Solomon Collection

Kitchen Gadgets with color, purpose and sooo cute!

2010-12-09T12:29:00.000-08:00

Kitchen gadgets for the holidays and beyond

Great for throwing back in the fridge

I like the look of these and how easy they are to put right into a pot

I love all the colors

The knives each have a picture purpose

Style has NO age limits

2010-11-29T07:34:00.000-08:00

I saw this on the Habitually Chic blog and had to share

"You've got to have style. It helps you get out bed in the morning."

- Diana Vreeland

Marble me

2010-11-24T05:51:00.000-08:00

Source

I am really enjoying the warm light colors that are "coming back in style". I think they are classic. The raised sinks are what I created in my master bathroom but I have a dark countertop. I enjoy the light feel of the marble.

The shower has a low step to get into. I would use some pop of color for a grab bar. Hot pink or bright red to create a contrast for the eye. Throw in a nice long teak bench, hand held shower head and a non slip "rug" outside the shower and this bathroom is user friendly.

FYI/DIY-
I could not afford all marble but as you have seen in my guest bath (above).
I got the marble feel by having as my backsplash only.

Notice the similarity in the faucet styles as well. The control does not require any turning and adds a classic rich feeling to the vanity. I think of the faucet like a pair of earrings. It can make or break an outfit!

For the Health of it

2010-11-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

I have suggested walking poles in the past for Holiday gifts as a means of support on icy surfaces. This time I am not trying to prevent falls but to help you walk more efficiently.

I know that you have heard that walking is good for you but do you really know the benefits it has? Robert Sweetgall stresses that walking is great for your legs, heart, bones and brain. But you think you can not walk long distances because your knees, back or feet hurt? It has scientifically proven that using walking sticks (not just any sticks but the ones shown below) can help you have 40% more muscle engagement and burn 40% more calories. That is not the best part: the poles also help your body become lighter and have less impact on those knees, feet and back

A 50 state, 11,208 mile walk

Possibly one of the greatest testimonials for walking is Robert Sweetgall's 11,208 mile foot journey through all 50 states. Sweetgall walked the entire United States in one year, averaging 31 miles per day.

Periodically he was flown back to the Univ. Mass. Medical Center where a team of 20 medical scientists and doctors completely analyzed his physiological functions to determine the long-term effects of walking on the human body.

Bottom line: this medical research showed no injuries, no abnormal physiological effects, and fortunately for Sweetgall, improvements in many areas, including cardiorespiratory function, reduction in body fat, and enhanced muscle strengthening.

A Trick after Halloween

2010-11-04T06:23:00.000-07:00

This would make a nice bar area that can provide extra seating for the uninvited friend of a friend.

Trick by Sakura Adachi

The Future is Green

2010-11-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

It is Nov. 1st and NO it is not too early to start planning your holiday purchases that have a purpose.
Barry Katz just published this book and if you want one you better order now for the second round of printing.

I have not read this book but I like his blog and share the idea that I strive to live in an everday home that is environmentally friendly and user friendly.

The Future is Green

Decorating with natural materials

2010-10-28T05:34:00.000-07:00

What did you call me? Oh you said monkey brains!
I love using natural materials for decorations. The monkey brains are tops this year with the warm weather. They not only provide a pop of fresh green but also there is a rumor they keep spiders away!
I have placed them in my herb planters below but they can be used in the house as well.

Source below pictures

Mixing materials

2010-10-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

Redoing our guest bath was a challenge but exciting. Our budget was tight so I went "high end" with the sink bowl and the marble backsplash. The countertop was ordered through IKEA so I did not get to see it until it was delivered (via my hubby). I did not anticipate the brown dots since the picture online appeared as just cream but now that I have them together I kinda like the mixed matched materials.

The faucet is easy to use with out handles to twist and turn.

The Stress Free Home

2010-10-26T05:41:00.000-07:00

My dear friend won this basket and gave it to me! I am so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life.
The basket is from the logenberg company.
I envision someday placing scented pinecones with my winter mittens in it next to the front door but my dog would chew it now so that is why it is being housed in my office on a table.

This is a practical book on how to create spaces that naturally feel stress free. Your home is not only a reflection of who you are but it can represent how you are feeling as well.
Be as stress free as you can and never let your home stress you out!

Where are your eggs coming from?

2010-10-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

I recently have been really thinking about where my milk comes from and the journey it takes to get to me. Have you stopped to think about what that cow has eaten to produce that milk and then how the cow is milked, how the milk is stored and then put into a big truck and shipped to a factory and then put into another truck and shipped to a store where you pick it up and put it in your car and bring it home to serve to your family. Am I the only one thinking these things?

Well, I know it is probably unpractical for you to have a cow and milk it each day but it is not unrealistic to have chickens. I love the look of this coop. What a great addition to your landscape and family meal planning!
We have had a lot of egg scares lately and heard the horror stories about how chickens are treated.
Invest in a few chickens and they will repay you in no time!

Source

First Sign of Fall

2010-10-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Crock Pot is full of soup and that means it is officially fall in our house. I do not follow a recipe for this soup. It has lots of veggies (cabbage, spinach, carrots, celery, kale, tomatoes, onion, garlic) and a little chicken leftovers.

