Salamanders – (really Anoles or Lizards), Berries and Paint…

Posted on May 3, 2010 by DishOnDesignGal

Happy Monday! I’m working in Florida all week and thought I’d continue my photo essays throughout the week! On Sunday, I spent a lot of time at a local hair salon under construction. We were a bit distracted along the way…

Do you see what we saw? Hint: Look for two cute little lizards or anoles

The thing I love about being here in Florida is yes, I get lots of work done, come up with tons of creative ideas to make new products for you, work on interesting projects etc…but most of all I see and learn so many interesting (and useful) things. It reminds me to stop, look and enjoy my surroundings each day. That’s something I don’t do nearly enough. With that said, here’s a glimpse into snapshots of my day yesterday…

See them now? Sneaky little things arent' they?

I think it's so amazing how well this guy blends!

This is the green one before he realizes we are spying on him...I am told he is native to Florida

And the brown one after he scampered a few feet to a new branch...This one is actually a cuban anole.

But silly me steps on something crunchy sounding and he get's a little upset and telling me to back the heck up!

Apparently, Mr. Green Jeans has his friend's back...haha!

We didn't get a mile down the road before the car suddenly stops and my friend jumps out of the car. I look to my right and this what I see...

And straight ahead I see this... (that's Margie who I'm staying with this week)

And soon she shows me this...mulberries! They are delicious. Perfect for a quick road side snack!

This is why it's always a good idea to keep some wipes in the car, haha!

Margie is helping a friend open a new Hair Salon in her community and I've been helping a bit too. The black and white tile was existing and we chose a soft purple for the walls. It's really a great color, very neutral and clients will look fabulous!

The colors are a bit off in this photo, it's all purple but looks blue...but look up at the celing...we didn't like the dark painted ceiling ending at the top and the "feel" that the high ceilings gave to the space with the light purple going all the way up. We gave new instructions to the painter to bring the eggplant ceiling down a bit...I should have photo's of that later this week! I think it will be much more intimate.

This is the shampoo and color area...we determined where existing shelving would go and came up a few creative solutions for storage...this area should be completed as well later this week!

That’s it for now…running off later this afternoon to Ikea in Ft. Lauderdale and Whole Foods. I’m will take a few photo’s along the way for you of course! Stay tuned! xoxox

Add Glam to a Chandelier

Posted on March 7, 2010 by DishOnDesignGal

Where does the time go? I know I haven’t posted much in the last week, but I am busy as a bee in Florida on business and have been gathering lots of inspirational ideas to share with you-Yay! I’ll be posting ideas all next week, but here’s a sneak preview… I can’t wait to show you all the cool things I found!

Do you wish your chandelier was a bit more glamorous, but replacing it isn’t in the budget? Here’s a great way to add instant glam with a budget of $10-15.00. This inexpensive idea will take you 5-10 minutes from beginning to end.

All you’ll need is a garland of shimmering beads or berries! Most craft stores offer packaged garland - I purchased the beads below from the bridal section of Michael’s Craft Store for less than $10.00 each.

The garland below is strung with silver wire that extends to 6 feet long which is the perfect length to wrap around almost any chandelier. The beads are strung with wire and available in assorted finishes including silver, bronze and white. The key is to select a wire that is closest in color to the finish of your chandelier so the wire “disappears” when draped.

Simply remove the garland from the package, loop in and out around the arms of your chandelier and fluff, fluff, fluff. Fluffing consists of simply separating the beads so the garland becomes three-dimensional. Once done fluffing, sit back and enjoy! I promise you’ll be coming back to peek at it constantly. The beads are gorgeous as sunlight reflects off of them throughout the day and equally so at night as they splash your walls; reflecting the light of the chandelier. Below are a few photos of chandeliers with added Garland…

This Chandelier already had some crystals, but a single strand of garland added big time glam. It hangs over a kitchen sink - how cool is that?

Grape-like beads are beautiful with this chandelier and tin ceiling. It's hung above a square bistro table that seats 8.

Close up of Garland

Shimmering berries and leaves add interest and a bit of shimmer to an entryway

The wrapped wire blends with the finish of the chandelier

Add some glam to your chandelier and let us know how it turns out! xoxox Amy

Step Four: Valances and Wall Art – Kitchen on a Budget

Posted on May 6, 2009 by DishOnDesignGal

: Painted Wall and Cabinets

If you’ve been following the Redo of the Kuster’s Kitchen, I’m happy to report that the painting is done and it looks fabulous! As of the last update, they had painted the walls and beadboard, but still had the cabinets to complete. It’s amazing what a little paint can do!

: Before Photo

Lori found some apple pictures that she really liked. Remember the original apple photo that she loved? I think the new one’s below work much better – don’t you?

: Wall and Beadboard Painted with New Artwork

: Before Photo

Additionally, they hung the window treatments on the window and door Doesn’t the valance on the door look great with the photo’s? Lori purchased an extra one so we can make a custom valance to go over the eating area. I’ll take lots of photo’s when we do that in the next few weeks!

: Valance on Door

What’s up next? Besides hanging the chandelier and making the additional valances, the final project is to lay the wood floor. They found prefinished laminated flooring at Sam’s Club and hope to have it finished in the next few weeks! I can’t wait to see that! I know…I’m holding out and you haven’t seen all the areas, but I wanted to save the best for last! Once the wood floor is installed, we’ll do a full unveiling…Stay tuned!