The Beauty of Nature Indoors

by Patrick Brown

Add natural colors and scents from the outdoors to your interior décor this summer using these three simple ideas as starting points:

1. Show Off Your Harvest
There isn't an easier way to add color to indoor décor than filling a bowl with fresh vegetables or fruit from the garden. It gives you a chance to show off your green thumb, but also has very practical purposes.

If you’ve ever grown garden tomatoes you know how abundant they can be once they start coming in, and storing them in the fridge can ruin their taste and texture before they fully ripen. Keeping that beautiful bounty of fresh red tomatoes on the counter will not only add a wonderful splash of color, but will also help preserve your delicious summer produce.

Another great reason for keeping those garden fresh fruits and veggies on display, besides the natural beauty they add to your décor, is that it encourages everyone in the family to eat a healthy snack.

2. Seasonal Twists
Take a slightly different approach to your floral arrangements by introducing elements from your vegetable garden—a match made in summer heaven. Take some leaves from your favorite tomato plants, cutting them off at the main stem. Leaves from tomato plants have a wonderful deep green hue, which adds a soothing, organic look to any arrangement. Best of all, a tomato plants leaves also offer a wonderful fresh garden scent.

Okra is another favorite from the vegetable garden, and it produces gorgeous white and purple flowers. Let your creativity shine as you allow the different elements of color and smell from your garden to bring a seasonal twist to your interior decor.

3. Show Your Natural Style
Start by deciding which floral color palette will add just the right splash of color for your room. If you have a contemporary décor with clean lines, you might want to use a vase full of uniform-height flowers that are all the same color, such as lilies or tulips. If you have cottage or country style décor, make a statement with one simple daisy in a small vase or a handful of summer wildflowers in a pottery-style jug.

If you have a classic or traditional decorating scheme, you can never deny the beauty of the familiar and elegant rose. Whatever your particular style, be creative and bring the lovely colors from your flower garden into your home for the lively summer months.

Ribbon Spool Boxes

Supplies:

* Empty spools, any size; wide spools for the box, narrow spools for the lid.
* Plain card stock saved from purchases with one side clean and preferably white.
* Felt of contrasting color. The peel and stick comes in green, red and black.
* Pretty craft papers
* Dressy shank style button, if they come on a card with a clip you can use this.
* Glue stick, I used BOND-fast it has a better hold.
* Aleens ClearGel Tacky Glue.

Instructions:



Choose 2 spools of the same diameter, one narrow and one wide. This photo shows how the side is trimmed close to the edge of the spool and the card cut to fit the side.

For the bottom, remove one side of spool. Trim other side even with edge of spool. Clean all glue residue from the open side of spool to make a smooth edge. Cut a circle to fit the bottom of the box from the card stock, glue to bottom with the white side out. This is now the bottom of the box. Cut a circle from the felt to fit the inside bottom of the box, glue in place. Measure the inside depth of the box and cut a length of felt just a tad narrower than the depth so when you make the lid the felt will fit inside, you want a tiny bit of the box to show around the top edge of box. Cut the length to where the ends meet, not overlap. Glue in place. Cut a length of paper the width of the box and cut to fit with a slight overlap, glue in place. The bottom is finished. If you cant find card stock with the polished finish like what comes as packaging, cover the card stock bottom with felt or matching paper. The main reason for the card paper is to not only cover the hole but to give extra support.

For the top, remove one side as with the bottom, trim the side and cut a circle to fit and glue it on. Cover the top with pretty paper, punch a tiny hole and insert the button shank and if you have it slip on the clip put a dab of glue on button shank and clip. When dry glue the side back on and trim to edge, cut a circle from the card and glue on. Cut a circle of felt to fit just inside not to the edge of the lid and glue on the bottom side of the lid, it should fit inside the bottom just enough to be snug. Cut a strip of paper the width of the lid and glue on with just a bit of overlap.

You can use a regular button if you don’t have the kind with the shank. The fancy gaudy buttons look great with a floral print.

You could also use bedspread cotton thread spools, they don’t have the sides but it would be easy to cut a circle from heavy card stock and attach to make a box. I have also got a salt box and cut in half, it will make 2 box bottoms.



