tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89496728208726030452024-03-13T23:09:28.545-04:00896 YDCThis is the story of Nate and Michele. We are a newlywed couple who bought our first single family home and decided to renovate both inside and out. It is a story of love, a story of frustration, and a story of satisfaction.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-81685468722914068492013-02-05T20:28:00.002-05:002013-02-05T20:31:49.666-05:00The HomiesWe have been nominated for the Homies! No idea who nominated us, but we are soaring through the charts with two votes! Even two votes makes me excited...that means that at least two people are actually following this blog. Yippee!<br />
Anyways, if you feel us worthy, please vote by clicking on the picture below! Thanks in advance!<br />
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-34727447313118246162013-01-18T13:31:00.001-05:002013-01-18T13:31:07.586-05:00This is my ConfessionSo, I want to get better at this blogging thing, I really really do. But for some reason, I can't seem to keep up with any kind of schedule. We have a ton of projects that need to be photographed and written about but they just sit there. Staring at me. Begging me to write about them and share them with the world. And what do I do? I ignore them. I curl up on the couch and I watch reality TV. And then the next day I see how how many people looked at the blog the day before and I think "People are still here. Still waiting for a new post." And then what happens? Repeat. That's it. Nothing gets written.<br />
I am so frustrated with myself! And I can only imagine how frustrated you guys are! I hate going to a blog that I read ritually and find that the blog post from a week ago is still up. And me? I am a month behind! I have no excuses. Truly, I don't. Yes, I am preggers, but as far as I can tell this big 'ole belly doesn't cover up the keyboard yet. Yes, I have a full time job but that certainly doesn't occupy my time past 5:00 typically. I am definitely not a domestic goddess (although I like to think myself one) that comes home from work to cook dinner, clean the house, and do laundry therefore rendering me with no time left to write a blog post. I am just lazy! There, I said it. I AM LAZY. And I need to stop it! Seriously.<br />
So now I am going to give you a real excuse for not posting in the coming week. We are going to Costa Rica! We went on our honeymoon over 3 years ago and we are going back! Maybe that will be my first post upon our return?....how awesomely amazing our rental house was. I am hoping that we can gather some inspiration for our master bedroom. I will keep you updated. Seriously. I promise. Maybe?Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-40060360857772269072012-12-16T20:40:00.001-05:002012-12-16T20:40:51.507-05:00Hang It UpWhen we did the stone fireplace in the <a href="http://theamenwithats.blogspot.com/2011/01/livin-it-up-in-new-den.html?utm_source=BP_recent" target="_blank">den</a> we had our fireplace tools just as most people do, hanging on the stand that the tools came with when we bought them.<br />
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See them down there on the right hand side of the fireplace? Well, when we started adding decorative items in front of the fireplace like lanterns with candles, firewood, etc., things started to look a little packed. We needed a solution that would get the fireplace tools off of the floor.<br />
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Enter rusty bolts. Yep, rusty bolts. Nate found some 1/2" rusty bolts lying around the landscape nursery at his work and decided to recycle them at our house. We decided upon the height and spacing for each of the fireplace tools. Nate put some epoxy onto the end of each of the bolts and hammered them into the grout joints in the locations that we had decided upon.<br />
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Once the bolts were secured and the epoxy had a chance to dry, we hung our fireplace tools and put the old stand out with the trash.<br />
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The old rusty pulley is obviously for decorative purposes, but we liked the way that it tied into the rusty bolts that our fireplace tools now hang from.<br />
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Now, if you aren't lucky enough to have rusty bolts just lying around your workplace (which, I am assuming that the majority of you are not) simply take new bolts (we happened to have square end bolts) spray paint them oil rubbed bronze and then lightly spray them with Rustoleum Multi-Colored texured spraypaint in "Autumn Brown" to get the same effect. If you had more time, you could also take new bolts and rough them up with some steel wool. Then let the bolts hang out in a container of salt water. Eventually, the bolts will rust.<br />
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If you happen to have a different type of stone fireplace or perhaps a brick fireplace, get a masonry bit slightly smaller than the diameter of your bolts for your drill and drill into the stone or brick. Apply the epoxy to the end of the bolt and hammer into the newly drilled hole. Allow the epoxy to dry before hanging your fireplace tools.<br />
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We love getting the tools off of the floor and really love the rustic look that the bolts give to the fireplace. And with the stand gone, we have room for our reindeer during the holidays!<br />
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What do you guys think? Any plans for using rusty old bolts or nails around your home? Has anyone ever used Rustoleum's Multi-Colored texured spraypaint in "Autumn Brown"? I love the look that it gives. In fact, we used it on another project in our home (the orb chandelier) that will be featured in an upcoming post.<br />
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<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-45429466134815336282012-11-17T11:59:00.001-05:002012-11-17T11:59:30.954-05:00Kitty's BusinessFinding a spot for the kitty litter is never an easy task. Our basement and laundry room are accessed through a door that is always closed so that option was out. We have one small powder room on the first floor and one guest bathroom and one master bathroom on the second floor but none of them are large enough to accommodate humans and a kitty. The other rooms in our house are used, a lot, so finding a place to hide the litter box was proving to be a challenge. Enter my hubby's creative genius! (I am probably biased, but trust me, that guy is creative, handy, and as a bonus...really handsome).<br />
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Nate's idea was to take advantage of the fact that the garage is adjacent to the kitchen area and that they share a common wall. Out came the drywall saw and a hole was cut!<br />
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The photo above was taken while standing in the kitchen. The door to the right of the hole is the door leading into the garage. The hole, with the very obvious yellow arrow photoshopped above it, is the hole leading into the garage for Murphy (the cat). We simply used a drywall saw to cut a large enough hole to accomodate Murphy but nothing too large that it looked obnoxious. We trimmed out the hole with painted 1"x6" pre-primed pine from Home Depot. The hole was cut prior to us installing our baseboards so the baseboard was simply cut to fit snuggly around the hole.<br />
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Inside the garage is where the "kitty business" happens. You may have seen the rest of the garage featured <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/11/house-crashing-classic-and-natural-with-a-twist/" target="_blank">here</a>.
A post will be coming on the garage build out but we basically recycled
our old kitchen cabinets and made our own cabinets where needed (like
the litter box cabinet). The cabinets we made were constructed out of
birch veneer plywood. Everything was then painted to blend in. More on that later though!<br />
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See the bottom left cabinet in the photo below? The one just to the left of the shelves? Yep, that's it! Hiding in there is Murphy's litter box. The hole from the kitchen area leads directly into that cabinet. <br />
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And if you open the doors to that cabinet, you will find...<br />
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The litter box! You can see the hole leading into the kitchen on the left. The shelves on the right are used for shoe storage (obviously) and for holding the pooper scooper. The fresh litter is stored hidden in the cabinet just above the litter box cabinet. It is easy to access<i> and</i> keep the mess out of the house.<br />
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Here is a better shot looking from the litter box through the hole into the kitchen. You can also see that we used hidden hinges on each cabinet door. <br />
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In order to keep Murphy from escaping out of the litter box cabinet into the garage and making his way into the wild outdoors, we added a clip on each door with catches attached to the cabinet so that the doors are secure. <br />
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We also added some weather stripping to one of the doors as well as some foam stripping around the entire perimeter of the door opening in order to keep cold air getting into the house through the litter box hole.<br />
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It really is the best solution for us with the layout of our home. The cat is happy, and so are we! We would not recommend this project if you are someone that does not clean out the litter box often though. There is, depending on how serious Murphy's "business" was that day, the occasional whiff of something unpleasant coming into the house. Luckily, my hubby's personality never allows for the litter box to not be cleaned on a daily basis. And since I am pregnant, I get out of those duties for 9+ months!! <br />
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So that is how we figured out how to hide the litter box but still have easy access to it. How about you guys? Any ideas on hiding the not so great aspects of having a pet? Any ideas on what we should do with our turtle Piggy when the baby arrives? He currently resides in the soon to be nursery. Off to find a solution to that little problem.....Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-52731881633535251172012-11-05T17:43:00.001-05:002012-11-05T17:44:22.543-05:00Overwhelmed and Thankful!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I just wanted to pop in and say...WOW! We were blown away by the amount of traffic, comments, and new followers that <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/" target="_blank">Young House Love</a> brought to us. I really need to step up my blogging, photography, and projects around here. Yikes! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just a friendly warning for the new followers: I have a full time job, I am currently 17 weeks pregnant, and I have a full time job (I said that already didn't I?, but I feel like it is important to repeat) so blogging on a very regularly basis is tough; However, I am going to do my best!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is a list of projects that are completed and still need to be blogged about:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Orb chandelier in stairwell</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stump coffee table</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Built-ins around the living room fireplace</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hidden litter box</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Organization projects</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Master bedroom progress</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Guest bedroom</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Completion of backyard project</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shed installation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Garage</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And a lot of smaller projects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks again for stopping in, browsing around, and becoming a follower. I hope that you'll stick around! So what should the next post be about? Let me know your preferences!!</span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-68529530320815043962012-11-02T10:13:00.002-04:002012-11-02T10:14:52.413-04:00We Have Been House Crashed!!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Welcome to all of you Young House Lovers</b>! (That actually sounds pretty weird). But anyways, welcome to our blog and thanks for stopping by!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nate and I were honored to have John, Sherry, Clara, and even Burger pop in for a House Crash. We were frightened to think that our little abode would disappoint, but have been amazed and humbled by the responses so far.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Please feel free to poke around our blog and ask any questions. I will do my best to answer them as quickly as possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And, if by some miracle you didn't happen upon us through YHL, check them out! <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/" target="_blank">http://www.younghouselove.com </a></span><br />
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<br />Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com102tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-74964773943507417572011-11-11T11:17:00.000-05:002011-11-11T11:17:25.547-05:00House Tour (A.K.A. a break from the backyard makeover)<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was finally able to get some good (OK...I am no photographer, but they are good compared to the other <strike>crap</strike> photos that we took) photographs of our home and wanted to share. Enjoy! Floor plan to come soon so that all of this will make sense.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAlW4hLpou8/Tr1A6Yu-_pI/AAAAAAAAAdU/RLxneki8-oU/s1600/DSC_0351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EAlW4hLpou8/Tr1A6Yu-_pI/AAAAAAAAAdU/RLxneki8-oU/s640/DSC_0351.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FOYER- LOOKING FROM LIVING ROOM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzEp5JBd7lM/Tr1BCKfQddI/AAAAAAAAAd0/P3VpGN8dJJg/s1600/DSC_0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzEp5JBd7lM/Tr1BCKfQddI/AAAAAAAAAd0/P3VpGN8dJJg/s640/DSC_0357.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEW DOWN HALLWAY FROM FRONT DOOR (powder room is the door on the left)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mWlBayASjU/Tr1KKN_0bSI/AAAAAAAAAfc/b50bZp6S3H4/s1600/DSC_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mWlBayASjU/Tr1KKN_0bSI/AAAAAAAAAfc/b50bZp6S3H4/s640/DSC_0297.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">POWDER ROOM- VIEW FROM HALLWAY</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCK1DCtNDC0/Tr1KLiNwqSI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Mnv-pOM6U9s/s1600/DSC_0298+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCK1DCtNDC0/Tr1KLiNwqSI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Mnv-pOM6U9s/s640/DSC_0298+%25282%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">POWDER ROOM- VIEW FROM HALLWAY</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">POWDER ROOM- VIEW FROM TOILET :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxM-pHEBWXQ/Tr1A7aYztCI/AAAAAAAAAdc/CDUs-6jelM4/s1600/DSC_0353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxM-pHEBWXQ/Tr1A7aYztCI/AAAAAAAAAdc/CDUs-6jelM4/s640/DSC_0353.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LIVING ROOM- VIEW FROM FRONT DOOR</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ciu2rm83As/Tr1A9mMs0OI/AAAAAAAAAdk/aWfDogd4kLo/s1600/DSC_0354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ciu2rm83As/Tr1A9mMs0OI/AAAAAAAAAdk/aWfDogd4kLo/s640/DSC_0354.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DINING ROOM- VIEW FROM LIVING ROOM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKY8roBfm9Y/Tr1A_YC8wdI/AAAAAAAAAds/NtkwhFYpnbs/s1600/DSC_0355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKY8roBfm9Y/Tr1A_YC8wdI/AAAAAAAAAds/NtkwhFYpnbs/s640/DSC_0355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DINING ROOM- VIEW FROM LIVING ROOM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMyAzGABgrI/Tr1FA7R4S0I/AAAAAAAAAfU/F3EwDcWmYQc/s1600/DSC_0313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMyAzGABgrI/Tr1FA7R4S0I/AAAAAAAAAfU/F3EwDcWmYQc/s640/DSC_0313.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KITCHEN- VIEW FROM DINING ROOM</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzdSaxmiX7c/Tr1BErMwANI/AAAAAAAAAd8/mIqqkw_yGEI/s1600/DSC_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzdSaxmiX7c/Tr1BErMwANI/AAAAAAAAAd8/mIqqkw_yGEI/s640/DSC_0358.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KITCHEN- VIEW FROM HALLWAY</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lw-ceg_TsYE/Tr1BHj_-ozI/AAAAAAAAAeE/e9xZUbqTD_E/s1600/DSC_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lw-ceg_TsYE/Tr1BHj_-ozI/AAAAAAAAAeE/e9xZUbqTD_E/s640/DSC_0363.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WINE NOOK- VIEW FROM HALLWAY</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPflm5mLwgg/Tr1E8UW1cNI/AAAAAAAAAfM/h5dAz8JwuZg/s1600/DSC_0323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPflm5mLwgg/Tr1E8UW1cNI/AAAAAAAAAfM/h5dAz8JwuZg/s640/DSC_0323.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DEN- VIEW FROM WINE NOOK/KITCHEN</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Et_5cnPpShs/Tr1A01k4OYI/AAAAAAAAAc0/du_VEbsZv9o/s1600/DSC_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Et_5cnPpShs/Tr1A01k4OYI/AAAAAAAAAc0/du_VEbsZv9o/s640/DSC_0332.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DEN</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xszJ8VHUsyE/Tr1A5r5tzqI/AAAAAAAAAdM/zVntz_4aPAM/s1600/DSC_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xszJ8VHUsyE/Tr1A5r5tzqI/AAAAAAAAAdM/zVntz_4aPAM/s640/DSC_0350.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STAIRWELL- VIEW FROM BOTTOM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rieCE4yKDg/Tr1BLP8LhYI/AAAAAAAAAeM/Clpk-uYfqeU/s1600/DSC_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rieCE4yKDg/Tr1BLP8LhYI/AAAAAAAAAeM/Clpk-uYfqeU/s640/DSC_0364.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STAIRWELL- VIEW FROM TOP</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sY929P9oMRE/Tr1Enbf_YAI/AAAAAAAAAfE/FobVp1_31dQ/s1600/DSC_0371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sY929P9oMRE/Tr1Enbf_YAI/AAAAAAAAAfE/FobVp1_31dQ/s640/DSC_0371.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UPSTAIRS HALLWAY</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHGUFGGXuo0/Tr1BMzE7oQI/AAAAAAAAAeU/abUdThER2Uc/s1600/DSC_0366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHGUFGGXuo0/Tr1BMzE7oQI/AAAAAAAAAeU/abUdThER2Uc/s640/DSC_0366.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GUEST BATHROOM- VIEW FROM UPSTAIRS HALLWAY</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIDnupAa8I0/Tr1BOJ7V7JI/AAAAAAAAAec/ty3cEdF6xNU/s1600/DSC_0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIDnupAa8I0/Tr1BOJ7V7JI/AAAAAAAAAec/ty3cEdF6xNU/s640/DSC_0368.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GUEST BATHROOM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EtMUlZXM8Fk/Tr1BRZUPhvI/AAAAAAAAAek/wM_Kg75X7co/s1600/DSC_0369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EtMUlZXM8Fk/Tr1BRZUPhvI/AAAAAAAAAek/wM_Kg75X7co/s640/DSC_0369.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GUEST BATHROOM- PENNY TILE</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTMVo8-kAl0/Tr1BTvRqIGI/AAAAAAAAAes/7uxI6_q-YoE/s1600/DSC_0370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTMVo8-kAl0/Tr1BTvRqIGI/AAAAAAAAAes/7uxI6_q-YoE/s640/DSC_0370.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GUEST BATHROOM- VIEW FROM VANITY</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYLqa_N3bDE/Tr1BWh6El4I/AAAAAAAAAe0/tdy5Pexv8VA/s1600/DSC_0372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYLqa_N3bDE/Tr1BWh6El4I/AAAAAAAAAe0/tdy5Pexv8VA/s640/DSC_0372.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GUEST BEDROOM </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rooms still left to be done:</div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li>Master Bedroom</li>
