Tour Our Ticon 30 Sailboat

Happy Canada Day, friends!  I consider myself very fortunate to call a beautiful country like Canada home.  I don't have any red and white themed recipes or crafts for today, but I did want to pay homage to one of the many wonders of this country (which we share with our neighbours to the south!):  Lake Superior.

Because we live on a small, shallow bay of Lake Superior, I often forget the powerful force behind this body of water.  When we were driving back from the Toronto area after a week of sailboat shopping, we stopped at Katherine's Cove for a break.  While breathing in the fresh Northwestern Ontario air we had missed so deeply, we spotted a boat.  It didn't look tied up, and I started to think the worst.  Hubby and I ran as quickly as we could through the sand but, to our relief, the boat looked as though it had simply been stolen from a dock by the powerful waves.  We reported it and hopefully it was reunited with its owner after being tossed around like a pop can by Lake Superior.

When I announced our plan to buy a boat in Toronto and my desire sail it home over the Great Lakes, everyone thought I had lost my mind and I was inundated with intimidating - at times contradictory - Lake Superior facts.  Did you know that Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and, if you're considering surface area, is the largest freshwater lake in the world?  By volume, it's the third largest.  The deepest point is 1300 feet and it holds enough water to flood all of North and South America with a foot of water.  Waves taller than 40 feet have been recorded on Lake Superior - 51 feet is reportedly the highest!  That's incredibly scary!  Perhaps the saddest fact:  I've read that more than 10,000 lives have been lost, with more than 350 recorded shipwrecks.  

Okay, okay, it's probably a good thing we ended up buying our Ticon 30 from a local sailor because I don't think we were quite ready for that epic a journey.  But I'm excited to get out on Lake Superior and explore it more!  In our last sailboat, a small Fireball, we never ventured very far from shore but with the Ticon 30, who knows how far we'll sail?

We've been working on the boat and we're hoping to launch soon.  The tired and torn cushions are already with a local upholster (I chose Loft Indigo by Sunbrella for the new cushions - I'm definitely going for a different look, design-wise!).  I snapped some photos the day we purchased the boat and already it's looking so much cleaner.  While Hubby has been tinkering with the engine, I've been scrubbing, decluttering and oiling wood.  On one particularly frigid day, soaking wet from the rain and wearing five layers of old coats I stole from my parents' basement, I had shimmied into the quarter birth and was oiling the teak.  I shouted to Hubby, "this sucks!"  But then I thought for a moment and yelled again, "this is what sailing is going to be like, isn't it?  Cold, wet, and oiling teak".

We laughed because while we know that's partly true, we also know it's going to be amazing!  We even bought an aerial camera so I can bring you all along for the ride - minus the motion sickness and endless teak oiling.  For now, here's a tour of the "before" - with better photos and a video tour coming once the sailboat is looking a little more...shipshape ;)

When you first enter the companionway, this is what you see:

Actually, this is what I saw first:



I can't wait to polish up those beautiful wood floors!  The steps are really gorgeous too (and they remove to reveal access to the engine - so clever!):

To the left when you first clamber down is the little galley.  I've got my eyes peeled for a retro stove, but they can be super pricey!

Beside the galley is a seating area that slides out to form a double bed.  Our new cushions will have a really high end mattress-grade foam and we'll be able to sleep six people!  On the wall is my favorite feature, a table that swings down.  When I snapped these photos the cabin was full of sails and the former owner's stuff so I couldn't easily pop it into place (there were also three of us in here), but for the "after" tour I will - it's gorgeous!

On the right is the quarter berth (with panels that slide out to reveal more engine access), navigation table, and more seating.  I still need to read through a book, no fewer than a million pages long, and pass a test to get my operator's certificate to operate the marine radio.  Don't they know I'm too busy thinking about how to decorate my boat?

Beyond where Hubby is standing in the first photo, toward the v-berth, is our toilet and shower on the left, with the tiniest bi-fold door you've ever seen.  You may not refer to this as the washroom, it's called the "head".  Don't worry - the bucket does not serve a functional purpose in this space.  Near as I can tell, it's decorative.

