Archive for July, 2009
July 31st, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Decorating, Repairs & Renovations
Last week I posted some pictures of a few cool lighting fixtures. As promised, I’m back this week with a few more. Hopefully I can do the same again next week.
As before, click on the image to visit the website where you can purchase the fixture online.
Enjoy!
Baybridge Multi-Light Pendant by LBL. Via LightingUniverse.com for $960.
Uptown Bath Light from Shades of Light. $59
Elk Lighting - Reflections 1-Light Pendant. Via Lighting Universe - $135
Quoizel - Downtown 3 Light Ceiling Pendant. $299 at 1800lighting.com
Tags: light fixtures, lighting
July 31st, 2009 | 2 Comments | Posted in Cleaning
20 Mule Team Borax - Good for practically everything.
In light of Laura’s recent post about Baking Soda, I thought I’d whip up a quick post about a similarly useful “green” cleaning substance.
If you’ve never used Borax in your household cleaning, you should probably give it a closer look.
According to the 20 Mule Team Borax website:
Borax first appeared in history approximately 4,000 years ago. It is a naturally occurring mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. Borax is generally found embedded deep in the ground, along with clay and other substances.
Here are a few uses for borax that you might find useful:
- Laundry booster
- Stain remover
- Water softener
- Household cleaning and deodorizing
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Carpet & Rug Cleaner
- Dishwasher detergent booster
- Garbage disposal deodorizer
- Flower preserver
- Window cleaner
- Natural pesticide
Here’s a few links to other borax uses:
20 Mule Team Borax
Joey Green’s Wacky Uses
Reader’s Digest
Tags: borax, Cleaning, cleaning products, green cleaning product
July 31st, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Decorating
Bookworm Bookshelf
This stylish bookshelf, known as the “Bookworm,” was designed by Ron Arad in 1993.
It’s flexible, so you can change it’s shape. It’s strong, holding up to 100 pounds of books (20 between each of it’s 7 bookends.) Finally, it’s just plain cool.
You can buy it at MoMA Store, for $425 ($382.50 for members.) Alternatively, if you’re handy in the workshop, you might be able to make something really similar yourself.
Note: I’m not all that handy in the shop, but I have a father-in-law that is. Maybe he could be persuaded to help out!
via: Better Living Through Design
Tags: bookshelf, bookworm
July 30th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Decorating, Kitchen
Rocky Mountian Tile Arched Tile Backsplash
Still working on my kitchen list. Ran across this awesome backsplash from RockyMountainHardware.com. Reminiscent of the long-lost subway tiles of olden years, this tile gives a modern twist to the concept. I really like how it is not flat, but has distinct basket weave texture.
You can view all of the tile options from Rocky Mountain Hardware here.
I need to quit making my “kitchen must-haves” list now. Do you know of any cool tile companies?
Tags: decorating kitchen, hip kitchen ideas, Kitchen, kitchen tile
July 30th, 2009 | 1 Comment | Posted in By Activity, By Room, Decorating, Kitchen
Palo Samko Bar Stools
While making a list of my kitchen remodel must-haves, I started contemplating the addition of a bar or eat in area. Let me just say… this kitchen remodel is FAR down the road. The kitchen in this house is ok for now – we have other fish to fry.
Anyway, back on task.
These bar stools by Palo Samko are enough to make me stop and stare. I must say, I am infatuated with this beautiful seating. I am not sure if I could even sit on them. Yes, I like them that much. In fact, I had a look at his website, www.palosamko.com, and I actually love much of his collection.
Unfortunately, you have to request a custom quote. Not that it means the end of the world, it just means I may have a VERY hard time convincing my husband that these stools are as cool as I say they are.
What do you think?
Tags: Decorating, modern kitchen accessories
July 29th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Go Green
In a personal effort to eliminate all excuses as to why we don’t recycle, I stumbled across the National Recycling Coalition website.
This site provides a search feature for you to type your zip code and what you are wanting to recycle, and it gives you a list of centers in your area. Take a few minutes to see what they are all about.
Click here to check out the NRC website.
Tags: Go Green, recycle
July 28th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Bathroom, Organizing, Repairs & Renovations
Van Dykes Restorers Medicine Cabinet
If you live in an older home, you may already know that space is somewhat limited in some of the rooms. In modern-day homes, rooms like bathrooms are huge. They almost are the same size as a bedroom. For old homes, this is not the case unless you have done a major remodel.
My home was built in the 1920’s and I will go on the record to say that our bathrooms are tiny. Luckily, one of the owners down the line was helpful and added medicine cabinets in two out of the three bathrooms in our house. Medicine cabinets were very popular at one time giving the homeowner extra storage in a small space. Granted, these cabinets don’t hold much. They do help to get clutter off your vanity and out of view so your bathroom seems bigger than it actually is.
I found www.vandykes.com and they offer a pretty good selection of refurbishing products and medicine cabinets with charm. They look nicely detailed and not just your run-of-the-mill Home Depot medicine cabinet.
You can shop the site by clicking here.
Tags: Bathroom, Organizing, renovation, storage
July 28th, 2009 | 1 Comment | Posted in Cleaning, Go Green, Kitchen, Miscellaneous, Repairs & Renovations
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
We have all heard about the products with a million uses. Some of them are true, some of them are not. There is one product that has proven itself over and over again. Baking Soda is one of the most commonly used product that seems to “do-it-all.”
What does baking soda do? Besides the usual deodorizing the refrigerator and helping to make the perfect fluffy cake, this product is almost a phenomenon in itself.
Some things you may not have know about the power of baking soda include:
- It can keep your pool water cleaner.
- It can work as an antacid (please follow the instructions found on the website.)
- It can deodorize carpet, rugs, and upholstery.
- It can work as a laundry booster.
- It can be used as a general household cleaner.
- It can be used as a first response for small cooking or electrical fires.
- It can be used to remove crayon from walls.
There are endless possibilities for this product. What is your favorite use for baking soda?
For a full list of what you can (and can’t) do with baking soda, please visit the Arm & Hammer Baking Soda FAQ’s page.
Tags: Cleaning, green cleaning product
July 28th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Decorating, Entertaining, Go Green, Miscellaneous
While searching the Internet for more “hip” stuff, I stumbled across this Water Bottle Christmas Tree and couldn’t pass it up.
300 water bottles, 4 people, 2 days production time, 1 stunning piece of art. What do you think? Click here to see more detailed images of the Christmas Tree.
Water Bottle Christmas Tree
Tags: christmas, Decorating, recycled
July 28th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in By Activity, Cooking, Fun Time
Southern Food & Wine Fest
I am admittedly jealous that there is no way to get to Nashville this weekend. Starting July 31st and running until August 2nd, your favorite Food Network hosts will be at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel doing wine tastings, cheese parings, demos, and much more.
Being a Food Network junkie myself, I was slightly heartbroken when I found out they were going to be so close. I didn’t even hear about this show until today. To add to my heartbreak was that I heard Alton Brown would be there too. Out of all of the Food Network lineup, he is my favorite – hands down. Yes, I know he explains things down to the science. I still enjoy it. It is like Sesame Street for adults.
Hopefully, they will post some recipes or something from the show. If they do, I will be sure to post them on here for you to see.
If you decide to go, please tell Alton that I said “hello” and leave me a comment on your favorite parts.
Learn more about the Southern Food & Wine Festival here.
Tags: Cooking, Fun Time
