We're Red, Going For Green.

Confession:  We haven't been recycling.  I know how bad that is.  So does Peter.  Ever since Chicago canceled it's recycling program, we've just let ourselves go.

Our awesome neighbors called us on it and needless to say, we were extremely embarrassed.  Both of us come from recycling households and we try to be eco-friendly whenever possible.

Pipe Shelving

EPIC FREAKING PROJECT!

STAIN!

SCREW!

DRILL!

HANG!

At some point I got fired as carpenter's assistant and Peter brought in the neighbor to help instead. I knew I should have gone union! In case you're wondering about the load bearing capabilities of a shelf system hung from the ceiling...

 

It's plenty strong.

Pretty happy with the outcome. Look at all that fresh shelf space, and there was no hammer drill required this time! The shelves never actually touch the wall.

Picking Paint Color

I was hell bent on painting the wall behind the bed super dark gray.  Peter, on the other hand, was a skeptic from the beginning.

The actual darkness was a bit shocking, especially at night. It was also a lot bluer then we anticipated. In the end, Peter was right. I'm saying it publicly for all to hear.

We went back to the paint store and picked a much lighter and warmer gray. (Sorry for the crap photos). Now we get to assemble the rest of that bedroom set we bought waaaay back when.

Office Shelves

This is what will eventually be our work/dining area. Isn't it hot?

We thought maybe it could use a few shelves. Enter the hammer drill! This thing was so crazy loud it shook the whole building. The melodic sounds of drilling were apparent upon entering the building. By apparent I mean an eerie buzzing noise rang throughout the building like a bad dream. It was a little embarrassing how loud it was, so when I ran into a neighbor in the hallway, I denied having any knowledge about the strange sound. "Hmmm, management must be fixing something."

36 Tapcon brick bolts and lots of dust and noise later, we have a pretty bad ass shelving system covering the office wall. Photos later.

My Mom's a Bad Ass

In 1973 my mom was almost as cool as she is now.  She was a newlywed, art student and all around badass.  I wasn't born yet, but I know because of this:

 

She used absolutely no black to paint it.  For years this painting lived in the basement of the house I grew up in. Now its mine, ALL MINE! 

In the sunlight the colors really come to life. I love this, it's perfect, like it was meant to be in this space.