Treasure or Trash....

Garage sale season is here once again. For those that like to frequent them, treasures can be found. But, as many find out, more trash is discoverd than treasure. Sadly we don't realize it is junk until we have spent the money and have gotten it home. To help avoid "garage sale remorse" take a look at the checklist below.



We have compiled a checklist that can be taken to any garage sale, to help identify what is trash and what is treasure. The first four topics are from the Family Circle magazine. The last two are items are ones we added.


* Priceless antique: Unless you are quite knowledgeable about the antique world, don't buy items marked "priceless antique". Most of the time they aren't antiques


*Work in progress: If the item is something that needs to be refinished, fixed, etc. don't buy it unless you already have the skill to fix it. If you don't already have the skill needed, it will most likely sit on a shelf in your garage. Never to be seen again.


*Does it work: Before you buy a lamp or any electronic item ask if there is an outlet you can plug it into. You don't want to get it home and to find out it doesn't work.


*Clean or Dirty: When buying furniture of any sort check for bedbugs. Look along the seams for black specs (this is the bedbugs droppings). If you see evidence of bedbugs don't buy the furniture. After inspection if you don't see evidence of bedbugs, before taking it in your house spray it with bedbug spray. This helps kill them.

*Sturdy: Before buying furniture make sure it isn't about to fall apart. No one wants to spend money on an item that is about to break.


*Gem buried in time: If you see a furniture piece, lamp, or anything else that looks like it has an inkling of hope check it for layers of paint. Sometimes wonderful pieces of furniture or decor have been painted so many times there true beauty is hidden. But, when doing this remember the "Work in Progress" rule.


Remember when looking for those treasures, make sure they are actual treasure before taking them home. There is nothing worse than spending money on an item, getting excited about it, and then taking it home and realizing it isn't what it seemed to be. Avoid "garage sale remorse" by taking this check list with you.

Bathroom remodeling-Simple to Complicated

Do you hate moving, but want a change? Here is a solution. Remodeling. Today it is all about bathrooms.



You say the word remodel and your husband (or wife for some) goes running for the hills. Here is some good news, remodeling doesn't have to be a horrible experience. The great thing about it is you get to choose how big or small the project is.



For your bathroom here are ideas that range from small to large projects.



-Changing your mirror from the “normal” bathroom mirror to one that is in a frame and hang it above the vanity. Ikea, Pottery Barn, and Pier 1 are just a few of the stores that have some awesome framed mirrors.



-Replacing your counter top and sink. Sometimes updating your counter top and sink can be that needed change.



-Painting your bathroom. A fresh coat of paint and possibly a new color does wonders for your space.



-On a larger scale replacing the flooring. A great bathroom flooring product is tile. There is a large variety to fit all styles. When putting tile in your bathroom make sure to choose one that is made for bathroom flooring. Otherwise there is a greater risk of people slipping and falling when it is wet.



-Then there is the full bathroom remodel. Changing the shower walls, possibly to cultured marble or tile. Replacing the cabinetry, counter top, sink, and flooring.

For more bathroom remodeling ideas check out this House Beautiful link.



Remember remodeling your bathroom doesn't have to be a horrible experience. It can range from simple to complicated. You choose which works for you.




If you have any remodeling tips please email them to questions@yourharmonydesign.com or comment on the post.

Outdoor Porch Face Lift

You might be wondering what a porch has to do with interior design. Well, there are many people that use their porch as dining room during the spring and summer. Why shouldn't it have the same harmonious feel as your indoor dining room, since you are spending a lot of time there.


Here are some great ideas, featured on BHG do it yourself for changing your outdoor patio into an amazing dining space:


-You can hang panels of burlap around the whole area to enclose it and give it a more personal feel. Check out the picture at top from BHG do it yourself.

-If there are columns at regular intervals you can hang wire and put up Chinese paper lanterns or jars with candles it. Gives a wonderful intimate feel.

-An idea from BHG do it yourself is getting a gazebo and putting it up. Offers ease and flexibility in the design.

-If wanting to add a canopy, but want it low key, check out this picture from BHG do it yourself.

These are just a few ideas to make your porch a wonderful, intimate gathering place. When you implement anyone of them you will be pleasantly surprised with how much more you enjoy using your porch. To see more of these great ideas from BHG do it yourself click here.  Another great place to check out is a A Punch of Color blog. 


