Kristin Abraham's Blog

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Better Homes and Gardens has a new contest and you can win a room makeover from Stephen Saint-Onge in their Save My Room contest. Simply follow the link to their website and complete all aspects of the questionnaire. As always, this is a reliable contest with actual prizes given away at the end.

As an added bonus, your finished room will be featured in the magazine!

The hardest part of the whole thing might be selecting just one room to enter.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Ikea has come out with a new decorating tool that is a great way to wile away a few hours or combat boredom. I'm not sure that the website is an incredibly useful tool for most home set ups but it does a great job of showing you some of their products and decorating options and it probably works quite well for people in a dorm room or a first apartment.

Go ahead and try Ikea's website bebravenotbeige.com and try to come up with rooms that appeal to you. You can also share the rooms with others so you and your friends can picture your dream Ikea rooms.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I am a great fan of Domino Magazine and typically have really enjoyed their regular email publications in addition to the actual magazine so I was sorry to hear that they have just announced that they will be ceasing publication due to the current economic climate and their inability to get the advertising support necessary.

Their first tenet was that "home should make your happy", something I firmly believe. Forget about decorating to please others, impress neighbors or keep up with the trends, find things that make you happy and surround yourself with them. I'm sure that my home will not be as happy without Domino.

Best of luck to all who worked for Domino Magazine and thanks for more than four years of great interior decorating ideas.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I have a bi-annual tradition of rearranging my furniture. Generally I do this in the late fall or early winter and then again in the late spring or early summer. There are practical reasons for rearranging furniture as well as psychological ones.

For practical purposes, I move my bed under my window in the summer, this way I can take advantage of the breeze and limit my air conditioning. But in the winter this same window has a bit of a draft, so I move the bed to the other side of the room and hang heavy drapes to block the chill. The other furnishings in the room also move to make the flow of the room more convenient and pleasing.

In the living room I like to rearrange the furniture in the winter and remove a lot of odds and ends. I live in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin and during the winter it can begin to feel as though you're trapped inside, especially when the day light hours are so short. To counter this feeling, I open up the room and create as much floor space as possible. I also use brighter watt light bulbs to make it feel bright and sunny inside. In the summer I draw the room in closer to make it cozier as I tend to keep doors and windows open and fill empty space with plants to create the illusion of bringing the outdoors in.

If you're lucky enough to have a floor plan that is conducive to seasonal furniture rearrangements, give it a try. You may find that it's not only practical but that your spirit is lifted by the new arrangement.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I have recently run across a great tool that helps people determine how much paint they need to purchase for their painting project. Check out Ace Hardware's Paint Estimator to get a good idea of how many gallons you'll need before you begin your painting project.

Buying the right amount of paint at one time is actually quite important because paint is typically mixed for you at the store and tinted to your specifications. Even if you're using the same color (shocking red) you may have slight variances in the shade if you buy one gallon of shocking red today and another gallon in a week when you notice you'll need just a touch more. In fact, sometimes the variance is so great the entire effect is shocking and you'll have to repaint the entire thing.

So do yourself a favor and buy the right amount of paint the first time, if necessary, purchase a little extra because it's always best to have more than not enough.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Well, I just had a horrible experience and I wanted to leave you with a little reminder so no one does the same thing. I placed an airfreshener on my dining room table, one of those fluid filled fresheners that you plug in an outlet. I meant to plug it back in but didn't get back to it until the next day. By that time the fluid had leaked out a little and completely removed the finish on my black lacquer finished table top.

So please, be careful with any sort of chemicals that you place on your furniture. In fact, you should be careful with the products you select to apply directly to your furniture as well. If you're worried about your wood furniture check out my article about how to care for and repair wood furniture. In my case, with the black lacquer I'll be sanding it smooth in that area and applying a glossy black paint.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

What's with the mirrors? The remaining designers on Top Design are paired up and then they get a Project Runway alum as their client. The challenge is to create a window display to feature one design by the clothing designers.

Personally, I don't like it when there are team challenges or pairs in this sort of competition because you're not really getting the full aesthetic sense of what these professionals can do. I'd rather they went back to the white boxes and had to decorate one with a theme every time. It's just a better representation of what the individual can do. This particular episode is a specific example of this as a stronger and more talented decorator was sent home while a weaker and less talented one stayed because he was not the project leader.

I think the top two designs were okay, but I just couldn't figure out why everyone seemed to think mirrors were the way to go. Of course mirrors make small spaces look larger BUT when you've got a display the mirror mainly reflects the audience back to themselves. The focus moves away from what's on display to the busy street behind and leads to passers by checking out themselves, not the garment. Bad idea decorators.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The challenge this week on Top Design was to create an Artsy Bunker, or a fall out shelter that you would be comfortable spending time in. Initially it seemed as though everyone was creating a nightmare but I was very surprised by a lot of the finished results. In fact, its a challenge I would love to work on.

There were two great tips that came out of the show and if you don't watch it for the room inspiration, then you should at least get the tips.

1) Think outside of the box. Use boxes and storage containers as shelves and attach the bottoms of them flush against a wall. This gives you unexpected storage and endless design options.

2) Todd Oldham tip - Like an outfit, get the room completely dressed and then look in the mirror and remove one piece. Basically, edit your room and your decorating because in a small space, less is frequently more.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I was watching Project Runway, which I usually find very inspirational but for clothing design and knitting, and was totally drawn in by a wall in the contestant's house. It's a faux honeycomb look created by using three colors in different intensities.

Not only do I HAVE to do this in my home, it's prompted me to go ahead with a new project that I've been contemplating for some time. I'm going to take my little dining area, which features a shelf and tall black table with saddle chairs and turn it into a corner breakfast nook. The nook will give me more space for storage (under seats) and comfortable seating for dinner. I also like the idea of taking the table top much lower and giving the room more vertical interest.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

One of my guilty pleasures is reality television and Bravo's Top Design is one that really attracts my attention. It's a great combination of everything I love and I highly recommend the show for everyone who is interested in interior design. There's great design, inspiration, talent, backstabbing, and drama all rolled into one show.

This year's contestants on Top Design seem to have more experience, make that high profile experience, than the previous year.

Last year's Matt Lorenz was a clear winner before the title was bestowed upon him. This year a couple of the designers seem to be the stand outs. I find myself pulling for Ricky Schroeder's wife, Andrea, and there are several who I think can be cut right away.

I'm disappointed that the show has added something they call Pop Design. It has made the show more formulaic and similar to other reality shows where the contestants have a little challenge that gives them immunity or some other prize. I much prefer shows where the elimination challenge is entire focus of the show, especially with shows like this where a whole lot of work goes in to one huge project.

One element of the show that is happily missing is the "see ya later, decorator" catch phrase.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Even I sometimes get caught in the trap of believing that what I want just isn't out there. It's frustrating and takes all the joy out of shopping. And then I remember, oh yeah, I can do just about anything I set my mind to, and so can you! So just because the store isn't currently carrying exactly what you're imagining it doesn't mean you can't have it. You'll just have to put a little elbow grease and some creative juice into it.

Case in point, I want a mirror with a black wood frame and hooks for my back entrance so I can hang up purses and coats and hats and everything else I am currently throwing on the dining table chairs. Sure, there actually are items exactly like that out there, but they're sort of pricey. So I picked up a beat up ugly brown one from a discount store for a huge deal. So all I have to do now is prime it and paint it and I've got exactly what I wanted at a great price.

But then I started thinking. It might be cool if I decoupaged it with photos I've taken of fresh veggies and flowers. Deep yellows, golds and oranges that match the rest of my kitchen/dining area and will really create an eye-popping masterpiece.

But don't limit yourself, break things if you have to, add to them, paint, distress, whatever you have to do to create a piece that you love and that has that personal touch. This is a great way for students and people on a budget to create the home environment they've always dreamed of and have fun in the process.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Not that I'm suggesting you're dirty or anything else, but there are those little things we all overlook in our own homes. Things many other people don't even notice, but believe me, some of them do. So I'm declaring this Labor Day weekend as the unofficial switch plate weekend.

If you're willing to join me, then let's take a closer look at the switch plates and electrical outlet covers in your home. Grab a dusting rag, some spray cleaner (try making your own to be a little "greener") and a small flathead screwdriver.

First, give that switch plate a good cleaning, if necessary, unscrew it and clean it with hot water and dish detergent. Then, make sure all the screws are going in the same direction, vertically. Yes,they're actually supposed to all face the same way.

If you find that your switch plate is cracked or dirty beyond saving, pick up a new one and replace it. They're inexpensive and so easy to install.

In fact, you may be so inspired by all the switch plate options on the market that you may decide to toss the old standby white and cream colored ones for something with a lot more style and panache. Go ahead, splurge!

It won't take much time at all and you'll be so happy that you took that little extra effort to clean up the details and make your home that much more inviting.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The kids are off to school, you're about to pack away your shorts and tank tops for the year and you might as well give the entire home a clean sweep while you're at it. But when the weather is still so beautiful does anything sound as awful as being trapped indoors cleaning? What you need is some inspiration.

I recommend a long day at the beach, perhaps the last one of the year, with a stack of decorating magazines from the library. Seriously. There is not quite as inspiring as seeing other rooms that have a little bit of something you want. As you're perusing the beautiful homes, think about what little changes you'd like to make to your home, how you could organize things differently, better. Take a close look at those cute little wicker baskets that people are using (Hey, wait a minute - I have a perfect spot for some of them!) and find ways to organize and hide the clutter.

Then, when it comes to actually doing the cleaning and organizing, open all of your windows. The very ambitious in the group may even be inspired to wash the windows as well. While cleaning let the house air out naturally and enjoy the end of the season while putting on a fresh face for fall.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Domino Magazine has a new contest running, this time you can win a $5,000 shopping spree from JCPenney. All you need to do is go to the contest entry site, provide your basic information, including name, address, phone number, etc. Then you are asked some questions that are a little more personal, your age, income level and interests. And finally you have to let them know how often you're wiling to have them contact you. I suggest getting the bi-monthly newsletter as it's full of intersting decorating information and then you'll know as soon as there is another contest to enter.

I haven't won anything yet, but I'm always hopeful!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you're thinking about adding an international touch to your home decorating then checking out the blogs from interior decorators and designers from other countries might give you just the inspiration and tools you need to do the job correctly.

Domino Magazine has done an excellent job of culling a bunch of these international decorating bloggers together and given you the best of the best to review. Not only will you get some great insights from some very creative decorators, but you'll also get some real authentic tips on what is the current trend in your favorite country at the moment.

Check them out and use their experience to get the most out of your home decorating style.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Have I mentioned that I love Domino Magazine? I'm sure I have and I'm sure I've recommended that you sign up for their free weekly newsletter. The magazine comes at a charge, which is pretty nominal, but still, it's not free.

But the newsletter is just chock full of decorating goodness. I especially love the July reader's cheap tricks edition. There are some really great ideas for your home, including tip five, my personal favorite as I have done this in the past with incredible results. Use their reader's tips to revamp your home with little expense and effort, or become inspired to come up with your own decorative creations.

Please, feel free to contact me with your inexpensive decorating projects and we'll see if we can top their readers creativity.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

This year I was a bit late in tuning in to the HGTV reality television series, Design Star. By the time I started watching they were down to their final six and the ousted competitor was crying for his mommy (literally). And suddenly, I was hooked again.

Since I'd missed so many episodes I went to the website and found that I could indeed catch up by watching the full episodes online. In fact, not only can I catch up on season three of Design Star, but I can also watch many of the other shows on this channel. I recommend going through the site and picking a few to zip through. You don't need to watch all of the drama as it's pretty repetitive, but the final projects are always inspiring.

If you do watch the entire show, feel free to get caught up in all the backstabbing, in fighting and drama.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Okay, I'm addicted. Sears has created this new decorating tool that lets you create your own room full of accessories, color coordinated walls and linens as well as a bunch of other goodies. Yes, its not really thorough and a lot of colors I'd select are absent, but it's still a great tool and just lots of fun to mess around with.

You can create your own room and then save the results, and can even get prices on what it would cost to decorate your room with the same Sears items.

It's not just limited to bedrooms as there is a virtual decorating tool for the kitchen, laundry room, garage, patio and media room too. My personal favorite though is the dorm room. Decorating a dorm room is a true challenge due to the limited space, but it's such a reward when you're finished becuase it doesn't take long or cost much and you've got a complete transformation. It's a must-play for every college student looking at a new dorm room in the fall.

Happy virtual decorating!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

With gas prices on the rise, people may not be taking big family vacations, or they may save a little money by staying with friends and family. If this means more house guests for you, then prepare a guest room that is inviting for company and easy for you.

If you're expecting a lot of guests throughout the season, consider just leaving the hide-a-bed out. This will give you a better feel for how the space works as a bedroom and will make it seem less secondary.

Outfit your spare room with nice linens and pillows so your guests feel comfortable and welcome. If you're going to have guests you should have the right accomodations so sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, etc.

Create a kit for guests. A simple basket that can hold small sample sized toiletries is a really nice decorative touch, it doesn't cost much, and prevents guest from digging through your stuff.

During your guest season, treat the guest room with care, consider it part of your decorating scheme, not just a spare room or a converted office. The end result will be happy guests, a good visit and maybe an invitation to their home.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Every summer at least one decorating magazine features an outdoor room, complete with four-poster bed and expensive linens. It's usually such a beautiful picture, flowered linens with dappled sun streaming through the tree branches overhead. It's also completely ridiculous.

Camping is one thing, but putting a bed with linens outside and sleeping there is totally different. The impracticality of the idea is totally obvioius, besides the bugs, the dust, neighborhood pets and pests, there's also the safety factor and WEATHER! Even people with a three or four season's porch are probalby loathe to sleep there becasue of the lack of privacy, insects and the elements. But aren't those glossy pictures in the magazines inviting?

Rather than spend your sleeping hours outside, how about using your outside space in other ways. With WiFi it's easy to bring your computer outside to set up office space. Try to find a shady spot because computer screens are almost impossible to see in direct sunlight, but wokring outside in the shade is shear bliss.

Outside dining is another great possibility. Add luxury to your at home picnic by using nice and expensive utensils and china. Expand your outdoor culinary traditions from hotdogs and brats to something more exciting.

Enjoy your outside space every chance you get, but be practical and keep the bed in the bedroom.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

There are those people who just love animal prints and then there are those that abhor them. No matter what side of the fence you're sitting on, a move to the middle can help you create a tasteful decor that feels elegant and comfortable at the same time.

The big thing to remember when incorporating animal prints into your home decorating style is moderation. It's one of those cases where a little is more. Now, not all homes are decorated in a way that easily embraces animal prints but there is usually a way to add a little wild pop that draws the attention of visitors and becomes a great focal point.

There's just something about animal prints that makes a room feel a bit more exciting and lively and adding a large animal print rug or throw blanket can make a huge statement in a large environment. But more subtle touches can add a bit of pizzaz as well. Consider an animal print vase or lamp shade, or seat cover for a stray chair. These animal prints can also come in very unexpected colors which will add even more spice.

But whatever sort of animal print you decide to incorporate, please consider using faux fur or antique furs.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

It's probably because I quit caffeine cold turkey almost two months ago, but I've developed a new found love for coffee colors and I'm inspired to being incorporating them into decorating patterns more and more.

There is just such a rich depth to deep brown, or mocha browns, or even heavily saturated creamy browns. It speaks to the earth and carries a soothing level of comfort that is so important in a home environment. Layering different shades of coffee brown together in a home gives you more warmth and depth and is wonderfully neutral.

But using a very neutral and complementary color like brown, you are giving yourself a whole slew of accessorizing options. A brown background lets bright colors pop and take center stage, even when only a little color is added to the room. Lime greens, bright oranges, toasty reds, cool aquamarines, and clean whites all work beautifully with a neutral brown decor base.

Turn to your favorite flavor of coffee and spend a few minutes staring into its depths to come up with your own decorating inspiration.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I just purchased some cut to fit blinds and thought I'd share a little of the experience with you. First of all, they store will cut your blinds to fit while you wait, but only horizontally. Apparently, you're on your own when it comes to adjusting the vertical dimensions. The salesman at Menards assured me it was easy but when further asked, he admitted he'd never done that part himself. And at this point neither have I.

I bought blinds for an inside mount window and an outside mount. The outside mount was fairly straight forward. I measured my window and then added a little so I can mount on the wall, slightly above the window. I'm going to need a little help drilling and hanging because they're so heavy and large. The plan is to hang them before I shorten them so I'm sure to get just the right length.

The inside blinds are a bit more tricky. My window is recessed into a window box of sorts so I had to make sure to get exactly the right measurement. Then, the salesman informed me that they usually cut them a half inch smaller so they're sure to fit. He did this, but it still wasn't short enough. There is a little lip inside the mounting brackets so you definitely need that half inch or the blinds will not slide into the bracket. I had to return to the store and have them cut another quarter inch off each side. The good news is you have a little wiggle room here as the bracket gives you about a one inch (total) leeway. So, it's better to be a little cautious rather than overzealous. You can always go back and have more trimmed off.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Partly because my neighbor and his girlfriend are noisy and partly because I want a change of scenery. I've decided to swap my two upstairs bedrooms. The larger one is currently used as a home office and a guest bedroom and the smaller one serves as my bedroom. The bedroom faces a common area parking lot and a shared backyard with my previously mentioned noisy neighbors and the office faces a beautiful courtyard that kids cut through in the school months. But now that its summer and my neighbor will be spending more time in our yard and the kids won't have school soon I think moving into the office might be the best plan.

I'm actually quite excited about the swap, even though it's going to be a great deal of work, and I'm not totally sure my desk will make it through the doors (my dad and brother-in-law broke it to get it in in the first place). But I'm determined to try. In fact, I'm very excited about having the extra bedroom space.

I have recently purchased a comforter for the office pull out bed and I bought it a little large so it will fit my bed, so that will work perfectly. I will probably purchase some matching sheets and maybe a bed skirt but other than that, I shouldn't have to spend any more money.

The hardest part of the move will be actually moving everything but it's a challenge that I'm looking forward to. There's nothing like redecorating and getting a fresh perspective to make your home feel exciting and new. In fact, I'm so inspired I'm thinking about redecorating my eat in kitchen.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you're like me and love the idea of something for basically nothing then you're probably gung ho over sweepstakes. Domino Magazine has a new one that partners with the Conran Shop, an eclectic place with a little bit of something for everyone, to give away five $2000 shopping sprees for anything at the Conran Online Store.

Signing up is easy, isn't it always. Simply go to Domino's website and fill our the requested information. You can opt to receive updates from Conran and/or Domino's but you don't have to. I highly suggest you get Domino's updates though, they're very interesting and have a lot of great design ideas.

The official rules state that the contest is open to residents of the United States and the District of Columbia that are at least 18 years of age. No purchase is required and making a purchase will not increase your odds of winning. And only one entry per person.

The Conran contest began April 29, 2008 and runs until June 2, 2008. They say they expect to notify winners on or about June 16th and if the winner doesn't repond within five days they forfeit their right to the prize, so make sure you check that email and respond.

Good Luck!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I often get asked about the little details that go along with painting and many of the questions fall into the "what would you do" category, which usually means, would you paint that. Quite often my answer is yes. I believe that a really good paint job means you paint everything, but this isn't always the case, so I've decided to compile a handy little cheat list for you.

Switch plates. No I wouldn't paint them, paint doesn't stick to that plastic well. BUT I might go buy new ones that match the room a little better. A side note - don't tape around switch plates, remove them and paint under them.

Air Vents/Ducts. Yes, I would definitely paint them. They're ugly and if you don't paint them they stand out as a feature of the room. Make them invisible with a coat or two of paint.

Behind Mirrors. Yes, whenever possible, I remove mirrors and paint behind them. You never know if they'll be replaced and you get a cleaner finish.

Closets. No. I generally don't paint closets and if I'm asked to do them (like a large walk in closet) I like to paint them a lighter color or a neutral color. Dramatic colors (and sometimes even subtle ones) can alter the appearance of clothes.

Ceilings. This totally depends on the situation and the look you're trying to achieve. But if you have a tray ceiling or one with enhancement lights then definitely play up this feature and paint the ceiling.

These are just a few situations and my suggestions. Feel free to ask if you have questions about anything else you might want to paint or tape around so you can get the most professional painting finish possible.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The long winter has taken its toll on me a little bit and I'm determined to spend more time outside this year, if it finally stops snowing. Since I have a small condo, space is pretty much at a premium, but I bought a place with some green space so I could take advantage of the outdoors. I don't have a deck but I do have a concrete slab that I extended last year with some paving tiles.

I've decided to create that Florida beach feel that I love so much on my little concrete pad, which will be quite a challenge. I'm going to start by distressing my patio furniture. It's currently stained a redish color and was a very inexpensive Ikea purchase. I think I'll paint it lime green and then put a baby blue over it so when it's distressed the lime shows through a little bit.

The I'm going to add a little patina to my plant shelf with some turquoise paint and I'm going to highlight that paint by painting a bunch of terra cotta pots the same color. I'm going to opt for one colored flower this year, something showy and bold but because it's a small space I'm going to stick to a simple palette.

By taking some interior decorating principles outside of the house you can create your own additional living space outdoors.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I've heard a lot lately about designers recommending that people stay more neutral when they decorate their children's rooms and to stay away from the themed rooms. I say - why decide?

The pros of a themed room are they're adorable and make a statement. The cons are that they are quickly outgrown and can be expensive to replace.

The pros of a neutral room are that they last longer and grow with the child. The cons are that they can be a little boring and lack personality.

So, I say go for a happy medium. Skip the character wallpaper, but add some posters or wall appliques which are easy to change and fairly inexpensive. Purchase or build a large canvas and create your own themed wall with paintings, decopage, memorbilia, whatever suits your room ideas. A neutral comforter can be enhanced with lots of themed pillows and pillow shams. Buy lamps and replace the shades as the themes change.

Basically, go neutral on the big items that cost a lot, and then go crazy with the inexpensive little items that add charm and personality. This way you get the best of both worlds; a room that will grow without major changes, but enough changes that it reflects their personality and interests.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Spring has finally arrived, at least in my neck of the woods, and after a long, hard winter the warm weather is more than welcome. When seasonal changes roll around most people feel the need to celebrate the change. Some people spend more time outdoors, begin craft projects, start gardening and some like to prepare their homes for the new season.

If you'd like to welcome spring into your home, use the follow tips to create your own little celebration.

Fresh Breeze. Prepare for open windows by giving your house a good, old-fashioned spring cleaning and remove all the dust.

Let the Light in. Take advantage of the longer days and use the sun to light and warm your home. Consider getting lighter colored window treatments or sheers.

Get Planting. Plants are a great way to celebrate the season. Consider starting an indoor window box, or starter seeds to be planted outside later. Or just add some more houseplants to add a fresh touch.

Decorations are Done. Admit it, many of you still have some decorations you haven't put away. Be they Christmas, Easter, Birthday or Halloween, it's time to pack them up and begin anew.