These photos show the clip being used, this box i left the lid open and so it rests on the bottom.

The closed ones fit into the bottom when you trim the felt just a little smaller.





On the pink box I used a peel & stick paper I found, it was half wavy and half swirls it looks cute being in the same colors. The heart is a shank button.

This lid I made with a much smaller spool since I didn’t have any near the diameter of the bottom. I cut a circle from the card the size of the box and glued it on the side of the spool, which was the same size as the inside of the box - now it sits flush on the edge.

I covered the inside of the lid with a circle cut from the card. The lip is covered with a very narrow strip of felt carefully glued around the lip. The spool edge is covered with 2 strips of felt to fit snug.

Craft by: Loretta Wood

Resourceful Redecorating

by
Cheryl Johnson

The best strategy in budget decorating is to always inventory and use what you have on hand before buying decorating supplies... so before you go shopping for bargains at your favorite thrift store, shop in your own home first!As the seasons change, many times your local thrift and consignment stores will have a change in inventory. So, be sure not to miss out on decorating supplies, furnishings, accessories, paint, wallpaper and fabrics that can be found at many thrift stores. But, before you go shopping for bargains, make a plan that incorporates items you already have into your decorating task.

The best strategy in budget decorating is to always inventory and use what you have on hand before buying decorating supplies. Be sure to check out the garage, attic, and/or basement for useful materials or furnishings that can be recycled into a new decor.

Shop in your own home first! Consider moving items from one space to another. Sometimes pulling items from one room to another and simply re-organizing, fixing up, or just using an item in a different way can be enough to jazz up a room. Add a fresh coat of paint, different window dressings and rearrangement of furnishings, and WHA LAH! You have a new room.

Need some paint? If you can be flexible about color, check the mis-mixed table at your local home improvement, hardware, or paint stores. You can find high quality paints for a fraction of the original retail cost when colors don't turn out exactly as they should have. Sometimes you can find a slight variation of just the color you've already picked that will work just as well with your selected color scheme and save you lots of money.

I buy these mis-mixed paints (usually for $2-3 per gallon or less) throughout the year and store them appropriately for later use. This way I go shopping in "my own" paint department first to see if I can accommodate the decorating plan I have chosen. Planning ahead and grabbing these types of decorating supplies when they're a bargain is a great way to maximize your home decorating savings.

Collecting fabrics for future use is also another great idea. Even unwanted clothing can be used to create small window dressings, pillow covers, and accessories. Many people give away scraps of fabrics or sell them at yard sales. Be sure to check clearance and end piece items at sewing and fabric shops. It's really so simple to make a curtain or a pillow. Usually only requires sewing simple seams.

For more complicated tasks, if you can't figure it out for yourself, you're sure to find a how-to book at any library or search on-line for free information.

I've found some excellent ideas for decorating on a budget, do-it-yourself projects, and decorating theme ideas from television, how-to books, and online sources like Designing Online. Benefit from some of the wonderful ideas and projects offered by professionals. You can get some great ideas for areas of your home that you just don't know what to do with.

Before you make your plans, check out several books at the library on home decorating. You will find no shortage of books on the subject of do-it-yourself home decorating. Glance through them and grab ideas to incorporate into your own decorating task.

If you have a specific challenge to overcome, likelihood is someone else has already encountered it, conquered it, and written a book or web page about it. Use their knowledge! It will save you time and frustration of figuring it out.

Learn to make swags and wreaths. Swags and wreaths bring texture and color into a space and can be fairly simple to create. A simple how-to book is all you need to create a few decorative pieces. Wreaths can easily be adapted to suit any theme or color scheme. And, handmade ones are a fraction of the cost of those purchased already made.

Tip: Some people grow to love the craft of wreath making and it becomes a useful hobby. They make great gifts!

Swags are sooooooo easy to make once you have the right supplies and tools. Like wreaths, they have a basic structure that can be adapted to suit your theme or color scheme. Once you become an experienced swag or wreath crafter, you can whip together an accessory for any decor in a matter of minutes.

Don't over accessorize. If you have collections, group them together for the best displays. Your trinkets and treasures will look less like clutter and more like valued collections.

