December 2010
10 posts
I Like My Pictures Big
A mistake a lot of people seem to make with artwork is they go small. They get a polite little picture that you have to squint to see, matte the sucker out of it and hang it on a big ol’ wall….by itself….usually too high. Here’s what I say…..DON’T BE AFRAID TO GO BIG!
Playing with scale gives some oomph to your room and sort of plays funhouse tricks with your...
Dog-Proof Christmas Trees
I haven’t had a Christmas tree in three years. Guess what I HAVE had for three years:
Incidentally, I’ve had this princess for nine years, but she’s never curtailed my décor strategies:
I’ve given up on waiting for the big one to mature….I don’t think it’s ever going to happen, so I’ve put in some research for next year, because I miss my ornaments.
Now, I discover that something...
Dog-Proof Christmas Trees
I haven’t had a Christmas tree in three years. Guess what I HAVE had for three years:
Incidentally, I’ve had this princess for nine years, but she’s never curtailed my décor strategies:
I’ve given up on waiting for the big one to mature….I don’t think it’s ever going to happen, so I’ve put in some research for next year, because I miss my ornaments.
Now, I discover that something...
Pet Peeves Final Installment
Lameness, thy name is Leslie! If I want to dominate in the cut-throat world of amateur blogging, I cannot be skipping days like this. I’m back to my irregular posting schedule as of now.
So, here’s the wrap up of the friend submitted designer pet peeves. Remember, we’re all violators, so keep your sense of humor intact!
From Rebecca (a mother of two kids, 5 dogs, 2 birds and a...
So, Do You Think I Should Reupholster This?
That question is rhetorical….there are surely some cooties in there.
The more I look at this chair, the happier I am that I only spent $30 on it. Actually, I shouldn’t say that….it’s really solid, but pretty icky. Say what you will about the charm of old furniture or antiques, I hazard to say that part of the charm isn’t seeing the ghostly imprint of the former...
Travels in Forbidden Lands
I’ve already blathered on about my desire to “Sarah Richards” this flip, i.e. totally trick it out with furniture and other pretty things. My motivation for this is noble….most of the rooms in my portfolio are kitchens and I don’t just want to do kitchens.
Inevitably, clients might say initially that they want to work on the rest of the house after we finish their kitchen, but...
Bungalow Progress Report
The drywall is going up and the innards are, for the most part, no longer exposed! It’s actually starting to look like something:
The broken arch detail is a common thread running throughout the main floor. This is a nice change from the higgledy-piggledy elevations and cluttered trim that was a bit distracting before:
The main floor bathroom-still not Calgon...
2 tags
Bathroom Pet Peeves
I realize I’ve probably told you differently, but Starnes is actually much more of a DIY – I just didn’t want to intimidate my audience with my tool belt studliness. Here are two unflattering pics as proof that this really is a one woman job:
Notice, project manager Billy Ray humoring me in the background.
...
3 tags
How Green is Your Remodel? and People of Wal-Mart
Don’t worry, I’m not going to get all sanctimonious here. I’ll be the first to admit that it’s difficult to go totally green when you’re building or remodeling. That “stuff” whatever the stuff may be, can be darn expensive and girl has a budget you know.
It always seems ironic and unfair when the good choice is often unattainable. This is true not only with green building, but with healthy...
Interior Design Pet Peeves #2: Guest Bloggers!
The Estate of Things is a great design blog that I’ve become a fan of. These two friends, Sarah Farrell and Betsy Moyer, not only talk about design, but conquer rehab.-to-sell projects with beautiful results. Check out their Indiana House before and afters for some inspiration. Sarah and Betsy have generously contributed to my design pet peeves, and I’m glad to have allowed them to...