Sledge Hammer = Trouble

It has been so long since our last blog post, that I think I have forgotten how to write!  Given that we have not had any major projects, I think we can be excused.  Figured you did not want to hear about my attempts to grow some grass (big fail).

Short of working on Black Dog Bar and remodeling our laundry room, we don't have any major indoor projects to work on (I would love to replace all of our drywall, but LD won't allow me to).  Black Dog Bar and the laundry room remodel have been placed on the back burner until IKEA's grand opening (we want to purchase cabinets from them, and don't want to take the big trek up North).  

So that leaves us with only major outdoor projects:  additional window replacements, siding repair/paining, driveway replacement, and other major landscaping projects.  The problem is that each of those projects are big ticket items, and unfortunately money does not grow on trees.  We are waiting on a window replacement bid, so stay tuned for that.

Studiobuild worked with us a while back on designs for a major frontscape for the house.  Part of the plan involved replacement of our deteriorated planter boxes (well one of them was going to be replaced, the other one was going to be removed and replaced with just a flower bed).  

The planter box that is supposed to be replaced with a flowerbed was the one that was the most deteriorated.  Each time I looked at it, it saddened me to look at it.  I have been wanting to take it out for quite a while, but had not acted on it.

Well yesterday was the day!  I had a little too much fun swinging that sledge hammer (and I am paying for it today).

After a few swings of the sledgehammer, I started getting nervous about how I was going to dispose of all the debris.

LD agreed to go to our local big box store and pick up a Bagster for me.

It is supposed to hold a little over 3 cubic yards, but their website warns not to fill it up with more than 1 cubic yard when you have heavy debris (such as brick).  So I filled it up to the allotted 10 inches in height (for heavy debris).  I am nervous about the driver's measurements not matching mine, so I placed an add on Craigslist for free brick debris to help lighten the load.

I am not completely done, but my arms and the Bagster said I was done.  I still have a few more brick rows to demolish,  and I will have to do some excavation to remove those cinder blocks.  I am liking how the area is looking without the planter box, but LD is missing the planter box and is thinking she would like to have it replaced.  What do you think?  If you agree with LD, do you happen to have any extra cash your are not using?

Now this is a Coffee Table!

Last weekend, I found a coffee table that I would want for the family room!!!  It's an A.M. Stock Grand Server.  

This model was showcased at the 1963 World's Fair in New York City as an example of modern furniture.

The top swivels open, and you'll find a bottle holder, pull it up and lock it into place at table height.  

When you finish entertaining, you unlock the center tray, slide it down and then slide the top closed.

Oh and the "fabric" covering the mid-section was still pretty cool and applicable to today.

This is one of those times where I wish I had mad carpentry skills to build my own.  The two things I did not like about the original Grand Server is that it's laminated and has brass casters, but mostly that it's laminated particle wood.  

If I were to build it, I would:

1.  have a really light/almost white wood for the table tops;

2.  make it larger;

3.  have dark wood for the cocktail tray;
4.  change the mid-section to acrylic plant panels; and

5.  install stainless steel casters.

Hmmm, is this a future project for me?  I'll think about it.  Regardless, this is a great example of form and function.