BDG Architects – Albatross Residence

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://goathouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/bdg-architects-albatross-residence.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="modern home design" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3QTjF479H0BnmgcJvNKf5BZfSkICXueCoBZYAIH32zk3pS0P6PY-wIHH22_E8AkK_zJ5S9uFWPNOhnRg4cTHWKWoraqDJFfMC7fd3_gaLBf7ayV_TtqEgk8hcAP93bQMkKgZ5zXZd-c/s640/Albatross-Residence-by-BGD-Architects-2.jpg" title="home design" width="640"></a></div>Albatross Residence located in Mermaid Beach, Queensland, Australia, has been designed by <a href="http://www.bgdarchitects.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BGDArchitects</a>. <br><a href="http://goathouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/bdg-architects-albatross-residence.html#more">... Read More ...</a>

BDG Architects – Albatross Residence

Albatross Residence located in Mermaid Beach, Queensland, Australia, has been designed by BGDArchitects . ... Read More ...

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Ikea Hemnes vanity and more

<p>Hello and happy almost Fourth to ya! Do you have any fun plans for the holiday weekend? One thing is a priority for us – Despicable Me 2. We have been waiting YEARS for this and are all so excited. It’s a little ridiculous. </p> <p>So a couple weeks ago I showed you the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/06/powder-room-redo-complete.html">finished powder room</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRtTpjw_yE9zm5Uu3RSqqFEu3OmFy2tOKopAoMaMFPPbsBgFKpnCgbYv-g3rrb2umrq3zWRMosQAxG_Th_i61lIT1RjMBl6cntHk9yusQ4BIMNm2OwiDW5hED3oqkeW7wH7_ssO2VLiE/s1600-h/2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="planked walls bathroom " border="0" height="786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooQ-M6F9iPB5XBkaVcbaCGgGXQe8M_HxCylhFyjnu39RPD7xk87ADdq9dPY6mMe5YatAMWWQ1U82oMkkGCXc6GImMsNC6EEPl5DI3y0DV3Crqc_ueMQHEcH_HpLxhXdbADvyZ4KZ7EIk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="planked walls bathroom " width="500" /></a></p> <p>Thank you for all the lovely comments, yet again! And I went back and answered your questions in the comments but I just realized some of them didn’t go through, so I’m going back again today. Or you can ask any questions here too. </p> <p>I promised a more detailed post on the vanity area and that’s what we have today. I’m thrilled with EVERY part of this room but especially all these pieces. They were all brand new and I love every one. </p> <p>First up, the vanity – I searched for months for the right one! I knew I wanted something with storage, most importantly. We’ve had a pedestal sink in there all this time and I was ready for something more substantial. It’s a big powder room – it can take it. </p> <p>I searched both Lowe’s and Home Depot and couldn’t find what I wanted for under $300 (for both the sink and vanity). I found plenty I loved…but most of those were around $400. I had been eyeing the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30217668/#/20217664">Hemnes vanity</a> from IKEA but didn’t want to make the drive unless I was sure:</p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ8_JGAw5Dps5Z4R6FU2x-rv8x5PPSpeDAHYwU0Wk9Xrm8TagwbjacNZZdXBUWEaCosY49t8kcPVx9wYSerTYJITNcEvEZ5KFWUZxeciplfeJVBnq2unbCcpfT3CZXA6ZI05vPUHEB2g/s1600-h/hemnes-sink-cabinet-with--drawers__0143688_PE303210_S4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ikea hemnes bathroom vanity" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGEVRNrI8TG6keK-eS3v0RvfhRFttKeZsxkrZC1PHS5Yg3dFDr3Px5ZNXw_0Ob5oOIn_oc67D4WNybYSpiEZ-3ViOG6RF3m_SHvp_agxAAkwUn4car8FKWFMrsqENIIngX-nvsOJI5nk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ikea hemnes bathroom vanity" width="400" /></a></p> <p>It’s 31 inches wide and has a ton of storage space. And the vanity and the sink combined were $290. Originally I had planned to find an old dresser and