To the right is hanging storage and teeny tiny drawers: 

Beyond that is the v-berth, with bunk beds and drawers - and a hatch above, for staring at the night sky...

It looks a little rough in these photos - they're just cellphone snaps and there was still a tarp covering the hatches and portholes, making it seem much more dim.  It already looks so different because we removed bags and bags of stuff left behind, plus I've been scrubbing, cleaning, and teak oiling my heart out.  But I love these photos because they show exactly what our Ticon 30 looked like when we bought it and it will be exciting to see it transform with the new upholstery and a few decorative accents.  I already bought some insanely gorgeous linen for some throw pillows.

If I had the budget and time, I'd be tempted to do a major reno on this sailboat but, for this year at least, the most important goal is to just get this beast on the water and sail it home!

Happy Canada Day to all of my Canadian friends, and an early Happy Fourth of July to my friends a little more South.  I hope everyone has time to get out to explore these beautiful countries of ours this long weekend. 

I will be celebrating by oiling some teak. 

But I'll keep my fingers crossed for beautiful weather for us all!  Have a great weekend!

DIY Solid Wood Trivet on Legs

Hubby and I recently spent a week house-sitting for my in-laws.  They casually mentioned that they might not be able to go on a vacation because they couldn't find a house-sitter, so Hubby and I volunteered, even though their place (with two dogs, three kitties + a woodworking shop set on 80 acres of aggressively pollinating trees) always gives me massive allergy attacks.  My desire for free rein in my father-in-law's amazing woodworking shop overruled any health concerns (plus it would have been so sad if they'd had to forgo their trip!).  Handy Hubby and I knocked out four easy woodworking projects while we were there.  Being surrounded by scrap wood really sparked my creativity! 

My favorite project is this super simple DIY solid walnut trivet (or cutting board) on legs - which is actually a gift for my Mom!  She and my Dad live in a small, post-war house with a teeny kitchen boasting a small teak table - the only dining space in the house.  Mom's been on the hunt for a petite trivet to use at the table, but couldn't find one the right size or proportions.  When I spotted this gorgeous piece of wood (which I thought was teak, but is actually walnut), I knew it would be perfect:

I tried to convince her of the merits of a trendy painted edge.  She collects pink and yellow Pyrex and has pretty grey and pink patterned dishes, so I almost had her convinced that a pale pink accent would be perfect but, alas, she nixed the idea in favor of plain wood.  Plain!  But she did suggest that we attach little legs to give it some flair.  With our instructions delivered, Hubs and I got to work making  a modern, solid wood trivet on legs.

Supplies:

• Solid walnut lumber
• Sandpaper (120 and 220 grit - this sandpaper multi-pack will do the trick, too)
• Sanding block
• Tape measure
• Table saw or chop saw
• Wood oil
• Water proof wood glue
• Project clamps

How to make a solid wood trivet:

First we trimmed the edges, because one was rough from the mill, using a radial arm saw (a table saw or circular saw would do the job too).  If you're using a rougher piece of lumber, you might need to add planing - or at least running the belt sander along it - to your list of steps.  Lucky for us, this piece was already planed.

Next we cut off two identical strips, each about 1 1/2 inches wide.  With these pieces removed, it was the length Mom requested. 

After that came a lot of hand sanding.

Hubby suggested using a router to soften the edges, but I like the blocky look.  Instead, I logged a little extra time with the sandpaper to soften the edges.  I used a sanding block and started with 120 grit sandpaper before switching to 220.  Here's a great article on how to properly switch grits.  Basically, I just wanted it smooth to the touch.  When the sanding was done, we wiped down the pieces and affixed the legs with waterproof wood glue, just in case it ever gets too vigorous a washing (although this really shouldn't be submerged in water).

We used some clamps to keep everything in place and let it dry overnight.  For fun, the distance the legs are inset is the same height of the legs.  Aren't we exceptionally clever? ;)

We opted to skip screws/nails because this isn't a high-stress pieces so the glue will offer a sufficient hold and a cleaner look.  Once the glue was dry, it just needed a finish.

