stitchin' pictures together!

been stitching pictures togehter of some of the work on 2432... maybe I should just get a wide-angle lens?

Beginning to see the light

Things are slowly but surely coming together on the '30 side. We are finally getting some painting finished up and getting rid of the hideous boob ceiling lights that were installed in our unit.

The bedroom is the first one shaping up. Here's the before as found when the previous tenant lived there. Note the boob light looming above us.

Pull out the carpet, add some awesome furniture, light aqua blue paint, and a vintage George Nelson bubble lamp and we have a nearly complete room we can be proud of. The GN light definitely steals the show. We purchase it from our friends Cheryl and Casey at Tiny Modernist via a random Craigslist connection. Thanks guys! We love it in the room. Craigslist strikes again!

Jean mixed the paint from opps paint we got from Homie D's, so all said, the improvements have cost us $65. $50 for the lamp, $15 for paint and supplies. Not bad, ehh? We still need to tackle window treatments and base trim. Sigh. Back to work.

The "Dupe" of the future??

This post doesn't begin to hold a candle to Jean's Power Range post, but it does involve more photoshop trickery.

Here's a rendering I did of the house's front facade when we were all psyched up in the time between the offer and closing.

I'm sure this is the first of many ideas about revamping the front, but I think this one has some potential. The goal would be to unify the front more to make it look less like two separate units. This would be done via a 8-10" frame around both windows that would create a window box below for wicked awesome plants that we'd probably enviably kill with neglect. We would then change up the siding in between them and it would create this awesome huge-looking single window thing. Oh, and we'd also paint the outside some bold dark grey with color accents under the roof. Where's the $ and time going to come from? I'm banking on a high likelihood of a Federal bail-out, but we could also get higher-paying jobs as a back up plan.

What do y'all think?

Ballard Power Rangers to the Rescue!

As you read on the first post with Chika's intro for Thirty.Thirtytwo...while this may not be a reality show...it doesn't mean that it can't an awesome show with 5 kick ass super heroes (Chika, Dylan, Jean, Jared, and Jesse)....actually 5 and a half, counting Jesse's cat. We are the NEW Mighty Morphin Power Rangers-Home Improvement Edition 2008. (We're currently trying to pitch this idea to HGTV for kids...) Our mission is to save this old 1962 building from it's ugliness and turn it into total awesomeness. Each one of us has our own superhero powers with our own special power ranger weapons....and with all of us combined, we're gonna kicking some major ass....did I mention that we're awesome?

Here's our character break down:Chika-Founder of Chikabird Inc.---morphs into--->Pink Power Ranger-Unlike the ditzy former Pink Power Ranger, Chika is sharp and meticulous. When she sets her mind on something, she makes it happen using her Pterodactyl Power. She can also use her half-Japanese Crane Power to cut through kitchen cabinets, as well at shooing all the squirrels and crows away.
Dylan-Product engineer at HenryBuilt Kitchens & Co owner of L&G Vintage---morphs into--->Red Power Ranger-Similarly to the former Red power ranger to be known as the "class clown, good nature, spirited and likes to have fun. With lower IQ level but has the power of the Tyrannosaurus." Dylan's Tyrannosaurus power can spot super deals from Craig's List in a blink of an eye. He also uses his Power Sword to cut up HB scraps and turn them into awesome cabinets and furniture.Jean-Co Owner of Chikabird Inc. and Founder of L&G Vintage---morphs into--->Yellow(Asian) Power Ranger-Unlike the lame former Yellow Power Ranger, Jean is much cooler and doesn't do all the stereotypical Asian spiritual/kung fu crap. Instead, Jean uses her Power Dagger or whatever thing to ensure that the team uses minimal resources for maximum results. Jean also can now apply with her saber tooth tiger power she uses for L&G Vintage, to spot deals and one of a kind finds from afar at garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores for decorating the house!Jared-Head product designer of General Assembly Product Design---morphs into--->Blue power ranger-Like the former Blue Power Ranger, he's the smartest of the group who wears glasses and has "super genius IQ level." Jared is a perfectionist and a whiz at making things work even if he's never done it before. So far, he has installed a kitchen range, a vent hood, a sink, and even a door bell with his Triceratops power without even looking at any instruction manuals.....okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. But he did install the door bell without looking at the manual!Jesse-Store manager at Starbucks---Morphs into-->Green Power Ranger-Like the former Green Power Ranger Jesse joined the team soon after the other Power Ranger teamed up. It was the perfect time to pull out his green Power Ranger costume from his closet and start wearing it once again! (since Starbucks wouldn't allow him to wear it while serving coffee) Now, as part of the Power Rangers, Jesse provides the team with unlimited supply of coffee and insures that everyone is caffinated and woking on the house 24/7. Jesse also works magic in the kitchen and on the grill. Currently, his Dragon Dagger (also doubles as a flute) is still packed up, but once retrieved, he will surely be back in action making amazing gourmet meals.Baby-Jesse's pet cat---morphs into--->Black Power Ranger-Although not an African American human like the former Black Power Ranger, Baby is a cat who also enjoys "dancing, magic, and is a good friend with a good heart." Baby always know to cheer up the group with her cuteness....Besides that she just hangs out around the house all day and gives high fives.

All these fab glamor shots were done by Jean's late night saber tooth power as well...Everyone's hair styles are authentic to the former ranger's photos . So check out the before shots. Trust me....we don't usually look THIS good.

Us in the New York Times!

We got mentioned on the New York Times! Well..not exactly US...per say...more like Ballard..the neighborhood.... Close enough though!
In any case, the NYT wrote this travel article on how cool and awesome Ballard is with their organic farmer's market, Salmon locks, Nordic Museum, nice shops, cafes & restaurants, and everything nice. It's exciting to think that people all the way in NEW YORK are reading about Ballard while riding on the subway trains or in their NY lofts probably thinking about how nice it would be to visit....and here's us...with a house and actually living in Ballard. NEAT!!

IN YOUR FACE, NEW YORKERS!

Jean