Contemporary luxury

Chandelier Lighting will enhance the beauty of any room. Chandelier Lighting helps create a mood or an effect, it aids in a task, and also helps express your personal style. Whether casual, contemporary, eclectic, modern, transitional, or simply traditional, Chandeliers are the perfect way to achieve your desired fashion or functional needs. Modern and contemporary chandeliers add style and personality to your living space. These modern chandeliers from Luceplan create just the right focal point in your contemporary space. By reflecting and magnifying light, this chandelier creates a glitzy, sophisticated glow in your foyer, dining room or living area. Equip this modern lighting fixture with the latest generation of bulbs, from halogen to energy-saving fluorescent, for technology that's as au courant as the look.

Pure Organization 2010: Project #1

So I had an idea for 2010.  As I mentioned before, this year we're really going to focus on getting our house organized.  We've hit most of the major eyesores in our 70s split, but open up almost any closet or drawer, and you'll see a mini trainwreck.  Not good. 

In our old house,we tackled every nook & cranny and it seemed that as soon as we'd gotten everything perfect, we moved.  And I don't want that to happen again.  SO this year, we're going after our closets, our drawers, our fridge, our laundry room, our pantry- one space at a time-  And I'm inviting you to come along!

Each week we're going to do a little job or tackle a project---  most of them are small EASY steps we can take to make our life more organized and run a bit more smoothly--- and you're welcome to join me.  It's sort of my way of holding myself accountable.  If I tell you I'm going to do a little job each week, then I'll do it.  So if you're anything like me & want a friend to hold you accountable, join me!!  [image below from here]

Every Monday, I'll list a new task or project we're working on.  On the following Monday, when I list the new "to do" job, I'll also show readers' photos -THE PROOF!- of the completed project from the week before & ask for feedback from anyone who joined in.   (I'd love for you to send me photos of  your completed project & I'm even thinking of figuring out the Mr.Linky gadget for those of you with blogs who'd want to link up. )  (Some projects we're doing are pretty to look at whereas others- as you'll see- are more functional than pretty.  So maybe we'll just do pics of the pretty ones??  I'm up for ideas! :)

Some of the things we tackle will be things you've aleady done & other things we do might not appeal or apply to you, but if any of the projects are ones you're interested in, then join us! :)  I think it'll be helpful & a lot more fun if we do this together!  (And to clarify:  in most cases I'm really not talking big projects.  I'm talking about those little jobs we've been putting off.  The things that make life easier &/or prettier but don't take much effort. ) [image below from martha stewart.]

Now, for PROJECT #1:  Fill mason jars with paint for touch-ups, label them, and store them in the room where they're needed with a small paint brush. 

Paint scratches, walls get scuffed, and it's SO EASY to do touch-ups when the paint is accesible.  It only takes 5 minutes!  The big hassle is finding the paint & getting out the can & the brush and taking it to the right room.  Eliminate the hassle, and it's really no big deal.  Today I did Project #1 and it only took 15 minutes- most of it spent cleaning out out old jelly from the jar.   I also attached the paint brush with a ribbon so it will always be with the paint.

I hope some of you will join me on a few of these projects, and just think how much more organized & beautiful our homes will be after 50 weeks of baby steps!

Anyone game???
xoxo,
lauren

ps-  Thank you SO much to Joni of Cote de Texas for including a renovation of ours in her post "The Top 10 Best Renovations of 2009"!!!  It was such an awesome surprise to be listed with such a talented group of bloggers!!  Check it out here.

UPDATE:  I'm getting some awesome pics from reader!! :)  Keep 'em coming!!

Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen Remodeling – Flooring

If you want to give your kitchen a fresh, new look, changing out the flooring can make a huge difference. The great thing about changing flooring is that you can replace it at any time. In other words, it can be a stand-alone project or something you do as a part of changing the entire kitchen. Regardless, your kitchen will look amazing and the value of your home will benefit.

