Home Sweet Home Inspiration

Choose Your Home Giveaway!

2009-06-25T10:44:00.007-05:00

This is the last week to choose and enter to win the Dream Home of your choice from Southern Living and MyHomeIdeas.com. Click on the links and take a tour of each home, learn more about its location and features. The photo above is the Sugarberry Cottage at Habersham in Beaufort, South Carolina.

This cute little cottage, the Caroline Jessamine, is located in Callaway Gardens. A beautiful place in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

This is a cute little cabin, Whisper Creek Cottage, in Asheville, North Carolina.

Or the lodge-style Cottonwood at the Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas.

Four Dream Homes in four Dream Locations. My favorite is the Habersham.

Good Luck!

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

All photos from www.myhomeideas.com

S'mores Cookies

2009-06-22T16:18:00.002-05:00

Loved this cookie idea I received in my inbox today from Martha Stewart's Cookie of the Day! What a fantastic idea for a cookie. Click on picture above or the following link to get the recipe:

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/smores-cookies?lnc=5a79cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&xsc=eml_cod_2009_06_22

Be Inspired!

Karol :0)

Organizing Old Paints

2009-06-09T12:10:00.003-05:00

What a great idea I found in my inbox this morning. Compliments of Martha Stewart's daily email. This is a great way to organize your paints and save space by throwing away the huge cans that may have just a little bit in the bottom. They would also last longer being in well-sealed plastic containers. I know my cans of paint never seal back tightly because I am such a messy painter and slop it all over the edge of the cans and then it dries! And plastic containers are SO much easier to open the next time.

Here's link to read more: Left Over Paint Storage

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Photograph courtesy of www.MarthaStewart.com

Home Office Space

2009-05-20T14:53:00.008-05:00

I was inspired by Nester's post today and wanted to share about my home office space. As I have shared many times, the rental home I live in is small. The bedrooms are small, the bathrooms are small, the living room/dining/kitchen area is awkward, open and small. I love the home and especially the location so it is worth it.

So when we moved here I had to find a place for my home office. At first it was downstairs in the multi-purpose room, over in the corner.

Later I decided to use an open space upstairs in the landing area. It was small and couldn't be used for much but a seating area which was what I originally used it for.

I moved my desk and chair up there and my magazine organizer (a must) and a dresser that disguises craft supplies, sketch pads, and printer paper, etc. It also serves as a table top area when I am working on something. I love to multi-purpose furniture!

I love this little area I claimed. It has double doors that lead out to my cozy balcony. I can open the doors on beautiful days like today, let the natural light in and feel the wonderful breeze that carries the smell of the ocean air.

I liked the note at the end of Nester's post where she commented on the paint color in her office area. Depending on the light and angle of each picture I took today of my office area, the paint color looks 3 or 4 different colors!

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Find Your Color

2009-05-14T20:45:00.003-05:00

I love these videos and articles on HGTV's website that show how to find your color and then how to add it to your home and accessorize with that color. Very helpful tips. Also on the page you can read more about "Take Your Color Quiz", "Top 10 Color Tips" and "Your Best Color Ideas" where you can check out colorful rooms uploaded to "Rate My Space".

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Photo from www.hgtv.com

Cheaper Magic

2009-05-12T15:13:00.008-05:00

First of all I cannot begin this post without apologizing for my absence. I have been busy with work (substitute teaching), my art and life things. Plus, sometimes I have not felt inspired enough to write something inspiring for others. Ever get like that?

Well, I do want to share a discovery with you that might save you some money and/or a trip to the store when you weren't planning on going.

One of the difficult things about living in a rental home is that the walls are usually all painted neutral, even white. When you have kids, it's not easy to keep the walls clean. I will admit that sometimes I scuff the walls carrying things up and down my stairway. It just happens.

Marks like these below. Not sure how they get there. I have used the Magic Erasers and they work great on lighter colored walls for scuff marks.

I went to clean scuff marks one day and realized I did not have anymore magic erasers. So I decided to give my Bar Keeper's Friend a try. I used a wet wash cloth and a bit of BKF and it did a fantastic job!

