Do you know that these are recyclable?

Do you try to recycle most everything but aren't sure about unusual items? Here's my list of pesky things that you might not think can be recycled and how to do it!

Bubble Wrap: Check with your local mail carrier or commercial delivery service. Many of these businesses will take drop off of bubble wrap and other packaging materials for reuse. How about reusing to winterize outdoor potted plants by wrapping the pot with bubble wrap? For similar reasons, bubble wrap makes a great insulator inside your picnic basket, to keep cold foods like ice cream and soda pop cold. Keep old bubble wrap in the same place as other packing materials like mailing tape and cardboard boxes. That way, you won’t have to buy more packing material when you go to send your next care package or item. Don’t forget that bubble wrap is wonderful during a move, as well. You can wrap up your dishes and breakables using this handy packing material and make sure that nothing breaks in transition. 

Inkjet Cartridges.  If you go to any large business office you will see containers specifically tagged for inkjet cartridges for recycling. If you go to any college campuses you will also see boxes marked as being for all kinds of inkjet cartridges. If you visit any office supply stores there are also collection points for them too. There is more than a single reason that these are recycled. There are still some manufacturers that give a small financial reward to a client who sends in their empty cartridges, and there are some companies that collect large number of cartridges and compensate the client for gathering them together. To do so is VERY easy. You can scour your local resources for drop off bins – check schools, libraries, supply stores, and local businesses to see if they have free drop off points. If not, go online and see what your printer manufacturer offers. They might send you a pre-paid envelope in which to return empty cartridges for a small reward!

Magazines can accumulate quickly in your home, and you may be wondering how you can possibly keep from tossing out all of these magazines. A number of different centers take magazines, even on a regular basis if necessary. If you are already using a recycling service for plastics, glass, and other materials, you can contact that facility to see if they will also recycle your magazines. Most libraries take magazines in a used book area and offer them free for the taking.  How about bringing them to a doctor’s office or a local Laundromat? You could also donate them to a hospice facility or to local caregivers. Another idea is to shred the magazines and use them as packing material in boxes or for arts and crafts projects

Finding New Life for Plant Pots.If you have broken plant pots or simply want to upgrade them, the temptation may be to throw your old ones in the trash and let them make the trip to a landfill.  Those that are broken and made of clay or ceramics are great as a layer for water to drain through in your new pot.   Many people like to break them up and use them in mosaics or back splashes in the kitchen for a rustic look.  Plastic plant pots can certainly be recycled, just as any other plastic materials would.  When you drop them off at your local recycling center, they will be melted down so that new products can be made from the plastics. Home Depot or your local nursery will likely have a place to take them, sometimes for credit towards buying new plants. If they're in good shape, donate them to your local Salvation Army. 

 Styrofoam. This material is used in packaging materials as molded placements to protect items that are being shipped. In addition, the foam is used in shipping fragile items, and it is used to make disposable dinnerware, like Styrofoam cups and plates. Because of this, there is a great deal of the material used every single day. If you use Styrofoam for anything, you must consider your options for recycling it. If you just throw away Styrofoam, then it will go to a landfill and sit for hundreds of years without every breaking down. The material can be fatal to animals who may try to ingest it and choke or become poisoned. Make sure you recycle all Styrofoam if you use and make sure to get in the habit of not using Styrofoam whenever you can avoid it. In San Diego: http://recyclesandiego.org/item/plastics-styrofoam-not-crv/

Old Rags.  As with anything, if you just throw old rags in the trash, they will immediately be taken to the landfill. As more and more things are added to the landfill, more and more space will have to be taken up for the trash. When it comes to old rags, make sure that they are clean and they do not contain traces of hazardous chemicals like motor oil, since they can pose a threat. Fabrics can be recycled to be used in a number of different textile products, like cloth shopping bags, pillows and curtains. The materials are re-blended with other fabrics in order to create new, usable fabrics. In fact, fabrics and rags are being recycled so much now that they are even making clothes from the materials. There is a high demand for recycled fabrics, so you should have no problem recycling them. If you have old rags lying around, do not throw them away. Instead, take the time to recycle them, which is a good step for a better environment.

