Posts Tagged ‘Home and Garden’
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
To create cool home decor on a budget, look no farther than the closet. Cast-off clothing and linens can be transformed into a multitude of home decor items such as decorative pillows for the sofa, large floor pillows or rugs, framed or unframed art, and placemats, napkins or coasters. Old luggage or a briefcase that is no longer used can be combined with legs or set atop a base to serve as functional furniture with built-in storage. Use your imagination and reuse potential trash to make home decor treasures.
[photo by: denise carbonell]
Recycled Clothing
Simple throw pillows can be made from any shirt, blouse or cardigan sweater. Cut the garment straight across just under the sleeves and sew closed at the top and bottom. Use the buttons as the opening to insert a pillow or to cleverly store linens or out of season clothing.
Frame decorative motifs or interesting fabrics and hang as art. For larger pieces, mount on stretcher bars and hang without framing. Use the ample fabric from a full skirt or dress to sew a matching set of placemats, napkins and coasters for everyday dining or a special occasion. Cut stained or torn garments into strips and weave a rug. (more…)
Tags: eco house, eco tips, Home and Garden, Interior design, recycling, Shopping
Posted in DIY, Eco, Home, Interesting | 1 Comment »
Sunday, April 11th, 2010
A water fountain adds charm to most any setting. Whether used as the focal point in a formal garden or as a whimsical addition to a casual gathering space, an outdoor water fountain is sure to please visitors of all ages. Although there is a wide variety of ready-made outdoor water fountains available for purchase, a much more meaningful and enjoyable feature can be made from an item with sentimental value such as a hand water pump from the family farm or Grandpa’s old whiskey barrel.
To make an outdoor water fountain, the following items are needed:
- Piece that will form the basis of the water feature;
- Water source, which can be as simple as a garden hose;
- Reservoir of adequate size;
- Re-circulating pump with ample tubing and a power source; and,
- Desired supplemental decor such as plants and rocks.
Create the water fountain by positioning the main feature so that water will flow over or through it and into the reservoir. Place the pump within the reservoir and arrange the tubing to circulate the water. Once all adjustments have been made so that the water is flowing as desired, add plants, rocks and other decor in and around the fountain as the finishing touches. (more…)
Tags: DIY, Garden, Home and Garden, WATER
Posted in Appliances, DIY, Garden, Interesting, WATER | 2 Comments »
Monday, March 15th, 2010
Garden safety is of particular importance whenever children are present as there are many common garden items that may pose a danger to children. Review your garden for the following issues and address any that are found.
Water Features
Children are attracted to water. Regardless of size or depth, a water feature may pose a drowning or injury risk to a child. Use sturdy decorative fencing to secure ponds or pools, strategically place fountains to limit access, and never leave a child unattended.
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Tags: Family, Garden, Home and Garden
Posted in Family, Garden, Home, WATER | No Comments »
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Image via Wikipedia
March is when things start getting busy in the garden. The hard, cold days of winter are gone and the weather is warming. It’s time to put the plans and dreams of February into action.
You Shall Reap What You Sow
An abundance of fresh produce is the gardener’s reward and now is the time to begin planting some of the early crops. Start garden favourites, like tomatoes, peppers and tubers on a sunny windowsill or in the greenhouse. Early vegetables may be sown under cloches, which will warm the soil to allow germination and protect tender seedlings from cold night-time temperatures.
Examine existing fruit trees to ensure that grease bands are in place and in good condition. Work manure into the ground around all trees and evaluate where grafting may be desired. Put container grown fruit trees, canes and bushes into the ground and mulch well. Tend to the strawberry patch and prune raspberries, if needed. (more…)
Tags: Garden, Home and Garden, Soil, spring
Posted in Garden, Home, Interesting | No Comments »
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Whether or not you have pets of your own, it is important to have a pet friendly garden. Consider the tragedy if a guest, neighbour or passer by should have a beloved pet fall ill or be injured due to something growing or left unattended in the garden. As pets are unable to know which plants are hazardous or that chemicals may be deadly, it is up to people to protect them from the consequences of natural curiosity.
(more…)
Tags: eco tips, Garden, Home and Garden
Posted in DIY, Garden, Home | No Comments »
Friday, October 16th, 2009
Buying a fireplace for your home is a great way to improve the value of your home. It is also a beautiful accent piece, adds another source of heat, and gives your home a warm, inviting feel. Here are a few tips for buying and owning a fireplace to keep in mind as you shop around.
You can get a wood fireplace, a gas fireplace, or an electric fireplace. If you aren’t looking to alter your home too much, you could look for a stove instead. Make sure you know which type of fireplace you are looking to buy, and understand what you are looking for.
Wood fireplaces are very beautiful and give you another source of heat, but they require you to buy or chop wood and require more cleaning. Gas and electric fireplaces also offer warmth, but they are much easier to turn on and take care of. (more…)
Tags: Fireplace, Heat, Home and Garden, home decor, Stove, Wood
Posted in Home | No Comments »
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
- Image via Wikipedia
Equipping your garden for the winter will decrease the time it will take to replant and repair in the Springtime. Numerous steps will need to be taken before the first snow or cold weather hits.
Shape Up the Garden
Sweeping leaves, mowing, and weeding should continue to be completed until all plants are finished growing for the Fall season. Neatness is important year round, especially in the Fall. If you uproot weeds during the Fall, it will lessen the amount that will emerge during the Spring. Get rid of dead annuals and either dispose of them or add them to a compost pile. (more…)
Tags: Compost, Garden, Home and Garden, Weather, winter
Posted in Garden, Home | No Comments »
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
The crisp air and changing foliage signal the arrival of autumn, and with some easy and inexpensive ideas, you can use the colours and textures of the season to create a comforting and cosy atmosphere in your home. When choosing colours, let the outdoors be your guide by using deeper tones of red, orange, yellow, gold and green. When approaching autumn decor, heavier fabrics provide rich warmth, while accents that embody nature offer seasonal charm. The simple addition of a few coordinating pillows and a soft throw blanket draped across the back of a chair can provide a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. (more…)
Tags: Accessories, Candle, Cranberry, Home and Garden, Interior design, Potpourri, Shopping
Posted in Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
- Image by lcrf via Flickr
In times, when catastrophic results of humans’ predatory activity regarding our planet becomes a well known topic, architects and architecture users are beginning to take into consideration how buildings affect environment. It applies both to small range of single buildings, as well as the large scale of thousands of structures of the same kind built around the world.
Ideas of architects concerning economy and environment-friendliness are slightly peculiar – a house heated with human body temperature, hairdryer or cooking – on plans it looks good but in reality both costs of putting into practice and comfort of living are precluding from using them. Luckily, we can also take the less drastic elements into consideration, to make our home more ecological. (more…)
Tags: eco house, eco tips, Energy, Environment, Geothermal power, Home and Garden, recycling, Renewable, Renewable energy
Posted in Eco, Home, Interesting | No Comments »
Monday, September 14th, 2009
- Image via Wikipedia
Have a small kitchen and don’t know what to do with it? Don’t like its small shape and a tiny look? There are some simple tricks that might help you make it look bigger and more functional.
Lighten up – Use color to reflect light and make even the smallest kitchen seem larger. Paint the ceiling white and the walls in a light color. To add interest, paint cabinet doors a contrasting shade.
Let the sunshine in – Increasing the amount of natural light in a small kitchen will instantly make it appear bigger. Completely remove curtains and blinds or opt for just a valance. If privacy is an issue, opt for a half curtain in a fabric that is light and airy. Keep the window clean and clutter-free. (more…)
Tags: Home and Garden, Kitchen
Posted in Kitchen | 3 Comments »
