N' Buff. I was really liking the matte pale grey of the primer. I'm kinda iffy on the gold. Maybe because it's not the uber shiny gold like polished brass. I've always been kind iffy on gold anyways.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB7ft_rpT8mivalHfl4sluM93O1n5O1z4z9_C9JpxoBMsUVsD5BigEk8B5QJijZw3PdpsKi7APoVOUO3xJglzkx46tdy8SPr5PuTvzOaihI_MJ_q3mnQlZ_7a3LZSmJdRC_i9QthjOimL/s1600/IMAG0601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB7ft_rpT8mivalHfl4sluM93O1n5O1z4z9_C9JpxoBMsUVsD5BigEk8B5QJijZw3PdpsKi7APoVOUO3xJglzkx46tdy8SPr5PuTvzOaihI_MJ_q3mnQlZ_7a3LZSmJdRC_i9QthjOimL/s400/IMAG0601.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq4CIIhWWsmNEYbJ8R4sJS2d6USlhjRuVS-uTEhkopD5IH1fKNIZ7BoMCzY8IAXoXXi629bkHKW-Z_ucfzzZqjZm0x_J_0MHUmkFtkbfVPzp2CfZDSq9hxWmTVzHRKiWOPu6ubTIObCuR/s1600/IMAG0628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq4CIIhWWsmNEYbJ8R4sJS2d6USlhjRuVS-uTEhkopD5IH1fKNIZ7BoMCzY8IAXoXXi629bkHKW-Z_ucfzzZqjZm0x_J_0MHUmkFtkbfVPzp2CfZDSq9hxWmTVzHRKiWOPu6ubTIObCuR/s400/IMAG0628.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>He's currently chilling on the fireplace mantel. Fireplace is still not finished. Hubby has been procrastinating on the trim installation (3 months!), which is really the last step besides a final coat of paint. Even in its unfinished state, it's still pretty fab though.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-84068582224959850922012-03-04T13:03:00.000-08:002012-03-04T13:03:53.314-08:00Shiva.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My mother is selling her house. The sale is finalized on March 15th, and she's in the process of getting rid of all the extra stuff that won't fit in her new apartment. This is one of the things I took, a Shiva (or possibly Indian Buddha?) figurine that's been hanging outside for several years.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5-R7V_wEfUicImgd633Pw_XR_XapancImlJeN7yBhvxeRtImChMR0Abd8QESRS5JB1kTz2t-1kWaDTWQvLw1wHBPzXjvdHXx-O0wgWwEoh2UZz4BR0X-Fp9OijwHoLYQ3XS0xF1wDKrk/s1600/IMAG0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5-R7V_wEfUicImgd633Pw_XR_XapancImlJeN7yBhvxeRtImChMR0Abd8QESRS5JB1kTz2t-1kWaDTWQvLw1wHBPzXjvdHXx-O0wgWwEoh2UZz4BR0X-Fp9OijwHoLYQ3XS0xF1wDKrk/s400/IMAG0572.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
He's really dirty, although the paint hides it well. I want to give him a new coat of paint. Not quite sure what I want to paint him though. I'm not really sure where I'm going to keep him, which is probably the cause of my indecisiveness. I was thinking maybe white, but now I'm thinking gold? Hmm. Or some crazy neon green.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KwaxwEIoJhtiZaWTUbwqrk0IDBbfgmCZi_mSN08eY3Q3tBKWlW_T-PA3MDAEwmvmohAvjUuQKVcC48J1ZSnErTvWbGI2lYOoUjIWPAz0ruk5A8VdH1rVe4nYq2ML01VljicjAVkH9sIz/s1600/IMAG0571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KwaxwEIoJhtiZaWTUbwqrk0IDBbfgmCZi_mSN08eY3Q3tBKWlW_T-PA3MDAEwmvmohAvjUuQKVcC48J1ZSnErTvWbGI2lYOoUjIWPAz0ruk5A8VdH1rVe4nYq2ML01VljicjAVkH9sIz/s400/IMAG0571.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Also, we redid the cat shelves awhile back, but the kitty was reluctant to use them at first. So I bribed her with wheat grass. Now she hangs out there munching on grass and spying on the neighbors. </div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-47933834518039207502012-03-02T18:46:00.002-08:002012-03-02T19:00:32.266-08:002012 Calendar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, a few weeks ago <a href="http://www.aestheticoutburst.blogspot.com/2012/02/giveaway-winners.html">I won a calendar</a> from Aesthetic Outburst. Pretty exciting. This is only the second time I've ever won anything. And it's perfect because I wanted a calendar this size for the office but couldn't find anything I liked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-qTQY2AGaQZfnFuryiNMInhH8GrofbpAszPRL2pcOsbrZRDusBqMXBmKxNeo_m66bB9AHoe-6xERS4Wz9wo0NZ9phsuLJT70Zt34EbqqZHBY59jIFGdq8qZCAjyz1CemQMacgX77m9td/s1600/IMAG0540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-qTQY2AGaQZfnFuryiNMInhH8GrofbpAszPRL2pcOsbrZRDusBqMXBmKxNeo_m66bB9AHoe-6xERS4Wz9wo0NZ9phsuLJT70Zt34EbqqZHBY59jIFGdq8qZCAjyz1CemQMacgX77m9td/s400/IMAG0540.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Even if I hadn't won it, it's basically exactly what I was looking for. The design is simple and geometric and lovely. Extra awesome? I can crop it down to a 4" x 6" to frame later as the months go by.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv44B5SSMA9Sk1z19My2XmYAflHRHXTHyA0wa2JFillPH_8QyhR1jmkHnMnsO5onhqFbgQC3CWltgX6vqElMGKU7rGxsnDhwWNr8zlcz1e_TvE-N_qOEtnB15J5mILIE6IDj1YzWADpgV2/s1600/IMAG0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv44B5SSMA9Sk1z19My2XmYAflHRHXTHyA0wa2JFillPH_8QyhR1jmkHnMnsO5onhqFbgQC3CWltgX6vqElMGKU7rGxsnDhwWNr8zlcz1e_TvE-N_qOEtnB15J5mILIE6IDj1YzWADpgV2/s400/IMAG0536.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>We also did a little rearranging since my husband got a new-to-him desktop computer, to make room for the monitor.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-60436589586764968592012-02-13T16:57:00.000-08:002012-02-13T16:57:59.771-08:00Featured...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So they picked my bedroom as the <a href="http://www.theshare-space.com/BlogPostDetail/?entryId=94">Pick of the Week</a> on the IKEA Share Space blog!<br />
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I'm kind of excited :)<br />