Also, if you have any great ideas for morphing your porch into a great gathering space email them to questions@yourharmonydesign.com

Grand Openning-Your Harmony Design

You have been following the blog and learning about design options for your space, though at times not sure exactly what your space needs.  That is where Your Harmony Design Website can help

Your Harmony Design is "Providing Professional Interior Design Services at an Exceptional Price".  The services range from full service design to aiding in paint and color selection.  Check us out at http://www.yourharmonydesign.com/.

Give your mom a great Mother's Day gift.  Now through May 9, 2010 it is 10% off any service ordered.  Including Face to Face consultations.  For online services at check out use code mothersday2010.

Spring and Design

"Photo". Flowers. Better Homes and Gardens 2010. 15 April 2010 <http://www.bhg.com>

Hooray ! Spring is finally here. For most of us this means opening the windows to let in the spring air, spring cleaning, and watching flowerbeds come alive. For design it means a fresh new look with a few simple additions to our space with spring inspired ideas.

Start with adding a fresh vase of flowers to your table, shelf, or mantle. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, some fresh cut stems from your garden add that perfect touch. A tablecloth in a spring a color; spring green, lavender, pink, white, to cover your table with will brighten your space. Giving it that fresh spring feel.

Check out these ideas from Better Homes and Gardens for brightening your space for spring. First, replace heavy draperies with lighter window treatments and second, place spring colored throw pillows on your furniture.

"Photo". Room. Better Homes and Gardens 2010. 15 April 2010 <http://www.bhg.com/>

 

Don’t forget to take advantage of spring and all of the wonderful décor opportunities it offers. Adding spring touches to your space makes your home feel fresh and alive. You will be amazed at how wonderful it makes your rooms feel.
 
 
Questions or topics you are interested in email questions@yourharmonydesign.com.

Customizable Shelf

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Have you been looking for decorative ledge shelving? But, just can't find the style you want. The solution is here.


Here is a customizable ledge shelf. You use a piece of crown moulding from the hardware store. The wider the better. This is quick and simple project if you want to do-it-yourself.



-Go to the hardware store and choose your crown molding.


-Have it cut the length you desire.


-Then choose the finish you want. A couple of finish options include paint (gloss, semi-gloss, flat, metallic) or staining.


-Pick-up the appropriate hardware and hang it on the wall. Make sure to purchase hardware that will hold the right amount of weight. You don't want to get your project done and then have it fall down.



Now if you want a pre-made ledge shelf there are a variety of places to purchase them. Pottery Barn, Pier 1 Imports, Ikea, and Target just to name a few.



This is a great idea for any space. It allows you to get a shelf that fits your style perfectly.



Have questions or topics you are interested in email questions@yourharmonydesign.com.

Tile Backsplash

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Have you ever wanted to make a design change to your kitchen, but a full remodel was out of the question. Good news, you don't have to do a full remodel to make a great looking design change to your kitchen. A new tile backsplash can do the trick at a much lower cost.

One wonderful thing about tile backsplashes is you can custom design it to fit your style. The only limitation is your budget. The other great part is you can hire a third party to install it or your can do-it-yourself.

When deciding on your backsplash design:

-First, decide how high you want the backsplash to go. Majority of the time they go from top of counter to bottom of cupboard, but they don't have to.

-If doing it yourself take thorough measurements of the backsplash area and calculate amount of tile needed before going to purchase it. This way you don't get home and realize you didn't purchase enough. To calculate the amount of tile you will need take length (in inches) times height (in inches), divide by 12, and then divide by 12 again. This gives you the area in square feet.

-Third, draw the design of your backsplash to scale. Decide what tiles you are going to use. Square, rectangle, rhombus, or circular. This way you know the amount of each tile type you need and if the tiles you want to use will fit in the space available.

-Last, look at your design and take into consideration the color and style of the tiles and be sure they fit the style of you kitchen. You don't want to complete the project and then realize it clashes with the rest of the space.

-For some more basic tile backsplash information check out this do-it-yourself website.

Here are some backsplash examples from a variety of design websites.

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Remember when deciding on a tile backsplash the skies the limits. You can either hire a third party to install it or you can do-it-yourself. If you decide to install it you can pick up a book on installing tile at your local hardware or bookstore. When your done don't forget to sit back and enjoy the finished project. I promise it will be worth all of the work.

Have questions or topics you are interested in email questions@yourharmonydesign.com.