HOUSEHOLD TIPS
BY SUZANNE
HOUSEHOLD TIPS
BY SUZANNE
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way-
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
pixel by me
On behalf of Women of Strength and Inner Beauty....a big top of the morning to you from the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. I'm Suzanne, your Household and Gardening Reporter wishing all a Happy St. Patricks Day.
With Spring just around the corner for some of us and Fall for others, lets see if we can't get a few rooms perked up for a little change with the seasons.
Bathrooms seem to be one of the most overlooked when it comes to decorating. A lot of time is actually spent in bathrooms, even more of you have teenagers. Lets take an afternoon to turn the bath into a relaxing retreat for yourself and or guests without spending a lot of cash.
1. Paint the whole room, including the ceiling a deep, rich color. Even though this is a small room, a deep color on the walls allows them to fade away, and at once makes the room cozy and seems more spacious.
2. Get rid of the clutter! If you can't get most of the makeup and shaving cream under the sink, (and who can?) pick up a few baskets from the dollar shop and corral them in. Make sure there is a hamper. If you are short on space, use the kind that hangs on the back of the door. A large drawstring bag would work for this also.
3. Dress up that large frameless mirror. Hang swags of fabric from cup hooks to hide and soften the edges of the mirror, and to give it a "frame". Or actually use cut lengths of 1x4 lumber, and attach them to the wall over the edges of the mirror to simulate a real wood frame.
4. Speaking of cabinets, how about giving them a quick redo? Paint them black for a sophisticated look, or white with sponge painting for a country theme. Try any of the hot faux finishes. You can even paint the Formica counters. Just clean well and use a special primer first such as BIN or KILZ. Then seal with 4-6 coats of polyurethane after the paint dries. Should last for years!
5. Lastly, add some detail to the room. Sew fabric edging to your towels, add a shell for a soap dish, and stitch up a pretty shower curtain to cover that vinyl one. Hang some calendar pictures on the wall in dollar store frames - perhaps of a faraway place you can dream about as you soak away your cares? If you have natural light in the room from a window, add a plant or two.
Decorating on a Budget or what I call Cheap Decorating.
1. Linens can provide fabric for decorating projects for a lot less money than a trip to the fabric store. Flat sheets can be purchased from discount shops on sale for just two to three dollars apiece and can be cut and used for sewing projects such as placemats, wall hangings, or pillow covers. They can be used for curtains, tablecloths, or to make duvet covers to change out your bedding. They even make great casual slipcovers. You can shop thrift stores or garage sales for old quilts and blankets that can be used to dress up an old table, as quilt lining, or frame a small section of a damaged quilt for a one of a kind wall hanging.
2. Cheer up your favorite houseplants by giving them a new home for the season or simply stack three of these fun pots together and display them in an otherwise drab corner of a room.
Country kitchens are one of the most popular kitchen styles today, and with good reason. This style emphasizes family and home. Here are a few great ideas for bringing a country feel to your kitchen without spending a fortune.
1. Bring fabric and pattern into the kitchen. Soft curtains on the window, tablecloths and placemats, and comfy seat cushions all add romance and softness to your cozy room. Try using a patterned fabric such as a pretty floral or stripe to really bring the room to life.
2. Bring in those accessories that make a house a home. Set a small framed photo of your kids on the windowsill, stack your favorite cookbooks from your grandmother on the counter, and display your mother's china on open shelves or on the wall with plate hangers. Adding your family to the room is part of the country spirit.
3. Use clear glass jars to store beans, pasta, rice, and tea, and arrange on the counters. Fill wooden bowls with fresh fruit and vegetables. Check flea markets and yard sales for inexpensive food related items that would make a good display collection, such as old utensils, rolling pins, or cookie cutters.
Remember that the country kitchen was based on those hardworking farmhouses that bring good food to all our tables, so honor it for a true country kitchen !
Until next month...................
May you always have
Walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain,
Tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire!