I Heart Antique Windows!

I have a ton of old windows. All different sizes and styles. I've made one four pane window into an awesome picture frame, used some in my yard and for fence decoration, and now my newest design... A fabulous dark bubblegum pink cork board for my office. I had no intention of starting this project today, but I was working on something for a client and I figured I was already covered in paint, so why the hell not? I chose a two pane window frame that had the glass broken out of it. I primered the whole thing (hardware and all) and then painted it a very girly pink. Sometimes I feel like Shelby from Steel Magnolias when she says, "Pink is my signature color". Not that pink is the only color I like, but I seem to be drawn to it quite often. Anyway, I picked up cork tiles at the craft store and I'm going to attach them to the back of the frame tomorrow. Screw in a couple of hooks and wire and bada bing, bada boom! Hello fabulous cork board. Welcome to the office! The point here is that not only is it friendlier to our environment to reduce, reuse and recycle, but your options are only as limited as your imagination is. Creating new things from old adds character and gives you one of kind pieces that NO ONE else will have. Happy crafting PDX!

Size Doesn't Always Matter

A few year ago, a friend of mine mentioned his idea for building very small houses that were green and that anyone could afford. The idea is that they could be built on a very small piece of property, could be moved if necessary and that you didn't have to have loads of cash to own your own home. Fast forward to 2010 and the idea has now turned into reality. Unfortunately, it wasn't my friend who started these companies, but still the same great concept. When I first started reading about these homes, I was blown away. Unbelievably small square footage used in the most creative ways, great designs and relatively inexpensive. Love, love, love it!

www.cottageinaday.com

www.tumbleweedhouses.com

www.yatzer.com/2153_home_sweet_*mobile*_home

Hiring a Designer Can Actually Save You Money!

You probably read the title to this and said, "What's the catch?", but there isn't one. Depending on your design needs, hiring a designer can actually save you money. In this economy, I think we can all stand to save a little cash. Here are just a few reasons to give an interior designer a try (and when I say an interior designer, I mean me):

1. Being in the design industry, I get wholesale costs on MANY products and supplies. I purchase the items and sell them back to you at the same cost you would pay going to the store and buying from them. I also have relationships with contractors, painters, handymen and all of those types. Because of these relationships, I have a better chance of getting a good price and getting the work done sooner.

2. Many people have an idea of what they want their space to look like, but don't know how to execute it. This causes costly mistakes, redo's and unnecessary purchases. With a designer there to walk you through the process, they can put a stop to these mistakes before the money has been spent, never to be seen again.

3. Time, aggravation and stress is taken away from the client and heaped onto the designer. What value do you put on your time? Personally, I cherish the little spare time I have and am more than willing to pay someone to work on my yard, clean my car, etc. They are the experts and get it done quicker and usually better than I could do. That is what I can do for you.

Have a great weekend!