Hey Dads and kids, are you on top of things this year? Or are you scrambling to make the mom(s)-in-your-life’s day amazing?

I’m sure it’s not because you don’t care, but perhaps you’re a little unsure what she really wants. Let me help you out here.

She wants a HOME DEPOT GIFT CARD!

Seriously, you can’t go wrong. Let her use her imagination to create her dream garden or the perfect outdoor living space to read her favorite magazines or just relax with a beverage. Yes, cut flowers are nice, but a spring garden lasts all summer.

And yes, gift cards can be very personal. Either select a unique card design, or order one online and add your own photo or video and your own message. Total score! 

For extra points, present it in a flower pot or watering can.

Win a $100 Home Depot Gift Card!

Let me help you out here. Thanks to Home Depot, I have a $100 gift card to give away to one lucky YHOB reader! Just leave a comment about what you love best about the mom(s) in your life! Winner will be randomly selected this Friday (5/11/12) promptly at noon so you’ll have time to customize your online gift card for that special lady for Mother’s Day. The winner will receive the credit online, so you will have plenty of time to plan your presentation.

So go ahead, be a hero this year! Cape optional.

Ahem, so honey (you know who you are) – now you know how to be my hero this weekend. Let’s plant some memories babe!

The Home Depot Disclosure Statement
The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote their gift cards. As part of this promotion, I received a gift card(s) to share with my readers. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of this giveaway will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.

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I pinned before pinning was cool. Ok, so maybe I’m a bit old-schooled! I love to drool over my favorite Décor magazines and tear out the pages that spoke to my heart.

And file them by room!

Admittedly, I was always a bit behind schedule, which cause a bit of a magazine pileup.

Now, with Pinterest, I’m even more behind. Oh the pressure! But such fun!

In honor of Earth Day, I’d like to help out others, like me, who are still addicted to thumbing through favorite décor magazines by providing a few ideas for creative disposal.

Here are four ways to manage your real-life magazine “situation”:

Recycle

Did you know that according the Magazine Publishers of America, only 20% of magazines are recycled from home? Magazines are 100% recyclable and are now accepted by all curbside recycling programs that collect paper Check your town for specifics. Use Earth911 to find a location to recycle magazines in your area.

ReUse

1. Drop them off at a local doctor’s office or Laundromat for others to enjoy.
2. See if residential homes or hospices would be able to use them.
3. Use them as material for children’s art projects or school classes.
4. Shred them and use as filler when shipping boxes

Repurpose as Decor

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Read Magazines Online

And for those tough enough to go cold turkey, you can switch to virtual consumption https://www.catalogchoice.org/

But as for me, I plan to pin AND thumb. Now, who can invent more hours in the day?

Has pinning changed how you use magazines?

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If envy is an ugly emotion, then green is my favorite color.

After talking with the lovely and talented Picker Sisters, I am not only jealous beyond reason, but totally inspired to keep America (and my home) more beautiful! Check out the fun conversation I had with Tracy and Tanya about their amazing show:

Ok, so realistically, most of us cannot drop everything and tour about undiscovered country roads to negotiate unique pieces from unsuspecting (and possibly creepy) characters.

For the record, I don’t recommend you try that unless you have a sizeable posse with you – the mom in me would worry way too much.

Picking doesn’t have to be in a farmer’s backyard. You can pick things from your own home, garage sales, craigslist, etc.  Picking is loads of fun and environmentally responsible as well. Win-win!

With Earth day upon us, I challenge you to do something that makes a difference! Are you familiar with Keep America Beautiful? (Hint – remember the crying Indian commercial – yes, I’m dating myself here).

Anyway, they sponsor an annual Great American Cleanup campaign, and there are many ways you can get involved at a local level.

So grab your Glad trash bags and let’s do this!

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This Easter will go down in our family history as the one to beat! Every future Easter will pale in comparison.

Yes, we’re finally getting the girls a puppy. She’s a “Bo-Jack” (Boston/Jack Russell Terrier mix) from a wonderful rescue organization down south.  She arrives next week, but we will surprise the girls Easter morning with puppy-themed baskets and a plethora of puppy supplies. I can hear the squeals already.

I love surprises! Last year our lions were anonymously decorated as Easter bunnies under the cloak of darkness. We still don’t know who did it, but they sure had some mad crafting skills! This was not the work of an amateur! While I do have bunnies ears and tails for this year, I cannot match the bar that was set last year! So whoever you are – THANK YOU!

And while we are on the subject of Easter, here’s a creative (albeit messy) idea to make bird nests with rice krispies, peeps and candy eggs.