Take for instance, hand rails in your stairway! Just daily use of holding on to them as you walk up and down the stairway can get them quite dirty.

A quick scrub with some BKF and the railing is like new again!

Another thing that can happen near the hand rail is scuff marks from nail polish. These are from a recent visit from my friend, Dawn. I told her I was going to post about her nail polish on my stairway wall! :0) She always has her nails all done up girly in pink and even little decals on them sometimes.

Look, they came right off with some light elbow grease and a little BKF on a damp cloth.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Feathers & Eggs

2009-04-22T10:09:00.007-05:00

I totally misunderstood Nester yesterday when she said she was going to have a Mr. Linky Party and anyone who has purchased or won prints from L. Herbert Designs could post about it and link up. I was checking out the few links and admiring how others have used her beautiful prints and then I discovered that I do not actually have to HAVE the prints yet. One of the three qualifications was to post about where you would put them should you win some or purchase some art prints. Ohhhhhhh, now I understand.

A few months ago Nester inspired me to take a few minutes and make my master bathroom a place I would love. Well, I did it and it worked. I love my bathroom now. So have a few guests that have come to stay here recently.

I am slowly (unfortunately not in 10 minutes) working on my downstairs bathroom using that same inspiration from Nester. I took a photograph this morning of the wall I would love to display a coordinating set of L. Herbert Designs Prints.

See that plain blank wall to the left? That is right where I would love to hang the art prints. I am going for a cozy cottage look in this bathroom. I have a pretty berry wreath on the wall (far right) and a pretty eggs & nest framed art piece on the other wall with words from an Emily Dickinson poem. I bought that at Hobby Lobby a few years ago. I placed a pretty lamp on the counter. I think the L. Herbert Prints would go great in here! This is a very small bathroom so I had to stand in the bathtub to take this photograph!

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Books

2009-04-22T09:03:00.013-05:00

I love books. I love decorating books, cook books, autobiography books, fiction books, non-fiction books, books about organizing, books about homes, books about people, books about books, children's books, you name it. I love to have books displayed throughout my home. To me, it is comforting to be surrounded by books.

I also love to give books as gifts. I try to buy my nieces and nephews a few books every year. A great gift for a little one for their birthday is a cute set of pajamas and a few good bedtime books.

Above is a wooden basket on my desk where I keep books I am currently reading, refer to often, read daily or just want at my desk.

I also love bookends. I am always finding cute and unusual bookends at TJ Maxx and Home Goods. I should be getting paid for always mentioning those stores, huh?! At the top of my blog there's an adorable frog bookend, a lucky find at Home Goods one time. Then just above, I found these cute Mother Goose inspired bookends. They are metal, painted white and distressed.

I also have a cute cast iron Scotty dog door stop I use as a bookend for a few cook books I have out in my kitchen.

This week one of Martha Stewart's Craft of the Day ideas was to make handmade bookplates. I love the idea. I am going to make some up for my books and also make some up that I can put in books that I give as gifts.

If you don't want to make your own bookplates, but you love the idea, you can check out this Etsy shop >The Little Chickadee<>

I really love this one with the fox and crow. So sweet.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Country Living Magazine

2009-04-13T09:11:00.003-05:00

I am so happy that Country Living Magazine is still being published. The new issue is out and full of great ideas, stories and inspiration. They have a brand new editor and she is taking cues from readers on how to make Country Living a magazine everyone will love. This issue has something for everyone. I am very pleased with the changes and I hope Country Living will be around for a long time.

Country Living also has a wonderful website that is just a greater extension of the magazine. Lots of tips, past issue content, beautiful and inspirational photographs, contests to enter and more.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

He Is Risen

2009-04-12T08:07:00.003-05:00

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6

Grouping

2009-04-09T10:27:00.004-05:00

I have received many compliments through the years about groupings in my home. Friends, family and visitors to my home have commented on the fact that I can have groupings around my home, but it does not look cluttered. Some tell me that they could never pull that off. I think they can and I tell them so. Do you feel that way?