Get Organized

2010-10-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

The air is crisp and the fireplace is roaring. That means I am spending less time outside and more time inside. Doing what? organizing of course. I love to organize and using bookcases is one of my favorite ways to organize. Someday I will have a full wall of builtin bookcases but these hand me ups are working out fine now.

Here are some more bookcases to inspire you Coulour me Happy

Be as loud as you want!

2010-10-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

See this orange tube? Can you believe that it is a speaker for your computer?

The speaker expands with the volume level

If you need the volume higher to hear you will be able to tell exaclty how loud it is by looking at your speaker. This is great for couples with different hearing levels. If your spouse is trying to talk to you and the speaker is expanded you will know to turn it down with out him or her having to yell.

They come three bright colors!

designer

Light Switches that ROCK!

2010-10-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

Not only are rocker switches easier to use than traditional switches
but
these smile at you if you are conserving energy
by
turning the lights out.

SO CUTE!

source

Walk Right In, Sit Right Down

2010-09-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful home. It is well lit at night so you can see your way in and any strangers lurking in the night.
Also notice that this is a no step entrance.

The entrance goes right into the inviting livingroom area. This home is an appropiate size with an open floor plan.

Instead of a huge area rug the floor texture changed. There is also good task lighting next to the couch.

Now you know that this bath is not univerally designed but look at the wonderful branch bar in the front. That could make a very nice grab bar that reflects the spectacular view. I hope they do not have any neighbor close by.

The kitchen also has great task lighting but notice how much natrual light is coming in? See the shadows on the floor? A shade on a timer would be appropriate to reduce some of that glare.

Here is another view of the kitchen. The countertops are at different heights making it appropriate for many users. The oven is elevated making it easy to see what is inside and prevents bending over and picking up heavy dishes. And do I even need to point out how much storage is available! My goodness. This kitchen is very functional and does not have any throw rugs either. See the change in the floor textures again (look by the island chairs)

Open floor plan and natural sky lights make this space so functional.
Although, see the glare on the floor? That can be hard for the eye to adjust (it kinda reminds me of when people would point a laser at your eye)

In this room they added to the glass to prevent complete sun light. This same design could be used in the kitchen.

Photos/ Architect source

Let me hold that door for you

2010-09-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

My husband ran right into the bathroom door the other night. I giggled (giggling now) because he was not hurt. This story is not unfamiliar to you I am sure. This is a cute door stop that can be used to prop open any door. Do you know someone that uses a walker?
Yes: Well you know what a pain it is to ope a door to only have it hit your arm as you are going through the doorway. With the temperatures still in the high 90's I could use a couple to get a breeze right about now.

Tendence 2010 Spotlight: Qualy Design

The Tail of the Best Bike Ever

2010-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

I want you to remember that we never grow up. We all age with each day but to continue to live life to the fullest you should never completely grow up.

Now, do you see what I mean? Do you want one too?

source

Fall is wheeling in

2010-09-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

Summer is over and the leaves have started to fall. What does this mean?
Well it is time to move all that furniture back into the garage. I love the design of this chair. It looks sturdy enough to get in and out of but the best part are the wheels. Imagine next year not having to keep your furniture in the same spot all summer long.

Kagan Capricorn Collection

Nantucket retirement

2010-08-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

Nantucket seems like the perfect retirement place to me!


Does the bike come with the house? Usability of the surrounding community

Nantucket Love - Collage - Part One
Shelter posted this blog on Nantucket and I Did fall head over heels for this place!

Housing next door for grandma

Living right on the water, how peaceful and interactive

fence for privacy

Unique front door with window to view guests

Get Out! The Mobile Planter

2010-08-12T06:41:00.000-07:00

Get Out! The Mobile Planter

I love the ability to move my plants inside and outside with out breaking my back or having to wait for my husband who just does not understand why I need to move it 2 feet because it just does not look right. I love furniture on wheels!

These mobile planters featured in design milk are wonderful!

Discarded Drawer Dressers by Entwurf-Direkt

2010-08-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

This dresser seems like it would be a good scavenging piece of furniture. Not to just find unique recycled material but for someone with dementia that likes to look through things and discover or rummage.

You will def. see one of these in my house someday!

Discarded Drawer Dressers by Entwurf-Direkt

Unique sink idea

2010-08-11T05:56:00.000-07:00

Willow Decor featured these giant clam shells. What a wonderful idea for a sink.
The shell sink is raised above the normal sink level = less back pain
and
The shell is large enough to give you that splash proof area to wash your face!

Invisible Switch by Forbes

2010-08-09T05:34:00.000-07:00

Designmilk featured this light switch idea. I think it is wonderful because I tell people to move their outlets higher from the floor to be at the level of their room light switches. Well, they are not thinking how convenient it will be not to have to bend over backwards behind the couch to plug in the vacuum but rather how the outlet will stand out to the eye. Not anymore with these outlet covers! So raise those outlets high!!!

Invisible Switch by Forbes & Lomax

Tea Time!

2010-08-07T05:24:00.000-07:00

tea cup lighting - how fun

DMY 2010 International Design Festival Berlin

Accessible Driveways

2010-07-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

This house has a nice drop off area. Change the stone to a paved surface and I can not tell if it is a no step entrance or not but it should be.

http://hamptondesignershowhouse.com/index.html