Rustchic

Turquoise Cabinet

2012-01-25T15:42:00.000-05:00

This old cabinet door caught my eye and I just knew it had something special!

The edges and bumps got a good sanding and the entire piece was cleaned top to bottom.

The legs were removed from an old coffee table and painted black before being securely screwed to the bottom. A small piece of crown trim painted black was added to the top.

Decoupage black and white paper enhances the inside.

These cute black and white porcelain knobs finish it off.

I think this would be perfect for extra bathroom, laundry, or nursery storage!

Repurposed Side Table - Lack Hack

2012-01-04T22:37:00.000-05:00

I named this post "Lack Hack" because that is exactly what it is. This is an Ikea Lack side table that I've hacked the legs off of to be used as a serving area. One of the best catering or tablescape tricks is to tier your food. It gives it such great dimension, flow and just looks appetizing.

Most of the time when I put out the spread it's much bigger than this, but we had a few friends over for New Year's Eve and I didn't want a big hoop-di-doo. However, I wanted our snacks to feel festive--it's important to me that my friends feel special. I literally cut the legs in half 45 minutes before they arrived!

Next trip to Ikea, I'm picking up two or three of these in black and cutting them different heights to use on my formal dining room table for the next big party!

Mid-Century Dining Chairs

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

These chairs are so much fun! I picked them up at one of my favorite thrift shops and knew right away they should be whimsical. I decided to choose the color based off the fabric, so I chose that first.

This project was fairly easy with a little bit of sewing involved. The seat and backs were removed and cleaned. I added a little bit of batting to the seats before stapling on the new fabric. Simple slipcovers were sewn for the backs. After a good sanding and priming, the bases got a nice coat of RustOleum Fern and then everything was put back together.

I really like the old metal hardware on the legs of the chairs and wanted to keep a little bit of it's original flair.

Vintage Doors of New Orleans

2012-01-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

I came across these door photos I took walking around New Orleans last year and had to share them with you. They are just beautiful to me. Inspiration is everywhere. These doors have inspired me to want to start taking more architectural pictures right here in my own town!

I've got a camera on my phone, but this year I'm challenging myself to keep one of my smaller cameras with me wherever I go. You never know where the next idea may come from!

Table Setting Burlap & Glass

2011-12-29T15:42:00.002-05:00

You know me. I love the rustic and the chic mixed together! Sticking with classic neutrals for a holiday dinner party, I mixed the organic texture of burlap with my formal china. Simple and elegant.

The burlap runner was easy to make. Since my table can extend over 8 feet long, I purchased 3 yards of burlap from the fabric store and then cut it in half length wise. I then cut the selvage off the other side. (The selvage is the narrow border on the edge of fabric to keep it from raveling.)

Grab a piece of strand from one edge of the burlap then pull it all the way out. Repeat until you get the width of fray you like. Mine is about 2 inches. The more bold, the better in my opinion. Do this on both sides and on the ends.

DIY Lamppost

2011-12-22T12:11:00.000-05:00

Have you asked "what can I do with my old brass chandelier?" I've been having lots of fun making and selling what I like to call my chandelabra for candles. I just had to try an electric version.

I adore the storybook look of a lamppost and thought one would look quaint on my front porch. Not only does it evoke a sense of wonder as you walk up to my front door, but it looks just as charming from the inside looking out.

Always experimenting, I wired together an old floor lamp and an old brass chandelier then sprayed it black. My husband has already claimed this one for his study!

Gingerbread House

2011-12-18T17:39:00.000-05:00

Today was gingerbread house decorating day--a Christmas tradition in our home for over 22 years now. This year four of us decorated one gingerbread house. Originally the two girls in the house--myself and my youngest daughter--were going to share it. But today it turned into a project of four with dad and brother pitching in. We all got one side of the house.

Each side of the house depicts our personalities and our creativity. I found it intriguing as artists we are such perfectionists and our own worst critic. Each side of the house turned out great! But each one of us found something we didn't like in our creation, and something we liked better on another.

Like most things in life, we can use these feelings of inadequacy in one of two ways. We can become competitive and try to out-do the next person or we can appreciate the other person's creation and encourage them.

This made good food for thought. Yes, pun intended. Having been raised in a sports-driven house, it has been ingrained in me to be competitive. To try hard and to be better than others. For me, this transferred into a successful career in sales. But I have to ask myself is it healthy to be competitive as an artist?

As artists, designers, musicians, architects we should believe in our passion and stand by our art form. Should we strive to the best we can? Yes, of course! However, I also think that appreciating another person's talent as an artist should be celebrated and we should encourage each other, not try to be the winner.

Stocking Mantel Topper

2011-12-14T09:31:00.002-05:00

As my family grows with children marrying and grand-babies being born, so does my stocking collection! We have simply outgrown my "peace" and snowflake hooks that once sat atop the mantel. This year I had to create something new and with a little planning for future stockings.

I call it a stocking mantel topper. It is basically a custom shelf that fits directly over the top of my mantel and looks like it is the mantel!

Let's back up. This is what my mantel looks like without the stocking mantel topper. So now you can see, it does look a little different and by looking at the first picture you can now see the topper.

The construction was pretty simple and I was able to put it together and get it painted in one afternoon. Here is how it's done.

1 large pine board (I used a 1x12 8 feet long with the length then cut to size)
2 1x3 pine boards for the front and sides
Wood trim (I found mine at an architectural salvage place for $.25 per foot)
Vintage drawer knobs

Basically you are going to construct a three-sided box the size of your mantel. Be sure to glue and nail to hold everything securely into to place then attach the trim.

Measure the spacing for the number of knobs you need and drill your holes before painting.

Putty any nail holes and joints where two boards meet. Allow to dry, lightly sand, and tack (or wipe off) any dust. Apply a coat of primer, allow to dry, and then apply a coat of paint.

Once everything is dry, install the drawer knobs as the stocking hooks. You'll notice mine are all mismatched. Some of them were salvaged from the architectural store, some were in my basement, and some where new from Hobby Lobby--which I scored with a half off sale!

