Home Design
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China Cabinet Bookcase
Too many books? Not enough crystal? A china cabinet bookcase is the perfect solution for anyone who has lots of books and not enough china and crystal to fill a traditional dining hutch. First we’ll explore what kind of furniture is perfect for this purpose, and then we’ll look at the kinds of things that can go inside. Furniture choice: Type – Whether it’s a bookcase, china hutch, or built-in cabinets is not important. Any storage cabinet with glass doors will work. Glass Doors – The glass doors enable you to see the pretty books, decor, and crystal glassware stored within. They also keep dust off your glasses so that they’re ready…
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Nine Tips for Decorating Bookcases
Decorating bookcases can seem like an arduous task. So many books and so little time! Follow these easy 9 tips to help you achieve redecorating success. Tip #1: Empty the Shelves Give yourself a fresh perspective by removing everything from the shelves at the start. Leave them empty for a day or two to help hit the reset button. You’ll have lots of creative freedom to move shelves when putting things back. While the shelves are clear, it may be a good time to clean, paint, and organize. Tip #2: Take Off Old Book Jackets Book covers are meant to protect books from dust and damage. If the jackets on your collection…
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How to Make Curtains
Learning how to make curtains will allow you freedom of design in color, length, and style. If you’re looking to change up decor in a major way, new curtains can give a whole new look to any room. It is also less expensive than buying ready made curtains. Step #1 Measure Windows Standard finished curtain length is 84 inches. To achieve standard length, add at least 10 inches for a length of 94 inches unfinished. This is because you will want 4 inch folds at the top and bottom for weight and stability (1 inch tucked under to hide the unfinished edge). If you want curtains shorter or longer than standard…
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Emerald & Blush
A color scheme often used for weddings, there’s none prettier than emerald and blush. These colors create feelings of health and happiness. The pink tone is youthful, something we’d see in flushed cheeks or budding roses. The shade of green is bright and lively, appropriately named for the gemstone. We only need to look to nature to see how beautiful the blend can be. How to Decorate with Emerald and Blush Lucky for us, it’s easy to bring this charming color combination indoors. Many home decor items can be found in emerald and blush, and the right mix can make your home feel like a romantic English garden. The classic…
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How to Organize Junk Drawers
Thoughtful and creative tips for how to organize junk drawers. Let’s face it. Everyone has one. It’s the place random things get shoved when you’re in a hurry to get things off the counter. Or the place things go when you can’t think of anywhere else it fits. These drawers accumulate things for years, becoming a time capsule and memory box. As romantic as that may seem, eventually, they loose their function and just become a mess. It’s time to clean when you’re unable to find the things you really want in your drawer, such as kitchen scissors, lighters for candles, spare keys, ect. The task of cleaning the junk…
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A New York City Apartment
Home should be a place to relax and renew. Hopefully where you can enjoy quiet and calm after a long day. When you can’t finish at the office or if you’re a student, home has to be an office. The place we live in isn’t just a shelter anymore. It’s our workspace, our kitchen, and our oasis. Sometimes, it has to be able to accommodate guests. The challenge of an NYC apartment is how do you fit all of these things into a relatively small space. On my recent visit to Manhattan, I stayed with my younger sister. I’m featuring her apartment because she has a great eye for design…
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Quill Baby Quilt
This tutorial is based on the quill baby quilt pattern I used to make for my nephew’s first birthday. Baby quilts are so fun to make. My favorite part is the design process; playing with color combinations and paying visits to my fabric stash. Only small amounts of certain colors are needed and so scraps from other projects can often be used. Quilts aren’t hard to make. They do take time, and you need a large work space like a dining room table or clear space on the floor. The end result is well worth the effort! Quilts are a great way to update bedroom decor, and they also make…
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How to Use Yellow
Our eyes are naturally drawn to yellow. It is a color of power and energy. Large quantities can quickly overwhelm the senses. In smaller doses, it can be used effectively to highlight details. Consider the way yellow is seen in nature. It is the color of sunshine and flowers. The warmth of the sun on our skin is wonderful, making us happier and healthier just to be in its presence. And yet, most people find it rather unpleasant to look at the source. We would be much more likely to let our eyes linger on daffodils. The grass around them seen, but not important. The flowers may be so attractive…
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How to Frame an Old Poster
This poster has travelled. I bought it for one of my first apartments while at university. I had forgotten all about it, until I went to visit my sister in San Diego. She had it up on the wall inside her small beachside studio. Recently, I helped her move to NYC, and I took the poster home with me. Between the two of us, it has probably seen the insides of ten different apartments, and who knows how long it spent in a storage unit. It’s no wonder that there’s dozens of creases through the middle and the edges are tattered and frayed. George Auriol I bought the poster when…
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How to Repurpose Canvas
Have you ever been to a Paint & Sip party? Usually held at vineyards or breweries, a local artist guides a group of people through painting a picture. They are such great fun, often times you will meet new people, or you can book a private event for a birthday or christmas party. At around $30, a Paint & Sip party is an affordable evening out with friends. And a souvenir to take home and cherish forever! Wait… forever maybe not so much. I’m good at a lot of things. Painting… well, not yet! So while I don’t want to see my own paintings everyday,…
