Three weeks ago we started ripping our kitchen apart in preparation for putting in our sliding glass door. Two weeks ago we had a huge hole cut in the wall, and our last door installed. Last week we received a big shipment from Ikea, and this weekend I finally had time to put some of it in the kitchen.
We didn’t want to order too much from Ikea, since they will be opening soon here in Utah, but we also were going crazy with our kitchen half ripped apart. I had thought about building some cabinets, but in lieu of time we just ordered them from Ikea. We ended up getting the SORBO doors, and I really like the look of them.

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Speaking of houses, I love this house from Sparkability. OK, so its basically just a big white cardboard box, and you could probably make something just as cool for a whole lot less money ($45- ouch). What I do love about it is that someone realized that sometimes the box is more fun than the toy, so they are just selling the box. House is extra sturdy, and made of recycled carboard. House is white, so it’s up to you to decorate it the way you like.
I would love to see pics of some homemade modern cardboard houses. If anyone has any, or is up to the challenge of getting a refrigerator box and making one, send them my way. I’ll post them here for everyone to see!

Available from Sparkability for $45. (or make your own for free )

After a full year of design, arranging financing (twice) and selecting a contractor (twice also) and waiting for what seemed like an eternity for a permit, work on the ground has finally began.
We are building our dream home. It would be considered a humble home to many and weird to others but it is ideal in our minds. It’s a very simple modern design that is intended to be easy to construct. We have three bedrooms, 2.5 baths spread over three floors with two walkout rooftop patios off the third. We are building what we think is a relatively affordable modern home our total cost with land included is under $320,000.
Construction began only a few hours after gaining a permit thanks to Garth at Benchmark Renovation. They completed all of the excavation, fill and temporary electric in less than 48 hours. They will have the footings for the foundation in place tomorrow and all foundation work done by Friday. The framers are scheduled for next week. After a full year of talking about construction it is a huge relief to have it happening so fast. Keep posted for further hopefully rapid progress.
-Jacob-

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While Utah is no meca for modern design, we have seen a slow trend moving that direction in recent years. Something must be happening for Ikea to decide to build here. Besides my own project, I have quietly watched as other modern design projects pop up around the Salt Lake Valley. I have often wondered what their stories are and if they are as affordable as ours. Luckily this week Jacob, another Utah modernist, got in contact with me to share his modern infill project. It’s called Lucy Ave, and it’s a great story. Jacob was gracious enough to join the Grassrootsmodern team, and blog about his adventure. As his project evolves, you can track it by clicking on the Lucy Ave tag to the right. Welcome to the team Jacob and family!

Everyone remembers dixie cups, those cheap thin plastic cups that we would whip out for picnics and parties. My grandpa used to have a little dixie cup dispenser in his bathroom for getting a drink. These Beaker Juice Glasses from CB2 have all the retro style of dixie cups, but they are made of heat-tempered, chem lab beaker glass, so they will hold up to the continuous use and abuse that would make a plastic dixie cup shudder in fear.

Available from CB2 for $1.95

I mentioned yesterday that I have been working on the electrical for the past couple of weeks. I worked until almost midnight last night to be ready for our rough electrical inspection today. Hopefully it passes, I can’t wait to get some insulation and drywall going on this project. Along with the electrical, I have been wiring the addition for all the modern luxuries. I ran two coaxial cables, and two cat 5 wires to each bedroom, and to the hall where the computer will be. It is a small cost up front (about $100) and will be a lifesaver in the future. We will probably never fully utilize them since we don’t have a phone land line, and don’t even own a TV. We will use the Cat 5 for internet though. Also, it feels good to know any future owners won’t be cursing me for not doing it right.

I have been slowly chipping away at the electrical for the past several weeks. It has been slow progress and has included many phone calls to my friend Ryan who is way more savy about electricity than I am. Last week we had the guys from Dibble Electric stop by to work on our main service change. As a home owner, that is one of the few things I can’t do myself. This weekend I finished up most of the loose ends to be ready for our rough electrical inspection. Just for fun I threw a bulb in on of our can lights and hardwired it to the breaker so we could have some light. It was fun to see a more concrete reinforcement of all the wire pulling I have been doing. Our rough inspection will be tomorrow, and hopefully we will get the go ahead so we can start insulating this week.
Click on continue reading for another pic.

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We are getting ready to buy a stroller, and I think we have finally decided which one to get. I never knew it could be so hard to pick something that sounds so simple. One thing that I really wanted in a stroller was to be able to have it front or rear facing. Most strollers with that option cost a pretty penny unfortunately. We decided on the Britax Vigour. It does both front and rear facing, it has good sized wheels, and it is fairly easy to fold up. Plus I kind of like the lurpy look of it.

Does anyone have the Britax Vigour? Do you like it?

Available from Target for $349.

There is nothing better than a pillow to add a simple accent color to a sofa or chair. If you are a lover of red like my wife, you will love this simple throw pillow from Chiasso. The Blossom Pillow is white felted wool with a cherry red felted accent. The best part about it is the price. It is currently on sale for $24 which is a great deal for any pillow, and even better of a deal when you consider it is felted wool.

Available from Chiasso for $24.

While we don’t really have any need for pendant lighting, If we did I would seriously consider the Cog Light designed by Blue Marmalade. Made entirely of polypropylene helps keep costs down on the Cog, but it doesn’t effect the quality of the light at all. It is small and sleek at 11″ H x 23″ W, but it can take up to a 100w bulb, so it’s sure to light up a space as much as you need. Best of all is the price, at only $35.
Available from Design My World for $35