Designtology

Falling into Fall - End of Summer recap

Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2013

I took this lovely shot. I love seeing the colors change in the fall, don't you?

I can't believe that it's almost fall...again! Is it just me or does it feel like we were just in October a few months ago? Is there some mega force that is making us spin faster and our days go quicker?? I wonder....

In the meantime I'll readily admit- I love the fall. Maybe it's the color changing of the trees, the brisk and crisp weather, the comfyness of sweaters...or that I just keep missing summer...but either way, it's coming no matter which way you spin it and I'm ready to embrace it.

This fall is particularly exciting because I will be taking part of so many great projects such as;

my first tiling project
repurposing furniture projects
apple picking
a ton of volunteering- Habitat for Humanity is one
stamping, stenciling and cutting projects
making new lighting fixtures

Well, I suppose apple picking might not qualify as an actual "project" but I'm excited about it still as this will be my first year going! (Another thing that I keep happening to miss over the years.)

As for the others, remember when I scored these awesome tiles? Well they are going up! I've been debating if I wanted to use them in the bathroom or the kitchen and I've think I've decided on some kitchen action. Considering that the surface is a excellent shape and surface and location, it's bound to make the kitchen one of the spiffiest rooms in the house!

In the meantime I have been doing a lil here-and-there projects, mainly with paint

Even the Little L is helping out.

K Marsh

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In closet office pint-sized small spaces

Small Spaces with Huge Potential; Pint-Sized Offices

Posted on Monday, February 18, 2013

If there is one thing that I've learned from living in cities is that there are always going to be space limitations. Just trying to squeeze a living room and a bedroom into a studio can be a challenge, let alone a work or an office space From those who solely work out of their home, to kids working on their homework, to workaholic moms who work on the same table while their son creates a masterpiece (a-hem), it's almost a necessity to have a place to organize yourself, gather your thoughts and to get some work done.

This being said one of the best and easiest solutions to creating a home office starts with a simple conversion of even the smallest space; a closet! While many of us use our closets as storage for the many worn (and many new and forgotten) clothes that we have stowed away, when taken into prospective and revamped with a bit of creativity, simple furnishings and shelves can turn even the smallest space into a functional home office!

This closet (left) was transformed with a little pink paint, lighting and compact desk gives this space an organized yet chic feel.
(via Curbly)

These are some great examples that I've found these of cramped closets turned to cool offices.

via BlissTree

via Guilt-FreeGourmet

via Kelly Rae Roberts

via Indie Pretty Projects

via Latest Furniture Trends

via The Old Painted Cottage

via bhg.com

via Pinterest

So here are some great solutions for turning your closet from cramped to cozy!

Add shelving. Taking full advantage of available wall space by installing SHELVES or a shelving system. You can even mix and match wood and wire shelves and maintain the harmony by adding matching STORAGE BINS.
Dress up your focal wall. Add character can easily be achieved by using a simple yet decorative WALLPAPER. It is not necessary to wall paper the entire closet either. Simply add to the back wall to give it a bit of interest.
Remove those closet doors. While I personally perfect to close off an office (out of sight, out of mind) you can rid of the closet doors completely and substitute with DRAPERIES (Not curtains, curtains are for kitchens). From solid colors to the many fun prints, you can add a little pizzazz and still keep the privacy of your new home office.
KIS (Keep It Stylish). Don't let your new office feel like an office cubicle, add color! Now keep it mind to not go too crazy. This is an office therefor it would be best to work with simple and cohesive color schemes. This will help your office looking organized and clean. It will also make it feel even bigger.
Let there be light! Many closets are built with very small and unattractive lights, if any at all! There are many simple light fixtures that you could use from IKEA HANGING LAMPS, to small TABLE LAMPS that should add suitable lighting for your work space
Chic your seat. While your office chair can be multi-functional and you could potentially just pull it from outside given the amount of space you have, chose a seat that is comfortable and fits the tone of your office. Remember, this is a chair you will potentially be for quite a few hours mulling away at, it mine as well be one that you enjoy all that time.

K Marsh

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Fun With Snow: Part Two

Posted on Monday, February 11, 2013

So after posting my last blog about the beauty of snow I couldn't stop finding more gorgeous photos of snow and nature, so I had to write another. Living in the city, so far from nature, can almost make you forget the beauty and awe that is in so many places on Earth. Thank goodness for the internets!

Two different snowy trails, both wintery and lovely.

Though I am excited for this too...

K Marsh

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Pinterest of the Weekend- DIY Dressers

Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2013

I love creative DIY projects, especially lovely dresser makeovers.

Loving this black bureau with the accented white pulls.

While I haven't had a chance to create anything new recently, the need to replace my current bedroom dresser has got itching to work on a custom one for my own. So over the last few days I've been searching for that perfect six-drawer dresser that just needs a little love and a fresh coat of paint.

Naturally I have been raiding Pinterest for inspiration and have come across some really beautiful examples of DIY done perfectly!

Here are a few chic yet simple diy dresser makeovers that I've come across so far:

Enjoying how the gold pulls work with this opulent sunburst mirror!

How chic! Gold edging and matching pulls give this a travelers luggage feel!

Using painters tape and crystal knobs makes for a simple yet dramatic redo.

Fun with decals.

Another great dresser using white pulls.

A numbered dresser. Perfect for staying organized!

photos via Pinterest

These projects have definitely got me pumped. While I plan on keeping the design on my dresser simple and modern, once completed I would love to try some of these ideas on yet another one! I think I know the perfect spot for it, too! The search continues!

K Marsh

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Snowmazing! Beautiful Pics of Snow

Posted on

Lil Pumpkin making snow angels after the storm

So while I was born in the January, I would dare to say that I am far from being a "winter baby". While I am sure that ski trips and icebergs are great and all, I would prefer a nice sandy beach, blue waters and 80 degree weather over snow any day. At the same time, I can't deny the hint of excitement I felt when I was hearing of the impending, "epic" snow storm Nemo that was heading our way last week. Perhaps it's all the drastic changes of the seasons these years (*cough* global warming *cough*) but not having a traditional and snowy winter I was even, suffice to say, excited about the storm! And while I might not be the biggest fan of ice cold fingers and toes, little Pumpkinhead loves every single flake.

Of course once I woke in the morning and began to survey the aftermath of Nemo, I was relieved that instead of finding myself burrow out the front door and finding a wild winter wonderland, instead everything was nicely coated with a pillowy layer of perfect snowball, snow angle snow.

While this blizzard fulfills my winter/snow quota for the rest of the season, it was a great reminder of the wonderful beauty and purity of snow. Between snow covered cities, to sculptures (being natural or manmade) to places where snow lives all year around, all are wonderful reminders of the many beautiful forms of Mother Nature.

Here is a mini collection of photos showing he different types of snow from simple city snow to snowcapped mountains

City snow

These Juhyou snow mountains from Japan remind me of Dr. Seuss lands.

courtesy of oddity central
These architectural ice feats were part of the annual ice festival in China. So much hard work and details from amazing sculpture artist.