Doing the Wave with Petunias

I'm so glad that someone figured out how to come up with Wave Petunias, because I love them!! 


I had some trouble finding them this year.  The planting date that everyone goes by here is Mother's Day.  We were going to be out of town right around there, so I waited until Memorial Day to buy them. Boy was I shocked that they were really hard to find!  Luckily they had just put some out that morning at my favorite nursery.  The colors were limited to purples and whites.  I would've preferred to have more pink flowers, but beggars can't be choosers, right?! 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have them in pots on my driveway and on my back patio.  They are blooming like crazy and are just so much fun to look at!

 

 

 

Here's Bailey doing his wave!  "Hey, I just came in 20 seconds ago, but now I must go outside again!"  :)

 

 

 

 

What are your favorite flowers for pots?

 

 

 Thank you for your visit!

 

Pam


I am linking to the following parties:
Debbiedoos and On Sutton Place's Pinterest Blitz

 

 

The Final Lap

Next week, we are photographing the house that's consumed us for the past 11 and a half months.  Almost a year ago, having just finished our house, and having out 3rd son, we stumbled upon a promising real estate listing a couple of towns over. The new house would be a complete redo and an almost total gut job.

{the new house, before}

Our heads told us to stay put because we were finally finished working on our house and we were so happy with it, but the ever-persistent "gut" said to go for it.  With two boys and an infant...

... we plunged ourselves into a full on renovation:

{we lived here throughout the entire process}

It was truly the fastest year of my life.  The whirlwind we entered into has been exhausting, exciting, rewarding and all-consuming.  Throughout this process, I've felt so excited and happy with how everything's been going, but I've also felt stretched very thin.  I work on doing the house after or before work is over, so our free time has been so limited.  In a sense, it's like I'm slap happy a lot of the time.  All along I've trusted that everything would fall into place and have felt a real peace inside- so I wouldn't say this process has been emotional at all or that I've felt anything but awesome about it- but it's more like my brain is on overload and I just sort of have to shrug or laugh at the amount of work that needs to be done in so little time.  In short, I haven't regretted our decision for even a moment but I am SO ready to relax a bit and have a little more time.

{need more moments like these}

So...  it's all coming down to this next week.  We chose to put this insane deadline on ourselves because it was really important to me that the house be photographed when it's in full bloom...   My house is all about indoor-outdoor living and when you're inside, the outside is right there with you. The outdoors are so much a part of the house's design that we need to photograph it at a time that really illustrates this feature.  It's pretty much why I fell in love with the house in the first place.

We have people coming to stucco the fireplace today and there are a few miscellaneous painting and touch up projects we need to get done.  Curtains are going up, artwork is being hung, and long-awaited pillows and bedding are arriving.  It's so satisfying!!  But also a bit nerve-wracking...  will everything actually get here in time??  I'm sure a few things won't and I don't know what to do about them.  We bought a dining table online a couple of weeks ago from a company in Pennsylvania (with local pick up only) and have not been able to get in touch with them about picking it up.  Without it, I don't really know what to do, but we can't exactly drive up there and knock on the door of the shop without knowing if they're open.   Stuff like that... and there's a lot of it.  To be honest, this is exactly what it's like when working on clients' projects, but the fact that it happens during work hours makes such a difference.  We've been doing everything on borrowed time.

{Christian}

Christian- our six year old- once told me that he liked our old house better.  When I asked him why, he said "Because you and Daddy work too much here."   Made me sad and feel terrible.   (Where do kids learn how to do that guilt thing?!! ;) ;)

Anyway, please send some good thoughts (and energy!!) our way this next week.  Helen (our photographer) will be shooting Wednesday through Friday so we have a few more days for things to actually get here.  Fingers crossed!!!

{To do before next week: stain the house, fix the garden edges, among other things}

We're working out what we'll actually be doing with the photos of our house once we have them, and I just cannot wait to share them.  (I was always that annoying kid who wanted to show my parents or grandparents what I was excited about: "Look at what I made!!"  .. So I guess I haven't changed much.)   I have been thinking of a magazine to publish it and am also playing with other ideas.  This house has been such a part of us, and we've poured so much into it.  We think of it as our "forever" house.  It's not big or impressive, but it's ours and we love it.  I can't wait to share it.


 ps- In the midst of all of this, we're launching a brand-new website.  This blog will be moving.  At this point, it's still up, but when we make the move (any day now) this blog will automatically redirect to the new one at laurenliess.com/pure-style-home    I'll post info on how to refresh your subscription and all of those fun techy details soon!!

