Monday, February 27, 2012

waterBob - Bathtub Drinkin'

Since Alabama has become the new tornado alley, maybe I should invest in one of these...


This is the waterBOB. It's a 20 gallon emergency water storage that fits in any standard bathtub. A siphon and pump are included to fetch your stored water from the heavy FDA-approved plastic bladder. 

Interesting stuff!


Check out this video that shows the waterBOB in action...



Sure would beat drinking water that tasted like my Axe body wash! 

And cool thing... you can pick one up on Amazon right now!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sunday Inspiration - The ModernSauce Ranch and Curbly

Last year I had the opportunity to help out a friend of Cupboards with her kitchen reno- I was the trusty cabinet guy from afar!

In the end, Lacy from ModernSauce filled the bizarre quaint space with lots of KraftMaid cabinetry and got lots of recognition for her remodeling prowice!

Curbly did a feature on her remodel(that you can see here) and not so long ago announced their Best of Curbly: Top Ten Kitchen Makeovers of 2011.

Guess who was in it?!

Yes I'm ruining the surprise, but LOOK.... NUMBER 2!


via Curbly via ModernSauce

In all seriousness, I'm just glad to take the credit share in the success of the renovation. I really thought that Lacy would be number 1 until I saw that termite grossness... they deserve it.

Run over to ModernSauce blog if you didn't follow the renovation from the beginning. It was tons of fun to work with such a saucy lady!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

How to Feng Shui a Living Room

Whether you subscribe to Feng Shui or not, these tips really can help to make a space more livable and free of clutter.

Clutter in the home, clutter in the mind!


Friday, February 24, 2012

Friday Find - Lid Sid

Kitchen gadgets are the best- I'll pass all manner of shops just to get to Williams Sonoma or a Chef's Store. When I run up on a really unique find it becomes my small gift du jour.

Friends that cook, just act surprised when I get you this.

Meet Lid Sid.


Ha! Isn't he awesome?! Sid can keep your lid propped to let out some steam when you don't need to have your pot/pan completely covered. My Sid would forever smell like my magical Chili recipe but who cares!?




Lid Sid comes as a pack of two and can be purchased at Monkey Business(which has way cool stuff if you didn't already know). Easy 16 bucks! 

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Blogging is Fun: Some Posts Never Die

When I started writing this blog a couple of years ago, it was really just an extension of work and kind of an escape from the daily norms. I can get on the net and talk about fun stuff and wild decor. Honestly, I never expected that some of my posts would cause such a stir as a certain three have caused.

Last spring, I talked about a few trends that were train wrecks from the onset. The cool thing about having a blog is that my opinion is really the only one I can write about with any first-hand knowledge and I didn't do much other than upset bargain hunters and DIYers. The nice guy in me wants to feel bad about it... The smart design professional sleeps just fine at night.

Here are the posts. If you didn't see them the first time, go check them out. If you did read them at the initial posting and haven't been back in a while to check out the ROCKIN' comments, get ready.

Put down your coffee, by the way.

When Trends Attack! Granite Tile Counter Edition


This post is easily the most query(google, etc.) searched post that I've written. Every day, my analytics is overwhelmed by "granite tile" and "which granite tile is best for counters" searches. Based on some of the responses(mostly anonymous), I'm the only person EVER to say that granite floor tile should be used on the floor and not on the counter. Still sticking to my guns over here... it's a trend that should have NEVER started.



Now that I've been accused of hating everything cute, why not rail on chalkboard paint?! I like chalkboard paint just fine... I just don't want chalk in my dinner.

Think it's not? Better look a bit closer.



Bet you didn't know that tons of folks are swiping pallets from behind grocery stores and other business to make headboards and baby beds and dining room tables, did you?

Pallets are nasty. When I wrote this post, I had no idea that I'd become the villain of pallet-crafters from all over. It happened. 


Fortunately, smarter minds prevailed and even Curbly picked up on the post and shared some of the scary facts about pallets and why they might need to be thought of as a good composting bin, and maybe less as a bed for a child. The gang at Curbly is still getting comments about it! Scoot over and read the awesome post at Curbly.

So there you have it! You never know when you throw something out in the the web what's going to happen. 

Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Guest Post: Is It A Defect? Or Character?


Big thanks to Pete Mazzone and the good folks over at The Woods Company for sharing some thoughts on wood and character. While the work The Woods Company primarily does is flooring, this info goes to any woodworking!
Make sure you check out their site and follow them on Twitter!
_______________________________________________________

