Ideas and Projects for Making Your Home Comfortable and Inviting
Jan 25th, 2010 by jamie
The following images might be shocking…At the very least, they are gross. Consider yourself warned!
White Laminate...with Coffee Stain
Crumbs by Toaster...on White Laminate
All I Can Say Is Thank You, Clorox Clean-up!
Do these pictures help you decide?
Just say NO to the white laminate.
You’ll be glad you did.
Jan 23rd, 2010 by jamie
I am so bummed I missed Friday morning coffee, hosted by Rachel Anne at Home Sanctuary…Maybe next week!
My House--Always a Work in Progress--The outside needs some character-building, too, but our focus right now is inside.
Our house was built in 1992–nice neighborhood and great yard–but fairly nondescript. Like many houses built in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, the goal for builders seemed to be to give buyers as much square footage as was affordable, but no panache. Panache must cost more.
If you have a house (like ours) that needs a little jazzing up, first take a good look around with as much objectivity as you can muster. Do this:
For almost 10 years, my husband and I have slowly been trying to add some character (or hire it out!) We chose to start (for the most part) with trimming windows. (My own hunky carpenter has done all of the windows. I think he’s pretty good!) We like a more traditional style than our home offers, but the traditional elements we are adding feel like they fit (at least, to us!) We have moved on to columns, flooring, and built-ins. We have more planned, when the budget allows, but for now, here are some ways we have added some panache.
Window with Retro-Fitted Trim
Heightened Door Frame, Added Column and Trim
Added Columns and Beadboard, Laminate Flooring and Carpet
Beadboard with Small Cap
Column One of Two
Basement Corner Built-In (sump pump hidden below)--Pay no attention to the messy shelves...
Maybe you are one of the lucky ones who bought a house that is already a home. If so, good for you! I will try hard not to be jealous. If you have to do it yourself, however, how would you add that character?
Jan 15th, 2010 by jamie
Happy Friday, Company Girl Coffee Drinkers and anyone else who passes this way! Thanks, Rachel Anne, for hosting.
The linen closet is on its way–though not complete. I have not had time to shop for bins, and I need them. (I know this from personal experience. 
) Here are some accountability pictures–you know, to keep me honest!
Linen Closet--Starting from Scratch
All the Sorted (also, Sordid) Goods
I vow that these items will not be returned to the shelves until they are properly placed in labeled bins.
[sigh] EVERY project ends up taking a wee bit more time than I expected. This is a running joke with my husband. I tend to say to him, on his vacation days, of course, “This will only take us a couple of hours.” Now, after 21 years, he just sort of looks at me and smiles a sideways smile…Nothing has ever taken only a couple of hours.
p.s. No visitors until my mission is accomplished. Just kidding. There is always a couch or two available!
What is your current project, and what is the status?
Jan 12th, 2010 by jamie
True confession: Sometimes I leave clean, folded sheets and blankets on the chair in my bedroom because I do not want to deal with the linen closet.
Linen Closet Mayhem
See what I mean?
Trying to find a spot in there can take a LONG time and can cause my version of a temper tantrum: Searching, pushing, shoving, scowling, eventual cursing because I have scraped my knuckles on the lovely wire shelves, smashing, and dashing in a huff. (In case you don’t do sarcasm, I am not a fan of the wire shelf!)
Today, I found these motivational photos. I might not end up with a replica, but whatever I end up with has to be better than what I started with! Scroll down for my suggestions on organizing a linen closet.
Notice the neat bins with labels--photo by Mo' Belle
Love the solid shelving--photo by orgjunkie
Neat as a pin--photo by Spice_Diva
Notice the efficient use of the door--photo by happylittlehouse
Completely functional--photo by Dazed81
Motivated? I thought so…
Steps to organizing a linen closet:
One last note, check out Carmen Coker’s blog here. She offers many ideas and tips for organizing, as well as some free printable labels! Take some time to look around. You will be glad you did!
Jan 8th, 2010 by jamie
Who knew? That little expiration date on the saltine cracker box really does mean something! I opened prepared my delicious cream of tomato soup and reached for the saltines (which, in my defense, I rarely eat). I took one out, expecting the really predictable, salty crunch. Instead, I tasted almost-rancid cardboard. It was all very disturbing.
Turning the box around and upside down, I saw this date: April 2008. Ew! I tend to be a little on the suggestive side [read: hypochondriac] and immediately began wondering what ptomaine poisoning is and if it can be contracted by eating old, icky saltine crackers.
If only I had actually done Rachel’s Little Things post (www.homesanctuary.typepad.com) about cleaning out the pantry (actually, her post was about removing trash from anywhere, but she talked about her own pantry and fridge)…
The moral of my story is: Read Rachel Anne Ridge’s Small Thing and then just do it!
Happy Friday. Happy Snow Day #2 for some. Happy home. May your coffee be hot and your crackers be fresh!
Excuse me while I go get something to get this cardboard taste out of my mouth. I’m thinking dark chocolate…
Jan 7th, 2010 by jamie
Christmas Cards--What to do with them?
We are out of school here…The threat of snow, combined with a litigious society (sorry for the commentary) and the memory of several children stranded on school buses in a surprise 2009 snow storm, has compelled most superintendents in the Cincinnati area to call it a day–before it even started!
