Friday FUN Find { Check out this nest... }

The Nestrest by DEDON is quite the sanctuary.  I'm not sure how you would get into it if it is high off the ground, and it is probably not practical, but I think it is FUN anyway!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Genius space saver!

This kids desk is a genius space saver!  It is the Klick Desk by pkolino.  I love how it fits together like a puzzle, and the storage inside is awesome!!

What makes pkolino kids furniture eco-friendly:

• work hard to make sure our factories and vendors adhere to sound labor practices
• conserve energy and reduce waste
• explore the use of sustainable materials and products
• supports local charities
• made in the USA

Old light bubs with new light...

I love these handcrafted light bulb oil lamps by Recycled Light Company.  They would look so pretty lined up across a long dining table - what a great idea!!

What makes Recycled Light Company lamps eco-friendly:

• uses recycled incandescent light bulbs
• handmade in the USA

Evolution of PURE...

My new PURE online Shop is evolving with a new home page and the addition of a few accent chairs and wool rug photos.  I'm working on marketing with Pure PR, Inc. (got to love the name) to help me get media exposure and increase sales.  It is a tough time for business, but I'm so excited and passionate about my eco-friendly products - sometimes I can hardly contain myself!  I've poured so much energy, research, and creativity into my PURE line - it is a true extension of me!

"Please help me by sharing my online store with everyone who may be interested. Thank you!"

{ new home page }



{ carmel accent chair with smock pillow }



{ zaida accent chair with custom pattern pillow }



{ flat weave wool rugs }

Mini Hoosier Cabinet Makeover

This technically isn't a "makeover" since the only piece that is being made over was the old, metal enamel top.  But, we tore the table apart, and salvaged the white enamel top (and it had black trim around the sides).  Then we designed and built a new cabinet around the enamel top.  It's small, the table top was only 22" x 27", but I think that's what makes it look so cute!  And with the trim around the enamel already black, I couldn't think of any other color to make this one....but black.  We also found some old porcelain knobs that really set off the enamel top.  It's unique, different, and one-of-a-kind....and it is in-stock, for sale right now!

Grab Fall by its strap....

I'm loving these handbags by dsenyo.  The unique bohemian style and Fall colors are so perfect!  I really like the fact that are all unique because the canvas is hand-painted by artisans in Zambia.  What a great addition to any Fall wardrobe!

What makes desenyo eco-friendly:

• low-impact dyes
• fibers include jute, hemp, and organic cotton
• composting scaps
• recycling program for used bags
• creates fairtrade jobs with far wages in Malawi, Africa

Kitchen Design Dilemmas Solved

This guest blog post was written by Tracy Tesmer, founder of Tracy Tesmer Design • Build • Remodel • Repair, a design/build remodeling company specializing in kitchen remodeling. Tracy has over 30 years experience in the construction industry and also hosts a weekly home improvement radio show on WDUN in North Georgia.

The kitchen is where most people spend the majority of their time while at home. It’s no longer just a place to cook meals – it’s evolved into a hangout room where kids do their homework and friends and family congregate. Because we are requiring more out of a kitchen these days, it’s important to have a space that is both comfortable and functional. The following are 3 frequent kitchen complaints and ways to solve them, both with some DIY elbow grease or with the assistance of a home remodeling professional. 

1. Insufficient Lighting. This is a common problem, especially in older homes that may just have an overhead florescent light and a light in the vent hood.
   
   • DIY: Replace your dated florescent lighting that is probably collecting bugs with some more stylish fixtures that give off more light. Since the hookup is already installed, this can be installed relatively easily. Make sure to completely cut the power before beginning to work on it and note you may have to do some paint touchups if the new fixture is a different size. You can also add some under cabinet lighting that either plugs in to your wall socket or is battery powered with no wires to mess with!
     