Tip: Cut the main top board about 1 inch longer than your mantel so it will easily fit on top of your mantel without being too snug.

Repurposed Farmhouse Chairs

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Red and white is the theme for Christmas this year in my kitchen and breakfast nook. I had these old chairs in the basement that I decided to spray paint cherry red to go around the kitchen table.

I got the chairs in the '80's when I had a farmhouse style table. They used to be white with pine seats. Then in the '90's I painted them black. In the '00's I got a new table and chairs (thank goodness) and this year they got painted red. Just for fun! Just for Christmas.

DIY Christmas Art

2011-12-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

I thought it would be fun to replace my every-day breakfast nook art with some Christmas art. I wanted to do a Christmas carol and chose Silent Night--one of my favorites!

Though the canvas already came white, I went ahead and applied a coat of white latex to smooth out the surface a little before painting my words and make it look as if I didn't just slop it together.

Using Wordle I copied and pasted the lyrics into the create box and hit the "go" button. If you aren't familiar with Wordle, it takes any words you paste into the create box and jumbles them around. You can keep clicking the "randomize" button until you get the design you like. There are a slew of options to choose from such as: removing common English words, more vertical, more horizontal, as well as a large variety of fonts.

Once I got the layout I liked, I printed it black and white so it would be easy to trace and used my Artograph Tracer. Because I used two canvases, I hung them right next to each other during the tracing process and then hung them a few inches apart when I was finished.

After I traced all of the words, I filled them in with the same color red I used in the rest of my breakfast nook. I think it looks awesome!

Cheater Topiary

2011-12-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

I just have to share with you how I made my cheater topiary. They are cheater, because they only cost me a few bucks to purchase two dowels. You can't beat that price.

My front porch urns were already filled with boxwood so this was a good jumping off point. I stuck dowels that I spray painted brown right into the dirt. Then I pushed two different sizes of styrofoam balls covered in sheet moss, which I had leftover from a previous aesthetic, straight through the dowels.

Next came the fun part. I went around to the side of my house and trimmed up the boxwood in my landscaping, clipped the branches into smaller pieces, and just stuck them all over into the styrofoam balls. The look was finished off with a strand of twinkle lights!

Grapevine Wreath Chandelier

2011-12-10T09:23:00.001-05:00

I think the song lyrics that play "it's the most wonderful time of the year" is because all the creative types can break design rules and go all out decorating our homes for the season!

Remember that 36-inch wreath I picked up on the cheap? I took it from my fall decor and transformed it into a chandelier to help set the scene on my front porch.

I'm always hunting the end-caps at Target. I get a ton of out-of-season stuff for 75% off and this is where I picked up the little strand of cage lights so I already had those in my basement. Everything else I found around the house so this chandelier cost me $2.00 for the light socket adapter that I screwed into my front porch can light. This is the same way I hung the bistro lights in my basement.

The process was pretty simple, but hanging it didn't come without a little creativity. I pulled out the can light fixture half way and attached three wood screws into the frame that I attached the hanging chain. Because the lip of the can fans out over the opening, I wasn't able to push the fixture all the way back into the opening. This left an ugly gap so I used a few smaller pieces of the greenery and stuck them in the empty space. I think adds to the whimsical feel I created!

4 Curtain Hanging Tips

2011-11-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Custom drapes are beautiful but come with a hefty price. The options for curtains in the places we shop everyday are endless and affordable! For the DIY decorator and the every-day home owner on a budget these are an easy and inexpensive way to class up a room.

1. Use clips, grommets or rings. Most curtains comes ready-made with a pocket to push the rod through--don't use it. Spend a few extra dollars for the proper hanging hardware. This looks nicer and it is more functional. It is much easier to pull your curtain open and closed when it can easily slide. Plus the top of a bunched up, scrunched up curtain is the perfect place for a bunch of dust to collect.

2. Pinch a Pleat. Take a couple extra minutes when hanging your curtains to pinch a pleat. This gives your curtain some symmetrical movement when they are both pulled closed and opened.

Lay your curtain out flat on the bed, the dining room table, or the floor. Pinch a pleat in the center of the curtain and then on each end.

Divide the space between the center and the ends by how many rings you are using and pinch a pleat and clip on the ring.

Your curtain will hang with a pretty, symmetrical, fool-proof wave.

3. Flank the sides of the window. You hear it all the time on our favorite HGTV shows, but I just felt it bears repeating. This tip can make an offset window look centered, add luxury, make a window feel bigger and a room appear larger.

4. Hang floor to ceiling. Curtains hanging from floor to ceiling add elegance, sophistication and make the room feel bigger. Can't find the length you need? Check out my article on stretching your curtains and your budget.

Apple Cider Spritzer

2011-11-16T06:00:00.007-05:00

One of my favorite autumn drinks--and I just can't seem to get enough of it--is my signature apple cider spritzer.

1 part ice
1 part local, fresh pressed apple cider
1 part diet lemon lime soda
1 cinnamon stick.

You cannot leave off the cinnamon stick! The earthy aroma each time you take a sip adds to the whole experience of it.

Hoping for a grown-up version? Add 1 part Tuaca. Mmmmmm.

Old Suitcases

2011-11-14T06:00:00.003-05:00

This is by far an original idea. But, I absolutely loved the cover of the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of Flea Market Style, I had to share how I use my old suitcases.

You just have to check out these "Cool Suitcase Shelves" on their blog!

I used to live in Northern California and fly out of Sacramento International Airport. If you haven't had the chance to see their local artist Brian Goggin's sculptures of old suitcases, I wanted to share it with you. So very cool!

Chandelabra

2011-11-11T10:17:00.001-05:00

Half-lamp, half-chandelier repurposed into what I call a chandelabra! Each one individual and unique. This item and many more are available for purchase at Rustchic Boutique special events and sales. Be sure to subscribe by email or reader to stay posted on upcoming sales.