I love grouping things on top of hutches and cupboards or on a shelf or on a table. If you look through any decorating magazine you will see groupings of items in the room. These items can be of like colors such as the grouping I have on top of my cupboard in the corner of my living room/kitchen area. None of the items are related, but they "go" together. Everything is either green, white or a combination of the two. Some greens are light, some are dark, but they all work together. Some of the whites are bright, some are cream, some are distressed. I have a bunny topiary on a finial, an old green lantern, a white birdcage, a cream colored pitcher, a green rooster figurine, and two pineapple candle sticks and a wooden mermaid. I think I may have forgotten to list a few things, but you get the point. None of the items are similar in use, but they look great group together. I added the rusty pineapple candle sticks for contrast.

Groupings can be made up of like items such as my sheep above. This shelf is in my downstairs bathroom and also serves as a towel holder. It's a great way to display my sheep collection I started years ago. It looks cute, but not cluttered.

One way to avoid a room looking cluttered, is to take 8 or 9 pieces you use in a room and group them rather than the 8 or 9 items scattered throughout the room. Also be sure the rest of the room is clean and simple. This takes your eye right to the groupings and the rest of the room looks great, too.

To de-clutter a little in my kitchen I found this lovely antique reproduction of a french soap box. I bought it at TJ Maxx. I was so happy to find that my two mason jar soap dispensers fit perfectly inside! In one jar I like to keep hand soap and the other dish soap. When both jars are neatly tucked in a cute soap box it makes the sink area seem less cluttered.

Don't be afraid to make groupings. Use magazines and decor websites for ideas and give it a try! Want some really great inspiration? Visit The Nesting Place. The Nester makes the most beautiful groupings EVER!

"Thrift"-y Decorating

2009-04-06T15:07:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share a recent find at the local Goodwill store. I don't stop in there often, but I do like to stop from time to time and see what is new. I bought this oil painting for $39.99. It measures 45" x 33". I hung it above my bed to tie in with all the ship pictures I have in my bathroom. I just love this painting. It is so peaceful and relaxing. And what a deal! The frame is so nice.

I have donated so many nice things to Goodwill through the years. I truly hope someone found a treasure when they found my donation. I realize that others do the same. You never know what you will find at a thrift store. I have read so many blogs where others have found some awesome furniture pieces or art.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Making A Simple Cozy Spot

2009-03-31T11:26:00.008-05:00

This is the rental home I live in. If you look upstairs you can see a small balcony. That balcony is just outside my office area upstairs. There are two double doors that lead out to the balcony. It actually wraps around to the side of the top floor, but the front is covered by a roof.

I have always wanted to make it more cozy and inviting to use for guests as well as myself.

Last week I started working on some curtains to hang on my balcony. I wanted to be able to close them if I wanted to or have them open as well. I always feel like curtains make a space warm and cozy. I have always said curtains are like hugs. They just wrap around the room and make it feel so warm and inviting. There's something comforting and cozy to me about curtains blowing softly in the breeze.

I purchased 4 queen size flat white sheets from Wal Mart. Very inexpensive. I found plastic grommets at Hobby Lobby in packs of 4. You simply use the template included with the grommets and mark where you want them. Cut out the center as instructed and simply snap the plastic grommet sides together to make a sturdy hole for the sheet/curtain tops. I then used simple silver shower curtain hooks that I put in the grommet holes to be able to hook them on the nails I put in the back of the wooden beams on my balcony.

I originally wanted to use spring curtain rods and just grommets and slide the curtains, but I could not find spring rods long enough for the front part of my balcony that is 12 feet wide. I then went to Lowe's and brainstormed some ideas. I could not find dowel long enough to make my own curtain rods so I then decided to use plastic coated wire and eye hooks and string the wire around the three sides. After I added the grommets to the sheets I was so excited to just see how they would look so I grabbed some large nails and a hammer and spaced the nails evenly with the grommets on the sheets and hung them. I am pretty happy with it just as it is. I don't have to worry about the wind blowing the curtains and having to slide them back, etc. I don't have to worry about the wire getting loose and having to tighten it. For now I am going to use the nails.

