Stone seats, the building process.

A few months back I wrote a post 'Stone Chairs. Some ancient some not so ancient…Yet….' in which I mentioned that one of my favorite things to build are stone seats. Well here is a stone seating area I have just completed and the process I used to create it.

So recently a lady in down in Co. Kildare asked me if I could transform this old area of her garden into one of my stone seating areas, so of course I was only too happy to oblige.

My delivery of stone.

So when the old material has been removed, the risers are built up.

For the top of the seats I often use big chunky slabs of stone like this (if I can get them). Depending on their weight, sometimes I need to get a mini digger to move them into place. However as there was a little movement in these ones, I decided to move them into place the old fashioned way, by using round timber stakes and leverage. It is hard going, but there is something very satisfying about doing it all by hand.

So when the seat tops are finished it is time to make the backs of the seats. This is the part that truly makes each seat unique.

When possible, I will actually go to the stone quarry and walk around and pick out the stone myself for a project. Unfortunately it has become increasingly difficult to find quarries that will let you loose in the quarry to go around picking out stone, as they are worried about getting sued.

So in this case I was unable to pick the stone myself, so I had to give a very detailed shopping list of exactly what I needed. This brought its own challenges, as you have to work with what you are given.

I try not to alter the stone too much, as I like to keep the natural edges of the stone. This way you keep all the stone's imperfections, keeping the whole thing looking more organic.

Laying the stone out on the ground I work out the layout for the backs of the seats. 

It is good to do this beforehand as once you get the stone in place, you really don't want to be moving it again.

Over the years you do learn some clever ways of moving large pieces of stone around without breaking your back. With pieces like this I walk them into place by rotating them on one corner, then doing the same with the other, slowly edging forward.

When all the main backing stones are in place, the smaller stones can be built up in between as can the stone around the back of the larger slabs.

And that's it, piece of cake really!

Well maybe not, it is hard work but it is also very rewarding work. Creating something unique and artistic like this can totally transform a garden and can be enjoyed for centuries to come!

Southern Seaside Style

These folks in South Carolina don't exactly live seaside (although according to the map, they're a heck of a lot closer than I am!) but you'd never know it from their charming home photographed by Laurey W. Glenn and featured in Southern Living. I swear I'm hearing waves after looking at all those breezy porches! That swinging daybed?! I WANT ONE! I love all those shutters so much too, you just don't see them up here in Minnesota. We do have screened-in porches though, in fact mine is kinda like that last image. But I love how they have draperies made from waterproof sailcloth in theirs. My cute throw pillows and I could have used those during this nasty storm we had a few days ago! For more on this delightful home, head over to Southern Living! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! :)

Container Gardening for Vegetables

They say that good things come in small packages. It is absolutely fine if you do not have a big, spacious garden where you can plant vegetables. Who said you cannot have a beautiful garden if that is the case? All you need is an avid interest in gardening and the readiness to take care of the garden. One way to fulfill your interest in gardening inspite of not having a big garden is to do container gardening. Container gardening refers to gardening done in a pot or a vessel. It does not take a lot of space and there are many vegetables which are well-suited to container gardening. In case you were thinking on those lines, may be something about container gardening for vegetables is what you are looking for.
Vegetable Gardening in Containers
Have a pail or a flower pot or wire baskets or buckets or wooden boxes or even large food cans? If yes, then it is perfect for container vegetable gardening! Grab whatever you have amongst these to start with. Make sure that the container you choose has a wide mouth and not a narrow one. The size of the container of course depends upon the vegetable you pick. However, preferably containers measuring around 24 - 30 inches are considered good for container gardening. If the pots are too small, the roots would not get space and they would dry out quickly. A 5 gallon container is good enough for larger vegetables like tomatoes and eggplants. As you do it you would get better container gardening ideas.
Although a good number of vegetables can adapt to this kind of vegetable container gardening, it is better to have an idea of the vegetables that fit the bill. Carrots, radishes and lettuce, or crops that bear fruits, such as tomatoes and peppers are good options to consider in relation to container gardening for vegetables. This is a very important container gardening tip.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GARDEN TOOLS REQUIRED FOR GARDENING

