HardBoard Accent Wall

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by to check out another project. ;-)

We have been running in circles trying to figure out what to do with a bare wall we had in our lounge area entering the second floor of our home. This area currently has a cool faux leather chair (found @ dumpster) and a coffee table that was gifted to us by my mom. Here is the room before our project:



We wanted this area to have a distinguished accent wall color, wallpaper, or just a 'textured' wall covering of some type to create a cool, modern 'lounge' area similar to a tapas bar or upscale office building. About a year ago Sheena purchased several pieces of 'hardboard' or 'masonite' at our local home improvement store for Dustin's office, assuming that it was cork board. Once we got it inside, we realized that it was not what we expected, and tucked the pieces away in a closet to hopefully use again one day. Here is what the hardboard looks like without any alterations and/or cuts:



This became a possible contender for our wall because one side is a smooth cork board look, and the opposite side is almost like a weaved patten. We went back to the store and grabbed about 2 extra pieces that were a darker shade, to create a bit more contrast. Dustin laid them on the table saw and cut them down to 6in in length and kept the width that it was from the store. We ended with a stack of them that looked like tiling or hardwood planks:





We decided to lay them like subway tiles or bricks, with no perfect pattern or repetition. We used 'liquid nails' that comes in the form of a tube, and you would need a caulk gun to force the product out:



We followed up with two 1" staples in each plank, using a compressor/nail gun to apply additional re-enforcement. Can't have panels falling off of the wall during parties! (haha) So once those pieces were cut, we started working from the top left of the wall, and moving forward in a 'reading' style. (left to right, next row down, left to right)



We seriously took several hours to complete this only because we would stop after every row, and just stare at the wall, like "awesomeee, riiiight? ;-)" *high fives* lol.





The hardest part of this project was getting the hardboard planks right against the banister seen above. We didn't want any of the wall showing, and we wanted the wall covering to look as 'organic' as possible, as if the wall was just that way already. We were able to achieve most of it with a dremmel, but it took forever and kept overheating, so we had to call it a night, and head out the next morning to get a jigsaw. And boy, did we get it for a STEAL!



 

Dustin, putting the final touches on the cut-out for the banister with the dremmel, after doing the major cuts with the jigsaw:



 



After a few more staples and filling in the final pieces, here is our completed lounge, accent wall!





 

 



Can you tell we're pretty in love with it? ;-) Thanks so much for checking out our project, and if you guys try something similar, definitely let us know! We'd love it to see your creation(s)! Until next time, peeeeeace.



 

Love in the details,

Spokenhome.

Video available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX31CG2QYHw

 

DIY| Healthy Curry Chicken

Hey Guys!!

Since being on a journey to better health and wellness, we've started "tweaking" recipes and everyday meal ideas to be a bit more conscious of calories, portions, and ingredients. In this post we're going to share how we create our curry chicken dinner from different techniques we've accumulated. Having Jamaican ancestry, Sheena grew up on curry chicken and goat, so it was fun to put a twist on a well-known recipe from the islands. :)



Here are the ingredients you'll need:

• 1-1/2lb chicken breast


• salt (eyeball it)


• pepper (eyeball it)


• 2 tsp olive oil or coconut oil


• 1 small onion


• 2 tsp of garlic / 1-2 cloves


• 4 tsp of curry power (or more)


• 1 tsp of cinnamon


• 3/4 tsp ground paprika


• 1/2 tsp ginger


• 3 tsp sugar (as desired)


• 1 cup non-fat greek yogurt


• 1/4 tsp cumin optional

Now, let's get to cookin! ;-)

1.) Cut the chicken into 1-1/2 inch cubes.

2.) Season it with a bit of salt and pepper, set aside.



3.) Dice the small onion and set aside.

4.) Grab a skillet or a wok, turn to low-med heat and add olive oil.



5.) Once oil is heated, add onions and allow them to sautéed until lightly golden.

6.) Add the garlic and allow to cook with onion for about 30 seconds.

7.) Add in the curry powder, paprika, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and sugar -- stirring constantly.



8.) Let the spices simmer together for about 2 mins, then add the chicken cubes in!

9.) After stirring chicken with spices for 2 mins, bring the pot to a boil, throw in the cup of greek yogurt, and stir thoroughly.



( Feel free to add any additional spices or oil at this stage, if needed.)

10.) Once pot begins to boil, turn down to a simmer ( LO temp ) and allow it to cook for another 20-25 mins. Continue to stir every few mins during this time.

11.) Voilà! Dinner is served! :-)



We decided to go with a side of basmati (white) rice! We used the "Success" brand, that boils in a bag for about 10 mins.



We also steamed a medium sized bowl of broccoli in the microwave, with saran wrap over the top, about 3 tbs of water in the bottom, for 3 - 3 1/2 mins.



This meal is so yummy and is a frequently made (FAVORITE) in our home! Thanks so much for stopping by our page, and feel free to share your versions of this recipe too! ;-)

Love in the details,

SpokenHome.