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Still think I want to paint the dresser drawer fronts white though....</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-85714969488918424742012-02-09T15:43:00.000-08:002012-02-10T06:15:49.121-08:00Happenings.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I was hoping to have posted the finished fireplace by now. Only, it's not finished yet. Boo. Hubby got frustrated with the trim and hasn't attempted to do it again yet. Once that's done, I can do a couple coats of paint and voila!<br />
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Here's a blurry photo I snapped with my phone of it primed with painter's tape to indicate where the detail trim is going to go. I think it's gonna be pretty awesome when it's finished. You can see the new travertine tile too. Love it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvudZjW0twyW4B-SDz_P4q0W4VBZByJnnwP0H01JGJSWPdryEicA_hm1rXp3ZGeVd5yFwOmou6mOlwu3ebx1vXFwT6vlsc_zRCflqDo9F118sK3BWvEbGFhp5_K0F8X81STFx94zbEyxv/s1600/IMAG0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvudZjW0twyW4B-SDz_P4q0W4VBZByJnnwP0H01JGJSWPdryEicA_hm1rXp3ZGeVd5yFwOmou6mOlwu3ebx1vXFwT6vlsc_zRCflqDo9F118sK3BWvEbGFhp5_K0F8X81STFx94zbEyxv/s400/IMAG0272.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
In the meantime, I've started painting the trim Ultra White in satin (Olympic Premium brand). I've gotten three and a half doors done so far and the difference is AMAZING. My lovely grey walls suddenly look a million times more awesome. I don't know why I waited so long. Oh that's right, because it's tedious and takes forever. And we only have 16 doors in the house, plus all the trim....<br />
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Here's a shot of the pantry so you can see the difference between the white and the yellow:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdQIjkM7WYP_xGDb22e4PxYI2vdnAoJnFS1acLE444KBv__ItPfS188t1R8XJwmjHXqCmZ3SHoAf-I5EWg6E5NR_DDb4dTg9EiHPtOdd7wmKIllPOzFsDvceeJiFOd7Sr1pkx8QivdRUF/s1600/IMAG0394.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdQIjkM7WYP_xGDb22e4PxYI2vdnAoJnFS1acLE444KBv__ItPfS188t1R8XJwmjHXqCmZ3SHoAf-I5EWg6E5NR_DDb4dTg9EiHPtOdd7wmKIllPOzFsDvceeJiFOd7Sr1pkx8QivdRUF/s400/IMAG0394.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I painted the front of the pantry door and the trim, but since we have that storage rack on the back I haven't gotten to that side yet. I'm not exactly looking forward to taking that beast down and then reinstalling it.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-69404300088835670362012-01-03T15:52:00.000-08:002012-01-03T15:53:30.852-08:00Fireplace, Part Two: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well the MDF <strike>is</strike> was up (see below), the brad holes are caulked, and the whole thing is primed. I hate the mantle though. I think it looks way too big and too boxy. It's made from 1" x 8" boards. Hubby has been bugging me to let him nail it down and force me to commit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifMafNMh5Lo/Tv3kUtF-iKI/AAAAAAAAAkc/y6JKi0bkSVg/s1600/SS100635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ifMafNMh5Lo/Tv3kUtF-iKI/AAAAAAAAAkc/y6JKi0bkSVg/s400/SS100635.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
At first I was thinking maybe just taking two inches off the front, but after living with it for almost a week, I'm seriously thinking we should make it look more like what was there before, but a little cleaner and simpler.<br />
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I would disassemble the current mantle and use one of the 1" x 8" boards, with trim underneath. <br />
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So here's some more fireplace inspiration I've been looking at. Initially I was kind of hoping it would look like this fireplace from <a href="http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/fireplace-remodel-before-and-after-with.html">The Peartree Cottage</a>. That is a massive brick fireplace though, and the scale is very different than what I'm working with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllb3kkLK-iCI7Xbx2xw9f4NJX6gmQAwKYbgCUfgb9Wpuytc1fJ9TIYBCIqtT7Z-H0spYdH1QCndNAtKnggVUHVyjIVr7L8DwwHdwadeIUoH0jZbj71wlpQRzs6ZZdjrLwzUOUiwgCzISR/s1600/345.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllb3kkLK-iCI7Xbx2xw9f4NJX6gmQAwKYbgCUfgb9Wpuytc1fJ9TIYBCIqtT7Z-H0spYdH1QCndNAtKnggVUHVyjIVr7L8DwwHdwadeIUoH0jZbj71wlpQRzs6ZZdjrLwzUOUiwgCzISR/s320/345.JPG" width="284" /></a></div><br />
This is a <a href="http://www.frugalhomedesigns.com/2010/02/diy-fireplace-mantle-and-surround.html">DIY fireplace surround by Frugal Home Designs</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptmvaTRYM4c/Tv3b9Q5P0BI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/x6KF3bXlvUA/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptmvaTRYM4c/Tv3b9Q5P0BI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/x6KF3bXlvUA/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>More trim detail than I would use though, but closer to my revised vision.<br />
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This one is from Domino, via <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/living-room/outfitting-the-area-around-your-fireplace-inspiration-gallery--131408">Apartment Therapy</a>. I kind of love it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gPBTD_Z3m0/Tv3bExXJOqI/AAAAAAAAAkE/fA4_EI2mao8/s1600/domino_gasl02_warmmodern_rect540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gPBTD_Z3m0/Tv3bExXJOqI/AAAAAAAAAkE/fA4_EI2mao8/s320/domino_gasl02_warmmodern_rect540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
