I never really thought about the carpeting in my house except for vacuuming dog fur tumbleweeds when Lacey's coat changes for the season and spot cleaning coffee spills because I am a klutz.
Th Great Water Damage Room Renovations is forcing me to think about replacing my bedroom floor covering. The question is with what? And am I stuck with horrible wood laminate flooring if we don't go with carpet?
Showing posts with label architecture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label architecture. Show all posts
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Wood Laminate Floors: Yay or Nay?
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Lisa Nelsen-Woods
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10/16/2014 02:02:00 PM
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Sunday, September 28, 2014
How to Cover Popcorn and Textured Ceilings
One of the first things Husband wanted to change when we bought in our condo are the textured ceilings. I told Husband if he wanted to soak the texture with water so it is loose enough to scrape off off with a hand scraper while standing on a ladder in. every. room. of. the. house. the project is all his.
10 years later we still have textured ceilings we don't like.
We learned to deal with the fifth wall in every room we aren't crazy about. We didn't think about changing our ceilings until I flooded the house and damaged the kitchen ceiling.
10 years later we still have textured ceilings we don't like.
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9/28/2014 01:16:00 PM
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Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Viking Ship Dining Room Table
THIS.
WANT.
Update: 9/10/14 Reader Mia gave me the source of the artist who created this beautiful Viking long boat table. UNIKA-Rógvi í Bø, design and craft is the artist and craftsman of this stunning work.
Update: 9/10/14 Reader Mia gave me the source of the artist who created this beautiful Viking long boat table. UNIKA-Rógvi í Bø, design and craft is the artist and craftsman of this stunning work.
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7/08/2014 06:19:00 PM
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Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Would You Paint a Room With Scented Wall Paint?
If there is one thing blogging has taught me about people, it is that smells and scents are an individual and highly opinionated thing. It makes sense (har!) Scientists proved smell is the most powerful mnemonic trigger there is.
Trust me I get this. There are smells that I love such as lavender. There are other smells that make me gag. Wall paint is one of them. The scent of conventional paint reminds me of my parents in progress fixer upper house that I swore was such a pit when I first saw it I wasn't going to live there. Of course since I was a kid I had no choice and my parents and grandparents worked their butts off to transform the house into something I was proud to call home.
Trust me I get this. There are smells that I love such as lavender. There are other smells that make me gag. Wall paint is one of them. The scent of conventional paint reminds me of my parents in progress fixer upper house that I swore was such a pit when I first saw it I wasn't going to live there. Of course since I was a kid I had no choice and my parents and grandparents worked their butts off to transform the house into something I was proud to call home.
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2/26/2014 03:08:00 PM
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Thursday, February 13, 2014
How to Hang a Floating Shelf
In a small house, you have to be creative when it comes to storage and display space. This goes double for my craft room/guest room. I built a wall of wrap around shelves to go with the new decor and had to use every bit of it to hold my craft and sewing supplies. I don't have room on them to display some of the creations that inspire my DIY madness.
The wall space over doors is often forgotten although you can make it work for you with a simple shelf or by hanging artwork. Making an over the door fence board shelf works well in the guest bathroom, why not hang a floating shelf over the door in the guest bedroom and use it to display my doodads?
This is project sounds harder than it really is, I promise.
The wall space over doors is often forgotten although you can make it work for you with a simple shelf or by hanging artwork. Making an over the door fence board shelf works well in the guest bathroom, why not hang a floating shelf over the door in the guest bedroom and use it to display my doodads?
This is project sounds harder than it really is, I promise.
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2/13/2014 08:30:00 AM
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Tuesday, February 11, 2014
12 Gorgeous DIY Greenhouses
My fantasy house would have a gorgeous greenhouse full of lush and lively plants growing year round.
I change the design from Victorian to salvaged windows to secret garden style because I love them all and I don’t need building permits when I’m designing in my day dreams.
Endless winter is making me day dream a bit more about spring, summer, and greenhouses. I collected 12 of my favorite greenhouses to share with you.
Let’s take a little break and dream of spring!
I change the design from Victorian to salvaged windows to secret garden style because I love them all and I don’t need building permits when I’m designing in my day dreams.
Endless winter is making me day dream a bit more about spring, summer, and greenhouses. I collected 12 of my favorite greenhouses to share with you.
Let’s take a little break and dream of spring!
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2/11/2014 08:30:00 AM
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Wednesday, October 16, 2013
How to Make Outdoor Flying Bat Halloween Decorations #HalloweenMP
Husband and I are decorating the house for Lacey’s first Halloween.