No matter what you do to invite spring into your home, make sure you take a moment to enjoy the season.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Should you add works of art to your home? Yes, Yes, YES! And, in case you missed that, most definitely, yes. I obviously feel pretty strongly on this subject, but I am a person that believes artwork can express every single emotion and mood, sometimes many of them at once. And I believe having inspiring works around you can make your home more provocative, comfortable, exciting, etc. I also believe that the homeowners or inhabitants should try to include their own art pieces.

So, the next question is what pieces of art should you incorporate? This is entirely subjective and you should add pieces that you like. Some decorators provide homeowners with artwork, some recommend artists and some stay out of it. I think it depends on the homeowner's personality and lifestyle. The uber-rich may not care about the art, they just want the "best". And some homeowners just want pieces that match their decorating style. But I think art should be more than an accessory and you should add what you like. And don't limit yourself to pictures or paintings, consider sculptures, vases and other mediums. Go from the gut.

Finally, how should you display your art. Prominently and proudly. Display your artwork to its best advantage by hanging it properly, use lighting (natural and artifical) to your advantage, and let your art speak for itself.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Being environmentally conscious has gone from recycling to purchasing smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, to changing the way you live at home. You don't have to be LEED or REGREEN Certified, but you can use the following tips to make your home more green and save you some money in the process.

Efficient Lighting. Explore your lighting options and purchase lights that will last longer, provide more light with less electricy and still give you good illumination. Go a step beyond lightbulbs and explore incorporating more natural light, even adding a skylight to your home.

Better Windows. High performance windows are one of the best ways to save money and energy at home. You'll pay more for these super efficient windows but you'll also be shocked at the money you save in electric bills and the lack of winter breezes.

Efficient Appliances. Yes, it's another expensive upgrade but it will save you money in the end and you'll feel better about yourself for making a contribution. Consider this, some water saving toilets can save an average household around 6,000 gallons of water!

Recycled Products. Be creative. They're everywhere and basically everything. But remember, if it's not useful you'll probably just throw it away or recycle it, which doesn't help one bit.

Environmentally Friendly Products Explore the latest trends in environmental decorating to see what new products are on the market and evaluate how they fit into your home, any cost effective benefits they provide, and their actual environmental impact. Do your research when it comes to new trends.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Spring is nature's explosion of vibrant colors, smells, and sounds; from the greening of the grass to the fresh smell of blooming flowers to the sound of birds happily chirping and the running water of melting snow.

If you're sick of the blah indoors, then take your cues from Mother Nature and add some striking touches to your home decorating scheme. Think shocking and bold and go color shopping. Pick up hot pink throw pillows, neon orange blankets or slip covers, bring in a splash of lime green.

Go graphic and print crazy and try to bring in pieces that literally zoom with movement. A large graphic piece in black and white or bright colors will enliven an entire room and draw attention away from bland old accessories.

Don't forget texture. Add a variety of textures to your decorating plan to further enhance the variety and interest of the space. Smooth and satiny, combined with fuzzy and soft, rounded out with ragged and rough give you more depth and visual interest and create a lively atmosphere.

The best way to add a noticeable fresh change to your home is to do something unexpected; think outside of the box to come up with a large change that will add interest and excitement.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

My Grandmother turns 90 next week and she's lived at her current home for well more than half of her life. The interior of her home is like a wonderful walk through the decades.

There are some wonderful built-ins that smack of the 40's. She even once had a built-in fish tank, but she gave up on the fish years ago.

Some of the walls are wood paneling, but not the cheap 70's kind, the real stuff that the 70's were trying to emulate.

My Grandpa, the electrician, has wired the house in that particular way electricians wire their own homes. Almost every light has at least two switches, one to light half the bulbs and one for the other half, sort of a homemade dimmer switch. He also added floor lighting throughout the house with several little switches throughout the house.

The best piece of furniture is an antique rocking chair that used to rest on their family porch in Texas, but the rest of the home is an accumulation of furniture collected throughout the years. She bought new front room furniture in the 90's and has faux finished walls that perfectly complement that era. The TV room holds the 80's love seat and some wonderful knicknacks from a lifetime of collecting.

Everywhere you look in her home is a piece of life and it comes with a story. This is ultimately my favorite type of interior decorating, one that says a lot about the homeowner and the life they've led.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The main lesson here is, there's no accounting for taste. Everyone's tastes are different and what you think is fabulous might be horrendous to someone else.

I've seen it happen a lot and I sort of blame those DIY TV shows or the house flipping shows. Back during the housing boom it seemed that anyone could buy a house, fix it up, and sell it for profit. Of course, you probably didn't even have to fix it up, back then houses were increasing in value every day, sometimes every hour. Now, times have changed and flipping a house is almost impossible and definitely not a guaranteed way to make money. So, if you have a home you're looking to sell, or you're still thinking about trying a flip then heed this advice.

Do not waste your money decorating the home or changing decorating aspects of the home. Now, this does not mean that you shouldn't fix some things around the house, but it means you don't need to fix what isn't broken. The new homeowners have their own tastes and your style may be exactly what they don't want.

So, if you're looking to sell a home, save the decorating money and put it towards upgrades that are valuable, a new furnace perhaps. Undecorate your home so it has no personality and therefore is easier for prospective buyers to envision as their own.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Imagine this, wallpaper has become friendlier. If you've read some of my other articles and blogs you'll know that I have a bit of an ongoing battle with wallpaper. It's horrible to remove and can damage the wall underneath. I actually have no problem with the way it looks.

So, if you're going to go the wallpaper route at home, please opt for strippable paper. This paper is designed with the knowledge that someday it's probably going to be removed, so it comes off the wall much easier. In fact, in theory you can grab one corner of it and begin peeling it right down, quickly and easily. Of course nothing really ever goes that smoothly, but its sure a lot easier than the old fashioned stuff which requires a scraper, steamer, knife, a caustic removing agent, rags, buckets of water, sometimes dry wall compound and an unbelievable amount of patience.

If you're going to apply strippable paper, be a little wary of brands that recommend you use additional paste. The extra paste makes it a bit harder to remove, in fact I fear it may end up as difficult to remove as traditional paper. You also may not have the longevity of traditional paper, but that may be a good thing.

As a side note, make sure you get a durable wallpaper that's scrubbable as well. You want a wallpaper you can clean without worrying about damaging.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Nothing could look warmer and more inviting than Jenn-Air's new oiled bronze line of appliances for the kitchen. Stainless steel has been the standard, even the default, for so long that its hard to imagine another metal breaking that trend, and then the bronze appliances hit the market.

If you're thinking about redecorating your kitchen, or if you're building a new home, go out on a limb and leave the stainless steel behind. The bronze line may just be a trend, but from what I've seen its attractive, durable, and versatile enough to grow legs and become a standard in its own right. But before it hits that standard level it's going to be an incredible looking novelty that will wow your guests.

Another alternative to the stainless steel look is (drum roll) stainless steel, only this time its only an accessory and the highlight is the floating glass fronts on your appliances and even your countertops. Glass is easy to clean (but be warned, it does require frequent cleanings) and gleems like a diamond. A kitchen accessorized with floating glass will sparkle with an appearance of cleanliness and light, but obviously isn't for everyone.

Personally, I still love the stainless steel (how cliche), but there are new twists on this old favorite too. If you opt for steel, look for etched handles, brushed other unique finishes to create a new and improved look.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Normally, I am afraid of the mirrored wall. It was one of the first things I changed in my last home and before those mirrors came down I can't tell you how many times my own reflection startled me. But, I will admit that the corner mirrors did make the livingroom seem a little bit larger.

Mirrors are now being used in more attractive ways that don't necessarily smack of the 70's. The benefits of including mirrors are actually several.

A mirrored wall will give you an illusion of additional space which is really helpful if you live in a dorm or a small apartment or have a room at home that's a bit too small.

Mirrors also improve lighting situations by giving existing light more reflective surfaces to bounce off of. If you can take advantage of natural light with your mirrors, artificial light can be a bit overwhelming, but natural light creates a cheery glow.

Mirrors also give the room more energy. They capture movement and bounce it back into the room, almost always giving a sense of movement or excitement.

Mirrors are not to be taken lightly, as they can reflect poorly upon your home as well. They are also very heavy and getting the right fit with proper safety considerations should be done by a professional. All aspects of incorporating a mirrored wall into your home should be considered before you take the leap.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Do you love Fiesta ware as much as I do? If you're thinking about adding some color and fun to your kitchen there is nothing better than Fiesta ware whether you're looking for the antique variety or the post-1986 modern variety.

Fiesta ware was designed by Frederick Hurten Rhead and was introduced to the American market by Homer Laughlin in 1936. The first line came in five different colors, Red (which looks orangish), Blue, Yellow, Green and Ivory. The extremely popular Turquoise color wasn't introduced until a year later.

My favorite plate, the divided plate (so your foods don't have to touch) was discontinued in 1936 so if you're looking for a turquoise divided plate you're either going to find a knockoff or you're going to be completely out of luck.

If you're looking for a rare and collectible Fiesta ware piece the scour the flea markets and antique stores for the turquoise covered onion soup bowl. These bowls were also discontinued but after a few were released in turquoise.

The ink stamp that proclaims "Genuine Fiesta" was actually not on the very first pieces so if you find what appears to be an original piece don't fret if the stamp is missing. The molded identification labels came later and were modified so you will want to research the slight variations.

The post 1986 Fiesta ware versions are obviously not as valuable as the originals, but they're just as attractive and it's much easier to find a complete set.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I recently had a friend contact me about doing a paint touch up in her home. Her walls are unusually "spikey", the sand finish is very rough and the points get brushed off easily when something rubs against the walls. Since she has a three year old the walls get rubbed, brushed, bumped, banged and just plain abused and the wall finish has worn off in many spots. This means she has little white spots poking through her son's denim blue walls. She called to see if she could just touch those spots up or if she needed to repaint the entire thing.

Luckily, we used a top-quality paint when we did the room about three years ago, so the leftover paint should match the wall almost exactly and a touch up will work just fine.

If we had bought a cheaper paint, one of lesser quality, it is doubtful that a touch up would look good. Often, inexpensive paints fade and three years with a dark colored paint would change its properties enough that a touch up would be very evident. In this case, it's just better to repaint the entire wall.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Well, it's that time of year. It's post-holidays and pre-spring and being indoors has become intollerable. Suddenly, my well chosen furniture and accessories are boring and I have the urge to splurge and redo the whole thing. Of course, my locigal side will talk me down, but I do need a bit of an interior decorating boost.

So, instead of spending a lot of money I don't have, I'm going to use what I already have, change some things around and work a little magic. The following are a few of my little tricks to refresh my home, feel free to contact me and share your tips and tricks and I'll pass them along.

Clean - tedious, but it gives the home a "new" feel.

Move Furniture - Don't be trapped by your current configuration, mix it up, try something new.

Out and In - Out with the old accessories and bring out the old stuff. Revamp it if necessary, but change things up.

Plants - Literally breathe new life into your home.

Lights - Increase your bulb wattage and change your lamp shades or the lamps themselves.

New Fabrics - Change blankets, pillows, rugs and maybe even curtains.

New Pictures - Change photos and artwork.

You don't have to do all of these tips, I probably won't, but try one or two and see what a difference it makes.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I've returned to the frozen tundra after my annual trip to the south and I feel trapped inside as there is a fresh foot of snow on the ground and temperatures hover below zero. The old addage, don't go outside if you don't have to, fits now, but it leaves me feeling pretty depressed.

So, as a solution, I've decided it's time to turn my home into a greenhouse. I wish I could really do that as I love plants, but that's not practical and I don't have the green thumb I think I do. But I'm going to add a bunch of plants to give my home a little more life.

The first step is going to be rearranging my furniture and cleaning. I think only one room really needs a plant re-do, but I want to make sure I take advantage of every leaf by putting the new additions in the best spots.

My next step is going to be waiting until this weekend when the weather gets above zero. The trauma of moving plants in cold weather can kill them.

And finally, I'll select new vases to properly show off these treasures. I'm thinking about going with all glass for some small plants and surrounding them with stones. This should give a little more earthy feel than a plain old pot would. And now I have a project to focus on that seems more like fun than work.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I recently wrote an article about turning a home office into a guest room but now that I'm a guest in someone's home I think a little clarification is needed. I'm staying in a place on the ocean in Florida that is obviously not someone's main residence, it's a condo that is rented out to subleasers annually. Now, if you've ever had a place in Florida, or any other tropical locale, you know that during the winter season you have all sorts of friends who will want to come and visit. Unless you don't want these guests to stay, then you should do your best to make them comfortable.

If there are additional bedrooms, then let them be bedrooms. Presumably this home is a bit of an investment to you and so the number of bedrooms you have is key. An office that converts into a bedroom just isn't as comfortable for your guest, and frankly it's probably used as a bedroom more often than it is an office, or sewing room, or workout room, so let it be a bedroom.

This means having proper beds for guests, daybeds, trundles, and blow up mattresses are just not comfortable for anyone staying for an extended period of time. You should also have adequate bedding and other linens on hand. Basically, think of everything that makes you comfortable and try to incorporate that into your guest room. This will be especially useful if you're renting your place as a vacation home and you want to encourage repeat customers.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I ran across a new contest and thought I'd pass the information along. This one is sponsored by Mr. Clean and Home Made Simple. The contest actually claims to be a Freshover, which I guess is a make over for a stinky and dirty room.

All you have to do to enter the contest is visit their official site and then just give them your name, address, email address, etc. You can sign up to get their monthly newsletter, which I get and I actually highly recommend it.

In addition to the $3000 grand prize there is also a $1000 winner and daily winners will receive Mr. Clean and Febreze products.

The contest began officially on 1/7/08 and will end 3/30/08 so make sure you enter right away. It doesn't cost a thing and doesn't even require a photo of the room you'd like to redecorate.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm on part one of my annual vacation to Florida and once again feeling that sense of home that this state brings. The weather, sun and beach are good for me when Wisconsin is locked into three or four months of frigid, snowy darkness. Don't get me wrong, I love the snow, but only in small doses.

One of the things I really adore about Florida is the signature decorating style that is really all Florida. The pastels that evoke thoughts of the ocean and sunny days, even the beautiful hibiscus and begonia blooms that decorate this state's winter landscape. In fact, I realized today, after two years in my Wisconsin home, that I've painted the inside of my condo in colors that are not only reminiscent of Florida but some are taken directly from the state palette. And the glass jars filled with my shell finds totally smack of southern Florida decor. This was a totally unintentional homage to my second home, inside of my first, but a rather nice one now that I realize it.

But all of this self realization got me thinking about the states and interior decorating and I was wondering if other states have such a distinct style or a flair that is uniquely their own. I can picture a Texas themed home with worn leather furniture and large, dark wood pieces, and a muted brown neutral palette. I can also imagine a Minnesota home with a north woods theme and more dark earthy colors accented with rich yellows and touches of white and perhaps a few moose or bear knicknacks. This is where I'm drawing a bit of a blank. I'd love to hear what other people think their home state's decorating style is.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you're willing to battle the weather and the crowds you may be pleasantly surprised to find that post holiday sales don't just mean deals on ornaments, wrapping paper and holiday cards, many home decoration items go on sale at deep discounts.

New or Old. Are you one of those people who likes to decorate with a different theme or color scheme every year or do you use the same homemade ornaments year after year? If you're going to go a different direction then this is the time to pick up the supplies. If you're a traditionalist then you might want to replace some worn out pieces.

Around the House. Are blankets, pillows, plates, placesettings and other decorative elements a part of your festive spirit? If so then give the sales a once over, this is a hit or miss category when it comes to deep discounts, but you can usually find some sort of sale and the longer you hold out the bigger the discount.

Other Decorative Elements. Some seasonal items work well year round, depending on your home's style. Look through the sales to see if there is anything that might work in your home on a daily or seasonal basis. Or even look for items that would enhance other holiday decorations, such as Valentine's Day.

DIY. Crafters, don't forget to get the deals too. If you like to make presents or future heirlooms then this is also the time for you to get some post holiday bargains. Make your gift list early and pick up your supplies, just remember to buy enough because the item may not come back around next year or the colors may change so you want to be certain you can finish your project.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm a big fan of Home Depot and I think their concept of teaching people Do-It-Yourself skills is brilliant, not only from a marketing point of view but it's also very useful to consumers and home owners.

Most Home Depots have weekly clinics which are free to the public and provide some basic tips and techniques, which are very useful if you're attempting something you have absolutely no experience with.

There are also Do-It-Herself Workshops, which are geared toward women and provide the support and education women need to fix things themselves without being condescending. These events don't even happen monthly, so you'll need to check with your local store and make note of their schedule.

If you've got a little one who just loves to help and putter around the house then the Kids Workshop might be something you're interested in. It's geared to 5-12 year olds and gives them some safety tips while also teaching them a few skills that foster a sense of accomplishment. These workshops are usually held on the first saturday of each month.

The newest workshops, the ones that have me excited, are the online ones. The latest in these classes features a celebrity workshop, which I'm not sure will be the best information, but they're be entertaining. The Remodel your Business classes give professionals some tips and tricks and online workshops. And the best online resource Home Depot offers is the Workshop Archive, which allows you to search projects and find information on what to do and how to do it from the comfort of your home.

Find the help you need from the Home Depot Clinics at http://www.homedepotclinics.com/.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Modern Masters is a brand that I'm very familiar with and that I'd recommend for do-it-yourself faux finishers as well as professionals. Their extensive line is very easy to use and the results are fabulous.

I recently finished a tray ceiling in their Gold Rush color and found it very easy to use and the final product was quite attractive. My regular paint supplier told me how one client of theirs had an entire dining room finished in a light pink, pearly color. Apparently, it was just stunning, but very pricey.

Although, I'm sure the entire room was amazing, I'd recommend using the metallic paints for smaller areas, accents, or even as a faux finish over a basecoat.

The key to the ease of using the Modern Masters metallic paints is that they're a laytex paint. That means they clean up just as easily as any other laytex, they dry just as quickly, and they don't smell either.

If you're going to do a large area, Modern Masters recommends you use their Extender. This product lets you back roll the product before it dries and gives you a little more "wet" painting time so you don't have to worry about stop and start lines. If you're doing a colorwash technique you'll definitely need an extender of some type, but if you're going to be painting a small area, like crown moulding or trim you won't need it, and if you're doing a solid area, like a tray ceiling, it would be better to apply several coats of paint, rather than stretching one or two with an extender.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Just yesterday I went on a painting job and we initially approached the job thinking we'd have to repaint all of the newly painted walls. The problem for the homeowners was that they felt their foyer was just too dark. Upon arriving and looking at the walls next to the stone tile floors it was clear that the walls actually looked much better with the floor than the suggested "fixes". So perhaps the walls weren't the problem at all.

After several discussions we realized that one of the problems was the lighting in the house, a new construction, was not quite finished and the homeowners had selected very small cans so there wasn't much light. Another problem was the weather. It is winter here and unfortunately, its one of those really gloomy periods where not much natural light was available.

The biggest problem though, and one we could fix, was the ceiling (or base color) was very dark and this made the room feel closer and darker. To remedy this situation we simply repainted the ceiling in a nice creamy color (Mautz Paint's Sandy Lane) and suddenly the gold color in the wall treatment popped and the dark base color receded into the background.

So if you're not happy with the effect your room gives off, consider changing the paint colors on the walls or even the ceiling.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you're a fan of House & Garden magazine and the website, www.houseandgarden.com, then you're going to feel a little lost for a while. Charles Townsend, President and CEO of Conde Nast Publications, has announced that the December 2007 issue of the magazine will be its last and the website will cease functioning soon after.

The decision appears to have been made after an abrupt departure by the publication's publisher, which caused the executive staff to reconsider the viability of Home & Garden. In the end the decision was made to axe the magazine and focus their attentions elsewhere.

Editor, Dominique Browning, has posted a farewell message on the magazine's website and notes that a January issue has been produced, which does make the decision to stop seem incredibly abrupt.

Conde Nast still has several magazines that fall into the home interior and gardening categories including Architectural Digest, Domino, and Vogue Living. And the big news for those fans of Vogue Living is that they'll be publishing more issues next year.

I know that I'll miss this publication (especially the website) and I wish the staff the best of luck.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I am not a big magazine reader, in fact I am so behind in my TV Guides that some of the featured programs are off the air. So when I sign up for or order a magazine I want to be sure it's something that I'm going to read. The Lowe's Creative Ideas magazine does not disappoint.

The first magazine I received surprised the heck out of me. It's a very attractive magazine with full color and glossy pages. It's got 80 pages of information and I really think most of it is good. There is a great article that gives you tips for organizing your entryway and making it more functional, with several how-to tips. There is also a good story about updating a bathroom to fit your budget, the re-dos aren't really shocking, but they're structurally impressive. The article about a classic kitchen claims that it will last, but I don't necessarily agree with this as kitchen trends change very frequently.

I'm particularly fond of the article that shows you how to make a moulding ledge. This is something I've wanted to do for quite a while but I wasn't exactly sure how to do it. Now, I know and I'll be doing it this winter some time. I sure hope they do an article on creating your own window vallance soon, that's on my project list too.

I really recommend signing up for the Lowe's Creative Ideas magazine at www.lowescreativeideas.com, it's got a lot of great information for the how-to home decorator, the website is also full of great information.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you've got damage to your wall or need to repair a hole you may also have to do some finish work to get the wall looking like it did before. If you've got an orange peel finish then this tip is for you. Orange peel is pretty easy to replicate because it comes in a spray can which can be found at any paint store and many hardware stores.

Read the instructions carefully on the can before you begin and make sure you've got proper ventillation and breathing protection. Before spraying you'll need to prepare your wall which will require some priming. You may also want to tape off the "good" areas so they don't get any extra spray that may make them thicker in texture and draw attention to the repair.

To get the effect you want follow the instructions, the closer and longer you hold the can in place the thicker the spray, if you only keep it in place for a short time you get a thiner coverage. Make sure you've got coverage that closely matches your original finish and then let the sprayed area dry completely.

Once the new orange peel is dry you'll need to prime it again thoroughly so that paint adheres properly. After the primer has dried you can apply the final coat of paint.

I previously wrote about creating a board before you try a painting technique or even a color in your home. If you're going to create a board you should also try to replicate the texture of your walls so you get an accurate representation of what the wall will actually look like. Orange peel spray works great on posterboard, but it can make the edges curl up so you may want to weigh them down.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm going to paint a sample "board" for a client this week to help her decide on the painting technique and colors. This is a pretty standard technique for faux finishers and a great little trick that homeowners can use themselves before painting.

First of all, many painting companies are now offering samples of paint for only a couple of dollars, which is great if you're a bit undecided or you're afraid the actual color won't look the same as it does on the chip.

Many people simply paint a big patch on their walls to help them decide what color they prefer. Besides the fact that many of these patches then stay on the wall for months, if not years, before a final decision is made, this really isn't the most effective way to make your decision. Instead, try creating a board. Simply buy a large sheet of posterboard at your local craft store and coat it with primer and then paint the board. If your wall has a texture you should try to replicate that texture; sand and orange peel can both easily be reproduced.