Repurposed Wine Box

2011-11-10T06:00:00.011-05:00

The holidays are the perfect time to pick up a tip like this one. When perusing the big box and warehouse stores this holiday season, keep your eyes open for seasonal gift sets or upscale packaging you can only find that time of the year.

Two years ago, I picked up three bottles of wine that came packaged in this box. The wine wasn't priced any higher that normal--it just came packaged for gift giving. Yes, the wine was good but better yet, I've been able to repurpose the box several times over.

A tip like this is perfect if you are short on space. You can see in the picture of my dining room table, it came with a lid. So you could use the box opened or closed. Some ways I thought to use the box that I don't have pictured could be: jewelery, ties, socks, toiletries, bags of snacks, granola bars, candy buffet, rolled flatware in napkins. Leave me a comment on how you would use it.

Use it to tier your centerpiece or raise up serving pieces on a buffet table.

Perfect for flatware.

I have weekly meetings in my home, so I keep this fully

stocked and ready for the perfect cup of coffee!

Dish Cupboard

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Some girls collect shoes. I collect dishes. It comes from my love for entertaining. Plans are in the making for a dish wall in my formal dining room that will span an entire wall and nine feet high. But until then, I have to cram my collection somewhere.

This is my hall linen closet. Lucky for me, the home came with peg shelving already installed. All I needed to make my closet become the dish cupboard was more shelving. A quick trip to the home improvement store where I had them cut my shelves to length was easy. Add in a bag of pegs and I was good to go.

I am happy to be the go-to-girl for the shower or the graduation party. Several of my friends know how to break into my house so they can freely borrow from my dish cupboard. An abundance of a good thing should always be shared.

Bright Lights, Bistro Basement

2011-11-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Last Christmas, I hosted my husband's work staff party. The food was a simple potluck of Italian fair to include various lasagnas, green salad and artisan bread for dipping. To play off the Italian theme, my goal was to transform the basement into an outdoor bistro feel.

A decorating pet-peeve of mine is visible cords! I do everything to avoid seeing them from tucking under the carpet to clipping on the inner legs of side tables. I just have to share with you my trick for hanging strings of lights from the ceiling!

For a few bucks you can pick up a light socket adapter. I placed this in one of my pot lights and then simply strung my lights attaching them to the ceiling with ornament hooks. The possibilities for different themes are endless.

Stretching Your Budget and Your Curtains

2011-11-04T10:54:00.001-04:00

The drapes in my bedroom were purchased from a catalog. They match the Euro Shams I made my headboard from. My ceilings are 9 feet tall and the catalog curtains were not available in that length. My solution was to purchase an extra set to cut and attach on the bottom of the standard size. When doing this yourself there are a couple rules to keep in mind.

Creative can look custom. It was easy to make my curtains look custom. The pillow shams I used to make the headboard had a tan stitching detail. I copied this detail after I added on my extra length. That may not be as easy for you. Try using a different color of the same curtain on the bottom. Iron on a strip of ribbon at the seam in your accent color. Use two curtain colors and cut and sew them into 4 or 6 stripes.

Choose a line of sight. What you don't want to do, it just stick the extra length you need on the bottom of curtain you already have. When adding on the extra length, find height to attach the length where your eye is already going to flow. The bottom of the window sill would be a good choice. This is where I placed it on my curtains. This will make the room feel custom and intentional.

Frugal Front Porch

2011-10-31T13:39:00.000-04:00

Be sure to always check your favorite garden store or home-improvement store's garden department damaged section before you buy. You can find current shipments of plants and flowers slightly damaged for a bargain! I picked up two of the orange gallon mums for $3.00 and the rust mums (that came in an adorable basket) for $2.50 at the beginning of the season. Because they were damaged, they were marked 75% off. I came home, gave them a little hair cut and viola--three plants for the price of one!

Front door wreath history can be dated as far back as 776 B.C. This year I picked up this 36-inch grapevine wreath at Michael's with a 50% coupon for a total of $7.50! Instead of hanging on the door--which it was too big for--I simply propped it next to it. A something little unexpected and a fun twist.

Decorating for the season doesn't have to be expensive. Take inventory of what you already have, clip your coupons, and check the clearance rack first!

Firewood Art

2011-10-26T06:00:00.005-04:00

There is nothing like a toasty, roaring fire on a cold morning. My current fireplace is gas and one thing I really miss about a wood-burning fireplace is that cozy stack of firewood next to the hearth.

I came up with this modern twist on a stack of firewood. If you ask me, I think it's pretty rustchic!

Measure and cut 2x4's to size. Glue and secure the corners with two "L" brackets at each corner and allow the glue to dry. On the back, glue and screw every 6 inches a piece of 7/16 OSB sheathing.

Cut a variety of logs different widths. No measuring needed because you want

it to be organic and random! Be sure to clamp round logs to the saw fence as

they have a tendency to spin.

Once you have figured out where all of the logs will go, secure with glue and allow to dry.

Front Porch Harvest Fun with Branches

2011-10-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

A few nights ago, I headed over to my friend Robyn's for dinner and fell in love with her front porch harvest decorations! I just had to share her idea with you.

Robyn secured her branches by just sticking them into the soft autumn ground making sure they crisscrossed to help hold each other up.

Every year Robyn likes to hollow out a ton of baby pumpkins to use as tea light holders. This year she hung them from the branches using craft wire. I just love the wall of branches with the pops of orange color. At night it gives the feel of a thick web of forest with little jack 'o lantern guiding the way to the front door.

Cheap Pot Rack

2011-10-24T06:00:00.003-04:00

I love the homey feeling of a pot rack in a kitchen. Not to mention it is a complete storage solution! I don't have an island or a place in my kitchen where I can hang a pot rack in the center of the room so it had to go on the wall.

Pot racks can cost up to hundreds of dollars so here is my cheap pot rack solution. An Ikea coat rack for $19.99. Giant "s" hooks hang the cookware.

Hanging tip. If you can't secure directly to the wall studs, then you may want to mount a couple of 1 x 6 boards across the back of the wall to the studs and then mount the pot rack on the boards. When you look closely, you can see I did this in my first photo. This will ensure that your pot rack doesn't shake loose in a heavy thunderstorm in the middle of the night and crash to the floor. Speaking from experience.