In most cases, a new floor can be placed over an old floor as long as the sub-flooring is in good condition. Just keep in mind that if the flooring will be connecting to other rooms, there would be issues with imbalance. Therefore, while this is an option, the better choice would be to tear out the old floor and have new flooring installed, especially if the new floor is hardwood.

from http://architectaria.com

Interior Design

When decorating a room, one of the easiest ways to express your personality is by the window treatments you choose. Whether simple or elaborate, opaque or solid, the fabrics and textures you select help make the room your own.

Creating a window treatmentcan be a lot of fun, and is not the difficult task many people think. In fact, one does not have to be a master interior designer to come up with a window treatment that is original, tasteful, and pleasing to the eye. The process can actually be very simple.

Cornice boards,despised in the seventies and eighties, are back in vogue for the new millennium. The great news about cornice boards is they do not have to be the heavy wooden boxes with all the intricate carving of yesteryear. In fact, they don't have to be made of wood at all.

Today, cornice board kits are available which include basic components made of Styrofoam. These pre cut pieces are ideal to use when the object is to create a padded cornice board. After assembling your Styrofoam frame according to the kit's instructions, cover the frame with batting. Rolls of batting can be purchased at any craft shop and many discount stores. To secure to the frame, try some fabric glue and perhaps a staple or two. The use of hot glue is discouraged, as it can melt the Styrofoam, leaving your frame distorted and less sturdy.

When deciding on the fabric to cover your cornice board, take a look around your room. Consider the color of the walls, the grain of any of wood in the room. What minor colors in the upholstery, pillows, or carpets could you pick up for the window treatment? Along with the color scheme, what types of fabrics are present in the room? How many varying textures, weaves, and blends are already represented?

Once you have determined the color and texture of the fabric for the cornice board, lay the fabric flat, and place the cornice board frame on the fabric. Make sure you cut a piece of fabric that will allow you to completely cover the cornice board, with the seam visible only on the inside of the board. Carefully used a staple gun or fabric glue to secure the fabric, making sure the material remains taut and smooth. To further dress the exterior of the board, you may choose to attach roping to outline the edges of your cornice board. Fabric glue will allow you to do this without any actual sewing.

Creating a dramatic series of layered panels to go along with your cornice board can also be fun. Just as with the selection process for the material used on the board, turn to the elements in your room for cues on what types of fabrics, colors, and textures will work well in your panels. Generally speaking, you can create a dramatic layered look by using a series of panels of different lengths in conjunction with the cornice board. A suggestion would be a three tiered look for the panels. In order for the panels to seem to flow effortlessly from the cornice board, consider this arrangement of textures: begin a heavy fabric panel as the top overlay, a slightly less heavy panel for a middle overlay, and then something thin or sheer for the underlay panel. Allow about a third of each panel to be exposed, going from cornice board to floor.

There are a couple of ways to successful have this multilayered look. One would be to create each panel by sewing the three pieces together at the top, include an open hem for the curtain rod at the top, and then hem each piece of the layered panel to the appropriate length. Alternatively, you can achieve a true layered look by using a triple curtainrod set, placing one set of each of the panels on each successive road. A third means of achieving the look would be to use a double curtain rod for the middle and bottom panels, and securing the top panel to the cornice board itself.

When assembling this multilayered treatment, don't be afraid to be a little adventurous. Grab samples of anything you think might work in the room. Lay out a template on a work table or the dining room table and then spend a little time trying different texture and color combinations. Keep going until you find a combination that feels and looks good.

Once your panels are prepared, hang them first. Next, attach the cornice board to the window casing using the hardware that came in your kit. Finally, step back and arrange the panels to your liking.

Remember, there is no inherently perfect way to dress a window, so feel free to express yourself and come up with something that is right for you and your room. The end result will be something you can enjoy each and every day.

