My Version of a Kids' Play Structure

The Challenge:
I had a lot of wood I couldn't burn inside (i.e., cedar and pine), and I wasn't able to burn it fast enough in the outdoor fire pits. We also adopted a slide from grandparents and need to put it to use or give it away. I didn't want a monstrosity of a structure dominating the yard, so I came up with my own design with nontraditional materials, I suppose.

The Solution (for now):
I added a second log stack (supported/flanked by 4 t-posts) and connected it to the existing (taller) one with a pre-cut, 3-step staircase. I used standard posts for railing, leftover cedar shingles (from roofing the adjoining hut) for a small shelter on top, and tongue-and-groove cedar for the floor.



To access the slide, I staggered longer logs on the back to serve as climbing steps (above). I also added a climbing wall (below) as a second access point for the covered tower (on top of the taller log stack). I connected climbing holds to signboard (MDO, not to be confused with MDF) with the usual 3/8" t-nuts. The planters in front of the stacks is a nice addition for summer snacking on tomatoes and mint.


Overall, I'm happy with the results. It was a good use of the materials I already had, and the smallest members have given their seal of approval. I am told the tower "is the perfect reading spot" and great for relaxing out of the sun. The biggest challenge was positioning the log stacks so the pre-cut stairs would line up. A little 10th-grade geometry came in handy--thanks Mr. Herder.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

How 'bout some geography with that muesli? (New "curtains" for the kitchen and kids' room.)

Close to 15 years ago, I bought two old classroom pull-down maps. They were a buck each, so I wasn't able to pass up the deal. About 10 years ago, I figured out how to use them--they would make great pull-down shades. Since then, they've moved with us and have been stored in various places. Today, I finally put them to use.

Below is the new shade for the kids' room. We have ceiling-to-floor windows, so the tall U.S. map was the perfect fit.




Here's the shade for the kitchen. The world map is so old that it has the present unified Germany.




To get these to hang without too much fuss, I used a table saw to notch out groves in a 2X4 to make a bracket these could slide on and mount.




Granted, it took about 15 years, but I'm pleased with the finished product.

Projects (Small, Large, and Mostly Incomplete)

It's been over a month since my last post. Since the winter holiday break, the time I have had to work on the house has been limited, to say the very least; however, there have been a few opportunities to get in an hour here and there. Instead of waiting to make a post when the countless projects are finished, I decided to give an "in progress" update. (Perhaps looking back at the rough conditions these items are in at this point will make me even more appreciative--I hope--of the final product.)

MODERN LOG HOLDER (status: need to construct and paint center "element")
Several years ago, I grabbed this inspiration photograph off the web. This was a time when I was new to modern home design and desperate to find any ideas online. It was also before I ran across (or even considered the possibility of) resourceful blogs. During the holiday break, I decided the 20-degree weather was no reason to stay inside. I built the bottom "sled" out of scrap wood and attached cables at both ends to serve as inconspicuous supports (the inspiration design has posts instead). Right now, the logs are stacked, and all I need to do is build and paint the rectangle "element" for the middle. I imagine I'll use the left over orange paint we used for the front door.

INSPIRATION PHOTO

Inspiration photo via... (I lifted it from the web in 2007 but don't remember where)

Working in 20-degree weather is a good excuse for a fire

Photo of cable supports attached to ceiling of overhang

FRONT COURTYARD FENCE (status: need to paint posts as well as stain and attach cross pieces; redirect and rewire new lights; weld, paint, and attach new gate)
We've been really missing our front courtyard fence. The old one was totally shot due to dry rot. Instead of painting it the new house color, I decided to tear it out last fall and wait until spring for a proper replacement. (I uploaded inspiration photos in a previous post.) The time has come, and though the progress has been slow, we should see this project completed next month. The bonus will be the addition of gate. I have a design in mind; I just need to see if I have some brother-in-laws willing to help me with the welding.

Construction begins on the fence with new posts set in concrete

Design idea for front gate (correction: cut pipes crosswise, not lengthwise)

Getting Ready for Christmas

Last year, we bought a lot of giant ornaments on closeout and have been jonesin' to use them ever since. Well, here is the result.


We are also able to enjoy a nice holiday glow from our recently installed wood burning stove from Lopi. The look is the closest we could find to the clean lines of a Rais or any other contemporary Scandinavian firebox, but for half the price. We tried to mod-it-up with the stacked wood under the ledge. Though it is a smaller unit, it does a great job heating a majority of the house. Besides, there's just something very satisfying about doing nothing but curling up and watching a fire on a cold winter's night.

Bath Finally Finished (for now)!!!