I asked Lacey what type of Halloween decorations she wante on the front porch she asked for a swarm of 3D flying bats she can chase. Typical spaniel. Lacey loves to “hunt” anything that flies.
I knew how I wanted Lacey's bats to look but I wasn't sure what materials I could make them from. I can shape paper but it won't hold up outdoors in damp weather (is was drizzling when I took the outdoor photos for this post.)
Hm…think, think, thinkidy, think.
I asked Lacey what type of Halloween decorations she wante on the front porch she asked for a swarm of 3D flying bats she can chase. Typical spaniel. Lacey loves to “hunt” anything that flies.
I knew how I wanted Lacey's bats to look but I wasn't sure what materials I could make them from. I can shape paper but it won't hold up outdoors in damp weather (is was drizzling when I took the outdoor photos for this post.)
Hm…think, think, thinkidy, think.
Posted by
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10/16/2013 11:38:00 AM
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Tuesday, October 15, 2013
How to Fake Crown Molding with Paint
This post brought to you by FrogTape brand painter’s tape. All opinions are 100% mine.
I knew I picked the right wall color in my guest room/craft room the minute I moved my antique black and white table into the room. It it popped against the yellow wall. I am smitten with color scheme!
However, I'm not smitten with the closet.
I never liked the doors or oak stain on the molding at the top. I know I'm supposed to like wood molding but the oak stain makes it look cheap. I tried to hide the molding by painting it the same color as the wall. It is not as awful but it still use a little something while I'm thinking about what to do with the closet doors.
I knew I picked the right wall color in my guest room/craft room the minute I moved my antique black and white table into the room. It it popped against the yellow wall. I am smitten with color scheme!
However, I'm not smitten with the closet.
I never liked the doors or oak stain on the molding at the top. I know I'm supposed to like wood molding but the oak stain makes it look cheap. I tried to hide the molding by painting it the same color as the wall. It is not as awful but it still use a little something while I'm thinking about what to do with the closet doors.
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10/15/2013 07:00:00 PM
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Sunday, July 7, 2013
House Tour: The Ohio State House
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Husband and I took a tour of the Ohio Statehouse with visiting German friends. While the ornament style isn't something I consider my personal decorating style and architecture but it is impressive. Especially when you consider they build the Ohio Statehouse before the Civil War. In fact, Abraham Lincoln visited the Ohio Statehouse when he campaigned for President! (which they mention eleventy billion times on the tour.)
Let's get inspired!
There is a surprising amount of natural light in the statehouse via skylights. You can tell the architect and designer took pride in their work and wanted to build a grand building for the ages. This domed painted ceiling and windows are one example.
This is the Ohio Senate Chamber. Again, the lighting is original but updated from gas to electric. The carpeting is the same pattern as the original. They have it on file and the company that made the original is still in business.
Let's get inspired!
There is a surprising amount of natural light in the statehouse via skylights. You can tell the architect and designer took pride in their work and wanted to build a grand building for the ages. This domed painted ceiling and windows are one example.
That is gold gilding paint around the windows. All of the lighting is original to the building.
While I think the gold damask is a little busy for a typical home, it is an excellent example of paint on architecture. They beefed up the look of these otherwise plain windows with a stencil and paint instead of framing the windows with costly molding.
This is the Ohio Senate Chamber. Again, the lighting is original but updated from gas to electric. The carpeting is the same pattern as the original. They have it on file and the company that made the original is still in business.
Posted by
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7/07/2013 01:00:00 PM
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Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Barnwood Speaker Shelves
Its funny how one little DIY project like painting an accent wall turns into a tumble of DIY projects like installing a TV wall mount,
updating the fireplace surround with paint, and now building barn wood shelves for the surround
sound speakers. It is like eating Terra Chips around here. I can’t eat just
one.
During the mounting the flat screen TV project I did as part of Husband’s
birthday present, I originally wanted the surround sound speaker
placement to be on the back wall around the TV for optimal sound. I realized I have more
TV than TV niche wall space. Plan B: make surround sound shelves from the
reclaimed wood I rescued from a broken fence.
I feel like I should almost apologies for having a flat TV,
surround sound, and TV components because in having a TV, let alone
cable and a video game system is pooh-poohed in eco circles. I’m going to address it but I’m
not going to apologize for it.
