Living Room progress report

We've been busy bees in the last week! Let's talk about where we're at now... starting from where we left off last week:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14Ht6Q7dxZ7lk44YartUMxdrN3LVnmEREYl7uxQC_I4BEjrrtb25Uwnsor0ZAlJKX3sVUPZMblBZs4EYOZFOeVACHf2OtpBRrm6Jd0fbUb-9e_CymaVcmJAdEJ_rKuVZKRYUIeb1AZx98/s1600/IMG_4843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14Ht6Q7dxZ7lk44YartUMxdrN3LVnmEREYl7uxQC_I4BEjrrtb25Uwnsor0ZAlJKX3sVUPZMblBZs4EYOZFOeVACHf2OtpBRrm6Jd0fbUb-9e_CymaVcmJAdEJ_rKuVZKRYUIeb1AZx98/s1600/IMG_4843.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Right after that post went up, so did our mantel...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIICYyAJUFRyF7HxCDvcTD994CsfK_QchqDnS-eSnglxoX_EW7tKO7-5DLP2NJ9sN4y-lSuqZ0ZwIwVxlWhIkenXdgFHqvjPZ4HCgEB84zVy_0Tf3vbE-nBFp1AQaQvwkjCwxvBUrXQFSf/s1600/IMG_4860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIICYyAJUFRyF7HxCDvcTD994CsfK_QchqDnS-eSnglxoX_EW7tKO7-5DLP2NJ9sN4y-lSuqZ0ZwIwVxlWhIkenXdgFHqvjPZ4HCgEB84zVy_0Tf3vbE-nBFp1AQaQvwkjCwxvBUrXQFSf/s1600/IMG_4860.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, and I didn't realize this until it went up, but the wood isn't perfectly straight. It a little twisted which means one side isn't exactly level...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zHJOITw9Jy6uAy4YP5EEWKQ9-9vLLwDXeC2P77y7xk0ux1EVInFZGSLNpHEkpd52NvkAlVwUILJGRTlliRE8SyRphWp6iaU0Or_SoImYba8ZgAc95-4xIteJ47mJ72XxipoPOJ7ZDjgg/s1600/IMG_4861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zHJOITw9Jy6uAy4YP5EEWKQ9-9vLLwDXeC2P77y7xk0ux1EVInFZGSLNpHEkpd52NvkAlVwUILJGRTlliRE8SyRphWp6iaU0Or_SoImYba8ZgAc95-4xIteJ47mJ72XxipoPOJ7ZDjgg/s1600/IMG_4861.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>See how it angles upwards? It bums me out but unfortunately at this point there's nothing I can do—short of driving back to the lumber yard, attempting to find a perfectly straight chunk of wood (does that even exist?) spending another $70, refinishing it and pushing back our timeline. Not going to happen, so we'll embrace the imperfection by chalking it up to being more rustic. There ya go.</div><div><br /></div><div>The TV will be sitting on this and we realized our tv base is wider than we thought, so we had to extend the mantel by adding a few inches to the back of it (which our handyman secured with huge lag bolts). This will all be hidden by the framing and stone.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBz7TAsCF3q8e2-jw7Pb0isX632AhQqykkt0A_u_p3nHEuxcfzXEzqHonv8QbwJ3fsayBpyQJwJReMVAExBcUmhYAUYf1aezBzWrLIKkhrq1V55MGBjWgCVfFF1HASya_QqcXrIttaaXXV/s1600/IMG_4863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBz7TAsCF3q8e2-jw7Pb0isX632AhQqykkt0A_u_p3nHEuxcfzXEzqHonv8QbwJ3fsayBpyQJwJReMVAExBcUmhYAUYf1aezBzWrLIKkhrq1V55MGBjWgCVfFF1HASya_QqcXrIttaaXXV/s1600/IMG_4863.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a shot from the bottom:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eO03WPKwF7is9V_XL-0QM85OQD2CjyTJqLFCL0CSfWQjSPAD91HqzR3god1N1KSB6XknmFs3svT9zhGWDiqyt_7GMk4cj2KfLcL7KYZFDo-keb0O6uGfqgbpKF8SMrAYdl3KCa0Kj7hs/s1600/IMG_4862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eO03WPKwF7is9V_XL-0QM85OQD2CjyTJqLFCL0CSfWQjSPAD91HqzR3god1N1KSB6XknmFs3svT9zhGWDiqyt_7GMk4cj2KfLcL7KYZFDo-keb0O6uGfqgbpKF8SMrAYdl3KCa0Kj7hs/s1600/IMG_4862.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Still figuring out how I'm going to hide the side where the bare wood is... either wood putty to blend the two and stain or veneer.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the mantel was in, the framing went up (using 2x4's):</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzvwMoiduPqWjP1PXGax6AtcauBkCINNGf8qMnd5Uh8NpgoLwC6Jcw3FscXQpHgdBp2gNGLP9foy96cxIXMlOU-2Uojwj8WvSEBTUZloSlBFgJNrENuGsgrOm7KszCnVHfI_i9rjIZgwm/s1600/IMG_4865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzvwMoiduPqWjP1PXGax6AtcauBkCINNGf8qMnd5Uh8NpgoLwC6Jcw3FscXQpHgdBp2gNGLP9foy96cxIXMlOU-2Uojwj8WvSEBTUZloSlBFgJNrENuGsgrOm7KszCnVHfI_i9rjIZgwm/s1600/IMG_4865.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then Brad ran some cables to where the TV will be.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_8K8K7nyWDU3tBqBras0062beuKelpRIpaGWxS3i5S1v4HFjsSybxZrHt4XDeZ7tSJFj-dcvqwZ5xfBlQ_BFDFVbvZ5MN5IstGeboeZDVhtK7zPXWtjcEeiB1PS5gmrg61um6k5yG3cR/s1600/IMG_4899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_8K8K7nyWDU3tBqBras0062beuKelpRIpaGWxS3i5S1v4HFjsSybxZrHt4XDeZ7tSJFj-dcvqwZ5xfBlQ_BFDFVbvZ5MN5IstGeboeZDVhtK7zPXWtjcEeiB1PS5gmrg61um6k5yG3cR/s1600/IMG_4899.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I asked him to give a writeup of what he did in case anyone is curious (I could never explain it):</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">1 – Power – We tapped out of the outlet next to the fireplace to get power up there so we ran ROMEX wire in the wall next to the fireplace.