<li>2nd Guest Bedroom (Future Nursery)</li>
<li>Master Bathroom</li>
<li>Basement</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rooms done but not yet featured in a post:</div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li> Garage</li>
<li>Remainder of Backyard</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Projects completed but not yet featured in a post:</div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li>Too many to list!!! :( </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks for checking in!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-Michele</span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-32421008464069065022011-10-02T18:48:00.003-04:002011-10-04T20:43:33.067-04:00Backyard Makeover- Part DosWe are back with our backyard makeover- part dos! We have actually started on part tres (I have no idea why I have named these posts with spanish numbers, but I figured that I should continue with it?), but are finally getting around to sharing the hot tub relocation/patio/wall part of our makeover.<br />
If you remember from <a href="http://theamenwithats.blogspot.com/2011/08/backyard-makeover-part-uno.html">makeover- part uno</a>, we tore out the existing wood deck to get an idea of what we were working with in the backyard. Once part uno was complete we confirmed that we were going to need a series of steps out of the existing sliding doors as well as some sort of patio. The change in elevation was about 5 feet from the sliding glass doors to our rear property line so our idea of an elevated patio "held up" by a wall was, in fact, a necessity.<br />
We also decided that moving the hot tub would open up the available patio space and allow us to get a view up through the trees to the sky/stars above (cue the romantic music!).<br />
So, that is where part dos began! We hired a few of Nate's men to begin on the stone steps outside of the sliding glass doors (by the way, Nate is a project manager at a high end design build landscape firm, so when I say "Nate's men" I am not talking about some weird fetish that my husband has...just to make that clear.) While they tackled the steps, Nate and I tackled prepping the new location for the hot tub.<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCWJZZzqGrc/ToiOoqB9BHI/AAAAAAAAAXc/nvfOZSllHEc/s1600/IMG_4326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCWJZZzqGrc/ToiOoqB9BHI/AAAAAAAAAXc/nvfOZSllHEc/s400/IMG_4326.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PREPPING THE NEW SPA LOCATION</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Nate tamped the area where the new spa would be located in order to get a firm and solid base for the hot tub to sit on. We used stone dust as the "foundation" and then used flagstone salvaged from our existing backyard as the base for the hot tub to sit on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GSxhQ0wSRG0/ToiPIQZ3eDI/AAAAAAAAAXg/JzOhR9XhHl8/s1600/IMG_4328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GSxhQ0wSRG0/ToiPIQZ3eDI/AAAAAAAAAXg/JzOhR9XhHl8/s400/IMG_4328.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SETTING THE FLAGSTONE BASE</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XDgPRBSczFY/ToiPRv2mC8I/AAAAAAAAAXk/6_yJjB2PMdA/s1600/IMG_4332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XDgPRBSczFY/ToiPRv2mC8I/AAAAAAAAAXk/6_yJjB2PMdA/s400/IMG_4332.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW HOT TUB LOCATION ON LEFT, OLD LOCATION ON RIGHT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It took a few guys and some ingenuity to move the hot tub from the old location to the new location but it actually went rather smoothly!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_LqZn6gipl4/ToiPw_fXriI/AAAAAAAAAXo/i8PtIiGLxCQ/s1600/IMG_4340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_LqZn6gipl4/ToiPw_fXriI/AAAAAAAAAXo/i8PtIiGLxCQ/s400/IMG_4340.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MOVING THE TUB</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZr944moPWA/ToiP5Bm6usI/AAAAAAAAAXs/JU7ykauuLQ0/s1600/IMG_4343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZr944moPWA/ToiP5Bm6usI/AAAAAAAAAXs/JU7ykauuLQ0/s400/IMG_4343.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE HOT TUB IN ITS NEW HOME!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The hot tub move got checked off of the list as one part of Part Dos. Another project on the list was to build the steps coming out of the existing sliding glass doors leading from our den. We opted to use Pennsylvania flat stacked stone just as we did for the <a href="http://theamenwithats.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-two-landscape-architects-transform.html">front yard makeover</a> as well as the <a href="http://theamenwithats.blogspot.com/2011/01/livin-it-up-in-new-den.html">fireplace</a> in our den.<br />
We wanted to do a nice landing as you stepped out of the doors and then have nice wide steps leading to the future patio (another item on the Part Dos list). Let the work begin! This process will be best explained through photos. These masons are masters of the art and a written description would never do their art justice.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBMM37y7aR4/ToiRAAfwnkI/AAAAAAAAAXw/9v9OhKsu27s/s1600/IMG_4319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBMM37y7aR4/ToiRAAfwnkI/AAAAAAAAAXw/9v9OhKsu27s/s400/IMG_4319.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHk09Aih5_8/ToiRGxPM4lI/AAAAAAAAAX0/7JDQ7xHq5U0/s1600/IMG_4192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mmgrn-dx94g/ToiRYIgH59I/AAAAAAAAAYA/KDog_GTFO9k/s1600/IMG_4334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mmgrn-dx94g/ToiRYIgH59I/AAAAAAAAAYA/KDog_GTFO9k/s400/IMG_4334.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-ZrfvZarCo/ToiReHgg7yI/AAAAAAAAAYI/oSDywT6G7E0/s1600/IMG_4336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-ZrfvZarCo/ToiReHgg7yI/AAAAAAAAAYI/oSDywT6G7E0/s400/IMG_4336.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S4G8gm8PqaE/ToiRlEx1ePI/AAAAAAAAAYM/cWySelMel-k/s1600/IMG_4337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S4G8gm8PqaE/ToiRlEx1ePI/AAAAAAAAAYM/cWySelMel-k/s400/IMG_4337.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rKXTuo4qtpI/ToiRrRcKrsI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/zOSpIjPKsAk/s1600/IMG_4338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rKXTuo4qtpI/ToiRrRcKrsI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/zOSpIjPKsAk/s400/IMG_4338.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdsGnecz9ew/ToiRzUoNZiI/AAAAAAAAAYU/CElRNFnRC1Y/s1600/IMG_4365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdsGnecz9ew/ToiRzUoNZiI/AAAAAAAAAYU/CElRNFnRC1Y/s400/IMG_4365.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0wP8hGBX_A/ToiTIGO0vqI/AAAAAAAAAYo/GtersWmHG-w/s1600/IMG_4373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0wP8hGBX_A/ToiTIGO0vqI/AAAAAAAAAYo/GtersWmHG-w/s400/IMG_4373.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Two more items on the list were to use stone to make the hot tub feel "built in" as well as build the stone wall that would help "hold up" the patio due to the 5' change in elevation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xw5qSe7Q4bo/ToiSxSgEH5I/AAAAAAAAAYY/Syj64RhFRy4/s1600/IMG_4369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xw5qSe7Q4bo/ToiSxSgEH5I/AAAAAAAAAYY/Syj64RhFRy4/s400/IMG_4369.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ9ge4LtRYI/ToiS0IP2ToI/AAAAAAAAAYc/vJRci7Ko5v0/s1600/IMG_4368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ9ge4LtRYI/ToiS0IP2ToI/AAAAAAAAAYc/vJRci7Ko5v0/s400/IMG_4368.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tl_I5n3MMh0/ToiS5Q-aPGI/AAAAAAAAAYg/vzyVo0uLoi0/s1600/IMG_4371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tl_I5n3MMh0/ToiS5Q-aPGI/AAAAAAAAAYg/vzyVo0uLoi0/s400/IMG_4371.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lk4qGXTttX0/ToiS7OcqWyI/AAAAAAAAAYk/-lCAKVZO8hU/s1600/IMG_4372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lk4qGXTttX0/ToiS7OcqWyI/AAAAAAAAAYk/-lCAKVZO8hU/s400/IMG_4372.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Nate and I were busy digging the trench for the foundation of the wall while the masons continued work on the hot tub stone as well as the steps. Sadly, there were few photographs taken during this phase. And the next few phases of building the wall, leveling the patio area with stone dust, tamping, and laying the pavers were also not caught on camera. Shame on us!<br />
BUT, we do have a few shots of the completed work. The pavers that we used are Hanover pavers in a random pattern. The color is tan/charcoal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y-uOLgib_jA/ToiTza5niPI/AAAAAAAAAYs/KmfkXN7Q7uA/s1600/IMG_4724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y-uOLgib_jA/ToiTza5niPI/AAAAAAAAAYs/KmfkXN7Q7uA/s400/IMG_4724.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMaKgGhuQr4/ToiT2RqWAwI/AAAAAAAAAYw/bFP8gmU-X8c/s1600/IMG_4725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMaKgGhuQr4/ToiT2RqWAwI/AAAAAAAAAYw/bFP8gmU-X8c/s400/IMG_4725.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEING RAISED WITH TOPSOIL AND PREPPED FOR SOD.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqPHLo6L6cA/ToiT6g77qcI/AAAAAAAAAY0/KigWOEYqZ2Y/s1600/IMG_4726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqPHLo6L6cA/ToiT6g77qcI/AAAAAAAAAY0/KigWOEYqZ2Y/s400/IMG_4726.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f75n-PzhvhI/TojnGeVgkZI/AAAAAAAAAZI/rfOKHGPlKMg/s1600/photo%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f75n-PzhvhI/TojnGeVgkZI/AAAAAAAAAZI/rfOKHGPlKMg/s400/photo%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnexmcJfigE/TojnJEta-OI/AAAAAAAAAZM/ndU1lMlJtJo/s1600/photo%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnexmcJfigE/TojnJEta-OI/AAAAAAAAAZM/ndU1lMlJtJo/s400/photo%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We also added some red/orange cushions that we found at Lowes and an outdoor rug from World Market. The Hammock was also hung between two trees just off of the patio.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu0weTk6wNA/TojnLyxYYCI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/pCGN_K_Mzac/s1600/photo%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu0weTk6wNA/TojnLyxYYCI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/pCGN_K_Mzac/s400/photo%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-grbm-1B-bs4/TojnOehxZNI/AAAAAAAAAZU/o9Yn5TtGGcg/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-grbm-1B-bs4/TojnOehxZNI/AAAAAAAAAZU/o9Yn5TtGGcg/s400/photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEW FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE STEPS LEADING FROM DEN.</td></tr>
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Nate also stained the outside of the hot tub with Ebony stain to help it blend in a little more. We couldn't do stone the entire way around the hot tub because we needed to be able to access the electrical panels and pumps inside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSADmCGTd_U/ToiUCm8X0bI/AAAAAAAAAY4/IonRIF4fRUs/s1600/IMG_4777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSADmCGTd_U/ToiUCm8X0bI/AAAAAAAAAY4/IonRIF4fRUs/s400/IMG_4777.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOT TUB STAINED DARK</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We also added stepping stone pathways (that was a pain in the arse which is why there are no photos taken during the process) that lead from the front yard to the patio as well as the shed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RCQ27iHfJHc/ToiUIle1VAI/AAAAAAAAAZA/Nm_WClKMUO8/s1600/IMG_4780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RCQ27iHfJHc/ToiUIle1VAI/AAAAAAAAAZA/Nm_WClKMUO8/s400/IMG_4780.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> And the masons also added boulder steppers that lead to the fire pit area (more on that later!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RX3ZluWcnmI/ToiUMmYU2dI/AAAAAAAAAZE/NFa7op0bRgg/s1600/IMG_4781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RX3ZluWcnmI/ToiUMmYU2dI/AAAAAAAAAZE/NFa7op0bRgg/s400/IMG_4781.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Nate and I also did A LOT of planting but details on that will need to wait until a further post!<br />
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I hope to share more detailed photographs of what the backyard as a whole is looking like, but this rain isn't allowing many photograph opportunities! We are also working hard on Part Tres and will hopefully be finishing that up in the next couple of weeks! I will share when that is complete.<br />
So, as we end every post...the befores and afters!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tr7YyAEJycQ/TojoQwOuKoI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Tvl3llOAtzI/s1600/IMG_4171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tr7YyAEJycQ/TojoQwOuKoI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Tvl3llOAtzI/s400/IMG_4171.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGc0n56vdgs/TojoR8p_gQI/AAAAAAAAAZc/kHjOqRd30Ww/s1600/IMG_4172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGc0n56vdgs/TojoR8p_gQI/AAAAAAAAAZc/kHjOqRd30Ww/s400/IMG_4172.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdlbdTqcXhY/TojoUY_MnKI/AAAAAAAAAZg/bQVFbd2901U/s1600/IMG_4174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdlbdTqcXhY/TojoUY_MnKI/AAAAAAAAAZg/bQVFbd2901U/s400/IMG_4174.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdsXqCwF_AE/TojoVeZBsnI/AAAAAAAAAZk/6qAH9TbGuR4/s1600/IMG_4175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdsXqCwF_AE/TojoVeZBsnI/AAAAAAAAAZk/6qAH9TbGuR4/s400/IMG_4175.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f75n-PzhvhI/TojnGeVgkZI/AAAAAAAAAZI/rfOKHGPlKMg/s1600/photo%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f75n-PzhvhI/TojnGeVgkZI/AAAAAAAAAZI/rfOKHGPlKMg/s400/photo%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnexmcJfigE/TojnJEta-OI/AAAAAAAAAZM/ndU1lMlJtJo/s1600/photo%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnexmcJfigE/TojnJEta-OI/AAAAAAAAAZM/ndU1lMlJtJo/s400/photo%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Better pics to share later...as soon as Mother Nature cooperates!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-44201762660803136622011-09-24T13:48:00.000-04:002011-09-24T13:48:50.930-04:00Too Busy to PostI am so sorry to keep all of you (and by all of you, I mean the hand full of people that actually follow this blog) waiting for our backyard makeover Part Dos. We have been so busy working on Part Tres that we haven't had time to blog about the walls, patio, and hot tub redo. BUT...it is coming soon, I promise!<br />
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Keep checking in on us!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-53918638191841812012011-08-07T18:35:00.000-04:002011-08-07T18:35:35.291-04:00Backyard Makeover- Part UnoOur existing back yard was, ummmm, how do I put this....an outdated, non-functional, waste of backyard. OK, so "waste of a backyard" might be a little harsh, but seriously, there was so little that we could do back there.<br />
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We inherited a deck from the previous owner that was original to the home, which means that the deck was 25 years old. There was no doubt that the deck had been power washed one(hundred) too many times. We needed to have tetanus shots on hand in case any of our guests decided to walk barefoot on this thing. It was seriously time for this thing to go. And if the medical hazard wasn't bad enough, the layout of the deck was a little undesirable. As you can see from the photo, the deck had two levels. One level was right off of the sliding glass doors leading from the den, and the other level was one step down from the upper level. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBHCmIHIWFM/Tj8JV4kDz_I/AAAAAAAAAVo/EsIYwK1naKQ/s1600/IMG_4177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zBHCmIHIWFM/Tj8JV4kDz_I/AAAAAAAAAVo/EsIYwK1naKQ/s640/IMG_4177.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EXISTING DECK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You can also see our grill in the photograph. It is a built-in grill, but since we didn't have anything built to put it into, we had a sweet set-up with the existing wood deck bench and two cinder blocks. It is rather embarrassing for two landscape architects to have this kind of a set-up, but we are going to remedy that situation as well (that will be in a later post).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRuLmyuyNvk/Tj8KTQWmBPI/AAAAAAAAAVs/y9h7BXHWmpg/s1600/IMG_4171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRuLmyuyNvk/Tj8KTQWmBPI/AAAAAAAAAVs/y9h7BXHWmpg/s640/IMG_4171.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STAIRS LEADING FROM LAWN TO UPPER TERRACE</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sjRifdrQmM/Tj8KUjHtO8I/AAAAAAAAAVw/uAuI1Y9boew/s1600/IMG_4172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sjRifdrQmM/Tj8KUjHtO8I/AAAAAAAAAVw/uAuI1Y9boew/s640/IMG_4172.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EXISTING WOOD DECK AND RAILING</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYzpzLJShhA/Tj8KWDDIQEI/AAAAAAAAAV0/fXgy8Yi2uKw/s1600/IMG_4174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYzpzLJShhA/Tj8KWDDIQEI/AAAAAAAAAV0/fXgy8Yi2uKw/s640/IMG_4174.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EXISTING WOOD DECK WITH HOT TUB</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RYSTZG0RUY/Tj8KZ7TxQoI/AAAAAAAAAV4/OgpwpMkbzuI/s1600/IMG_4175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RYSTZG0RUY/Tj8KZ7TxQoI/AAAAAAAAAV4/OgpwpMkbzuI/s640/IMG_4175.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EXISTING STAIRS LEADING FROM WALK TO LOWER DECK LEVEL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The hot tub in one of the photographs above was a nice little "surprise" that my husband came home with one evening. He arrived with 6 men and they carried the hot tub (a free used hot tub from one of Nate's clients) and positioned it on an existing "pad" that the previous owner had built. What the existing "pad" was originally used for is anyone's guess, but it worked out perfectly for my new surprise!<br />
