Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 13, 2012 - 12:55pm
I just said that because my browser doesn't allow right clicking.
Ches Smith
from Houston, TX
April 13, 2012 - 1:29pm
I painted these murals for my boys. Now if I could just get the rest of the house looking halfway decent.
Profunda Saint-...
from Calgary, AB is reading Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy SeriesApril 13, 2012 - 1:30pm
If you're not already a professional mural painter, you should really get paid for that. Those are awesome!
OtisTheBulldog
from Somerville, MA is reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 13, 2012 - 1:36pm
You guys can't see Karl? He shows up on my internet. Why are your internets broken? Fucking socialists. I'll see if i can rectify this situation for you, just like Rocky rectified the Cold War. If I can change. You can change.
Ches - that's amazing. I'd have loved that room as a kid (but no love for Spiderman?)
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 13, 2012 - 3:01pm
Jesus Ches! Those are fucking awesome. What lucky boys you have. I want one at my house.
So did you grid those out? Or did you project? Shit, man, I am inspired.
I have a mural to share that I did with some neighbors, I will see if I can track it down.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.April 13, 2012 - 3:11pm
Duuude, will you be my Dad? haha. That is awesome!!
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 13, 2012 - 3:36pm
Okay, I found it.
So, we did this mural in front of my house last year and we're getting ready to freshen it up in June. It is part of Village Building Convergence/City Repair and our project was the biggest one ever attempted.
We shot the video from my writing office:
Profunda Saint-...
from Calgary, AB is reading Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy SeriesApril 13, 2012 - 5:25pm
Thats fucking cool, Chestie. Looks awesome!! How long did that take?
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 13, 2012 - 6:20pm
Weeks and weeks of fundraising and up-front design work. City permit approval...planning. Had to have the neighborhood approve the design and sign off for several blocks in every direction. Also have to block the street (permits required) in all directions for throughfare.
Transferring the design to the asphalt took one week due to torrential Portland downpours. We created a North, South, East, West grid with a map (essentially latitude and longitude) and the spray-painted a grid onto the asphalt to scale. Then day before painting we chalked out the design with 30 artists and spray-painted over the chalk so when it rained it wouldn't wash away.
It rained both days of painting--but not too much to wash away the traffic paint.
Color mixing was significant because traffic paint only comes in primary colors, white and black.
This year will be a breeze.
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 14, 2012 - 10:39am
That is awesome Chester!
@Ches (this is getting confusing...Ches and Chester the painters?) I really, really, REALLY want you to come paint an Iron Man mural in my dining room. Shh. Don't tell Husband. Oh, okay, we'll throw in Captain America for him. But mostly Iron Man, k? K.
As for the house. Grrrrr. The only way to get that granite is to drive to Phoenix and pay to have it fabricated. We're looking at laminates again.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterApril 14, 2012 - 10:49am
@SparrowStark - Ain't nothing wrong with laminates. I'm all about the mid-century thing, and from the pictures you posted it's looking like you've got some retro vibe at your place.
I'm going to have to start posting some pictures. My husband and I own a unit of a townhouse complex built in 1973, so it's a bit mid-century, but not really. Right now we're doing up our basement for my sister and her fiance to live in, so that's pretty much where most of our cash is going. All the "inprovements" on our part of the house are really just decorative. Not that it's all bad.
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 14, 2012 - 11:07am
Oh I agree, I wanted Formica all along. Husband was pushing for granite.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterApril 14, 2012 - 11:18am
Have you been to Retro Renovation? It's pretty much my second favourite website.
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 14, 2012 - 11:35am
Wow that is a cool site! We are looking at moving stations in a couple years, so we are trying not to go overboard. I might book mark that for the far off date when we (if we) decide to move back to the area and remodel to fit our tastes whole hog. Right now we are just trying to update and add a bit of style so we can rent it more easily.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 14, 2012 - 1:20pm
Cool site Rebecca. Thanks, I'm going to be frequenting that. I love MCM, especially fusion; blending with current design.
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 14, 2012 - 1:24pm
More in-progress pics:
Old stove out:
New fridge (in my entry way, of course):
New stove not-quite in yet:
Building a cabinet. I have to be honest, I'm not sure what the cabinet is for. Something Husband and the contractor have worked out--this is also where the dishwasher will eventually live:
Some pics of the kitchen in general (all our stuff is out and about to make room, so I don't know if you can even really tell what the place normally looks like).
