happy living Design

dad project no. 1

There is seriously nothing better than a retired parent(s).  My dad retired a couple of years ago and in between breaking up old concrete in his basement, caring for Kheri a few hours each week and reading the paper while sipping coffee at Panera Bread he made this wonderful coat rack for us.  On the other side of the wall is our back door (the one we use most frequently) so this area here is our makeshift mudroom.  The coat hooks are old glass doorknobs.

burlap

We covered the base of our Christmas tree in burlap (I purchased a roll of it from Terrain) and now I have a thing for burlap.  It's so utilitarian - like those old grain sacks - yet so pretty used in a new way.  I stumbled upon these burlap buckets.  These would be great all over the house.

from The Nest

I also love this apron.

from Terrain

a nice vessel

or plant pot as Ikea calls them. BLADET plant pot with saucer by Ikea ($8.99)

Useful for containing all sorts of things.  I could use these all over the house.

As seen on Bethenny Getting Married? in the kitchen.  Did I just publicly admit to watching that show??

vipp : yellow cab line

Love these trash cans and storage pieces.

 

via danskdesign.nu

fabric box storage collections

So versatile, so pretty and so organized...for every room of a home.  I kick myself every time I think of how I passed up all those marked-down boxes that Hold Everything was selling off when they closed up shop.  But I have three favorite go-to online shops to buy beautiful fabric covered storage pieces.

Not in any particular order...

CB2
   

west elm
 

and KOLO (more specifically for photographs, but their boxes can be used for all sorts of things)
 

I know I've mentioned KOLO before and probably will again.  west elm's collection is now 20% off!  Right now, CB2's colors are my favorite, but how great is that west elm red?  These pieces are great for rooms that have shelving instead of cabinets to keep items together and looking great.  I do consider this type of storage as an investment because they are not the least expensive option...but worth it, I think for a long term solution.

Kitchen and Bath Business :: get info right from the pros

I received a package from the lovely Melissa at Kitchen and Bath Business last week. I have read the K+BB magazine before, but have never been on their website.

Over 6 million kitchens were renovated last year in the US and almost the same amount of bathrooms.  Whether you live in a house or an apartment, chances are you will do some kind of improvement to one of these two rooms in your home at least once in your lifetime, if not several times.  Whether your project entails changing a leaky faucet or a complete kitchen renovation, the choices are endless and sometime overwhelming.

Why not get your info right from the horse's mouth.  K+BB is geared towards those in the design and construction industries, but these types of publications and websites are great places for homeowners to get the best and latest information on products and services.  I think it's a good starting point if you are thinking about a kitchen or bath project.  Check out the buyers guide to search specific products and the projects area for inspiration. 

I have seen some refreshing and unique projects highlighted in K+BB.  This one at left is a bathroom renovation where the designer used a genuine antique medical artifact from Twenty Gauge as the cabinetry.  I love that!

Also check out their newly launched website K+BB Green - the business of building eco-friendly kitchens and baths.

Most of us spend so much time in our kitchens, that it is a great room to start thinking 'green' in.

(images from K+BB)

a mini project instead of packing my office

I had to take down my inspiration board (starting to pack for moving) and got a little sad, so I decided to spice up my decoration/house binders (i.e. procrastinate).  I routinely tear out hive modern magazine ads (usually I find them in Metropolis) because they are so beautiful, yummy and inspirational.  But I could never figure out what to do with them except pin them up for a time.  I trimmed one ad into four pieces and used the pieces as spines in my binders.  A little less boring then plain old blue...What else?  What else?  Hmmm...

63 Flying Cloud: a tale of life and travel in Colorado (a new to me blog)

One more post before I sign off for the night!

The boy and I always talk dreamily about one day owning an Airstream trailer, especially a Design Within Reach model.  And I came across a unique and really enjoyable blog by Lynn and Michael who live in Colorado and travel around the beautiful state in their Airstream.  It's called 63 Flying Cloud.  Check it out.

This has to be simple (and happy) living at its best!

a WREN handmade sneek peak at design*sponge

who:: Laura Normandin of WREN handmade
where (geographic):: Park Slope, Brooklyn
where (blog):: design*sponge

image from designspongeshop flickr set

more *moving* resources

Relative to hiring movers to move you and your stuff, it seems to me that the consensus is to get REFERRALS from friends and family and anyone else that you trust.  I have heard that most of the people dissatisfied with their movers found them online.  Luckily, I know a number of people who have moved in the last couple of years and we are starting there.  I recommend you do the same.  Here's a good checklist from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

So what about preparing for when the movers come to pick up your stuff?  Unless you're lucky enough to have the financial resources to have someone pack your entire house for you, there's quite a bit to do.

Of course Martha has a helpful timetable, a list of essential packing supplies and tips for successful packing.  Also check out the long list of moving articles at Better Homes & Gardens.

('Moving House, Mongol Style' photo by flickr member louise.stringer)