I like the white bed sheets because I used the top wide hem of the sheet to be the bottom hem of the curtains. There was no sewing involved. They looked finished just as they are hanging now.

I grabbed two wicker chairs from my porch downstairs, added some pillows, a quilt, a small table and lantern with candle and I now have a cozy, welcoming spot to sit and read and relax. I think my guests will find it inviting as well.

When it's windy or I am not out on the balcony, I can tie them back with ribbon. I also purchased one king pillow case that matches so I can make some matching tie backs eventually.

One thing I wish I would not have done is used grommets. Grommets are so permanent. Clip rings could have given me the freedom to use more or less, depending on how I wanted to hang them, I could make them shorter if I needed. I could have also used the sheets for something else later if I wanted.

The great thing about using sheets for something like this is you can just throw them in the washing machine and wash them whenever they need a good cleaning and if for some reason they get stained or torn, you just have to purchase another inexpensive sheet.

To make it even more cozy, I added a nice rug, a magazine holder with some favorite magazines, and coffee cups for two and the paper (WSJ) for the perfect start to every morning.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Beauty Tip

2009-03-24T19:05:00.004-05:00

What? A beauty tip from Home Sweet Home Inspiration? Trust me, I am no beauty or makeup expert, so this will probably be my only post on the matter. I have been so busy substitute teaching (my new job) the past few weeks, I have not had much time for a new home project, let alone blogging about it.

I just went for a 4 mile run this afternoon after I got home from subbing a 4th grade class of 19 students all day, then took my shower and as I was removing my waterproof mascara I decided I needed to share about the best eye makeup remover I have ever used.

I have tried the cream eye makeup removers, the Almay hypo-allergenic eye makeup remover, and several other kinds for sensitive skin. It seems that once I use a certain kind of remover for a few weeks, it starts to irritate the skin around my eyes.

I use waterproof mascara and it requires a good remover to get it off my eyelashes. I have found that the removers that actually remove waterproof mascara are also so harsh that they damage my eyelashes and they break off when removing my mascara.

One day as I was applying some silk split end mender (FX Special Effects Silk Drops, Split End Mender -about $5.00 at Wal Mart or Walgreens and a 4 oz. bottle will last FOREVER) to my hair I noticed how it reminded me of eye makeup remover. I decided to give it a try as that. I have been using it ever since -as split end mender for my hair, but primarily as my eye makeup remover. I use it every day for months and it has not irritated the skin around my eyes once.

Not only does it remove my eye makeup and waterproof mascara, but it also conditions my eyelashes and makes them stronger and longer. -Also works great on your hair, too. Which is what it is made for!

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

3-Step Decorating Makeovers

2009-03-19T06:07:00.002-05:00

LOVED this article on Better Homes & Gardens website. They take a room, or an area of a room, and show you the three step process to transforming it from bland to beautiful (and functional, too). There are several rooms featured, so go take a look. You may find some ideas to use in your own space.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Deceptively Delicious

2009-03-18T09:01:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite spots in TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Home Goods (they are all the same company) is the cook book section. You can find some awesome deals on cook books. I bought this cook book Deceptively Delicious a few months ago. I only paid 6.99 at Home Goods for it! The cover price is $24.99. So, the first part of this post is about saving money on cook books by going to TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Home Goods.

Second, the cook book itself. The author is Jessica Seinfeld. -Jerry Seinfeld's wife. I love the cook book because she introduces her panel called the "Kitchen Cabinet" which includes herself, her husband Jerry, and their three children, Sasha, Julian, and Shepherd.

Every recipe, whether it be a sweet, a meat dish or a side dish, they all "deceptively" have veggies in them. Her cook book will give you tips on having purees ready in the freezer for use when needed. Her cook book explains all about vegetables, what is in them, what health benefits they have, how to puree them and so much more. Here's a few examples of veggies used in recipes...