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Part uno of our backyard redo began with A LOT of conversations between Nate and I walking around the yard discussing what we should do here and what we should do there. We came up with a general concept but the conversation always ended with "We need to get this deck out of here to see what we are working with." so....part uno progressed to removing the deck!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpR0E9LiSdc/Tj8Nu45MOdI/AAAAAAAAAWA/kwNsYMyHWKo/s1600/IMG_4181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpR0E9LiSdc/Tj8Nu45MOdI/AAAAAAAAAWA/kwNsYMyHWKo/s640/IMG_4181.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DEMOLITION BEGINS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We removed everything from the deck and began our demolition. Our friend, Mike Baker, came over to lend a hand and his <strike>highly experienced</strike> carpentry skills. Thank you for all of the help Mike!!<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1N0XEwonnwY/Tj8Oq9DG_OI/AAAAAAAAAWE/BTJ7rPp9ZhM/s1600/IMG_4182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1N0XEwonnwY/Tj8Oq9DG_OI/AAAAAAAAAWE/BTJ7rPp9ZhM/s640/IMG_4182.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MIKE BAKER REMOVING THE RAILING</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8LuV_cTEzo/Tj8OtzqksmI/AAAAAAAAAWI/OHx_paMwNa8/s1600/IMG_4184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8LuV_cTEzo/Tj8OtzqksmI/AAAAAAAAAWI/OHx_paMwNa8/s640/IMG_4184.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RAILING REMOVED AND STARTING ON THE DECK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And now for a series of photographs explaining what happened from 8 am on a Saturday until 5 pm on a Sunday:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkSWlnP3Jjw/Tj8Plt8r1JI/AAAAAAAAAWM/RPjMFF3eRr4/s1600/IMG_4185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkSWlnP3Jjw/Tj8Plt8r1JI/AAAAAAAAAWM/RPjMFF3eRr4/s400/IMG_4185.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8YByRH6pgwk/Tj8Pn-kFO6I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/gt9Sz6ylT28/s1600/IMG_4186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8YByRH6pgwk/Tj8Pn-kFO6I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/gt9Sz6ylT28/s400/IMG_4186.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ekCe9-EFgPQ/Tj8PpsRr6PI/AAAAAAAAAWU/VlOalkZqdJQ/s1600/IMG_4190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ekCe9-EFgPQ/Tj8PpsRr6PI/AAAAAAAAAWU/VlOalkZqdJQ/s400/IMG_4190.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Qnto3fSSQA/Tj8PsPevDkI/AAAAAAAAAWY/iMe9gO0gJq0/s1600/IMG_4188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Qnto3fSSQA/Tj8PsPevDkI/AAAAAAAAAWY/iMe9gO0gJq0/s400/IMG_4188.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rf_Bt9v67-8/Tj8PxLlrWnI/AAAAAAAAAWg/Hugd-U5T1qA/s1600/IMG_4191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rf_Bt9v67-8/Tj8PxLlrWnI/AAAAAAAAAWg/Hugd-U5T1qA/s400/IMG_4191.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HqGuATYQBc/Tj8P2j0DHqI/AAAAAAAAAWk/2eysdygx8F4/s1600/IMG_4193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6HqGuATYQBc/Tj8P2j0DHqI/AAAAAAAAAWk/2eysdygx8F4/s400/IMG_4193.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEiS1jHT_Wg/Tj8P6qh9bKI/AAAAAAAAAWo/QnNrH3qVcco/s1600/IMG_4194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEiS1jHT_Wg/Tj8P6qh9bKI/AAAAAAAAAWo/QnNrH3qVcco/s400/IMG_4194.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IgWrfL19O4/Tj8P_2Am-kI/AAAAAAAAAWs/u4axiok44_Q/s1600/IMG_4195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IgWrfL19O4/Tj8P_2Am-kI/AAAAAAAAAWs/u4axiok44_Q/s400/IMG_4195.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3Op_QOA0iE/Tj8QGJj1whI/AAAAAAAAAWw/NpS_IsjmOy0/s1600/IMG_4197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3Op_QOA0iE/Tj8QGJj1whI/AAAAAAAAAWw/NpS_IsjmOy0/s400/IMG_4197.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NdloaOPQhU/Tj8QJU_zRZI/AAAAAAAAAW0/GtVIK92ROwU/s1600/IMG_4248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NdloaOPQhU/Tj8QJU_zRZI/AAAAAAAAAW0/GtVIK92ROwU/s400/IMG_4248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVgRV536gws/Tj8QLmCbLOI/AAAAAAAAAW4/UwrNW7iUaKM/s1600/IMG_4249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVgRV536gws/Tj8QLmCbLOI/AAAAAAAAAW4/UwrNW7iUaKM/s400/IMG_4249.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>And when all of that madness was over...this is what we were left with:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27Tq3e7KNTs/Tj8QnKVZ6mI/AAAAAAAAAW8/t64y_s_ToSc/s1600/IMG_4250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27Tq3e7KNTs/Tj8QnKVZ6mI/AAAAAAAAAW8/t64y_s_ToSc/s400/IMG_4250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6GX-OoI2qY/Tj8Qra4E_xI/AAAAAAAAAXA/lDl08b5XKho/s1600/IMG_4254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6GX-OoI2qY/Tj8Qra4E_xI/AAAAAAAAAXA/lDl08b5XKho/s400/IMG_4254.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7XvT7a_jL4/Tj8QtXlfeLI/AAAAAAAAAXE/LLN_WsQdWS0/s1600/IMG_4255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7XvT7a_jL4/Tj8QtXlfeLI/AAAAAAAAAXE/LLN_WsQdWS0/s400/IMG_4255.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zgi0hHDGRXk/Tj8QzupkvEI/AAAAAAAAAXI/El544R3tCoU/s1600/IMG_4257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zgi0hHDGRXk/Tj8QzupkvEI/AAAAAAAAAXI/El544R3tCoU/s400/IMG_4257.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Part Uno was complete which meant that Nate and I could get out the spray paint gun and begin doing what we do best...designing the backyard. Thankfully that large pile of wood was gone before I returned home from work on Monday evening (thanks to the hardest working husband in the world and one of his very nice workers).<br />
<br />
Check back soon for Backyard Makeover- Part Dos!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-88705120191633337202011-07-14T17:33:00.000-04:002011-07-14T17:33:59.826-04:00Front Yard UpdateWell, things are growing over here! I just wanted to give you a peek at what our front yard is looking now that the perennials are up and the shrubs have grown. <br />
Here is what the front yard looked like when we first moved in:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHtsWe3ovpA/TankBHqGFdI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mWbLAmrwK_w/s1600/896+YDC+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHtsWe3ovpA/TankBHqGFdI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mWbLAmrwK_w/s400/896+YDC+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2hHDwnoh1Q/TankINCMqVI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZVEpseQuerc/s1600/896+YDC+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2hHDwnoh1Q/TankINCMqVI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZVEpseQuerc/s400/896+YDC+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And then, we did this as featured <a href="http://theamenwithats.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-two-landscape-architects-transform.html">here</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o-AMEveYMc/TanuCJQWYhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/1AxkALLA6KI/s1600/896+YDC+218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o-AMEveYMc/TanuCJQWYhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/1AxkALLA6KI/s400/896+YDC+218.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJYPxlkyiBo/Tan0XmpfA7I/AAAAAAAAAQg/4_9HJv0bFeU/s1600/896+YDC+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJYPxlkyiBo/Tan0XmpfA7I/AAAAAAAAAQg/4_9HJv0bFeU/s400/896+YDC+037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And now, things are looking like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3q7bPDzGCbs/Th9foLBoaJI/AAAAAAAAAVI/BD6BEFDa9_k/s1600/P1020603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3q7bPDzGCbs/Th9foLBoaJI/AAAAAAAAAVI/BD6BEFDa9_k/s400/P1020603.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5unNkaOzzw/Th9fpzKqc3I/AAAAAAAAAVM/K9LsEIXjf4k/s1600/P1020604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5unNkaOzzw/Th9fpzKqc3I/AAAAAAAAAVM/K9LsEIXjf4k/s400/P1020604.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBp-8YTcI6k/Th9frPnHelI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/B81WhMv0BTE/s1600/P1020602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBp-8YTcI6k/Th9frPnHelI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/B81WhMv0BTE/s400/P1020602.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUMhAcTOVx4/Th9fspB7VeI/AAAAAAAAAVU/iyQAbwFGGbc/s1600/P1020606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUMhAcTOVx4/Th9fspB7VeI/AAAAAAAAAVU/iyQAbwFGGbc/s400/P1020606.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-awXaXwLgNmw/Th9fulcr_wI/AAAAAAAAAVY/ncrskdryMLQ/s1600/P1020594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-awXaXwLgNmw/Th9fulcr_wI/AAAAAAAAAVY/ncrskdryMLQ/s400/P1020594.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sKReS8EiX50/Th9fwGL_Y8I/AAAAAAAAAVc/InaPgeRnLWk/s1600/P1020596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sKReS8EiX50/Th9fwGL_Y8I/AAAAAAAAAVc/InaPgeRnLWk/s400/P1020596.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ia_7s3FFsA/Th9fxBGQZ2I/AAAAAAAAAVg/1QjrrBulW4M/s1600/P1020598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ia_7s3FFsA/Th9fxBGQZ2I/AAAAAAAAAVg/1QjrrBulW4M/s400/P1020598.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD1e-xcoB1g/Th9fzDwIonI/AAAAAAAAAVk/eqUtwZ1nCyE/s1600/P1020601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD1e-xcoB1g/Th9fzDwIonI/AAAAAAAAAVk/eqUtwZ1nCyE/s400/P1020601.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Things (in our opinion) are looking pretty good over here! We have been through one season and things are growing nicely. The perennials have popped and the colors are working great together.<br />
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By the way, we have started the backyard project, so check back soon for that post!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-75722024199730563662011-06-18T09:28:00.000-04:002011-06-18T09:28:53.413-04:00Garden State<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The title of this post is both a nod to Nate's favorite movie as well as our latest project....the Garden! I have vivid childhood memories of spending time with my father and my grandfather planting the vegetable garden in our backyard, eating plum tomatoes straight off the vine, and a cup full of garden onions waiting to be gnawed. So when we moved into this house and I finally had my own backyard (well, side yard in our case), I knew that I wanted a vegetable garden. Nate, thanks to his father's insistence on having the perfect yard, did not grow up with a vegetable garden but has always wanted to attempt growing one. So, our vegetable garden project began.<br />
We first needed to prepare the area for where our eventual garden would be located. Because the majority of our 1/4 acre lot is trees, there was really only one area in which the garden would get some sunlight throughout the day. That area was located on the side of our house and looked like this before we started:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62OEn-_wj0E/TfyN_IOREQI/AAAAAAAAASE/sAqmKHjUf1s/s1600/Nate896+336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62OEn-_wj0E/TfyN_IOREQI/AAAAAAAAASE/sAqmKHjUf1s/s400/Nate896+336.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOCATION FOR GARDEN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We decided to do a raised garden bed because of its advantages:<br />
<ul><li>You can amend the soil more easily (and, as you can see from the above photo, we weren't dealing with great soil conditions to begin with)</li>
<li>You can access the plants without compacting the soil (i.e. stepping in between the plants)</li>
<li>The garden drains better</li>
</ul>We first needed to remove the rock drainage bed that the previous owner had installed (Nate would deal with the drainage later by extending out the downspout with ADS black pipe). The gravel was about 12" deep and a pain in the bloody arse (insert British accent here) to remove. Thankfully, Nate took on this project while I tackled another...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09Agyv8suzQ/TfyP1BgG_XI/AAAAAAAAASI/y8RkbyodNJU/s1600/Nate896+339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09Agyv8suzQ/TfyP1BgG_XI/AAAAAAAAASI/y8RkbyodNJU/s400/Nate896+339.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ME TACKLING ANOTHER GARDEN RELATED PROJECT (please ignore my outfit, my hair, and my hat...we all have bad days)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
In order to raise the garden, we needed something to act as a "curb" to hold the soil in place. There are several options...wood, concrete block, stone, etc. We opted to use some granite belgian block that already existed in our yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLMWx2k7HXo/TfySgSRPJzI/AAAAAAAAASM/5tyfOJ5of_U/s1600/Nate896+343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLMWx2k7HXo/TfySgSRPJzI/AAAAAAAAASM/5tyfOJ5of_U/s400/Nate896+343.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BELGIAN BLOCK "PATIO"= FUTURE GARDEN CURBING</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We pulled up all of the "patio" and were left with a pile of blocks.<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_jUwiOlD6To/TfyUidbSsAI/AAAAAAAAASQ/JgeDZ-ESbg0/s1600/Nate896+341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_jUwiOlD6To/TfyUidbSsAI/AAAAAAAAASQ/JgeDZ-ESbg0/s400/Nate896+341.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BELGIAN BLOCKS READY TO BE PLACED</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
After Nate finished removing the rock drainage bed and transplanting some of the hosta that were in the way, we began digging trenches to set our curbing. We opted for a 6'x8' garden bed. This size was appropriate for the space that we had to work with, but is also a nice size for a raised garden bed. All of the vegetables in a raised garden bed should be accessible from the perimeter of the garden to avoid compaction, so the bed should remain small.<br />
Once the trenches were dug we began setting our blocks on end (Each block was approximately 4"x4"x8").<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tztUCjCdtqc/TfyVHTfZJ_I/AAAAAAAAASU/E2TRwaC4Xxk/s1600/Nate896+344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tztUCjCdtqc/TfyVHTfZJ_I/AAAAAAAAASU/E2TRwaC4Xxk/s400/Nate896+344.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SETTING OUR CURBING</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We used a spade shovel to dig the trenches and then a garden shovel to scrape the sides and the bottom of the trench to get a perfect spot for each block to sit. The blocks varied in height a bit (ranging from 7"-9") so we worked with each block to get the top of the curbing fairly level. We set each block by slamming it down, wiggling it around, and forcing it into place with a rubber mallet. Very technical terms...I know! It was a great way to get out some aggression as well as a fabulous arm workout!<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7nomG1zvcE/TfyWJkLaFsI/AAAAAAAAASY/mkQLsMiAxWE/s1600/Nate896+346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7nomG1zvcE/TfyWJkLaFsI/AAAAAAAAASY/mkQLsMiAxWE/s400/Nate896+346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NATE SHOWING THE BLOCK WHO'S BOSS</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aapAiQZ02go/TfyWZREr6SI/AAAAAAAAASc/VAdYu7ge3SI/s1600/Nate896+345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aapAiQZ02go/TfyWZREr6SI/AAAAAAAAASc/VAdYu7ge3SI/s400/Nate896+345.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RH52_j6nXJY/TfyWr1A-z4I/AAAAAAAAASg/82H51d_Te0E/s1600/Nate896+348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RH52_j6nXJY/TfyWr1A-z4I/AAAAAAAAASg/82H51d_Te0E/s400/Nate896+348.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CURBING FINISHED AND READY FOR VEGGIES</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDkHtVvsfhY/TfyXcfTFTaI/AAAAAAAAASk/x0QbdZR34jw/s1600/Nate896+352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDkHtVvsfhY/TfyXcfTFTaI/AAAAAAAAASk/x0QbdZR34jw/s400/Nate896+352.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEW FROM GATE WHEN ENTERING BACKYARD</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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2_liH_UUKM/TfyXkYQ8HkI/AAAAAAAAASo/doYqFW72AdA/s1600/Nate896+354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2_liH_UUKM/TfyXkYQ8HkI/AAAAAAAAASo/doYqFW72AdA/s400/Nate896+354.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOOKING BACK TOWARDS FRONT YARD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As you can see in the photograph above on the right, we had an existing raspberry patch that the previous owner had planted. The patch was a bit unruly and needed to be rearranged.<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eoMPXYjZ1fo/TfyX74sBcHI/AAAAAAAAASs/a7h9_DmQdTs/s1600/Nate896+337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eoMPXYjZ1fo/TfyX74sBcHI/AAAAAAAAASs/a7h9_DmQdTs/s400/Nate896+337.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EXISTING RASPBERRY PATCH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We (and by "we" I mean Nate because I was pretty much over this project at this point) decided to do the same trenching and curbing around the raspberries. We (and by "we" I mean "we" because Nate wouldn't let me quit that easily) transplanted some of the raspberry plants so they were a bit more organized and compact.<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YX4Rvom32Hc/TfyYs6-QhJI/AAAAAAAAASw/mZBb69Ofg2M/s1600/Nate896+353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YX4Rvom32Hc/TfyYs6-QhJI/AAAAAAAAASw/mZBb69Ofg2M/s400/Nate896+353.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">REORGANIZED AND TRENCHED</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TytH1VRf15I/TfyY_ZFjJ7I/AAAAAAAAAS0/XA6aZbu9Hhw/s1600/Nolli+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TytH1VRf15I/TfyY_ZFjJ7I/AAAAAAAAAS0/XA6aZbu9Hhw/s400/Nolli+027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CURBING SET (Thanks Honey!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The following day we headed off to Home Depot for some supplies:<br />
<ul><li>Miracle Gro garden soil</li>
<li>Vegetable starter plants</li>
<li>Tomato cages </li>
<li>Fencing to prevent the wascally wabbits from eating our veggies</li>
</ul><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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6YFr03N-p0/TfyaOjakSCI/AAAAAAAAAS4/EfC65yHG5TU/s1600/039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6YFr03N-p0/TfyaOjakSCI/AAAAAAAAAS4/EfC65yHG5TU/s400/039.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GARDEN SOIL AND VEGGIE PLANTS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then we planted the vegetable plants (yeah, I know...this is a lot of work for a veggie garden!, we are just now planting the plants!) We opted for the following plants based on our location (Northern Virginia), availability, and what we will eat:<br />