After a lot of stripping old surfaces from the walls and floor, rehabbing the cabinets, replacing the sink and countertop, and our first attempt (with a lot of help) at wallpapering, the bath is finally done. A little patience and planning (see previous post) paid off, and we are very happy with what we accomplished on a very limited budget. The colors turned our perfect, especially since we wanted to work with (instead of demoing) the once awkward light purple tile in the shower. The surprise find was the $40 light fixture (that's a circular flourescent bulb) we purchased off the shelf at Home Depot. (I cannot even find it on their website.) The finishing touch came last weekend when we successfully bid on a graphic design print at Art Over Easy 5 (a benefit for the SIUC Art and Design Department).

We are in love with the subtle, but distinct, wallpaper
(click on the image to enlarge it)

Orange towel racks aren't for everyone, but they're a hit at our house

The unique, last minute find for a light fixture

A Good Option for Outdoor Lighting?

We have a pesky post light in the front courtyard that needs some serious updating. I figured we would have to settle for the usual pseudo-colonial, Paul Revere-type, or a basic globe. This limited selection (or our limited budget) too easily prompts us to get excited about anything half-way unique or reasonably priced. Case and point: Lumens has the very cool Besa 4892. And wouldn't you know it, there's a wall sconce to match. Hmmm...

via Lumens

Front Courtyard Inspiration

The house painting is nearly complete. (I'll post some pics soon.) Now, we need to concentrate on demoing and replacing the tired old red courtyard fence. The prospects of creating a great hangout area is quite enticing. In fact, I recently put up cord lights (hidden under the eves so it doesn't look like we left our Christmas lights up), and they give off a nice moonlit-like glow. Here are some inspiration photos for our courtyard from the web.

Basic Fence idea via Trick my Brick

Inspiration for up-lit plantings in front of fence via Contemporist

You gotta have a fire pit! Contemporary log dwelling from AK47

For Finishing the Guest Bath

Kulla via Ikea

Dot Wall Hook via CB2

Marimekko Frekvenssi White & Silver Wallpaper via AlwaysMod

Last year, we did a mad rush to redo a majority of the guest bathroom. I removed the lovely drop ceiling (which now exposes the even lovelier fluorescent lighting); replaced the sink, counter top, and faucet; repainted the cabinet and added new doors and hardware; removed the old floor; added a new baseboard; and painted the once wallpapered walls. (Whew.) In the last stretch of the renovation, we will need to redo the lighting (probably from Ikea), wallpaper (from Marimekko), and add new towel racks (already ordered from CB2). (I'll probably end up changing the color of the cabinet and baseboards, t00.) In the coming weeks, we'll post updated photos.

A Rainy Day Makes for a Good Planning Day

After a great brunch with friends this afternoon, we headed home to get our day of chores started. I borrowed the neighbor's truck and headed for the hardware store for lumber. On the list was a sheet of MDF for the MIO tiles, a 2'X4' half-inch sheet of birch plywood for coat racks, and boards to widen the exposed beam in the office to accommodate a ceiling fan. The rain put a damper on any hopes of painting or staining. Oh well. We had time to make asparagus and mushroom pizza on the grill and planned more for the completion (for now) of the office rennovation. We're considering the following three fans from Home Depot as options for the office: (right to left) Hampton Bay 52 In. Vasner Colonial Pewter Finish ($229), Hampton Bay 54 In. Sidewinder Brushed Nickel with Opal Glass ($229), and Hampton Bay 54 In. Windward III ($169). We had been looking at the fans at ylighting; however, these are quite a bit cheaper and just as aesthetically pleasing.

Sunny Modern San Diego (2 of 2)

Doors, doors, doors. The entryway to a home can make an immediate impression and disclose the aesthetic that lies beyond the threshold. To say the least, I was greatly inspired by the dwellings that surrounded my hotel in San Diego. During a conference last week, I stayed at the Porto Vista Hotel in downtown (just a block off of India Street in the center of Little Italy). My mile walk to and from the conference hotels was a real joy, as you will see from the photographs above. These are several examples of inspiration that will likely find their way to our upcoming plans for renovations. The first photo is bland (admittedly); however, the stoop/step made from aluminum sheet metal typically used for truck bed tool boxes is wicked smart. This material would make a great base for our recently purchased Come In/Go Away Doormat from Phorm in Springfield, MO. The second photo won't likely make it in any of our designs, but the pivot point being a third of the way in on the door is really cool. It's not entirely clear in the third photo, but the use of rusted metal makes for a very modern look, especially when paired with a simple design. (Do I hear planters and a few welding lessons in my future...? Why, yes I do.) Finally, the slim door windows in the last two photos take the prize. We've been considering some Doorlite Kits from Crestview Doors; now we're convinced that it is a great look. The bonus: all it will require is our existing door, $79.00, and a little patience.

Sunny Modern San Diego (1 of 2)

CUT METAL DETAILS: It is amazing what a laser, high-pressure water, or torch can cut. Above are several examples of details I saw over the last week in San Diego, primarily near Little Italy.

Given the time and talent...