This is normally a coffee bar
Looks like I just might have an after picture or two later tonight. I'm heading out before the contractor is scheduled to be done for the day to go to a Drag Show (as in queens, not cars) so I probably won't get a good look until morning!
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterApril 14, 2012 - 7:46pm
Okay, so here are a few shots of my humble abode. Like I mentioned, I'm pretty deep in the mid-century modern thing, and I've been striving to have the sort of house one would fuck Don Draper in. That said, it's not easy when mid-century is so damn expensive. Hunting is quite exciting, though.
This is my living room. One day I'd like to have a white painted brick look around the whole diagonal fireplace wall to brighten that corner up a bit. I got the green couch at a thrift store for $89. It's also a bed. The delivery guys said that it used to belong to a woman who had it covered up in her basement since the seventies, so it's in pretty nice shape.
The record sideboard was also another great find at a thrift store for only $19! The record player doesn't work but the radio does, and it also has an input in the back so I plug in my MP3 player at parties for music. The husband and I plan on mounting the TV at some point.
We also just bought the coffee table on our vacation from IKEA. It's not super quality, but it does look pretty damn nice.
This is our reading corner that is never used. The cats use it more than anyone. I'd love to have an Eames chair in place of the existing one, but that fantasy will probably stay a fantasy. The tension pole lamp was a recent find at a Vancouver antique store. Apparantly it was used on a set in Alcatraz, so if anybody watches that show, let me know if you spot it!
The cat on the table is Higgins.
This is my writing nook. I'd always wanted a mid-century secretary desk, but they're impossible to find at a reasonable price. I found this one at Costco. It's pretty contemporary, but it doesn't clash so I can't complain. Changing up the legs or the knobs out for more retro ones might help it out a bit. The swivel chair was another thrift store find. Nine dollars. It was pretty disgusting when I bought it but it cleaned up well. The only other thing this corner could use is a framed Helvetica print between the lamp and the bookshelf.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersApril 14, 2012 - 7:31pm
Beka - your house is so cute! I'll move in later this week.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterApril 14, 2012 - 7:48pm
Thanks, Avery! That said, the photos do a good job of hiding our sad problem with cat hair...
Hopefully you aren't allergic.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 14, 2012 - 7:59pm
@Renee: I love your timeline shots. The existing cabs are nice, are those staying? It looks like you got quite a bit of space to work with...so did you say that in addition to the gas range you will also have a wall oven? You bastard.
@Bex: You have great taste. I really like that look you're procuring. Some nice finds and you gotta be shittin' me on the couch. And it is a hide-a-bed. Jessica will have somewhere to sleep. Your cats use the reading corner? Sound like literate cats. I love the clock. And the tension pole lamp. And. And. And.
I gotta get some more pics transferred to post.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterApril 14, 2012 - 11:41pm
@Renee: I agree with Chester on the cabinets. They look like they're in nice shape. And if you've got a wall oven, do show it! I've always wanted one of those!
@Chester: The clock is a George Nelson reproduction by Verichron. You can find them online for about sixty bucks or so. I work at an off-price home decor store, so it's where I get a lot of my decorative stuff (like the mirror over the fireplace and the lamps beside the couch and my desk). I also have a similar clock in my kitchen. The couch, man, the day I went into the thift store I saw it and flipped the hell out because it was my favourite shade of green. Then this guy came over and said there was a "much nicer hide-a-bed" and it was this dull thing from the nineties. People in my town really don't like colour for some reason.
It's not a bad hide-a-bed. The mattess on it is original, too, and it doesn't look like it was ever really used. It's also upholstered in some rather retro fabric. I'd take a picture, but Jon's sleeping on it right now.
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.April 14, 2012 - 11:48pm
My cat (Crowley Titter Tat)
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 15, 2012 - 10:50am
@Bek--your decorating sense is amazing! I love it. I actually have a mid-century secretary that I think I'm probably getting rid of soon. How far ARE you from Southern CA? Likely too far :(
And yes, there is a wall oven, probably what was originally put in the house when it was built! It still works (after you learn the "tricks") despite the inside glass being broken. We're eventually going to replace it, I'm staying on Husband to replace it with another wall oven, and not another cabinet!
I'll take some more pics after the contractor leaves today.
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 15, 2012 - 10:53am
P.S I love Howie's cat pictures.
P.P.S. I am going to start homebrewing now that I have an extra fridge!
P.P.P.S. I am surprised, in this group, no one asked about the drag show. It was awesome.