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9/19/2012 08:07:00 AM
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Urban Scrawl Inspiration
Husband and I have the best friends in the world. Our in real life group is so understanding of our devastating loss of Blitzkrieg. We got sympathy cards, personal calls, and condolences from an overwhelming number of friends, neighbors, our family vet, and the vet hospital oncology team. Every single one touched our hearts but none so much as Blitzkrieg's oncology nurse. She made and painted a plaster paw print she took of Blitzkrieg for us on her own. Tears I did not know I had welled up inside me when I unwrapped it.
Many of our friends are calling us for spur of the moment dinners and get togethers too. Thank you friends. Keeping busy helps.
That's how Husband and I ended up at Urban Scrawl. One of our couple friends invited us to join them at Urban Scrawl because they know we like local food and arty things.
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9/04/2012 12:34:00 PM
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Sunday, July 29, 2012
Epic AT AT Loft Bed
The first movie I remember having to stand in a line to buy a ticket (instead a walk up ticket counter) is Star Wars. And just like every other kid at the time, I was nuts for it.
Before we proceed with the rest of this post, point of order: Han shot first!
Moving on.
The closest I ever got to themed bedding was a set of Mickey Mouse sheets and Star Wars posters on my wall (a gift with purchase of a fast food kid's meal.) It was probably the most practical thing for my parent to do given most kids have fickle whims on what's hot and what's not in character room decor.
But I would throw that practical decorating out the window if I had a Star Wars loving kid (who because they are my kid and I have passed down the awesome would naturally despise Jar Jar Binks and everything but the Yoda scenes and Mace Windo in the first three movies) and that kid wanted me to build them an At At loft bed like The Dutilly Family did for their son.
Before we proceed with the rest of this post, point of order: Han shot first!
Moving on.
The closest I ever got to themed bedding was a set of Mickey Mouse sheets and Star Wars posters on my wall (a gift with purchase of a fast food kid's meal.) It was probably the most practical thing for my parent to do given most kids have fickle whims on what's hot and what's not in character room decor.
But I would throw that practical decorating out the window if I had a Star Wars loving kid (who because they are my kid and I have passed down the awesome would naturally despise Jar Jar Binks and everything but the Yoda scenes and Mace Windo in the first three movies) and that kid wanted me to build them an At At loft bed like The Dutilly Family did for their son.
Well done, I salute you sir!
Posted by
Lisa Nelsen-Woods
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7/29/2012 09:00:00 AM
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Monday, February 20, 2012
Board and Batten Waincoting
Kids rooms are one of the few rooms you can go nuts with
colors and themes.
Until you move.
Or you buy a new house with a football themed bedroom and
you have to put your not football room loving daughter in it, like Alison from House of Hepworths.
I wonder how many coats of paint and primer Alison needed to
cover that football field? Photo courtesy of House of Hepworths
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2/20/2012 11:57:00 AM
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Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Should I Repaint My Kitchen?
Husband and I like to paint rooms with deep and saturated
colors. I think it comes from renting white walled apartments for so long.
I did something a little different when I painted the
kitchen walls. I went with a muted green/white wall color because my overall
plan is to paint the kitchen cabinets a bright cheery red instead of replacing
them. I want to play with deep and light color tones in this room.
I’m not sure but I think I went too light on the wall color
in this room.
Husband is taking advantage of this and pushing for an orange room.
Especially after I took the personality and color quiz on My Colortopia. Based on my answers, My Colortopia gave us an
orange paint color scheme we both like.
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2/08/2012 03:46:00 PM
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Monday, February 6, 2012
Del Mar Ceiling Fan Giveaway!
I'm still feeling under the weather.
Do you know would make me feel better?
Hosting an awesome giveaway!
Hosting an awesome giveaway!
Remember when my snarky little self ranted on about how much I loathe ceiling fans with lights and the nice people at Del Mar Designs changed my mind?
I personally haven't bought or installed one since then (small house, etc.) but I don't think ceiling fans with lights are the big black ink stain ruining the white couch of design anymore.
Let's face it, ceiling fans are a very effective and energy efficient way to cool a home in summer and to reduce your heating costs in winter by reversing the fan blades. You know how much I like energy efficiency!
Del Mar Designs asked me if they could sponsor a ceiling fan giveaway on Condo Blues. I can't think of a better way to say thank you to Del Mar Designs for changing my design mind and for a chance to thank all of you for reading this little ol' blog of mine.
How would you like the chance to win either one of these fabulous ceiling fans from Del Mar Designs?
I personally haven't bought or installed one since then (small house, etc.) but I don't think ceiling fans with lights are the big black ink stain ruining the white couch of design anymore.
Let's face it, ceiling fans are a very effective and energy efficient way to cool a home in summer and to reduce your heating costs in winter by reversing the fan blades. You know how much I like energy efficiency!