While our personal style is vintage modern, the house is more neo-classical generic builder, so the fireplace should really stay with a transitional style rather than something overly modern. I like the trim detail on this one too, so we will probably be copying that.<br />
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We picked up the new tile and started installing that. Turned out the old tile was adhered directly to dry wall, so it left huge holes while I was removing it, and in order to patch them we had to take down the MDF on the legs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlcodoWa0ZM/TwOR2EOCs2I/AAAAAAAAAko/Gbh2LanS5Ew/s1600/IMAG0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlcodoWa0ZM/TwOR2EOCs2I/AAAAAAAAAko/Gbh2LanS5Ew/s400/IMAG0253.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The tile is a 2" x 2" travertine mosaic from <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/Flooring-Floor-Tile-Wall-Tile-Tile-Natural-Stone-Tile/h_d1/N-5yc1vZar8kZ1z0ziza/R-202309916/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">Home Depot</a>. I'm pretty excited about how it's looking so far. Once the tile is done we can install the trim work and I can paint. It's taking a bit longer than I had hoped, but we should be done before the Spring semester starts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-91166911625457122242011-12-23T07:23:00.000-08:002012-01-04T06:59:38.355-08:00Dining Room Painted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So we just painted the dining room....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtNxNtGsEhc/TvNK3NWjjgI/AAAAAAAAAi0/b5cljkTWc54/s1600/SS100633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtNxNtGsEhc/TvNK3NWjjgI/AAAAAAAAAi0/b5cljkTWc54/s400/SS100633.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Another shade of grey! Tempered Gray, actually, which is the same shade throughout the entry, laundry room, living room, and hallway. It's one shade lighter on the paint swatch than Urban Sunrise, the color it was before.<br />
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Tempered Gray is a truly neutral grey, but Urban Sunrise had a hint of blue in it, and it made the dining room feel cold. I tried to offset it with blue to make the grey look warmer, but I still hated it. I still want to add in some warmer colors like a yellow, but I haven't found anything I like yet.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-3513164856383861962011-12-21T11:22:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:31:24.837-08:00Winter Break To Do, 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So I didn't do too great on my <a href="http://armstrongdrive.blogspot.com/2011/05/summer-2011-to-do.html">last to-do list</a>, but I blame that on the fact that I started working in a research lab on campus, while taking full-time classes, and dealing with my totally insane but adorable foster dog Slim (who had since been adopted):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjc7MM58NRaHcElj9X6DPyH2k6AII2_KAght2lFVCwwgGqSLcy2pVIEpDBXx9NjGK9d3CXX7SXkRZJVRK_eW7Lztyl6OvbD-swDU101zpAnLP31JT0JZOirwwhZ51_2cLq0xK6bHLQWRq/s1600/SS100488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjc7MM58NRaHcElj9X6DPyH2k6AII2_KAght2lFVCwwgGqSLcy2pVIEpDBXx9NjGK9d3CXX7SXkRZJVRK_eW7Lztyl6OvbD-swDU101zpAnLP31JT0JZOirwwhZ51_2cLq0xK6bHLQWRq/s320/SS100488.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nonstop craziness, all day...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-DvhtJP1ZdYlW9LlJDPQzIgkYrFSEN2X40h47jjmKT4d3hmSjpxn64XC5f2wbZq0EwUHdMsip6kuR-JIWGJbBdOaLYT3HtNq17f6JMK819w4AjS4gND3ca9ZTuztWUSUhy96AbrdcUuV/s1600/SS100489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-DvhtJP1ZdYlW9LlJDPQzIgkYrFSEN2X40h47jjmKT4d3hmSjpxn64XC5f2wbZq0EwUHdMsip6kuR-JIWGJbBdOaLYT3HtNq17f6JMK819w4AjS4gND3ca9ZTuztWUSUhy96AbrdcUuV/s320/SS100489.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...every day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVLY_Kws3qiS6pcUs4GuU5EUT3_6EgPBuDUwdIcn14Z_vnh-pntJAG3PCOWZt6vKJLfXudqTt364L0zKzYKNOHJgOWZRoaTO2xCpRpMj96dz_aEX2xlIOK2jv52saJpmR3Yc1_tHHPCVK/s1600/SS100512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVLY_Kws3qiS6pcUs4GuU5EUT3_6EgPBuDUwdIcn14Z_vnh-pntJAG3PCOWZt6vKJLfXudqTt364L0zKzYKNOHJgOWZRoaTO2xCpRpMj96dz_aEX2xlIOK2jv52saJpmR3Yc1_tHHPCVK/s320/SS100512.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">200+ photos to finally get a couple in focus. Not exaggerating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Look at that face. Adorable, but no idea how to get along with other males, and constantly getting into fights with my Davinci and bullying my Goliath. And he peed on EVERYTHING, and then the boys peed on everything again, and it was a vicious cycle of constant urination (thank you, former owner who never got him neutered, that was a lot of fun). Which is why you see him wearing a belly band in the photo above. Because I'm only willing to replace my curtains once.<br />
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Anyhow, now for a new list! Hopefully more readily achievable!<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><strike>Repaint the dining room Tempered Gray (the same gray that the rest of the house is painted)</strike></li>
