Make this a Garden Season to Enjoy
(ARA) - The catalogues are starting to pile up and the list of landscape improvements grows longer each day. Don’t let this overwhelm or discourage you. Instead spend a bit of time planning now for better results in your garden. You will be amazed how much fun you can have while achieving your landscape goals under budget and within your schedule.
Take some time to look through those catalogues. It is a great way to gather ideas and get some feedback from everyone who uses or enjoys the landscape. You might find if they are invited to help with the planning they might just help with weeding. And no one is too young.
“Break out the crayons, paper, pencils, ruler, old catalogues and make garden planning a family event,” says nationally known gardening expert and author Melinda Myers. “Younger children can glue pictures of their favorite plants on a piece of paper while older ones can do the measuring, sketch the garden and help with the planting diagram.” And if you are the sole gardener and caretaker, don’t worry. The same process works and you get to make all the decisions.
Once the family has had their input or you created your wish list of plants it is time to make sure your plan is realistic. Check to see if the plants selected will grow in the heat and cold of your region. Make sure they can also tolerate the soil, wind and moisture conditions. Matching the plant to the growing conditions means an attractive landscape and productive gardens with less work. Catalogues, your local Extension service and the Internet are great sources of information. This is great way to fight the winter blues.
Now it’s time to focus on the foundation of the garden, the soil under your feet. Preparing the soil with proper fertilization helps the plants you select grow and thrive. Start with a soil test to find out what type and how much fertilizer and soil amendments you need to add. The soil test results can save you time, money and insure you do the best for your plants and the environment. Over fertilizing wastes money, damages plants and can harm the environment.
While waiting for the results you can keep everyone involved with garden planning. Gather a cup of soil from your garden. Remove any sticks and stones and place it in a clean quart straight sided jar. Fill the jar 3/4 full and add a teaspoon of non-foaming detergent and shake. This is a great way to burn calories or use excess energy our young gardeners often have. Then allow the soil to settle.
You will begin to see layers of the different particles. Check the jar again in two days. The bottom layer is the heavier sand particles, followed by the medium sized silt and last the clay. This exercise will give you an idea of your soil structure. Compare what you found to the university lab results. “I have used this with young gardeners and it is amazing how excited they get about the soil in their garden. Even the more seasoned gardeners seem to enjoy this activity,” says Myers.
Now select a fertilizer suited to your plants. “I prefer low-nitrogen slow-release fertilizers like Milorganite,” says Melinda. “It is goof proof and safe for gardeners of all ages and experience to use. The organic source of nitrogen does not promote excess growth at the expense of flowers and helps to build stress tolerant plants. The non-leaching phosphorous is good for the environment and non-staining iron encourages a deep green color. Plus one product is good for all your gardening needs.”
Incorporate Milorganite into the soil before planting your flower and vegetable gardens as well as landscape plants. The slow release nitrogen won’t burn the developing roots or interfere with flowering.
Give flower and vegetable plants a mid season boost. The organic source of nitrogen in Milorganite will not burn heat and drought stressed plants. And be sure to water thoroughly and only as needed to keep your plants looking good throughout the season.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Tips to Earn Extra Money and Stretch Your Dollar
(ARA) – With items like gas and groceries at record highs, it seems that virtually everyone is feeling the crunch from the increased cost of living. Many American families have been re-evaluating their budgets and contemplating ways to increase cash flow and still enjoy time with their nearest and dearest. As the cost of living increases and the holiday season draws near, it is worth looking at entrepreneurial ways to help ensure that your cash flow doesn’t fall short.
Believe it or not you can be your own boss and work part-time.
One way to earn extra money and still have a social life is to combine the two. Many popular brands have a direct selling arm, so you can become a consultant for them. For example, The Body Shop At Home is a business that is different, which allows consultants to throw parties and sell their favorite products, and represent a business that shares their own personal values. Consultants have flexible scheduling options and work as little or as much as they want hosting parties that feature a broad line of The Body Shop products, including some exclusives that can’t be bought anywhere else.
“Women and even men enjoy shopping this way because they get all their personal products in one place so as well as all the other great benefits they also save gas money,” says Jo Price, sales director for The Body Shop At Home. “Also they have the added benefit of knowing they are making a difference through their purchase. Many of the products contain Community Trade ingredients bought from small-scale farmers at a fair price, giving them a stable income and hope for the future. This means that every time you sell a product you know that you are supporting communities who would otherwise struggle to make a living wage, so when you buy The Body Shop At Home products you get the added feel-good factor of knowing you’re buying high quality beauty items made through fair business practices.”
