My Home Redux

A Clever Way to Have Flowers and Deck Railings

I attended the bridal shower of one "My Home Redux" readers (congrats Alyssa) at the home of another. Her husband built a beautiful multi-level deck (perhaps an article for another day) that had this wonderfully creative and attractive solution for hand rails:  Flower planters. If you need to grab on, there's the edge of the planter. Plus, it offers lots of color and a great way to add flowers to the deck. The village inspected and approved it for handrails so they covered all bases. Great idea, Natalie!

Space-Saving Pocket Doors

If you're building and remodeling and trying to work out how to put a door in a tight space, here's your answer:  Pocket Doors. These are doors that slide in and out of the wall.  They allow you to have a door, but you don't need to accommodate the door swinging in and out. The framing is a bit tricky, but the the doors come with all the hardware that's needed.  I've used pocket doors as shown as french doors between our study and living room. They are also a great solution for small powder rooms.

What Would You Change - Part 2

Given the number of clicks in last week's newsletter, the "What Would You Change?" article seemed to generate some interest - or at least some curiosity. So let's try again.

Here's another beautiful home on a simply stunning lot with mature trees and natural elevation. Gorgeous. But I don't think the full beauty of this home has been brought out yet. There are three things I'd have to change. See the comments for my ideas and to add your own.

Easy Romantic Bed

Here's a great idea to easily create a romantic bed. Put rods on the ceiling and hang sheers. These rods are from Pottery Barn and are specifically made for the ceiling. They also carry extra long sheer panels. You can use any sheers, but if you want them to hang all the way to the floor, remember you need 96 inch lengths for 8 foot ceilings and 108 inch lengths for 9 foot ceilings.  You can also use any rods, provided the  holder is a complete circle that the rod slips into.

When hanging any rod, it's important to have a secure anchor on the wall or ceiling. Use a stud, drywall anchor, or toggle bolt. Here's a good article from Lowes on just that topic.  A well-fastened and secure rod is especially important on a ceiling application.

Published!

This week I received a glossy new magazine of the premier issue of Idaho Hearth, featuring yours truly and my article, "10 Ways to Survive Your Building or Remodeling Project."  I've also had this article published in the Sun Sentinel which is a small community paper in Georgia. 

The article is a tongue-in-cheek look at building and remodeling your home. It really has no helpful tips, except for maybe one, but if you've ever gone through a major project with your home, many of the 10 "survival" tips will hit home.

What Would You Re-do?

This house was remodeled by an architect. It's a very nice house. He should know better than I how to bring out the full beauty of this classic two-story home. But there are a couple of things I would just have to change if it were mine.  What are they?  Read the comments to add your thoughts and to see my proposed changes.

Beautiful Plants for Those Without Green Thumbs

Back before I had kids and two puppies and constant driving each night, I had lovely plants. A ficus. Corn plants. Ivy. And more. Then life got busier. I forgot. And they all died.  I haven't quite built up the courage to try again. House plants are a great decorating idea. Not only do they help filter impurities from the air, but they add a natural bit of color and beauty to any room.

I've found an alternative for those without green thumbs ... or time. Office Scapes Direct. They have wonderfully real looking artificial decorative plants, trees, and flower arrangements. They are incredibly life like - even down to fake water. I enjoy silk flower arranging, but I haven't figured out the fake water bit yet. (If I learn, I'll be sure to tell you.)  These aren't exactly inexpensive, but they are a time saver. If you're good with silk flowers, get some ideas from their catalog to help you reate your own arrangement.

Correct Window Valance Height

A valance on your windows should be at 20% of the total height of the window. 25% is even better. That's why most valances you buy at the store are 13 - 15 inches because most windows are 45 - 60 inches tall.

However, my windows in my family room are 72 inches high. And this standard valance is really too short in proportion to the window. Less than 20% of the height of the window itself.

So I've made a valance to go under the original with coordinating fabric. This lengthens my total window valance height as well as adds extra texture, color, and fullness.  It's now about 20% of the total height. Much better.

Faux-Leather Wallpaper - Cheaply from Kraft Paper

Here are two articles that describe how to use brown kraft paper (or even grocery bags) to create a warm rich, faux-leather look. Inexpensive too. For just the cost of the wall paper paste and polyurethane, you can have a very luxurious looking room.

Here's one from iVillage and another from DIY Network.  I'd love to do this in one powder room - but alas, no time. (I have material I bought over a year ago to make dining room drapes that's still on the roll.)

Source for Period Lighting, and Hardware

  When you are restoring or remodelling a home and what to create a vintage look, finding period lighting and hardware can be difficult.  I have not used this source before, but the catalog and website shows some very distinctive and authentic looking lighting fixtures and hardware. Rejuvenation.com.  I particularly love the crystal door knobs (our first home had them) but couldn't justify paying four times the price as brass with all the other expense when we redid our home. Maybe some day. These prices are pretty reasonable though in comparison to some of the sites that sell authentic period reproductions.