home decor

Jul

21

Teardrop Chronicles #2: Shopping, a planning commission meeting, and a great deal of math

camping / do it yourself / home decor / summer / teardrop trailer  Posted by / 0 comments
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It was a big week here in Teardrop land. Its probably best if I break it down for you day by day. You are going to be so impressed. Unless you’ve met an Aspinall before and then you’ll think, “sounds about right”:

Monday

After last week’s measuring/direction reading debacle, Frank and I regrouped and corrected our error. The width of the floor is now officially a lovely 58 1/2″. Exactly what the directions call for. I got a lesson in how to properly use a socket wrench and we moved on to bolting the floor to the trailer chassis, we broke for coffee (with milk this time), and  tackled  attaching the sidewalls. Discussions began regarding the galley kitchen, and we each left the day with our homework assignments to source various materials.

We countersunk the trailer bolts so the floor would sit flush on the trailer.

We countersunk the trailer bolts so the floor would sit flush on the trailer.

 

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Showing off my new socket wrench skills.

 

 

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Floor secured to the trailer.

 

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More countersinking for the trailer bolts, this time on the sidewalls.

 

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Sidewalls secured to the trailer and floor. You can see the grooves the kit comes with for the galley kitchen.

Tuesday

To Ikea! I handled that place like the pro I am- in and out in 45 minutes with a 72″ long piece of butcher block counter top for the trailer’s galley kitchen, and a variety of wall hanging kitchen storage items. Oh, and a bathroom break. Not too shabby. I even squeezed in a CB2 driveby. Shopping with me is not for the faint of heart.

That evening I labored over drawings for the kitchen galley design. Much measuring and using of a ruler and a fancy mechanical pencil ensued. I was working on a deadline, as the next day I’d be going before the planning commission.

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My very professional kitchen drawings

Wednesday

Frank and I took a field trip over to Mountain Storm Forest Products in Windsor, purveyor of all things speciality lumber. My dad closely resembled a kid on Christmas morning. VERY excited. There was some hopping around  and talk of elicit self guided touring of the wherehouse. But I could see why, these guys really do have everything. On this particular day we were picking up Baltic Birch veneer 1/8 inch plywood which will serve as the interior ceiling of the trailer.

Broke for coffee early as the planning commission convened promptly at 9:45. My drawings were carefully reviewed by Frank and Carol Aspinall, more measurements were taken, drawings were revised, another round of measurements, a fair amount of math, and two hours later the plans were approved. Such a relief. Frank left with his cut list and we agreed to meet again on Friday to resume construction.

Friday

My dad arrived with the lumber cut to its specified measurements and we began installation. First was the counter top, followed by the divider between the kitchen and then on to the cupboard partitions. Apparently since last week we had learned a thing or two about measuring as they all fit nicely. Frank went home for lunch (and probably a nap) and I soldiered with sanding and priming of the walls in preparation for wallpapering.

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Counter top, in! We used the existing grooves to fit the countertop.

 

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We made a few adjustments to make the kitchen bigger than the kit called for.

Saturday

Carol left Frank at home in his shed cogitating hinges and drawer construction while she and I wallpapered the interior walls of the trailer. Again with the math and measuring. It was a slow start but in the end it paid off as we finished the project relatively pain free. And it looks great! So great in fact, it left me thinking about what else I could wallpaper…That, however is a blog for another day.

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Interior wallpaper- we cut out the door openings, trimmed the top and bottom after it had dried. Also, any bubbles that were present while it was wet disappeared as the paper dried.

 

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Kitchen all papered up and waiting for cabinetry.

Correction for last week’s post:

A certain person pointed out that the trailer chassis “didn’t just show up assembled”. This person thought my readers should know that the trailer chassis purchased from Northern Tool requires assembly. Now you know.

 

Aug

19

Final Days of Summer

do it yourself / garden / home decor / Terrarium / Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments
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Well, this is it, final summer 2013 blog entry. Me and all my teacher friends are headed back to school for the year.  And I am going to try real hard to save a little time to keep doing the things that keep me happy and whole. So with that in mind, here’s a little recap of this week’s happiness.

Monday

I started off the morning helping my friend Bonnie install some trellises in her Mary Garden. Hanging baskets and votives to come, but a pretty good start I’d say.

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Then it was time to finish preparing for my terrarium class at Castaway Yarn Shop! First one ever I’ve taught and it went very well. I do believe there will be more to follow. And a big thank you to Stephanie for being my teaching assistant-it was really fun working with you again! Here’s some photos of my students’ work and the class.

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Thursday

I met up with my friend Teresa who has been teaching herself how to cut wine bottles. Today’s project was wine bottle chandelier’s. We got a good start, some electrical work to go, but nothing that my dad can’t figure out for me, I’m sure.