P.P.P.P.S. We're keeping the cabinets, but replacing the drawers and doors.
enough
from Indiana is reading Warmed and BoundApril 15, 2012 - 12:50pm
Okay, Im getting in on this thread. I started spring cleaning about 2 weeks ago. Im also purging the house of everything we do not use. Taking lots of clothes to the goodwill and making a huge box of goodies for my daughter Haily. She moved out about six months ago and can always use home stuff. Im getting ready to tackle a kitchen remodel of sorts. We were going to get new cabinets, dining set and new flooring. Well I have decided to redo the cabinets. I was just going to paint them, but I have found this kit at home depot for $75 that you can use on your cabinets, that doesnt involve all the sanding you have to do to paint them. It is a 4 step process. The cabinets right now are a light oak color with creme colored tile countertops. Im going to change the cabinets to an Esspesso color/ Dark Brown, almost black. http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com/ This is the product I will be trying out. So if it works, I will also transform our dining set too, hince saving money to use on flooring and other things needed.
Also, I just found this great site http://www.houzz.com/ ! You have to check it out. Im obsessed. It is a virtual idea book. When Im looking through the idea books, there may be something small in the pic that I like, such as the way they hang a pic right in line with the bed headboard instead of higher. Well you can put your comment with the pic and put it in your own idea books that you make. Its given me so many great ideas and it covers everything. Just check it out, and prepare for the obsession to insue.
Well when I figure out how to post pics, I will be posting. So glad we have this thread!
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 15, 2012 - 12:59pm
Welcome to the thread! This is really exciting for me...It feels so foreign and grown up to be remodeling, I don't think I have offically come to terms with being a homeowner! Hahah. I will have to check out that Houzzz site. It sounds kind of like what Husband was saying he wished we had to imagine the color scheme I am trying to sell him on in the kitchen. Can't wait to see your pics!
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 15, 2012 - 1:43pm
@Rebecca: I love it when people don't like something awesome, more for us! Oh my god, you are going to love these Thonet hide-a-bed chairs I got for free (picture pending). Similar green. I love that green.
@Howie: Dooood. Crowley Titter Tat. That name rox just like the cat.
@Renee: Isn't it fun! Homebrewing! You and Jon can trade recipes. I volunteer as taste tester. I am good at that.
@Enough: Ooo, I like that Houzz site--thanks for the link. I have seen that refinishing product you're talking about, but never tried it. Let us know how it goes! Nothing like saving money and creating something cool at the same time.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterApril 15, 2012 - 1:52pm
@enough - I've heard about the Rustoleum cabinet transformations. I've heard only good things about the kit. There are few people on the blog I posted who've tried it and out the results look pretty damn nice. I'm probably going to get a kit for my bathroom because my husband and I took apart our cabinets and tried to sand them before realizing that sanding is really fucking tedious.
@Renee - Southern B.C. close enough for you? If only shipping furniture across the border didn't cost body parts these days. I'd sell my pancreas to have it shipped to me. I'm diabetic and it doesn't work, but nobody needs to know that..
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 15, 2012 - 2:04pm
Really?
Yeah, sanding can be a pain in the mucous membranes. And watch out for lead paint.
If you are going to sand, or are refinishing something that is going to be clear coated or stained and varnished, I have found this sander mounted to a vacuum adapter to kick ass. The round sanding sheets velcro on for quick on and off, it has speed settings, and because it spins AND vibrates, it gets the job done fast:
I have burned through 15 or so sanders over the years and this one rocks.
Laramore Black
from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8April 15, 2012 - 2:01pm
@Avery
BFF's fo life.
@Profunda
L-L-L-Lovvvvve you.
@Chester
Other people seem to do it and all forms list the buttons for CTRL-V. I've always thought it was odd.
I'd post a picture of my home, but my possessions include some cats, a dachshund, a couch, table. kindle, a netbook, random books, a suitcase, and about ten outfits.
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 15, 2012 - 2:12pm
@Bek--yeah, I would love to keep it, but we just don't have the space :( I can't imagine what it would cost to send, but if you want to do the math, and it is cheaper than one you can actually buy, I'm not in any particular rush to lose it.
@Chester--I can't wait. I had to have an extra fridge because the garage is the only place we have room to set up and it gets too blasted hot for brewing here. Now I have the fridge I am going to dive back into research and start tinkering.
