Rasterbating in the game room

Now that got your attention, didn't it?!

Sorry, it isn't as lurid as it sounds. It's actually a computer program that enables the user to print larger tiled versions of a photo or image. It's been around for a while and I've always loved the look. I finally have a wall and space big enough for a multi frame display. Here's what I did:

First, I chose a photo that was meaningful for us.  I thought it best to use one with lines and an interesting perspective. This photo was taken from the MOMA a few years ago on our family visit to NYC.

I downloaded The Rasterbator (it's free but be forewarned, it adds Bing to your tool bar which pissed me off). I chose the sizes I wanted: paper and pixel size and overall rows; downloaded the photo and it created a pdf of the photo in 12 sheets of paper.  I would have gone larger but 1) I'm cheap and didn't want to purchase more frames, 2) didn't want to use more ink and paper, and 3) wasn't sure I'd be happy with the end product.  I like the way it turned out so I'd definitely go bigger next time.

I bought 12 inexpensive 8x10 black picture frame (similar to these) from my local superstore. Laying out my images first, I cut them to size and inserted them into the frames.

I eyeballed the placement of the frames as I hung them on the wall. That was mistake #1 but I'm too lazy to actually measure and install.  So, although 12 hanging frames are up, there are about 27 holes behind them.  AND they were still hung at a slant.  C spent an hour fixing them, while cursing under his breath, on Sunday. Anyway, I love how they turned out.  When you walk into our game room, you see the overall layout from afar. What you can't see is that the images are dots, that's why it looks less vibrant than the photo. It has a much more graphic impact in person.
 
The fun thing is that we can change the image(s) anytime we want.  There are so many ways to make this look your own.  You could use thicker frames, white frames, hang the images closer together or farther apart.  I'd love to see what you do with this.

The game room is still a work in progress and on our list of renovation projects. There are skylights and windows throughout but very little ventilation.  This spring, we are going to replace the single paned windows with double panes that open.

We added a newly purchased military red cross flag next to the images. You can see it in yesterday's post.

 

Sophie had a fun interaction with the cow poster. Somehow she noticed it for the first time yesterday. You can see her funny interaction here:

Replaced interior doors - This old (new) house Project #1 completed

I promised to share completed photos of our interior doors. The original doors were (and many still are) louvered. Love the look. Hate the lack of privacy and dusting. We replaced the bedrooms and 2 bathroom doors. The work in progress shots are in this post.

Above are the pocket doors on the boy's (main) bathroom.  We originally wanted interior barn type doors  but the hardware cost was extreme.  The original doors, albeit louvered and always off their tracks, were pocket.  I love how these turned out.  They allow natural filtered light to enter the hall but still provide ample privacy.

This is the larger part of the hall.  The bedroom door was replaced as well. Directly across from the pocket doors are closet doors (louvered).  Note: carpet will eventually go.

This is our master bathroom door. The bathroom has a skylight so the light filters into the bedroom entry nicely.  We chose very nice solid doors (pricey but necessary), so I can't even hear the shower running when C is in there in the morning.

A last minute addition in our renovation was that we dry walled the bar that separates the family room from the kitchen. This area had original cedar shingles which can be seen throughout the house.  Our goal is to try to stay as true to the original house as possible. However, there are some areas that can be updated without detracting from the overall original appeal. In fact, I believe that updating a few areas will do the home some good.  This was one of those areas.

You can see in the picture (taken when we were first looking at the house w/ C, my bff, and Realtor) the shingled bar in the background. Several shingles had fallen off and frankly they made the room feel dated and dark. After much debate, and I'm sure to the chagrin of the previous owners, we removed them.

Immediately, the room felt lighter and brighter.  You'll note in all these photos how much wood and stone we have throughout the house. I think the contrast was much needed.

This is a photo before the final coat of paint went up. Please excuse the cluttered counter. We had extra chairs (stackable outdoor surf chairs from Crate and Barrel) at our table due to the Thanksgiving crowd we were expecting.  The 1/2 wall (bar) runs along the entire expanse of family room/eating area.  On the left you'll notice our easy rider bar and to the right our kitchen. I'm not typically a white paint person, but in this house the white feels right.  The back kitchen wall will likely be painted as well. We also updated the lighting along the bar (an interesting project in itself) and over the table (Possini white flower pendant).

So Project #1 is finished.  Project #2, mentioned here, has also been completed. I'll try to take some photos of that one to show you.  Project #3 is likely to be some major window replacement.  5,945 more projects to go.  Sigh.....