Pancakes - 1/2 cup sweet potato puree

Peanut Butter and Banana Muffins - 1/2 cup carrot or cauliflower puree

Italian Meatloaf - 1/2 cup carrot puree

Blueberry Oatmeal Bars - 1/2 up spinach puree

See what I mean? I love this cook book. Jessica Seinfeld has a website for her book. By visiting the site, you can learn more about Jessica, her recipes, her cook book and there is an image gallery of some of the recipes in the book.

One of the cutest things about the cook book is the comments on some of the recipe pages. Some are from her children, some from Jerry Seinfeld, some from the author herself.

Mirrors

2009-03-17T13:01:00.003-05:00

This dresser is in my bedroom (hence the intruding foot board). I have been looking for a piece of art to hang above the dresser. I have wanted something that hangs tall. The wall seems so blank behind this dresser. I had an extra mirror and decided to place it behind the dresser, just leaning against the wall. It really reflects the light from the french doors to the right and brightens up the room. It also reflects the white pip berry arrangement and makes it look fuller.

Give this a try in a room where something is needed behind a piece of furniture. I think you'll like the results.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Button-Up Window Shade

2009-03-13T15:33:00.003-05:00

I love this idea from Martha Stewart's Craft of the Day. It's a "button-up" window shade. What a great idea. The MSL instructions are not very detailed and the picture above is the only one provided (says me, who makes a mile-long post with a gazillion pics about my window treatment in my kitchen!), but it is a very simple shape so it should not be too hard to make. I would think you could do this to a panel you might already have, too.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Fabric Love

2009-03-12T12:11:00.008-05:00

I have been trying to decide what fabric to use on my pink wing back chairs for months. I go back and forth on something toile (LOVE toile), but that limits the color, something floral for a more cottage look, something plaid just because I love plaid. I would like to get a new sofa someday and I want the fabric for these chairs to be colorful so it is easier to match with something else.

Yesterday I was at the Old Pottery store. They have a remnant table. $4.99 per yard, but you have to buy whatever the yardage is. I found a large remnant that I loved. The colors are rich, but also in softer tones.

The patterns are kind of formal floral, but when you study it, you will see fun things going on.

It's almost a Dr. Seuss look with the stripes added in the veins of the leaves and in some flower petals. So fun!

I also adore the wooden branches that wind through the fabric.

This fabric has every color imaginable. This weekend I am going to Joann's and shop for a large plaid for the sides of the seat cusions and inside flaps of the skirts and fronts of the arms and another coordinating fabric for the piping.

I hope to start recovering (not slipcover) my chairs this weekend or beginning of next week. I will share a How-To soon.

Next will be my son's chair in his room.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Cast Your Vote!

2009-03-11T10:14:00.004-05:00

How fun! My Home Ideas.com has an exciting Room Challenge. You can cast your vote for the best room.

Starting next month you can enter your room to win.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Window (Mis)Treatment How-To

2009-03-10T10:03:00.000-05:00

I took this picture the next morning after I posted about the new window (mis)treatment I made. I wanted to show that it has a nice contrasting fabric on the back. So when gathered up or rolled up (as I did for this photo) and tied, it looks great. It also looks great from the outside, which is important to me as well. It is always worth it to take the time to make a window treatment lined if you plan on keeping it there for a while.

As I looked through my pictures I took as I was making this treatment I began to realize I should have taken more pictures. I hope that with the info I share and the few pictures I took, you will get a good idea of how to make one of these (mis)treatments for your own window.

Let me just say if you are a sewer that requires things to be exact, or the thought of sewing something without pinning it first is frightening, stop now. Please do not read any further on this post.

Now, for those of you who don't want a long, tedious tutorial, then this is for you. Just remember I like to do things quickly without all that silly pinning and measuring exact and I make things up as I go along, but I also like to pay attention to some detail to make my curtains looks nice. Nice enough for someone to ask where I got them. I really hope this helps you get the same results.

