Monday, January 30, 2012

Have a Cuppa Sink!

ArtCeram unveiled these cup-shaped lavatories to the delight of java-junkies the world over. They're available in a tall(like Starbucks smallish) to venti(all the way to the floor) but only in black and white.

See?




Do you see a coffee-cup shaped bathroom sink in your future? Is this fun or folly?

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Sunday Inspiration - White Can Be Bold

White walls, floors, ceilings, trims, on and on...

Sounds plain, right? You just need the right designer.



This apartment is currently for sale in London- Here's the description from the realtor:

"An amazing family apartment with excellent lateral space situated on the third floor of a handsome red brick mansion building. This beautifully maintained building benefits from a lift and porter service. It is also well located close to Notting Hill Gate, Kensington Gardens and nearby Wetherby House and Pembridge Hall schools. The property has been extensively refurbished with incredible flair and character and comes with a state of the art integrated AV system. Predominantly south facing it is airy and bright with cosy limed wood floors and a light colour scheme. A pair of large reception rooms and an impressive Clive Christian kitchen/breakfast room, with built in snug, make up the generous living space. The master bedroom suite is luxurious and elegant with a separate dressing area and en-suite bathroom. There are two further double bedrooms both with en suite bathrooms and a divine guest cloakroom."







See? Some good accessories and bold choices can make even a simple space look wild!


All photos: DomusNova

Friday, January 27, 2012

A Wooden Fashion Statement

I joke a lot that cabinet folks have "sawdust in their veins"... it's the kind of mentality that reacts to a project with the "wish we could have gone two feet further" attitude. 

Nonetheless, the wood working people in our lives need something to wear when they aren't covered in sawdust and wood glue. 

Enter the wooden tie. It's amusing and brilliant all at the same time.


Wood Thumb is a fairly new start-up in San Francisco headed up by two young guys(hey, it's cool to see more young people in biz!) that uses all reclaimed woods in their rockin' cool wood neck ties. 



Now I've never claimed this blog to be a fashion beacon, but I like these ties. I think that it's an awesome conversation piece and would make waves at the International Woodworking Fair later this year. Hey, maybe I'll wear one!


It's a great gift work the woodworker in your world, whether professional or just a hobbyist. Hey, it's guaranteed to get lots of looks!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

17 Things You Didn't Know About Your Morning Coffee

One of my psuedo-New Year's resolution was eliminating caffeine from my diet... So long Starbucks, except for my occasional iced passion tea.

Pretty interesting things about your morning cuppa!


Friday, January 20, 2012

Friday Find - Dreamfarm Temji

Dreamfarm is easily one of my favorite innovative companies. They're always coming out with something neat and new. The last time that I had Dreamfarm on the blog we were trying to drink from the sink...

This time, the creative folks at Dreamfarm have come up with a unique way to dial up the perfect shower temperature every time you're ready for the bath! This is the Temji!


Initially, I thought these would be awesome for me to have just because I'm half asleep during most morning showers anyway and the shock of a too hot or too cold shower isn't my preferred way to become mentally alert. The more I thought about this, the more I realized how awesome this is for kids and even more important for older people who may be more sensitive to temperature.


The cool little wraparound pieces are brightly colored(and in universal red for hot and blue for cold) with easy to read numbers. 

I couldn't be more impressed. Just another product from Dreamfarm to help make life a little bit easier.

Check out this video from Dreamfarm about the Temji!


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Genius Moment - Carlon Pop-Up Receptacle

There are some kitchen innovations that I must have. Here's another:

The Carlon Pop-Up Kitchen Receptacle from Thomas & Betts provides a GFCI outlet on islands or peninsulas where general wall outlets aren't necessarily practical. Aside from being better looking that an end mounted outlet, it prevents lots of potential safety hazards from lower hanging electrical cords.


In the rare event that a spill gets near the outlet, a gasket seals the electrical components from liquids preventing an damage or unsafe moments.

It's really easy to use... just lightly press down and the outlet pops up!


The Carlon Pop-Up Receptacle fits neatly in any kitchen or other workstation top. It also meets the new UL and FEC specs for counter receptacles.


As always, you should check your local code to make sure they are compliant.



photos via Thomas & Betts

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Sunday Inspiration - Alligator House

The Alligator House is a project by buildingstudio designed to go back in to lower-income areas of post-Katrina New Orleans.

The design is stunning!



At just 13 feet wide, the home fits nicely on the narrow lots in already crowded parts of the city. It really reminds me of the shotgun houses around here!




The 872 square foot home has two bedroom and a bath and a half. Perfect for a small family!



Kudos to buildingstudio for helping make New Orleans a better place and certainly adding a bright spot to the landscape!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

What's Really Scary About Social Media

First of all, thanks to all of you that follow us on twitter and other social media outlets... If you aren't following us, you need to get with the program.

Keeping up with the Jones' is something that will always be around in social media. I love this info about what is scary about social media.

Are you scared? Ha!



Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Not-so-Friendly Guest Furniture

I admittedly like furniture that may not be so comfortable... But this?!


*knocks at the door*

"Oh come in! Have a seat..."

"What in the..."

"Oh it's new- I call it my pile of scrap wood chair... You'll love it!"


photo via

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Sunday Inspiration - Hill Plain House

Sometimes I feel like the best way to have a home is one that embraces the land and country around it. Most of our local areas are quite rural and even though it's no mountain range or beach scene, the country is beautiful and why try to create an artificial scene when you have something incredible right out your door?!

This house was designed by Wolveridge Architects and won some pretty hefty Australian design awards last year. It's exactly the kind of space that brings the beauty of outside in.




Don't you just love the open design and minimal clutter? The yellow accent in the kitchen brightens up the dark wood walls.



If this was the view from my shower, I'd have a less than desirable water bill and shriveled up fingers and toes. Isn't it awesome?



Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Tale of the New Year's #Fail

I must admit, like many of you out there, I've vowed to lose some weight in the new year... My pants are a bit snug and I'm not buying a bigger size. Ha!

Check out these statistics on holidays and weight gain/loss... What have you resolved to do in 2012? Still sticking with it 7 days in?

 The Tale of the New Year's Fail [Infographic]

Friday, January 6, 2012

So long 2011! Hello New Year!

2011 was a banner year here on the blog and there's no one to thank but you loyal readers out there in blog-reading land.

AHH! What is this, Halloween?! Scary! 

There were definitely some ups and downs this year and I've been called everything from smart, witty and good looking(well, maybe not) to shill and time-waster for posts you may or may not have read here in 2011. After all, there were 218 posts in 2011 and it wouldn't be difficult to miss a couple!

So I thought it would be fun to recap some of the most read and popular posts on the blog last year. Without further adieu...

The year started off with a bang. When Trends Attack! Granite Tile Counters ended up being the most search engine referred post EVER on the blog. I don't think too many DIY-friendly folks found me too entertaining... the comments were AWESOME!

After that, Stop Spreading Germs taught us to sneeze in the back-pockets of coworkers. No sense in getting folks sick...

Pirates landed on the blog with When "Go to Your Room" isn't Punishment and showed just how innovative design has become even in kid's bedrooms.

In another set of inspiring photos, Your Wallpaper Will Never Be This Cool took wall coverings and lighting to an entirely different level.

You'll see some changes on the blog this year, and some things will stay the same. Don't expect me to start liking granite tile counters anytime soon.

If you have something you'd like to see on the blog please feel free to shoot me a message and let me know. Want to do a guest post? I'd be game for that, too!

All the best wishes for you in 2012! Thanks again and keep reading!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...