Source: Etsy – Banjo MDF Shop

Looking for some ideas?

Source: Picnics in the Park Blog

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Source: Raggy Girl Vintage Blog

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Source: Home Spy Shopping Blog

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Source: Jackie Fogurtie Events Blog

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Source: Apartment Therapy

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Source: My Wedding Blog

My closet redesign is being featured over at hodge:podge today If you live in a rental, this post is for you! And if you don’t, well, this post is for you, too!! It’s a little inspiration for a lot of closet maximization! Is that a word?

And did you know that Barbara has started a new series on her blog called, Loving Your Rental? Hodge:Podge is always a great place to visit for inspiration and DIY ideas…

And now, tips for sprucing up your rental pad, too!

P.S. – Just in case you missed . . . → Read More: Featured at hodge:podge]]>

I’m very excited…

My closet redesign is being featured over at hodge:podge today If you live in a rental, this post is for you! And if you don’t, well, this post is for you, too!! It’s a little inspiration for a lot of closet maximization! Is that a word?

And did you know that Barbara has started a new series on her blog called, Loving Your Rental? Hodge:Podge is always a great place to visit for inspiration and DIY ideas…

And now, tips for sprucing up your rental pad, too!

P.S. – Just in case you missed the news… Barbara was one of two winners in AyA Kitchen & Baths dream kitchen design competition, and as a result she is off to Blog Podium! You can read more here.

See what I mean. When you visit hodge:podge you know you’re in good hands, I hope you’ll stop by!

THANKS FOR VISITING!

xo

It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story! 

If you would like a little help with your space contact me here.

Looking for a colour consultation click here.

Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed

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Interested in a Sponsorship opportunity? Click here for details.

I hinted then that a surround to hide the heat pump might be a nice finishing touch… and doubly hinted that Dad would maybe do the work? Pretty please

Here’s a run-down of what’s been happening in the last few days!

Gather the materials.

Check.

Paint the wood.

Check.

Call Dad.

Speed Dial!

Dad’s pretty patient when he’s working in my make-shift shop. You should see his!

The heat pump is on . . . → Read More: Heat Pump Surround: Wrap It Up!]]>

Remember the BBQ pad we (Dad!) put in? You can read about it here and here if you missed those posts.

I hinted then that a surround to hide the heat pump might be a nice finishing touch… and doubly hinted that Dad would maybe do the work? Pretty please

Here’s a run-down of what’s been happening in the last few days!

Gather the materials.

Check.

Paint the wood.

Check.

Call Dad.

Speed Dial!

Dad’s pretty patient when he’s working in my make-shift shop. You should see his!

The heat pump is on a sloped slab, so leveling the surround was a tedious part of this project.

And measuring…

Well, you know the drill.

Measure twice, cut once!

See how sloped the slab is?

It’s like 2″ lower on the left front than the right! And let’s not even talk about the back!

Squaring the frame was definitely left to the pro!

I was the go-for!

And putting this piece of lattice on was ‘f. u. n.’

I got to hold everything while Dad put in the screws. Do you know how slippery pvc is when slipping is not an option?

Matching the lattice on the corners also required patience and persistence!

But ‘we’ managed, and the match turned out well.

Notice, we took the lattice right to the ground? This is to help camouflage the slope, and hide the not-so-pretty slab.

And we left the back side against the house open as you don’t really see it. The frame is solid because we put ‘L’ brackets on this part of the frame.

If the pump ever needs to be accessed, only the screws attaching the house-side of the lattice to the frame, and the bottom of the ‘L’ brackets need to be undone. The rest of the surround stays in tact and can be pulled away from the heat pump as a unit.

Now you can hardly tell the slab is sloped!

And yes, we do swing the BBQ out and away from all this when we’re using it!

Here’s a little look back at the beginning.

We went from this…

To this…

To this…

To this!

We thought about going with wooden lattice painted to match the steps or the house, but in the end decided to go with the PVC lattice for ease of cleaning and care, and because we were taking it right to the ground. Our landlord covered the cost for this home improvement, and when you’re a landlord you need to think about the long-term impacts of care and maintenance down the road!