Garden tools are the equipments required for various gardening jobs. Lots of gardening tools are used for gardening and the number of tools you will require for gardening will generally depend on the type of garden and the specific gardening job. You will have to take other environmental factors also in consideration such as soil condition, strength required to plough the garden, plants you are interested to grow in the garden etc.
Majority of the tools you will need for gardening include hand tools, power tools, cutting tools, pruning tools, wheelbarrows, watering tools, etc and all these tools are available online as well as in nearby stores.
Hand Tools:
• Majority of people having small garden commonly use these tools. These are quite simple garden tools and are in use since a long time.
• The common types of hand tools are spade, garden rake, garden fork, trowel, hoe etc. All these are simply used for landscaping the garden or growing vegetables or flowers in the garden.
• You should choose a particular size of the hand tool, as these are available in various sizes. Depending on your strength you can select the right one. Avoid too heavy or too light hand tool.
• You will commonly require spade, shovel, hoe and forks. You should also consider other factors for selecting the right hand tool.
Power Tools:
• You will require power tools if your garden is comparatively bigger or you want to use minimum muscular strength for gardening.
• These garden tools are useful for landscaping and growing vegetables
• The most common power tool used by the people is tiller or rotary tiller.
• Tiller blades are useful in making soil loose so that gardening job becomes easy.
• There are two models available of tillers and these are front-tines and rare-tines and if you have a small garden, front-tines tiller will be the best choice for you.
Other garden tools:
• You will additionally require pruning or cutting tools especially if you want to grow plants and vegetables.
So, a number of garden tools are available but you might not require all of them. For an efficient, easy and enjoyable and safe gardening use correct type of garden tools.

MODERN GOTHIC INTERIOR DESIGN

In the modern times, Gothic designs are used to give a dramatic and striking look to the interiors. Colors to be chosen for walls need to have deep hues. The most commonly used colors are ruby red, blue, gold, dark green and violet. The golden color is added for brightening the appearance. It is interspersed between other colors. The tapestries and wall hangings used have a rich/opulent look. Though it is common to paint the wall in black color as per the Gothic style, the idea needs to be give a second thought before it is applied. This color makes the appearance of the room much smaller. More number of paint coats are needed. This type of painting also reveals the tiny bumps and imperfections in the wall. Windows Decorating the windows is an important part of in Gothic style designing. Curtains to be used for windows should always be full-sized. Heavy and soft fabrics are recommended; damasks, brocades and velvets can be used for curtains. Again, the colors used for curtains need to have deep hues. Furniture Wrought iron and hardwood furniture is a special feature of Gothic style designing. The bed heads and chair backs need to have the typical pointed arch design found in the Gothic style. Wrought iron furniture includes decorative items such as chandelier and sconces used for candles. Accessories needed to give a Gothic look to the interiors include decorative boxes, metal glasses, pitchers (drinking ware), etc. Wall hangings and lamps are also required for a special Gothic look.

DESINGNING KITCHEN WITH BRIGHT COLORS

The most important aspect in designing a country kitchen is the color scheme of the kitchen. For country kitchen designs, it is the bright and bold colors that hold supreme. You cannot go wrong with colors like brown, tan and rust which are the earth tones. The biggest advantage of designing a country kitchen from color point of view is that you can choose vibrant colors like tomato red, verdant green, cobalt blue and purple for the walls and ceilings of the kitchen. If you are not very comfortable having bright colors in the kitchen, you can go for more soothing soft ocean colors like sea green and turquoise blue. These bright colors in the kitchen can be very well combined with cabinets and countertops in off white, ivory and beige. Some colors should be strictly avoided in country kitchen designs and these are gray and black. The kitchen can also be wallpapered in bright stripes or floral motif to give it the right rustic look and ambiance. Country kitchen designs are incomplete without the right type of flooring. Flooring should not only be natural and eco-friendly, but it should also help to give an open and airy feeling. The best flooring for a country kitchen is wood flooring in a soft color. You can also incorporate a laid back country feel by installing natural stone tiles that come in different textures and finishes. Placing a beautiful area rug on the kitchen flooring adds a nice touch to the overall decor. More on kitchen flooring options. The most important aspect of a country kitchen is the window treatment. Make charming gingham patterned half curtains for kitchen windows with scalloped lace edging. For good country kitchen curtain ideas, you can also choose curtains in bright floral print like yellow or blue to give the kitchen a rustic feel. Display planter boxes outside the window sills or decorate your kitchen by placing a pot of fresh flowers like daisies and peonies. You can also place a small mini herb in containers that will not only be useful in the kitchen but also look appealing.