   • Professional: Unless you are a super handyman, you will probably need to hire somebody to tackle the installation of new recessed can lights, or new pendant or track lighting where there were no fixtures before. You may want to also consult with a kitchen designer to make suggestions on the look and feel of the space.
2. Lack of Storage Space. For many people, lack of sufficient storage space in their kitchen is a major complaint. Whether the builder failed to take full advantage of the storage space or the usage of your space has changed over time, it’s important to have a kitchen that is organized and not cluttered.
   
   • DIY: Before doing anything, take a few hours to sort through your current kitchen items to see if you can get rid of or reorganize some of your clutter. You may have just solved your problem! If you still need more space, consider an overhead pot rack to free up some shelf space, adding some shelving for the inside of your pantry door, or purchasing a rolling kitchen island with storage cabinets.
     
   • Professional: If the installation of an island sounds like the right thing for you, but you want to go the permanent route, hire a remodeler to build and install one for you. You can also replace your upper cabinets to reach to the ceiling, often adding a shelf or two of storage space. For smaller improvements, adding a Lazy Susan to corner cabinets will help you fully use the awkward space to your advantage.
     
3. Impeded Work Flow. It’s important to be able to have a flowing kitchen that works well. Even though today’s kitchen serves as a place to entertain, organize one’s day, and communicate with family and friends, it is above all else still a place to cook. The "kitchen triangle" is the area between the refrigerator, sink and stove.
   
   • DIY: Although it may be difficult to fix much of the floor plan with DIY skills, you may be able to save on the cost of remodeling by doing some of the demolition, painting, or appliance installation of this remodeling project yourselves.
     
   • Professional: Most professional remodelers are excellent at figuring out how to maximize the functionality of the “kitchen triangle.” Common renovations include adding a wall unit oven to replace a standard stove, installing a cook top, veggie sink, and/or dishwasher in an island, or moving the location of a refrigerator.

Before you decide whether you want to take matters into your own hands and give your cooking space a makeover yourself, or call a licensed remodeler, it’s important to first identify the source of the problem and then decide which logical solution works best for you. Whether you need a major renovation of your existing kitchen or a simple quick fix, there are many opportunities to make the kitchen more efficient as well as more enjoyable.

Should You Invest In Dining Furniture?

If you take a look around your home the chances are you have a few pieces of really high quality furniture. If you do then you’ll know that paying for quality really counts – especially if you’ve bought cheap furniture from one of the huge stores only to find it’s fallen apart within a few months.
Of course we all love a bargain and although you can dress your dining room up with cheaper items such as cushions, prints and curtains, when you buy cheap furniture it really shows - it’s hard to get a classy look when you’re not willing to pay for it!

Some people view buying good quality dining furniture as a big expense but why not look at it as an investment? If you compare the price of buying a few cheap pieces that will quickly wear out to the price of investing in one high quality dining set that will look great for years to come, it probably works out cheaper to choose the investment piece.

If you’re lucky enough to have a dining room then choosing some amazing dining furniture will really set the space alight. There are so many designs to choose from depending on whether you prefer a traditional or modern look.

If you don’t have a lot of space for dining then you could consider a wooden dining table with acrylic chairs, which will make the space seem much bigger. Or if you’re really brave you can go for an entirely acrylic dining set. Choose a classic look for your chairs such as that made famous by Philippe Starck’s Kong design. The amazing thing about the Kong design is that although the material is ultra modern the chairs look great in a traditional setting and because they’re so unusual they’ll still look great in ten or fifteen years. Starck’s design classic has spawned hundreds of copycat chairs and most are fairly reasonably priced.

If acrylic isn’t for you then you can always chooser high quality wood furniture, but instead of going for the traditional oak you could go for something a bit different such as mango wood.

Mango wood furniture has been steadily growing in popularity over the last decade as a wonderful alternative to more commonly used woods. It has a rich, slightly mottled appearance which gives a warm, homely and slightly ethnic feel to any room.

