CREATIVE DESIGN

Key Associates

By: Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

 

I don't consider myself to be a designer, by any means.  My house is a mis-match of antique family pieces, hand-me-downs, and second-hand finds.  When it comes to furnishings, I am thrifty, practical, and love to re-use items that would otherwise go to waste.  In the past couple of years, I have gotten more bold in what I'm willing to try. 

 

First came the outdoor seat.  We had a large (and VERY heavy) rock that once stood up in our garden.  After several years in it's location, and some heavy rains, it took a fall.  So, as I studied this cool rock, I started to wonder, what else could I do with it?  Then, after having a tree go down, and looking over the wood that was destined to be split for camp fires, a light bulb came on.  What if I could lay a couple of wood stumps on their sides, and top them with the rock to make a bench?  I talked my husband into moving the rock into place for me, and voila - a bench was born!

 

 

My next idea was for a platform bed.  After trying to extend our full size antique bed frame to a queen with an extender kit, our new memory foam mattress started sagging in the middle.  We tried another frame extender, and still couldn't resolve the sagging.  So, I decided that if we had a platform bed, we could support and save our mattress.  I looked at many different beds, and couldn't find any that I loved.  I started thinking of ways to build one.  I was almost set on a design using old pallets, but the chemicals that can off-gas from the weather treatments of the wood ultimately deterred me from going that route.  After much contemplation, I decided that I'd build one using tree stumps and plywood...how much sturdier could you get?  I would need two sheets of plywood, so there would be a seam down the middle.  I figured that I needed stumps that were at least 12 inches across, and wanted one at each of the four corners, and then three down the middle at the seam.  I called our local saw mill, and told them what I had in mind.  I also didn't want to treat the wood, and after discussing options with the saw mill, they hooked me up with my seven stumps for about $75.00.  When determining the measurements for the plywood topper, I decided to add some length so that I could fit some big pillows between the mattress and the wall - as a headboard of sorts.  The plywood cost me about $50, and our locally run store even cut it to the dimensions I needed.  My husband thought I was crazy, but it has turned out to be a perfect design, and I love it!

 

 

On the more professional side, designers are coming up with new and unique approaches every day.  Here's a link to an article with some fun ideas from House Beautiful - and a peek at one of the article's creative designs, using a rope for a stairway railing, is pictured below.

 

   If you have a creative design idea, go for it!  The possibilities are endless.

    

 

   

PATIO DESIGNS

Key Associates

By: Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

 

I am one of those people that will take any opportunity I can get to be outside - not the bugs, the heat, the cold, or even a light drizzle can keep me in.  My favorite places at my house are on our patio out back, our front deck, or even just sitting right in the middle of my driveway.  Lucky for me; we live in a fairly secluded home that is surrounded by woods.  When we bought our home, a little over 10 years ago, it was a total mess.  At the front of our home, there were so many large trees close to the house, that the indoors were in a constant state of darkness and mildew. After having several trees removed, we had a large deck built to overlook the forest gully that separated our home from our neighborhood road.  The woods at the back of our house just fell down the bank to within just a few feet from our back door.  My husband and I cut the bank back, built a massive retaining wall, and spread stepping stones and gravel - all while I was quite pregnant.  We are graced with lots of deer (that very rudely eat many of my plants), a seemingly decreasing population of wild turkeys, woodpeckers and other birds, bats, snakes, abundant spiders, our semi-domesticated Shepherd-Husky mix rescue dog, and our rambunctious eight year old son.  So yes, outdoor space is a precious commodity.  Although the deck is an amazing space for us to use, we often find ourselves at the patio out back.  Like others have stated, it seems to invite us into a more intimate setting.

Here are some nice ideas for patio and outdoor room designs that can be accomplished on a budget.  If you haven't worked to make your outdoor space more comfortable and accomodating, now's the perfect time.  Cheers! 

  

Rich Looks for Thrifty Outdoor Rooms

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INDEPENDENCE DAY

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Key Associates

By: Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

What a fun week ahead of celebrations, cook-outs, and fireworks!  I love celebrating the fourth of July for many reasons - it is warm outside (my favorite!), it's a day off with my family and friends, fireworks are always a *blast* (get it?), and most importantly, it is a day to appreciate all of the freedoms that our country offers. 

When preparing for the festivities this week, many a flag will be hung - both as a show of patriotism, and as a very fitting decoration for the holiday.  I got to thinking about the proper ways to hang a flag, and thought some of you might appreciate a little clarification too on the appropriate etiquette.  Here's a little clip from YouTube with instructions to making sure that your flag is hung correctly. 

Happy Independence Day!