LIVING ROOM FURNITURE LAYOUT IDEAS

This being the primary area of a house, how to arrange living room furniture is a common question asked by people. Firstly, you need a proper conversation area. Creating a 'U' or say a 'C' shaped sitting area is the best idea. Many go for an 'L' shaped area with is much inconvenient. For this you can either have a 'C' shaped sofa to fill up a spacious area. Compliment it with a set of same colored throw pillows and rug. You can also go for an 'L' shaped sofa and get a set of 2 - 3 chairs that can be placed together. Next, living room furniture layout idea is to focus on the focal area. Focal point is the best piece of the entire room. This can be the entertainment center, a fireplace mantel or the bay window. So place the sofas and other seating units facing this focal point. Next important point is to keep the entrance free, do not place any furniture right at the entrance. Placing the largest piece of furniture first and then playing with rest of the pieces is an easier way of deciding the layout. One of the family room furniture layout ideas is to place the entertainment center first and then arrange rest of the pieces. For the living room, coordinating the colors of curtains or blinds, rugs, carpet runners, pillows and rest of the furnishing with each other and with the wall paint colors as well is important.

Capri Tiberio Palace

If only I could hop over to Capri twice in one month in real life too! Today we're back on the beautiful island, this time visiting the beautiful hotel Capri Tiberio Palace. This chic five-star boutique hotel just received a stylish makeover by fashion designer turned architect Giampiero Panepinto. These photos taken by Giulio Oriani were recently featured in Elle Decoration as well as Men’s Mentore. I love how they're all touched by the turquoise reminiscent of the amazing views off the private balconies. Have any of you ever been to Capri?? It looks like an incredible place to visit! (And I wouldn't mind to spend my nights here either!)

POND WATER TREATMENTS MAKE HOME GARDENS HEALTHY

Ponds are great features that add elegance and luxury to any garden. A garden affixed with a gently rippling pond is both relaxing and serene. Many Japanese gardens have ponds that are stocked with exotic fish and radiant plant life. Watching ponds such as these can put you in a trance-like state of calm.
Garden ponds have become popular because of the extra touch they add to homes and yards. However, to keep a healthy and abundant pond, you will need to apply pond water treatments. Pond water treatments help maintain the correct PH level needed to keep pond life alive and thriving. They also assist in maintaining algae levels and keeping parasites from taking over. The biggest challenge for the avid gardener: how to care for a water garden?
A healthy pond is one that is not stagnant, but has some flow of water. A pond that remains still will develop mold and increase the carbon dioxide levels, causing other pond life to die. In addition, if vegetation should fall into the pond and decay, the oxygen in the water will be used up, causing a deadly situation for fish. As you know, fish survive by breathing the water's oxygen through their gills. With a limited and diminishing supply of oxygen, the fish will perish.
Filters can be placed in ponds to correctly dispose of excess plant life that may disturb the balance of the pond. Fish water treatments can be applied to ensure your fish are healthy and live as long as possible. Clogged pumps and filters can be harmful to fish since the flow of the water is blocked. This is why it is important to regularly clean and empty any clogs that occur.
In order to have successful water gardens, you must understand the basics of caring for your pond. Once you understand how to maintain a healthy pond, you can enjoy the gifts it has to offer. Ponds are very therapeutic and can increase the value of your home. They offer an oasis right in your own backyard, where you can sit and spend time alone or with your family.
Several books on pond water treatments have been written. If you are thinking of building a pond, you should do some preliminary research at your local bookstore. Or, if it is more convenient for you, look online for tips on how to maintain a thriving pond. It may take a few tries, but eventually, you will have the peaceful pond you've always wanted.