Let's get started...

1) You will need two or three (or more!) coordinating fabrics of your choice. I chose three. A pretty floral, a coordinating stripe and a cute plaid.

2) Decide how you will use your fabrics for the window treatment. Which fabric will be the the main print, which will be the back and ties and which will be the cording trim. I chose the floral as the main front fabric, the stripe for the back (which will be seen when rolled up and also from outside the window), the same stripe for the ties and the cute plaid for the piping.

3) Measure your window. Add three inches to each side. That will be the measurements for how large your fabric pieces will be cut out to. My window measures 36" L x 35" W so I cut my two main fabrics 42" L x 41" W.

4) Cut a piece of piping the width of your fabrics cut. Piping?!, you say? Have you ever added piping to something? Give it a try! It is quite simple and really finishes a window (mis)treatment or pillow, etc. You can find piping at any fabric store. It comes in different sizes, depending on the size of piping you want. The piping I purchased only cost $.29 per yard. Very inexpensive. I decided I just wanted piping at the bottom edge of the window treatment so I cut a piece of piping 41" wide.

5) Next, cut a piece of fabric you have chosen for your piping that is the same length as the piping fabric and 2" wide. Mine was 41" L x 2" W. Nothing exact, just cut it so it can be folded over the piping and sewn with enough seam allowance left to be sewn into the window (mis)treatment seam. Fold the fabric over the piping, right side out. A good tip is to also sew a top stitch at each end after you have sewn in the piping. Just to make sure the piping does not slip out or move around later when you are sewing it into the window (mis)treatment seam.

6) Your piping should look something like this. See, very simple.

7) Next begin sewing your panels together, starting at the top, on one of the long sides, right sides together.

8) When you get near the bottom, stop and add in your piping that will go along the bottom. If you have never sewn piping into anything, just remember the seam of the piping goes right along with the seam that you will be adding it to.

9) Next, begin sewing to the bottom. Square your corner and begin sewing along the seam making sure the piping seam is right along the edge as well. Since I am lazy and always in a hurry when making things like this, I did not pin this, but if you feel more comfortable pinning... pin away, then sew the seam.

10) Square your corner again and sew up the other side, leaving the top open.

11) Before turning right side out, clip your corners. Always clip corners. It makes nicer corners on window (mis)treatments, pillows, duvet covers, or whatever you are making.

This is what the seam looks like at first. If you like this look you can keep it like this. Read below for what to do next if you like a tighter piping seam.

12) One of the things I didn't do when adding my piping to the bottom seam was to change my sewing machine foot to a one-legged foot so it would allow for the piping thickness and a close stitch along the seam. If you like changing the feet on your sewing machine, then you can do that. What I do instead is just do another seam over the top once the piping is in place. I sew as close as I can to the piping without sewing into the actual piping string. As in the picture above.

13) Turn window (mis)treatment right side out and take a look. This is how the seam will look if sew closer to the piping as I instructed above. Doesn't it look so nice?

14) After turning right side out and admiring the fabrics all sewn together, make sure your corners are square, use a boning tool or scissors (but be careful not to push through the fabric!) to push out the corner seams square. They won't be perfectly square with the piping in the seam, but just do your best. They look nice with the piping.

15) Press, press, press. This is such an important step. Press all of your seams all the way around. Come on, it only takes a few minutes. Can you tell I love to iron?

16) Just as important as pressing the seams, is top stitching ALL the seams. This makes a huge difference in making window (mis)treatments. Not only does it give them a professional, finished look, they last longer and are more sturdy, especially if you will be opening them and closing them on the window often or washing them. Go ahead, finish the seams all the way around. It only takes a few minutes and it is SO worth it.

17) Next, you will need to make the ties for this window (mis)treatment. You will need to cut four strips of fabric that are the same length as your window fabric cut and 7" W. So, my tie pieces were 42" L x 7" W.