<ul><li>2 Tomatoes</li>
<li>2 Jalapenos</li>
<li>1 Habenero plant</li>
<li>1 Yellow Squash </li>
<li>1 Zucchini</li>
<li>1 Green Pepper</li>
<li>1 Chive</li>
<li>Green Garden Onions (childhood memory, remember?!?!)<br />
</li>
</ul><br />
*Side Note: We also bought some herbs (basil, mint, rosemary,and thyme) that we planted in containers that are located on our deck.<br />
<br />
Nate rented a 2 HP rototiller and worked the Miracle Gro garden soil into the soil that existed in our beds. We sunk the two tomato cages into the two back corners of the bed and planted the rest of the vegetable plants. We kept the tags that came with the veggies and placed them beside each plant. We also decided to place a large piece of flagstone (also existed on the property already) down the center of each bed for easy access down the middle. This wasn't necessary as we could access every plant from the perimeter but it made things slightly easier so we went with it.<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hC-Vgw7dplg/TfygILhTXHI/AAAAAAAAATQ/WWYBnWqzj5s/s1600/042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hC-Vgw7dplg/TfygILhTXHI/AAAAAAAAATQ/WWYBnWqzj5s/s400/042.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JALAPENO TAG</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
For fencing, we opted for a green (we wanted black but couldn't find it) poly mesh garden fence. The fencing came in a 40"x30' roll.<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAnJ2nbipjw/Tfyez3P34XI/AAAAAAAAATE/dzKM0YMfwEE/s1600/043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAnJ2nbipjw/Tfyez3P34XI/AAAAAAAAATE/dzKM0YMfwEE/s400/043.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GARDEN FENCING</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We cut the mesh down the middle for an 20" high fence around each garden. Nate used some old boards that we had in the garage and cut 30" long stakes to support the fence. We pounded the stakes into the ground about 6" at each corner of the bed as well as approximately one every 30" around the perimeter of each garden bed.<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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9nuVQykQEM/TfyfhQCXP5I/AAAAAAAAATI/WnHNlO9nx40/s1600/040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9nuVQykQEM/TfyfhQCXP5I/AAAAAAAAATI/WnHNlO9nx40/s400/040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FENCING PROJECT UNDERWAY</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dXXobGIalUU/Tfyfp6OAcjI/AAAAAAAAATM/or0xO7uz4Tg/s1600/041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dXXobGIalUU/Tfyfp6OAcjI/AAAAAAAAATM/or0xO7uz4Tg/s400/041.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ALMOST DONE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We then staple gunned (is that a word?) the garden fencing to the stakes for this end result:<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4I0LBNnwBg/TfybogTWAWI/AAAAAAAAAS8/TvSY9pm4boI/s1600/046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4I0LBNnwBg/TfybogTWAWI/AAAAAAAAAS8/TvSY9pm4boI/s400/046.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GARDEN FENCING</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We planted the vegetables on May 15th and here is what things looked like about two weeks ago:<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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_ABDLG1t2c/Tfygl6aGpDI/AAAAAAAAATU/ZGtWslV-WMU/s1600/023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_ABDLG1t2c/Tfygl6aGpDI/AAAAAAAAATU/ZGtWslV-WMU/s400/023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THINGS ARE GROWING WELL!</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlRr_ieZOu4/Tfyg0VZFQ0I/AAAAAAAAATY/bC6Aq70E2rE/s1600/026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BlRr_ieZOu4/Tfyg0VZFQ0I/AAAAAAAAATY/bC6Aq70E2rE/s400/026.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOMATO </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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytJR7fM9fGE/Tfyg2BVvR0I/AAAAAAAAATc/YuzilZ6S0nw/s1600/025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytJR7fM9fGE/Tfyg2BVvR0I/AAAAAAAAATc/YuzilZ6S0nw/s400/025.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GREEN PEPPER</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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqkQcs9NCQw/Tfyg3d3VajI/AAAAAAAAATg/6C16-3r9pyA/s1600/024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqkQcs9NCQw/Tfyg3d3VajI/AAAAAAAAATg/6C16-3r9pyA/s400/024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YELLOW SQUASH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And the raspberries looked like this:<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M4PFBYT1cU8/TfyhMADNiUI/AAAAAAAAATk/bPAoPc9S0-s/s1600/022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M4PFBYT1cU8/TfyhMADNiUI/AAAAAAAAATk/bPAoPc9S0-s/s400/022.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RASPBERRY PATCH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And here is what things were looking like this morning:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hB1rBlyZKAk/Tfyjylq93qI/AAAAAAAAATo/zrCwOtKy7HM/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hB1rBlyZKAk/Tfyjylq93qI/AAAAAAAAATo/zrCwOtKy7HM/s400/001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CL09B7Jbz4/Tfyjz6Ot0UI/AAAAAAAAATs/f5FqtbMlKG8/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CL09B7Jbz4/Tfyjz6Ot0UI/AAAAAAAAATs/f5FqtbMlKG8/s400/003.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOMATO</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZQbCFoWPjk/Tfyj0gXrZMI/AAAAAAAAATw/_yjzDfUXccs/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZQbCFoWPjk/Tfyj0gXrZMI/AAAAAAAAATw/_yjzDfUXccs/s400/004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YELLOW SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mGr8ktm65Q/Tfyj1ssGKOI/AAAAAAAAAT0/YCwv2ncGqzg/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mGr8ktm65Q/Tfyj1ssGKOI/AAAAAAAAAT0/YCwv2ncGqzg/s400/005.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GREEN PEPPER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And the raspberries look this this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOPu1-f7NEQ/TfykKkc5r_I/AAAAAAAAAT4/Zo6N1tlWTnU/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOPu1-f7NEQ/TfykKkc5r_I/AAAAAAAAAT4/Zo6N1tlWTnU/s400/002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BF9sC3P4iDg/TfykL3KTpqI/AAAAAAAAAT8/6oXCqJnL5tM/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BF9sC3P4iDg/TfykL3KTpqI/AAAAAAAAAT8/6oXCqJnL5tM/s400/006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We have already picked two batches of raspberries this season. The vegetables aren't here yet but we have a lot of things starting! <br />
<br />
Our herbs in the containers are also doing great and we have been able to use the basil and the mint (yummy Mojitos!). The thyme and rosemary are flourishing but we just haven't had a chance to use them yet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgWzXF64jX4/TfykVoyIg-I/AAAAAAAAAUA/j8xvZ7fGqmk/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgWzXF64jX4/TfykVoyIg-I/AAAAAAAAAUA/j8xvZ7fGqmk/s400/007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So, we started with this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62OEn-_wj0E/TfyN_IOREQI/AAAAAAAAASE/sAqmKHjUf1s/s1600/Nate896+336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62OEn-_wj0E/TfyN_IOREQI/AAAAAAAAASE/sAqmKHjUf1s/s400/Nate896+336.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwE0mgRzt5w/TfykvlxTRkI/AAAAAAAAAUE/B3GywpT-Wzw/s1600/Nate896+337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwE0mgRzt5w/TfykvlxTRkI/AAAAAAAAAUE/B3GywpT-Wzw/s400/Nate896+337.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And went to this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hB1rBlyZKAk/Tfyjylq93qI/AAAAAAAAATo/zrCwOtKy7HM/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hB1rBlyZKAk/Tfyjylq93qI/AAAAAAAAATo/zrCwOtKy7HM/s400/001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOPu1-f7NEQ/TfykKkc5r_I/AAAAAAAAAT4/Zo6N1tlWTnU/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kOPu1-f7NEQ/TfykKkc5r_I/AAAAAAAAAT4/Zo6N1tlWTnU/s400/002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Not bad...not bad at all.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-82730684314713748462011-04-27T17:34:00.057-04:002012-11-05T18:01:36.438-05:00Easter in Rome, ItalyWell, the title is a bit of a lie...We weren't actually <i>in</i> Rome, Italy but we spent our Easter working on an art project related to Rome. As most of you know (at least the people that I <i>think</i> are reading this blog know) Nate and I both spent a semester studying urban design in Rome, Italy. One of the classes that we had was taught by a Professor by the name of Alan Ceen. Professor Ceen was quirky, to say the least, but he loved Rome. We walked, and walked, and walked (I was so skinny then!) with Prof. Ceen through the city, week after week, learning about Old Rome. Prof. Ceen always related our walks back to the Nolli Map of Rome. The Nolli Map was created by Giambattista Nolli, an Italian architect and surveyor, at the request of Pope Benedict XIV. It was the most accurate map of Rome at the time.<br />
So, how does this apply to our art project? If you remember our den, we have a very large, blank wall due to our sloped ceiling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3AsXARKMY4U/Tbh-ovGAFrI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/G930AvWAs0c/s1600/896+YDC+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3AsXARKMY4U/Tbh-ovGAFrI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/G930AvWAs0c/s400/896+YDC+035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LARGE BLANK WALLS</td></tr>
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We originally put four mirrors from Crate and Barrel onto the wall and they stayed there a while until we could find something else to take up the space. One night, while both of us where watching TV/doing stuff on our laptops (our nightly tradition), I said "Wouldn't a Nolli Map be cool on this wall?" Nate agreed, so off I went searching the internet looking for the map. I found one on Ebay and we pulled the trigger on the purchase about a month later (the map itself was not cheap which is why we waited some time before ordering it).<br />
The map arrived in 12 sheets as it was originally published and there was even an insert written by Professor Ceen!! The map sheets sat on our dining room table for a few weeks until we could decide how to frame it.<br />
We knew that buying individual frames (each sheet is about 22"x27") would be extremely expensive so we decided to "frame" it using some reclaimed wood that we already owned. We also decided that our method of framing would be glassless (again keeping the budget in mind).<br />
We started with two sheets of 1/8" wood and began to layout the sheets in order to determine the final size.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUn4-xo9Tu0/Tblda8lHb3I/AAAAAAAAASA/bFCxT05W3NU/s1600/Nolli+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUn4-xo9Tu0/Tblda8lHb3I/AAAAAAAAASA/bFCxT05W3NU/s400/Nolli+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LAYOUT IN THE GARAGE</td></tr>
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Once we had the first row laid out with the spacing that we desired we cut the board to the correct width on the table saw.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJw4lV2sd-k/TbiLEwi1OrI/AAAAAAAAARA/Aq9_sx1JQso/s1600/Nolli+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJw4lV2sd-k/TbiLEwi1OrI/AAAAAAAAARA/Aq9_sx1JQso/s400/Nolli+018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOARDS CUT AND SECOND ROW LAID OUT</td></tr>
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We used a little adhesive roller on the back of each sheet and also decided to use Scotch tape on the corners to ensure that the sheets would not move.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1QScmwPWxk/TbiMNA9K5VI/AAAAAAAAARU/QeDMV-wP7W0/s1600/Nolli+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1QScmwPWxk/TbiMNA9K5VI/AAAAAAAAARU/QeDMV-wP7W0/s400/Nolli+022.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ALL OF THE SHEETS LAID OUT</td></tr>
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Once the sheets were all laid out we brought them (on the two separate boards) in to the den and screwed the boards into the studs in the large wall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSzosPYSv4c/TbiNX0GcpiI/AAAAAAAAARY/Z-rSNCxG5AY/s1600/Nolli+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSzosPYSv4c/TbiNX0GcpiI/AAAAAAAAARY/Z-rSNCxG5AY/s400/Nolli+023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOTTOM BOARD ATTACHED TO THE WALL</td></tr>
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Once we had both of the boards with the 12 sheets attached it was time to begin "framing". We decided to use the reclaimed wood that Nate used to make the powder room mirror. We ripped them down to the desired widths on the table saw and used the miter saw to create the miter for the four boards used for the outer frame. We decided on a 2 3/8" width for the outer frame. We used the nail gun to attach the frame to the boards that were already secured on the wall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OK7I0reXwg8/TbiNpsGudcI/AAAAAAAAARc/0qUyZlzLuHs/s1600/Nolli+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OK7I0reXwg8/TbiNpsGudcI/AAAAAAAAARc/0qUyZlzLuHs/s400/Nolli+035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOP AND BOTTOM FRAME</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFkOwi4W2sM/TbiOiYsrROI/AAAAAAAAARo/pO3eR7p2I-s/s1600/Nolli+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFkOwi4W2sM/TbiOiYsrROI/AAAAAAAAARo/pO3eR7p2I-s/s400/Nolli+038.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OUTSIDE FRAME COMPLETE</td></tr>
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For the inside grid we decided on a 1 3/4" width. We ripped them down to width on the table saw and used the miter saw to cut them to length. We used full length pieces for the verticals in order to help keep the top frame from sagging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q_YRwBgFsQ/TbiPNg7U7tI/AAAAAAAAARs/LXWAG4wXXJk/s1600/Nolli+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q_YRwBgFsQ/TbiPNg7U7tI/AAAAAAAAARs/LXWAG4wXXJk/s400/Nolli+039.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ATTACHING THE SECOND VERTICAL</td></tr>
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Once the vertical boards were attached we measured each of the horizontal boards and cut them down to size.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm9MKKKJU_A/TbiPpTlbjkI/AAAAAAAAARw/hsryhvcrzww/s1600/Nolli+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm9MKKKJU_A/TbiPpTlbjkI/AAAAAAAAARw/hsryhvcrzww/s400/Nolli+040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE HORIZONTALS BEING ATTACHED!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ux7lKQPWS_E/TbiPxDjvPiI/AAAAAAAAAR0/29XxXGR7s2w/s1600/Nolli+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ux7lKQPWS_E/TbiPxDjvPiI/AAAAAAAAAR0/29XxXGR7s2w/s400/Nolli+044.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COMPLETE!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-cSIGeaXiw/TbiP1ldYBAI/AAAAAAAAAR8/XLeNgJySU8w/s1600/Nolli+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-cSIGeaXiw/TbiP1ldYBAI/AAAAAAAAAR8/XLeNgJySU8w/s400/Nolli+045.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEW FROM KITCHEN</td></tr>
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So, that was our Easter spent hanging Rome, Italy on our walls. We love the way that it turned out. It is definitely HUGE but is a great way to take up such a large blank wall. We are having fun pointing out where our apartments, our studio, and of course, our favorite bars were. It was a time in our lives that Nate and I treasure and this map will serve as a daily reminder of our time there.<br />
Oh, and you can see from the above photos that our sectional arrived! BUT, it is missing piece :( I will share pics once the final piece arrives. <br />
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-69311161268973124602011-04-16T16:37:00.001-04:002011-04-18T11:14:39.559-04:00How Two Landscape Architects Transform Their YardAs most of you know, Nate and I are both landscape architects. When we found this house on the market, we both LOVED the idea that we were purchasing not only a home, but also a yard. The previous owner of this home was an avid gardener and had planted a vast array of plant species in the yard. When my sister first saw the place she commented that the yard was "overgrown" and I quickly stated that it wasn't overgrown, it was simply "overplanted". Nate and I set out on a mission to change it up, to make it our style, and to practice some of those things that we had learned throughout our career (and this time it was finally on our own home!).<br />