DESIGN A SMALL ROOM IN YOUR HOME

If you are living in house having smaller area, you might find decorating it a tough task. Many a times small spaces leave less options for interior decoration. You find that there is much lesser scope to beautify this area. Well, if you are searching for some interior design ideas for small spaces, then let me tell you that there are many for you! Interior decorating plans for small spaces need to be worked upon smartly. The focus must be on increasing the storage space and reducing the unnecessary objects occupying the area in order to make it look more roomy. So here are some interior design ideas for small spaces.

Furniture and Storage for Small Spaces

For interior design ideas for small living room, first you need to concentrate on making it look more spacious. Most of the times guest will only see your living room. Moreover, it's the main area, hence, should be well organized as this create an image of the entire house. Keeping the furniture to minimal is one of the important interior design ideas for small spaces. A single couch would be enough. Adding a backless single seat chair is a good idea. You can opt for two small side tables with storage space instead of a large center table which will occupy a lot of space. Go for compact pieces. Instead of the space occupying leather couch, you can opt for simple wrought iron furniture. These have thin rods and will not give a blocking effect. Wall mount for television set is a great idea. Fix some floating shelves around it to arrange the music system and speakers.

One of the interior design ideas for small kitchens is to have a lot of shelves on either sides of the countertop to store the necessary items. You can also have a foldable dining table which can be opened when required. The needed chairs can be placed in the patio for rest of the time.

One of the space saving ideas and tips is to have each piece of furniture with some storage space. Like opting for trundle beds or double beds with storage. A trendy wall paneling pattern for an entire wall of the bedroom with storage space inside is a wonderful idea. This will help you give a lot of storage and at the same time appear as a stylish wall design spicing up the bedroom decor Another decorating tips for interior decorating is to have a large mirror on the wall opposite the window to create the illusion of space. Having multipurpose furniture is one of the useful interior design ideas for small spaces. Read more about

Painting and Furnishing for Small Spaces Take off those wall decoratingitems to have a plain and wide wall. Don't have more than one frame for a wall. You can opt for a single rectangular frame for beautifying the wall, instead of 3-4 small ones which give a cluttered look. You can opt to have wall art pieces on the narrow pillars and smartly accessorize your rooms. Remember that painting the ceiling in white or egg-white color is a must for small spaces. Try to keep the walls in white color as far as possible. You can opt for soft tones instead of vibrant shades. If you are wondering that white is a boring color to go for, let me tell you that having a mix of matching and contrast furniture will instantly help spruce up the look. Light reflecting glossy paint colors are best for small spaces. One of the decorating is to opt for matching paint color to the furnishings to create a spacious effect. A light reflecting white flooring is the best interior design ideas for small bathrooms and the entire home as well. Having a single line contrasting tile border will give a pretty look to the area.

Annie Ballantine

When I first saw this den designed by Annie Ballantine Designs (straight out of Minneapolis, yay!) I was immediately taken with the fabulous Roman shades. Not only that whimsical fabric (by Cowtan & Tout), but the curved detail and beautiful trim at the base. Of course the wall color (Benjamin Moore Affinity “Azores” AF-495) only makes it that much better! Ooh, and that ottoman...love! Check out Annie's site here, but for more good stuff head over to her blog!

Another Dreamy Sleeping Nook

Talk about a lucky girl! Thanks to Sweet Home Style, I didn't miss seeing this adorable space that Apartment Therapy featured belonging to Mary, who is now a freshman in college. When she was young she never wanted to sleep in her own bed. As a solution, her mom and aunt decided to build her this special little sleeping nook for her 8th birthday. Even though the room has a childish feel, she says she never grew out of it. Understandably Mary was recently devastated to learn her parents were selling her childhood home, but was comforted knowing that the family moving in had two little girls who were mesmerized by the beautiful and cozy room. I don't blame them...it's truly mesmerizing, isn't it? Love those floors and ceiling too!