It is impossible to imagine life without the plethora of wonderful tools that are at our disposal. Just because your tools are old and you no longer use them does not mean that you need to throw them away. One of the best things you can do with old tools is donate them to a charity that will give the tools away to people who need them or sell them for an affordable price. You can also ask your neighbors close to where you live to see if any of them might have use for that particular tool. Don't leave them at the curb; they will likely be placed in the trash bin by your refuse collector and will end up in a landfill.

Small Spaces

We all love to maximize our small spaces. A tiny room can serve many purposes, with the right layout, scale, the  function of the pieces you use, and a bit of creativity.

For example, a living room does not need a sofa against the wall. Try placing your seating in the center - maybe a chaise or two instead - and use furnishings that do many things.  A desk/dining table will serve a small space for computer work, bill pay and office functions, and for eating and gathering, as a serving and dining table.   Bookshelves can be configured to store as well as display, and even conceal a flat screen TV and audio equipment. 
In small living spaces, raising your furniture up, gives space underneath for storage. 
Bedrooms with bunk systems are great for children who need space for entertaining and homework. For teens, beds on platforms create a second level for sleeping, and a desk, toy storage and even a lounge area can be worked in underneath.  Dividing a small room without a closet with a book/shelf unit can create a headboard, walk-in closet, wall space for art, and niches for books or display.  Raising a mattress onto a platform with drawer storage can eliminate the need for dressers.

Small apartments with single wall kitchens can be transformed with a single unit that includes a tall standing cabinet, a flat surface for a table, and upper cabinets, all joined into a self-standing rectangle. The end result is a divider, cabinets, a table/desk, and a place under the table for seating, the garbage can and the cat bed!  Using wall-to-ceiling cabinets makes a small kitchen space look larger. Adding glass to cabinet doors makes them feel less imposing. 

Spring = Clean Top Tips for Ten Minutes of Clean

I'm always in a hurry to get my home clean; I love neat but hate to clean. When unexpected clients or guests are on their way, doing one room at a time in just a few minutes works well so that I can always keep a neat appearance despite twins, dogs and cats. I developed a system that works for me in about 10 minutes.  It doesn't take the place of a thorough dusting with vacuuming, but does take care of the daily stuff.  I hope you can complete your room in ten minutes but it depends on the scale of the room and what obstacles you face. 

To make this work, you need to have cleaning supplies at hand. I make 'green' cleaning products with water, vinegar, borax, olive oil-based liquid soaps, and essential oils for fragrance. They are stored in clear spray bottles under my kitchen and bathroom sinks so I don't have to go far, and re-fills are easy. Bring out your dust cloths, vacuum, and other cleaning equipment, so everything is within reach before you start. Start with the main rooms. If you’re having guests and you’re trying to clean before they arrive, concentrate on the rooms they are most likely to see such as the living room, the kitchen and the bathroom. Leave bedrooms and other rooms until the end and clean them only if time allows.



1. Start in one corner of the room, and move in a circle around the room. Pick up any items on the floor, from tables, counters, and chairs as you walk along, and anything out of place. For large or joined rooms - like a kitchen/family room combination -  divide the room into squares and complete everything in one square before you move on.

2. Put things away as you move around the room or - if they belong elsewhere - place things into a laundry basket or fabric tote. Fortunately, toys don't have far to go since I have some storage in every room. I load them and then can easily carry clothes and shoes to the bedrooms, or mail and newspapers to the office area. 









3. As I walk and pick up, I carry my solutions to spray. My dusting solution is Murphy's oil and my counter cleaners require no scrubbing. Wood sprays don't get used unless there are messy fingerprints - I have a small "Magic Duster" that I swipe accessories, lamps, tables and wooden chairs with. Start with the right cleaner for the surface, spritz on and move on to clean somewhere else while you wait a few minutes for it to work.  This is great for greasy counters, scuff marks on floors, and letting cleaners work on grout. For living rooms you may just need to dust, but this helps if you have to wipe a window, glass display items, and non-wood surfaces.