Now… we have to get the step repaired and the porch repainted. With the weather turning itself around, that’s coming soon! That and pots of plants. It’s time for some colour!

How are your home improvements coming along? Got any big projects on the go???

THANKS FOR JOINING ME HERE!

xo

It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story! 

If you would like a little help with your space contact me here.

Looking for a colour consultation click here.

Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed

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Photos: Sheila Zeller

Here’s a little of what we got to enjoy…

Blue skies and bright sunshine.

Beautiful views.

Colourful gardens.

Shade from the rays of the sun.

With organic tea and sweet sampler pairing al fresco.

Look at the colour of the tea! I love the teapot – a quick flip of the lever on top, and you can steep the tea longer if you wish it to be stronger.

Jessie’s father loved Gloxinias and was a master at nurturing them. So she bought a Gloxinia in honour of his memory, and in the hopes of learning to grow . . . → Read More: Mom, This One’s For You!]]>

Gloxinia.

A special flower that holds a very special place in my heart for my Mom…

Born in February, my Mom’s birthstone was an amethyst. But birthstone aside, Mom really liked purple, and she wore it well. And so, a Gloxinia it was from my dear friend Jessie to remember my Mom by.

Jessie’s father loved Gloxinias and was a master at nurturing them. So she bought a Gloxinia in honour of his memory, and in the hopes of learning to grow them, too. But try as she might, the Gloxinia did not last very long. Her words of advice to us: enjoy your Gloxinia, and don’t stress if you can’t keep it alive. They’re hard to care for!

And sure enough, in spite of our best efforts to give Gloxinia all the TLC it deserved, one day the stem fell away, and it was gone. And so the pot of dirt sat, waiting to be dumped in the garden. But you know how these things go. Time came and went, and the pot of dirt got overlooked. Months and months went by, and the pot of dirt remained. Until finally one day hubs said he would just take care of it. So he moved the pot of dirt, but never dumped it. And so it sat, and sat, and sat for months more. Until hubs could stand it no more! He picked up the pot and headed to the garden for once and for all. But there in the dirt was a little green shoot. So instead of dumping the dirt, he watered the little green shoot, and we were astonished to watch Gloxinia grow! It’s been 5 years, and every year Gloxinia has bloomed, hibernated, and then bloomed again. And every year we are in awe of the incredible velvety flowers that burst open in a splash of deep regal purple.

We have learned that our Gloxinia blooms every year around Mother’s Day. She puts on an amazing show for about a month, and then lies dormant for another year… an innocent pot of dirt defying the garden fate.

So here I share Gloxinia currently in bloom as I write this post.

 Mom, this one’s for you!

I’d like you to meet my Mom…

Jean

Mom, I miss you…

But every year when Gloxinia blooms, I know you’re here.

Happy Mother’s Day

xo

Love Sheila

 …It’s about coming home.

Anyway, today’s post is all about très cool ways to showcase your artwork. Do you remember the shopping bag art I wrote about here?

Let’s start off with clothes hangers. Not a new idea, but just way too much fun to leave out of the mix.

Like this vintage mult-skirt hanger.

Source: Etsy . . . → Read More: Cool Ways to Hang Up Your Art]]>

Holy Hannah, where do the days go? You’ve seen a little less of me, but I’m still here! It’s just that Mr. Sun came out, so I took the opportunity to get outside and pull the thick, lush weeds that never stop growing !

Anyway, today’s post is all about très cool ways to showcase your artwork. Do you remember the shopping bag art I wrote about here?

Let’s start off with clothes hangers. Not a new idea, but just way too much fun to leave out of the mix.

Like this vintage mult-skirt hanger.

Source: Etsy (In With the Old Shop)

Just think of the collection of things you can display!

Or a grouping of pant hangers like these from Ikea.

Source: Style Files

Adds interest to a gallery wall, don’t you think?

I love this throw-back to the past that borrows a little Mid-Century Modern flair.

Source: More Ways to Waste Time Blog

And what could be more perfect than vintage pant hangers to feature each piece?

Vintage wooden skirt hangers would also work, too.

Source: SF Girl By Bay Blog

A little more whimsy and added cache for any space.

If hangers aren’t really your thing, you might like to try clipboards instead.

