Just be Home!

Get Your Interior Vintage-ed

2013-04-25T09:00:00.000+07:00

The beauty of vintage furniture is that it brings a sense of history into a home, yet fits in well with both modern and traditional houses. Plus it doesn't have to cost the earth.

Here are some points you should think about vintage-ing your interior

Although refurnishing vintage furniture can work really well, sometimes the sense of history can be lost. Think carefully before re-upholstering aged furniture. A bit of wear and tear can add character to furniture, and your home too!
Vintage furniture, chairs and tables in particular, can sometimes be fragile and spindly. If you have a particularly delicate chair, why not use it as a bedside table or as a place to store piles of pretty fabric? Or you could simply place a gorgeous vase of flowers on the seat and use it as a character side table.
Sometimes it's difficult to retain old kitchen cabinetry, but you can give new cupboards a vintage flavour with antique handles. Look online, in secondhand and antique stores. Handles don't all have to be the same size and shape, just make sure they're the same color.
If you are lucky enough to have an antique dressmaker's mannequin, don't let it sit in storage. They are beautiful and very hard to find. Use the mannequin to display great-grandmother's mink or a collection of scarves on it in your bedroom.
Vintage lighting instantly adds interest into a home. Take your time and build up a collection of light shades from different eras - not only will they look good, but they are guaranteed to be a talking point.
Antique items don't just have to be for adults. A good, sturdy vintage rocking horse can last for many generations, long after the plastic versions have been discarded.
Don't underestimate the possibilities of inorganic collections. Keep an eye out for interesting chairs on the side of the road, which can be re-covered.
Reupholstering furniture is one way of bringing older furniture into line with the decor and color scheme of your home. Just be sure to choose a fabric that has excellent colorfastness,, a high rub-test score and will last for decades more.
Vintage furniture lends itself to mixing and matching. Throw a starched linen tablecloth over an older table for a touch of elegance. Wooden chairs covered with newspaper and then coated with clear paint or varnish complete the eclectic look.

DIY – To Dye For Decorating

2013-04-11T09:00:00.000+07:00

Give your plain, pale sheets, curtains and cushion covers a colorful, cheap makeover with dye. It’s a great way to reinvent lampshades and doilies too.

What you’ll need:

Dyes in colors of your choices
About 1 kg of salt
Cold dye fix (for cold-water dip-dyeing)
Rubber gloves
Dropsheet
Sponge
Buckets
Newspaper
Paintbrush
Washing machine

Remember to machine-wash your items (except lampshades) before dyeing. You don’t need to let them dry. You can’t dye fabrics labelled “dryclean only”.

Ok. Here’s the method one.

By part-dipping fabrics in a dye solution – or brushing them with dye, in the case of a lampshade – you can produce delightful pastel effects that are almost painterly.

To dye a lampshade:

Lay down a dropsheet and cover with newspaper.
Sponge shade clean and leave damp.
Make up dye solution and cover desired area.
Lay on newspaper to dry overnight.
Do not wash.

To dye loose fabrics (curtains and cushion covers):

Machine wash and leave damp.
Make up dye solution in a bucket following instructions. This time adding cold dye fix as well.
Dip selected area of fabric over side of bucket or suspend using clothes pegs attached to clothes-dying rack.
Leave in dye for 15 minutes or up to one hour.
Rinse the whole item in cold water and line dry.
To finish, iron the cushion covers, but leave the linen curtains un-ironed for a carefree gypsy look. The more you wash linen, the better it looks.

Method two.

The easiest way to dye items all one color is by using a washing machine. Top-loaders work best for large items like sheets as they don’t tend to clump fabric together, but front-loaders are fine for small items.

To dye fabrics in a washing machine:

Wash the items you wish to dye on a warm cycle.
Remove from machine and leave damp.
Set the washing machine to its longest hot-water cycle, and the water level to what will just cover the fabric pieces.
Let machine fill, then add dye and salt according to packet instructions.
Let machine run (agitate) for about a minute, then add fabric.
It needs to be in the dye solution for at least a half and hour, so pause the machine if necessary.
Let machine finish its programme, then add washing powder and run machine once again on hot cycle.
Line-dry your items.

