I found some really cool recycling ideas on the Martha Stewart website. Check these out:
Carpet Coasters- can cut them out yourself. They are also washable.
Cork Trivet- just another validation for drinking more wine.
Sweater Seats -reupholster your chairs using old sweaters.
Would you do any of these? Leave a comment or email me at onedesigner@designinginmysleep.com
Almost every week one of my college class assignments has been dealing with at least one aspect of global warming. I have to say that I have analyzed my personal carbon footprint enough now to constantly be looking for ways to lower it. I ran across this smart power strip. This allows you to plug your main components into a master outlet. When the master outlet gets shut down the other peripheral outlets shut down automatically. Although your computer may be turned off now- it is still drawing power it’s not using- you are paying for that power. This would save you money over time, reduce your carbon footprint, and help the environment. You can buy them for around $40 depending on whom you buy them from. Leave a comment or email me at onedesigner@designinginmysleep.com
Check out this winerack it’s made from molded birch and walnut plywood. You can find it here. How fantastic is this? I love the design you could use it for other things besides wine storage. What do you think? Leave a comment or email me at onedesigner@designinginmysleep.com
I thought I would post some painting tips since I am always painting or touching up my mistakes! I started looking for tips to make all that work easier. I found on the doityourself.com website “9 tips to painting like a pro”. There are some great ideas here that I wish I had read before painting half the rooms in my home!
1. Choose the right type of paint. Latex, or water-based, paints are the most popular choice because they emit fewer fumes, dry quicker, and have an easier clean up process. Latex paint is also less prone to fading or yellowing and provides a breathable surface that allows moisture to escape.
If painting a kitchen or bathroom, choose paint specially designed for these areas. These paints are more mold-, mildew-, and humidity-resistant. Although it may seem like an added expense, the cost is worth it. At the very least, add a mildewcide to the paint before using.
2. Choose the right finish. Flat, eggshell, semi gloss, high gloss—does it matter what type of finish? Yes, the right finish is important, especially since most paints come in all three varieties. For one, flat paints will attract mildew quicker than semi gloss or high gloss paint. This is because glossier paints have no pores for the mold to grab onto to grow. Semi gloss and high gloss paint is also more durable and wipe clean easily. They will stand up to stains and scuffings, which makes them perfect for high traffic areas.
However, flat paints are better at concealing imperfections in the surface. They will make surfaces appear smoother and more uniform. Paints with an eggshell, or satin, finish have a finish that falls in between the flat and semi gloss. They are ideal for bedrooms and living rooms. They will give a room more depth and warmth and are slightly more durable than flat paints.
3. Choose the right tools. While power rollers and paint sprayers can be time-savers, they are not practical for smaller or complicated rooms. Painting these rooms is better done in the traditional manner. For most jobs, all you will need is a roller, a tray and a few brushes that vary between one-inch to four-inches wide for the trim and detail work. Make sure you also have the equipment needed to prepare and protect surfaces around the area you plan to paint.
4. Prepare the surface. Failing to prepare your surface before painting will only diminish the durability of your paint. The first thing you need to is remove everything from the walls. Then, cover all surrounding floors, cabinets, and fixtures with drop cloths or flattened out corrugated boxes.
Next, you want to clean the walls and trim thoroughly. Use hot water and a little bit of detergent soap, then rinse thoroughly. Once the walls have dried, patch any holes, cracks, or joints with spackling compound. Let it dry and the sand with fine grade sandpaper until smooth. Also, sand down any glossy surfaces. Wipe all sanded surfaces with a damp cloth to remove all residues.
5. Protect the surface. Invest in the special blue painters tape rather than using regular masking tape—especially on painted surfaces. Regular masking tape might damage the very surface you are trying to protect.
Wrap hardware such as doorknobs, hinges, pulls in foil to protect them before painting. You can also use wet newspaper to protect glass. Simply cut the newspaper into one-inch long strips, dip it into water, and pull it through your thumb and index finger to remove the excess water. Press the strips onto the glass, close to the wood, and remove them as soon as you are through. Finally, keep around a damp cloth and paper towels handy when painting. Most paint spilled can be removed with these if they are caught soon enough.
