Sunday, 1 March 2015

Kitchen re style my ideas my plans

Mr D and I thought it was about time our house had a re style.
This time round it's a grown up scheme by this I mean surfaces don't have to be wipe clean, soft furnishings can be a little bit luxurious.
The kitchen is the 1st room on the list and there is quite a lot to do and whilst we can get on with the "unskilled" bits like pulling down ceilings, removing units & tiles, walls will need plastering a floor laid and a door bricked up by our builder.
I have been planning for a year & have collected enough ideas to hopefully pull a  scheme together.
Although we haven't picked the units yet I know the style & colour, our home is a
Victorian terrace my style is modern country as much as sleek shiny surfaces are wonderful  I don't think there for my little house, I want a relaxed luxury scheme on a budget and I know how to get it!!!!


#DIY Kitchen Remodels – Do it Yourself or Hire a Contractor?
Grey units white tiles/walls butler sink

Obsessed with this website!  Do you ever see a random, inanimate object and think, "That is the exact color I am looking for to paint the walls in my room."  Design Seeds does just that--browse hundreds of color palettes based off anything from an artichoke, to a bracelet, to feathers.flora tones

I can't make my mind up.....
Grey will be the emblem colour for the whole house and both these schemes
do it for me!!! the one on the right however is a touch more dramatic
the left side more relaxed.
I will have to play around with them & possibly end up with both!!!

 The next thing for me to think about is flooring wood laminate tiles or lino what ever, it has to be white, easy clean, waterproof, tough

Lighting sorted once the new ceiling is up the electrician will come in and put in recessed lights.

Storage is very important, I won't have much money left I  will need to be clever & make some baskets!!!
I found this excellent tutorial the source is Marrietta.ru


 recycling crafts project  a fabulous way to use up old newspapers as well as a great way to learn how to weave. Add style and additional organization to every room to your home. These baskets are welcome everywhere except for the bathroom its too humid sometimes

Photo 1.  Be inspired and study details of these amazing baskets.
Step 1/photo 2: Cut the newspapers in long strips of about 3 inches. Note how the paper is torn lengthwise. This is important as it will be stronger than if the paper would be torn sidewise! Roll the paper at a 45 degree angle.
Step 2/photo 3: With a glue stick secure the end of the roll.
Step 3/photo 4: Cut a piece of cardboard to measure the length and width of the base of your baskets.  Glue on strips of paper on tit at about 2 cm (approx. 1”) intervals and use clothespins to secure them while drying. Space the strips evenly along each edge of the baskets. Add 2 additional strips in every corner leaving a 1/3” of space in between.
Step 4/photo 5: Once the glue is dry, glue on another piece of cardboard on top of the strips, to secure them all firmly into place. Again, use the clothespins to keep things tidy and firm.
Step 5/photo 6: Place a cardboard box (with something in it, for weight) along the inside of your basket-to-be and start weaving. Fold the first strip upwards, locking it with the second strip, and continue to do so for each strips till the whole basket is done.  Look at the picture to see clearly what I mean. 
Step 6/photo 7: Secure each strip at the top of the temporary inner-basket and ensure that each strip stays up perfectly straight!
Step7/photo 8: This may be a bit tight and tricky but lock the last strip of paper with the first strip as is shown in the image.  Now you are ready to start weaving!
Step 8/photo 9: With some glue and a fold under, secure your first weaving strip  and so start using up the gazillion paper strips you have made.
Step 9/photo 10:  When you have reached the desired height of your baskets, undo the top strips of your baskets and fold them over and tuck them into the basket to secure them, going all around the basket.
And voila, you have woven your first basket. Now that you have gotten the hang of things, no doubt many more will follow. Measure the sizes of tricky cabinets and areas where none of the standard-sized store-bought baskets would fit and make your own! You will be so happy with your new organization!!!

If you make a couple, you can spray paint them all at the same time. Otherwise, do one at the time. If you choose a copper brown paint, your baskets will look like they have been woven from branches! If you choose white, they will have that crisp look to them that I personally love!!!

