The Studio Tour! (and a HUGE Give Away from Domino and Keep!)

We've been working hard to decorate my little studio space this month! It's been SO fun to finally add color to the all-white room! I have a million projects to share with you all soon (Here are the tutorials on the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/diy-wide-plank-floors-made-from-plywood.html" target="_blank">DIY plywood floors</a> and the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/diy-extra-tall-baseboards.html" target="_blank">baseboards</a>, in case you missed them.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3223.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3223.jpg" /></div><br />Just like in my home and in my client's spaces, I wanted a good mix of vintage and new furniture and accessories in this space. I had been doing a little too much vintage shopping lately (gasp! possible?!) and we needed some newer pieces to sort of brighten the look up. My <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/vintage-furniture-shopping-tips-and.html" target="_blank">pink ikat Henredon sofas</a>, the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-john-widdicomb-louis-style-chairs.html" target="_blank">Widdicomb table-turned desk</a>, the seriously beat up <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/04/how-to-easily-remove-rust.html" target="_blank">Plycraft chair</a>, the reupholstered <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/03/eames-management-chairs-in-scalamandre.html" target="_blank">leopard Eames management chairs</a>, the old <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/10/coffee-table-makeover.html" target="_blank">Italian marble coffee table</a>, etc. -- basically everything in the space was vintage, except the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/04/diy-faux-malachite.html" target="_blank">IKEA DIY malachite pattern desk</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3074.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3074.jpg" /></div><br />Domino and I teamed up with <a href="http://keep.com/">Keep.com</a> to add a few of those new pieces I so desperately needed to my vintage mix, and I love what we came up with. But here's the great news: you can <a href="http://keep.com/giveaway2?utm_source=LGN&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=DOLGNCN41514" target="_blank">enter HERE to win a $2000 GIFT CARD</a> to Domino's shop! Instant remedy for those of you in vintage overwhelm (like I was), or those of you who want vintage style, but don't love the endless hunt/bedbugs. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3191.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3191.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Here are the pieces I chose from the Domino shop, and a ton more photos of our studio below:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><img alt=" photo JennyKomenda.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/JennyKomenda.jpg" /><br /><br /><a href="http://keep.com/the-new-yorker-cover-september-9-1961-poster-print-by-saul-steinberg-at-the-conde-nast-collection-by-jennykomenda/k/wRNHEngBG4/" target="_blank">1</a>  //  2  //  <a href="http://keep.com/garnet-sculptures-set-of-2-arteriors-by-jennykomenda/k/wRK9PuABDO/" target="_blank">3</a>  //  <a href="http://keep.com/perimeter-light-white-blu-dot-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLZzGgBKY/" target="_blank">4</a>  //  <a href="http://keep.com/brass-colored-pencil-set-jayson-home-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLEBjgBFA/" target="_blank">5</a>  //  <a href="http://keep.com/untitled-domino-prints-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLQLaABIQ/" target="_blank">6</a>  //  <a href="http://keep.com/tracy-accent-table-safavieh-by-jennykomenda/k/wRK3VgABBU/" target="_blank">7</a>  //  <a href="http://keep.com/otomi-pillow-caramel-wisteria-by-jennykomenda/k/wRMb-sABLb/" target="_blank">8</a>  //  <a href="http://keep.com/falcon-arm-chair-light-blue-safavieh-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLVjZgBJe/" target="_blank">9</a>  //  <a href="http://keep.com/poppy-tall-aquamarine-glass-vase-arteriors-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLn7GABOX/" target="_blank">10</a>  //  <a href="http://keep.com/horn-vases-jayson-home-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLH_SgBGB/" target="_blank">11</a></div><div></div></div><br /><a name="more"></a>Let's start by the back door. We have the malachite desk along the west wall and I put the just-delivered, freshly reupholstered <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/04/how-to-easily-remove-rust.html" target="_blank">Plycraft chair</a> just next to that. I love how it looks next to <a href="http://keep.com/tracy-accent-table-safavieh-by-jennykomenda/k/wRK3VgABBU/" target="_blank">the new Safavieh table</a>. That thing is SOLID. Seriously built to last. The table top is a beautiful piece of sparkly marble and the tapered legs are gilded iron. The base has a really pretty organic quality - sort of perfectly imperfect.<br /><br /><center></center><div style="text-align: start;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3007copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3007copy.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: start;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3062.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3062.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://keep.com/horn-vases-jayson-home-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLH_SgBGB/" target="_blank">The horn vases</a> are my favorite for office supplies, but I've used them for flowers before too and the mix of textures is really beautiful. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3059.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_3059.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://keep.com/the-new-yorker-cover-september-9-1961-poster-print-by-saul-steinberg-at-the-conde-nast-collection-by-jennykomenda/k/wRNHEngBG4/" target="_blank">The New Yorker cover</a> from the 60s was a Conde Nast Store find. I love it next to my new vintage etching (especially after <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/04/adding-detail-to-frame-mats.html" target="_blank">its recent upgrade</a>).</div><br /><div style="text-align: start;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3027copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/cIMG_3027copy.jpg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: start;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">On the north wall, against the wall of windows, we put the ikat sofas and the marble coffee table on my old Persian runner.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xIMG_2949.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/xIMG_2949.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I got these one-of-a-kind kilim pillows a few weeks ago when they were one of the <a href="http://domino.com/deals" target="_blank">Domino Deals</a> (50% off baby!) and they're gorgeous. (psst...this <a href="http://keep.com/otomi-pillow-caramel-wisteria-by-jennykomenda/k/wRMb-sABLb/" target="_blank">Otomi pillow</a> is also awesome)</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_2972.