Decor: No-Drill renovations by Nate Berkus

In my view, Nate Berkus is one of the best design guru's of our times. He started off with home make-overs on the Oprah Winfrey show, but now has his own show. The show is not being broadcast in South Africa as yet, but is available for viewing online. Nate has started a series on no-drill renovations, and I think this is the problem to most our design dilemmas, take a look and lemme know what you think!

On the side: Diarise this!

With 2011 around the corner it is a great plan to get yourself a diary of some sort. There are plenty complimentary give-away diaries with magazines at the moment and for those who want to buy something special to carry with for next year, take a look at the Elise Grey diary for this year. It is available at most bookstores and online at: http://www.ladygreycollections.com.au/

DIY: Before and after...

I have been looking for a chandelier for our dining room for a while now, and just paid attention to the standard crystal ones, but was stunned to see what a huge difference paint made to the chandelier below.  And because I am in my purple phase it makes the idea even more appealing!

Read more at Design*Sponge  on their Before & After projects.

 

Chooseday: Wood or carpet?

Making a decision between laminated flooring and carpets can be difficult. Below I aim to provide the points to consider before giving the final go-ahead:

• Colour or appearance that is desired for the room. Carpets come in a variety of colors, patterns and styles, whereas with laminates you have a smaller choice. 
• Durability of the flooring. Laminates are easy to clean and are more resistant to stains, but less to scratches, they might prove to be a better choice with small children and pets in the house.
• Insulation of carpets are better than that of laminates, a carpet could easily make a room feel warmer.
• Cost could prove to be the main variable in the equation. Laminates can be self-installed, where-as carpets require professionals. Both the cost of carpets and laminates are determined by square meter. The actual product cost on laminates and carpets could prove to be similar, but the labour cost of laminates vs. carpets in South Africa are generally more expensive.
• Current floor condition could be a problem if it is uneven for laminates.
• People with asthma or allergies in the household may consider laminate over carpet, due to the carpet fibres that are released from vacuuming or walking on carpet.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers

Online: Stunning Vol.25 gifts

So Christmas has passed, but what about a gift to cheer up someone in the new year? Here with the stunning new range of gifts available from Pine Ridge Art with some of Jessica Rose's designs from Vol.25.

Cup of tea anyone?

Magnets with matching list pad

Decor: A Christmas dinner...

My colors for Christmas are purple, white and silver this year. I thought I'd put some items together to give you some inspiration for your table tonight.

May you have a lovilee time off.

Decor: The writing on the wall...

Ever dreamt of writing or drawing on a wall? There are stunning new ways to do this by using wall art made of vinyl stickers. I found a supplier that are able to provide pre-designed as well as custom wall art at a very reasonable price. Visit Walltalk for more information as well as pricing.

                              

Online: Volume 25

One of the most inspirational and fab art you can get is from a shop called vol25. All art can be purchased from their Etsy shop and is printed on  archival natural white canvas. I have three still in need of framing, with the last one being my favourite...

  

Decor: All things pretty

We moved into our new house this weekend, and I still can't find half of what I am looking for... So many cupboards! Those who know me are familiar with my tendencies to cover all the walls with pretty things, and finally, after running out of wall space in my one bedroom, I have enough walls to decorate!

The first thing I found to hang on a wall was a mosaic cross that I bought a year ago from Stoor Ceramics. I found them on the internet and paid a visit to them in the Cape. They really have a lot to choose from starting from embellishments to ready and custom made mosaics. They will also courier to anywhere in South Africa.

Here with a pic of mine:

On the side: The solution to all our problems...

Ever wished that you could just come home to a clean house? Samsung has developed a new generation vacuum cleaner called the NaviBot. I could not believe what I saw. Be sure to check out the video clips to view its full functionality.

Birds on a wire continued...

Yesterday's post reminded me of a friend that recently sent me a musical version of a similar bird on the wire photo. The video and composition were created by Jarbas Agnelli that posted it on YouTube.

Decor: Birds on a wire

I received my Elgarbo's art picture back from the framers. Check out the shop on Etsy, there are many to choose from and some good specials to help you start your collection.

 
 

DIY: Become a bookmaker!

I got married earlier this year, at Ducks Country House and Venue, a quaint little place on the bank of the Klipriver in Henley-on-Klip, Gauteng. Melanie Wessels was responsible for my gorgeous and unique photos, with Ilana from Cosmetiek doing my make-up.

I made a scrapbook album for our memories of the day, that contains all our wedding stationary, seating arrangements and church songs sang, but felt that I still wanted something smaller to take with to others as a brag book.

I am an absolute internet addict and found a following company called Blurb online. Their books are cheap and super easy to make and you have a wide variety of choice when it comes to colors and outlay. You can even sell your book online at no cost!

Here with a preview of my book that I am expecting in the post any day now:

Kelly Wedding by Karen Kelly | Make Your Own Book

Chooseday: Going Green

Someone once told me that there are only two things one must do in life, one must be born and one must die. All of the rest is choices. To breath is a choice, to get up in the morning another and... I think you get the picture.

I made a choice this Christmas to go with Growing Paper's collection of plantable cards. Yes, you can now give someone a card that they can plant after their birthday or Christmas and watch it grow! I received mine after a week of placing the order online, here are my favourites: (click on images to view larger samples)

 

Cutting it "Laser" fine

Today I received one of the nicest cards I have ever laid eyes on, a spectacular laser cut in gold.

This made me look for more rare cuts. The Toast Enterprise is a company that specializes in laser cutting of cupcake holders as well as mirror words etc. see the The Toast Enterprise for more.