May 7, 2010
I am not getting paid for mentioning these. In fact, I haven’t even tried them yet. But I just saw them online, and I think they are so cool!
Tissue Box Sox
I don’t know about you, but I have never been a fan of tissue boxes, appearance-wise. I don’t know who comes up with those stupid prints but, however lovely they might be, they match practically no one’s décor (if anyone’s). So we end up with these tissue boxes sitting around looking like clutter, at best. But cover options have been limited, bulky, and otherwise impractical.
Then the people who make book sox started making these, and they are such a cool idea! These fairly <i>plain</i> covers stretch over the tissue boxes. (Think really thick tights, but for a box.) Because they’re largely plain, there should be an option to blend into most decorating schemes; they aren’t busy prints or weird pictures. And they’re very affordable. I don’t know how much shipping is, but the box sox are only 99 cents each! They come in cube, standard, and family sizes. I will definitely be ordering some of these soon, as I have been waiting for something like this for a long time.
March 9, 2010
The big update on our kitchen project is that there isn’t one. We’re still stalled. The weather seems to be warming up, so that should be a big help! Painting is definitely easier in better weather. 
Our next step, though, is removing the tile backsplash from the corner where the stove used to be. Because it’s in the corner, it isn’t very easy to get at, and we’ve been putting it off. If enough of the tiles come off intact (they’re pretty small), we may be able to reuse them for the new backsplash (which doesn’t need to be as large, because it isn’t in a corner). Otherwise, I have to figure out what I’m going to use. I considered stainless steel tile, or more new ceramic tile. I’m not sure, though. This sort of thing is not my strength! What would be easiest to clean?
February 24, 2010
It occurs to me that in the immediate context of my last post, that probably sounds like a question about screen wallpaper! lol I am wondering, though, what you have on your actual, physical windows. What do you like/dislike about it?
Most of our windows currently bear whatever coverings they had in/on them when we moved in, and I’m trying to decide what to keep and what to swap out.
I love the idea of blinds. Regular white or colored plastic blinds aren’t my favorite, because they’re just lacking something aesthetically, in my opinion. But wooden ones, or bamboo or faux wood blinds, can be very pretty. And nothing compares to blinds for versatility. Not only can you raise or lower them, but you can open or close them. You can let in light but not let the neighbors see in. They’re just very practical, as far as that goes. But they’re a nuisance to clean and, more importantly, they’re a safety hazard for households with children, because of the cords.
Roller shades are okay – and avoid the cord issue – but they’re generally not very attractive, and we’ve learned that our children can break them in a hurry just by being a little too eager to look out the window.
So that leaves curtains, or something like Roman shades. (And don’t those have cords, too?)
So…what do you use? And why do you like it or dislike it?
January 13, 2010
I had a party today. Sort of. lol I hosted a PartyLite party, but my mom was the only one who came. I think maybe I need to work harder at meeting people!
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t spend the money on stuff like PartyLite. (There’s nothing wrong with it or anything! It’s just all aesthetic.) But they had a particular piece (the Couture Hearthside arch, in case anyone was curious) that I really, really liked, and I pretty much never (ever!) spend money on things just to look nice. And I need to appreciate those sorts of things more. I’m really too practical. So it was good for me, I think.
They have some things I’m not a big fan of – too “mod.” (Modern sofas and other similar furniture can sometimes be nice and just “basic,” but often, modern is just too “hard-edged” for my taste.) But they have lots of basics – plain glass, etc. – and scroll-y metal pieces that I really love. (The whole Couture line is gorgeous!) But it’s pricey, so I will have to pick some things up “piecemeal,” and find less expensive alternatives to the rest.
I am already wondering if I can make something similar to a set of pillar holders they sell. They’re basically just wooden candlesticks, but in a variety of shapes. But since they’re made of some fancy wood (mango wood, or something?), they’re really pricey. I’m wondering if I could achieve a similar effect with some wood turnings or something from Home Depot. I’m not very good at the whole “crafty lookalikes” thing when it comes to home décor, but I might take a look. If the right kind of wood pieces are available, this could be an easy way to start.
In the meantime, we can finally “settle in” to our week starting tomorrow. (I think.)
November 28, 2009
Many of us keep files of magazine clippings and such, of decorating ideas we like – that chandelier, those copper kitchen sinks, the paint colors in that showroom. But I find that the home decorating magazines I’ve seen make use of such crazy-expensive components that they are out of my grasp (and I lack the creativity to find less expensive, but similar, options). Do you have a favorite source of decorating ideas? A particular magazine or catalog? Or website? How do you organize your clippings? Have you found a particular one that matches your personal decorating style very nicely?
(reading chronologically)
