Barn Light Electric Fans

This week-end Nate and I were busy installing the $1000 in free lighting we won from Barn Light Electric.

The previous sentence still doesn’t seem real to me even though the lights are hanging beautifully.  Someone pinch me.

We replaced our kitchen pendants with the Bermuda pendants in satin steel.  They are so shiny and beautiful.  A perfect fit for our kitchen!

We need to purchase light bulbs in a lower wattage though.  The 60 watts are slightly blinding.

We choose the Laramie pendant in vanilla cream for the eating area.  We think the pendant goes perfectly with our newly built farmhouse table.  The eating area now how this great rustic/industrial feel to it.

We hung this pendant higher above the table beings that the light is all downward facing. If we hung it any lower, the entire table would not be lit. This pendant doesn’t light up the room as much at night compared to our previous light (because it faces down) but we like the cozy feel.

We chose the Altus Hugger Ceiling Fan for the master bedroom. We liked the simple design.  We decided to not add the optional light.  We did some thinking.  We couldn’t remember ever turning on the light in our bedroom and we preferred the look of the fan sans light.  It’s not a beautiful chandelier but it’s definitely the next best thing.  I really didn’t think pretty and ceiling fan could ever be in the same sentence but this is definitely a pretty ceiling fan.

We also received another pendant light for our guest bedroom but didn’t get around to hanging that one this past week-end.  We’ll share that with you when we do get it installed.

We are very happy with the quality of these lights.  They were easy to install.  As in, we installed these lights together and not once did we even begin to argue.  That’s impressive.  Beyond impressive.

Thanks again to Barn Light Electric for the amazing lights!  We are definitely fans of your products!

Linking up to: Thrifty Decor Chick

Dare to Give Homemade Gifts

If you are my brother, stop reading this.  Seriously.  Stop.  Come back tomorrow.  The rest of you may continue.

It’s Dare to DIY time at NewlyWoodwards!  This week’s challenge was to DIY a handmade gift.

I honestly don’t do a lot of handmade Christmas gifts.  I’m always worried about how they will be received.  Which is kind of silly beings I love them. It is what it is.

I do, however, know that my brother is making me something.  I have a feeling it’s a painting or a drawing.  I felt the need to reciprocate so I created this simple deer art…

My brother is an avid hunter.  Deer silhouettes are shockingly (to me) a design trend.  I went with it.

Here’s how you can make your very own deer art:

• Find a piece of leftover wood in the garage. 
• Make your significant other cut it down to size.
• Paint the board a background color. (White for this deer.)  Let dry.
• Google “deer silhouette”, pick your favorite, print and cut it out.
• Spray back of silhouette with craft spray adhesive.
• Apply silhouette to painted board.  Press down edges well.  (I failed at this so it’s not perfect…but made with love.)
• Use spray paint to cover board and silhouette (black for this deer).
• Let dry.
• Remove deer silhouette paper.
• Enjoy your pretty manly art for your brother/dad/boyfriend/deer loving best friend.

It even looks kind of cute in my kitchen..

Are you a handmade gift giver?  What’s the best handmade gift that you have received?  Be sure to stop by NewlyWoodwards and check out the amazing handmade goodness!

And Then There Were Six…

Who wants to see more photos of our farmhouse table?  I knew it.

Last week our table was looking a little lonely with four chairs…

When we were building the table we didn’t think there would be room for six.  It was close to the same size as our previous table that only seated four.  We didn’t factor in that there is extra leg room under this table that allows for 6 six chairs.

We headed to Des Moines last week to spend Thanksgiving at Nate’s sister’s house.  Des Moines happens to have a World Market (the source of the original four Jackson Tub Chair chairs).  Convenient.  I think so.

Nate was actually totally on board with buying two more chairs.  I’m worried about him.  The only stipulation was that I had to share a suitcase with him.  See, I am the world’s worst packer. Instead of planning ahead, I just throw half of my closet into a suitcase and call it good.  I did it though.  I only took half.  And unpacking was a bazillion times easier.  I might be on to something. 

