Category: Home Decor

Posted on

Decisions for new bathroom flooring

Being totally indecisive on what I want to do with the bathroom floor and my own personal deadline looming over my head, I feel like a contractor under pressure. It’s my own pressure I know, but I’d really like to get the whole bathroom completed before the end of this month.

I’ve visited a load of sites and even have ordered catalogs to browse through to get some ideas, yet I’m still waiting for something to “reach out and grab me” so to speak. Maybe I’m being too particular in what I want. Who knows? Even I don’t know or haven’t made a finial decision yet.

I must admit, that the rest of the main bathroom is coming along great. If it wasn’t for the matter of flooring it actually would be finished by now, except for some trim and accessories. I’m giving myself one more week to decide if I want wood or tile. I’m not into full carpet in a bathroom, especially the main bath, so at least that decision is made. If I can’t make up my mind soon, I’m going to be putting it to a vote for the family and hope they pick something easy to maintain and that isn’t too expensive. Every penny counts in this day and age, considering the economy.

 

Posted on

Luxury patio furniture for this summer

Last year while putting away the things that I didn’t want outside during the winter, I decided to look at luxury patio furniture and find a set that I liked. I have even saved up some money to buy myself and my family comfortable chairs and perhaps benches to kick back on and also a big patio table with room enough for my whole brood and the grand kids, neighbors and friends. I even thought about maybe buying two sets, depending on if I could get a good deal and they weren’t really that expensive, yet they had class.

As everyone knows, I like to look on the internet to get ideas, prices and deals on things that I want to buy for my yard or home. I always consider items like this sort of home improvements. I found a place that sells luxury outdoor patio furniture, and has been in the business of furniture and accessories for about 35 years. They carry some really beautiful furniture and also besides being in business for so long, it is family owned and has that family type of atmosphere. This is something I like when I am looking for a place to shop.

I’m really looking forward to getting this furniture. I keep thinking about the kids having friends over and enough places to sit and eat, or just talk and hang out. Also I’m looking for some other patio furniture to go around the pool. If I can find something suitable for that space, I’d absolutely buy them. And of course because of the changeable weather here, I’d need the furniture and accessories to be sturdy and well built. The site I found seems like it is indeed going to fit all my wants and needs for this new home improvement. Looking for these kinds of items makes me want summer to get here even faster now!

 

Posted on

Home automation and awsome renovtions to a home

Through out most of my blog I’ve mentioned in blog posts that I would love to have a place for my sons to play their music, and have other innovations added to my house. I was doing the hit and miss play on words to find a sight that was what I was really looking for. One of the sites I happened to land on was, home theater scottsdale. Of course I clicked on this since how great would it be to have a big theater, since the guys like to have a get together and watch their music movies and such. All of this keeps running through my mind and of course the financial aspect comes to mind also. It is home improvement, a great asset and may even help with bringing the family closer together. At least in my way of thinking.

What I totally am into is the home automation scottsdale. Truth be known it totally blew me away to know what this company can do for a home and also for the residents…especially me! Unreal! Everything from control of the music in the whole house, the movies and video. To security, lighting and oh shoot, the list goes on. I actually have to say that I’ve visited a lot of sites on my own and some that friends have recommended to me, but this one did indeed strike my fancy. I don’t generally rave about businesses, but then now and again one comes across and just flat intrigues me.

I really would love to have all of these home improvement ideas in my house. Unfortunately Scottsdale is a very  long way from here. But ya’ll living down that way, check it out. Like I’ve said, I’ve been wanting this this kind of innovation in my home for a long time. I love the whole concept.

 

 

Posted on

Checking out architects in Phoenix

Libby, a dear friend of mine is checking out architects in Phoenix and has been telling me about the plans she has for remodeling and adding on to her home. She really likes the contemporary style and I have to admit, from what I have seen about some of the ideas she wants to put into action her home is going to be beautiful when the building and landscaping is completed. She has waited a very long time for this change and needed help with her plans, so she has been really putting a great deal of time into finding the right builders to make her visions and dreams come into an actual reality.

Phoenix architecture firms know the area, the land and also the best way to construct a building for the needs of the clients along with knowing what they are looking to build and how they want it built also if it is able to be done in the type of environment the land is surrounded by. This makes for maximum durability and function. Also from what I have seen, they can indeed turn a dream into a living space that is perfect for their clients. This is a major plus, considering Libby is very set in what she would like.

After I browsed through a site I had been told me about, I was totally amazed at the work and beauty of some of the homes that were designed and the craftsmanship of the smallest detail. Everything is considered when using these Phoenix architects and it shows in the photographs. I just wish I could see the work in progress once it starts. Of course I’ll visit and see the finished home inside and out as this is my friends dream house and everything is going to be unique and exactly what she wants, combined with the expertise of the architects.