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Saturday

After picking TWO colanders full of cherry tomatoes, Stephanie and I put together two terrariums for her and then, with much prodding from Stephanie (I was more inclined to take a nap), we attached my staghorn fern to  a board. It hadn’t been doing very well in its mossy basket, so fingers crossed its a little happier now.

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Then it was time to make deviled eggs for tailgating at Sunday’s A’s vs. The Indians game. Baseball isn’t really my thing, but it happens to be the thing of several of my favorite people, so I made my new favorite deviled egg recipe in honor of the occasion.

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Oct

17

Queen of Halloween (that’s me)

do it yourself / entertain / fall / fun / halloween / home decor / party  Posted by / 1 comments

As I have mentioned before, I love Halloween. In my opinion it is the most superior of all holidays.  Costumes, silliness, kids knocking on doors demanding candy. What’s NOT to love?!!! So in honor of this fantastic day, I have an annual Halloween Party. And its pretty great. As a result, my collection of Halloween decor has grown quite extensive. That being said, some of my favorite decorations are simple ones I have made or assembled from things I had at home or in the garden. So today on Makeroom I am featuring some of my all time best Halloween decorations.

1.Lighting

Lighting is critical. It sets the mood and can turn your home into a spooky haunt with the flick of a light switch and the lighting of a few (okay, maybe alot of) candles. I frequently purchase sanctuary candles as they are cheap, readily available, come in many colors, and burn for a long time. I am also a fan of using white lunch bags as votive bags, and line our walkway and front yard with them the night of our party. Add a little sand or dirt so they don’t blow away, finish with a tea light and you are set. Featured here are candles printed with lace using black paint, a roller and a lot of pressure. Below is a very easy project involving wrapping mason jars with cheesecloth, secured with safety pins (sprayed painted black), finished with plastic spiders hot glued on.

2. Day of the Dead Altar

I always construct a Dead of the Dead Altar. Dia de Los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, it originated in Mexico, and coincides with All Saints Day, but has spread to the United States and is widely celebrated in California, where I hail from. Its a day to remember those that have passed and to honor the dead. The colors associated with Dia de Los Muertos are bright and lively. It is as much a celebration of the living as it is for the dead. The altar is a great conversation piece for the party, but I also enjoy having it in the house to remember those that have passed on. Each year I add to it. Last year I made and decorated sugar skulls, which you can keep and reuse from year to year. For the less ambitious, the key ingredients to a good alter include: multiple levels, constructed out of boxes and stacks of books covered with a colorful cloth, marigolds, lots of candles, various pieces of skull decor, bright colors, offerings such as candy, cookies, flowers for the departed, and of course, pictures of those you are honoring. In addition to family and friends who have passed on, Johnny Cash, Elvis, and many of my friends pets have all had a place of honor on my altar. This year we’ll be making a special little place for Beastie Boy, MC-A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. PUMPKINS!

I love myself some heirloom gourds (when was the last time you heard that phrase uttered…). I really do. Green, white, striped, lumpy or bumpy, you name it. Some years I try my hand a growing a few of my own- this year is was white “Lumina” and orange “Cinderella” pumpkins. But no year have I been able to escape the allure of the pumpkin farm. Let’s be very clear, emphasis on “farm”, DE-emphasis on jumpy house. I am talking about an honest to goodness farm where pumpkins are grown. I swear, they really do exist, and they are completely worth seeking out.

Any of these beauties would be enough to deck the halls all on their own. That being said, I decided to take it one step further with my pumpkin decor this year. This project does not involve any carving, which nice as carved pumpkins have a short shelf life, especially in climates such as mine when it is still quite warm in October.

You will need the following items for this project:

  • Black spray paint (matte or gloss, your choice)
  • A small or medium sized pumpkin
  • A large pair of lace underwear, or some other kind of stretchy lace material
  • One rubber band

Cut down the sides, separating the front from the back

Wrap the back piece of said underwear around the pumpkin, secure with the a rubber band on the underside.

This is what it looks like from the front/top

Spray with light, even coats, let it dry for at least an hour.

Cut the lace away, and viola!

4. (Dead) Floral Arrangements

At the end of summer while I am cleaning out the garden, I always put aside any cuttings I thing will make for interesting Halloween arrangements. Twigs, branches, sunflowers, hydrangeas, poppies, all make for great additions to a spooky, autumn inspired centerpiece. Add a little black spray paint, and its even better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last night my mom and I were talking about why I like Halloween so much. She recalled that as a kid I was no less enthusiastic, coming home red in the face and sweaty from wearing the wig that went with my witch costume for the entire duration of trick or treating. Making decorations for our home from scraps of construction paper and taping them to the bay window at the front of our house. Doing costume “dry runs” the night before. I think it has to do with the suspension of the rules. Wear what you want. Pretend to be someone you aren’t. Stay out after dark. Spoil your dinner and eat candy.  I really was tickled by the novelty of  this, and as an adult, I guess I still am. So make a little room for doing something because if for no other reasons, it makes you smile and feel 7 again.

