Can You Use Neon in Interior Design?

We know that neon is all the rage when it comes to fashion this summer.  The question is: Can you also bring neon into the decor of your home?  I think these pics answer the question...ABSOLUTELY!!!

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/55767/Home-Office-Cabinet-in-Guestroom-in-Sonoma-Residence-modern-home-office-other-metros] [houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/23871/High--Low-and-Eccentric---The-New-York-Times---Dining---Wine---Slide-Show---Slid-contemporary-living-room-other-metros]

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/599724/Colorful-Cottage-eclectic-entry-los-angeles]

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/1115804/Wooden-Salad-Bowl--Neon-Pink-and-Neon-Yellow-by-Wind---Willow-Home-modern-serveware-]

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/83388/dining-room-modern-dining-room-other-metros]

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/818335/Neon-Piper-Pillows-contemporary-pillows-]

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/96496/Kips-Bay-Showhouse-contemporary-living-room-new-york]

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/72376/Contemporary-Kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-boston]

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/888295/Bathroom-contemporary-bathroom-melbourne]

Designer DIY

I  look forward to my House Beautiful issue in the mail every month.  It is one of my many sources where I find inspiration for my projects.  As I was reading this June's issue as usual, dog-earring pages of good ideas and great design.  Then I discovered something very interesting about one of the feature homes. It starts with the room pictured on the cover.  Although it may look like all the other gorgeous homes featured on House Beautiful's covers, this one is a little different.

The home belongs to the editor of Kansas City Spaces magazine, Zim Loy.  One quick flip through the spread of her home and you would think it was just another beautiful home filled with expensive, designer home goods.  Once I read the article, that wasn't the case.  Not only does she do most of the work (painting all of the rooms and furniture herself) but she does an amazing job creating a high-end designer look, for much less.

She scourers estate sales for old, beat up furniture and turns them into modern masterpieces.:

Other tricks up her sleeve included a sheep skin rug from Costco under the master bed, bedside tables that were former department store displays, hand sewn bleached linen curtains, and a beautiful silver leafed sideboard.

 Just another example that you don't have to spend a fortune for a fabulous home!

All photos courtesy of www.housebeautiful.com

New Uses for Old Wine Bottles

I friend of mine asked if I had any ideas on what to do with old wine bottles, here are I few of my favorite ideas that I came across...

1. Of course there is the obvious. Old wine bottles make great vases for long stem flowers. If you have access to a glass cutter, you can get a little more creative with the angles, like these vases.

East to follow instructions on how to do this can be found at: http://green.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/12/diy_wine_bottle_vases.php 2. Make some really good home-made salad dressing. Thoroughly clean out a wine bottle and pour it in the bottle. It makes for a really nice decanter for your dressing . You can also give them away as gifts.

3. Fill old bottles with hand soap, dishwashing liquid, or bath bubbles. Then attach a pump to the top of the bottle. The pumps can be found at most hardware stores. It is much prettier than the plastic bottles sitting on the sink.

4.  I thought these Tiki torches looked pretty cool. Instructions for this project are at the following site: http://green.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/08/wine_bottle_diy_ideas.php

5.  You can paint wine bottles with glass paint and get a creative as you want.

6.  Some wine bottles have interesting and beautiful shapes. To make them look a little more modern, I would group 3 bottles together that are different shapes and sizes and paint them all the same color. You always want to group similar items in odd numbers. Here are two examples:

 

7.  If you are feeling really industrious, you can build your own wine bottle chandelier. This one from Pottery Barn cost over $400!!!

You can make your own for much less. Here are step by step instructions to make this similar one: http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2008/06/_i_chose_to_use.html

Painting Old, Outdated Furniture

When it's artfully applied, paint adds more than color.  It alters the very nature of the piece, often evoking another time and style.  You can wake up a tired piece of furniture by giving the legs a glossy enamel finish. It will look like it came right out of a new showroom.  Or you can reverse the age of a piece of furniture.  A contemporary table that has been refinished can acquire the look of an antique in hours, not years. Choose a piece of furniture -- perhaps a desk you spotted at a flea market or a chair you've grown tired of -- then get to work. You'll need nothing more than basic painting skills, a handful of materials and these steps:

Step 1: Sand

Sand the piece to rough up the surface, which will help to make the paint adhere. Thoroughly brush off the dust (I go over it with the brush attachment of the vacuum cleaner) Then go over it again with a soft cloth to pick up any of the finer particles left behind.