<li><strike>Finish fixing the cat stairs</strike></li>
<li>Refinish the fireplace</li>
<li><strike>Sort and organize all the paperwork in the office (again) </strike></li>
<li>Line the back of the office hutch with fabric</li>
</ul>And maybe:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Replace all the quarter round on the floors</li>
<li><strike>Start painting the trim and doors white</strike></li>
</ul></div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-75841189999592129902011-12-18T14:42:00.000-08:002011-12-19T19:30:50.680-08:00Fireplace, Part One, or To Create We Must First Destroy.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, here's what the fireplace used to look like (circa Xmas 2010):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oZxCSXSMBv96LLLMM4YntnOOyIbqzjB062PonPVKxu5q5bieI6FmtU9v-efKGrsXs1h4izSmcTFXJRfXYZQ3mk7zxxozsnc-hWPOC4y9FJBvaFoo1F-MwC-4IsNHlXzPkC1UA_gSMIc7/s1600/2010-11-26+12.00.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oZxCSXSMBv96LLLMM4YntnOOyIbqzjB062PonPVKxu5q5bieI6FmtU9v-efKGrsXs1h4izSmcTFXJRfXYZQ3mk7zxxozsnc-hWPOC4y9FJBvaFoo1F-MwC-4IsNHlXzPkC1UA_gSMIc7/s400/2010-11-26+12.00.21.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Originally the fireplace was painted the same yellow-beige as the rest of the trim. Hubby painted it with white gloss latex, along with the rest of the trim in the living room.<br />
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And now:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p7pEwdGA4cLsQGrSYLjangZjoVk_THoQ35bOF8Ixf01QhyphenhyphenR_x8FWIN73PBh9GQywLtXyfBD9QuXSidSUQ_UXYYFWLUb_tW9pB9mT3EQvcysXJ-SfG9OQW_8I1ulDEUbJgzpJ8Vy3TQfv/s1600/IMAG0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p7pEwdGA4cLsQGrSYLjangZjoVk_THoQ35bOF8Ixf01QhyphenhyphenR_x8FWIN73PBh9GQywLtXyfBD9QuXSidSUQ_UXYYFWLUb_tW9pB9mT3EQvcysXJ-SfG9OQW_8I1ulDEUbJgzpJ8Vy3TQfv/s400/IMAG0220.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Well, we decided we wanted to strip the latex off and repaint all the trim in the house with oil instead, and the trim painting project got put on hold for 18+ months....<br />
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So one day a few months ago, I thought to myself, what would make a good day project? Stripping the fireplace.<br />
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Only this is what I had after six hours of stripping:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuly8-KGoaFMyksPCsnskPelNoN1vn7Uq5OwCPsX_gHY9O0Xg5mitiG8V2tNxctsB9tNgJsMIuRlgiq30uxdLU-K5cc4QSD3hsDO66dKt-WDYGmaM76CYmCN5CQ5VuB_24a6dqfGJSNYhY/s1600/6153154891_8e0e7dae3d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuly8-KGoaFMyksPCsnskPelNoN1vn7Uq5OwCPsX_gHY9O0Xg5mitiG8V2tNxctsB9tNgJsMIuRlgiq30uxdLU-K5cc4QSD3hsDO66dKt-WDYGmaM76CYmCN5CQ5VuB_24a6dqfGJSNYhY/s320/6153154891_8e0e7dae3d_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was a total nightmare. The Citristrip kept drying out and nothing wanted to come off. I even tried using the highly toxic conventional stripper, with the same results. I draped a plastic drop cloth over it to keep the stripper from drying out, and it still wasn't working. Not to mention the stripper wouldn't come off either. HUGE FRIGGIN' MESS.<br />
<br />
So the hubby ripped all the trim and MDF off. The plan: widen the frame by 2 inches on each side (to make the legs more proportional to the height), recover in new MDF, prime, paint, and make a new mantle. We will probably also replace the tile, either in something a little lighter or maybe matte black, probably subway tile.<br />
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As for the mantle, I'm thinking something like this one from <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/my-82-fireplace-makeover/">The Lettered Cottage</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1C2m-Hbl0S9fFxYClenJyRHf9xnO-mPdq4R6EAD2juqnt8lWgkfjc91d0LEbPrxHCe29FCiJq7aCV60Ru8KlHQS08vvkonVJYIuxXhT7ry68XD21LPav2GRYhwK6ORnnkIYd2TgA14zT/s1600/IMG_7856_1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1C2m-Hbl0S9fFxYClenJyRHf9xnO-mPdq4R6EAD2juqnt8lWgkfjc91d0LEbPrxHCe29FCiJq7aCV60Ru8KlHQS08vvkonVJYIuxXhT7ry68XD21LPav2GRYhwK6ORnnkIYd2TgA14zT/s400/IMG_7856_1-1.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>Although I really love this fireplace from <a href="http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2011/08/living-room-changes.html">Sweet Something Designs</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3UpPBmaTniXSdyVTPlNlthLRIUW2qDYI_Us-8NO9Ux5RK7U4ZkPT8W5AUdBpmP8DkMJli0hJjkeXR-Ms9QknG42ubMs-gW2iuKeU7b9TV7Bea4NwQ3JFd7Xa2eQoDJfjCXtELj7AQ3WC/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3UpPBmaTniXSdyVTPlNlthLRIUW2qDYI_Us-8NO9Ux5RK7U4ZkPT8W5AUdBpmP8DkMJli0hJjkeXR-Ms9QknG42ubMs-gW2iuKeU7b9TV7Bea4NwQ3JFd7Xa2eQoDJfjCXtELj7AQ3WC/s400/IMG_0212.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>The clean lines are great, and I love how the fireplace acts as its own mantle, but we have no hearth and to make our fireplace that deep (and still functional) would be a huge project. Right now, after having to look at my fireplace in varying states of disaster for the last few months, I really just want to get this fixed quick and cheap.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-90752198622640769482011-11-13T13:48:00.000-08:002011-11-13T13:52:58.708-08:00Master Bedroom, Fall 2011.