Bird Nerd

Hi there. How are you?

This is my brand new piece featuring Matt's favorite bird, the Tufted Titmouse.

Anyone who knows me at all can tell you that birds are about that last possible subject they'd expect me delve into. You see,  I am anything but a "bird nerd." Actually, birds pretty much gross me out, and I've had several traumatic experiences with my feathered foes. There were two different encounters with nests of dead baby birds, I've been crapped on while inside a moving car, and was traumatized by a bird that continually flew into a window at my childhood home. 

So why on earth would I choose birds as a new subject? It has a lot to do with my husband, who has blossomed into a full blown "bird nerd." 

He's built a bird sanctuary outside our living room window.

Birds of all kinds are attracted to the squirrel proof feeder.

I have to admit that I do like to join Matt in his through the window bird watching. They don't freak me out so much when there is glass between me and the birds. I've actually grown fond of the hummingbirds and female cardinals that frequent our feeders. And believe it or not, I'm about to start another bird piece!

"Tufted Titmouse" measures just 5" high by 7" wide and was created with collaged paper, black ballpoint ink and a little touch of rusty orange colored pencil. If you are interested in purchasing this piece, do get in touch!

Do you have a favorite bird you'd like to see me tackle? Please let me know!

Until next time. Ta-ta!

P.S. My blog address has changed! This blog is now a subdomain of  jenniferjohansson.com and lives at blog.jenniferjohansson.com.

We Bought a Fixer - The Built-in got Bigger!

Hi again. How are you?

I had a really productive day in my studio, pumping out some new work. 

I just couldn't tear myself away to write my Wednesday post until now! 

A few weeks back, Matt added a little extension to our built-in.

He constructed a desk to span the space between the bookcase and the entertainment center.

Pretty smart use of space if I do say so myself! 

Despite the fact that there are "his and hers" chairs here, Matt has claimed this as his domain. 

I'm totally OK with that....as I have my "secret room" studio.

(I promise to show you my studio when I get it fully decorated!)

We recently picked up this sharp looking desk chair at a yard sale for $5. What a steal!

We love its warm, worn look, and clean lines. 

I've had this chair in my personal collection for years.

I love the way it plays against the dark, heavy desk chair. 

Well, that's all I've got to say about that. 

What you you think about our newest DIY? Do tell!

 

P.S. Be on the look out for new listings in my Etsy shoppe any day now!

We Bought a Fixer - Guest Bathroom Gut

Hi there! How are you?

 It was a long time coming, but I am happy to report that our guest bathroom remodel is complete! 

 You may recall the creepy space we started with. (Read more here.)

Quite a transformation....Isn't it? 

The vanities came from Ikea.

We really like how the narrow sinks work in this long, skinny room.

I dig the little towel hooks and metal tray that came with the sink.

Adds a little bit of "counter space" for a guest. 

The tile may look familiar to you.

We used the leftovers from the kitchen  to do this job.

We used a dark grout to give it a little more contrast. 

 

 The creepy brown "lowboy" toilet......

....was replaced by a "comfort height" water saving one. 

The carpet was replaced with tile. (Yes, there was carpet in 2 of our 3 bathrooms.) Gross! 

We used something very similar to what we have in our kitchen. 

 

The tired cast-iron pink tub......

......was replaced with a white tub and gray surround. 

This is the only part of the bathroom we didn't do ourselves.

We paid a plumber to install the tub, surround & shower fixtures.

 

We got this Italian - English translation shower curtain for a wedding present. 

Love how it works in this bathroom. 

We're pretty darn proud of our new guest bath.

Come visit, and you can use it!

Ta-ta for now!

We Bought a Fixer - Matt Made Built-Ins

Hi there. How are you today?

I'm happy to have another finished space (well, almost finished) to show you!

If you recall, our living room is just one long, open space. 

With the picture window on one wall..... 

......and the fireplace on the other, we were having a hard time figuring out where to set up the TV. 

Matt decided to make a built in. 

Here it is in its very early stages. 

 Here it is now! 

It's amazing what a little paint does to MDF. 

 

 Matt designed the shelves on the right side of the unit specifically for typewriters. 

This is Matt's favorite.

This is mine. 

The back of the unit is sheathed in pallet wood that we salvaged from the perpetual construction site we once called home. (The condo we spent the last year in was one of the first on the street. They are still building there, and probably will be for another year. So glad to be out of there!) I love the industrial look of the wood and the texture it adds. 

Along the back wall of the room, Matt constructed a wall of bookshelves to house his massive collection of books. 

Ta-Da!

 It was really tough to get a good shot of the whole thing, with the light coming in from the window. 

I spent a few evenings styling the whole thing. 

I arranged the books in rainbow order on the bottom shelves.

Matt thinks I'm crazy for taking the time to do this...

I really like the way it turned out! 

Matt also designed a space to house his speakers and records. 

Matt's most favorite part of this whole built-in is actually outside.....

He's following in his mother's footsteps and has developed an affinity for birdwatching. 

We found this planter in our back yard when we moved in. Matt recently moved it and filled it up so he could watch out his bookcase window.  He loves to see that the seed is getting eaten and is frustrated that the cardinals that hang out in the bush right behind it won't touch the feeder.

I really do like how the built-ins have given purpose and division of the space.
I have to give Matt so much credit on this project.
 He made a great use of every inch of space on that back wall.
I love that I have a crafty husband!

Until next time. Ta-Ta.

To read our entire "Fixer Upper" saga, make your way here.