transform it with a sink, but I couldn't find what I wanted. So I met two girlfriends at IKEA and we made a fun day of it – a great excuse to travel for the vanity. ;) </p> <p>I gotta say, I’m thrilled with it: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0faOxMs2Mkfv9zjirZp0S8VHSHs1x9wIYqjxO0jR4pJPIKkkAw3k13wSwZP8BchRYDumo236xhj9qjjz2DS6VltsPuchX8AFTe3dYsHt7PfoJh0osAp_h-AheSA7V1TOLk4HQhW1s9OU/s1600-h/IMG_5795%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="planked wood walls bathroom " border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9sq6C_NdZ53UPvJbidzTjzodV2XmjM490SfDDTSx4x2bQVZuYbDbzDcsg_QOLijkws4ausQWNIBytLay5dhJKfCeLQsycdo0SVdmDB0mLaoTN8MwhzDDyQZYzfe93t50K4w9fQVAAPY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="planked wood walls bathroom " width="500" /></a></p> <p>The sink is lovely and pretty – but really shallow. Not sure I’d love using it for washing my face in a master bathroom. But I don’t mind it at all for a powder room. </p> <p>The installation was fairly easy – my Dad had never worked with an IKEA plumbing and overall he thought it went pretty smooth. All of the plumbing is installed in a way so that the drawers can close, at least they’re supposed to. ;) </p> <p>When all was said and done (and installed exactly how it was supposed to be), the top drawer wouldn’t close because of one of the pipes. So I had to jigsaw out a little notch in the back of the drawer: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNZ69hZJKBe9s2tLxtGz29CjKVhHWi-xfYxKAau_yLPdDs67JZnKdkBYDcGkJdCJLKvi9VKzEVuNyPJs9aZY933_yAC05jj1MeNe-ISfeTyf7KAmpILygzXlOc8BZhMnXmmeu2aMuITA/s1600-h/photo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-vrX0PbLqlj-FnuzR9WC62_WOsc_dWvO7SiqJHDbBDR2DEaNsca2ru5oovz5GdbDKhar8elrP1hecuMn3-AmZS4zx0ychuTWs9yGUTHg8etT0ufCiVHshA3y1Z47rNt8K0TaK7-5ldQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="350" /></a></p> <p>Not a big deal. A little annoying, but it just took a few minutes. You don’t really notice it when you open the drawer so no biggie. The GREAT thing about these drawers (other than the cutie stripes) is that they are soft close. Glorious!</p> <p> I replaced the IKEA hardware with some knobs from Hobby Lobby: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2Qs3V8P_LPjuYfIS4U7w53hfE_na3v2xJYqvZkNGxGLYNaxhK7TDzFy3BYL-WRQIwdirGdptIrrhofu3RZXcK_8HzJN5ADDGQ-De91ONYa_zOW3kqkcMWVRQdopkw2sifenPeUF0rsU/s1600-h/IMG_5797%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white planked walls " border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfAKrXJXq95IJl88jCUXgZ8eX9lHCBPrrglijwArHh-OPX9FlsIo_YFHhWQzlS4YZe0UkITJdaeF4XGoQe7-lPPgvxU9_DrjQSAMk4FFthHFJgChO_S0M26rVky36Ceyi1cQ449G4A8Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="white planked walls " width="500" /></a></p> <p>For a hot second I was going to try and paint the vanity, just because I was worried there wouldn't be enough color in there. I’m SO glad I didn’t and just added a pop of color with the knobs. (You can see more about those <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/05/knob-love.html">here</a>.)</p> <p>The only major problem we had with the sink was that it only has one hole for the faucet installation – you don’t really think of that until you get to the store and realize all but about two of the bathroom faucets are for multiple holes. (Meaning there are more holes already installed in the sink.) I really wanted to reuse the faucet we had on the pedestal but we couldn’t because of that. </p> <p>Soooo, after a moment of panic, thinking I would have to drive the four hour round trip to IKEA to get a faucet that worked because Lowe’s guy kept telling us they didn’t sell one hole bathroom faucets…I finally spotted one: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVB6fmWFwZP3DJZSbngRKXlLLCJRjHls2RGZQYrxss14e2AtkquzN0APKp4XCMhdq55MDWwzrnVeaEgfM81WtPPTnEohWgri9rTG-0lC0RV50yzIbZj0PKS2WAkLAizWBKtSyKENS_kw/s1600-h/IMG_5801%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="single