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Below are some photographs of the yard before we moved in. There were two Crape Myrtles, two Katsura trees, one Japanese Maple, one Cherry, one Japanese Snowbell, one Dawn Redwood (which is my favorite tree!), one Dogwood, three Leyland Cypress and one Holly...all in our front yard!! By the way, we own a 1/4 acre lot, so our front yard is not that big. Talk about overplanted!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHtsWe3ovpA/TankBHqGFdI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mWbLAmrwK_w/s1600/896+YDC+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHtsWe3ovpA/TankBHqGFdI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mWbLAmrwK_w/s400/896+YDC+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL LANDSCAPE (EARLY SPRING 2010)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2hHDwnoh1Q/TankINCMqVI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZVEpseQuerc/s1600/896+YDC+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2hHDwnoh1Q/TankINCMqVI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZVEpseQuerc/s400/896+YDC+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL WALKWAY AND FRONT PORCH (EARLY SPRING 2010)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-094K6A5zbLY/TankMQdLmzI/AAAAAAAAAOc/am_0cx0p9hs/s1600/896+YDC+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-094K6A5zbLY/TankMQdLmzI/AAAAAAAAAOc/am_0cx0p9hs/s400/896+YDC+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL LANDSCAPE (EARLY SPRING 2010)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba6o1huJYNE/Tankok8eo7I/AAAAAAAAAOo/ASYve1SwohA/s1600/896+YDC+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba6o1huJYNE/Tankok8eo7I/AAAAAAAAAOo/ASYve1SwohA/s400/896+YDC+072.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAN YOU EVEN SEE THE HOUSE? (LATE SPRING 2010)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW24LJTPYWo/TanksAU38SI/AAAAAAAAAOs/VTTid8mnwXA/s1600/896+YDC+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW24LJTPYWo/TanksAU38SI/AAAAAAAAAOs/VTTid8mnwXA/s400/896+YDC+073.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL LANDSCAPING (LATE SPRING 2010)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL LANDSCAPING (LATE SPRING 2010)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JecY9T7kKdA/Tank6k9vScI/AAAAAAAAAO0/x4WPIRrkVOw/s1600/896+YDC+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JecY9T7kKdA/Tank6k9vScI/AAAAAAAAAO0/x4WPIRrkVOw/s400/896+YDC+075.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL LANDSCAPE (LATE SPRING 2010)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-AwSAry1KU/TankZ5hg-dI/AAAAAAAAAOk/IrFuXE6N_q4/s1600/896+YDC+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-AwSAry1KU/TankZ5hg-dI/AAAAAAAAAOk/IrFuXE6N_q4/s400/896+YDC+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL WALKWAY (LATE SPRING 2010)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One of the first things that Nate and I did to create some curb appeal was to remove the original railing on the front porch and change out the porch columns.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2C4tA3Uj2M/TannF0jam8I/AAAAAAAAAO8/UIn1Zc2sSg4/s1600/896+YDC+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2C4tA3Uj2M/TannF0jam8I/AAAAAAAAAO8/UIn1Zc2sSg4/s400/896+YDC+015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL POSTS AND RAILING</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmBrHjmKUtE/TannKgN8vqI/AAAAAAAAAPA/uxCYEzQD2UY/s1600/896+YDC+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmBrHjmKUtE/TannKgN8vqI/AAAAAAAAAPA/uxCYEzQD2UY/s400/896+YDC+057.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEW FROM FRONT DOOR OUT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0OQR9qnQLo/TannObqgMFI/AAAAAAAAAPE/OZS_ZiED9-I/s1600/896+YDC+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0OQR9qnQLo/TannObqgMFI/AAAAAAAAAPE/OZS_ZiED9-I/s400/896+YDC+059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL FRONT PORCH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We removed the railing in order to create a larger front porch area. We also decided to open things up by changing the arrangement and style of the porch post. We were creating a contemporary interior and wanted the exterior of the home to match. We removed the ornate traditional posts and replaced them with 6"x6" square posts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ixo04Ma0QR0/TanoKizcC6I/AAAAAAAAAPI/ZYCIX_OTK_s/s1600/896+YDC+169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ixo04Ma0QR0/TanoKizcC6I/AAAAAAAAAPI/ZYCIX_OTK_s/s400/896+YDC+169.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RAILING REMOVED WITH NEW SQUARE POSTS</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rlMneb55wo0/TanoQKFko0I/AAAAAAAAAPM/EQr-2tn_aOI/s1600/896+YDC+172.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rlMneb55wo0/TanoQKFko0I/AAAAAAAAAPM/EQr-2tn_aOI/s400/896+YDC+172.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>We also removed the original gold address numbers and replaced them with satin nickel numbers. Nate also removed the outdoor light fixture in the ceiling of the porch and added recessed lighting for a more contemporary effect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y05wvc0OKCs/TanpldgUVOI/AAAAAAAAAPU/zDY1uhh7uHk/s1600/896+YDC+170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y05wvc0OKCs/TanpldgUVOI/AAAAAAAAAPU/zDY1uhh7uHk/s400/896+YDC+170.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEW FROM THE STREET</td></tr>
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We liked the way that things were looking, but that Cherry tree (front and center in the above pic) was really hiding the entire house, not to mention making it really dark inside! So, we decided to take down the tree.<br />
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Now that the railing, the Cherry, and the front shrubs were removed, it was time to focus our attention on the front porch area. Nate took some marking paint and started to paint out an idea for enlarging the front porch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cB2NpEXvbf4/TanpVcTWyJI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/SK4hkEKVPn0/s1600/896+YDC+185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cB2NpEXvbf4/TanpVcTWyJI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/SK4hkEKVPn0/s400/896+YDC+185.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHERRY TREE REMAINDERS AND NEW PORCH LAYOUT!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We hired a few of Nate's men and they began installing the flagstone on top of the original concrete slab at the front porch and extending it out to the paint lines that Nate had drawn out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBd2qACUGOI/TanrAwZ9HSI/AAAAAAAAAPY/6DVTUm7lVhw/s1600/896+YDC+189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBd2qACUGOI/TanrAwZ9HSI/AAAAAAAAAPY/6DVTUm7lVhw/s400/896+YDC+189.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW FLAGSTONE FRONT PORCH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KopjeY0XrK0/TanrPnzIiRI/AAAAAAAAAPc/asnnSxNsZrc/s1600/896+YDC+193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KopjeY0XrK0/TanrPnzIiRI/AAAAAAAAAPc/asnnSxNsZrc/s400/896+YDC+193.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EXTENDING OUT THE FRONT PORCH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We also cut down a portion of the yard to make a "sunken lawn" and brought in some topsoil for the sod and the plants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sK4aZ8xLN8/TanrwPF9NuI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ruh2BBn9_Os/s1600/896+YDC+192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sK4aZ8xLN8/TanrwPF9NuI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ruh2BBn9_Os/s400/896+YDC+192.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WORK IN PROGRESS AND MORE PAINT LINES!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OgEYGKv5PRw/Tanr8bhjcVI/AAAAAAAAAPk/hD032L1vUWA/s1600/896+YDC+206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OgEYGKv5PRw/Tanr8bhjcVI/AAAAAAAAAPk/hD032L1vUWA/s400/896+YDC+206.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOBCAT MOVING AROUND SOME DIRT.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once the yard was graded out, the work on the retaining walls began. We decided to use Pennsylvania flat stacked stone (the same that we used on our <a href="http://theamenwithats.blogspot.com/2011/01/livin-it-up-in-new-den.html">fireplace</a>) for all of our walls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkJ4UbatmcA/TansuGMZxgI/AAAAAAAAAPo/3ewG1tBw3aI/s1600/896+YDC+211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkJ4UbatmcA/TansuGMZxgI/AAAAAAAAAPo/3ewG1tBw3aI/s400/896+YDC+211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STOPPED DUE TO RAIN :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAT5mwMcBBk/TantAFVT9sI/AAAAAAAAAPs/78K2SfTo-Aw/s1600/896+YDC+213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAT5mwMcBBk/TantAFVT9sI/AAAAAAAAAPs/78K2SfTo-Aw/s400/896+YDC+213.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PROGRESS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once the walls were completed, it was time to add the plants. We went with a fairly simple palette that consisted of plants like Boxwoods, 'Knock Out' Roses, Weigela, 'Miss Kim' Lilac, 'Otto Luyken' Laurels, and an array of new perennials and some existing perennials. We also ended up taking down the Holly on the corner of the house and replaced it with a beautiful limbed up 'Burford' Holly (the largest tree that we brought in). A Dogwood was also removed in addition to the Cherry to open things up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jk7_HnBJn8o/TantPXLlkyI/AAAAAAAAAPw/qvgkCMjI3C4/s1600/896+YDC+215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jk7_HnBJn8o/TantPXLlkyI/AAAAAAAAAPw/qvgkCMjI3C4/s400/896+YDC+215.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW FRONT PORCH, WALKWAY, AND PLANTS!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o-AMEveYMc/TanuCJQWYhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/1AxkALLA6KI/s1600/896+YDC+218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o-AMEveYMc/TanuCJQWYhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/1AxkALLA6KI/s400/896+YDC+218.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW FRONT LANDSCAPING (FRESHLY INSTALLED)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1G_a1SjjVEE/TanuhDIb22I/AAAAAAAAAQA/1i-zI8IVoI4/s1600/896+YDC+222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1G_a1SjjVEE/TanuhDIb22I/AAAAAAAAAQA/1i-zI8IVoI4/s400/896+YDC+222.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WALKWAY AND BOULDER STEPS TO BACKYARD</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhLn1mlhg8k/TanusKWc1QI/AAAAAAAAAQE/JCAdbNHVJWE/s1600/896+YDC+223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhLn1mlhg8k/TanusKWc1QI/AAAAAAAAAQE/JCAdbNHVJWE/s400/896+YDC+223.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOULDER STEPS LEADING THE LARGER FRONT PORCH</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h1ae5Cmxxmo/Tanu-p1eg-I/AAAAAAAAAQM/C-krclqjg3o/s1600/896+YDC+225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h1ae5Cmxxmo/Tanu-p1eg-I/AAAAAAAAAQM/C-krclqjg3o/s400/896+YDC+225.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FRONT PORCH WITH "STEPPABLE" PLANTS BETWEEN THE FLAGSTONE</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJYPxlkyiBo/Tan0XmpfA7I/AAAAAAAAAQg/4_9HJv0bFeU/s1600/896+YDC+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJYPxlkyiBo/Tan0XmpfA7I/AAAAAAAAAQg/4_9HJv0bFeU/s400/896+YDC+037.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FRONT PORCH</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3NtKTcBrY0/Tan3Sr51F8I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/2jwXlSX1g4k/s1600/896+YDC+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3NtKTcBrY0/Tan3Sr51F8I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/2jwXlSX1g4k/s400/896+YDC+041.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW MAILBOX AND MAILBOX PLANTINGS</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Ready for the Before and After?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHtsWe3ovpA/TankBHqGFdI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mWbLAmrwK_w/s1600/896+YDC+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHtsWe3ovpA/TankBHqGFdI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mWbLAmrwK_w/s400/896+YDC+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o-AMEveYMc/TanuCJQWYhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/1AxkALLA6KI/s1600/896+YDC+218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o-AMEveYMc/TanuCJQWYhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/1AxkALLA6KI/s400/896+YDC+218.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER (IMMEDIATELY UPON COMPLETION)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx6u6vwijL0/Tan2oIW4aWI/AAAAAAAAAQw/D07UVy1NnT8/s1600/896+YDC+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx6u6vwijL0/Tan2oIW4aWI/AAAAAAAAAQw/D07UVy1NnT8/s400/896+YDC+040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER (AS OF TODAY)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2hHDwnoh1Q/TankINCMqVI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZVEpseQuerc/s1600/896+YDC+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2hHDwnoh1Q/TankINCMqVI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZVEpseQuerc/s400/896+YDC+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PORCH BEFORE</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jk7_HnBJn8o/TantPXLlkyI/AAAAAAAAAPw/qvgkCMjI3C4/s1600/896+YDC+215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jk7_HnBJn8o/TantPXLlkyI/AAAAAAAAAPw/qvgkCMjI3C4/s400/896+YDC+215.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PORCH AFTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Once the warmer Spring weather begins to roll in and we see where perennials begin popping up, we will probably infill as needed. This spring should show some improvement in the size of the plant material and by next Spring, this should be really filled in. Eventually, I want to paint the front door (I am thinking red) and the siding will need to be replaced (probably in a taupe color), and the shutters will need to be repainted black. But, that won't be happening anytime soon :)<br />
The back yard also has yet to be done and it is in our sights for sometime this year!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NqlUhr5OPX0/TanvnNfuU8I/AAAAAAAAAQU/nSukTgmRX8w/s1600/896+YDC+282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-53674503257100991882011-04-05T20:20:00.000-04:002011-04-05T20:20:37.210-04:00Master Bedroom InspirationWe have started to think about what we may want our master bedroom to become. We are currently working with a blank slate. The walls are painted yellow (the same color as the rest of the house when we moved in), the windows have vinyl window blinds, and the furniture is a set that Michele bought right after college. Actually, the bedroom set is very nice and simple but it is a queen and eventually we are hoping to move up to a king bed.<br />
So, with the bedroom on my mind (from a design point of view), I put together this mood board. What do you guys think?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgdebzYG1F0/TZuxSU4BbcI/AAAAAAAAANg/xTc3HARB1MU/s1600/bedroom+mood+board+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgdebzYG1F0/TZuxSU4BbcI/AAAAAAAAANg/xTc3HARB1MU/s640/bedroom+mood+board+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-79166361455096779862011-03-25T21:41:00.002-04:002011-04-06T11:27:59.447-04:00Doing the Happy Dance!The upstairs hallway bathroom is almost complete, and we are doing the Happy Dance. I LOVE IT! I typically don't say that about our projects because I am pretty critical of everything that we do, but I LOVE this new bathroom. It is probably my favorite transformation that we have accomplished to date.<br />
Here is a not so pretty reminder of what our bathroom looked like before (get ready to be transported back to the 80's!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ajrBj4xwwH8/TWkgDkz-45I/AAAAAAAAAKg/Ii_kUhgVSKE/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ajrBj4xwwH8/TWkgDkz-45I/AAAAAAAAAKg/Ii_kUhgVSKE/s400/005.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</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://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXcr5PMO2s4/TWkgE4AeWjI/AAAAAAAAAKk/1l2pwlpxnkg/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXcr5PMO2s4/TWkgE4AeWjI/AAAAAAAAAKk/1l2pwlpxnkg/s400/006.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g1jS5qk0_7E/TWkgF13OX5I/AAAAAAAAAKo/-xe34UIjVVE/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g1jS5qk0_7E/TWkgF13OX5I/AAAAAAAAAKo/-xe34UIjVVE/s320/007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And for a much better reminder of where we left you off last...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6CFJtUCSiLk/TX0uFs58BpI/AAAAAAAAAMI/U0ADa_Qn8_0/s1600/Bathroom+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6CFJtUCSiLk/TX0uFs58BpI/AAAAAAAAAMI/U0ADa_Qn8_0/s400/Bathroom+074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TILE COMPLETE AND READY FOR THE FINISHING TOUCHES</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We have come a long way Baby! We had already purchased the vanity from Lowes a few months ago when Facebook was offering a 30% discount. LUCKILY, all of the tile selections that we chose from that point actually seemed to match the color of the wood and dark granite top of the vanity...Phew!<br />
Nate got the toilet reinstalled (after he realized the toilet tank was cracked, it got swapped out with the toilet that we had saved from the downstairs powder room redo).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z9OpT4RRz_U/TY0-2NQnXHI/AAAAAAAAAMo/g2PdyhmGFm8/s1600/P1020399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z9OpT4RRz_U/TY0-2NQnXHI/AAAAAAAAAMo/g2PdyhmGFm8/s400/P1020399.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOILET RE-INSTALL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now it was time to choose a paint color.<br />
We had some paint left over from our townhouse bathroom and we thought that was going to work; However, when we put it onto the walls, it was too minty green. So, we took a couple of the other paint colors that we had used around the house and started to mix our own color. We tried mixing it with the color from the built-ins, we tried mixing it with the color from the kitchen/living room, and we tried mixing it with the color of the den. After much deliberation :) we decided that the best option was a mix of the old bathroom color and the gray from the kitchen/living room in a 50/50 mix.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u6t7baTZxik/TY0-EarDF8I/AAAAAAAAAMY/nEqfOohmU8Q/s1600/P1020401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u6t7baTZxik/TY0-EarDF8I/AAAAAAAAAMY/nEqfOohmU8Q/s400/P1020401.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COLOR OPTIONS- We chose the one on the left with a minor modification</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We taped everything (including the ceiling that Nate had already painted) and began painting. We were able to get one coat out of the paint that we had mixed. OOPS! We knew that it was going to be tight with how much paint we had, but we didn't think that it was only going to get us one coats worth. So, with the last bit left in the can we painted a small piece of leftover drywall, and Nate took it to Home Depot to have it color matched. And, it was a perfect match! Nate finished with the second coat of paint the following day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FS1bbKiDn9U/TY0-SxXbRhI/AAAAAAAAAMc/9gIHFZHFAhA/s1600/P1020402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FS1bbKiDn9U/TY0-SxXbRhI/AAAAAAAAAMc/9gIHFZHFAhA/s400/P1020402.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PAINT COLOR WITH THE HALLWAY COLOR IN THE BACKGROUND (Most accurate pic of color)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jBZyGPkvHx8/TY0-XBbkNRI/AAAAAAAAAMg/eeEBk9amrxo/s1600/P1020406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jBZyGPkvHx8/TY0-XBbkNRI/AAAAAAAAAMg/eeEBk9amrxo/s400/P1020406.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINAL CUSTOM COLOR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The final choices to make were the faucet, mirror, and the light fixture.<br />
Nate picked up two faucets, one from Home Depot and one from Lowes. They were both satin nickel but one was more traditional and the other was more contemporary in style.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VraFW57HW5c/TY1Aelq03II/AAAAAAAAAMs/-qH6j5UWVMM/s1600/P1020410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VraFW57HW5c/TY1Aelq03II/AAAAAAAAAMs/-qH6j5UWVMM/s400/P1020410.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OPTION 1 FROM HOME DEPOT</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7qZqGdABiWQ/TY1AglwKaPI/AAAAAAAAAMw/2L3v5kJxqH0/s1600/P1020411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7qZqGdABiWQ/TY1AglwKaPI/AAAAAAAAAMw/2L3v5kJxqH0/s400/P1020411.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OPTION 2 FROM LOWES</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We both liked the style of the option from Lowes but we both agreed that it was too small and a little too contemporary for the vanity. We decided to go with Option 1.<br />