And for the green and/or practical reader, how about a reusable planter in lieu of a traditional basket? Note the use of a baby blanket for the stuffed bunny – less messy than grass! Add some seeds and gardening tools, and you’ve got an afternoon project! You could also include paint to let the kids paint their own planter.

Any ideas for next year? I’d better start planning now!

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Remember my kitchen? You can read all about how we removed the wallpaper, painted, added knobs and pulls and accessorized my New-ish Kitchen in the previous post here.

But something just wasn’t quite working for me. The island was demanding too much attention.

So I did what any sensible girl would do. I picked a can of black paint! (Note: I also placed the red lanterns from last year’s “use what you have porch design” to the top of the cabinets, which, according to my post “Ideas for that awkward space above your kitchen cabinets” may or may not be a good idea. lol)

It was very quick and easy project – I just picked up a quart of very black paint (with primer mixed in) and got started. I selected a semi gloss to balance it with the shiny black appliances and also to reflect light. Then the fun part – painting! I swear painting is therapy.

On the side of the island that has cabinets and drawers, I removed them (along with all hardware), lightly sanded them and painted two coats.

The entire project took less than one day, and I love how the island now plays nicely with the black appliances and are no longer trying to steal the attention!

Much more of a modern feel than the traditional oak.

Now I’m eyeing the rest of the cabinets – hmmmm – should I?

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Welcome back Guest Poster Samantha Peters! She is a blogger who enjoys writing about ways to turn rooms within a house into more usable and enjoyable spaces.  She currently lives in San Diego, California with her dog. I love her thoughtful considerations as to what makes up the tone of a room.

When you walk into your living room, what do you think? What feeling does this room create in you, a positive sense of comfort or an adverse feeling of alienation or claustrophobia? In the home design world, there is much talk about the “tone” or “energy” of a room, meaning the general feel one gets upon entering the space.

Rather than an immersion into the supernatural, this term refers more to the mise-en-scene the totality of different elements that come into play. These usually include light, flooring, form, color and furniture/furnishings. All of these elements combined dictate the “energy” of your room and this energy can define the experience of your living space.

Here are five ways to define the tone of your room:

1. Light

Whether a room is flooded with a preponderance of external natural light from windows or is bathed in artificial lamplight, how you choose to light a room makes a huge difference on the overall feel. Do you want a lambent, shadowy, mysterious glow or a welcoming and even light? It also matters how the lighting pairs with the color scheme of a room.

2. Flooring

The flooring you use will meld with the light and other elements, but is distinctively important on its own. Your initial decision is between hardwoods and carpets. The latter is cheaper and can usually be implemented quicker. Carpet stores also generally have more options for pattern and texture customization so that you can match the color and style of your furniture without breaking the bank. Area rugs are also a good option as they can help to sectionalize a room, add secondary color, and protect your hardwoods.

3. Form

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Form refers to the general shape of a room and architectural interests: wall dimensions, ceiling height, geometric structure, etc. For example, a low-ceiling, spherical room is going to feel different than a hexagonal room. There are ways to manipulate the form of a room with mirrors and furniture placement. Mirrors are often used to enhance the dimensions of a room, making it seem more spacious. Furniture placement also can subjetively increase the size of a room and open up more pathways, making it easier to move around.

4. Color

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Color, as we know, contributes a lot to the tone of a room in a very subjective way. Interestingly, color can be used architecturally. Try using a slightly lighter or darker shade on the doorway or molding over your main wall. Or use two different colors in the same room. OR, try a copper or bronze tone to add dimensions to arhitecturally versatile room.

5. Furniture and furnishings

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These two can generally be paired together when considering the “tone” of the room. Furniture size, placement and aesthetic touch is often heavily dependent on furnishings like lamps, plants, rugs, mirrors and decorations.

Next time you’re designing a room, consider the interplay of these five elements. You don’t necessarily have to get an interior decorator, but if you’re aiming for a particular room tone, or “energy,” you’ll need to carefully combine lighting and flooring with the form and furnishings of a room.

So here’s a challenge, walk through the rooms of your home, and try to define what each room’s tone is. Is there a room you’d like to change? Try some of Sam’s ideas! Also, follow her on Twitter!

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More Lion Fun Here!

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Do you have a wall you just don’t know what to do with? Large and/or odd shaped walls sections can be challenging to decorate.

Rather than search high and low for a piece of art to fit your exact space, why not create a unique collection of items with a custom arrangement of smaller pieces perfect for your awkward space? You’ll have much more flexibility with scale.

Because the pieces are smaller, you can fit them to what you need. You can go repetitive for a more contemporary feel, or create a vignette much like a flower designer would. It’s a great way to incorporate your own personality into your display.

