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Archive for March, 2008

In Celebration Of A Weekend

Posted March 28, 2008 * Comments(0)

Front Porch

Are You In The Mood For A Little DIY?

It’s hard not to be in the home improvement mood this time of the year as spring fever sets in, the days get longer, and the temperature gets even warmer.  If you’re ready to tackle that next little project, but just need some inspiration and a few good ideas for that that project might be first, be sure to check out these easy renovations from This Old House.  After all, sometimes the projects with the biggest impact are the little ones!

Because Lighting Is A Major Kitchen Component

Just finished reading a great post at The Kitchen Designer Blog on kitchen lighting.  The Post, aptly titled “Top Ten Secret Kitchen Design Tips – Lighting!” is a great review of why lighting is so important to a kitchen’s design and function too.  Some good suggestions here for what works where and how to make a real splash with your kitchen’s lighting fixtures.

Why Not A Better Shower Curtain?

A typical bathroom renovation or just a quick redecorating can involve all sorts of new fixtures and components – often everything from the ceiling to the floor.  It’s surprising that even with all of this effort, many still settle for a dime store shower curtain.  A quick look at designer shower curtains like these might be convincing.  Are you crafty?  If so, try finding some fun fabric on eBay and make your own shower curtains.

Check Out This House Made From Straw

Just recently, we looked at a do-it-yourself straw home construction project.  Well, here’s another really interesting straw home in the works.  Just goes to show that with a little creativity and ingenuity, fantastic homes can be crafted from even the most practical elements on a shoestring budget.

A Journey From Trash To Treasure

Check out this fantastic example of how an ugly old cabinet was transformed into an awesome new piece of furniture for a few dollars and a little effort.  Projects like these are perfect for any home design weekender – just keep your eyes out for the perfect piece!

Creating the Ultimate Relaxing Bathroom

Posted March 25, 2008 * Comments(1)

Relaxing Bathroom

Although years ago, people did not pay all that much attention to their bathrooms, making them more functional than beautiful, things have changed a lot recently. The longer hours we spend at work and the helter-skelter craziness of everyday life give us the perfect excuse to pamper ourselves a little more at home when each workday comes to an end.

Among the biggest pleasures of the contemporary human being, as statistics show, is spending time in the bathroom. Hence the passionate desire to make the bathroom look attractive and as functional and comfortable as humanly possible. Some of us have even turned a common daily bath into a luxurious ritual we could practically no longer live without. Thus, at minimum, a relaxing and comfortable shower should be an absolute priority.

But how far should we go in decorating the bathroom? How much should we spend on a bathroom in order to reach our own personal bathroom nirvana?

It depends on the owner, of course, and his or her wants and needs. If we take into account what psychologists say about the environment influencing our response to certain situations, we’d be best to develop the idea and draw the following conclusion: A bathroom that has been designed according to well-established aesthetic rules which make it attractive to the eyes of its owner will definitely offer more delight in the bathing process than a plain and strictly functional bathroom.

We must try decorating the frequently used room so that it becomes compatible to our personality (it’s not uncommon to even seek the advice of designers and color specialists to help us through all this). If luxury makes our eyes glow with delight, that’s the way our bathroom should be – no expense spared. On the other hand, if we feel an inclination towards simplicity, a special effect can be created through color combinations and lighting.

It’s also important to take account of the extra touches that matter. For example, if we can’t bathe unless our favorite band is playing, install a great music system in the room. Finish the room with your favorite bathroom accessories.

Everything you do is for your own comfort. Whatever ideas you might get, why not make them a reality? It’s your bathroom after all!

Find of the Week: Harris Marcus by Maxim Table Lamp Set

Posted March 24, 2008 * Comments(0)

Harris Marcus by Maxim Table Lamp Set

Sometimes it’s just downright difficult to find the perfect home accent pieces… you know, the kind that are truly different than the ordinary, but still completely classy in almost any situation.

Now I must admit right up front that I am biased – I really like this pair of lamps and thing you should too.  The first thing to come to mind when I came across this Harris Marcus By Maxim Lighting Comber Table Lamp Set was that the pair of lamps look like they can gracefully cross over between many choice decorating styles.

They’re glitzy, yet elegant.

Subdued, but bold.

Unique, yet classy.

Traditionally modern.

