tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59742341711607024542024-02-19T08:34:09.730-08:00Our Mid Century Modest BungalowRejuvenating our 1952 home, one project at a time.ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-46863401249546979962015-12-17T17:35:00.000-08:002015-12-17T17:35:01.676-08:00We've been busy/Welcome guesthouse!I've been utterly consumed for much of the past year with planning and building a guest house and regrading the back yard. It's been my intention to do a bunch of step by step posts but I never get around to it!<br />
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Here's a little summary.<br />
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First a before/after:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi0i7AcnvIJcDzhYRBvTYf9txuYQxkW1MiyeKjmKdzHY_lKBkllzFJWZTOQFwHn9h_Pbk9Nmh42KrLEghXp9ZibKzKzQPFNfATboy4Iu96Fh7H5A4N9zdqKESrY4YLUJojhQ6CuYGYqda/s1600/IMG_7586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi0i7AcnvIJcDzhYRBvTYf9txuYQxkW1MiyeKjmKdzHY_lKBkllzFJWZTOQFwHn9h_Pbk9Nmh42KrLEghXp9ZibKzKzQPFNfATboy4Iu96Fh7H5A4N9zdqKESrY4YLUJojhQ6CuYGYqda/s320/IMG_7586.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Polished concrete floors!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob9MdPpjNYBXZraQN42ZlCr3nEsE5nPOWiJQPD-HefCb_uvwCkYbTs03Bontzgy0BRI1ejglQVq7urcaLX6y87hMKL_Tkac6ilI1CO3NNWf7To0oNuJ5Sn6WeaUByjuoxBSC-6ktcGZoB/s1600/IMG_7330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob9MdPpjNYBXZraQN42ZlCr3nEsE5nPOWiJQPD-HefCb_uvwCkYbTs03Bontzgy0BRI1ejglQVq7urcaLX6y87hMKL_Tkac6ilI1CO3NNWf7To0oNuJ5Sn6WeaUByjuoxBSC-6ktcGZoB/s320/IMG_7330.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Exposed fir beams! Skylights!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UHyUlb-S8dsxTcWxTp6SSbxqPwoprGc8E9gGVM0SfwOxnbvbZUMREIzLPpMfKPti5zV_j9xZrhD27ZjsB98iq5J1YYIeZIeNxSRuWmlHpoQsTayMr6d4DyBV_vPzNxfz5WTkhA-NrtOu/s1600/IMG_7454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UHyUlb-S8dsxTcWxTp6SSbxqPwoprGc8E9gGVM0SfwOxnbvbZUMREIzLPpMfKPti5zV_j9xZrhD27ZjsB98iq5J1YYIeZIeNxSRuWmlHpoQsTayMr6d4DyBV_vPzNxfz5WTkhA-NrtOu/s320/IMG_7454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Before window coverings...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpk3nq3UXyETLp16DEQYrl_XwtBqr0kr5hMbApglrAtJJtHqfgR3lyrCtd5o6I5ZM6bNw0R3IFvj_3Vysm8_PL8VC3FtOF2okAAyg9on9-9OQ4kBjp7qR1CsCmzyst6mu0-XAPHP9uIhS2/s1600/IMG_7458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpk3nq3UXyETLp16DEQYrl_XwtBqr0kr5hMbApglrAtJJtHqfgR3lyrCtd5o6I5ZM6bNw0R3IFvj_3Vysm8_PL8VC3FtOF2okAAyg9on9-9OQ4kBjp7qR1CsCmzyst6mu0-XAPHP9uIhS2/s320/IMG_7458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tiny bathroom.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6Bw6BZSE6gcnL8NiEOcHynkvPIj-ZRxoHkd8Ayx2dubwfkAUX42wDhT2Jxg_DokcAcmieiucegIB-Drxt9vPIx2ZnV1510liafFhKVPtpFBJledNSCq5k25CwntjRsoEyxHooAKRxtp8/s1600/IMG_7461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6Bw6BZSE6gcnL8NiEOcHynkvPIj-ZRxoHkd8Ayx2dubwfkAUX42wDhT2Jxg_DokcAcmieiucegIB-Drxt9vPIx2ZnV1510liafFhKVPtpFBJledNSCq5k25CwntjRsoEyxHooAKRxtp8/s320/IMG_7461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Custom shower!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR1jqE0tpNbA0fvBfsQoxMDwnVcztKBOQqY9_vz6IDdYEBZiS_ZW9rXLOrxCCdnvxSvs9gFTYXR99v6oGnTJIeLzSlvG4uXc0kGPRDhJFTRBFoyzFdGPRs2DabmYHVFxE22wwarkVx4DQ/s1600/IMG_7462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR1jqE0tpNbA0fvBfsQoxMDwnVcztKBOQqY9_vz6IDdYEBZiS_ZW9rXLOrxCCdnvxSvs9gFTYXR99v6oGnTJIeLzSlvG4uXc0kGPRDhJFTRBFoyzFdGPRs2DabmYHVFxE22wwarkVx4DQ/s320/IMG_7462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pebble shower floor!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl11vNRQrTJooW3n_ZKj0jw2xd0B9Y6eFZB57sMEjJatHXjtxA74EszL2reRi0V8go4tyxA5IzByP51DxoDxaeFDJLZFLB0sDoZirDSTFkSYo7-S-oTZyUvKa4NlnTvYczu6zcMoWGU8D/s1600/IMG_7463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl11vNRQrTJooW3n_ZKj0jw2xd0B9Y6eFZB57sMEjJatHXjtxA74EszL2reRi0V8go4tyxA5IzByP51DxoDxaeFDJLZFLB0sDoZirDSTFkSYo7-S-oTZyUvKa4NlnTvYczu6zcMoWGU8D/s320/IMG_7463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gradient stairs!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMKGgBo3Mrm_8g3U8c2fzncwU4RY0ursDNodzbrStcEqHbzyaUWigax3k4H3RyRTiCZcnXqH3yAQ-1Dvl4hTUnHvBagd2JNkB5o4uxDwPlTN3konyd4YtoxhYVSPRkW0gZL-xcWtz6S-C/s1600/IMG_7464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMKGgBo3Mrm_8g3U8c2fzncwU4RY0ursDNodzbrStcEqHbzyaUWigax3k4H3RyRTiCZcnXqH3yAQ-1Dvl4hTUnHvBagd2JNkB5o4uxDwPlTN3konyd4YtoxhYVSPRkW0gZL-xcWtz6S-C/s320/IMG_7464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I built that table! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMXFURPzNibmIc3ZV_ZxAH5hpCiITep-HkBHfAueAf8eY83VSH5VwTRjsrw0-o5IWwnRCtJGsOsYyPIcW6B9M7vz5e89M5fkLyw71SVymwNoTZOZlOxaFjEmIvofX1c9sX-JZFYDznz2G/s1600/IMG_7465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMXFURPzNibmIc3ZV_ZxAH5hpCiITep-HkBHfAueAf8eY83VSH5VwTRjsrw0-o5IWwnRCtJGsOsYyPIcW6B9M7vz5e89M5fkLyw71SVymwNoTZOZlOxaFjEmIvofX1c9sX-JZFYDznz2G/s320/IMG_7465.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUVd8uifn1sXZ7zWHKH_GxiEUd0iUHsXBL6I6r1_pc4fpZfJNt2a5xAQlt1LdisFr3X2fhjEDxZ2iGhyphenhyphenjvViSLbOVoFUdsL2ToVwYvxReQGSWeRcWsepR3JmjedP_RIgyYBRRXcp9CLV7/s1600/IMG_7504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUVd8uifn1sXZ7zWHKH_GxiEUd0iUHsXBL6I6r1_pc4fpZfJNt2a5xAQlt1LdisFr3X2fhjEDxZ2iGhyphenhyphenjvViSLbOVoFUdsL2ToVwYvxReQGSWeRcWsepR3JmjedP_RIgyYBRRXcp9CLV7/s320/IMG_7504.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Microclover just starting come in; rain garden.