Vintage Framed Chalkboard

2011-10-23T19:23:00.003-04:00

I picked this vintage frame up over 15 years ago at a yard sale because I liked it. For several years it hung with a dried flower wreath hanging in the center in my guest room. Now it hangs in my kitchen as a chalkboard.

Like most of us I'm busy keeping my proverbial plate full working, volunteering and taking care of my family. I found that if I meal plan two weeks at a time and write on the kitchen chalkboard what I have ingredients for, it has saved me a lot of time and heartache at dinner time.

Here is how you can do it. At many home improvement stores they will have sheets of plywood and other large sheets of building material already cut in half so you don't have to purchase an entire four foot by eight foot sheet. Choose a board that 1/8 of an inch thick and is smooth on at least one side and then have the store cut your board to size.

When you get home give it a good sanding and tack it off. I like to use three or four coats of chalkboard paint since I scrub my clean twice per month. When the board is dry, insert it into the back of your frame and secure it glue and staples.

I really like using chalk ink on my chalkboard. It looks a lot neater and you can be really creative with it.

Vegetarian Basil Peanut Lettuce Wraps

2011-10-23T10:41:00.001-04:00

There is nothing like a table full of friends and a big platter of finger food to cultivate an evening of fun and conversation. One of my secrets to being a hostess that can enjoy my company is to prepare recipes that are delicious, out of the norm, and easy!

My lettuce wraps are vegetarian but feel free to substitute chicken if you want.

Sauce

½ bottle (11.5-12 oz) peanut sauce

½ bottle (16 oz) poppy seed salad dressing

2 tbsp Asian seasoning (I used Pampered Chef)

2 tbsp rice vinegar

Filling

16 oz Quorn brand Turk’y Roast chopped

2 tbsp canola oil

¾ cup dry roasted peanuts chopped

Salad

1 bag (14 oz) shredded cabbage

1 cucumber

1 red or orange bell pepper

Garnish

1 package (.75 – 1 oz) fresh basil

¼ cup dry roasted peanuts chopped

Sauce

2 heads butter lettuce or other lettuce for wrapping.

In a food processor or blender mix together sauce. Divide in half.

In a large skillet on high heat brown chopped Quorn then mix in half of the sauce and the peanuts. Set aside.

Julienne cucumber and bell pepper.

On a large platter layer cabbage, cucumber, bell pepper, filling. Sprinkle peanuts and basil over the top.

Fill lettuce leaves with the salad and filling from the platter and dip in reserved sauce.

Nature Inspired Mantel

2011-10-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Last year for my autumn mantel decoration, I just took a little traipse in woods behind my house and found this branch. I was able to secure it to the wall with a couple of finish nails that you can't even see.

To add a little fall flair, I secured a few faux leaves using brown floral tape and some little candle lanterns that hooked right on the branches!

You can't see it here, but the glow and shadows created by the candles and the branch on the wall at night were amazing!

Repurposed Closet Door Art

2011-10-21T08:00:00.003-04:00

Closet doors are one of my favorite things to repurpose. You can find them for just a few dollars each at reclaim shops and garage sales.

Before you get your creative juices flowing make sure you take time to prep the closet doors.

- Remove any hardware and knobs. Putty the holes and allow to dry.

- Give the doors a good sanding and the tack them off.

- Paint a coat of primer on the doors and this should cover any stains and help with any musty odor your doors may have.

- Paint a base coat, allow to dry, then channel your inner artist.

- Finish your art with a coat of polyurethane. I like to use a satin finish.

closet doors before

putty and sand

finished

Headboard Made From Euro Shams

2011-10-19T22:45:00.001-04:00

Do you love the look of a tall plush high-end headboard, but you don’t love the price? I just have to share with you how I made my king-size headboard out of store-bought pillow shams!

Shopping List

Paint

3 Euro Shams

Sheet of Styrofoam insulation such as Poly Shield

Batting

Shipping Tape

Drywall screws

2 1x4 pine board

1 1x6 pine board

Double sticky tape

3 large fabric covered buttons (these come in a kit in the sewing section of your craft store)

Directions

1) Paint the wall the same dark brown as your pillow shams.

2) Cut the boards the length you need them. I used 1x4’s on the sides and a 1x6 as the top piece. Paint them with the same brown paint.

3) Measure the distance between the inner edges of your headboard and divide by three. This will be the measurement that you cut the Poly Shield into 3 squares.

4) Cover each square with batting.

5) Cover each square with one Euro sized pillow sham and secure on the back with shipping tape.

6) Install the first panel in the center by securing with one drywall screw right through the center of the sham. Repeat with the end panels.

7) Install the brown trim securing with drywall screws.

8) Make three large fabric buttons and secure in the center of each panel with a needle and thread.

Before

Poly Shield is light weight and super affordable

Cover with batting

After

Vector Art on Plywood

2011-10-18T09:53:00.000-04:00

This set of art hangs in my home office. I made it by having the home-improvement store cut a sheet of plywood into 2’ x 2’ squares. A light sanding followed by primer and a white base coat prepared the boards for the paint.

This vector art was created with a free-hand stencil cut from poster board and then spray painted by my resident artist. It was then sealed with a clear coat of satin polyurethane and hung with simple picture frame hooks.

Shutter Armoire

2011-10-17T11:29:00.000-04:00

I picked these shutters up at a neighbor’s yard sale then built a simple cabinet out of 2 x 4’s with two inner shelves made of ¾ inch plywood. Bead-board covering the outside adds to a simple country look and I topped it off with a small piece of crown molding to give it a finished look.

This was originally used to house my television in the family room and then it migrated to the master bedroom, my daughter’s room and now fashionably houses all of the motor oil, round-up, and washer fluid in my garage.

Particleboard Countertop

2011-10-10T08:46:00.000-04:00

For years now the plan has been to replace our laminate countertop with granite. However, life seems to financially get in the way of that little luxury.