I think you probably get what I’m trying to say – they’re really just perfect for any room in any home.  I think they’d make perfect bedside table lamps.  They’d also look awesome on either side of a favorite living room sofa.

Table lamps are versatile as it is already.  We can use the lamps in places all over the home and they serve double duty – supplying light for a dim spot and adding a major designer’s touch of class when it comes to décor.

The colors are just right too.  They are neutral enough to fit the home’s palette and strong enough to stand out on their own.

Again, I humbly admit my bias.  But seriously, are these Harris Marcus by Maxim Comber Table Lamps not the perfect lamp set when it comes to their effortless ability to fit right in to any situation?

I certainly think so.  Find of the week worthy indeed!

Getting Ready for the Favorite Spring Projects

Posted March 22, 2008 * Comments(0)

Spring Flowers

What Makes a Green Home Green?

Building green from the ground up is a much easier proposition than trying to retrofit a current home to be completely green.  From getting the design just right to securing the ideal financing, be sure to check out this ongoing green project blog to follow just one such house project from start to finish.  Some really great ideas here!

Make your Lawn Greener This Spring Too

Looking for a few ideas this spring to get the old lawn in tip top shape for the season?  Well, don’t wait too long – the earlier you get started this spring, the better the results will be.  Here are 10 areas to consider in your quest for a perfect yard this spring.  As a side note, if you really want to make your lawn green, use enviro-friendly fertilizers and lawn solutions.

Planning Gardens is Simple This Way

Seriously, let the pros lend a hand when putting together a garden or landscaping plan.  Check out all of these garden plans listed by category – there’s literally something for every possible garden situation or layout imaginable.  For a completely custom look, use a few of these ideas for inspiration and mix and match your favorite components.

Think Outside the Box for a Truly Unique Garden

If you’d rather do something a bit different than the ordinary for your garden or backyard refuge, just think outside the box.  In this example, the design takes furniture and objects that might not ordinarily be found in the everyday traditional garden and uses them to bring all new life to the outdoor living space.  The objective?  Be creative and don’t be afraid to experiment with your design elements.

Designing an Outdoor Dream Kitchen

Have you ever dreamed of having your very own luxurious outdoor kitchen?  Sure, most of us already have the obligatory grill set, but how about taking it to the next level with a full outdoor kitchen setup?  There are a few considerations to keep in mind when going through the planning and design process.  Here’s what to look for…

Finally, It’s Fire Pit Season!

Posted March 20, 2008 * Comments(1)

Arctic Cast Iron Chimenea

Guess what… It’s finally the first day of Spring!  After a long (and very wintery winter), it’s finally about time already.

Spring is exciting for so many reasons, but my very favorite part is beginning to get outside more often and enjoy the fresh air.  And just last summer, my wife and I completed our brand new patio.  It’s like our very own private recluse.  But right now, there’s just one problem…

It’s still too chilly to really get any regular use from our patio for at least another month or so.

You can probably guess the solution.  Yep, we’ve just purchased a brand new chimenea style fire pit just like the Arctic Cast Iron Chimenea pictured above.  It will allow us to extend the patio season by a couple of weeks in either direction and will even be nice on the occasional summer evening.

While the chimenea was the perfect solution for our already completed patio, there are other outdoor fireplace solutions that would work great too.  If we hadn’t already finished the patio, we might have considered building an in-ground fire pit and actually making it the centerpiece of the entire patio layout.

I’ve seen fire pits that even hook right up to the home’s natural gas lines for super convenient use.  I am more of a wood-burning guy though – I guess I just enjoy the rustic feeling of aromatic, crackling wood.

If you’re interested in building your own backyard fire pit, be sure to check out this how to guide on installing an outdoor fire pit.  It’s easier than you would probably imagine.

Of course, there’s still nothing wrong with adding a ready to go outdoor fireplace solution like a chimenea either.  It’s just a matter of preference.

One thing is for sure – I can’t wait to hang out on the patio tonight and enjoy the toasty fire!

Good Lighting Makes All of the Difference!

Posted March 17, 2008 * Comments(0)

Pendant Light with Red Shade

Whether we are in the office, doing work at our desk, at home reading, watching TV, enjoying a quiet afternoon with our family, or in a bar having a good chat with the friends we haven’t seen for a week, we highly depend on the kind of light around. Research has proved that inappropriate light not only damages our sight but also brings about fatigue or stress after long daily exposure to it.