6. Preparation will make clean up easier. Rub hand lotion on your hands and arms before you begin painting. It will make the paint easier to wash off your hands when you’re finished. Also, baby oil is sometimes better at removing paint from your skin. You can also save time if you line your paint tray with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and glue a large paper plate to the bottom of any open paint can you plan to use. After opening the paint can, use a nail to tap about five or six holes into the retaining grove. This allows the paint to run back into the can. Make sure you have paint thinner or turpentine handy if you are painting with any oil based paints. Latex paints will clean up with soap and water. If you need to stop for a short period instead of cleaning your brushes, seal them into a plastic bag or wrap them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
7. Always prime before painting. Even if you do not need it, primer will provide a better quality to your paint job. Some primers are designed for new walls while others will help cover up stains. Use the right type of primer and have it tinted the same color as your paint. It might seem like an additional step, but primers will help reduce the number of coats you will have to do.
8. Purchase all the paint you will need and prepare it before beginning. One gallon of paint will cover about four hundred square feet of surface. If the area you are planning on painting requires more than one gallon, you will need to mix all the paints together before you begin. Different cans can have subtle color variations that might not be evident in the can. Unfortunately, they will be extremely obvious on your walls. If you plan to do two coats, you can decide mix only half the paints at first. Then, mix any remaining paint together before starting your second coat.
9. Painting. Using a brush to cover any area that is too tight to accommodate a roller as well as to apply a one-inch border of paint around any windows and doors, where the wall meets the ceiling and floor, and in corners. Work in small sections so that the paint will still be wet when you go to use the roller. When using a brush, dip the bristles of the paint about halfway into the paint and then tap the brush against the edge to remove any excess. Hold the handle at the base and press gently so that the bristles flex slightly. Brush in both directions to avoid any streaking.
Rollers provide even coverage with little color variation and are much quicker than painting with a brush. Make sure your roller has the right knap for the surface you are painting. Dip the roller into the paint so that it is well covered, but not saturated. Roll the roller over the ridges of the pan to ensure that it will spread the paint smoothly. Prepare to cover about four feet of surface for each “dip” you do with your roller. For best results, paint a large M onto the wall, and then roll from side to side to spread the paint. Finish up with light up and down strokes for an even finish.
To get us into the mood to do some gardening, I thought we should keep up the with spring garden theme. Below are some beautiful gardens from Architechtural Digest. Do you have a spring garden that you would like to share? Leave a comment or email me at onedesigner@designinginmysleep.com
I just recently found out that planting Eucalyptus trees and Lavender is a natural fly repellent. I love sitting out in my garden but hate getting attacked by flies. We bought some Eucalyptus trees and Lavender this weekend and are going to test this in our garden. I’ll keep you posted.
Leave a comment or just email me at onedesigner@designinginmysleep.com
“In the United States and in a number of other countries around the world, LEED certification is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. Achieving LEED certification is the best way for you to demonstrate that your building project is truly “green.” ”
-NRDC
This green building rating system was put together to promote design and construction practices that increase while reducing negative environmental impacts.
Chicago’s first residential tower design to LEEDS standards is 340 on the park. I think this is a great example that green can be sophisticated. Prices for these penthouses that overlook Lake Michigan start in the high $600,000’s
What do you think- leave a comment or email me at onedesigner@designinginmysleep.com
It’s time to work on your garden. I have been working on my garden this weekend. I’m fortunate that in Southern California it is outdoor weather all year. This post is to get you inspired for the warmer weather and spending alot more time outside.
Leave a comment or email me at onedesigner@designinginmysleep.com
The Ethan Allen near me is having a sale. So of course I found a side table and table lamp that I loved.
Wire Form Table $ 399.00 Ethan Allen
Openweave Nickel Table Lamp $519.00 Ethan Allen
I thought I would try to see if I could find similar items at a better price. And this is what I found.
Lubbock Side Table $99.00 Target
Zoey Side Table $99.00 Target
Leaf Ball Table Lamp- Tarnished Silver $199.00 Target
Ceramic White Table Lamp $29.88 Walmart
So what do you think? Do you love a bargain? Would you buy something similar because of price? Or would you wait until the item was in your budget? Leave a comment or email me at onedesigner@designinginmysleep.com
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