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

PVC Fascia Boards – Expansion

PVC Fascia Boards have many advantages over their traditional timber alternatives.

They are virtually maintenance free, they come in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes and when correctly installed they will not split, warp, bow or crack. One feature that is present in all PVC Fascia Boards though is that they do expand and contract, according to the ambient temperature conditions.

This is actually a common occurrence amongst many plastic extruded products. Stand next to a low level gutter system just as the sun comes out and you will hear a definite clicking noise – this the noise of the guttering catching on the fascia brackets as it expands through them.

All professional installers are aware of this and make allowances for expansion and contraction by ensuring that the gutter is fitted precisely in line with the insertion marks that are marked on the fittings by the manufacturers. This allows the gutter to safely expand and contract along its length without fear of buckling or pulling out of the fittings in any way.

Whilst it stands to reason that PVC Fascia boards should react in the same way as PVC Guttering, not all fitters are aware of this fact. All board manufacturers recommend that an expansion gap is left between each joint and corner piece. The gap size may vary very slightly between manufacturers, but it usually 5mm per 5m board, meaning that there should be a gap of 10mm between two full length boards. This gap is never actually seen as it will be covered by a corner or joint trim. To ensure that the expansion gap is not compromised, the corner or joint trim should only ever be glued onto one board – the other board should be simply sealed with a silicon sealant which is flexible enough to allow the board to move.

Dark colours tend to expand slightly more than white fascia boards; this is the reason that more fixings are required on a wood grain fascia installation when compared to a white system.

PVC Fascia boards that are butted up tightly together with no provision for expansion will almost certainly buckle and warp in warmer temperatures.

This post was provided by PVC Cladding the leading supplier of specialist building plastics.

Hot Taps for Kitchens

Water is an essential part of life. In today’s society, accessing pure, odour-free water can often prove to be a tricky (and expensive) endeavour. Thankfully, there are a few alternatives to continually buying water bottle after water bottle – this is when kitchen hot taps come into play. As the name entails, hot taps provide hot filtered water at an affordable price. They come in many models, some of them offering chilled water.

What are hot Taps?

Hot taps prove to be the ideal solution for anyone wishing to incorporate clean, odour-free water in their daily life. Most often used in kitchens, they are also very popular in work environments. Kitchen hot taps are useful for cooking, cleaning as well as making hot drinks such as tea. The simpler models usually dispense hot water, while the more advanced ones are also known to provide chilled water and a wide array of other benefits.

Why buy a Hot Tap?

There are many reasons why a person should buy a hot tap for kitchen – not only does it provide a sense of security by dispensing clean and filtered water, it also facilitates the process of cooking as well as brewing hot beverages. Someone with a hot tap saves lots of time; after all, they merely have to press a button and hot, steaming water comes pouring out. Those thinking of buying a more advanced hot tap that offers chilled water as well as boiling water will also get the benefits of drinking fresh, tasteless water. UK families that do not drink from the taps and instead buy bottled waters usually enjoy this benefit the most.

Latest hot Taps

One of the latest hot taps comes in the form of the InSinkErator Hot Tap available from Water Coolers Direct. The latest can be purchased for only £312.50 on Water Coolers Direct. On top of being affordable, this kitchen hot tap is able to dispense water at a temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to ensure the water tastes as clean as possible, the InSinkEratorHot Tap filters chlorine and any other causes that are behind the bad taste of regular UK tap water.

Advanced hot Taps

Also available from Water Coolers Direct is one of the most advanced kitchen hot taps includes the Zip HydroTap. Available for £2,815, the Zip HydroTap is one of the finest hot taps that can be found on the market today. Offering an unlimited supply of chilled or steaming water, this hot tap for kitchen is small enough to fit under any sink. It is also able to dispense up to 160 cups of boiling water and 125 cups of chilled water per hour. The Zip HydroTap is also available at Water Coolers Direct.