Happy weaving!

woven_paper_basket





Super clever ideas for the kitchen at the36thavenue.com

Make your own eco kitchen towels
these are a fantastic idea, they can be used over and over again just pop them in to the washing machine dry them clip them back together et voila!!!!
This idea is from The short girl's blog
Thank you for sharing

Supplies (for one towel)
Basic sewing supplies
Cotton print, 11.5 x 11.5  
Terry cloth, 11.5 x 11.5
Plastic snaps and the assembly/installation tools update: I got my snaps here.
Coordinating thread 




 

Cut out your fabric, try to get the pieces as square as possible so your towels wont be all wonky. This can be difficult with the terry, as it does stretch, so just be patient with yourself.  
Placing right sides together pin the terry cloth and cotton print together.  Sew (3/8 inch allowance) all the way around the towel, being sure to back stitch when you start and stop. 
 




If you feel more comfortable with a larger seam allowance go for it, just be consistent so all the finished towels are the same size.  Leave a 2 inch opening on one side for turning. 



Trim the corners to remove some bulk (which I forgot to photograph sorry), at this point you might also want to trim the edges if you used a larger seam allowance.  Through the 2 inch opening turn the towel right side out, push out the corners and tuck in the "flap" of the opening




Turn


Push



Tuck

Almost done!   Iron it very well, pressing the seams flat.  To give the towel a nice completed look top stitch 1/4 inch from the edge all the way around.  This will also serve to close up the 2 inch opening.  



Next install the snaps, two female down one side and two male on the other side.  ....and done! 


 Now go do it five more times and you will have a full set. 



snapped together set



Clever ideas for the kitchen at the36thavenue.com

Waste not basket in fridge
I will be having one of these

A few tips on kitchen organisation
Store things where you use them.
Pots and pans are best kept near the range or cooktop; mixing bowls, near the countertop you use for food preparation; plates, glasses, and flatware, near the dishwasher.

 
Group like items together.
Store all bakeware in the same cupboard, all wooden spoons in the same ceramic crock, all spices in the same drawer.

 
Revise your storing technique.
Store your most frequently used items in the most accessible places. Keep things you use most often at eye level; store heavy items below waist level and infrequently used items on high shelves (keep a step stool within easy reach for such items) or in another area of the house. For example, if you use your oversized turkey platter only once a year, you don't need to store it in the kitchen at all. Instead, stow it on a high shelf in the garage or basement.

 
Declutter yearly.
Take an inventory of all utensils, cookware, and dishware annually. Get rid of unnecessary duplicates, items that are damaged beyond repair, or things no longer used.

 
Clump small things together.
Keep small kitchen items in containers, see-through bins if possible, with neat, easy-to-read labels.



I'm thinking new T Towels.....
 To make your own, you’ll need the following: 
 tea towels, non porous flat surface, paint for fabric, fabric medium, sponge roller,
rubber stamps, iron.
I used the Martha Stewart paints since they’re inexpensive, readily available (found mine at Amazon), designed for use on fabric, and they come in such nice colors. Be sure to buy the fabric medium, that’s what keeps your paint thin, soft, and washable.
1.  If you want to make your own color, first mix it together, then 2. add the fabric medium after the color is mixed. I used about one part medium to one part paint. 
mix paint and medium steps
Next, roll your paint on a nonporous flat surface (I wrapped a piece of plywood in aluminium foil).  4. Use the sponge roller to apply it to the stamp.  I found the colour came out more even this way instead of placing the stamp directly into the fabric paint.
roll paint on stamp
Next, apply your stamp in your pattern of choice.  Sponge roll a light coat of paint before every single stamp for even colour distribution.
begin stamping
Change colours and sizes to add interest!
 
 
continue with little stamp
I also made a second version with another old speck
speckled stamp
The paints are water based, so clean up is crazy easy, just a little water.
wash off stamp 2
Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours, then heat seal your paint with an iron. I placed a plain cotton sheet between the tea towel and the iron to prevent direct contact.
heat seal paint
Once you’re done, you have your own custom tea towels that are unique and completely washable.  I recommend a delicates setting on your washer, just to preserve all your hard work.
diy stamped tea towels cg
stamped tea towels
So pretty and so easy, and they make great gifts.  You can apply the same technique to simple cotton to make pillows or window panels too, have fun creating your own!
 
 



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