Next up...the Light Fixture. We found the light fixture at Lowes and liked that we could choose the glass shade that we wanted to use. We decided on a clear seeded glass shade with clear bulbs so that you could see the filament in the bulb at work. It is a really industrial look and we loved the end result of it. There was a minor change out with the light fixture, but more on that later!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h66-K9G0pgI/TY1BLTeS-DI/AAAAAAAAAM0/rwk8__al1JQ/s1600/P1020423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h66-K9G0pgI/TY1BLTeS-DI/AAAAAAAAAM0/rwk8__al1JQ/s400/P1020423.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">REWIRING FOR THE NEW FIXTURE</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9w6J66KKvqQ/TY09WJ5cbPI/AAAAAAAAAMM/avWIuZIB9CY/s1600/P1020431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9w6J66KKvqQ/TY09WJ5cbPI/AAAAAAAAAMM/avWIuZIB9CY/s400/P1020431.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The mirror was quite a challenge for us. We did not like the look of the mirror that matched the vanity. The vanity is a dark cherry color so we were worried that we weren't going to find a mirror that exactly matched the color. We went on a mirror hunt at Home Depot, Lowes, Marshalls, and Bed Bath and Beyond with no luck. We were searching for either a wood mirror or something metal that would tie in the satin nickel and the dark floors. I checked Overstock and really liked two of the mirrors there, but the prices of each were over $150.00 and that was too much when talking about a mirror!<br />
Off to Home Goods one morning before work. I came across something that I thought would work. The size was right, the finish wasn't bad, and the $39.99 price tag was hard to beat. On the way home from work I stopped at Target and found a round oil rubbed bronze mirror that could also work. This mirror was $41.95 so it was also a great deal. I took them both home to make the decision.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LOdDnG6f3-M/TY09v2n2y-I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/u-3boy1_nFo/s1600/P1020414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LOdDnG6f3-M/TY09v2n2y-I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/u-3boy1_nFo/s400/P1020414.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOME GOOD MIRROR</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J_91sksXJUo/TY09zPqIaBI/AAAAAAAAAMU/hIE4YGbiZLc/s1600/P1020415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J_91sksXJUo/TY09zPqIaBI/AAAAAAAAAMU/hIE4YGbiZLc/s400/P1020415.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TARGET MIRROR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When looking at both mirrors, I initially fell in love with the round mirror. I loved that it picked up on the penny rounds and the color was a great tie in to the other details in the room; However, Nate pointed out that the round mirror was a bit small for a bathroom with future high use and the rectangle would offer more function. I compromised and I have to admit...he was right. (I hope that he doesn't read this post!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ie4cu-uz46c/TY1BYvy4mNI/AAAAAAAAAM4/IHrvQnRYouU/s1600/P1020426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ie4cu-uz46c/TY1BYvy4mNI/AAAAAAAAAM4/IHrvQnRYouU/s400/P1020426.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PROGRESS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When we stepped back to look at the progress (see above), we realized that the light fixture looked too small. Luckily, there is a four light fixture in the same style. I ran back to Lowes to get the four light fixture while Nate started to work on changing out the chrome tub fixtures (info on that in a future post).<br />
I returned with the four light fixture, we re-wired it and were both satisfied with our decision for the change out.<br />
We added a new soap dispenser, toothbrush holder, and hand towel ring from Lowes, and a toilet paper holder from Home Goods. We also added an Ikea shelf that we previously owned above the toilet for extra storage space. We will also be hanging towel hooks from Lowes on the wall opposite of the toilet in the very near future (just looking for a fourth hook!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nDf5EnIAXMs/TY1CdaGqXEI/AAAAAAAAAM8/rBxaW_4eyx4/s1600/P1020438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nDf5EnIAXMs/TY1CdaGqXEI/AAAAAAAAAM8/rBxaW_4eyx4/s400/P1020438.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINISHED!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ONkrOmWlsc0/TY1C0MGwqeI/AAAAAAAAANE/fF0kZe1p7sE/s1600/P1020437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ONkrOmWlsc0/TY1C0MGwqeI/AAAAAAAAANE/fF0kZe1p7sE/s400/P1020437.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0zuD9ZuU6_Y/TY1C8VYYmvI/AAAAAAAAANI/z6igwgGCxs4/s1600/P1020443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0zuD9ZuU6_Y/TY1C8VYYmvI/AAAAAAAAANI/z6igwgGCxs4/s400/P1020443.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sgmYvzrjNHQ/TY1DE-FhrjI/AAAAAAAAANM/kLtn_6nuXas/s1600/P1020444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sgmYvzrjNHQ/TY1DE-FhrjI/AAAAAAAAANM/kLtn_6nuXas/s400/P1020444.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pySQ68E0hLI/TY1DNEppmyI/AAAAAAAAANQ/8d5J2apa854/s1600/P1020439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pySQ68E0hLI/TY1DNEppmyI/AAAAAAAAANQ/8d5J2apa854/s400/P1020439.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0M4S1ELKEKo/TY1DUY0D7AI/AAAAAAAAANU/iPyw8yOkcUg/s1600/P1020442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0M4S1ELKEKo/TY1DUY0D7AI/AAAAAAAAANU/iPyw8yOkcUg/s400/P1020442.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Before and After...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ajrBj4xwwH8/TWkgDkz-45I/AAAAAAAAAKg/Ii_kUhgVSKE/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ajrBj4xwwH8/TWkgDkz-45I/AAAAAAAAAKg/Ii_kUhgVSKE/s400/005.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sgmYvzrjNHQ/TY1DE-FhrjI/AAAAAAAAANM/kLtn_6nuXas/s1600/P1020444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sgmYvzrjNHQ/TY1DE-FhrjI/AAAAAAAAANM/kLtn_6nuXas/s400/P1020444.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>There are some minor paint touch-ups that still need to be done and I still need to paint the door and the door trim but we are calling this project...DONE!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-70653230823993492722011-03-13T16:59:00.002-04:002011-03-30T21:18:32.602-04:00It is Nothing like the DIY Network!Our upstairs guest bathroom remodel has begun. We decided that a lot of the remodel was going to involve a significant amount of tile work. Being an avid DIY Network watcher, I thought doing tile was going to be a pretty easy task. I know that they do time lapses on those shows, but I really thought it would be row by row of tile easily installed with no mess. Boy was I wrong!<br />
<br />
We started on the floor first. We put down Hardi Backer first to act as a support for the floor tile. Nate cut the pieces down to size with a circular saw. We used an old tube of my lipstick to mark the edges of the toilet wax ring and pressed the Hardi Backer down to create a mark so that we knew where to cut around the ring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OdHxYe85VsU/TX0iNUkfIlI/AAAAAAAAAK4/fTMpMbVkT-g/s1600/Bathroom+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OdHxYe85VsU/TX0iNUkfIlI/AAAAAAAAAK4/fTMpMbVkT-g/s400/Bathroom+013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HARDI BACKER BOARD CUT AROUND THE WAX RING. Remnants of the Lipstick trick remain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once the Hardi Backer was screwed into the plywood sub-floor, we used a tile trowel to trowel on thinset. We then began installing the floor tiles from the Tile Shop. We chose a tile called Arcturus.<br />
We loved the idea of doing a larger tile on the floor because the wall tiles were going to be small. We chose a dark 12"x24" tile. You can see from the photograph below that we needed to use weights to push down on some of the tile to make sure that it was level. In retrospect, the large tile was a bit difficult to level in the areas where the two pieces of Hardi Backer board abutted; However, we made it work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WwzTnXQjr5E/TX0j99i_EYI/AAAAAAAAAK8/b-rXxY-h5nk/s1600/Bathroom+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WwzTnXQjr5E/TX0j99i_EYI/AAAAAAAAAK8/b-rXxY-h5nk/s400/Bathroom+019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FLOOR TILE WITH WEIGHTS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nate did the majority of work installing the floor tile, while I marked the centers of each tile. I put tape on the tile and marked the center of the long sides with a pencil. Marking the centers helped Nate to make sure that the tiles were being staggered perfectly. We used 3/16" spacers between the tiles to make the grout lines even.<br />
Once finished, Nate grouted the floor (a day that I worked late so there are no photographs).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qAUZ9MftGjg/TX0lBzdkyJI/AAAAAAAAALE/cLEPiHS-olc/s1600/Bathroom+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qAUZ9MftGjg/TX0lBzdkyJI/AAAAAAAAALE/cLEPiHS-olc/s400/Bathroom+026.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COMPLETED FLOOR WITH GROUT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The next tiling task was the subway tile on the walls. This is where I thought that the time lapse video was really going to be true to life. Not so much. We first needed to install the tile "base moulding". We laid it out to determine where we wanted to make the cuts. We decided that the corner that will be hidden by the vanity would be the best place to hide the cuts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-usjgpZgDWmU/TX0nHDI7U9I/AAAAAAAAALM/YEvBvBEkyH4/s1600/Bathroom+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-usjgpZgDWmU/TX0nHDI7U9I/AAAAAAAAALM/YEvBvBEkyH4/s400/Bathroom+028.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LAYING OUT THE TILE BASE MOULDING.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7iUJtDXr2lg/TX0nKAjcpiI/AAAAAAAAALQ/rI1uqJ8dOXk/s1600/Bathroom+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7iUJtDXr2lg/TX0nKAjcpiI/AAAAAAAAALQ/rI1uqJ8dOXk/s400/Bathroom+030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BASE MOULDING</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We used thinset again on the walls to apply the tile. We used an 1/8" spacer on the walls for a smaller grout line than the floor.<br />
Once the base moulding was installed and leveled, the rows of subway tile went up. We applied the thinset with a smaller notched trowel than the one that we used for the floor. We then pressed each tile on and set the spacers to move onto the next.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sTYx6qZn_KM/TX0oQ7M5XgI/AAAAAAAAALU/gX0lYiytt5I/s1600/Bathroom+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sTYx6qZn_KM/TX0oQ7M5XgI/AAAAAAAAALU/gX0lYiytt5I/s400/Bathroom+032.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WALL TILE GOING UP<br />
</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-61ZLNoxbYG0/TX0oW2WS13I/AAAAAAAAALY/bkfJiq_HSe0/s1600/Bathroom+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-61ZLNoxbYG0/TX0oW2WS13I/AAAAAAAAALY/bkfJiq_HSe0/s400/Bathroom+034.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ROW BY ROW AND QUITE A MESS!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We spent the majority of our Friday evening getting up the subway tile. We had accomplished the base moulding on Thursday night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZpTMN2RjMM/TX0o_Edt9_I/AAAAAAAAALc/XzbDmLMNnW4/s1600/Bathroom+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZpTMN2RjMM/TX0o_Edt9_I/AAAAAAAAALc/XzbDmLMNnW4/s400/Bathroom+039.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FAKING MY HAPPINESS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once the tiles sat on the wall for about 10 minutes we took a warm wet sponge and began wiping down all of the tiles to get any thinset off of the faces of the tile. We also used a screwdriver to get the thinset that squeezed out of any of the grout lines.<br />
Saturday morning it was time to test the height of the vanity to make sure that our tile height was appropriate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-etix4YJSiPg/TX0psvmb1BI/AAAAAAAAALg/PRJXsbqNXFg/s1600/Bathroom+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-etix4YJSiPg/TX0psvmb1BI/AAAAAAAAALg/PRJXsbqNXFg/s400/Bathroom+044.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TESTING THE NEW HEIGHT OF THE VANITY.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When we first put the vanity into the bathroom, Nate and I both realized that the height of the vanity was too high. We decided to cut down the legs to make it a more appropriate height for guests and future children. By cutting down the legs ourselves, we were also able to make the vanity countertop line up with the top of the last row of subway tile. Out came the vanity, and we proceeded to install the penny round tile accent band.<br />
The penny round tile came on a 12"x12" mesh. We decided to use five rows of the tile for our accent band so Nate used an exacto blade to cut the mesh into the five row strips. I applied a very thin layer of thin set and began setting the penny rounds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VNMT4O9qbmg/TX0qyV0uC7I/AAAAAAAAALk/HovfiDMjXhY/s1600/Bathroom+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VNMT4O9qbmg/TX0qyV0uC7I/AAAAAAAAALk/HovfiDMjXhY/s400/Bathroom+052.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PENNY ROUND ACCENT BAND</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We used the 1/8" spacers again to make sure that there was a grout joint between the subway tile and the penny rounds. This process went along pretty quickly (finally!).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CI_NrvwVwJg/TX0rNouba2I/AAAAAAAAALo/z8CAKHLVM14/s1600/Bathroom+049.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CI_NrvwVwJg/TX0rNouba2I/AAAAAAAAALo/z8CAKHLVM14/s400/Bathroom+049.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><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://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_8pVkpgj_rY/TX0rQdiL2RI/AAAAAAAAALs/qX03NrAzHqs/s1600/Bathroom+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_8pVkpgj_rY/TX0rQdiL2RI/AAAAAAAAALs/qX03NrAzHqs/s400/Bathroom+048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PENNY ROUND FINISHED</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The last step was to add a bullnosed subway tile at the top of the penny roundS to finish it all. This step was a pain in the you know what and Nate took the reigns of this task. He put a level on the top row every three tiles to make sure that things were level.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wRlBxlUO9gA/TX0r2isdfuI/AAAAAAAAALw/ebboan-jd88/s1600/Bathroom+062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wRlBxlUO9gA/TX0r2isdfuI/AAAAAAAAALw/ebboan-jd88/s400/Bathroom+062.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Once the top row was on and everything was sponged down one last time with warm water, we were done for the day!<br />
Sunday was grouting day. We had two rubber grout floats that we used to apply the white sanded grout.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zYuBOjEDj7I/TX0stYR6gPI/AAAAAAAAAL4/GL8yMybLsCI/s1600/Bathroom+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zYuBOjEDj7I/TX0stYR6gPI/AAAAAAAAAL4/GL8yMybLsCI/s400/Bathroom+060.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RUBBER GROUT FLOAT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We each chose a wall and started to grout. This was an extremely messy process. Nate taped off the floors first to prevent us from getting grout between the base moulding and the floor tile. After we had a section completed, we waited ten minutes or so, and used a warm water sponge to wipe off the excess grout. We made sure to rinse the sponge and change out the water often.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j3gdZycWlVs/TX0tmgxWqoI/AAAAAAAAAL8/ksUnCEniZf0/s1600/Bathroom+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j3gdZycWlVs/TX0tmgxWqoI/AAAAAAAAAL8/ksUnCEniZf0/s400/Bathroom+068.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE BEING WIPED DOWN</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XLtR03EKwyw/TX0tvVK35vI/AAAAAAAAAMA/8x8yvcdBw3Y/s1600/Bathroom+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XLtR03EKwyw/TX0tvVK35vI/AAAAAAAAAMA/8x8yvcdBw3Y/s400/Bathroom+070.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NATE WIPING THINGS DOWN</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1r1cQO5DEQY/TX0t7I4UQTI/AAAAAAAAAME/MCo__gVZttM/s1600/Bathroom+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1r1cQO5DEQY/TX0t7I4UQTI/AAAAAAAAAME/MCo__gVZttM/s400/Bathroom+069.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLOSE UP VIEW AFTER GROUTING</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6CFJtUCSiLk/TX0uFs58BpI/AAAAAAAAAMI/U0ADa_Qn8_0/s1600/Bathroom+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6CFJtUCSiLk/TX0uFs58BpI/AAAAAAAAAMI/U0ADa_Qn8_0/s400/Bathroom+074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TILING JOB FINISHED!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We continually wiped down each wall with a clean sponge to get the grout film off of the tile. We wiped each wall about six times with a really warm wet sponge.<br />
We still have a lot of work to do in the bathroom but the tiling project is complete! It was a lot harder than either of us expected but the result is better than we both imagined.<br />
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We will be sharing the next part of the process as soon as it begins!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-1881122301640807422011-03-10T22:06:00.000-05:002011-03-10T22:06:43.029-05:00Thanks for Hangin' in There!In the last post I had mentioned that we were going to be starting the hallway bathroom. Well, we did. A week later than expected, but we did; However, there is little progress to share at this point because it is extremely SLOW GOING!<br />
Thanks for hanging in there, and I promise to get a bathroom update post and some pics posted this weekend.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-47694811012023296372011-02-26T10:51:00.005-05:002011-03-30T21:21:42.680-04:00Sneak PeekThe next stop on the remodeling train is going to be the guest bathroom. The plan is to start next week, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek of what we have in store.<br />