4. Go back and wipe up all of your sprays. I use old washcloths or dishtowels instead of paper towels and I use several in one room so the counter one doesn't get used to wipe appliances, or dust tables, or clean mirrors and windows. 

5. Dust, starting with anything that is dark wood, as dust shows more clearly on dark surfaces. Here is where that Magic Duster comes in handy.  The fibers attract dust, and I can do one whole room without cleaning the duster. Don’t use a dry rag since you don't want dust from flying around the room as you clean. Some Swiffer products work well, but their disposable nature is costly and an environmental disaster since they are not recyclable. Again, old towels, diapers, dishrags and underwear work well and can be washed with regular laundry as needed.

6. Now I clean my wood or other non-carpeted flooring. If there was a stain in the grout or a scuff mark on the floor, my solutions have had time to work should make this step a wipe-up one.  I DO have an old mop but I started using a Shark cleaner that takes seconds to lift up everything!

7.Next is to vacuum. Nothing will give a better impression of a clean room than freshly-vacuumed rugs. I have area rugs in every space so I do the wood floor and the rug at the same time.  You can use a fragranced vacuum powder to improve the overall air smell of the room as you clean. Don’t bother vacuuming curtains but DO remove pet hair from the upholstery.

8. Spray a bit of room spray in the air - something seasonal is great - and voila, you are finished!

Color it Yours.

Monochromatic spaces are serene.  Add an accent color and the space can be dynamic. Here,

a light, neutral palette with a powder blue accent hue, is dramatized by deep wood tones which are repeated in decorative and bookshelf trims.

Paint by:

Wall: Eschelon Ecru SW 7574

Ceiling: Casa Blanca SW 7571

Trim for bookshelf: Dry Dock SW 7502

Back of bookshelf: Labradorite SW 7619

Area Rug: Wool sisal - Hibernia

Ottoman: Breezy blue velvet

Wing chair: Custom in Kravet Luxury Plains

Outdoor updates you can use now!

Spring is a great time to get your outdoor spaces ready for summer living.  If you have a patio, balcony, yard, or porch, you can add elements from indoors to create an extension of your home.  

The first step to a usable space is lighting.  Outdoor dining is fun and can be romantic and relaxing. String lights are simple and inexpensive and can be wound around the porch posts, strung from a structure, draped in your trees and bushes, or hung from a trellis or umbrella. I hang a candelabra from the roof line that has glass globes since I love flickering candle light.  If you are creating a permanent space, install lights on timers or sensors, and be sure the housings and covers for your bulb are all waterproof. Hurricane globes are fantastic outdoors. You can use real candles without fear of your landscape catching on fire, and they protect candles from the wind.  I always look for interesting candlesticks that I can add to a large hurricane on the patio floor, the table, and even on the steps.  Many years ago I found some glass and ceramic oil candles. They're pretty, resilient in the wind, and add a touch of indoors to my patio.

Comfortable seating is critical. If you have the budget, permanent seating should be furniture that will weather well outdoors. Wrapped wicker, teak and wrought iron are all good choices. For temporary seating, you can bring out folding chairs and tables. Bring out your entry bench - keep it dry - and create a table from a large planter by adding a glass top.  Add pillows, some accessories, and you'll create instant ambiance.  I do use porcelain garden seats. They double as a tabletop and add color and shine with their glazed finish.

Fabrics make a space cozy. For outdoors, polypropylene rugs are perfect. They are weatherproof, easily washed down with a hose, and they last for years. They dress up a space and make the seating areas comfortable. I do use cotton and jute rugs on covered patios, decks and balconies for a more formal feel.    Pillows - floor pillows to decorative accents on seating -  is one of the simplest ways to brighten an outdoor space. Using outdoor fabrics will extend their life and make them easy to clean. Try getting a mix of patterns and solids for a custom look.  If you purchase or make pillows with zipper covers, you can clean them before you put them away for winter. Add a throw for cool nights or a snooze on a windy day. Acrylic throws like those at www.tot-home.com can withstand some wet weather and are easily washed.