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2972.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_2974.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2974.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And on the coffee table is this pretty little <a href="http://keep.com/faceted-vase-matte-black-domino-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLg3OgBMe/" target="_blank">black hex planter</a> from Dwell Studio. There might be no less than three succulents in every room in my house at this point.</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_2990.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2990.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This <a href="http://keep.com/falcon-arm-chair-light-blue-safavieh-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLVjZgBJe/" target="_blank">light blue-green chair</a> is more comfortable than you might give it credit for since it's so small. It's adorable and the linen upholstery is well done. The color is pretty with the sofas too, huh?</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_3187.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3187.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm SO in love with this <a href="http://keep.com/perimeter-light-white-blu-dot-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLZzGgBKY/" target="_blank">Blu Dot lamp</a>. I bought the IKEA knock off a couple months ago, and let me tell you, that one is complete junk in comparison. This lamp is worth every penny, just for the shade alone! It's a gorgeous statement piece. Look at that pretty base.</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_3193.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3193.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I found that little knoll table for (get this) <i>$24 </i>here at an antique mall. I could hardly believe my luck.</div><br /><img alt=" photo cIMG_3206.jpg" border="0" height="885" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_3206.jpg" style="text-align: start;" width="590" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just to the right of the sofas on the east wall is a bunch of new pretty stuff that I'm so excited to share with you! The perfect little cherry on top though is this <a href="http://keep.com/untitled-domino-prints-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLQLaABIQ/" target="_blank">Cy Twombly print</a> that I've been wanting for years now. I LOVE the colors here. And it was nice that the print came framed.</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_2930.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2930.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://keep.com/poppy-tall-aquamarine-glass-vase-arteriors-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLn7GABOX/" target="_blank">This Arteriors vase</a> is so crazy and unique, I keep moving it around the house because I love seeing it everywhere. Recognize the nubbins? Totally inspired one of <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/03/diy-concrete-planters.html" target="_blank">my concrete planters</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img alt=" photo cIMG_2925.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_2925.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">These little <a href="http://keep.com/garnet-sculptures-set-of-2-arteriors-by-jennykomenda/k/wRK9PuABDO/" target="_blank">brass hand sculptures</a> are new too and I love how they look against the black table. I think a person's hands are so beautiful (especially really old ones and brand new baby ones! Oh, my heart!), but I'm starting to realize that my hand sculpture collection is getting a little out of control at this point. Maybe.</div><br /><img alt=" photo cIMG_3420.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_3420.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_3428.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3428.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">More the share later, when I get to the projects posts, but I just wanted to say that lilac and poppy red will forever be a favorite color combo.</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_2903.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2903.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then just a little to the right, in the window bay, is my sunny desk nook. Those <a href="http://keep.com/s-chair-white-zuo-modern-by-jennykomenda/k/wRM4-lABDK/" target="_blank">white S chairs</a> were originally going sit at the malachite desk and one or both of the leopard chairs were going to sit at my desk, but I decided I liked the white S chairs in a pair at my desk instead. When people come over, we all sit together here, and the girls come up and sit with me if I need to work after they get home from school. They color and I type away. </div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_3111.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3111.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I painted the base of that Widdicomb table with chalkboard paint and I love the ultra-matte finish. And remember this little guy? My <a href="http://keep.com/brass-colored-pencil-set-jayson-home-by-jennykomenda/k/wRLEBjgBFA/" target="_blank">brass colored pencil holder</a> has a star spot on my desk top now. I love it.</div><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_3129.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3129.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I picked up the gray wool office chair at a thrift store and it is so, so comfortable. It's cleaned up pretty well, but I think it's going to get a little more love sometime soon. The wooden arms and base need some work. But for now, it's just about my favorite place to sit and the arms hit the table at just the right spot. The perfect fit.</div><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_3074.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3074.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There are still a few more projects we're working on (some giant inspiration boards!!), but I'm so happy with the progress in here. It's bright and cheerful and it feels finished, but not overloaded. There's tons of floor space for spreading out our projects, but also places to sit and work when we're just doing computer work. I am so happy and grateful for this studio space. It is seriously saving my sanity. :)</div><br /><img alt=" photo JennyKomenda.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/JennyKomenda.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">NOW!! Don't forget to enter <a href="http://keep.com/giveaway2?utm_source=LGN&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=DOLGNCN41514" target="_blank">the $2000 GIVE AWAY</a> from Domino and Keep.com. Think of all the pretty things you could put in your home! My fingers are crossed for you! :)</div></div>