@Laurance--I believe in home decor terms, you mean to say you take a very minimalist approach in decorating.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterApril 15, 2012 - 2:49pm
@Chester - The previous owner of our home was one of those "every room is a different ridiculous colour" variety. Luckily most of the house was painted over before we moved in, but they didn't have enough time to do the downstairs bathroom, which was this horrid red and black affair. Here's a picture I took on my phone before my sister and I stared priming:
I bought one of those round sanders thinking that the cabinets were solid wood. Sadly, I went all novice sanding job on them and went through the veneer. I sanded the cabinet frames down and stained them, but the doors have been off for nearly a year now and I think it's about time to get a Rusoleum kit.
Thus far we've painted the walls a wonderful apple green that my mom hates, and we've got a nice mirror in there, as well as a better light that doesn't burn your retinas off when you look at it. As for that fucking tile...I'm not sure what to do about it. It doesn't really match the kitsch woodsy look I'm planning, but it also doesn't look terrible either, so I'm planning on just leaving it because that's just easier.
I think you get the sort of DIY renovator I am...take everything apart and then learn to live with it.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 15, 2012 - 3:22pm
@Kitts: You are young, you have plenty of time to start making your life more chaotic.
“The only thing you should have to do is find work you love to do. And I can't imagine living without having loved a person. A man, in my case. It could be a woman, but whatever. I think, what I always tell kids when they get out of class and ask, 'What should I do now?' I always say, 'Keep a low overhead. You're not going to make a lot of money.' And the next thing I say: 'Don't live with a person who doesn't respect your work.' That's the most important thing—that's more important than the money thing. I think those two things are very valuable pieces of information.”
― Grace Paley
@Bexter: Well, half of my projects are the 'start ripping shit apart and ask questions later variety' that is why our houses always have torn up parts to them. I always start way more projects than I can finish--he, he, just like my writing! And I have sanded through veneer on more than one occasion.
We have an apple green in our kitchen that I love. That is a nice looking bathroom that you have there though, look forward to the results. Tile is a tough one. That doesn't look bad from this angle though. Man, I bet that place is going to brighten waaaay up.
Profunda Saint-...
from Calgary, AB is reading Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy SeriesApril 15, 2012 - 5:32pm
Aw, Laurance, you just love my for my great taste in animules. ;)
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 15, 2012 - 5:47pm
And your jumblies. Don't forget the jumblies.
Profunda Saint-...
from Calgary, AB is reading Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy SeriesApril 15, 2012 - 6:29pm
My Jumblies are gonna be in Danny's magazine in a couple weeks. Y'all better recognize.
I need to post pictures of my rape dungeon basement. I'm in the process of turning it from a storage facility for about 6 people's garbage to my own personal lounge/jamspace/art studio. It's a dank, unfinished, poorly lit cement cavern with no windows and TWO grounded outlets.
I'm cheaping out on the whole makeover since I don't own the house. I don't know if i have any before pictures, but if i do, i'll post em. I'm part way through creating the lounge space right now, so there will be some during/after photos soon, I hope!
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 15, 2012 - 6:42pm
Yay! Now that sounds like my kinda combo space.
And I can't wait to see your jumblies between Danny's magazine flaps.
Laramore Black
from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8April 15, 2012 - 6:44pm
Yeah, forget all the magazines. Just make a site for your rape dungeon.
Hehe.
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 15, 2012 - 9:48pm
That's the thing that sucks about CA. You gotta build your rape dungeon above ground.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 15, 2012 - 11:11pm
That is called a strip joint. And you can go underground Wordy Bitch, you just have to build a bunker.
I can't wait to go shopping. This one place in Portland has a ton of mid-C stuff and I just got a snail mail flyer on friday, they are having a huge sale.
The flyer was really cool. It had those black atomic symbols all over it that look like jacks. It said something about a riot and a bonanza. I am going to buy some coke and go shop there tomorrow.
Oh, and post some pics of my garden project that is breaking my back.
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 15, 2012 - 11:20pm
I am SO not crazy enough to build a bunker. Give me ten years.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 15, 2012 - 11:27pm
Rachel, one room is heaven. And money is hell. More rooms cost more money. More hell.
Meatseeker has a bunker.
.
April 16, 2012 - 5:18am
I'm supposed to be the jumblie correspondent on this. Someone is going to pay for this.
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ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigApril 16, 2012 - 9:58am
My cat has bitch tits.