To complete this project, I have to say that I am married to a pretty handy guy who has a background in the family business of of painting and refinishing. Growing up as a young boy on the San Francisco bay, he would spend hours at Pacific Boat Works where his father refinished yachts. Knowing how durable and waterproof marine varnish is, he thought why not use it on a simple wood countertop?

There are several options of wood we could have used that would all have given the countertop its own unique look, but we settled on particleboard. I love the flecks and dots in it.

Here is how you can make your own particleboard countertop.

- Glue and clamp two sheets of particleboard together. You'll want it two layers thick to make it sturdy and strong.

- Measure and cut the countertop to size. You can do this by making a large paper template or trace your old countertop after it has been removed.

- Use a router on the edges to get your desired look and give the whole thing a good sanding.

- Stain the desired color. We chose a color that matched the decor of other furniture in our home.

- Once the stain is completely dry. Cover with varnish. We used 8 layers of Cabots gloss Spar Varnish to get a thick durable gloss.

particleboard laminated

countertop cut to size and stained

finished product

Tennessee Tomato Tart

2010-10-05T19:58:00.001-04:00

I recently served this at a dinner party and everyone wanted the recipe, so I said I would share it with everyone here. The first time I had this was with friends in an old antebellum home on a hilltop in Franklin, Tennessee. The tomatoes flavored with thyme are caramelized with brown sugar and covered with puff pastry. This savory pastry makes a beautiful appetizer or light lunch.

1 pound ripe Roma tomatoes (about 6)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
2 cloves pressed garlic
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 medium shallot minced
1 sheet puff pastry

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Core tomatoes and slice them lengthwise into quarters. Using a paring knife seed each wedge. Combine the tomatoes, salt, pepper, thyme, garlic and olive oil in a mixing bowl or large zip bag tossing gently to coat thoroughly.

In a 7-inch nonstick, ovenproof saute pan, combine brown sugar, vinegar and shallot. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Simmer until reduced by half and the mixture is syrupy, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool 5 minutes.

Arrange the tomato wedges, cut-side down, in a concentric circle slightly overlapping and tight. The pan will be full. Pour remaining marinade over the tomatoes.

Return the pan to medium-high heat and cook until the tomatoes have released their juices and evaporated about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool 5 minutes.
Cut a 9-inch circle from the puff pastry using a 9-inch dinner plate as your template. Place the pastry over the tomatoes and using a spatula tuck the edges of the pastry down the edge into the pan.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Place a plate over the pan and invert the plate and pan in a single motion. Cut into 6-8 wedges.

Chunky Centerpiece

2010-09-09T10:50:00.004-04:00

With a little arm twisting I tried applying to HGTV's Design Star last year. I say "try" because after several days of uploading my audition video I gave up. To be really honest, after watching season 4 and season 5, I know I would get my butt kicked if I ever made it past the hundreds and hundreds of other applicants.

I've never shared this video with you until now because I think it is kind of embarrassing. It's a great idea I have to say! It's embarrassing to me because I'm watching myself on video. Watching yourself on video is eye opening--which I'm not used to. So, I've got over myself and decided to share it with you.

This is one of my design ideas.

Stain or Paint Concrete Floor

2008-09-03T10:26:00.010-04:00

What is under that carpet? If the answer is concrete and you are ready for an easy, affordable solution to new flooring you can paint or stain your sub floor.

In the first example an acid stain was applied to new, clean concrete. I followed the manufacturer's directions and then topped it with three coats of an exterior gloss concrete sealer. DIY cost approximately $300.

The second example was accomplished by using latex paint. Because the floor continued into the kitchen area where 15 years of linoleum glue had sat, stain would not have taken evenly in the entire space. After the floor was faux painted I topped it with two coats of exterior gloss concrete sealer. This floor was cleaned 6 times a year using mop-n-glo to keep the shine. DIY cost approximately $100.

If you are wanting to stain or paint your floor and you are wondering which method is best for you, I suggest using latex paint. After doing both methods to accomplish a very similar look, I recommend paint because the cost is more affordable, the product is safer for your family, the process is much easier and the paint holds up to traffic just as well as the stain.

This post is my contribution to Watercooler Wednesday, where lots of creative ideas are shared.

Faux Fence with Paint

2008-09-02T17:19:00.004-04:00

To pull the fruit stand/garden feel together in this child's bedroom, I painted the border in a zigzag effect to create the subtle illusion of a fence line.

The border was painted 3/4 of the way up the wall and was painted the darker shade not the lighter to help contrast against the furniture. The upper part of the wall and the ceiling were painted the same color which helps add height to the room rather than making it feel chopped in half from the border.

If you look closely, your eye may catch the zigzag border repeated in the valance and continues the feel of the fence.

S'more Kit

2008-07-23T11:04:00.007-04:00

The backyard bonfire was new to us when we moved from California to Michigan. Oh sure, I had been to a bonfire before -- at the lake, on the beach or at summer camp.

I am talking about the pit in your back yard kind of bonfire. Everyone has one -- and I don’t say this as a schoolgirl who wants the latest color of crocks or Hannah Montana garb. The kids and I have been begging John to dig a four-foot hole in our back yard since we’ve gathered around other’s fire pits our first summer in Michigan. This spring he caved. Yes!

For our son, Connor, it really isn’t a question of if there is a bonfire this weekend – the question is simply who’s house is it at. I am excited that we are hosting some of those bonfires this summer.

Following my need to be the “cool” mom that keeps sodas stocked in the mini fridge and Doritos on the shelf just in case our home is decided upon as the teen hang out on any random night, I needed to have S’More supplies stocked up for the bonfire.

I found an out-of-use paper plate basket and loaded it up with the necessary supplies. This sits on the pantry counter ready to go just in case the bonfire is in our backyard this weekend.