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYF_L-MEuFxUZAWLAL9NWndFSq-GdUZoSZWtFEUOuT9hf3NTabnrKLWH2UDM6xFZchPuT2jGtDmy6rafRDlqxJi0MHYa_XlS2YaErBhdwS309lDNQqDjFSKaMfTouv025opXDqCPCXb15/s1600/SS100270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_1483143722"></span><span id="goog_1483143723"></span></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V0a3rhPn-qn8-pDJTzW1T2o-uWeaP9TEm4UyUQIPmieZo8gdPronuhzAw4ncll8NgpHMcutm151zD1r7XKySIULMH1i5R0RbR1r2WYtRsgup9Q8U_hQsnACBO65RA__FUibBGkk8-nuF/s1600/SS100449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V0a3rhPn-qn8-pDJTzW1T2o-uWeaP9TEm4UyUQIPmieZo8gdPronuhzAw4ncll8NgpHMcutm151zD1r7XKySIULMH1i5R0RbR1r2WYtRsgup9Q8U_hQsnACBO65RA__FUibBGkk8-nuF/s400/SS100449.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Overall, the master bedroom <a href="http://armstrongdrive.blogspot.com/2011/01/master-bedroom-january-2011.html">hasn't changed too much</a>. The bed has 'real' art above it, with a frame I stripped and gold leafed. FYI, gold-leaf on a frame with a lot of deep grooves is a PITA. I gave up trying to get total coverage and left some of the wood showing through. We moved the IKEA bookcase into <a href="http://armstrongdrive.blogspot.com/2011/06/office-take-two.html">the office</a>, and in its place is the dresser that matches the awesome vanity. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iu0MPK1O8SJXZIyb9-sqktJSDRK712xIp1ca4mWYipqEr-v3COedxE4yASonwL9EelQpy241_OWpZWfroH2_CMbh7NWiwrSTOBoGGgjdQtBZXYZhV3x8uQBQSqXFrZzHmacKggSK0eBY/s1600/SS100270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-iu0MPK1O8SJXZIyb9-sqktJSDRK712xIp1ca4mWYipqEr-v3COedxE4yASonwL9EelQpy241_OWpZWfroH2_CMbh7NWiwrSTOBoGGgjdQtBZXYZhV3x8uQBQSqXFrZzHmacKggSK0eBY/s400/SS100270.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
The MM print also moved to the office, replaced by... another MM print! Yes, I am a little bit addicted.<br />
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It feels a bit heavy with all the wood, so I want to strip the nightstand drawer fronts and repaint them white to lighten things up a bit and help the bed feel a little more cohesive.<br />
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I also hung another print by the hubby's side of the bed with the scarab cross-stitch. This one is Black Bear by Ryan Berkley.<br />
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I had to do a lot of fiddling with the camera settings to get these photos, and there's still a bit too much noise and a yellow overcast. I guess if I want to be serious I need to invest in a DSLR. And real photo editing software. Ah well, good enough for now.<br />
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</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-28031624567593167922011-09-10T13:40:00.000-07:002011-09-10T13:40:19.709-07:00Guest Bathroom Update.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieI7VfvMOwRW2TrTaj6XBWs6mC159n_BV9V9sMWd-N3yx9kMT1OAyoyaszdPskVioGP6kvDO9Q6k9v73h31P4yq3Oxy9GXExanGDCZeRm1YH5l2_hkwlI_8z0n0Zhe-GXwHx_fF2SPrlH7/s1600/IMAG0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieI7VfvMOwRW2TrTaj6XBWs6mC159n_BV9V9sMWd-N3yx9kMT1OAyoyaszdPskVioGP6kvDO9Q6k9v73h31P4yq3Oxy9GXExanGDCZeRm1YH5l2_hkwlI_8z0n0Zhe-GXwHx_fF2SPrlH7/s400/IMAG0043.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>We installed a new light, new hardware, and a new mirror (well, not really new, it's the mirror from the living room). The hubby was kind enough to patch the <a href="http://armstrongdrive.blogspot.com/2011/08/theres-hole.html">random hole</a> and re-texture the wall. I painted it Gobi Desert by Behr. Still beige, but a nice sandy beige rather than the sponge-painted Bandaid pink/beige nightmare that was in there before. It was the last room in the house that still had that color in there, and it feels amazing to have it finally gone.<br />
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A few things left to finish: find a towel bar that coordinates with the other satin nickel hardware, replace the faucet (also in satin nickel), paint the trim white, and possibly paint/stain the vanity a dark espresso brown.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-4429471246514823522011-08-07T08:08:00.000-07:002011-08-07T10:28:57.864-07:00Dresser Revamp.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTH_hyqKQK08sey9D8ucimnVEiDIsALTrpKomCKqg7RE50XKbgVQ13tB09jWOaMvTgGdWwcI34lsT4b36TU4_Osf0KNToUDsoA2WUh_hisxOSVcnyFJzFhkm6bxskvTZ8KSL1WSbVwG8q/s1600/SS100021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTH_hyqKQK08sey9D8ucimnVEiDIsALTrpKomCKqg7RE50XKbgVQ13tB09jWOaMvTgGdWwcI34lsT4b36TU4_Osf0KNToUDsoA2WUh_hisxOSVcnyFJzFhkm6bxskvTZ8KSL1WSbVwG8q/s400/SS100021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I finished <a href="http://armstrongdrive.blogspot.com/2011/07/refinishing-dresser.html">the dresser</a> (mostly, like 99%). It's not perfect but it looks so much better than before. And it was my first major refinishing project. I spray painted the outside white after patching the wood, but I left the faux bois laminate on the top as is. The edge got a little funny, so at some point I will go back and clean that up. I don't really want to paint the laminate, simply because I don't think it will be as durable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSetFYBWmb0RfhhNnQlKYsnt8c2KvBTwR3fmkGKbf6AKrRBiU6Toy1vxVeeJ104KwVqtGbgaTnLDWd2Ss5_OBycX-tnUpW82h0MkAG6cmWR_hrz6wI2JFA3BF6i-he7Zt-xbSUnCpurWoj/s1600/SS100019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSetFYBWmb0RfhhNnQlKYsnt8c2KvBTwR3fmkGKbf6AKrRBiU6Toy1vxVeeJ104KwVqtGbgaTnLDWd2Ss5_OBycX-tnUpW82h0MkAG6cmWR_hrz6wI2JFA3BF6i-he7Zt-xbSUnCpurWoj/s400/SS100019.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
