Dining Room Dilemma: Part 1

A few years ago some clients who were moving into their newly constructed house offered me their old Gunderson piano. At the time, I didn't think we had room for it and my mom had always wanted one so I gave it to her. The short of it is, she no longer wants it and since my now seven year old son seems to have a propensity for music I've decided to make room for it. Thus the design dilemma!

I have been wanting to move the function of the dining room more toward that of a library. I'm reluctant to just go for it and downsize the table and chairs to a library table. I don't know why, we hardly ever eat in there. More often than not it's the overflow table for when I have more than fourteen for dinner, which is what I seat around the table off the kitchen.

I've never been happy with the dining room. I think it's pretty- just not my style! I don't  care for Queen Anne style furniture- but like many I've been trying to make what I have into something that I like. 

We painted the chairs black and the table white a few years back. I covered the chairs in a cream colored chenille with  a damask print. I've never loved it- don't I sound like a brat!

I was thinking that the rug, with it's true blues and reds was not helping the cause so we put it in a different room but we all are not liking the bare floors. When they installed the floors I had them do a wood border around the dining room. My plan is to paint some sort of a Greek key border on the floor. I will definitely be blogging about that!

We tried a different rug and I love it! First of all, it's a rectangle (the other one was square) so it makes the room feel so much larger and I've always loved the border of this rug. The rug is a keeper!

It has a lot of purple and red but it also has that beautiful blue and an olive color that I'm loving. So here I am planning out my  new design for a dining room that's rarely used. And then this happens....

A big old, dark, (in desperate need of paint or refinishing) piano.

I like the lines of the piano but I think (I know) I've got to ditch the dining room scheme. There simply isn't enough room! My table is too big, the buffet and piano don't look good lined up against the same wall, so I've got to do it, Right? When I see and hear my son playing I know it's the right thing! I have made up my mind (besides it will give me something to blog about)! 

Consider this part one of the transformation of my dining room into a music room? a library? ...and what am I going to do with that piano- have any ideas? Paint colors? It's time to put together a design board! Luckily, Easter dinner is not at my house. 

Make sure you sign up to win a pet portrait drawn by yours truly!

Fun Friday Find: A Handmade Easter Ornament

This one is my favorite!

Happy Friday! The anticipation for Easter is building.
Every year I give my mom and a few others a painted egg. Today I'd like to tell you how to make these pretty Easter egg ornaments. I'll tell you how to blow out an egg and give you some inspiration for decorating it. This is a very special gift to make for someone and they are actually pretty simple. Just be careful- they are delicate!

First, you'll need to blow out an egg for each ornament that you want to make. Sound disturbing? (I will not be showing pictures of me doing this!) There really is no other way- I've tried using a syringe and it kind of works but not great. More often than not it cracks the egg or makes too big of a hole. 

Go ahead and wash the eggs and dry them. 

You'll need to poke a hole in both ends of the egg. To do this I have used a tack- that works pretty well but you will have to pick around the hole to make it a bit larger and that is a very delicate business. I did the eggs like that for years and then last year I had an epiphany- use a Dremel! Duh!

A Dremel is the way to go if you have one. I use a 3/16 drill bit which makes a perfect size hole!

Next you'll have to poke something into the hole in the egg to break the yolk. I use a toothpick. It makes it easier to blow out.

Now just blow in one end and the scrambled egg will come out the other. 

After the scrambled egg is out, put some clean water into the egg by running a fine stream of water into the hole, fill it about half way, shake it, blow the water out. Do that a couple of times.

Now, this is where you can get creative. I'll show you some of the eggs I've done and some that my sister has made for me.

Here I used gold  and white acrylic paint. I used watercolor paint for the light blue and light yellow eggs. For the writing I used an Italian poetry rubber stamp that I inked up with gold paint and then rolled the egg on it.

If you want to paint details, it makes it easier to lay the egg in a bowl of rice to keep it from rolling around.