In the wood flooring industry the terms “defect” and “character” can mean different things to different people, and can even have different meaning according to industry standards and personal taste.  But sometimes, when considering wood flooring, seeing the combination of these two words is usually not an indicator of something good!
In the reclaimed flooring world, however, they are in fact indicative of what makes our products so beautiful and unique.
Character can be defined as a genetic trait:
Genetics any trait, function, structure, or substance of an organism resulting from the effect of one or more genes as modified by the environment.
This definition directly addresses what constitutes character in lumber grading. Character is the long term result of all the factors combined during the life of a fully matured tree.  What was the soil composition? How much sunshine did the tree get? How wet or dry was the environment? When in its life cycle did it develop branches, which will later transform into knots? And finally once the tree was taken where was it used? All of these elements come together in the timber when it is made into a wood flooring planks, and the end result is an overall floor that is truly unique.
The knots add a traditional, sometimes rustic charm—you feel like you’re living on an authentic, natural floor covering. Sometimes the soil is rich with nutrients and minerals native to a specific area, and contribute to the rich color tones of the wood.  Mineral streaks, a discoloration in any species of wood caused by mineral deposits the tree extracts from the soil, are commonly seen as a blackish-blue streak within the grain and add a unique element, reminding us that the wood was once alive, taking nourishment from its environment.  And a favorite character type is the worm holes found mostly in Antique Chestnut, and occasionally in Red Oak. It’s what gives Chestnut its nickname, “wormy Chestnut,” a sought after, rare, and interesting wood.
Defect is the second part of the equation. Unfortunately, many of the same terms we describe above as adding unique character to your floor are also common terms when identifying defects. Some of these terms might be considered a defect, but are many times, in fact, character, as we illustrated above.
In terms of lumber grading these attributes are by definition defect in the bad sense. But at The Woods Company, Inc. we see these traits instead as character since in our opinion it makes our product so incredibly unique and beautiful in every sense.
Which is precisely why it is difficult to determine when a characteristic is considered a flaw or defect and cut out of a floor.  The NWFA and NOFMA allow 5%  for “defects” in manufacturers’ flooring orders. But what might be considered a defect for one specie may not be in another. In a recent article in This Old House magazine, the writer gives the example that, “…knots are nonexistent in the best grade of Maple and plentiful in the same grade of Australian cypress.”It then comes down to individual manufacturers’ grading system and the customers’ personal preference.
Our floors tell the incredible story of the tree from literally the ground up. You can see where the grain took a turn due to a broken limb. You can see the spaces in the grain where the wet years and the dry years stand out. Then there is the second life of the tree in an old factory. Our industrial timbers were used in a wide variety of warehouse settings. These second lives put another layer of character and defect into play.  Now the tree has reached what will most likely be its final destination, your floors. You get to enjoy the colorful history and dynamic look and feel of our reclaimed flooring.

Monday, February 20, 2012

#KBTribeChat - Why Your Business MUST Go Social

We talked about social media the last time that I was asked to host #KBTribeChat on twitter. This time around it's social media from a whole new angle. Get ready for the tough questions... Is social media marketing? How to I incorporate the traditional marketing with social media? Do I need help?

You'll not want to miss this chat! Need more details? Jump on over to the #KBTribeChat site and get the info. We'll see you there, Wednesday at 1pm CST!


by Wix.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Sunday Inspiration - Cement Factory Living

Some of the most stunning homes are not new mega-mansions that started out with a fancy ground-breaking on a newly prepared lot.

I love to see older buildings transformed from relics of a manufacturing past to stunning homes. This former cement factory fits the bill.


Ricardo Bofill spent two years transforming this cement factory in to a multi-function building that would house architectural offices, a model laboratory and an apartment for himself among other things.


Instead of removing all elements of the buildings previous life, the new occupants used the workmanlike elements as a backdrop for a new relaxing space.




Originally, the factory had over 30 silos... Could you imagine having a meeting under one?!


Or how about lunch? The exterior was transformed in to a stunning garden with outdoor living spots sprinkled through the industrial property. What do you think? Preserving history or kitschy design?

Saturday, February 18, 2012

History of the Home Theater

Home theaters are becoming more and more prevalent in new constructions and many remodels. Even the common 'man cave' has become a venue for sports and movie watching.

Could you imagine watching a monk hold a lantern? My how we've come along!




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Economics of Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day again and lots of folks will be snacking on yummy chocolates and admiring pretty flowers for the next couple of days.

Interestingly enough, I've done granite counters for Valentine's Day. Forget jewelry, I want a rock on the counter!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Capital Cooking Offers COLOR!

I've never tried to hide my love for the Capital Cooking line of ranges. They just scream awesomeness to me in all the right ways.

Recently, Capital launched an awesome spectrum of 10 colors on three of their best models, Culinarian and Precision Ranges plus Maestro Wall Ovens.

Range in....
Flame Red

Pale Green

Signal Blue

Yellow

Other colors available include: Black, Cobalt Blue, Oyster White, Red Wine, Ruby Red, and White. You can check out the other colors available from Capital Cooking on their Facebook page.

So what do you think? Ready for an appliance that's bold and among the best in the industry?!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Sunday Inspiration - Not Just a Log Pile

Novelty isn't a bad thing. When a space or building has a personality and talking points of its own and still functions as a highly refined area it's all the better.

I've always been a big fan of having a separate work and home space. I'm for sure the pot calling the kettle black because I'm typing this from my kitchen table. If you have the ability and opportunity to take your work stuff out of your house do it!



This awesome little building was built by Piet Hein Eek for his pal Hans Liberg in The Netherlands. Hans uses it as a recording studio. Takes the log cabin concept to all new levels!



The pale blue interior not only opens up the small space, but provides a calm environment for knocking out those to-do lists(surely I'm not the only one that makes at least one list a day).



With the push toward small living and minimizing environmental impact, this work space is surely a hit. Now that many people can work from home thanks to web and tele-commuting, this would be the sweetest office on the block!

Would it go well in your back yard?

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Is It Really Green

This is a serious problem in the products industry right now. It's important that as consumers we are paying attention to labels and not getting "greenwashed". Be aware that there are products out there that are green in name only.

Read the labels!


infographic
Via CSG

Sunday, February 5, 2012

So You Want(ed) To Go To The Super Bowl

I know that the Super Bowl is in a few hours, but had you planned a bit ahead this is some good info on the cash you might have spent to get to Indianapolis for the big game. Seems like a lot for a single game, even for those of us in SEC Country.

What do you think? Who've you got tonight?

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day! Here's to an early Spring! Wait a minute... we haven't really had any winter yet. Oh well, cheers to Phil and Birmingham Bill and Beauregard Lee and all the other fun groundhog prognosticators around the country!

Hope it's warm where you are!

via

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

#WordlessWednesday - Ski Jumping Potty


*Photo via DivineCaroline - "A Japanese coffee company, Georgia Max Coffee, modified the bathrooms of ski areas around Japan to promote their coffee energy drinks. This is probably the most exciting bathroom I've ever seen!"

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