Monday, February 28, 2011

Amazing flower pots Design by Good Studio : The Facepot


These is Beautiful flower spots design by Good Studio.These flower spots Displaying family photos in new green way. Graphic technique: continue the experiments in the synthesis of images and objects.Here Some Beautiful Collection of Facepot Chekout.










Colors Boys Room

Colors Boys RoomDecorating MagazinesBaby Boys RoomsBoys Bed RoomBoys Sports RoomsColors Boys Room

Colors Boys Room

Colors Boys RoomDecorating MagazinesBaby Boys RoomsBoys Bed RoomBoys Sports RoomsColors Boys Room

Silhouette SD Winner & a surprise!

Wow!  Thank you all so much for entering and a special thanks to those of you who shared the giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter.  I know how it feels to want this machine so badly you can taste it, so badly you enter every single giveaway following all of the rules, to dream about the projects you'd be able to do every day.  I want each of you to have one but Silhouette said "one".   :(

And so...

The winner of the Silhouette Giveaway is...#422


Sweeter Hours said... 422







Wow. This is very exciting! Thank you for offering such a great give away!
Well, I have been wanting make a growth chart for a while, also I have been wanting to make a pantry with labels. I make a lot of teeshirts by hand painting with freezer paper and this would make my life easier!



CONGRATULATIONS!  Hurray to Holly!  Hugs for everyone else!

Holly wins: A Silhouette SD, 1 roll of black vinyl, 1 roll of frosted vinyl, 1 roll of transfer paper, and a Home Décor CD of images (retail $375+).




If you haven't won with all of the giveaways going on or if you're looking for a deal and ready to buy one - Silhouette is offering DIY Show Off readers a special discount on that same Silhouette and premium vinyl bundle with a unique code "SHOWOFF" usable at silhouetteamerica.com.  That promo code will get you the Silhouette bundle for $225 ($375+ retail) and/or 25% off premium vinyl if you're looking to show off.  SHOWOFF code is active through March 1st.  $150 OFF!
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Thank you!


A little surprise...
I can only give one Silhouette away but I appreciate ALL of the entries, my friends and readers.  I can certainly make a few vinyl cut-outs to giveaway to a few of my friends! It's not a Silhouette but it's the best I can do.  :) Comment on this post what your Silhouette dream project is. I'll choose 3 of the comments (projects I know I can handle using my limited supply).  Comments from today only (2/28 until midnight EST and US residents only).  I'll choose the lucky 3 tomorrow. Thank you so much for your support!  
I'll choose a few winners as soon as I get a chance this week (keep commenting until Friday 3/4).

Tips to Decorate Kitchen in Apartment


The key to successfully decorating a kitchen in a studio apartment is to create a space that flows with the rest of the room, rather than one that tries to separate itself from the apartment. Decorating small spaces can be a challenging prospect for any resident. Focus on scale, color and storage in the kitchen space to achieve a cohesive look.
     
Scale
Studio apartments, by nature, are small spaces, while most kitchens tend to hold a lot of things, from food to kitchen gadgets. Kitchen furniture, like dining tables, chairs and storage units, tend to be large. A smaller round table with chairs that tuck easily underneath will be less jarring in the space than a full-size dining set, according to the Oh My Apartment section of the Apartment Ratings website. Keep accessories on top of counters on the smaller side to prevent the space from appearing cluttered.
     
Color
Color can add personality to a studio apartment kitchen and prevent it from looking too utilitarian. Base the kitchen's color scheme on colors from other accessories in the apartment, such as a large piece of art or decorative curtains the living area. Choose table linens, dishes and storage containers in these colors. Stick to bright and light colors, which will infuse energy into the kitchen space. Colors like yellow, bright blues, orange and red make the space feel happy. Dark colors and furniture may make the space feel smaller.
     
Mirrors
Hang a mirror in the dining area to help the kitchen appear larger, suggests House Beautiful. Mirrors reflect light, giving the room a feeling of added space. Mirrors, especially those with ornate frames, also add a decorative touch to the room. Avoid hanging mirrors with heavy, dark frames.
     
Vertical Storage
Storage is a major issue in studio apartments, especially in the kitchen, so maximize your vertical space. If kitchen cabinets do not reach the ceiling, use the space above the kitchen cabinets as storage, adding wine bottles, serving dishes and colorful containers. Choose items that are pretty and appropriate to be put on display. Also consider converting a small area into a pantry or adding shelving in a nearby hallway. Suspend a pot rack from the ceiling for your cookware.
     