Set the table. Use a tablecloth that you can clean.  Don't use your regular dishes or glasses. Purchase an inexpensive set or mix and match pieces for outdoor use only.  Use easily washed cotton napkins, planters filled with real plants, candlesticks or hurricane lanterns and make the table look inviting. I often store all of my outdoor table items in wicker hampers.  They add texture to the patio and I don't need to find room indoors. If you have a large space, invest in some teak or other waterproof  deck boxes or storage benches for your dishes, pillows, and more.

Design on a budget!

There are many ways to make your home, apartment or room a reflection of you without spending a lot. Try one of these ideas to get you started and see how creative you can be!



If you need great color or wall detail but don't want to paint, create frames on your wall with inexpensive molding. Hang mirrors, posters or other elements inside to create a focal point. You can paint just the inside, for a quick and easy update. I also love to use large medallions and iron elements to create instant architectural detail.  For $30 this plain wall was transformed.



You may not have the budget for a dining room set.  Purchase stacking plastic chairs - spray them black as in this photo -  add a cute bistro table and voila, you have an inexpensive and functional dining that can be moved outdoors when you are ready to buy a permanent one.  




The simplest way to change a space is with paint. Whether it's to update an entire room as this yellow striped bath - adding color, height and an updated style to a very old bathroom - or simply refresh an old table, dresser or other piece of furniture, a coat of paint will make a huge difference to a space.  Often a bold monochromatic color on walls, furniture and fabrics makes a small space look larger.

Curtains are a great way to dress up a window but try using sheets, tablecloths and even table runners - as shown left to right - for a quick and inexpensive treatment. 

What's new for kitchens?

For kitchen design, new technology and products are essential.  From flooring to appliances, and certainly faucets and lighting, here are some of the new products you should consider:

Multi-functional is in: The sleek, architectural design of a Poggenpohl kitchen system creates seamless transitions across all functions. Work stations and dining stations complement beautifully, making for a cohesive, integrated space. 

You will be so captivated by the lighting feature in this Miele's range hood that you may forget that the unit is, in fact, a state-of-the-art venting system. Select a single, glorious hue, or set a timer to alternate among colors at specific time intervals

Step aside, granite. Glass is finally getting its due as a strong, practical, and durable kitchen surface that lends itself beautifully to customization. Choose a pattern, specify opacity and thickness, add color—and even LED lights—for a look that's all your own

The "Entertainer" stainless steel sink from Lenova allows it to transition effortlessly from a basic, workaday sink to a high-performing food prep station and wet bar. When not in use, simply pop in the precision-cut cutting boards for extra counter space galore. 

It's all about the window

Do you have a room with a an unusual window? I often design  in homes that have windows in odd locations, with shapes that seem to defy using a covering for privacy. Some even need a window! 

No need for privacy in a dark pantry that was transformed with a
round, deeply molded window for a traditional feel.

A plain line of windows that is the focal point of the room,

becomes warm and textured with blinds and panels.

With an odd space in the kitchen, this window became
a seat, a storage area, and a nice transition to the
family room.

When you have a wonderful architectural features like arched windows, doing less is the best. Here, just the bottom is treated for privacy. Place your rod so that none of the upper window is hidden.

Bowed windows do well with setting blinds or shades into the window to allow you to highlight the molding and curve of the window grouping. Here, sheers with a roller shade underneath, allows the interior moldings, wall-covering, and curvature to show and the shades to be hidden when not needed.

 By following the curve of this large window with stationary panels attached with decorative hooks, the strong statement of the window is maintained and finding ready-made panels is easy. 

Finish a room like a pro.

When you've done an upgrade, purchased a new sofa, or even painted the walls, and are looking for the finishing touch, the right accessory is essential.   I use then basic elements to complete rooms and leave them inviting, beautiful and finished.

