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Thursday, 16 May 2013

Interior Design Basics: Psychological Effects of a Line

A line is the connection of two or more points.

Pretty obvious, right?

While the definition is simple, believe it or not, lines are quite complex! Did you know that lines can actually have a psychological effect on a room? Designers use different kinds of lines all the time in order to create a particular mood or ambiance in the room they are designing. Most interiors use a combination of lines, but often times one line will be planned to dominate in order to accomplish a desired effect.

So, let's talk about lines, shall we?

First, we have Straight lines:

1. Horizontal lines suggest a solid, harmonious relationship with the earth, and offer a sense of tranquility. Long horizontal lines can visually expand space, making rooms appear wider or longer. Lest you go overboard, remember that a room with too many horizontal lines may become boring and lack interest.

via lonny mag

Horizontal stripes painted on a wall can help achieve the same effect.

2. Vertical lines lift the eye, mind, and spirit upward. They convey strength, stability, and security. They inspire awe and tend to diminish the significance of human scale. (This is why historically churches have always used vertical lines- to lift your eyes heavenward.) The use of vertical lines tend to make interiors seem higher. They are perfect in formal dining rooms, entryways, and formal living areas. Too many vertical lines may cause feelings of uneasiness or confinement.

via pinterest

Next up? Angular lines:

1. Diagonal lines suggest movement, energy, and action! There is always something going on! Human interest is usually sustained longer with diagonal lines than with straight lines, probably due to the fact that the eye and mind are so stimulated. However, too many diagonal lines, particularly on a wall, can be overstimulating and tiresome.

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via pinterest

2. Zigzag lines are lines that proceed by sharp turns in alternating directions, forming a regular or irregular pattern. A set of regular zigzag lines is called a chevron or herringbone pattern. These lines can add energy, life and excitement to an interior. Too many zigzag lines might make viewers feel distraught or agitated.

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via pinterest

And lastly, Curved Lines:

1. Curved or circular lines provide relief, softness, and balance. They can give an elegant, human quality to interiors. A series of curved lines may give a rhythmic cadence to the room, suggesting graceful movement. Too many curved lines might be viewed as too feminine.

via lonny mag

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2. Flowing Lines are irregularly curved lines that move gently in a random manner. They provide a great deal of interest because the viewer is never certain where the line will end.

via houzz

What's your favorite kind of line?

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Monday, 13 May 2013

You're Invited to a FREE Technology Class!

via b-inspired mama

Raise your hand if your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or neighbor kid knows more about working your smart phone, ipad, or television than you do.

My arm is up, what about you?

When it comes to knowing how to use technology, I'm a little slow. I have a plethora of technological devices around my home, but the problem is I know I'm not using them to their full capacity. I know the basics, and that's it. Whether you're like me and want to learn how to use your gadgets from the experts, or you're an early adopter in search of the newest technology on the market-- RC Willey is hosting a FREE technology class this week for you!!

When: Wednesday, May 15th

Where: Your local RC Willey store location

Time: 6:00pm- 8:30pm

Come and see the new Sony 4K Ultra HDTV (that doesn't mean much to me, but if you know technology you know this is a BIG deal)!! There will also be FREE food, prize drawings, and hands-on demos! Here are the demonstration topics that will be covered:

1. Sony (4K Ultra HD TV)

2. LG (Google/Streaming movies)

3. Samsung (How to browse the web on your TV)

4. SKYPE- Video chat

5. Sharp (gaming at it's best)

6. Bluetooth and NFC Audio Demonstrations (audio & headphones)

7. Apple TV and tablet demo

8. HP (get connected with wireless printers)

Make sure you stop by on Wednesday night! Just think how proud of you your child will be when you can work the television remote all by yourself!

See you then!!

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Thursday, 9 May 2013

Mother's Day DIY Gift Roundup

This past holiday season my family decided to have a 'homespun' Christmas. We drew names, but instead of buying each other gifts like we normally do, we made them. It took a lot of planning, time, and effort, but it was so fun because all of the gifts given and received were truly from the heart. It was a Christmas we will always remember and cherish.

It's Mother's Day this weekend! If you still haven't found the perfect gift (or haven't had time to look for one yet), why not try your hand at something homemade? Nothing says 'I Love You' like taking the time to create something from scratch for your mom! Below is a roundup of my favorite cute, (mostly simple) DIY Mother's Day gift ideas I've found on the web. If you have a few spare hours this weekend, pick one of these projects and get to work! Your mom will be so impressed.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

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Tuesday, 7 May 2013

My New Favorite Household Cleaning Product

Two of my very favorite movies in the whole wide world are Thoroughly Modern Millie and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. These movies have two major things in common: 1. They are both chick flicks. 2. Both movies present characters who have strange attachments to certain household products that they believe are the cure-all for illnesses and ailments, stains, and basically all of life's problems. In Thoroughly Modern Millie that product is Soy Sauce, and in My Big Fat Greek Wedding it's Windex.

