I'm Brooke, here to publicly share my design addictions, product lusts, general obsessions and justification for cramming way too much pattern in any given space. One-Year Anniversary »
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This week marks the one-year anniversary for the Idea Attic. And what a year it has been. Personally, I have moved into a new condo, re-ignited my love for sewing and decorating, taken on some fun and new clients (dentist website and tattoo shop website currently in que), met some new people, traveled to Florida, Vegas, and Arizona, started playing tennis and kickball, and having a lot of fun with my husband. We really had a great year and are starting to make goals for 2009.
Here were the most popular posts for the Idea Attic in 2008:
When To Go Neutral - Shannon’s new house and inspiration board
Meet Shelley’s Dining Room - Shelley’s new pumpkin dining room inspiration board (after pictures coming soon…)
Spring Kitchens - Great colorful kitchens and how to mimic them
Teaching an Old Dresser New Tricks - The repurposing of a vintage dresser
Weekend Office Makeover - The reveal of my “croffice” (craft room + office)
THANK YOU for reading and keep the comments coming! I am a firm believer in change, and I would love any suggestions as to what you’d like to see on the Idea Attic.
Spring Kitchens »
My favorite kitchen designs and how you can mimic them…
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Bright and colorful - paint your lower cabinets a dark blue, and your upper cabinets in a complimentary teal color, and change out your faucets. You can easily change these items for just a couple hundred dollars and make a big difference!
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Modern and Simple - Hillsdale home in Dublin and El Dorado Hills, Ca., and Salt Lake City, Ut. has quite a selection of durable sideboards (including the one above) that might make a great island. Combine that with rustic bowls from Williams and Sonoma.
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Streamlined - Ikea has a very similar line of kitchen cabinetry
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Cozy and Textured - the picture boards on the sides can be made with foam core, ribbon and fabric.
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French Country - I love the rectangle tiles of the backsplash and walls. It adds a very vintage feel.
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Fun and Cool - Design Within Reach has a similar chair(above) that adds to this room’s casual look.
Find more great kitchen ideas at HowStuffWorks.
Paint Sheens »
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I often get asked which paint sheen is best for certain projects. This is sometimes confusing because many companies have their own labels for their different paint sheens. Common naming conventions include semi-gloss, eggshell, and flat. Here is a quick guide to helping you select the best sheen:
Flat: This sheen has a matte finish that does not reflect light. Because of this, it is often good to distract from imperfections in the surface. However, it’s rough texture traps dirt and is not known for its washability. Washing scuffs off this surface often results in minor paint removal. This is my favorite sheen right now - especially on a flat-surfaced wall, because I think it looks modern.
Eggshell: Like the shell of an egg, it has a tiny bit of a sheen when you look at it at an angle. Because of this, is slightly more washable than flat.
Satin: This has a bit more shine than Eggshell. This can be a great finish for furniture so it has a little gloss and protection to it. It is the best of both worlds because it has a great surface and is scrubable.
Semi-Gloss: Somewhat less attractive, but great for cleaning. This type of paint is ideal for a rental because of its ability to be scrubbed clean. For the same reason, it is great for heavily used areas were fingerprints and scuffs are often found. This finish is more durable, making it better served in rooms with high-moisture like laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
Bob Vila’s website has great advice for choosing the right sheen here.
Personalized Cabinets »
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Working on the set of DIY’s Fresh Coat with my sister and host, Shannon Kaye was a great experience. One of my favorite tips that Shannon gave homeowners was to mix it up in the kitchen. One of her signature design solutions is to paint the bottom cabinets in a kitchen a different, and often darker color. This breaks up a wall full of cupboards and adds interest and personality into a kitchen.
This picture is from Better Homes and Gardens, one of my favorite design magazines because they give you do-it-yourself tips. See this and other kitchen color tips on their website here.
