Weekend DIY

Who’s ready for a 3 day weekend?

Ike and I have a five day weekend.  We’re lucky kids.  We squandered most of yesterday with a side of cleaning.  Today we are going to be super productive.  Well, I am. I don’t know about Ike.  He looks pretty sleepy.  (As you can tell, he worked his way back into the bedroom.)

Speaking of luck, yesterday Apartment Therapy featured my little brother’s kitchen in a post of Weekend DIYs: 10 Wood Molding Projects for the Home.

Last Memorial Day Nate and I helped him add molding and paint his kitchen cabinets.  It was quite the upgrade.

This Memorial Day week-end will be a little more relaxed.  We do plan on busting out the saw and Kreg jig.  We’re going to mix the building with some hiking, thrifting, movie watching and a birthday party for a cool blogger's kid.  Should be fun!

What are your week-end plans?  Do tell.

Shopping at The Tile Shop

On Saturday, Nate and I headed to Des Moines to pick out some tile at The Tile Shop.



This is our second shopping experience at The Tile Shop.  Our first round of shopping was to pick out tile for our kitchen backsplash.  For the backsplash, we chose the Imperial Bone Gloss 3x6 subway tile. We had a tough time finding tile that would match our not quite white but not quite ivory cabinets.  The Tile Shop came to our rescue.

This trip was to pick out tile for our master bathroom.  We were super happy with the customer service/quality of tile/selection from our first round of tile shopping that we decided to make the 2 1/2 drive for our next project!

We had a good idea of the type of tile we wanted when we headed into the store but it never hurts to look.  I started by drooling over the display bathrooms in the store.



I loved both of these displays but Nate tried to get me to focus on our bathroom.  Always the voice of reason that husband of mine.
 
I then became obsessed with hex tile.  It’s just so quirky and pretty.  Nate had his work cut out for him.



We decided that blogland was clouding my judgment.  That hex tile is b-e-a-utiful but doesn’t fit well with our home’s style.  It’s really easy to get sucked into the trends of blogland and not remember what you actually like versus what is popular amongst home decor bloggers.

We ultimately decided on a super brave and daring option.  The Imperial Blanco Gloss 2x12 subway tile.



Subway tile is such a classic choice. We liked the 2x12 size.  The size was part of our daring side coming out. It’s totally not that traditional 3x6 stuff. Subway tile fits well with the modern/country/industrial hot mess vibe that we have going on in our home.  We chose the dark grout (charcoal) shown at the bottom.  We do have plans to do a little twist with this tile.  I just don’t want to fully commit on decision on the blog because we aren’t sure if it will work.  I told you we were brave and adventurous. 

The manager of the store was super helpful.  He was able to answer questions about what tools and supplies we would need to complete the project.  He pointed out tiles that may work well in our space. The only problem I had with The Tile Shop was that there were too many awesome types of tile to choose from.  I’m glad we went into the store with a good idea of what we wanted because I might still be there.  I wonder if those showers are functioning…

We can’t wait to get started. I need to get to picking out some new mirrors (And possibly lights, if I can convince Nate that they are a need and not a want.) during the long week-end. Sounds like a good way to spend the holiday week-end!

Are you a fan of The Tile Shop?  Are you a subway tile fan or do you prefer that hipster hex stuff?

This is not a sponsored post. The Tile Shop is providing me with free tiles and supplies. They aren’t requiring me to post about their awesomeness.  I’m just a really big fan!

Week-end Road Trip and Stuff

Happy Monday, Decor and the Dog readers!  I hope your week-end was a good one.

We were busy.  Shopping.  Birthday celebrating.  Sleeping.  Yard working.  Intense, I tell you.

On Saturday, Nate and I headed to Des Moines.  It’s about 2 1/2 hours from our house.  I really like Des Moines.  They have civilized stores like World Market, Trader Joes and The Tile Shop.

Our first stop in civilization was at The Tile Shop.  It’s a REALLY good thing I didn’t know about The Tile Shop when we were building.  Our lot would be a hole in the ground because I would still be trying to decide on tile.  So many beautiful tile options. We did pick out some tile for our master bathroom.  I’ll share more later this week. I’m pretty darn excited about it. Until then, drool over this beautiful display from the store.  Me likey.  It’s not exactly our style but I still likey.  A lotey.

We made a quick stop at World Market. I was looking for a drink dispenser.  They were out-of-stock.  Lame.  I need to order it on-line.  We then headed to Smashburger for lunch.  Nate and I love a tasty burger.  During the week, we have been doing very well at eating things made only from scratch/not processed.  We’re not quite there on the week-end.  Mmm, burger grease.

Our next stop was our darling niece’s 4th birthday party. 

We played outside, opened gifts and ate cake.  We also dissected Ariel’s brain.  (If you’re in the Des Moines area and looking for someone to bake you a tasty cake, I recommend my sister-in-law!)

While we were there, Nate built me a castle.

Wait, that’s a lie.  We did, however, both shower on Saturday so that was totally worthy of a photograph.  And Nate wasn’t wearing a nerdy t-shirt.  Double win.

Yesterday, Ike woke us up demanding belly rubs.  It’s a good thing he’s ridiculously cute. 

We spent most of yesterday dodging thunderstorms and trying to get fresh mulch put around the house.

Yard work is no joke.  Plus we had a heat index of 86. I like how I was wearing a winter coat last week-end to finish up our vertical garden.  Yesterday I was covered in sweat. Good work, Iowa.  Keep up the warmth!

I’ll share more about our yard progress later this week.  If I get my act together.  Yard work also bores me so I might skip it.  You just never know around here.

What was the best part of your week-end?