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">2 – Network Cables – We ran two Cat6 network cables. One cable will extend the HDMI video signal from the AV Receiver in the network and audio closet to the TV over the fireplace. The second cable is just a standby</div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">or data cable. It can be used for anything data related, internet, network, etc to any device next to the TV, or a smart TV in the future that needs internet. They are each 75ft long.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">3 – RG6 Coax – For future use, in case someone wants to put a cable box physically at the TV, they can connect this outside the house to the cable splitter.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">4 – Possibly might run Component RGB cables, if I have an issue with Video delay caused by the extender box.</div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Extending video from the closet – What we’re doing is splitting the output of the AV Receiver to the fireplace, and to the outside deck. To do this we’re using the Monoprice HDMI Splitter/Extender. This duplicates</div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">the HDMI output of the AV Receiver and sends it to both places using CAT6 Network cable. HDMI Video will not run over about 50 feet without issues. The audio is straight out of the AV receiver in the closet to the 5.1 audio system</div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">in the living room. </div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011306&p_id=8158&seq=1&format=2">http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011306&p_id=8158&seq=1&format=2</a></div></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div>Clear as mud? Great, lol. Moving along...</div><div><br /></div><div>For our ceiling, I found a painter at the last minute and explained to him our situation with the pine knots bleeding through despite using shellac based primer. He decided to use something called PVA Primer which is used to seal porous surfaces (drywall) and apparently contains a plastic-like quality that should block the tannin from bleeding through.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yeah, I noticed as they were prepping the area for paint that some of the knots had <i>already</i> started to bleed through! After less than a week! Thanks a lot, Zinsser customer service... let's be clear: <b>regular water based primers do not work on knots!</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnouU8kV0skGonV0BDR8m3zTgIVslYIHPkZFsJ0VnCn1WswH0QyAsOnFf3i_KyEjlR0QfjCfT_HaCHWXpNF_cTHgbnm09diu6e8pjjHS6Qo6XOhRUm8U6JqgGXgZy4PLFg_Rr_WkGZvgY/s1600/IMG_4873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnouU8kV0skGonV0BDR8m3zTgIVslYIHPkZFsJ0VnCn1WswH0QyAsOnFf3i_KyEjlR0QfjCfT_HaCHWXpNF_cTHgbnm09diu6e8pjjHS6Qo6XOhRUm8U6JqgGXgZy4PLFg_Rr_WkGZvgY/s1600/IMG_4873.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The painters sprayed a couple coats of the PVA primer followed by two coats of paint (Kelly Moore's Swiss Coffee in a low sheen)...</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJq-sv6X-SWJS8fsAAJATtjWwK3X1n_LfgCSmweuCg3sytXHu18M2rhdM8II3GNHpUu62tSOJbKBuIS2rJLb4mEaz1sjggq7t8d6G6PXgm5FCMFPVSTu-WIX0DzRfViRA837mgdzbzgaK/s1600/IMG_4874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJq-sv6X-SWJS8fsAAJATtjWwK3X1n_LfgCSmweuCg3sytXHu18M2rhdM8II3GNHpUu62tSOJbKBuIS2rJLb4mEaz1sjggq7t8d6G6PXgm5FCMFPVSTu-WIX0DzRfViRA837mgdzbzgaK/s1600/IMG_4874.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Don't forget, the beams will hide the ceiling seams.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The ceiling looks great but I'm still not convinced about the knot bleed through. We'll find out soon enough, I guess.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the paint was dry, Brad got up into the attic and finished wiring the lights and speakers.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3C4L9eQc08CBRp06QyHyWjY3_ivEYGFmE-E6TrLcfSp8w3s76mlpXh_oHaJuNnPUwcNPXZHlAikD8ftQFeGQY1DuQrU7ZXkRWUhsYopRncWf7JSDVaHsqlNxUfvYV-5rgUHNa592bXO-5/s1600/IMG_4894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3C4L9eQc08CBRp06QyHyWjY3_ivEYGFmE-E6TrLcfSp8w3s76mlpXh_oHaJuNnPUwcNPXZHlAikD8ftQFeGQY1DuQrU7ZXkRWUhsYopRncWf7JSDVaHsqlNxUfvYV-5rgUHNa592bXO-5/s1600/IMG_4894.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKOCfaO4UbETEpAZbRRSOyMJLKUGFVTn4Tc56DDcDaeyemBN923FenhMklriaBGmqzg_WDw6lKPQ-k9_f1D7o_boHe_v_L7lL29ThHwlHATTHKe7GDiwPfs6R39cEp9534mbdjfLTaFqh/s1600/IMG_4888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKOCfaO4UbETEpAZbRRSOyMJLKUGFVTn4Tc56DDcDaeyemBN923FenhMklriaBGmqzg_WDw6lKPQ-k9_f1D7o_boHe_v_L7lL29ThHwlHATTHKe7GDiwPfs6R39cEp9534mbdjfLTaFqh/s1600/IMG_4888.