Pfister Faucets: To Protect And Conserve In Sustainable WaterSense Style

Happy Earth Day! April 22, 1970 was the first Earth Day, and the celebration of the environmental awareness has continued each year since. My darling mother’s father preached water conservation to her from an early age, and that conservation conversation is had on a frequent basis here at Places In The Home. Also from reading this blog you may know that my favorite travel destination and desert oasis is Las Vegas. Water conservation is indeed a big concern for Las Vegas, which sits in the middle of the Mojave Desert. I distinctly remember a conversation I had with an engineer from Las Vegas on a flight out to the desert. His firm worked on the concept, building, and installation of The Fountains of Bellagio. He explained to me how the water recycled from a well beneath the property for conservation and earth friendly responsibility. Kudos, Bellagio!

Bellagio – Las Vegas

As I am considering replacing the not in use at the moment dressing area sink faucet set in the master bathroom, I am taking a few things into consideration. High on my list is water conservation, savings, reducing energy consumption, and as always- sustainable style.

The Virtue Widespread Bath Faucet from Pfister is the stylish and logical choice, all things better for the environment considered. With its brushed nickel finish, unique texture and elegant attention to detail, the Virtue Widespread Bath Faucet satisfies my desired function meets form meets style requirement.

The Virtue is WaterSense Certified, meaning it meets or exceeds EPA WaterSense Standards, which reduces water consumption by 30% and helps average households save up to $200 in their annual water bill, will satisfy my darling mother’s water conserving requirement. It’s a win-win situation for Earth Day and everyday, baby!

Indira™ Kitchen Faucet

The principle of Earth Day and environmental protection is something we strive to practice our daily lives and kitchen and bath decor and fixtures choices.

Kitchen design is only as beautiful as kitchen function. Meet the Indira kitchen faucet from Pfister- a Pfister faucets focal point. Say that three times.

Indira™ Kitchen Faucet

If the need or decorating desire for a new bath or kitchen faucet is in your home improvement future, take a look at the quality faucets and accessories available from Pfister.

Show & Tell

My Roots Are Showing

I’ve been told three times this week my roots are showing.

A homemade drain cleaner, a bottle of Clairol, and a lifetime of wisdom put things in check.

Here’s a glimpse into my roots are showing world.

Your roots of the clogged drain kind are showing and the at home solution to the problem-

When we moved into this house three years ago, right off the bat we had slow to no drainage issues with the bathtub.

The plumbercam scanned the backyard and zeroed in on the culprit- roots.

Those little darlings continue to deal drainage misery from time to time, this past week being one of those times.

As I contemplated waving the white flag of surrender and once again calling a plumber, a quick Google search resulted in a “recipe” for an inexpensive, kid, environment and pet safe unclogging solution that worked like a charm!

It more than likely did not dissolve the root, but it solved the slow drain issue.

DIY Drain Unclogging Solution

¼ cup baking soda

1 cup white vinegar

hot water

Shake ¼ cup of baking soda into the clogged drain. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar over the baking soda in the drain. Let this combination sit and perform unclogging magic for 15-30 minutes. Pour hot water (be careful not to burn yourself) through the drain for a 1-2 minutes.

Your roots of the Clairol kind are showing-

Through the beauty of natural sunlight and a mirror it has been brought to my attention my roots of the Clairol kind are showing.

Problem?

What problem?

If an easy solution of baking soda and vinegar can take care of one root problem, Clairol surely can fix the other.

Remember my advice from a previous post to never miss an opportunity to color your world, especially when your world needs a root touch-up.

Your roots of the what makes you, You kind are showing-

I don’t know about the apple falling far from the tree, but I do know the roots of said tree continue to ground me.

They weave their way through the memories deeply rooted in things like the hobnail cake plate bought on a buying trip with my maternal grandmother, the antiques dealer.

This time of year takes my thoughts back to summers spent in East Tennessee with my paternal grandparents.

My grandmother, the consummate baker, was known for her pound cakes.

