Archive for July, 2007

July 30th, 2007

Good Idea, Bad Idea

Here are a few lessons that I learned from last night’s episode of Design Star:

  • Apparently, building a half pipe in the middle of a living room when only one person in the whole house skateboards, is a great idea.
  • Turning the entry way into an art gallery is not. This will get you sent home. It reminds me of last season when they sent Regina(? I think that was her name), home the first episode for her crazy art. I really didn’t think that Lisa’s was the worst space, I liked the designer’s names backwards.
  • Do not let green Josh near power tools. I was surprised they didn’t make a bigger deal about how that piece of wood flew across the room, it could have killed someone. If I were a decorator, I would’ve said, “Your power tool privileges are now suspended, you are grounded from all design. Don’t like it? Bite me. ” That’s probably why I’m not on HGTV.

No one has really stood out yet but hopefully next week, more of their design skills will emerge.

CategoryTV Reviews | CommentNo Comments »

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July 30th, 2007

Unbelievable

We all have our talents, & shopping is one of mine. I always try to find the best bargains on items for my home, that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. It’s just the thrill of the hunt. However, I have come to accept that sometimes, you just have to pay full price. It’s the bane of my existence.

That was until today when I was looking at ePERKS.com & it’s basically a bargain hunter’s heaven. ePERKS is a marketplace for services. They have deals on things that are usually impossible to find deals on, like new cars, home contractors or even real estate. I found a real estate agent in my area that was offering 15.5% cash back. Depending on where you live, this can be up to 50% cash back. I love this site because these are deals & information that you usually can’t find in these industries. For instance, contractors usually have a set price, there isn’t any haggling, or coupons, you just have to pay what they want. ePERKS changes all of that. All I can say is, this is unbelievable.

CategoryCoupons & Deals | CommentNo Comments »

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July 28th, 2007

Nothing Wrong with Paint By Numbers

Most kids love to paint & create, most adults don’t. Most kids can really find beauty in whatever they have created. As an adult, we tend to be too critical, & think “I can’t draw, therefore I’m not an artist”.

I think that everyone should pick up a paint by numbers kits. These have really developed over the years. I have one that teaches how to paint like Van Gogh, & another one about Monet. Yes, people tend to scoff at these as not real art. However, you get to learn how to make brush strokes, how to mix colors, even how to paint inside the lines. Don’t let the fact that you can’t draw hold you back.

CategoryArt Tutorials Free | CommentNo Comments »

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July 28th, 2007

World Traveler

It’s late at night. Actually it’s not, I’m just getting old. That’s the problem, I want to travel, I want to experience new things, but I’m just so tired, & I love my house so much. So for tonight, I just settled for dreaming about my trip to Spain someday, & I learned a lot.

I want my house to reflect a world traveler’s flair, which is hard to do when I’m too tired to travel. I especially love the look of Madrid Hotels. I think I’ve always wanted to travel to Spain because it is so eclectic, & has such a rich history. It has been inhabited & dominated by so many different cultures throughout time, & you can really see that in their architecture. I’m usually not an architecture buff, but everything is so stunning, it’s hard not to be. Plus, Madrid is often thought to be one of the greenest cities in all of Europe. I’m going to need to really rest up though because Madrid is one of those cities that never sleeps.

That was one of my favorite things about the sidestep site, there is information for your travels if you are leaving soon such as flights, hotels, & cars. However, if like me, you are still dreaming & trying to get inspired, there are wonderful travel guides & blogs.

If I’m going to get my decorating & therefore my home where I want it to be, I’m doing to have to travel. Well that, & besides the fact that it’s a great experience. It would be nice to say that I’ve been outside the country, & not just be referring to my half hour trip to Canada.

CategoryHome Decorating Ideas | CommentNo Comments »

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July 24th, 2007

Bringing the outside in?

grass.jpg I think the trend started with decorating shows. They’d tear out a nasty wall to wall carpet, & then not have money to replace it, so they’d just put an outdoor rug on the floor, because they are so inexpensive. I’ve even seen this style at high end stores, for a lot of money. They are just so scratchy & uncomfortable, the bare floor is more comfortable. You would have to wear your shoes all of the time or else your feet would get torn up.

I almost bought one, I can’t resist a sale, because they don’t look scratchy, but I’m just scared of a scratchy rug & there is nowhere to use as an outdoor rug outside, unless I put one on the lawn. Now there is an idea, no one would notice when the grass wasn’t mowed. I think it’s bringing the outside in thing too far.

CategoryHome Decorating Ideas | CommentNo Comments »

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