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It sounds so good in there! Now we can have music playing in every room. Fun stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And the lights....</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX66aL7MP6gi10gBsv4kbOhIaGq3W0IVY1CDW3Y17BOEMCeZaGXZHDBo9_OGP7y2wc6UvGOnfIZfJiff0T-eZ47KYeIDyvm3B-FQpdPSaRX6zDX0zJpaLSBeIZLm8NgLYrRWXlnl-1cI8N/s1600/IMG_4921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX66aL7MP6gi10gBsv4kbOhIaGq3W0IVY1CDW3Y17BOEMCeZaGXZHDBo9_OGP7y2wc6UvGOnfIZfJiff0T-eZ47KYeIDyvm3B-FQpdPSaRX6zDX0zJpaLSBeIZLm8NgLYrRWXlnl-1cI8N/s1600/IMG_4921.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Seriously, you have no idea how much of a difference these make until you install recessed lighting in a room that had no overhead light sources before. It's like a completely different space... we can actually <i>use it</i> at night now.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFejDQOOGhuMGXydg28ZM4G1D9fJXrxN0hQWd7jxV0T1WnNIZKl5mWRREcvEzuGjZLnidLzmPYlPMR-vTcbtw0xGN4JGXmA0Uzm9JG3eQe4kYPWptx_NVYjzrYiTuopjYqDF7Zob1O74DX/s1600/IMG_4922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFejDQOOGhuMGXydg28ZM4G1D9fJXrxN0hQWd7jxV0T1WnNIZKl5mWRREcvEzuGjZLnidLzmPYlPMR-vTcbtw0xGN4JGXmA0Uzm9JG3eQe4kYPWptx_NVYjzrYiTuopjYqDF7Zob1O74DX/s1600/IMG_4922.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lighting is one of the most important aspects of design. Don't neglect it!</div><div><br /></div><div>We have six on the ceiling and three along the soffit. They're warm LED bulbs on a dimmer so we can change the mood with one touch of a button.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwIx43b-dQXvfauQqs2TGlrKuGqkjsfxHjLQ_TMREPHN-gisdU2xeWotcqBCwzfvfXpDkj2VDBfdGXzjSdvE3frBsxqb2M4LRy_Vii6uwDFQnmawIg2CPADxdhYzaq7N6zvadi-hWf1QX/s1600/IMG_4923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwIx43b-dQXvfauQqs2TGlrKuGqkjsfxHjLQ_TMREPHN-gisdU2xeWotcqBCwzfvfXpDkj2VDBfdGXzjSdvE3frBsxqb2M4LRy_Vii6uwDFQnmawIg2CPADxdhYzaq7N6zvadi-hWf1QX/s1600/IMG_4923.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here they are on the lowest setting. Kinda hard to tell from the photos but we love being able to control the mood.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkDyZdHHNNoxPgCkkp2qBOwb_-fjtkUTltPS7GgE-B5SCpYrjWF3S-r2yhkWKzSqK6FaNeno8y6vWHOxUJxTMulsn-SfuNNa5xWilEFkNEs6XEPcdGtf45-ni8czBuSXJM9UDi6ACCS5_/s1600/IMG_4926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkDyZdHHNNoxPgCkkp2qBOwb_-fjtkUTltPS7GgE-B5SCpYrjWF3S-r2yhkWKzSqK6FaNeno8y6vWHOxUJxTMulsn-SfuNNa5xWilEFkNEs6XEPcdGtf45-ni8czBuSXJM9UDi6ACCS5_/s1600/IMG_4926.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>While all of this was going on, I was giving our sideboard a little makeover...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOt_Itot_VagkZQOOjFAGOcvdNNICm8p0TOXCnd07nE8lBOyTSGK4IftG55DVdFkX1oZlq-iioWm8N3HQdsvCk1E7T253H2ugDs8081G1lfiJGSvDxzNqP0Wja4UiaLhEhcZly7s_oNDa/s1600/IMG_3076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOt_Itot_VagkZQOOjFAGOcvdNNICm8p0TOXCnd07nE8lBOyTSGK4IftG55DVdFkX1oZlq-iioWm8N3HQdsvCk1E7T253H2ugDs8081G1lfiJGSvDxzNqP0Wja4UiaLhEhcZly7s_oNDa/s1600/IMG_3076.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I know not everyone agrees with me on this, but I've lived with it for a while now and it just wasn't working out. Something about the glass bothered me and I just don't like lacquered furniture. It also wasn't some expensive rare piece in perfect condition so it's not like I am modifying anything super valuable. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why keep something around if you don't love it, right? No harm in switching things up to suit my needs.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started by removing the glass which was held in by thin pieces of wood... super easy to remove:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHyqXqlFjS1DGVCZjF5926G-lp_p-NIvTatIuWe4VOX6XziZ4aNGTRA_cBnNV3Lwoo5hxvlQ46mIDB0jhnnM3PVYGfTMG6w7FGnXr9V-epqj8QUlMxCveFSED8hKtJVGY3fJW9b25JYeL/s1600/IMG_4869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHyqXqlFjS1DGVCZjF5926G-lp_p-NIvTatIuWe4VOX6XziZ4aNGTRA_cBnNV3Lwoo5hxvlQ46mIDB0jhnnM3PVYGfTMG6w7FGnXr9V-epqj8QUlMxCveFSED8hKtJVGY3fJW9b25JYeL/s1600/IMG_4869.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's what we were working with after removing the shelf:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghljSvQRPMd95NIPt3lXOPjtIkddeqv9yh8w2QiYxX9jWQvBsSSW-mXwFYd_5PeKeBiAHayk4tDJZBAyIRWpQBr6jhFkttBaZgebNbIJ7MQHYJ7nXe-Ow-GsLwnpS9Bj1EcbQxHkK3c5V/s1600/IMG_4870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghljSvQRPMd95NIPt3lXOPjtIkddeqv9yh8w2QiYxX9jWQvBsSSW-mXwFYd_5PeKeBiAHayk4tDJZBAyIRWpQBr6jhFkttBaZgebNbIJ7MQHYJ7nXe-Ow-GsLwnpS9Bj1EcbQxHkK3c5V/s1600/IMG_4870.