Del Mar Designs asked me if they could sponsor a ceiling fan giveaway on Condo Blues. I can't think of a better way to say thank you to Del Mar Designs for changing my design mind and for a chance to thank all of you for reading this little ol' blog of mine.
How would you like the chance to win either one of these fabulous ceiling fans from Del Mar Designs?
Posted by
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2/06/2012 05:22:00 PM
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contest
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Hanging beds – Yay or Nay?
Hanging beds are on design trend for spring. This time the
hanging bed moves indoors to the bedroom from the covered porch. Need proof? Anthropologie
has a hanging bed in their Spring line.
If Anthro does it, many will follow. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing. I likes me some Anthro too.
Photo courtesy of Anthropolopie
If Anthro does it, many will follow. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing. I likes me some Anthro too.
To put hanging beds into design context, here is how the TheNovogratz’s (love them!) used hanging beds in The Pioneer Woman’s house (love her
too!)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Garage Workshop Transformation: Insulate the Garage Walls
Fiberglass insulation has the reputation for being a pain in
the itch to install. Fortunately, I had a better experience than I expected
with fiberglass insulation when I insulated the garage door.
The Owens Corning Garage
Door Insulation kit I used was not made with the recycled content and no itch Owen's Corning EcoTouch insulation. The door kit insulation made my hands itch mildly when I pulled the
rolls from the box without wearing gloves but nothing like the persistent
itch-fest I experienced after doing minor DIY jobs involving the brand my
builder used.
My good experience with the fiberglass garage door insulation kit made
me think differently about fiberglass insulation. It also made me want
to try the EcoTouch insulation I read about while researching garage
door insulation options. I agreed to join Owen’s Corning’s EcoTouch DIY Review Panel and blog about my insulation adventures.
My insulated garage door. It looks like pillows, doesn't it?
Posted by
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1/24/2012 11:13:00 AM
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012
30 DIY Goals for 2012
I learned early on that it’s better in the Spousal
Management department if I give Husband a head’s up on a major DIY project. For
some crazy reason, the man doesn’t like to come home to surprises that look like this:
The Nester is holding a Home Goals party. In the interest
of holding myself accountable for actually doing a planned project instead of
plunking my tush in front of DIY Network and only dreaming about it, I made a
list of DIY project goals for the year.
Husband, consider this list your head’s up for 2012.
Surprise! I’m painting the kitchen! Doesn't it look GREAT?!
Husband, consider this list your head’s up for 2012.
Garage
Yeah, I know I said 2011 was going to be the Year of the Garage Workshop. It accidently turned into the Summer of the Remodeled Garden and Porch which had
yummier results than accidentally ingesting sawdust. Although I reserve the
right to ingest sawdust at any time in the future because who couldn't use a little more fiber in their diet?
This looks largely the same except I painted the wall blue.
Posted by
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1/11/2012 09:30:00 AM
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Monday, January 9, 2012
How Do You Pick Paint Colors?
When we first bought our condo, I can’t tell you how excited
I was at the prospect of painting the walls! After years and years of renting
white walled apartments, finally, FINALLY I got to paint my rooms any color I want!
I skipped down to the store and basked in the glow of the
rainbow of paint chips before me in the paint department.
Then I got overwhelmed.
It’s one thing to say that you want to paint a room green
because it’s your favorite color and certainly another when 100 shades of green
paint chips are staring you in the face at the store. Not to mention,
coordinating the colors of the trim work, curtains, floor, ceiling, and
furniture with the wall so it doesn’t look like a hodge podge of stuff I like
but doesn’t go together at all.
ACK!
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1/09/2012 09:00:00 AM
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Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I Sorta Got Insulation for Christmas
Last year I asked Husband for garage insulation for Christmas because I really want to get my garage workshop project moving after painting the walls Smurf Village blue. He thought I was being way too practical (again) and went in another direction.
Husband and I decided to bump this project up in priority on
our (my) punch list.
I’ve been whimpering, or loudly whining and complaining if
you want to believe (and you shouldn’t) the other member of my household, that
I can’t spend quality time with my compound miter saw (last year’s Christmas
gift) once the weather and garage grew cold.
Lisa really likes this Pink Panther guy |
I did a bit of insulation research at the trifecta of home
improvement stores (Lowes, Home Depot, and Menards) that are all so close to my
house that I may never move for that fact alone. *happy sigh*
Here’s the wall insulation low down:
Posted by
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12/27/2011 01:07:00 PM
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