We’re piddling here at The Goode House. Yes, it’s back to school, end of summer, schedule changes and a shift toward the fall. It’s been HOT and we’re tired. I think by the end of August everyone is worn out, no matter where you live. Which makes this the perfect time to do little things. Fun things.
Back in January Richie and I went to see Neutral Milk Hotel in concert. He came home with a t-shirt but I wanted the poster. I knew it would look so good all framed up but I also knew that there were more pressing things to get to and finish. Frames were at the bottom of the list.
Richie finally flexed his frame making muscles for me and I couldn’t be happier with the results. He wanted to paint it black but when I saw the frames after he glued them up I knew… natural wood was the way to go. I think it looks amazing! So he sprayed some lacquer on them, had a piece of glass cut and then pulled out his mat cutter to complete the job. He also made another frame that went around an estate sale find which I’ll share later. But for now I’m in LOVE with my poster. I hung it in my workout room.
It’s so wonderful to have a guy who can do just about anything. It’s not so wonderful to try taking pictures of things that reflect light and other objects. Glass and windows don’t mix.
When I hung the picture I just loved the look of the natural wood. It sparked something in me and I knew I wanted to add a few more wood accents to the room to tie it together. I ended up taking the silver handles off my storage sliders and replaced them with wood. I purchased a square dowel and cut it into three pieces. Two for the front slider and one for the back. They all got two coats of a poly-crylic finish. Water base tends to leave it more natural looking without the golden hue. I used small screws through the peg holes and into the wood handles. So Simple.
That glass ball is the top of a blenko vase. The vase was broken but we snagged the top of it. I think it’s pretty.
Put it all together and all the woods just play off each other in such a lovely way. My eyes like it!!!
I also needed a clock and had my eye out for a very simple, VERY minimal wood clock for this space. It would be another perfect wood accent. I did find a few that I liked but didn’t see the point in spending that much money on one. I decided to make my own. I’ve always heard that making a clock is one of the easiest things you can do. MAN, was it ever!
I bought a piece of wood at the craft store that was already cut into a circle and ready to go. I drilled a hole in the middle, applied a few coats of poly-crylic and inserted a 3/4″ clock kit through the hole and it was done. I just love a project that takes all of 10 minutes. It was so much fun and the instant gratification made me want to make another one. It’s in the works!! If only I had more “time”.
(maybe I could turn the hands back a little and pretend I do)
I installed some shelves in my workout room so I could have a TV and blu-ray. It’s a fun little display/storage area. That huge wall really needed something and I love being able to work out and watch TV, play a DVD or just hook up to Netflix. It makes those clock hands just fly.
So thanks to Richie that simple little wood frame sparked a few fun projects and I love how the tiny little details of a room can make you feel like it’s “finished”. Of course we all know that we’re never really finished with anything. The best part is just having fun and enjoying the space.
ohhh netflix while you work out? i’d binge watch and get so fit!!!!
i love it. that poster is amazoid and the light frame is a perfect accent for it.
i can’t believe you made that clock. if you hadn’t said it was easy i would have guessed otherwise.
plus i love that you saved the glass stopper. it’s perfect and adds just the right amount of neutral, subtle color.
sheesh. just as soon as i think the room can’t get any cooler, you do something spifferiffic!!!!
If only netflix were the solution to me getting fit! I’m starting to think it’s a lost cause because I can’t quit eating sweets. I’m an addict.
I’ll keep trying, though. As you get older it gets more and more difficult to keep it off (and to resist those “crack” donuts my husband brings home.
I’m glad you dig the glass too. We save parts of “things” all the time. They’re still pretty even when they’re “broken”.
Spifferiffic is one I’m adding to my repertoire. Love that word. It’s kind of like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”. So fun to say! Love ya.
Yay… I’m so glad you didn’t paint the frame black!! It’s stunning the way it is. All the natural elements give the space such a zen/spa feel. Love it!
Thanks Danielle! Richie actually didn’t think it looked good enough to leave natural. He thought painting it would cover up his “flawed” work. WHAT? What flaws? I had to seriously get on to him about that. I thought it was so pretty. He’s cool with it now. People don’t look at things the way you do when you actually make them. Silly man.
So let me get this straight: you made a clock. You made a clock. A clock! Looks great.
Very cool – I am loving all the wood accents. I also like that funky patterned planter near your new poster. And I see you there, my flower crush, Crespedia! :)
Yes, Yes, I made a clock. Well… actually I hardly did anything but I’m saying I did. HA HA HA! The clock kit really did all the work. It was fun though… to have nothing but parts and then in ten minutes have something that works.
I love that you notice all my little favs in the room. That planter has a “koozie” on it. I hated the ugly plastic pot that plant was in so I made a cover for the pot with some left over fabric. I’m diggin’ it and actually have plans to do another one. Thanks for noticing!
And the Crespedia!!!! I love those little billy buttons!! I’ve still got these in water but I’ve had them for a couple weeks. I’ve never dried any but I’m going to try these and see if I can’t keep them. I never see them locally so when I did recently I had to have them. Thanks, Jocelyn.