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uy1lm3ag-UHUAOCPVFC6nSfp_0kd83zylEmKw6c1JRpHIqmFuvx_43J1q5Oid78LCkRgc4cL-MOg1it7BrQu6LD811HS5calgSPBHLrZvJhGshnaAxlCq-1kQSMR7HxzedKdeGEHjhE7/s1600/IMG_7649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uy1lm3ag-UHUAOCPVFC6nSfp_0kd83zylEmKw6c1JRpHIqmFuvx_43J1q5Oid78LCkRgc4cL-MOg1it7BrQu6LD811HS5calgSPBHLrZvJhGshnaAxlCq-1kQSMR7HxzedKdeGEHjhE7/s320/IMG_7649.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Microclover spreading and rain garden starting to come alive!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQak3uFKcfZwYQwHpQ0Dmst0R_dcjy2YeCfseNT18XG-KGAUwgnjLuSwd1wjmYZ6UZsDV2LoF6J9V5pUHbZeIkCd0rS2foAVoWW37cQmCbTZyeFuAaXKN9ySgfUBI-Oi3cGnxh-Iw9zuvY/s1600/IMG_7708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQak3uFKcfZwYQwHpQ0Dmst0R_dcjy2YeCfseNT18XG-KGAUwgnjLuSwd1wjmYZ6UZsDV2LoF6J9V5pUHbZeIkCd0rS2foAVoWW37cQmCbTZyeFuAaXKN9ySgfUBI-Oi3cGnxh-Iw9zuvY/s320/IMG_7708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, and we got a puppy!!<br />
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<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-63794292141229560962014-11-14T18:03:00.001-08:002014-11-23T23:12:07.538-08:00Finally, a hood!It took weeks to get it then we discovered that the previous owner had, in keeping with the way he'd done EVERYTHING, only vented the previous hood directly into the attic :( so we had to install a new vent through the roof, etc etc. <br />But now look! 600cfm and quiet. Yay!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/11/14/408.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/11/14/s_408.jpg' border='0' width='1600' height='1600' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br />Things I've learned in the hood-buying process: there are basically next to no deals on hoods unless you find them on closeout at a place like "homeclick"; never buy anything from homeclick (terrible customer service and even when something is "in stock" you may not see it for two months(!), hire an appliance installer who can do everything (electrical, roof stuff, etc.)<br /> <br /><br /><br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-62128734859097748952014-09-23T16:53:00.000-07:002014-10-12T21:39:29.326-07:00Meet Berta (the Bertazzoni)We were on the lookout for a 1950s O'Keefe and Merritt or Wedgewood range but decided that buying something modern would be the safer and ultimately more practical purchase.<br />
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Craigslist to the rescue again.<br />
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A nice couple wanted to get rid of their brand new gorgeous Italian professional-grade range--they bought a new townhome and wanted something different. I spent no time arguing that selling it for 60% of retail was totally crazy and instead just wrote the check.<br />
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We had the gas line extended and happily removed the crappy electric range we'd been cooking on for nearly a year. And then THIS arrived:<br />
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I'll put a better picture up when we aren't so busy cooking perfectly-cooked things. (Note the "<a href="http://www.forearmforklift.com/">Forearm Forklift</a>" straps still on the floor. I have to say, these straps were INCREDIBLE. We lifted a 200lb range like it was nothing.)<br />
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But back to the Bertazzoni: this thing is an amazing machine!!<br />
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Now, to find a hood.... Sigh.<br />
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In the meantime:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPeOOGYjaT-ZU3PG9ViISDNp8KDnjE4JXYfnjwWvY6FOeJi1GGczP2GbIlsbpl70083Ir82dzAH1etVSiqKqrMVyCQwrEoc9WeD55lfigdHm3k8JtrESrf-Y1PRz6M6Jf-WGT81jIr1UQ/s1600/IMG_4800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPeOOGYjaT-ZU3PG9ViISDNp8KDnjE4JXYfnjwWvY6FOeJi1GGczP2GbIlsbpl70083Ir82dzAH1etVSiqKqrMVyCQwrEoc9WeD55lfigdHm3k8JtrESrf-Y1PRz6M6Jf-WGT81jIr1UQ/s1600/IMG_4800.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbW_XZVkKrjXbo6-7C8CFzCFqgxIv9y6lzkV_QUdPrjK4HqxLzSNF-goadkf0wfTN2cVfAFCa6yFNX0QA3fHtFABcF4WaOUSM1MwdoY6XF0nBsW2xm9F5nGEdSnf6ecMjq3rZC7m1cIpX/s1600/IMG_4801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbW_XZVkKrjXbo6-7C8CFzCFqgxIv9y6lzkV_QUdPrjK4HqxLzSNF-goadkf0wfTN2cVfAFCa6yFNX0QA3fHtFABcF4WaOUSM1MwdoY6XF0nBsW2xm9F5nGEdSnf6ecMjq3rZC7m1cIpX/s1600/IMG_4801.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was unsure either was done because neither was brown enough, but both were cooked perfectly. I mean PERFECT.<br />
<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-16617055128577516332014-08-22T09:18:00.003-07:002014-09-30T16:33:22.751-07:00Front Porch! +Sculptura!After many ridiculous bids, the highest being $5K, I designed this little porch and hired my handyman to frame it. We love it.<br />
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Before:<br />
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Keep in mind it will blend much better in a few months after it "silvers out" a bit. We are so pleased with it and so are the neighbors. It made my day that a contractor/designer who is going to be building the guest house (spoiler alert!) asked who designed it.<br />
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Plus a little bonus I found at an estate sale today:<br />
Russell Woodard Sculptura Chairs, now en route to be powder coated.<br />
Yes!<br />
