My Favorite Decor Finds from Zara Home

"Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style."

                                      Billy Baldwin, American interior decorator

Zara Home is a one-of-a-kind retail store that showcases contemporary interior styling, mixed with traditional wares that are appealing to the modern home decorator.  If you love the Zara fashion brand then you will definitely love Zara Home.  

Their line of home products ranges from bedding, linens (bed and bath), kitchenware (glassware/dishes),  tableware, cutlery, rugs, throws, and home decor accessories. Their website is beaming with an array of decorating possibilities for the budget-conscious as well as the no-budget consumer.  

I scoped out their line of products and below I've listed my favorite finds, based on the low end to high-end pricing. See photos below:

                                    Rustic Two-Tone Pitcher

                                     100% Stoneware- Approx. $49.90                                                                                              Shop

Striped Two-Tone Kitchen Towel (2 pack)

100% Cotton - Approx. $9.90

                            

Crystalline Tumbler Gold Trim

100% Glass Crystal - Approx. $7.90 - $9.90 each

Shop

                                    Embellished Cotton Blanket

                                100% Cotton - Approx. $99.90    

                         

                                               Wood Kitchen Cutting Board

                              Acacia Wood - approx. $39.90 - $69.90                                                                         Shop

                                                                  Source:  Zara Home                                      

Zara Home offers a great selection of housewares to suit any taste and budget no matter what your style of decorating.  

Decor Tip:

To maintain your cotton purchases (kitchen towels) always wash in cold water as high temps tend to shrink fabrics and tumble dry low.  Also, their stock tends to sell out pretty fast so don't hesitate if you find something that you really love.  Happy shopping!        

9 Kitchen Organization and Storage Tips

The kitchen generates a lot of traffic and is simply the hub of the house.

Everyone seems to gather in the kitchen at some point of the day whether it's for dinner, a snack, a conversation or doing homework. Keeping things organized in this area of the home can be time consuming and tedious. If the kitchen is well organized and there is adequate storage available, your meal preparation and clean up time will be cut in half.

Below are some tips to keep the kitchen clutter-free and organized.

Organization and storage tips:

1. Donate kitchen gadgets that you no longer use to your local thrift store and discard old items that no longer work.
2. Store bulky small appliances under cabinet to free up counter space.
3. Install pull out shelves for pots and pans to keep them orderly. (see slideshow)
4. Organize pantry - store all dry goods together in clear labeled containers. Store canned items on lower shelf making sure there are no spaces between items.
5. Hang a chalkboard on the wall for writing down messages, notes and recipes.
6. Invest in a kitchen cart to store bakeware, bowls and dishes.
7. Put all kitchen cleaning supplies together and store in a wire basket under sink.
8. Keep utensils such as spatulas, spoons, and whisks in canisters for easy access.
9. Presort and label recyclable containers

                                                    A pull out  coffee  and  tea  station

                                           Spice drawer for saving time  when  cooking

                           

A well organized  pantry

  Chalkboard  backsplash             

   Kitchen cart storage            

All photos courtesy of HGTV

DIY: How to paint kitchen cabinets with a paint sprayer

If you  have builder grade kitchen cabinets  or just  plain  old white  cabinets that  need a makeover or freshening up, below  is  an easy  technique  that  can  be  done  in a weekend.

Tools  You  Will  Need:

Electric Sander
Paint  Sprayer
Spray can handle
Drop cloth
Dust Mask
Damp cloth
Drill
Drill bit
Tape Measure
Screwdriver
Wrench

Materials:

Ready made cabinets and knobs
Semi-gloss latex paint
Tinted  primer   (one quart)

Instructions:

1. Sand Existing  Finish:    Put on dust mask, place  drop cloth  on floor and  use electric  sander to  remove   existing finish  from  cabinet.  Wipe cabinet with damp cloth.
2. Pre-drill Holes for  Hardware:  Using  tape   measure  decide  where to  place  hardware and  mark with pencil then drill selected front door holes with drill. 
3. Spray  Primer:  Add an even coat of primer  to  the  front  door of   cabinet  by using paint sprayer and  a quart of tinted primer.  
4. Spray  on  Color:  Load paint  sprayer with  semi-gloss paint and  cover  exterior  and  interior  cabinet, making  sure  that  coverage  is even by moving paint sprayer from  left to right slowly  and  carefully.  Wait  about  three  hours for first coat  to dry then apply  second  coat  of  paint. 
5. Attach Hardware:  After paint is dry, using screwdriver and  wrench add new hardware into pre-drilled holes.  