18) With right sides together, sew the length of the ties. Sides only. Turn right side out and center the seam so it is in the center back. See picture above. Note that I specify where the seam is in the picture because the fabric is striped and it is difficult to see. Press the four ties flat so the center seam stays in the back center. At the bottom of the tie, tuck the open end in so it can be top stitched and finished. Press in place as well.

19) Top stitch the four pressed ties on all four sides. Terrible picture, but you can see how the front of the ties look after pressed and top stitched.

20) One of the last steps is to sew your ties to the window (mis)treatment. Measure in approx. 12" on each side and pin two ties to the front and pin the last two ties to the back of the (mis)treatment in the same place, pinning all in place (yes, pin, it helps hold them in place). Sew across the top of thew (mis)treatment, sewing all the ties to the top. Remove pins.

21) Last, fold the window (mis)treatment over at the top about 1 inch and sew a simple seam across. Then fold over about 3 inches and sew across once more to make the rod pocket. That's it!

I used a spring-y curtain rod to hang my kitchen window (mis)treatment. Since I wanted mine to hang inside the window, I tucked the ends of the (mis)treatment around the ends of the rod and then put the spring rod in the window. It comes down to personal preference and your window when deciding what type of rod you want to use and whether you want to hang it on the outside of the window opening, or inside the window opening. You can then decide if you want to roll up your (mis)treatment or fold it up accordion style and then tie. Have fun with it!

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Do you like graphics?

2009-03-08T18:31:00.006-05:00

I have been so inspired with Spring just around the corner and some redecorating I am doing here in my own home. I created a new graphics set at http://www.hshpgraphics.com/hshpSpringNest.htm.

*Suzanne made a good point. I have kept my graphics and blogging so separate that I did not even think of this. If you want to purchase this new set and you need a custom header, just email me. I would be glad to make up something larger as a header on your blog.*

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

My Kitchen Hutch

2009-03-04T20:03:00.009-06:00

(before & after)

I painted my hutch green over red. I then sanded the edges to give it an aged look. I changed out the 80's hardware with some cute handles and pulls I found at Lowe's.

I love the new colors in my kitchen. It has encouraged me to go lighter and brighter and more cottage in my decor.

Thanks to everyone that has followed as I have decided on colors and ideas, painted for weeks, and posted detail after detail.

Roxanne commented (so very sweetly) on this color I used on my hutch and requested the color code. I thought I would share here. I bought the paint at Wal Mart mostly because I happen to be there for other things and I thought "what the heck", found a great color I liked in the paint swatches and had it mixed.

Paint Brand: Wal Mart ColorPlace Interior Latex Satin Wall & Trim (Accent Base 37142)

Color: Basil 94282

Codes: C 2 46, D 30, KX 7 44, L 2

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Etched Glass Storage Jars

2009-03-04T09:35:00.007-06:00

I LOVE these! Aren't they fabulous? They look great as storage jars in the kitchen or bathroom, but I was also thinking about gifts. Especially teacher gifts. A nice jar with their name etched on it would be so nice for them to use on their desk.

The jars above are called cracker jars. They can be purchased at Wal Mart in several different sizes.

Click Here to go to Martha Stewart's Craft of The Day for this great idea.

***After a comment from Mrs. D Lightful about an etched baking dish as a gift, I wanted to add to my post. What a great idea for a gift. Wouldn't it be great to receive a pie dish or baking dish as a gift with your name etched on it? Thanks Mrs. D Lightful for visiting my blog, your comment, and great idea! ***

Photo credit: MarthaStewart.com

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

To Age or Not to Age

2009-03-03T11:10:00.009-06:00

This morning I was sanding a few spots on the top part of my kitchen hutch project and decided to see what it would look like "aged". I really like how it looks with the corners and edges sanded lightly. It shows the red paint through. (You can click on the top photo for a larger image)

I used a 3M 180 grit foam sanding block to sand the edges and corners of my hutch. The foam sanding blocks work great because they bend around edges and corners nicely and they have sandpaper all around so they last a long time.

I will share the finished hutch later this week. I am also working on the how-to for my kitchen window treatment.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)