Sizing Hardware

I have settled on and am definitely getting these deluth pulls from Restoration Hardware for our kitchen drawers.

Now, to size these pulls.  My inspiration photos have 'longer than the norm' pulls.  These deluth pulls come in 3", 4", 6", and 8" sizes.  So, in order to help me make a decision, I cut out several different sample sizes and tested them out.

4"ers on the top and 6"ers on the bottom.

Then there is this one.  6"

Vs. 8"

We have one other drawer that will definitely get a 4"er.

After doing this exercise, I am sold on the 6"ers for the drawers and the 8"er for the single drawer. I like how it makes a statement ... its like 'Bam!'

Now, do I center the pulls on the drawer?

Or, hike them up higher?

Sunny Days

I was a huge Sesame Street fan as a kid ... like video-taped episode type of fan.  I saw this and had to share.  Love the fun kid instruments - I remember most of them.  So cool!

Then I kept going, and was quite amazed at the intensity of his lip sync battle.  That totally takes some skill ha!

And, for good measure, we all need a little update on the history of rap

Love It

The Everygirl is one of my daily reads.  Love the variety of content.  Today, I was reading the feature on Ashley Rose and her Houston house tour and loved this piece of artwork over her bed.  So simple.  It would be a great piece in our Master Bedroom!

{via}

Some other lovely (yes, playing on the whole love thing) artwork ... Love or I Love You in different languages.  I found something on Joss and Main a while back, but unfortunately didn't purchase it.  Some good examples 

Lebonretro's shop on Etsy {via}

Now that I have taken a look .. I like the Lebonretro and Lebonvintage shop on Etsy ... note to self.

Both of those ideas above are great DIY activities!

Growing Grass, The Fall Edition

We grew grass in the spring {read about it here}.  It went well and survived until we stopped watering in July and the intense heat got the better of the little seedlings and us.

So, we are back at it and working on that lush green lawn we dream about. 

First, Hubs had a professional lawn service come out and analyze our yard, for free!  If the price was right, we would have probably left it up to the pros.  But, we were looking at about $2,000 using a pro.  So, as it typically goes, we came to the conclusion that we could totally do this whole lawn program they gave us ourselves and save plenty of money!

What we found out:

1) Our yard is sparse and seeding is needed

2) We have tons of weeds.  Luckily they are controllable chickweed and clover

3) We have uncontrollable bent grass

4) No insects or diseases were found

5) Our soil is full of clay and loam.  That stuff is tough!

6) We get about 60% sun and 40% of partial shade

Our recommended lawn program:

1) Lots of weed and crabgrass treatment

2) Use lime to raise the pH (we had tons of moss which tends to indicate a very acidic lawn)

3) Alleviate soil compaction to improve air movement and water penetration.  Basically aerate with overseeding

4) Slide seed which plants new seed directly into the soil and eliminates the need to till of strip.  It helps the lawn grow thicker and allows it to tolerate stress conditions better.  This however requires a commitment to watering 2 times a day

We did our weed control (basically killing the yard) a couple of weeks ago.

Then, on Saturday, we decided to take on our fall yard work, in a reduced timeframe due to company that was to arrive at 5 PM.  Who says a little stress isn't good for the body.

1) Aerate - we rented the machine for $40 for 1/2 day 

All the little holes punctured in our yard

2) Slide Seeder - used to implant the seed

3) De-thatch the yard

3) Lock the dog on the porch for subsequent steps

4) Fertilize

5) Lime - to raise the pH of our acidic yard

6) And then stare at all your seed

What we used ...

Then, when all is said and done, your super tired and do a lot of this

Rug Fail

This rug

Didn't fit the kitchen.  Cue sad face.  I just guest-imated the size needed for our kitchen and the West Elm rug pictured only came in 3'x5'.  I went with it, but I really need a 4'x6' rug.

So, back to the drawing board.

The Dash & Albert rugs, all the stripe ones, was my original inspiration for the space.  The West Elm rug was luckily on sale and I thought I scored at $39 for a 3'x5' rug.  Now that I am regrouping and have skimmed the D&A options, here is what I am thinking

Catamaran Stripe

Trimaran Stripe

You can search all the options {here}

Up Next, Ductwork Shift

We didn't wait long to tackle the next step in the basement reno - shifting the ductwork.  Hubs has been sick most of the weekend, but, as usual, he doesn't have a 'resting' gene in him and starting taking down the ductwork bright and early Saturday morning.

First, we removed the return duct

Then Hubs decided to remove the supply duct (return is the left duct and supply is the right duct)

All gone ...

And laying on the floor.

I washed all the duct out with a hose.  Lets remember, this duct is probably from the 50s.  A little dirty is an understatement.

Then we started reconnecting all the pieces for the return duct

 And hung it up with straps against the wall in the front of the house.

I started working on reconnecting all the pieces for the supply duct.

And as always, Grouper was there to supervise.

That pretty much summed up Saturday.  We tackled some more work on Sunday and more pics will come!

You may be wondering, why?  Well, when you walked downstairs you were greeted by a lovely beam then about 2.5' of ductwork at a whopping 6'0" above the floor.  Since there are plenty of people 6'0" and taller it was totally in your face.  We figured it would be nice to put this duct up against the wall where there wouldn't be much foot traffic.

Here's a recap:

I think it is way better!

Electrical Work, Yes, More Of It!

It seems that the electrical work never ends on the basement fit-out (that's what we call it in the construction world I come from).  Not that I am complaining, I just get antsy to 'get on with it!'

We've done some cable management - basically lots of tidying up.

Tidying up the wiring at the floor joists

Zip tying all the wiring through the walls

 Then came fire alarm install.  This was a little more involved.  Code requires that fire alarm devices be wired together so that when one sounds, all of them sound.  There are also specific requirements for first floor and above and basement levels.  What we did:
1) Used approximately the same location of our existing fire alarm in the hall outside the bedrooms (Hubs does want to add a device in each bedroom though upstairs ... so this may change)

2) Wired a device up in the attic, that will have to be removed though after reading the instructions in the box (oops)
3) Added a new device in the stairs to the basement as required by code (plus added a recessed light, nice!)

4) Added a fire alarm + carbon monoxide detector in the mechanical room.  We have a furnace and definitely want a CO detector at the location of combustibles

5) Added a device outside the 'extra room' (not an official 'bedroom')
6) Added a device in front of our electrical panel

Hubs likes to press the 'test' button often (yes, he is like a kid), Grouper and I just give him 'the look'.  :)

Artwork

I peruse One Kings Lane and Joss & Main often, but I have yet to purchase anything from it yet.  Not that I don't want to, but I always have pre-buyers remorse, especially when it comes to buying things online.  It is just too simple.  But, as a result and over course of time, I have accumulated some some fave artists.  

Gray Malin (view his awesome work at www.maisongray.com)

Chicago Harbor

Coogee Beach

Snowmass

Kevin Russ (found here at www.society6.com/artist/KevinRuss) 

Horse Friends

Mt Rainier

Street Walker 

Teton Tips

Three Meadow Moose

Amy Hamilton (also found at www.society6.com/artist/AmyHamilton)

Moose

Red Deer