“Additionally, the exclusive products we sell are really great and are something customers get really excited about because they can’t find them in stores or anywhere else. For example, the Rich Plum bath and body range is a best seller along with the Shimmer Cubes eye shadows, made with Community Trade Marula Oil. For the one stop makeover, women love the exclusive Eye, Lip and Cheek Palette that has everything you need for day or night. This job really allows women to do something they enjoy, be their own boss, and feel good about how they earn my money.”
If you’re looking for additional ways to earn or save cash, there are many options. Try having a garage sale, sell your items on eBay or to a second-hand store. When shopping, plan out your trips and stick to a budget. You might even consider trading services with someone. For example, offer childcare services in exchange for a neighbor fixing a leaky faucet.
For more information about becoming a Consultant for Then Body Shop at Home visit www.TheBodyShopatHome.com, call (866) 775-8049 or e-mail AtHomeLeads@TheBodyShop.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - As Halloween approaches, the seasonal “to-do” list, typically marked with finding the perfect costume and trick-or-treat route, is a bit more complicated with the growing need to protect the environment and manage household budgets. In preparing for your neighborhood ghosts and goblins, try these easy tips and tricks to “go green,” and spend less on your families’ spook-tacular celebration.
Howl to be Green
Incorporating small changes into your holiday preparation will go a long way to create an eco-friendly Halloween. Whether you’re hosting a party or adding colorful flare to the home or office, take inventory of your decorations and go back to nature by using locally-grown pumpkins, apples or fresh gourds to create tabletop and front porch accents. Organic, pesticide-free produce is widely available at farmers markets, grocery and specialty stores and leaves little waste once the celebration ends.
Also look for ways to “re-use” your Halloween accessories. Cloth or canvas shopping bags and pillowcases are great alternatives to paper, plastic bags and more traditional plastic jack-o-lanterns used by many trick-or-treaters to collect candy. Gather fall-colored scraps of fabric, ribbon, buttons or food coloring and spend the afternoon with the kids decorating a recyclable trick-or-treat bag. Use the custom creation to hand out candy at your door and your house will be the hit of the neighborhood.
Howl to Save
Spend less this Halloween by using old or outgrown clothes, sports equipment or dress-up items to make one-of-a-kind costumes. Unpack your graduation gown and buy a gavel at a thrift or prop store to transform your trick-or-treater into a judge. Dust off a wedding gown or bridesmaid’s dress, polish an old pair of pumps and grab a wig from a costume store and you’ve got a princess. Host a costume trading party and make sure everyone comes with old clothing or accessories to trade. Let the kids use their imaginations and see how many new and different costumes come to life.
You can also save by using recyclable household materials to decorate. Bed sheets hung from the ceiling or tree branches make convincing ghosts, as do balloons covered with a white sheet, tied with a ribbon around the neck and black felt tapped on for eyes. The sheets can be taken down, laundered and returned to the linen closet once Halloween is over.
Howl to Have Fun at Home
Consider baking at home this year to get everyone in the Halloween mood. Find unique recipes for Halloween treats that can be used as decorations or centerpieces before you indulge.
Gather everyone around and make creepy “edible eyeballs” with mini white powdered donuts, Life Savers Gummies, red icing and chocolate chips. Cover the hole in the center of the donut with a thin layer of icing and top with a gummy. Next, dip the bottom of a chocolate chip in icing before layering it on the gummy. Make the eyeball scary by drawing lines from the center of the donut to the outer edge with red icing. Finish the treat by poking each donut with a lollipop stick and arranging them in a bowl of candy corn to make a freaky yet tasty centerpiece.
Howl to Be Safe
Set the seasonal mood by decorating trees and sidewalks with lights and lanterns while making it easier for trick-or-treaters to find their way from door to door. Neat, well-lit landscapes make everyone feel more comfortable and confident.
Another simple way to help ghosts and goblins find their way door to door is to use makeup to finish a costume as an alternative to masks. Face paint makes it much easier for trick-or-treaters to see … especially at night
‘Tis the Season for Easy and Affordable Handcrafted Gifts
(ARA) – The holiday season is a memorable time associated with fun, family and lots of presents. As you consider what to give the people on your gift list, why not try something different this year?
