10,000+ Page Views

So today I hit 10,000 page views.  YEAH!!!  I started this blog for my family to keep up with us, since they live far away.  I know they aren't the only ones to visit my blog.  A BIG thank you to all of those who have visited Zoo View Home. 
 Here are some statistics from the first 10,000 views:

I would like to thank I Heart Organizing who posted our master closet makeover last summer.  About a third of my page views are because of her.

I'm looking forward to the next 10,000 page views!

April Landscaping: Hiding an Air Conditioner

April is our Landscaping Month, so we worked on, of course, landscaping.  This week, we tackled hiding our air conditioner.  It's ugly and, in our case, it's exposed for the world to see. 

Before:

Not very attractive, huh?  It's in desperate need to be beautified.  I had a plan to move some of the grasses from the front yard, but after some research, grasses are not the best option.  The long, little blades of grass can get caught in unit, and reduce it's capabilities.  I went back to the drawing board, and headed out to my local Home Depot to get some plants.

After:

The Goods:

We planted 2 Hawaiian Ti-Red Sisters, 2 Japanese Boxwoods, and 1 African Iris.  We had top soil, and mulch on hand, so we only had to pick up the plants and perimeter barrier.  We used our Sunday paper in place landscape fabric as a more green alternative.

Cost:

Perimeter Barrier:      $14.50
Hawaiian Ti:              $20.00 for both
Japanese Boxwood:  $10.00 for both
African Iris:               $  5.00
Top Soil:                   On Hand
Sunday Newspaper:  On Hand
Mulch:                      On Hand

Total:                        $49.50 plus tax

So for less than $50, we were able to make the air conditioner a little more attractive, and with a little time, hide it.

Next week we will be moving the grasses from the front yard to North side yard, and adding a new plant to the front yard. 

New Porch Color

April is suppose to be the month that we work on landscaping.  I decided to get started with some curb appeal this weekend, in anticipation of April's work.

Old Porch:

 

I hated the blue-gray paint color on the porch, since the day we first walked through the house.  I didn't seem to match with the rest of the house.  I wanted to paint it the first couple of weeks we lived there, but hesitated until we worked on the landscaping last spring.  The rainy season came, and I got busy with other projects.  But I'm happy to say, that it looks a lot better now. 

New Porch:

 

Now we have a more appropriate brown color for the porch.  It's not perfect.  When you see it near the siding color, it doesn't quite match like I had in mind.  I may eventually change it again, to match the siding better.

  

Before and After:

  

Looks better, huh?

Landscaping with take over our lives for the next month.  I can't wait to show you the new changes.

AFI Top 100 Update: We watched #96, Do The Right Thing.  11 down, 89 to go. 

Bathroom Renovation: Part 4

 This week, I worked on a couple projects, including working on the trim in the bathroom again.

The Demolition:

A couple of weeks ago, I went over the demo.  You can read about that here.

The Rebuild: 

Everything had been installed in the previous weeks. You can read out it, here, here and here.

The Details:

This weekend, I worked with caulking the trim.  I have had a poor relationship with caulk.  We have not gotten along well, but it is a necessary evil if you own a home.  This weekend was different.  I watched this video Saturday morning, and used some of his tips.  I was able to get the whole bathroom done with little problem, and little anger.  So, caulk and I have become friends, for the time being.  Here's the proof:

So all we have left to do is accessorizing; towels, art, soap pump, accessories, etc.  This will take some time, and I will keep you updated when things change.  But for now, I'm calling this renovation, COMPLETE!

Bathroom Renovation: Part 3

So the elusive trim is finally on the wall.  I'm still not done with the bathroom yet though.

The Demolition:

A couple of weeks ago, I went over the demo.  You can read about that here.

The Rebuild:

The trim went up this weekend.  It was a nightmare to install it by hand.  I let the expletives fly (bonus points for naming that TV show), when I attached the trim.   I have learned a new lesson: NEVER install trim without a nail gun.  But it's up now.

I still have to caulk, and touch up the paint on the trim. 

The Details:

I'm on the hunt for artwork, accessories, and towels.  We will be adding color with the details.  I'm thinking of blues, purples, and greens.

Bathroom Renovation: Part 2

This little bathroom isn't quite done yet.  I have moving very slowly working on this.  From last week we had some little things to finish up, but the elusive trim remains.

The Demolition:

 Last week, I went over the demo.  You can read about that here.

 The Rebuild:

This week I added storage, installed a light fixture, and add a tp holder. 

The storage is from Ikea; Lillangen wall cabinet, and Lillangen end unit attached, and installed one above the other.  The tp holder is from Home Depot, Pasadena Tissue Holder by Pfister.

 

 The new light fixture is from Home Depot, Skylands 3-light vanity fixture by Martha Stewart.