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ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-81666478334847115522014-07-16T08:20:00.001-07:002014-07-16T08:20:38.581-07:00Front porchPainting the front of the house really highlighted how terrible the stairs look: failing paint, spalling concrete and that terribly-placed handrail. The quotes for removing the concrete ($700) and building a new front porch ($3000) were way out of budget. Back to the drawing board. <br /><br />After many conversations with contractors and smart friends, plus a considerable amount of time spent on Houzz, I've just purchased the materials for a small porch. It might end up turning out alright. We'll see!<br /><br />The general idea (mock up):<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/07/16/473.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/07/16/s_473.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='161' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />With this sort of relief:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/07/16/474.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/07/16/s_474.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='175' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The framing:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/07/16/475.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/07/16/s_475.jpg' border='0' width='1600' height='1600' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-91121875133177863202014-07-13T10:07:00.003-07:002014-07-13T20:10:37.207-07:00Patio and gardenWe built some simple cedar raised beds and filled them up with veggie starts. We were a bit late to planting but they are looking good! <br />
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The boxes are made of cedar fencing, which may prove not to be the most long lasting, but with major backyard changes coming next year we thought it best to keep it simple in case we have to move them anyway. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5CSSQC5inwkqLjre6CcFKEusq1jAK1WjWTb9jAiPjb8AM7VHUlQVV64Ug3GpDM1rqPA4SSDlPh2jwXZv4A_lqhrPx_rK3aK4G-zRgSPgm3YAS9JO4fxUCMyyjfYqxxRuFA79FCh4YhwE/s1600/IMG_4161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5CSSQC5inwkqLjre6CcFKEusq1jAK1WjWTb9jAiPjb8AM7VHUlQVV64Ug3GpDM1rqPA4SSDlPh2jwXZv4A_lqhrPx_rK3aK4G-zRgSPgm3YAS9JO4fxUCMyyjfYqxxRuFA79FCh4YhwE/s1600/IMG_4161.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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And here they are full of future food. </div>
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(Note freshly assembled metal patio furniture from where we'll watch the garden grow. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukYPxI_GVJVFWcAjn3DQh2qbViRkm7eqFPSWUE5bVPMzpc_3WDEByXBcyEAuykkPFgV9p6bvztWj7RZolBlsm7QL0_lyhcdegqv40uugnKQvDVpKy6h9pCyPxVwmXo0CUUJWWeLMKjvLB/s1600/IMG_4297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukYPxI_GVJVFWcAjn3DQh2qbViRkm7eqFPSWUE5bVPMzpc_3WDEByXBcyEAuykkPFgV9p6bvztWj7RZolBlsm7QL0_lyhcdegqv40uugnKQvDVpKy6h9pCyPxVwmXo0CUUJWWeLMKjvLB/s1600/IMG_4297.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Patio%20and%20garden%20&z=10">Patio and garden </a></div>
ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-14759964968970238502014-07-11T08:12:00.000-07:002014-07-16T08:13:07.137-07:00Studio designI've met with two builders now to design a "studio" that includes a sleeping loft, bathroom and separate shed/storage area. The design will be simple, clean and hopefully cost-effective. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/07/16/469.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/07/16/s_469.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-25346139746299932092014-06-09T19:47:00.000-07:002014-07-10T08:57:38.874-07:00Screen door!The screen door is in. It's essential because this 1952 bungalow was designed with zero opening windows in the living room. <br />
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Ka-pow! Yellow. <br />
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Also, DIY light cover. <br />
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And ugh...I still have to paint the gutters and soffits on the sides of the house. Boo. <br />
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Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Screen%20door!&z=10">Screen door!</a></div>
ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-58962231101877556612014-05-12T10:54:00.001-07:002014-05-14T16:58:37.872-07:00Paint!Front of the house is painted!<br />
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(Painting gutters is misery.)<br />
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<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/05/12/455.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/05/12/s_455.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="280" /></a></center>
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Body color is Benjamin Moore Gunmetal and trim is Benjamin Moore Graphite.</center>
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The soffits are painted Sherwin Williams' Plymouth Green.</center>
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-14610026958010806792014-03-30T09:31:00.001-07:002014-03-30T09:31:17.902-07:00Exterior design help, continued.Well, this is never ending.<br />
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We still don't know what to do.<br />
