Mega Mosaic Phase 1

So if you've wondered why I've been M.I.A. it's because I've not only been working on multiple remodel projects, but mom and I have also been working on the largest mosaic we've ever done!

This is the progress of our 3 huge panels we're creating for DFlaw firm in Park Place Leawood, KS.

To see the first post of the beginning of the project click HERE!

Here's the guys (Randy, Doug, Chuck- hiding, Evan, and Tim) and I checking out their new space in progress.

These are the spots our mosaics will go.  A 5'wide x 2'high landscape behind the reception desk, and three 7'high x 3'wide panels forming a triptych on this wall at the end of the main hallway in the lobby:

The Process:

The three boards started out like this:
leaning up against the wall while we stared at them for a while.

Then we laid them on the ground and started laying tile where we envisioned it and drawing lines with a sharpie to guide us.  Of course, things move around and adjust as you go- getting started is the hardest part even with a good idea in your head of what your plan is.

Our system:

I draw the lines on the tile for where to be cut, mom cuts on one of our three tile saws depending on the  material and shape of cut.  We both glue & grout.

 Here's what it looked like when we were almost done gluing tile on one of the three boards
[mind you it took about a week to get to this point]:

Check out our working conditions:

[the garage]

Having a mother and her pregnant daughter working in the garage space in 100 degree weather is not ideal.  Unfortunately, we were unable to take these big boys downstairs into our art room because they won't fit down the stairs.  So we put plastic up accross the whole garage space with a door and bought a portable air conditioner.  Wow does it make a difference!

[me dying of heat and exhaustion...maybe being melodramatic.]

Our friend John even helped out a little bit!

more to come...

Published Idea

 If you pick up next month's issue (July) of This Old House when it comes out you will see my little project on page 18!  This was from a whole room makeover I did last summer for my cousin Makenzie when she turned 10 years old.  You can see her full room transformation HERE!

They loved the idea of using a frame to display jewelry on the wall and using found and mis-matched hooks to hang each item.  The frame was from an antique store and the hooks were form Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.  I would love to collect them from Architectural Salvage and antique stores in the future, but the project timeline didn't allow me to accumulate a collection of found objects for this specific project.  Here's the tiny little blurb and photo below in the upper right corner below:

Minor detail: It was actually my cousin's room I redesigned (not my niece) but she's so much younger than me she feels like my niece! 

Another friend saw the jewelry display I did for Makenzie and wanted one too.  She bought the frame and hooks (many from Hobby Lobby) and I put it up for her.

Side note: If you use knobs (that are meant for drawer pulls with a screw end) you need to put a drywall anchor into the wall first that the knob can screw into to be secure.  Hooks usually have holes for screws or nails to go through.  If you hit a stud it's easy, if not, I used drywall anchors again just so it wouldn't ever rip out of the wall. 

Farmhouse Update

Our family farm is in need of a facelift.  It used to belong to my great grandpa ("Poppy") and great grandma.  My grandma grew up here and then moved to Raytown when she married my grandpa Bob.  They retired in Lee's Summit, where she lives now, and we've always come back to the farm to play, hang out, have bon-fires, hay-rides, celebrate birthdays, etc...  It's been since December 2010 that my great grandma, at the age of 101, passed away and no one has lived in this house.  We want to revitalize it and make it a place ready for large groups of friends and family to gather, make food, drink, and be merry!  But also a place that the younger generations continue to enjoy and cherish with many memories.

The kitchen needs new cabinetry, counters, and flooring.  We will be reconfiguring some of the plumbing/appliances and taking out that peninsula for a cute island in the center of the room.  This should help with traffic flow a lot and add charm with a place to sit and snack.

This one-piece sink is just too cool (probably worth a bit of money too).  We would keep it here, but the cabinets aren't in great shape, so we're going to move it to the barn where there's plumbing and use it for big parties down there.

 This cow head dish towel holder is too funny- we have to keep and re-hang it in the new kitchen!  Apparently, my mom gave it to great grandma at one time.  Makes for a very country kitchen look!

 Here are the current bathrooms.  they will be sooo different after we get our hands on them.

The living room is sort of an odd shape, but spacious.  We'll just be updating the paint, carpet, furniture, and some lighting fixtures to make it fresh.

The back screened-in porch needs some cleaning and new screens.  We will be replacing the outdoor carpeting and putting new cushions on the repainted chair frames.

 The deck just needs to be power-washed and sealed, but is a great place to sit and talk.

 Can't wait to show you photos of the process, and especially the after photos of our soon-to-be adorable country kitchen!

Design Complete

The kitchen design I worked on a while back has been solidified and is scheduled to start demolition in a couple of weeks!  This was the sketch of the overall layout/style:

The whole kitchen is basically being gutted and flip-flopped.  The photos of the existing kitchen below show how there is a peninsula that divides the space in half and makes for awkward traffic flow.  We will be moving the cabinetry to the far end wall where the table/chars are now and opening up the wall into the living room to create a bigger gathering area.  The table/chairs will be moved to the side the kitchen cabinets are now and the exterior wall will have big sliding doors open to the deck for easier outdoor access!  The large island makes for more convenient cooking space and entertaining.

 Here is the new look & configuration of the wall above:

 The backsplash with a niche above the stove for oils and spices being used:

Can't wait for the process to begin.  More photos of the construction process and beautiful after photos to come in due time!

Mosaic Installation

The Douthit, Frets, Rouse, Gentile & Rhodes Law Firm Mosaic is underway!

Their new space being finished at Park Place in Leawood, KS is moving quickly.  We went to field measure for the new custom tile artwork and see the space recently.

There's me in my hard hat pondering what it will look like when finished.  There will be three large panels hanging as a triptych in that recessed niche and one long horizontal landscape in the photo below on the wall behind the future reception desk!

Here is a rendering of what both pieces will sort of look like when finished:

Of course, mom couldn't help herself, she had to take the "mom" pic of Christopher and I going over measurements in our hard hats.

More photos of the mosaic process to come soon!

Clever Products!

Leaf-It Ivy:

Now when you have tons of sticky note reminders all over the place- it looks pretty rather than cluttered!

Carabiner Key by Scott Amron:

Why hasn't this been invented already?  Way easier to snap a key onto a ring than to look the ring through a ton of keys!

Lune Garden Lights by Iris Kadouri:

an extendable, maneuverable, outdoor lighting system

This one just cracks me up!

Bird Poop Chandelier by Wyatt Little:

He pulled the inspiration from a childhood memory when he was standing below a tree one day and a bird flying over pooped on his head!  This chandelier no one will mind sitting under!