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores suggests, “Let’s make Christmas!” Handmade gifts are a trend across the country due to their highly personal nature and the fact that they often cost less than store bought items.
“This holiday, forget about that boring or expensive store-bought present. Handmade gifts are more popular than ever, and for good reason,” says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. “In the current economic climate, people are turning to crafting presents to save money and are discovering that these gifts are so unique that they’re often the gifts that are remembered most.”
Atchison explains that many great gifts can be made for less than $25. She advises aspiring crafters to choose a favorite project and make things in quantities. You’ll save even more money because you buy the supplies and then split the cost. Consider gathering a few friends or family members and creating a gift-making get together! You’ll get crafts done efficiently and spend quality time with the ones you love.
Here are some ideas to inspire you in creating homemade gifts this year:
*An apron is easy to personalize for the baker, chef or grill master.
For the top chef of the family, consider buying a basic apron and decorating it to appeal to their personality. Add that famous family recipe in fabric marker to the front, a clever cooking saying, or even handprints of the grandkids. They are sure to love how unique and useful it is.
* Personalized note cards are fun, festive and useful.
There are always times you need a card to send out to a loved one. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a supply readily at hand? This is a useful gift you can create for anyone from mother to teacher to mail carrier. Buy blank cards and envelopes and decorate with a variety of coordinating papers, ribbons and stamps. You can keep them general or create cards for different occasions such as birthdays and holidays for use throughout the year.
* For the host or hostess who always gives their all.
Traditionally, you might consider sewing a wine bag and bring a bottle of wine to your next holiday gathering. But why not step it up and make a bag for that baguette you’re bringing or a nice container for the appetizer you were assigned for the pot luck?
* Clever pet toys keep furry friends happy.
Creating a gift for the family pet or for your friend who loves animals is the perfect way to show you care. Cat toys can easily be made out of leather and feather pieces. Add a bell and some catnip for some extra pizzazz. Dogs also love homemade toys, just make sure they can stand up to tougher play — rope and thick material work best.
* Deck the halls and deck your friends with stylish clothing and accessories.
Winter-themed clothing is great during the cold months and homemade items are the most cherished. A fleece scarf in a bright color will not only keep the wearer warm, but brighten the wardrobe. Knit hats and mittens are trendy in fashion circles and useful too. Even a hand-sewn fleece poncho can keep your favorite outdoor walker warm during brisk morning jaunts.
* Religious-themed gifts get kids involved.
A homemade gift incorporating the recipient’s religion is something that will definitely stand out. For example, making your own menorah out of fun colored paper and flameless tea lights is an easy and safe gift for a child. When giving, you can explain how the item ties into the time of year and help them to learn about the real reason for the celebration.
* Add a little sparkle to make the season merry and bright.
Nothing brings out the brilliance of the season more than the shimmer of holiday decor. From shiny, handcrafted ornaments and beaded tabletop trees, to sparkling votive holders or a joyful holiday planter, anyone on your list can celebrate in style with these decorations made just for them.
For more ideas and project instructions for homemade gifts, visit your local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Tips for Converting a Basement into the Ultimate Craft Room
(ARA) - Are you passionate about painting? Crazy about quilting? Does scrapbooking allow your creative light to shine? If so, you’re not alone – Americans spent more than $31 billion on arts, crafts and hobbies last year, according to the Craft & Hobby Association. And whether you are plying your craft for pleasure, supplementing your income or have made a career out of it, all crafters have one thing in common – the need for good work space.
“Having a clean, well-organized space set aside for your crafting is important if you want to get the most enjoyment and productivity out of your crafting time,” says Judy Murrah, vice president of education for the International Quilt Festival, and a crafter of 35 years. “A separate room not only allows you to focus on your craft and keep all your materials in one space, it can be closed off to keep your work and any potentially harmful materials from coming in contact with children or pets.”
Few of us, however, have a room to spare in our homes. Some crafters turn to the garage or a corner of the dining room for work space, but these areas pose many problems. A better option may be to create a room specifically for your art, craft or hobby by finishing your basement. Many people are transforming their basements into extra living space, especially homeowners opting to improve rather than move in a shaky housing market. For crafters, finishing a basement can mean the difference between merely making do and working in a bright, inviting space.