What a great way to add a little punch…

Source: Decor8 Blog

While keeping multi-project samples organized and in place.

If you’re into layered vignettes…

Source: Apartment Therapy

Clipboards are great, because they prop up well, and fit narrower ledges in a space.

And if you have a little Picaso or two…

Source: Second Hand Social

Why not multi-purpose a curtain rod with ring clips to hang these very special masterpieces?

Or you might like Ikea’s Dignitet System that you see here instead.

Source: Apartment Therapy

What a great way to create an interchangeable feature wall as the new pieces flood in!

Got any old bike rims hanging around?

Source: My Tattered Angels

A quick coat of paint, and you’ve repurposed it into an artistic piece, all stylish and new!

If you’d rather leave the tire intact, you might like this idea instead.

Source: Montana Bride Blog

Clip your photos to the spokes with clothes pegs and you’re ready to roll!

If this look is for you…

Source: Second Hand Social

Why not double the impact, by displaying two!

Do any of these ideas catch your eye? Which one would you like to try?

I’ve been wanting to create a gallery wall for a while now, but just wasn’t sure which way to go. And then I found a few vintage Baribocraft pant hangers along with some other ones, too. And I knew, this was what I wanted to do! Now it’s a matter of sorting out which pieces I want to feature…

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!

xo

It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story! 

If you would like a little help with your space contact me here.

Looking for a colour consultation click here.

Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed

Follow my Boards on Pinterest

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Interested in a Sponsorship opportunity? Click here for details.

If you’re just catching up, here’s another look at this mystery piece.

Source: Modernica Blog

As you know, I tried to find out more information on this interesting piece, but in spite of my searching wasn’t able to find out much on its designer influence. I speculated that the design was Powell & Evans inspired, but asked for feedback if any of you, my awesome readers, knew otherwise.

And . . . → Read More: Hey, Guess What? Mystery Solved!]]>

Do you remember the credenza mystery I wrote about here? You know, the one in Don Draper’s office, Season 4 of Mad Men?

If you’re just catching up, here’s another look at this mystery piece.

Source: Modernica Blog

As you know, I tried to find out more information on this interesting piece, but in spite of my searching wasn’t able to find out much on its designer influence. I speculated that the design was Powell & Evans inspired, but asked for feedback if any of you, my awesome readers, knew otherwise.

And because a very thoughtful reader responded, the mystery has been solved. And for that, thank you so much!

This credenza is in fact a rare 1960s Witco Oceanic Tiki piece. Here’s a much better look at it… take a very close look!

Source: Vintage and Modern

Do you notice anything slightly out of whack?

Here’s another photo for you to compare. Pay attention to the drawers on either side of the middle section…

Source: Modernica Props

In the first photo the sets of drawers are actually placed each on the wrong end of the credenza, skewing the carved design. If you look at the photo above you’ll see how the carved pieces fit together, and should actually look.

Thank you to Senor Amor for pointing this out in his comment here! What a keen eye Senor has both for detail, and for great pieces

Here is a close-up of the middle section.

Source: Vintage and Modern

Want to know what else I discovered?

I learned that this credenza is actually a 9-drawer dresser, and that it’s part of a whole bedroom suite. Here’s a look at a few of the matching pieces I was able to find.

Mens Chest Dresser.

Source: KRRB

Highboy Dresser.

Source: Oodle

Large Mirror (that attaches to the 9-drawer dresser).

Source: Oodle

Headboard.

Source: Oodle

I searched for bedside tables as well, but nothing came up…

Until Senor Amor’s comment. As luck would have it, Senor just happens to be selling some of the pieces to the suite, and a set of bedside tables was in the mix.

Here’s a look at the side tables!

Source: Los Angeles Craigslist

If you’re at all interested in the items Senor is selling, remember, these are rare vintage pieces that are tough to find. Here’s the link for more information:

Witco Oceanic Tiki Pieces – Los Angeles Craigslist

So there you have it! The Mad Men credenza mystery is solved. It’s from Witco and is part of the Oceanic Tiki series.

