Archive for August, 2011
Can You Handle It?
So as much as you guys gushed over our temporary string handles for our new Effektiv file cabinet (note: this is sarcasm), we did scoop up some actual hardware that we much prefer.
They’re black glass handles that were originally $9, but Hobby Lobby (aka Schlobby Bobby) was having one of those perpetual 50% off sales, so they were $4.50 a pop instead.
As I mentioned here, I was a bit nervous about installing them, since it was up to me to make sure they were all centered and level (Sherry + measuring = meltdown). So I triple-measured and even made myself a little guide out of card stock. First, I figured out that my holes needed to be 6.25″ and 9.25″ in from the edge if I wanted it to be centered (which is why I drew those two vertical lines), and we decided we wanted the handles to be placed 2.5″ down from the top of the door (so I added that horizontal line 2.5″ down from the top fold). I used the crease in the paper to line it up consistently for each handle and some tape to hold it in place while I screwed through it to create guide holes. Maybe I should’ve splurged the $3 or so to buy the little plastic hardware guides that a lot of you mentioned from various places (Ikea even had one), but this actually ended up working really well (and I wasn’t sure the Ikea one would work with non-Ikea handles).
Once the holes were made in my guide, it also made it easy to flip the piece of paper over and use it on the opposite cabinet door (ensuring perfectly symmetrical placement).
Luckily all of my holes came out perfectly. But it was only after drilling them that I noticed not all of the handles were perfect. Urgh. Notice how the holes on the right handle are perfectly centered? And the right hole on the left one kinda looks wonky, like it’s raising an eyebrow?
If Hobby Lobby weren’t on the other side of town (good news, we just heard one is coming closer to us in October) I would’ve driven back and exchanged the two bad ones. But instead I just drilled the corresponding holes in the door a bit longer (you know, taller?) to account for the crookedness. Then we could just tighten the hardware to hold them in place so they were nice and level. That worked out just fine, thank goodness. Note: this all looks very whitewashed, we can’t wait to get some color on those walls.
They’re definitely a subtle addition from afar, but up close they make us glad we waited to find these outside of Ikea’s big blue doors (or are they yellow?).
Sherry calls them “her lovies” and says things to them like “don’t you look posh today?” when she walks into the room. Gotta admit that I really like them too.
We especially like how the shape kind of plays off of the caning in our office chairs (which will look a whole lot better when we make some desk upgrades among a thousand other things):
Oh, but no post about a file cabinet is complete without a look behind the doors at the glamorous things that we store in there. A printer & camera bag. Oooooh. Extra paper & hanging files. Ahhhh.
Our wireless printer (an HP PhotoSmart C4780 that we don’t love – let’s just say it’s quirky) fits in there quite nicely (it’s 17 x 11 x 6.5″) since the paper tray folds up when not in use. Of course it still has a wire for the power cord, which I first attempted to slide through the back by drilling a hole. Then I realized it’d be easier just to detach the top shelf of the Effektiv momentarily (since it installs in three vertical parts) and then lift it slightly and tuck the cord through the crack in the back (thanks HP for making a tiny flat cord!).
See, you can’t even see it:
In the file cabinet drawers there are lots of, well, files. Surprise!
We bought some colorful hanging ones from Office Depot (for something like $7 for 25) to make filing a bit less manilla. If only there were some green ones in the mix, we could almost call them Sue the Napkin’s more productive sister: Susan the File Folders.
We even decided to store some various printer papers in there for easy access. You know, for that one time a month when we actually print something.
So thar she be for now. Effektiv is officially decked out with handles (string, you will be missed) and various office necessities (pile in the corner of the room, you will also be missed). Up next? Perhaps some furniture rearranging and definitely some building/lighting/general upgrades.
In the meantime, who else is obsessed with hanging files? Have you ever ended up with crooked hardware that has a sarcastic eyebrow-raise-thing going on? Did you notice I spelled card stock as all one word in my file tab (Sherry gently mentioned that to me a second ago)?
Sayin’ Thanks… That Summer Ain’t Quite Over
**Psst- We know most Fridays we just post once, but today we’ll be back in a few hours with an update on how we upgraded our new office file storage. Who’s excited?
Yup, it’s time again for our monthly sponsor shout out (you know, to thank the folks who make our other 30-some posts possible). But does the fact that August is here mean summer’s almost over? Say it ain’t so! So we’re using this month’s thank you to remind ourselves to embrace the warm weather while it’s here. Most of the items below caught our eye because they make us want to be outside, bring the outdoors in, or otherwise bask in the summery goodness while it lasts. Not that we’ve been gifted anything (here’s our no-swag policy). And of course there are special discounts listed at the end of this post for all of you deal-lovers. Happy Friday, y’all!
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- This stellar vertical garden from the green-thumb-tastic offerings at Dirt Couture.
- A free AboutOne trial that comes with the chance to win $100 to Lowe’s or Home Depot.
- The Tile Shop‘s inspiring “Distinct Spaces” gallery that goes beyond kitchens & baths.