So how do you create the ultimate crafting paradise in your home? Here are some hints:
Finish the Room
A warm, inviting environment can nurture the soul of an artist. Rather than working in a room or place that wasn’t designed for your use, consider finishing all or part of the lowest floor of your home. However, finishing the basement yourself will likely be a time consuming and back breaking task. One of the quickest and easiest ways to finish your basement is with the Owens Corning Basement Finishing System that is specially designed for this purpose.
Specially trained professionals install wall panels with built-in thermal insulation to keep the room comfortable in all seasons. The panels also provide acoustic insulation so that any noise your craft may make doesn’t disturb the other members of your household or the neighbors. The panels are durable, dent- and stain-resistant and provide a clean, bright look to the room which can help you focus on the task at hand. Installation takes about two weeks to complete, versus the months of mess associated with a traditional drywall remodel. Visit www.basementfinishingsystem.com to learn more.
Look Up
Good lighting is essential to every arts and crafts endeavor. Be sure to address the placement of overhead lighting to create even brightness throughout the work space. You’ll also want to light key work surfaces with some task lighting – either overhead spots that can be directed or lamps placed directly over a work space.
Keep in mind that the color and purity of the light will also affect your crafting. Colors in paints and fabrics will look different under different types of light. Murrah uses artist’s fluorescent lighting, which is very bright and full-spectrum so colors show true.
Look Down
A good floor is a good foundation for all your creative efforts. The floor should be easy to clean, especially if your craft can get messy like painting or pottery. Painted concrete can provide easy cleanup and durability, but may be too hard a surface if your craft calls for you to stand up for long periods of time. Crafters who are on their feet a lot may consider padded linoleum or some simple exercise pads placed wherever you’ll be standing the most.
Get Organized
“Storage, storage, storage,” says Murrah. Be sure you have plenty of shelves and drawers to store all your materials. Arrange furnishings to provide the maximum work space. You’ll want at least one good table, but it’s up to you to decide if it works better against the wall or in the middle of the room, and make sure it’s the right height depending if you’ll be sitting or standing at it.
“Finally, because you’ll probably be spending a lot of time in your craft room, be sure it’s comfortably heated and air conditioned,” Murrah advises. “Set up a stereo and listen to your favorite music while you work. Your craft room will become your ‘feel good’ room, your own sanctuary.”
(ARA) - A personal workshop is the do-it-yourselfer’s sanctuary — a perfect place to relax, escape the daily grind, and hammer out home improvements. And while bigger may be better, many homeowners don’t have the space, or the budget, for a sprawling stand-alone shop.
There’s no need to worry because with a little creativity and the right equipment, you can turn a small space into a shop with huge potential.
Here are some tips for making it happen:
1. Lay it out.
Before you start placing tools, draw up different design options. An overhead view provides a nice perspective to spot space-saving opportunities. Sketching also forces you to think through the entire shop, giving you a better idea of what you want and what is realistic.
2. Think mobile and modular.
A shop does not have to look the same in operation as it does in hibernation. Instead of bulky permanent setups, make it easy to arrange workstations when and where you need them.
Add mobile bases to bigger tools and keep them tucked against the wall until they’re needed. Swap your traditional workbench for a space-saving folding model (Rockler Woodworking and Hardware makes a robust full-sized bench that mounts to a wall and collapses to a depth of just 10 inches). Store smaller power tools like grinders and bench-top sanders in cabinets or nearby shelving. You can fit a full-service shop and an SUV in the same garage stall; it just takes a little planning and some flexibility.
3. Don’t over-tool.
If your shop can’t hold all the tools you want, focus on the ones you need. That list depends on the kinds of projects you’ll be making, so plan accordingly. Think about multitasking tools to save space. With a straight bit in the router and an offset fence, for example, a router table can replace a jointer for putting clean edges on boards. Tool-size is another important factor. Consider bench-top drill presses, router tables and sanders as opposed to large, stand-alone units. Depending on the size of your projects, they may be all you’ll need.
4. Give dust due diligence.
Without proper dust collection and ventilation, a small shop will be uncomfortable at best, dangerous at worst. Unchecked dust is especially troublesome in basement shops where it wreaks havoc on home heating systems. The advice here is simple: take the time to learn about dust control and invest in a proper system. Head to a specialty woodworking store and describe your shop to a sales associate. They will point you in the right direction.
