Curb Appeal: 5 Amazing Colorful Front Doors

"Be an opener of doors” 

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

                           A perfect  Feng Shui color that  represents  abundance and  prosperity

                                 This  green  front  door  is  bold and  appealing, yet friendly and
                                                                   compassionate

                          Show off your confidence and outgoing  personality with  a yellow  front  door.

A welcoming  red front  door  for  all  who  enter  

                              A black front door signifies  a well organized  and  efficient  home
                                                       All photos  courtesy  of  HGTV
                                   
You  can't beat  a colorful  front  door  when  it  comes  to  curb appeal just  choose  a   color that  suits  your  personality  and  house  design.  It's an easy and  affordable  way to update your  exterior  without  spending  a ton of  money.    

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/

Ralph Lauren Paint - Dynamic Color Timeless Style For The Home

Since 1996, the design world has been inspired by Ralph Lauren Paint,  a collection of dynamic color, and timeless style.

Known for his legendary fashion designs,  he brings the same iconic style  to walls, creating fashionable colors for the home.

Proudly made in the USA, Ralph Lauren Paint is one-of-a-kind, due to its vibrancy, brilliance and smooth finish. Paint colors range from indigo denim to stateroom red, and specialty finishes such as polished patina.  (See below).

             
                                                                    Metallic Gold

                                                                      Blue Eggshell

                                                                 

Pink

  Metallic Silver  

                                                                   Thoroughbred

                                                                 Greenwich  Village

                            These dynamic colors are available  at  your local Home Depot.

                                                  www.homedepot.com/ralphlaurenpaint

All photos  courtesy  of  Ralph  Lauren  Home

Fashion Friday - Go Patriotic Wear Red, White and Blue for July 4th

Let  your  fashion  speak  for  you  on July  4th with  a pulled  together  patriotic  outfit.

Finding  the  right attire for this special  day can  be a little  daunting especially  if  you  want to  be  subtle yet fashionable, proud but not too flashy.  I scoped out my favorite  place Pinterest and found these:

Classic long sleeve striped T-shirt  with white jeans  

A fun polka dot dress teamed with a  bold patriotic T and clutch

Converse  sneakers  in red, white and blue, casual but chic

A sexy one piece bathing suit for  the  beach 

Stars and striped jacket for cooler evenings  

Celebrate with a cool USA logo and a patriotic  

striped watch band  

                                                       
                                                         Photos courtesy of Pinterest

                                                    "Bravery  Never  Goes  Out  of  Fashion"
                                                                William Makepeace Thackeray                                          

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

Cottage Style Rooms - So Warm and Cozy

"Everyone can identify with a fragrant garden, with the beauty of a sunset, with the quiet of nature, with a warm and cozy cottage".
                                                                                                Thomas Kincade


Unpretentious and cozy that's what the cottage  style  of decor  is all about.  If you  love soft color palettes, natural fabrics, re-purposed furniture, and sweet florals, like I do, this style of decor is for you.

Basics of Cottage Style Architecture:

• Beaded board  
• Exposed beams  
• White walls
• Salvaged  wood

Elements of Cottage Style  Rooms:

• Casual furniture  
• Eclectic mix of old and new accessories  
• Mixing flea market finds with new pieces  
• Blending floral patterns with neutral tones
• Petite  stripes  
• Woven bakets and rugs
• Adding cozy accessories such as knobby throws and blankets
• Open shelving in the kitchen to display vintage wares

Those are just some of the elements of incorporating the cottage style. Just  remember to add character, warmth and above all your own personal touch with cut branches and  flowers  to  convey  a  fresh  and  cozy feeling.

                                 
        These room just say come on in, and stay a while.
                      All photos  courtesy of Bing images.

Fashion Friday: 8 Summer Hairstyles that are Short and Stunning

Get a jump start on the summer heat by rocking a short and sexy hairstyle.

Celebs are chopping their long locks and are opting for the shorter look so they can remain current, to recreate themselves, or just simply because they prefer a short hair-do for the summer season.

A short haircut can change  the shape of your face, enhance  your  features, is easier  to take care  of (dries quicker), is more manageable,  and can make  you  look  years  younger.

Before taking  the  plunge, do some  research  as to the  best cut for your face shape, and whether a certain cut will suit your lifestyle and  budget, e.g. trimming and added hair care products for maintenance.

If you're unsure or on the  fence as to whether short hair is for you see these stunning pics below:

                                          Are you ready to take the plunge?  Comment  below.
                                                        Have a great weekend!   
                                                                 
                                                   All photos courtesy of Bing images

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/

Revitalize your abode with Joanna Gaines premium interior and furniture paints

In May 2016, Joanna Gaines launched a new line of premium interior and furniture paints sold under the brand name of Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines, in partnership with Kilz.

The interior paint line consists of low voc, 100 percent acrylic based paint and primer in one, mildew-resistant, with a lifetime warranty. The colors (25 in total) are subtle and fresh and will blend well with any decor style.

Here are just a sample of her interior paint colors:

• Duke Gray
• Magnolia Green 
• Shiplap
• Blackboard 
• Weekend 
• Rainy Day 
• Silverado Sage 
• Ella Rose 
• Vine Ripened Tomato
• Sunday Stroll 
• Antique Rose 
• True White

Her furniture and cabinetry paints are durable, fast drying, resistant to dirt and grime with a semi-gloss finish.

Furniture and Cabinetry paint colors:

• Shiplap
• True  White  

If you're a fan of the show Fixer Upper, you will notice that a few of the paint names sound familiar; they were inspired by her personal and business journey.

Well, it seems Joanna has done it again, with her classic premium paints making it easier to revitalize your abode with the Farmhouse/Fixer Upper look.

                                                            JoannGaines paint collection
                                                     Photo  courtesy of Magnolia Market