This board technique is especially useful if you're doing a faux finish as the base color of the wall is often part of the technique and painting directly on the wall can create a noticeable splotch. But it's also helpful for solid paint decisions because it's portable. Sure your painted splotch on one wall tells you more than a paint chip, but with a board you can try the color out in different lighting situations, move it around the room and even cut off a chunk to take fabric shopping.

Use this inexpensive tip from the painting pros to create just the right look on your walls the first time you paint.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm a pretty neat person but I definitely have some ex-roommates that would argue with that self-assessment. Maybe I should redefine it, I'm a clean person, neatness is sometimes a struggle.

I tend to have a lot of clutter lying around as I'm usually working on somewhere between 3 and 600 projects all at once. So, I've discovered that I need to have quick and easy solutions for my various projects. I do believe in the "everything has it's place" way of organizing but I have serious issues with all those neat-nics that organize everything into cute little matching boxes that then get stacked perfectly together in a specific order and then are placed inside a closet. Seriously? Are people expected to spend more time organizing their storage solutions than they do picking up their messes? I've found that when this much efforts is involved the job never gets done.

To keep your house clutter free or to allow for quick pick-ups, make your organization plan simple. Use open containers to store things. Don't stack things on top of each other, use shelves so you can easily pull out and push in containers. Don't worry about fussy little storage zones inside the container. Select attractive containers that serve double duty as seating options or coffee tables. Keep items stored in plain sight in attractive baskets or other tidy containers.

These tricks work for me and I'mready for guests in only about 10-15 minutes.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Happy Halloween Everyone!

I love Halloween, it's my favorite holiday and yet this year I just didn't decorate. I could say I didn't have the time, but actually I did. I could also say I didn't have the finances, which I didn't, but I have a lot of decorations from years past. So it was really just laziness and it's left me a little depressed.

In fact, I've already turned my attentions to Christmas decorating. I'm really looking forward to decorating this winter and I'm already thinking about rearranging my furniture to give the house a different feel, something cozier.

I don't think that holiday decorating is necessary, at least not for most people, but I do think that changing your home decorations or the basic scheme of things is important for everyone. The interior of every home gets stale and boring after a while and obviously large, sweeping changes on a regular basis are impractical but small changes such as a new furniture arrangement or adding a new color are very practical for everyone.

Your home should make you feel comfortable, welcome and happy and keeping everything static can drag down your spirits. If you aren't a holiday decorator consider redressing your home in another way, something fresh and exciting that will re-energize your spirits.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The Today Show reports that over 7 million kitchens were remodeled this year with the average cost being somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000, excluding appliances.

Matt Lauer points out that in the soft market today an updated kitchen may not reap financial rewards when buyers are looking for deals. But the couple on the interview says they've renovated to suit their needs because they plan to stay put for a long time. This is absolutely right and they've brushed against a fact that seems to always be true when American finances get a little tight; people tend to focus on themselves and fixing up their homes to fit their lifestyles. This is great news for people in the interior decorating/renovating businesses.

But then the family goes on to say that when they do decide to sell they believe their updated kitchen will be attractive to new buyers. Nope! I have to disagree there. Kitchen trends ebb and flow like the tides, only faster. What is "cool" today is passe tomorrow AND the problem with the latest round of kitchen renovations is they're hard to remove. Those granite countertops are very heavy and much harder to maneuver than the linoleum ones of the past. And the tiled floors and backsplashes, those are semi-permanent with their concrete glues holding them in place. Imagine the kitchen of the future with sleek, shiny stainless steel walls, or (please no!) flowered wallpaper. Brick, stone and tile will be very outdated.

The expert on the show says that kitchen renovations are a very good idea, if you're going to sell now. If you're going to sell in five years or more she also says the kitchen will be outdated.

So my advice, decorate for yourself and no one else and no ulterior motives and you'll always be happy.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The White House may have the most famous interior decorating schemes in the entire country. Everyone has heard of the Map Room, the Blue Room, China Room and the State Dining Room. Then there is obviously the Oval Office which is generally redecorated as we change Presidents. Clinton favored a blue, red and gold theme while George W. Bush has redecorated in more subtle tones of peach, off-white and sage.

If you're headed to Washington D.C. and would like to tour this great interior you can get on a special VIP tour that will save you the sore feet you'd get while standing in line. About 30 days before you make your trip, place a call to your member of Congress's office and ask to be added to the VIP tour list. These tours are held Tuesday through Saturday, unless the White House is closed, from 10 am to noon. Once you're on the list you'll get to skip all lines and meet your tour guide for a great trip through the White House.

To find out who your senator or representative is you can call 202 224-3121, or write to the House or Senate Office buildings, Washington, D.C. The zip code for the Senate is 20510 and the House uses 20515.

There's nothing like being a VIP visitor at the White House!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you're thinking about creating the Perfect Playroom or decorating a child's room then you'll love this new product I ran across. Dutch Boy has come out with a paint that is designed specifically with children in mind. Dutch Boy's Kid's Room Paint is designed as a one coat paint so you won't have to spend a whole lot of time painting your kid's room and you're sure to get the coverage you need the first time.

This paint also has your child's health in mind as the Kid's Room Paint is low odor and low-VOC. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound, which are toxins that can be harmful to the health of people within your home. The lower the VOC, the better.

Because children's rooms tend to have a lot of traffic and crayon and chalk masterpieces, this new paint is scrubbable and really takes a beating.

All in all this sounds like a great product, although I must confess I have not personally tried it and do not know if it stands up to the hype, but if it does it may create a new wave of paints designed specifically for the younger set.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Behr paints has contacted me to let me know about a new tool they are offering subscribers. If you go to their ColorSmart website you can actually test different Behr colors for your home without actually having to purchase any paint.

There is a small fee $4.95 for the service but this is actually for a year's subscription so you can use it to check multiple rooms in your home or try a huge variety of colors. Which, if you think about it, is about the cost of a sample pot of paint and it doesn't leave you with patches all over your walls that need to be painted over.

Another great thing Behr has done is their Designer Collection series. There are six different series and each one contains four different colors that give you just the right accent and complementary colors you need, in case color selectin just isn't your thing.

So paint selection is pretty easy and once you've downloaded your digital home snapshot, you can "paint" your walls with a couple different graphics techniques, but each of them are so easy my 4 year old niece can handle it.

When you've finally selected a color you can print out your picture to pass around and see how your friends and family feel.

The only downfall I see with the program is the cost. It's incredibly reasonable, but for some reason I think people will be hesitant to purchase this service, which is too bad because it's a great little tool.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

This week I've gone back to a familiar and friendly client to repaint her kitchen cupboards. The first time I painted these cupboards was about two years ago and at the time she decided she didn't think a primer was necessary. I did wash the cupboards but the paint had some adherence issues. I think that a primer would have been a good idea.

Since the original painting her children have been allowed to fingerpaint on the cupboards. These paintings have left bumps and ridges that are still noticeable and aren't removable without some serious elbow grease and sanding. Then, they have been painted another time to cover the artwork, I assume. So some of the cupboards have 2-3 coats of paint. And I am now adding a third.

The problem when you pile so much paint onto finished wood is that it begins to develop surface flaws and can bubble and peel. Some times the paint will even get so thick that it will almost develop a soft texture that is easily marred and scratched.

I actually like the look of painted woodwork and cupboards but proper preparation must take place if you're going to stick with the look for a long time and then standard care will help reduce wear and tear damange.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Having finally finished painting the trim on my second floor white I'm inspired. It's such a fresh, clean look that I've decided to bring even more white into my home to brighten it up this winter. I'm not going to spend a lot of money, mainly because I don't have a lot of spare income at the moment, but because I don't think it's necessary. I believe a few bold but small decorating changes can keep your home looking new and exciting every season.

I'm going to switch to my duvet cover which is primarily white and has a few thin stripes of green, turquoise and tan in it. This will significantly boost the white quota in the room. I'm also going to switch out the throw pillows to a couple that are a bit lighter and I think I'll purchase a couple of white ones as well.

I have wanted to buy a couple of dressers from Ikea for a while but the purchase is going to have to wait, and my antique dressers will not be getting a coat of white, so that will remain the same, but I'm going to drape the tops of them with long white lace runners which will run down the sides, breaking up the brown and adding more white.

I'm going to keep the window swag I have which has a lot of white in it, but I will update the nasty blinds that came with the condo and purchase some nice white roman shades.

And finally, I'm going to buy (or maybe make) a nice warm, fluffy white throw rug to break up the solid wood of the floors. I can just imagine how beautiful it will all look this winter with beautiful big white flakes of snow falling outside.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

About a week a go I felt mired in old projects and that was just the culmination of this foreboding feeling that had been growing as the pile of unfinished things grew.

Part of it was the time of year. The Wisconsin air has turned crisp and there is definitely a fall feeling floating around as many leave drift methodically toward the ground. I love fall, but it precedes winter, which I don't love, or even like. So fall is a bit melancholy for me. I know that soon I'll be locked in my condo, rarely willing and sometimes completely unable to leave.

First I begin cleaning. I know spring cleaning is a tradition for most people but it's fall cleaning for me. Time to freshen everything before i'm stuck in seclusion. I've taken my time with the cleaning and still have two floors to do. I also have to tackle the remaining plants outside, either update them with fall flowers or pack it all in for the year. A huge project and I truly don't relish any of it.

So today I begin the end of trim painting upstairs. I started this over six months ago and today seems like a great day to finish. I'm not looking forward to it at all and am already thinking of shortcuts but I've got a book on tape to keep me company and I'm determined to finish today.

My next project? The first floor trim. I've wanted to paint it black for about a year now and it's time to go forward with that idea. Hopefully I'll feel relieved after everything is done and ready to spend the long winter months in my clean and slightly redecorated home.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Today I'll be stenciling seashells and a couple seahorses onto a bathroom wall, but instead of using traditional stencil paints I'm going to use varnish. At first this might seem a little hard to picture but when done right it is a really beautiful technique which adds depth to your painted surface.

Varnished stencils obviously don't give you the color variations or depth and realism that regular stencil paints do but it will create an outline of an item. And this is where a little vision is necessary. Simple shapes are best when using this technique as an intricate stencil simply gets lost and becomes a shiny blob. I actually create my own stencils and cut the shapes out of that craft foam paper that is sold in the kid's section of most craft stores. This way I get the shape I want and its very inexpensive.

If you're going to use a varnish technique you need to paint the walls with flat paint. Using a rubberized paint with a flat finish will give you the durability and washability you want and the non-reflective surface essential for this technique. By using varnish on top of a flat paint you get a highly glossed finish which really makes stencils stand out, it also deepens and enriches the original color making it even more vibrant. This is more visible with dark paints than light ones.

If stencils aren't really your thing but this technique intrigues you, try doing simple stripes, the result is a very classy look that's actually pretty easy to accomplish.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

It's almost that time of year again, the Warrens Cranberry Festival in Warrens, Wisconsin. This year the event falls on September 28, 29 and 30th; a bit later than last year and most likely it will be a bit chillier. Take it from an experienced Cranfest goer, it's cold up north, bring a sweater.

This festival has become an annual tradition for my mom and I and we're not coming for the cranberries, although we both end up with at least one bag on the way out. We come for the flea market and the arts and crafts.

The Antiques and Flea Market features about 350 different vendors and a huge variety of wares. I must admit I haven't seen a whole lot of antiques at the market, but there are some old things. More importantly there are some great items at really incredible prices. This is the best place for a savvy shopper to find items for their home and garden.

The Arts & Crafts Show is the other highlight of this festival and is actually the highlight of the craft season for a lot of vendors and customers. More than 800 booths feature artists from around the country. The variety of treats here is absolutely stunning. I can't even begin to pare it down into lists but just suffice it to say that there truly is something for everyone. Which is perfect if you're doing a little pre-Christmas shopping.

If you're a craft lover and flea market fanatic then you really must take a trip to Warrens Cranberry Festival at some point. There is more than enough at this one festival to keep you busy the entire weekend.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

As is normally the case with me, I was doing something totally unrelated to interior decorating and became inspired by an idea. I was at a local pizza parlor and noticed their wallhangings, simple geometric patterns in pastel colors. It reminded me of the wallpaper I had in my bedroom as a child.

Now, if you've read my articles you know of my Wallpaper Woes and you know that I prefer removing wallpaper, even though it can be a pain, to painting over it. There was definitely not much love for wallpaper in my decorating past, althouh I absolutely adored my nook wallpapered with pages from a book. And I've recently seen people using wallpaper as headboards, to decorate table tops and other pieces of furniture and I feel the look is sometimes very effective.

But this latest brainstorm of mine could solve some of my wallpaper problems, if only people would embrace the concept. I think framing wallpaper and using it as artwork serves several purposes. Large canvasses covered in paper can be hung on the walls and create a splash of the pattern you love without going through the entire wallpapering ordeal. AND it's quickly and easily changed to suit any whim.

I also am a bit fascinated by the history of wallpaper. Some very beautiful patterns were manufactured in the victorian era and if you're lucky enough to be able to snag a swatch of this I feel it would be not only a beautiful framed piece of art but a great conversation piece and accessory in your home. If history isn't really your thing, I think saving wallpaper from your childhood bedroom or your first home is a really unique way to chronicle your life's journey and create personalized art.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Over Labor Day weekend the city of Spring Green, Wisconsin celebrated its sesquecentennial; as part of the city-wide celebrations Frank Lloyd Wright's home, Taliesin, opened it's doors for a public reception. Since I had never visited the home before it seemed like the perfect opportunity to see what has been called by architecture critic Robert Campbell "the greatest single building in America".

Quite frankly, the first thing you are struck by when you approach the house is not the architecture at all, but the beautiful rolling farmland surrounding the home. I was born and raised in this area and am quite used to the beauty that surrounds the Wisconsin River valleys but ever so often it simply takes your breath away, this was one of those times.

The great architect's home still provides residence for some of the apprentices at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Serving as hosts, the residents pointed out some of the highlights but, for the most part, we were left to explore as we deemed appropriate, spending as much or as little time in each area as our hearts desired.

Wright spent 48 years building Taliesin, and I'm certain that he felt it was never complete. The home was his workshop and he constantly worked out his ideas at home before taking them to the world. One can only imagine what it would look like if he had lived longer, the only certain thing is it would not look as it does today.

I have to say that my first impression was my lasting impression of Taliesin and I'm not sure if it's a good reflection of Wright or not. But I'm left with the images of incredible natural beauty and a quiet unassuming home that almost becomes part of the landscape itself.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

In the second quarter of 2007 U.S. housing prices dropped 3.2%. This is the steepest rate of decline in 30 years, which is when Standards and Poors began keeping track. It also appears that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future.

I'm not sure what the long term effects on the economy will be or what will happen in the housing and mortgage markets but I have a feeling that the interior decorating field will thrive in this environment.

The few people who are in the very best position are the ones who don't have homes at this point and are looking to buy. They're going to get such a great deal on their new home that they'll have money to spare and people working in interiors will benefit.

I also think that people who bought a few years ago at inflated prices (but with deflated interest rates) will be looking to recoup some of the losses they've experienced. I think updating and improving their home will be the most logical solution. They've probably already got the marble and granite and hardwood and all the other decorating "must-haves" of the last decade, but a new hot tub might improve the value, or a wine cellar, or maybe a full blown entertainment room.

In line with that thinking, I believe people will be looking to stay in their current homes longer. Flipping will no longer be such an attractive concept. So, I see homes becoming more customized and suited to the personal needs of the family living there. And along that line of thinking, I believe that trendy decorating might become less common and unique, stylized decorating will move into the forefront. Which, to me, seems terribly exciting. I love it when people are able to break through the mold and create their own style.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I recently told you about the BH&G Decorating Contest, well now I've run across another legitimate and exciting decorating contest. This one is so easy you don't even have to redecorate anything!

Domino Magazine is a great decorating magazine that is relatively inexpensive ($10 a year). It's the magazine's second anniversary and they've got a lot of really great ideas for interior decorating. It's chock full of tips and trends, as well as how-to information and all sorts of great stuff. I really like this magazine and their new contest is totally legitimate so get your cameras ready and enter. You've got nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

The official rules are located on the magazine's website, but basically you only have to do two things.

1) Take a picture of your favorite place in your home.

2) Upload the photo to the official entry page and write, at the most, 100 words explaining why this is the best place in your home.

Domino also asks that you do two other things.

3) Visit dominomag.com every week to view entries.

4) Beginning Oct 23, vote on your favorite space.

And that's all you have to do.

What do you win? One person will win a $10,000 Mastercard gift card to beautify his/her home. Okay, I'll admit I'm not sure exactly what that means, if it can be used only on home interiors or at certain stores, and I can't find an explanation anywhere. But still, $10,000 for the home is always a good thing.

In addition, you'll automatically be entered in a drawing for a free spa trip and you'll get a free sample from Revlon. Now, the cynic in me thinks you'll also get a few unsolicited emails from the spa and Revlon, but again, still worth it for $10,000 bucks!

Good Luck!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Every college town has a move in/move out day, where I live it happens to be today. This means that traffic downtown is absolutely painful, especially for someone as high strung and impatient as I am. But it also means there are hundreds if not thousands of little treasures curbside.

College students are an interesting breed, they'll scrape together coins, sell cds and blood to get enough money so they can have a few beers but they'll also throw out perfectly good furniture, sometimes valuable antiques, just because they don't want to move the heavy piece to their new residence.

The frugal and knowledgeable person will take advantage of this weakness and scoop up the discarded furniture. If you don't it's just going to land in a dump somewhere, lost forever.

I previously have done a little bit of dumpster diving; I once picked up a great antique coca-cola sign and a fouton. I've seen other items and meant to go back and pick them up but forgot, and often regretted it. I not only don't see anything wrong with rescuing something from the trash but I think its the "green" thing to do. If you can use something or need an item, why buy new when you can get it for free. Even if you have to expend a little elbow grease to spruce it up it's still better than paying a lot.

My only word of advice would be to stay away from upholstered items, bedding, carpets, clothing and other fabrics that can hide bed bugs and other creepy crawleys. I'd stick to things like solid furniture, mirrors, artwork, bicycles, musical instruments, and other items that can be easily cleaned and wouldn't have infestation issues.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Another lesson learned but this is one I've wanted to learn for a long time so I dove head first into learning how to use drywall mud.

I went into this project thinking it would be an easywallpaper removal project, I was hopeful at least. But I did know that it is in my hometown which happened to have a certain man who did a lot of wallpapering in the 80's without properly sizing, painting or preparing the drywall. Yes, the wallpaper sticks very well but it doesn't come off easily.

Once again I began pulling paper and large strips of the top of the drywall came up as well. This leaves a cardboard type surface which can buckle when wet (as cardboard does) and a lot of fluid is used to remove the paper, paste and then to prime and paint the walls. It's almost impossible to paint over this "ruined" wall without leaving tell tale signs of the damage.

So I was heartsick when I saw that once again there was going to be drywall damage. I decided, with the help of my assistant - my mom, that it was time to dive into the drywall mud and actually repair the wall for this client. And I've completed the first coat of drywall mud in the "holes" or imperfections and leveled them as much as possible. The wall dried over the weekend and tomorrow I go back to sand where necessary and possibly touch up a few more spots with drywall mud.

Surprisingly, using the drywall mud was pretty easy. I liken it to frosting a cake. I purchased a large "scraper" as that was what the store clerk recommended but I actually found I could control the smaller, 4-inch, ones better. If I had more experience I think the large one would be a god send though.

I purchased premixed drywall mud which was wonderful. I just scooped it up and spread it on the wall and then smoothed it out with the scraper. The key is to spread it very thinly and to try to keep it very even and very level so there isn't much, if any, sanding required.

The mud stays wet for a few minutes so you have time to work, but overworking can create problems as well. And going back to it after its partially set is disastrous. (Don't ask how I know this).

The best part is that the drywall mud is very inexpensive and goes a long way. So if you happen to run across this problem when removing wallpaper, give the drywall mud a try. If all else fails you can call in the experts but I'm guessing that you won't have to. Good luck!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Imagine my dismay as I turn on the Today Show this morning and begin packing my painting crates. Tomorrow I have a wallpaper removal job and I don't want to haul the entire workshop so I'm spending some time weeding through painting supplies versus wallpaper removal supplies. Now, I've sworn off of wallpaper removal after every single job I've done. I absolutely hate doing it but then someone will call and I'll feel bad for them and their wallpaper woes and I'll agree to take the job.

So, this morning the Today Show is giving tips to hang wallpaper perfectly. I haven't heard or read that wallpaper is back but if they Today Show says its so then it's probably so. Which means in a few years I'm going to be flooded with more wallpaper removal requests. So I'll share the tips from the Today Show, BUT please remember to properly size and prepare your walls before wallpapering. You want it to stick to the walls but there will be a time when you want to remove the wallpaper and painting over it is just not a very satisfactory option.

1) Properly prepare the wall. Spackle and sandpaper the wall and apply sizing or wallpaper primer. Cover a work table with a drop cloth and also protect your floor.

2) Cut your vertical strips 4 inches longer than the wall and trim the excess later. Arrange strips on the floor to line up the pattern and tape together with painters tape.

3) Use a tape measure and pencil to mark where paper will lie.

4) If using premixed wallpaper glue apply it to the back of the paper and apply quickly.

5) Apply the paper quickly and smoothly, one piece at a time. Do not overlap, but butt pieces against each other and smooth with a wallpaper smoother and burnish seams with a seam roller.

6) Use the wet glue time to perfectly position the piece and roll out any bubbles.

7) Wash off excess glue.

8) Celebrate with a cocktail. (This is the Today Show's suggestion, not mine).

I'd like to add that once you're done with one wall you should trim off the excess paper with a razor before beginning another wall. The good news about the Today Show story is that they're suggesting using wallpaper for non-traditional projects, like a headboard, which I'm all for. I believe wallpaper used to cover walls should be used sparingly and it should be recognized that you'll be putting about twice as much time and effort into removal as you do into the application process.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I was watching the new reality decorating show and the main character, Jeff, was insisting that travertine was absolutely dead and had been for eight years. Well, I guess I live in Wisconsin so perhaps the 8 year moratorium on travertine hasn't hit yet. Anyway, I thought this might be a good time to explain travertine and its many functions.

Basically, travertine is a sedimentary rock that in its purest form is white but often takes on a yellowish or brownish hue due to impurities. And quite truthfully, those impurities can make a slab of travertine quite beautiful. You'll frequently see travertine used to pave patios, garden walks and a more polished form can be used for floor tiles. Sometimes you'll hear it called travertine marble or travertine limestone, but its actually neither, its just sedimentary rock. Travertine comes with holes and pits all over the surface and is one of its charms, but if you don't like the worn, pitted look you can get a filled product that comes with grout in the holes.

When using travertine for a floor tile it needs to be polished smooth and then it ends up with a shiny finish with colors ranging from a beige-grey to a pinkish red. It's actually a very common building material in modern structures and can be used to create a bunch of different effects. But the most notable travertine buildings are ancient and stunningly beautiful. Take for instance the Colosseum in rome, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Paris and more recently, the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Picture this: it's a beautiful day, the sun is shining and its a toasty warm 83-degrees but there is a nice breeze that keeps the air light and fresh. I'm sitting in a park downtown in the middle of the afternoon listening to a few really good bands and having a couple beers with my friends. Instead of focusing on the music and enjoying the day my attention is drawn to the gal across the street who is painting the inside of a cute little building.