5. Store smart, store more.
Finding creative ways to store tools and supplies will really stretch your space. If your router table (or any large tool) rests on four open legs, build or buy a cabinet-style base and voila — you’ve got a place for bits and hand-tools without adding bulk. Organize clamps with a two-sided A-frame clamp rack; you can store clamps on the outside and use the interior space for catch-all shelves. Get the most from your wall space by mounting pegboard and hanging as many tools as you can. Simple, sure, but that’s the idea.
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, a leading woodworking retailer, has devoted a section of its Web site to innovative products that make the most of small spaces. For more ideas on fitting a big shop in a small space, visit www.rockler.com/savespace
Pump Up Your Powder Room with Daring Styles
But while you may have perused the style magazines and been tempted by the unique designs — it’s often a daring step to implement them. So, why not start small? Your powder room is likely the smallest room in your home — and could have the potential for your biggest style impact. With a few small changes you can go from drab to glam with some new styles and bold updates.
Bright Ideas
Colors have made it back into our wardrobes after years of gray days. Today, runways are packed with models showing off the year’s hottest hues — bright, vibrant blues and greens and signature jewel tones. Incorporate more color into your powder room with paint that makes a statement. Pantone, Inc., the global authority on color, has selected Blue Iris — a bold and balanced blue-purple hue — as its “Color of the Year” for 2008. Other “it” colors that the company expects will be on walls everywhere this year include its Rococco Red and Daiquiri Green.
Picture Perfect
Now, minimalist metals are hot for the home. Why not spruce up your bathroom walls with metallic-framed vintage black and white photos or advertisements?
And, to create a focal point and a beautiful framing effect for your mirrors try new Mirrorscapes Mirror Frames from Inspirations by Moen. The Mirrorscapes collection includes five different styles of customizable frames ranging from classic elegance to modern sophistication and comes in a wide variety of metallic and wood finishes. The innovative system is easy enough for a DIYer to install in minutes and can turn most any wall-mounted, plate-glass mirror into a beautifully coordinated, custom-designed look.
Lighten Up
Today’s trendsetters are installing chandeliers in unexpected places, like the powder room. The Calais Chandelier from Z Gallerie features a modern vintage-inspired design, with its sweeping curves and dramatic black finish. Or, for an earthy twist on the overhead lighting, try a chandelier made of Capiz, a flat semi-transparent shell with a pearlescent appearance, such as World Market’s Coffee 8-inch Hanging Pendant. For the perfect amount of light no matter what style lighting you choose, install a dimmer. You can set the mood while adding some unexpected whimsy and charm into the bath.
Modern Mania
Just as today’s fashions are sleek, simple and shiny — faucet manufacturer Moen incorporated these cues into the new Level bath suite. This sleek, modern collection features a geometric single-handle single-hole mount faucet in a contemporary chrome finish. Paired with a black, white or clear glass vessel sink, the faucet can punch up your powder room with an extra modern edge.
Accessorize in Style
No powder room update is complete without stylish accessories to pull it all together. It’s the little details that make a big difference and many options are available to meet any design tastes. For a clean, sophisticated look in the bath, the Iso bath accessory collection from Inspirations by Moen offers sleek styling and a contemporary chrome finish. It includes a variety of unique accessories such as a robe hook, pivoting paper holder, towel ring, single and double towel bars, pivoting decorative mirror and a glass shelf. An attractive wall-mounted toothbrush/tumbler holder and wall-mounted soap dish round out the offering.
If you’re looking to taste-test your style desires, look no further than the nearest fashion magazine for inspiration. They offer a host of hot style ideas — not only for your wardrobe, but also to pump up your powder room.
(ARA) – When the weather turns warm, we open our windows to let in the light and fresh air. But there are other ways to update living spaces to reflect the best of the summer season.
This summer’s hottest hues are cool tones, particularly classic blue and white themes. Blue and white have been used as decorative accents throughout the ages to dress up everything from regal, formal spaces to country cottage homes.