And I found this little piece of information on Witco from Retro Renovation blog:

Hi,

My name is Burke Hovde (aka…The Witco Kid on www.tikicentral.com). I’m the son of Ron Hovde, one of the Witco Co-Founders and Artists with Bill Westenhaver. I grew up with Witco everywhere. Witco wallhangings and furniture are all over my parents house and our family’s cabin. Witco started out as Western International Trading Company and imported South Pacific home furnishing items like Capishell Lamps. They also were into carvings that eventually evolved into the rough cedar chain saw carved furniture and Tikis that most people know Witco for. The artwork and production plant was in Mt. Vernon, Washington and they eventually sold $15 million worth of Witco products throughout the world over a 10 year run in the 1970′s. Through my Ebay Storefront at “intertrader2005″ you can purchase a book on “Fun and Profitable Chainsaw Carving” that Ron Hovde and Bill Westenhaver published under their company Westho (i.e. Westenhaver/Hovde) after Witco shut down. If I can answer any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at hovdeinternational@hotmail.com

Cheers!
Burke Hovde
Hovde International

As you can see from my blog article today, if it wasn’t for thoughtful readers sharing their knowledge by leaving a comment, I wouldn’t be any the wiser. And as you can see by the comment left on Retro Renovation blog, some of Witco’s history has also been shared.

And this is the power of leaving a comment! I am always grateful to hear from you, to learn more by what you have to say, and from the knowledge you have to share…

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY!

xo

It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story! 

If you would like a little help with your space contact me here.

Looking for a colour consultation click here.

Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed

Follow my Boards on Pinterest

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Interested in a Sponsorship opportunity? Click here for details.

The problem: prep was taking place in the staff room, in the back storage area, at the front counter, and even on the fly in the boss’ office. Madness, right?

In the open storage area there is an old metal office desk being used for a work . . . → Read More: Organizing: Planning A Gift Prep Station]]>

I was working yesterday on an organizing overhaul with owners in their commercial space, and one of the things I was able to see right away was the need to establish a gift prep station. This company offers gift bags and baskets filled with their product, along with nicely presented gift certificates.

The problem: prep was taking place in the staff room, in the back storage area, at the front counter, and even on the fly in the boss’ office. Madness, right?

In the open storage area there is an old metal office desk being used for a work surface. All the drawers have been removed, so the desk surface is really its only function. This storage area also has lots of unused vertical space.

I don’t have any photos to share right now, but here’s a mock-up of what we plan to do.

1. Add open shelving above the desk for supplies
2. Install a removable rod under the bottom shelf for rolls of ribbon
3. Mount containers to the wall for scissors, pens, and all those miscellaneous tools that need to be handy
4. Install a bulletin board to help keep track of things
5. Install open shelving in the desk
• the 2 wide shelves will hold flat sheets of tissue (they usually work with just 2 colours)
• the 3 smaller shelves will hold their stock of gift bags and gift certificates
6. The opening under the desk is left free for the completed gift bags.

The owner was thrilled with this plan, and by the time I left yesterday I had moved everything related to the gift prep into this area.

If all goes well the shelving should be installed next week… just in time for the Mother’s Day rush!

Do you look at your space in terms of zones or stations?

I really believe thinking of your space chunked into zones or stations, makes it easier to stay organized. Not only does this establish the function of the area, but it narrows down your options for where things belong. And this makes it easier to keep things in their place, and maximize the function of your total space.

THANKS FOR READING; I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

xo

It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story! 

If you would like a little help with your space contact me here.

Looking for a colour consultation click here.

Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed

Follow my Boards on Pinterest

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Interested in a Sponsorship opportunity? Click here for details.

Photo Diagram: Sheila Zeller

Well, my brother was over the other day and he asked if they were blue or gray. I’ve always looked at them as gray, but decided to get out my Benjamin Moore colour decks and see what they had to say.

It was interesting because the leading is definitely a blue-gray, and in person is almost a perfect match to BM’s Eclipse 2132-40.

The paint on the frames is also blue-gray, but depending . . . → Read More: What Colour Are Those Antique Windows?]]>

Do you remember these antique windows I bought back in the summer?

Well, my brother was over the other day and he asked if they were blue or gray. I’ve always looked at them as gray, but decided to get out my Benjamin Moore colour decks and see what they had to say.