I'm initially drawn to the window because I see someone working on a ladder in the storefront and I wonder what she's doing. I quickly realize she's painting the ceiling. I spend a minute being thankful that it's not me but then find that I'm more than curious. What is the store going to be? (It used to be a pilates studio) How will she decorate it? How would I decorate it?

And that's where I lose touch with reality and begin the fantasy. I'm pretty sure I'd turn the store into a coffeeshop/bookstore. There isn't any green space so I'd have to make the inside of my shop extra inviting. I think the wall should be painted a deep yellow but maybe a nice pumpkin colorwash would look good with the yellow. Then, I would put bookshelves up against every wall to break up the color wash and obviously to sell the product. Maybe I'd create a few walls with bookshelves to give people cozy nooks to curl up in and drink their coffee.

The furniture would consist of oversized chairs in contrasting soft pastel colors. Little coffee tables would accompany each chair. A couple workstations would be tucked into corners for people who would like to use the free wifi. I think perhaps I'd paint the floor the pumpkin color of the walls to unify the place and create a solid contrast to the busy bookshelves.

And then I realize that maybe I don't want it to be a bookstore/coffeeshop at all. Maybe one of those cute garden shops would be better. I'd paint the walls in a graduated oil stipple technique bringing the color from a light pastel turquoise at the top to a deeper green toward the bottom. Maybe I'd even continue this sky to grass imagery by painting the ceiling a lighter shade of pale blue and the floors a deeper green. Then the walls would have trellises painted in bright sunny colors to contrast against the pastels and draw the customers eyes. The trellises would be used to display the merchandise.

It's about this time that I realize that I've completely missed the end of one band and a new one is onstage and everyone seems to know that I haven't been paying attention for quite some time. So, I'm willing to admit that perhaps I have a wee bit of a decorating addiction.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I was scanning my Better Homes and Gardens a couple months back and tore out a page I wanted to share with you. Luckily, I ran across it again before the contest ended.

This is one of those contests that I just love because #1 it's run by a very reputable publication, #2 the prize is a good one ($25,000 CASH), and #3 the scope of this contest is so broad that almost anyone can enter.

The categories of the contest are:

Additions

Bath

Decorating

Exterior Face Lifts

Green Improvements

Kitchen

Organization

Outdoor Improvement

Whole-House Remodeling

And if that's not a broad enough base for you, you can submit any sized project. Whether it's a closet reorganization or whether you gutted an existing home and revamped the entire thing in green, earth-friendly accoutrements. Anything!

In addition to the grand prize of $25,000 your project will, of course, also be featured in an issue of Better Homes and Gardens but there are also three more cash prizes for the best large-scale project - $2,500; the best medium-scale change, $1,500; and finally a prize of $500 for the best cosmetic improvement. Okay, so the lesser prizes aren't that great and might not even put a dent in your rennovation costs, it's still free cash and bragging rights.

To enter the magazine suggests you visit BHG.com/challenge for the details, official rules and a printable, mail-in entry form. All entries must be received by January 15, 2008 BUT your project must be completed or have an estimated completion date of December 31st, 2007.

I'd suggest visiting the website as there are further, more detailed descriptions of each project cagtegory and you have a few requirements that have to be submitted with the entry, including 1-15 photos of your project and receipts for the items you purchased. There is also a better definition of what they mean by large and small-scale projects which would help you decide which category you fit into. You can enter more than once.

Please, let me know if you're a winner!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I know my freelance writing cycle, I know it well, come June I begin to worry about money, July brings a frantic panic as I search for work and August leaves me in painters whites filling in my income gaps.

I absolutely love my lifestyle. In fact I just turned down my "dream job" because I couldnt imagine punching a clock for 40+ hours a week. I also didn't know if I could handle the stress of a newsroom again. I know that being a freelancer and self-employeed takes a rare bird and I'm about as rare as a passenger pigeon in this respect but how can I give up never setting an alarm clock? Taking time out of the middle of the day for a run or a visit to the zoo with my niece and nephew? Or sometimes just taking a day off for no good reason at all? Now before you all decide to quit your 9-5's, there is a downside. I work most nights. I roll out of bed and feed the cats, put my coffee on and turn on the computer and begin working. I work every weekend. I work way more than 40 hours a week and I know that I'm much more productive than I ever was at an actual job. So there is stress and there is a lot of work but for me this is the right way to approach it.

So, for some reason in the summer I find myself without work quite often. I should have learned by now that I need to save a bit to get myself through these lean times, but I'm a slow learner. The thing that always baffles me is why the writing world slows down for me at this time of year. I have writer friends that are flush with work at this time of year and they struggle in the winter, which is typically a busy time for me. But this schedule is actually good for a writer who just happens to own a painting company. In my lean times I pick up that paintbrush and begin knocking on doors.

I think the best schedule for me is one painting job a month so I spend between 3-10 days out of 30 doing physical labor, but in the summer I'm willing to don my paint stained togs every day for a month or two and belly up to a large project. I'm not sure if the rest of the country is the same as the midwest, but this is actually a good time to find painting work. The late summer, early fall is a bit better. People are making those lakehouse purchases they've debated up until now and taking advantage of some late season sales. There are also the people who bought before the season and spent the early months repairing the big problems and are now ready to aesthetically rennovate their vacation homes. And then there are the people who I really relate to, the ones who were going to do it themselves and then just lost track of time. They're at a point where they'd rather have someone else finish it so they no longer have that reminder of their shortcomings staring them in the face.

Most people in the interior decorating business see their biggest influx of business before the holidays, even the DIY stores get busier at that time of year, but I know the mid summer to mid fall crowd is out there and ready to rennovate, and I'm getting my painting supplies ready.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

My local Parade of Condos is coming up and I'm pretty excited to see the "competition". I've lived here for just over a year and haven't quite finished the rennovations I wanted to make (ie freelance writer = no cash flow) but I think I've done a pretty good job so far. I definitely don't want to move as I love my home and I love the area where I live, but it's always a good idea to stay on top of the market.

Since I made my purchase there has been a housing crash of sorts, maybe more of a burst bubble than a crash, but definitely a change in the market. I've heard that the condo market is fairly stable and that, compared to some other cities, Madison is fairly stable. But I've noticed more places are for sale lately and those yard signs seem to be out there longer than they used to.

I thought I was a typical condo buyer when I purchased last year; single/divorced person who wants a place to call their own but doesn't want a whole lot of maintenance or a large mortgage. Since then I've met other condo owners who are also typical in this market. The young couple looking for a starter home is more apt to purchase a condo in this economy than they were years ago. When the housing bubble started several years ago these people were too young to have a home building equity and when they wanted to get in on the housing market the prices of nice starter homes had skyrocketed. The empty nesters are buying condos to ease the pain of a rambling home with only two occupants. They are also learning to enjoy all the freedoms they have once again. And finally the retired pied-a-terre market. Madison is chock full of theater, music, and incredible dining opportunities and for the suburbanites who no longer like to drive after dark a second, city home is perfect.

The thing I find most interesting is the freedom and options some of these condos offer. I love the fact that my condo is just a little different than my neighbors etc. But you can now purchase condos in the Madison area and have them built to your specifications. You're not even limited by the square footage (as long as you sign on pretty early in the process I'd assume).

Understandably the downtown area of Madison is experiencing a resurgence in popularity and a "rebirth" of sorts as the area appeals to an older crowd (I guess this means me). I do sort of wish I had bought a home in this area. I'd love to sit in a high rise and look out at the crowds as I write that oft-lamented novel. But I also know that college students annoy the heck out of me and no matter what you do to the downtown area, Madison is still a beer-guzzling college town chock full of parties.

I'll gladly report back on any decorating trends I see in the market, although I'm not sure homes will have that personal touch that I appreciate so much. I think these will all reflect the local builders so I'm expecting a lot of cold, hard aesthetics.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I usually don't pay any attention to the weather. It's hot, cold, raining, whatever. It doesn't matter to me because I'm a writer and I stay at home. All I care about is if there is about an hour window somewhere in the day when I can go running. But I've just learned a valuable lesson about the weather and painting. Obviously, it's something I knew, or should have, and I really didn't take into consideration.

Last week was beautiful, we had some really gorgeous days. Since I'm in the (very slow) process of painting my wood trim upstairs white I thought it would be a good week to tackle one of the windows. I planned on taking the window out of the frame and setting it up on my saw horses and letting it cure for a couple days so having a good weather day was pretty key.

Well, I guess I got a little bit excigted about putting the window back together and the mess of having window panes on saw horses in my office was causing a bit of anxiety so I put the window together after just one day of curing. Oops.

And then the weather. Yes, mother nature, I will now pay attention to those forecasts. It rained and rained and rained and then the humidity hit such highs that it feels like it's raining outside. So what happened. The non-cured paint softened and is glueing itself to the other non-cured paint. I tried not to paint any of the rails so that it wouldn't affect the sliding but there were parts that had to be painted for aesthetic reasons and now they're sticking. I open and close the window several times a day, hoping to prevent any permanent sticking but it's literally back breaking work.

I'm tempted to put a little WD40 on the rails and may resort to this solution. I just don't want the grease to get all over and I have 2 cats that love sitting in that window. So I guess the lesson is, if you're painting windows then let the paint cure properly and take extra pains to make sure you're not painting something that will affect the movement of the window.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I have been so busy lately but not too busy to check out Madison, Wisconsin’s Parade of Homes. This has become sort of an annual tradition for my mom and I so I was happy to bring her along again.

This year there were a lot less homes on the Parade which was actually a good thing for us, we’re both chock full of summer activities and finding a few hours where we are both free can be difficult. Also, I sometimes think the Parades are a bit overwhelming. I remember years in the past where it was all I could do to trudge up another flight of stairs to see a mirror image of the house I was just in across the street.

Our feelings aside, apparently the lack of homes was not a good thing for the builders or the real estate economy. The newspaper reported that there has been such a slump in home sales that not all of last year’s homes moved and so the builders were less likely to sink a lot of money into this year’s Parade home. Which is sad for them, but as a nature-lover I’m actually quite happy to hear that urban sprawl is slowing down.

Another thing I was happy to see this year was a wiser use of home space. The McMansion is not dead but it appears to be on the way out. (Yay!) The homes I saw were still large but much more reasonable and practical. And I was happy to see they were using as much space as wisely as possible.

Exposed basements were the rule and most were not furnished as simply game and play areas but they contained bedrooms and bathrooms. The media room in the basement has also morphed from the OMG Theater to a functional TV room for the entire family to enjoy. Which means the main floors no longer seem to center around the boob tube, a very good thing indeed.

The Madison Parade homes all seemed to feature a pool table. I think this isn’t really a statement on current home entertainment trends as much as it is a statement about Wisconsin’s local pool companies and their excellent promotion departments. I really don’t expect pool tables to become a staple of the home.

I did notice that wine rooms are becoming very trendy. In fact, I’m inspired to create my own in my basement and I’ll be detailing the process once I’ve saved a bit of money and can find the time.

Throughout the main living area the solid buff wall color was still dominant but a slightly darker shade than past years. The carpets have also gone a little bit darker, which I’m thrilled to see. The homes feel much warmer and cozier than the open, empty, cold McMansions in past years.

Another thrilling development was the willingness of builders to experiment with paint. Children’s bedrooms were usually a place for creativity to blossom but now other rooms are taking on brighter hues (could it be they’re getting inspiration from me?!). A bright green was definitely not an uncommon thing and was often featured in the master or guest bedrooms, girls rooms were bright shades of pink, and boys rooms were often two tone blues with an Americana feel. And, believe it or not, faux finishing was again appearing in limited doses in most homes. Of course, I’m a faux finisher so I have some opinions here, but I never liked a house that had treatments in every room but I certainly like the touches of depth here and there that I saw.

So, overall this was a great Parade in my opinion. The homes were not bankbook displays but rather places you’d actually want to live, with space optimized for the family and some design risks that balanced function with flair. Two thumbs up to the Madison Area Builders Association this year.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The A&E television network has run into a little trouble with its most popular show, Flip This House and one of the show's hosts, Sam Leccima. The apparent scandal revolves around some claims made by Leccima regarding his renovations and the sales and purchases of the homes featured on the show. A&E is investigating the claims and has pulled reruns of Leccima's episodes.

Claims against the show state that not only did Leccima misrepresent himself (his real estate license was revoked by the Georgia Real Estate Board in 2005) but the show faked renovations and the homes were left in a state of great disrepair. Leccima responded to these allegations by saying you could ask anyone involved in television and that this was how reality television shows were made.

I'd like to respond to his claims since I have worked in television. I was the writer and producer of a how-to and a reality series on The Discovery Wings Channel a few years back and feel I have sufficient knowledge of how our shows were shot and how they aired to respond to his "ask anyone" claim. And I have to say that Leccima is wrong!

I'd like to focus on a show I did called From the Ground Up. In this series we built a kit airplane and showed the building process from the day the kit arrived in a box to its first test flight. Did the audience see everything that went into the building process, of course not. Did we fake the final product - are you kidding? Absolutely not! This plane flew, not a stunt plane or a stand in. This plane was finished and fully functional and, most importantly, it was safe! I obviously resent his implication that all television shows are faked and can attest to the fact that not all reality or how-to shows are fradulent. I believe most television producers, writers, directors, etc have more integrity than that.

All of that being said, do things happen exactly the way they're depicted on television? Absolutely not. There are times when the building process is taken out of order for better continuity or to enhance the script flow. There are steps that are skipped entirely because most projects take much longer than an average audience's attention span. Consider the cooking show that pops in a freshly made casserole and in the same movement pulls out a completed baked product. But if you accept Leccima's assertion, the baked casserole is made of plastic and entirely inedible.

There are other tricks of the trade that enhance the final televised product and simplify the lives of the cast and crew of shows (including additional technical help etc) but from the allegations it appears that Leccima never actually completed renovations on the homes shown and that some of the home buyers were not interested in making a purchase and may have actually been friends and relatives of Leccima. To be honest, these claims have not been proven and are still being investigated. But I did want to refute his claim that reality and how-to shows are fake. This simply isn't true and sullies the reputation of some fine television programs and some very ethical professionals.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'll freely admit that the weather at this time of year makes me want to get outside. The last thing I want to do is spend time in the house and fuss over my furniture arrangement. I mean come on folks, I live in Wisconsin, I only have 3 weeks of nice weather. (Actually, Wisconsin is beautiful all the time but after being trapped indoors all winter, spring means OUTSIDE).

One thing I love to do in the spring/summer is fill my home with garden decorations and I like to do this in unexpected ways. A vase is just sooooo typical. I prefer using something unusual. I find that the kitchen is a great place to raid for thise floral creations. And if you dont think anything you have really suits the style you're going for, then hit your local kitchen supply store. Tall pitchers in bright colors look fabulous with (here comes the unexpected part) greenery. I like to mix and match and never feel trapped by rules such as "flowers go in vases". A couple of mismatched green bottles holding brightly colored flowers looks good but throw in a red/pink/yellow/etc bottle and fill it with unusual greenery or twigs and you've really got a show stopper.

Or if you want to be a little more creative and crafty and you have kids a really fun activity is making something to hold your garden treats. Let the kids pick something from the craft store to decorate, they can go wild and find glass or metal containers, ceramics, and even wooden pieces that you can plant in. Then select the appropriate paints for their medium and let them add color and flash to their new vases. Of course you don't have to limit yourself to paint, glue anything you want to these projects.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I can't tell you how good it feels to have this project behind me. I really loved the location and because it was a second home to the owners I usually had the entire place to myself (with my assistants of course). And the transformation was absolutely amazing but I just do not have the attention span to spend so much time on the same project.

We began about 9 months ago and then I look several months off during the winter and picked up my brushes again in the spring.

The project was huge but I have to admit that the homeowner is an excellent painter herself and her skills and talents helped finish their home. The plan was to fix and update as much as possible without spending a ton of money and then in 3 years they could decide if they would put more money into making this their home or if they were going to sell.

The entire home was paneled and rather than redrywalling we decided to paint the paneling and used solid, light, cottage inspired colors. The transformation was incredible. Then the woodwork and trim (including a ceiling beam) was primed and painted white which gave everything an even more clean, finished appearance. A great update that didnt cost a thing was the furniture, which was oversized, comfy hand-me-downs.

A decent sum of money went into some replacements and upgrades but it was money well spent. Indoor-outdoor carpet replaced old shag while dated light fixtures were discarded for newer, more efficient ones. The bathroom vanities were also replaced with more stylish, modern ones.

In the end I must say the home looks great and a lot more like a lake house should. I enjoyed the project and seeing it through from start to finish, but it does feel really good to be able to close the book on this project.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Being both a writer and a decorative painter I find that people often want a sample of my work before they hire me. I totally understand their point of view and I think my personal stance on this works well for me but I know this is a controversial area for a lot of people.

I am always willing to give writing samples to someone if they're looking to hire me for a writing job. But I rarely will write something according to their specifications without receiving some sort of compensation.

When it comes to painting I always give clients free estimates, which includes a consult on their room and what techniques we can do and what colors would work well. Usually I'll then create a sample board for them of the technique and use colors similar to what they want. But I wont go out and buy paint colors that they have suggested. I'm not going to sink money into the project before I'm sure I've even got the job. And its always good to have them review a technique before I buy the paint.

My theory is that if they like me and my ideas they'll hire me. And I almost always get the job, but not always. I'm totally aware that the home owner could take my ideas and my color selections and do the project themselves but I tend to believe most of them won't do that and if they do I console myself by imagining them doing it wrong because they don't have my experience. But on more than one occassion I've had to go to someone's home and fix their do-it-yourself project. So even if they take my expertise and use it to do the project themselves it doesn't necessarily mean I've lost the job.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Today I've decided to watch a couple of decorating shows to get some inspiration. As the weather turns nicer I'm just losing my desire to do anything inside so I figured watching other people do things might inspire me

This show claimed to change the look of a room by just using color. Being a painter, this interested me. I was skeptical. And now I see that they're building elements and buying light fixtures and chairs and other pieces. So, not everything is being changed by color.

Overall, its not a bad show and they have some good tips and decorating info to share. But I have a fundamental problem with this particular project they're working on. They've got a nice victorian styled home and a couple that likes to add modern pieces to create a little punch and pizzaz to their home. I think this is great and I love that the couple has defined their own sense of style.

But part of my problem is the outside of the home has blue accents, quite beautiful ones. And the decorator looked at the couple's clothes and the rest of their home and decided they liked blue. But he had already made this decision when he approached the house and mentioned that the blue was giving him some inspiration. He then also based the room on a gloomy day at the beach. What?!

Do you want your dining room to seem like a gloomy day at the beach? This is my big problem. He's supposed to be a color expert and is doing the room in grey and silver and blue. These are not happy eating colors. Yellows and oranges and reds actually create a physiological response in people and make them hungry and they enjoy their meals more. (Just look at the colors of most fast food restaurants and the uniforms).

Also, a dining room is a place where people come together to celebrate and enjoy each other's company. A gloomy day at the beach does not suggest good warm times with friends and family if you ask me.

What would I have done? I would have painted the room a few shades of very light sunny yellow then I would have brought in some nice warm woods (he has selected a black table and spray painted silver chairs). Then I would have pumped up the room with hits of cobalt blue throughout.

The Victorian aspects would be addressed by the yellows and woods and the modern would be touched on with the sleek cobalt accents.

Now, in the end the room was pretty because it was new and the family liked it but I'm actually pretty confident that they'll redecorate it in a year or two.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I recently had a client ask me to paint her basement floor. This is not a job I cherish but its something my family has been doing for generations. In fact, I've heard that a great great grandmother used to rag roll her basement floor to create an attractive faux finished look. It's not as common today as it used to be but it's still a simple and inexpensive way to dress up a basement or garage floor.

If you're going to paint its important to clean the area thoroughly before. I suggest using a primer because concrete will absorb a lot of paint and primer is less expensive and will save you a little money on paint and because it will help the paint adhere to the concrete a little better.

Then, make sure you purchase a paint that is designed to be used on floors. Obviously, you need something that is extremely durable and using a paint made for this purpose is the best choice.

If you're thinking about getting creative there are a lot of options including stencils that help you create a faux stone or brick look. But even a solid color looks better than plain concrete.

Now, I was considering writing an article about painting the basement floor and I ran across an interesting piece of information I thought I'd share here instead. I've never had a problem painting floors in the past and I've done a handful or so, but this article says that some floors can't be painted. They suggest testing the floor before painting. I'm not standing by this technique since I've never tried it but I'm more than willing to share the information if you'd like to try it yourself.

Take a large piece of plastic, something like a garbage bag or a plastic drop cloth, and cut at least a 12 x 12" square and tape it securely to the floor. Let the test spot sit, untouched, for at least 24 hours and then inspect the ground underneath. If the concrete shows signs of dampness then apparently you have a moisture problem in your basement and, according to the information I read, your floor cannot be sealed and painting may not be an option.

Again, I'm not sure this technique works or is necessary but it seemed valid enough to share and I encourage anyone who tries it to let me know how it goes.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Yesterday was my condoversary and in some ways it's hard to believe I've lived here for a whole year and then in others it definitely feels like a year has passed. I'm proud of how far I've come in my decorating and how far I've come as a person since I moved. I can truly say I've never been happier in my life and I absolutely love where I live and where I currently am in life.

So, I thought I'd list the improvements or changes I've made since moving in.

The first change was the master bathroom, which had orange ceiling and walls. This room was horrible and made you look like an oompa loompa. I faux finished it in 3 colors and painted the ceiling white. The final result was not good. It was better than the orange but not good. Eventually, I repainted that room yellow.

I also wanted to paint my bedroom immediately. I love that soft turquoise color so I wanted to surround myself in it.

Then, I turned my attention to getting bedding and some furniture. I picked up pieces for the living room and diningroom and then took a large financial break from anything more than little knicknack type items.

Around Christmas I got the decorating bug again. This time I replaced the kitchen countertop, put in a new sink, put hardwood floors in the upstairs, painted the kitchen, the office, the downstairs bathroom, and the trim upstairs. I also bought new furniture for the livingroom and for the office.

And quite possibly my biggest accomplishment this year, the basement. I know I didnt get around to putting up drywall or anything. But actually, going through all of my stuff and putting it up on shelves, and hiding those shelves, and cleaning the place is one big accomplishment.

I still have a lot to do, top of my list is replace the carpeting and get new appliances (my refridgerator is as loud as a motorcycle) but I'm going to take a little time off from spending again and focus on getting some of the smaller things done and finishing the trim painting.

There are also 2 large white canvasses that I'm really anxious to paint, but that can always wait.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I recently received an email from a reader who was considering painting his white trim with a much darker shade. I whole-heartedly encouraged him to dive in and try a new color.

Dark trim is becomming very popular, replacing the white trim of old. I personally love the way black contrasts with some of today's trendiest colors like powder blue, soft aqua, and lime green. It gives a little more depth to the room than white does and very neatly frames views when applied to windows sills. But black isn't the only option. If you're good with color, consider selecting a deep shade that is similar to one you've used on your walls. Use a rather neutral color but something with loads of depth.