Ancient Egyptians cherished blue and white lotus flowers as the key to creating spaces of spiritual enlightenment. Thought to enhance healing and create relaxing environments, blue and white flowers became popular patterns incorporated into fabrics, porcelain and rugs. In the 17th and 18th centuries, English and Chinese “Blue Willow” designs were introduced as everyday stoneware and serveware. Used in both formal dining areas as well as by the household staff, blue and white was appropriate in virtually every type of interior space.
“The peaceful, simple beauty embodied by a hand-painted Asian vase is a perfect way to introduce a bit of ancient spirituality into your decorating scheme,” says Ruth Martin, director of merchandising for Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade retailer. “Items incorporating blue and white motifs are some of our most popular, due to their classic style and connection with peoples of ancient cultures and religions.”
Martin offers design tips to incorporate the cool and classic hues of white and blue into your home:
Asian
A simple white vase with intricate blue details is a hallmark of Asian decor. Fill a large vase with bright red or yellow summer flowers for a beautiful and cheerful centerpiece. Adding small blue and white accents to dark wood pieces of furniture, such as a traditional tansu (or step) chest, helps lighten them up and draw the eye.
Beach Cottage
Blue is the color of the ocean and white is the color of the sand, so the two together are a perfect complement to a beach cottage look. Swap out heavy rugs for breezy floor mats made of durable grass and add seating with blue and white ceramic garden stools. Frame personal photos of cherished summer moments in a simple white frame accented with a bit of blue.
Traditional
Remove darker throw pillows and blankets left over from colder months and replace them with crisp blue and white cotton and silk accents. Put heavy draperies in storage and hang light scarves in their place to open up, not only the windows, but the entire room. Set a lovely summer table with classic blue and white porcelain or ceramic dishes on top of white chargers and accented with crisp, white linen napkins.
Modern
Blue and white can have a distinctly modern look when you branch out into shades of aqua and indigo with pops of bright white. Stripes and polka dots are simple and contemporary and look great on tablecloths, napkins and placemats. A white chair amid a sea of blue furnishings (and vice versa) adds a graphic punch to any space.
“Whatever your style, blue and white fits in seamlessly, especially for cool summer decorating” says Martin. “While you’re mellowing out your color palette for the hot season, make sure to support talented artisans and shop fair trade and sustainable. There’s nothing hotter than your blue and white purchases being socially responsible.”
For a large selection of blue and white furnishings and accent pieces from tens of thousands of worldwide artisans, visit http://www.TenThousandVillages.com .
(ARA) – From Star Wars stamps to Pez dispensers, collectors all over the world scour everything from auctions to antique festivals searching for pieces equal to the “holy grail” in their collectible categories. What drives them? For some, it’s the thrill of the hunt. For others, it’s having the most prized possession in the palm of their hands. For all, however, it’s the camaraderie amongst like collectors looking for that same big find.
For the avid collector or amateur, the world’s most devout — fanatics of Fiesta Dinnerware — share their secrets to building a collection that will make your collecting comrades green with envy.
Determine your goals
There are two goals in collecting: buying what you love and buying what will resell at a higher price. First, determine if you love to collect this item or if you plan to buy, sell or even trade. Then collect accordingly, says Wendy English of Arizona. English is literally “driven” by her love of Fiesta. Vanity plates on both her vehicles are: FIESTA1 and LVDISHES.
Pick your passion
People start collections for as many reasons as there are items to collect — nostalgia, as a means of investment and carrying on a tradition. For Harvey Linn of North Carolina, it’s personal. He ate off of a Fiesta plate (always Cobalt blue) at his grandmother’s house in the mid 1960s. With her passing in 1986, he found that same, now vintage, plate and became a collector of his grandmother’s beloved dinnerware.
Do your homework
If you don’t know much about the category you’re collecting, you might be duped when purchasing a coveted item. Know the value of certain items, how rare they are compared to others and what conditions are acceptable for resale, especially if you plan to sell or trade.
Make friends
What better way to find the latest and greatest information about your collectables than from your peers? Join a club dedicated to your desires. You’ll find everything you want to know about the category and you’ll make friends that share your passion.
Display the prize
Don’t make the mistake of storing items in a cardboard box in the garage. Maintain them by keeping them out where you and others can enjoy them. And what better way to keep inventory of what you have and need? However, be sure to keep fragile and extremely rare items behind glass or in cases to keep them from being broken or soiled.