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It was brought outside for sanding. I used 80 grit paper (on my mouse—best sander ever):</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4kJFIffmwodrA4i35bstYWdBxhECIMb9UQXP9KcS05fjho2Z88pPfLZFrr6IqaGvO0SqdWYD5Emt0mJGfif7c4r4fXG3q_SEjz5N8ZOZmSDAALCKQucoOe_61OVjHW_QdNRV_9FgVLyQ/s1600/IMG_4875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4kJFIffmwodrA4i35bstYWdBxhECIMb9UQXP9KcS05fjho2Z88pPfLZFrr6IqaGvO0SqdWYD5Emt0mJGfif7c4r4fXG3q_SEjz5N8ZOZmSDAALCKQucoOe_61OVjHW_QdNRV_9FgVLyQ/s1600/IMG_4875.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The sanded areas look lighter because of the dust but it's darker once you wipe it down. I spent a few days on this... sanding is a lot of work! Especially when there's a lot of little details.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU_KwWQKPto-uG4B7ZtQ0xlAF8KaL7uDYuLK0kTUgZ6vNXC_eNG_pKkj0WKPe8p-MbsiXPDzQeV19KvSNETfC2Cg8IDhd4Y5lujHlFPvIHrrRt9GOz5waA3EPRyQ7XWo0DLz1c-fYozOp/s1600/IMG_4878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU_KwWQKPto-uG4B7ZtQ0xlAF8KaL7uDYuLK0kTUgZ6vNXC_eNG_pKkj0WKPe8p-MbsiXPDzQeV19KvSNETfC2Cg8IDhd4Y5lujHlFPvIHrrRt9GOz5waA3EPRyQ7XWo0DLz1c-fYozOp/s1600/IMG_4878.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't know exactly how I wanted to finish it, but it started looking a lot like my au naturale dresser I recently made over in our master bedroom...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTB99o_9JaO1mBkTRZoxGJRVyKGc7dc-H_RW1bpRagDYd2oeX9zHuC3JrPDR_nzgxSo6FLDSU5DFp6s69bVdgoyk_nT_1z1g7KAvFlosGTKX3eqvY_2LdZYMGbhp8f3gCIhoBUua7RDNlM/s1600/IMG_4572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTB99o_9JaO1mBkTRZoxGJRVyKGc7dc-H_RW1bpRagDYd2oeX9zHuC3JrPDR_nzgxSo6FLDSU5DFp6s69bVdgoyk_nT_1z1g7KAvFlosGTKX3eqvY_2LdZYMGbhp8f3gCIhoBUua7RDNlM/s1600/IMG_4572.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And I loved the way that turned out, so I decided to do the same for this one. That means no poly, no wax, just wipe it down and it's good to go. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Bg_ulkNszUBx8DupuZ4N85VUrK4GhyphenhyphenqNaq9W34VLOHufN-weJnRr3bYzVpdyKOmOZDf7OHB6JzvE0tVQ7lBFruRWAPQt-NM-QDOslq1H0TwGJiKMXjQ5v0bcwfICbD3KiYv1xELLMvmm/s1600/IMG_4909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Bg_ulkNszUBx8DupuZ4N85VUrK4GhyphenhyphenqNaq9W34VLOHufN-weJnRr3bYzVpdyKOmOZDf7OHB6JzvE0tVQ7lBFruRWAPQt-NM-QDOslq1H0TwGJiKMXjQ5v0bcwfICbD3KiYv1xELLMvmm/s1600/IMG_4909.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I may very well change my mind in the future and add a coat of wax to it if I feel it needs it, but I'm digging the raw wood look.</div><div><br /></div><div>These inspiration photos for the doors pretty much sealed the deal on chicken wire:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/59/57/cd/5957cda2f4b1d487f2783fe213d7c82f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/59/57/cd/5957cda2f4b1d487f2783fe213d7c82f.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/152207662381920671/">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/97/63/45/976345295931497ef688564f3a241e34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/97/63/45/976345295931497ef688564f3a241e34.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/152207662381918999/">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DIY-Coffee-Cabinet-by-Shanty2Chic-500x790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DIY-Coffee-Cabinet-by-Shanty2Chic-500x790.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/09/diy-farmhouse-coffee-cabinet.html">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.town-n-country-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Hutch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.town-n-country-living.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Hutch1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.town-n-country-living.com/summer-farmhouse-decorating-tips.html">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't you just love these? I have no chicken wire in my house and it's about time. Luckily, my dad had a roll leftover from his coop and gave it to me...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVNGFoN0Xndii3Ys2IxXgQItGs_sBlmBudyxG4wIXdbUcs4lVJ3m5JWXl1DLeqIj5mYHscgxEG24nQgrGLQbMF9d6aPoOHg_thmNOqwcy_gnMuwlN4-je3y3lfRIFhYr7DHtzs9NzVLt9/s1600/IMG_4910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVNGFoN0Xndii3Ys2IxXgQItGs_sBlmBudyxG4wIXdbUcs4lVJ3m5JWXl1DLeqIj5mYHscgxEG24nQgrGLQbMF9d6aPoOHg_thmNOqwcy_gnMuwlN4-je3y3lfRIFhYr7DHtzs9NzVLt9/s1600/IMG_4910.