Momplex
Deck Stair Building How-To
Yeah, we really need to build some stairs, don't we?
Every time I've ever tackled stairs in the past, it's been quite a bit of figuring.
Well, go figure (pun not intended), someone comes up with a stair building app. I've lost my purpose in life.
Just fill in the blanks, like how tall the overall rise is, what your tread thickness is, how deep your treads will be ..
And out comes your stringer pa
Subway Tile Bathroom Walls
When we realized there was a good chance this little guy,
Might get potty trained in this bathroom,
We decided we simply must subway tile the walls.
Because there is no other reason to add subway tile to walls, is there, than pure practicality, right??? That's what I reasoned to the Ram. This is not a cosmetic t
Stainless Steel Cable and Wood Railing
Do you remember back when we built this railing for Momplex Unit B?
We absolutely LOVE how it turned out. And we love that not only does it protect the stair opening, but it's so substantial, it's almost like a long console table that you can lean on.
So when it came time for me to design a railing for Momplex Unit B, I wanted to keep the same substantialness, but add a modern twist to match the rest of Mompl
Easiest Pantry or Closet Shelving
Inside this closet, it's just 4 feet wide and 2 feet deep. Nothing fancy.
I decided the most practical use of materials and space would be to add shelving 16" deep. I don't like too deep shelving, but you really need the 16" to store large boxes (up here in Alaska, bulk shopping is a must, so lots of big boxes will get stored inside this pantry).
This would leave a little bit of space to the front for a vac
Mosaic Glass Tile Backsplash
I'm so delighted today to share with you one of my favorite sawdust-free projects with you that we've done on the Momplex. Of course, I'm partial to all things made of wood - but really, the same basic skills that help you make wood projects nice, translate to other mediums - like tile!
We've been working hard a
How To Install Rubber Cove Base Moulding
Staining and Finishing Concrete Floors
For this floor, we used RustOleum's EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating. It's a paint, and you throw the speckles down to add variation. We are extremely pleased with the durability of the floor - not a scratch in it after about six months of use!
We like floor paint/coatings for basements for a number of reasons:
- It seals your c
Easiest Drawers
I'm so excited to share with you a little sneak peek of the kitchen we are working on!
Everything BUT the kitchen sink (and appliances) is DIY!!!
We've made some major progress lately, and I'l be sharing how we did those projects with you shortly.
Today, I want to share with you (just in case you missed it the first time around) my favorite way to do drawers for kitchens.
Favorite because
Poor Man's Marble
I'm admitting, straight up, that I like laminate countertops. As an owner of a granite countertop, and a busy mom, here's why:
- Laminate is softer and more forgiving. The granite (and I imagine marble or tile or other hard surfaces) is so unfo
Framing up a Mudroom Bench in a Nook
Grandma-who-likes-to-sew took a little trip a bit back, so we hijacked her side of the Momplex and got to work on a project we didn't quite get finished up before moving day.
Downstairs, where the stairs land, between the garage and the bonus room (which will hopefully someday become Grandma's craft and sewing room), is a little area that will make a perfect mudroom.
In Alaska, where coats and boots are used like shirts and shoes, a mudroom
Putting on a Skirt and Heels ... er, Risers and Treads
But before we start putting our Sunday's best on these stairs, let's take a second to remember where these stair boards have been.
We originally spent $400 on 2x12 boards,
Yep, at one point, they were new, not gray and old looking at all.
Until we poured concrete in them. That's where the gray staining comes from.
Building a Closet Under the Stairs
Momplex Unit A. Man do things ever slow down when you have a baby in the house, don't they?
We finished up Momplex Unit B and got Grandma who likes to sew moved in last winter.
Unit B has a garage almost twice the size of Unit A, and there's storage under the landing (Unit A has the utility room in the garage and a pressure tank under
Modern Casing and Headers
Last week, we got all the doors stained and top coated for the Momplex unit we are currently working on.
And then we hung all the interior doors.
Doesn't look like we got a lot done this week, but we did! Did you notice the new trim?
On this side of the Momplex, we are going for a modern rustic look. Wood doors with wood trim on a wood floor would have been way too much wood, wouldn't it have?
So we opted for
Staining Interior Doors
NOTE: For our Facebook Fans, we are working hard to get our Facebook page back. It was hacked and stolen last week. I will update you when I have confirmed information on it's status. Thank you for your patience.
We've been trying to work hard up at the Momplex, finishing up the other side. It's been a struggle with a new baby. Baby usually wins, resulting in not much getting done on the second Momplex unit.There is a lot of baby talk getting
Subway Tile Backsplash Install
Wood is my medium of choice. I love how easy to cut wood is, how naturally beautiful it is. I love how it smells when you work with it, I love how functional it becomes when you use it. I love that wood is renewable, and while it renews, it renews our air. I love working with wood.
But while taking on a Momplex, we've had to work with alot of other mediums. Styrofoam blocks, poured concrete, and drywall. &
Operation Microhood
Microhoods to me are like toilets or power lines or my big toes.... function over form here, especially when space is at a premium.
The good news about every microhood I've been a part of installing is they come with pretty darn good instructions and hanging hardware.
The tem
Installing Laminate Countertops
We got kitchen cabinets built,
then we DIYed a laminate countertop,
Now it's time to install them!!!
Most countertops are just glued down, but remember us? And our overbuilding, do-it-right-the-first-time issues?
Yeah, glue just not going to be enough for us. I know it would work just fine .... but why not add some screws too? Help us.
DIY-ing a Laminate Countertop
When it came time to install a countertop for the Momplex Vanilla kitchen, we did go have a solid surface countertop priced out.
The cost of the solid surface countertop was MORE than the entire kitchen!!! And it would take 8 weeks and we'd have to pay for a full travel day each time someone drove to the site to measure, fit and install the countertop (yes, we are to blame there for living in the sticks in Alaska).
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