As well as being truly beautiful and highly durable, most mango wood is responsibly sourced from sustainable forests and usually manufactured overseas by highly skilled craftsmen. That means that most of the mango wood furniture that you can buy online is finished to a very high standard and is in no danger of falling apart. One of the most wonderful things about investing in high quality furniture like this is that you can actually end up with an heirloom that will almost become a part of the family! For that reason alone, investing in high quality dining furniture is always a good idea.

Today is my birthday

and this is my simple birthday wish :)

Source: google.com via Moriah on Pinterest

Typography anyone??

I know almost nothing about this table except I LOVE it and that it was created by artist Robert True Ogden.  I could not find any specifics on the table, but Anthropologie sells some gorgeous lighting designed this wonderful artist.  This table is so TEXTural :) It would be FUN to find hidden words or start a game of boggle!!

Give Your Home a Weekend Makeover

So, summer is over. The kids are back at school, the nights are getting darker, and let’s face it, it’s getting a little chilly. It’s time to bring in the barbecue, put away the fans, and start planning for autumn.

The changing of the seasons is used by many people as an excuse for a decorating spree, but who has time for those these days? If you can’t afford to take a week off work to strip the wallpaper and lay some new carpets, then why not try this quick and easy home makeover plan.

1. Start with the kitchen: Clean out the cupboards and declutter the counters. Invest in some attractive bowls, hangars, and boxes to use for storage so that you never have to worry about clutter again. If you have time, you could consider painting the cupboards a different colour – it makes a big difference.
   
2. Revitalize the bedroom: Make your bedroom a relaxing place to be. Get rid of those thin summer curtains and replace them with heavy roller blinds that will do a better job of blocking out the winter chill. Move everything that isn’t bed or dressing related out of the bedroom. Less is more in this case – you don’t want any distractions in your bedroom. Replace all the bedding, and treat yourself to some fresh pillows.
   
3. Accessorize the living room: Sometimes all that you need to make a room feel different is a change of colour. You can’t feasibly do that with paint, but if you make creative use of throws, roller blinds, rugs, and other accessories, you can re-theme a room in a jiffy. Even better, when spring comes around you can put all the warm and cosy stuff away, and replace it with something refreshing and airy – giving you a second “instant makeover”.
   
4. Simple bathroom tweaks: Bathrooms can be high maintenance. Make sure that the tiles are clean, the taps are sparkling, and your bath or shower is freshly rinsed. Often, what drags down the mood in the bathroom is a tatty bath mat or shower curtain. Replace those, and perhaps add matching toothbrush and soap holders, and you should be able to quickly bring some cheer to the room.
   
5. Don’t forget the garden: Your garden is the first thing people see when they come to your home. At this time of year, it’s easy to start to let things slide, but don’t. If it’s nice outside, cut the grass and do a little weeding, make sure your paving stones are OK, and then consider planting some hardy plants that will survive until the winter. A neat and trim garden is always a nice sight when you get home from work on a dark night.

A lot of the above tips may sound like they’re about cleaning up, but in truth it’s amazing what changing a few things, such as roller blinds or shower curtains, can do. A change of colour, and a lack of clutter, is a big deal. Another area where subtle changes make a big difference is smell. If you normally burn incense or candles, consider changing the scent as the seasons change. 

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Creatively Different Roller Blinds. James writes on subjects relating to the home and interior design ideas.

Home Project Management – Kitchen Design

Re-modelling a kitchen can be a mammoth project. There are a lot of issues to consider – not just in terms of design and decoration, but also health and safety, plumbing, gas, and electronics.

If you want your remodelling to be a hassle-free process and you want to make sure that you avoid any costly mistakes or delays, then you will need to organize your work so that all of the tradesmen are able to complete their work on schedule, and comply with the regulations relevant to their trade.

Insurance

Before any major building work begins, it’s a good idea to make sure your insurance will cover it. Most standard household insurance will not cover building work while it is being carried out, so you’ll probably need to get cover added to your policy.