The drawer fronts and legs I refinished following <a href="http://www.the-brick-house.com/2010/09/refreshing-vintage-wood/">this tutorial</a>. The finish had become very grey. I was thrilled at how amazing it looks now. The wood adsorbed a crazy amount of the Feed N' Wax. <br />
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I also repainted our guest bedroom, where the dresser is. My husband really can't tell the difference. It's still beige, so not a huge change, but it no longer picks up that horrid Band-Aid pink tone during certain times of the day. Normally neutrals aren't really my thing, but I'm actually kind of loving it. I'm planning to do the entire room in white, wood, and a touch of black (and maybe some metal, like a vintage fan).</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-64295978566745510002011-08-04T18:24:00.000-07:002011-09-10T13:39:43.378-07:00There's a Hole.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, after bugging him for a month or so, my husband got started on some of the updates for our <a href="http://armstrongdrive.blogspot.com/2011/02/guest-bathroom.html#more">guest bathroom</a>. He scored some free satin nickel hardware from work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqneEjchISpjyVcX3IkauZJ0UNnlK-WpgnZDP7Rw7D79HgeizA_LcuVvDKPgxZRctShs0a6ppHv9pt0byCKmOg8TYk6X7kWa8LefkXA0lCc8Yu08dyj1iIWm8N6gOO_DWkyBA2Ocw4xcA/s1600/SS100007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqneEjchISpjyVcX3IkauZJ0UNnlK-WpgnZDP7Rw7D79HgeizA_LcuVvDKPgxZRctShs0a6ppHv9pt0byCKmOg8TYk6X7kWa8LefkXA0lCc8Yu08dyj1iIWm8N6gOO_DWkyBA2Ocw4xcA/s400/SS100007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
He took down the builder grade mirror, only to reveal a fist-sized hole in the wall with no obvious purpose, except maybe access to the pipe? Since the new mirror is smaller and doesn't cover the hole, it has to be patched, textured and painted.<br />
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There was also apparently no junction box or stud installed in the wall for the light to attach to, but he managed to install the new light fixture we got on sale at Lowe's:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU8eomwgls4TPmAwBlO0VguTAQIdjbhEsOegRD3jKM4kPLLK7mGAy_CnWCh89o7vE20ac7UDv3DMA8FPwR7_5Ws6aVsCDOSoic06tBU5LY-13Rr1ZJGoWRzsLUiy8jH7b113KMzATvowm/s1600/SS100006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU8eomwgls4TPmAwBlO0VguTAQIdjbhEsOegRD3jKM4kPLLK7mGAy_CnWCh89o7vE20ac7UDv3DMA8FPwR7_5Ws6aVsCDOSoic06tBU5LY-13Rr1ZJGoWRzsLUiy8jH7b113KMzATvowm/s400/SS100006.JPG" width="400" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It is soooo much better than the ugly thing that was up there before, which looked like <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_296929-76219-EMI1304+CR_4294798245_4294937087_?productId=3122429&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Bathroom%2BVanity%2BLights_4294798245_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1&facetInfo=">this</a> only really dingy with the chrome worn off in places. It had been there since the house was built 15 years ago, judging by the white rectangle left behind once we removed it.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-39872324783204644662011-08-01T16:27:00.000-07:002011-08-01T16:27:07.084-07:00Kitchen Greens.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uaupuCXAoatvtOPjOnHSBjUL2h605LvTHzXFSQaMEIMmILac8c1Ns7-RXhl3Ol_orcq6o8iCHDK1G5Ed1HF5Dl_OmZ8I37xW3lJASb5vvDGHYquOxEYuFeqS4SyU9j0w4iMKY4W_wiQk/s1600/SS100005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uaupuCXAoatvtOPjOnHSBjUL2h605LvTHzXFSQaMEIMmILac8c1Ns7-RXhl3Ol_orcq6o8iCHDK1G5Ed1HF5Dl_OmZ8I37xW3lJASb5vvDGHYquOxEYuFeqS4SyU9j0w4iMKY4W_wiQk/s400/SS100005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Well the shelves above the stove are now home to the majority of my houseplants. Little kitty cat figured out how to get up on the top of the fridge and massacred them, so to save the new ones I just got (and keep her from poisoning herself), I put them over here, which is just high enough she can't reach, unlike the other side. I actually am kinda loving all the greenery. If she couldn't reach the other side via the fridge, I would totally replace all the wine bottles with plants instead.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-28672360432141910362011-07-23T10:21:00.000-07:002011-07-23T10:21:39.499-07:00Refinishing the Dresser.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4A9dF8s1Uk26ll1FNOO4n4o1O9deEyE5ZxdP96UlKqlxXsPUm9W1AYxFmg-7wEiK9WFZXPqTJJ0wqg5lJ9lvSJBMckVWqyj7XKzJZh5gSTCB7QShsJcxaQJNl7RP3TBPv3zi_9k_09IA/s1600/2011-07-23+12.07.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4A9dF8s1Uk26ll1FNOO4n4o1O9deEyE5ZxdP96UlKqlxXsPUm9W1AYxFmg-7wEiK9WFZXPqTJJ0wqg5lJ9lvSJBMckVWqyj7XKzJZh5gSTCB7QShsJcxaQJNl7RP3TBPv3zi_9k_09IA/s400/2011-07-23+12.07.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I've stripped and sanded the entire thing (except the legs, those are last), patched the missing chunks on the sides, and now I've primed the main part. I'm gonna paint it white with an oil-based paint (probably spraypaint) and leave the drawers the wood tone. They have some chips, but they were overall in much better condition than the rest of the dresser. We'll consider the wear and tear as "character". I was going to paint the legs white also, but I'm kinda digging the wood tone. The top is a plastic laminate or something, I decided it would be easiest to just leave it as is.<br />