I have always enjoyed working in my garage on various design projects and have such admiration for anyone pursuing it with more talent and time than me. Here's a good example, Studio Build, out of Kansas City. Great design and craftsmanship are apparent in projects such as the Modern Planter and Custom Dresser. Thanks for the inspiration.

Mama MIO

MIO is a great little design firm out of Philadelphia that prides itself on creating affordable, sustainable design. Recently, they've received more attention because of their outdoor line due out at Target this month. During a recent stop at UMA in St. Louis, I bought two boxes of their Paperforms Ripple tiles. I had wanted something substantial on our livingroom walls, and this seemed to be a striking and affordable option. I plan to paint them the same white color as the wall above a floating bar I plan to install in the coming weeks. I'll post the results as soon it's all done.

It's Getting There: Dining Room

Before...
...& After

Despite our Boston friends' continual requests, I was always hesitant to post photographs of our home, yet. I always felt like we were never "done" with a room. Then, I started reading Anna's blog, Door Sixteen, and realized any home will always be a work in progress, and it is fun to document the journey. She and Evan are really talented and have done some amazing things to their home.

Here's a sneak peak at the dining room. Originally, a large bookcase was bolted to the floor to separate the dining room from the front door. It also created this weird tunnel-like entrance. We nixed that immediately, along with the old carpet. We've redone the floors, painted the room, and moved the bookcase to the opposite wall. I also took down the old light fixture and made a new one to fit our budget. I'm a big fan of the Nelson Bubble Lights, but this one (made from lampshades and lighting materials bought at our local hardware store) fit our means a wee bit better.
–Grant

Kitchen Inspiration

Apartment Therapy

Our kitchen's 80s decor is really due for an update. We want something cool, modern, and affordable. Of course, there is always the Ikea route, but Ikea kitchens sometimes just look like...Ikea kitchens. In our hopes to think of ways we could do most of the renovation ourselves, we've been searching for inspiration via Dwell, Living Etc., and Metropolitan Home. We've gone back and forth between dark and light cabinets and color schemes that scream uber contemporary vs. midcentury kitsch. One element we have already settled on (I think) is cork flooring, and we commited to stainless steel appliances when we had to replace our 1982 diswasher with one from Bosch.

Tonight I came across a picture from Apartment Therapy (AT) that fits the bill. The green in this kitchen borders enough on a midcentury hue and it compliments the clean white ceilings and walls. Bonus: AT provides the brand and name of the paint (Benjamin Moore's low-VOC Aura interiors paint color HC-98, Providence Olive). The light wood cabinets and light stone countertops (probably engineered) give the room an organic and airy feel. This is a design inspiration worth considering.
—Grant

Preparing for Spring Planting

The backyard before...

New fence and garden plots

Garden plots - another view

Galvanized tank ready for herbs

The threat of a late frost has almost passed and it is time to get the plots ready for planting. Recently, I took the old fence that once surrounded the rear courtyard and placed it along the back side of the yard t0 designate a new garden area (the before and after pictures will clarify this better than I can). We have two new plots filled with last year's decomposed piles of leaves and lawn clippings (our first attempt at composting), and a new galvanized tank, originally intended for watering livestock, resting in our courtyard ready for herbs. (The tank should help us keep the dog and all of his business out of the basil.) There's a lot to do before April 1. Happy Spring, Everyone!!!
—Grant

I'm a lumberjack (and I don't need medical attention)!!!

Last weekend, Grandma and Pop-pop were in town to visit their granddaughter. Fortunately, Pop-pop knows a thing or two about felling trees, and the dying specimen in the backyard had been threatening the power lines for too long. A $50 pole chain saw rental (11' fully extended), a regular chain saw, and an overcast Saturday was all it took. (The tree in the left-hand side of the bottom picture is the one we removed.) The only casualty was the phone line (oops). Fortunately, Pop-pop knew how to fix that, too. In the end, we couldn't be more thrilled. No more fallen branches hanging on the power, phone, and cable lines after a big wind storm. Plus, we now have a nice supply of wood for the outdoor fire pit.
—Grant

THE ATOMIC HOME is coming to Murphysboro! Yeah!!!

When we moved here, we purposely bought and (slowly) began renovating a mid-century modern home. When our friends in Boston saw the exterior of our soon-to-be abode, we heard exclamations like, "Hello, Brady Bunch!" But as the photo I took at the MOMA in New York will attest, we love modern design (not to be confused with Pottery Barn contemporary) . In Southern Illinois, our best bet for all things mid-century was The Future Antique in St. Louis. We later found a closer supplier, The Atomic Home, a few miles down the road in Alto Pass, IL (and later up the road in Benton). Last week, we learned that they have moved the store to Murphysboro, IL. We already peaked in the window of the soon-to-open store and have eyed a few items of interest. It's time to get out the cosmic martini shakers, baby!!!
—Grant