The Studio Tour! (and a HUGE Give Away from Domino and Keep!)

We've been working hard to decorate my little studio space this month! It's been SO fun to finally add color to the all-white room! ...

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Adding Detail to Frame Mats

I've been picking up new pieces of art for the studio here and there since the big gallery wall in the living room and the other spaces in the house have swallowed up most of the art I already had. Last week I found a cool etching of a Manhattan street scene that reminded me so much of our old neighborhood that I had to have it. It didn't come with a frame, but luckily I have a habit of buying thrift store art just for the quality frames, and one of the ones in my collection had a mat that was the exact right size for the etching.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3733.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_3733.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />The whole thing looked a little blah together though. Lots of yellowed paper and browny-black. I first thought about painting the pretty, ebonized frame a more interesting color, but I hated the idea of covering up the old black finish. So I decided to try one of my old tricks on the matting. It was fun to think back on <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/10/dining-room-projects-part-i.html" target="_blank">this</a> five year old (!) post - I still love the concept.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo dr5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/dr5.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />I kept it even simpler this time and instead of gluing down tape trim, I used just a felt-tip marker and a straight edge to add a little interest and color to the old, yellowing mat.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3032.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3032.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Using a clear ruler made all the difference here in keeping my lines pretty close to straight and evenly spaced. I'm crazy about how this turned out. Such an easy and effective way to bring in a little color without having to buy a new mat! I love a good two-minute DIY! :)

Adding Detail to Frame Mats

I've been picking up new pieces of art for the studio here and there since the big gallery wall in the living room and the other spaces ...