Profunda Saint-...
from Calgary, AB is reading Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy SeriesApril 16, 2012 - 10:33am
I do have a bunker, but I did not build it. And Rachel I am super poor (as we all know) I just happened to luck out and find a dive of a house for rent that is actually cheaper than any 1-room apartment in the city. Just have to deal with some weird permanent smells, broken things, and the world's smallest kitchen. But I am never, EVER moving again.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterApril 16, 2012 - 10:47am
I wanna see this kitchen. In all my life I have never seen a kitchen smaller or more awkward than my parents' kitchen. They have a post-war 1940's patchwork house. Like, it was literally built with whatever the original owners could get thei hands on.
Gotta love newspaper and sawdust insulation. The mice sure do!
Profunda Saint-...
from Calgary, AB is reading Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy SeriesApril 16, 2012 - 10:54am
My house has exactly one hallway, which apparently someone thought would be a great place to put the kitchen. The fridge door opens to 45 Degrees before it hits the sink. Love it! haha.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 16, 2012 - 11:08am
I saw this guy in Portland a while back. I really like this idea and would like to do it for awhile at some point.
misskokamon
from San Francisco is reading The Moonlit MindApril 16, 2012 - 11:23am
Cats! And other assorted animals! I know I'm a little late, but I can't resist!
On paper, he isn't my cat. He's my roommate's. But he's been with us since his first few weeks and I love him like he was my own! His name is Kenny, AKA Kenneth, AKA Kenny Bennenni, AKA Anikenny (on account of he's such a melodramatic whiner), AKA Jerkface.
He's a weird cat. Really needy. Hates strangers and will chase them out of the house if he feels the need to do so. Likes to mutilate hairties.
He often sits like this.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazApril 16, 2012 - 1:24pm
Anikenny is cute! That is a strange phenomenon, the mult-feline-names thing.
I like the way he sits, my cat Gamby sits and walks funny. I think he is gay.
I just said that because my browser doesn't allow right clicking.
I painted these murals for my boys. Now if I could just get the rest of the house looking halfway decent.
If you're not already a professional mural painter, you should really get paid for that. Those are awesome!
You guys can't see Karl? He shows up on my internet. Why are your internets broken? Fucking socialists. I'll see if i can rectify this situation for you, just like Rocky rectified the Cold War. If I can change. You can change.
Ches - that's amazing. I'd have loved that room as a kid (but no love for Spiderman?)
Jesus Ches! Those are fucking awesome. What lucky boys you have. I want one at my house.
So did you grid those out? Or did you project? Shit, man, I am inspired.
I have a mural to share that I did with some neighbors, I will see if I can track it down.
Duuude, will you be my Dad? haha. That is awesome!!
Okay, I found it.
So, we did this mural in front of my house last year and we're getting ready to freshen it up in June. It is part of Village Building Convergence/City Repair and our project was the biggest one ever attempted.
We shot the video from my writing office:
Thats fucking cool, Chestie. Looks awesome!! How long did that take?
Weeks and weeks of fundraising and up-front design work. City permit approval...planning. Had to have the neighborhood approve the design and sign off for several blocks in every direction. Also have to block the street (permits required) in all directions for throughfare.
Transferring the design to the asphalt took one week due to torrential Portland downpours. We created a North, South, East, West grid with a map (essentially latitude and longitude) and the spray-painted a grid onto the asphalt to scale. Then day before painting we chalked out the design with 30 artists and spray-painted over the chalk so when it rained it wouldn't wash away.
It rained both days of painting--but not too much to wash away the traffic paint.
Color mixing was significant because traffic paint only comes in primary colors, white and black.
This year will be a breeze.
That is awesome Chester!
@Ches (this is getting confusing...Ches and Chester the painters?) I really, really, REALLY want you to come paint an Iron Man mural in my dining room. Shh. Don't tell Husband. Oh, okay, we'll throw in Captain America for him. But mostly Iron Man, k? K.
As for the house. Grrrrr. The only way to get that granite is to drive to Phoenix and pay to have it fabricated. We're looking at laminates again.
@SparrowStark - Ain't nothing wrong with laminates. I'm all about the mid-century thing, and from the pictures you posted it's looking like you've got some retro vibe at your place.
I'm going to have to start posting some pictures. My husband and I own a unit of a townhouse complex built in 1973, so it's a bit mid-century, but not really. Right now we're doing up our basement for my sister and her fiance to live in, so that's pretty much where most of our cash is going. All the "inprovements" on our part of the house are really just decorative. Not that it's all bad.
Oh I agree, I wanted Formica all along. Husband was pushing for granite.
Have you been to Retro Renovation? It's pretty much my second favourite website.
Wow that is a cool site! We are looking at moving stations in a couple years, so we are trying not to go overboard. I might book mark that for the far off date when we (if we) decide to move back to the area and remodel to fit our tastes whole hog. Right now we are just trying to update and add a bit of style so we can rent it more easily.