Plumbing

If you are making major changes to the layout of your kitchen, you may need to have your plumbing altered to accommodate the new layout. Get everything measured up before work begins.

Gas

All gas work must be carried out by a certified engineer, and you will need a safety certificate to indicate that your installation is safe. Gas leaks and carbon monoxide are no joke, so don’t be tempted to cut corners when it comes to gas.

Electricians

Just as there are regulations governing gas, there are regulations governing electrical work. You will need to make sure that you work with a certified engineer that understands the local Building Regulations (these can vary, country to country and state to sate).

For example, when you hire a professional electrician in Derby, they will assume responsibility for the required paperwork themselves, and provide you with an Electrical Installation Certificate and a Building Regulations Self Certification document when the work is done.

Even minor wiring work such as adding sockets or light fittings is considered to be notifiable when it takes place in the kitchen, so it is important to make sure that all of the required paperwork is completed.

The order in which the work is carried out will depend on how extensive the remodelling plans are. In general, it’s best to bring in skilled tradesmen such as electricians and plumbers early in the process, so that they can do their work with minimal disturbance. Cupboard fitting and decorating can be done once the major installation work has been completed.

The most common jobs – wiring up cookers and adding plugs or light fixtures – are not too intrusive. Your electrician will need to turn off the power while they’re working, but the job should not take too long, and is unlikely to require extensive work in other parts of the house unless they find something unsafe in your wiring while they are working.

If you are using a project management company, they will be able to recommend gas engineers and local electricians that they know are reputable. If you’re managing the work yourself, then ask around for recommendations from friends and family to ensure that you get the best service.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Ash Cole your local electrician in Derby. James writes on subjects relating to home improvements and DIY.

Oh baby, these knits will warm your heart...

I love these CUTE baby clothes by Joretta Natural Knits!  These precious knits look so soft and cuddly.  Baby's always make me smile - combine that with the comfy knits, and it just warms my heart on this cool Fall day :)

What makes Joretta Natural Knits eco-friendly:

• uses natural, recycled, and organic materials from local producers & dyers
• made to order
• handmade in the USA

Guess what these FUN bags are made of?

I love these bags from Sea Bags!  They are so cute and guess what they are made from? Recycled Sails!  Isn't that COOL!  I love the bold graphics and of course the fact that they were once actual sails.  Every bag is unique and hand designed in Maine.  These bags look very well constructed and great for the beach, shopping, and travel plus you can never have to many canvas bags!

What makes Sea Bags eco-friendly:

• made from recycled sails
• handmade in the USA

Friday FUN Find { vintage, turquoise, kitchen tools }

I'm feeling a little melancholy today...  Fall is upon us, which means saying goodbye to Summer and welcoming cooler crisper days.  And for some reason it always leave me longing for simpler times - a time where life was less crazy and we had coffee with our neighbors - a time before cell phones and computer - a time when kitchen tools were manual and food was more wholesome.  So today I thought it would be FUN to share some of my favorite vintage, turquoise kitchen tools.

Have a great weekend everyone!

{ ice cream scoop from Dawn at the Market }


{ cheese slicer from Amy Kristine Vintage }


{ flower sifter from Modred Vintage }


{ ice tray from Vintageer }


{ grinder from The Girl From Yestderday }


{ mixer from Shoshana Lund }


{ chopper from Hunt and Found }

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Furniture that evokes emotion...

It amazes me how connections are made every day on twitter - over the weekend I had a conversation with Katie Kozar (@ktkozar) of Joseph Thompson Woodworks.  Katie and her (soon to be) husband Joseph Thompson build beautiful, hand-crafted furniture.  Their pieces combined old world charm with a touch of modern.  It is furniture that evokes emotion and makes you want to reach out and touch it...  I can truly see the love and time that goes into each piece of furniture.

What makes Joseph Thompson Woodworks eco-friendly:

• wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or reclaimed
• beautiful, quality, hand-crafted construction
• made in the USA