While I love both Soy Sauce and Windex, I'm convinced I've found something even more miraculous! Ladies and gentlemen, I pledge my undying support and allegiance to my new favorite cleaning product.....Bar Keepers Friend.

Have you heard of this stuff? You know when you find a product that you love so much you just want to shout it from the rooftops for all to hear? This is me shouting from the rooftops. Originally I picked up a can of Bar Keepers Friend because I heard it did wonders when it came to cleaning stainless steel pots and pans. After scrubbing my pots with it, I was amazed and thrilled and ecstatic at the fact that they looked even BETTER than they did when we bought them!

But that's not all!

Since then I've used Bar Keepers Friend to clean my stovetop, eradicate intense hard water stains from my shower door (worked AMAZINGLY), and uncover white grout on my tile floor. The stuff is magic! Can't wait to keep discovering all of the wonders it's capable of.

So, I'm curious to hear what your secret weapons are.

What's your favorite household cleaning product?

*This is in no way a sponsored post- I just really like the stuff!

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Posted by Andie at 1:32 PM	4 Comments	Enter a Comment

Lela(1 week ago)

Purple degreaser from Sam's Club is my magic weapon. The window in my oven door that I'd never seen through came clean after using the stuff with a scrubby. It's great for EVERYTHING, even carpet cleaning (it works better at cleaning carpets then normal carpet cleaner).

BJ Jackson(1 week ago)

You are right on. I have used and loved bar keepers friend for years and years. Purchase it in the grocery store.

Andie(1 week ago)

Cathy, I just picked mine up at my local grocery store! Try it, you'll love it!

Cathy(1 week ago)

Where do you purchase Bar Keepers Friend?

Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Your New Favorite Color

The color grey comes from two very different parent colors. Black is associated with power, formality, dignity, depression, elegance, mystery, evil, etc; while white symbolizes cleanliness, sanitation, purity, innocence, goodness, and light. Grey gets the traits of both black and white, making it extremely unique and complex.

Once I had a color theory professor who loved the color grey, and thought everyone should! He explained, "Grey is the guy you want to take you on a date! He makes you look and feel better about yourself, he's low maintenance, and easy!" Putting any and every color next to grey makes that color look so much better! Grey is timeless, practical, solid, and the perfect soothing hue to incorporate into any room in your home. Doesn't it make the colors it's paired with in these photos just POP?!

via pinterest

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via jessica helgerson

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via houseofshe

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via eclecticlivinghome

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via pinterest

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Posted by Andie at 9:37 AM	1 Comments	Enter a Comment

E K(2 weeks ago)

I love grey, and recently used it as a base color in my bedroom. I find it calm and grounding.

Thursday, 25 April 2013

So Good, They're Irresistible.....

Last year on his birthday, my husband told me he didn't want a birthday cake. (GASP!!) I know, weird, right? Now, before you think there is something wrong with my baking skills, let it be known that it's all him. The man I married just isn't a dessert guy; in fact, he prefers fruit over treats nine times out of ten. I don't pretend to understand it, because to me, not loving desserts is just unfathomable. Possibly sinful, even.

I decided to respect his wishes, but celebrating a birthday without a cake felt so wrong. This year, I was going to whip up a cake, whether he wanted one or not.

Last weekend, the unthinkable happened. My husband asked me if I'd make Carmelitas for his "birthday cake" on Sunday. (GASP!!) I almost started crying! The man was requesting a treat, and a delicious one at that! I found this recipe for Carmelitas a few months ago on a blog called lulu the baker. I had made them for a family party, and even my husband was impressed! That's saying something, because he's the toughest dessert critic I know.

These Carmelitas are the perfect, heavenly marriage of oats, chocolate chips and caramel. Seriously, I haven't tried a dessert this good in a LONG time. I'm currently enjoying one for breakfast as I write this. (Beware, they are DANGEROUS.) As long as you aren't on a diet, make these right now. (If you are on a diet I don't recommend it because there is no way you will have any self control once these are sitting on your kitchen counter.) Thank you, Lulu, for sharing your delicious, life changing recipe!

via lulu the baker

Carmelitas

by Melissa Bahen (via lulu the baker)

32 caramel squares, unwrapped
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Combine caramels and cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until completely smooth; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and baking soda. Pat half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of an 8x8" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over crust. Pour caramel mixture over chocolate chips. Crumble remaining oatmeal mixture over caramel. Return to oven and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool completely before cutting.

*A stint in the fridge will help them cool off if you're pinched for time. They shouldn't be served cold, but all of that molten caramel takes a long time to cool down. They should be stored and served at room temperature.
**If you want to use homemade or store-bought caramel sauce in place of the caramel/cream mixture, use 1 1/4 cups of sauce.
***To make a 9x13" version, simply double the amounts.