Cool site Rebecca. Thanks, I'm going to be frequenting that. I love MCM, especially fusion; blending with current design.
More in-progress pics:
Old stove out:
New fridge (in my entry way, of course):
New stove not-quite in yet:
Building a cabinet. I have to be honest, I'm not sure what the cabinet is for. Something Husband and the contractor have worked out--this is also where the dishwasher will eventually live:
Some pics of the kitchen in general (all our stuff is out and about to make room, so I don't know if you can even really tell what the place normally looks like).
This is normally a coffee bar
Looks like I just might have an after picture or two later tonight. I'm heading out before the contractor is scheduled to be done for the day to go to a Drag Show (as in queens, not cars) so I probably won't get a good look until morning!
Okay, so here are a few shots of my humble abode. Like I mentioned, I'm pretty deep in the mid-century modern thing, and I've been striving to have the sort of house one would fuck Don Draper in. That said, it's not easy when mid-century is so damn expensive. Hunting is quite exciting, though.
This is my living room. One day I'd like to have a white painted brick look around the whole diagonal fireplace wall to brighten that corner up a bit. I got the green couch at a thrift store for $89. It's also a bed. The delivery guys said that it used to belong to a woman who had it covered up in her basement since the seventies, so it's in pretty nice shape.
The record sideboard was also another great find at a thrift store for only $19! The record player doesn't work but the radio does, and it also has an input in the back so I plug in my MP3 player at parties for music. The husband and I plan on mounting the TV at some point.
We also just bought the coffee table on our vacation from IKEA. It's not super quality, but it does look pretty damn nice.
This is our reading corner that is never used. The cats use it more than anyone. I'd love to have an Eames chair in place of the existing one, but that fantasy will probably stay a fantasy. The tension pole lamp was a recent find at a Vancouver antique store. Apparantly it was used on a set in Alcatraz, so if anybody watches that show, let me know if you spot it!
The cat on the table is Higgins.
This is my writing nook. I'd always wanted a mid-century secretary desk, but they're impossible to find at a reasonable price. I found this one at Costco. It's pretty contemporary, but it doesn't clash so I can't complain. Changing up the legs or the knobs out for more retro ones might help it out a bit. The swivel chair was another thrift store find. Nine dollars. It was pretty disgusting when I bought it but it cleaned up well. The only other thing this corner could use is a framed Helvetica print between the lamp and the bookshelf.
Beka - your house is so cute! I'll move in later this week.
Thanks, Avery! That said, the photos do a good job of hiding our sad problem with cat hair...
Hopefully you aren't allergic.
@Renee: I love your timeline shots. The existing cabs are nice, are those staying? It looks like you got quite a bit of space to work with...so did you say that in addition to the gas range you will also have a wall oven? You bastard.
@Bex: You have great taste. I really like that look you're procuring. Some nice finds and you gotta be shittin' me on the couch. And it is a hide-a-bed. Jessica will have somewhere to sleep. Your cats use the reading corner? Sound like literate cats. I love the clock. And the tension pole lamp. And. And. And.
I gotta get some more pics transferred to post.
@Renee: I agree with Chester on the cabinets. They look like they're in nice shape. And if you've got a wall oven, do show it! I've always wanted one of those!
@Chester: The clock is a George Nelson reproduction by Verichron. You can find them online for about sixty bucks or so. I work at an off-price home decor store, so it's where I get a lot of my decorative stuff (like the mirror over the fireplace and the lamps beside the couch and my desk). I also have a similar clock in my kitchen. The couch, man, the day I went into the thift store I saw it and flipped the hell out because it was my favourite shade of green. Then this guy came over and said there was a "much nicer hide-a-bed" and it was this dull thing from the nineties. People in my town really don't like colour for some reason.
It's not a bad hide-a-bed. The mattess on it is original, too, and it doesn't look like it was ever really used. It's also upholstered in some rather retro fabric. I'd take a picture, but Jon's sleeping on it right now.
My cat (Crowley Titter Tat)
@Bek--your decorating sense is amazing! I love it. I actually have a mid-century secretary that I think I'm probably getting rid of soon. How far ARE you from Southern CA? Likely too far :(
And yes, there is a wall oven, probably what was originally put in the house when it was built! It still works (after you learn the "tricks") despite the inside glass being broken. We're eventually going to replace it, I'm staying on Husband to replace it with another wall oven, and not another cabinet!