If your home already has painted trim and mouldings then switching is easy. Simply paint over them in the newer color. Remember, it's only paint, so if you don't like it you can just as easily paint it back.

If your home has wood trim you may want to take a moment to decide if painting is really an option for you. Most people love painted trim and the accent it provides but there are a lot of people who just love the look of wood (how else can we explain wood paneling) and if you're one of these people think hard because removing paint can be a real pain and you may even have to buy new trim.

My home has wood trim and I've decided to take a pretty unique turn in my trim decorating. I've painted the upstrairs trim white which contrasts very well with my deep turquoise bedroom, keeps the yellow bathroom looking clean, and keeps the pink office light and bright so I'm encouraged to keep writing and not take a nap.

The downstairs trim is getting a bath in black. to highlight the black accents already present in the home and to break up the bright green and yellow walls.

The area between the two levels will get a unique, handpainted treatment as I'm planning to paint this wood white and paint intertwining vines and flowers all over these pieces in black. This way I'm incorporating both trim colors but in a very personal and artistic way.

So, if you're thinking about giving your trim and moulding a fresh coat of paint, consider trying a brand new color for added appeal and to catch the eye of your visitors.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I just watched a news story about women tackling DIY projects. Being a single woman, in a new home I've had to tackle more projects that I had contemplated in the past and I have discovered that I am actually in a majority.

Women are no longer afraid to take charge in their own homes and build, remodel, tear down, and just plain renovate. Home Depot realized this and has developed some classes targeted specifically at women to teach them the basics they may not have learned while growing up. Some tool companies are even manufacturing tools designed specifically for women.

But this trend may have more to do with necessity than choice. In my case I believe this to be, at least partly, the case. Statistics say that single women are more than twice as likely to buy a home than single men. Many of these women are divorced and studies have shown that a woman's income will most likely plummet after a divorce, leaving some of them near poverty level. With a mortgage looming over their heads and a drastically decreased income, women can no longer afford to have costly home repairs done by overpriced contractors.

There is also a psychological factor to DIY projects for women. For most of our lives we're pushed away from manual labor and either told we cannot handle home repairs or some knight in shining armor steps in to help us out. When a newly single woman, in her very own home, installs her own hardwood floors, fixes a leak, rewires her electrical system, etc she feels empowered, re-energized and able to conquer the world.

So, I am happy to join the ranks of DIY women around the world and take control of my home as well as my life.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

It seems like I haven't been painting for months but I've actually spent the last several months painting my own place. And now I'm painting a client's lake house. This particular client actually enjoys painting herself and so I'm just there to prep the house for painting. But she also takes care of the hardest prep work for me.

The goal is to turn a very dated lake house into an updated and fresh looking cottage. When we first started this project last fall the place was so grungy it was almost impossible to look past it and come up with a future vision.

So we began by priming the paneling. My client washed all the walls before I began painting. Yes, you can paint over paneling and with some very successful results. It works best when the paneling is older and weathered, which this paneling definitely is. Older paneling has broken down a little bit and the varnish is more likely to absorb paint. Washing is important because you need to get years of grime and grease off so the primer and paint adheres even more.

A good primer is essential. Talk to someone at your local hardware or paint store to see what they recommend, but whatever you do, don't cut corners with the primer. Primer doesn't go on pretty so don't worry if some spots seem thicker than others. Just make sure every bit of surface area is covered. If you're going to roll it on use a thick nap roller sleeve because paneling has grooves that need to be filled. You also have to make sure you dont get drips, which happen easily on paneling. If you do get a drip then just wipe it away. If its already dry then sand it down.

Primer dries quickly so you can begin painting once it's dry to the touch. Painting will be similar to priming but of course your coats will need to be much smoother. It's also important to let the paint dry thoroughly between coats. If it's still slightly tacky then the roller or brush can actually pull the paint off and the paint and primer has generally already "glued" together so you'll end up with a big spot of paneling.

Because paneling isn't as absorbant as a regular wall you may need to do a couple extra coats to get a nice even coverage.

So my last few days have been spent priming basement paneling. Not a bad job. Not as fun as painting but not as bad as scrubbing the walls clean.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm in Florida for the end of the snowbird season, my second vacation every year. This time my mom is really into making beaded necklaces and incorporating her ocean treasures. The necklaces are really pretty phenomenal and I've caught the bug a bit myself.

Typically I learn a new skill/craft/hobby and instantly my mind begins turning it over and adapting it to fit another area of my life. So I'm already trying to come up with ways to add little touches of beading to my condo.

Actually, before the trip, I had already decided to glue some square, flat beads to the inside of my bathroom cupboard doors. I've painted the outer trim black and the inside white but where the 2 colors meet I didn't make the neatest paint line. Instead of touching all of this up, which I normally would do, I decided to line the inside with these beads because I think the contrast between black and white is just too stark. So I'm already including beads in one way.

But how about a beaded curtain? That might be really pretty in my office. I don't need to block my neighbor's view because it's just an office and my beautiful crabapple tree does the job most of the year. I could also do a beaded lampshade. Or some beading in decorative pillows.

Then, my little brain continued working and I realized that I've incorporated my hobbies of knitting and felting into my home in afghans and pillows. My painting has left every wall splashed with color and I have two canvasses just waiting for my loving touch.

Which makes me wonder how other people are incorporating their hobbies into their interior decorating schemes. I simply love the idea of decorating a home with your own personal artistic touches and would love to collect several ideas and write an article to share these ideas. So feel free to flood me with your thoughts and projects.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

9 Hours! Yesterday I spent 9 hours finishing my cupboard doors. And that was just the final touches mind you. Actually, I still have to hang them but I'm planning on a quick one hour turn around on that task.

When I bought my condo the kitchen cupboards were one of the top items on my list of re-dos. I hated them. They were old, oak-looking, 1980's style, cheap cupboards. And they were beat up and dirty. So after almost a year I finally got around to the task. Initially I was going to replace them but that was too expensive and refacing them also was out of budget so I did what I do best, I painted them. I started with a good one coat finished wood primer. Then selected a semi-gloss black for the finish. This actually isnt too shiny and when properly cured you can wipe stains, fingerprints, food spills, etc. off and not ruin the finish. I pulled off all the doors and drawers and primed and painted the frame work. I could have gone the extra step and painted inside the cupboards but that seemed like too much work and I think the black would have shown dust and dirt and spilled flour etc. in the baking cupboard. So i left them with the wood veneer.

Then I painted the drawer faces; I actually unscrewed them from the drawer, which just requires a screwdriver and makes painting easier. I used a foam brush for this to eliminate brush strokes. I should have scrubbed the surfaces a little better before I began because old oil, whether from cooking or skin, can cause paint bubbles and I do have a couple.

But the last task was the most difficult. I wanted the insides of the doors to look different. I thought that much solid black would be dark and depressing so I wanted to do something different. When I say inside of doors I don't mean the back, but the front. The doors are built almost like a picture with a frame around the outside and a slightly recessed center. Pretty standard door pattern in the 1980s and it's still quite popular. So this area would be very visible and I really wanted something unique.

I considered painting it the color of the walls, another color entirely, doing a faux finish, applying wallpaper, taking the wood out and putting in glass or etched plexiglass. Finally I decided to paint them the color of the walls. That is until I got them painted. Then suddenly the yellow and black took on this schoolbus feel and I quickly decided that wasn't going to work. So faux finish it was. I wanted to experiment with the level of shine as well as color. So the original yellow base was an eggshell finish. I chose a rust color in semi-gloss to compliment and then to finish it all off I selected a putty color of stencil paint, which has a very flat, almost dusty, finish.

The faux finish tecnique was to lightly cover the door with the rust paint and then negative sponge a lot of the color off. Then, once that had dried, I did a positive sponge in the rust to give more depth and a darker contrast color. And finally, after all that had dried I stippled and lightly brushed the stencil paint in circular motions around most of the surface, creating more depth of field and the contrasting sheen.

Now, I have doors propped up all over my house as I'm allowing them ample curing time. I will probably hang them tomorrow but will be going on vacation soon so they'll get even more time to cure before really being used.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

This blog comes after hearing about a horrible incident that happened to a friend and client of mine. A pipe broke at their lake house and by their next visit (only 2 weeks later) there was mold everywhere. Of course their problem is much larger than the typical mold issues, they had standing water and their furniture, floors, drywall, etc have to be replaced or repaired by professions. But I immediately remembered a recipe I have for cleaning mold and their main floor and finished attic could probably use a good scrubbing.

The recipe is:

2 parts water

1 part bleach

1 scoop powdered laundry soap

It's a very simple recipe and it really does clean the mold off your walls, floor, bathroom, anywhere and it disinfects.

This recipe is best on small areas of mold or mold that doesn't go deep into your walls. If you're going to be painting over a moldy area, like a basement, you will want to scrub the walls with the mold recipe and then use a paint with Kilz or some other anti-mold agent. These products work great and will help keep mold out of your home.

I realize this isn't the most attractive or the most fun aspect of interior decorating but sometimes decorating requires a little elbow grease. And for the health and safety of you and your family it's important to make sure you are living in a mold free home.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Oh, what a discouraging weekend it is. I was hoping to be much further along in my projects than I am. I've taken today off of work (yes, I work most Saturdays) and was going to finish the craft/game room downstairs and get a good start on the kitchen cupboards.

First of all I ran out of velcro...again. I have bought so much velcro lately it's crazy, but I figure this is the best way to hang the basement curtains. I am also using curtains as a faux ceiling. Right now they're an off white color but are begging for a dye job. So with the velcro I can always take them down and dye them, or take them down to clean them etc. But besides running out of velcro, I have found the sticky side isn't nearly as adhesive as the velcro side. So I'm sewing them to the curtains. Well I'm trying to anyway. I'm having a terrible time with the sewing and I'm not exactly certain what the problem is. I know the glue is gumming things up and breaking thread and unthreading my machine which is getting really hard to thread. I just got really frustrated and nailed half of one of the curtains to the rafters. But this won't do. So I'll have to pick that task up again later when I'm not so frustrated.

Also, when I ran out to get velcro I went to pick up the beads I'm using on the bathroom cupboard doors. I've painted the cupboard and the inside of the doors is white while the decorative frame outside is black and I'm using square blue beads to ease the break between the colors. It should be very pretty in 3 weeks when the beads I had to order arrive. So there is another project that will sit around unfinished.

And then the cupboards. Actually, no big problems there yet but it's slow going and still not sure how I'm going to be decorating the doors. But it's taking 6 coats of paint to get the effect I want. So, I guess I better get back to painting.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm really excited about today's project. It snowed about 4 inches last night and so I'm trapped in my condo AND I have a pretty light work load so it's time to focus on the basement. (The (UN)Finished Basement)

Today I'm going to work on The Great Wall of Fun. If you've read about my basement project you know that I have "walls" I've created out of curtains that cover shelves of junk. But there is one remaining basement wall I have to deal with. The wall is concrete and ugly grey. It's also not smooth at all and my solution is to just try to camoflague it as much as possible.

I'm going to prime the wall with magnetic primer. I haven't used this product before so I'm really anxious to see how it's going to turn out. I think I'll try to get two coats out of this quart I bought just to make sure it works.

On top of the magnetic primer I'm going to use chalkboard paint. Another product I'm been dying to use. This does work, I've seen it used and I'm really excited to have a wall that I can write all over and then erase and start over. I have a hard time when I'm writing keeping track of characters and their backstories so I thihnk this will a fabulous solution for me. AND it will be a big hit with my niece and nephew (I hope).

Then, I'm going a step further, I purchased a classroom chalkboard at a church-school-going-out-of-business sale last year. That is going to be the centerpiece of my wall and there is a ceiling beam right above the wall so I can attach it with hooks and chains and then slip it off when need be. Around the chalkboard I'm going to put boards from board games. Not in a solid line but spaced out and framing it. I still haven't decided how to attach these to the wall, I'm hoping the magnetic primer will be really strong and that will work somehow but I doubt it. (I'm open to suggestions - remember, concrete wall). So the plan is to have a chalkboard and game boards I can remove if I need the space or the kids want to draw all over the wall.

I also bought a magnet maker about a year ago so I can turn family photos into magnets and my niece can play dress up dolls or I can turn NASCAR photos into magnets and my nephew can stage the Basement 500.

I think this wall will be great and I'm really excited about getting started.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Since I moved into my condo in April I've been hiding a secret. My basement. It's a complete disaster with boxes all over the floor, some empty, some full, some half full. One day last spring I went downstairs to tackle the mess and I had good intentions but it was overwhelming and all I ended up doing was separating the boxes into categories and leaving them in piles on the floor. About two months ago it hit a brand new low and getting to the back to find my painting supplies was almost impossible. Yet the mess stayed.

Finally, Kevin and I finished installing the hardwood floors and since the weather outside was about twenty below without windchill we decided to saw the floors inside in the basement. This was great for the floors but horrible for the messy, opened boxes in the basement. A fine layer of sawdust coated everything and a huge pile of dust and chunks lay in the little aisle I had to walk between boxes.

The day after the floors were finished I decided the basement needed attention. I purchased 6 huge, rugged storage shelves and used them as walls in the basement to map out a couple of rooms. There is one small utility room and one large game room and the laundry. Then came the hard part of sorting the boxes, dusting them, and placing them on the shelves. Some day I'll go through every box to weed out the necessities but for now they're all off the floor and tucked away.

Then, I bought some huge panel curtains that I will attach to the rafters in front of the shelves. These will be my walls. If I need to get to a box I can just pull the curtains aside. Right now the curtains are plain off-white but in the future I think I may paint them to add a little spice to the room.

There was leftover hardwood (HUGE problem with the floors) and enough that I can finish off the floor in my laundry room. I saved the carpet from my upstairs office and this is going to be cut to fit the game room. And I'm considering painting the floor in the rest of the basement.

The walls that are still concrete will be getting a coat of primer and then paint. In the game room I'm going to put chalkboard paint on the wall and then hang game boards from some games I have and I'll pick up a few more at the local GoodWill store so the walls look very fun. The laundry walls will be painted either white or another clean pastel color to brighten this dark area.

I've purchased some additional lights since the original basement lighting was only two bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling. And with a little more elbow grease, voila! I will have a finished basement that is still basically "unfinished". It was inexpensive and it's really starting to look good!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

So, if you've been following along you know that I'm redecorating my condo. I bought the place last April and really didn't do anything right away. I painted the master bath and master bedroom and that was about it. And then around Christmas I decided my financial situation was okay and I began ordering and buying and planning in earnest. I was so excited about the upcoming decorating projects it was all I could think about on my vacation.

When I got home from vacation I began the painting process. First the master bath (New Technique). The first paint choice was a mistake - which is ok, it's only paint. Then the office, which turned out really well (Pretty in Pink). Then the office needed shelves which I enlisted best friend Kevin's help for. And the whole doorknob ordeal. Okay, so maybe the snowballing started with the doorknobs and the hinges. Hindsight is 20/20, right? So, I can see that now. Well, $200 on doorknobs and hinges and that was the beginning of the spiral.

Decorators, painters, designers, builders; we all know about the decorating spiral. And a few savvy home owners know about it too. You decorate or paint one thing and suddenly everything else looks a bit drab or out dated and the "to do list" just keeps getting longer and longer and longer.

So, I have now decided that the rescued fouton (Fouton Grab) just won't do in this room and I need to buy a sleeper chair and then an ottoman that has storage. And of course then the room needs bedding, window treatments, rugs, and I probably need more books for all those bookcases we built. And as I looked at the nice new Pergo floors (Installing Hardwood Laminate Floor) I realized that I want to do the entire second floor in Pergo. So I have ordered the rest of the floor. Which of course means the remaining carpet in the condo needs replacing.

In the meantime I've moved to the kitchen. I'm repainting 3 of the 5 walls and then, in an attempt to save money, I've decided to paint my cabinets rather than reface or replace them. And I already purchased a new rug but I could use a runner and an entry one that matches. And of course there are window treatments. And as I look at the remaining paint jobs I think they look drab and a bit beat up, and the previous painter didnt paint the vents which now stand out so maybe I need to repaint those rooms as well.

And the window treatments in the living room. And painting all the trim in the entire house. Oh! And the basement. I've just got to redo the basement and create an art/craft room down there. And fix the laundry. And make some storage areas. And maybe make a spare bedroom. And...and...and...down I go into the decorating spiral.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I received this email question today...

"I am redecorating my family/living room which is 18'x18'. I found a picture that I really like but it is 60" wide and 46 1/2" high. I would like to hang it over my sofa which is 88" long. However, my walls are only 8' high although I do have a cathedral ceiling. Is the picture too large for my room?

Thank you,

L.H"

Well - on first blush I'd think the picture would fit BUT there are other things to consider. How do you use your spaces? And what is your decorating style? If you have smaller, fussy furniture with small details such as scrolled arms on Victorian chairs then a large picture might dwarf the rest of the room. If you have large, oversized furniture then the picture might go very well.

There is also the other walls. Do you have a cluster of small family photos or a neat line of larger photos or pieces of art. This also needs to be taken into consideration before you take the leap.

Also the art itself. If it's a piece with large chunks in one color it might flow better than a very detailed, intricate piece of artwork would.

So there are a lot of things to consider, but physically I would say it seems like you have the space and it might help draw the eye down from the cathedral ceiling and focus it on the artwork.

If you're simply concerned about it fitting and everything else about it seems perfect for your room you might want to mock it up. Get some blue painter's tape and make an outline that is the size of the picture. Then stand back and take a look to see if it feels right to you.

Remember to use painter's tape because traditional masking tape may tear the paint off your walls. And even with the painter's tape, I wouldn't burnish it to the wall in most spaces and I'd be carefully when tugging it off.

Good luck!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you read (Girl Tackles Doorknob and WINS!) and heard of my doorknob victory you may want to hear about my defeat.

Today I decided to put the bathroom I had a bit of an issue with my expensive hinges and so it was a little difficult to hang the door and it ended up a little tight. But then again it was tight to begin with and a total of 8 layers of paint didn't help much.

I was disappointed that it wasn't shutting properly so I spent a lot of time adjusting the hinges so I could get it to shut. Not perfectly but it shut. Then I turned to the doorknob, which could create more problems because the face plate didnt exactly fit the predrilled holes. I slid the locking mechanism in and lo and behold, the door didn't shut. So I tightened everything a little bit more and pushed the door shut. And then realized I was locked in the bathroom.

I sent a pre-distress email out to my friend Kevin who, rather than being worried about my safety, promptly asked why I had the computer in the bathroom. I explained that I was listening to a book on tape that I had downloaded to my computer. In the meantime I continued working on getting the lock to slide back from the plate while pulling hard on the sticky door with the few fingers I could fit in the remaining doorknob hole. Luckily I was able to free myself in just a few minutes and I'm pretty sure Kevin got his laugh for the day.

Obviously I decided the doorknob should be installed before I try that trick again so I got the knobs ready and inserted into the hole and realized that the screw holes on the knob and the face plate do not line up. It seemed like a manufacturer's defect but I decided to call the company and make sure there wasn't a little trick I was missing. Nope, manufacturer defect. So I have to go to the store and wait in line and return the knobs. And part of them is installed and I'm not taking them out.

To add insult to injury. I purchased shelves from this same store earlier this week and of the 3 shelf kits I bought, every single one was missing a piece or had extra pieces. I had to contact the company to request 8 cross bars (because all were missing) so I could finish the shelf. These boxes were just too heavy for me to return and buy new ones.

And then, I wanted to build some shelves that I saw in a picture in this same store. I bought the supplies but they didn't have all the supplies I'd need and actually the shelves in the picture were not functional so the project required three trips to the store and more cuts than initially planned and a lot of additional support and they still don't look right.

Big sigh. Today has been one of the most frustrating home decorating days in my personal history and I may just focus on some other tasks, something totally unrelated to home decorating.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The walls are painted, most of the trim is painted. The closet doors are painted and one is installed and the main door is painted. I've done so much I didn't want to shortcut the process so I decided to purchase all new door hardware.

I'm a silver/white gold/platinum sort of person. I just don't like the look of gold or brass and my condo has these horrible aged brass looking doorknobs so why not replace them?

The first shock came at the hardware store. Now The knobs were about what I expected, around $17 a piece. BUT for just $10 more I could get these snazzy ones that are oval rather than round. I debated and the impractical side won. I spent the extra $30 for three doorknobs that are oblong. Not a shock. And then I got to the hinges. Each door needs 3 hinges, each hinge cost $9! That means I need 9 hinges at $9 which is going to cost at least $81, not including tax. Almost $100 in hinges alone?! What a colossal rip off. But what could I do? I knew I should shop around or go to Restore, but I wanted to get the project done today. So I sucked it up and decided I'd eat Ramen noodles for the next couple weeks.

Then I got home and realized my hinges don't work like my old ones. I like hinges where I can just hammer out the pin and move the door if I'm bringing in big furniture or painting etc. These appear to lock permanently so I think I'd have to unscrew them every time, which seems ridiculous, but I'm not planning on repainting them so I guess I go with it.

And the doorknob itself. The old one came apart pretty easily. The new one's locking mechanism didn't want to go back in the hole, the old metal piece was still inside and it was greatly impeding my progress. Also, the locking part had a plate and my old one did not. This was not good. I couldn't return the $27 knob because in opening the hermetically sealed box I had to destroy it and basically cut it into a snowflake. My frustration was mounting.

Then I decided to read the directions. It was quite evident then that I should use my screwdriver to pry off the plates and then I should install a small circular one with a collar, like my old doorknob. Then I was to hammer the locking mechanism into place. I began hammering and it moved, I figured it was sliding into the metal cuff that was stuck inside my door but pretty soon that cuff popped right out the hole. Perfect! Now the locking mechanism went right into place.

Getting both knobs to line up and then holding them in place, with the knob twisted so I could tighten the screws was a bit tricky and I could have used another hand or two, but I managed and my doorknobs are installed!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Traditionally the beginning of the year is a slow work time for me. For some reason the stars align and my financial work, my painting and my freelance writing all slow down after the holidays and I'm left with nothing to do. This year I've decided to tackle and wrap up the 17 different decorating projects I began a few months back.

First up, the master bath. I painted this room soon after I moved in, the oompa loompa orange had to go but I'm afraid my faux finishing solution was muddied and unattractive, so it was top priority. I selected a buttery yellow, a color that looks good on me, and now I'm in love with the bathroom. There is still some work but it's such a happy color and it compliments me when I look in the mirror, which is actually very important in a bathroom that contains the main vanity.

The next room, the office. This is such a pet project because it's sort of dictated the direction the rest of the upstairs will take. I already laid Pergo flooring in the room (Installing Hardwood Laminate Floor) and I've now decided to do the entire second floor, except master bath, in Pergo. I'd also decided to paint the trim in the office white and this of course means that all the trim upstairs must follow suit. So in a way the office is directing the flow of decorating ideas.