Tins and Turnabouts

2008-07-20T18:00:00.003-04:00

Tins for holding art embellishments is not a new idea. I thought I would share with you how I did it cheap. The magnet board is from Pottery Barn ... and yes, I picked it up at the PB outlet. I saved money by purchasing wedding favor tins and using a 40% off coupon at the craft store then stuck my own magnets on back. The three large tins are spice tins from Ikea and come with the magnet. Below is a Tool Turn About from the company that I work with. You know, that popular home Cooking Show company. (Legalities keep me from mentioning the name.) Turn Abouts are great for art rooms, baby supplies, garage tools, office supplies and kitchens.

Kids Art and Drying Rack

2008-07-18T17:00:00.003-04:00

A six foot curtain rod was installed on one wall of my art studio to display the ever rotating art created by my children. The art is hanging from small curtain rings. This rack also works great when drying wet art before it is finished in an altered book or scrapbook.

Art Paper Storage

2008-07-16T14:20:00.005-04:00

There are endless options for paper storage available at the craft store, but I found mine free in my storage area. This used to be a pot lid and cookie sheet storage unit. Recycle and reuse. This type of storage works great for me because it is out in view and I can easily see what I've got on hand. I like to keep large pieces of craft paper rolled loosely in a wicker plant container.

Ribbon Holder

2008-07-14T17:00:00.005-04:00

This is a shelf and drawer unit I picked up at the Pottery Barn Outlet. I probably shouldn't tell you I purchased it for $10. But the point of this storage and display idea can be done on any shelf unit that uses a peg system for the shelving. Cut your dowel about an inch longer than you need it. To get the tip of the dowel to fit into the peg hole, sharpen it with a pencil sharpener. Careful--don't sharpen it too much or your dowel will end up too short. Paint the dowel to match your shelving unit.

Knife Magnet for Art Supplies

2008-07-11T18:33:00.010-04:00

As mentioned when I showed off my art studio I would show you around and share with you some specific storage and display ideas.

This is my old farmhouse table. Yes, I was married in the 80’s so remember the farmhouse table? You may have one yourself. I don’t create my projects or scrapbooks sitting down. I’m always moving from the paper cutter to the die cuts to the ribbon to the embellishments. If you know me, I just don’t sit down anyway. (Try to get me to sit and watch a 2 hour movie.)

I wanted the table higher and I was going to rework the legs with new 4x4 lumber, but the solution was easier than that. I just put the table on bed risers I found in storage. Viola--the perfect height!

I am organized – yes. But if a supply or embellishment is stored away in a cute little box or in a drawer I may not remember that I’ve purchased it. Especially if it has been months since I’ve created a project.

I find I use all of my supplies much more when I can see them. If I come to a creative halt, then I can just stare at what I’ve got and maybe inspiration will pop out at me.

These are two knife magnets mounted next to each other. All those little do-dads such as tags, wire, rub offs and decorative staples are stored and easily viewed in small zip bags. I use a small binder clips to keep them stuck to the magnet. How easy is that?

My Art Studio

2008-07-09T21:43:00.008-04:00

I have to admit I have just as much fun shopping and organizing my art supplies as I do physically creating. This last week I moved my art studio from a room in the basement to an empty bedroom on the main floor of the house.

I decided on the move because I wasn’t using the old space. This area was near the guitar hero, the PS3, the punching bag, treadmill, the DVD wall with 3 built in televisions. Many times in the old studio I would want to listen to jazz and sip wine while I worked on my altered book, made a card or worked on the years of photos I am behind in cropping -- but was competing with the media room next door.

In my new art studio, the morning sun streams in through the windows just barely missing my rows of paper. The carpet is soft on my bare feet and it is only steps to the coffee pot. I have already found myself wandering into the space dreaming of what project I want to begin next. Already Kasidy has completed a project and has moved on to her second. John spent a couple of hours in the studio the other night altering some pages in yet another book.

As mentioned, I enjoy the art of organization and I have some pretty creative storage and display ideas in my art studio. I’ll be sharing these with you over the next couple of days. Be sure come back and check them out.

Fire Pit to End Table

2008-07-03T18:00:00.005-04:00

Just after the water fountain was complete I realized I didn’t have a place to set my coffee cup in the morning when I was sitting on the deck enjoying my new found gurgle and bubble. Being frugal I hunted the house for something I could use without having to run to Target.

I found my solution at the side of the house. This was my old metal bonfire tray. I cleaned it up, removed some of the rusting pieces and gave it a new coat of black spray paint. (My favorite redo medium!) After that I took an old piece of plywood I found in the garage scrap pile and received my first lesson with the skill saw. A coat of black paint on the plywood and I now have my outdoor coffee table.

My Peaceful Little Corner

2008-06-29T18:45:00.003-04:00

The water fountain is done! Mmmmm it sounds so nice.

DIY Water Fountain Instructions

2008-06-28T20:47:00.016-04:00

Want to build a water fountain like mine?

Shopping list --
* One large ceramic pot
* One small ceramic pot
* 20 brick pavers
* Small fountain pump
* 3 feet of rubber tubing
* Fountain head
* silicone caulking
* 3 pounds sand

Using a masonry bit, drill a hole in the bottom of the large pot big enough for the electrical cord of the pump to fit through.

Set your pump in place and seal the hole with silicone caulking. Allow time for the silicone to set.

Spread out the sand where you want your fountain to go. Set the large pot on the sand and level.

Stack the bricks inside the large pot to just below the rim. Attach the rubber tubing to the pump and run up through the middle of the bricks.

Drill a hole in the bottom of the smaller pot that will be the top part of the fountain big enough for the pipe of the fountain head to fit through. Attach the rubber tubing to the fountain head and adjust inside the smaller pot.

Build a Water Fountain

2008-06-27T19:25:00.007-04:00

This is the space next to my deck under my breakfast nook window. The four summers we have lived here, I have been trying to figure out what to do with this space. The two bigger trees you see in the front just grew there. They block the setting sun and create some privacy so I've kept them.

At first, this space became the doggy bathroom. You know, so the tootsie rolls wouldn't be on the lawn. The next two summers it became my herb garden. Yes, great fertilizer thanks to the dog -- but too many weeds.