Apart from being a necessary ingredient in the development of our daily activity, light is a decorative element of our homes too. And for this reason, we should take it seriously when organizing our place.

The first thing to consider is the color of the light we let into our homes by means of the wide choice of lamps available. Natural looking clear light is the best no matter how we would like a room to look (using a paint color on the walls gives plenty of color effect – there’s no need for extra aid from lamps).

Yet it’s still important to be careful. The light from a bulb and the color of the room can sometimes interfere, creating an atmosphere that will be quite different from what we get during the day with natural light.

Another thing we should have in mind when choosing the lighting for a room is the exact spots that we want light to focus on. We don’t always need it to fall directly to a certain area of the room unless there is a desk there or perhaps an exquisite work of art that should stand out. For a good lighting plan, consider these spots.

Light should come from everywhere around to create a comfortable atmosphere in a room. Having many choices ranging from the ceiling mounted chandelier, to wall sconces, to table lamps helps us achieve just the ambiance we want, whenever we want it. The more options available, the more comfortable a room is likely to be.

And one more thing – although lighting fixtures are important as a primary source of illumination, let’s not overlook the merit and atmosphere that candles can create. They are quite fashionable and the scented ones have a double effect on our senses!

Your Own Custom Bathroom Vanity Set

Posted March 15, 2008 * Comments(2)

Hardwood Bathroom Countertop

When planning a bathroom project, one of the most important aspects is selecting the right bathroom vanity.  Many prefer the simplicity offered by going with a more or less all in one bathroom vanity set.  However, if you want that ever desirable customized look without the big bills that so often go along with the word “custom,” consider starting with a bathroom vanity cabinet and adding the accessories individually.

Bathroom Vanity Tops

For your bathroom vanity countertop, the choices are seemingly endless.  They range from the one-piece with a built in sink to the popular multi dimensional separate piece look.

The one piece bathroom vanity top is perhaps the most traditional choice.  They usually consist of man made engineered materials that simulate the look of real marble, slate, or granite.  Super easy to clean, they’ll always remain a top option.

Expensive but exquisite and beautiful, real granite and marble vanity tops are worth every penny.  Also popular varieties of natural materials are slate, soapstone, and even hardwood.  These tops are not quite as easy to install and they do require some maintenance to keep up their warm appearance.

While these are the most common and readily available bathroom vanity top designs, other unique choices do exist.  For example, a glass surface makes a wonderful countertop.  Metal finishes, such as stainless steel are also popular for the sleek look.

Bathroom Vanity Sink

If you don’t go with the one piece vanity top, you’ll need to choose a separate bathroom sink or a sink from the lineup of those that work with your vanity set.  Basically, add on sinks come in two varieties – under mount and top mount.

Under mounts are available in a wide variety of materials, but usually they’re matched to the rest of the countertop.  The advantage is adding a specialized look by using a contrasting color.  For example, a popular choice would be a slate gray countertop and complimenting with a white bathroom vanity sink.

Top mount sinks are a little different, but extremely popular in today’s bathroom designs for the dramatic custom look they offer.  Usually, these types of vanity sinks consist of a completely separate glass or other unique basin material.

The Hardware

The other important aspects to consider when piecing together your own bathroom vanity sets are the faucets as well as the cabinetry hardware.  Don’t be afraid to be bold in your choices.  This is where you can really tie everything together and give your bathroom vanity that extra level of pizzazz.

Friday Finds - It’s Almost Spring!

Posted March 14, 2008 * Comments(0)

TreehouseEvery Kid Needs a Tree House

Okay moms and dads. This spring, why not start a project with your kids that you’ll both have lots of fun with? After all, every child needs a tree house, right? Plus, working on a project such as this together with your children is just an excellent all around bonding experience. Start here for a great step-by-step guide to building your very own tree house.

Is it Possible to Build a Debt-Free House?

If you have a true do-it-yourself passion and an interest in the growing trend of building homes from straw, constructing a debt-free home might indeed be a closer reality than you might imagine. Yes, you read it correctly – I did just say straw home. I know it sounds crazy, but these homes are not only increasingly popular for their efficiency and affordability, but they’re also remarkably strong too! Follow the progress of one such straw house project here.

