Bamboo Flooring

I am working on replacing the carpet in the my Great Room and decided to go with wood flooring. I have always liked the look of Bamboo because of the fine grain, but the light tones usually associated with Bamboo does not fit my personal Design Style. I prefer medium to dark tones to ground an interior. Also I prefer a wider plank. I was happily surprised at some of the options I found and decided to go with this:

FYI- Bamboo is an attractive alternative for flooring because of its physical similarities to hardwoods. Bamboo floor manufacturers and sellers promote its strength, durability as well as resistance to moisture while having the added benefit of being eco friendly.


Compared to wood it grows much faster because bamboo is a grass not a wood. Moso Bamboo is the primary species used for the manufacturing of flooring and plywood. Moso bamboo can grow up to 47 inches in 24 hours and 78½ feet high in 40 to 50 days. It takes about 3–5 years for bamboo to reach full maturity. Traditional hard woods can take 20 – 120 years to mature.



Bamboo can be harvested without the need to replant because the root system is left intact when it is harvested. Bamboo reaches maturity in five years which is the optimal age to harvest. In a sustainably harvested forest only 20% of the forest is harvested annually allowing for 100% harvest in a five year period. In its natural environment it will need no irrigation, no pesticides, and no fertilizer. Bamboo can sequester up to 70% more carbon per year than a hardwood forest. All these factors keep the carbon footprint low.

I will be posting about the project as it unfolds.

Shell Decor

You may remember this ladder from a previous post about the Holidays, it has been sitting empty for 2 weeks waiting for the Inspiration Muse to visit.
This weekend I started working on a Beach themed Bridal Shower and began collecting different elements from the storage area in the studio. While I was collecting shells, fish net, etc. I would walk by the ladder and I had a Light Bulb Moment.
I like how it came together. Of course I have to use some of the decor for the party but now I have a photo record so I know how it goes back together.
I like how it compliments the Shellscape that my Gran made back in the 1960's. Shellscapes were all the rage during the Mad Men era.
I am sharing this on Funky Junk Interiors.

Holiday Party

The entrance to the Dining Room and the Magical ambiance set by the pale blue and silver decor.

The Buffet setup and waiting for all the delicious food.

Closeup of the 5 foot Wreath that anchored the decor in the Dining Room.

A cozy fire highlites the decor in the Study.

Closeup of one of the Fresh Florals inspired by a Yule Log.

Anthon Botanicals

Just finished this pair of Botanicals to dress a Fireplace Mantle.
Magnolia Leaves echo the design of the Mirror Frame while Green Hydrangeas, Artichokes,Onion Grass, Flowering Branches & Curly Willow complete the composition. I love the leopard print urns that I found set off with black bases.

Autumn Alternatives

Not everyone like traditional decor. Here is a Leopard inspired wreath for an Autumn Alternative Style. Vintage moire silk was used to wrap the wreath and creates the frothy sheer bow. Copper colored beads and Coque feathers compliment the Leopard print Dahlias.

Velvet Pumpkins

These are a Special Request for a Design Haus customer. I found some fun Animal Print Velvet in my stash of Vintage Fabrics.

Halloween Glam

Created using Orange Dupioni Silk, Black Spiderweb Lace, Vintage Millinery Trims and Feathers. It is nice to have an alternative for Halloween. Halloween Vintage Chic.
I am linking his to Addicted 2 Decorating.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers and dried seed pods are a sure sign of Autumn's Splendor. This rustic design is now available @ The Design Haus.

Vintage Fabric Pumpkins

New for Autumn, available @ The Design Haus.

Spooky Wreaths and Halloween Plaques

Here are NEW Spooky Wreaths for Halloween 2011 with Halloween Plaque Add-ons. You can find these and more Halloween Decor @ The Design Haus.

I am linking to The Graphics Fairy.

Covered Headboard Tutorial

First cut a 3/4 inch piece of plywood to the size needed. I left mine 48" wide and cut it to 64" since I am making a Queen size headboard. I wanted a simple rectangle, but the sky is the limit. You can have an arched top or a French curve. Make a template to size from brown paper if you have doubts and tape it to the wall above the bed. If you don't have a saw most DIY Big Box stores will cut straight cuts for you.

Next attach the foam with spray adhesive, you may need to tack or staple a few places along the edge. The foam should be at least an inch thick. Foam can be very expensive, you can cut cost by using egg crate foam that is used on top of mattresses.

I like to cut the edge of the foam with an electric carving knife. I use the same style that I use to carve the turkey at Thanksgiving. Before you get grossed out I have 2! One for crafts and one for the Kitchen. Next cover the foam with batting. I use quilt batting that comes pre-packaged. This seem to be a bit stronger and can be wrapped and stapled down tightly. It is important to have this step finish with the top being smooth so you don't get any ripples under the fashion fabric. Now you can lay out the fashion fabric making sure to be wrinkle and crease free. An iron can be your best friend. Use it now so you will have a smooth finish. Wrap and staple the fabric starting on one long side in the middle and working your way towards each corner. Make sure the fabric is taut. Switch to the opposite long side and repeat the process. Then do each end the same way. Now the corners- I like to do a lap over, short end tucked and stapled first then the long end overlaps. You may need to trim some of the fabric depending on the bulk.

This step is optional. I like to have a finished back side. Since the back of the headboard is attached to the wall, no one will ever see it. If you are a pro, like me, and a perfectionist to boot, finish the back. I cut the fabric the same size as the headboard and turn under and press the edges about 2 inches in. Using the same method as above staple in place starting at the middle on one of the long sides, etc., etc.

I like to use store bought cleats. These are metal and are rated for 200 pounds. I use 2, one in each of the top corners indented 2 inches from the edge at the top and side. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Super easy.
Once you have decided how high you would like the headboard on the wall install the other half of the cleat and hang the headboard locking the cleats.

BEFORE

AFTER

Give it a try, and have fun!

Botanical Wall Sconce

Just created this for The Design Haus. One of a set. I will take a picture of the Pair when they are installed.
UPDATE

This set has sold!

Backyard Makeover

BEFORE

To make the backyard appear larger I designed a seating wall with 2 piers at each end that would hold larger containers. This boundary fools the eye and magically the yard is bigger! This is an old trick that painters used to force the perspectives in paintings. I also had a cement overlay installed over the existing cement patio with a faux finish of fieldstone. We replaced some of the furniture with cast aluminum in a dark finish and painted and antiqued the white set of cast iron to match. To finish off the planting beds a new boxwood hedge and roses were planted and graceful topiaries loaded with Mandevilla and Diamond Frost fill the containers. A Beautiful Retreat and a perfect way to create an outdoor room.

AFTER

Closeup of the containers, I painted these to look like weathered terra cotta. They were originally gray. I used an exterior latex paint in chocolate brown and then drybrushed with tan, olive and rust.

I am linking this @ Addicted 2 Decorating.

Ladies Night Out @ Design Haus

Due to technical difficulties the recipes will be posted at a later date.

Please check back later. Enjoy the rest of the posts.

Sorry for the inconvenience

John

Pink Ribbon

Pink Gerbera Daisies floating in square vessels was a bright pop of pink

Pink Ribbon petit fours by The Cakery

Even the Mandevilla was blooming pink!

Cool and Refreshing

Keep your color palate in cool blues and greens when hosting an outdoor party in the heat of the summer.

Ole!

Beat the Heat with a Fiesta Pool Party!

Bright Colors, Cold Margaritas & Friends!