Happy Halloween, ya’ll!

Mar

15

Its Curtains for You (and me)!

curtains / do it yourself / fabric / home decor / sewing / window  Posted by / 7 comments

Hello and welcome to MakeRoom’s March 2012, hot off the presses, blog entry dedicated entirely  to curtains! Before we dive on in to the wonderful world of window coverings, I need to make a few confessions.

Confession #1:
I am a LAZY sewer. In theory I really enjoy sewing; picking out fabric, making things exactly how I like them, and of course the end product. But as far as for the actual act of sewing….meh, I could take it or leave it. Well, really I’d rather leave it, but given confession #2 (see below), I am forced to rely on my own labor. And, I CAN sew, I’d even rate myself as an intermediate sewer, but a patient or thoughtful sewer, uh no. In a nut shell, I am always looking for ways to  minimize the sewing in a project.

Confession #2:
Apart from buying shoes and hair product, I am cheap, cheap, CHEAP. Spending 100’s of dollars on window covers just isn’t going to happen. Farming out my sewing duties to a seamstress is a no go. So, I’ve developed a few tips and tricks to cut the cost down for custom curtains and other projects that use a large amount of fabric.

Okay. I feel much better. Now on to the good stuff.

Curtain #1- My Kitchen Window, or, It Don’t Get Any Easier Than This.
If you read this and think this is difficult, I am truly sorry, I cannot help you. Stop reading and just go pin up a bed sheet and call it a day.

The curtains in my kitchen are two tablecloths purchased at Target. I told you this was an easy one. To avoid ANY sewing I purchased curtain rings with clips (at IKEA). THEN to take it one no sew step further, I went so far as to hang the curtain rod at such I height that no shortening or hemming was required (well, okay, I asked Bryan to hang the curtain rod because I also hate measuring, I guess that’s confession #3). Done and done. In my last house I did a similar thing with brightly colored cotton dish towels. I hung a simple rod at the midway point of the window and then again using clips, attached the towels. This made for very cute cafe style curtains. The same could be done with large cloth dinner napkins too.

 

 

Curtain #2-My Giant Living Room Window
Okay, this window is massive and faces West. Direct West. Before we had curtains in here you pretty much needed to wear SPF 50 in our living room in the afternoon. But, as a new, flat broke, home owner I was left with the conundrum of how on earth was I going to be able to afford enough fabric to cover this thing? Well, the solution turned out to be pretty simple. Sheets. King sized sheets, to be exact. I used a striped set for the front, and then as I was concerned about sun damage, I bought inexpensive blackout material for the back from the fabric store. You could also use a set of plain white sheets, but I would only do this for windows that don’t get a ton of direct sun light. To minimize sewing, I  capitalized on the existing nicely finished edge of the sheet. You know, the part you usually fold down when making a bed. This is the bottom of the curtains. I used  hospital track as a curtain rod- hospital track provides a nice clean, no frills, look which is what I wanted for this room. Track and clips to attach curtain yet again purchased at IKEA.

In the interest  of full disclosure, this project was kind of a pain due to the shear volume of fabric I was dealing with. If I did this again, I’d recruit an extra pair of hands to help with the measuring and hanging. That being said, I am very happy with the outcome, and it came in no where near the cost  of what custom draperies would have been.

Oh, and a little design tip, if you are using a striped fabric and want a more modern look, try running the stripes horizontally versus on the traditional vertical.

Curtain #3-Curtains at Work
When I moved to my current office two or three years ago, I was over the moon to have not one, but TWO windows! I had spent the five years before that in a window-less office, and its sad little solar tube did nothing but taunt me when for one mere hour a day it actually let in some sun light. Anyways, my new office and windows were reason to celebrate and I resolved to make myself some curtains for them both. So back to the linens department I went. And there I found a lovely  duvet cover to use for my curtains. Handily the back panel of the duvet was white, so I was able to re-purpose this as the lining. Most of the time I line my curtains, they hang better with a lining and block out more light. Bottom edge of my curtains are again the pre-exisiting finished edge of the duvet.

“Drawing” to a Close…
Don’t limit yourself to the fabric store, or to buying pre-made  curtains. Fabric can be found anywhere and you don’t need to be a master seamstress to bust out a few curtains.

Until Next Time…
Next month I’ll a have step by step tutorial for making your own simple lined curtains. So look around and see if you have a window or two that could use a little sprucing up!