I was inspired when I visited the Global Views showroom at the Las Vegas Winter Market. Yes, they have many beautiful things, but what stood out to me was how they arranged unique pieces on walls.

First, I want to show you how you can use repetitive sculptures on your wall.  Great way to add a bit of whimsy, and create a great conversation piece!

Or, if these guys creep you out, how about some bowls, plates or mirrors artfully displayed?

Or, how about some flower power for color and splash?

If you want to get a bit more crazy, how about animal noses? I saw these at the Cyan showroom (but not sure where you can order them). Just find a nose you like and spray paint them any color you would like.

If you’re interested in learning more about these pieces (except for the animal noses), you can see wall art and sculptures at Global View’s website. But to purchase for yourself, you’ll need to find a retailer in your area. You can also follow them on Pinterest – many interesting items!

So if finding the right wall art has you climbing the walls, think outside the box and create a wall as unique as you are!

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More lion outfits on Pinterest.

Any suggestions for Saint Patrick’s Day?

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A big “thanks” to Bahram from Dulles Glass and Mirrors for this post! I’m all for anyone with suggestions for making spring cleaning fun and interesting! Get out that Windex and look for ways to add sparkle to your home with these great tips that go beyond smoke and mirrors!

Spring is approaching, and with it comes the boring ritual that has become spring cleaning. This year, in addition to the mundane scrubbing, why not liven up some drab areas of your home with a little sleight-of-hand sparkle. Here are five tips using mirrors and glass that will add a touch of brightness to any room, without expensive remodeling. Guaranteed to be a lot more fun than using a mop!

1. Discover Mirrored Tile

When it comes to decorative mirrors, you can’t just throw the average mirror on a wall and call it a day – chances are it won’t be big enough to really make a difference in a dark room. Large designer mirrors are expensive and heavy, and usually require a professional to install.

This is where mirrored tile really shines, pardon the pun. Available in a wide variety of sizes and colors, mirrored tiles are reasonably priced and make a great DIY weekend project. The 12×12 or 18×18 are best for wall projects; the smaller mosaic sizes are great for backsplashes and similarly sized areas. Create a large rectangular shape over your sofa, or get creative with a 4′ by 4′ diamond shape. Transform that tiny dining room by mirroring an entire wall. Create a faux floor mirror complete with frame. Use your imagination – mirror tiles are extremely versatile!

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2. Get Framed

A less permanent way to create a large “mirror” is to use a grouping of smaller square or rectangular mirrors in identical, clean-lined frames. Black frames work for a wide variety of design themes, including traditional, modern or home offices. Use silver or gold frames for formal or Art Deco looks, and white frames for cottage, beach or shabby chic styles, or for children’s rooms. Hang them with little or no space between the frames – another reason to choose frames with very clean lines. Basic laser-powered levels are available for less than $100 and can help with this sort of precision hanging.

3. Go Skinny

An even easier option is to choose a grouping of long, narrow mirrors. This is a fantastic way to create a foyer or entranceway where you don’t have one, or wherever space is limited. Two or three mirrors are best; any more and it starts to make the wall look cluttered and disjoint. This also looks terrific over a sofa or in a narrow hallway.

4. Open Up Some Doors

Is your kitchen outdated and dark? You probably already know that you can lighten the place up by painting ugly cabinets a light color. But not all cabinetry is an eyesore – a lot of it is made from exquisite woods and is quite beautiful. If you love your cabinets but have grown tired of the endless expanse of wood, put that paint brush down and consider replacing all-wood doors with wood framed glass doors, especially on upper cabinets. It’s not necessary to replace every door – sometimes just a few change-outs can make a big difference.

5. Corral Your Clutter

Doors with glass fronts allow you to see what you’re storing – which may or may not be a good thing. Make even the most ordinary things appear more interesting by storing them in glass containers. A collection of various pasta shapes and beans stored in an assortment of simple glass jars adds sparkle on the shelf and is a lot more interesting to look at than a row of boxes. The same holds true for buttons, pushpins, nails, paperclips, loose change and more -the list is truly endless. You don’t even have to buy new containers – just wash out and reuse old spaghetti sauce, pickle and jam jars. Crafty types can take it a step further and fashion fabric tops for the lids, but this isn’t necessary.

With a little imagination, you’ll be surprised what glass and mirrors can do for your space!

About the Author

Bahram Nasehi is a Vice President and partner at Dulles Glass and Mirror. He is instrumental in the developement and manufacturing of custom cut glass products including wall and bathroom mirrors, vanity mirrors and glass shower doors.

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