I'll take some more pics after the contractor leaves today.
P.S I love Howie's cat pictures.
P.P.S. I am going to start homebrewing now that I have an extra fridge!
P.P.P.S. I am surprised, in this group, no one asked about the drag show. It was awesome.
P.P.P.P.S. We're keeping the cabinets, but replacing the drawers and doors.
Okay, Im getting in on this thread. I started spring cleaning about 2 weeks ago. Im also purging the house of everything we do not use. Taking lots of clothes to the goodwill and making a huge box of goodies for my daughter Haily. She moved out about six months ago and can always use home stuff. Im getting ready to tackle a kitchen remodel of sorts. We were going to get new cabinets, dining set and new flooring. Well I have decided to redo the cabinets. I was just going to paint them, but I have found this kit at home depot for $75 that you can use on your cabinets, that doesnt involve all the sanding you have to do to paint them. It is a 4 step process. The cabinets right now are a light oak color with creme colored tile countertops. Im going to change the cabinets to an Esspesso color/ Dark Brown, almost black. http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com/ This is the product I will be trying out. So if it works, I will also transform our dining set too, hince saving money to use on flooring and other things needed.
Also, I just found this great site http://www.houzz.com/ ! You have to check it out. Im obsessed. It is a virtual idea book. When Im looking through the idea books, there may be something small in the pic that I like, such as the way they hang a pic right in line with the bed headboard instead of higher. Well you can put your comment with the pic and put it in your own idea books that you make. Its given me so many great ideas and it covers everything. Just check it out, and prepare for the obsession to insue.
Well when I figure out how to post pics, I will be posting. So glad we have this thread!
Welcome to the thread! This is really exciting for me...It feels so foreign and grown up to be remodeling, I don't think I have offically come to terms with being a homeowner! Hahah. I will have to check out that Houzzz site. It sounds kind of like what Husband was saying he wished we had to imagine the color scheme I am trying to sell him on in the kitchen. Can't wait to see your pics!
@Rebecca: I love it when people don't like something awesome, more for us! Oh my god, you are going to love these Thonet hide-a-bed chairs I got for free (picture pending). Similar green. I love that green.
@Howie: Dooood. Crowley Titter Tat. That name rox just like the cat.
@Renee: Isn't it fun! Homebrewing! You and Jon can trade recipes. I volunteer as taste tester. I am good at that.
@Enough: Ooo, I like that Houzz site--thanks for the link. I have seen that refinishing product you're talking about, but never tried it. Let us know how it goes! Nothing like saving money and creating something cool at the same time.
@enough - I've heard about the Rustoleum cabinet transformations. I've heard only good things about the kit. There are few people on the blog I posted who've tried it and out the results look pretty damn nice. I'm probably going to get a kit for my bathroom because my husband and I took apart our cabinets and tried to sand them before realizing that sanding is really fucking tedious.
@Renee - Southern B.C. close enough for you? If only shipping furniture across the border didn't cost body parts these days. I'd sell my pancreas to have it shipped to me. I'm diabetic and it doesn't work, but nobody needs to know that..
Really?
Yeah, sanding can be a pain in the mucous membranes. And watch out for lead paint.
If you are going to sand, or are refinishing something that is going to be clear coated or stained and varnished, I have found this sander mounted to a vacuum adapter to kick ass. The round sanding sheets velcro on for quick on and off, it has speed settings, and because it spins AND vibrates, it gets the job done fast:
I have burned through 15 or so sanders over the years and this one rocks.
@Avery
BFF's fo life.
@Profunda
L-L-L-Lovvvvve you.
@Chester
Other people seem to do it and all forms list the buttons for CTRL-V. I've always thought it was odd.
I'd post a picture of my home, but my possessions include some cats, a dachshund, a couch, table. kindle, a netbook, random books, a suitcase, and about ten outfits.
@Bek--yeah, I would love to keep it, but we just don't have the space :( I can't imagine what it would cost to send, but if you want to do the math, and it is cheaper than one you can actually buy, I'm not in any particular rush to lose it.
@Chester--I can't wait. I had to have an extra fridge because the garage is the only place we have room to set up and it gets too blasted hot for brewing here. Now I have the fridge I am going to dive back into research and start tinkering.
@Laurance--I believe in home decor terms, you mean to say you take a very minimalist approach in decorating.