But the very best part of the office is the color. Initially I wanted to paint the room white and add little pink touches here and there. I like the color pink but didn't want to make a "baby's room". I thought the touches would soften the office feel of the room and make it more inviting. This room will also be serving as a guest room and I'd like an office that make me feel cozy and happy.

Well those logical plans flew out the window and I painted the entire room a soft but rather bright pink and I couldn't be happier with the results.

The previous owner had painted the walls and ceiling a neutral tan or a deep flesh tone color. The effect was you weren't sure if the room was painted or not. My first step was to paint the ceiling white. I know painting ceiling and walls the same color is a trend but what it does is bring the ceiling down and in a standard, small, mass-produced room a low ceiling is confining. It also makes the walls seem to come in and meet the ceiling in a claustrophobic way. If you haven't guessed, I personally do not like the same color ceilings. The white lifted the room and was like a cool breeze coming through.

The previous walls were a warm tan color and I erased that with my cool, fresh, girly pink. It made the entire room seem so much bigger. Then I accented a window cut out with a very deep pink. This dark color will also be used to behind book shelves so a little color pops through behind the books, but it's not overwhelming.

Pink is VERY popular right now, expect to find dark, deep pink accents all over the place. This is the reason I chose this color for an accent, but not the reason I selected pink. I think you really have to love pink to commit to the color, it's not for the faint of heart but the results can be amazingly pretty and cheery.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

January is my "vacation" month. My writing work is a bit slower and the pre-holiday rush to get houses painted is over. Usually I take a vacation and spend a few weeks in Florida, which I've done. Then I try to find some time to do things I've been putting off. This year I'd like to wrap up all the projects I've started around my condo.

The Pergo laminate wood floor is installed in the office and I'm going to order more for the landing and the master bedroom. I wasn't sure if this was what I wanted but now I've decided that the second floor will be all hardwood (or the Pergo alternative). So now I can paint the office. Which means the trim as well as the walls.

My condo was built in the later 80's and the trim is that standard brown that most homes have but the doors have their own "charm". Someone went extra cheap on them and bought doors with a pinkish tint. I don't know if the stain came out wrong or what but it's really ugly. So I want to paint the trim upstairs white to make the rooms seem a little bigger, much fresher and cleaner. Not that the tiny baseboards will do much but the windows are old and worn and a fresh coat of paint will do a lot. And the doors will no longer have that pinkish hue. Ok. So the upstairs trim gets painted white.

And what of the downstairs trim. I have the same ugly door dilemma on the main floor. But the dilemma goes deeper. The fireplace has wood trim, that frankly I love. It matches my bookcases (which hold yarn for my knitting projects), my tv stand and my console table. It sort of matches the trim, similar to the window trim anyway. So I do not want to paint the fireplace. Then to add to the confusion, I'm painting my kitchen cabinets black (cherry wood doors may be added later). So painting the trim in the kitchen white would look a little silly. So the solution I came up with this morning (and it's early so I'm not entirely convinced) is to paint the downstairs trim all black. I've seen it in decorating magazines lately and it's pretty stunning. Really sharp and it would set off the wall color just as nicely as white does and it's a bit unexpected. The fireplace and my furniture already have black accents (metal trim work) so I could leave those pieces as is.

I'm just having a hard time adjusting to the idea of black trim on the main floor and white trim upstairs. Since the flooring is different I have an obvious transition point, but I'm still debating this bold move. Maybe all the trim should be black?

Posted by Kristin Abraham

When I purchased my condo I noticed that the carpets have a dirty appearance around the edges, especially on the stairway going to the second floor. This has always bothered me because I just could not understand how these areas could get so dirty and how someone could let the dirt continue to build up in the edges. I mean my vaccuum comes with a little attachment that gets in corners. But the difference in color between the sides and even the high traffic areas is incredible.

So, I am sitting here watching HDTV and there is a couple with the exact same problem except it wasn't the dirty carpet that bothered her as much, she was bothered by a moldy smell. And the House Detective (from the show of the same name) knew immediately what the problem was. The stairs, underneath the carpet, do not meet up flush with the walls. This means that as the air return is sucking up air it's pulling it up from the basement, through the cracks between the stairs and the wall and the air is being filtered through the carpet. This is why it gets so incredibly dirty looking.

AHA!

So I've already decided to replace the carpet in part of my condo. The rest of the place is getting hardwood/pergo flooring (see this article http://interiordecorating.suite101.com/article.cfm/installing_hardwood_laminate_floor if you're interested in installing flooring). But the stairs are definitely going to stay carpeted. I'm VERY accident prone and having fallen down stairs several times in the past I don't want to make them more slippery. So the carpet stays. But hopefully the stain goes and never comes back.

Now, the television show said that the stains could be cleaned and they set the husband to t hat task. They didnt say which products they were using but I'm guessing that a nice strong (maybe even industrial) carpet cleaner would work, and he was using a brush, so scrubbing is probably necessary. Remember that every carpet fiber is stained through and through with dirt so it might take a while. Luckily, mine will just take money, because I'm replacing that yucky 1980's carpet.

Then to fix the problem, and prevent my new (probably expensive) carpet from getting stained the show recommended filling the gaps. They used caulk to fix small gaps and foam insulation spray to fix the larger leaks. On the show they guy went into the basement and just simply fixed it from below. My problem is my stairs are not exposed to the basement. So, when the carpet is removed, prior to the new carpet coming in, I will caulk the cracks to seal them.

As I learned when doing the floors in the office, under the carpet in my condo is horrible. They contractors and builders were horrible and did things in a cheap, quick way. So I'm totally not surprised that the filthy carpet is because of faulty building rather than bad cleaning habits of prior owners. It's good to know I can fix the problem relatively quickly and easily.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm pretty excited right now. Not only are my new countertops being installed but I'm about to have my kitchen back! It's been almost a week since we took the old sink and counter off and it was an extremely inconvenient holiday week for me. Now, the day after Christmas, my countertop guys are here and look to have everything under control.

I'm trying to stay out of the way but I still want to see what's happening. In fact, I am a little worried that the counter is the wrong color so I want to sneek a peek and check. I think I'll run upstairs and look out the window, they're cutting the sink hole outside. Yep, right color.

Two guys showed up, which I expected, but neither of them are the guy that came and measured for the counter. If that's all his job is, it's a pretty cushy one. Just go around and measure things. So far these two have moved the new counter in, measured some stuff, checked the sink measurement and now they're outside cutting and trimming.

The one thing that surprised me was the corner is already cut and fixed. I figured they'd do that here as they mounted it to the cabinets. In fact I actually expected them to make the cut here rather than at their shop. Not that it matters much, but I did pay for the whole length of counter, which includes the corner pieces. And I could have had someone glue those pieces together for me and made me a nice matching cuting board. Or I could probably come up with a hundred other uses for the extra counter top. But its too late for that now.

Oh, but maybe I can ask for the center part where the sink goes. That would make a nice cutting board or something else. In fact, it should be a good size because I got a much bigger sink, so maybe I could use it as a small craft table.

This outside cutting is taking a pretty long time. It appears as if they're trimming it to fix my cabinets exactly. A part of me was thinking that I'd still replace the cabinets one day but I guess that idea is shot now. My current quick fix is to paint it all black and then later i'm going to replace the cupboard doors and the drawer faces with a nice stained red wood.

I'm also going to paint the walls. They're currently a dark periwinkle blue (old owner's choice) and I'm going with a nice sunny yellow. This should set off the black cupboards and my (soon to be purchased) black and stainless steel appliances.

And, they're done. Less than an hour from the time I saw them roll into my driveway to right now as they're pulling away. It looks so nice! In fact the ugly cupboards look nicer. And I learned a nice little tip, nail polish remover will remove coffee and juice stains without ruining the counters! Good to know.

Now, I've got to go put everything back together.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The new couch is so new that the matching chair and ottoman haven’t arrived yet and already my cat, Alice Parker, has turned it into a scratching post. This is actually a fairly new problem for me. I’ve had 13 cats and they’ve all been good about not scratching the furniture. The only exception was Kitty, who shredded my mom’s furniture and we ended up getting her declawed.

Now, before you scream at me for declawing a cat I’d like to point out that it was about twenty years ago and at that time declawing was very commonplace and actually recommended. We had no idea of the damage it caused to the cat both physically and mentally. Luckily, Kitty didn’t really have a bad reaction to the declawing and he lived to be 22 years old. But I will say that I have decided declawing is no longer an acceptable alternative for my cats.

So, I now have to find out how to stop Little Miss Alice Parker from destroying my new couch. Hitting doesn’t work with cats and she’s so sensitive I’m afraid a little spanking would send her into hiding for days. I do yell “NO!” at her or clap my hands when she does it and she instantly stops, but it only seems to stop her at that moment because there are new scratch marks that she made when I wasn’t looking.

She and my other cat share a very nice scratching post but Alice Parker isn’t that interested in scratching it. Grimalkin, my other cat, loves scratching it and I think that she has possibly claimed that post as her own and left her scent all over it. I’m currently researching another scratching post but it may be difficult to get Alice Parker to own it since she is so incredibly docile.

The other issue is now my new couch is “marked” with Alice Parker’s scent and she feels she has a right to scratch it, even if she adopts the new scratching post. Cats have a natural aversion to citrus smells so I’ll probably get a nice lemony spray to liberally coat the couch with. There are products made to especially deter cats and you can pick them up at your local pet store, but if you ask me they cost more then they’re worth.

I’ve also been told that hiding the texture from the cat can deter them. This is a solution you use temporarily until the cat has broken the habit. Double sided tape and aluminum foil are the recommended masking textures but I’m loathe to put tape on my new couch and I can’t see wrapping it in tin foil, but I’ll do it if I have to.

I also trim Alice Parker’s nails fairly regularly (when she’ll let me) and I’ve decided that if I can’t break her of this habit I’m going to have to buy nail caps so even if she does scratch she can’t do any damage.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm a little bit impulsive. Or maybe it's more impatient. But when I want something I want it now. And that's how my interior decorating and home renovating woes began. About two months ago I picked up another job and my current ones were going really well and suddenly I saw dollar signs everywhere. I began working 17 hour days just to make as much money as possible and then began spending it as quickly, or even quicker, than I was making it.

But that was about two months ago, I hadn't anticipated the long wait periods and back orders and the whole holiday stress factor. So, at this particular moment I'm sitting in a house that has ripped out carpet, baseboards lying all over, its missing a kitchen sink and the counters are loosened. Then there are Christmas presents and projects lying everywhere. It's a total disaster and I'm freaking out.

I'm not the cleanest gal in the world but I do like order and I get a little thrill when my house is not only clean but there is a lot of open space. Right now I'm lost in clutter. And it's not just me, one of my cats is having a lot of trouble with all the commotion.

So I've learned one of those little life lessons that I'd like to pass along to everyone else. The first lesson is one I should have learned a million times over but I just cant see past my own excitement enough to slow down and take things one thing at a time. Right now I'm in the process of renovating my kitchen, totally redoing the office and repainting one of the bathrooms. Not to mention the new furniture. I should have just picked one room and sunk my "spare cash" into that room and then moved on to the next room.

The other big lesson is all about timing. Stores don't work well with my "I want what I want and I want it now" mantra. I didn't realize my floors would take about three weeks to arrive and the counters would take six and the furniture would take eight. My time table means absolutely nothing to these people and I should have realized that when I started these projects. I also didn't properly consider the time of year. I wanted to decorate my new place and instead of being able to go crazy with the tinsel and lights I'm stuck with two tiny trees in the kitchen. I also do not have any time to shop and what I've picked up is lying all over the livingroom in little piles.

If anyone is considering a project in the future, may I suggest sticking to one project at a time and making sure you're working within a reasonable time frame for everyone involved.

I just hope that all of my projects are completed by next winter.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Ok, I've had one busy week. I took on some extra work a few weeks back so I could begin buying stuff for the condo and I'm still working on these projects and my purchases have started rolling in.

Last week I got the call that my special order pergo floors had arrived. Unfortunately, my friend and home improvement partner in crime was in Hawaii (ah, the life of a travel writer). So the floors would have to wait a week.

This Wednesday I picked up the floors and enlisted Kevin's help for the day. And what a day it was. In fact I dont think it officially ended until 5pm the following day. It began for me at 1am when i finally finished Tuesday's work. So my day began with a bit of a nap. At 7am Kevin was chomping at the bit to start floor day. So I called Home Depot to let them know I would be picking up my flooring (as they requested). I was then told they need 2 hours after I call to have it ready. Really wish I had been told that before. At 9am Kevin and I met at Home Depot and picked up the flooring. And a saw blade and then another blade and two packs of jigsaw blades and then we rented a chop (mitre) saw because the one we had wasnt big enough. So after an hour and a half and about a hundred extra dollars we were done.

I'd like to mention that we also spent forever talking to about 6 sales associates. Here is where I explain that I'm a type A personality and Kevin isnt. For me this was an absolutely excruciating experience, worse than anything that would follow. I'm not a big fan of asking questions or getting directions, or even taking directions for that matter. My theory is skim the instructions on the box and figure it out on your on, just get the job done as quickly as possible. And never spend time worrying about a problem that you havent had yet.

So finally we get home, have some breakfast, unload the cars and he has to run to borrow someone's saw to trim the end off the starter pieces and run some other errands. At 4pm we begin laying the floor. By 6pm half of the floor was done and we were starving.

By 9pm we were worried about the saw noise and the neighbors. But we were almost done. The last row of Pergo needed to be ripped to fit the room and this had to be done at Kevin's friends house. And the closet was unfinished, but that also required some finessing with the jigsaw so we decided to put everything on hold for the rest of the night.

The following day Kevin managed to make it over by 2pm and after some fancy sawing that I avoided completely, the floor was done! And it's absolutely wonderful!

Keep your eyes out for my article on the specifics of laying a Pergo laminate hardwood floor. I'm working on it right now. It's really a project that pretty much anyone can complete but it does take some skill when it comes to cutting. And for that - Thanks Kevin!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm slowly revamping my twenty-something year old condo and I've moved on to the kitchen countertops. Currently, I have the original counters, which are the standard 1980's off white. A horrible color but it matches the appliances, for now.

I've selected new counters from Home Depot. Since money is indeed an object for me I'm going with a laminate but I rationalize this by accepting that I cannot afford new cabinets and putting a marble countertop on cabinets that are cheap and over 20 years old would be ridiculous. I am refacing the cabinets though so they will look nicer than they do now.

I've hired Home Depot to install my countertops (they actually subcontract this work) and do the official measuring but before they came I had to come to the store with estimated measurements. To do this I measured the back of the counter. There is a turn in my counter, standard 90-degrees, and it's important to measure the back of both sides. You actually need to purchase a piece of countertop that is that length and the parts that are cut off just become scrap. These cuts are expensive, its $50 just for the angled cut so you want to make sure this is measured correctly.

Then there is the sink measurements. My old sink is much like everything else in the condo, the cheapest thing they could get at the time. There is no sprayer and just a single basin. So I picked up a new sink with double basins. Of course I had to first check to make sure I had space for this sink and luckily I do. Then I had to find a faucet that has a nozzle which doubles as a sprayer. The sink needed to be in my house when the official measurements were made because if this hole is cut wrong then the biggest piece of countertop is destroyed.

The backsplash also needs to be measured and this is where I made my error. I thought I had a standard laminate backsplash but it turns out that the clerk who helped me at Home Depot had selected a standard 3-inch backsplash and mine is 4-inches. This isn't a huge error but it does mean that I'll be paying a little more than I expected.

If any of these measurements were done incorrectly I could end up with a poor fitting countertop or with an expensive mistake. This is why I've decided to pony up the extra cash and have professionals do the final measurements and installation.

But I am saving money by ripping out the old countertop and sink myself. Home Depot's charge for this service is around $300 and that includes removing the old countertop. I've decided to keep the countertop and put it in my basement where it will serve as a paint cleaning and craft area, complete with sink and running water! So I'm not only saving a bit of money but improving my basement as well. I'm also going to attempt to install the new sink myself (with some help from my friends...i.e. I'm going to try to get them to do it for me).

So, If you're thinking about getting countertops, whether its a do it yourself project or a completely customized event, you need to make sure all measurements are exact. Remember, measure twice, cut once.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Normally I spend the Friday after thanksgiving shopping with my mom and/or sister. This year we had the sudden realization that we wouldnt be shopping together. Which was a little disappointing. I mean we've got it down to a science with ads scanned, clipped, organized and plan of attack thoroughly agreed upon. And in times of extreme lines, one of us stands while the other shops. We are a well oiled shopping machine.

Since I have no ideas for christmas presents this year (except one) I wasn't that upset about missing Black Friday. I had a lot of work to do anyway as Thursday was lost and I may have a house guest this weekend, so there were things to do.

Early in the morning my friend called and we headed to Menards. We both have wood floor projects on the horizon and Menards was advertising a great sale. The store was so busy we had to park across the street in the Taco Bell lot. Then we dodged traffic as people spun around in the parking lot, not willing to walk across the street in the unseasonably beautiful morning. And once inside the crowds became damn near lethal. We threaded out way to the flooring section and nothing seemed to be on sale so we got out of there and went our separate ways.

This was fine with me until about 3pm when I got the itch. Really? I was going to spend Black Friday working? I wasn't going to spend a dime? I jumped in my car and headed to Home Depot. I'd just look at the flooring there, maybe there was a sale but the stuff I wanted is just so expensive. And I'd pick up one of those Rosemary trees and a tiny pine.

And then I got to the store. I have to say it was the kid that helped me in flooring that made me decided to order my floor. Yes, the expensive stuff. I didn't realize they didn't keep it in stock so I placed my order. At that point I was over the cliff. I headed to kitchens and ordered my new countertop. Then the girl who helped me walked me to the checkout. It's probably good that she did because I was going to pick up some wood stain and a new kitchen sink (No, really! I was!). But her inadvertent intervention was probably a good thing.

I'm actually very excited about my purchases and I even got a Home Depot card to save myself 10%. No buyers remorse here. If anything I'm just a little disappointed that it will take between 3 and 6 weeks for my new purchases to arrive.

I think I can safely say that Black Friday was a success...for me anyway.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If your house has a lot of clutter it's just not going to look its best. By storing things in bins and baskets and jars or basically anything, you can eliminate the clutter and mess and create an interesting and attractive storage center. To make it even more attractive you can add creative labels to your system.

Your child's bedroom, a playroom, and craft/hobby area really respond well to a serious clean up and organization effort. You'll be delighted with the results. And if you're really a crafty, creative person you can add labels that will make others envious.

Labeling is important and if you're going to be storing something in your basement, go ahead and whip out that Sharpie pen. But if your storage is more visible consider dressing it up.

In the craft area you can cross stitch little labels and fit them into the small hoop frames that are sold for use with christmas ornaments. You can get as elaborate as you want or stick with solid block letters.

My dream yarn area is organized with little knit swatches representing each skein. On the back you can attach a tag that lets you know what the gauge is.

Children's toys can be labeled in a variety of ways. You can let your kids draw pictures of the contents, take pictures of the children playing with the toys, or (my favorite) buy a little labelsized chalkboard at the craft store and write what the contents are. If you go the chalkboard route you may want to buy a fixative so the writing doesnt wear off right away.

In your kitchen consider making little placards decorated with images of the stored items or other themes that match your kitchen. You can even get your computer to print out some labels using caligraphy.

These are just a few ideas, let your mind wander and come up with your own creative labeling solutions.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I have an aunt and uncle who own a furniture store and so I'm aware that the holiday season is one of their busiest times. Although furniture is a good gift idea, especially for the couple who would rather buy something big for their home than something small for each other, but that's not the reason for most of the sales. At this time of the year many people just want to spruce up their home. And it makes complete sense.

When winter comes many people are forced to spend more time indoors. It's not just the weather that encourages the hibernating but the time change also means less daylight hours. Being trapped inside can make you feel safe and cozy or it can make you feel trapped and anxioius. Since the first feelings are more desireable, people have an urge to make their environment a place they want to be, something comfortable.

If you've been reading my blogs you can tell that I'm totally caught up in this urge. I'm shopping for new furniture, I'm anxiously waiting for my "assistant" (my friend Kevin) to return from his latest work trip so we can rip out the carpet and put in hardwood floors, and I've rescued a fouton from the garbage that I'm looking forward to refinishing so I can house guests. And I haven't even begun to tell you how much I want to decorate for Christmas.

But this blog doesn't just come with a bunch of useless advice about people buying furniture it comes with some tips. Furniture retailers know that they are going to get business at this time of year, lots of it. So they're going to make money no matter what. If they want to get more people into the store they'll have some good sales to draw you in, but they may not have the sweeping sales that they have in slower seasons. If you have a furniture purchase in your future watch for the sales. This might not be the best sales season for what you want.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I've been working a ton lately, which means I've been making more money and wanting to spend it. I really want a new couch and if you've read previous blogs you know that I began shopping for one.

I really liked the sales girl I met at the place I went and she told me that microfiber was a pet friendly fabric. At first this sounded good, she explained that the fur could easily be wiped up. Of course leather was better, she explained, but microfiber was easy too. I liked this idea because I like the look of a microfiber couch but as I thought about it I became more skeptical. Seemed to me that that sort of fabric would draw the hairs out of the cats and be a total mess. So I decided to perform an experiment.

I have a microfiber-ish black jacket my sister bought me for Christmas years ago. I laid that on the couch, right where one of my cats spends most of her day. Alice Parker (my cat) was a little leery of the new bedding but she liked that it smelled like me and soon she curled up right on the jacket. Within a couple hours I noticed a large tuft of her fur on the jacket. But she's a cat and sometimes they shed its a fact of life. It was too early to end my experiment.

After several days the jacket didnt have much more fur. The fur it had was more evenly spaced than the initial chunk and it was pretty evident. So good and bad news. Microfiber isn't a fur magnet like i feared and it cleaned up pretty easily. But I don't want to clean my furniture every day. Also the way the fibers stand up makes the hair stand up and stand out so frequent cleanings would definitely be necessary.

My conclusion, the fabric I currently have is best. Its regular fabric with no textural patterns and it has a visual pattern which helps hide the small daily fur deposits. My decision, I still love the way the microfiber looks. I'm going to keep shopping but I think I'm leaning towards the original couch, although the style is another issue.

BUT, the lesson from this blog is if you are wondering how a fabric will work in your home do a trial run. You may not have any of the fabric on hand but a craft or sewing store would have something you could purchase OR you could ask the furniture store for a sample. Just imagine all of the fabric samples they get every time a new piece of furniture comes out. They're sure to have something you can use for a test if they think they're going to get your sale.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Today I was shockingly productive so I took a little break in my day to go run some errands. Somehow those errands got twisted and I ended up furniture shopping.

I first found myself in the World Market. I guess they don't have these all over the US but they're fabulous stores. They carry a little bit of something from everywhere. The furniture is very Pier One in style and price. Its not very well made and over priced but looks so great.

I have a concept in my head for my office, sort of a shabby chic but very cheap, but suddenly there were two different room options that looked perfect. One was really casual and the other was sort of formal and both were gorgeous. So I sat on the couch and called for my intervention. With help I was able to curb my shopping urge. For a little while.