Tidy up for Spring

2013-03-28T09:00:00.000+07:00

Pick me: Jonquils. Also known as narcissus or early cheer. These are one of the first spring bulbs to flower and grow everywhere in spring. Their wonderful scent reminds us that spring is on its way.
Remove old flowers and leaves from bird of paradise to encourage new blooms.
Prune hydrangeas, cutting back flowering stems to a second pair of fat buds. Feed with a balanced fertiliser.
Plant roses, crab apple, daphne, hebe, viburnum, lilac, knowhai, magnolia, waratah and other spring flowering shrubs and trees so they’ll be well established by spring.
Summer flowering bulbs such as calla, gloriosa, hippeastrum and nerinen can be planted now.
Add aluminium sulphate when feeding hydrangeas to make flowers bluer or lime for pink and red blooms.
Prune back passionfruit, raspberries and other fruiting vines.
Plant berries such as boysenberries and raspberries while bushes are dormant.
There’s still time to plant deciduous fruit trees such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, and cherries. Choose types that suit your climate.
Seed potatoes will produce plenty of sprouts if you place them in a brightly lit, dry spot.
Keep mulching plants with compost, straw or leaf mould to protect them from late frosts.

Making Faux Shadows

2013-03-14T09:00:00.000+07:00

If you love the idea of sunlight streaming into the room, why not create a quirky bit of fun for your wall with faux shadows?

A standing lamp is an easy shape to create. Just pick an acrylic paint shade two to four times darker than your wall color, depending on how subtle you want the effect to be.

Prop the lamp base on a shoebox or book to elevate it for tracing.
Draw the lamp’s outline to the wall lightly in pencil – simply around the lamp.
Try keeping the shade a few centimetres higher on the wall and slightly to one side of where the lamp normally sits to get a better illusion.
If you’re feeling extra creative, you could always catch a real shadow in a great position, quickly trace it onto the wall before it moves, and then fill in with paint later.

Funky Coffee Table of Your Own

2013-02-28T09:00:00.000+07:00

Why not design your own coffee table?

That way you can make it in a height and style to suit your space. Of course, you can makeover an old timber table, too. The key to this look is the painted finish – it has to be unique and eye-catching.

If you have a rug or carpet with patterns, try to apply this pattern to your coffee table. Recreate it on the tabletop with a “freehand” approach to spray-painting. If you aren’t confident to use freehand, create a stencil of your chosen design.

Feature Wall Panel

2013-02-14T09:00:00.000+07:00

Instantly update an all white living space without repainting the walls. Use old internal doors to spruce up a living space with this cheat’s guide. It’s great for renters and color-cautious types.

Use non-solid internal doors as they aren’t too heavy to display.
Mark 35 cm from the top on both doors and stick cloth masking tape across at this line.
Choose your paints – two shades of the same color base works well.
Paint the shorter top panel and wait for it to dry. Remove the tape and reapply slightly above the line (on the painted area) to complete the larger panel. Use a roller to get the job done faster.
To display, simply prop the doors up against the wall.

You can double your decor too!

Paint both sides of your feature wall panels in different colors (or even try wallpaper on one side) and flip around to change your room’s look in an instant.

Transforming a Plaster Sconce

2013-01-31T09:00:00.000+07:00

Faux paint finishes have been used by artist for centuries to fake precious materials such as marble, metals and exotic timbers. The illusion can give a rich and jewel-like finish to even the most mundane objects.

You can apply this faux paint finish to your sconce or wall bracket. Here are some finishing that you can practice.

Antique Gold with Red.

A flickering candle plays over details on the sconce, highlighting its opulent finish. The combination of deep red base and antiquing medium results in an unusual and beautiful luster.

Florentine

Imitating the antique finishes popular in Renaissance Italy, Florentine has an elegant gold base covered with a white crackle finish to give a lovely aged patina. It works particularly well both picture and mirror frames as well as simple timber trays where the gold edges can be highlighted to great effect.

Tortoise – Shell

An attempt to imitate the unique qualities or natural tortoise-shell, this finish has a gold base covered with translucent, oil-based ageing medium. Its smooth finish works well on timber. Great for small boxes (such as jewelery and trinket boxes) and other decorative items like lamp bases.

Antique Gold with Green

This jewel-like finish uses a green base covered with an antiquing medium. Gold paint picks up the highlights on the sconce. It is an ideal finish to spruce up and old vase or bowl, waste bin or lamp base with a rich antique finish. Also try it on candlesticks.

Verdigris

A finish that is designed to look like aged copper or brass, verdigris has greys and greens applied over a black base. It is ideal for metal surfaces, like candlesticks, and you can use it to “antique” real brass and copper that has lost its luster.

How to Create a Striped Wall

2013-01-17T09:00:00.000+07:00

The striped dado with a subtle sponged effect is an easy and economical way to inject personality into your wall. It’s cheaper than wallpaper and the look you create will be uniquely yours.

First of all, decide how high your dado will be. About a hip height, or the height of a chair, usually looks right, but take into account the proportions of the room and the position of window sills.

Then decide on the width of the stripes. Usually it is 10 cm wide, but you can vary the width to suit your décor. Use a subtle combination of colors, particularly if this is your first attempt at a wall treatment.

This is how to create it in details:

Using 280mm roller and base color, apply two coats to wall; allow to dry. Measure the height of dado and draw a line across wall. Mark width of stripes along dado line and skirting; rule up in pencil. Apply masking tape along top and skirting. Tape outer edge of every second stripe.
Pour a small amount of your second paint color into a plastic container. Using the 85mm foam roller (which must be completely dry), touch on the surface of the paint and roll out any excess on newspaper until the roller looks quite dry. Roll gently without much pressure.
If you want a soft look, one coat will be enough. If you want a more solid stripe, you will need to add a second coat.
Make sure you remove the masking tape before paint dries and wipe off any “bleeding”.
When paint is dry, tape the top of the dado line with masking tape and run a second strip about 1cm above it. You should be able to do this by eye. With the 25 mm roller, fill the finishing strip.
The skirting board is now finished with a dragged effect. In a plastic container, make a small mix of half paint/half water. Paint this on very loosely with the paint brush then immediately wipe off again with a dry cotton cloth, leaving paint in the recesses of the skirting boards. It is important that you try to work quite quickly because the paint won’t take very long to dry.
To keep the effect subtle, the whole wall including stripes, is now softly sponged. Using your third color, make up a mixture of half paint/half water in a plastic container. Dampen the sponge and squeeze out excess water. Dip sponge into the paint and dab on newspaper to remove surplus. Dab paint on wall, then use other side of sponge to sponge off any excess. Work quickly. Don’t labour over it and the results will be more natural. Keep moving the position of the sponge so you don’t repeat the same shape.

For you to remember:

The softening effect of sponging is an ideal way to hide imperfections and cracks in old walls.
For a different effect, try adding a stenciled border along the top of the dado or run a stencil down the stripes.
A finish such as dragging doesn’t have to be perfect. Its appeal actually comes from its crafted look and it is ideal on woodwork, especially skirting boards and furniture.
Generally speaking, a wall is a backdrop for other things, so a subtle effect is often the best.
For continuity, any painted finish is best completed by one person because everyone’s touch and technique is different.
When using masking tape, don’t leave it too long. It is best to put it on and take it off in the one day, otherwise it might lift the paint.
When rolling or sponging, the secret is to use as little paint as possible. You can always add more, but you can’t always take it off.

How to Create a Distressed Table

2013-01-03T09:00:00.000+07:00

Imagine a piece of furniture that has been handed down through the generations. It has been loved but it has had several layers of paint, plus plenty of wear and tear. This enduring charm us the appeal of “distressed furniture”.

You can create the same effect on new furniture by applying successive coats of paint in different colors and then rubbing back to reveal the underlying layers.

The trick to distressing is to make the piece of look as if it has aged naturally. Think about how the piece of furniture is used, where is it most touched and worn – such as corners, drawer handles, legs and so on. These areas of wear and tear are the ones to rub back.

Here the details how to create a distressed table

Using a paint brush, apply two coats of your base color, allowing sufficient drying time between coats.
Apply two colors of your second color, again allowing time to dry between coats. The distressed effect works with a minimum two colors but add more if you wish.
Using methylated sprits on a clean cotton cloth, gently rub back areas subject to wear, revealing the colors underneath. To allow the natural timber to show through, use sandpaper to cut through the layers. This effect looks best on corners and edges.
Using a paintbrush, roughly brush on the asphaltum, and then quickly wipe off any excess with a soft, clean cloth. Protect your hands by wearing gloves for this step.

As a final touch, the piece is “aged” with an antiquing medium.

For you to remember:

Never try to cover a previously painted surface with one thick coat; it won’t dry properly. It’s best to apply two light coats than a heavy one.
When painting furniture, remove drawers first or they will stick.
Use the sides or the back of a piece of furniture to practice a new technique. When you feel confident, move to the front and the top.
With a finish such as distressing, nothing is a mistake. If it doesn’t look right, paint over it and start again.
If the furniture is unpainted, give it a light sanding. If it has been previously painted with matt paint, sand back to a smooth surface and apply an undercoat. If previously painted with high-gloss paint, use Easy Surface Preparation (Flood) to dull the finish, then undercoat.

How to Choose An Interior Designer

2012-12-20T09:00:00.000+07:00

When you know the kind of look you want for your home furnishings but not quite how it can be achieved, then maybe it’s time for you to call in a professional.

The long and agonishing business of decorating is finished. The walls are painted, carpets and curtains installed and the new furniture has arrived. Yet the finished room doesn’t look as good as you expected. Involving an interior designer might have added that professional edge.

An interior designer has drafting and drawing qualifications, while decorators traditionally chose colors and painted and papered. Now the two tend to overlap. You will need asking to see a portfolio or examples of their work. Don’t do anything unless you are confident your needs can be creatively interpreted within your budget.

Interior designers help you choosing colors and finishes, add character to an ugly place and look beyond restrictions of the design. They’ll start from scratch or work with what you’ve got to make the most of it.

Interior designers, who work in residential and commercial areas, including offices, shops and restaurants, bring an objective eye to a job. They’ll listen to what you want, assess your lifestyle and make sure the areas of your house work best for you. They’ll do a small job with simple color advice or a big one.

A large project involves an initial consultation where you tell the designer what your want, the styles you like and your budget. Show the magazine clippings, paint and fabric samples to help them understand your taste. They will then get samples of fabric, furniture, accessories, wallpaper, flooring and paint colors for you to assess and, if you like, prepare scaled furniture layouts and a sample finish “story” board.

The important thing is that you are happy. You will work better with someone you feel comfortable with.

Once you have decided on a scheme, the interior designer can liaise with architects, builders and tradespeople and manage the project. Many people instigate the initial plan over several years as they can afford it.

Certainly, price is one of the first things you should discuss so there are no misunderstandings. And ensure you have a written quote, with details of fees and payment terms.

Making the Most of Basement

2012-12-06T09:00:00.000+07:00

1. Choose durable flooring that can withstand potential water damage. Anything laid in sections like vynil tiles pr snap-and-click wood planks are the best bet.

2. Keep it light. Basements are dark. Paint the walls white, keep the floor light and stick to white or cream colors for big furniture pieces.

3. Use curtains for entrances to the bedroom and closets. Doors are costly and the swing takes up space.

4. Use freestanding storage cabinets but leave space above and around them so the look is less bulky. Built-ins can make a room feel smaller.

5. Look for double-duty furniture. A day bed acts as a guest bed and sofa or a Murphy bed saves space.

6. Create separate "rooms" with your furniture arrangements.

7. If you add a basement apartment, leave an area you can access for your own storage.

Living the Small Spaces

2012-11-22T11:35:00.000+07:00

Here are the best advice for living in a small space.

1. Get rid of clutter like old dishes, towels, bedding and cookware. Who needs five spatulas? Even Spongebob only got one. *chuckles*

2. Pick one spot for every item and always put it back after using it.

3. Shop with your space in mind. Small homes don't have room for frivolous purchases. Ask to see condo-sized appliances and furniture.

4. Use every inch of space for storage. Run cabinets all the way to the ceiling in order to maximize vertical height. And don't forget under your bed and couch.

5. Mount cabinets and shelving on the walls to create a sense of openness.

6. Put wheels on everything, from the TV stand to the kitchen island.

7. Use store-brought items in clever ways. Just because something is sold for one purpose, doesn't mean you can't improvise.

8. Stay plugged into technology. Universal remotes, 3-in-1 printer/fax/scanner and combo toaster ovens all save space.

9. Delineate "rooms" with furniture to make open space feel more substantial.

10. Be strategic about furniture placement. Keep the view of a window or glass door open to create the illusion that the space is larger.

Linen Folding 101

2012-11-08T11:31:00.000+07:00

Flat Sheets

· Lay the sheet flat on a bed or large table

· Fold in half so the top two corners meet the bottom two corners. Repeat.

· Fold the sheet in thirds along the longer side so the sheet is long and narrow.

· Fold in half. Depending on the size you want, you may have to fold again.

Fitted Sheets

· Hold the sheet widthwise and place your hands into the corners of the sheet.

· Bringing your hands together, match the corners evenly.

· Turn one of the sheet corners over the other and place the sheet on a large flat surface (like your bed). This helps keep your sheet lines straight.

· Fold the sheet into a rectangle and continue folding until it's at your desired size.

Pillowcases

· Fold the pillowcase in half lengthwise.

· Fold in half widthwise twice, making a small square.

Grass Planting Tips on Paving Stones

2012-10-25T11:26:00.000+07:00

The early stages of planting requires patience, because the planting area is narrow but many. So may be it would need a little hard work.
Any holes between the stones replaced with fertile soil that is mixture of garden soil and compost or manure.
Fill each hole up to 2 cm from the surface.
Use the grass which grows relatively in slow pace, not too grown spread. Fine-textured grass that grows tall is ideal.
Plant grass seed on a planned space. Apply a pressure to the grass roots together with new soil.

Water sufficiently and regularly.
On grass that has not shown signs of growth, should not be excessive pressure or load, such as stamping, as a car park and so on.
Other treatments are similar to lawn care in general, such as pruning, fertilizing and watering.

Calico cloth for Soft Furnishing

2012-10-11T11:23:00.000+07:00

Calico fabric is made from cotton fabric. This fabric is flexible, so easy to set up. In early days, calico cloth was only used as wrappers for flour, sugar or rice. However,because it is made of natural ingredients, and along with the development of fashion and Go-Green lifestyle , the calico cloth is now widely used as complementary fashion or interior.

Calico cloth material used in interior design is not only for decorative pillow, but is widely used as material for napkins, curtains, up to vitrage.

Several advantages compared with calico fabric to another fabric types are:
The texture of the material that is unique and varied, ranging from fibrous to smooth cotton, giving rise to a soft, comfortable and relaxing sensation. Neutral off-white color on calico material gives the impression of a clean and easy to care for.

The weave is easily combined with other natural ingredients, which we often encounter is woven calico combination with vetiver. This calico is also easily combined with other interior decorating materials and easily decorated withvarious ornaments because of the flexibility.

For the application, choose a thick cloth for durability and neat stitching to ensure the quality. To vitrage and calico curtains, in order to simplify installation and maintenance, it’s already equipped with holes for hanging or mounting that can be made out of rope or from the same cloth.

Bricks that Make Your Home Beautiful and Sturdy

2012-09-27T11:11:00.000+07:00

Brick is one of the materials for the walls. Bricks made of clay baked to reddish color. Along with the technology development, the use of bricks has declined. However, despite new materials emerged such as gypsum, calciboard or bamboo, bricks still has its own fans, especially if it’s applied in the building in the form of exposure.

The raw material is clay that has been cleaned of gravel and other stones. At times, we see that the color of bricks is a little bit different. This difference is due to differences in soil materials used and the differences in combustion techniques applied.

In general, there are two types of bricks:

Conventional bricks, which are traditionally made and used simple tools. One characteristic of conventional bricks is not always the same shape, disheveled and coarse textured. We caught an exotic impression, because of the irregularly appearance.

Pressed bricks, which made of the machines, so we get a smoother textured brick, in same size and neater. Some people like the use of pressed bricks for a high level of neatness and smooth texture, but for some people, conventional brick is more attractive because it tends to coarse texture and natural impressive.

Choosing brick as a material for the walls are quite reasonable. This is because some of the advantages possessed by brick:

Here in Indonesia, they’re fairly cheap, because the main ingredients are easily found.

Easily obtained, in terms of manufacture does not require special equipment such as in factories and capital required is quite small, so many rural communities can make it. Inventory becomes easier to obtain.

The unique colors, is the characteristic and the main attraction. The bricks are often left exposed by the homeowner to give the impression of a tropical and natural at home. Even the architecture of Bali, almost entirely using exposed brick.

They’re strong, against the weather, both hot and cold and damp air.

Good heat repellent, so it is suitable to be used as walls of houses. This is the reason, brick became the main building material for homes in the tropics such as Indonesia.

Linen Dust Shades

2012-09-13T09:00:00.000+07:00

To protect books from dust, crisp lengths of linen can be hung from shelves.

The technique, used in old swedish libraries, also gives a neat appearance to uneven volumes.

To make, measure the length of the shelf, and the distance from the shelf above to the top of the shortest book. Add 1 inch to all sides; cut prewashed linen to this size. Hem bottom and sides by 1 inch. Sew 1-inch-wide will tape to top edge. Fasten to underside of shelf every 6 inches with small nails or upholsterer's tacks.

No Slip Drawers

2012-08-30T09:00:00.000+07:00

Storing sharp knives in a drawer makes for less cluttered counters and a safer kitchen. But with each pull of the drawer, sliding knives collide, dulling and damaging their finely honed edges.

Artists' drawing - board liner (available at art-supply stores) has a slightly rubbery surface that keeps sharp implements stationary and wipes clean easily. Using a ruler and a utility knife, cut a piece of liner to fit the bottom of the drawer, and anchor it in place with double-sided tape.

Hanging Doorstop

2012-08-16T10:11:00.000+07:00

A good doorstop is always on hand, but doesn't get underfoot when it's not in use.

Have a wooden wedge cut at a lumber store to measure 7 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 2 inches high at its highest end. Drill a hole through the thick end using a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drill bit. Sand with fine-grain sandpaper.

Stain or whitewash; don't use paint, which will chip. Cut grosgrain ribbon long enough to go through the hole and over the knob and tie.

Autumn Arrangement

2012-08-03T09:00:00.000+07:00

When the cutting garden starts to fade, look the vegetable patch for dramatic foliage to fill out flower arrangements.

Choose leaves that are slightly larger than the flowers you're using, as smaller leaves would get lost among the blossoms.

For instance, you can take spiky green kale that will look wonderful interspersed with lush violet - colored mophead hydrangea.

If autumn greens aren't growing in your own backyard, you'll find kale at a local farmstand or in the produce section of a supermarket.

Changing Tablecloth Trim

2012-07-20T09:00:00.000+07:00

Spruce up the setting for your next dinner party without buying a new tablecloth. Because the trim on on this plain cloth is fastened with removable cloth snap tape, you can change it to fit the occasion or your mood.

To make, prewash the tape. Measure the length of the tape to fit the edges of a prewashed tablecloth. Sew the male side of the tape to the outside edges of the tablecloth, mitering the ends at 45 degrees to form neat corners. Cut 2 1/2 inch-wide decorative trim slightly longer than the length of each edge. Sew the female side of the tape to the underside of the trim, flush with one edge; snap it in place.

Hem the trim for the long edges to the exact length of the tablecloth edge; hem the trim for the short edges to just meet long-edge trim.

When you need a change, remove the trim and replace with another design.

Moving Furniture

2012-07-12T09:00:00.000+07:00

To avoid scuffed floors when re-arranging heavy pieces of furniture, fold 2 clean towels (dirty ones can scratch floors), place one under each end, and slide across the floor.

Transforming Your Front Entry

2012-06-28T09:00:00.000+07:00

1. Make it bright. Paint dark, drab walls with a fresh coat of white paint.
2. Choose simple, clean-looking flooring. Charcoal one-inch hex tile with medium grey grout is more stylish than the outdated tumbled, green slate tile.

3. Fill the open area overhead. Bring in a dramatic, oversized hanging lantern instead of a small hurricane light.
4. Stick to light furniture that isn't too bulky so there is a sense of space. Replace a dark, heavy hutch with an elegant white console table.
5. Make the hallway feel larger. Hang a large antique mirror - perfect for quick touch-ups on your way out the door.
6. Add personality with art. Whip up easy, do-it-yourself pieces by putting pretty Japanese paper in ready-made frames.
7. Get creative with storage. Run a row of hooks and clear storage boxes along the wall for easy access to keys, jackets and scarves.
8. Make it feel like part of the house. Display classic blu-and-white china for a splash of color and pattern.
9. Consider what you'll need by the door each season. Add an exotic hatbox as a catch-all for things like sunglasses.
10. Make it comfortable. Add a pair of painted bamboo stools to make the hall feel more inviting and provide the perfect spot to sit and put on boots.

Button Picture Nails

2012-06-14T09:54:00.000+07:00

The hardware use to hang a picture needn't be hidden behind the frame. This pretty idea was borrowed from 18th century drawing rooms, where bone or shell picture nails were often used. Antique picture nails are expensive, but large vintage buttons can transform ordinary hardware into stylish alternatives.

Use buttons with wire loops (called shanks) instead of holes. Clip off the loop with a wire cutter, and file smooth with an emery board. Using epoxy, glue a button cover (the small brass object below, available at fabric-supply stores) to the back of the button. The button cover has an opening in the back designed to slide over a plain button; it fits just as well over a nailhead. Secure a screw or hanging nail into the wall. Keep in mind that the picture will hang several inches below the screw or nail. Slide the button cover (and button) in place; snap closed.

Thread ribbon through the eyes hooks on the back of the picture frame, tie in a bow that's firmly double-knotted, and hang, centering the bow above the button.

Encouraging Earthworms

2012-06-02T09:00:00.000+07:00

Earthworms reproduce quickly in rich, healthy soil - there may be as many as several hundred thousand per acre - and make it even more fertile. As earthworms wiggle through the earth, carrying and mixing essential nutrients throughout the soil, they improve its filth and aeration; well-aerated soil allows roots to receive oxygen, vital to any plant's growth.

Earthworms' digestive process is also very beneficial to plants. The worms feed on dead organic matter in the soil and excrete it as granular dark castings that are full of nutrients and serve as an excellent source of plant food. Using worms to process organic garden and kitchen wastes is called worm-composting or vermi-composting. You can raise worms in a bin just for this purpose. Feed them your kitchen scraps, and harvest the castings for your garden.

The condition of the soil is most likely responsible for the dearth of earthworms in your garden in the first place. Improving the soil should start a self-sustaining cycle:

The more earthworms, the healthier the soil.
The healthier the soil, the more earthworms.

The most important thing is to work in lots of compost or other organic matter for them to eat. They also require a soil that's rich in nitrogen to survive. They need moist soil in order to preserve their own body moisture, so be sure to water your garden regularly.