I applied a few coats of teak oil.  Applying eak oil is so simple (catch my teak oil tutorial by clicking here): apply with a cloth, let it soak in (manufacturer's suggestions will vary from a few minutes to a few hours), and then wipe off the excess.  Food safe Danish oil would also be a good option, and then it could double as a cutting board. 

I'm getting really hooked on oiling wood - remember the Danish teak tray I revived?  Oh, and the arms for the velvet garbage chair?  They still look incredible.  Oiling wood is such an easy way to bring out its natural beauty. 

Once I relinquish it, I'm sure Mom will be thrilled to finally have a trivet the exact size she was questing for.  But it's so gorgeous, Mom should be a little nervous about this trivet actually making its way to her place...

This was such a fun and simple project - a perfect beginner woodworking project!  Plus you can make one of these cute trivets with any scrap wood lying around after another DIY.

I still think it could use some pink...or turquoise!

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Treasure Hunting Report: When it Rains, it Pours

Did I will this to happen, or am I clairvoyant?  Remember my post at the beginning of April, gleefully sharing my classifieds score: a vintage bar cart, found almost one year after announcing I wanted one?  I joked that I'd probably find so many, because I have one now and (my) life is like that.  I didn't find another bar cart, but I found a mid-century cabinet that fits the dining room so perfectly, that the bar cart has been displaced.

Please ignore Hubert the Hibiscus.  He is very ill and I am trying to find him the sunniest spot.

I didn't think it was possible to find something narrow enough for the dining room.  Although the traditional place would be under the painting, as you know there's no room so I thought a piece of furniture like this was out of the question.  But this slim cabinet doesn't get in the way of chairs and because it is the exact length of the wall, looks like it was meant for this room.

This teak cabinet was purchased from the same seller who sold me the apricot tweed chair and ottoman.

The chair and ottoman were a great price and so was this unit, at $160.  It's tough to find Ikea furniture for that price, let alone something mid-century (although it's still quite a few $20 bills leaving my wallet).  My only issue was that it has been modified and the legs were added.  I'm not surprised because the seller tinkers, but I was a little disappointed by the lack of full disclosure.  She'd already moved it to her entryway when we arrived, so it was impossible to look under it in the cramped quarters.  We didn't notice the alteration until we got it home and flipped it over to figure out why it wobbled (we fixed it!).  Truthfully, at first I was peeved!  But then Hubby and I decided we'd never find something in the perfect size with a clean-lined mid-century look, for that price, again.  A little update shouldn't bug me, because I'm a furniture lover, not a furniture collector.  I buy what I like (and can afford) and make it look as fabulous as possible in the townhouse.  I don't tend to go ga-ga for famous designers and I don't want my house to look like a museum.  Hubs and I want a fun, stylish place to call home but have time and money for living, instead of spending both questing for furniture.  My Dad always says, "Do we live for the furniture, or does the furniture live for us?" 

Now I have a perfect place to display my growing Iittala and turquoise glass collections (thanks Mom!), plus there's a handy surface for party snacks or buffet-style dinners.  I'm so excited to have a new piece of furniture to style.  I already have something up my sleeve . . .

And don't worry: the lovely bar cart has found a new home.  It can still be easily wheeled into the dining room or living room for drinks and snacks, but is now a workhorse in the front hall.  Although it snowed last week, I'm hopeful I can spray paint soon (this feels like the Dans le Townhouse motto).

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Location, Location, Location

Moving the chair from the office into the living room kick started a chain reaction of furniture rearrangement.  I had been bothered by the guest room teak chair/side table combo for awhile because the two pieces were so dissimilar in wood tone and style, but not dissimilar enough to work.  With the office chair moved downstairs, I relocated its accompanying black metal glass topped table (a wedding present my grandma received in the 1950s) to the guest room and love how it looks in there.  The splash of black adds the right amount of tension, and is a common element in every room of the house. 

Yep - those heaters will be painted.  Eventually.

The table + teak table combo (click here for more photos):

Before - teak table + prints on wall have since been replaced

You might have already spotted the change in my post about my DIY'd Needled Felted Abstracts.  This photo gave it away:

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