The laundry room design is coming along. Remember what it looked like before? I decided to go with Option A! It added plenty of storage, the layout worked without having to redo plumbing or the counter top, and it was the least expensive. I painted the lower cabinet, took the shelf down, added spackle and repainted (still some touch ups to do). Taking down a shelf is easy. Usually they are attached with long brad nails. Getting them down is as easy as prying and pulling. No … [Read more...]
Are the Skies Still Gray? Color of the Year 2017
Yes, I think the sky is still a little gray. Let's all hear it for "poised taupe" Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year for 2017. Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams We've all been gaga over gray for a while now, but it is warming up a little. Sue Wadden, director of marketing, describes this color "like gray and brown had a baby." I think it's gorgeous! Check it out in this room: Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams Kinda makes me want to take a nap in that room right this second. … [Read more...]
SmartCode Deadbolt Installation
Post sponsored by Kwikset. Opinions are entirely my own. Yesterday I posted about our door security woes. Today the saga continues with a revamp of our garage door entrance. It's slightly embarrassing to post a before picture of this beauty: This garage entry door is used more than any other door in the home and it takes a massive beating. Honestly, it is the least inviting door to walk into. It's dirty, yucky, and had never been painted. But somehow after walking in and out a zillion … [Read more...]
Kevo Smart Lock & Door Handle Installation — Kwikset to the rescue!
School is in. I am back... let the games begin! Post sponsored by Kwikset. The opinions and observations are my own. Photo courtesy of Kwikset Picture this, a little over a year ago my family returned to our new home from vacation in the middle of the night with our tired, hungry littles only to discover that the keys our realtor gave us didn't work! Not then, not even now. Fast forward to today and we haven't had keys for over a year! It's crazy to think that we've literally been … [Read more...]
Summer Break
Hiking in the Uinta Mountains with my bestie and two littles Hi all, I hope your summer is epic. Thanks for the emails and comments wondering where the blog disappeared to... I will be back when my rascals return to school in the fall. I have lots of projects to share and I also have lots of kiddos who take priority. See you all soon, have a safe and happy summer! … [Read more...]
Live Edge Table Finishing Touches
Now I know why people charge so much money for live edge tables. I'm so excited I'm almost finished, thrilled to see it in the home, but also excited just to be done! I filled the holes with epoxy (I'll talk about this later) And trimmed the edges. One of the best parts of woodworking is that you smell delicious from shavings. I am trying to decide on the base, need to finish the top and then... let the eating begin! Happy Creating … [Read more...]
Laundry Room Reconstruction & Remodel
Before I start this post, I would like to apologize to my ancestors and many friends around the world that hand wash clothing. I'm ungrateful, I know. I hate my laundry room. In all fairness I kinda hate doing laundry, so it's only fair... It's small, dark, boring and doesn't use the space well. Here is what I'm working with: The room is 8.5 feet long and 5.5 wide and has ONE cabinet. It's a builder grade room, barely. Yes, it's much better than a closet or (cross your fingers) … [Read more...]
Live Edge Black Walnut Table “Proud as Punch”
My continuing education teacher Sheldon is a rock star. He's helpful, kind, and so knowledgeable. I haven't done a lot of this true woodworking before, but he knows the ropes. After lots of work was done we assembled the table to inspect it before gluing. Because the table is two inches thick it was clear I needed reinforcement when gluing so Sheldon taught me know to keep the table level by putting in "biscuits". Check out a biscuit joint tool. My husband came to join in the heavy … [Read more...]
Live Edge Black Walnut Table
Photo by Comoorganizarlacasa For years I have been enchanted by live edge tables. The wood grain and the rough but classic look is stunningly beautiful-- no one does it like mother nature. (So says the girl that painted oak yellow.) I have fallen in love again. First my husband, then my kids, and then this cry-your-eyes-out-beautiful slab of California Black Walnut: For my birthday my husband gave me my favorite gift ever "Thursday nights off for a year". It didn't take me long to … [Read more...]
Central America — Belize It Or Not
Blue above me, blue below, ribbons of sky waver on shallows of indigo. Cerulean shimmers on distant sea. Cobalt balloons to deeper immensity. Encircled, enfolded, engulfed. Perhaps I, too, dissolve to blue. -Poem by Jean K Rhodes (my grandma) I have been off line for a while, my husband and I celebrated our 15th anniversary in one of our favorite places... Latin America. We both lived in South America so we're fluent in Spanish, he also speaks Portuguese and a little French (oh la … [Read more...]