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't have any specially designated wire clippers, so I used workman's pliers and soldiered through it:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizDC7ykToq-iCQWLY2Un8OHRml1mTsVOShD66pkwyDH-iKO5LUCa8kj6Luf3omd8KRoqAt18T-t9N_RnDT63YBMVhOoiMDeSDjQfK9oYIHFuYFUftK-SYBytpU2zwmQzr9A0k8NMn5wCV/s1600/IMG_4911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizDC7ykToq-iCQWLY2Un8OHRml1mTsVOShD66pkwyDH-iKO5LUCa8kj6Luf3omd8KRoqAt18T-t9N_RnDT63YBMVhOoiMDeSDjQfK9oYIHFuYFUftK-SYBytpU2zwmQzr9A0k8NMn5wCV/s1600/IMG_4911.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's not the most fun material to work with.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once my pieces were cut, I did my best to straighten them out. This wire has a mind of it's own and I haven't quite figured out how to make it perfectly flat, but it's not easy to pull it straight against your frame when you're securing it, so you want it to be as flat as possible <i>before</i> installing. This was my best attempt:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3jAeJA9Ac83b-SCIxNBsBAJ2XOnWDNJ6jkPLM1KxnPi7Nyyvk4689xtUl0QkJO1O1gSuwCiM8VNSEpP9GGN309I8Bpjm6Yohg19MZehyT2nkIKBwr2uNPffYC1tN7YMIWtH_9k47EK5y/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3jAeJA9Ac83b-SCIxNBsBAJ2XOnWDNJ6jkPLM1KxnPi7Nyyvk4689xtUl0QkJO1O1gSuwCiM8VNSEpP9GGN309I8Bpjm6Yohg19MZehyT2nkIKBwr2uNPffYC1tN7YMIWtH_9k47EK5y/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Starting at the top, I used my hand stapler to secure them in place, working my way around the perimeter.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1S7nEigC9qJ9CcEeToR_gKHGieD7qQUD7z0FTDiaF9XyofuSbe1841tzQXPC3qrEIxbOQC0is0Q48q3CVgdqUsmO8hFIBHn5FnuRCwMray-MxWDjML2A9rRWzDlmoTcXpHe25H9f3SZR/s1600/IMG_4915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1S7nEigC9qJ9CcEeToR_gKHGieD7qQUD7z0FTDiaF9XyofuSbe1841tzQXPC3qrEIxbOQC0is0Q48q3CVgdqUsmO8hFIBHn5FnuRCwMray-MxWDjML2A9rRWzDlmoTcXpHe25H9f3SZR/s1600/IMG_4915.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Many times the staples didn't secure completely against the wire so I had to hammer them down. Soon after, I had this:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYF_wcS2FH-J7G9sZFylJnFn3MOdU4vIrGk2sYTRhVkoE6FPRA_fjuuNVIylgBz3IITtPviZHApYUpmgQieZZoF2vMN4dZ2_eFJvyFkdeVDEUqeS2vTPlliigHhVzHg6gxc0YjF01XJ0e/s1600/IMG_4916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYF_wcS2FH-J7G9sZFylJnFn3MOdU4vIrGk2sYTRhVkoE6FPRA_fjuuNVIylgBz3IITtPviZHApYUpmgQieZZoF2vMN4dZ2_eFJvyFkdeVDEUqeS2vTPlliigHhVzHg6gxc0YjF01XJ0e/s1600/IMG_4916.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I like how subtle it is. It's not in your face chicken wire.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB2nvEZHghuL-BdA9kEd3fqLPgai-Odtm1DKmVYOzKZGyD7wfQzfKXO78BscrBBEHNVbXYYsWdhr2f7HtENGk0fLDU9RSu3VvR86o1y3cDCM2TX5slJovn3nLBgqu7hfzNiZ4zjrxRXyu/s1600/IMG_4917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB2nvEZHghuL-BdA9kEd3fqLPgai-Odtm1DKmVYOzKZGyD7wfQzfKXO78BscrBBEHNVbXYYsWdhr2f7HtENGk0fLDU9RSu3VvR86o1y3cDCM2TX5slJovn3nLBgqu7hfzNiZ4zjrxRXyu/s1600/IMG_4917.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Repeat on the other side, and this sideboard is (almost) done!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvsHOdevbi11lPhUUKb9fykO5Rux1FqaTHwV4k6ye0Yi7cAJW-X6p_iPefJtWKzw1JXEvcnRPjTPtS_raw5pg-3DZhgQ1QiPKBg6QeSy-xZufj_IYg5o29tWr3LETPsqruMhpf6qGlhbH/s1600/IMG_4919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvsHOdevbi11lPhUUKb9fykO5Rux1FqaTHwV4k6ye0Yi7cAJW-X6p_iPefJtWKzw1JXEvcnRPjTPtS_raw5pg-3DZhgQ1QiPKBg6QeSy-xZufj_IYg5o29tWr3LETPsqruMhpf6qGlhbH/s1600/IMG_4919.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One of the knobs was missing when I bought is so I still need to find replacements. It's times like these when I miss living near a Hobby Lobby.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbGqY8LQXznR2sqf_qAiZoFd_L1nzuuRkoFzeouXIpQJ5iSt08IYUuldCCrHSiCADjD62QeLrSlh-Y1zSUfC9WyCpUT_GLm0pAr-_CdimyfuY6Uoatvs9vQf_acr74MTpDgbr4gcA8JqN/s1600/IMG_4920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbGqY8LQXznR2sqf_qAiZoFd_L1nzuuRkoFzeouXIpQJ5iSt08IYUuldCCrHSiCADjD62QeLrSlh-Y1zSUfC9WyCpUT_GLm0pAr-_CdimyfuY6Uoatvs9vQf_acr74MTpDgbr4gcA8JqN/s1600/IMG_4920.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was going to fill it back up and shoot it all finished and styled, but then I started to pull out my fall decorations and decided to rearrange everything, so that's worthy of it's own post. I should have a post ready Monday. I promise, it looks a lot more exciting now than it does empty!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for stopping by... enjoy your weekend and feel free to follow along on <a href="http://instagram.com/jennasuedesign">instagram</a> for what I'm up to in the meantime ;)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Living Room progress report

We've been busy bees in the last week! Let's talk about where we're at now... starting from where we left off last week: Right a...