Anywho….here’s the table looking all cozy with it’s six chairs…

Stay tuned next week for a tour of our house all decked out for the holidays!  Don’t worry, I haven’t started shopping yet.  I’d be really worried about me too if I had.

Have you started your holiday decorating?  How about the gift shopping?  Cookie baking? Gosh, I love the holidays…

Best In Show

A wire fox terrier walked off with the Best in Show title at last week’s National Dog Show…



Ike was a little upset when he found out it was a lovely wirey lady (Eire) and not himself…

via People

Look how much their coats look alike.

Ike is actually taking part in No Shave November.  Always one to help out a good cause!

Maybe we’ll enter Ike next year's show. He’s show quality in our book!

How’d your favorite breed do?  Any other No Shave November participants out there?

Nate’s Wish List

Please tell me that I’m not the only one that struggles with buying gifts for dudes.  It doesn’t help that my dude is super picky.  I mean, he did pick me.  Only the finest.

Nate did do a decent job on his wish list this year.  Thank goodness he took a liking to photography.

Maybe his list will give you ideas for the wonderful men in your life!

1. Lacoste Green Cologne for Men 2. Roku Box  3. Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight Flash  4.  Samsung Vehicle Navigation Car Mount  5. Tiffen 62mm Neutral Density 0.9 Filter  6. Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens  7.  Grey Card Set  8.  Sennheiser CX 215 3.5mm Connector Ear-Canal Headphone

Don’t ask me what half of it is.  Because I don’t know.

I haven’t purchased his gift yet but I think I have it narrowed down.

What are you getting the special dudes in your life?  Do share the gift idea wealth!

Michelle’s Wish List

Do you have a hard time coming up with a holiday wish list for your family?  Or does your family not do that sort of thing?

Our families are list people.  I think lists can sometimes remove some of the thoughtfulness of gift giving but they do serve a purpose.  I would prefer to spend money on a item that I know a family member is going to like.  Such a conundrum.

Pinterest has made my wish list keeping a lot easier.  I see something I like, I pin it.  No more scrambling at the last minute to make a list.  Yay for something else promoting laziness on my part!

One of my favorite things about blogging is discovering new ideas/items/products that I didn’t know existed.  To pass on that helpfulness, here’s a CliffsNotes version of my 2011 Wish List.  Maybe you will come up with a gift idea or two…or just add to your own list!

1. JCrew Lodge moccasins  2. Fossil Vintage Re-issue Weekender  3. Target Home Down Comforter  4. Q and A a Day: 5 Year Journal  5. Fiesta 4 piece Dinnerware Set (Black and Ivory)  6. West Elm Owl Measuring Cups  7. Ingrid Address Stamp by Lettergirl  8. Vintage Pyrex (photo source) 9. TOMS classic (Ash) 10. Anthropologie Petite Filigree Drops  11. Old Navy Military-Style Cardigan

(If you’re really bored, you can check out my full list here!)

Tomorrow I’ll share with you Nate’s list in case you are having trouble coming up with ideas for the dudes in your life!

Are you a wish list maker?  Or do you make the family guess? Any unique gift giving traditions? What’s the top item on your want list?  What gift idea are you most excited about giving (if you can share)?  How many more questions can I come up with?

Cracked Sugar Cookies

Anyone else super behind on life and blogging right now?  Okay, good.

Anyone want to eat cookies because they are behind on life..and blogging?  Okay, good.

Anyone just want to curl up and and nap with Ike (who is also recovering from the long week-end)?…

It’s Dare to DIY time over at NewlyWoodwards.  This week’s challenge is “Dare to Eat Cookies”.  Can do!  “Dare to Eat Cookies and then Nap”…totally in.

Cracked sugar cookies are a family favorite.  They have a nice buttery sugary taste that everyone loves. I like how festive they look with their red and green sprinkles.  I’m a sucker for sprinkles…and sugar…and butter.  It’s about time to intensify my workout routine.  Darn you sprinkles.