hole moen faucet" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE6f-z9BUizKptyK2bpJQ8OgxAg1nh6qJGAaSbUK_GfxIFVfJs-VNc01cACuOQ5r0095fX11i_Aw8SPazveppWNT-OQ1hbbzv4UO7SXWsBL-E4gdx6G3h9N_xJsL00tblL8ajXD_nZ48/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="single hole moen faucet" width="570" /></a></p> <p>It was GORGEOUS. And EXPENSIVE. It was about $90 I think? Ouch, I think I actually winced. But it was between that and one other one they had, both were expensive. </p> <p>I do love it though, really. I mean, REALLY love it. It’s a <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_36710-866-84805SRN_0__?productId=4736795&Ntt=one+hole+faucets&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Done%2Bhole%2Bfaucets&facetInfo=">Moen (single hole) faucet</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUqrofty1xQZvP6ketoQ_bef0WzP125F43ETZNdKYlmAu01CM_KiDFOsk9-FyBw8EOYTZOXSUXU2HZLaVAAflLB3WvtKXsLpS-5VD5_q69gVZFs0A_VLk9764uLS0kn0uyV76bWyV3KQ/s1600-h/026508237717lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="single hole faucet" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwd4YxMv-xEnaGd0r-AxRqunV2z36lndqpW1zSb3BoQXFbsS7kGZWZ8zyJeksLaMkCt-Q77lm_cDPo8K6cpGz9xQ2jXTZEtGOMrGlpWtodyuzUykL9J1Fcp_-G1-8LJp-qvktMMRmG0I/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="single hole faucet" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>I chose not to use the plate at the bottom – I just liked the simpler look without it. </p> <p>I especially love that the faucet ended up matching the finish on the new light fixtures exactly: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF-04z9fW4XH6Uq4S3MqkJOuBaOTpLDy1wJaI88mNb7yJvYu84KOKCTCUZX1a2IheX2lWedzJznureWDBL4AAHCLQnBwXN3S40UtAhcuGlzKeSPFS9H5CEp__1PfXiXLdM1QUUIh3SXc/s1600-h/IMG_5806%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="vintage looking glass sconce" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtro0BNSPwK0X58fzOVH0jSGNYwhdexaSSIEAzEzpk8qjgHMRvFJIczqJ8cqUQ6LlREDPWSmhAoL8XMfZzlkFRLp9Uy5DmPTbs5gqjKuaRUzQzo6s5lJkaA6HTMW0dgs0GgAKXMY_u-q4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="vintage looking glass sconce" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I mentioned that I had the one light we had in here changed into two lights, and we did use an electrician. I just had the guy who did everything for the basement do it, he’s great and inexpensive and was done in 30 minutes. </p> <p>If you know much about electrical stuff I guess it’s not that hard, but I’m not ready to take that leap quite yet. ;) </p> <p>I did find the light fixture online, although this one is in shiny chrome: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9gN2oDBsrohFHX65uOqy_ORIMOTCcGppx3xD84W6IYCaZNGuk27kthKcQlOb2o6PLnm6Bdg0fwqITLQUppjwS7IZNaC8PG4O0VWS-zmfQZM7mETPQHkjrio0nimW6b50PIIxMwuyhGM/s1600-h/f9661659-e9f5-4643-afc2-a30c120361f3_300%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="vintage sconce" border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwXUpVU88Gqs2gE8za-FCZYJMDS0FWxodYudL6yB74bQfE6Y9igOxtHABafzx23gOfoV9MjFcGyH9a1o9ftGQIpN164__C10bPAa2y7MXIbJE87rn_hji0oOR8yNFnPq38on8Rav-4LU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="vintage sconce" width="350" /></a></p> <p>There called the <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Progress-Lighting-Archie-Collection-1-Light-Chrome-Bath-Light-P2989-15/203910380?N=12l1#.UdQr8BaE7ww">Archie Collection</a> and I LOVE love love the vintage vibe of the glass and the pretty arch of the arm. </p> <p>They are one of my very favorite parts of the room!:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHV1QCS2j7EHugdq_QSfAgK34_eJYrNNYw2ipH7N1OgTMYTfiWwfkH1iR7EjhN4L7nIqwA5h2F7oOg4K_ubuX4gULayicpQDvllgN_6SwqnoDmjbZAX8ztUtLvmkCXFJmAaDPGcu9H_Ic/s1600-h/IMG_5824%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white hemnes bathroom vanity