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Living Room Reno: Progress & latest flea finds

Back with an update! Our handyman started work on the ceiling Monday and it has been a slow and steady process ever since. If you follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/p/saVkS5PQz8/?modal=true">instagram</a> you know this already...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/10617041_589619311171865_1213777508_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/10617041_589619311171865_1213777508_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />To recap—we decided to plank the ceiling and install beams to match the kitchen in the adjacent room:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzvODGReA5fWwFcz7qJTHQhbnG-NycE7kTooKxUbvUTjLSVuV78O0B5vVQz6nLgScrXi_P3IvyH_Li5-rP2PeT2ac6JQ5Fmu-7r-tpVEvnZ0l_ft6BxpYu6sqh6z7jmjB6a18eFstXsI3/s1600/IMG_2940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzvODGReA5fWwFcz7qJTHQhbnG-NycE7kTooKxUbvUTjLSVuV78O0B5vVQz6nLgScrXi_P3IvyH_Li5-rP2PeT2ac6JQ5Fmu-7r-tpVEvnZ0l_ft6BxpYu6sqh6z7jmjB6a18eFstXsI3/s1600/IMG_2940.jpg" /></a></div><br />But since this ceiling is vaulted and 16' high at the top, we couldn't do it ourselves, so we hired our handyman (the same one who built our stair railing).<br /><br />Step 1 was to buy our <a href="http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/c/New-England-White-Pine-Clover-Lea-WP6-8/10005896?CAWELAID=1846554648&gclid=COyvnrHyx8ACFchgfgodrDQASg">tongue and groove boards</a>. I still had a stack leftover from the first purchase, so I bought 420 square feet to cover the ceiling (and it ended up being <i>just </i>enough, whew). It came to $570 after a 10% off Labor Day coupon.<br /><br />Because the living room is a little under 24' long and these are 8' boards, we had to cut a few inches off each one. That was fun (not).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdIU7AsaokUaBhVA-JBwp5FmvTujkXZuo9LxJLTObN7-0KPpoB6hzuGlJlVWW4aPaSA2h_4tL0VUvw8AIIfLdWdF6vCxAPV7jsMc9Pw9eCldbVFRAniRvBdzM9gJd2mvAxqnlAAG1h5KH/s1600/IMG_4835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdIU7AsaokUaBhVA-JBwp5FmvTujkXZuo9LxJLTObN7-0KPpoB6hzuGlJlVWW4aPaSA2h_4tL0VUvw8AIIfLdWdF6vCxAPV7jsMc9Pw9eCldbVFRAniRvBdzM9gJd2mvAxqnlAAG1h5KH/s1600/IMG_4835.jpg" /></a></div><br />We covered the entire garage by standing them up to make them easier to prime.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GEEC5518I8XyBN6OOQ5-5UC_3Qx0Dc4ahyphenhyphenR4XTmFa51UzTxKtj71vL7mTO3bbzfObdTyU0vyFLsEC4jEk-CgcIlpz-T5xM9Jey-SnOLC1UqYxCz2LWN_5M07x7Pjzln87j43IkFBQ3SR/s1600/IMG_4836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GEEC5518I8XyBN6OOQ5-5UC_3Qx0Dc4ahyphenhyphenR4XTmFa51UzTxKtj71vL7mTO3bbzfObdTyU0vyFLsEC4jEk-CgcIlpz-T5xM9Jey-SnOLC1UqYxCz2LWN_5M07x7Pjzln87j43IkFBQ3SR/s1600/IMG_4836.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />We didn't have to prime the entire boards, just the knots. Let me tell you, these knots are a nightmare. We didn't use any primer for the kitchen and living room and within a few months the tannins started bleeding through.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKETZcDhBcmG2IsR5JmuKwho2r_UCYOoWaZIs7_OpcWO9FslebSudR2tIg7y_XQyKl45bCGJwHrzbKdIFN43c1-8NvEQt7DqJoKxlPMsqYTi-zFB2pc52n7mOj_wL_dQz8mEGKlWQRdK5/s1600/IMG_4857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKETZcDhBcmG2IsR5JmuKwho2r_UCYOoWaZIs7_OpcWO9FslebSudR2tIg7y_XQyKl45bCGJwHrzbKdIFN43c1-8NvEQt7DqJoKxlPMsqYTi-zFB2pc52n7mOj_wL_dQz8mEGKlWQRdK5/s1600/IMG_4857.jpg" /></a></div><br />We later added both primer and paint on top of them with no luck... it comes back within a couple weeks every time. So when I did our <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/04/foyer-update-reveal.html">foyer makeover</a>, I made sure to cover the knots completely with Zinsser's BIN shellac based primer (which is supposed to be the best out there)...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhv1d8Obdh7CoZzXofP8eHTRJczA_LnYDCNHnf7wyFXLGZmfohAko_FITRnHqAFpUzG67Yf3Vzf6XIjgPeDhdifS8xB8LuqiqpnjRBH2Mv6nXDPsMGeXKGYtQowwtiWwsA2gOY3CHYM15/s1600/IMG_2776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhv1d8Obdh7CoZzXofP8eHTRJczA_LnYDCNHnf7wyFXLGZmfohAko_FITRnHqAFpUzG67Yf3Vzf6XIjgPeDhdifS8xB8LuqiqpnjRBH2Mv6nXDPsMGeXKGYtQowwtiWwsA2gOY3CHYM15/s1600/IMG_2776.jpg" /></a></div><br />Sadly, a couple months later and I can say it made no difference at all. It even bleeds through on the dark painted planks:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitpQJKRvSpyqUN6-C8kd02uxJPO7PGrEHhlvSLmZkrJX8WNp2pRJW7FVgj_EPFNeRk724dImXr5r5ApRnth1PvX2Pb_D3UOA73bB4Pvc90pJmLsDd9gN9ZAmuIOK6G_6gggEEDsKVl4sv/s1600/IMG_4859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitpQJKRvSpyqUN6-C8kd02uxJPO7PGrEHhlvSLmZkrJX8WNp2pRJW7FVgj_EPFNeRk724dImXr5r5ApRnth1PvX2Pb_D3UOA73bB4Pvc90pJmLsDd9gN9ZAmuIOK6G_6gggEEDsKVl4sv/s1600/IMG_4859.jpg" /></a></div><br />This was taken from my studio which wasn't primed, but I'm sure it would have bled through anyway. You could argue that it just adds to the rustic-ness, but I'm not sold so we've been periodically touch up paint which only lasts for a couple weeks. It's such a pain!