Not only are kitchen hot taps an absolute must have; they are also are an investment. The benefits they provide to people go beyond what most of them expect. Cooking with fresh, clean water is absolutely priceless, as is drinking odour and taste-free water. Hot taps prove to be useful to countless families all over the United Kingdom everyday.

Bring Style Back To Your Bathroom

The bathroom is a vital part of your home and is considered to be a primary room along with the kitchen. Over time, tiles can become damaged, suites can start to discolour and the overall style may be out of date in a matter of years. So why don’t you think about transforming your bathroom? A new stylish bathroom can reinvigorate your whole home and increase the value of your property.

Picking a Colour

Colour schemes in most rooms can be easy to change with a lick of paint and few changes to accessories. However, in the bathroom this can be slightly more difficult as suites and tiles can be very expensive to replace. Choose a neutral colour such as white or cream as a base. If the majority of the fixtures and fittings are one colour then you will be able to add accessories of a different colour. These can later be interchanged if you need to update the look.

Brighten Your Mornings

Tiles are a great way to bring in light to the room as they will reflect the incoming sunlight and give a gleaming effect. You can choose to tile your bathroom from floor to ceiling or maybe only around the shower area to keep it water tight. Either way, there are many designs and sizes that can create a spa atmosphere. Large tiles are currently very popular due to their sleek appearance. However, you may wish to play it safe and stay traditional with small square tiles. These do not need to cost the earth and there are many stores which will have discounted tiles in stock. Lighting is also key as this can create a relaxing ambience. Adjustable lighting is ideal so that during the winter mornings you can wake yourself up in a bright bathroom, but yet unwind in a romantic setting in the evenings.

Make Life a Little Cleaner

The redesigning process isn’t all about how it looks. Obviously that is an important factor but you should consider the practicality too. A glass splashback can instantly transform your bathroom. It can add style and save you a lot of time with cleaning. Splashbacks are water and thermal resistant so can be placed anywhere in your bathroom. They are created to take any splashes of water so you don’t have to worry about constantly cleaning water marks. They just need a simple wipe down with a cloth once in a while so this will save you hours of cleaning time.

Don't Overdo It

Simplicity is key in a modern bathroom and it is important to remember not to go overboard. Too many accessories and knick-knacks around the place will make the area far harder to clean. Psychologically it will also have an effect when you walk into the room itself. You should feel relaxed and in a soothing environment, however if there are many colours and objects around this is far less likely to be the case. A bathroom should be a place to unwind and let go of the stresses of the day with a hot bath so keep this image in mind when you are choosing the design.

This post was written by Amy Bennett who has recently redecorated her dreary old bathroom. She ordered a beautiful made to order splashback in her favourite colour from UK Splashbacks. They not only delivered a great product but also a great service too.

A Peek: Our Kitchen Garden

With things as hectic as they've been lately, I've been truly cherishing my time in our garden.

{We created our garden with the help of my friend Danylo, owner of Organic Edible Gardens www.oegardens.com who we worked with to design & install the entire thing.}

 

 It's the first thing I do when I wake up (ok, after kids and putting out fires) and walking through it, weeding, snipping things here and there just makes me feel at peace. 

We found an old potting table and it's made planting, cutting and washing so much easier.  Having a place to stash everything has made such a difference and I now can't imagine the garden without it:

The garden's full of flowers right now, including limelight hydrangeas, echinacea and English roses.  I've been loving cutting them and bringing in fresh bouquets.

 

 

 The Asian cucumbers are possibly our favorite thing in the garden right now.  This one is over a foot and a half long and I even plucked it a little early!--

 

They're so good we can eat them plain!!

There's something about bringing things inside from the outside that I just can't get enough of.  We cook with herbs from the garden almost every night and have just been getting to enjoy the tomaters!!!

 

The boys fight over who gets to actually pick everything.  I'm looking forward to when all of the plants are producing fruit so "picking" is a little more peaceful ;)

 

Here's one of my favorite most recent meals from the garden:

 

 

Eating from our garden makes me so incredibly happy!!!  The boys love to help out and this weekend we put together our own little invention (which I'm sure has probably been invented before)- "pestodillas:"

 

 

Here's the Recipe:

 



-We took fresh baked whole wheat tortillas (whole foods' fresh baking, not ours ;) and layered them with pesto from the garden, shredded parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, garden tomatoes and a wheat tortilla with garlic butter on one side.  (Oh sooooo bad but so good!!! Will try without the garlic butter next time to be good ;) ;) 

-We microwaved them for a minute and were in love!!