- This indoor/outdoor/anywhere rug from Shades of Light (that’s currently 35% off!)
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- WallQuotes dropping hints that we should hit up the farmer’s market this weekend.
- Drink dispensers from Z Gallerie that make us want to
throwattend a garden party. - Design for Less going beyond tile and stone with their Decking Outlet offerings.
- Browsing the rich textures and warm, bright colors of Lacefield Designs‘ collections.
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- Lovely cards from Smock Paper that also encourage a little friendly tennis match.
- Royal Design Studio helping you bring the garden inside with a subtle rose stencil.
- Spartina handbags from P.C. Fallon in this fun “Island Girl” pattern.
- Personalized Sarah + Abraham banner + outdoor tea party = cutest pic on the web.
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- The fact that this whimsical FLOR design’s color is listed as “Suburb.”
- Oversized cabinet knobs from Liberty Hardware, which make us weirdly giddy.
- This house number print from Freshline Illustration to greet you when you come in.
- House 8810 retro log cabin building set. You know, since we’re too old for camp now.
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- Vintage baseball memorabilia on Ruby Lane that says “sports can be stylish.”
- This soft green cherry blossom pattern available at Chic Shelf Paper.
- Heart & Stone Jewelry‘s custom key chain for blinging up the locking-the-door process.
- Hometalk featured panelists, including HGTV personalities and lawn & garden experts.
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- Dot Coms For Moms‘ fun “Fab 5″ lists that cover topics from DIY to summer fun.
- Jump roping, green-style thanks to this guy from local eco-baby store Franklin Goose.
- Limited edition prints from Hoot Design Co like these cool geometric wheels.
- My Design Guide‘s Stylefinder quiz that even factors in hobbies to pin down your style.
And now for the JUICY DISCOUNTS:
- Shades of Light: 10% off using code YHL0811
- WallQuotes.com: 15% off with the code YHL15
- The Tile Shop: 10% off when you use the code YHL10
- Freshline: 10% off any orders with the code YHL10
- Heart & Stone Jewelry: 10% off your purchase with the code YHL10
- My Design Guide: 10% off your purchase with the code YHL10
- Royal Design Studio: 10% off stencils with code YHL10
- Hoot Design Co: 10% off custom orders with code YHL
- P.C. Fallon: $10 off orders over $75 with code YHL10
- Sarah + Abraham: 10% off orders with code YHL10
- AboutOne: $20 off a yearly subscription with code YHLPROMO
That’s Not My Signature
Knowing we’re always game for a decorating quiz (like these of the past), our Twitter buddy Shelley sent us the link to Ethan Allen’s “What’s Your Signature” quiz a few days back. It, like any other non-scientific “what’s your style” quiz, was a just-for-fun attempt to define your decorating personality – this time in terms of Ethan Allen’s “Signature Lifestyles.”
It was also remarkably speedy (style quizzes = fun, belabored twenty minute style quizzes = not fun). It just asked you to click one of two images based on what “grabs you first,” which was actually kind of a fun way to let your gut instincts take over. Heck, I even found myself randomly choosing a pearl necklace.
But look where all that jewelry-clicking got me. My diagnosis: Romance (?!?!?)
In a word: barf. Beg my pardon, that’s not very “romantic” of me. I meant: le barf.
No offense to this style or this style quiz (or Ethan Allen himself), but it is the COMPLETE opposite of me (just what every wife wants to hear, right? I’m 180-degrees from romance). But c’mon, just look at the description (curvaceous silhouettes? dressmaker fabrics?). If you know me at all, you know there is very little about this space that could be described as my “signature lifestyle.” Okay, maybe that map over the bed (I never met a map I didn’t like).
Speaking of maps, Sherry rubbed it in by getting Explorer as her result:
Probably not a perfect description of Sherry (her blank passport does not speak to “images of world travel”) but it was definitely a closer fit than mine (she loves natural fibers, textural variations, and we’ve definitely been embracing a bit more “relaxed eclecticism” in this house compared to our first one).
Feeling jealous of Sherry’s diagnosis, I took the quiz again (they have different image pairings each time). And even though I dared to click on the pearls again – I got a closer fit with my second result: Vintage.
Not that I’ll be wearing that outfit above anytime soon, but the rooms shown under this style diagnosis definitely felt more like moi me (sorry, that’s the “romance” sneaking back in).
Okay, your turn. Feel free to take the “What’s Your Signature” quiz (even twice if you have to) and share your results. Were they way off? Dead on? Inspiring in all the right ways? Or just nice for a good laugh? Oh, and if you feel like killing more time, you can find a bunch of the previous quizzes that we’ve test driven here.
Psst- In what can only be described as more-thrilling-than-90210 news, Tori Spelling herself mentioned us on her blog today (among some other great sites of which we’re humbled to be grouped). When I told Sherry she went into silent-freak-out-mode, which never happens. It was epic. I mean, when is Sherry silent?
Psssttt- We picked this week’s giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.