Home Interior Decorating

We all love beautiful things. So, our homes must be the one of them, and therefore, the home décor is very important. Most of us enjoy making our homes more than a mere structure made up of four walls and a roof. Home decor styles range from a number of themes, designs, and materials.
While planning your home decor project, you can either opt for the theme being implemented throughout the house or use one specific theme for a specific room. For example, a house was once designed in such a way that each room was decorated with the styles of the different countries the home owner had visited. All rooms included authentic art and furniture from each visited country.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT BENEFIT FROM MORE ROOM IN YOUR HOME

Whether you live in a rural area or a city, you can easily run out of room in your home. Especially when you've lived in your home for a long time, belongings add up quickly and can soon take up a lot of space. So what can you do when you have little space left but you don't want to move to a larger house?
Added value
Remodeling your basement is a great option and it costs much less than adding an addition on to your home. It gives you additional space in your home, without the great cost and mess that come with a home addition.
Think about it - your home sits on top of a foundation with a lot of unfinished space in between the two. Since that space already exists, walls, ceilings and floors don't have to be constructed from scratch, like they would on an addition. That seems a bit easier and cost-effective than starting over on an addition, doesn't it?
What will buyers say?
Plus, when you go to sell your home, buyers like seeing a remodeled basement because they know they won't have to take on that expense and work of finishing the basement. It's space they can use as living area instead of just unfinished storage. This means more usability and function in the home. With a remodeled basement, home buyers get a complete package instead of an unfinished home.
Reputable basement finishing companies also feature a transferable warranty with their basement finishing system. This means that when you do sell your home, the warranty gets transferred to the next owner. Potential homeowners also benefit from you getting your basement remodeled by a contractor with lasting value. This translates into dollars and cents when you sell your home and depending on the real estate market, could possibly earn you some money, too.
Another thing you want to look for in a basement finishing contractor is their use of waterproof materials to finish basements. Since basements are below-ground spaces, they are naturally moist and humid places. This means that water can permeate basements and with traditional drywall, can create mold and mildew problems.
Do I need a dehumidifier in my finished basement?
A finished basement is still a basement - meaning it's still underground and has moisture pressing on it from all sides, including the floor. Because of this, the humidity is naturally high and a dehumidifier is advisable. But most people don't want an ugly dehumidifier in the middle of their beautiful finished basement. Instead, you can have the contractors install the dehumidifier in an unfinished portion of your basement and have it ducted into the finished part of the basement. This way, you get the benefits of the dehumidifier throughout the space, but without the eyesore and noise the machine presents in the beautiful space.
These tips will help you get the finished basement you've dreamed of without the hassle of having to do it again due to mold and bad information.

Ultra Modern Armchairs and Sofas

Contemporary Sofas and Armchairs

Modern Sofa

Ultra Modern Sofa Design
Contemporary Sofa Design




Modern Sofa


Ultra Modern Sofa Design
Contemporary Sofa Design


Ultra modern sofa is what really makes a welcoming living room. The modern sofa should be comfortable not only the body but also enjoys the senses with an attractive and stylish vision.Design of modern sofas presented in the article were made by Italian furniture company and offer a perfect combination of fashion and function. The interesting ultra modern sofa design is panels inserted between the soft seats upholstered in luxurious leather.




Ultra Modern Sofa

Ultra Modern Sofa Design
Contemporary Sofa Design

Timber, cut in convenient surface does not affect the harmonious and elegant vision of the seats on the contrary - add to the rustic chic minimalist modern design. The base of the modern sofa and stool is made of natural iron, but also available in shiny chrome. Ultra modern sofas are available in several different configurations and sizes, so easy to choose the one that best matches the interior of your living room.




Modern Sofa


Ultra Modern Sofa Design
Contemporary Sofa Design




Contemporary Sofa

 Ultra Modern Sofa Design
Contemporary Sofa Design

Contemporary Armchairs
Modern Armchairs Design
Contemporary Armchairs Design

Modern armchairs have a very simple but really intriguing form which will be a real jewel of the interior. You can choose between the contemporary armchair and abstract artistic oval, with or without armrests. Unique look stylish contemporary armchairs grouped in calls for comfortable configuration, but of course, used singly, they will be a strong focal point in the situation. If you look stylish and modern furniture for your living room or bedroom, can safely trust the vision of such exquisite furniture.



Contemporary Armchairs

Modern Armchairs Design
Contemporary Armchairs Design



Modern Armchairs

Modern Armchairs Design
Contemporary Armchairs Design



Modern Armchairs

Modern Armchairs Design
Contemporary Armchairs Design



Modern Armchairs
Modern Armchairs Design
Contemporary Armchairs Design