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So far we've talked with contractors about tearing out the front steps ($600, even without replacing them), pouring new concrete (a problem because of the crawlspace access), building a wood deck around the existing steps (the contractor spent nearly an hour here, then I never heard back) and, finally, cladding the existing steps in flagstone and tearing out the walkway to also create a flagstone path. Whew.<br />
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And it's all expensive.<br />
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On top of that, we determined that we indeed have lead paint so the cost <i>just to prep</i> the house properly (requiring removal with an infrared heater) is as much as I thought it would be to do the whole job. We have opted to let the professionals prep the house and remove the lead paint, and we will get to paint it. Yay! (feigned enthusiasm)<br />
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Back to the porch though. I think we have to live with it as is for a while. We can move the crawlspace access for $500, which will allow us to landscape the small plot next to the stairs more easily and wait another year or so to build a porch :( I guess there's no rush, but still....<br />
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Here's the mockup:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AJQi_Icg5_1DrSmbICW_ygYPKsewUm4u_lDCvQudp7vdgMZEQe4a4KVCzhUK3yGwKYTmwIxWubv2ZwH0T2jxkj8JFeYP3fwUPiNH1FIgdcyucJNwQbMv2H0EhhpEvScysqIEs8PSK3su/s1600/porchwithpyramid.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AJQi_Icg5_1DrSmbICW_ygYPKsewUm4u_lDCvQudp7vdgMZEQe4a4KVCzhUK3yGwKYTmwIxWubv2ZwH0T2jxkj8JFeYP3fwUPiNH1FIgdcyucJNwQbMv2H0EhhpEvScysqIEs8PSK3su/s1600/porchwithpyramid.tiff" height="183" width="320" /></a></div>
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Upcoming: we are almost finished selecting paint colors!</div>
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<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-73558901787622051322014-03-10T08:20:00.001-07:002014-03-10T08:20:13.105-07:00Exterior design help wanted, Part 2Here is another mockup of the front porch, this time enclosed in wood painted to match. We like it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP94vRIjdMWwlHTk4b01hDRzNe7Q9_CZzkI-7d9KHXx6QDie-yniCIghLdvOOnOX15-CmgPx_cdip6KWU3aVU_U6vaH6Z1hJhOeSJBTLzvcFt7MJ9Ypb-WTprE_N5c95dqz8yIBV7hOGEB/s1600/porchwood.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP94vRIjdMWwlHTk4b01hDRzNe7Q9_CZzkI-7d9KHXx6QDie-yniCIghLdvOOnOX15-CmgPx_cdip6KWU3aVU_U6vaH6Z1hJhOeSJBTLzvcFt7MJ9Ypb-WTprE_N5c95dqz8yIBV7hOGEB/s1600/porchwood.tiff" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-39754995895166982552014-03-09T19:24:00.002-07:002014-03-09T19:28:29.093-07:00Landscaping success!After wrestling out 2.75 stumps left behind from the total front bed chainsaw massacre a couple of months ago, we planted a beautiful shore pine and were a little underwhelmed with the results. We needed a professional.<br />
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My buddy Doug from <a href="http://gardenmakersinc.com/">Gardenmakers</a> came and removed the last of the stump I couldn't excise and came up with a game plan for us. This weekend, in just 7.5 hours, the front yard was totally transformed!<br />
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Here is the rock that went in the bed. Turns out two of the three local stone dealers went out of business and the one that was left wanted a ridiculous amount for a basic rock. Five hundred dollars for a fairly average looking rock?? We went to some other garden shops looking for a "counterpoint to the pine," as Doug put it, and found nothing but birdbaths and gnomes. Then, my buddies and I happened upon a construction site and spotted a rock just sitting there in the mud next to the street... So.....we picked it up and put it in the trunk. Turns out it is some sort of classic local olivine or something, finding new life as a little mountain in our quiet garden.<br />
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I really don't think the construction site will miss it.<br />
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Another productive weekend at our little bungalow!<br />
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I am so excited to get this house painted, but we're getting so much rain it's not going to be possible for a while. Once the painting is complete (I'm budgeting four weekends--one per side of the house, which might be optimistic--I really have no idea) we can start in on the back yard!<br />
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<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-5015361008894393222014-03-07T08:24:00.000-08:002014-03-10T08:17:11.487-07:00Exterior design help wanted!As spring finally approaches, we are ready to begin planning some exterior renovations. Paint is coming soon, as it's needed badly, but the more exciting planning is around landscaping. We are tackling the northeast bed this weekend, so I'll post pictures of that soon (a landscaper friend recommended building up a bed for our beautiful tree to sit higher up, so that's the goal in the next few days).<br />