Lighting. A great pendant, a shapely table lamp, and even an architectural floor lamp, can be a dramatic accessory and a focal point to a room. With one table lamp on a corner end table having the right scale and color, you can complete the decor and add function.  Search my blog for tips on lighting and fixtures to get just the right one!

 

Candlesticks: Whether you like classic turned wooden candlesticks or sleek glass ones, using real or flame less candles, nestled in the right place in your room, adds drama, softness, romance, and light! 

Wreaths: Bringing a bit of color to your doors, fireplace, table, and even your cook top, is easy with a great wreath. You can certainly add seasonal  flair to these areas, but why not use one year-round? Boxwood, grapevine and twig and vine are some floral materials  that can be dried, real, or faux and look great all the time. My front door has a handmade seashell wreath that invites a seaside theme year-round.  Ahh, so refreshing....

 

Orchids:  Even if you don't have a green thumb, a flowering orchid plant will add an elegant feel to a room, soften a harsh corner and look refreshing. They're delicate and look expensive, and you can find them in most big box hardware stores for under $20.  Add a group in a blue and white vessel for a traditional look or a single plant in a sleek black pot for a modern interior.  I always leave clients with an orchid to grace their new dining table, kitchen counter, or to create an elegant entry.

Vases. Empty or full, glass or ceramic, vases can add a finishing touch to any room.  Varying the scale, the shape and texture and adding a plant or leaving it empty creates focal points and add color.  The glass vases in this kitchen space bring a soft blue to a crisp white space, and the white-on-white textured vases on the table add interest

Books: While I love open space on tables, books add a lived in feel, an architectural element, and sophistication to consoles, end tables and coffee tables. Placing them at an angle, as in this small apartment, is both practical - these are study guides covered with wallpaper - and attractive

Blue and white.  In nearly all decorating styles, classic blue and white vases, bowls, lamps and urns add a wonderful, warm touch. As a collection or simply by itself, a blue and white vase looks elegant, adds a sense of antiquity, and a fresh look to a space

 Mirrors: With the ability to add light to a room, provide detail and wall art, mirrors are one of the most versatile design accessories...not to mention functional!  They can add more apparent space to a small room. Create a focal point in a dining room, an entry, or a master bathroom. By using floor mirrors you can even make a narrow hallway appear wider, and a low-ceiling room appear taller!   Be aware of what the mirror is reflecting...a drab wall or the tops of furniture, won't add to the impact of using one

 Area rugs: The ability to define or divide a space can come from an area rug. Add visual interest, scale, pattern and texture to any room. Change the perception of dimension. Enjoy the variety of materials, but get the BEST you can afford.  For neutral looks with detail, add a great border as shown here..with sisal and a crisp brown leather edge

 Panel curtains:  To add softness to any window, adding panels - even with existing blinds - will do the trick.  Have a small window? Flanking it with panels can make the window look larger.  Need a bit of texture or color? A great fabric panel curtain can add the layer to finish your space.  Of course they are functional!  Add privacy, block the cold, divide a space and more!

Trends for the long-term.

What defines a trend? Take a look at the latest design magazines. You'll notice a 'new' classic is developing  It's called transitional style.  Furnishings and finish materials are being made with new design details, color and shape. A clean-lined style with an easy-care sophistication is the result. The details come from classic lines, updated patterns, use of bolder fabrics, and a new scale. From tile to seating to lighting, this is a trend that is here to stay.

             

From classic Hepplewhite oval back chairs in a new form. The attention to leg and back detail and use of crisp ivory fabric with a slight sheen, gives a stunning aesthetic and fabulous function.

A sleeker version of a traditional sofa, with squared-off arms in lieu of rolled, and tapered block feet. Classic and sophisticated yet very updated. With a textured green fabric that's not standard sage....gorgeous!

    

Silk drum pendants are more often replacing multi-armed chandeliers for transitional styling. The brushed nickel fittings and frosted glass diffuser add elegant detail.