The Ultimate Weekend Garage Project Idea

This is indeed the ultimate one-weekend garage project idea in my opinion. Epoxy coatings for garage floors have been on the rise for the last few years, but the products needed to do a long lasting, professional grade job are only now beginning to trickle down into the consumer market. The project will take the better part of a nice weekend, but the finished results will leave your garage floor looking totally awesome. Here’s a great step-by-step guide to installing an epoxy floor in your garage.

Check out This Ultimate Green Home…

Need some green inspiration? Check out the 2008 HGTV Green Home. It’s practically guaranteed to give you tons of ideas for that big project of your own. Not only does it boast the best green design features and functions, but the finished look is quite enviable too. Think you’ll enjoy the style!

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

Posted March 12, 2008 * Comments(0)

Round Decorative Mirror

Whether big or small, classic or modern, a room or a house can be decorated in so many different ways. It all depends on the imagination of the designer and on a certain number of well-established rules that allow obtaining a series of effects that may turn the place into the best-looking abode ever.

For example, a good spotlight lighting fixture focusing on a key décor element will make it stand out and grace the sight of the viewer while adding to the overall warmth and balance of the place. This is an example of the obvious.

A mirror is an omnipresent element in everyone’s home. Sure, mirrors serve a clear practical purpose as part of the bathroom or vanity. People need mirrors – research on the matter has shown that if a mirror is placed where people are likely to pass, over 90% of them will cast a glance if not stop to have a proper look at themselves. These are more examples of the obvious.

But what about the not so obvious? There’s still even more use for decorative mirrors in the home. This decorative element has ceased to be just an ‘appearance checker’ quite a while ago, when designers started to use it for the enlarging effect that a mirror has upon a room too.

This is not just about the moderate-sized mirror we might have hung in the entrance hall, just behind the door, the one we have a quick look into a couple of moments before we leave the house. It’s also about those large mirrors that work perfectly to help us get a better view of ourselves and of a certain area of a room, which by being ‘doubled’ will completely enhance the room.

Have you ever wondered why designers sometimes suggest getting a mirror of the size of an entire wall? It’s because of the illusion it creates, making the room look larger, besides being a decorative piece itself.

Some designers even suggest setting a couple of mirrors to adjoining walls. You would instantly start feeling in a completely different place; your room looks so big now that you realize you shouldn’t have given up the chance of purchasing that splendid piece of furniture at a very convenient price simply because you thought that the room would look ‘heavy’ with that inside.

Using mirrors to make a home feel bigger is often just the solution needed!

Springtime Is Near, Are You Ready?

Posted March 10, 2008 * Comments(0)

Spring Flowers

Spring is my favorite time of year. As the dreary grey days of winter grow longer and longer and everything begins to come to life with brand new color, it’s hard not to enjoy this time of year. Spring is also the perfect time of year to complete projects around the home. Here are a few favorite spring project ideas…

Start Spring Fresh with a Sparkly Clean Home

Call me crazy, but I actually enjoy spring cleaning. What a perfect time to escape the long winter by starting anew with a perfectly clean home. Here is a great little guide to covering all of the spring cleaning bases. Just take it one step at a time and your home will be like new in no time at all!

Give Your Home a Springtime Makeover

Check out these 10 decorating tips for making your home brighter and airier going in to the spring and summer months. Spring cleaning should go farther than just the dust alone. We should also freshen up the home by storing away the “heavier” things found within.

Begin to Plan for Summertime Outdoor Living

If you’ve been waiting to create a new outdoor living space at your home, it’s best to get started as early as possible to maximize the seasonal use you’ll enjoy. Naturally, patios and decks are always a favorite home improvement project. And while you’re at it, how about replacing that tired and rusty old barbeque with a shiny brand new grill?

Make a Commitment to Cleaning Green

Instead of doing the traditional spring cleaning, using the typical harsh chemicals and solutions, how about trying to clean green this year? Taking a greener, more eco-friendly approach to cleaning is easier than you might imagine. Plus, you’ll feel great about it too. Here are a few pointers on toxin-free cleaning to help you get started.

Planning a Really Big Spring Project

If you’re getting ready to do a large home improvement or redecorating project this spring, such as a complete bathroom or kitchen remodel, it pays to take advantage of each and every angle. Large project pricing discounts can really stretch the budget where it counts

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