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The design question now is about how to get rid of the awful handrail that splits the picture window. It's such an eyesore for me and I can't wait to tear it down. (See how much better lifting that tree will look?)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo-O0T0om1wAlOyQCKQFi3SGsDsfQLTqI8nVpLbjQrs1rvbqyB9y6yClOh7QCu3KH213d6aZMggVDO0B93W4mZFw9BMRqQCmJmxKQ-A1LJtvGvAlS12z6sJPC4-b2t7nHurmVyOOU1RYA/s1600/IMG_3119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo-O0T0om1wAlOyQCKQFi3SGsDsfQLTqI8nVpLbjQrs1rvbqyB9y6yClOh7QCu3KH213d6aZMggVDO0B93W4mZFw9BMRqQCmJmxKQ-A1LJtvGvAlS12z6sJPC4-b2t7nHurmVyOOU1RYA/s1600/IMG_3119.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I want to extend the front steps so there is a longer platform/patio beneath the picture window. I am hoping we can resurface the concrete that is there so it will match the new. Here are two mockups: one with poured in form concrete and one in which the vertical walls are clad or created in brick.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImFRS1oYRkObDCKX-RuBjQTS0KWKkPSU0XG59wCEo16Wm5OIZbvRkGDYNpeH6D-ITIkHEyZs7o9jTHmPITCcqednFZWUKuuhVsep-1ma31vZfR44KH_1omohJ-ttbwTtLZSqQguPtdkMh/s1600/frontporchconcrete.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImFRS1oYRkObDCKX-RuBjQTS0KWKkPSU0XG59wCEo16Wm5OIZbvRkGDYNpeH6D-ITIkHEyZs7o9jTHmPITCcqednFZWUKuuhVsep-1ma31vZfR44KH_1omohJ-ttbwTtLZSqQguPtdkMh/s1600/frontporchconcrete.tiff" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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(brick)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFlvmozkEClKvaQOplgVnae99UZ6DdkG9xLFXbcWbyh47KAtTwFNG0Q5JC-I26mI5meQgvPUhr5whZPBRL0ycV0PKcKEzIbibfq1KziXeZuVVVID9056HyAyhkaKsxv4R2KeIdrZpwQ1N/s1600/porchbrickclad.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFlvmozkEClKvaQOplgVnae99UZ6DdkG9xLFXbcWbyh47KAtTwFNG0Q5JC-I26mI5meQgvPUhr5whZPBRL0ycV0PKcKEzIbibfq1KziXeZuVVVID9056HyAyhkaKsxv4R2KeIdrZpwQ1N/s1600/porchbrickclad.tiff" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Ignore the roof peeking up behind the house--that's a future addition and another story!)</span><br />
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I think the brick keeps the house more inline with the "mid century modest" style that it is.<br />
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My questions are:<br />
1) What kind of costs am I looking at here?<br />
2) How much more expensive would it be to use brick?<br />
3) Is it even possible to find brick that matches?<br />
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Any input is welcome. Thanks for stopping by!!<br />
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<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-29937315888394836312013-12-30T20:29:00.000-08:002013-12-31T07:18:51.019-08:00Ode to a Kitchen FaucetI just finished doing the dishes--not a chore I adore exactly but not the worst either (read: mowing)--and thought I'd give some deserved praise to, yes, our faucet.<br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/30/1941.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/30/s_1941.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><br />Had anyone told me I would spend well over $300 for a faucet I would have called them nuts so I guess it's good that no one warned me how expensive faucets are and how it just didn't matter in the end. When you really start looking at and comparing faucets you see that there's a world of difference between them. (Also, who knew the Italy is famous for them?) It's an item you use every single day, multiple times per day and you expect it to last a long time. I think there is literally nothing else in the house that gets used as often as the kitchen faucet, so why not get the one that is AWESOME then?<br /><br />We got a pull-down model and it switches from a stream to a glorious spray at the flick of a button and just makes you want to be a tiny gnome and crawl in the steaming sink shower, too. Okay, that might be going too far, but if you are wondering if you should get the cheap faucet and maybe replace it later when it breaks, don't! Just get a good one and enjoy the faucet bliss.<br /><br />(Unfortunately, I can't remember the model, but we bought a <a href="http://www.danze.com/">Danze</a>.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><i>On the turntable:</i><br /><br /><a href="https://play.spotify.com/album/0rmhjUgoVa17LZuS8xWQ3v">Lorde - Pure Herione</a><br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-85753722607166697802013-12-22T16:10:00.001-08:002013-12-22T22:30:37.590-08:00Solstice tree!<br /><br />Yesterday was my first day of vacation, which I celebrated by eating for breakfast a very special pink-iced sugar cookie shipped to my door from <a href="http://www.larryshouseofcakes.com/Cookies.html">Larry's House of Cakes</a>. To deal with the resulting sugar rush, I went for a jog around the neighborhood and met a new neighbor who was busy limbing a tree in his front yard with a chainsaw. <br /><br /><br /><br />Not more than five minutes later, our front yard went from this:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNVDFENnWreiN2f5bGwYYtFuzIa1KKc53rAehhHaCjuAqfWHSXz6t0iMT0AIzCX2i3waVQKoz9V76Vmk7w2I6-oBcNsgZR5fu024MztwAS00Lr75SUU2JYN5K1pC3tXUiPPizLDPNo1rE/s1600/IMG_2359+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNVDFENnWreiN2f5bGwYYtFuzIa1KKc53rAehhHaCjuAqfWHSXz6t0iMT0AIzCX2i3waVQKoz9V76Vmk7w2I6-oBcNsgZR5fu024MztwAS00Lr75SUU2JYN5K1pC3tXUiPPizLDPNo1rE/s320/IMG_2359+-+Version+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/22/1286.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/22/s_1286.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br />To this:</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You know when someone you know well shaves their mustache and their face looks all weird and wrong? Turns out the same thing happens when you take away ALL of the plants in your front yard.