One way to hang the egg is to pass a piece of ribbon through both holes and  knot the end or add a bead to keep it from pulling back through. Put a knot on the top to cover the hole.

Here my sister mod podged origami paper onto the egg. You can buy these little gold doohickeys (technical term) at the craft store in the jewelery making section. Its much easier to hot glue this to the top of the egg right over the hole and pass some gold floss or ribbon through. This is easier than doing it the previous way. (It's hard to get the ribbon through both of the holes).

Another one my sister did. She glued embroidery floss and trim onto the egg. If you are completely covering the egg maybe you don't need to use a real egg- unless you're a purist :)

Here is another one I did with watercolors. Just sloshed it on and then patted it off. For the hanger I used a gold doohickey thing and some brass wire and beads. They look so pretty in the sun!

I was lucky enough to find these little "French" Chinese take-out boxes to gift my eggs in this year

I made a little nest out of raffia to protect it.
How cute is that? 

I think anyone would be thrilled to receive one of these special decorated eggs. I hope you try it! 

Have a great weekend!  Michelle

Get In On The Free Pet Portrait Give Away

{click on the photo to get all of the details}

I'm linking this project to the first blog I ever followed, Christina's Adventures and her 

20 Below Thursday's Linky Party!

My First Give Away!!!

Today I would like to thank you for "Following" Ispirato Design. I started blogging to inspire others. Whether it's to do a home improvement project or make a handmade gift or just to have a glimpse at what others are doing in the design world. First and foremost, my goal is to inspire!  Funny thing is, I feel like I'm the one being inspired- constantly. So many  inspire me with their ideas, talents and photos they post and many make me laugh with their good humor and wit. So thank you for that!

In appreciation for following Ispirato Design and to encourage more to follow along, I would like to announce that I'm giving away....(drum roll please):

 A Gift Certificate for a 
Custom 8x10 Pet Portrait in Pencil
That's a $100 value! remember that number- it's significant :)

Now, before you get too excited - read the fine print at the end of this post. 

Here are the rules:

1. To be eligible to win you must be a "Follower" of Ispirato Design. Just click on the Follow button in the right side bar. You'll be prompted to choose the account that you want to use and then click Follow Publicly. You'll know you've done it right when see a square tile that represents you (you are given the option of uploading a photo).

2. To enter just leave a comment in the comment area at the bottom of this post to say your follower. (Make sure that your name links to an email or leave me an email in your comment)

3.To enter more than once do any or all of the following, and leave a separate comment for each one at the end of this post.

      a.) "Like" Ispirato Design on Facebook and then leave me a comment to tell me that you did.

      b.) "Like" my Home and Pet Portrait Page on Facebook and then leave me a comment  to tell me that you did.

      c.) Follow me on Twitter and then leave me a comment to tell me that you did.

      d.) Blog about the give away and link back to it (I would love it if you used my little button that I created!) and then leave me a comment to tell me that you did.

.

So that's up to five possible entries (comments) per person - be sure to leave a separate comment for each one that you do (ie. I just liked your facebook page or I just followed you on twiiter etc.)

The contest will close at midnight on the day that I reach 100 Followers! 

(That may sound like a long time but if the people who only get my email updates 

signed up to be followers it could be tomorrow!)

I will choose a winner using random.org

The fine print: 

-The gift certificate will expire one year from the day of receipt

-I will leave the name blank so it can be transferred

-The complete instructions are on the back of the certificate

-Instructions include sending me a suitable photograph 

-Shipping is not included

-Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery after I receive a suitable photograph

* A suitable photograph is a clear photo that shows your pet as you would like it portrayed. Poor quality photos result in poor quality portraits so I cannot accept these. A selection of images for me to choose from is ideal.

Good Luck!!! 

You can see a sample of my work by clicking on the Pet Portrait button in the sidebar or visit my Etsy shop.

