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City Tile: Patios? Pati-Ohhs!

Posted by samantha on Aug 12, 2014 in What I've Done

Today’s patios are more than just concrete squares that extend from the back of the house. They are more than wood decks.

Trends for modern patios include unique focal points, including staircases, garden features, fire pits, and more, all creating a new space that adds character, and more room, to your home.

You may want to make more of your yard or deck, but don’t know where to begin to create a cozy nook for your family to entertain or just veg out in the evenings. You have to know how you are going to utilize your new patio — entertaining, dining, relaxing, etc. — before you can add the details.

Once you know what you are likely to use the space for, you can then look at how you want to create the atmosphere.

Outdoor tile: The foundation of your new patio, you can cover an existing area, extend it, or create a whole new outdoor “room”. Outdoor tile can add structure, color and texture, and it sets the tone for the rest of the décor.
Outdoor lighting: From string lights to light posts, solar lamps to lanterns, you can use lighting to set perimeters to your patio and add ambiance.
Trends for this summer include sumptuous seating and bigger dining areas, and plush cushions for entertaining guests during the evenings. Also popular are transitional areas that bring indoor contemporary looks to the outdoors.
Although bold colors like cayenne, marigold, and oranges are popular this year, you will need to pair them with neutral shades to balance, or use corresponding colors to create tonal combinations. Popular color combinations include yellows and grays and tonal blues. Black and white is always in style.
Finishing touches: Black fences are commonly seen in Japanese-inspired gardens, and provide a dramatic backdrop, especially striking when contrasted with the white shutters. A black fence can also is a striking backdrop for plants, especially native plants with their gray-green colors.

Fire pits, specifically stone pits, are also popular, providing a focal point for your patio, as well as a center for conversation. They also function as a way to keep warm on cooler nights, roast weenies or marshmallows, and add lighting to a dark night.

[http://www.citytile.net/patios/]

City Tile: Empty Nest is Potential Space

Posted by samantha on Aug 12, 2014 in What I've Done

Your son or daughter has gone off to college or moved out, and you are feeling like the house is incomplete with the empty room.

For a little investment you can change that empty room into a home office, recreation or crafting room or even a guest bedroom.

Update the space with an accent wall painted in a fun, bold color such as emerald green, navy blue, or mustard yellow. You can also find fabrics for window hangings, plush pillows and rugs that add color or texture.

You can find inexpensive shelving to store all your files, knick knacks and other pieces, and depending on your renovation’s purpose, a bench by the window or arm chair in a corner can create a quiet space to reflect, remember or be productive.

A small bedroom can be transformed into a large dressing room with shelves, suspended rods, vanity table, full-length mirrors, and jewelry armoire. Or a study or library only requires shelves, comfy seating and great lighting to become a sanctuary.

Guest rooms or a futon in a home office can be great options if you want to retain sleeping arrangements for when your child comes home to visit.

[http://www.citytile.net/empty-nest-potential-space/]

Controlling current chaos through containers

Posted by samantha on Aug 12, 2014 in What I Think

One of my flaws happens to be how I handle stress. For those around me, it’s nothing new, and they just let me do my thing, but for those who don’t see me on a day-to-day routine, it might seem that I’m a little crazy.

When I am really stressed out, I tend to clean, organize, rearrange and create a new space. It’s controlling behavior, really. I find a way to control one thing in my life while the rest is chaotic and up in the air.

After my time at the DNJ ended, I went from one end of our home to the other reorganizing, moving furniture, and purging tons of stuff that had been taking up space. In the end I created a much more open, comfortable living space with less clutter, but in the middle of the whirlwind I’m sure my husband thought I had lost my mind

But this is how I handle change and stress. I’m sure any supervisor would think I’m wasting time, or get stressed that I’m not going to get something done, but this is actually not the case.

This is one reason I loved Sandee Suitt at the DNJ. She let me be my creative, somewhat kooky, self. When I was working on a big project, she new that I was going to come in and redo my inspiration board at least once, that I’d clear out my filing drawers, and that I would probably move my computer from once side of my desk to the other. When the deadline was quickly approaching, my new perspective and nervous energy was gone, and I was able to focus on the job at hand, knock it out, and deliver a product I was confident about.

Recently I was getting myself worked up about a new project for Grandaddy’s Farm. It’s one of the bigger contracts I’ve taken on so far, and I wanted to make sure it was perfect. Poor James! He came home from rehearsal and I had reorganized our bathroom with new baskets and containers.

I love containers. They are the best way to control clutter. I’m not partial to any particular type; at least I don’t think so. I love baskets, filing cabinets, trays, storage totes, and tables or dressers with drawers for me to fill with essentials. I guess you can see why I’m constantly cleaning out clutter.

Because that is my other flaw: crafting and collecting crafting supplies. But that’s a story for another day.

Making cakes and eating them, too

Posted by samantha on Aug 2, 2014 in What I Think

After my position was eliminated last year, I decided to take advantage of the extra time on my hands by tackling something on my bucket list: cake decorating.

My mom was always a culinary genius when it came to baked goods, and my baby sister can whip up some extraordinary scrabbled eggs and tilapia dishes.

For years I’d wanted to take some classes and learn a few decorating techniques to add to my inherited baking skills. And with Michael’s craft stores offering classes half off, I really had no reason not to.

For 12 weeks I had a blast learning about making different types of icing, how to use them to create patterns, petals and more, and even got some work with fondant and gum paste.

What’s been really neat, though, is how I’ve been able to continue learning and practicing — and even making some spare change — through making cakes for friends and family.

Check out some of my sweet creations!