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Why would we do such a thing? Well, the plants that were there before had not been trimmed in many years and there was just no saving them. Any pruning would have left us with only wood, so we decided to wipe the slate clean.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/22/1298.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/22/s_1298.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Last weekend, we stopped in <a href="http://www.garden-spot.com/">The Garden Spot</a>, the sweetest neighborhood nursery ever, and stumbled on this shore pine:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We bought it :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And then we had to deal with our new purchase.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/22/s_1287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/22/s_1287.jpg" style="margin-top: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Being a novice at tree planting, I gathered what tools I could and had my best buddy/landscape lifeline on speed dial. Getting up the root ball of the space's former occupant was no easy task, and we still have four more stumps to go. E thought she'd give the pick a swing.<br /><br /><br /><br />(No houses were harmed in the taking of this picture.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />A shore pine is the same genus as a Japanese Black Pine, but a different species. This was has been well-trained already and we will have to learn a bit about maintaining it and getting it to grow in a, aesthetically-pleasing manner. We think it adds a needed vertical element to our squat little bungalow and can't wait to watch it grow. </div><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/22/1289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/22/s_1289.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />What you can't see is that it was so cold and raining all day. It's time for an AMAZING <a href="http://www.kulshanbrewery.com/beer-staging/christmas-ale/">Christmas beer</a> from <a href="http://www.kulshanbrewery.com/">Kulshan Brewery</a>, which happens to be a stone's throw from <a href="http://www.garden-spot.com/">The Garden Spot</a>. Keepin' it <i>very</i> local (except for the damn sugar cookies).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-81956007063032421132013-10-26T21:53:00.001-07:002013-12-30T21:20:59.498-08:00One bazillion shades of grayLooking for the right gray pales only in comparison to looking for the right white.<br />
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We've decided! <a href="http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/explore-colors/color-selector.html?screen=swatchScreen&colorId=1904">Valspar's "Tempered Gray"</a> it is. A nice neutral not-too-yellow, not-too-blue, not-too-brown gray. It's on the top left and lower right below, along with "Urban Sunrise," the darker gray, along with "Frappe" which, thankfully, we didn't like so I don't have to think of that name, ever.<br />
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Tomorrow is painting day!<br />
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ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-5986487142057418632013-10-16T17:05:00.001-07:002013-10-16T17:07:59.368-07:00Re-thinking the mineral oil method for the butcher blockI wanted to be a mineral oil purist when it came to the counters. I really <i>really </i>did. But after some 20 or so go-overs with mineral oil and <i>still</i> the counters seemed to need more, I continued my search. I still wanted to avoid any toxic sealants, but the idea of just sealing it all up sounded appealing. Then again there was the nagging question in my mind, <i>Then why did you get butcher block countertops at all?? </i><br />
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Then I found the <a href="http://oldtownhome.com/2013/1/11/Wax-On-Wax-Off---Butcher-Block-Oil-Treatment-Update/index.aspx">Old Town Home</a> blog and discovered that someone else had gone through the same process. I'm following their lead, except I added in more sanding (by hand): 80-grit, 100-grit, 150-grit and, finally, 220. This was last night, even after a workout at <a href="http://www.trailheadathletics.com/">Trailhead Athletics</a>, mind you. My arms are pooped. A workout regimen is superfluous when you have a new house.<br />
I applied <a href="http://www.howardproducts.com/prod-butcher-block.php">Howard Butcher Block Conditioner</a> and left it overnight. It said 20 minutes, but whatever. I wanted it to really get in there! I wiped that down this morning and applied another coat. It feels so smooth and just look at the water beading up:<br />
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Success.</div>
ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-83832313563732288492013-10-15T14:54:00.002-07:002013-10-18T13:58:33.345-07:00Painting the kitchen cabinets.To thwart the constant aggression of the HONEY OAK all over the kitchen, we opted to use a <a href="http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com/">Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations kit</a>, mostly based on the "no sanding" sales point. We read and perused countless reviews and pictures and decided it was worth $120 (probably closer to $170 with additional needed supplies) to transform our kitchen. More on the process below, but I can't wait to show you, so here it is! (updated pic):<br />