Cheryl Johnson - redecorating, home decor, budget friendly, budget decorating, inventory, decorating supplies, shopping for bargains, bargains, thrift store, consignment stores

Add "Wow" to a Boring Room

Do you have a room that looks blah, even after you've done all the painting and put in all the new furniture? Did you think you were finished but now realize that you've only got the background for a great room?

Well, now is the time to add special details to make the space sparkle with personality. Follow our tips to add interest and individuality to your new room.

# Find Interesting Furnishings
There's nothing wrong with plain furniture and walls, but they certainly don't attract your eye and satisfy your senses. With the addition of a perfectly chosen piece of furniture, you can jazz up the space. Think of how a hand-painted armoire would draw the eye. Would a red high-gloss chair be just the right thing? How about a beautifully textured and upholstered ottoman. Something that might really stand out like a sore thumb might just stand out as the star of the room.

# Use One Old Piece
Even one carefully chosen antique piece can add character to a room. Choose a pretty chest of drawers, an armoire, a side table, or chair.

# Add Art
To create character and personality, choose art to capture your passions. To add color and style, frame travel posters or prints, family photos, and paintings to the walls.

# Display Fresh Plants and Flowers
There's nothing like flowers and fresh plants to add texture and natural color to a space. Be sure the plants are healthy and happy and that artificial flowers in dark spaces are dusted and shiny.

# Add Texture for an Interesting Touch
Resist the temptation to have everything match. Combine soft and hard, rough and soft, shiny and flat surfaces. Select silky smooth fabrics with shaggy carpet, sleek tabletops with nubby textiles. Use glass combined with rugged wood and greens.

# Hunt for Unique Accessories
Add a touch of whimsy for smiles and interest. Shop at flea markets to find interesting accessories that you can adapt to your space. A simple coat of paint and some decorative painting can transform a piece of trash into a treasure. Anything quirky will become the focal point.

# Choose a Theme
If you really want a unique room, choose a theme to decorate around. Whether it's the '50s or Hawaii, Provence or an English drawing room, having a focus for furniture, accessories and art, can really make a room interesting!

# Combine Types of Lighting
Avoid a boring single overhead light for the room and include different types of lighting around the space. If you've chosen wonderful art, use art lighting. Track lighting can help you focus light on the space where you'll be working. A fun themed lamp will give color and texture as well as light to a specific area. Combining different types of lights will make the space more interesting.

# Gather Your Collectibles
If you have a collection of items that are of particular importance, gather them into one room and use them for the basis of your decor. Antique vases, hats, musical instruments, miniature art, and old photos are just some of the ideas you could use for the foundation of your decorating. If you're surrounded by things you love, the room will be warm and welcoming.

# Surround the Space with Stencil
Once the walls are painted, add a decorative border of stenciling. A simple vine or "words of wisdom" can circle the room and draw the eye from otherwise boring plain walls. If you're feeling really artistic, add decorative painting touches of flowers and whimsical figures.

# Architectural Salvage
For texture and old-world charm, install old pieces of Architectural salvage. Brackets, mantels, screen doors, and old windows can be found at salvage yards or on sites when buildings are being dismantled. Iron gates and window surrounds, pedestal columns, and corner moldings are particularly interesting and can be adapted to many decorating styles.

# Arrange Area Rugs
To anchor an arrangement of furniture or define an area, an area rug can be the ideal solution. With so many styles, colors, and textures on the market, you're bound to find just the right one for your decor.

Article by: Coral Nafie

Don't Flush Bathroom Renovation Dollars Down the Drain

Looking for bathroom bliss? You're not alone. Bathroom renovations consistently score as one of the most-desired home improvements. Improving your bathroom will not only add to your own enjoyment of your home, but it can increase its value and make it more attractive to potential buyers if you choose to sell your home.

However, you need to take the time to make sure you are getting the bathroom you want. Bungled bathroom renovations can cost you big time - in frustration, value and repair dollars. "The bathroom is no place for novice do-it-yourselfers," says Paige Thomas of ReliableRemodeler.com, an online service that helps homeowners connect with qualified contractors in their area. "Finding the right contractor for your remodel can mean the difference between a bathroom renovation that leaves you flushed with pride, or one that sends your spirits - not to mention your investment - down the drain."