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It looked like this before:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTkC3-N_Bki0kv1WOmx4ovinEZF2SaMs2VFYb4xwWuJlM6xRfIWls9pDK98ocLBXAc-vZD4HZWL_1_0Whrzdtn0J4hFl_LlffMlHOLRXtf6hu9wKeBIlAsxhhEqe7cB7ehORiiCRwSPP0/s1600/4523801641_abae20a10a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTkC3-N_Bki0kv1WOmx4ovinEZF2SaMs2VFYb4xwWuJlM6xRfIWls9pDK98ocLBXAc-vZD4HZWL_1_0Whrzdtn0J4hFl_LlffMlHOLRXtf6hu9wKeBIlAsxhhEqe7cB7ehORiiCRwSPP0/s400/4523801641_abae20a10a_b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The photo hides a lot of the damage it has, and you can't tell that the finish was very greyed and sad-looking, especially compared to our other vintage pieces.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-6883510963248324882011-06-19T14:09:00.000-07:002012-02-13T16:58:59.526-08:00The Office: Take Two.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKl0KOkn0P-uD7oJYEp9I4tPi1Rpb5j42AYf4JynsqnXNNLAJPkqv75mirxdhRnC6rdDQw2H58I9zUamVfpkWv9bqSUwZY26rqFR5z4WZs6MukA2fejYCMP3lnpAA39lCvB_NJTKroXDV3/s1600/SS100620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKl0KOkn0P-uD7oJYEp9I4tPi1Rpb5j42AYf4JynsqnXNNLAJPkqv75mirxdhRnC6rdDQw2H58I9zUamVfpkWv9bqSUwZY26rqFR5z4WZs6MukA2fejYCMP3lnpAA39lCvB_NJTKroXDV3/s400/SS100620.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Just a few small adjustments. I'm hardly ever 100% satisfied the first time a room is 'complete'. That stool was horribly uncomfortable to use, so I spraypainted my folding chair espresso brown and put an IKEA lambskin on it for some cushion. Eventually I will get a real office chair, but it is really difficult to find one that is comfortable, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FsxZ9GRcAWiogB657Bz8HoONZwKvoL-WgIbvxUH1IT6RS_K0VGvGgsV6qzFWY7s8TaJqMe_gw0NEg8OXPKIn5ztrieAf_y49Kk8ezL0k0OS3ARRLJHC1_WfohFrhVeHSm8GU-vQG2yC4/s1600/SS100586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FsxZ9GRcAWiogB657Bz8HoONZwKvoL-WgIbvxUH1IT6RS_K0VGvGgsV6qzFWY7s8TaJqMe_gw0NEg8OXPKIn5ztrieAf_y49Kk8ezL0k0OS3ARRLJHC1_WfohFrhVeHSm8GU-vQG2yC4/s400/SS100586.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qf2iL9x4Xp_3SEfvEUyVyYatb448RL2c1eSBLTXa5tv8dWcF_ESyNV8Q3-_Sx1XQhNH7Gj5bpChDvLjM1Bu-jhtHkUWtazwLHaoR4M-y7d7WkoSh_sZToDgvesMLqVevuIEN-gd_qHYI/s1600/SS100605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>I exchanged the colored cups for white ones. I kind of miss the pop of color though. And I downloaded a <a href="http://thecolourclock.co.uk/">new screensaver</a>.<br />
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I really wasn't loving how the Expedit looked in conjunction with the desk and buffet, but I still needed the storage, so I put it in the closet and moved the filing cabinet out. It's more efficient this way also since I keep a lot of my office supplies in the top drawers - stationary, stapler, staples, pencil lead and pen refills, etc. And it coordinates pretty well with the Crate and Barrel desk even though it's from IKEA (Effektiv, in case you were wondering).<br />
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I had to replace my curtains since the kitten decided to mess with them and being a very thin cotton, they just looked trashed. I used the curtains from the dining room that had shrunk a couple inches after I washed them (yes, I washed them before hemming, but they shrunk again). I also installed a proper curtain rod and holdback hook.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qf2iL9x4Xp_3SEfvEUyVyYatb448RL2c1eSBLTXa5tv8dWcF_ESyNV8Q3-_Sx1XQhNH7Gj5bpChDvLjM1Bu-jhtHkUWtazwLHaoR4M-y7d7WkoSh_sZToDgvesMLqVevuIEN-gd_qHYI/s1600/SS100605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qf2iL9x4Xp_3SEfvEUyVyYatb448RL2c1eSBLTXa5tv8dWcF_ESyNV8Q3-_Sx1XQhNH7Gj5bpChDvLjM1Bu-jhtHkUWtazwLHaoR4M-y7d7WkoSh_sZToDgvesMLqVevuIEN-gd_qHYI/s400/SS100605.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can see the closet is still pastel blue from the previous owner. Her daughter's growth chart is drawn on the wall too, in permanent marker, but you can't see it in this photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsB2knrf-hH-3dMH02JP4C4CJcNSdxnzJd1xHCoKQX1pgbcEzfvUkZUOx5AySgOOSanmYXc9cNw8zll7hXmjIq3xOrS5h8iR6CrkEVAFL7xiiI7BGjFxBZjKUP2U5uuHCF6mRd1WdX34jh/s1600/SS100625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsB2knrf-hH-3dMH02JP4C4CJcNSdxnzJd1xHCoKQX1pgbcEzfvUkZUOx5AySgOOSanmYXc9cNw8zll7hXmjIq3xOrS5h8iR6CrkEVAFL7xiiI7BGjFxBZjKUP2U5uuHCF6mRd1WdX34jh/s400/SS100625.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
The buffet is still the same.<br />
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Since the bookcase is in the closet, I moved my reference textbooks to the printer table and put the sewing machine, which is rarely used, in the closet as well. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGM8IFgaV6GunUU5IwTdTuPZyhXUhq06FuQvPT9WKGjqwXRnojfNIVCQhWeUvRhKyPmGWMRoMbD1SD7wYNdQxnn9fcxGm2BdV1E6DRuN_gaohtDex52u3lxcsZOWiNzWtT01tWwxl-qVSJ/s1600/SS100611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGM8IFgaV6GunUU5IwTdTuPZyhXUhq06FuQvPT9WKGjqwXRnojfNIVCQhWeUvRhKyPmGWMRoMbD1SD7wYNdQxnn9fcxGm2BdV1E6DRuN_gaohtDex52u3lxcsZOWiNzWtT01tWwxl-qVSJ/s400/SS100611.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Overall I'm much happier with it now, both aesthetically and functionally. We've also been building more shelving for the laundry room, so I'll get that posted after I finish the touch up paint and get everything organized.<br />