Ah, well. I will make the most of it, I hope. Christina Katz posted this idea on her Facebook. I am very intrigued, and if I can pull myself away from this computer and an exponentially-growing pile of laundry, I am going to do this! Every year, I bundle up my Christmas cards in January and stick them in a drawer. I just cannot bring myself to toss them. Friends and family have taken time to wish us joy and happiness and keep us updated on their lives. They seem too personal to pitch.
The idea from Ali Edwards is terrific! Whether you are a scrapbooker or not, it might be fun to try. It could make a wonderful art piece to bring out at Christmas or to leave framed all year!
More Cards
I’ll let you know if I get this accomplished. Between the laundry, the writing goals, and the teenager who wants to practice driving in the snow (yikes), I might need an art project like this. Be sure to click here for a total description and wonderful pictures!
Jan 5th, 2010 by jamie
I hope you had a very merry Christmas!
Though Christmas is not at all about stuff, we do tend to accumulate more of it at this time of year. Some of it is meaningful to us, some of it helps us in our daily lives, some of it makes us more comfortable, and some of it just makes us smile. Here are a few of my favorite things–from 2009 and from years past. Be sure to take a look at the photos toward the end–the thing that Christmas really is about.
Charles Dickens spoke through Ebeneezer Scrooge when he said, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” I hope that is true for us all!
Musical We Three Kings
Pine Cone Elf
String of Angels
Father Christmas
Un-nested Santas
Preschool Manger--I love this one!
Ornament from Peru
Simple but lovely!
Gift from son in 2002
African nativity
Unique nativity
Another view
Nativity
My favorite...so far!
Nov 20th, 2009 by jamie
photo by Ralph Hockens
Good morning, Coffee Ladies!
I hate to air my dirty laundry in public, but I have a problem.
And it really is dirty laundry!
It’s not actually washing, drying, folding, and putting it all away that seems to give me fits (although that sometimes is a problem, it is usually temporary). My problem is long-term, and I need help. It’s the clothes hamper–the what and the where. What vessel to use to hold it, and more importantly, where to store it (the vessel, that is).
Right now, my children have hampers in their closets. That works fine, when they actually hit the hamper. The problem is my and my husband’s laundry. We currently have a metal rack that holds a 3-compartment cloth bin. Picture the kind on wheels from the laundromat (or wash-a-teria, as my mother says). I envisioned this as the perfect recepticle: Pre-sorted laundry, ready for the washer whenever I have a few minutes. The problem is that the laundry just sits mostly on top (not really falling into the compartment)–and that it sits in full view in our master bathroom–which is in dire need of a re-do, but that’s a different matter.
I hate seeing this dirty reminder of what I have not completed, but I don’t know where to put it or what the best it is. In other people’s homes, I don’t see the ugly storage issue, so I’m thinking they have a plan that works. I need suggestions. Baskets in closets? Bins under sinks? Pretty wicker hamper in the bedroom?
What do you store your dirty laundry in? And where do you keep it?
Ideas and tips would be greatly appreciated!
Nov 19th, 2009 by jamie
Sometimes you just have to say, I’m going to give this a shot!
Several months ago, I was surfing, looking for At-Home business ideas that might involve writing. I stumbled across an article on businessknowhow.com about writing letters from Santa to children as a small, home-based business. Santa needs ghost writers…Who knew? I thought this sounded like a fun idea, so I started doing some research.
After several months, St. Nick’s Secretary has been launched. (I have to give my husband credit for the name!) It gives me a chance to do a little writing, have a little fun, and perhaps to make a little money. (fingers crossed) So, it is official–and open for business. Click on the button to the right if you want to take a look. If it makes some children smile, I will be really happy.
Letter writing. With paper and pen.
It seems to be an art that is slowly dying, and I don’t want to see it go! I have to blame technology, to a degree, and our fast-paced, instantly-gratified way of living. But that doesn’t mean that letter writing has to disappear! Even taking five minutes to dash off a quick notecard to let someone know you were thinking about them or to thank someone for a favor is taking a stand against the death of the letter.
Here are some tips to make it easier:
Sad, but true.Your note might just be the pick-me-up that someone else needed! You do have time. If something is important, we make time for it. This is a way to reach out and touch someone–and you do not need a modem. Please join me when I say:
(shameless plug)
Nov 17th, 2009 by jamie
Glad I don't have to do this! (photo by Francois Schnell)
My neighbor’s house across the street always looks clean. (Inside, too.) My home seems to suffer by comparison…But one thing I notice immediately is how clean Mary’s windows are. No bird droppings, no oily hand prints, and no dog-nose smudges. And no screens! I think the “no screens” thing is the main reason her windows are so pristine. (I like you in spite of your neat and sparkly house, Mary.)
Windows aren’t my only problem. I tend to let things go for a while, and then I go totally berserk, spinning madly into a cleaning frenzy. My house is approaching the point of no return, so a frenzy is imminent. It’s Do or Die; Now or Never…You get my point. (What would the FlyLady say? You don’t know the FlyLady? Check her out at www.flylady.net. Lots of tips, lists, and encouragement.)
I’m getting a late start today, but the time has come. Watch out dirt, dog hair, dust bunnies, and smudged windows. Your days are numbered. I need a plan–and lots of energy. And this time, I’ll remember the windows.
It’s kind of messy for your hands, but try newspaper instead of a roll of paper towels when cleaning windows and mirrors. It really adds some sparkle! I’ve heard of using vinegar and warm water as a quick, good, homemade solution. I might try that over Windex. We’ll see…What’s your best cleaning solution for glass?
Wish me luck. It’s a jungle in here.