<br /><br />With this new ceiling going in, there's no way we can get up there to touch it up so I wanted to make sure they didn't bleed through. I called Zinsser and explained my problem, and they suggested trying to use their water based (1-2-3 in the blue can) first this time with the BIN oil based on top of it. I don't trust water based primers to block tannins but I didn't know what else to do so I gave it a shot.<br /><br />We applied four coats of the first primer on every knot...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFACh-dHVlV-UgAZFvW7AvDj_y9snMUVjHiyPe1DU36J-gUcwacXDhI4_kq_-jqUA-ow4fQb4btZ3yFxNruXylnPr9HDf7SqYwg9r_57I5m_3bgbotJ6w1Asz0nYbYtrn0Ep2b3BitzOIT/s1600/IMG_4837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFACh-dHVlV-UgAZFvW7AvDj_y9snMUVjHiyPe1DU36J-gUcwacXDhI4_kq_-jqUA-ow4fQb4btZ3yFxNruXylnPr9HDf7SqYwg9r_57I5m_3bgbotJ6w1Asz0nYbYtrn0Ep2b3BitzOIT/s1600/IMG_4837.jpg" /></a></div><br />And covered that with a coat of the BIN...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6QavCmn-CAKzJ1Rg8obRdY3o1a84VlgDGjCsJx1uXmNIOxZ9-p1g9gSbQAX6cDiuUP3hO4f9q-R8IkPc1INtMzWTvII_ETuxl6csdcg-VcDFXwc4QC2J29ToCI8Ko7uWL_iZMoPyjmhM/s1600/IMG_4838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6QavCmn-CAKzJ1Rg8obRdY3o1a84VlgDGjCsJx1uXmNIOxZ9-p1g9gSbQAX6cDiuUP3hO4f9q-R8IkPc1INtMzWTvII_ETuxl6csdcg-VcDFXwc4QC2J29ToCI8Ko7uWL_iZMoPyjmhM/s1600/IMG_4838.jpg" /></a></div><br />Whew, that was a lot of painting. And no, I don't feel confident that it will work. I've since talked to more painters and after some <a href="http://www.painttalk.com/f6/acrylic-primer-cedar-1620/">online research</a>, have discovered new primers that are supposed to be fail proof. We haven't hired a painter yet so I may pick up a can of specialized primer and have them hit the knots one more time before painting. <br /><br />Back to the living room. This was taken during Day 1. We're adding six lights and surround speakers so we had them run the wiring and cut the holes while they were up there.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX989U2qq9VV4jIoAB-hvVdZp-CTGVQF-e-Kc8rp6iqYM9XvgbYDP0cgjq4bTuSYoJ6UBSvBzKCpWbtTakkCQbVzucP6PPgn-_alhtCX6655iD8-U2U_aHxkkF3UojtIK64hcQQ4zHvfd/s1600/IMG_4840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX989U2qq9VV4jIoAB-hvVdZp-CTGVQF-e-Kc8rp6iqYM9XvgbYDP0cgjq4bTuSYoJ6UBSvBzKCpWbtTakkCQbVzucP6PPgn-_alhtCX6655iD8-U2U_aHxkkF3UojtIK64hcQQ4zHvfd/s1600/IMG_4840.jpg" /></a></div><br />Currently, it's a bit chaotic in here...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-QhS8cIAVYpVbh93W_Qpr81DoSQFcKestZ-C7__dpKeBdI348vOV3Sp0hlc91Abuh2zLvWsHbJZeRFNC65XHrNEZMHz0hVLtEUYmkH67fouABdx8gbdBRyFb6o9MQi31a2h4IilCgzAv/s1600/IMG_4854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-QhS8cIAVYpVbh93W_Qpr81DoSQFcKestZ-C7__dpKeBdI348vOV3Sp0hlc91Abuh2zLvWsHbJZeRFNC65XHrNEZMHz0hVLtEUYmkH67fouABdx8gbdBRyFb6o9MQi31a2h4IilCgzAv/s1600/IMG_4854.jpg" /></a></div><br />But the planking is done!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH3z7G86-j4JWTMLHMSjWGgfO2BUpNR1sA7jdkJf1HeHHxzw_vd3CX95PoueHZ1EHM2BvLAmVCsLQmcsdhbwwWBhU4kttb9GMOygrDww3iiSvNyV40wINXbxRFicfF3EQC0OqKnKqkUN8/s1600/IMG_4841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH3z7G86-j4JWTMLHMSjWGgfO2BUpNR1sA7jdkJf1HeHHxzw_vd3CX95PoueHZ1EHM2BvLAmVCsLQmcsdhbwwWBhU4kttb9GMOygrDww3iiSvNyV40wINXbxRFicfF3EQC0OqKnKqkUN8/s1600/IMG_4841.jpg" /></a></div><br />This is a shot looking towards the kitchen (the smaller holes are for the lights and the larger ones are speakers). The extra three lights along the soffit was Brad's idea...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW2-460jmEFCOWc8O_YZyawv51C3c0BR_SCKiA8RgNq2G9xh-Im5p07nuG7bwshaz6tvZt-Fga0EjS8uYkdO-6lXj5AxL6_6L5JDr8rtgJrp1sVoA-H7HopHXpRTYq6yWurTNWqOcOz6V/s1600/IMG_4842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW2-460jmEFCOWc8O_YZyawv51C3c0BR_SCKiA8RgNq2G9xh-Im5p07nuG7bwshaz6tvZt-Fga0EjS8uYkdO-6lXj5AxL6_6L5JDr8rtgJrp1sVoA-H7HopHXpRTYq6yWurTNWqOcOz6V/s1600/IMG_4842.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's the perspective from the fireplace looking back toward the stairs and my studio:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14Ht6Q7dxZ7lk44YartUMxdrN3LVnmEREYl7uxQC_I4BEjrrtb25Uwnsor0ZAlJKX3sVUPZMblBZs4EYOZFOeVACHf2OtpBRrm6Jd0fbUb-9e_CymaVcmJAdEJ_rKuVZKRYUIeb1AZx98/s1600/IMG_4843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14Ht6Q7dxZ7lk44YartUMxdrN3LVnmEREYl7uxQC_I4BEjrrtb25Uwnsor0ZAlJKX3sVUPZMblBZs4EYOZFOeVACHf2OtpBRrm6Jd0fbUb-9e_CymaVcmJAdEJ_rKuVZKRYUIeb1AZx98/s1600/IMG_4843.jpg" /></a></div><br />We picked up the wood for the beams yesterday so we'll be building those soon and they'll run along the two seams where the rows meet.