Unexpected Storage
Use other areas in your studio apartment for creative kitchen storage. The experts at This Old House recommend adding wine racks below a coffee table, for example. Use a bookshelf as a false wall to separate the kitchen space from the rest of the room and serve as a storage unit for cookbooks, dishes, glasses and even pots of home-grown herbs.

Modern Wooden House Design Ideas


This house is called Casa Codina and was created by A4estudio.The house is situated in a flat area of 1500 square meters in an emerging residential area within the city of Mendoza in Argentina.The house always runs on an intimate central courtyard, opening the main spaces to a large perimeter garden use more public and more humid conditions. The main spaces are arranged facing north in order to obtain a direct heat gain from sunlight, smaller spaces more intimate, are oriented east to its own sphere, leaving the service to the west.Here are Some Beautiful Pictures of Wooden House Design Check out.











Modern furniture design

Modern furniture design with bright colors like red lights, looks minimalist in accordance with shower room. Aesthetically beautiful and charming look of furniture made with smooth surfaces and very easy to you manufacture it. Modern furniture designs are simple and minimalist is also very good for you.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Design Trends 2011 : Opulent Overtures

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If minimalism is being shown the door, the red carpet is being laid out for opulence. Luxury is most definitely ‘in’. Statements of grandeur are no longer to be shied away from. Restaurateurs seek a glam quotient and the hospitality sector is spending a lot of money on creating a ‘luxe’ effect. Even in budget options the endeavour is to create an experience that gives you luxury and comfort, not necessarily at a premium.

DIY Project Parade - Frosted Vinyl Windows

It's that time of the week. Time to recap and show off your DIY projects! I love seeing your DIY talent!  
 The DIY Show Off
We've been working in the kitchen - getting an electrical outlet underneath the sink for a new instant hot water tank and the old blue laminate countertops are GONE!  

Before: Good bye blue laminate!

Looking better already.  In Progress:  Old counter, sink and faucets gone!  Running electric to install an outlet under the sink for instant hot water tank.

In the meantime, I started "frosting" the glass panels on the French doors between our living room and family room.  The family room is on our DIY to-do list and isn't finished.  It's where teenagers hang out and a 'catch all' for just about everything so being able to see in there isn't ideal.  

And since the family room isn't completed, the family room side of the French door still has plastic on the window panels - until I either stain or paint the door (rather than taping when the time comes).  That's why the windows look foggy.  Until the family room is done - it also helps to disguise the plastic on the window panels!  Love this! That foggy/dirty look always bothers me!

Before


Using my Silhouette, I cut vinyl panels.
  • First I measured the glass panels in our French doors.
  • Next, I enlarged my paper from 8.5 x 11 to 8.5 x 14.
  • Draw a "rectangle" and size it to the glass door panel (subtract just a tad so it fits on the glass panel). My rectangle was 6 x 12.
  • Insert the image.  I used "mesh flower lace" from the Silhouette Online Store.
  • Drag and re-size the image to fit within the rectangle. The rectangle gives a border so that the actual mesh flower lace design is what is removed/negative. 

Remove the vinyl that won't be applied.

Use the transfer paper so that the frosted vinyl can be applied to the glass panel. 

Pull apart (vinyl should be on sticky side of transfer paper and waxy grid side is garbage).

Place to glass panel and rub with a credit card.

Peel away the transfer paper.

I've been using my frosted vinyl for a number of projects lately so I was only able to finish three panels before running out and I'm waiting on my frosted vinyl order.

I love the way it lets the light into our living room but adds a little privacy between the living room and family room.

Here is the way it looks from the other side (the unfinished family room side).

This week I discovered that Jen at Tatertots and Jello had the same idea.  Pop over to check out her cute design. 

I've been having fun with the Silhouette but granite countertops come Tues. - so I'm hoping to have some more kitchen progress to share including more information on the awesome faucets and pretty back splash!

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Do you have a DIY project to show off this week?  I'd LOVE to see it!  Or please visit the links to get inspired!


The DIY Show Off


If you'd like to link YOUR DIY project post to The DIY Show Off Project Parade:


1.You must use the button above and link to this post to share the linky love.


2.Include your name or blog name and project title. Add your permalink (not your blog url, but your DIY project post url). Feel free to link a Past Post, just invite your readers in a current post with a quick note.

3.Or email your link to thediyshowoff@gmail.com and I will add it for you.


