Recent Posts

A-Frame with Bump-out Shed Roof Addition

A-Frame with Bump-out Shed Roof Addition

This modified A-frame house is near our new house. The house itself is only 26-feet wide. It was built in 1978. The deck wraps around the front and side of the house. It is big enough to put a table and chairs on and use 

IKEA Ektorp Sofa

IKEA Ektorp Sofa

We are getting the log cabin ready to be a vacation cabin. Since we are taking most of the furniture with us, we have to buy a lot of things. I have always liked the IKEA Ektorp Sofa. It is really comfortable and you can 

Getting Settled and Enjoying Spring

Getting Settled and Enjoying Spring

The grass is starting to grow. The daffodils I planted in the field behind the house are blooming. And we are getting some things put away. The grass is starting to grow. You can see a lot of green under the straw. And a lot 

Foam & Fabrics Outlet

Foam & Fabrics Outlet

I always seem to end up at Foam & Fabrics Outlet unintentionally. I was on the way back from another appointment when my phone alerted me that HQ was about to start. What is HQ? HQ is a trivia game a lot like Jeopardy that 

Our New Kitchen – Getting Settled

Our New Kitchen – Getting Settled

We are still figuring out where everything goes, but I’ve been asked a few questions about the kitchen. This is what it looks like as you walk in from the front door. The island sure turned out big. I can’t reach the middle from anywhere 

Swedish Kachelofen, Beautiful Ceramic Stoves

Swedish Kachelofen, Beautiful Ceramic Stoves

Carl Larsson, the Swedish painter and decorator included these beautiful ceramic stoves in many of the paintings of his home. The book Living in the Countryside by Barbara & René Stoeltie shows photos of the home of Karin and Carl Larsson. It has a photo 

Putting Glass Door Knobs on the Closet Doors

Putting Glass Door Knobs on the Closet Doors

I bought glass door knobs for the entire house, but we have agreed that more modern handle sets are a better idea. Cliff works for Schlage locks and was unhappy with my choice of vintage style glass door knobs. He is perfectly content with using 

The Right Thermostat: Lennox ComfortSense 7500 Touchscreen Thermostat

The Right Thermostat: Lennox ComfortSense 7500 Touchscreen Thermostat

When they finished installing the HVAC system, the thermostat was not the one they promised. We were told we would have the Lennox ComfortSense 7500 Touchscreen Thermostat. What we had was the Honeywell TH6210U2001/U T6 Pro Programmable Thermostat. The contractor called the HVAC guy back 

Archdale Modular or Double Wide

Archdale Modular or Double Wide

My daughter and her husband were going to remodel the house they are in, but it may be more cost effective to sell and start over. They already have a piece of land they were going to eventually build on. Now they are looking other 

Inspiration: Swedish Summer House

Inspiration: Swedish Summer House

In Nordic countries there is a tradition of Summer Houses, a simple small shelter or cottage to stay in when the weather is pleasant. This is a tradition in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland. City families who could afford to had a second home