Archive | February 2017

Ordered shed

Spring is here soon, it’s the opening season of garden jobs. Starting and keeping the time schedule is much easier if all the needed tools are ordered in their place. The required space for this is defined by the size of the house and the garden, such as the number of persons living there.
The most practical solution is a separate shed with enough space for smaller jobs if it would be rainy. Put a table in it which is tall enough to work comfortable on it standing nearby (plant transplantation, labeling, cuttings etc.). Probably less closed storages are needed, the open shelving is more practical usage of space. Hang hand tools (clippers, scissors, small shovel etc.) to hooks, this way they air better after accurate cleaning and they will be close at hand. Let’s row cords, ropes and thin wires to a kitchen paper towel holder for easier handling. Make custom storage without doors for the bigger machines like lawn mower and garden grill where they can be easily pushed in and pulled out when needed. This way the space above them is free to use because they don’t balk us to reach that wall. Put the bigger tools also on hooks fixed to the wall for the ordered sight and not to bump into them. Choose a shed with window if it is possible but proper lighting has to be ensured anyhow.
If there is no possibility for a separate shed, create the place of garden tools in the garage. Broom, rake, spade etc. can be hung on the side wall. If the building is wide and tall enough, closed cabinets can be built in above head height where pots and other accessories can be stored. Nothing will accidently fall to the car standing there, thanks to the doors.
If there is enough space only in the basement or in the attic for storing garden tools, we can still follow the ideas before, it will be just more tiresome to take down and put up the needed things. Cozy working corners can be also created here with proper lighting. If there is a greenhouse, „workstation” can be organized in one of its corners too. If we have no any other chance, put a cupboard inside the house, near the backdoor leading to the garden, with doors below and open shelves above, this way the most necessary tolls will be at hand going to the garden.
An interior designer can help in creating a functional and decorative place related to the garden also.

Pantry containers

Feb24

Decorative and useful containers in the pantry

Different tiles

Feb22

The no-rectangular tiles fit into classic styles either

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mascsempe

Visual space improving

Feb20

Many people encounter the problem that the size or shape of a room in an apartment or house is not suitable. If there is no money, time or opportunity to break down the wall, changing visual effects can improve the overall picture and the sense of space.
Colors will help in this. In general, cold colors make the room more spacious, warm colors narrow the space. However, it’s not all the same, how these colors are dark/light or saturated/unsaturated. Besides these, all the rooms have six sides (commonly): the four walls, the floor and the ceiling. Let’s use all of them for getting the desired effect!
The too high ceiling is not always an advantage. Even the furnished room can be rigid and hollow. If the ceiling is painted in dark color according to the walls and floor, it is felt closer, so its height can be visually lower. The total effect will be much more friendly and inviting even if a cold color was chosen for this. The opposite effect can be reached with the combination of dark walls and light ceiling, if the ceiling is low.
If a room is tube-like and feels tight and narrow, it is practical to paint the opposite short wall dark, this way it will feel much closer. On the contrary, if the two side walls are darker, the opposite wall seems to be much farther. This is a sensual illusion but improves the feeling of coziness.
Also in general, the floor should be the darkest among the six sides because it anchors the space and provides a steady base. On the contrary, the too light floor compared to the others makes the sense of insecurity when entering.
Contrast is determinative in all the cases above! Example: sand floor, white ceiling and pastel blue walls > these colors are visually close to each other, so the total effect will be six light sides, independently from the fact that the floor is the darkest among them.
Ask for help of an interior designer for the perfect planning.

Color pairs 22.

Feb17

Color pairs: red-purple

Old wall paneling

Feb15

If there is no money or time for exchange the old wall paneling, let’s paint it for a fresher look

Paisley

Feb13

Paisley pattern is a drop-shaped, floral pattern curving at the end. It can have different names in different cultures, for example: cypress, mango, almond.
It has eastern origin which got to Europe by the East India Company in the second half of the 17th century. Later it became really popular by the silk and wool cashmere scarves which were imported and brought home from the Indian colonies. Their prices were quite high.
The mass production of the printed paisley patterned fabrics started in Marseilles and this was followed later by England and Holland. However, the weaving machine, which appeared during the industrial revolution, made possible to copy the pattern. The largest production company was in Paisley in Scotland, the pattern was named also after this town. They worked with five colors since 1800, while other companies worked with only two colors. 15 colors were used since 1860 on the same piece which was still the quarter of the color usage of the original imported fabrics. It was produced in Paisley not only as a woven wool fabric but as printed cotton also. The latter was much cheaper, this way it reached a wide range of people. The original fabric was still imported in a big amount because it was so popular.
The beat generation in the 60s loved to wear paisley patterned clothes. Nowadays paisley has kept its oriental character but it fits for several classic styles because of its wide range of size and color. Even the align of the pattern isn’t set. It appears not only on upholsteries but on wallpaper, carpets and accessories also.
If you also like this pattern, ask for help of an interior designer for the choice fitting for your home.

Table centerpiece 8.

Feb10

Valentine’s Day table centerpiece ideas

Door wreaths 6.

Feb8

Valentin’s Day door decors – even DIY

Patchwork, quilt, appliqué

Feb6

Patchwork is a popular type of needlework also nowadays. Its origin is rooted probably in poverty, anything should be reused if possible. The good parts of old, used clothes and household textiles were cut into pieces and sewn to each other again. They were used to make bedspreads and pillowcases.
The patches are cut in geometric shapes (triangle, square, pentagonal, hexagonal) for combining and joining them easily. The small pieces are sewn to bigger parts, so called blocks, these blocks are joined to create the ready product. There are variable formed patterns which have their own name (e.g. Ohio Star, Windmill, Log Cabin). The patterns and colors of the fabrics used give the real charm of the blankets.
The handmade old pieces are very valuable. Making patchwork became much more easy with the spread of sewing machines. It is so popular because it can be made anywhere, even when travelling on a bus. Many artifacts prove that mankind was doing similar recycling techniques throughout history. It really spread in the 18th-19th century thanks to the American settlers. It was a status symbol in the Victorian era, what quality of fabrics were used for making patchworks by women (they didn’t use old clothes) because purchasing printed cottons could be afforded only by the wealthy. Making patchwork became a hobby and a nice pastime after the World War II. Nowadays there are pattern books, starting kits and courses in the topic almost anywhere.
Quilt is a blanket which has three layers (top layer, filling, back side) and these are fixed to each other with decorating sewing (quilting). Sewing is done on the whole surface, this gives the pattern. The top layer can be a patchwork also. In this case, quilting is done to highlight the pattern of the patchwork.
The third patch-technique is appliqué. Cut fabric pieces are sewn on a fabric base with continuously turning their edges below. The pattern here is made not from geometrical shapes but is already cut out of the material of choice. This can be sewn only by hand, not by machine. This can be combined with the two previous techniques.
Some patchwork blankets can be perfect decoration elements in a bedroom or living room. If you would like to make/buy some showy pieces, ask for help of an interior designer for the choice.