<br /><br />That's all the progress I have at the moment. The guys are in the living room as I type working on framing out the fireplace so that will be next! Unfortunately we're having some issues with our mantel (the wood isn't completely straight and we discovered it's not deep enough) so I'm a little nervous about that. We'll see how it all plays out.<br /><br />In the meantime, I've been having some success at the flea market. I found this large vintage chest for $60 which will make the perfect side table next to the couch:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ9AH96JbbiyPCY8JChY0St_HyR5y3ljBWYxz63xrSJjT-mUi8YUqXvX_mMgUI8DDdnycqGx9nWXSPbmQEKbGXmfyNmTvHCvVfK6SLRgyVjTQSM2_iKY5kcBdygx5xcOlV90NLxLjTj1O/s1600/IMG_4845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ9AH96JbbiyPCY8JChY0St_HyR5y3ljBWYxz63xrSJjT-mUi8YUqXvX_mMgUI8DDdnycqGx9nWXSPbmQEKbGXmfyNmTvHCvVfK6SLRgyVjTQSM2_iKY5kcBdygx5xcOlV90NLxLjTj1O/s1600/IMG_4845.jpg" /></a></div><br />I also picked up this <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/mikasa-reg-french-countryside-45-piece-dinnerware-set/1014259023?poc=102966">45-piece dinnerware</a> collection for just $30...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAIML_p5g-2Z9pEFBChy6jkdvhkR5YCOmRY9wPzseKoIrh8jVpXd48_N9geJLuw0Op5Sqx6XxhH9NjEUDewqI3sXcWmykCQA0SRvxVIfLwpF9s18Tmqq-qIyCdd5D6g6fyVCXaxwA-9nH/s1600/IMG_4846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAIML_p5g-2Z9pEFBChy6jkdvhkR5YCOmRY9wPzseKoIrh8jVpXd48_N9geJLuw0Op5Sqx6XxhH9NjEUDewqI3sXcWmykCQA0SRvxVIfLwpF9s18Tmqq-qIyCdd5D6g6fyVCXaxwA-9nH/s1600/IMG_4846.jpg" /></a></div><br />We're hosting Thanksgiving this year so they'll be perfect!<br /><br />From the same vendor I got this lovely King sized bedspread for just $5:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWt4bDrg05S3jmPl7d3Ird9QpOHQ6jTaw5z89rQsfjhndXCYZHts0i-_vgysBpNE4HD81PKy0x467JHqhrMPgbgNAsV-4y9GfmVNsiRHbIPgFJ_FTLqU2Wcp2aDYhW91EM8Og8sw27FNe/s1600/IMG_4851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWt4bDrg05S3jmPl7d3Ird9QpOHQ6jTaw5z89rQsfjhndXCYZHts0i-_vgysBpNE4HD81PKy0x467JHqhrMPgbgNAsV-4y9GfmVNsiRHbIPgFJ_FTLqU2Wcp2aDYhW91EM8Og8sw27FNe/s1600/IMG_4851.jpg" /></a></div><br />The tassels match our navy bedspread and I love it. I have a thing for old blankets.<br /><br />This navy pitcher was just $1...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KqUbmfZsaEPleCUSscMhmTsTElpxKAPWJH-TWOHYgzW0Hg3H6Mls8R-aMQ4KIYFbHSWKenikivN_0vzmA3bArp1GvXk_bOnvhIf5U8XuvB59unkt2Rqye5pU6wrGHbM4-naLNVbD0RQL/s1600/IMG_4856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KqUbmfZsaEPleCUSscMhmTsTElpxKAPWJH-TWOHYgzW0Hg3H6Mls8R-aMQ4KIYFbHSWKenikivN_0vzmA3bArp1GvXk_bOnvhIf5U8XuvB59unkt2Rqye5pU6wrGHbM4-naLNVbD0RQL/s1600/IMG_4856.jpg" /></a></div><br />And last but not least, we finally got ourselves a grill.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDx8F9dUdKhU9l9YcAp3wsf1809XMEAjKy9vuUb4DsNYAbKnO8w3rxa_lsueRGssdzrKxVoTR6JIXaj7mph1UDumIUCg_uhS7YzkGHPK8BoHKH-6w0YRrXqxXvN0rOCDvL8QlU-26o8qO/s1600/IMG_4853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDx8F9dUdKhU9l9YcAp3wsf1809XMEAjKy9vuUb4DsNYAbKnO8w3rxa_lsueRGssdzrKxVoTR6JIXaj7mph1UDumIUCg_uhS7YzkGHPK8BoHKH-6w0YRrXqxXvN0rOCDvL8QlU-26o8qO/s1600/IMG_4853.jpg" /></a></div><br />$140 with tons of extras, what a bargain.<br /><br />We broke it in Tuesday night by cooking for friends & family...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvoANviAXZSH9wqvVyBG8xIcHmeW9g0dedDO_r_pBfUechKHzRMiS4GolfRj2usMe217AcpJJK69-8zu-KncHsYyWtnmbCXsMNwmNfVui0r27W8hMHlZyeqBezmSoHhcqx29Z0SvlpMQO/s1600/10672401_10204947899565105_5484124112812748967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvoANviAXZSH9wqvVyBG8xIcHmeW9g0dedDO_r_pBfUechKHzRMiS4GolfRj2usMe217AcpJJK69-8zu-KncHsYyWtnmbCXsMNwmNfVui0r27W8hMHlZyeqBezmSoHhcqx29Z0SvlpMQO/s1600/10672401_10204947899565105_5484124112812748967_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />Grilling season lasts a bit longer here in California so it will be put to good use before the year ends (hello, football parties on the deck!)<br /><br />That's the latest around here... I'll be back sometime next week with another living room update!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

Living Room Reno: Progress & latest flea finds

Back with an update! Our handyman started work on the ceiling Monday and it has been a slow and steady process ever since. If you follow me ...

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