Cracked Sugar Cookies

• 2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. shortening
• 1/2 c. butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1 tsp. cream of tartar

Cream sugar, shortening, and butter. Beat in 3 egg yolks and vanilla.  Blend in flour, soda, and cream of tartar. Roll into balls, roll in sugar. Sprinkle the top of the cookies with colored sugar. Bake at 300 ~20 minutes. Eat up!

Be sure to check out all of the other lovely recipes over at NewlyWoodwards!

How was your holiday week-end?

Happy Thanksgiving

Ike wishes everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy those food comas!

Styling a Bed

On Friday , I mentioned that we now have a tutorial on the DIY Network website.

Overall, working with the DIY Network was very easy. We typed up our tutorial, attached some pictures, and sent an e-mail.  Easy button.

We had a slight problem though.  We received an e-mail back stating that the headboard was not styled well enough.  I had a sneaking suspicion this would be the case when I hit “send”. 

Nate took the photos in a hurry before we rushed off to make the 3 hour journey back home. I didn’t look at them while we were there.  I was a little sad when I opened them..

Wrinkly duvet.  Not enough color.  Oops.

The week-end plans didn’t allow for another trip back home any time soon so I sweet talked my mom into “styling” her bed.  She was pretty nervous.  It was kind of like “What Not to Wear” but for her bed.  I gave her guidance and she was sent out on her own to make it happen.

My guidance was pretty simple.  She needed two white shams (preferably with a little texture) and couple smaller pillows (preferably white or coral).  The execution was harder due to the fact that they live in the middle of nowhere.  She was able to find two pretty white shams (with texture) from Target.  She sewed covers for the smaller pillows out of white and coral fabric.

Next came the actual styling.  This is where her love for me was tested…

Look at that pillow spacing.  Isn’t she cute?

We discussed moving the pillows closer, folding the sheet/duvet back a bit, holding the camera straight, more natural light/less flash, books on the nightstand, etc.  I think she took about 60 photos…and pondered if giving birth to me was a good idea.

60 photos later, we arrived at this…

Who else out there has tested their mother’s unconditional love?  Any bed styling dilemmas? Do you make your bed on a regular basis or only when you have guests?  Or never?

Farmhouse Table Q&A

It’s farmhouse table Q&A time!

Did you use a tutorial/plan?

  Yes, the

Big Ur plan from Ana White

. 

Did you make any modifications to the plan?

  Yes, we added the “breadboard” on the end (the addition of the horizontal boards in place of all vertical boards.) (In Ana’s directions, there is a 2x3.  Nate cut the ends to the same length as that 2x3.)

How long did the table take to build/finish?

  4-5 hours for building.  1 hour of sanding.  30-45 minutes for staining. 1 hour total for 3 coats of poly. 

What would you do differently during the building process?

  Nate tells me he would have focused more on making the boards even.  After the assembly, the boards were slightly uneven.  Nothing some sanding couldn’t fix.  Nate and his dad used a belt sander, hand sander, and a planar to make the table level.

What kind of wood did you use?

  Whitewood. Stud grade.  We wanted a rustic look so imperfections in the wood were actually a good thing.

What stain did you use?

Minwax Red Mahogany

What poly did you use? 

Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane Clear Satin

What did you learn from your first major staining project?

  It’s important to wipe off any excess stain.  Amateurs.  We wanted a dark color so we left more stain on than we should have.  The result was a tacky table.  After some Googling, we applied a second coat and wiped off the excess.  This worked.  No more tackiness.

How much did it cost to build the table?

  The lumber was $45. The stain and poly were about $20-25 total

.

Where are the chairs from?

  The chairs are the

Jackson Tub Chair from World Market

.

Do the chairs feel short?

  Nope. They just look short because they don’t have tall backs.  Eye trickery.  The shortness bothered me at first but they are super comfortable and I love the metal with the table.  This is my “Bring me food!” pose…

 Will Nate build me a table?

  Nate doesn’t think he has enough time in the day for custom table orders….mainly because I fill his time with crazy projects.  Oops!

Any other questions?  Who’s glad it’s a short work week this week?