This year my herbs are thriving in three different pots on the deck so what to do with this space.? A water fountain! About 6 weeks ago I drug my husband on his day off from home improvement center to big box store to the grocery store yard center trying to find the perfect fountain. Who wants to spend $150 on a plastic fountain that is going to blow over in our 50 mph winds? Can you say tornado watch? I gave up.

That is until yesterday when I ran into a craft store to look at something else on clearance. Viola! Pottery 60% off.

This is the beginning of my water fountain. The one that will sit under the breakfast window and next to the deck. I can't wait to listen to the gurgle as I meditate or enjoy my coffee on the deck in the morning. I can't wait to hear the pitter-patter drown out my neighbors air conditioning unit as a enjoy a meal or glass of wine with my friends in the evening.

Follow me (ha ha ... and John) as we build a water fountain this weekend.

Fine and Rare Wine

2008-05-10T20:00:00.009-04:00

Last night John and I attended a fine and rate wine tasting to benefit my friend Randy's non-profit, Kalein. The wines were spectacular and I enjoy learning more and more about wine all the time. I would have to say, the best part for me was sharing it with old friends (Randy, Chris, Carlos, Heather & Spence) and some new friends (Michael & Gail, J.D, & Angela.)

1992 Opus One
1980 Whitehall Lane Cabernet (Alexander Valley)
1990 Whitehall Lane Reserve Cabernet Napa
1990 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
1986 Cain "Five" Napa Red Table Wine
1988 Anselmi Amarone Re Cioto Della Valpolicella
1989 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Red Wine
1987 McDowell Syrah Mendocino
1991 Girard Napa Cabernet
1987 Carmenet Sonoma Red Wine

Wine Tags

2008-04-23T13:43:00.010-04:00

If you are anything like me, you have a short term memory. Saying something three times over and over to myself just doesn’t work. I have to take a picture of where I parked the car at the airport or four days later I just won’t remember how to find it. So how am I supposed to remember what color my wine glass identifier was?

For John's 40^th Blind Wine Tasting Party I created little name tags for each wine glass. This was also a great substitute for name tags since everyone did not know each other. These tags were created using buff card stock and printed in French Script font. They were punched using an EK Success tag punch. TIP: To center the name on the tag, hold the punch upside-down and slide the card stock into the punch with the name showing . . . center the name and punch. Small holes were punched on the end of the tag and then secured to each wine glass with soft white, floral wire used for corsages.

To hide the wine during the tasting portion of the party, brown lunch bags were put through the printer. This font was Curlz printed at 400. The bag was trimmed one inch at the top and secured with a rubber band. For white wine a clear cellophane bag was added over the top so it could be kept on ice.

Blind Wine Tasting Party

2008-04-21T16:49:00.005-04:00

Since my husband was turning a landmark age I thought perhaps I should throw him a party. Over the last decade we have come to learn a little about wine and we enjoy partaking of it as well. The theme for the party was a Blind Wine Tasting.

A shortlist of friends were invited and instructed to bring any bottle of wine priced over $15. This was the first blind wine tasting I’ve ever hosted and since have discovered this is a chaotic way to have a blind wine tasting. However, what was started needed to be completed so with the help of a real wine expert and friend, Dan Perkins, I was able to throw a really fun birthday party.

As everyone arrived, I took their bottle of wine, uncorked it and placed it in a numbered brown paper bag secured with a rubber band. White wine had a second layer of a cellophane bag placed over the top so it could be kept on ice. Everyone was to remember their own number for the reveal later in the evening.

After a brief lesson on how to taste and rate the wine, we enjoyed 90 minutes of tasting and eating. The reveal was real simple, we did a raise of hands based on each guest’s highest score. We had a tie for first place: 2004, Long Flat, Barossa Shiraz $19.00 and 2006, Braganini Reserve, Michigan Traminette, $17. The winners were able to go home with a 2004 Columbia Crest, Merlot rated 95 points by Wine Spectator.

Singapore Street Noodles

2008-04-09T09:06:00.004-04:00

Consider me a cheater cook. All the yumminess in half the time. I follow a recipe once then after that just open the fridge, get creative and do it my way. Per my friend Pat's request here is my version of Singapore Street Noodles.
Sauce

4.5 ounces oyster sauce (half the bottle)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup sugar or Splenda
1/8 cup rice vinegar
2 cloves fresh pressed garlic
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1-2 teaspoons hot chili sauce to taste

1 tablespoon canola oil
3-4 diced B/S chicken breast halves
1 pound cooked shrimp
1 pound cooked linguine, fettuccine, spaghetti or Thai rice noodles (whatever is in the cupboard)
1 bunch sliced green onions
2 cups seeded, diced tomato
1 diced yellow or orange bell pepper
1/2 cup diced cilantro

Whisk together the sauce and set aside so all those flavors can marry.

Heat up a large skillet or wok with canola oil and cook the chicken until done then add in the shrimp to warm it up (or cook it if you use fresh shrimp). Turn the heat down on to medium low then add in your noodles and bell pepper. Toss in the green onions and tomato just before serving. Sprinkle the cilantro on top.

Basic Design Rules

2008-04-02T20:01:00.007-04:00

Thomas Edison once said, “What you need to invent is an imagination and a pile of junk.” This is good news because sometimes we want to or need to invent or design new spaces and a pile of junk is all we feel we have to work with.

When we lived in California, I owned and operated a small business called Acute Design. It started as a hobby—going to friends’ homes and helping them re-imagine their living space. After completely remodeling/redesigning numerous homes of our own, I would often have people visit our home and ask if I would mind giving them some advice. Acute Design was born out of helping those friends for fun.

I have had many opportunities to design living spaces over the years as well as working with my husband on designing spaces and worship interactive environments at church over the years. I have also had taught classes and workshops and worked as a design consultant on major projects.

Today, I read an interesting CNN post entitled, “7 Deadly Sins of Design.” While the article touches on some important problems in bad design, I don’t know that I would pick these things as the top 7 sins. Certainly worth a read though.