Tip:  Use a tinted primer for  a more  professional smooth  finish.  

                                                 Photos - Painted Kitchen  Cabinets

                                                                                    HGTV

   
                                                                          HGTV

HGTV

Resource:  http://www.diynetwork.com/

Five Tips To Consider Before Working With A Home Contractor

Renovating or remodeling your home is a big investment but very rewarding. If you choose to work with a contractor you should be prepared for the drawbacks and the added expense that comes with remodeling.

As a homeowner, if you are prepared ahead of time you can make the renovating journey effortless and make working with your contractor a breeze.

Here are five tips to consider when working with a contractor:

1. Verify the contractor's license. Find out if your county requires a contractor to be licensed and make sure that his/her license is not expired. 
2. Check the Better Business Bureau and verify that there are no complaints associated with the contractor. Take the time to research the company online as it might help to avoid a bad experience later on.
3. Compare bids from different contractors; obtain at least three written bids.
4. Make the contractor responsible for obtaining building permits.
5. Obtain a written contract from the contractor showing a start and completion date of the project and a detailed list of purchases.

Remodeling a home and working with a contractor takes a lot patience and cooperation, but following the above tips will get you on the path to success.

                                                                     Kitchen  Remodel

                                                        All photos  courtesy  of  HGTV

Ikea - A Great Source for Interior Design and Inspiration

Ikea, still a great source for interior design and inspiration.

Since 1951, this unique furniture retail store has been providing affordable,  functional and sustainable home furnishings.

Ikea and Sustainability

The company believes in protecting the future of the planet by committing to sourcing all of their cotton and wood that they use in their products from more sustainable sources by 2020.

Protecting The Children

Ikea's Child Labor Code of Conduct was introduced in 2000, in partnership with Save The Children, to protect and eliminate children from being exploited.

Ikea Dream Rooms and Ideas:

Fresh and white kitchen cabinets and accessories

Comfy, casual seating with white bookshelves and floor lamps  

Ultra modern kitchen cabinets with copper lighting  

Stylish living room furniture  

Modern and efficient home office  

A well-organized mudroom or entryway

                                                                All photos courtesy of Ikea
For additional inspiration/resources check out:   Interior Design For Small Spaces

Ikea's  website has a great deal of home decorating ideas, and inspiration as well as a wealth of organization resources, visit them here:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/ideas/

Add a splash of color to your kitchen with Williams-Sonoma cookware

The Williams-Sonoma name is known for its premium line of distinctive, quality cookware and kitchen tools with exquisite patterns and vibrant colors.  This luxurious brand will not only transform your kitchen but will ultimately make you a better cook and hostess.

These  brightly colored cast iron enamel pots will make

you enjoy cooking again.

       These colorful grill pans will suit any decor

                                 style whether modern or country.                
                                       

Add striking copper accessories for a unique and

interesting flair.

                               A bold red Kitchen-Aid mixer says it all.

All photos courtesy of Williams-Sonoma

Experience the luxury at:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/

Enhance your kitchen window this spring with a pretty herb garden

During the spring and summer months my weekends are designed for easy, do it yourself projects that I can accomplish in a day or two such as a kitchen herb garden, very easy and the cost is minimal.  I love cooking with herbs but find that over time buying them from the grocery store can be costly, so I got into my gardening gear this weekend and finally planted my own herb garden!

If you have been longing to start a kitchen herb garden of  your own check out these beauties below.

Colorful stenciled containers  

Recycled paper pots

Chalk board painted pots with twine 

                                    Save your soup cans and tie a pretty ribbon around
                                                                 your Masterpiece

                                                                                                  All photos  courtesy of Bing images.


Your garden awaits...have a happy weekend!