Display by theme, style or time period
To create an eye-catching display, look for commonalities like color or time period. English collects only vintage pieces and displays them by the place setting in her kitchen. “I have a set in every color, except Sapphire,” she says. While shelving or cabinets are ideal, some collectors designate entire rooms to their collections. “It really depends on the size of your items, and overall collection,” adds English.
Don’t settle
Settling for a specific piece that is less than perfect is a big mistake. For instance, don’t purchase the sugar bowl sans lid — it will surely disappoint. Most collectors buy an item thinking they’ll find the missing lid or accessory, which is rarely the case. Purchase only intact, well-maintained pieces for the best return on investment.
Look for “numbered” items or limited editions
Linn collects for quality, not quantity. “I used to pick up odds and ends,” he says. “Now, I only buy numbered or special edition items.”
Shop “secondary” markets
Linn looks to the Internet, online shopping sites and even blogs for hard-to-find pieces. “I look for items made in a year ending in five or zero,” he says. This year, Fiesta collectors are buzzing about the first of three anniversary collections. Considered an American icon, the brand turns 75 in 2011. “When there is a limited color collection with special back-stamp, it makes the collecting community very happy,” he says. Today, the 75th anniversary mixing bowls are available at retail stores, but next year the item retires and says Linn, “will trickle into secondary markets and become the newest must-have.”
If you haven’t given your walls much thought since last agonizing over paint chips, now is the time to consider today’s new wallpaper and wall decor products. It’s like switching from traditional to high-definition TV — you won’t see walls the same way ever again. Wallpaper’s sharper image has everything to do with advanced technology incorporated into striking designs to suit the way we live today.
These are just a few of the wallcovering innovations that add a designer’s touch to your decor without breaking the bank:
Easy-Hang Wallpapers
Almost all wallpaper companies produce easy-hang “non-woven” wall coverings, which are easy to hang and remove. Installing non-woven wall coverings can be faster than painting, which requires preparing the wall surface (wallpapers always hide a myriad of blemishes), applying primer and at least two coats of paint.
Non-woven wall coverings adhere to walls with magnet-force, yet are easily repositionable. Unlike pre-pasted, paper-backed wallpapers, non-woven wallpapers do not expand or contract on the wall, so seams won’t ever separate — in fact, they virtually disappear.
Made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibers found in common household products like tea bags and coffee filters, non-wovens are tear-resistant during installation and removal. Forget about using steamers and chemicals to pry wallpaper off sheetrock. A quick tug at a corner of these eco-friendly wallpapers brings entire sheets down in minutes without damaging walls. This makes wallpaper a viable option for renters, who can even roll the sheets and use them in another home when they move.
Natural Textures
Wallpaper companies have always produced eco-friendly wallpapers such as naturally textured sea grass, bamboo, grasscloth, silk, burlap and jute — but only for the high-end of the market. Recent technological advances have made them both far more affordable and colorful. Natural wall coverings are now available in fashion-forward peacock blue, silver, gold, kiwi and violet.
For a designer touch, cover the archway or support walls of a great room with a naturally-textured wallpaper to envelop the room in warmth.
Peel-and-Stick Wall Decor
At first glance, these new “wallternatives” look like giant stickers in a box. But this peel-and-stick technology sticks to walls only as long as you want with no residue; and can be repositioned, removed and reused on any flat surface. Perfect for children and teens with changing tastes and college students living in dorm rooms, many peel-and-stick wallpapers also have decidedly grown-up appeal, including dramatic damasks, hip silhouetted blooms and pop-art flowers. These non-toxic, amazingly affordable wall appliques can transform even the smallest bathrooms, bedrooms, laundry rooms and alcoves.
Digital Printing
Specialty limited-edition murals in painterly or photo-realistic styles; scenes of romantic, faraway places; and amazingly realistic nature scenes pack a powerful visual punch and take the place of costly artwork. Thanks to new digital printing technologies, wallpaper companies now offer detailed murals that no one ever tires of viewing.
Interior designers often choose murals for rooms where families linger, like the dining room … and now you can, too.
Courtesy of ARA Content
To see today’s new innovative new wall décor products, visit the following Web sites:
www.brewsterwallcovering.com
www.cheswall.com
www.seabrookwallcoverings.com
www.thibautdesign.com
www.wallquest.com
www.yorkwall.com