Questions??? michellesamoraj@gmail.com

Featured Designer: Sandy Koepke

As promised, my third featured designer is California, interior and garden designer, Sandy Koepke. Yesterday I showed you some of the outdoor spaces that she created for alfresco dining and today I want to bring you inside to see her equally inspiring interiors.

Sunlight, space and sophisticated comfort are her trademark design elements that she brings to each project.

So much of the ornamentation that she uses in her interiors are straight from nature or are pieces that were probably intended for the garden.

A crock vase, glass cloche, wrought iron candle holders and a pair of dog figurines create a charming still life on a table that looks like something you would see outside of a quaint, little cafe.  

I love the birdcage and the owners must have a terrier- what a cute pillow!

A very interesting magazine rack- I could use that! 

Have you ever seen stacks of magazines look so stylish?

This is just how I expected the kitchen to look. Vintage, vintage and more vintage with just a dash of contemporary lighting. 

I'll bet that sink is actually an old wash basin that's been converted. 

If not, that is an excellent reproduction!

The colors have been so neutral up to this point, the floral quilt and shams are a welcome splash of color.

What do you think of all of the rustic furniture? I think it looks beautiful but when it came time to dust and clean I'm not sure if I would like it. I think I might prefer just a couple of pieces. What do you think?

This is just one house in Sandy Koepke's  portfolio. 

To see more visit her website: Sandy Koepke Interiors

I hope you are having an inspiring day and be sure to visit again tomorrow. I'm very excited to be announcing my very first give away! Ohhh, I hope you like it!!! 

Al Fresco Dining

One warm weekend and all I want to think about is outside. I still want to paint that powder room but that is what rainy days are for. Because it was so nice out, we just didn't want to come in the house even for a moment, even to eat!

via

 How wonderful it is to sit out in the fresh air with birds chirping, bees buzzing, to busy to even to bother anyone and just have a sandwich with the kids or a dinner with some friends. If you are fortunate enough to have a garden to place your table and chairs, even better!

via

 My mother has a small table and chairs in her garden where she would have tea parties with my kids. Those are such special memories. 

via

I'm not sure if it's because we have such long winters here but anytime that we can do ordinary activities like eating, reading or even taking a nap outside it is such a treat! 

via

Wouldn't this be a nice setting for a Sunday brunch?

Sandy Koepke Interior Design

 As I was looking for images, I came across southern California designer Sandy Koepke. These next few images are her some of her garden designs. She does both interior design as well as garden design. I will be featuring some of her interiors tomorrow.

Sandy Koepke Interior Design

Quite a dramatic shift in ambiance from day to night! Chinese lanterns, industrial style pendant lamps and candles create such an intimate dining area.

Sandy Koepke Interior Design

Another sitting area in a Beverly Hills garden.

Sandy Koepke Interior Design

 An outdoor kitchen and more than one sitting area under the pergola make this Berkshire Pool House a perfect place to entertain or have family get together.

Sandy Koepke Interior Design

Whether you have a huge, beautifully designed area like this or a picnic table, when friends and family get together to eat, play some cards or share a bottle of wine and there is laughter and fun- you have the PERFECT place for al fresco dining!

Come back tomorrow to see some beautiful interior spaces created by Sandy Koepke!

Fun Friday Find: Floor Plan Pattern

Happy Friday! Have any big house projects planned for this weekend? We finally have some sunshine and things are drying up a little. Hopefully, I'll be able to get into the gardens and clean them out. I still haven't pruned the fruit trees or wisteria. Something I usually do in March. The raspberries were pruned last weekend but the black raspberries need to be tied up, as well as the grapes. If I get all of that done I will be a happy girl on Monday!

Vignette Designs actually inspired todays post. Yesterday she put up several photos from her recent trip to Fishs Eddy in NYC including these totally awesome floor plan plates. 

Being a drafter of blueprints and the like you can imagine my delight and desire to have these!

Aren't they fantastically FUN!?