There’s no denying my family roots are showing when I follow to the letter her handwritten pound cake recipe.

I know without a shadow of a doubt my roots are showing each and every time the exact life lesson words my parents said to me when I was a kid travel out of my mouth, making a beeline to the ears of my own child.

Who said that?

My roots continue to show when I see my son’s eyes stare back at me in my own reflection in the mirror, and in the conscious decision I make to see only the smiles on the faces of loved ones and old friends rather than the wrinkles, receding hairlines, and extra pounds we face on this side of 50.

Simple products make it easier to alleviate some roots from showing, and wisdom makes it possible and easier to appreciate when the roots that matter most are showing.

Show & Tell

St. Patrick’s Day Decorating With Green

Decorating with green beautifully creates lush and lavish interiors. It’s a classic color that evokes the splendor of the outdoors, four-leaf clovers, St. Patrick’s Day, and the essential recipe for spring.

Shades will vary, however, the beauty delivered from decorating with green never wavers.

Period Living

St. Patrick’s Day decor favorites in gorgeous shades of Erin go Bragh green fill the eye with the color of St. Patrick’s Day.

DecorPad

My Domaine

Studio Mrs

Schumacher Cascadia Wallcovering in Peacock

Inspiration is everywhere!

Commons Wikimedia

Pinterest

Color awakens a space, and decorating with green associates the beauty of nature.

Houzz

Palette balance lends flow which in turn complements the core elements of design and decor.

Live Auctioneers

Adam Wallacavage Lighting

Laurel Home

May what beautifully fills your eye beautifully fill your heart and your home.

Houzz

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Show & Tell

Design Show and Tell

A wonderful opportunity and prospective client may be in my future. It is crazy busy, crazy beautiful at Places In The Home, and I’m loving every minute of it- multitasker extraordinaire that I am.

The world of interior design and home decor is a beautiful place to resource in.

With swatches, fan decks, caffeine patience, eye drops, and Tylenol keeping me company, the moodboards and mock-ups featuring dining room tables and chairs are under design and decor construction.

Dave the Builder knows it serious when I break out my readers.

Love the world wide web contacts and convenience, but computer time wreaks havoc with my eyes!

Anywho, the original concept for this blog remains near and dear to my heart- a design show and tell.

Be steel my heart!

On trend for 2013 is the mix and match styles of dining room tables and chairs.

I discovered the decorative and design impact of this one afternoon at Hopefully Classic, details here.

This option may not fly with the client(s), but I’m considering these metal dining chairs from Masins Furniture Classics Metal Collection.

I have a vintage china cabinet with double arch pediment in storage that is a candidate for an update in the style of this Thomas bookcase in dark grey with antique pearl grey inside from Blanc d’Ivoire.

The beautiful thing about sourcing for potential projects is I never get bored with it, regardless of the outcome.

Keep plugging, keep sourcing, keep stylish, and keep beautiful- the mix and match of life and design.

I’ll share more later of this design show and tell project.

Show & Tell

From Prefab to Post Fab: Customizing Bookcases Part 2

Prefab to post fab customizing bookcases enhancements for that custom built-in look as promised.

Yes, decoristas, you too can build, design and style a better mousetrap (bookcase).

Customizing a bookcase with moldings, panelings, trims and embellishments takes an average, plain and otherwise boring bookcase from prefab drab to post style fab.

Crown and trim moldings easily punctuate the custom look.

Most basic prefab 5-shelf bookcases are approximately 6′ tall, but not all ceiling heights are created equal.

Decorative furniture feet will take the bookcase to new heights.

Waddell Bun Foot || Square Bun Foot || Pumpkin Bun Pine Foot

The custom look is enhanced by adding for example by updating the back of the bookcase.

Beadboard paneling or beadboard pattern wallpaper take the look from common to custom.

The art of customizing bookcases is further enhanced by adding ornamental appliques and onlays.

