Home Life: Decorating, Entertaining, Home Improvements and Organization Photoblog

Featured Christmas Decorating Project: DKcaroline Mantle

Sun, 04 Dec 2005 11:19:26 GMT

A friend of mine, DKcaroline from our photo community, a very talented photographer and decorator, sent me photos of her mantle. I knew I had to share with you and asked her if she would not mind writing about her elegant decorating project.

What is that old saying "Necessity is the Mother of Invention". For me it means knowing what I like but having to find a way to create it with a very limited budget.

When I was a kid, my parents had a booth selling at a local swap meet back in the days when the swap meet was more like a giant yard sale. I learned early on that just because it starts out looking like a pile of junk does not mean that you cannot make it a real treasure. You can paint or stain or slip cover to make it yours, with your style and what makes you smile.

I really like the vintage glass lamps and have been collecting them for several years, I rewire them so they are safer. I found this pair at a local thrift shop for about $10, rewired them and modified a pair of shades to fit the space about the mantle. I use low wattage bulbs so that they do not over heat the shades. I found the pair of silver cups at the same thrift store for a couple of dollars-the have monograms and one has some corrosion on one side-for a couple of dollars. The silk roses are end of the season fall for .50 for each of the 2 bunches. The wreath, twig trees, red beads and garland are all from 'the way after the day after Christmas sales' when things get down to 75% off to 90% off.

I like the combination that they make together, the deep reds and silver, the green and the twigs and the glass. Formally arranged, but not stuffy, things that had been passed over or discarded but end up fitting together tosomething that pleases me.

Oh yeah..that mirror over the fireplace...was once a ugly edged bathroom mirror, but a bit of trim to cover the ugly sides and it has a new life.

Photo Collection: Front Porches, Cupolas/Steeples, Stone Walls, Fences...Etc.

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 19:21:13 GMT

A couple of weeks ago I received a journal alert Looking for a peaceful easy feeling.... Demandn lil chit entry sparked an idea. I wrote her and asked if she would mind me featuring her entry, photo and idea.

I cannot wait to see her future porch entries!!!! I shaved my legs for this? check out her wonderful journal.

"Below is an older photo that I took a few years ago that I called "America's Front Porch" it's of an old farm house with cracked windows and peeling paint and an overgrown yard, but what drew me to is was the American Flag, the red chair and red wreath on the door. Gave me the feeling of days gone by....could of been shot during any of the last few decades and still look peaceful. It is what inspired my hunt for more of America's Front Porches....I'll post more "Front Porches" as I come across them....I already have another in mind! ;)"

I photograph Cupolas/Steeples because I love the architectural beauty. Someday I hope to build a fence or wall in the front of my house. If I see a wall or fences I love, I stop and take photos. Taking photos is not only a fun idea but is very informative, creative and educational.

Stone wall I love.

Join in the fun, post your photo collection ideas....I am sure everyone would enjoy seeing and reading. I will update my collection.

How I Display My Collectibles and Linking to John's Collect This

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 17:51:49 GMT

My entry today has a duel purpose.

Showing how I display my collectibles, a continuation of a previous entry How To Begin Collecting.

How many of us collect, pack away or shove into a closet or worse yet do not use your pretty collectibles? DISPLAY!!! USE!!!

If you have unique ways to display your finds, post or email me with your ideas and images.

I am going to link to John's Collect This entry with a provoking thought about what will happen to your collections when you die.

How to: Create Fedex Furniture by Jose

Sun, 26 Feb 2006 02:06:36 GMT

Olatou sent me FedexFurniture.Com a young man Jose created to share his creative furniture for his new unfurnished apartment. I would call his idea the ultimate trash to treasure project.

I wrote Jose to ask him would he mind my snagging one of his pictures, to show an image of what his site had to offer.

How To Begin Collecting

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 18:49:09 GMT

When I was first married, out of necessity I would go to garage sales, consignment, flea markets to find used items for decorating our home. Yankee Magazine - Turning Trash into Treasure

My weekly jaunts started my interest in collecting but soon became out of control. I needed to concentrate on specific collections, finding how important it is to research and become knowledgeable about my collections. Researching I found my pottery collection was valuable even though I paid very little. My Hull pottery collection as an example, I might have paid $10 for a piece was valued $250. I bought books, search online, read magazines, talk to other people who also collected the same items.