Exclusive kitchens design

Here are some examples of exclusive kitchens designed by Philippe Starck Kitchens for Warendorf. The new collection from Starck will include the Library, Primary, Duality, and Tower kitchens which you should be able to identify at first glance. The Library kitchen design with its bookshelf elements which Philippe Starck has conceived to reinforce the connection between culture and food in domestic life. The Primary kitchen design brings neo-baroque design to the kitchen with its bright yellow mirrored glass fronts, etched decorative flourishes and "pretty" wall accessories. The Duality kitchen design delivers two options: a traditional wall piece or a detached kitchen island suited to your architecture and your style. The Tower kitchen with its striking towers, which can be rotated through 340° and which offers a thoroughly new approach to kitchen design. Visit Warendorf site – [via]

Modern home library and reading room design

Design modern home library and reading room in the house is made comfortable. Home library design and decorating ideas should make the room appear like a real library while at the same time keep the home atmosphere intact. Comfortable seating arrangements are a prerequisite when you go furniture hunting for your home library. The shape and styling would reflect your personal choices and preferences. Bookshelves and desks apart, you should have to think about the lighting and the proper focus to enable you to work long hours in your home library. Lighting should also be in the reading room, illumination have to enough to read the atmosphere and help the concentration to read.

Home libraries help you organize your book collection, make it easier to find books and make reading fun and relaxing within the comforts of your home.

Garage Storage Areas

Even homes with two or three garages, seem to have too little storage. In fact, this is one of the main complaints of most homeowners - not enough storage. Many of those that do have homes with garages keep the carsparked outside, keeping sports equipment, tools, boxed storage, extra furniture, and so on, stored inside. One way to increase the amount of storage in a garage is to start by adding shelves. Shelving options include prefabricated and site-built. To purchase all the necessary equipment and materials, simply visit your local hardware or home improvement store, or lumberyard.

Prefabricated shelves provide a solution that is sturdy, portable, adjustable, and easy and quick to install. The best option for garage storage in relation to prefabricated shelves is steel. Many people think that they should only purchase the steel shelves if they have heavier items to store when in fact, steel should be the option of choice regardless how heavy or light the items. Although plastic shelves cost less, ultimately they will break down quicker than steel. For fabricated shelves, consider the various types of things you plan to store. Additionally, you need to determine an area within the garage where the steel shelves will be located, taking careful measurements since this type of shelving cannot be cut down to size. This means when you shop for steel shelves, you will find standards sizes from which to choose.

Prefabricated shelving is also rated according to the weight it can accommodate. These ratings range from lightweight, perfect for storing the family's Christmas tree, sports equipment, or other boxed storage that does not weigh much, to heavy-duty, which would include items such as paint, sacks of concrete, heavy tools, and so on. To determine the appropriate rating for your needs, try to average the weight of everything you want to store and choose a shelf that can accommodate 25% over that average. You also want to consider that with prefabricated shelves, they can be adjusted. The best choice is an option that can be adjusted in a minimum of two locations within the framework. Make sure the unit has supporting pins to help prevent the shelves from dislodging. Many of the prefabricated shelves specific for heavy loads way need to be attached to the wall to ensure the unit does not tip over. This would be especially important if you have smaller children that might want to climb on the shelves for play or to find something.

Site-built shelves generally require some carpentry work. In most cases, this type of shelf is less expensive and can be adapted to various sizes to match your space need. The site-built shelf is usually constructed from 1½-inch plywood or a 1×2-foot piece of lumber that is placed on heavy-duty shelf brackets. To install this type of shelf, you would first attach the brackets, making sure you attach them to the studs, using lag bolts. If you want even more stability, the brackets can be attached to a ledger, which is a 1×4-foot piece of lumber that is attached to the studs on the backside of the shelf. Even adding metal brackets that have been augmented will help provide additional strength.

Floor-supported site-built shelves are an even more sturdy design. For this option, you can run vertical 2×4-foot pieces of lumber every 48 inches, allowing them to rest on the floor at the bottom, and then attaching them to the ceiling joists or rafters at the top. If you like, you can run additional 2×4-foot pieces of lumber horizontally on the edge between the uprights and then use particleboard or plywood for the shelves. Generally, the shelves measure from 18 to 24 inches deep and are spaced along the horizontal 2×4-foot lumber. Another excellent option is rafter-hung shelves. For this option, 2×4-foot lumber is bolted to the sides of the rafters as a way of forming overhead support. This framework can be left open for storing items that are long such as ladders or snow skis, or you can add plywood to create the shelves. One advantage of this option is that not as much floor space is used. Additionally, because this option is hung, you can adjust the height to accommodate any vehicle need to be parked in the garage.