Ornamental appliques and onlays applied to the front, side or back panels take the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Molding Installation and Applique and Onlay Application Recap:

The bookcase has an assembled height of 71.25 inches.

Decorative molding will have to be cut as it is usually sold in 8 ft lengths.

Measure the selected area of the bookcase where the molding will be placed.

Keep things as simple as you can by marking the area on the molding to be cut with a pencil.

Carefully make the cuts on the molding using a miter saw.

Sand each finished cut with sand paper to smooth edges.

For Top Crown:

Nail the crown molding into place at the top and sides of the unit.

Fill the gaps with caulk and allow to dry for approximately 30 minutes before paint application.

For Appliques and Onlays:

Determine desired placement of applique or onlay.

Apply small beads of Liquid Nails Paneling and Molding Construction Adhesive or a preferred wood glue to the applique or onlay and put in place.

Small bead applications of adhesive or glue will help to prevent it from running out from under the sides when pressure is applied.

Apply pressure for a few minutes to ensure tight adhering.

Armac Martin

Decorative furniture hardware remains one of the most inexpensive and dramatic accent updates known to decoristas.

Inspiring design features are ripe for replication.

A strategically placed decorative pull(s) or door knocker on a front trim, side or back panel takes the piece to custom built-in statement piece status.

We’ll look at how to go from prefab drab to post style fab by creating polished style in the stacks in part 3 appropriately titled From Prefab to Post Fab: Customizing Prefabricated Bookcases Part 3.

Show & Tell

Wiser Words In The Key Of Style

I like how one word can be associated with many different areas.

Life, fashion, interior design, business, music, and writing all assign a sense of style however, I like to focus on the style of home.

I’m not simply referring to decorating and dinner party ideas, the construction, or architecture of a house.

The decor, personality, hospitality within, graciousness, and how we as hosts handle a less than comfortable situation measures the style of home.

Designers, actors, shop owners, one blogger, one musician and two chefs reveal their sense of style through meaningful words.

Biography

“The oldest form of theater is the dinner table.”

– Michael J. Fox, actor & author

Elle Decor

“I learned that passion about objects and furnishings makes for fearless decorators—and that if you are comfortable in your home, everyone else will be too. That sense of authenticity is what gives a home its soul.”

—Courtnay Daniels Haden, interior designer

“Turn off cell phones!”

—Joan Michaels, interior designer

“A room should start a conversation before people actually start exchanging words.”

– Barry Dixon, interior designer

Food and Wine

“Make a home-cooked meal, even if it’s just a bowl of chili and a salad with garlic bread. There’s nothing better than simple and delicious.”

—Lisa Fine, textile designer

“In case of an entertaining crisis, take a deep breath and ask, ‘What would Auntie Mame do?’ If a guest accidentally breaks something, regardless of value, simply say, ‘Thank you. I’ve been looking for a reason to replace that old thing.'”

—Bryan Batt, actor/shop owner

Nuts.com

“When I was in Italy one summer, our hosts served cashews and potato chips in crystal bowls while we sipped Prosecco. It was a revelation: right-out-of-the-bag snacks become sophisticated when they’re served in a gorgeous dish.”

—Stephanie Ballard

“Handwritten thank-you notes after being entertained are a must.”

—Grant K. Gibson, interior designer

Apartment Therapy

“You can never have too many white plates, platters, and bowls.”

—Cheryl Katz, interior designer

“I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face, and great music in the background, because that’s what gets a dinner party off to a fun start.”

–Ina Garten, celebrity chef and author

“In life as in design, it is not perfection you should be after. There’s beauty in the faded and worn, the well loved, and the sentimental…After all, life has seams. Your home should be like a loosely woven fabric of desires, memories, practical, notions, and even compromises.”

–Celerie Kemble, interior designer

Architectural Digest

“When you’re building a room, you’re building character, and character is the strength and wisdom of a home.”

– Rose Tarlow, interior designer

“You should have a picture of yourself as a kid in your home so that you remember where you came from.”