 

I hope you get the chance to try it = Heaven.

 

 

Anyway, I'm off for another crazy day, but I hope you enjoyed this peek into our garden.  We're photographing our house next week and there's still so much that needs to be done...   Curtains & artwork need to go up (and be framed!!) , hardware needs to be installed, things need to be painted, bedding and pillows are being made, and we have a couple more small construction projects to finish up with.  So many things need to fall in place in order for next week to happen and I'm really feeling the pressure.  We're photographing it as early as we are because I want to have the photos happen when everything is in full bloom around here, which is now.  This morning I woke up sort of just wishing I could give up though. :/   (I think that's mostly because I'm tired & sick and it's Monday ;) ;) 

I think I need to take one more little walk through the garden this morning. 
Have a good one!!

For info on Organic Edible Gardens & their services, visit here. 


ps- If you missed my last post, our new distance decorating service - PARCEL- is finally available!!!  We've had an overwhelming response to the service (which is available on a first-come, first-serve basis) and I can't thank you all enough for spreading the word and for your support!! 
If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.  If you are interested in PARCEL please mention it in your inquiry.

Vinyl Flooring from EveryFloorDirect

Vinyl flooring has been available as a flooring option for many years and a pretty good one at that. It can provide a highly cost effective solution for those looking for a stylish interior revamp at minimal costs. Vinyl flooring has been gaining immense popularity over the past few years which now holds a very significant place in home décor and can be seen in kitchens and bathrooms quite frequently. Appearing on hit shows like Channel 4's Sarah Beeny, Grand Designs & 60 Minute Makeover more and more people are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of it.

The durability and sturdiness of this type of floor has been among the few most important reasons why it has been used over and over again from DIYers, home owners and interior designers. It makes a practical choice where hygiene is concerned as spills, muck and dirt can be easily wiped or moped clean. Cushion flooring can also be a wise choice for those who have pets and children and any debris can be swept up instantly without any costly stain removable solutions which other floor coverings may need.

Many people who have installed sheet vinyl flooring in their homes have complemented on the fact that it is very comfortable to stand on especially when walking barefoot. Most vinyl's are backed by either a sturdy foam backing, felt or PVC. This greatly improves the durability and wear life too. The surface of the floors in question is water resistant and anti-bacterial unlike other flooring materials such as carpet. Carpet tends to harbor large amounts of bacteria or can get moldy and smelly over time.

We do however, recommend regular maintenance is undertaken such as mopping, cleaning and sweeping to ensure your vinyl floor remains in optimum appearance at all times. This will increase the life of your new floor by up to 33%.

Cheap vinyl flooring has advanced so much in the last 5 years within the flooring industry, as it has been made possible to have a number of different textures, a wide range of vibrant on trend colours and designs that can mirror and look identical to almost any traditional floor coverings, such as stone, marble, granite, brick, wood etc. Giving a realistic, natural and comfortable look and feel to your interior project.

Choosing vinyl floors is by far the easiest, most sensible and the most economical choice. It might cost a little more than carpets or any such traditional flooring alternatives initially but truth be told, in the long run, it is the most economical choice of all. Carpets require costly maintenance and even then they only have a short life as traffic, spills, stains and general wear and tear will soon scuff it back up for you to repeat the process of cleaning over again. Vinyl flooring on the other hand, requires the least amount of TLC and lasts a lot longer. You can clean off that ink you dropped from a vinyl surface, even after a week using merely a wet cloth, but there is no way you can get off the same stain of that ink from a carpet even after an hour it was dropped no matter which cleaning chemicals you use. Even if you manage to get it off somehow, the carpet will never look the same.

If you are looking for kitchen vinyl flooring or any sort of cushion floor please visit Every Floor Direct today. We always have huge cost saving discounts with up to 70% OFF from high street prices. Free samples & Free delivery are also available.