I ran a couple more errands and still felt a furniture itch so I went to Slumberland. They had an add in the newpaper recently with a eggplant colored couch and I wanted to check it out. There wasn't an eggplant couch in site anywhere. But there were a couple I could order in that color. In fact one of them was in stock at a warehouse.

I learned that the most durable couch material was leather, but microfiber was second. I am not interested in leather because I don't like the chill on my legs in the summer. I also don't like the fact that my cat, Alice Parker, scratches furniture a little bit. She's not too bad and a little scratch here and there on regular furniture is ok, but on leather would destroy it. So leather is out. Microfiber is a distinct possibility. It does collect fur but easily wipes clean. I'm not happy about having to clean it but I do like the right look.

So I was leaning toward the couch that comes in eggplant. Then I decided I'd probably need the chair with the couch. My place is too small for a couch and loveseat. But maybe 2 chairs would look good. Instead the sales gal, Sabrina, and I decided an ottoman would be the best idea. So now it was a couch, a chair and an ottoman. Of course I'd need the stain guard treatment.

Then I saw this great chair with a little ottoman that would look fabulous in my bedroom. I've wanted a reading chair up there and this one was the perfect size. It was also covered in a great fabric that was a wild print. I love prints on furniture. Of course I'm not sure it would go with the print on the curtains or the bedspread.

So I performed a little intervention on myself and I walked out of the store promising Sabrina that I'd return. I'm not sure I will return. I am sold on the color of the couch but at this point that's about it.

But I did learn something, sometimes window shopping therapy is just as good as retail therapy.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Always interested in a Parade of Homes, I went to my hometown's showing last weekend and was pretty disappointed. We got a bit of a late start, and because it was a small town and one that my mom and I grew up in, we were stalled quite a bit chatting with the realtors and other gawkers. So we only viewed a few homes but after a while we realized that maybe seeing a few of them was basically the same as seeing all of them

Some of the homes were already lived in and some were brand new. The brand new ones were almost identical. The layouts were unique but nothing really outstanding. Not for the prices they were asking anyway. Every one had hardwood floors. And most of them had the same shag carpet in places, an off white base color with flecks of different browns. They were all painted a very neutral buff color. The more appealing ones had taken that buff a bit darker and had a nice warm tan color. Several, if not all, had some tile flooring in either the bathroom(s) or the kitchen. Granite counters graced every kitchen and most of the bathrooms too. Basically, the same thing over and over. I appreciate the quality that goes into homes now. I'm a fan of the hardwood flooring, the granite countertops, the tiled floors but it does get very, very boring. I would love to see a builder take some initiative and put some personality into a home. Sure you may not appeal to everyone looking to buy, but you really only need to appeal to one person, right? I think it would be so great to tour homes with a point of view, an artistic and architectural vision.

The tour did have some older homes that I enjoyed touring, most of them anyway. Obviously, I prefer the personality that someone brings to their living space. These homes were a bit dated, well one was actually quite dated as it was 90 years old and the owners had worked hard to keep that sentiment throughout the home.

My parent's neighbor's home was on the tour and it was interesting to see how they had taken advantage of an almost identical location. Their backyard was cleared of woods and an amazing view of the creek below was the focal point of over half of the rooms in the house. From their entrance was a huge solarium that lit up the entire house. It was stunning.

These "used" homes offered so much more value for the money in my opinion. They had nicer views with adult trees and landscaping. The updates had all been made with some additional touches such as hot tubs and a private workroom retreat.

The newer homes were al the same. Every floor plan was the same as the one before or a slight variation. The homes generally had good views of the town below but the views were either spoiled by other homes in the subdivision or the future threat of new homes. And there were no tall shade trees.

Personally, I much prefer the bigger city Parade of Homes. In my hometown there are some very expensive pieces of property with beautiful homes on them but everything seems generic. Whereas in the larger towns some builders do go out on a limb (granted a very safe one) and add a little flair to their buildings.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Today I was painting my client's house and learned a little lesson that I thought I'd pass along. I needed to paint her closet doors. Now the large doors I had already painted, stretching them across my two saw horses. (Plastic saw horses come in packages of two for under $15 - definitely a purchase worth making for homeowners.) The small cupboards over the closet hadn't been painted yet. There were about six of these doors and they are too small to put between the saw horses.

Previously I've painted things on a drop cloth and sometimes the cupboard doors, or whatever it is, gets stuck to the cloth and will leave a little imprint of the cloth on the item. I didn't want this to happen so I had this brilliant idea to use a bunch of paper bags as the drop cloths. The house has had all of the carpet torn out and the new carpet doesn't come until next week, so I didnt have to worry about spilling or the paint seeping through.

All was fine for the first side. We painted the large inside and the sides, leaving the outside for last. Once the insides had their three coats of paint and the paint had dried I reached to turn a door over and found that it had stuck to the paper bag. We ended up pulling the bags off of all of the doors and then had to sand off the paper bags and the spots around them where the paint had puddled and dried.

Luckily, with my helper (thanks Mom) we got the cupboards sanded in less than twenty minutes and could continue. But at this point we had learned our little lesson and completed the task using actual drop cloths.

The worst part of this whole tale is I know how to do this without leaving cloth prints or patterns and just didn't have the tools and didn't take the time to run to the local Ace Hardware and pick up a plastic drop cloth. I try to always keep a few in my supply box but I was out and hadn't replenished my supply. If you're thinking about painting a similar item, or if you just want to pick up an inexpensive tool that I guarantee you'll find useful at some point, then pick up a disposable plastic drop cloth or two and leave the paper bags at the grocery store.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The other morning I went running, my usual route, and I barely start and I see some interesting stuff at the curb. I don't usually pull stuff out of the trash, honestly I'm not a dumpster diver, but I do check out what people have thrown out. I think it's interesting and it keeps my run a little interesting. And one time, years ago, I snagged a HUGE metal, antique coca-cola sign that I absolutely love.

So on this run I noticed some wood that had a pattern that intrigued me and the wood looked to be in good shape. I got closer and my heart skipped a little, the wood thing was a fouton frame. An awesome fouton frame! It was exactly what I was looking for. I've been very excited about redecorating my office and I want to put a bed/couch/daybed up there for company and my niece and nephew. I can't afford much so a fouton was probably the best way to go. A free fouton was definitely the best way to go. I plan on painting it anyway so the fact that its used and free makes me feel a little better about painting wood.

So I slow my run a little to send my friend Kevin a text message. I know its close to home, but still too heavy and awkward for me to carry. He was out of town and thought maybe he'd be around by 9:30 to help. At 9:30 pm I realized that he meant 9:30 am the following day. So I went to bed.

The next day Kevin had some issues getting back to town and wouldn't be back until later in the afternoon. Well, at this point the excitement of the free fouton had worn off and I told him not to worry and to come back whenever he could. And then I went for my run and saw a man loading the fouton and its co-garbage into a trailer. I figured he was one of the guys who sold that stuff at flea markets and said good bye to my fouton as I ran by.

The next day passed and I was a little disappointed about not getting a free fouton, but I decided I'd try Freecycle after I got the rest of the room done.

So the following day I take my garbage to the curb and look down the street and there it is! The fouton has returned! I called Kevin and he raced right over. The garbage truck had already started its rounds on my street. This time Kevin arrived in time and we snagged my fouton. It's a little broken. One of the bottom supports has cracked wood, but it's easily fixable. And because I plan on painting it, it doesn't matter if I replace that piece entirely.

Right now its sitting in my garage and will probably stay there for most of the winter, but I'm really happy it found its way home.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Can it really be almost six months since I moved into my condo? I think its totally acceptable that I haven't purchased new furniture or replaced the carpet yet but I don't really think I have an excuse for not putting up some of my photos.

I consider myself an amateur photographer and I've proposed a couple art exhibits and am anxiously awaiting my first one. And if you've read my articles you know that I feel it's really important that your own personal style comes through in your home. I like to do this in a lot of different ways but my pictures are a big way. I also like to change them ever so often to reflect the season or sometimes even a phase in my life.

I sat down last Friday and spent about 6 hours printing out photos and cleaning and loading up my new frames. This task might not take everyone that long but when I throw myself into a task I really get lost in it.

On one tucked away wall that's easily visible but not much good for anything else I put up an arrangement of 18 different photos and a mirror in the middle to break things up a little. The photos are all scenery shots. Most are from Wisconsin (my home state) but some are from other states. The pictures range from sweeping mountainous expanses (obviously not Wisconsin) taken from a plane to super close ups of flowers or, my favorite subject, mushrooms.

I did put a few pictures up of my family, a lot of my niece and nephew. But because I'm single and have no children of my own I don't have a lot of treasured family photos.

In the kitchen is my favorite photo grouping. It's four photos one ontop of the other in a single black frame. I went to a local pick-your-own-farm with my mother the week before and I took some extreme close ups of very bright produce. The top picture is a cluster of red and purple hot peppers with a lot of greenery. The next one is a close up of the stem of a pumpkin and one in the background. The third photo is a basket of bright fall flowers with gourds that the owners had placed at the check out. And the final shot is a close up of a clump of cherry tomatoes. This grouping is bright and the color draws you closer to see what these extreme close ups are actually of. And I love the fact that this is a fall collection and I can change it any time I want.

I took all the pictures with my digital camera and printed them myself so the cost to decorate this way is very inexpensive. I'm also always on the look out for sales and can generally find frames at 40 or 50% off.

I'm so glad I took the time to do some simple decorating. It makes my home feel more like a reflection of me.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Two days ago I began the final stretch of my client's lake home and after a couple hours I realized that my book on tape wasn't holding my attention, I was busy daydreaming about my own little home.

I'm so excited to fix up my office. Its the time of year when the sun rises as I'm beginning my work day and every morning I pass my disaster of an office and see that glorious sunlight streaming through the cherry trees, casting a pink glow through the room, and I think how much I'd rather be working there than downstairs in my dark, cluttered livingroom.

I'm planning on ripping out the horrible carpet left by the last tenant and putting down a faux hardwood (probably the Ikea bamboo). I'm going to call on my friend Kevin for help now that he's a pro, having finished his own condo.

I initially wanted to divide the room into two rooms by building a platform that would hold the pull out couch and other guest room accessories. I'd further separate this area by putting up an Ikea floor to ceiling open bookshelf. But at this point I think I'll skip the platform. I'd still like to have the step up into the guest/bedroom area but that can wait.

So next week I'm going to take all of the books and paperwork, and other junk out of the office and rip out the carpet. Then hopefully the week after I can get Kevin to spare a day and we'll throw in the wood floors. Then I'll probably take another week to bring everything back into the office and organize everything.

And Voila! I've got a functional office. I'm really so excited to do it, I just hope I can hold this excitement level until I get the free time to do it.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I'm trying to enjoy this cup of coffee before I slip into my work bibs and head out to my client's lake house.

This has been a very interesting project. I was hired intially to prep the house so the homeowner could take a week and do the actual painting. She enjoys painting and I totally understand the desire to see the color go on the wall, to have accomplished that by yourself. In fact the small part I painted for her was rewarding. But priming and painting trim isn't as rewarding and I think hiring someone else (me) to do that part of the job is an excellent idea. Especially when her available time is limited.

Her week off ended on Sunday and I received a list of things done and things yet to be done. It seems like she's been very productive. I'm anxious to see the colors on the wall. I have seen little test patches but of course its difficult to imagine an entire room when you only get a test patch, even for me.

It looks like I'll be painting the closet doors and the windows today. Of course I won't get that all done today. I believe thats going to be another 3 coat process (going by the room doors). So Maybe one coat on the doors and each window and then hopefully I can get a coat of primer on the front and back door and then at least one final coat on those doors. Hmm, might not be the best game plan but those seem to be priority items to me.

I'm also going to finish some of the trim and give one of the bedrooms a final coat of paint. I have two weeks to do all of this which would be more than ample time, but I've got a full time writing business to handle as well. It's another case of me taking on a little more work than I can handle.

So, once I've finished my cup of coffee it's back to the ladder.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I've mentioned before that my painting mentor has been my aunt, Bonita Gillespie. She has an art degree from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and turned that knowledge into her little cottage industry. She's been faux finishing for over 15 years and has mastered almost every technique there is.

Recently she's mentioned that she's doing less "traditional" faux finishing and picking up a lot of Venetian plaster jobs. This prompted me to ask her if she'd consider contributing an article to our site on Venetian plaster. Happily, she agreed.

I thought I'd take this opportunity to briefly define Venetian plaster and get you as excited as I am about this upcoming piece.

Venetian plaster is a layered application that is meant to resemble the finishes found in Roman palaces. The more layers you have the more depth and polish you develop. Some people say the final product has the same shine and feel as marble. It is definitely cool to the touch.

The plaster product is tintable and you can select the color you like best. Then, through the layering process, that color becomes more pronounced and takes on a greater degree of depth and movement.

There are a few additional touches you can add with Venetian plaster that really boost the appeal and "wow factor". Stencil designs can be added to create a border with texture and depth embedded right into the wall. Or an iridescent shine can be achieved by using a few specially designed glazes.

I'm really looking forward to Bonita's article. Venetian plaster is not only the hottest trend in faux finishing but it's a truly beautiful and classy look.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Every year my mom and I go to the Warrens Cranberry Festival. Its the world's largest cranberry festival, although I wonder how many cranberry festivals there actually are in the world.

I attend art fairs pretty regularly, hitting about 6 a year. My main purpose is not to purchase but to get inspiration. I left the festival this year pretty disappointed. In the past I had looked forward to the first cranberry festival after I bought my own home. I was going to buy a bunch of stuff for decorating and collect all those great ideas and turn them into my own projects. This year, nothing.

I didn't see anything I wanted for the house, nothing that even gave me that creative spark and the "I can do that" spirit.

I saw some pretty nice dried flower arrangements with a few unusual touches, a couple nice feathers (yes, feathers)and some faux pumpkins. These centerpieces were done very well but I'm not much for dried flowers.

I saw some metal pumpkin forms that I like and I'd love to fill with gourds and tiny pumpkins, but I just didn't feel like buying any of them.

I also didnt really see any jewelry or clothing that inspired me. I did see a pair of bibs that were decorated with ankle trim and a pumpkin on the chest, that was cute and I'd like to make something like that. But nothing I had to rush home to do.

I'm beginning to fear that I need to take a craft fair break. I need to get away so maybe some of the magic can come back.

But if you're interested in the Cranberry Festival, here is the link to their website http://www.cranfest.com/. It really is an amazing art fair. I believe there is something like 3 miles of booths. Not all booths are crafts or art, there is a flea market area and a lot of treats that are yummy but not so good for you. I really recommend visiting if you live anywhere near Wisconsin and if you don't then consider a weekend trip. The leaves are beginning to turn up north and it's just gorgeous.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

This weekend I went fabric shopping with my mom. She was looking for curtain material and a few different kinds of fabric to make my niece a ballet outfit. The prices of fabric were ridiculous. Although I have to say some of the sales were pretty good.

We'll skip over the price of tulle and satin for my niece since this really doesn't have anything to do with interior decorating. But I will say that it's probably cheaper to buy one.

So the interior decorating fabrics, outrageously expensive. But what if you still want to use that material, like I do? Well, it's time to come up with some creative ways to incorporate the fabric into your home.

Instead of the heavy drapes I wanted in the bedroom I'm going to have to find another way to incorporate that gorgeous turquoise and brown striped material. I think a valance with a nice (cheap) tan colored material will be a nice compromise. This way I get to incorporate the colors and materials I want but I get a little price break. And to be honest I think the stripe might be too much.

I also had picked out a great fat green stripe for the living room and since there is only one small window, I thought I could splurge for the heavy, view-blocking, drapes. But as I rethink my initial impulse I think that maybe the stripe and the bright green walls might be too much. So I'll have to come up with another creative way to use this material, cut my expenses and add something less expensive.

But window treatments aren't the only way to use fabrics. Other creative purchases and projects can also suck at your bank account. Challenge yourself to come up with inexpensive ways to incorporte the fabrics you love without taking out a loan.

Oh, and by the way, my mom has decided to buy a prom dress from good will and salvage the material from that for my niece's ballet costume.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Well hello! I've been away so long and I apologize. I picked up a new job painting a lake house.

Its a thirty year old home that is getting a fresh coat of paint everywhere, and I do mean everywhere. The interesting thing is the homeowner (a friend of mine from high school) loves painting and redid their main house so she really wants to paint the lakehouse. In fact, she wanted to paint the entire thing next week as she's taken off a week of work. Fortunately, for us both, she realized that there was just too much painting for one person to do in a week. So SuperPainter (me) came to the rescue.

I've been working for three weeks on the place and yesterday I turned it back over to the homeowner.

I have painted all of the ceilings, all trim, the windows, the doors, light fixtures...everything! All while battling some serious allergies or a sinus infection, not sure which yet.

Now the homeowner will be painting the kitchen, the dining room, livingroom, hallway, bathroom and three bedrooms.

Once the week is over I'll be called back to finish what hasn't been done. I also have a few doors to do. Whew!

It's really been challenging and tiring and I have to thank my mom and dad for coming out and helping. But I have to admit the fresh paint on the tired old woodwork looks amazing...so much so I'm thinking about doing my own woodwork, at least the upstairs.

I've noticed a lot of magazines and television shows are showing white trim and bright and richly colored walls. If you've been this trend and want to imitate it there are a few things to remember.

Prep your woodwork! Your woodwork has a stain which can make paint crack and peel. To prevent this you need to do some prepwork. You can sand everything, which is a pain, or you can buy a primer that is designed for this. There are a lot of primers out there that work so you should research your situation a little and talk to your local paint store. If you have a mold problem make sure you get a primer that helps kill mold.

Protect the environment. Primer is harder to get off everything than paint. (Even skin) So take the walls and adjacent surfaces, use dropcloths and be careful.

Don't expect perfection. Primer is primer, its not paint and it doesn't need to look perfect it just needs to coat the surface. So don't waste your time trying to get the primer to look like a top coat, it just won't happen. But do make sure you do not have drips.

Once you've primed your woodwork you can begin painting. It will take about 2-3 coats to get a nice finished look and a semigloss works best as it's easiest to clean.

And finally, because there are so many coats of paint you need to let it cure for as long as possible before you put anything against it or attach anything to it.

It's work but so worth it if you have old, tired woodwork. And the lake house looks fabulous!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

The Today Show is reviewing an article published in Domino which is encouraging people to take their favorite outfit and turn it into a room effect.

My initial reaction is that this article and story is a bit ridiculous. Its a stretch to say the least. And I think at least one of the outfits was designed so they could use the room. But it was fun to see how they'd translate the fashion looks to a room.

The key point though, I believe, is useful. Look at your clothes and pick something you love, something you look terrific in. Then analyze the colors and the style.

Is the outfit very casual and not accessorized? Or is it very fussy and formal with just the perfect strand of pearls? Or are you an accessory freak and feel best when dripping in baubles?

It doesnt really matter which style you choose what does matter is that now you know what makes you feel best. And you can translate that into your home decorations. If you love baubles then you probably would feel happiest in a home surrounded by tchatchkies and all sorts of interesting pieces. If you feel best in a worn pair of jeans and a t-shirt then a casual and comfortable home with muted tones might be something more your speed.

The story was pretty interesting and you can find more information on their website at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14454417/

But I'd like to note that my fashion sense cannot be pigeonholed into a particular genre, so decorating my home to fit my ever changing moods just isn't possible. And I'm going to go out on a limb and say that there are probably a lot of people like me. People who are just as comfortable in their workout clothes as they are in a formal dress, or people that feel sexy in a business suit or a pair of designer jeans.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Okay, I'll admit it. I think I bit off more than I can chew but I'm trying.

I've got my regular jobs, a side decorating project, my own condo to fix up, at least one new painting job, and absolutely no life. I'm beginning to fall prey to my own good intentions and ambition. And this brings me to this week's topic. Time management and being reasonable.

I have a hard time estimating how long my projects will take, and then, lets be honest, the free time and recovery time necessary. I know this is a problem I have. I also have a problem saying "no". I want to make people happy so I take on more than I can handle. This leaves me where I am now, drowning in projects.

I just can't accept that I'm the only person with these problems. In fact, a lot of the home improvement and interior decorating projects I see people tackle in their own homes reaffirms my belief that this is a problem for most people.

I think its important to be practical about your projects. If you are thinking about whipping out a DIY project over the labor day weekend then spend ten minutes analyzing the project.

Are you looking to repaint your livingroom? Well yay you! You've got the perfect sized project. A long weekend is a perfect amount of time to undress the room, tape, lay drop cloths, get your paints, cut in, roll out walls (or do a faux finish), let the room dry and paint cure for awhile so you can enjoy some time outside, redress the room and sit back and spend a little time taking it all in. Sure a professional could do it in a day, maybe two but keep in mind you're not a professional and you're going to have your regular life intruding on your project.

If you're looking to rip out the carpet in your place and lay some hardwood floors, complete with new baseboards. Well my friend, you have also bitten off more than you can chew. This may indeed be a 2-3 day job for a professional but you don't know all the tricks of the trade, you don't have the experience to go quickly, and like most people, you will probably try to make everything "perfect" since it's your house, which takes a LONG time.

So my advice to you (because I'd never take my own advice), be reasonable about the time you have available and how long your projects will take. And then remember to have fun and enjoy some of your time off!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

My friend Kevin just bought a condo so as soon as he signed his life away we headed to the new place to rip out the carpet. But of course I first seranaded his new neighbors with my rendition of Mary Had a Little Lamb on his accordian.

In the condo Kevin became hesitant about ripping out the carpet. Now we had been through this several times in the last couple weeks and he hates carpeting, the previous owner had a cat, and the condo is over 60 years old. It needed and update (the carpet wasnt that old though)and he had his heart set on hardwood.

His mother hadn't helped the issue. She's from the era of wall to wall carpet. Its something people of her generation dreamed of and were pretty excited when they got it. So in her mind ripping out every shred of carpet and replacing it with hardwood was a travesty.

Kevin was replaying his earlier phone conversation with mom as I tried to pry up the carpet in the corner. Finally he began helping and we ripped it out of the dining room. Once he saw what was underneath his fears were pretty much laid to rest. I told him to tell his mom that we didn't take out the carpet, we cleaned the litter box!

The carpet and the pad ripped right out. Disgusting to touch but not a problem. Then I was stuck with what I consider the worst job, I became the staple plucker. Armed with a screwdriver and a needlenosed pliers I went to work removing every single staple.

The floor underneath was tile that was over 60 years old. It was crumbly, had frightening black stains and possibly asbestos. We were probably not as careful as we should have been but we just wanted to get done and out.

After several hours we had the dining room and 2 bedrooms finished. I left him to do the livingroom the following day. But I'm going along to pick up the new bamboo floor and to learn how to lay it. I'm hoping to have a new article on do it yourself hardwood floors soon.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I have to say I'm not even sure how to begin explaining this television show. It's called Designing Blind and since I used to work in television I can totally picture the show pitch. I would guess that they were pitching something else and the network execs were being difficult, as they can be, and someone, as a joke, said how about a show where we bring in a designer but this one is. . . wait for it. . . BLIND! And thus this show was born.