—John Mayer, musician

Digital Food Network

“Kitchens should be designed around what’s truly important—fun, food, and life.”

— Daniel Boulud, chef/restaurateur

“There are two things that make a room timeless: a sense of history and a piece of the future.”

— Charlotte Moss, interior designer

Architectural Digest – Photo by Carlos Domenech

“Real comfort, visual and physical, is vital to every room.”

—Mark Hampton, interior designer

Wise words, a good sense of taste and humor, and impeccable manners are strong anchors in the game of style.

Show & Tell

Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup

I have solved the what’s for dinner problem and warmed the souls here at Places In The Home with this recipe for Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup.

January is National Soup Month, and with January weather sizing up to be crazy cold it’s the perfect time for a simple and hearty bowl of soup.

Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil

2 Tablespoons butter

1 red onion, finely chopped

2 ribs celery, finely chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

2 32 ounce cartons chicken broth

1½ cups cooked white or wild rice

2 skinless chicken breasts, cooked and sliced

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon Kosher salt

½ teaspoon fine ground black pepper

2 Tablespoons white wine

1 cup half and half

Directions

Heat olive oil and butter in a oven over medium heat. Stir in the onion, celery, parsley and carrots. Saute until slightly tender.

Pour in chicken broth, stirring to blend.

Add cooked, sliced chicken, white wine, garlic powder, Kosher salt, and pepper. Turn heat up to medium-high and bring to a slight boil. Reduce heat to low.

Add the cooked rice and half and half, stir to incorporate. Reduce heat to low and allow soup to simmer for at least 1 hour.

Show & Tell

From Prefab to Post Fab: Customizing Prefabricated Bookcases

A basic meet your needs bookcase can be transformed into an anything but basic bookcase in a weekend.

Storage is a universal need from office to home and beyond, and a stylish bookcase or bookcases meets that need and masters the built-in look.

If you don’t have a carpenter on speed dial or the $$$$ for a custom built-in bookcase(s), a DIY project of the customizing prefabricated bookcases kind is the way to go.

IKEA Billy Bookcase

The search for a white prefab bookcase is not a daunting hunt- they are everywhere and affordable.

The South Shore Furniture Freeport Pure White 5-Shelf Bookcase shown above and below is from Home Depot.

At almost 6′ feet tall and an affordable price point, this particular style bookcase is an inexpensive, no frills(yet) great foundation to build upon.

The addition of molding and pre- primed embellishments to the top, base, and sides of the unit will set the designer wheels in motion.

It is amazing how decorative molding, trim, and accents will upgrade the bookcase to designer piece status.

If using more than one unit, screw the pieces together before adding the accents.

Anchoring the bookcase(s) to the wall with “L” brackets will keep the bookcases(s) in place and prevent tipping over.

The bookcase has an assembled height of 71.25 inches.

Decorative molding will have to be cut as it is usually sold in 8 ft lengths.

Measure the selected area of the bookcase where the molding will be placed.

Keep things as simple as you can by marking the area on the molding to be cut with a pencil.

Carefully make the cuts on the molding using a miter saw.

Sand each finished cut with sand paper to smooth edges.

For Top Crown:

Nail the crown molding into place at the top and sides of the unit.

Fill the gaps with caulk and allow to dry for approximately 30 minutes before paint application.

For side trim and accents:

Apply small beads of Liquid Nails Paneling and Molding Construction Adhesive to the molding or accents and put in place.

Apply pressure for a few minutes to ensure tight adhering.

Once the shelves are in their desired positions, you may want to consider covering all or some of the exposed peg holes and any other exposed screw holes.

Using a putty knife, apply Bondo Home Solutions All-Purpose Putty over each hole to fill and cover.

Smooth away excess with putty knife.

Allow to dry (approximately 45 minutes) and sand the area smooth.

All needed materials for this step are available at home improvement, hardware, and big box stores.

Now we’re ready to take things to the next phase of decorative wow factor.

Stay tuned for more ideas, suggestions, and resource information.

Show & Tell