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More pics to come of the entire kitchen once we paint the wall. AND THEN WE'RE FINISHED!<br />
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In all, we are quite happy with the results. We chose the "Castle" color from Rustoleum and opted not to glaze them. I'm pretty sure glazing will go the way of honey oak sooner than later anyway. The kit worked fairly well and while there was so sanding, there was a LOT of scrubbing, "deglossing," as they call it. The most worrisome part is that this is possibly the most important step, because anything not sufficiently deglossed is likely not to hold paint, meaning it could just peel off in the future and leave us crying on our pretty yellow Marmoleum floor.<br />
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The DVD that accompanied the kit made it all look so fun and easy. They assured us we'd be sipping wine in the company of a golden retriever by the end, all with happy smiles on our faces. This wasn't exactly so.<br />
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E tackled the doors and drawers:<br />
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And I set to clean up the cabinet bases and frames. Here is what you have to do when the silicone securing the counter to the cabinet base was hastily applied. Scrape, scrape, scrape. And sand.<br />
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Prepped and ready for painting to begin! We started at 11 a.m. Friday. This was at 6pm, aka time for a beer:<br />
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<br />There were two rather disgusting pull-out cutting boards that gave us the creeps, so we took the opportunity to bury them forever.<br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/15/1395.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/15/s_1395.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a><br /><br />Door painting station (round #1 of 2):<br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/15/1396.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/15/s_1396.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a><br /><br />Back of doors after one round of paint/"bond coat." First of two on the back. Plus 2-3 hours drying time between. Then same process on the front. Do you see how "Three Easy Steps" is a bunch of crap? To complete just this step, it took us from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.<br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/15/1397.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/15/s_1397.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><br />Here is the schedule after I got mad at it and wadded it into a ball:<br /><br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/15/1399.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/15/s_1399.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><br />From many reviews, we gathered that the top coat (polyacrylic) was going to be tough, and it was. It dries VERY fast and if you go back over it with more of the stuff after it begins drying, it pretty much pulls up ALL of the layers. Luckily, only one coat was needed--very quickly applied--plus many hours of drying time.<br />Also, when they tell you to keep track of which door goes where, pay attention. Putting it back together was an unwanted puzzle at 9 pm on a Sunday.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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But now look!!!! </div>
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<br />We're thinking light grey for the wall color.... what do you think?<br /></center>
ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-67778179397164259022013-10-07T20:46:00.003-07:002013-10-07T20:46:57.281-07:00Towards a working fireplace Here's a project that can be completed over a lunch break. And a tea break. And okay, an after work beer break, too.<br />
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We bought an old fireplace screen on Craigslist. Yesterday we attacked it with a wire brush and then bathed it in rust-stripping solution overnight. Today I wiped away the surface dust, cleaned stubborn gunk from the mesh with a toothbrush, gave it one more anti-rust bath, rinsed the whole thing with clean water, air dried it in the miraculously not-raining-yet yard, and finally sprayed with black high-heat paint.<br />
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I needed a new toothbrush, anyway.</div>
<br />elainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14732655385388379108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-60077932140305450532013-10-07T08:55:00.001-07:002013-12-30T21:19:59.283-08:00Heat!I'm actually a little surprised at the difference in the heat coming out of the vents already. It's warm. Actually warm. I think the mastic was worth it. <br />
Some days home ownership feels like an uphill battle; some days I feel a little more in control. <br />
....now to go talk to the neighbor about branches from one of their trees banging against our house :(<br />
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Just moments later and I've had a talk with my sweet neighbor and am free to trim whatever I need. Yay for nice neighbors!<br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />
<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-16722484666727198532013-10-06T23:01:00.000-07:002013-10-07T08:58:05.555-07:00Energy savings projectsLast week, we had a consult with folks from the community energy challenge program. They spent four hours finding all the ways we are wasting money in our home. The full report is due next week, but I was in the house long enough during the assessment to see that the duct boots (where the air duct from the furnace attaches to the floor) were poorly attached, leaving large gaps so that cold are just constantly poured in from the (uninsulated) crawlspace. <br />A trip to the hardware store and a couple of youtube videos had me sealing the gaps myself with fiberglass tape and mastic. Nasty stuff, that mastic. <br />But now look:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/07/168.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/07/s_168.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />It doesn't make sense to heat the whole house when just one of us works from home in a single room and after a little research we found a solution in a ceramic wall heater. Looking forward to seeing how well it lives up to its claims. Heat at a lower price? Sold. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/07/169.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/07/s_169.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We will paint it to match the wall soon (isn't it cool you can do that?), but tonight I'm too tired!<br /><br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-37920098544460135922013-10-06T19:40:00.000-07:002013-10-07T08:44:35.279-07:00Butler door installed!The door is in! After a quick chop of 1/4" at the top and some shimming and holding an unruly door in place, we have successfully separated kitchen and laundry room. <br />Shims holding it in for the final measure. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/07/154.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/07/s_154.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />It swings! It stays open when fully extended! It stays closed when it's supposed to! It's quiet! Yay door!<br />View from the now separate laundry room:<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/07/934.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/07/s_934.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Now to determine if Pedal the Cat can push it open to get to her litter box....<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-38889366771459163602013-09-28T23:11:00.001-07:002013-09-29T09:27:59.763-07:00Hanging art in a clusterTried our hand at hanging art in a cluster. We laid everything out on the floor first so, thankfully, only a few errant holes. Pretty happy with the result thus far, with room for expansion!<br />
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<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-85060820289435706822013-09-22T17:00:00.001-07:002013-09-23T06:08:21.744-07:00And then this happened. Among the many neglected items in the house, the windows are on their lasts legs. The previous owner allowed the windows to rot to a point at which the locks <i>just fell out</i>. I replaced them in teh most solid wood I could locate, but just closing the bedroom window today killed one completely. It split like kindling. <br />
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How much are new windows?? SIGH. <br />
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<br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974234171160702454.post-43392435528136552492013-09-22T16:06:00.000-07:002013-09-23T06:06:12.972-07:00Kitchen finished. Almost. Now seems a great time for a little before and after comparison.<br />
The kitchen the day we took possession, three weeks ago.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3XsJ8D7rQGghghSlt28AdrGr2fVcdXAvKxPhtEQvQ0h-Li5oFRHd6CjnwEbP0_vFIMzv4OMScNRZPWZTUoaLuGLe4trwgviTCxwPzpU9Q4pzob2jyU2XSc-p0gXxcCk0JRQKupLpBmmP/s1600/IMG_2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3XsJ8D7rQGghghSlt28AdrGr2fVcdXAvKxPhtEQvQ0h-Li5oFRHd6CjnwEbP0_vFIMzv4OMScNRZPWZTUoaLuGLe4trwgviTCxwPzpU9Q4pzob2jyU2XSc-p0gXxcCk0JRQKupLpBmmP/s320/IMG_2529.jpg" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTyJpWUI2AXss_Xu9ICQ9dfl7ARO2c91nUIeQcQMmqbUA-MO8pPlkz02mxgxJl5DTd0sog78U5k2AZFY_0sIYaQcs1PqERtQevFTZWlGK3ec6hUsAVAVOdpQ37DCxDQXgNsykO7w9m93j/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTyJpWUI2AXss_Xu9ICQ9dfl7ARO2c91nUIeQcQMmqbUA-MO8pPlkz02mxgxJl5DTd0sog78U5k2AZFY_0sIYaQcs1PqERtQevFTZWlGK3ec6hUsAVAVOdpQ37DCxDQXgNsykO7w9m93j/s320/IMG_2063.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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The kitchen today.<br /><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/22/2153.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/22/s_2153.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /> </a><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/22/2154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/22/s_2154.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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A close-up of the tile backsplash, Daltile white with pewter epoxy grout:</div>
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And finally, I am seriously in love with this floor. It's like floating on a yellow cloud.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I started cutting base moulding today but ran out and can't bear to go to Lowe's again. Once that is prepped and painted and installed I think we'll need a break before tackling the cabinet project. Honey oak be damned!<center style="text-align: left;">
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ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04108438627900774205noreply@blogger.com0