I dried a bunch of Crespedia from our wedding (they were a critical part of our centerpieces) and they don’t look any different, maybe the stems are a little darker, and little yellow has gradually sluffed off the buttons, but they still look GREAT :)
**And by dried I mean I left them in the vase and didn’t do a diggity dam thing.
Yes, I never see them around here either! I think I am going to open a flower shop and offer only my three faves: Irish bells, Crespedia and Monstera leaves. (and maybe occasionally a single Bird of Paradise, a and a Coxcomb) Can’t ever find any of these unless I go into NYC. (EXCEPT Irish bells are used in a lot of funeral arrangements, so I rock out with those sometimes.) Okay, I admit it, I’m all hopped up on coffee, about to go on a date and the baby is fast fast asleep – what’s the best thing to do in these 7 minutes? – comment excessively on Goode House of course! :)
Oh good.. then I’m drying them the proper way. I just dumped the water, cleaned the stems and they’re just hanging out in a little glass vessel drying. Such technique. Trust me when I say that ANY TIME I see them they will be coming home with me. I’ll have a house full of crespedia! Those little yellow balls make me happy. And so do your comments.
DATE NIGHT! I hope you GOT TOTALLY WILD! It made me happy to think of you hopped up on caffeine excited for a evening out with your guy.. while they other one sleeps peacefully. What fun!
YES!! Comment excessively. I’ll reply excessively.
Framing is so expensive. It is awesome that you have someone that can do it for you. I love the wood details as well. What a beautiful room to workout in!
OMG, you’re so right… framing costs a fortune. Richie and I never want anything ornate to begin with, so sometimes finding simple frames is difficult. He enjoys making them and I think he does a great job. I’m definitely spoiled. Thank you Jessica. It’s a really pleasant room to be in. I love all the natural light. I dread working out sometimes but it’s getting easier and easier as the space becomes my own.
Hi Stacey,
Although I’m still a few weeks away from decorating—(I’ve had to be painfully patient!) I am always thinking about what will go up and where. I have a great spot for a wall clock and thought I found a cool one to order, made by Loll, but it’s so dang expensive that I would have to LOVE it to justify the price. Your DIY clock is so simple/cool and has inspired me to make one myself! I’ll let you know how it goes…
As always, your posts are super fun, informative, and inspiring!
Hey Allison! So nice to hear from you. I know you are so ready to put on your decorating hat and make your gorgeous house even more fabulous. That truly is the reward for going through all the mess and hassle of “construction”. I’m excited to see what you do.
As for the clock… NO KIDDING! They want so much money for such simple designs. Anywhere from $50 to $150. I realize that’s not really that much in the grand scheme of things but I did this for $12.00. That’s so much better! You and I can both think of other things to spend the rest of that money on. HA HA! :-)
Thanks for looking!
How beautiful!!! I absolutely love how your projects turned out, Stacey!
Thank you, Tove! Receiving a comment like that from YOU means the world. I just need a few more rusty pieces in the room and I’ll be good! :-)
Framing is crazy expensive. I always gasp when I take something in. Then I wait 3 years, until I forget, take something in again. Cry all over. I like the arrow by the picture a lot too. You really have the eye. I mean it. I wouldn’t say eclectic or some dumb word like that. Just an amazing eye that finds things that look good together, us regular humans would never think of. On losing weight. ARGH. Drives me crazy and it gets worse every year. I put the same 7 pounds on and take them off annually. Working on my 7 right now. After eating only air for 3 weeks, I lost **gasp** two pounds. .My son got his wisdom teeth out and the next day after binging for 24 hours on icecream, he lost 7 pounds. Sure he is 15 and I won’t say how old I am, but, REALLY?
Thanks, Rebecca! That is the nicest compliment ever. I’m not so sure it’s me with the good eye. It might be my husband. Or maybe we’re a team. He finds all kinds of stuff at estate sales and they sit in a pile or box forever or until I drag something out and decide I love it and it has to go somewhere. Sometimes it sits in a box for years and then one day.. BAM! That arrow was one of those things. I doubt I’d have anything framed if it wasn’t for his skills. Or I’d have to learn myself because I’d be in the poor house.
The weight issue is starting to make me crazy. As I get older (I’m 45) it gets harder and when I eat air (ha ha!) I usually GAIN weight. I’ve decided that chocolate ice cream makes me happier. But I still need air so I just take a few extra breaths while I shove the ice cream down my throat. Men have it so much easier with all their fancy little muscles burning up fat. JERKS! (kidding). Richie can give up sodas for a month and lose weight. It totally pisses me off. But women are so much more awesome in general so we really shouldn’t complain. HA HA! Thanks for the comment! Always fun.
I love the wood accents! The wood frame looks perfect on your poster, and the wood handles and the clock are genius. It really does add an extra dimension that I like a lot.
Thanks Dana! It’s funny how I’ve taken down all the wood paneling in the house but now want to find ways to add wood back in. HA HA! I guess it’s slightly different but still a little looney!! :-)
Awesome Stacey. Such a clever couple. Your goode house is looking so good.
I always see these clocks with no numbers showing around the circle, their freaking cool!.