ikea" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVKkAb2GfV8gAClK0lauG9f3LetMwBBO91YtfhCJcP21KH1_YjIAz0SY2gpOEoHG_GpefZU_jShL8zoFdMJjJqIXb8R6rtuazBW-jOrCNAQx3G5fKzusipmllzrApm3dHqkEqyhOI9QM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="white hemnes bathroom vanity ikea" width="500" /></a></p> <p>So the last piece of the puzzle was the mirror, and I think I spent as much time looking for that as I did the vanity! For years I knew I wanted an oval mirror here, like we had before – but something simpler and classic. And more than anything I wanted those super cute mirror brackets on each side so that the mirror would tilt. </p> <p>Like this:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWOSDhF4FCkQ8fnnz2eOm3QHwxSFQ-pWom-Xc_5vlIC4iZcEtkqrLaOfN9J29ojlvwF_reQ3ZTYh_RtlD26dFEpQNn2n6IyC2ICt48ufZeNanWKMUaQgxvnJlBvPhtpFXB7HPBJ-6WC0/s1600-h/7522ba0b-2d1b-4d9b-96c7-9f22751b973d_300%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="oval mirror with pivot brackets" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58LuNHtgnRBFbw2-TUKwx2OtLTnw-KV-qPlNZBqYB05eSlaQb10zjkmqi0Jg9izsPti2Z8AYapS1T-iMKic4IMFrcGZ2BAqmA1quKduJOQHsE1OUtUrg-IJCNoF0DAOXELw6vS8rAgqQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="oval mirror with pivot brackets" width="300" /></a></p> <p>I actually saw on a blog forever ago that you can actually just buy the brackets/pivots separately at Home Depot and use them to hang a regular mirror. Well I searched everywhere for them and they just aren’t there anymore. Bummer dude. </p> <p>So then I found a mirror at HD that already had them and the price was about $60 – not too bad really. But it was way too small for the room (about 18 inches tall I think) and the pivot things were actually a pain in the patoot. They didn’t allow you to tighten anything, so the mirror was permanently angled down. It wasn’t going to work. (I’m sure a more expensive one would have a way to keep the mirror at a certain angle.)</p> <p>Sooooo…I took it back to HD and ended up with a pretty, <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202075095?productId=202075095&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&cm_sp=BazVoice%2d%5f%2dRLP%2d%5f%2d202075095%2d%5f%2dx#.UdQ11xaE7ww">basic oval mirror</a> they had for $40: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JQTsNYAbSwgGMsfGiR3RGaIvXjlZmLFxlqcFk_rfFX_G6WLshqq1bqQM2ND4GoN10ZVUOLoWQ3xQF3jHdz5hSYQovErq5oCUSmFD-c6UMjzfGon-EWZqP0TW7jhsdNGH87HszDnZU0M/s1600-h/3371d900-e9a2-486e-ab5d-906680286116_300%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="oval beveled mirror" border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgxFUxk4QXAPGVAa2tUiFxrMFh2h3BaZvrd-r0KglVZOw1OpL9i-OEQ6zxyQSMk_w7Bd0utPcM2NcBLmz99HLqq9ZaN2kYi9ysbQUwuIaGCBUhx30IYHWznhfNM747vLpKeydeTBi8wE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="oval beveled mirror" width="350" /></a></p> <p>I ended up with this one because it’s the only oval mirror that had a cleat on the back – so you don’t see any of the hanging hardware. The one I found at Lowe’s had to use the little mirror brackets to hang it. </p> <p>I hung it on the actual board and batten trim: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1TD3KqvAsB7FU1SUUOyQcfS8oAP0O3_V0fcK5haqS5HP_oyENQQMPea7nkQ_Tc82ZJHc55ppH_l_b2s8VXeGn4l0TUG6GjRzX3vNSoYtJeU5xQA_69fJ-JpQ4q1iExQ5fRkMb_49Wyg/s1600-h/IMG_5815%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="oval mirror bathroom no hardware" border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphena08VgkN9qZNxZyZb1LkygtY9YVFqbpb-WTCmSoGKNln0BZQOQvjLFgUiBG19a0xRGLHUWL9aZowfs3osOV-lgLp03btxHgBgewQG0rcK2w5ooohMgy4Hi6aGLpUUbf-vVduaUpedYQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="oval mirror bathroom no hardware" width="450" /></a></p> <p>And I think it’s just perfect in there! The size is much better (21 inches tall) and it just works so well in the room – love how it all came together!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzmbTruQQwb96Y7-nKKFNxO9KMKUFbx0Femsngpd6rpWspG8tIoRyt5w6IvrNJVwGB2zHC81Qu5wXn0FHFMtgMsbVLffC_jsXNe25XAVw0l8iFMcaZrqg8Yj9tHjen-Xz1DCYsvGk9HM/s1600-h/IMG_5829%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="oval mirror bathroom " border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPgnKvpL72n0lOFCdsQgkgJbDNftiplRe9CCETsFMZH2PhFcVfIqnXBeWGEJeJYuRtD3p7HCEXnWDgaXjw2wY33sjjROv47ZjSE4LYb7vpz4AsMcHygkoG0Fj3q5qtcNXVzLzcVhfQVw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="oval mirror bathroom " width="500" /></a></p> <p>OH! And some of you asked where the “S” hook for the towel came from:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL7jPro9-hgYmIbz8eHj9WELdNumvgZ8Cbg2TBunz-8n8Zy6qtpXlQFHXK5WnCEzeNyY24UFX7PMQUJ_KWKfZflih3ZzvZVCI5cw3siRmmWRVAg9f2_tnLWgifiiZyeFDom3GI_Jf6f8/s1600-h/IMG_5805%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="letter towel hook " border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCDnzq_yllFsPp5IuXQnuhHc2RPicB77xzcPNbRqyCke46tfWxCdJwouIj6vJ-KmK8kImK2t9aLzRjXak22DIwYdwezgGRGRffG7gEVogZt35G33NIEM-J3Aso_SP9lruCgK1nBr1-CQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="letter towel hook " width="400" /></a></p> <p>I actually got that hook at Anthropologie (one of probably three things I’ve ever purchased from there) about a year ago. I saw it and knew it would be perfect in this room, before I even knew for sure what I was going to do in there. ;) </p> <p>Looks like they still sell them! You can find them <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/670301.jsp">here</a>. </p> <p>So there you go! All the deets on the vanity area – I hope that helps with any questions you had. Overall I’m thrilled with everything, but again I took forever to find it all so I better be! Geesh. </p> <p>I’m taking the rest of the week off for the July Fourth holiday, have a lovely weekend and God Bless the USA! :) </p>

Ikea Hemnes vanity and more

Hello and happy almost Fourth to ya! Do you have any fun plans for the holiday weekend? One thing is a priority for us – Despicable Me 2. We...

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Building a Lego house

<p>Hey all! Can you believe it’s July? This is one of my favorite weeks of the year! It’s even better than years past because our temps are unseasonably cool and we’ve had tons of rain – two things I like very much. Last year we had drought conditions and couldn’t set off fireworks, so we’ve already made up for that this year. ;) </p> <p>Oh by the way, I wrote this whole post and then realized it’s the first Monday of the month so I should be doing the Before and After Party today. I totally forgot. We’ll do it next Monday, hope that works!</p> <p>This weekend I finished up a DIY in the basement that I’ve been planning for a while. Since we had the built in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/02/basement-built-in-cubbies.html">cubbies installed</a> I’ve been hoping to get this done, just to take advantage of some odd wall space down there. </p> <p>I have never built <em>true</em> floating shelves – I have built shelves (<a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/10/library-bookcases-done-boom.html">here</a> in the dining room built ins, <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-more-wire-shelves-pantry-redo.html">here</a> in the pantry, <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/04/diy-floating-shelves-bathroom-progress.html">here</a> in the basement bathroom) but all of those had supports on the sides for me to attach supports to. </p> <p>True floating shelves with no side support are another thing – but I think I did pretty OK at it for a first try! </p> <p>I didn’t follow any specific tutorial, just used what I’ve seen here and there and winged it myself. This is a relatively simple project if you work with tools. And sometimes I make relatively easy projects total pains in the butt, so yeah. This was one of those. :)</p> <p>I started out with some 1x2’s from the hardware store – I cut them down to the length I wanted the shelves to