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Posted by Andie at 10:32 AM	3 Comments	Enter a Comment

Hannah(2 weeks ago)

I made these once...and they didn't turn out as gooey and lush as the photo....I was a little disappointed.....perhaps you should make some for me to prove me wrong :)

Carey(3 weeks ago)

I've made these. Found Lulu's recipe on Pinterest. They are incredible...no way to eat just one!

Wendy(3 weeks ago)

Those look delicious. I shall have to try them. My husband is not a dessert guy either. He'd be much happier with a big bag of chips than a cake.

Monday, 22 April 2013

Tape It Up

Washi tape seems to be one of the hottest crafting tools on the market these days. It's been all over pinterest and DIY blogs lately, but still wondering what all the fuss is about?

Washi tape originates from Japan, and is actually made from rice paper. It's not as delicate as it sounds though, in fact, it basically feels and acts like masking tape. Unlike plain masking tape though, washi tape is pretty! It comes in a variety of beautiful patterns and colors! Plus it's even reusable! Some people are getting really creative and making their own pretty "wallpaper" with washi tape (perfect if you're renting) and others are using it in place of picture frames on the wall.

via athomeinlove

via pinterest

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via pinterest

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via the ruffle house

via pinterest

via the ruffle house

via apartment therapy

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via pinterest

via hearthome

I like the idea of using washi tape above a desk in a home office, a playroom, or a kid's bedroom, but I have a feeling it wouldn't look as artistic in my living room as it does in some of these photos! What do you think?

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Thursday, 18 April 2013

You're Invited to a Patio Preview Party!

The other night some friends came over for dinner, and for the first time this season, we ate outside on the patio! Our excitement at ushering in BBQ season was short-lived though. Ten minutes after we started eating we had to move the party back inside the house because we were all freezing. Ughhhh.

I can't wait for warm weather.

Entertaining family and friends, relaxing outside on the patio, and partaking of good eats are all key components to a successful summer in my book. Are you ready???

RC Willey wants to help! You're invited to a patio preview party, where you can come check out RC Willey's new selection of patio furniture, bistro sets, grills, outdoor rugs, fire pits, and patio accessories!

When: Friday, April 19th

Where: Your local RC Willey store location

Time: 6:00pm- 9:00pm

There will be FREE BBQ sandwiches for everyone, music, and awesome prizes drawn that night, including a grill! With different price points and styles, there really is something for everyone! So make sure you're ready to bring on Summer! And just to get you excited for Friday, here are some of my favorites......

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Sheldon and Patricia Mohl(1 month ago)

Sounds fun

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Kitchen Table Quandary

I know this sounds ridiculous, but decorating kitchen tables stresses me out. I don't want to go too far with the decor, because I hate the thought of having to take a bunch of "stuff" on and off every time I eat a meal. On the other hand, I don't really like the look of a completely bare kitchen table either. How do you strike a perfect balance? Fruit? Plants? Bowls? Pots? Flowers? Candles?

Here are some pretty kitchen table photos that are a good starting point, though I'm still convinced there is a secret out there that I don't know about when it comes to kitchen table decor. HELP! What do you put on your kitchen table?

via pinterest

via lonny mag

via decoist

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Posted by Andie at 11:39 AM	2 Comments	Enter a Comment

Aldely(1 month ago)

Angela(1 month ago)

This is a great topic! My kitchen table is a source of angst for me too. It is one of the first things that people see when they come into my house so I want it to look nice, yet be functional. So...the two green bowls on the second-to-last picture don't do much for me, but I do like the lazy susan and plant on the last picture and the one with the world globe would be great for kids. I like that because it is classy and a great learning tool because I find that you tend to read everything at the kitchen table (including the box of cereal) because you have a captive audience!

Thursday, 11 April 2013

Trend Alert: Emerging from the 1980's....

If you look at the photos below and think you're having flashbacks to the 1980's.....you totally are. It's been 25+ years, but pastels are re-emerging as a bright, calming, fun & soothing color option in fashion and home decor. While Pantone selected Emerald as the color of 2013, several paint companies are putting their bets on pastels. Benjamin Moore named "lemon sorbet" and Sherwin Williams chose "aloe" as their respective colors of the year.

Sonu Matthew, senior interior designer for Benjamin Moore said, "Now we yearn for colors, designs and simplicity of the past. It's not only a softening of the palette but a softening of the lines in design. There's more tactility in fabrics and surfaces. We'll find things that shimmer and shine next to things that are dead matte. It's the partnering of extremes that catches our eye in 2013."

I've never been a huge fan of pastels, but I'm really liking the softness and femininity of the photos below. I also love the idea of pairing pastels with deeply saturated, bright colors to create a striking contrast. What do you think?