Step 2: Apply Primer

Apply a quality primer to the furniture. I learned the hard way and didn't use quality products the first time around and it NEVER dried.  Let the primer dry completely, overnight is best.

Primer must match the type of paint you have chosen. For furniture it's best to use a satin or semigloss finish in either a latex or an oil-based paint.  Although I suggest latex.  It goes on easily and blocks most stains, but it doesn't have the odor of an oil-based primer.

Step 3: Paint

When you're painting, start at the top and work down, smoothing paint drips as you work downward.  You can use a brush or a roller, depending on the size of the surface area.  Paint the first coat and allow it to dry overnight, then add another coat the next day and let that dry completely before moving the piece.  Darker paint colors may require 3 or 4 coats.

Step 4:  Add New Hardware

This is easy, inexpensive, and makes a major difference in the look of a particular piece.  Some of my favorites can be found at www.anthropologie.com and http://www.jvjhardware.com/

Step 5: Get Creative!

There are so many options.  Any craft or home improvement store has millions of unique products you can use.  There is silver/gold leaf, wood stains of any color, metallic paint, faux finishes, you name it.  Don't be afraid to get a little creative and do something outside the box.  You can always alter the finished product if you really hate the end result.  Here are some pics to give you some inspiration and get your creative juices flowing...

Decorating a Rental

There are many people who rent and do not own their homes. This may limit you on what you can and cannot do when it comes to decorating. Most property owners won’t let you paint walls or cabinetry, put in new flooring or make any permanent changes. You have to use a little more creativity, but it can be done. Use your imagination and you can turn the space into a comfy home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Area Rugs:

Use area rugs to cover unsightly, dingy carpet and add lots of color to the room. Or you can even hang a large rug to add color to the walls

Slip covers:

A lot of times when renting a home or apartment, it comes furnished or you have hand-me-down furniture from family. Slip covers are an excellent way to turn Grandma’s floral print sofa into a clean and contemporary lounge spot. Now covers come in every size, color, and pattern. They are also easy to clean since most of them can be thrown into the washer. http://www.target.com/ has many different inexpensive slip covers in various colors and fabrics.

Repurposing old furniture: If you have old acquired pieces of furniture, try painting it. You can paint old picture frames, chairs, tables, lamps, bookcases, you name it. Just sand it down, and spray paint. An antique lamp can look brand new and very modern painted bright green.

Throw on a new lamp shade and you have a cool new accessory.

 Light fixtures: Replace the unattractive light fixture above your kitchen table with a chandelier or pendant lights. Just store the old one in a closet and put it back on before you move out.

 Shower head:

To make the bathroom more spa-like, replace the existing shower head with a new one like this rainfall shower head with detachable hose for only $29.99 at http://www.homedepot.com/

Window coverings: Don’t forget about the windows! Adding curtains to a window is inexpensive and can instantly make the room fell more like home.

Dress Up Your Bed:

Add lot of color with pillows and throws. If you are feeling crafty, you can even make your own headboard to lean against the wall behind your bed. All you need if some wood, foam padding, and fabric.

Add Some Life: Plants and flowers are another inexpensive way to bring life to a rental. They brighten your space and your mood.

Most renters can't paint the walls, so add color in creative ways:

Pick up a collection of dollar store frames, spray paint them black, then frame unusual things such as pretty pieces of fabric, cd covers, your own artwork, shells, anything! Pick something you love and display them as a grouping on the wall.

Make one focal wall by covering it with fabric or hang a wall mural. This will add a lot of drama and color, but is a snap to take down when you move. You can also use the same idea in the kitchen. Cover cabinet doors with fabric and attach with Velcro on the back

Make it Personal:

Add your own personal touches. Photos of family and friends, keepsakes, whatever makes you feel comfortable and at home. With just a little creativity you can use your rental to express yourself.