be and then cut supports (same exact length) and glued them on with wood glue: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9IljQohPzQqdLQz6-Jey4Xi6jOwyA_qfKQ_ijByQ251T93wzz2wLVY92T8tw7W8G376Kk2A_K1ck5tXRqVniIsAcyRnA8aO2lqXFJfrCZcRCrYxiBbJwOYOI75ytbt5YVKXg-2mJjlY/s1600-h/IMG_65973.jpg"><img alt="building floating shelves" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4Z6aNetx2TPkkn7gZkPYNOYEuEbGjsv9N161yCxjzKmYp3_jpraMChotUJfpYQBCCihObnNK9Pu6qmYYsLodsnyPContOWfdh6iZE8XcufccTMPg3eltExoHR2S0k83W977sXeJ0Wmc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="building floating shelves" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Then when I thought I had let them dry well enough, I flipped them over to secure them even more with screws. That’s when I realized I didn’t let them dry enough and every. single. support. fell off. </p> <p>Sometimes I look like I know what I’m doing. This was not one of those times. I’m sure my neighbors were all, awww, look at her, trying to DIY! <strong>So</strong> cute! </p> <p>ANYWAY…I always go way overkill with nails/screws/glue and this was no different – I used two (long) screws in each support:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSnMiieGSJT6qylPg-oxZ8ubegMIK-juejU_2Emqhdki1U1wz_eLqJLzBD1qDpswN8IqDefGb76B3bXAE16fgMce8-rbZ5DuVDe39Q17yrcmR173h74euf42-NFGMm4tCyBMh5B2WDm0/s1600-h/IMG_65993.jpg"><img alt="building floating shelves" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FA4QoyecP2iOQiHd8DAHhlzqJCs7-iFpvgLopLyaPJrKzH8CQSqbQ7gGMNZOSf9WOwTNowS6byz4n00xCiH42griMY77V-sOXCxkfVhOEfL2lSOqru3vNcbwYM1iQIW2IOw2U14V2zk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="building floating shelves" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Before I put the front of this support on, I installed them on the wall. This way I could get the screws into the wall straight on (if the front support was on I’d have to work around it, make sense)?:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR-kk2_EgMTLFxp-g7LA3aJQfLWiOC5VAjzqwAc_kYn2r3sjUzcoHLD13rO99UGzg1cCsyG0Bv9iIdB736l4WlytoYU2ZqXvha1AfvDD0v5l1UfurBBniR9IFqg_2E98vBP_ZRF2OGR0/s1600-h/IMG_66003.jpg"><img alt="building floating shelves" border="0" height="599" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskCtIkex-F8x3B29HgAk9soxncW-ZRbH9RmELWAig2am1E-bspP7gMfeIAftYkZpU_6axsH1VR3mL3HYxLpGlKd8r-mnsJo4gd7-khcZXqUn0xCLH4q8-R1EJ6lNiNXB0jg_k5jNy3bU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="building floating shelves" width="450" /></a></p> <p>After both supports were up I went to grab the wood I had bought to make the actual shelves I was going to build to slip over them. And I realized I had <em>totally</em> made the supports the wrong size. DOH! </p> <p>So…back to the store I went. I ended up getting a big sheet of stain grade particle board cut down instead, which in the long run ended up being better anyway (a lot more light weight and less bulky):</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hbyh_etjR3chTCR9DIOXeJ3ZxO1303kK7xBgTaMzmAxnJDO1wavFu_Z5-br6X66KyFg-dpmfcaP16ntdKOxGN0rBKg4rkvgQyGgz4lbmtXrVV4Q6QTXmkDVQmDLVK0kxcjd-vpgsbfk/s1600-h/IMG_66023.jpg"><img alt="building floating shelves" border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0muoiDBB8_0nGXDunr7uVmbIf401GbXDN3thsO2Px8IQcsntdkGIpadadHLWIMPup0WCraAlWGiw3v_1sWE41gJRGO3rNgzbahxYB_5ujF1qBhVFm6UpHMh4d2VXHxednezDZOCbKfs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="building floating shelves" width="400" /></a></p> <p>That photo is why I have an SUV. That photo is also why I don’t have a <em>nice</em> SUV. ;)</p> <p>So instead of making a shelf that slips on over the support, I ended up just securing all the wood to it instead. Which is fine, I just won’t be able to take these down…like, ever. Good thing I like them. </p> <p>Here’s the process as I started covering the supports with the