I collect, Hull Pottery, toleware, amber glassware, depression glass, copper, pewter and odds and ends for decorating accessories.

Part of my Hull collection.

There all types of collecting Types of Collections

My next entry, I will write about displaying your collections.

Cooking: Stuffed Peppers

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 00:04:17 GMT

Can you tell I am in a cooking mode? During the winter I enjoy cooking but when our warmer weather arrives (two months where I live) I want to be outside gardening, taking day trips and photographing. The spring, summer and early fall, I do a lot of BBQing, quick meals!!!

Stuffed Peppers

*4 large green peppers (par boil for 5 mins.) cut in half, seeded, rinsed and patted dry

*1 1/2 lb. of lean chop meat

*2 cups of cooked rice ( 2 cups of water, 1 cup of uncooked rice, salt, I use (2 tbls. olive oil instead of butter, bring to boil, lower to a simmer, cover for 20 mins.)

*1 medium size chopped onion, sauteed until translucent

*Salt and pepper to taste

*1 large size egg and 1 large size egg white

*3 cans (small) of tomato sauce

Combine (uncooked) chop meat; cooked, cooled rice, eggs, sauteed onions, salt and pepper to taste.

Cover roasting the bottom of the a roasting pan with tomato sauce.

Place the peppers on top of the sauce, filling each half pepper with the chop meat mixture.

Cover the stuffed peppers with tomato sauce. Cover with aluminum foil.

Baked 350 degrees for about an hour. Uncover and cook an additional 15 mins. basting the peppers through out the baking process.

Subscribing to Newsletters and Locating Helpful Links

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 12:56:04 GMT

Have you check into subscribing to decorating, decorating sites, home improvements, paint companies, magazines and etc. newsletters?

When I was hosting for AOL's home area I started to subscribing to any of the newsletters I could find. There is a wealth of information you can read about!!!

I received a newsletter from HGTV you can sign up HGTV :: Newsletter :: JOIN the HGTV Newsletter Club! and read about:
Essential Tips to Discovering Your Design Style
At-Home Astrology
How about taking a Quiz: What's Your Home Style?

You will now find listed newsletters and links my new feature "My Links" on the side tool bar.

If you have any Home related sites, newsletters you would like to share, let me know!!!

Cooking: Winter Comfort Foods

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:28:09 GMT

The last few Sundays it seems I am doing more cooking. Winter storms are keeping me indoors. Food shopping a couple of weeks ago I found a Pork Roast on sale, I had the butcher bone, tie and roll. My side dishes, I baked in the same pan cut up red potatoes with onions and my husband pick out peas for the veggie.

Soups, stews, roasts, chili, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti are favorite comfort foods. How about sharing your list of comfort foods and share your recipes.

Featured Project: Deadskunk's "Hug" Pillows

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 17:58:07 GMT

Talented video photographer Deadskunk sent me photos of her "Hug" pillow projects she made for special people who need hug.

Deadskunk these were designed for someone that needs hugs but no one is around to give them one. so you take the pillow and squeeze it...its not the same as a real one...but sometimes it helps.

Her pillows are machined embroidery and machine sown. The embroidery takes the most time, finishing each one take about 40 minutes. For 18 inches pillows about a yard or less depending on the fabric size is all it takes.

She uses pre-made pillow forms but you can also make if you want to achieve a custom size. The pillows are machine washable.

Featured Project: Blomz4me Tiled Table Top

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 11:50:49 GMT

Blomz4me sent a photo of her Tiled Table Top using classic black and white 1 1/4 inch square tiles, she purchased on 1-foot sheets. Another advantage she bought on sale tile sheets on sale.

Living in an older home, she lacks counter top space for prepping her meals and baking. Recycled an old piece of furniture she was able to create additional counter space. Her first choice for the tabletop, she was going to purchase a piece of granite, she found was too costly. Her second choice was the tile, costing $60.

She laid a piece of cement board (used in bathrooms) down on the table cut to size. For the sides, she added a piece of wood around the underneath edges. Cementing the tiles her next step is to grout and seal.

Her kitchen walls painted white and her trim work painted red. Using the classic black and white tiles compliments the old charm of her recycled table adding additional workspace in her kitchen.

Blomz did warn me, her husband worked on the project her living room because there was more space to work. When they were ready to move the table they found it could not fit through the door opening and had to remove the doors in order to move back into the kitchen.

I know you will agree with me, Blomz and her husband did a great job!!!