Before you take out the toilet, scrap the shower, or dump the sink, keep the following bathroom renovation secrets in mind:

* Any improvement can add value. Simply switching faucets, upgrading lights and installing new towel bars can give the room a whole new look. A fresh coat of paint and re-grouting existing tile can also work wonders.

*Check out all your options. Replacing everything in your bathroom may not always be an option within your budget, so be sure to check out the numerous alternatives available for bathroom renovations. For example, if you hate your tub or shower, but totally replacing it isn't in the budget, there are a number of surrounds and coverings that can now be installed right over the existing tub or shower. These kinds of alternatives can save you time and money.

* Natural stone is the new luxury bathroom material. For a really upscale look, granite, slate, travertine and other natural stones evoke the look of a luxury spa. The spa look is currently the hot design trend for baths. Using natural stone as an accent will make your bathroom an example of up-to-the-moment home remodeling looks.

* Discuss all the details. When you talk to potential contractors be sure to talk about every aspect of your remodel, especially about how long your bath will be out of commission. You want to make sure that you and the contractor you choose have the same ideas and plans so there will be no surprises or problems as the project goes on.

* Get multiple quotes. When looking for a contractor, get multiple quotes. Be sure to ask for multiple references and talk to former customers to see how quickly and with what level of quality the contractor completed the work. You will also want to verify their licensing and bonding.

Need assistance to start your bathroom remodel and find a local, quality contractor? Let ReliableRemodeler.com help! Submit a request online for your remodeling project and a project adviser will contact you within 24 business hours to verify receipt of your project request and clarify any further details. Up to four member contractors will contact you within 48 business hours to schedule a free estimate on your project. A project adviser will follow up with you to make sure you are satisfied with the service you received. Finally, you decide on the contractor that's right for your project and get started!

Article by : ARAnet, inc

Decorating Using Lemon Yellow

The best way to undercut the heat of the summer is by using precisely what nature provides in abundance during the hottest months: citrus. There’s nothing more cooling than the thought of citrus on a hot summer day, and this isn’t only true in making a pitcher of lemonade, squeezing lemon juice on your blonde locks to bring out the highlights, or stirring up a couple of mojitos to enjoy on the porch.

Decorating Using Lemon Yellow

The best way to undercut the heat of the summer is by using precisely what nature provides in abundance during the hottest months: citrus. There’s nothing more cooling than the thought of citrus on a hot summer day, and this isn’t only true in making a pitcher of lemonade, squeezing lemon juice on your blonde locks to bring out the highlights, or stirring up a couple of mojitos to enjoy on the porch.

Lemon yellow is that shade of lemons when they’re perfectly ripe; it’s a bright color, one with plenty of punch.

Lemon yellow can be used to brighten any room in the house, whether it’s just by bringing even more light into an already sun-drenched living room, or by brightening up a dreary space with no windows.

And lemon yellow doesn’t just come in paint: here, a laundry room has been freshened up with metal cabinets in a lemon yellow finish that is bright enough to give the illusion of natural light even where there is none.

When there is natural light available, lemon yellow can be used to enhance it. Here, the decorator has relied heavily on the natural light coming in the small windows of this attic guest bedroom. An attic is often an under-utilized space; many people don’t consider the attic as a potential extra room, simply because it seems a daunting project to brighten up such a usually dim space.
But here, we see an attic beautifully made over from its former self. The ceiling beams and the wide-board pine plank flooring are left intact, giving a rustic mood to the room. This mood is furthered by the wooden hope chest, the old-fashioned furniture, and the floral print rug on the floor. But even though the room is rustic, the whole space is freshened with a coat of lemon yellow paint, changing this room from a dark storage area to a sunny, welcoming guest room.

Lemon yellow can also be used to add just a splash of color to a room. As an accent, it works with deep maroons, blues, and greens, and of course, bright white will really make it stand out. Here, we see how lemon yellow pillows brighten up this lavender floral bedspread, in turn livening up the whole room.

Any room in the house can be freshened up for summer with a touch of lemon yellow; and when you’re done with your decorating, you can celebrate with a pitcher of lemonade and a batch of lemon cookies.

Article by: Sarah Van Arsdale