wood: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHoIwBJWPuCS6imhdj2GsUovEl81gk77lFrU28PpZEZJKMmwfEOt3MHxvUE_Q37tVsJ9p6-FdOb0Nm_XDjTC7v_I3CWTx9k91g7HwIz8mS-DJvfpUDmU0Y6KHgArhvHeR86wSYzE5eww/s1600-h/IMG_66043.jpg"><img alt="building floating shelves how to" border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUplQfktgmhvdt6HTkIcY9JQwW6ax9DpFicJlpoApPb9SUiqwJWxuA-ZkdY1dAAHzPYneMr56BU7kdA8v89u9Gp2_2kWOKx00QW-BZjnO8WVweashLV57N_aiBsnWvsjhCDa86rW7qC44/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="building floating shelves how to" width="550" /></a></p> <p>I hope that makes sense! The trim on the right is just the start of what I wrapped around the whole shelf to make it look finished off. </p> <p>Here they are all done – I taped off the walls with FrogTape so I could get them stained with little mess: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kiXxgoRk0MYjXP5Adrtyl-0XGQRM2CjeJMtH5fH0KiB2Qt4fZkI4r4aZBivaMtHtcdDr3uuhOv3nL4NJvj1g-bGbbdSPLXVWqfIamAmlbEq0kpxlbR5sQ4UpltbDPJHlSyM4ErkhRco/s1600-h/IMG_66063.jpg"><img alt="DIY floating shelves " border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj14jpbSUpT4Lo_CLHLp4qez2A7AkcwRerOVGSrWwU4y5uJRcsZzowMAsefjIAC311V2PFOijfdF1UnyjcatTW-pB5FeHQu-wOuKlmB0sO-rBb6RJ-wSoEXOgFebTXIgsgD-ICuKfxyvE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DIY floating shelves " width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQiHv5bfa_KBzAg0jWlA0siusBNPO-a8pnrzi5Qcyxi7S-m3iiQfK6CBUJNrwoxQeq-z4hTrImObMrM1l8CatskGKGLZ2t75LHayQQkw4fCvWhcmo0n2y0cWSL3o8J4eAz8BM8bYNYwg/s1600-h/IMG_66053.jpg"><img alt="DIY floating shelves " border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXad3RbvUyV_ryMPKMAD1QCXz_nfbpsjDm1o7Om4w8j835laBkvLnjrHG2qsgx4YAYZHID4roPUWlVFPEtDDmEhQDQEYONC_OryWpUcL3oKgG4aLZPj8r6cAo4_U9L1D78hPD-Z2RNqYM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DIY floating shelves " width="290" /></a></p> <p>So sometimes I recommend you paint before you do a project because I think <em>sometimes</em> it would make the project easier. I NEVER do this and many of you ask why. It’s mostly because of projects like this – they are rarely perfection. So I fudge with stuff, have to recut many times, sometimes make additional trips to the store – and if I had painted the wood I originally wanted to use for this I wouldn’t have been able to return it. </p> <p>So…sometimes it’s easier to paint/stain before – I just work better doing it all after all is done. That usually ends up being quicker for me. </p> <p>I used the beautiful Kona (Rustoleum) stain I’ve used elsewhere in the basement – love it!! When that was dry I did a coat of semi gloss polyurethane and called it done. Then I loaded them up with the little Lego sets that have been all over the countertop for months: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsDC9y61pso9nKQ9CQRDhOytMlOJ75mwSvnty6n0RGkWo938aY1lrbp7mZcxB-gYre7MsUM9DLRLA9eRSoqsNHZvGsIbqp7Di5Dv8JDt3GrnSJqcxGD_OpUnyPveu7LoZicAIBbcv0_Y/s1600-h/IMG_59043.jpg"><img alt="DIY display shelf" border="0" height="793" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkJ3iKdulLlBEnqK5XlZFRFZdGwnyVmRFqxzHG7xDt6R4N-MHx992AN486TleF33EIhkYxfhSNPdJ3QI_20HBT2MtwbPfCOGPNWpGokLMwdLnDkQeV9SGwql2zfVnWEY9ABlOX8HGPaU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY display shelf" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’ve been planning these shelves forever now – their purpose is two-fold. Obviously as a place to display all the little Lego sets our boy makes, but to keep them up off the countertop as well. I just want to use the storage space as best we can. </p> <p>The basement is such a fun space for us and my goal all along has been to make the art down there be very personal to our family. So the Lego sets, although not styled to perfection, are just us. :)</p> <p>Here you can see how the trim looks and how the bottom piece of particle board hides the supports inside:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d3kl5BqngyJ6_m6iycoRwpTy5Wai0zF8rvytBoyyMPiFGp00q8mwB7C_APm7kDJAo_VK547qvf4mUZqg2vZa8RPbRiGLbqHWMz57BmE6bGGGmCAMj0gnBsxpdgxCVcihgbVW7OVMZEU/s1600-h/IMG_59093.