A change for the better from wood burning to bio-fuel fireplaces. They provide warmth and a fabulous aesthetic with an eco-friendly benefit. With no special venting required, and a variety of sizes and materials, they can be installed in indoor and outdoor spaces.

Porcelain tile has come a long way. With elegant patterns and sheens, new sizes and trim pieces, and a huge array of colors and textures, US and Italian porcelain tile manufacturers have given us a new classic surface.

Making faucets lead-free, water saving and with universal design in mind, form does follow function. New finishes are luxurious and easy-care...what a great combination.

Certified woods are being fabricated into strand forms that are as elegant as they are eco-friendly. Luxurious color and grain, along with wide scale planks, make these floors right for nearly any style decor.

Kermit was wrong....it's easy being 'green'!

There are so many reasons why we should be 'green'. Reduced dependence on fossil fuel use, environmental protection for now and future generations, and personal cost savings are just the tip of the iceberg. So, how do you do start?  You can do something small and realizing energy savings right away by looking and water use and lighting; even the smallest step helps make a difference! Here are my  top 5 ways to embrace 'green' practices: 

1) Upgrade to green.  With new government standards and improved technology, modern faucets are more efficient than ever. Saving up to 32% on your water usage, WaterSense certified faucets make going green practically effortless.  Big box hardware stores sell models that are well under $100.  A quick, first step toward going green, is installing flow optimized aerators -$3-$5 - which enable more effective performance for older faucets without much cost.

2) Go on-demand. If you have a large or growing family, tank-less water heaters offer a great way to cut home energy costs without impacting performance. By flash heating water and eliminating the tank water heater's long cycles you can cut energy use by 20%. You won't have to waste water while the shower gets warm, every shower will be warm for your whole family, and you can even run a washer at the same time if you use the right capacity. The water and energy savings is immediate, although to get a 100% return on your purchase can take a few years. Can't install one? Time your showers for 2-5 minutes.

3) Light it Right. With the new options for lighting being more available, less expensive, easy to understand, and offered in dimmable and color controlled bulbs, you'll light your homes better, for less, for a longer time. Light emitting diodes (LED) last 10X longer than dated incandescent bulbs do. Use them in your recessed housings and don't worry about changing them for 10 years. The cost to run LED is a fraction of your 'usual' costs.  One 7 watt LED bulb will emit as much light as a 60 watt incandescent one. Compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) is better than ever. No long waits to warm up, and color temperatures being soft and warm, make them easy replacements for incandescent bulbs.  CF's will last 4-5X longer, save up to 7X the energy, and many municipalities sell them for under $2 each to help get your energy use down.

4) Ditch the bottle This is a daily challenge for some people, but the end-result would be to lower the number water bottles we use and toss. In the US that number is an astounding 1500 bottles PER SECOND. All those plastic bottles use a lot of fossil fuel and pollute the environment. In fact, Americans buy over 29 billion water bottles a year and manufacturers use 17 million barrels of crude oil to make them. That’s enough oil to keep a million cars going for twelve months. Avoid the need for plastic bottles with water filtering faucets. You will save your wallet and help unclog waste disposal sites. When you're on the go, use washable BFA free or stainless (keeps drinks cooler) bottles.  If you knew that for every six water bottles we use, only one makes it to the recycling bin does that help inspire you? 

5) Keep water in check  It's important to check all water-using products regularly, with the bathroom accounting for roughly 60% of your home's water usage a leaky toilet or faucet can waste thousands of gallons a year without you knowing it. We waste gallons of water everyday by leaving sink faucets running. With hands-free faucets you ensure that water is used only when needed. Even simpler - and free - is to turn off the water while loading the dishwasher, brushing your teeth and shaving. Flow optimized shower heads can help further reduce water usage in the bathroom. New heads with fabulous pressure that leaves you feeling clean and energizes, use only 1.75 gallon per minute flow cutting water consumption and energy costs by up to 30%.