The Details:

I found a mirror that I adore.  It has rounded edges, and a rich espresso color. 

We have to finish the trim, and add some artwork and accessories, towels, and bath rug.

Bathroom Renovation: Part 1

My parents came to visit last weekend, and we ended up working the entire time on our small hall bathroom.  I'm so lucky that I have parents that have the professional skills to renovate our home. 

The Demolition:

I started with some of the demo before my parents arrived.  We had storage built in behind the door, that was original to the house.  I found them a little bulky, and not necessary.  Here's a picture after the doors were removed. 

 Three hours later or so, and I ended up with this.  I was pretty proud of myself.  I had been itching to demo something, and this was the good scratch.

My parents, Nick and I worked on the demo of the floor, and the removal of the toilet and vanity.  We were left with a nice, clean slate to work with. 

The Rebuild:

The rebuild required leveling of the floor, fixing the drywall behind the old storage, and laying the tile. 

 

We chose a tile that looked like fabric, and I love it.  Next part of the rebuild was to add the toilet and sink.  I chose the pedestal sink because it was the one option that would fit properly with the door swinging open.

I painted the bathroom again, Wheat Bread by Behr.  We still need to finish the storage, install the tp holder and trim.

The Details:  

I am on the lookout for a new mirror, and artwork. 

AFI Top 100 Update: We watched #54 M*A*S*H with my parents, and #41 King Kong, on March 2nd to commemorate it's 80th anniversary.  10 down, 90 to go.

Bathroom options

I wasn't able to paint the front porch because this was the one weekend where we got below freezing temperatures.  While I prefer the cool weather, it's not good for painting outside.  Maybe in a couple weekends.
Next weekend, my parents will be in town, and we are considering a bathroom renovation.  I have shopping around for options for the bathroom.  Below are the options I have come up with.

SLIM SINK OPTION:

 Tile: Textile in Sand, Floors and Decor

Light Fixture: Hampton Bay 3 Light in Brushed Nickel, Home Depot

Toilet: Delta Prelude 2 piece Round Toilet in White, Home Depot

Wall Storage:  Lillangen Wall Cabinet in Black Brown, Ikea

Sink/Vanity: Lillangen Sink Cabinet in Black Brown with Sink, Ikea

Faucet: Kohler Forte Single Hole in Brushed Nickel, Lowe's

Pros: slim sink fits in narrow wall area, added storage, hidden plumbing

Cons: sink is very modern looking for our home, metal leg or no legs

TRADITIONAL VANITY OPTION:

Tile: Textile in Sand, Floors and Decor

Light Fixture: Hampton Bay 3 Light in Brushed Nickel, Home Depot

Toilet: Delta Prelude 2 piece Round Toilet in White, Home Depot

Wall Storage:  Lillangen Wall Cabinet in Black Brown, Ikea
Sink/Vanity: Allen + Roth Sable Moravia Vanity with Sink in Cherry, Lowe's
Faucet: Moen Ashville 4" faucet in Brushed Nickel, Home Depot

Pros: Vanity fits with style of house, added storage, hidden plumbing
Cons: Not shallow, Sticks out farthest from wall

PEDESTAL SINK OPTION:

Tile: Textile in Marron (brown), Floors and Decor

Light Fixture: Hampton Bay 3 Light in Brushed Nickel, Home Depot

Toilet: Delta Prelude 2 piece Round Toilet in White, Home Depot

Wall Storage:  Lillangen Wall Cabinet in Black Brown, Ikea
Sink/Vanity: Barclay Hampshire Pedestal Sink in White, Lowe's
Faucet: Moen Ashville 4" faucet in Brushed Nickel, Home Depot

Pros: Sink fits with style of home
Cons: No storage, doesn't hide plumbing completely, slightly shallower that traditional vanity

So what do you think?  Does anything seem great?  Anything a big stinker?

Hiding the Electrical Panel

Our electrical panel is visible as soon as you open the front door.  It's quite unattractive.  I decided I wanted to hide it instead of paint it.
 

  

I originally thought I was going to have to get a custom made frame, but while I was at Michael's Crafts getting a mat cut, and I noticed that they sell build-your-own frame kits.  I needed an 18 inch, and a 40 inch, to made the frame.  Add some cork, some cardboard, and fabric, and *poof* you've got a beautiful cork board.

So now, we have a nice hidden electrical panel.  Next week, if it's not raining, I'm planning on painting the front porch. 

AFI Top 100 Update: We watched #9 Vertigo, and #99 Toy Story this weekend.  8 down, 92 to go.

Office finally painted!

Well, I finally got Nick's office painted.  As you may remember I started painting his office in Early January, but because of my "start and never finish" disease, it was half finished.  Until this weekend. 

I love the color!  The chocolate furniture looks nice against the color.  More pictures will come later.