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P.S. I was featured as a Workspace of the Week on <a href="http://unclutterer.com/2011/06/10/workspace-of-the-week-kitty-approved/">Unclutter.com</a>! I was pleasantly surprised to find out, and it was amusing to read the entry as I had only added the photo of the desk and floating shelves to the Flickr group, and Erin was trying to figure out what was going on as far as a filing system (digital or analog). Then there's the comments, with almost everyone assuming EVERYTHING came from IKEA. I was really contemplating buying a cheap office chair there, but I decided against it. I love IKEA but I certainly don't want to look like I live in an IKEA showroom.</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5919931321629598910.post-90786538094460443312011-06-05T10:15:00.000-07:002011-06-06T05:55:33.545-07:00The Office.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09GBaMLcoUzmYIKycBH-K6J17N5lssUeMrWWABt8GlPLAgK-SWKlS09TWl9IJ_Tg4IvdCidTYucPSnSrEtS5a6YMuQ1ZfxLVxDP7ogj3rAUA4Xuq7VdgzHpmKgNuHzVQCLvs3LqAe9jeu/s1600/SS100329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09GBaMLcoUzmYIKycBH-K6J17N5lssUeMrWWABt8GlPLAgK-SWKlS09TWl9IJ_Tg4IvdCidTYucPSnSrEtS5a6YMuQ1ZfxLVxDP7ogj3rAUA4Xuq7VdgzHpmKgNuHzVQCLvs3LqAe9jeu/s400/SS100329.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />
The office has actually been organized for awhile, but I was waiting to take photos until we built the printer table, which was the last thing. Well, actually, I still need a proper chair too. That stool isn't exactly comfy. I have a couple folding chairs that I've been considering painting and upholstering, <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/how-to/how-to-diy-bohemian-upholstered-folding-chairs-077698">like this</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TokvHqL1_cA82L7DQ1comX36nbw7g0_PUoNOQ00uzr324c8bXiykoTW-DPsd0r7EKdFJVdhkl4KIO_MS8L5a6s6Gy6ocJ-I3aYXN8Gnzr6KTcZCM71Yz3B0zJ97xvAJ0a95WzI6aFzTe/s1600/SS100322.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TokvHqL1_cA82L7DQ1comX36nbw7g0_PUoNOQ00uzr324c8bXiykoTW-DPsd0r7EKdFJVdhkl4KIO_MS8L5a6s6Gy6ocJ-I3aYXN8Gnzr6KTcZCM71Yz3B0zJ97xvAJ0a95WzI6aFzTe/s400/SS100322.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />
The shelves are the IKEA Lack ones we originally had in the dining room for the <a href="http://armstrongdrive.blogspot.com/2011/04/cat-stairs-in-dining-room.html">cat shelves</a>. We still need to replace those with stud-mounted shelving for her. <br />
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To keep the desk uncluttered I bought the bar with the hanging cups at IKEA to hold all my pens and scissors and such. It looks nice, I just wish they had other colors available. I'd like to get a plant to put in the white ceramic cup. Maybe a <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/plants-flowers/10-ways-to-display-air-plants-107304?image_id=1094794">tillandsia</a>.<br />
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I based the printer table off <a href="http://chezlarsson.com/myblog/2009/11/bedside-table-howto.html">this design</a>, but with my own dimensions. It turned out well and was basically free. My husband had some MDF boards he got for free at work, and we already had paint, wood glue and nails. The only thing we bought was some wood filler to cover the nail holes. I'm thinking of doing another smaller one as a nightstand in the guest bedroom.<br />
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We originally had the Expedit bookcase in our <a href="http://armstrongdrive.blogspot.com/2011/01/master-bedroom-january-2011.html#more">master bedroom</a>, but I needed more clothing storage in there and more book storage in the office so we moved the bookcase in here and the little dresser that matches the vanity from the guest bedroom to the master. I'm not totally loving the bookcase in here, but it's functional. Maybe it will grow on me.<br />
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And of course there's the buffet that matches our dining set which I'm using as a bookcase. It's gorgeous and massive and this was the only place we could fit it. I can't imagine trying to move it again. I've thought about adding some sort of <a href="http://makingitlovely.com/2008/03/05/rearranging-the-dining-room-hutch/">patterned wallpaper or fabric to the back</a> of it to add some contrast.<br />
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Oh, and that's my collection of Breyer horses on top of the buffet. I had them on the top shelf of our linen closet in the master bathroom but my husband thought it was very creepy to have them all "looking at him" when he would get a towel. He still thinks they are creepy in here, and keeps suggesting I put them in the attic. I told him to suck it. The cat likes to jump from the bookcase to the top of the buffet, so I'll have to secure them with museum putty.</div><br />
And here's the before when it was the previous owner's preteen daughter's room:<br />
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</div>Jaimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18329712467292592801noreply@blogger.com0