simple sophistication in interior decor

interior decor: calming and esthetically pleasing style

A man ‘s home is his  castle. I think I’ve heard this saying a dozen times and since I truly appreciate all forms of design and architecture, I truly believe that if a home is a man’s castle (well in my book it’s also a woman’s castle) then he, and once married, mostly she should find ways to  make it a calming and esthetically pleasing place and of course words are not enough to express what I mean (as usual) so here are some of my favorite calming and esthetically pleasing style

{click on first photo to start the slideshow}

appreciation of neutrals in home decor

I have realized that during the summer months I tend to shift to  neutral colors for home decor and because of that fact, I have gathered some amazing suggestions, which I found here, to include in my portfolio just in case this phase lasts longer than the summer months.

the importance of detail in decor

Like most people I have gone through many phases of decor appreciation, even though I have never been one to buy into trends.  I usually pick and choose what I like and create my own happy place from those things. However, even though that may be the case, I do appreciate detail (trend or not)  in decor, without them no room is complete in my opinion.

Check out my latest favorite details in decor (for photo  resources click here)

condo d.i.y kitchen project – continued

The only benefit to the fog and cold weather in the city is the fact, you have no choice but to work on indoor projects. So, we did just that over the weekend.

As I stated here, we were experiencing small disappointments last week while painting the kitchen cabinets. Now part of the problem was, we were a bit impatient for the end result, so we simply over reacted midway through. Anyway,  while trying to keep the costs down, we opted for a prefabricated formica counter tops, which give the impression of granite but for alot less.

At home depot you can actually purchase the counter tops in various lengths to fit just about any kitchen. They come in 4, 6, 8 and 10 feet long by the standard counter top width. They are  easy to cut a hole for the sink and cut  down to several smaller sizes to fit the counter space around a stove area. So while we waited for the 4th coat of paint to dry, we worked on installing the counter top. Meanwhile, Home Depot delivered the new dishwasher and oven, which are currently parked in the living room area. I really don’t care for electric stove tops but since the condo was pre-wired for that, we had no choice but to replace the old with the new.

So, everything is coming together slowly but surely. We still have the floors to do in the kitchen and that I will share with you another day.

This is what we started with

The mistake of using white primer for dark paint

The cabinets at coat number 4

The pre-fabricated countertop fitting

never mix paint with pleasure

Just in case you are scratching your head with the title, I must explain why I chose it.

You see, I have a weird appreciation for painting various areas of a home and feel painting should be a pleasure rather than a chore. I love discussing the options, I enjoy chosing the paint color, the brushes and various other gadgets to handle the project and most of all I truly enjoy rolling up my sleeves and diving right into it.

However, when the actual project begins, the fun can sometimes turn into a sad occassion, especially when you realize the outcome isn’t  as wonderful as you had hoped.

Take for example our attempts to paint the kitchen cabinets. Although we spend several hours consulting with the paint experts at Home Depot (in this case) and followed their suggestions on how to proceed, the mid-way result has been a bit worrysome to say the least.

We were told to prime the cabinets and then paint over them. Which made sense. We were also told that High Gloss looks the best (which I can visualize) and one coat would cover the cabinets. However, after priming the cabinets with white primer and then painting the first coat, we realized that white primer was really not the best choice for dark paint. So, after three coats of paint, we haven’t seen the results we were hoping for.

So, we consulted with a handyman and was advised that high gloss paint was hard to work with and it is the worst when trying to cover blemishes, so he recommended we use a roller to do two more coats and see how that turns out and if we aren’t satisfied at that point, to do one more coat with high sheen paint.

Ok, we nodded and agreed to follow his instructions, so stay tuned to see how it all turns out in the end.

condo remodel – d.i.y. project

A funny thing happened to me or perhaps not so funny, depending on how I look at it. I inherited the project of renovating or sprucing up a condo for a friend, who intends to sell it as quickly as he can.

Now, as we all know, the home prices have plummeted in the U.S. and we are still in the midst of the real estate crisis (even if we are told the market has picked up or is moving upward) it is still very difficult to sell or buy a home in the U.S. these days, condos are even worse.

Based on this fact, his concern was, being able to renovate without putting alot of money into the condo, so that he can make a small profit, if any.  After finding out his budget, I gladly took on the project and  suggested we do most of the work ourselves in order to meet his financial commitment. He agreed

Based on this new adventure I have embarked on, I decided to  periodically share with you the various aspects of what we did to accomplish the task of renovating tastefully and of course economically. Stay tuned!

embracing all things inspirational

Once in a while I have trouble, like everyone else, in getting going for a work week. I pout the entire weekend and by Sunday night, I am hyperventilating because I am once again obliged to carry out a regimented lifestyle for five days out of yet another week.

This is not to say I hate my job or anything, it’s just that I appreciate my freedom a great deal and wish I had the luxury to escape the norm more often than I can.

Anyway, knowing the much-needed break is nowhere in sight, I turn to some random photos of beautiful things for inspiration,  just to get me by for the week.  Hope you enjoy the slideshow and here’s  hoping for a smooth week.

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decor ideas: vintage cupboards

You know the funny thing about vintage cupboards is that, you either like them or hate them.  I happen to be one who loves seeing them when I go to Napa or Sonoma, California because, cupboards are used in most boutique stores, wine shops, deli’s and some bakeries to house their goods. I really can’t imagine a store without them in the wine country, but having one in an apartment just doesn’t seem ideal in my opinion.

So, although I shop for cupboards at antique stores and online, I always talk myself out of bringing one home. I tell you though, if I were fortunate enough to have my own coffee shop, I would most certainly incorporate them into the decor of the shop.

What’s your take on cupboards?

for the writer at heart – a desk and a chair

My Temporary Choice

I once read that small studio apartments are the most inspirational places for the writer at heart, and after thinking about it long and hard, I realized how true that was, even throughout history. Most well known writers, lived in studios, sometimes in Paris, while they wrote their books.

So, as I transition from my past life to the new one, I too have chosen to stay in a studio apartment for a bit in order to, let’s just say, realign my life and get focused on what I want to accomplish from it.  Besides, big houses and too many rooms are not a place for the artistic minded individuals (in my opinion)

In line with  the topic I have decided to write about in this entry, I decided to search for  photos of a desk and chair ensemble, to see what actually came to mind when I looked at them. What do you think? Enjoy the photos and have a wonderful weekend.

My Goal Choice

A Nice Choice

A Simple Choice

Not My Choice

A Business Choice

A screenplay writers choice

An Event Planners Choice

A Busy Moms choice

A Crafty Womans Choice