4.If you notice your link has disappeared -please add the link back to The DIY Show Off to your post today, a button or a quick note to your readers about the party and try again! I love when everyone participates and readers check out everyone's links, but I think the return favor of linking back is the nice thing to do so everyone plays fair and enjoys all of the projects and links. Also - this blog party is for DIY projects only. Links not related to DIY will be deleted.




Silhouette is offering DIY Show Off readers a special discount on that same Silhouette and premium vinyl bundle with a unique code "SHOWOFF" usable at silhouetteamerica.com.  That promo code will get you the Silhouette bundle for $225 ($375+ retail) and/or 25% off premium vinyl if you're looking to show off.  SHOWOFF code is active from the 23rd through March 1st (if you don't win - you still get a great deal!).

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

We've lived with our outdated kitchen for 3 years since we purchased our home and the time has come for some updating. First thing on our list was painting our cabinets. This is how we did it and we love the new updated look. We're still deciding if we'll distress or glaze to fit the style for this farmhouse but here is how we got this far.

Notes before you begin: This is a very time consuming DIY project.  It took us a two month time frame of working weekends, an occasional evening and free time.

Materials:
Primer
Paint - We used Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo Paint (it's like an enamel coating - love it).
Optional:  Rockler paint sprayer
Paint brush - We use Purdy paintbrushes.
Sand paper - We used our Dremel Mult-Max

These were our cabinets when we moved in...orange-tone red oak with brass handles.


1. Remove hardware and doors. Our hinges are hidden so they were left in place and I painted around them.  Note:  cracks where cabinets meet each other or meet wall are hidden and unseen when cabinets are darker.  When going with white, take the time to fill and sand the cracks with a sandable/paintable/flexible caulk.


2. Label each door with tape (keep this with the door at all times).


3. Put hardware, hinges and screws into individual baggies and keep close to each area. We taped them inside cabinets and drawers.


4. We sanded the cabinet bases and each door. The Dremel Multi-Max is perfect for reaching grooves and hard to reach places.


5. Clean doors removing dirt and sawdust. We also stuffed newspaper into the big hinge holes to prevent paint from pooling/dripping inside.


6. Prepare your paint area. We had two areas prepped. One for spraying and one for brushing paint techniques. You'll want to tape around the cabinet bases where they meet the walls, floor and ceiling.  Note for removing tape after - run an Xacto blade where the tape meets the cabinet before removing tape so you don't pull paint off of the cabinets.  Also - I lay out newspaper to throw wet removed tape onto, it makes throwing it away a lot less sticky and messy.


7. We used a paint sprayer for applying the primer. It did an amazing job for coverage. Practice first to get the technique down as well as getting the air out of the line. We had to water down the primer. Surprisingly, we used much less than anticipated. Cleaning the sprayer is super easy - just run water through the line and nozzle until clear. For the spraying, we did two coats of primer on half of the doors. Let dry. Flip and repeat. Then moved those doors to another area and set them on paint cans to keep them raised and sprayed the other half twice and flipped and did two coats of primer on the other side. *Wear safety gear including a respirator and safety glasses.


If using a paint sprayer - practice before doing this project.  It's very tricky to get the correct consistency (thinning the paint) and learning how to achieve an even coat.  We had to re-sand and start over. Unless you're familiar with a paint sprayer, I'd suggest using a brush.  


8. For the actual paint, I tried both a foam roller and Purdy paint brush for the first coat. I preferred using the brush.  I liked the way it reached all areas thoroughly and since we wanted to see the wood grain, I was able to apply the paint with the direction of the grain.



Benjamin Moore's Satin Impervo is thick.  It dries to an enamel-like finish.  Spills wipe off with a dry towel easily!  It's also self-leveling and a great choice (worth the extra $) for it's durability.



Tip:  Using a screwdriver and hammer, poke small holes around the lip of the can.  It'll act as a drain for paint that collects there and make life much easier when the lid goes back on easily and isn't "glued" with paint when it dries.


9. We allowed at least a few days between each coat of paint.


10. Once dry, reattach doors and hardware. You'll be happy that doors were marked and hardware is located at each cupboard/drawer after the length of time that has passed.So much fresher. We're both pleasantly surprised with how much of a difference it makes in giving our kitchen a more classic look.

New color is actually not white but gray. It's Benjamin Moore's Moonshine. (I'm not sure why that day says is was mixed 9 years ago!)




I'm happy to answer any questions about our experience.  Just email me at thediyshowoff@gmail.com

SEE MORE BEFORE/AFTER AND IN PROGRESS PICTURES OF OUR KITCHEN AT
http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2011/03/guess-why-im-so-excited.html