The existing bathroom is straight-up 80's, and quite frankly, ugly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ajrBj4xwwH8/TWkgDkz-45I/AAAAAAAAAKg/Ii_kUhgVSKE/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ajrBj4xwwH8/TWkgDkz-45I/AAAAAAAAAKg/Ii_kUhgVSKE/s400/005.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOUBLE MIRRORS AND OAK VANITY</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXcr5PMO2s4/TWkgE4AeWjI/AAAAAAAAAKk/1l2pwlpxnkg/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HXcr5PMO2s4/TWkgE4AeWjI/AAAAAAAAAKk/1l2pwlpxnkg/s400/006.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g1jS5qk0_7E/TWkgF13OX5I/AAAAAAAAAKo/-xe34UIjVVE/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g1jS5qk0_7E/TWkgF13OX5I/AAAAAAAAAKo/-xe34UIjVVE/s400/007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SWEET YELLOW LINOLEUM!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Now, for a peek at the materials we are planning on using.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hSxepeMQC2A/TWkgiERoq9I/AAAAAAAAAKs/USyqoNTEiBs/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hSxepeMQC2A/TWkgiERoq9I/AAAAAAAAAKs/USyqoNTEiBs/s400/002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW BATHROOM MOOD BOARD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The dark tile(used as the background for this photo) will be used as our floor tile and is the Arcturus 12"x24" tile from Tile Shop. The moss green penny round tile, also from Tile Shop, will be used as an accent with some white subway tiles from Home Depot. The paint on the plate is a custom paint that we had used at our previous townhouse and actually works perfectly with the other elements that we purchased.<br />
We also purchased a vanity from Lowe's a few months ago when we were able to get 30% off. It has been sitting in our guest bedroom waiting to be installed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zH031thvBNk/TWkkGaL6asI/AAAAAAAAAKw/b9nN8R-8ZDo/s1600/009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zH031thvBNk/TWkkGaL6asI/AAAAAAAAAKw/b9nN8R-8ZDo/s400/009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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We are hoping that the black granite vanity top will tie into the dark tile floor. The granite also has some green and blue specs in it which will, hopefully, pick up on the penny round color and paint color. We shall see!!<br />
We can't wait to show you guys the progress when we get started next week!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-15888072695945890972011-02-18T19:26:00.001-05:002011-03-30T21:27:01.098-04:00A Quick FaceliftAs you many of you know, Nate and I moved into our home at the end of May. In the nine months since then we have almost completely remodeled our entire first floor (hence this blog). Well, it is time to start making some changes already. Can you imagine?! Why can't we just be satisfied with the things that we have already done? Actually, this change was quick, inexpensive, and pretty darn easy.<br />
If you remember our den remodel, you will remember the two white bookshelves on either side of the fireplace. As a reminder, here is a lovely photo for you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G45SmRxs_qs/TV8FjVlpcjI/AAAAAAAAAJc/jrNl8omSblM/s1600/055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2IUMmYAVYc/TT3xCX31EhI/AAAAAAAAAFs/BNtc7ScQPbk/s1600/896+YDC+269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2IUMmYAVYc/TT3xCX31EhI/AAAAAAAAAFs/BNtc7ScQPbk/s400/896+YDC+269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL BUILT-INS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Being huge fans of another home design blog (<a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">www.younghouselove.com</a>), I came across this photo and was inspired by what they did to their built-ins.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9Ar9h8R5Yc/TV8HRVk3JAI/AAAAAAAAAKY/EDLt2YGxWcY/s1600/yhl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9Ar9h8R5Yc/TV8HRVk3JAI/AAAAAAAAAKY/EDLt2YGxWcY/s400/yhl.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YOUNG HOUSE LOVE BUILT-INS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You can see that they chose to paint the back of their built-ins a very bold and saturated color. The walls in our den are already a pretty bold color, but I loved the idea of doing a different color back. I chose a color that complemented the gray-blue of our den walls and the color of our stone fireplace. It was off to Home Depot to have them color match me a sample container of Benjamin Moore's Graystone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G45SmRxs_qs/TV8FjVlpcjI/AAAAAAAAAJc/jrNl8omSblM/s1600/055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G45SmRxs_qs/TV8FjVlpcjI/AAAAAAAAAJc/jrNl8omSblM/s400/055.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BENJAMIN MOORE GRAYSTONE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nate remembered that we he had used a similar color in our townhouse and that we still had some of that color left. We mixed our small sample color with our leftovers (Behr Ashwood) and created a custom color that we both really liked. So, on a Tuesday evening I removed everything from the built-ins to begin the project. I made sure to keep all of the things that I took down from each shelf together so that I could easily pack the shelves the same way that they were before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dewKFROsQ20/TV8FnIfNrkI/AAAAAAAAAJk/4JGucgdIsb4/s1600/060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dewKFROsQ20/TV8FnIfNrkI/AAAAAAAAAJk/4JGucgdIsb4/s400/060.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CUSTOM COLOR (WE CALL IT ASH GRAY STONE WOOD)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sR5GtX6sxAg/TV8FqIQVIII/AAAAAAAAAJo/ZqHuOoD-Yro/s1600/062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sR5GtX6sxAg/TV8FqIQVIII/AAAAAAAAAJo/ZqHuOoD-Yro/s400/062.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SHELVES ROW BY ROW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I put two coats of paint of the Ash Gray Stone Wood on each built-in and let the paint dry overnight before reinstalling the bookshelves and all of the stuff that goes onto them. (Actually, Nate was nice enough to have all of the shelves put back by the time I arrived home from work on Wednesday).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yg6flXyaqRg/TV8FzOzYW8I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/86tZAElAIaI/s1600/065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yg6flXyaqRg/TV8FzOzYW8I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/86tZAElAIaI/s400/065.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ONE SIDE COMPLETE, ONE MORE TO GO!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ALL PAINTED</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3LM_HGl9cM/TV8GODw5NZI/AAAAAAAAAKU/i9vHhp2yoiw/s1600/083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3LM_HGl9cM/TV8GODw5NZI/AAAAAAAAAKU/i9vHhp2yoiw/s400/083.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINISHED!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">READING FOR ITS CLOSE UP</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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We both really like the way that the subtle color ties the fireplace into everything. The color helps the fireplace look larger, and helps the built-ins not dominate the wall so much, letting the fireplace become the star of the show. The color sample was $2.84 and we already had the color that we mixed it with, so this entire project cost us under $3.00 and took us a total of 1 1/2 evenings. Not bad!<br />
It should also be noted that we consider this our comfy, cozy, hang out in, and watch TV room so we are OK with darker colors in this room. It makes it feel like our very own cozy cocoon!<br />
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</a></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-45810785552314666442011-02-14T17:49:00.002-05:002011-03-30T21:32:36.309-04:00The Search for a SectionalSo, if you remember correctly, we were lucky (please note the sarcasm) enough to inherit a lovely set of Italian leather sofas from Nate's family friend. The are very comfortable, they were free, but they are UGLY! They have served us well over the years, but it is time that they are retired to the basement. So, we were on the search for something to replace them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The layout of our den is a tricky one. It has a 6' opening to the kitchen on one wall, a set of sliding glass doors on another wall, and the fireplace with built-ins on a third wall. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJjgoxKmUwo/TUNB8IdWeuI/AAAAAAAAAGU/q3EBmryL41E/s1600/896+YDC+362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJjgoxKmUwo/TUNB8IdWeuI/AAAAAAAAAGU/q3EBmryL41E/s400/896+YDC+362.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS IS THE ENTIRE DEN. SEE OUR LOVELY LEATHER COUCHES?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLoM_s0SIBY/TVmuP_39BLI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/2YhvLnZGKSM/s1600/roomplan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLoM_s0SIBY/TVmuP_39BLI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/2YhvLnZGKSM/s640/roomplan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CURRENT LAYOUT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So it was off to all of the furniture stores in our area to find something that we liked. Nate started at Belfort Furniture, a local HUGE furniture showroom not far from where he works. He found two sectionals that he really liked. They are made by Rowe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZSfCrdFn7A/TVl8xxDw9ZI/AAAAAAAAAJE/X8pw19rdiyI/s1600/sullivan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZSfCrdFn7A/TVl8xxDw9ZI/AAAAAAAAAJE/X8pw19rdiyI/s320/sullivan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE SULLIVAN by ROWE</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVX8uxmCJPQ/TVl8zGEZrsI/AAAAAAAAAJI/RGw0tANeWOU/s1600/townsend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVX8uxmCJPQ/TVl8zGEZrsI/AAAAAAAAAJI/RGw0tANeWOU/s400/townsend.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE TOWNSEND by ROWE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So we sat on them and they were pretty comfortable so we took home the measurements and.... they were a NO GO. They were way too big for our space. Every sectional comes with a number of sizes and configurations for you to piece together in the configuration that will work for you. Well, when we pieced together the available sizes, they were just too darn big! Moving on...<br />
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A few months later we ran over to the mall on another errand and came across a furniture store called Arhaus. We immediately loved the style of furniture and accessories that they had so we decided to pop in. That is where we found it. The most comfortable couch in the whole world! It was called the Midtown Grande and it was amazing! We were in love, this was going to be our sectional. Done Deal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_O0kOT6AwnY/TVl8zqV2mhI/AAAAAAAAAJM/a1XWtnD88_4/s1600/midtown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_O0kOT6AwnY/TVl8zqV2mhI/AAAAAAAAAJM/a1XWtnD88_4/s400/midtown.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ARHAUS MIDTOWN GRANDE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We picked out some fabric samples, batted our eyes at the sales woman, got some dimensions, and flew home to see if it would work. Lo and behold...it didn't. :( It was too big. Can you believe it? Sheer and utter disappointment. It wasn't going to work. Unbelievable. I called Arhaus and asked if they made a smaller section with a chaise lounge on it...no dice. Could they custom make something? No dice. Uggh...the fabric samples were returned and we sat (on our ugly couches) dejected.<br />
What we loved about the Midtown was how deep the seating was. Nate is 6' tall and therefore has really long legs. He needs a deeper cushion in order to feel comfortable. The problem is, on a sectional, the deeper the cushion, the longer one of the sides of sectional becomes. There had to be something that would work.<br />
Now that we were in the sectional mindset again, we visited Ethan Allen. We found one sectional that we liked, it was comfortable, and it would fit, but the price tag was a <strike>little</strike> lot more than what we were hoping to spend. Moving on, again.<br />
So we headed back to Belfort Furniture. We sat on the two original sofas that Nate liked and realized they just weren't as comfortable as we had originally thought (it was hard to compete with the Midtown Grande). While walking through the showroom, Nate spotted a couch that he really liked. We sat on it, and it was comfortable (still not the Midtown, but comfy nonetheless). Nate went to ask if it came in a sectional..guess what?...it did! We asked for the dimensions...guess what?...it would fit! We were not able to fit in a chaise on one end but we figured if we got an ottoman we could push it up against the sectional to make our own chaise. It wasn't as deep as we had hoped (we were hoping for 40" but ended up with 35") but that was the only way to actually fit a sectional in this room. We took some fabric samples home and measured one last time. This is how the layout will work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8oNVJGm7mXg/TVmw7cl458I/AAAAAAAAAJU/0Oowjjkann8/s1600/roomplan%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8oNVJGm7mXg/TVmw7cl458I/AAAAAAAAAJU/0Oowjjkann8/s640/roomplan%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LAYOUT WITH FUTURE SECTIONAL </td></tr>
</tbody></table>We are planning to use the upholstered ottoman as a chaise and to add a round wood coffee table (hopefully with storage) in the middle as shown.<br />
We went back the next day and purchased our first sectional...YAY!!! We have to wait 6-12 weeks for it to be made, but I will post pics of it when it is in its new home!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-15731354055192948352011-02-08T20:47:00.002-05:002011-03-30T21:40:49.274-04:00Blank Stair(well)We <strike>have</strike> had a blank stairwell. Two giant, blank, ugly walls staring (no pun intended) us in the face every time we went up and down the stairs. And to make matters worse, we had a very traditional oak handrail that didn't seem to fit into the scheme we were achieving in the rest of the home. So, on a Friday night we decided to break out the saws-all, tear down a wall, and begin a project that would consume us for a solid week. What happened to Friday night date nights?!?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BIG BLANK WALLS AND OH SO CLASSY HANDRAIL</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCmluH9TCI/AAAAAAAAAHk/NOf-wQxNyng/s1600/896+YDC+265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCmluH9TCI/AAAAAAAAAHk/NOf-wQxNyng/s400/896+YDC+265.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OAK HANDRAIL </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our Friday night tear out began with wanting to "open things up". We decided that opening the stairwell wall back as far as we possibly could would help with the heaviness in the main hallway. Unfortunately, we decided to write this blog after a lot of the renovations were done so before pics are hard to come by. You will have to live with some in-progress pics instead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCmxn9cADI/AAAAAAAAAHo/nG5e8MgkcMg/s1600/896+YDC+365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCmxn9cADI/AAAAAAAAAHo/nG5e8MgkcMg/s400/896+YDC+365.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEGINNING OF THE TEAR OUT</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCm1FjN9WI/AAAAAAAAAHs/QDkBVxT6FRU/s1600/896+YDC+366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCm1FjN9WI/AAAAAAAAAHs/QDkBVxT6FRU/s400/896+YDC+366.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A DIFFERENT VIEW ON THINGS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Notice the line on the wall in the above pictures? That is where we are going to remove the wall to open things up a bit. Nate first took a utility blade and scored the drywall on the front of the wall. Keep in mind that this wall was already painted and we didn't want to have to do a ton of touch up work so we were being as careful as possible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCm4F9ZtrI/AAAAAAAAAHw/W8t-ZYJerm4/s1600/896+YDC+367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCm4F9ZtrI/AAAAAAAAAHw/W8t-ZYJerm4/s400/896+YDC+367.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BACKSIDE OF THE FRAMING</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After scoring the drywall, we went around to the other side, removed the drywall and Nate tackled the studs with a saws-all. This is not a load bearing wall, so removing the studs was not an issue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCm9VgnZ1I/AAAAAAAAAH4/s8rQMAz3HXU/s1600/896+YDC+369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCm9VgnZ1I/AAAAAAAAAH4/s8rQMAz3HXU/s400/896+YDC+369.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STUDS AND DRYWALL REMOVED. (Please excuse the drywall dust spots all over the camera)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCnBpT1vfI/AAAAAAAAAIA/8FU4w160dcI/s1600/896+YDC+371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCnBpT1vfI/AAAAAAAAAIA/8FU4w160dcI/s400/896+YDC+371.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WHAT A MESS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once that was complete, we ripped down a 1"x6" primed pine board to the appropriate width, painted it Benjamin Moore Cloud White (surprise, surprise!) and attached it to the bottom to accommodate the future railing. We also added a 1"x6" to the ceiling as well. The main reason was to avoid having to do drywall, but it actually turned out to be a good aesthetic choice as well.<br />
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Once all of that was complete, it was time to deal with the big blank stairwell walls. In a masochistic moment, I decided that adding the paneling detail to the stairwell walls would add some dimension to the very large, very blank walls. Off to Home Depot we went to purchase a truckload of 1"x4" primed pine. We laid them out in the garage and painted them....you guessed it! Cloud White!<br />
While they dried, we painted all three of the walls of the stairwell (refer to below pic to see the unpainted walls) with the Cloud White semi-gloss paint as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCnEafQ44I/AAAAAAAAAIE/-KlnfspDMYo/s1600/896+YDC+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCnEafQ44I/AAAAAAAAAIE/-KlnfspDMYo/s400/896+YDC+022.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE THREE BLANK WALLS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once the walls each had two coats of paint on them, we figured out the dimensions for each of the panels. We nailed a full board vertically going up each of the three walls. We then cut the horizontal boards to the appropriate length and nailed them to the walls creating a grid on each of the walls. Again, the panel detail is repeated throughout the home!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCn7wwPZTI/AAAAAAAAAII/IBdeSCqAm9c/s1600/896+YDC+295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCn7wwPZTI/AAAAAAAAAII/IBdeSCqAm9c/s400/896+YDC+295.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINISHED RAILING AREA AND PANEL DETAIL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once all of the boards were nailed in the grid pattern, the hard work began! I, admittedly, am terrified of heights. Well, when working in a stairwell, getting to the very top can be a bit challenging! We set up the ladder, I overcame my fears, and I began the arduous process of wood filling all of the nail holes. While I was tackling that, Nate was taking on the terrible task of adding a 1/8" diameter round over with the router to the interior of each and every grid. Once that was complete, Nate then had to caulk between each board and the wall. (By the way, if you ever do a home renovation buy a contractors pack of painters caulk. It will become your best friend!)<br />