Floor Plan Penthouse Platter

Can you imagine a tablescape using these dishes and other architectural elements?

Floor Plan Mug (an elevation of course)

 Besides plates, mugs and trays, they sell dish towels, napkins, and a tote bag each with a different floor plan. 

{Children/husband are you paying attention!}

This breaks from the floor plan theme but how cute is this for your desk?!
Also from Fishs Eddy.

Okay back to the floor plans. Next up: "Ties that don't suck" -don't look at me that's their motto! The Etsy shop known as Toybreaker is a small boutique that sells these very hip silk screened ties. 

Many, many fun designs!

Cass Tech High School Blueprint 

Bag One Bag Shop also an Etsy shop, sells various wallets, card cases, and photoholders with a floor plan design.

Wristlet/Zipper Pouch

Photo via House Beautiful

This beautiful Federal blue and cream toile fabric is by Kravet . It depicts plans and elevations from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Touring Monticello is something I've always wanted to do. Between the gardens and architecture- I look forward to being overwhelmed. When I saw this fabric my first thought was shower curtain! What would you use it for? 

Have a great weekend!!! 

Wood Countertops

What do you think about wood counter tops? I'm not just talking about butcher blocks. More and more home owners are choosing wood because it's elegant, warm (quite literally), and quite frankly, it's not granite! Personally, I love the look of wood counter tops with a painted-finish cabinet.  I think it gives them a furniture like quality and as the kitchen is so often the gathering space, that suits it well. 

Check out some of these pictures while I tell you what I've learned about wood countertops.

 Currently in Europe, which usually leads the US in design trends, wood countertops have more than forty percent of the market share versus seven percent in the US. 

There are many species of hardwood to choose from. Domestic woods like hickory, maple and oak are the least expensive.

Wenge, zebrawood and teak are considered exotic woods and run 60 to 120 percent more. Many manufacturers offer sustainable wood choices as well as reclaimed wood from buildings and barns that are being torn down. I know a homeowner that is using large sections of wood from the actual alley of a bowling alley for their countertops.

There are a few ways to finish the wood. I prefer protecting it (versus sealing it with a polyurethane can crack or chip) with a natural oil finish ie. mineral oil or walnut oil. We had a butcher block growing up and my mother would rub olive oil into it. That works!

I have a wood countertop on my German cupboard (you can see it here). It holds our coffee service so it gets used a lot and gets wet everyday. I like using tung oil- it gives it a slight shine and really protects it from moisture. This is not a surface that I prepare food on otherwise I would use one of the natural oils.

There are three styles to consider: Plank style, Edge grain or End grain. Plank style the boards are lying flat (like a wood floor), Edge grain the boards are on their sides- this is the best option for a counter that is going to cantilever beyond it's support because its the strongest and then End Grain is when the boards are standing on their ends- creates a checkerboard pattern as seen in some of the photos.

As you can see from the photos, there are many edge details to choose from as well. Ogee and beveled are a bit more formal, square cut is more modern. Do you like the Wenge wood above- it's so dark and edgy?!

When I said that I wanted wood countertops in my kitchen I got a lot of strange looks. I think there are a lot of preconceived notions that wood is difficult to care for or not durable and that just is not the case.

 Would I take a hot dish out of the oven and set it on a wood counter -no!, but the beauty and distinct style makes the little extra design time to plan for the way one cooks and entertains in the kitchen sooo worth it! ...and no I'm not selling wood countertops- 

though from this post it may seem that way :) 

Happy Thursday! See you tomorrow for another Fun Friday Find!

Sources: KBB Online, Gardenstate Soapstone, Craft-Art

Updated April 11, 2011

I had a lot of interest in this post. Here are a couple more photos: 

via Great Kitchen Ideas,
meredethbooks.com

via Great Kitchen Ideas,
meredethbooks.com

via Great Kitchen Ideas,
meredethbooks.com