Here are the best concise design tips I have to offer as the general rules of engagement for any space. They most definitely work in the home scenario and many can and should be carried into the work place and/or place of worship:

Placing Furniture—furniture placement is one of the most important and most ignored rules of good design.
• Start your design from the point of entry—walk through your doorway/entryway into your room. The layout is most important from this point of view. Sometimes rooms have two entry points so pick the “most used” point as your first impression.
• Choose a classic neutral sofa—nothing will age your furniture faster than a print. You can change with trends by using throws and pillows. If you LOVE a colored sofa that is solid you may go with it but be forewarned (dusty rose was very cool in 1986).
• Arrange for conversation—pretend you have people in the room you are arranging. Put 18 inches between sofas and coffee tables.
• Choose a focal point—fireplaces, picture windows, accent walls, and coffee tables all make good focal points. T.V.’s do not—unless it is your home theatre setup.
• Your sofa is not designed to hold up your wall. Get that thing away from the wall and out into the room!

Accessorizing—good accessories can be really good for your space but when it’s bad it is usually really bad
• Remove all accessories from room—get rid of baskets with bows (use other containers), clear the clutter, donate anything you can categorize as a knickknack.
• Choose a “theme” based on either color/style/season or holiday or a combination of those things
• Always place accessories in groups of three and arrange them at different heights like a cityscape. If you have three candle holders all the same size, raise a couple with a small box or an upside-down bowl, etc.
• Group collections (candles, boxes, bottles, etc.) together on either a charger, a flat mirror, a corner table, a buffet, or the likes
• Bigger is usually better—make a statement with your accessories (large pots, large candles, large arrangements).
• Less is more—larger accessories will help you here as well. Clutter is bad. You never see clutter in a model home.
• Plants—you can immediately warm up a room a room and fill large blank spots with plants. Use real plants. Check places like Sam’s Club and Costco for good deals on large real plants.
• Pillows—have fun with your pillows. Change them seasonally. They are cheap so when they get old and flat and grungy either toss them or put them in the dog bed

Lighting—one of the biggest ways to make an impact in a space (and not just at night!)
• Install dimmers so you can control the amount of light day or night. If you need to install them one at a time start with the table, then the kitchen, then over the sink, the bedroom, the bathtub, and on to other spots. You can’t have too many.
• Use up-lighting in corners, behind large plants, above cabinetry
• Install down-lighting underneath your upper cabinetry

Use things you already have—you don’t have to spend a bunch to make your space better.
• Spray paint is your friend! Don’t be afraid to paint something to touch it up or change the color. Practice on something you don’t care about first. There is an art and technique to it but it is easy to learn.
• Put a new lampshade on an old lamp. In choosing lampshades, make sure you measure the height of the lamp from the base to the socket cap (the bottom of where the bulb screws in). The size of a lampshade is determined by the bottom diameter of the shade. Your lampshade should be no more than 2” smaller than this height and no more than 2” larger than this height. The height of your lampshade should be directly related to the height of the “harp” of the lamp. Your shade should be no more than ½ ‘ shorter than the harp and no more than ½” taller than the harp. Fringe is not included in the height of a shade. The “shape” of your lampshade should be close to the shape of the base of your lamp.
• Revitalize that old chandelier. Toss the leaded glass and paint the framework of the chandelier with a couple of coats of hammered spray paint.
• Cut out the inside of your cabinet doors and have glass cut for a see-through insert

Define your style—design on purpose.
• Look through magazines
• Subscribe to free catalogs such as Pottery Barn, West Elm, Ballard Design
• Walk through furniture stores and model homes and take notes on the vignettes
• When you find a room you like, ask yourself what draws you to it. Take notes. Emulate that style.
• Ask a friend to help. If you have a friend with a great space design, invite them to lunch and ask them to help you. They will be flattered and you will get some great ideas from another perspective.

Paint!—don’t be afraid. It’s only latex.
• Paint is an affordable way to change your space in no time at all. Keep your eye out for good boo-boo paint at Lowe’s and Home Depot. You can get this paint for EXTREMELY cheap.
• If you are afraid to do a whole room, start with an accent wall.
• It is a lie that dark colors make a room small—the space is still the same. Dark colors on an accent wall actually “move away from you” and can make a room appear larger. Painted ceilings can actually make a ceiling appear taller. White ceilings make a room feel shorter.
• Paint furniture. It’s okay. Really. Great Grandma will never know.
• Paint cabinets for an update. This is one of the best ways to transform a room. Good prep is key. Talk to someone who knows how to paint and prep before you get started.
• Spray hinges, knobs, and chandeliers for immediate updating—out with the shiny brass and in with the . . .
• Black ties things together. Black is a room’s exclamation point. Don’t be afraid of black.

Don’t go haphazard with wall hangings—This is somewhat subjective but if you can find a happy medium there are some general rules to go by
• Keep your hangings closer to rather than far away from furniture such as chair and sofa backs. Some say 10-12 inches from the top of furniture however . . .
• Try to keep a “line of sight” around the room when possible so art pieces and pictures are generally at the same height around the room. Of course, some pieces are huge and don’t allow for this rule but if you have two like-size smaller hangings and one huge hanging, make sure the like-size smaller hangings have the same line-of-sight at the top.
• Eye level is the “right” height for art pieces. If you have an artist in the house, they will believe this is important.
• Group or cluster miniature hangings with like things. Little pictures on the wall floating by themselves look silly unless you are hanging for a gallery.
• Measure twice. Hang once.
• Lay out art groupings on the floor to arrange them all before hanging them and/or sketch them up on graph paper first.

Use things for purposes other than their original purpose—be creative!
• Who says a wooden window frame is not a piece of art?
• Who says a bowl can’t be turned upside-down to lift a candle?
• Who says a fishing rod is not the same thing as a curtain rod?
• Who says concrete is for walkways and not counter tops?
• Who says stacking old suitcases is not a good end table?
• Who says you can’t rip up your yucky carpet and paint the floor?