Mid Century Modern Upcycled Center Piece

How to make a "Living" Centerpiece.



You know those Danish modern serving caddies you always come across at thrift stores; the ones that you like but you know you'll never use? Well, I figured out how to use one.

I started with this:



If you can't find one in the wild, search eBay or pick this one up from my friend's Etsy store.

Then do this:

Dump some soil in it. Drop a few plain ol' grass seeds in the soil. Follow it all up with a few drops of water. Place it in the window.



Wait.



Wait.



Wait.



Water. Wait some more.

About a week later you'll have this:



Place it on the table and wow your friends.





I trim the grass when needed with a pair of scissors. It's the easiest lawn mowing gig I've ever had.

The key is to not over-water it. Since there's no drainage, if you're too generous, the water will build-up and drown the grass. About once a week, squeeze off a few drops of H2O from a damp cloth. Depending on the depth of your caddy, you may consider putting in a few small pebbles before adding the soil to give the water a place to escape to.

My abode gets tons of natural light so I leave it in place. You may need to keep yours in a window while it's not adorning your table.

Cheers,

-Baz

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Mid Century Modern Landscaping

DIY Lessons in Mod-Scaping.



Winter is upon us. As the cold sets in, I thought it'd be a good time to show you what's kept me busy all summer.

This post comes complete with a crash course in DIY-ing yourself a rockin' modern landscape.

It starts like this...

Get a hefty collection of vintage modern landscaping books. Get inspired.



Draw up a plan. Crudely. Not to scale.



Get some rope. Play with layouts until your mod-loving heart is content.



Channel the graffiti artist in you with some turf-marking spray paint.



Trace your rope line with paint.



Borrow a trench spade. Dig a trench.

Trench will serve as a "moat" to prevent gravel from washing away. This is much more attractive than raised edging, and you can mow right across it. Promise.



Rest for a day. Then lay landscaping cloth for weed prevention.



Drop in some accent plantings.



Arrange more rope. Graffiti more lawn. Dig more trench. Lay a lot more landscaping cloth.





Have 16 tons of limestone driveway gravel dropped at your doorstep. This whole load was less than $300 including delivery.



Stand atop the mound of gravel and crown yourself King of the mound.



Invite a few unsuspecting friends over with the promise of beer and some "light" work. Apologise to your friends for using the word "light" once they get there.



Load a wheel barrow more times than you can count. Then sing this song.



Using a garden rake, carefully even the gravel out to a delicate state of perfection.









Cheerfully "bonsai" your bushes (not a euphemism).





Decorate the details.





Stand back and revel.



Install landscape lighting before you go to bed.





Sleep for a month.

The. End.

Cheers,

-Baz

P.S. If you're diggin' on the house numbers, you can read about that project here.
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Mid Century Modern Renovation

Tour of Atomic Indy headquarters.

It's been a while since I've posted. I know this. But a lack of posting does not equate to a lack of motivation. Or a lack of renovation. There's plenty of both.

Let's journey on a quick tour to get a sense of the current state of things.

Guest bedroom: View from the door.



Guest bedroom: View from the bedside.

Master bedroom: View from the door.

Master bedroom: View from bedside.


Dining room: View from kitchen.


Dining room: Close-up of fireplace.


Dining room: Close-up of tabletop.


Dining room: View of bar/buffet.


Kitchen: View from dining room.


Kitchen + Dining Room + Mystery Room.


If you're patient, I'll reveal the wonders taking place behind the mysterious plastic curtain. Stand. By.

Still untouched are the office (3rd bedroom), and two bathrooms. Back to work.

Cheers,

-Baz

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