The next day, once the caulking and wood fill dried, we added one last coat of Cloud White to to all of the boards and the caulk. Nate was also able to add some recessed lights to the ceiling in the stairwell. With the addition of the lights and the white painted walls, the stairwell was no longer a dark and scary place! And we were finished! It was a LONG process but well worth the result. What do you think?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHt4UyNIyI/AAAAAAAAAIc/WnPVRd9X00E/s1600/IMG_3493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHt4UyNIyI/AAAAAAAAAIc/WnPVRd9X00E/s400/IMG_3493.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINITO! VIEW FROM THE FRONT DOOR</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHt71ZZPAI/AAAAAAAAAIg/nS17EHW_Na0/s1600/IMG_3495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHt71ZZPAI/AAAAAAAAAIg/nS17EHW_Na0/s400/IMG_3495.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEW FROM UPSTAIRS LOOKING DOWN</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHt-tC1RzI/AAAAAAAAAIk/U3jlNcbLglI/s1600/IMG_3502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHt-tC1RzI/AAAAAAAAAIk/U3jlNcbLglI/s400/IMG_3502.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIEW FROM THE BOTTOM UP (Sorry, it is a little blurry!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> And the Before and After side by side (or top by bottom)......<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCnEafQ44I/AAAAAAAAAIE/-KlnfspDMYo/s1600/896+YDC+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVCnEafQ44I/AAAAAAAAAIE/-KlnfspDMYo/s400/896+YDC+022.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHt71ZZPAI/AAAAAAAAAIg/nS17EHW_Na0/s1600/IMG_3495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHt71ZZPAI/AAAAAAAAAIg/nS17EHW_Na0/s400/IMG_3495.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We obviously still need to add the handrail and railing. We already bought some simple square white spindles and Nate already made a walnut newell post (the post that will sit on the landing and the handrail connects into), but we still need to find a handrail that we both like and that can either be stained dark or painted. Because although we LOVE our Cloud White color, all of those grimy hands up and down the stairs can really mess up a light colored handrail! OH, and notice the addition of a round window at the bottom of the stairs? That is a project Nate and my father tackled one weekend, and it will be featured in a future post.<br />
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We will also hang some photographs when we acquire them (we are on a budget people!) either in the squares or on the boards (that is still under discussion). Once we figure all of that out, you will be updated!<br />
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</a></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-18089218412445476682011-02-01T17:21:00.002-05:002011-03-30T21:46:23.039-04:00White or Red?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>No, I am not talking about paint, I am talking about wine! Nate and I are pretty big wine drinkers (not winos, but we enjoy a glass or two with dinner) and we needed somewhere to put all of it. When the kitchen was being redesigned, there was a space that was going to be created between the peninsula and the drop down into the den. We knew that the area surrounding the window should be used for some type of storage. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_Y2nNHaI/AAAAAAAAAG8/lp4SIn4S4AY/s1600/896+YDC+122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_Y2nNHaI/AAAAAAAAAG8/lp4SIn4S4AY/s400/896+YDC+122.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE AREA SURROUNDING THE WINDOW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nate suggested that we do some built-ins around the window that would act as a "wine cabinet" and incorporate some countertop space for all of the cookbooks that I have collected over time. Off to Bob's workshop we went!<br />
We used MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) to build the wine cabinets. We made a dado groove (a groove in one piece of wood that will support another piece of wood) in the vertical boards, and inserted the horizontal pieces into the groove. Those were then glued and nailed into place creating a system of grids. STOP! <i>Before</i> we glued and nailed the boards together, Nate and I suggested to Bob that it would be a lot easier to paint everything before we assembled the pieces. Bob responded with "I want these things out of my shop, so put them together now, and you can paint them at your house." So, we obliged. BIG MISTAKE! I, being the "painter" out of the two of us, was assigned to paint the already assembled wine cabinets. Let's just say that I put down my very small, custom made, piece of crap roller on several occasions so that I could review the divorce papers that I was about to serve to my dear hubby. Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration, but I was seriously miserable.<br />
Nate, noting that I was on the verge of cracking, handled making the seat bench to go under the window and even surprised me with a fully functioning drawer in the bench for additional storage. Good man!<br />
AnYways, once painted (Benjamin Moore Cloud White, which should be no surprise if you have been keeping up with this blog), we installed the lower cabinets and the drawer/seat bench.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUiACACSThI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Afl7glTo-Eg/s1600/896+YDC+325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUiACACSThI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Afl7glTo-Eg/s400/896+YDC+325.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOTTOM CABINETS AND SEAT BENCH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Notice the panel detail cropping up again on the front of the seat bench. We also added panel details on each side of the wine cabinets to blend in to the adjacent kitchen. We also had the granite guys install granite on top of each of the bottom cabinets.<br />
The upper wine cabinets were a little trickier to install because of the weight. MDF is a very heavy material and we probably should have thought about that before building these. Oh well! Nate put blocks in each of the four corners and nailed the blocks to the wine cabinets. The blocks were then screwed into the studs in the wall. The upper cabinets were now securely attached to the wall (fingers crossed, we have a lot of cheap Trader Joe's wine in there!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUiAcmKjOQI/AAAAAAAAAHY/0oF8yQ9W7-A/s1600/896+YDC+154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUiAcmKjOQI/AAAAAAAAAHY/0oF8yQ9W7-A/s400/896+YDC+154.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UPPER CABINETS ARE UP!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We added a base moulding kick plate to cover the area exposed at the bottom. You will see in the photo above that there was an existing air duct that we needed to vent out from underneath the seat bench. Nate came up with the idea of drilling a grid of holes into the base moulding to serve as the vent. It turned out great and functions extremely well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_u6JnHsI/AAAAAAAAAHA/qbtdCQPQp2U/s1600/896+YDC+259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_u6JnHsI/AAAAAAAAAHA/qbtdCQPQp2U/s400/896+YDC+259.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINISHED WITH AIR VENT HOLES</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I found some fabric at Calico Corners and had my mom make us a seat cushion to finish everything off. This is now Murphy's (our cat) favorite spot to lay because he can see out of the window.<br />
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Ready for the before and after? Ready or not...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_Y2nNHaI/AAAAAAAAAG8/lp4SIn4S4AY/s1600/896+YDC+122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_Y2nNHaI/AAAAAAAAAG8/lp4SIn4S4AY/s400/896+YDC+122.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_18r_8xI/AAAAAAAAAHE/IRJH71fqIqs/s1600/896+YDC+299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_18r_8xI/AAAAAAAAAHE/IRJH71fqIqs/s400/896+YDC+299.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_5FaepOI/AAAAAAAAAHI/_t_XajnmClM/s1600/896+YDC+306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUh_5FaepOI/AAAAAAAAAHI/_t_XajnmClM/s400/896+YDC+306.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We are currently debating on whether or not to hang some roman shades in the window. We did purchase some cool floating glass balls that hold "air plants" from West Elm and have hung those in front of the window. We will also be adding some bolster pillows in a solid red color on the seat bench.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-74018177301715686402011-01-29T18:40:00.003-05:002011-03-30T21:57:21.842-04:00Powder Room Re-doWhen you think of what a powder room looks like, you are most likely thinking of what our powder room looked like when we moved in. It consisted of an oak vanity with a cream vanity top that took up one wall, and a toilet on the opposite wall. We knew when we started renovating that we at least wanted to paint and replace the vanity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSevzvkosI/AAAAAAAAAGc/xIc0UrlZ4UQ/s1600/896+YDC+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSevzvkosI/AAAAAAAAAGc/xIc0UrlZ4UQ/s400/896+YDC+055.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OLD POWDER ROOM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The existing flooring was the same peel and stick tile that we had in the kitchen, and the paint was the same yellowish color that every other room in the house was painted. Time for a change.<br />
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We decided to tear everything out and continue the walnut flooring into the powder room so that the entire first floor had a consistent flooring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSf_Q9CG0I/AAAAAAAAAGg/bZUIv-H1vAg/s1600/896+YDC+180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSf_Q9CG0I/AAAAAAAAAGg/bZUIv-H1vAg/s400/896+YDC+180.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE NEW FLOORING WITH EVERYTHING ELSE REMOVED</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We loved the look of the powder room in our townhouse, and decided to go with the same color on the walls. Behr Trail Print is a cocoa colored paint that traditionally should probably not be used in such a small space, but it looks oh-so-good in a powder room. We also fell in the love with the Kohler Memoirs pedestal sink and toilet due to its clean and straight lines and decided to use them in this room as well. Due to the lack of storage with a pedestal sink (vs. a vanity), a powder room would be the only time we would use a pedestal sink over a vanity. We can hide the extra toilet paper upstairs in our linen closet.<br />
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So, we had our color chosen, and our toilet and sink, but we wanted something unique in this powder room. You know that we can't do anything "standard" so we set out to do something a little unexpected.<br />
We came across a great deal on some custom ordered tile that had been returned to Home Depot. It is a "cubist" tile and each cube is a different depth, creating a three dimensional tile. We decided to install the tile from floor to ceiling on the wall behind the pedestal sink.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUShot0YoMI/AAAAAAAAAGk/zDt7p_n5S8k/s1600/896+YDC+226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUShot0YoMI/AAAAAAAAAGk/zDt7p_n5S8k/s400/896+YDC+226.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WORKING ON THE TILE</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUShvi8eceI/AAAAAAAAAGo/ZKRSa4MHJ_g/s1600/896+YDC+227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUShvi8eceI/AAAAAAAAAGo/ZKRSa4MHJ_g/s400/896+YDC+227.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TILE AND THE NEW PAINT COLOR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The tile was on a 12"x12" mesh sheet and our room was exactly 3' wide. So what that meant was that there was no tile cutting! Oh Happy Day! We had to remove a few of the tiles from a couple of the sheets to slip over the plumbing lines. We also removed a rectangle from two tiles above to accomodate two sconce lights from Home Depot. We did this by taking a utility knife and cutting the mesh on the backside, removing a few cubes at a time until we had the holes that we needed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSjFZDVQ4I/AAAAAAAAAG0/fqTRStxq1iI/s1600/896+YDC+233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSjFZDVQ4I/AAAAAAAAAG0/fqTRStxq1iI/s400/896+YDC+233.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINISHED TILE WITH SCONCE LIGHTS</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSjXR7wMNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/davQUhfxAvE/s1600/896+YDC+266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSjXR7wMNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/davQUhfxAvE/s400/896+YDC+266.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINISHED TILE WALL!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We went with a satin nickel faucet in a farmhouse style to keep with the modern rustic decor of the rest of the house. We also wanted a rustic mirror, so Nate made one using some reclaimed wood that he had found. He also ordered some oil rubbed bronze clavos (old nails) that he put at each corner to complete the old rustic look of the mirror. We added crown moulding and base moulding to the room to finish off the look.<br />
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A couple of friends have commented that they won't "use" a bathroom this nice. Mission complete!<br />
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Here is the quick Before and After:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSevzvkosI/AAAAAAAAAGc/xIc0UrlZ4UQ/s1600/896+YDC+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSevzvkosI/AAAAAAAAAGc/xIc0UrlZ4UQ/s400/896+YDC+055.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHzTfaiAfI/AAAAAAAAAI8/k0oY3Eu9mZc/s1600/IMG_3506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHzTfaiAfI/AAAAAAAAAI8/k0oY3Eu9mZc/s400/IMG_3506.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHywkcoNUI/AAAAAAAAAI4/Va6j2kW3XCQ/s1600/IMG_3510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TVHywkcoNUI/AAAAAAAAAI4/Va6j2kW3XCQ/s400/IMG_3510.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSjXR7wMNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/davQUhfxAvE/s1600/896+YDC+266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TUSjXR7wMNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/davQUhfxAvE/s400/896+YDC+266.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER<br />
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</tbody></table>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949672820872603045.post-87644569343341682322011-01-28T11:04:00.005-05:002012-11-03T19:04:14.259-04:00From Dark and Dreary, to Fresh and ModernThe fireplace is the living room was dark. Dark oak, dark reddish brown brick, dark, dark, dark. YUCK! I knew immediately that I was going to paint the fireplace a much lighter color to freshen things up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULkRARudgI/AAAAAAAAAF4/nOXuXNk8zjM/s1600/896+YDC+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULkRARudgI/AAAAAAAAAF4/nOXuXNk8zjM/s400/896+YDC+024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LIVING ROOM AND FIREPLACE BEFORE WE MOVED IN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULkPKDLQzI/AAAAAAAAAF0/hSs6QNzkiyY/s1600/896+YDC+346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULkPKDLQzI/AAAAAAAAAF0/hSs6QNzkiyY/s400/896+YDC+346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DARK AND DREARY FIREPLACE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The living room was painted yellow (the same color every other room in the house was painted). I knew that I really wanted a gray and yellow room but it was definitely NOT the walls that I wanted to be yellow. The walls got painted a soft gray (the same color in the kitchen and hallways), the old base moulding was taken out and a new 5" moulding was added and painted Benjamin Moore Cloud White, of course the floors were done, and some yellow accents were added. BUT the biggest difference in this room was the painting of the fireplace.<br />
I had mentioned to several people (Nate, and his family specifically) my intentions with the fireplace and got an overwhelming response, "Don't do it!" No chance, my mind was made up and the fireplace was going to be painted. So, I broke out the can of Benjamin Moore Cloud White and went at it! Actually, I had to put two coats of primer on the fireplace first, and then the three coats of Cloud White. Covering the dark wood was hard work for such a light color!<br />
Take a look at the difference! Fresh and Modern don't you think?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULnHkH_pZI/AAAAAAAAAF8/y-A-XN1mC5A/s1600/896+YDC+182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULnHkH_pZI/AAAAAAAAAF8/y-A-XN1mC5A/s400/896+YDC+182.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PAINTED FIREPLACE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We added a yellow Pottery Barn Moorish rug (great Craigslist find), dupioni silk drapes in a color just slightly darker than the walls (found at Tuesday Morning), and some pillows that my mother made with fabric (Dahlia Dove) from Calico Corners. We also took down the very dark mirror above the fireplace (photo above) and added a sunburst mirror. We found the mirror at Burlington Coat Factory and loved it except for the fact that it was a hideous gold color. We spray painted it with a mixture of pewter paint and satin nickel metallic paint to give it some depth. It turned out very nicely, if I do say so myself. With all of these elements and the freshly painted fireplace, I had a fresh and modern, gray and yellow living room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULoLpsrl0I/AAAAAAAAAGA/NiByP-hwfi0/s1600/896+YDC+294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULoLpsrl0I/AAAAAAAAAGA/NiByP-hwfi0/s400/896+YDC+294.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINISHED!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh, and see that large mirror in the corner? Nate made that for me for my birthday in 2006. Isn't he beyond talented?!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULp7qnmGuI/AAAAAAAAAGM/mfcW8Av39c4/s1600/896+YDC+312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-rkJKpnuo70/TULp7qnmGuI/AAAAAAAAAGM/mfcW8Av39c4/s400/896+YDC+312.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHRISTMAS IN OUR NEW LIVING ROOM!</td></tr>
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Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491425317272237553noreply@blogger.com6