Waste not: Kitchen towels

We are sew lazy.  Long, long ago, we picked up the IKEA Trolig (a simple tension rod) and placed it in our kitchen window like this...

  

For many weeks, it sat awaiting the completion of House Project #852: hand-sewn custom curtains to frame the sun-streaked kitchen window.  The bare window just taunted me, daring me to cover it up.

One day, when I could no longer stand my own procrastination, I began rummaging through kitchen drawers like this...

                             

Eureka! An idea was born: reuse some old kitchen towels.  Within a few seconds, I had arranged the window like this:

and then like this...

Ahh. Another successful reuse, upcycle, or whatever you want to call it. I call it completion of House Project #852.

 

WEEKs 81-87: Hall & (c)oats

Another project about 97.2%(*) done! We painted, we improvised...oh, and we created an entry/hall closet where none existed. From start to finish, it took many steps:

• HVAC installed in the hall closet
• installed white bifold door to hide energy star air conditioning unit
• covered up the hole in the ceiling with a return register
• repaired and painted the broken trim
• installed/painted 3 solid core doors
• painted the walls in "Smooth Driftwood"; painted the moldings, trim, and baseboards in white; we even painted the cover of the electrical panel to lessen the eyesore-ness of it all.

PMH wasn't blessed with an entry closet. What appears to be one there on the left had been repurposed as the HVAC closet. So we scratched our heads for where to place our shoes and jackets that seemed to pile up everywhere. The solution came when we installed the IKEA TJUSIG in white up high and the IKEA LOGGA down low for shoes.


Here's a close-up of our shoe rack that we hacked by using what IKEA markets as a three-hook jacket hanger. By purchasing 2 of the hangers and mounting them side by side, we can easily hang a few pairs of shoes. By storing shoes vertically, we have recaptured valuable inches from our oh-so-narrow hallway. Tah-Dah!

(*) We say 97.2% done because we still need to paint the bi-fold door in high-gloss white and install some groovy hardware on it.

WEEK 42-43:I’m on a boat…

We got a boat! Since the day we closed on our house nearly 10 months ago, we dared to dream of someday owning a small, uncomplicated boat that would fulfill our coastal dreams… The big gas-guzzling vessels were never an option, as we didn’t think they would go with our environmentally-friendly house. We Googled, researched, and Googled some more until finally agreeing on the Pelican Energy DLX boat : an electric/pedal hybrid boat. Instead of horse power, this bad boy uses human-power (pedaling) or alternately you can use the electric engine which has 5 forward and 2 reverse speeds. Other goodies include: marine battery, 3-lb anchor, adjustable seatbacks that recline; seat cushys; retractable bimini top; two built in cooler/storage compartments; pop-up rudder and of course…cup holders. CHEERS! And though you’ll never see our boat on a music video, it is just enough to take us - plus 3 of our closest friends - cruisin' the Florida waters. WHEE!

• DECISIONS: to take a day off of work for J's birthday and spend part of it at the grand opening of IKEA-Tampa; to get a 7x10 shed for all the yard and tools supplies we never knew we needed (electric hedge trimmer?); exchanged Pfister vanity faucets from Home Depot for more contemporary styled IKEA ones; to call in our favorite contractor to expedite a few lagging projects like the interior doors


• LABOR: We painted the patio pad (tutorial to be posted soon); installed the gazebo; and put up a new Rubbermaid Big Max Ultra shed...phew!


• MAJOR PURCHASES: Pelican Energy DLX electric pedal boat; Rubbermaid Big Max Ultra Shed; IKEA Dalskar faucets;

Here's our very own marine vessel!

Master bath faucet (x2) for the double vanity:

3-2-1...IKEA!

Yipee! In 3 days, the IKEA Tampa store will have it's official grand opening. Last friday IKEA opened its doors for local media folk, then Saturday it opened for "friends & family" of IKEA staff -- yours truly was drooling at these friends/family preview passes being hawked on Craigslist ($35 ea!), although one of my lucky co-workers had a legitimate pass to go :) And finally...FINALLY on Wednesday May 6th, it will be open to the general public. As of Mon 9am, IKEA fanatics can set up their tents and camp out for the promotional goodies that will be doled out to the masses. More info is available at IKEA Tampa Fan Blog and here.

WEEK 1: READY, SET, GREENOVATE!

It has been a loooong week! We are both so proud of what we accomplished and yet there is still more we wanted to get done by the end of this first week. Week 1 accomplishments:

• DECISIONS: signed contract with roofers for Energy Star white shingle roof and an Energy Star "Solatube" (tubular skylight)


• LABOR: M. mowed our front lawn (which featured 3 ft tall blades of grass)


• MAJOR PURCHASES: kitchen cabinetry (IKEA STAT), reel lawn mower, security mailbox, house numbers (retro brushed nickel), front door lockset (brushed nickel)