It was interesting because the leading is definitely a blue-gray, and in person is almost a perfect match to BM’s Eclipse 2132-40.

Eclipse 2132-40

The paint on the frames is also blue-gray, but depending on the light, dances between two different colours…

Pilgrim Haze 2132-50, the bluer undertone of the two, and a lighter shade of Eclipse.

Pilgrim Haze 2132-50

And Gull Wing Gray 2134-50, still a cool undertone, but with less blue in it.

Gull Wing Gray 2134-50

You can hardly see the difference between them here.

So this is another view of these BM colours next to the window. Keep in mind how the computer skews colour.

This is just to show you the slight difference between Gull Wing Gray (top) and Pilgrim Haze (bottom). And also so you can see how close Eclipse (middle) is to the colour of the leading.

This next close-up shot gives you a better look at how slight the difference is between Gull Wing Gray and Pilgrim Haze, yet what a difference there actually is next to the frame. Notice how Pilgrim Haze (bottom) almost blends with the frame, compared to the slight contrast of Gull Wing Gray (top) against the frame?

So in answer to my brother’s question, the frames are actually gray… a blue-gray, but still gray. Did the frames look blue or gray to you?

I thought this was a great example of what it’s like to work with colour. One person’s perception or interpretation may not be another’s. Just like one computer may show the same colour completely different from another. And, if I was actually going to paint something to match the window, my next step would be to paint up large colour boards in these colours so they show true. Remember, the paint chips are only a place to begin!

Do you like to work with colour, or would you rather have someone work with it for you?

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

xo

It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story! 

If you would like a little help with your space contact me here.

Looking for a colour consultation click here.

Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed

Follow my Boards on Pinterest

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Interested in a Sponsorship opportunity? Click here for details.

Photos: Sheila Zeller

This iconic 60′s IBM clock…

Source: Hodinkee Blog

Is making a comeback!

Do you remember it?

Whether it’s from your time or not, get ready to see a whole lot more of it, because IBM has teamed up with School House Electric Supply Company, and a reproduction, as seen above, of this classic clock is on the market.

Hypebeast digital  magazine put it this way…

In . . . → Read More: Have You Heard About This Clock?]]>

I know this is not quite ‘hot off the press’, but it’s still pretty fresh, and I thought you should know…

This iconic 60′s IBM clock…

Source: Hodinkee Blog

Is making a comeback!

Do you remember it?

Whether it’s from your time or not, get ready to see a whole lot more of it, because IBM has teamed up with School House Electric Supply Company, and a reproduction, as seen above, of this classic clock is on the market.

Hypebeast digital  magazine put it this way…

In true schoolhouse fashion, IBM has released the 1960s Standard Issue Clock featuring a vintage faceplate made to imitate the recognizable standard issue clocks from the mid-20th century. A domed glass lens, steel spun case, and original hands all contribute to this item’s authenticity. The clock also reflects IBM’s history as a timepiece manufacturer…

Did you notice, even the second hand is red just like they used to be!

Let’s take a little look back in time at a few of the vintage clocks…

Notice the red hand?

Source: Factory 20

This one is c. 1970…

Source: Remodelista

And this one is minus its second hand!

Source: Roy Arden Blog

But maybe that’s because it’s after 4:00!

And here you see a hanging option of the Standard Issue clock.

Source: Worthpoint

How do you feel about this clock being back on the scene? Does it remind you of your school days? Would you still be hanging around at this time?

I do remember this clock well, maybe not the vintage 60s, but definitely the c. 1970s onward. This clock was in every classroom I was ever in! By the time I was working in offices, the clocks had changed their game face, and I never worked in a warehouse, so no connection there. But I have to say, there’s something about this clock and the nostalgia it brings that feels heartwarming, a little bit fun, and I think its timing is just right!

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO STOP BY!

xo

It’s about coming home… and home is a special place that tells your story! 

If you would like some help with your space contact me here.

Subscribe to SZInteriors by email or RSS feed

Follow my Boards on Pinterest

Like my Page on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter 

Interested in a Sponsorship opportunity? Click here for details.