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DIY Extra Tall Baseboards

<center></center><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1010.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1010.jpg" /></div><br />I love tall, chunky baseboards and I'm not ashamed to say it! :) Beefy floor boards = instant character in a room. Custom milled tall baseboards are <i>insanely expensive </i>though<i>. </i>Luckily it's easy to replicate the look by layering a few pieces of much more affordable moulding. Here's how:<br /><a name="more"></a>After we installed the plywood wide plank flooring, I started nailing up the 8" primed pine boards that we used for baseboards in the rest of our house. These boards come in 12' lengths and cost right about $20 each (so about $1.50 per linear foot). I loved the way they looked in the rest of the house, but in here, with the wide planks being basically the exact same width, the chunky floor board looked super dinky.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2646.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2646.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I used some moulding I already had on hand to create a custom stack of trim. We layered on my door and window casing moulding on top and a simple quarter round trim on the bottom of the pine board.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1289copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1289copy.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a view of the profile:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1318.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1318.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Pretty, right? I love that it's simple still.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2659.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2659.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used my new favorite finish nailer to install all the trim and it could not have been an easier process. The only tricky part was cutting out the notches for the outlets (of which there are many!), but my Dremel Saw made that just about as straight forward as could be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1278.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1278.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used a miter saw for all the corner cuts and then lots and lots of caulking to fill in the gaps and cracks and nail holes before painting:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2645.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2645.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am not the biggest fan of caulk with shiny silicone in it. This stuff though - the straight ALEX caulk (no PLUS) - is the very best for caulking trim work and prepping before painting.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1317.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1317.jpg" /></div><br />Once everything was installed, caulked and dried, we painted the moulding the same color as the walls (BM's Chantilly Lace) in semi-gloss in the Advance line. So clean and new looking!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1011.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1011.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The casing trim is also about $1.50 or so per linear foot and the quarter round is really, really inexpensive. Maybe $0.30/ft? So all in all, less than $5 per linear foot for 12" high floor boards is a total steal! I really, really love how these baseboards turned out.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1048.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1048.jpg" /></div>

DIY Extra Tall Baseboards

I love tall, chunky baseboards and I'm not ashamed to say it! :) Beefy floor boards = instant character in a room. Custom milled tall ba...

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DIY Wide-Plank Floors (Made from Plywood!)