@Chester - The previous owner of our home was one of those "every room is a different ridiculous colour" variety. Luckily most of the house was painted over before we moved in, but they didn't have enough time to do the downstairs bathroom, which was this horrid red and black affair. Here's a picture I took on my phone before my sister and I stared priming:
I bought one of those round sanders thinking that the cabinets were solid wood. Sadly, I went all novice sanding job on them and went through the veneer. I sanded the cabinet frames down and stained them, but the doors have been off for nearly a year now and I think it's about time to get a Rusoleum kit.
Thus far we've painted the walls a wonderful apple green that my mom hates, and we've got a nice mirror in there, as well as a better light that doesn't burn your retinas off when you look at it. As for that fucking tile...I'm not sure what to do about it. It doesn't really match the kitsch woodsy look I'm planning, but it also doesn't look terrible either, so I'm planning on just leaving it because that's just easier.
I think you get the sort of DIY renovator I am...take everything apart and then learn to live with it.
@Kitts: You are young, you have plenty of time to start making your life more chaotic.
@Bexter: Well, half of my projects are the 'start ripping shit apart and ask questions later variety' that is why our houses always have torn up parts to them. I always start way more projects than I can finish--he, he, just like my writing! And I have sanded through veneer on more than one occasion.
We have an apple green in our kitchen that I love. That is a nice looking bathroom that you have there though, look forward to the results. Tile is a tough one. That doesn't look bad from this angle though. Man, I bet that place is going to brighten waaaay up.
Aw, Laurance, you just love my for my great taste in animules. ;)
And your jumblies. Don't forget the jumblies.
My Jumblies are gonna be in Danny's magazine in a couple weeks. Y'all better recognize.
I need to post pictures of my
rape dungeonbasement. I'm in the process of turning it from a storage facility for about 6 people's garbage to my own personal lounge/jamspace/art studio. It's a dank, unfinished, poorly lit cement cavern with no windows and TWO grounded outlets.I'm cheaping out on the whole makeover since I don't own the house. I don't know if i have any before pictures, but if i do, i'll post em. I'm part way through creating the lounge space right now, so there will be some during/after photos soon, I hope!
Yay! Now that sounds like my kinda combo space.
And I can't wait to see your jumblies between Danny's magazine flaps.
Yeah, forget all the magazines. Just make a site for your rape dungeon.
Hehe.
That's the thing that sucks about CA. You gotta build your rape dungeon above ground.
That is called a strip joint. And you can go underground Wordy Bitch, you just have to build a bunker.
I can't wait to go shopping. This one place in Portland has a ton of mid-C stuff and I just got a snail mail flyer on friday, they are having a huge sale.
The flyer was really cool. It had those black atomic symbols all over it that look like jacks. It said something about a riot and a bonanza. I am going to buy some coke and go shop there tomorrow.
Oh, and post some pics of my garden project that is breaking my back.
I am SO not crazy enough to build a bunker. Give me ten years.
Rachel, one room is heaven. And money is hell. More rooms cost more money. More hell.
Meatseeker has a bunker.
I'm supposed to be the jumblie correspondent on this. Someone is going to pay for this.
My cat has bitch tits.
I do have a bunker, but I did not build it. And Rachel I am super poor (as we all know) I just happened to luck out and find a dive of a house for rent that is actually cheaper than any 1-room apartment in the city. Just have to deal with some weird permanent smells, broken things, and the world's smallest kitchen. But I am never, EVER moving again.
I wanna see this kitchen. In all my life I have never seen a kitchen smaller or more awkward than my parents' kitchen. They have a post-war 1940's patchwork house. Like, it was literally built with whatever the original owners could get thei hands on.
Gotta love newspaper and sawdust insulation. The mice sure do!
My house has exactly one hallway, which apparently someone thought would be a great place to put the kitchen. The fridge door opens to 45 Degrees before it hits the sink. Love it! haha.
I saw this guy in Portland a while back. I really like this idea and would like to do it for awhile at some point.
Cats! And other assorted animals! I know I'm a little late, but I can't resist!
On paper, he isn't my cat. He's my roommate's. But he's been with us since his first few weeks and I love him like he was my own! His name is Kenny, AKA Kenneth, AKA Kenny Bennenni, AKA Anikenny (on account of he's such a melodramatic whiner), AKA Jerkface.
He's a weird cat. Really needy. Hates strangers and will chase them out of the house if he feels the need to do so. Likes to mutilate hairties.
He often sits like this.
Anikenny is cute! That is a strange phenomenon, the mult-feline-names thing.
I like the way he sits, my cat Gamby sits and walks funny. I think he is gay.