Add to this horrible concept the fact that the blind designer is like a smaller sized Arnold Schwarzenegger. And you've got a totally unwatchable program. The host isn't even worth mentioning, she's a cookie cutter of all the other bad design hosts.

So the pilot features a couple who is expecting their first child in two weeks after one miscarriage and 6 or 7 months of bed rest. They've been through a lot, so what does this show do? They bring in the blind designer. Of course the husband is leary but the wife, being a kind hearted woman and full of hormones decides to go ahead with it. I mean the camera crew is there already, I'm sure she felt like she couldnt back out.

So here is the basic show premise which will hold up for about 3 episodes until the audience finds it painfully unwatchable. People need redecorating, surprise! blind designer, accept designer and wow! we love the results.

Another problem with the how is we don't get to see the designer's eye candy. In fact the show is so visually boring they blindfold the couple and have them pick out the room accessories etc. So the couple goes to a petting zoo and they feel animals. Then to a baby furniture store to pick a crib etc. Boring and I'm not learning the lessons they're trying to push about how design is more than visual.

In the end we saw very little of the room redo, which I believe is the part audiences really enjoy. And obviously the room turned out nice and the family liked it. My thought on the room was, eh? It was ok. I loved the paint job on the ceiling to make it look like a tent. I also loved the fact that faux fur was used on the animals on the wall mural. But will I watch the show again? Not on purpose.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I've had a terribly busy week but somehow I still found time to watch some skip troweling and get a quick lesson in the process. It was pretty interesting and very easy and I believe most people can do the technique themselves.

Purchase a pre-mixed wall compound because the consistency is very important and you don't want to worry about making a proper mix on your own.

Then use a trowel to spread the mixture on the wall in a pretty thin coat. You can get too thin but you can also get too thick so begin in an out of the way corner and practice. Once you've spread on the compound take a trowel and drag it gently across the top of the wall, not scraping off all of the compound but you do want to pick up some of it and create interesting visual and textural elements. Work in smaller patches, criss crossing and overlapping sections. You do not want to work in horizontal or vertical or even diagonal rows, this would turn out way to symetrical and you'd get a weird repeating pattern.

Now it's easy to get carried away so step back and take a good look at your work. You'll need to work fairly quickly because the compound does set up in a few minutes but you'll have time to go back and touch spots up or entirely rework a section.

My aunt was doing her bedroom and she was a little unhappy with how "rugged" the initial areas were so she went back when it was almost dry and dragged the trowel across the top, she called it detopographizing the area. But basically she was knocking down the bumps and some sharp spots. This can also be done with sandpaper once the wall has totally dried.

Now this is just a brief explanation as I have never done this work myself, but I believe most people can tackle this project in their own homes and will be thrilled with it once they finish it with a nice rich color wash.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Well, this latest assignment is a first. I have a very reliable client who wants her kitchen ceiling to look like an old fashioned tin ceiling and yet sort of like a new tin ceiling. She and her designer decided it was a better idea to use wallpaper and have me faux finish it rather than just buy tin ceiling tiles.

I have painted on wallpaper before, faux finished actually. And I want to make it clear that I'm talking about paper that is meant to be treated with paint afterward. I'm totally against slapping a coat of paint on wallpaper when you're just too lazy to remove it. This is a totally different thing and there really is wallpaper that is designed to be painted over.

The wallpaper is very textured and the "puffed out" parts are sort of fuzzy or rough. When you color wash over it the paint stays in the smooth ditches and gets locked into the fibers on the puffy parts. It gives it some great shadows and depth.

The ceiling paper was very similar but it had distinct square shapes meant to replicate the tin ceilings and even unfinished and white it looks pretty sharp on the ceiling. I read that its great for covering up older ceilings with water stains and small cracks and I think that is a great tip for anyone in that situation. Just make sure the water stains aren't part of a current leak and the cracks are small ones.

Now that the paper is up it needs to cure for at least a week and then I'll be applying a 100% acryllic primer. We haven't totally decided on a technique or color scheme but I think we'll go with a tinted primer, perhaps gray or black, and a silver metallic paint glaze as the color wash.

Instead of doing a traditional color wash I'm going to paint the glaze on in a thin even coat. This client prefers flat surfaces or the appearance of flat surfaces and solid colors so I don't want to make the glaze appear too uneven.

And that should finish the ceiling and create a really nice tin tile effect with just wallpaper and paint.

Next, I'm pretty sure she wants me to repaint her kitchen cupboards. Eventually I'll get around to painting my own.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Living on a budget isn't always easy. Decorating on one is definitely difficult. On TV it looks so easy, for just $1000 you can totally renovate a room of your house. But then again they have a team of people helping and some pretty experienced carpenters, something I'm guessing you don't have at your beck and call.

I've reviewed frugal decorating tips and run across suggestions like draping a tablecloth over a curtain rod to showcase a piece of art or a picture. Or covering your pillows with old towels to change their color and texture. And to both of these suggestions I say "ew".

My frugal tip doesn't cost you a dime and can really freshen a room. In fact it can totally change a room.

First, (if you're really motivated) take all the furniture out of the room. It's hard to picture a new room when the old room is still living in it.

Then move beyond that room. If you're looking to redo the spare bedroom feel free to pull out an old headboard from the basement. Or, better yet, take some old frames and slap a fresh coat of paint on them and use an arrangement of photos as your headboard.

Scour your home for other little odds and ends that can be used in clever and unique ways. Do you have any sturdy baskets that be turned upside down and used as end tables or plant stands? Stack old encyclopedias together to make a coffee table. Cover it with a large piece of glass or a mirror.

And my favorite tip (of course it involves paint) take the left over paint from the other rooms in your house and create a new look in that spare bedroom. I've painted one room using ten different colors, each brush stroke was a small parentheses type shape, they overlapped and cris-crossed to form almost a basketweave pattern. But I've also taken house colors and created horizontal and vertical stripes in entire rooms or just accent walls. This is a great way to change the tone of a room without spending a dime!

So my tip for the frugal decorator is to begin with a blank slate and look at what you have in a fresh, new way. The only limit is your own creativity.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you read my previous blog on the Madison area Parade of Homes you know that the color bisque, or a version thereof, was all the rage. So yesterday I decided that I would no longer procrastinate and I would begin the bedroom repainting project. I started on the ceiling and realized that the color I picked about a month ago was exactly the color I saw in every parade home. My version is a Mautz 4J1-3.

I now totally understand the appeal of this color. It looks great on the ceiling. Its warm and inviting and although it does seem to lower the height of the room a bit I think that may add to the appeal.

It did take me two coats, which I was hoping wouldnt be the case, but its a small room so I cant complain too much.

I actually found myself thinking of other rooms that I could paint this color but then remembered my original plan was to repaint my kitchen cabinets in the same color, so I think that will be enough of the color.

It is great though, and I wanted to encourage you to experiment a little bit. If you were thinking about refreshing your whites (which you should do every couple years) then consider updating them a little bit by adding a slightly less neutral color. You may just love the results, as I do.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I skipped last year's parade, I think I was living in Colorado at the time, so I was pretty excited to see what the trend was this year.

The overwhelming trend, bisque. Almost every home was painted bisque. Almost no white rooms anywhere and the few that I saw looked really unfinished. The bisque was complimented by similar toned golds and oranges, greens and yellows. A few homes chose a muted blue as an accent color and it looked fantastic, really refreshing and new.

The homes featured a lot built in an arts and crafts style, which is my personal favorite so that was nice to see. But my parade companion, my mom, pointed out that most of them seemed dark inside and she loves tons of natural light. I prefer an overcast day. We did see a saltbox style home, which was unusual. There were also less of the McMansion style homes, which is always a good thing.

Furnishings, a ton of leather couches and chairs. And many of them featured large decorative rivets. Several of the couches were rounded, not like a semicircle but they had an arch to them. I'm not sure I liked that too much.

Floors. Hardwood or fascimilies there of. The planks were wider than the really thin ones that used to be the norm. There was some carpeting, it was bland and generally a bisque color. When people wanted to add floor excitement they'd toss a rug on top of the carpet.

Window treatments. Well here is a strange trend I didn't see coming. Instead of the traditional long curtain rod with drapes hanging they were using small rods, about a foot or two long, and hanging their drapes from the shortented rods. These drapes generally only covered the sides of windows or wall between a bank of windows. It was unusual and at first the short rods look unpleasing but my eye adjusted and I found that I did like it in a few cases. But would I do it in my condo? No, I need functional window treatments as I have neighbors nearby and need my privacy. My mom on the other hand lives in the country and her sunroom faces a wooded creek and has the problem of several windows separated by 1 foot pieces of wall. This is the perfect solution to her dilemma.

My overall impression of the parade was that muted earth tones were the way to go and incorporating earth elements seemed big. Lots of water features, wood floors, wood accent pieces, leather furniture, leaf motifs. It seems like the earth is taking over decorating. Except in children's rooms which are getting wilder and crazier every year. But both those things appeal to me, so I loved the parade.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I just repainted a client's bathroom. It was a white on white room that looked great...about two years ago. The room had since turned into the family's main bathroom and was showing signs of frequent use and not such frequent cleanings.

Now, I want to make it clear that this person is not filthy. She's just a busy mother of two and frankly doesn't have time to properly maintain a white bathroom. And this brings me to my point.

The idea of a white bathroom and kitchen are very appealing, I almost went that route myself the other week when I painted my bathroom, but I know that the super clean look only lasts a little while and then the cleaning begins. I just don't have the time to clean my bathroom daily and to keep a white bathroom and kitchen looking as crisp as possible you're going to have to put in some daily elbow grease.

So before you white wash everything, take a moment to think about the time you have and if you want to spend your free time cleaning or if you'd rather pick a nice clean color that requires a lot less effort.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you read the previous blog and article you know that I had a problem with the color my home's previous owner painted the bathroom. I was going to keep a part of the orangey-peach and do a glaze over it. But I changed my mind. Oh, the orangey-peach was still going but I decided against the glaze.

First I painted a nice white on the ceiling (yes, that was orangey-peach too). I was halfway done with the first coat and it was as if the sun were rising. The entire room just lit up. And even though one coat was clearly insufficient it looked so much better and brighter.

I then finished the ceiling and while that dried I took down every fixture I could, mirrors, shower rails, outlets, etc. If you want a professional looking job then you have to do what the professionals do and take those little extra steps.

Then I began my new technique. I had already selected 3 colors that went well with the existing tiled floor. A putty, a lighter grey and a neutral peach. All of the colors were actually quite similar in tone and saturation. I painted 1 foot long, irregular "stripes" of each color overlapping them and making sure nothing looked patterned. Some spots may end up as large blobs and others might be brushwide strips of color. Because the colors are similar there arent any real edges or sharp color divisions.

I did a fairly large area, maybe 3 foot by 3 foot and then began the denim technique. I have a denim effect brush that has acrylic bristles which create soft lines in the paint and help to blend and smooth the colors. I always used the denim brush in an up and down direction so there are slight, almost imperceptible, stripes running through the technique. In my small bathroom this creates an illusion of height, and with the crisp white ceiling there is an even greater feeling of height and therefore space in my tiny loo.

So now I have a freshly painted bathroom that is much more pleasing to the eye, feels and looks bigger and brighter and one home interior project crossed off my list.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

If you've read my last articles then you know I've got some painting ahead of me this week. Well, as I'm about to mix the glaze I remembered that a lot of people have asked me about glaze and maybe its a topic I should briefly explain. It is sort of confusing.

Glaze is two things. First of all its a product you buy at the paint store that reminds me of elmer's glue. You pour it into your paint and make...what else, glaze. So its the product on its own and its what you call the paint/glaze mix. Why, I don't know. Why does tee mean two different things in golf?

Anyway, glaze is mixed with a paint and it basically stretches the paint and spreads the pigments. This means your paint is less dense so it becomes somewhat transparent. A lot of faux finishing techniques require a certain degree of transparency so you can get the appropriate blend and depth in the finished product.

Making a glaze is sort of like making paint soup. It's like a recipe and you can spend all day making sure you have the exact ratio of paint to glaze to water. Or you can estimate and save yourself the headache. I have found that 1 third glaze to 1 third paint to 1 third water is about the right consistancy for most faux finishing techniques. Not too runny, not too thick. But feel free to experiment...after all it is an art.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I cant believe how hot it is and its only May. Last I saw, several hours ago, it was in the 90's. I turned on my air yesterday for the first time, even though I got my first electric bill a couple days before. In fact, the air is on right now. I'm probably going to regret it in a month but right now its painfully hot.

In fact its so hot I cant begin unpacking my boxes and today is one of the first days I've had free, well basically free. Even with the air on I just cant bring myself to do anything. Yesterday's newspaper in lying on the floor, annoying me every chance it gets. But I cant seem to muster the energy necessary to throw it away, or cut the coupons or anything.

Every word is coming out slower and slower and I just cant seem to focus on anything. I'm watching Shawn of the Dead also, which I must say is one of the best movies. And it has absollutely nothing to do with interior decorating. But this holiday weekend requires a holiday topic and what says memorial day more than a zombie movie?

Oh, but I have some interesting news about my condo and hopefully it's good news. My neighbor sold her place a week ago, actually tomorrow will be a week, and the new guy has spent the entire week putting in hardwood flooring (actually not real hardwood, the snap together pergo kind) and other remodeling updates and today there is a for sale by owner sign in the yard.

Let's hope he sells soon and for scads more than he bought it for. If so I'm doing hardwood the day he sells!

Because what is a home for a single person but an investment. And for a self employed person, its just another way to make money.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Yesterday I did some serious pre-shopping at Ikea. I wanted to price what I needed for the house and then see if there were some things I hadn't even considered. And of course there were. I didn't want to buy too much because I was alone and if you haven't been shopping at Ikea before it's sort of a team thing. I am not strong enough to move large items and the one cart wouldn't have held everything I wanted to get. If I had another shopper then we'd have two carts and lifting wouldnt have been so difficult. But I did what I could. I picked up one shelving unit and I figure I'll need at least two more. But one was good for now. I got a wooden crate and a laundry shelf and then a whole bunch of little things.

So this morning I began the Ikea unpacking process and immediately decided that my work could wait a little while and I was going to put something together. After I finished the laundry shelf I diligently went to work. For about twenty minutes. Then I had to go back and put the crate together. I loved the feeling of accomplishment the laundry shelf created. Well the wooden crate was even better! The laundry shelf just required putting things together like a puzzle. The crate needed some screwing and had more big pieces. I was going to hit the storage shelf but realized I don't own a wrench. So I guess that project will have to wait for another day.

But it really is amazing how putting together a little project from Ikea can make me feel like I can accomplish anything.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Well, I'm moved in but there is so much I realize that I don't have. Little things like a cutting board and dish towels and then bigger things like an entertainment center or a bed. It's ridiculous. I just can't believe how these bills are piling up. And it's no where near the end. I've got a lot more to buy and not a lot of money left.

I'm rediscovering the inexpensive way to do things again and it's a lot of fun. I do have to admit that part of me is just anxious to have everything done and right. I'm so sick of all the boxes. But then there is the other side. I want to do things in an inexpensive way and I want to have fun doing this. I know I enjoy finding just the right little thing at an estate sale or an antique shop or some out of the way boutique. It makes me feel as if I've won. It's just such a satisfying feeling.

So I'm hitting the estate sales (usually a great find or two), the garage sales (often not worth it), St. Vinnies and Goodwill. I have the luxury of time. I can arrange my schedule to fit my whims but I do not have the budget to buy everything I want. So these places are great for finding things I need for my home. And often I can see something in an item that isn't quite there. There is the lamp that can be rewired, repainted and dressed up with a shade for less than a new lamp. There are coffee tables for just a fraction of furniture store prices that simply need some refinishing. And all of these items appeal to me because not only are they cheap, but they are unique and usually quality pieces hiding under years of neglect.

There is one thing I just couldn't bring myself to buy secondhand. My bed. But I did get a fantastic deal on a queen sized pillow top. I found the local bedding store that was having a great sale on new items and then I hit their floor models. I'll admit when I entered the store I was going to pick up one of the "bait" mattresses but they didn't feel very comfortable. Then the "switch" came along and the salesman almost had me convinced that the expense would be worth it. And then my shopping companion stepped in (good old mom) and we moved to the discount room and found a great year old model for less than $400. Mattress and box spring. Of course he tried to switch me back to the expensive one and when that wasn't going to work tried to sell me a bunch of extras at outrageous prices, but I held firm with mom at my back.

I'm sure I'm going to make some financial mistakes as I redecorate but hopefully they wont be terribly costly ones.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Well, it's been a crazy few days but I'm all moved into my condo. I really want to begin decorating but of course my budget is holding me back and I really don't have a "vision" yet. I did find an entertainment center I liked and I'm about to check it out online to find it cheaper somewhere. But other than that, the only thing I know for sure is that I want to repaint everything but the living room. What colors, well, I'm just not sure yet.

The living room is a bright lime green. The more I see it the more I love it. It's just so full of life. And then outside the window is the beautiful blossoming tree, I think it's a cherry, the pink looks so great with the green.

It doesn't go with the hand me down furniture I have but the plan is to re-cover it all. Something I've never done before. This whole thing will be a learning experience. But lots of fun!

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Well, I had to share. I know its not really interior decorating...okay, its not at all, but I picked up a cat this week. I've wanted one so much since I had to put down my 22 year old cat last year. I selected a sealpoint ragdoll from a purebred rescue shelter. She's a bit cross eyed and tiny. Just adorable.

I initially thought she couldnt be the 2-3 years they said she was, she was just too small and ragdolls are supposed to be big but I checked her teeth and they're all there, in fact a front one is missing, and they're yellowed so she must be that age.

Then I noticed the ear "dirt". Having been a cat owner for a long time I knew she had ear mites but was supposed to have a clean bill of health from her vet. Anyway, I took her to the local vet and shelled out another $122 and got the ear mites taken care of. I also learned she's probably actually 5 years old.

And now I see that her eye is draining a bit and swollen so I guess I'll have to shell out more money for her eye infection.

But she's still worth it. She's lying next to me as I type. She spends as much time by my side as she can and is the sweetest little girl ever. I'm so lucky to have her.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Wow, I just cant seem to get away from this wallpaper thing. I swear every time I have to remove wallpaper I promise myself I'll never do it again and then I end up doing it again. I'm just so happy my new condo doesnt have wallpaper, but I have to tell you it does need a lot of painting.

So, this week my mom decided before my big move, she wanted some wallpaper removed from her home and we would use my aunt's scaffolding. Scaffolding I really needed to use on the job I'm getting paid for which I happen to be doing this week also. That on top of all my regular writing clients.

Well, I worked extra hard and long hours and still had the condo inspection (not so good) and got mom's wallpaper off, with a lot of help from her and dad, we basecoated and texturized the wall and I faux finished it.

Then I brought the scaffolding to my client's house with Kevin's help and we set it up in the stairs and I worked for about 4 hours before calling it quits for the day. And then I got the call that my aunt needed her scaffolding back that night. So I still have several hours of wallpaper picking to do and then I have to paint the wall. I can't wait for this part of the job to be over.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Ok the great condo/home search of 2006 is over and I believe I've bought a home. Its not my dream home but I cant afford that, so its something that will have to do until I can afford something else. So I just might be here forever.

I'm feeling a bit weird about it. Sort of happy and anxious to move forward to this next phase of my life but also quite a bit terrified of the expense. I mean I'm a freelancer. I know how that goes. One of my clients could end our contract and I'd be lost. I dont even have a savings now to rely on, thats all being spent on the condo purchase, a vehicle, and taxes. I really cant afford to be broke now. So I'm trying not to think about that part of things and just focus on how great it's going to be to have my own place again.

I've also contacted some people about getting cats and I think I may have found 2 of them. I wanted a bengal but really dont feel good about promoting purebreeding when there are so many shelter cats that need rescuing so I was going to even out the cat karma with 1 of each. Now I found the bengal breeder gets rid of her champions for a relatively cheap price (less than shelter cats cost) and she takes care of all vet visits prior to adoption. So I'm saving 2 champion cats and getting a financial bargain in the process.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

I just drove across the country, south to north and cannot figure out why all hotel rooms look so similar. I've stayed in a lot of hotels in my life and find that they're all basically interchangeable. There are some exceptions, THE Hotel in Vegas was truly the best with its own modern feel and flat screen televisions in every room, even the bathroom. Chicago's Four Seasons can feel different if you are lucky enough to get one of the suites. Oh! And I cannot forget to mention Scottsdale's The Bolder's, truly amazing. But generally they're all the same.

Maybe once a long time ago someone did a study and found that when people are on the road they're comforted by flowered polyester blankets that are cut like big toaster cozies, and ugly pastel paintings of imagined landscapes, and bland walls with wallpaper boarder along the top. And maybe someone decided that all hotels should basically look the same so that people who travel a lot always feel a sense of familiarity when they enter a hotel room.

I cannot believe this is true. I would feel so much more at home and comforted by a hotel that spoke of its uniqueness. Something that didnt remind me that thousands of people had used this same pillow. The few hotels I mentioned above did that by creating a unique feel. An atmosphere that was their own and made me feel like I was in a new place, somewhere I'd never been and by doing that it didnt remind me of the others who had come before me.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

This week I had a horrible time with some old wallpaper. I firmly believe that wallpaper should be removed and not painted over even though some professionals currently are recommending the paint over option. In this particular case that wasnt even an option. The paper was at least 30 years old and had not only shifted, leaving seams and cracks, but had also been picked off in some areas. But the areas that adhered were really stuck on. The glue was terribly thick and still working well. I rented a steamer and tried it for the first time. I usually swear by DIF and found the steamer to be less than optimal. It leaked water, was heavy and bulky and the hose got so hot I had to wrap my hand in my sweatshirt to touch it. Also I'm a bit klutzy so the water tray splashed a bit. The other problem was this paper is in a stairwell. I rented one of those Little Giant ladders advertised on infomercials thinking it would be like sliced bread. I was wrong, I couldnt get the right angle and wasnt able to reach every area. Let me just say that the job isnt done, I'm going to need to call in back up.

Posted by Kristin Abraham

Well, last night I sort of had a big blow to the house hunt. The condo that had everything I want has sold. And I was going to see it today. Then the realtor said everything else I wanted to see wasnt available, or no one has returned her calls, etc except one place but we cancelled our meeting anyway. So, I turned down work this morning and cleared my schedule and was all excited about probably finally finding a place to live and it feel through. I really, really hate house hunting. I love going through houses and seeing what people have done or what I'd change or even going thru and just imagining how I would do it but when so much rides on it and I've been doing this for over half a year...well, its just too much.

And you wont believe the prices. I guess I knew about the whole housing bubble and I thought I was going into things at a good time, just when prices are beginning to come down a little but I had no idea just how high they'd gotten, even for condos.

And when I say I want a condo I want a condo, not one of these "I-used-to-be-an-apartment-in-the-80's" sort of things. There are so many re-do's out there and the just cant shake that apartment feel. I may be a bit crazy here, but I cant see spending $130,000 or more for something I rented in the 80's for $400 a month....

So, I guess its back to the internet, desperately searching for the perfect home. Wish me luck...