 

 

Posted on

Covering a hardwood floor

As much as I hate to do it, I’ve decided to look at carpet for the living room floor, which is tongue and groove hardwood.  My house is very old and despite of the insulation in the crawl space, the floor in that room tends to make walking on it even with socks on, a chilly experience. I find myself hopping from area rug to area rug which I’m getting a bit too old to do. Besides I look like an idiot doing  this. Slippers are not an option as I have to take them off to put boots on when I take the dogs out. It’s a hassle. Especially when the dogs want outside at that very minute they have to do their business.

I was thinking about a Berber type carpet for high traffic areas, but I would like to look at other options. I love the hardwood floors so perhaps a rug that covers a good deal of the floor would be the way to go for that room. I could always roll it up in the spring and then put down smaller area rugs that I have. It would definitely save money.

At any rate, I’m up for some kind of change and warmer feet in the winter. There is a carpet outlet in the city I live near, but also I’ve been looking on line for other ideas and floor covering sites that may have delivery since I do know how to lay carpet and flooring. (Thank you Dad, for this knowledge!)

Posted on

Handmade Salt Dough Ornaments

Anyone who can make a quick and easy salt dough and has cookie cutters can easily make these salt dough ornaments. I found this on photo on Facebook and was intrigued. The coloring of the ornaments is like a wash rather than a dense painting. I think the wash effect makes them look more old school and authentic. I suspect that if I glaze them with a matte glaze they would be OK hanging outside on a door wreath or yard tree, too.

My cake decorating tools would adapt well to making the designs on the cut outs. I think the next snow day we have I will mix up a batch of salt dough and give these a try. Its too late for this year’s tree, but I can make some every once in a while and build up a nice collection over this next year for my tree next Christmas.

Posted on

A bit of mural painting

I have a spare bedroom that I have been using as place to go to when I want to just get away from the family. Yes folks, Mom’s do that every so often to regain sanity. I usually shut the door, read and listen to the music I want to listen to, since this relaxes me and my family respect my privacy there.

I was looking at the room as a whole and all but one wall has a window. It is a perfect wall to use as a canvas, and I’ve decided to either paint a mural on the wall. I thought about stenciling it, but I can indeed paint when the mood strikes me…not just general wall painting, but the artistic kind,  so I’ve begun making sketches of what I would like to have on this “wall canvas” then I’m going to go for it.

This will be one of my winter time projects and after I paint it, I’ll continue on with decor and then perhaps turn it into a guest bedroom. I really like remodeling rooms as a sort of hobby, plus it is improving the look of the home, so this is going to be my kind of relaxation and fun.

Posted on

Laminate counters from Kitchen Magic

Since I am in the process of starting some home improvement projects for the winter months, I took a good hard look at my kitchen counters and then started looking on the internet where I found Kitchen Magic. I am quite impressed with what this company has to offer. I love the durability of laminate counters and it seems while everyone else is choosing wood, or stone at exorbitant prices, I wanted to go for not only beauty, but something that would handle the wear and tear of a regular household and be affordable.

With laminate counters, there is no dangerous fumes that a sealant could be released, nor is there any worry about radon that can also be released into the air. I don’t think people think of these things while buying counter tops. To me this would be very much of a concern, since food is of course prepared on counter tops and one can never be too cautious about these things.

With Kitchen Magic counter tops, I found that I could get counters that look like real stone or wood, without any worry about ruining the surface if they were accidentally cut or something hot was put on them. I’m leaning to getting these counter tops for my kitchen and I really can’t wait to get started on my next projects!

Posted on

Shopping for porch furniture

Yesterday when I went to the stores for some things I needed, on a whim I went into the garden section to look at furniture for my porch. Everything is on sale! From chairs to the glider seats that I love so much. Even the porch swings are on sale, which I really love.

If I check on finances, and all is semi okay on that count, I’d love to have at least a couple new chairs and the porch swing. The kind of porch I have would be perfect for the swing.

Growing up, we always had a front porch swing and as I’m writing this little add to my blog, I’m even more convinced that I want the swing more than I do even the new chairs. Hopefully there is still one at the store I went to left tomorrow when I go into town again. On the flip side…I just may go get it later on today! I think the family would like it as much as I would.

Posted on

Touch of elegance for the bath

Since my bathroom is nearly complete and I must admit is also starting to look very elegant, I would like to get bath accessories that will elude elegance  also. This room is my personal bathroom and I want it to stay nice. Also I’d like for it to be finished as a reflection upon my taste, which is sometimes a bit eclectic, but also more expensive than I would put in my spare baths or in my kid’s bathrooms, for instance.

In my opinion, my bathroom is a haven. A place for me to relax and pamper myself. I love and want all of my accessories to match and make the room to feel comfortable, and classy also. I went with more expensive tile, sinks, mirrors and flooring, so I’m not going to scrimp on the final touches and decor, that make it all come together.

Looking for just the right candles, soap and toothbrush holder, sponges and towels has been a joy to shop for. For once, everything is going to match and yet can also be mixed with various other colors so I can change these, depending the moods I have. Even my face cloths will have my initials on them. I thank my husband since this room is my first big anniversary gift from him. I must admit, he didn’t make me go easy financially on what I wanted to make my bathroom start to come together just exactly the way I would like it!