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="DIY display shelf" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJo7H26xEevq48VP1dgaV1qk1grKY0zvSg8onQwoeHfrW72O4AfjeecEcphxdRYKVGZjhs9fQLV5NIUGn2q1et68_-YXbnT3fE3xa165qGmSPBa1kfwLCJ9nrnWvU6PUTutF7hbcLrVrg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY display shelf" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I just started grabbing the Lego sets and putting them on the shelves – there’s not much hope that this is ever going to look “perfect” but I kind of LOVE it: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlX4kEdlbjtqDXy_a4pT9Uwz1GkvRy71q61EPN9Q6KvSl9uxkWhq5J1GHoruVLC3qq_9T4_Q__X0et_569ekHKos6gRM7XD6iIGI_9VtlkkEZGFLKOG6mjINbLgFfGtsU3LYCJCbqU_c/s1600-h/IMG_59023.jpg"><img alt="DIY floating shelf dark stain" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoF0huyr5xS1TnTJz7vYP2espc5FEI6PDW09dQ2sh5Oa9_bOyvmMJD83REH14WGWRftH4Qly0E5pyZ5xy0C9eluH90ZTeDIVSe8Z0eLZCoZHPJSux01ls5uKW9d-6nYcp5GTFqwkY1us/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY floating shelf dark stain" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Although the Bub did say later that it’s a “little messy” so he’s going to rearrange it. Gah. (He did NOT get this from me.) </p> <p>Of course these are all sets he plays with, so he needs help getting them from the top shelf, but he can reach the bottom shelf easily. They are both fairly low because of the bulkhead in that spot. </p> <p>I had to include a pic of us on a roller coaster in Legoland -- we had it made into a Lego set:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxh6pT3iHu5NZPCicYrPZDFTj1HEGgmPnimViqpKhZAgmaxRzsqfVt-swYztlcF_UlH9hVX4NioDKsCGQxuQbGMROExsnjHGtv1p7EJUcELMbgUVPpQGX_zmKVlbZ7cgyLXfVxprbMSg/s1600-h/IMG_59083.jpg"><img alt="lego storage" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JV8OPrYJcpeWVKIkYPDjcRDSq9fDIjFKnIvLQ3kFkd7TeKiVZAZHgmH2qMNiprOi2_Jei1RVwLcbmKeLf6pG2yiv9_Tu3iWkdCEB-vM0iSEVRsTiAghlHBcmR1TwDmxzjvrSroxL6p4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="lego storage" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s hard to see but it makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it. You can’t even see the Bub because he’s ducking down, totally freaking out. My husband has his eyes tightly shut, probably praying for his life. And I’m in the front laughing my butt off – it’s pretty obvious who loves roller coasters in this family. </p> <p>Now this little spot is dedicated to what the kiddo loves – I’ve mentioned a few times that he’s a Lego freak and we encourage it (within reason). I like that this part of the room really speaks to what he loves: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5URnmZAsh6cfs625z5WoTIzR2HPjG_P9Suk5eek3tONGTJJJ_pxv2ZcQizcWLM2sbH6K2Ok7Je2euaWy2kJcKIY9tfDYiG5uG-zJEuU5CQr_ae7IOrLPK21W-2n0O_YSA5vi3uK8LqI/s1600-h/IMG_59223.jpg"><img alt="DIY floating shelves as Lego storage" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3LyhhsWW-w6nmJGVrWXZ_rDg066cljUoWHtgLzt-vChEVhPFBIVhTSakUYtooUAudEmks1klzsjRFypEd_hEyg6NRwCzvFjAeN3IchyplJL4I-a8Ta09zToh0cyQrfBzxjXXfHWPc_A/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY floating shelves as Lego storage" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Like I mentioned, this was my first try at the true floating shelves – and I think they turned out pretty well! Just don’t look too close. :) The bottom one is secured to the wall on one side so it’s super secure. The top one is definitely staying put but I wouldn’t do any pull ups on it. Good thing I can’t do a pull up. </p> <p>Have you tried this DIY project? Did you do them any differently? Do you have a Lego house that you try to organize too? </p>

Building a Lego house

Hey all! Can you believe it’s July? This is one of my favorite weeks of the year! It’s even better than years past because our temps are uns...

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