I really wanted old-looking white floors for our new studio space. I actually saw some interesting, beat-up knotty oak at Lumber Liquidators for a little more than a dollar per square foot, which is practically highway robbery when it comes to wood flooring prices. But it was only about 2" wide and after laying all that tongue-and-groove flooring on the other side of our house this year, I decided to think outside the box and figure out a way to get wide-plank wood flooring to go in the studio for way, way less.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DIYwideplankfloors.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/DIYwideplankfloors.jpg" /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Then I did the thing that I sometimes do, where I'm convinced I just invented some incredible new DIY and then I google the idea and there are already a dozen tutorials up on the interwebs for my idea that felt so original and unique only five seconds before! (Sadness ensues). Seriously though, are there any new ideas in the universe? Maybe one day I will finally come up with something revolutionary, but for today, here's my version of plywood wide-plank floors.</div><a name="more"></a>So there's this really cool event space in Manhattan called <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=garys+loft&es_sm=91&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=jzEYU7ugGsfKrQGekYGQBA&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAw&biw=1198&bih=589" target="_blank">Gary's Loft</a> that companies love to host parties at. One of the spaces is big and open and all white, with gorgeous, gappy wide-plank white wood floors. I loved going to parties at Gary's.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1847.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1847.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>When I was planning my approach to the DIY, I had those gorgeous floors in mind. They were perfectly imperfect and all worn and full of character. I had the thought that cutting down and using plywood as the planks could achieve a similar, and even more rustic (in a good way) look. So I headed to the lumber section at my local Home Depot and found just the right plywood. It's almost a half-inch thick and one side is more finished than the other.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1730.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1730.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Plywood sheets are 4x8', which is 32 square feet. We needed to install about 800 square feet of flooring up in the studio space with the attached bedroom and balcony. Which meant we needed about 25 sheets of plywood. At less than $18 per sheet, my price per square foot came in at about 50 cents, which is complete insanity!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1731.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1731.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />So, I found the plywood I wanted, took a photo of the price tag, and walked up to the customer service desk. I placed an order for 25 sheets and I asked for each sheet to be cut down into 8" planks, lengthwise (which meant there was no waste - exactly six planks from each sheet). I'll admit that I did get a few funny looks, but for the most part everyone at Home Depot was incredibly nice and accomodating, given the huge ask. I was more than prepared to pay 10 or even 25 cents per cut, like one of the guys in the lumber department suggested they might charge me at the order desk. I think I paid for cuts when I did the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-plank-walls-and-painted-mudroom.html" target="_blank">wall planking project in our mudroom</a>, but this time there was no charge for all those cuts! I'm pretty sure it was because I was really flexible on timing and let them take as long as they wanted to get the order finished. And even then, it was less than 24 hours before they called to tell me my planks were ready to be picked up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1772.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1772.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />We borrowed a truck from my kind brother in law and he and the Home Depot guys helped us load up the 25 sheets of cut wood. The tricky part was then getting all the wood upstairs! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040GJ75Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0040GJ75Y&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20" target="_blank">These amazing gloves</a> practically never left my hands during the two or so days I was installing the planks and moving them around. The gloves are thin, but really durable and they grip so well that you almost forget you're wearing gloves at all. They're my favorite brand I've used so far.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8962.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_8962.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Once we had all the carpet removed and all the wood planks upstairs to the back porch, it was time to start the only tedious part of this project: all the sanding. It was actually pretty easy work, but it just took some time (actually about a minute and a half or two per plank, which really adds up). I asked Heather to sand while I was installing the planks, and usually the timing worked out well and we were able to keep a good pace.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9005.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_9005.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007XXHGY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0007XXHGY&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20" target="_blank">This new orbital sander</a> has changed my LIFE. You guys, what have I been doing with my dorky little Mouse sander for all these years?! Orbital is where it's at. Worth every last penny.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8990.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_8990.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I bought a couple packages of the bulk 50-count course/removal sanding pads and they really worked fast on any rough parts or spray painted markings or splinters on the plywood planks. It worked out best to change the sanding pad every three or four planks. And I didn't worry about getting every imperfection off - you're just going for the obvious parts that look bad or like they could hurt a bare foot. We also sanded down the perimeter of every plank so that the edges were sort of beveled. I think this step made a huge difference in helping the planks look like they're not just cut down plywood pieces.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1859.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1859.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />The installing part was so easy, especially when there weren't additional cuts needed. You'll want to start on the longest, straightest wall you have. Don't start on a wall that requires a lot of cuts and notching out - your lines will get messy and crooked really fast. If you start your installation on a long, straight wall and just focus on maintaining even spacing, the planks will look great. You can use a ruler or t-square to help with spacing, but I felt comfortable eyeing it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8936.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_8936.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8948.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_8948.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />To lay the wood down, I first squiggled on to the back side of the planks a line of Subfloor Liquid Nails (in the big contractor size, using the oversized caulking gun). I went through at least a dozen of these tubes of glue - you'll need a lot of it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9008.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_9008.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then you place the plank down and step on it to help spread the glue before nailing it in place. I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QTWNTS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003QTWNTS&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20" target="_blank">this angled finish nailer</a> (which is also great for installing moulding) and I really, really love it. I have a battery-operated brad gun too and there is just no comparison to the pneumatic nailers. It's so worth buying an air compressor, or even just renting one and a nailer for the day from Home Depot or Lowes.