Renovating interior doors - This (our) Old Modern House - Project #1

We have a very long list of repairs and renovation with our new old house.  Projects that are beyond our scope of DIY ability.  It's a bit overwhelming but we will take it one project at a time.  Priorities will help us manage the list although often priorities are shifted as new issues develop.  For instance, we had already committed to having our interior bedroom/bathroom doors replaced (Project #1 details below) when a big ol' rock fell from our chimney and through a skylight that runs the length of our firecplace.  We now have a gaping hole completely open to the elements.  Ka-ching, a custom skylight needs to be installed before it begins to snow.  Project #2 (to be posted).

So, Project #1 was to replace the aforementioned doors. Why?  The doors we inherited were louvered.  Many of these will remain in our house (all our closets).  Louvered means no privacy.  This may have worked for the previous owners who had no kids.  Not so great for us.  So, we are installing solid bedroom doors and frosted glass bathroom doors, all with locking mechanisms.  Here are some before photos.  I'll post after when this project is complete.

An example of the louvered doors (these happen to be in the studio/office).  Each slat is open so sound, air (smells), dust becomes an issue.  You get my drift.

 

 This is our replaced master bathroom door.  I already love the look. They'll all be painted black with nickel hardware.

The boy's bathroom had double sliding doors. One door was always completely off it's 1968 track.  The entire wall is being replaced and not easily, I might add.  Apparently the counters (you can see one in the background) were built into the wall.  Thus the wall could only partially come down.  This confirms that everything in the house was built on site.  Good news and bad news.  You can see one of the glass doors leaning on the wall.  The frosted glass will allow all that natural lighting to spill into the hallway. Gotta love that!

Believe me, there's more to come!

This (our) old modern house

I'm ready (or at least as ready as I'll ever be) to show you pictures of our new mid century modern home.  It is going to be a labor of love and I plan to record any renovation, projects, and general maintenance that we do on this beloved beast (named as such with much love).  I already began showing you what we've done to what we call the courtyard.

Chris and I have always wanted a house we called "architectural significant."  That's a pretty general term that certainly could encompass traditional historic homes.  But our dream was to own a modern home with an open floor plan, clean lines, and unique features.  When we saw this house, there was no question, it was ours.  (click on images for larger view & to see notes)

 

 I know I misspelled the word "stone" but wasn't about to re-edit the photo.  Sorry.

 

Built in 1968, by architect Peter Wilday, this mid to late century home sits on 2.5 acres of land and includes a barn (eventually guest house) that matches the house.  It boasts unique features such as a massive two sided stone fireplace that separates living room from family room/kitchen and custom (a.k.a. dated and expensive windows to replace) glass walls/windows.  Part of the house has finished concrete floors while other parts of the house have original stone tile.  Although the house is sprawling, at just under 5,000 sq. ft., it has only 3 bedrooms. 

 

The bedrooms were designed to get the least amount of Reno sun (for optimal sleeping and cool temperatures).  The back of the house, as well as the bedrooms, are subterranean to provide temperature control throughout the year.  When you look out the back windows, you are standing beneath ground level (just chest height). 

With all of it's defining features, it does have one universal aspect that is shared with most older homes.  It needs work.  Lots and lots of work.  Work that will have to be done in many phases over many years. 

I'm both excited and overwhelmed.  Chris and I are disagreeing on how to proceed with the house.  He is at the stage where he is finished with DIY renovation.  Our first home was a bungalow built in the 1920's.  He did a lot of work on that house himself.  He wants to wait and hire as we can afford.  I, on the other hand, am eager to get started and do it myself.  I like the idea of learning how to do some of the major projects on my own.  Of course, I'm thinking it will save us money.  We all know that can go horribly wrong and end up costing even more.  But, I'm willing to give it a go for the benefit of having done it on my own, sooner rather than later.

We both agree that we don't know where to begin.  However, the first project has actually landed in our laps unexpectedly.  We had a large stone fall off the facade of the backside of the fireplace, crashing through a skylight.  Luckily no one was hurt, but now we have a gaping 2'  hole in a 1968 skylight on our roof.  Luckily, it doesn't rain much here.  Chris was able to easily get on top the roof (benefit to low, flat roofs) and temporarily secure the hole.  But now comes the estimates on repairs of an uber custom glass skylight.  Ka-ching!  Let the expenses begin.

Anyway, I'm going to start a new feature/category here on my blog called This Old Modern House.  I'll share with you the good, bad, beautiful, ugly, easy, and difficult projects as we go along.  Some will be successes and others epic fails.  I'd love your feedback, experienced suggestions, and general encouragement.  Please keep the "that was a stupid idea" and "I told you so's" to yourself.