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8944.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_8944.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I nailed a brad in every 8-10 inches along both sides of every plank. I didn't fill the nail holes either in the end to help the wood look more like old planks.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1791.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1791.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You'll want a couple of different saws on hand to help with the cutting. I found a miter saw was the easiest and most exact way to cut down the planks shorter. My saw isn't big enough to cut through a whole plank clean, so I had to cut and then flip the board and cut again. My saw has a laser though, so it was easy to line things up and get an exactly flush cut the second time. It goes faster than you'd guess.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1866.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1866.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love an excuse to use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JRJE6A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005JRJE6A&linkCode=as2&tag=littgreenote-20" target="_blank">my Dremel Saw-Max</a> and it worked SO well with this project. Any time I needed to notch out part of a plank, I could just zip around with this little guy.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8966.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_8966.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8989.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_8989.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you don't have a Dremel, a regular old circular saw and a coping saw will work really well. I ended up using all of these saws at different points. The closets and our spiral stairs made for some tricky angles.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1777.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1777.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The floor went down really fast though, especially when we got past all the cuts and on to the straight laying. Just like with other flooring, you'll want to stagger the seams and throw in some shortened planks for every two or three full-length planks, just for variation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1861.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1861.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You'll find that not all the planks will be exactly 8" wide, which isn't a big deal if you are going for a sort of gappy look like I was. I shot for a gap of between 1/32" and 1/8", though there are some full 1/4" gaps in some places. I ended up really loving the variation there. It gives the floor a lot of character.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9065.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_9065.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When the wood was all installed, I wanted to get everything painted and sealed asap, so the raw, freshly sanded plywood wouldn't get dingy. I painted a few sample planks and I decided I wanted to be able to see a lot of the graining and knots in the planks, so I went for a more white-washed look over an opaque, painted look. I mixed one part water-based primer with two parts water in a big bucket - and it was pretty watery, but I knew it would look right in the end. I used primer because I wanted a chalky, limed look underneath the sealer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9080.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_9080.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Heather and Ali and I rolled on the first coat together in about 15 minutes. Painting floors goes so fast for some reason! You can be really sloppy with this first coat, too, so that the paint drips down the sides of the planks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1878.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1878.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The second coat smoothed out the color a lot. I tried to paint plank by plank to minimize roller marks (the roller was about the same width as the wood). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1884.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1884.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The extension poles make it a super fast and easy job.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9095.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_9095.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was just after rolling on the second coat of the primer mixture. It looked pretty pink to me, but I think a lot of that was the khaki wall color reflecting down.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1894.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1894.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The poly I used to seal the planks ended up changing the color a little too, even though it said it was a clear formula. It has some brown to it, which I ended up actually really loving. It made the floors a really pretty, creamy ivory color with gray undertones.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9126.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_9126.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9130.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_9130.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once the walls were painted bright white, the more muted floor color was exactly perfect. I don't think a pure white would have been right for the floors in here. I love the tone-on-tone look so much more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2676.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2676.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The semi-gloss sheen of the poly is really pretty and it's holding up really well so far. There are a few places I missed and need to touch up, but that's an easy fix.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0950.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_0950.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1096.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1096.jpg" /></div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1081.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1081.jpg" /></div><br />We haven't even started decorating in here yet, but I LOVE how bright the space feels now! Remember how dark it was just a few short weeks ago?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0655.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/xDSC_0655.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0652.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/xDSC_0652.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0650.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/xDSC_0650.jpg" /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0645.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/xDSC_0645.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div></div><br />The floors have completely changed the way I feel about this space! Instant character!<br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1077.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1077.jpg" /></div><br />And at only 50 cents a square foot for the plywood, it's hard to find things to complain about. It's a great look, especially for the price.<br /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1066.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1066.jpg" /></div><br />The studio is becoming a really lovely place to get work done and I know it will be perfect for photographing projects for the blog and book. We get great light in here all hours of the day and all the shades of white make the room just glow. :)<br /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1056.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1056.jpg" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_0998copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/cIMG_0998copy.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0979.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_0979.jpg" /></div><br />Now, on to the decorating!</div><div></div>

DIY Wide-Plank Floors (Made from Plywood!)

I really wanted old-looking white floors for our new studio space. I actually saw some interesting, beat-up knotty oak at Lumber Liquidators...

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